Our Morning Offering – 11 November – The day of the Passion
In Your Hour of Holy Sadness
By St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father & Doctor of the Church
In Your hour of holy sadness
could I share with You, what gladness
should Your Cross to me be showing.
Gladness past all thought of knowing,
bowed beneath Your Cross to die!
Blessed Jesus, thanks I render
that in bitter death, so tender,
You now hear Your supplicant calling,
Save me Lord
and keep from falling from You,
when my hour is nigh.
Amen.
Our Morning Offering – 4 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – The Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)
O My Good Angel
Prayer to One’s Guardian Angel
Appointing him Intercessory at the hour of Death
By St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)
My good Angel – I know not when or how I shall die.
It is possible I may be carried off suddenly
and before my last sigh, I may be deprived of all intelligence.
Yet, how many things I would wish to say to God,
on the threshold of eternity.
In the full freedom of my will today,
I come to charge thee to speak for me
at that fearful moment.
Thou will say to Him, then, O my good Angel –
That I wish to die
in the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church
in which all the Saints, since Jesus Christ, have died
and, out of which, there is no salvation.
That I ask the grace, of sharing
in the Infinite Merits of my Redeemer
and that I desire to die, in pressing to my lips,
the Cross which was bathed in His Blood!
That I detest my sins because they displease Him
and that I pardon, through love of Him,
all my enemies, as I wish myself to be pardoned.
That I die willingly because He orders it
and that I throw myself, with confidence,
into His adorable Heart, awaiting all His mercy.
That in my inexpressible desire to go to Heaven,
I am disposed to suffer everything
it may please His Sovereign Justice to inflict on me.
That I love Him before all things,
above all things and for His own sake;
that I wish and hope, to love Him with the elect,
His Angels and the Blessed Mother,
during all eternity.
Do not refuse, O my Angel,
to be my interpreter with God
and to protest to Him, that these,
are my sentiments and my will.
Amen.
Quote/s of the Day – 2 November – All Souls Day – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”
“Remember, when you
leave this earth,
you can take nothing with you,
which you have received,
only that, which you have given.”
“This death … has already levelled
his bow to strike me.
Is it not prudent to prevent its stroke,
by dying now to the world,
that at my death,
I may live to God?”
“It seems to me, my daughters,
that everything passes so quickly
that we should be thinking more,
about how to die,
than how to live!”
“The powers of hell
will assail the dying Christian
but his Angel Guardian
will come to console him.
His Patrons and St Michael,
who has been appointed by God
to defend his faithful servants,
in their last combat with the devils,
will come to his aid.”
“It is not Death that will come to fetch me,
it is the good God.
Death is no phantom, no horrible specter,
as presented in pictures.
In the catechism it is stated,
that death is the separation of soul and body, that is all!
Well, I am not afraid of a separation
which will unite me to the good God forever.”
Prayer for a Holy Death
By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor
My beloved Jesus,
I will not refuse the cross,
as the Cyrenian did;
I accept it, I embrace it.
I accept, in particular,
the death Thou hast destined for me,
with all the pains which may accompany it;
I unite it to Thy Death,
I offer it to Thee
Thou hast died for love of me; I
will die for love of Thee
and to please Thee.
Help me by Thy grace.
I love Thee, Jesus, my love;
I repent of ever having offended Thee.
Never permit me to offend Thee again.
Grant that I may love Thee always
and then do with me what Thou will.
