Category: QUOTES on DEATH

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on TIME

Thought for the Day – 28 August –CONSIDERATION I, Third Point: “Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.”

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Thought for the Day – 28 August – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION I

“Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.”
(Gen iii:19)

THIRD POINT:
My brother, in this description of death, thou seest thyself and that which one day thou wilt be,
“Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.”
Reflect, for in a few years, nay, perhaps in a few months and even days, thou wilt become a mass of corruption and worms. By thinking upon this, Job became a Saint:
“I have said to corruption, Thou art my father, to the orm, Thou art my brother and sister.” (Job xvii: 14).

Everything must have an end and if, when the hour of death arrives, thy soul is lost, everything will be lost for thee. St Lawrence Justinian says:
“Consider thyself as dead already, since thou knowest thou must die. If now the hour of thy death were approaching, what is there of good which thou wouldst not like to have done? Now, that thou art living, reflect that one day thou must die.”
Bonaventure observes, that in order to guide the vessel aright, the pilot must place himself at the helm, even so must a man, if he wishes to lead a holy life, reflect that death is ever nigh.
Therefore, St Bernard observes:
“Look upon the sins of youth and blush;
look on the sins of manhoodj and weep;
look upon the present evil habits of thy life and tremble
and hasten to make amends!”

When Camillus de Lellis beheld the graves of the dead, he said within himself:
“If all these dead bodies could come back again to life,
what would they not do to gain eternal life? and
I, who have now the opportunity,
what am I doing for my soul!?”
Yet, it was humility on the part of this Saint which caused him to say this.

But perhaps, my brother, thou might with reason, fear, lest thou shouldst be like that barren fig-tree, concerning which our blessed Lord said:
“Behold these three years I come, seeking fruit on this fig-tree and find none.” (St Luke xiii:7).
Thou, who for many more years than three hast been living in this world, what fruit hast thou yielded?
“Take care,” remarks St Bernard, “for the Lord does not require flowers only but seeks for fruit too, that is to say, not only good desires and resolutions but also good works.”

Therefore, take care to make good use of the time which God, in His mercy, grants to you; do not wait until “time shall be no longer,” to desire to do good when it shall be said unto you
“Time shah be no longer – depart!”
Make haste, it is now almost time to leave the world; make haste, what is done, is done.

Affections and Prayers

Look upon me, O my God, for I am that tree which, for so
many years deserved to hear these words:
“Cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground?” (St Luke xiii; 7) yes because, during the many years I have been in the world, I have yielded no ether fruit than the briars and thorns of sin.
But Thou, O Lord, dost not wish me to despair. Thou hast said to all those who seek Thee that they shall find Thee. “Seek and ye shall find.”
I do seek Thee, my God and I do desire Thy grace.
I am indeed sorry for all the sins I have committed against Thee. I would grieve even to death because of them. During the past years, I have often fled from Thee but now, I value Thy friendship more than all the kingdoms of the world.
I will no longer resist Thy calls.

Thou dost wish me to be Thine alone.
I yield myself wholly to Thee, without any reserve.
Thou didst give Thyself entirely for me, upon the Cross, now I give myself entirely to Thee.

Thou hast said:
“If ye shall ask anything in My Name, I will do it.” (St John xiv: 14).
My Jesus, I trust in this Thy great Promise and in Thy Name and through Thy Merits, I seek of Thee Thy grace and Thy Holy Love. Let Thy grace and Thy most Holy Love abound in my soul, where sin did once abound.
I thank Thee greatly, for having given me the Spirit to make
this prayer to Thee. Whilst Thou dost inspire me to pray, it
is a sign that Thou wilt graciously hear me.
Hear me, O my Jesus and give me a great love towards Thee and give me a great desire to please Thee and then, the strength to follow that desire!

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD

Thought for the Day – 27 August –CONSIDERATION I, Second Point: “Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.”

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Thought for the Day – 27 August – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION I

“Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.”
(Gen iii:19)

SECOND POINT:
In order more clearly to see what indeed thou art, my Christian soul, St John Chrysostom observes:
“Go to a sepulchre, contemplate
dust, ashes, worms and sigh.”
See how that corpse becomes, at first yellow and then black. Afterwards, there is seen upon the body, a white and unpleasant mould. Then there issues forth a foul and corrupt matter which sinks into the ground.
In that corruption many worms are generated which
feed upon the flesh. The rats then come to feast upon the body, some on the outside, others entering into the mouth and bowels.

The cheeks, the lips and the hair fall in pieces; the ribs are
the first to become bare of flesh, then the arms and the legs.
The worms after, having consumed the flesh eat each other, and, in the end, nothing remains of that body but a fetid skeleton which, in course of time, is divided, the bones being separated and the head falling from the body, they
“become like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors and the wind carried them away“ ” (Dan ii:35.)

Behold, then, what man is – a little dust upon a threshing-floor which is carried away by the wind!
Behold that nobleman, who was considered to be the life
and soul of society, where is he? Go into his room, he is not
there; if you look into his bed, it belongs to another; his clothes, his arms, others have already taken and divided them. If you wish to see him, you must seek for him in that grave where he is changed into all that is unpleasant and into fleshless bones.

O my God, that that body fed with so many delicacies, clothed with so much pomp, attended by so many servants, should be reduced to this !
O ye Saints, ye, who for the love of that God, Whom ye loved alone, upon this earth, knew how to mortify your
bodies and now, your bones are kept and prized as sacred relics in golden shrines and your souls which are beatified, rejoice in the presence of God, waiting for the final Day, when your bodies even, will again become the companions of your souls in glory, as they were once the companions of your souls, in bearing the cross of this world.
This is the true love of the body, so to burden it with mortifications here, that it may be happy in eternity and to deny it those pleasures here which would render it unhappy in eternity.

