Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, Quotes on SALVATION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 August – Rather blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it. – Luke 11:28

Quote/s of the Day – 26 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” Feast of Our Lady of Czestochow and Salus Infirmorum / Our Lady, Health of the Sick – Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16, Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Rather blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.’
Luke 11:28

“ … For his brothers
His relatives according to the flesh
who did not
believe in Him,
of what advantage was that
relationship?
… Even her maternal relationship
would have done Mary no good,
unless she had borne Christ
more happily in her heart,
than in her flesh.

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

No man lights a candle
and puts it in a hidden place,
nor under a bushel but upon a candlestick,
that they who come in, may see the light.

Luke 11:33
If we fail to live in the Light,
we shall, to our condemnation
and that of others,
be veiling over and obscuring,
by our infidelity, the Light men so desperately need.
As we know from Scripture,
the man who received the talent
should have made it produce a heavenly profit
but instead, he preferred to hide it away
rather than put it to work
and was punished as he deserved.
Consequently, that brilliant Lamp
which was lit for the sake of our salvation
should always shine in us.
For we have the lamp
of the heavenly commandments
and spiritual grace, to which David referred:
Your law is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

St Chromatius of Aquileia (Died c 407)
Father of the Church

The soul glorifies the Lord,
when it consecrates all its inner powers
on praising and serving God
and when, by its submission
to the Divine commands,
it proves that it never loses sight
of His Power and Majesty.
The spirit rejoices in God, its Saviour,
when it places all its joy
in the remembrance of its Creator,
from Whom it hopes for eternal salvation.

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

To find the Saviour outside obedience,
is to lose Him altogether.

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

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WATCHING, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 August – ‘ … Let us be watchful to observe and to do the Lord’s precepts.’

One Minute Reflection – 25 August – St Louis IX (1214-1270) Confessor, King of France – Wisdom 10:10-14, Luke 19:12-26

I say to you that to everyone who has, shall be given but from him, who does not have, even that which he has, shall be taken away.” – Luke 19;26

REFLECTION – “The Lord was looking to our days when He said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Lk 18:8) We see that what He foretold has come to pass. There is no faith in the fear of God, in the law of righteousness, in love, in good works …. That which our conscience would fear if it believed, it does not fear because it does not believe at all. If it believed, it would also take heed and if it took heed, it would be saved.

Therefore, beloved brothers, let us arouse ourselves as much as we can and break the slumber of our listlessness. Let us be watchful to observe and to do the Lord’s precepts. Let us be like He Himself, has bidden us to be, saying, “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately, when He comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants, whom the Master finds vigilant on His arrival“.

We ought to be dressed for work, lest, when the day of setting forth comes, it should find us burdened and entangle. Let our light shine, in good works and glow, in such a way, as to lead us from the night of this world, to the daylight of eternal brightness. Let us always wait with solicitude and caution for the sudden coming of the Lord, so that when He knocks, our faith may be on the watch and receive from the Lord, the reward of our vigilance. If these commands be observed, if these warnings and precepts be kept, we will not be overtaken in slumber, by the deceit of the devil. But we shall reign with Christ in His Kingdom, as servants on the watch.” – St Cyprian (c 200-258) Bishop of Carthage and Martyr, Father of the Church (Treatise on the unity of the Church, 26-27).

PRAYER – O God, Who transported Thy blessed Confessor Louis from an earthly throne to the glory of the heavenly Kingdom, by his merits and intercession we beseech Thee, to make us of the company of the King of kings, Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY GHOST, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 August – The Kingdom of Heaven

Quote/s of the Day – 23 August – 1 Corinthians. 4:9-14, Luke 12:32-34 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Fear not, little flock,
for it hath pleased thy Father
to give thee a Kingdom.

Luke 12:32

Whoever does not accept
the Kingdom of God,
like a little child,
shall not enter it
.”

Mark 10:15

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

Why then do we pray
for the Kingdom of Heaven to come,
if this earthly bondage pleases us?

WHAT IS THE POINT of praying so often
for its early arrival,
if we would rather serve the devil here

than reign with Christ!?

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

Through the Holy Spirit
comes our restoration to paradise,
our ascension into the Kingdom of Heaven,
our return to the adoption of sons,
our liberty to call God, Our Father,
our being made partakers of the grace of Christ,
our being called children of Light,
our sharing in eternal glory
and, in a word, our being brought
into a state of all “fulness of blessing,”
both in this world and in the world to come,
of all the good gifts that are in store for us,
by promise hereof, through faith,
beholding the reflection of their grace,
as though they were already present,
we await the full enjoyment.

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

This life is short and it is only given us
to gain the other.

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 August – Our Treasure …

One Minute Reflection – 21 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Jane Frances de Chantal VHM (1572-1641) 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.” – Matthew 13:44

REFLECTION – “For the man who loves God, it is sufficient to please the One he loves and, there is no greater recompense to be sought, than the loving itself. For love is from God, by the very fact, that God Himself is love. The good and chaste soul is so happy to be filled with Him that it desires to take delight in nothing else. For what the Lord says is very true: – ‘Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.’