Amen
MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/02/quote-s-of-the-day-2-november-death-is-then-no-cause-for-mourning/
One Minute Reflection – 2 November – All Souls Day – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – 1 Corinthian 15:51-57, John 5:25-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Do not wonder at this, for the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs shall hear the Voice of the Son of God. And they who have done good, shall come forth unto the resurrection of life but they who have done evil, until the resurrection of judgement.” – John 5:28-29
REFLECTION – “Let them weep who lack all hope of resurrection; it is not the will of God that takes it away from them but the inflexibility of what they believe. There has to be a difference between the servants of Christ and the pagans. This is what it is – they mourn for those close to them, whom they think to be dead forever; they see no end to their weeping, reach no rest for their grief …, whereas, for us, death is not the end of our existence but the end of our life. Since our existence is restored by a condition that is better, therefore, the coming of death sweeps away all our tears. …
How much greater is our comfort, who believe that our good deeds are the promise, of better rewards after death. As for the pagans, they have their consolation, in thinking that death is a rest from all our trials. Since they think their dead are denied the enjoyment of life, they also think them, to be deprived of every faculty of sense and freed from the pain of the hard and continual sorrows, we bear in this life. We, on the other hand, just as we should have a more elevated spirit because of the reward we expect, so, we should also better bear our pains because of this consolation. … Our dead have been sent on, not far from us but before us – they, whom death will not take but whom, eternity will receive!” – St Ambrose (340-397) Father and Doctor of the Church (On the death of his brother, I, 70-71).
PRAYER – O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants and handmaids, the remission of all their sins, that they may obtain, by our loving prayer,s the forgiveness which they have always desired. Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Thought for the Day – 31 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“My dear Mother Mary, you who lived in the intimate presence of God, obtain for me too, this great grace, so that I may avoid sin, do good and love God, upon earth, in the hope of enjoying Him forever in Heaven. Amen.🙏”
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/31/thought-for-the-day-31-october-pray-for-us-at-the-hour-of-our-death/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/31/thought-for-the-day-31-october-pray-for-us-at-the-hour-of-our-death-2/
Thought for the Day – 27 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“We seek her intercession, moreover, at the hour of death.
Death must come but if we have prayed often to our heavenly Mother, she will certainly be with us in those final and decisive moments of our lives.
If Mary is there to help us, we may be sure that death will come as a consolation, for it will be a peaceful journey towards everlasting happiness.”
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/26/thought-for-the-day-25-october-hail-mary/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/27/thought-for-the-day-27-october-holy-mary/
Thought for the Day – 26 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Deliver us, O God, from the evil of eternal damnation.
Sin is the greatest evil but, as long as we are on earth, it is an evil which can still be remedied, for God, in His Infinite Mercy, is always ready to forgive and to restore us to His divine friendship, if we sincerely repent.
In Hell, however, there is no further remedy, for there, the Mercy of God has been superseded by His Infinite Justice.
Where the tree falls, there it must lie forever.
Such dreadful unhappiness is barely conceivable!
Deliver us from sin, O God, deliver us from a bad death, deliver us from Hell.
Help us to love You more and more and to serve You more faithfully, so that we may one day enjoy Your blessed company, for all eternity.
Amen.”
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/25/thought-for-the-day-25-october-deliver-us-from-evil/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/26/thought-for-the-day-26-october-deliver-us-from-evil/
Thought for the Day – 17 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“As a result of this meditation, let us make the following resolutions in the presence of Mary Assumed into Heaven.
(1) To offer to God, everyday, in expiation of our sins, whatever kind of death He will please to give us.
(2) To build up for ourselves, henceforth, a substantial credit account of good actions and generous sacrifices.
(3) To pray fervently to our Mother Mary, to obtain for us from her Divine Son, a death which will be peaceful like hers, with all our sins forgiven and our hearts filled with a loving desire to be with God.”
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/16/thought-for-the-day-16-october-the-fourth-glorious-mystery-the-assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin-into-heaven/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/17/thought-for-the-day-17-october-the-fourth-glorious-mystery-the-assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin-into-heaven/
Quote/s of the Day – 15 October – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila OCD (1515-1582) Virgin and Doctor of the Church
“Prayer is an act of love,
words are not needed.
Even if sickness distracts from thoughts,
all that is needed, is the will to love.”
“The surest way to determine
whether one possesses the love of God,
is to see whether he or she,
loves his or her neighbour.
These two loves are never separated.
Rest assured, the more you progress
in love of neighbour,
the more your love of God will increase.”
“When we accept what happens to us
and make the best of it,
we are praising God.”
“Know that,
even when you are
in the kitchen,
our Lord moves
amidst the pots.”
“We always find that those
who walked closest to Christ,
were those, who had to bear
the greatest trials.”
“Those who risk all for God
will find that they have
both lost all
and gained all.”