Affections andPrayers

Behold, therefore, O my God, to what my body will become reduced, through which I have so often offended Thee, it will be reduced even to worms and corruption.
But this does not grieve me, O my God, nay, it rather cheers me, for this my flesh to become putrid and consumed which made me lose Thee, O my Sovereign Good.
But it does grieve me very much, to think that I should have taken so much delight in those wretched pleasures which have so often displeased Thee.
But I will not distrust Thy Mercy.
Thou hast waited for me to give me pardon.
“Therefore will the Lord wait that He may be gracious unto thee.” (Isa xxx: 18)
And Thou wilt pardon me if I repent.
Yes, Thou wilt, for I do repent with all my heart for having despised Thee, O God of Infinite Goodness.
I will repeat to Thee as did St Catherine of Genoa,
“No more sins, my Jesus, no more sins.”
No, I will no longer abuse Thy patience, neither will I wait to embrace Thee until the hour of death.
O my Crucified Love, now will I embrace Thee, now will I commend my soul into Thy keeping.
“Into Thy Hands, I commend my spirit.”

My soul has been many years in this world without loving Thee, give me light and strength to love Thee during the life which remains to me.
I will not wait until the hour of death to love Thee, from this moment, 1 will love Thee and embrace Thee and unite myself to Thee and, I promise, never more to leave Thee.

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH

Thought for the Day – 26 August –CONSIDERATION I, First Point: “Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.”

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Thought for the Day – 26 August – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION I

“Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.”
(Gen iii:19)

FIRST POINT:
CONSIDER that thou art dust and unto dust thou must return. The day will come when thou must die,and be placed in a grave where “the worms” shall “cover thee” (Isa xiv). The same fate awaits all, both nobles and plebeians, both princes and vassals.
Directly the soul shall leave the body, with the last gasp, it will go into eternity and the body will return to its dust.
“When Thou takest away their breath, they die and are turned again to their dust.” (Ps civ: 29).
Imagine to yourself a person, whose soul has just departed.
Behold that pale corpse which is still upon the bed, the head fallen upon the breast; the hair dishevelled and bathed in the sweat of death; the eyes sunken; the cheeks hollow; the face of ashy paleness; the tongue and the lips of a leaden hue; the body cold and heavy.
Those who see it grow pale and tremble. How many there are who, upon seeing a relation or friend, in this condition, have changed their life and have left the world!

But still more dreadful, is it when the body begins to decay.
A few hours or days will hardly have passed, ere it will become offensive. The windows will have to be opened; incense will have to be burned nay, it must be sent in haste to the Church to be buried, that the whole house be not infected.
Behold to what that proud, that voluptuous man is reduced? In life he was the favourite, the one who was sought-after in society; now, he makes all those who look upon him shudder. His relatives hasten to have him removed from the house and men are hired to bear him, shut up in a coffin, to his grave.
He was once famous for his great talent, for his great politeness, for his courteous behaviour and for his facetiousness but now that he is dead, his memory will soon pass away: “their memorial is perished with them.” (Ps ix: 6).

Upon hearing the news of his death, some people say he was of great dignity others that he left his family well-provided for; some grieve because he had done them good and others rejoice because they derive some benefit from his death.
Within a short time, however, he is spoken of by no-one. And his nearest relatives, even from the hour of his death, will not hear him mentioned, lest their grief should be renewed. When the visits of condolence are made, other things form the subject of conversation and if anyone, by chance, alludes to the departed one, the relatives immediately exclaim: “In kindness, do not mention him to me.” You must consider that what you have done at the death of your friends and relations, others will do at your death too!.

Those who are living, enter upon the stage of life, to occupy the wealth and the position of the dead and little, or no esteem, is paid to the dead and very little mention is ever made of them.
Your relatives will, at first, mourn for you for some days but they will soon be consoled with that share of property which will fall to them, so that they will shortly rejoice because of your death and, in the same room in which your soul has gone forth, to be judged by Jesus Christ, they will dance and eat, laugh and play, as they did before and your soul, where will it be then?

Affections and Prayers

Jesus, my Redeemer, I thank Thee that Thou didst not let me die when I was in disgrace with Thee. During how many of the past years have I not deserved to be cast into hell?
If I had died on such a day, or on such a night, what would have become of me for all eternity? I thank Thee for this, O my God. I accept my death as a satisfaction for my sins and I accept it in whatever manner it may please Thee to send it to me.
But since Thou hast waited for me until now, wait for me yet a little longer.
“Let me alone that I may take comfort a little.” (Job x 20).
Give me time to weep over the offences which I have committed against Thee, before Thou comest to judge me.
1 will no longer resist Thy sweet Voice which calls me. Perhaps these words which I have just read may be the last call for me. I confess, I do not deserve pity, for Thou hast so often pardoned me and I, ungrateful one who I am, have again offended Thee but
“a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt Thou not despise.” (Ps li: 17).
O Lord, since Thou wilt not despise a broken and contrite heart, look upon a traitor, who being repentant, flees unto Thee.
“Cast me not away from Thy Presence.” (Ps li: 11).
In mercy, do not cast me from Thee, for Thou hast said,
“Him that cometh to Me I shall in no wise cast out.” (St John vi: 37).
It is true that I have offended Thee more than many others because I have been favoured by Thee with light and grace but, the blood which Thou hast shed for me, gives me courage and gives me pardon, if only I repent.
Yes, O my Sovereign Good, I do repent with my whole heart for having despised Thee. Pardon me and give me grace to love Thee for the time to come.
I have offended Thee too many times already. I will not spend the life which remains to me, O my Jesus, in giving Thee offence but, I will spend it ever weeping over the displeasure I have caused Thee and in loving Thee with all my heart, Thou, O God, Who art so worthy of infinite love.

Posted in GOD ALONE!, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior), The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 24 August –Preparation for Death” Preface Part Two

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Thought for the Day – 24 August – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

PREFACE
Part Two

Regarded as a Manual of Mental Prayer, each of these, “Considerations” has a technical and special significance.
They treat of life and death, of the value of time, of the mercy of God, of the habit of sin, of the general and particular judgments, of the love of God, of the Holy Communion and of kindred subjects, equally important.