What is a man’s treasure but the heaping up of profits and the fruit of his toil? For whatever a man sows, this too will he reap and each man’s gain, matches his toil and where delight and enjoyment are found, there the heart’s desire is attached. Now there are many kinds of wealth and a variety of grounds for rejoicing – every man’s treasure is that which he desires. If it is based on earthly ambitions, its acquisition makes men not blessed but wretched!

But those who enjoy the things that are above and eternal, rather than earthly and perishable, possess an incorruptible, hidden store, of which the prophet speaks: ‘Our treasure and salvation have come, wisdom and instruction and piety, from the Lord: these are the treasures of justice.’ Through these, with the help of God’s grace, even earthly possessions are transformed into heavenly blessings. It is a fact that many people use the wealth, which is either rightfully left to them or otherwise, acquired, as a tool of devotion. By distributing what might be superfluous to support the poor, they are amassing imperishable riches, so that what they have discreetly given, cannot be subject to loss. They have properly placed those riches, where their heart is, – it is a most blessed thing, to work to increase such riches, rather than to fear that they may pass away.” – St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Bishop of Rome and Great Western Father and Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from Sermon 92).

PRAYER – Almighty and merciful God, Who endowed St Jane Frances, burning with love of Thee, with a wondrous strength of spirit through all the paths of life, in the way of perfection and willed through her, to ennoble Thy Church, by a new religious family, grant by her merits and prayers, that we who are aware of our weakness, may trust firmly in Thy power and, by the assistance of divine grace, overcome all obstacles in our way. 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 MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE

Thought for the Day – 19 August – The Sons of God

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

The Sons of God

“We are, or ought to be, sons of God.
We are His adopted sons by means of the grace which gives us a share in His Divine Life.
This idea is contained, even in the Old Testament, “You are gods, all of you, sons of the Most High (Ps 81:6)”
The Spirit Himself,” explains St Paul, “gives testimony to our spirit that we are sons of God. But, if we are sons, we are heirs also, heirs indeed of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Rom 8:16-17).

In other words, the grace of God transforms us and makes us His adopted sons.
The supernatural life is grafted onto the soul, bringing forth a new man who is capable of actions which will deserve an everlasting reward.
We must not allow the old tree, with its dead branches and barren fruit, to spring up again within us, the old man with his defects and evil inclinations must remain dead.

If God’s life is extinguished in us,. we shall cease to be His heirs and co-heirs with Christ. We shall be incapable of doing anything good and shall be destined to eternal damnation.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/28/thought-for-the-day-27-august-the-sons-of-god/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 9 August – The Mystery of Life

Thought for the Day – 9 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Mystery of Life

“These reflections reveal to us the transience of this life and make sorrows and hardships seem easier to endure and, even welcome, if we know how to offer them to God.
What difference will the sufferings of a past existence make?

What will remain tomorrow of the trials which we have encountered today?
Only a consoling memory, as long as we have offered them to God.

Let us examine all our affections, desires and sufferings in the light of eternity.
Viewed in that relationship, they can all become a source of self-sanctification.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/09/thought-for-the-day-9-august-the-mystery-of-life/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/08/thought-for-the-day-8-august-the-mystery-of-life/

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, St Francis de Sales

Quote/s of the Day – 3 August – Amongst all loves . …

Quote/s of the Day – 3 August – The Finding of the Relics of St Stephen, Protomartyr – Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-60. Matthew 23:34-39

Amongst all loves,
God’s is so to be preferred
that we must always stand prepared in mind,
to forsake them all for that alone!”

(Treatise on the Love of God, Book 10, Chapter 7)

Whoever thinks well on eternity,
troubles himself little about what happens
in these three or four moments of mortal life.

By giving yourself to God,
you not only receive Himself in exchange
but, eternal life as well!

We must live a dying life
and we must die a living death
in the life of our Lord.

(The Spirit of St. François de Sales, XV 6 )

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

A Prayer to the Holy Martyrs
to Obtain Their Protection in Life and at Death
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

O thou blessed Princes of the heavenly Kingdom!
Thou who sacrificed to the Almighty God,
the honours, the riches
received, in return, the unfading glory
and never-ending joys of Heaven!
Thou who art secure in the everlasting possession
of the brilliant Crown of glory
which thy sufferings have obtained!
Look with compassionate regard upon
our wretched state in this vale of tears,
where we groan in the uncertainty
of what maybe our eternal destiny.
And from that Divine Saviour,
for Whom, thou suffered so many torments
and Who now repays thee with such unspeakable glory,
obtain for us that we may love Him,
with all our heart and receive in return,
the grace of perfect resignation,
under the trials of this life,
fortitude, under the temptations of the enemy
and perseverance, to the end.
May thy powerful intercession
obtain for us that we may one day,
in thy blessed company,
sing the praises of the Eternal God
and even as thou now do,
face-to-face, enjoy the Beatitude of His Vision!
Amen

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on NATURE - GOD'S CREATION

Thought for the Day – 19 July – Nature and Grace

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

Nature and Grace

Although there is a contrast between grace and nature, there is also a certain harmony because God made us for Himself, as St Augustine says and our hearts will never be at rest, until they rest in Him.
Grace is a supernatural graft, which elevates our nature and makes it capable of attaining everlasting life.
It is necessary to take away all the shoots of the old tree stump and to care for the new branches,
Only then shall we begin to approach Christian perfection.

