Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE

Our Morning Offering – 12 March – Lucis Creator Optime, O Blest Creator of the Light By St Gregory the Great

Our Morning Offering – 12 March – St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) – Father & Doctor

Lucis Creator Optime
O Blest Creator of the Light
By St Gregory the Great (540-604)
Pope, Father & Doctor

“Father of the Fathers”

O blest Creator of the light,
Who mak’st the day with radiance bright,
And o’er the forming world did’st call
The Light from Chaos First of all.

Whose wisdom join’d in meet array
The morn and eve and nam’d them day;
Night comes with all its darkling fears;
Regard Thy people’s pray’rs and tears.

Lest, sunk in sin and whelm’d with strife,
They lose the gift of endless life;
While thinking but the thoughts of time,
They weave new chains of woe and crime.

But grant them grace that they may strain
The heav’nly gate and prize to gain;
Each harmful lure, aside to cast,
And purge away each error past.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Shall live and reign eternally.
Amen

This Hymn is used for Vespers (II) on Sundays throughout the year in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Breviary.
Trans John M Neale (1818-1866), 1851.
Tune: “Lucis Creator Optime” Gregorian Chant, Mode VIII, traditional.

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 March – St John of God

Quote/s of the Day – 8 March – St John of God OH (1495-1550) Confessor, Founder of the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God

If we kept before ourselves,
the Mercy of God,
we would never be deficient in doing good,
while strength was in us.
For, when we give to the poor,
out of the love of God,
that which what He Himself has given us,
His Promise is that, we shall receive
a hundredfold in eternal happiness.
That indeed, is a fortunate
and happy way of gaining a profit!
Who will not give, whatever he has,
to this best of Merchants!
He administers our business Himself
and begs us, with outstretched arms,
to turn to Him and weep for our sins
and become servants in love,
first for ourselves and then for our neighbour.

“For, just as water extinguishes a fire,
just so, does charity blot out our sins.

… When I see so many of my brethren in poverty
and my neighbours suffering,beyond their strength
and oppressed in mind or body, by so many cares
and I am unable to help them,
it causes me exceeding sorrow.
But I trust in Christ Who knows my heart.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/08/quote-s-of-the-day-8-march-st-john-of-god-oh-1495-1550/

St John of God (1495-1550)

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The HOLY NAME, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR

Our Morning Offering – 2 March – Merciful Jesus! Stretch Forth Thy Hand of Mercy

Our Morning Offering – 2 March – Quinquagesima Sunday

Merciful Jesus!
Stretch Forth Thy Hand of Mercy
(Excerpt – Prayer in a Time of Anguish)
By St Jerome (347-419)

Father and Doctor of the Church

Merciful Jesus!
Thou art my strength, my refuge and my deliverer;
in Thee I have believed and hoped;
in Thee have I loved.
Call me now, I beseech Thee and I will answer.
Stretch forth Thy Hand of mercy, to the work of Thy Hands
and let me not perish, whom Thou hast redeemed
with Thy Precious Blood.
It is now time for dust to return to dust
and my spirit to Thee Who gavest it.
Open then, Lord, the Gate of Life and receive me.
Receive me most merciful Lord,
according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies,
Who receivedst the thief on the cross
and now prepare my soul for hearing
the same promise of mercy which he did.
I am ill, O Lord and Thee my Physician.
Heal me then, my God and I shall be healed,
let me not be confounded, for I put my trust in Thee.
In Thee have I hoped – let me not be cast off forever!
… Deal not with me, according to what I deserve,
nor chastise me, according to my iniquities
but help me, O God, my Saviour
and for the glory of Thy Name deliver me.
Now, at this hour, show mercy to me
and whenever I depart, receive me
into the number of Thy family that I, may be one of those,
who are to praise Thee forever.
Amen

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, The GREAT TRUTHS

Thought for the Day – 26 February – The Employments of Heaven

Thought for the Day – 26 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations on “The Great Truths”
From “The Devout Year
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

26th Day – The Employments of Heaven

His servants shall serve Him.
(Apoc xxii:3)

+1. While faith and hope will be at an end in Heaven, the virtue of charity will remain.
There is nothing on earth as sweet as love nothing which fills the heart with such continual joy; nothing which so occupies the soul and causes men to forget all else.
This is the case when the object of our love is a perishable, imperfect creature like ourselves.
How much more when the object of our love is the God of Infinite Beauty containing in Himself, every possible earthly perfection, not only multiplied to an infinite degree but altogether superior in kind and, therefore, a source of greater joy, than all possible created beauty!

+2. A strong love makes the long hours pass away in a stream of unceasing delight; no weariness, no monotony, no desire for anything else.
One thing only limits the perfection of the happiness of love and that is the thought that it cannot last forever.
In Heaven, there will be a stream of delight immeasurably richer and, the joyful consciousness that, there is no fear of its ever coming to an end.

+3. As God is Infinite in His perfections, they will necessarily be inexhaustible. The various phases (if we may use the term) of His Divine Loveliness will never come to an end. After a million years, there will still be the same inexhaustible treasure of multiform delights to be enjoyed and, after a million years, it will not be diminished.
No fear then, of sameness in Heaven, no fear of monotony, it will ever be the same and yet, ever new!
Pray for a greater love of God here on earth.

Posted in CARMELITES, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, INDULGENCES, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on WISDOM, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 25 February – The Seed

Quote/s of the Day – 25 February – Ferial Day – Sexagesima Week – 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9; – Luke 8:4-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

The seed is the Word of God.”