“It seems to me, my daughters,
that everything passes so quickly
that we should be thinking more,
about how to die,
than how to live!”
MORE AND MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/15/87677/
One Minute Reflection – 14 October – St Callistus I (c 218 – c 223) Confessor, Pope, Martyr – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:16
REFLECTION – “Peter did not say “Thou are a Christ” or “a son of God” but “the Christ, the Son of God.” For there are many christs by grace, who have attained the rank of adoption [as sons] but [there is] only One Who is by nature the Son of God. Thus, using the definite article, he said, THE Christ, THE Son of God. And in calling Him, Son of the LIVING God, Peter indicates that Christ Himself is Life and that death has no authority over Him. And even if the flesh, for a short while, was weak and died, nevertheless, it rose again, since the Word, Who dwelled in it, could not be held under the bonds of death.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Known as “The Pillar of Faith” Archbishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor Incarnationis (Doctor of the Incarnation) (Fragment 190).
PRAYER – O God, Who behold how we fail in our weakness, mercifully restore us to Thy love, through the examples of Thy Saints.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).
Quote/s of the Day – 11 October – Feast of the Divine Maternity
“Mary, having merited to give flesh
to the Divine Word
and thus, supply the price
of our redemption
that we might be delivered
from eternal death, therefore,
she is more powerful
than all others,
to help us gain eternal life.”
“The One Who is the Wisdom of the Father,
put His arms around her neck,
the One Who is the strength,
which gives movement to everything,
sat in her arms.
He, Who is the rest of souls, (Mt 11:29)
rested on her motherly breast.
… Filled with the Holy Spirit,
she held Him close to her heart …
She never had enough
of seeing Him or of hearing Him …
Thus Mary, grew evermore in love
and her mind was unceasingly attached ,
to Divine contemplation.”
“Wherefore, in the same holy bosom
of His most chaste Mother,
Christ took to Himself flesh
and united to Himself,
the spiritual Body formed
by those who were to believe in Him.
Hence Mary, carrying the Saviour
within her, may be said,
to have also carried, all those.
whose life was contained
in the life of the Saviour.
Therefore, all we who are united to Christ
and, as the Apostle says,
are members of His body,
of His flesh and of His bones (Eph 5:30),
have issued from the womb of Mary,
like a body united to it’s head.”
Alma Redemptoris Mater
Loving Mother of the Redeemer
By Bl Herman of Reichenau (1013–1054)
Loving Mother of the Redeemer!
Hear thou thy people’s cry,
Star of the deep
and portal of the sky!
Mother of Him
Who thee from nothing made,
Sinking we strive
and call to thee for aid;
Oh, by that joy
which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last,
let us thy mercy see.
One Minute Reflection – 7 October – The Month and Feast of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Proverbs 8:22-24, 32-35, Luke 1:26-38 Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Hail, full of grace!” – Luke 1:28
REFLECTION – “So the Lord now manifestly came to His own. Born by His own created order that He Himself bears, He by His obedience on the tree, renewed and reversed what was done by disobedience, in connection with a tree.
The power of that seduction, by which the virgin Eve, already betrothed to a man, had been wickedly seduced, was broken when the Angel in truth brought good tidings to the Virgin Mary, who already, by her betrothal belonged to a man. For as Eve was seduced by the word of an Angel to flee from God, having rebelled against His Word, so Mary by the word of an Angel, received the glad tidings that she would bear God, by obeying His Word.
The former was seduced to disobey God and so fell but the latter, was persuaded to obey God, so that the Virgin Mary might become the advocate of Eve.
As the human race was subjected to death through the act of a Virgin, so was it saved by a Virgin, was precisely balanced by the obedience of Another. Then indeed, the sin of the first formed man was amended by the chastisement of the First Begotten, the wisdom of the serpent was conquered by the simplicity of the Dove and the chains were broken, by which we were in bondage to death.” – St Irenaeus (130-202) Bishop of Lyons, Martyr, Father of the Church (Against Heresies, 5)
PRAYER – O God, Whose Only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has merited for us the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that, meditating on these Mysteries in the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. 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).