Therefore, O Lord, let Thy grace always go before and follow me and make me ever intent upon good works, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Amen.” (The Imitation of Christ Bk III C 55).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/21/thought-for-the-day-21-july-nature-and-grace/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/22/thought-for-the-day-22-july-nature-and-grace/

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 July –This is My commandment that you love one another, as I have loved you.

One Minute Reflection – 18 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Camillus de Lellis MI (1550-1614) Confessor, Priest and Founder, “The Giant of Charity.” – 1 John 3:13-18, John 15:12-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“This is My commandment that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man hath that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:12-13

REFLECTION – “We cannot truly love God without loving our neighbour, nor can we truly love our neighbour without loving God. This is why… the Holy Spirit was given a second time to the disciples. First it was given by the Lord while He was still dwelling on earth and later while he was watching over us in Heaven (Jn 20:22; Acts 2). He was given to us on earth that we may love our neighbours, from Heaven that we may love God. Why first on earth and later from Heaven – except for the reason given us openly by John: “How can anyone, who does not love his brother, whom he sees love God Whom he does not see?”

So let us love our neighbours, my friends, let us love the one who is near us, so that we may be able to attain the love of the One, Who is above us! Let our hearts reflect on what our neighbours hold up to God, so that they may be found completely worthy to rejoice in God with them. Then shall we reach the happiness of the heavenly multitude, the happiness of which we have received an assurance from the Holy Spirit. Let us move forward toward that goal where we shall be happy without end, with all our love. There is the holy community of heavenly citizens, there is the sure and solemn observance, there untroubled rest, there the true peace which is no longer dependent on us but given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ (Jn 14:27).” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Excerpt Sermons on the Gospel No 30).

PRAYER – O God, Who endowed St Camillus with a special gift of charity for the help of souls struggling in their final agony, pour upon us, we beseech Thee, by his merits, the spirit of Thy love, so that at the hour of our death, we may be found worthy to overcome the enemy and attain the heavenly crown. 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 CATHOLIC TIME, DOCTORS of the Church, HYMNS, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PARTIAL Indulgence, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 16 July – Glory Be to Jesus, Who in Bitter Pains By St Alphonsus

Our Morning Offering – 16 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – Pentecost VII

Glory Be to Jesus,
Who in Bitter Pains
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori 1696–1787) [Attrib]
Transl. Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)
(An Indulgence of 100 days)

Glory be to Jesus,
Who in bitter pain
Poured for me the life-Blood
From His sacred veins.

Grace and life eternal
In that Blood I find;
Blest be His compassion,
Infinitely kind.

Blest through endless ages
Be the precious stream,
Which from endless torments
Dost the world redeem.

Abel’s blood for vengeance
Pleaded to the skies;
But the Blood of Jesus
For our pardon cries.

Oft as it is sprinkled
On our guilty hearts,
Satan in confusion
Terror-struck departs.

Oft as earth exulting
Wafts its praise on high,
Angel-hosts rejoicing
Make their glad reply.

Lift ye then your voices;
Swell the mighty flood;
Louder still and louder
Praise the Precious Blood.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, Quotes on SALVATION

Thought for the Day – 14 July – Everlasting Salvation

Thought for the Day – 14 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Everlasting Salvation

We should not be discouraged because our salvation requires so many sacrifices on our part.
Jesus warned us that it would have to be so.
How narrow the gate and close the way that leads to life” (Mt 7:14).

The Kingdom of Heaven has been enduring violent assault and, the violent have been seizing it by force” (Mt 11:12).
If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Lk 9:23).

All this is required for salvation and anyone who is not prepared to meet these demands, cannot gain everlasting happiness.
Nevertheless, there is no need for despondency.
What is difficult for man is easy for God.
If we ask God for His grace and co-operate generously with it, we shall be saved.

Let us resolve to play our part well!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/14/thought-for-the-day-14-july-everlasting-salvation/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/18/thought-for-the-day-18-july-everlasting-salvation/

Posted in CARMELITES, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE

Our Morning Offering – 11 July – Heal Us, ,Lord God

Our Morning Offering – 11 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus”

Heal Us, Lord God
By St Albert of Trapani O.Carm. (c1240-1307)

O my God,
Thou hast created the human race
by Thine wonderful power.
It is an act of Thy clemency which hast called us
to share Thy glory and eternal life.
When the first sin condemned us to suffer death,
out of Thine goodness,
Thou wished to redeem us
through the Blood of Thy Son,
To unite us to Thyself
through our faith
and Thy great mercy.
Thou hast brought us back
from the shame of our sin,
Thou hast veiled our dishonour
in the brightness of Thy glory.
Look now and see that which Thou hast created,
giving it subtle limbs and joints
and made beautiful through its immortal soul,
is now subject to the attack of Satan.
Be pleased Lord,
to reconstitute Thine work and heal it.
May Thy power be glorified
and may the malice of the enemy be stunned!
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 July – The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure

Quote/s of the Day – 8 July – Proverbs 31:10-31, Matthew 13:44-52

Jesus said in parables:
The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure,
hidden in a field.