Luke 8:11

“… Blessed are they who hear
the Word of God and keep it.

Luke 11:28

Sacred Scripture is the Lord’s money!”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor of the Church

The faithful, who spend
at least a quarter of an hour,
in reading Sacred Scripture
with great reverence,
due to the Word of God,
after the manner of spiritual reading,
may gain, an Indulgence of 300 days.

St Jerome (347-419)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Scripture is perfect wisdom,
starting point and point of arrival,
to which our whole existence
should be adapted.”

St Hesychius of Jerusalem (Died c450)
Priest, Exegete, Father

It is above all, the Gospel
which supports me during my prayer.
There, I find all which
my poor little soul needs.
There, I always discover new lights,
hidden and mysterious meaning.
… Just when I need it, I discover lights
which I had not seen before.

St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 February – “The seed is the Word of God. ” – Luke 8:11

One Minute Reflection – 25 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – Ferial Day – Sexagesima Week – 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9; – Luke 8:4-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

The seed is the Word of God. ” – Luke 8:11

REFLECTION – “The origins of Scripture are not to be found through human research but, in the Divine Revelation coming from the “Father of Lights” “from whom every family in Heaven and on earth, is named” (Jas 1:17; Eph 3:15). From Him, through His Son Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost is poured out upon us. Faith has been given to us through the Holy Ghost, sharing and distributing His gifts to each of us, according to His Will (Heb 2:4) and, “through faith, Christ dwells in our hearts” (Eph 3:17). From this, knowledge of Jesus Christ flows, as from its source, both strength and understanding of the whole of Sacred Scripture. It is impossible, therefore, to enter into a knowledge of Scripture without first of all, possessing an infused faith in Christ, as the Light, doorway and foundation of all Scripture …

The end, or fruit, of Sacred Scripture is not without purpose; it is the fullness of life eternal. For in Scripture are to be found “the Words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68). It has been written, therefore, not only that we might believe in but that, we might also possess the eternal life in which we shall see and love and our desires will be wholly satisfied. Then, when our desires have been satisfied, we shall truly know “the love which surpasses knowledge” and so, we shall be “filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:19). It is to this fullness, Scripture tries to introduce us and, it is to this end, with this intention, Scripture ought to be studied, taught and understood.” – St Bonaventure (1221-1274) Franciscan, Doctor of the Church (Breviloquium, Prologue 2-5).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who sees how we are deprived of all strength, guard us inwardly and outwardly that in body, we may be protected against all misfortunes and in mind, cleansed of evil thoughts and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, be assisted on this earthly pilgrimage. 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 JUDGE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, The GREAT TRUTHS, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING

Thought for the Day – 24 February – The End Attained!

Thought for the Day – 24 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations on “The Great Truths”
From “The Devout Year
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

24th Day – The End Attained!

Then shall the King say to those who shall be
on His Right Hand, Come you blessed of My Father,
possess you the Kingdom, prepared for you
from the foundation of the world.

(St Matt xxv:34)

+1. What will be the sentiments of those who, at the General Judgement will find themselves on the Right Hand of the Judge and listen to His Words of Love?
First of all, they will overflow with a delicious sense of happiness and peace; they will scarcely be able to contain themselves with delight; unmixed and unsullied, will be their cup of joy, unlike any of the joys of earth, intoxicating them with its ineffable sweetness!

+2. They will also be amazed and astonished at the reward given to them.
What have I done, O Lord, to deserve all this? When did I minister to Thee as Thou sayest? When did I do anything to earn Thy Words of Gratitude? Who am I that, Thou shouldst thus exalt me? All the little which I did, came from Thee and now, Thou rewardest me, as if it was my own doing.
We bless Thee, we praise Thee, for Thy great goodness,
Thine unspeakable generosity!

+3. They will also look back with wonder on their earthly life. While it lasted it seemed so long, so tedious, perhaps so miserable and now, it is like a moment in the past, like a shadow which flitted by.
How infinitesimal all its sorrows and pains will then seem, all compensated by that first moment of ineffable delight!
Seek to bear that day in heart and mind, when earthly sorrows press heavily.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on the CHURCH, St PETER!, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 22 February – St Peter, the Gatekeepr of Heaven

Quote/s of the Day – 22 February – The Feast of the Chair of St Peter at Antioch –1 Peter 1:1-7; Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:16

Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona
because flesh and blood
hath not revealed it to thee
but My Father Who is in Heaven.

Matthew 16:17

Upon this Rock I will build My Church

Matthew 16:18

God is One and Christ is One,
His Church is One,
His See is One,
founded by the Voice of the Lord on Peter.
No other Altar can be set up,
no other Priesthood instituted
apart from that One Altar and that One Priesthood.
Who so gathers elsewhere, scatters
!”

St Cyprian of Carthage (c 200-258)
Martyr, Bishop of Carthage,
Father of the Church

O blessed gatekeeper of Heaven,
to whom were given the keys of entry to eternity
!

St Hilary (315-368)
Bishop of Poitiers,
Father & Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, In the PRESENCE of GOD, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 February – Preparing to Prepare

Quote/s of the Day – 21 February – Preparing to Prepare

For he who would save his life
will lose it but he who loses his life,
for My sake will find it.

Matthew 16:25

Destroy yourself completely
and sit, like a chick,
content with the grace of God,
for unless its mother gives it something,
it tastes nothing and has nothing to eat.