The “Consideration” as here used, implies far more, than a mere inquiry. Its equivalents, the Italian Considerazione,
and the Latin Consideration do not fully express its particular meaning in this Treatise, where it stands for a reflectional meditation. It calls into play the exercise of the memory which puts together all the circumstances of the subject under notice; it excites the imagination which represents, as in a picture, all such circumstances, bringing
~ them vividly before the mind’s eye and, lastly, it urges the will so to. fix and detain these things in the soul that, by its own effort, it may unite itself with the Will of God, so that God’s Will and the will of man, may become one.

St Thomas Aquinas defines “Consideration” to be “an act of the intellect andof the beholding the truth of a proposition,”(Sum. 22E Q liii. 4); to be, “moreover, principally related to the judgement.”
As one of the three divisions of prayer, properly so called, these Considerations must also be considered as reflections, as reasonings of the mind upon definite subjects, either for its perfect conviction of some vital truth, or for its persuasion to the formation of some holy resolution.
The chief end of all such reflection, must be the bringing the soul into communion with God but, this cannot be effected by the intellect alone. Man is not united to God through the mind only but chiefly through the heart; the “Consideration” must pass onwards into an “Affection” which forms another leading division of mental prayer, where the action of the former ends that of the latter begins.

Let us apply these “Consideration” to one or two of
the subjects which are treated of in the present Treatise.

At the first thought of Death, we are all naturally inclined to fear it but, the “Consideration” upon death (Chapter viii.) tends to remove this fear, since it brings death before us:
Firstly, as “the end of our labours” of that toil by which we are prepared for our eternal rest.
Secondly, as the “consummation of our victory” over sin and weakness; the struggle has been a sore one, the battle has been hardly fought but, it has been won at last! Thirdly, as the “gate of life” therefore, the death of the Saints is called, a birthday, a day in which they are born to that other and blessed life which can never end.
These are the three Points in the “Consideration” upon Death which disarms it of its terrors.

Again, are we sorely troubled by our struggles with self-will ? We find a “Consideration” on conformity to the Will of God (Chapter xxxiv, the “First Point” of which, indicates the connection between perfect resignation to God’s Will and perfect love towards His Person.
The “Second Point” shows that nothing comes amiss of earthly sorrow and humiliation, not even Martyrdom itself, if all things be submitted to His Divine Will.
The “Third Point” explains that peace of soul fills a heart whose every desire is in conformity to God’s Will. Let come what may, I wish for it because God Will’s it.

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 August – Preparing for Death

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One Minute Reflection – 17 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Hyacinth OP (1185-1257) ) Confessor – Sirach 31:8-11; Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“You also must be ready, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” – Luke 12:40

REFLECTION – “Watch, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” Like many other scriptural texts, this admonition is addressed to all of us, although it is formulated, in such a way that it would seem to concern only Christ’s immediate audience. We can all apply it to ourselves because the Last Day and the End of the World will come for each of us, on the day we depart this present life. This means, we must make sure we die in the state in which we wish to appear on the Day of Judgement. Bearing this in mind, each of us should guard against being led astray and failing to keep watch, otherwise the Day of the Lord’s return may take us unawares. If the last day of our life finds us unprepared, then we shall be unprepared on that Day too!” – St Paschasius Radbertus OSB (785–865) Abbot of Corbie, Theoplogian, Father of the Church (Commentary on Saint Matthew’s Gospel 11, 24) His Life here: https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/26/saint-of-the-day-26-april-saint-paschasius-radbertus-785-865/

PRAYER – God, Who gladden us with the annual feast of blessed Hyacinth, Thy Confessor, mercifully grant that, while honouring the anniversary of his death, we may also imitate his deeds. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in DYING / LAST WORDS, franciscan OFM, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – St Francisco Solano OFM (1549 – 1610) “The Wonder Worker of the New World”

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – St Francisco Solano OFM (1549 – 1610) “The Wonder Worker of the New World”

“How is it, my Lord Jesus,
that Thou wast Crucified
while I have Thy servants to care for me;
Thou wast naked, while I am clothed;
Thou wast struck with blows
and crowned with thorns,
while I have everything I need
to satisfy my wants
and give me consolation?”

“It is true that I am going to Heaven
but on the strength of Christ’s
Passion and Death; 
for myself, I am the greatest of sinners.   
But I will be a good friend to you
when I reach my home in Heaven.”

“God chose Francis Solano to be the hope
and edification of all Peru.
the example and glory of Lima,
the splendour of the Seraphic Order!”

From the Funeral Oration in 1610

St Francisco Solano OFM (1549 – 1610)
“The Wonder Worker of the New World

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, CONFESSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS

Quote/s of the Day – 9 July – St John Fisher and St Thomas More – Martyrs

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 July – St John Fisher (1469-1535) Bishop, Martyr, Cardinal and St Thomas More (1478-1535) Martyr, Confessor.

“Contrition is to have sorrow at heart
and great repentance of all sins
and to have steadfast purpose to keep
and abstain himself from all deadly sins.
For he who has intention, to return to deadly sin,
his confession avails him nothing!”

“Whether we eat or drink,
wake or sleep,
laugh or weep,
our life here is always
drawing to an end.”

“Is it not a wonderful thing
that He, that is, the Lord
and Author of all liberty,
would thus be bound with ropes
and nailed hand and foot unto the Cross?
Thus, whoever, with a meek heart
and a true faith,
muses and marvels over this
most wonderful book (I speak of the Crucifix),
he shall come to more fruitful knowledge
than many others who, each day,
study their common books.”

St John Fisher (1469-1535)
Bishop, Martyr, Cardinal

“The soul cannot thrive
in the absence of a garden.
If you do not want Paradise,
you are not human
and if you are not human,
you do not have a soul!”

“We cannot go to Heaven in featherbeds.”

“[How can anyone] be silly enough
to think himself better than others
because his clothes are made
of finer woolen thread than theirs.?
After all, those fine clothes
were once worn by a sheep
and they never turned it into
anything better than a sheep!”

“Pride thinks it’s own happiness
shines the brighter, by comparing it
with the misfortunes of others.”