Matthew 13:44

Thy will be done
on earth as it is
in Heaven.

Matthew 6:10

I want to advise you and remind you, what His will is.
Do not fear that it means He will give you riches,
or delights, or honours, or all these earthly things.
His love for you is not that small!
and He esteems highly what you give Him.
He wants to repay you well,
for He gives you His Kingdom
while you are still on earth …
See … what He gave to the One He loved most.
By that we understand what His will is.
For these are His gifts in this world.

St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of Prayer of the Church

This life is short and it is only given us
to gain the other.

Whoever thinks well on eternity,
troubles himself little about what happens
in these three or four moments of mortal life.

By giving yourself to God,
you not only receive Himself in exchange
but, eternal life as well!

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, Quotes on SALVATION, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 July – Our choice – Heaven or Hell?

One Minute Reflection – 8 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Elizabeth of Portugal TOSF (1271-1336) Widow, Queen –Proverbs 31:10-31, Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

So shall it be at the end of the world. The Angels shall go out and shall separate the wicked from among the just. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” – Matthew 13:49-50

REFLECTION – “Consider the choice you make in this life will last forever in the next!
Consider too, that while both are open to receive you, according to your choice, yet God, Who is prepared to give the one by reason of His Justice, the other by reason of His Mercy, all the while desires, unspeakably that you should select Paradise. offering you countless graces on God’s part, countless assistance to attain to it.

Consider that Jesus Christ, enthroned in Heaven, looks down upon you in loving invitation – ‘O beloved one, come unto Me and joy forever in the eternal blessedness of My Love!’
Behold His Mother yearning over you with maternal tenderness, ‘Courage, my child, do not despise the Goodness of my Son, or my earnest prayers for thy salvation.‘ …

O Hell, I abhor thee now and forever; I abhor thy griefs and torments, thine endless misery, the unceasing blasphemies and maledictions which thou pourest out upon my God and turning to thee, O blessed Paradise, eternal glory, unfading happiness, I choose thee forever as my abode, thy glorious mansions, thy precious and abiding tabernacles.

O my God, I bless Thy Mercy which gives me the power to choose, O Jesus, Saviour, I accept Thine Eternal Love and praise Thee for the promise Thou hast given me, of a place prepared for me, in that blessed New Jerusalem, where I shall love and bless Thee forever. ” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis (Excerpt – ‘Introduction to the Devout Life’ 9th Meditation).

PRAYER – Most merciful God, Who among other admirable gifts, endowed blessed Queen Elizabeth with the special grace of calming the tumult of war; grant by her intercession that, after the peace for which we humbly pray, we may attain everlasting happiness. 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 GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 5 July – A Ladder Ascending to God

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

A Ladder Ascending to God

How often, nevertheless, is our mind led astray by the passing beauty of this world.
How often is our heart engrossed in a search for a happiness, which is purely illusory.
God has given us created things so that we may see in them, a reflection of His goodness and beauty and may use them as a ladder, which will lead us to Him.

We shall be lost if we look back and fall beneath the false spell of this earthly fairyland.
Our minds and hearts should look upwards towards Heaven.

God alone can satisfy the infinite desires of the soul.
Let us never lose sight of Him.
Everything else passes but God does not change.
He will be our sure guide in this life and our everlasting happiness in the next.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/06/thought-for-the-day-6-july-a-ladder-ascending-to-god/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/06/thought-for-the-day-6-july-a-ladder-ascending-to-god-2/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 June – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.” 

One Minute Reflection – 21 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – The Feast of St Aloysius de Gonzaga SJ (1568-1591) Confessor – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11, Matthew 22:29-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Master, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” … Matthew 22:36

REFLECTION – “O Lord, what is it that you require of Your servants? “Take my yoke upon you,” you say. And what sort of yoke is this? “My yoke is easy and my burden light.” Now who would not willingly bear a yoke that does not press down but gives strength; a burden that does not weigh heavily but refreshes? As You rightly added: “And you will find rest” (Mt 11:29). And what is this yoke of Yours that does not tire but gives rest? It is the first and greatest of the commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.” What could be easier, better or more agreeable than to love the goodness, beauty and love that is most perfectly Yours, O Lord my God?

Do You not offer a reward to those who keep the com­mandments, which are “more desirable than a heap of gold and sweeter than honey from the comb?” (Ps 19[18]:11) So in every way You offer a very ample reward, as James the Apostle says: “The Lord has prepared, the crown of life, for those who love Him” (Jas 1:12) (…) And Paul quotes these words from Isaiah: “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor 2:9).

That first and great commandment is not only profitable for the man who keeps it, or for God Who commands it, – the other commandments of God, also make perfect him who obeys them, improves him, instructs him and makes him illustrious – in a word, they make him good and holy. If you understand this, realise that you have been created for the glory of God and for your own eternal salvation. This is your end, this is the object of your soul and the treasure of your heart. You will be blessed if you reach this goal but miserable if you are cut off from it.” – St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Doctor of the Church (The Ascent of the Mind to God, 1).