One Minute Reflection – 5 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Hebrews 10:32-38, Luke 12:1-8 – Scripture search – https://www.drbo.org/
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. … be afraid of him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell. ” – Luke 12:4-5
REFLECTION – “The Gospel is life. Impiety and infidelity are the death of the soul. So then, if the soul can die, how then is it yet immortal? Because, there is always a dimension of life in the soul which can never be extinguished. And how does it die? Not in ceasing to be life but by losing its proper life. For the soul is both life to something else and it has it own proper life. Consider the order of the creatures. The soul is the life of the body. God is the life of the soul. As the life that is the soul, is present with the body, that the body may not die, so the life of the soul (God), ought to be with the soul that it may not die.
How does the body die? By the departure of the soul. I say, by the departure of the soul, the body dies and it lies there as a mere carcass, what was a little before, a lively, not a contemptible object. There are in it still, its several members, the eyes and ears. But these are merely the windows of the house – its inhabitant is gone. Those who bewail the dead, cry in vain at the windows of the house. There is no-one there within it to hear. Why is the body dead? Because the soul, its life, is gone. But at what point is the soul itself dead? When God, its life, has forsaken it. This then we can know and hold for certain – the body is dead without the soul and the soul is dead without God. Everyone without God has a dead soul. You who bewail the dead rather, should bewail sin! Bewail ungodliness! Bewail disbelief.! – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop of Hippo, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 65).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness, both of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, maybe delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – St Francis of Assisi OFM (c 1181–1226) Confessor, Founder
“Remember, when you
leave this earth,
you can take nothing with you,
which you have received,
only that, which you have given.”
“Nor did demons Crucify Him,
it is you who have Crucified Him
and Crucify Him still,
when you delight
in your vices and sins!”
“The deeds you do maybe
the only sermon,
some persons will hear today.”
“We should seek
not so much to pray
but, to become prayer.”
MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-october-st-francis/
Quote/s of the Day – 3 October – St Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (1873 – 1897)
“Whoever does not accept
the kingdom of God
like a little child,
shall not enter it.”
“A word or a smile,
is often enough,
to put fresh life
into a despondent soul.”
“Prayer is an aspiration of the heart.
It is a simple glance directed to Heaven.
It is a cry of gratitude and love
in the midst of trial as well as joy.”
“It is true, I suffer a great deal–
but do I suffer well?
That is the question?!”
“It is not Death that will come to fetch me,
it is the good God.
Death is no phantom, no horrible specter,
as presented in pictures.
In the catechism it is stated,
that death is the separation of soul and body, that is all!
Well, I am not afraid of a separation
which will unite me to the good God forever.”
“If I did not simply live
from one moment to another,
it would be impossible for me to be patient
but I only look at the present,
I forget the past
and I take good care
not to attempt to foretell the future.”
Quote/s of the Day – 29 September – The Feast of the Dedication of St Michael the Archangel – Apocalypse 1:1-5, Matthew 18:1-10 – Scripture Search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Then war broke out in Heaven;
Michael and his angels
battled against the dragon.
The dragon and it’s angels fought back …”
“Whenever a mighty deed is in question,
Michael is assigned, so that by his actions
and name, which means “Who is like God?”
it may be made known
that no-one can do what God can do.”
“God loves in the Seraphim, as charity,
knows in the Cherubim, as truth,
is seated in the Thrones, as equity,
reigns in the Dominions, as majesty,
rules in the Principalities, as principle,
guards in the Powers, as salvation,
acts in the Virtues, as strength,
reveals in the Archangels, as light,
assists in the Angels, as piety.”
“The powers of hell
will assail the dying Christian
but his Angel Guardian
will come to console him.
His Patrons and St Michael,
who has been appointed by God
to defend his faithful servants,
in their last combat with the devils,
will come to his aid.”
MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/29/quote-s-of-the-day-29-september-st-michael/
Our Morning Offering – 28 September – “The Month of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Cross”
O Mother of Sorrows,
Stand by Me in My Last Agony
By St Gabriel Francis Possenti
of Our Lady of Sorrows (1838-1862)
O Mother of Sorrows,
by the anguish and love
with which thou did stand at the Cross of Jesus,
stand by me in my last agony.
To thy maternal heart
I commend the last three hours of my life.