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr, Confessor

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/07/09/quote-s-of-the-day-9-july-st-john-fisher-and-st-thomas-more/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DEATH, St PETER!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 July– “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:16

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One Minute Reflection – 3 July– “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Leo II (611–683) Pope, Confessor – 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 – Look forgivingly on Thy flock, Eternal Shepherd and keep it in Thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Leo Thy Sovereign Pontiff, whom Thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 28 June – St Irenaeus

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Quote/s of the Day – 28 June – St Irenaeus (c130–c202) Bishop, Martyr, Father of the Church

“The business of a Christian
is nothing else,
than to be ever
preparing
for death.”

“And, should anyone press you into service
for one mile, go with him for two miles.”
Matthew 5:41

“So, in everything, Christ invites you
to be of service to your neighbour,
taking no thought for his wickedness
but filling your own goodness to the brim.
Thus He invites us to become like our Father
“who makes his sun rise
on the bad and the good,” (Mt 5:45).”

“He is the Word of God
who dwelt with man
and became the Son of Man,
to open the way for man, to receive God,
for God to dwell with man,
according to the will of the Father.”

“It was, too, to lead the Ninevites
to firm repentance and to convert them
to Him, Who would deliver them from death,
amazed as they were by the sign accomplished in Jonah …
In the same way, God permitted man
to be swallowed by that great monster,
the author of disobedience,
not so that he should altogether vanish away
and die but because God, had prepared beforehand,
the salvation fulfilled by His Word
by means of the “sign of Jonah.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/06/28/quote-s-of-the-day-28-june-st-irenaeus-2/

St Irenaeus (c130 – c202)
Bishop, Martyr, Father

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on TRUTH, SAINT of the DAY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Quote/s of the Day – 22 June – St Paulinus of Nola

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Quote/s of the Day – 22 June – St Paulinus of Nola (c 354-431) Bishop, Confessor, Father.

“The present is nothing.
But eternity abides
for those on whom
all Truth, all Good, has shone,
in One Entire and Perfect Light. ”

“Listen, then, my son and give me your ear.
Break off all ties which bind
and entangle you in this world.
Change your secular service
into something better –
start being a soldier
for the eternal King!”

“It is a loving act to show sadness
when our dear ones are torn from us
but, it is a holy act to be joyful,through hope
and trust in the promises of God …
Thankful joy is more acceptable to God
than long and querulous grief.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/06/22/quote-s-of-the-day-22-june-st-paulinus-of-nola-2/

St Paulinus of Nola (c 354-431)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 June – ‘ … This oil – some exceedingly great thing … ‘

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 June – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, 11:1-2; Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But the wise took oil
in their vessels”
Matthew 25:4

“It is some great thing,
some exceedingly great thing
that this oil signifies.
… “If I speak with the tongue of mortals
and of angels but do not have love,
I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
This is charity.
It is “that way above the rest,” which is,
with good reason, signified by the oil.
For oil swims above all liquids.
If you keep the usual order, it will be uppermost,
if you change the order, it will be uppermost.
“Charity never fails!”

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

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

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr

“Love consists,
not in feeling great things
but, in having great detachment
and in suffering for the Beloved.”

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

“To love our neighbour, in charity,
is to love God, in man.”

(Treatise on the Love of God Book 10 Chapter 11)

“We should always love our neighbour,
as in the breast of Christ”

(The Spirit of St François de Sales II, 1)

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

Posted in INDULGENCES, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PAPAL PRAYERS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PRAYERS for the SOULS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PURGATORY, QUOTES on DEATH, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 19 June – O DIVINE Heart of JESUS Pope Leo XIII

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Our Morning Offering – 19 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” –

O DIVINE Heart of JESUS
Pope Leo XIII
Indulgence 100 Days, Once a day
Raccolta 167
13 March 1901.

O DIVINE Heart of JESUS,
grant, we beseech Thee,
eternal rest to the souls in purgatory,
the final grace to those who shall die today,
true repentance to sinners,
the light of the faith to pagans
and Thy Blessing to me and mine.
To Thee, O most compassionate Heart of JESUS!
I commend all these souls
and I offer to Thee, on their behalf,
all Thy merits,
together with the merits
of Thy most Holy Mother
and of all the Saints, Angels
and all the Sacrifices of the Holy Mass,
Communions, prayers and good works,
which shall be accomplished today,
throughout the Christian world.
Amen

Posted in PATIENCE - Fr Richard CLARKE, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 17 June – Patience during Bereavement

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Thought for the Day – 17 June – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

PATIENCE
Meditations for a Month

Patience during Bereavement

  1. Pure human love, especially the love of father and mother for their children, is one of the most beautiful things in the natural order.
    It interweaves itself with our very nature.
    Husband and wife, brother and sister and above all, the children who are in a special sense our own, are a part of ourselves; they are our own by birth, our own-by constant association, our own by a thousand ties of love.
    Oh, how sorrowful it is to lose one of our little circle, to see the empty place, to miss their looks of love, the sweet sound of their voice.
    Then indeed we have need of patience and must beg that we may not grieve like those who have no hope but, may humbly bow our necks under God’s chastising Hand.
  2. Patience! how are we to obtain it under the crushing blow? How are we to recognise the love of God in thus taking away the light of our eyes from us? It is indeed difficult and, for a time, the absorbing grief may overpower us. But we can always pray, we can always make an act of resignation, we can always say: ‘Not as I will but as Thou wilt!’
    It is the Lord, let Him do what is good in His sight.
    Has this been my conduct when one whom I dearly loved was taken from me?
  3. There are many motives of consolation when friends and dear ones fade away or die. If they died in their innocence, how we, ought to rejoice when we think of them with Christ in Heaven! If they had sinned and done penance, we ought to rejoice that God gave them the grace of dying a good death. We can always console ourselves by praying for them. We can make their departure a reason for living a better and a holier life that we may not fail to meet them again before the Throne of God.
    All this I will do more henceforward.
Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY COMMUNION, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

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

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 June – St Basil the Great (329-379) Bishop of Caesarea, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church.

“Let listening to worldly news
be BITTER FOOD for you
and let the words of
Saintly men
be as combs
filled with honey.”