PRAYER – O God, bestower of heavenly gifts, Who in the angelic youth Aloysius joined wondrous innocence of life to an equally wondrous love of penance; grant, by his merits and prayers, that we who have not followed him in his innocence may imitate him in his penance. 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).

SWEET HEART of my JESUS, Make me love Thee ever more and more! – Indulgence 300 Days Everytime – Plenary Once a Month – Raccolta 162 – Pope Pius IX 26 November 1876.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, PAPAL MESSAGES, PAPAL SERMONS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, SACRED HEART QUOTES, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 20 June – Popes’ on the Sacred Heart

Quote/s of the Day – 20 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and Within the Octave of the Sacred Heart

Learn of the Heart of God
in the Words of God,
so that you may ardently long
for eternal things.

St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604)
Great Father and Doctor of the Church

In the Sacred Heart,
there is the Symbol
and the express Image
of the Infinite Love of Jesus Christ
which moves us to love in return.

This Devotion, [to the Sacred Heart] which we recommend to all,
will be profitable to all!

Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

His Heart is the natural Sign and Symbol
of His boundless love for the human race.

Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, St Francis de Sales, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 9 June – “He had made a memory of His wonderful works.”

Quote/s of the Day – 9 June – Within the Octave if Corpus Christi – 1 Corinthians 23-29, John 6:56-59 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Love.
It signifies Love,
It produces love.
The Eucharist is the consummation
of the whole spiritual life.

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor angelicus/Doctor communis

The Holy Eucharist
is the perfect
Communion of Saints,
for it is the food common to Angels
and sainted souls in Paradise
and ourselves – it is the true Bread
of which all Christians participate.
The forgiveness of sins,
the Author of forgiveness being there, is confirmed;
the seed of our resurrection sown,
life everlasting bestowed. …
This very belief in the Most Holy Sacrament,
which, in truth, reality and substance,
contains the true and natural
Body of Our Lord,
is actually the abridgment of our Faith,
according to that of the Psalmist
:
He had made a memory of His wonderful works.

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 June – He who eats this Bread shall live forever.

One Minute Reflection – 9 June – Within the Octave if Corpus Christi – Saints Primus and Felicianus (Died c304) Cinfessors, Brother Lay Martyrs – 1 Corinthians 23-29, John 6:56-59 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

This is the Bread that has come down from Heaven; not as your fathers ate the manna and died. He who eats this Bread shall live forever.” – John 6:59

REFLECTION – Christ is “the bread of life” for those who believe in Him: to believe in Christ is to eat the bread of life, to possess Christ within one, is to possess eternal life…
I am the bread of life,” He says; “your fathers ate manna in the wilderness and they are dead” (Jn 6,48f). By this is to be understood ,spiritual death. Why are they dead? Because they believed in what they saw and did not understand what they could not see… Moses ate manna, Aaron ate it and many others, too, who pleased God and are not dead. Why are they not dead? Because they understood, in a spiritual fashion, they were spiritually hungry, they tasted the manna spiritually, so that they might be spiritually satisfied. “This is the bread that came down from heaven: whoever eats it will never die” (v.50).
This manna – that is to say, Christ, who Himself spoke like this…, was prefigured by the manna but was able to do more than manna could. For manna could not, of itself, prevent dying spiritually… But the righteous saw Christ in the manna, they believed in His coming and Christ, of whom manna was the symbol, grants to all who believe in Him that they should not spiritually die. Hence He says: “This is the bread come down from heaven; whoever eats it will never see death.” Here on earth, here now, before your eyes, your eyes of flesh: here is to be found the “bread from heaven” (v.51). The “bread of life” we spoke of a moment ago is now called “living bread.” Living bread because it contains, within itself, the life that abides and can deliver from spiritual death and bestow life. First He said: “Whoever eats it will never die” now he speaks clearly, concerning the life He gives: “Whoever eats this bread will live for ever” (v.58). Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury (c 1125-1190) Cistercian – The Sacrament of the Altar II

PRAYER – Grant O Lord, we pray, that we may ever honour the festival of thy holy Martyrs, Primus and Felicianus and Thy truth of the Church of Saints. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Sweet Heart of my JESUS, Make me love Thee ever more and more! – 300 Days Indulgence Once a day, Plenary Once a month – Blessed Pope Pius IX – 26 November 1876

Posted in Act of SPIRITUAL COMMUNION, CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, St Francis de Sales, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 June – Corpus Christi

Quote/s of the Day – 8 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and the Feast of Corpus Christi – 1 Corinthians 23-29, John 6:56-59 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

I Am the Living Bread
Who came down from Heaven.
If any man eat of this Bread,
he shall live forever
and the Bread that I will give,
is My Flesh, for the Life of the world.

John 6:51-52

Source of all we have or know,
feed and lead us here below.
Grant that with Your saints above,
Sitting at the feast of love,
We may see You face to face.