St Romuald (c951-1027)

May the God of love and peace,
set your hearts at rest
and speed you on your journey,
may He meanwhile,
shelter you from disturbance by others,
in the hidden recesses of His Love,
until He brings you, at last,
into that place of complete plenitude,
where you will repose forever,
in the vision of peace,
in the security of trust
and in the restful enjoyment of His riches.

St Raymond of Peñafort
(1175-1275)

When I look at successful men,
I find in all, three characteristics:
(1) A spirit of cheerfulness and confidence.
They know how to look at everything
from its best side.
Hence, I must pray for these attributes.
(2) A spirit of perseverance.
They are not discouraged by failures.
They recover themselves without delay.
What a lesson for me, not to lose heart
but to say, when I fall, I will rise again
and that, promptly!
(3) A spirit of single-mindedness.
They keep the end in view steadily before them.
If I am to attain, to the End of my life,
to succeed in coming to God at last,
I must keep Him always before me.

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HELL, The GREAT TRUTHS

Thought for the Day – 17 February – The Eternity of Hell

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

Meditations on “The Great Truths”
From “The Devout Year
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

17th Day – The Eternity of Hell

This is my rest forever and ever.
(Ps cxxxi:14)

+1. The worst aggravation of the sufferings of hell is that, they will never end.
If only they would cease, or be alleviated, after a thousand or a million years, the day of hope would shine on the inmates of that prison-house, even though far away in the dim distance. It is the knowledge that, at the end of countless millions of years, they will still be suffering as they are now which makes the agony of the lost so intolerable.
Forever, never! Forever, never!

+2. Add to this, the frightful monotony of their torments. How wearily the time drags on through a night, sleepless on account of acute pain!
But what will be the monotony of anguish which will make those endless ages drag along in unchanging misery? Nothing to vary the blackness of darkness around them; nothing to vary the worm of remorse ever gnawing at their heart nothing to vary the excruciating agony of the fire which will never be quenched.

+3. All this is the necessary result of their being fixed in an unchanging enmity with God.
If only they could receive in their souls, one spark of the Love of God, hell would at once cease to be hell. One thought of love would turn their agony of despair into joyful hope.
But no such thought will ever come to them.
Make many Acts of Love of God and ask Him that you may never be separated from Him by sin.

Posted in QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on SIN, The GREAT TRUTHS

Thought for the Day – 16 February – The Aggravations of Hell

Thought for the Day – 16 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations on “The Great Truths”
From “The Devout Year
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

16th Day – The Aggravations of Hell

Here will I dwell, for I have chosen it.
(Ps cxxxi:14)

Every thought of the lost will aggravate, not alleviate, their sufferings. Let us review one or two of the thoughts which will be ever present to their minds.

+1. They might so easily have been saved!
One act of contrition at the last, one grace accepted out of the countless graces which were deliberately set at naught and they might have been with the Angels in Heaven, instead of with the devils in hell. To know that we have just missed some advantage which we might, with a little trouble, have secured for ourselves, is always a tormenting thought. How much more when it is Heaven which is lost!

+2. If the advantage is lost, purely through our own fault, this greatly increases our misery. We fools! We had so many chances, we knew so well we were forfeiting our eternal inheritance! It is this which changes sorrow into remorse and adds to suffering, the horror and blackness of despair!
All through our own fault! What a thought to dwell with me through all eternity!

+3. What is it that we have lost?
This will be the bitterest thought of all.
We have lost the sweet music of Heaven, we have lost the company of the Saints and Angels, we have lost the enchanting happiness of gazing on the Sacred Humanity of Jesus in all its glory and, above all, we have lost the unspeakable joy of the Beatific Vision. We fools!
Pray God that the dread of this thought hereafter, may keep you from sin.

Posted in QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on SIN, The GREAT TRUTHS

Thought for the Day – 15 February – The Eternal Consequences of Sin

Thought for the Day – 15 February – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations on “The Great Truths”
From “The Devout Year
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

15th Day – The Eternal Consequences of Sin

Whoever was not found written in the Book of Life
was cast into the pool of fire.

(Apoc xx 15)

Try to represent to your imagination, the eternal prison-house. Listen to the shrieks and howls and cries of despair which issue thence; see the agony written on the faces of the inmates; approach, if you dare, to the devouring flame, taste the burning thirst which longs for one drop of water as an indescribable luxury.

+1. What is it that the lost are suffering here?
The pain of fire. Touch a piece of red- hot iron and see how long you can bear it? Yet, the lost souls in hell, endure an agony far worse than this, not in one portion of their body but in all the entire body.
Their eyes burn in the sockets like molten balls of fire. The fire surrounds them like water, nay, it is within and without them, it dries up their tongue, it consumes their entrails, it penetrates to the very marrow of their bones.
My God, may I never incur this agony!

+2. This fire is no ordinary fire. It is a supernatural fire – the breath of God kindles it.
The torment of burning, as known to us, is a suffering far less than the torment of hell. If the lost could be transferred to a bath of seething, molten lead, it would be a far less suffering, than that of the fire in which they are steeped in hell!

+3. About this fire, there is none of the light of ordinary fire. It carries with it the blackness of utter darkness. No ray of light will ever pierce its hideous gloom, no word of comfort, no relief, no hope of change. Nothing to alleviate the eternal misery which comes of sin.
Pray that if the love of God or hope of Heaven does not keep you from sinning, at least the fear of hell-fire may stop you in time!