“He seems to demand of us
the most entire renunciation …
So, if we keep back for ourselves,
any earthly goods or any perishable supplies,
our minds will remain sunk in them,
as though in mud.
Then, inevitably, our souls will become unable
to contemplate God and will be unmoved
by desire for the splendours of Heaven
and for the good things promised us.
We shall only be able to acquire those good things,
if we ask for them unceasingly,
with a burning desire that will, besides,
make easy the effort needed to gain them.”

“A tree is known by its fruit,
a man by his deeds.
A good deed is never lost,
he who sows courtesy,
reaps friendship
and he who plants kindness,
gathers love.”

“Be constant in secret prayers
which God, Who indeed sees in secret,
rewards in the open.
Hold fast to this exercise
of a most excellent way of life.
that you may find hidden treasure
in the day of need.”

Lord, I Know that I Am Not Worthy
Prayer before Holy Communion
By St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Lord, I know that I am not worthy
to receive Thy Holy Body and Precious Blood;
I know that I am guilty
and that I eat and drink
condemnation to myself,
not discerning the Body and Blood
of Christ, my God.
But trusting in Thy loving kindness,
I come to Thee, Who hast said –
‘Whoever eats My Body and drinks My Blood,
will dwell in Me and I in him’;
Therefore, Lord, have compassion on me
and do not put to shame Thy sinful servant
But deal with me according to Thy great mercy
And grant that these Holy Gifts,
may be for me,
healing, cleansing, enlightenment,
protection, salvation and sanctification
of soul and body.
May they cast out from me
every dark delusion,
sinful deed or work of the evil one.
May they move me to trust
and love Thee always,
to amendment of life,
increase of virtue,
obedience to Thy commandments,
communion of the Holy Spirit,
provision for my final journey
and a good defence before the dreadful
seat of judgement.
Amen.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/06/14/quote-s-of-the-day-14-june-st-basil-the-great-2/

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

Posted in CARMELITES, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SAINT of the DAY, SELF-DISTRUST

Quote/s of the Day – 29 May – St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 May – St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi O.Carm (1566-1607) Virgin

“Self-love is like the worm which gnaws at the root
and destroys, not only the fruit but even,
the very life of the plant.
The traitor whom we have to fear most, is self-love, f
or self-love betrays us as Judas
betrayed our Lord with a kiss.
He who conquers self-love, conquers all!”

“I do not desire to die soon
because, in Heaven, there is no suffering.
I desire to live a long time
because, I yearn to suffer much
for the love of my Spouse.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/29/quote-s-of-the-day-29-may-st-maria-magdalena-de-pazzi/

St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi (1566-1607)

Posted in DEVOTIO, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HOLY NAME

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

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

“ We must not be
behind time in doing good;
for death will not be
behind his time!”

“ It is well to choose
some one good devotion
and to stick to it
and never to abandon it.”

“Spiritual persons ought to be equally ready
to experience sweetness and consolation
in the things of God,
or to suffer and keep their ground
in drynesses of spirit and devotion,
and, for as long as God pleases,
without their making any complaint about it.”

“The Name of Jesus,
pronounced with reverence and affection,
has a kind of power to soften the heart.”

“Obedience is a short cut to perfection.”

Immaculate Virgin
By St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

Immaculate Virgin,
thou hast to save me.
Grant that I may always remember thee
and thou, do thou never forget me.
The happy day, when I shall go
to behold thy beauty in paradise,
seems a thousand years off.
So much do I long to praise and love thee
more than I can now do,
my Mother, my Queen,
my beloved, most beautiful,
most sweet, most pure,
Immaculate Mary.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/05/26/quote-s-of-the-day-26-may-st-philip-neri/

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

Posted in QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 14 May – The Fourth Assault of Various Illusions Employed by the Devil at the Hour of Death

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Thought for the Day – 14 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 55

LXVI: … Concerning the Four Assaults of the Enemy
at the Hour of Death.
The Fourth Assault of Various Illusions Employed
by the Devil at the Hour of Death

“If our persistent foe, who never ceases to persecute us, should assail us disguised as an angel of light, stand firm and steadfast, even though cognizant of your own nothingness and say to him boldly:
“Return, miserable one into your realms of darkness, for I am unworthy of visions, nor do I need anything but the mercy of my Saviour and the prayers of Mary, Joseph and all the Saints.”

And although, these visions seem to bear many evidences of having been born in Heaven, still reject them as far as it is within
your power to do so.
And have no fear that this resistance, founded as it is on your own worthiness, will be displeasing to God.
FoE, if the vision be from Him, He has the power to make the same known to you and you will suffer no detriment; for He Who gives grace to the humble, does not withdraw it because of acts which spring from humility!

These, then, are the weapons which the enemy most commonly employs against us at the hour of our death.
Each individual is tempted according to the particular inclination to which he is most subject.
Therefore, before the zero hour of the great conflict, we should arm ourselves securely and struggle manfully against our most violent passions that the victory may be easier in that hour which leaves no future time for preparation or resistance.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

THE END

P.S. Our Spiritual Advisor, Dom Scupoli, has also written a small “Treatise on Peace of Soul and Inner Happiness” which we will investigate in the future.

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on VANITY, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 13 May – Concerning the Four Assaults of the Enemy at the Hour of Death.The Third Assault of Temptation to Vainglory.

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Thought for the Day – 13 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LXV:… Concerning the Four Assaults of the Enemy
at the Hour of Death.
The Third Assault of Temptation to Vainglory.

“The Third Assault is that of vainglory and presumption.
Dread nothing as much as yielding, in the least way, to an exalted
opinion of your person, or your good works.
Take no glory but in the Lord and acknowledge that all that you are or ever hope to be, is to be attributed to the merits of the Life and Death of Jesus Christ.
Until the very evensong of life, hear nothing within your heart but the refrain of your own nothingness.
Let your humility deepen as self-love fades and unceasingly thank God, the Author of all your greatness.
Stand ever in a holy and prudent fear and confirm simply that all your endeavours are vain, unless God, in Whom is all your hope, crowns them with success.

If you will follow this advice, never shall your enemy prevail against you, your road will be open before you and you may pass on joyfully to the heavenly Jerusalem!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 12 May – Concerning the Four Assaults of the Enemy at the Hour of Death. The Second Assault of Despair and its Remedy.