Amen Alleluia!

Lord Jesus Christ,
in the Most Blessed Sacrament,
we Adore and Love You!

( The last Verse of the Lauda Sion,
the Eucharistic Hymn/Sequence

By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

The Saviour has instituted
the most glorious Sacrament
of the Eucharist,
which truly contains His Body and His Blood,
so that, whoever eats it will live forever.
Therefore, those who receive it frequently,
with devotion, strengthen their spiritual life
and well-being, to such an extent,
that it is almost impossible for them
to be poisoned by any kind of evil attachment.

(Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II, Chapter 20)

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

Act of Spiritual Communion
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

I desire, good Jesus,
to receive Thee in Holy Communion
and since I cannot now receive Thee
in the Blessed Sacrament,
I beseech Thee to come to me spiritually
and to refresh my soul with Thy sweetness.
Come, my Lord, my God and my All!
Come to me
and never let me ever again
be separated from Thee by sin.
Teach me Thy blessed ways,
help me with Thy grace to imitate Thy example,
to practise meekness, humility,
charity and all the virtues of Thy Sacred Heart.
My divine Master, my one desire is to do Thy will
and to love Thee, more and more.
Help me, that I may be faithful to the end, in Thy service.
Bless me in life and in death,
that I may praise Thee, forever in heaven,
Amen

It is enough for us to love Him
and to be ready to keep His commandments.
Such an act of sincere
and effective love for Jesus,
will cause Him to enter
and to remain in our hearts,
even after the Sacramental Species
has been consumed.
This is Spiritual Communion,
which consists mainly in the yearning for Jesus.
“I have come to cast fire upon the earth
and what will I but, that it be kindled”
(Lk 12:49).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on VANITY, QUOTES on WISDOM, The HOLY FACE

Quote/s of the Day – 27 May – St Bede the Venerable

Quote/s of the Day – 27 May – The Feast of St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

Christ is the Morning Star,
Who, when the night of this world is past,
gives to His saints, the promise of the Light of Life
and opens everlasting day.

We abide in God
insofar as we do not sin.

All the ways of this world
are as fickle and unstable
as a sudden storm at sea.

“If one of us has a conscience
polluted by the stain of avarice,
conceit, vain-glory, indignation,
irascibility, or envy and the other vices,
he has “a daughter badly troubled by a demon”
like the Canaanite woman.”

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

And I pray Thee, loving Jesus
that as Thou hast graciously given me
to drink in with delight,
the words of Thy knowledge,
so Thou wouldst mercifully grant me
to attain one day to Thee,
the Fountain of all Wisdom
and to appear forever before Thy Face.

MORE:
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St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, PENTECOST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The ASCENSION of the LORD, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

Quote/s of the Day – 23 May – Ascension

Quote/s of the Day – 23 May – Within the Octave of the Ascension

Through the Holy Spirit
comes our restoration to paradise,
our ascension into the Kingdom of Heaven,
our return to the adoption of sons,
our liberty to call God, Our Father,
our being made partakers of the grace of Christ,
our being called children of Light,
our sharing in eternal glory
and, in a word, our being brought
into a state of all “fulness of blessing,”
both in this world and in the world to come,
of all the good gifts that are in store for us,
by promise hereof, through faith,
beholding the reflection of their grace,
as though they were already present,
we await the full enjoyment.

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

And He departed from our sight
that we might return to our hearts
and find Him there.
For He left us
and behold,
He is here!

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

May your heart be an Altar,
from which the bright flame
of unending thanksgiving
ascends to Heaven.

St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier RGS (1796-1868)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Hail MARY!, JESUIT SJ, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Quote/s of the Day – 27 April – St Peter Canisius

Quote/s of the Day – 27 April – St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) Confessor, Doctor of the Church

This 16th Century Saint, known as the second Apostle of Germany, followed in the giant footsteps of St Boniface, who evangelised Germany a thousand years earlier. He was also active at the Council of Trent and wrote much on the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The first half of the Hail Mary, of course, comes from Scripture.
What many Catholics do not know, is that the second half of this Catholic prayer is due to the intervention of St Peter Canisius at the Council of Trent. St Peter began adding onto the scriptural part of the Hail Mary the second half of this familiar prayer:
Holy Mary Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now, and at the hour of our death.

It was the Fathers of Trent who officially accepted this addition and included it in their famous Catechism of the Council of Trent in 1566.

For the sake of obtaining that eternal life,
no works of piety,
ought to seem too difficult to a true believer,
no toil too heavy,
no pain too bitter,
no time spent in labour and suffering,
too long or too wearisome.
For, if nothing is sweeter, or more desirable,
than this present life which is so full of calamities,
how much more desirable,
must that other life be deemed
which is so far removed from all sense of evil,
or fear of it, which will, in every conceivable way,
always abound in the unspeakable
and unending joys, delight and happiness of Heaven.