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 February – ‘ … In exchange for her rags and ashes …’

One Minute Reflection – 12 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order (1233) – Ecclesiasticus 44:1-15; Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“At that time, Peter said to Jesus: Behold we have left all things and have followed Thee: what, therefore, shall we have? ” – Matthew 19:27

REFLECTION – “For forty years, to use the analogy made by Saint Paul (1 Cor 9:24), Clare had now run the race in the stadium of very great poverty. She was drawing close to the goal of her heavenly vocation and, to the reward promised to the victor … Divine Providence hastened to fulfil what it had in mind for Clare – Christ desired to bring His little, poor one into His Royal Palace at the close of her pilgrimage. She, on her part, longed with all the impulse of her desire … to behold, reigning on high in His Glory, the Christ Whose poverty she had imitated on earth …

All her daughters had gathered around their mother’s bed … Then, speaking to herself, Claire said to her soul: “Go in all safety; you have a good Guide for the road. Go, for He Who created you, has also sanctified you. He has always kept you and loved you with tender love, as a mother loves her child. Blessed are you, O Lord, Who have created me!” One of the Sisters asked her, to whom she was speaking. Clare answered: “To my blessed soul.” Her guide for the journey was not far off. Indeed, turning towards one of her daughters, she said: “Do you see what I can see? – The King of Glory!” …

Blessed be her departure from this vale of sorrow, a departure which was, for her, the entry into the life of blessedness! As a reward for her fasts here below, she now knows the joy which reigns at the table of the Saints. In exchange for her rags and ashes, she has entered into possession of the blessedness of the heavenly Kingdom, where she is clothed in the robe of eternal glory!” – Thomas of Celano OFM (c1185-1260) Franciscan Friar and close assistant to St Francis, Biographer of Saint Francis and Saint Clare (Life of Saint Clare).

PRAYER – O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, to keep alive the memory of Your most holy Mother’s sorrows, through the Seven holy Fathers enriched your Church with a new family of her Servants, graciously grant that we may be so united with them in their sorrows, as also to share their joys. Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, GOD ALONE!, MOTHER of GOD, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY GHOST, The UNFORGIVEABLE SIN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 9 February – St Cyril of Alexandria

Quote/s of the Day – 9 February – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” “Doctor of the Incarnation,” Bishop,Confessor, Father and Doctor, of the Church

Young man, I say to thee, arise!
Luke 7:14

Even for restoring the dead to life,
the Saviour did not stop at acting by Word alone,
although it was the bearer of Divine Commands.
For such a surpassing work,
He took His own Flesh as His assistant –
if one might put it that way –
that He might show, that it has the power
to give life and, that He might cause it
to be seen that it is entirely One with Him.
… Thus, He not only conferred to His Word
the power to raise the dead
but He even touched the dead,
to show that His Body is Life-giving and,
through His Flesh, He caused life
to pass into their corpses.
If the touch alone of His Sacred Flesh
restores life to a corrupting body,
what profit shall we not discover
in His Life-giving Eucharist
when we make of it our food?
It will wholly transform into its own property
which is immortality, those who participate in it.

At that time, the Lord appointed
seventy-two others
and sent them forth 

Luke 10:1

By saying that He is sending them
as the Father has sent Him, therefore,
He summarised, in a few words,
the character of the Apostles’ mission.
In this way, they would know that they were bound
to call sinners to repentance,
to heal the sick, whether of body or soul
and in all their dealings as stewards,
not by any means to follow their own will
but the will of Him Who sent them and,
finally, to save the world,
insofar as it received the teachings of the Lord.

He who abides in Me and I in Him,
the same bears much fruit”

John 5:5

We are preserved in being, if we grow onto Him
and cling fast to the holy commandment,
which has been handed down to us
and, if we are eager to keep the blessing of nobility,
that is to say, if we never consent, in any way,
to “grieve the Holy Spirit” (Eph 4:30),
Who has come to dwell in us and, through Whom,
we believe, God has made His home in us. …
For just as the vine-stock supplies and distributes,
the virtue of its own inherent natural quality to the shoots,
so, too, the Only-Begotten Word of God,
implants, in His people, a sort of affinity
with His own nature and that of the Father.
By the gift of the Spirit, they are united with Him
by every kind of holiness.
He nourishes them, so that they become devout
and He moves them to knowledge of all virtue
and good works.”

That anyone could doubt the right
of the holy Virgin
to be called the Mother of God,
fills me with astonishment.
Surely she must be the Mother of God,
if our Lord Jesus Christ is God
and she gave birth to Him!

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/09/quote-s-of-the-day-9-february-st-cyril-of-alexandria-3/

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

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on WATCHING, The HEART, The LAST THINGS, The RESURRECTION, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 February – ‘So make haste to please the Lord …’

Quote/s of the Day – 8 February – Sirach 31:8-11; Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Open the door to Him at once,
when He Comes and knocks.

Luke 12:35

So make haste to please the Lord,
wait for Him in your heart without ceasing,
seek Him in your thoughts,
stir up your will and your love,
to reach out towards Him
at every moment!
Then you will see how He Comes to you
and makes His home within you.

St Macarius of Egypt (c300-390)
Monk, Father (Attrib)

The fire of the Lord is Light Eternal;
the lamps of believers are lit at this fire:
“Gird your loins and light your lamps,”
(Lk 12:35).
It is because the days of our life
are still night that a lamp is necessary.
This is the fire which,
according to the testimony
of the disciples at Emmaus,
the Lord Himself set within them:
“Were not our hearts burning within us
while He spoke to us on the way
and opened the scriptures to us?” (Lk 24:32).
He gives us evident proof of this fire’s action,
enlightening man’s inmost heart.
That is why the Lord will Come in fire (Is 66,15)
so as to devour our faults at the resurrection,
fulfil each one’s desires with His Presence
and cast His Light over their merits and mysteries.