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Thought for the Day – 12 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LXIV: … Concerning the Four Assaults of the Enemy
at the Hour of Death.
The Second Assault of Despair and its Remedy.

“The Second Assault by which the perverse one attempts our destruction, is the terror which he would infuse into our minds at the recollection of our past sins, hoping thereby, to drive us to despair.

In this peril, hold fast to the infallible rule – that the remembrance of your sins is the effect of grace and, is most salutary, if it inspires within your heart, sentiments of humility, compunction and confidence in God’s Mercy.
But, if such recollection creates vexation and despondency, leaving you spiritless from the apparent cogency of the reasons adduced to convince you that you are irrevocably lost, be assured that it has been suggested by the devil.
In such circumstances, humble yourself the more and have greater confidence in God – thus shall you destroy the strategem of the devil, turn his own weapons against himself and give greater glory to God.

It is true, of course, that you should be truly contrite for having offended such Sovereign Goodness, as often as you call to mind your past offences but, as often as you ask pardon, you should have a firm
trust in the Infinite Mercy of Jesus Christ.

I will go further and say that even though God Himself should seem to say, within your heart, that you are not one of His flock, still ,place your confidence in Him; rather say to Him in all humility:
“Thou hast good reason indeed, O Lord,
to condemn me for my sins
but I have greater reason ,in Thy Mercy,
to hope for pardon.
Have pity then, O Lord, on a humble sinner
condemned by his own sinfulness
but redeemed by Thy Blood.
I commit myself entirely to Thy Hands,
O my Redeemer – all my hopes are in Thee,
trusting that in Thine Infinite compassion,
Thou will save me, to the glory of Thy Name.
Do with me as Thou wilt,
for Thou alone art my Lord.
Even though, My Lord,
Thou shouldst destroy me, ever will I hope in Thee!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 11 May – Concerning the Four Assaults of the Enemy at the Hour of Death. The First Assault Against Faith and the Manner of Resistance.

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Thought for the Day – 11 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LXIII: … Concerning the Four Assaults of the Enemy
at the Hour of Death.
The First Assault Against Faith and the Manner of Resistance.

“There are four principal assaults to which the enemy is likely to resort when we are at the threshold of death.
They are:
– temptations against faith and to despair,
– thoughts of vainglory
– and finally, various illusions employed by the children of darkness,
who are disguised as angels of light.

As to the first assault, depend rather on the will than on the understanding, saying:
“Get thee behind me, Satan, father of lies, for I will not even hear you;
it is enough for me to believe as the Holy Catholic Church believes.”

Similarly, be sedulously watchful against any thoughts which may appear to be conducive to the strengthening of your faith – reject them instantly as suggestions of the devil, who seeks desperately to lure you into dispute.
If, however, you find it impossible to turn your thoughts resolutely from such matters, at least be adamant in your refusal to listen to Scriptural quotations the adversary may glibly present – for, although they are apparently clear and precise, they will be invariably garbled, misinterpreted, or incorrectly applied.

If, at this time, the evil one asks what the Church believes, ignore him but, seeing his aim is to surprise or entrap you in words, be content with making a general Act of Faith.
If you wish to mortify him further, answer that the Church believes the
truth and if he wishes to know what truth is, tell him it is what the Church believes and teaches.

Above all, keep your heart intently fixed on Jesus Crucified, saying:
“My God, My Creator and Redeemer,
hurry to my assistance,
and stay with me lest I wander from the truth
which Thou hast taught me.
Grant that as I was born in the Faith,
so may I die in the Faith
to Thy glory and my salvation!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 10 May – Concerning Our Preparation Against the Enemies Who Assail Us at the Hour of Death

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Thought for the Day – 10 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LXII: … Concerning Our Preparation Against the
Enemies Who Assail Us at the Hour of Death

“Although our entire life on earth is a continual warfare, it is certain the last day of battle will be the most dangerous – for he who falls on this day, falls never to rise again!

In order, therefore, to be prepared, we must prepare ourselves now; for he who fights well through life, will, with greater facility, emerge victorious in the final assault.
Meditate too on death, considering its significance, for such consideration will remove the terror which strikes when death is nigh and give your mind greater freedom for the combat.

Worldly men cannot stand the thought of death – they refuse to think of it, lest they be distracted from the earthly pleasures in which they have placed their affection.
The thought of losing transient things is naturally repugnant and painful to one who is oblivious to eternal things.
Thus the affections of worldlings are more firmly riveted to this world, day by day.
And day by day, the contemplation of the loss of worldly things strikes increased terror most frequently into the hearts of those who have enjoyed worldliness the longest.

In order to be prepared for the awesome step, from time into
eternity, imagine yourself sometime, all alone in the face of the agonies of death and consider the things which would most likely trouble you at that hour.
Then, imprint deeply in your heart the remedies I shall propose to be employed when the situation is at hand.
For the blow which can be struck but once, should be well rehearsed, as, a final error, means an eternity of regret and misery!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 April – The Patronage of St Joseph

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Quote/s of the Day – 17 April – Solemnity of the Patronage of St Joseph Confessoris

“We also should have recourse to St Joseph
in our spiritual and bodily necessities.
St Joseph had to endure a great deal
in order to provide for the wants of the Holy Family
and to protect them from the many dangers
which threatened them.
For this reason, he is especially attentive
to requests of any kind, as long as they are made
with a lively faith and submission to the Will of God.”

“St Joseph is the Universal Patron of the Church.
We, who are loved children of the Church
should invoke his special intercession,
therefore, for the triumph and expansion
of the Kingdom of God upon earth.
… If we are loyal sons of the Church,
we should pray that She may triumph.
We should ask for the special intercession
of St Joseph, Her Heavenly Patron.”