Offer these hours to the Eternal Father
in union with the agony of our dearest Lord,
in atonement for my sins.
Offer to the Eternal Father
the most precious blood of Jesus,
mingled with your tears on Calvary,
that I may obtain the grace of receiving Holy Communion
with the most perfect love and contrition
before my death
and that I may breathe forth my soul
in the adorable presence of Jesus.
Dearest Mother,
when the moment of my death has at last come,
present me as your child to Jesus.
Ask Him to forgive me for having offended Him,
for I knew not what I did.
Beg Him to receive me into His kingdom of glory
to be united with Him forever.
Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 27 September – Wisdpm 5:16-20, Luke 6:17-23
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the Kingdom of God.”
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
“The soul must grow and expand
so as to be capable of God.
And its largeness is its love,
as the Apostle says,
“widen yourselves in love”
(2 Cor 6:13).
It grows and extends spiritually,
not in substance but in virtue.
The greatness of each soul is judged
by the measure of love that it has-
he who has great love, is great-
he who has little love is little,
while he who has no love at all –
is nothing!”
“This death … has already levelled
his bow to strike me.
Is it not prudent to prevent its stroke,
by dying now to the world,
that at my death,
I may live to God?”
“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.”
“You leave the land just as it is
when you depart,
you do not carry anything away.
Our first aim
is to go to God,
we are not on earth
for anything but this!”
Thought for the Day – 24 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Eternity lies ahead.
Where the tree falls, there it will remain.
So it will be with us.
If we have to our credit works of virtue and of apostolic labour, death will be for us, as it was for St Francis, the good sister, who will release us from the bonds which tie us to this earth, so that the soul can soar to its longed-for haven of everlasting joy, in the company of God.
But, if we are so unfortunate, at this last moment, as to find ourselves in mortal sin, we shall be deprived forever of the sight of God and, as a result, of everlasting happiness.
We shall be hurled into the eternal abyss, where there is no light, nor hope and where torments will have no end!
While there is still time, let us meditate on these truths.
Remember – this hour, might be our last!”
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/26/thought-for-the-day-25-september-fundamental-facts/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/21/thought-for-the-day-20-january-2/
Our Morning Offering – 23 September – “The Month of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Cross”
Prayer for a Holy Death
By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor
My beloved Jesus,
I will not refuse the cross,
as the Cyrenian did;
I accept it, I embrace it.
I accept, in particular,
the death Thou hast destined for me,
with all the pains which may accompany it;
I unite it to Thy Death,
I offer it to Thee
Thou hast died for love of me; I
will die for love of Thee
and to please Thee.
Help me by Thy grace.
I love Thee, Jesus, my love;
I repent of ever having offended Thee.
Never permit me to offend Thee again.
Grant that I may love Thee always
and then do with me what Thou will.
Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 19 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – nd the Memorial of St John Eudes (1601-1680) Confessor, “The Apostle of Two Hearts”
“The crosses with which our path
through life is strewn,
associate us with Jesus
in the Mystery of His Crucifixion.”
“No-one who shall invoke
this Mother of Grace,
with devotion and perseverance,
can possibly perish forever.”
“Let infidels and heretics,
let the relatives and the friends
of bad Catholics,
weep without consolation
and weep unceasingly,
for the death of their departed ones!”
MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/19/quote-s-of-the-day-19-august-st-john-eudes-2/
Quote/s of the Day – 15 August –“The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Assumption
“In what possible way
could you be acceptable to death,
O Immaculate one?
You are the bridge of life
and the Ladder to Heaven:
you are a boat
over the sea of death
reaching to immortality!”
“Now, behold, Mary leaves the earth
and calling to mind the many graces
she had there received from her Lord,
she looks on it affectionately.
And now, Jesus offers her His Hand
and the Blessed Mother rises in the air,
passes beyond the clouds
and arrives at the Gates of Heaven.”
MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/15/quote-s-of-the-day-15-august-the-assumption-2/
Thought for the Day – 11 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“How can we reconcile with this concept of Divine Providence, the confusion and injustice which also exists in the world?
Why does God sometimes permit the evil to prosper and the good to be oppressed?