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Well done, good and faithful servant
because thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will place thee over many things.
Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

Matthew 25:23

The parable of the talents is about all those
who, instead of providing assistance to their brethren
with their goods, their advice or, in some other way,
live only for themselves …
Jesus wants to show us, our Lord’s long patience
in this parable but, He also alludes, it seems to me,
to the final resurrection …
In the first place, the servants who give
an account of their dealings
unequivocally acknowledge that which
comes from their Master’s gift
and, that which is the fruit of their stewardship.
… Someone who, for the sake of the other,
has received the grace of word and teaching
but does not put it to use,
will have this grace taken away.
But someone, who uses wisely and zealously,
the grace received, will receive
an even more abundant grace!

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

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 February – ‘… We are greedy for present things but do not take into account the coming judgement. …’

One Minute Reflection – 1 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinitys” – St Ignatius of Antioch (c35–107) Martyr, Bishop of Antioch, Apostolic Father of the Church. – Romans 8:35-39; John 12:24-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

He who loves his life, loses it and he who hates his life in this world, keeps it unto life everlasting. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me and where I Am ,there also shall My servant be.” – John 12:25-26

REFLECTION – “… We are being towed along by a world which passes away, forgetting the world to come. We are greedy for present things but do not take into account the coming judgement. We will not run to meet the Lord as He Comes …

Let us turn back, brethren, let us turn back… By the very fact of His delay, of His still waiting, our Lord proves His desire to see us come back to Him, His desire that we should not perish. In His great goodness, He continues addressing these words to us: “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked but would rather he would change his ways and live ”(Ez 33,11). So let us turn back to Him, brethren, not fearing that time is running short. The time that belongs to time’s Author cannot be shortened. The proof of it lies in the criminal in the Gospel, who, at the moment of dying on the cross, got away with his pardon, grabbed hold of life and, breaking into paradise like a burglar, managed to make his way into the Kingdom (cf. Lk 23,43)!” – St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and “Doctor of Sermons” of the Church (Excerpt from Sermon 167).

PRAYER – Be mindful of our weakness, O aAmighty God and since the burden of our deeds is grievous to us, grant that the glorious intercession of blessed Ignatius Thy Martyr and Bishop, may protect us. 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 DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on TRUTH, The HOLY NAME

Our Morning Offering – 27 January – In Thy Name By St John Chrysostom

Our Morning Offering – 27 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church “Golden Mouthed.”

In Thy Name
By St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Oh Almighty God,
Who hast given us grace
at this time, with one accord,
to make our common
supplications unto Thee
and hast promised that,
when two or three are gathered together
in Thy Name,
Thou wilt grant their requests,
fulfil now, O Lord,
the desires and petitions of Thy servants,
as may be most expedient for them;
granting us, in this world,
knowledge of Thy Truth
and in the world to come,
life everlasting.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 January – ‘ … I am inviting you into My Life. …’

One Minute Reflection – 26 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – St Polycarp (69-155) Martyr, Bishop of Smyrna (Asia Minor), Apostolic Father – Romans 12:16-21; Matthew 8:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Lord, I am not worthy … ”- Matthew 8:8

REFLECTION – “When He came here from another country, Christ found nothing here but what there is in abundance – afflictions, sorrows and death. This is what you have here – this is what there is here in abundance. He has eaten with you that which is to be found in abundance, in the poor house of your misfortune. He has drunk vinegar, He has tasted gall (Jn 19:29) – this is what He has found in your poor house.

Yet, He has invited you to His splendid table, His table in Heaven, to the table of Angels, where He Himself is the bread (Jn 6:35). Coming down to be with you and finding misfortune in your poor house, He was not too proud to be seated at your table, such as it was and promised you His own … He has taken away your misfortune; He will give you His own happiness. Yes indeed, He will give it you, He has promised us His Life!

And what He has accomplished is yet more unbelievable – He has given us His own Death in pledge. As if He were to say to us – “I am inviting you into My Life, to the place where none dies, where true happiness is to be found, where the food never stales, where it revives, where it never lacks but satisfies all. See, this is where I Am inviting you – to the Land of Angels, to friendship with the Father and Holy Ghost, to the meal of eternity, to My brotherly friendship. In sum, I invite you to Myself, to My Qwn Life. Are you unwilling to believe that I will give you My Life? Take My Death as your witness!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 231).

PRAYER – O God, Who gave us joy by the annual solemnity of blessed Polycarp, Thy Martyr and Bishop, mercifully grant that we may rejoice in his protection, whose birthday we celebrate. 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 DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, St PAUL!, The HOLY CROSS

Quote/s of the Day – 23 January – St Raymond of Peñafort

Quote/s of the Day – 23 January – St Raymond of Peñafort OP (1175-1275) Confessor, “Father of Canon Law” Dominican Priest, Co-Founder of the Mercedarian Friars with St Peter Nolasco, Miracle-Worker. – Patronages – Lawyers, Canonists, Medical Record Librarians, Barcelona, Spain, Navarre, Spain.