MORE QUOTES:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/27/quote-s-of-the-day-27-april-st-peter-canisius/

St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1597)
Confessor, Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 April – “I am the Good Shepherd and I know Mine and Mine know Me.”- John 10:14

One Minute Reflection – 23 April – “The Month of the Resurrection” –The Second Sunday after Easter and the Memorial of St George (Died c 303) Martyr – 1 Peter 2:21-25, John 10:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

I am the Good Shepherd and I know Mine and Mine know Me.”- John 10:14

REFLECTION – “I am the good shepherd. I know My Own—by which I mean, I love them—and My Own know Me. In plain words – those who love Me are willing to follow Me, for anyone who does not love the Truth, has not yet come to know it.

My dear brethren, you have heard the test we shepherds have to undergo. Turn now to consider, how these words of our Lord, imply a test for yourselves also. Ask yourselves whether you belong to His flock, whether you know Him, whether the Light of His Truth shines in your minds. I assure you that it is not by faith that you will come to know Him but, by love, not by mere conviction but, by action. John the Evangelist is my authority, for this statement. He tells us that anyone who claims to know God, without keeping His commandments, is a liar.

Consequently, the Lord immediately adds: ‘As the Father knows Me and I know the Father and I lay down My life for My sheep.‘ Clearly, He means that laying down His life for His sheep, gives evidence of His knowledge of the Father and the Father’s knowledge of Him. In other words, by the love with which He dies for His sheep, He shows, how greatly He loves His Father.

Again He says: ‘My sheep hear My voice and I know them; they follow Me,and I give them eternal life.’ Shortly before this He had declared – ‘If anyone enters the sheepfold through Me, he shall be saved, he shall go freely in and out and shall find good pasture.‘ He will enter into a life of faith; from faith, he will go out to vision, from belief to contemplation and will graze in the good pastures of everlasting life.

So our Lord’s sheep will finally reach their grazing ground, where all who follow Him in simplicity of heart, will feed on the green pastures of eternity. These pastures are the spiritual joys of Heaven. There, the elect look upon the Face of God with unclouded vision and feast at the banquet of life, forever more.

Beloved brothers, let us set out for these pastures ,where we shall keep joyful festival with so many of our fellow citizens. May the thought of their happiness urge us on! Let us stir up our hearts, rekindle our faith and long eagerly for what Heaven has in store for us. To love thus, is to be already on our way. No matter what obstacles we encounter, we must not allow them to turn us aside from the joy of that heavenly feast. Anyone who is determined to reach his destination, is not deterred by the roughness of the road that leads to it. Nor must we allow the charm of success to seduce us, or we shall be like a foolish traveller who is so distracted by the pleasant meadows through which he is passing that he forgets where he is going.” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Bishop of Rome and Great Western Father and Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from his Sermon 14).

PRAYER – O God, Who dost gladden us through the worthy deeds and prayers of thy blessed Martyr George, mercifully grant that all they, who seek Thy mercy through him, may effectually obtain the gift of Thy grace. 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 EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SACRED HEART QUOTES, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 19 April – How Great is Your Goodness, Lord!

Our Morning Offering – 19 April – Feria Day, Wednesday in the Second Week of Easter

How Great is Your Goodness, Lord!
By Archbishop Baldwin
of Canterbury (c 1125-1190)

How great is Your goodness, Lord,
Who does not shrink from letting Your servant,
place You upon his heart!
How great my own worth,
since You have chosen me
to have part in Yours,
to have You abiding in me,
to love You as You deserve, above myself.
Lord, take from me this hard heart
and give me a new, clean heart
of flesh and blood.
You Who make my heart pure,
take possession of mine
and make it Your home.
Hold it and fill it,
You, Who are higher than my topmost height,
more inward than my inward being.
You, the Seal of Holiness,
Beauty of beauties,
engrave on my heart, Your Image
and the imprint of Your mercy.
Be, O God, my eternal love
and my inheritance.
Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, GOOD FRIDAY, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION

One Minute Reflection – 7 April – ‘ … The Throne of the Cross …’

One Minute Reflection – 7 April – Good Friday – The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to St John 18:1-40.19:1-42 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

And bearing His own Cross, He went forth to the place which is called Calvary but in Hebrew Golgotha.” – John 19:17

REFLECTION – “The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwell in the land of gloom, a Light has shone” (Is 9:1), the Light of Redemption. When they saw that the tyrant, death, was wounded to death, this people came out from darkness to Light; from death they passed to Life.

The wood of the Cross bears Him Who made the universe. Undergoing death for my life, He Who bears the universe is fastened to the tree as one dead. He Who breathes Life into the dead, gives up the spirit on the tree. The Cross brings no shame to Him at all but, like a trophy, confirms His complete victory. Like a just Judge He is seated on the Throne of the Cross. The Crown of Thorns He wears on His brow, confirms His victory – “Take courage, I have conquered the world and the prince of this world, by taking away the sin of this world” (Jn 16:33; 1:29).