“We shall come to the end of our lives too,
perhaps sooner than we imagine.
Let us ask the Holy Patriarch
for the favour of a happy death.
Let us ask him to ensure that Jesus and Mary
will help us too, when we are leaving this world.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/20/thought-for-the-day-20-march-the-patronage-of-st-joseph/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/20/thought-for-the-day-20-march-the-patronage-of-saint-joseph/
PART THREE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/19/thought-for-the-day-19-march-the-patronage-of-st-joseph/

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE

Our Morning Offering – 9 April – Grant us Thy Light, O Lord

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Our Morning Offering – 9 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Tuesday in the Second Week of Easter

Grant us Thy Light, O Lord
By The Venerable St Bede (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Grant us Thy Light, O Lord,
so that the darkness of our hearts,
may wholly pass away
and we may come at last,
to the Light of Christ.
For Christ is that Morning Star,
Who, when the night
of this world has passed,
brings to His Saints,
the promised Light of Life
and opens to them,
everlasting day.
Amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on CHILDREN, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY

Quote/s of the Day –7 April – ‘ He asks for our faith and offers us salvation. …’

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Quote/s of the Day –7 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Low Sunday, The Octave Day of Easter – 1 John 5:4-10, John 20. 19-31 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“ Blessed are they who have not seen
and have believed.”

John 20:29

“He asks for our faith and offers us salvation.
What He offers us, is so precious
that what He asks of us, is as nothing!”

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

“I shall reflect the image of God
in that I feed on love;
grow certain on faith and hope;
strengthen myself, on the virtue of patience;
grow tranquil by humility;
grow beautiful by chastity;
am sober by abstention;
am made happy by tranquillity
and am ready for death,
by practising hospitality.”

ACW – Ancient Christian Writer
Incomplete Work on Matthew
(Homily 40)

“True piety admits no other rule than that,
whatsoever things have been faithfully received
from our fathers, the same are to be
faithfully consigned to our children
and that, it is our duty,
not to lead religion whither we would
but rather, to follow religion whither it leads
and that, it is the part of Christian modesty
and gravity, not to hand down our own beliefs
or observances to those who come after us
but, to preserve and keep what we have received,
from those who went before us.”

St Vincent of Lérins (Died c445)
Author of the ‘Commonitorium.’

“We should also have great confidence
in the continual assistance which God offers us
in the temptations, troubles and trials of life.
When pain torments us,
when humiliations are difficult to bear,
when all is dark. we fear each moment
and we feel abandoned, let us trust in Him,
Who is the Way, the Truth and Life.
He says to us, as He said to Peter floundering in the waves:
“O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?” (Mt 14:31).
He is always ready to console and comfort.
He is always there waiting for our call.
We are not alone!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on JOY, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on WATCHING, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The SECOND COMING

Quote/s of the Day – 4 April – ‘… For us, a Light from His Light has arisen…’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 4 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Easter Thursday

“Our Lord Jesus Christ
Has appeared to us from the bosom of the Father.
He has come and drawn us out of the shadows
And enlightened us with His joyful Light.

Day has dawned for humankind,
Cast out the power of darkness.
For us, a Light from His Light has arisen
That has enlightened our darkened eyes.

Over the world He has made His glory arise
And has lit up the deepest depths.
Death is no more, darkness has ended,
The gates of hell are shattered.

He has illumined every creature,
All the shades from times long past.
He has brought about salvation and given us Life;
Next He will come in glory.

Our King is coming in His great glory:
Let us light our lamps
and go out to meet Him (Mt 25,6);
Let us be glad in Him, as He has been glad in us
And gives us gladness, with His glorious Light.

My friends, arise! make yourselves ready
To give thanks to our Saviour King,
Who will come in His glory and make us joyful
With His joyous Light in the Kingdom.”

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father of the Church

(Hymn I on the Resurrection)

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The HOLY CROSS, The LAMB of GOD, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 31 March – The Redemption

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Thought for the Day – 31 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Redemption

“In conclusion, let us say this prayer of St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787):
“My soul, look at this Crucified Man …
see how the arms extend to embrace you,
how the head bows forward
to give you the kiss of peace.
See how His side is open to receive you.
What have you to say?
Such a good and loving God deserves to be loved.
O my Jesus!
Adorable Jesus!
O Love of my soul!
How can I ever forget Thee?
How can I ever love anything
apart from Thee!
O suffering Jesus,
may the memory of Thee ever remain
in my heart!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/13/thought-for-the-day-13-september-the-redemption/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/31/thought-for-the-day-31-march-the-redemption/

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY SATURDAY, LENT 2024, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on WATCHING, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 30 March – The Night which Sets Us Free From the Sleep of Death

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 30 March – Holy Saturday – The Lord’s Vigil Mass of Easter, Blessing of the Fire, Prophecies, Blessing of the Font, First Mass of Easter – Matthew 28,1-7 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“It was very necessary that Christ
should rise during the night because ,
His Resurrection has enlightened our darkness! … ”
St Augustine

“He is not here.
For He is risen, as He said.”
Matthew 28:6

LUMEN CHRISTI
Deo Gratias!

The Night which Sets Us Free
From the Sleep of Death

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

“Brethren, let us keep watch, for Christ remained in the tomb until this night.
It was on this night that the Resurrection of His flesh took place.
On the Cross it was the butt of mockery; today, Heaven and earth give it worship.
This night already forms part of our Sunday.
It was very necessary that Christ should rise during the night because, His Resurrection has enlightened our darkness! …
Just as our faith, strengthened by Christ’s Resurrection, dispels all sleep, so this night, lightened by our vigils, is filled with brightness.
With the Church throughout the earth, it causes us to hope we shall never be surprised during the night (Mk 13:33).

Amongst so many peoples whom this Feast – kept so solemnly everywhere – gathers together in the Name of Christ, the sun has gone down.
Yet, day has not disappeared; the lights of Heaven have taken over from the lights of earth…
He, Who has given us the glory of His Name (Ps 28:2) has also illumined this night.
He to Whom we say “Thou lighten my darkness” (Ps 18:28) sheds His brightness in our hearts.
Just as our dazzled eyes behold these shining torches, so our enlightened spirits enable us to see how luminous is this night, this holy night in which our Lord initiated, in His own flesh, the Life which knows neither sleep nor death!” – (2nd Sermon for the Easter Vigil; PLS 2, 549-552 – Sermon Morin Guelferbytanus 5).