“This is that enviable
and blessed Cross of Christ . . .
the Cross in which alone,
we must make our boast,
as Paul,
God’s chosen instrument,
has told us.”

this is that enviable and blessed cross of christ - st raymond of penafort 7 jan 2019

“May the God of love and peace,
set your hearts at rest
and speed you on your journey,
may He meanwhile,
shelter you from disturbance by others,
in the hidden recesses of His Love,
until He brings you, at last,
into that place of complete plenitude,
where you will repose forever,
in the vision of peace,
in the security of trust
and in the restful enjoyment of His riches.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/01/23/quote-s-of-the-day-23-january-st-raymond-of-penafort-1175-1275/

St Raymond of Peñafort
(1175-1275)

Posted in BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, CHRIST the KING Prayers, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, GOD the FATHER, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR

Our Morning Offering – 22 January – Prayer in Praise of God By St Francis

Our Morning Offering – 22 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family”

Prayer in Praise of God
By St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226)

Thou art Holy, Lord, the only God
and Thine Deeds art wonderful.
Thou art Strong.
Thou art Great.
Thou art the Most High.
Thou art Almighty.
Thou, Holy Father art King of Heaven and earth.
Thou art Three and One, Lord God, all Good.
Thou art Good, all Good, Supreme Good,
Lord God, Living and True.
Thou art Love. Thou art Wisdom.
Thou art Humility. Thou art Endurance.
Thou art Rest. Thou art Peace.
Thou art Joy and Gladness.
Thou art Justice and Moderation.
Thou art all our Riches and Thou art Suffice for us.
Thou art Beauty. Thou art Gentleness.
Thou art our Protector.
Thou art our Guardian and Defender.
Thou art our Courage.
Thou art our Haven and our Hope.
Thou art our Faith, our great Consolation.
Thou art our Eternal Life,
Great and Wonderful Lord, God Almighty,
Merciful Saviour.
Amen

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, The IMITATION of CHRIST, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 January – You too, then, have faith – it is He, the Bridegroom!

Quote/s of the Day – 21 January – St Agnes (c 291- c 304) Virgin and Martyr –

And He said to them:
Why are you troubled and why
do thoughts arise in your hearts
?”
Luke 24:38

Christ is truly the Word,
the Only-begotten Son equal to the Father,
united to a truly human soul
and a real body, clean of all sin.
This is the Body which died,
the Body which rose again,
this Body was fastened to the Cross,
this Body laid in the tomb,
this Body is seated in the Heavens.
Our Lord wished to persuade His disciples
that what they were seeing was truly bone and flesh…
Why did He want to convince me of this truth?
Because He knew, just how much it was to my own good,
to have faith in it and how much
I had to lose, if I did not.
You too, then, have faith – it is He, the Bridegroom!

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

Behold, the Bridegroom is coming,
go forth to meet Him!

Matthew 25:6

He worked and struggled
as our Champion against our enemies,
broke open the bars of our prison,
won the struggle, vanquished our death
through His Own, redeemed us through His Blood,
freed us through His water in Baptism
and made us rich, through His Sacraments
and His gifts, so that, as He says in the Gospel (Mt 25:6), we might “go out” with all virtues to, “meet Him”
in the palace of His glory and enjoy
Him forever in eternity.

Bl Jan van Ruysbroeck (1293-1381)

(The Spiritual Espousals, Prologue)

Come, O come, for without Thee,
there will be no happy day,
or hour because Thou art my happiness
and without Thee, my table is empty.
I am wretched, as it were, imprisoned
and weighted down with fetters,
until Thou fills me
with the Light of Thy Presence,
restore me to liberty
and show me a friendly Countenance.

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

(Imitation of Christ, Book 3 Ch 21:1,4-6)

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on the POOR, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 December – ‘ … Thinking only of the life to come …’

One Minute Reflection – 13 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave – Feast of St Lucy, Virgin Martyr – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, 11:1-2; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field;
he who finds it, hides it and in his joy, goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
” – Matthew 13:44

REFLECTION – “Let us call to mind that widow who, in her care for the poor, forgot herself, to the point of giving away everything she had to live on, thinking only of the life to come, as our Lord Himself attests. The others gave of their abundance but she – even poorer, perhaps, than many of the poor, for her whole fortune resided in two small coins – she it was, who carried in her heart more wealth than many of the wealthy.

She looked only at the riches of the eternal reward. In her desire for heavenly treasure, she gave up all she possessed, as being goods which come from the earth and return to the earth (Gn 3:19). She gave all she had, in order to possess that which she did not as yet see. She gave away perishable goods, so that she might gain immortal ones. This poor little lady had not forgotten the means foreseen and arranged by our Lord, for acquiring the future reward. Neither, therefore, did the Lord forget her on His part and even now, the Judge of the world has pronounced His sentence – He praises her whom He will Crown on the Day of Judgement.” – St Paulinus of Nola (355-431) Bishop, Father of the Church (Letter 34 2-4).

PRAYER – Hear us, O God our Saviour, that, as we rejoice on the feast of blessed Lucy, YThy Virgin and Martyr, so we may grow in love and devotion. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 December – ‘The Talents – good works and the final resurrection …’

One Minute Reflection – 6 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Nicholas (270-343) Confessor, Bishop – Hebrews 13:7-17; Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Well done, good and faithful servant because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” – Matthew 25:23

REFLECTION –The parable of the talents is about all those who, instead of providing assistance to their brethren with their goods, their advice or, in some other way, live only for themselves … Jesus wants to show us, our Lord’s long patience in this parable but, He also alludes, it seems to me, to the final resurrection … In the first place, the servants who give an account of their dealings unequivocally acknowledge that which comes from their Master’s gift and, that which is the fruit of their stewardship. The first says: “Lord, Thou entrusted me with five talents” and the second: “Lord, Thou entrusted me with two talents.” Thus they acknowledge it is from their Master’s bounty that they hold the capital they put to their profit.