Why does He not crush iniquity, as soon as it raises its head, instead of allowing the wicked to enjoy the pleasures of this earth, while the good are suffering?
The designs of God are hidden and mysterious but, it is certain, that He arranges everything justly and for the best.
God never hurries, for He contemplates all creatures and events, in the light of eternity.
The devil may hurry, “knowing that he has but a short time” (Apoc 12:12) but God is the Master of time!
God waits for men at the last threshold of life, in order to do justice to them all.
His patience and mercy endure until the final moment of death because, He has said: “I desire not the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Cf Ez 33:11).
This is the Mystery of God’s Mercy.
St Augustine offers another explanation as to why evil men often seem to be happy and victorious in this world.
His suggestion is quite frightening.
Even the worst of men, he says, do a certain amount of good during life.
Nevertheless, if they die unrepentant, they will be punished for all eternity.
Therefore, the justice of God concedes to them as a small reward in this life, for any good which they may have accomplished.”
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/19/thought-for-the-day-19-august-divine-providence/
Quote/s of the Day – 10 August – St Lawrence (Died 258) Martyr “Keeper of the Treasures of he Church” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, John 12:24-26
“If it dies, it produces much fruit”
“Through the glorious achievements
of the holy Martyrs with which
the Church blossoms everywhere,
we are ourselves, proving to our own eyes,
how true are the words we have been singing that:
“Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his saints” (Ps 116[115]:15).
For it is precious both in our sight
and in the sight of Him, in Whose Name.
the death took place.”
“And all who wish to live
piously in Christ Jesus,
will suffer persecution.”
“Do not love your life in this world!
If you truly love yourselves,
do not thus love your life
and then, you will save your life!”…
“In conformity with
the philosophy of Christ,
let us make of our life,
a training for death.”
Quote/s of the Day – 9 August – The Memorial of St John Marie Vianney (1786-1859) Confessor
“To be saved,
we must know, love,and serve God.
Oh, what a beautiful life!
How good, how great a thing it is,
to know, to love and serve God!
We have nothing else to do in this world.
All that we do, besides this, is lost time! ”
“This is a good rule of conduct –
to do nothing but that
which we can offer to the good God.
Now, we cannot offer to Him –
slanders, calumnies, injustice,
anger, blasphemy, impurity …
yet that is all that people do in the world!”
“When death shall come upon us,
of what use, will three-quarters
of our life have been to us?
With what are we occupied,
the greatest part of our time?
Are we thinking of the good God,
of our salvation, of our soul?”
MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/09/quote-s-of-the-day-9-august-st-john-vianney/
Our Morning Offering – 9 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Memorial of St John Vianney (1786-1859) Confessor
O Thou, Most Holy Virgin Mary
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.
Thought for the Day – 8 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“We know that the past can never return and that the future is so uncertain that it may not even exist for us.
We realise that our life is nothing more than a passing moment.
If we meditate on these truths, how can we be attached to worldly objects?
Even if we could attain the objects of our desire, they would soon be snatched away from us!
Let us aim at those lasting values which are not passing, which can remain with us during life, comfort us at death and accompany us into eternity.
We know what these substantial values are – holiness, the grace of God, the conquest of our sensible appetites and the final enjoyment of God in Heaven.
These things do not pass away but will remain with us forever.”
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/09/thought-for-the-day-9-august-the-mystery-of-life/
One Minute Reflection – 6 August – The Transfiguration of Our Lord – 2 Peter 1:16-19, Matthew 17:1-9..
“His face shone like the sun and His garments became white as snow.” – Matthew 17:2
REFLECTION – “The Lord displays His glory before chosen witnesses and makes illustrious that bodily shape which He shared with others, with such splendour that His countenance shone like the sun and His garments were as white as snow. In this Transfiguration, the chief object was to remove the scandal of the Cross from the hearts of the disciples and, to prevent their faith being disturbed, at the humiliation of His voluntary Passion, by revealing the excellence of His hidden dignity. But with no less foresight, the foundation was laid of the hope of holy Church that the whole Body of Christ, might realise, with what a change it was to be endowed and that the members, might promise themselves, a share in that honour which had shone forth in their Head.