That the Cross stands for victory, the stones themselves cry out (cf Lk 19:40), those stones of Calvary where Adam, our forefather, was buried, according to an old tradition held by our fathers. “Adam, where are you?” (Gn 3:9), Christ cries out again from the Cross. “I am seeking for you there and, that I might find you, I stretched out my Hands on the Cross. I turn my outstretched Hands to the Father in thanksgiving for having found you, then I turn them also to you to welcome you. I have not come to judge your sin but to save you out of My Love for humankind (cf Jn 3,17). I have not come to curse you for your disobedience but to bless you, by My obedience. I will shelter you with My Wings, you will find refuge in My shade; My Faithfulness will cover you with the shield of the Cross and you will no more fear the terror of the night (cf Ps 90:1-5) because you will know day without setting (Wsd 7:10). I will seek out your life, concealed in darkness and the shadow of death (Lk 1:79). I will take no rest until, humbled and having descended even to hell to search for you, I have led you back to Heaven.” – St Germanus of Constantinople (c 640-733) Bishop, Father (In Domini corporis supulturam ; PG 98, 251-260).

PRAYER – Deliver us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present and to come and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God and of the Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul and of all the Saints, mercifully grant peace in our days, that through the assistance of Thy mercy we may be always free from sin and secure from all disturbance. 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.
Faithful Cross! above all other, One and only noble Tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom, None in fruit thy peer may be.
Sweetest wood and sweetest iron,
Sweetest weight is hung on thee.
(Antiphons).

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, ROSARY QUOTES, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The SECOND COMING

Quote/s of the Day – 5 April – St Vincent Ferrer

Quote/s of the Day – 5 April – St Vincent Ferrer OP (1350-1419) Confessor, called “The Angel of the Apocalypse” and of “The Last Judgement” and the “Mouthpiece of God.

Whoever observes this practice,
[the Daily Rosary],
is beyond the reach of adversity
!”

Those with pride
are not Christ’s sheep
but the devil’s goats!

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 You.
Let me burn with zeal for Your honour,
so that I may resent terribly,
all the outrages
committed against You,
especially those of which
I myself have been guilty.
Grant further, O my God,
that I may adore and acknowledge You humbly,
as my Creator and that,
penetrated with gratitude
for all Your benefits,
I may never cease to render You thanks.
Grant that I may bless You in all things,
praise and glorify You
with a heart full of joy and gladness
and that, obeying You with docility
in every respect, I may one day,
despite my ingratitude and unworthiness,
be seated at Your table
together with Your Holy Angels and Apostles,
to enjoy ineffable delights.
Amen

MORE:
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St Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING

Our Morning Offering – 2 April – To Thee, O Jesus, Hosanna!

Our Morning Offering – 2 April – Palm Sunday

To Thee, O Jesus, Hosanna!
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)

Seraphic Doctor of the Church

To Thee, O Jesus,
do I turn, as my true and last end.
Thou art the River of Life
which alone can satisfy my thirst.
Without Thee, all else is barren and void.
Without all else, Thou alone art enough for me.
Thou art the Redeemer of those that are lost,
the sweet Consoler of the sorrowful,
the Crown of Glory of the victors,
the recompense of the Blessed.
One day I hope to receive of Thy Fullness
and to sing the song of praise, in my true home.
Give me only on earth, some few drops of consolation
and I will patiently await Thy Coming,
when I hope to enter into the joy of my Lord.
Hosanna!

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FREEDOM, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY NAME, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 1April – ‘He who hates his life in this world, keeps it, unto life everlasting.’ John 12:25

Quote/s of the Day – 1April – “The Month of the Resurrection” – Saturday in Passion Week – Jeremias18:18-23, John 12:10-36 – 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

Why then do we pray
for the Kingdom of Heaven to come,
if this earthly bondage pleases us?
WHAT IS THE POINT of praying so often
for its early arrival,
if we would rather serve the devil here
than reign with Christ!?

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

(Excerpt from On Man’s Mortality)

Regard as free, not those,
whose status makes them outwardly free
but those, who are free
in their character and conduct.
For we should not call men truly free
when they are wicked and dissolute,
since they are slaves to worldly passions.
Freedom and happiness of soul
consist in genuine purity
and detachment from transitory things.

St Anthony Abbot (251-356)

True spiritual life consists in this:
that man keep his eyes on God, constantly,
long for nothing but for God,
keep nothing in mind but God
and begin every single action,
in God’s Name
and direct it to Him.

St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502-1539)

Posted in CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LENT 2023, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, Quotes on SALVATION, St Francis de Sales, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 29 March – WEDNESDAY IN PASSION WEEK – “He has become all ours, to make us all His.”

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 29 March – Wednesday in Passion Week

He has become all ours,
to make us all His.

St Francis de Sales

WEDNESDAY IN PASSION WEEK
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“Since Our Lord has so much loved us, that He has equally redeemed all, bedewed us with His Divine Blood and called us to Himself, without excluding anyone; since He has become all ours, to make us all His, giving us His Death and His Life to deliver us from eternal death and to procure us the joys of eternal life, that we may belong to Him in this mortal life and yet more perfectly, in the next.

What remains, what conclusion have we to draw, unless that living, we should no longer live for ourselves but for Jesus Christ, Who died for us; that is, we should Consecrate to Him, every moment of our life, referring to His glory our works, our thoughts and our affections?” – (Consoling Thoughts of St Francis de Sales).