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOOD FRIDAY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The SEVEN PASSION Feasts

Our Morning Offering – 29 March – Membra Jesu Nostri, O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 29 March – Good Friday

Membra Jesu Nostri
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
By Blessed Arnulf of Leuven O.Cist. (c1200-1276)

O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, Thine only crown;
O sacred Head, what glory,
what bliss till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call Thee mine.

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered,
was all for sinners’ gain;
Mine, mine, was the transgression
but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Saviour!
’Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favour,
vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee,
Thou noble Countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee
and flee before Thy glance.
How art thou pale with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How doth Thy Visage languish
that once was bright as morn!

Now from Thy cheeks has vanished,
their colour once so fair;
From Thy red lips is banished
the splendour that was there.
Grim death, with cruel rigour,
hath robbed Thee of Thy life;
Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigour,
Thy strength in this sad strife.

My burden in Thy Passion,
Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression
which brought this woe on Thee.
I cast me down before Thee,
wrath were my rightful lot;
Have mercy, I implore Thee;
Redeemer, spurn me not!

What language shall I borrow
to thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never,
outlive my love to Thee.

My Shepherd, now receive me;
my Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me,
O Source of gifts Divine.
Thy Lips have often fed me
with words of Truth and Love;
Thy Spirit oft hath led me
to Heavenly joys above.

Here I will stand beside Thee,
from Thee I will not part;
O Saviour, do not chide me!
When breaks Thy loving Heart,
When soul and body languish
in death’s cold, cruel grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish,
Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.

The joy can never be spoken,
above all joys beside,
When in Thy Body broken
I thus with safety hide.
O Lord of Life, desiring
Thy Glory now to see,
Beside Thy Cross expiring,
I’d breathe my soul to Thee.

My Saviour, be Thou near me
when death is at my door;
Then let Thy Presence cheer me,
forsake me nevermore!
When soul and body languish,
oh, leave me not alone
But take away mine anguish
by virtue of Thine own!

Be Thou my consolation,
my shield when I must die;
Remind me of Thy Passion
when my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee,
upon Thy Cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfolds Thee.
Who dieth thus dies well!

This Poem/Hymn was incorrectly ascribed to St Bernard of Clairvaux, for they are consistent with his style and his devotion. However, “the external proof for this ascription is so slight as to be negligible” (Hurlbut, VII, 18).
The “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” did appear in St Bernard’s collected works but only two hundred years after his death. When the Monasteries were suppressed in the French Revolution, all of the relevant manuscripts disappeared. The only surviving manuscript, dated 1320, bears Arnulf’s name (Arnulfus de louan). Here is Blessed Arnulf’s story:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/04/02/saint-of-the-day-2-april-blessed-arnulf-of-leuven-o-cist-c1200-1276-abbot/

Arnulf’s Poem consists of a cycle of seven Poems, each a meditation on one of the Wounds of the Crucified Christ.
The words of the Hymn remind us, not only of the depth of Christ’s love but also how much He suffers because of our sins.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 27 March – Let Us Too Glory in the Cross of Our Lord

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 27 March – Wednesday in Holy Week – Isaias 53:1-12, Luke 22:1-71 and 23:1-53 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“When Christ has already given us
the gift of His Death,
who is to doubt that He will give the Saints,
the gift of His own Life?”
St Augustine

“And he released unto them,
him who for murder and sedition
had been cast into prison,
whom they had desired.
But Jesus he delivered up to their will.”
Luke 23:25

Let Us, Too, Glory
in the Cross of the Lord

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

“The Passion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the hope of glory and a lesson in patience. What may not the hearts of believers promise themselves as the gift of God’s grace, when for their sake, God’s only Son, co-eternal with the Father, was not content only to be born as man from human stock but even, died at the hands of the men He had created?

It is a great thing that we are promised by the Lord but far greater, is what has already been done for us and which we now commemorate. Where were the sinners, what were they doing when Christ died for them? When Christ has already given us the gift of His Death, who is to doubt that He will give the Saints the gift of His own Life? Why does our human frailty hesitate to believe that mankind will one day, live with God?

Who is Christ if not the Word of God – in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God?
This power of Himself to die for us – He had to take from us, our mortal flesh. This was the way in which, although immortal, He was able to die; the way in which He chose to give Life to mortal men – He would first share with us and then enable us to share with Him. Of ourselves, we had no power to live, nor did He of Himself have the power to die.

Accordingly, He effected a wonderful exchange with us, through mutual sharing – we gave Him the power to die, He will give us the power to Live!

The death of the Lord our God, should not be a cause of shame for us; rather, it should be our greatest hope, our greatest glory. In taking upon Himself the death which He found in us, He has most faithfully promised, to give us Life in Himself, such as we cannot have of ourselves.

He loved us so much that, sinless Himself, He suffered for us sinners the punishment we deserved for our sins. How then can He fail to give us the reward we deserve for our righteousness, for He is the Source of righteousness? How can He, Whose promises are true, fail to reward the Saints, when He bore the punishment of sinners, although without sin Himself?

Brethren, let us then fearlessly acknowledge and even openly proclaim that Christ was Crucified for us; let us confess it, not in fear but in joy, not in shame but in glory.

The Apostle Paul saw Christ and extolled His claim to glory. He had many great and inspired things to say about Christ but he did not say that he boasted in Christ’s wonderful works: in creating the world, since He was God with the Father, or in ruling the world, although He was also a man like us. Rather, he said: Let me not boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!” – (Reflections on the Cross from the Early Church Fathers).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY WEEK, LENT 2024, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 27 March – In Thine Hour of Holy Sadness

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 27 March – “Spy” Wednesday in Holy Week

In Thine Hour of Holy Sadness
By St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father & Doctor of the Church

In Thine hour of holy sadness
could I share with Thee, what gladness
should Thine Cross to me be showing.
Gladness past all thought of knowing,
bowed beneath Thine Cross to die!
Blessed Jesus, thanks I render
that in bitter death, so tender,
Thou now hear Thy supplicant calling,
Save me Lord!
and keep from falling, from Thee,
when my hour is nigh.
Amen.