This acknowledgement goes so far, that they ascribe all the merit and glory of their success, to their Master’s trust. What does the Master reply, then? “Well done, good and faithful servant.” This is real goodness, is it not, when someone strives to do good towards their brethren?… “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” this refers to the blessedness of Eternal Life.

But, it is by no means the same case for the wicked servant … What is then the Master’s reply? “Thou wicked and lazy servant, why didst thou not place my money in the bank?” which means, speaking to, encouraging, counselling one’s brothers and sisters. “But people would not listen to me,” the other might have replied. To which the Lord answers: “What is that to thee? … Thou shouldst, at least, have deposited this money in the bank and left Me to collect it with interest on My return.” The interest refers to the good works which go before the Hearing of the Word, when we are to speak. “Thou only had to do the easier part of the work and leave the more difficult to Me” … What is there to say? Someone who, for the sake of the other, has received the grace of word and teaching but does not put it to use, will have this grace taken away. But someone, who uses wisely and zealously, the grace received, will receive an even more abundant grace!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father & Doctor of the Church (Homilies on Saint Matthew’s gospel 78:2-3).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who made the holy Bishop Nicholas renowned for countless miracles, grant, we beseech Thee that by his merits and prayers, we may be saved from the fires of hell. 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 AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The REDEMPTION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 22 November – Let us go out to meet Him …

Quote/s of the Day – 22 November – St Cecilia (Died 3rd Century) Virgin Martyr – Ecclesiasticus 51:13-17; Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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)

And He said to them:
Why are you troubled and why
do thoughts arise in your hearts
?”
Luke 24:38

Christ is truly the Word,
the Only-begotten Son equal to the Father,
united to a truly human soul
and a real body, clean of all sin.
This is the Body which died,
the Body which rose again,
this Body was fastened to the Cross,
this Body laid in the tomb,
this Body is seated in the Heavens.
Our Lord wished to persuade His disciples
that what they were seeing was truly bone and flesh…
Why did He want to convince me of this truth?
Because He knew, just how much it was to my own good,
to have faith in it and how much
I had to lose, if I did not.
You too, then, have faith – it is He, the Bridegroom!

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

Behold, the Bridegroom is coming,
go forth to meet Him!”
Matthew 25:6

He worked and struggled as our Champion
against our enemies,
broke open the bars of our prison,
won the struggle,
vanquished our death through His Own,
redeemed us through His Blood,
freed us through His water in Baptism
and made us rich,
through His Sacraments and His gifts,
so that, as He says in the Gospel (Mt 25:6),
we might “go out” with all virtues to,
“meet Him” in the palace of His glory
and enjoy Him forever in eternity.”

Blessed Jan van Ruysbroeck (1293-1381)

Posted in HOW to PRAY at ALL TIMES, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD

Thought for the Day – 21 November – Recollection

Thought for the Day – 21 November – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“How to Pray at All Times”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

The Practice of Praying Constantly
Recollection
Excerpt from Chapter Five:4

In order to keep yourself recollected and united to God, as far as the imperfections of human nature permit. endeavour, by means of that which you see and hear, to raise your mind to God and to recall the things of eternity,

For instance, when you see running water, reflect that your life is rushing on in like manner and taking you nearer to death. … When you see graves or the bodies of the dead, think of what will happen to yourself one day. When you see worldly people rejoicing in their wealth or distinction, have pity on their folly and say to yourself – For me, God is sufficient. Some trust in chariots, some in horses but we in the Name of the Lord (Ps 19:8). Let them glory, if they wish, in vanity. Be it mine to glory only in the grace of God and in His holy Love.

… When you look out over the ocean and see it now calm and tranquil and now lashed to fury by the winds, consider the difference there is between a soul in sin and a soul in the state of grace. When you see a tree which is withered, reflect on the fact that a soul without God is fit for nothing but to be cast into the fire. If you ever happen to see one who has been guilty of some great crime, trembling with shame and fear in the presence of his judge, or his father, or of his Bishop, consider what the terror of the sinner will be in the presence of Jesus Christ, his Judge. When thunder crashes through the . heavens and you grow alarmed, reflect how those miserable souls who are damned, tremble as they hear continually in hell, the thunders of the Divine wrath.”

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on the POOR, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 November – ‘ … Thinking only of the life to come …’

One Minute Reflection – 19 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – St Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231) Widow – Proverbs 31:10-31;, Matthew 13:44-52 – – – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field;
he who finds it, hides it and in his joy, goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
” – Matthew 13:44

REFLECTION – “Let us call to mind that widow who, in her care for the poor, forgot herself, to the point of giving away everything she had to live on, thinking only of the life to come, as our Lord Himself attests. The others gave of their abundance but she – even poorer, perhaps, than many of the poor, for her whole fortune resided in two small coins – she it was, who carried in her heart more wealth than many of the wealthy.

She looked only at the riches of the eternal reward. In her desire for heavenly treasure, she gave up all she possessed, as being goods which come from the earth and return to the earth (Gn 3:19). She gave all she had, in order to possess that which she did not as yet see. She gave away perishable goods, so that she might gain immortal ones. This poor little lady had not forgotten the means foreseen and arranged by our Lord, for acquiring the future reward. Neither, therefore, did the Lord forget her on His part and even now, the Judge of the world has pronounced His sentence – He praises her whom He will crown on the Day of Judgement.” – St Paulinus of Nola (355-431) Bishop, Father of the Church (Letter 34 2-4).