But to confirm the Apostles and to lead them onto all knowledge, still further, instruction was conveyed by this miracle. For Moses and Elias, that is, the law and the prophets, appeared talking with the Lord, so that, in the presence of these five men, might most truly be fulfilled, what was said – In two or three witnesses every word stands. What more stable, what more steadfast, than the word, in the proclamation of which, the trumpet of the old and of the new TestamentS, sounds forth and the records of ancient witnesses, agree with the teaching of the Gospel? For the pages of both Covenants corroborate each other and He, Whom, under the veil of Mysteries, the types that went before, had promised, is displayed clearly and manifestly by the splendour of His present glory.
The Apostle Peter, therefore, being stirred by the revelation of these Mysteries, despising things worldly and scorning things earthly, was carried away by a certain excess of mind, to the desire of things eternal and, being filled with rapture at the whole vision, longed to make his abode with Jesus, in the place where he was gladdened by the sight of His glory. And so also he says: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if Thou wilt, let us set up here, three tents, one for Thee and one for Moses and one for Elias. But to this proposal the Lord made no reply, signifying that what he asked was not indeed wicked, but irregular, since the world could not be saved, except by Christ’s Death and by the Lord’s example in this, the faithful were called upon to believe that, although there ought not to be any doubt about the promises of happiness, yet, we should understand that, amid the trials of this life, we must ask for power to endure, rather than for glory.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope, Father and Doctor (Sermon on the Transfiguration – excerpt).
PRAYER – O God, Who in the glorious Transfiguration of Thy Only-begotten Son strengthened the Mysteries of faith, by the testimony of the fathers and, by the Voice coming down in a shining cloud, miraculously betokened the complete adoption of Thy children, mercifully grant that we, be made co-heirs with that King of glory and sharers in that same glory .Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Thought for the Day – 3 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“When we meditate on death, then we should resolve to remain always prepared.
Besides this, we should make an Act of Perfect Resignation to the Will of God, accepting from Him, whatever illnesses He may ask us to endure and, whatever kind of death He has destined for us.
We should promise to accept everything, as long as He will allow us to die in the state of grace.
We should frequently offer to God, as a guarantee of our love and, as satisfaction for our sins and negligences, the sufferings with which we shall be afflicted during our last illness.
We shall be comforted in our final hours by the remembrance of this total offering of ourselves, which we have so often repeated.
Like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, we shall be able to pray: “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me, yet, not as I will but as Thou willest” (Mt 26:39).”
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/10/thought-for-the-day-10-august-a-holy-death/
Quote/s of the Day – 31 July – The Memorial of St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) Confessor
The Dying Words of today’s Saint of the Day, Blessed Everard Hanse (Died 1581) Priest Martyr at the hands of of Queen Elizabeth I in the English persecutions, led me to contemplate and collate some of these scattered around Breathin Catholic. I will collect them as I go on searches everywhere in the Catholic world, adding to them here from time to time, when appropriate. 🙏🧡
“Into Thy hands
I commend My spirit.”
“Glory to God for all things!”
“Thy will be done.
Come, Lord Jesus!”
“I die the King’s faithful servant
but God’s first.”
“O, my God!”
“Oh happy day!”
The dying words of today’s Saint of the Day
as he was being hanged at Tyburn, England
Blessed Everard Hanse (Died 1581) Priest Martyr
“My beloved Jesus,
I will not refuse the cross,
as the Cyrenian did;
I accept it, I embrace it.
I accept, in particular,
the death Thou hast destined for me,
with all the pains which may accompany it;
I unite it to Thy Death,
I offer it to You.
Thou hast died for love of me; I
will die for love of Thee
and to please Thee.
Help me by Thy grace.
I love Thee, Jesus, my love;
I repent of ever having offended Thee.
Never permit me to offend Thee again.
Grant that I may love Thee always
and then do with me what Thou will. Amen”
On the Feast of St Ignatius Loyola, his Quotes HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/31/quote-s-of-the-day-31-july-st-ignatius-loyola/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/07/31/quote-s-of-the-day-31-july-the-memorial-of-st-ignatius-loyola-1491-1556/
AnaStpaul 
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