PRAYER – O merciful God, enlighten the hearts of Thy faithful people and through the glorious prayers of blessed Elizabeth, make us look upon worldly prosperity as nought and ever rejoice in heavenly consolation. 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 WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 16 November – St Gertrude the Great

Quote/s of the Day – 16 November – St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302) Virgin

I understand that, each time
we contemplate the Host,
with desire and devotion,
in which is hidden
Christ’s Eucharistic Body,
we increase our merits in Heaven
and secure special joys to be ours later
in the Beatific Vision of God.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Fountain of Eternal Life,
Thine Heart is a glowing furnace of Love.
Thou art my Refuge
and my Sanctuary.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/16/quote-s-of-the-day-16-november-st-gertrude-the-great-2/

St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, ON the SAINTS, OUR Cross, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, St Francis de Sales, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 November – The Octave Day of All Saints

Quote/s of the Day – 8 November – The Octave Day of All Saints

Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.

Matthew 5:8

Remember, that you will derive strength
by reflecting, that the Saints yearn
for you to join their ranks;
desire to see you fight bravely
and, that you behave like true knights
in your encounters with the same adversities
which they had to conquer.
That breath-taking joy is theirs
and your eternal reward
for having endured a few years of temporal pain.
Every drop of earthly bitterness
will be changed into an ocean
of heavenly sweetness
!”

Blessed Henry Suso (1295-1366)

Our greatest fault is, that
we wish to serve God in our way,
not in His way — according to our will,
not according to His will….
To be truly a Saint, it is necessary
to be one according to the will of God.

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

We should honour God in His Saints
and beseech Him to make us partakers
of the graces He poured, so abundantly, upon them.

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

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Holiness consists in love –
not earthly love, of course
but supernatural love.
It consists in seeking God in all things,
in doing His will without reservation,
in aiming at His glory alone.
All else, is dust and ashes!
… Herein lies the explanation of the lives of the Saints,
lives of sacrifice dedicated to God
and to the salvation of souls.
“Everything for the greater glory of God,”
was the motto of St Ignatius Loyola.
“Everything in the Name of God,”
said St Vincent de Paul.
“My God is my All” said St Catherine of Genoa.
“Love God, serve God, everything is in that!”
exclaimed St Clare of Assisi
.

How do my thoughts, desires and ambitions
compare with these
?”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 November – ‘ … Rejoice, ardent travellers …’

One Minute Reflection – 7 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Within the All Saints Octave and the Feast of all the Dominican Saints – Apocalypse 7:2-12, Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in Heaven.” – Matthew 5:12

REFLECTION – “Rejoice in the Lord without ceasing (cf Phil 4:4), my dear children. I beg you rejoice, citizens of Heaven but exiles on earth, inhabitants of the Jerusalem on high (cf Gal 4:26) but banished from affairs here below, inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven but disinherited from taking any part at all, in earthly pleasures! Rejoice, ardent travellers, at undergoing exile and maltreatment in a foreign land in the name of the commandment of God! Rejoice, you who are last in this world but lords of blessings which exceed our understanding (cf Phil 4:7).

Rejoice, noble company, brought together by God, assembly united in heart and soul, who give life to filial and fraternal love, a replica on earth of the Host of Angels! … Rejoice, God’s workers, apostolic men. … Rejoice, you who set your joy in each other, each making his own the reputation of his brother, you in whom is found neither jealousy, rivalry nor envy but, in their place, peace and charity and life in common. In truth, I do not say that we are not attacked – indeed, who is crowned if not the one who struggles and fights, who exchanges thrusts and wounds with his assailants? – but, I say, we should not let ourselves be brought down by the machinations of Satan.

Yes, my children, assembly of God, nourish yourselves with the food of the Spirit and drink the water given by the Lord; whoever comes to possess this water will never thirst again but it will become, in Him, a spring of living water welling up to eternal life (cf Jn 4:14). … Yet a little while and we shall have vanquished. And blessed shall we be; blessed also, it shall be said, are the places, family and countries which have borne you (cf Lk 11:27-28).” – St Theodore the Studite (759-826) – (Catechesis 47The Great Catecheses)

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who granted us to honour the merits of all Thy Saints in a single solemn festival, bestow on us, we beseech Thee, through their manifold intercession, that abundance of Thy mercy for which we yearn. 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 DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 5 November – St Vincent Ferrer’s Prayer of Petition, Grant Me, O My God

Our Morning Offering – 5 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”

Grant me, O my God
By St Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419)

Good Jesus,
let me be penetrated with love
to the very marrow of my bones,
with fear and respect toward Thee.
Let me burn with zeal for Thy honour,
so that I may deeply resent,
all the outrages committed against Thee,
especially those of which,
I myself have been guilty.
Grant further, O my God,
that I may humbly adore
and acknowledge Thee,
as my Creator and penetrated with gratitude
for all Thy benefits,
I may never cease to render Thee thanksgiving.
Grant that I may bless Thee in all things,
praise and glorify Thee,
with a heart full of joy and gladness
and obeying Thee with docility
in every respect, I may one day,
despite my ingratitude and unworthiness,
be seated at Thine table
together with Thine Holy Angels and Apostles,
to enjoy ineffable delights for all eternity!
Amen