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

One Minute Reflection- 17 October – Today’s Gospel: Luke 11:42-46 and the Memorial of St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35 – 107) Father of the Church, Martyr

One Minute Reflection- 17 October – Today’s Gospel: Luke 11:42-46 – Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth week in Ordinary Time, Year B and the Memorial of St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35 – 107) Father of the Church, Martyr

“Woe to you Pharisees! for you love the best seat in the synagogues and salutations in the market places.”…Luke 11:43woe to you pharisees - luke 11 43 - 17 oct 2018

REFLECTION – “Christianity is not a matter of persuading people of particular ideas but of inviting them to share in the greatness of Christ.   So pray that I may never fall into the trap of impressing people with clever speech but instead I may learn to speak with humility, desiring only to impress people with Christ Himself.”…St Ignatius of Antiochchristianity-is-not-a-matter-st-ignatius-of-antioch-17-oct-2017

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, grant that I may believe what I have learned, never presuming to know better than the teachings of Holy Mother Church and that I may put into practice what I believe.   Let my commitment be like unto the Martyr, St Ignatius of Antioch, who went with joy to his horrific death, for the faith in Christ, Your Son, God with You and the Holy Spirit. St Ignatius, pray for us, amen.st-ignatius-of-antioch-pray-for-us-17-oct-2018

Posted in CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, MORNING Prayers, MYSTICS, ON the SAINTS, PAPAL SERMONS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 15 October – The Memorial of St Teresa of Jesus/Avila (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church

Thought for the Day – 15 October – The Memorial of St Teresa of Jesus/Avila (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church “Doctor of Prayer”

Excerpt of Pope Benedict’s Catechesis
on the Doctors of the Church
Wednesday, 2 February 2011

“It is far from easy to sum up in a few words Teresa’s profound and articulate spirituality.   I would like to mention a few essential points.   In the first place St Teresa proposes the evangelical virtues as the basis of all Christian and human life and in particular, detachment from possessions, that is, evangelical poverty and this concerns all of us;  love for one another as an essential element of community and social life; humility as love for the truth;  determination as a fruit of Christian daring;  theological hope, which she describes as the thirst for living water.   Then we should not forget the human virtues: affability, truthfulness, modesty, courtesy, cheerfulness, culture.

Secondly, St Teresa proposes a profound harmony with the great biblical figures and eager listening to the word of God.   She feels above all closely in tune with the Bride in the Song of Songs and with the Apostle Paul, as well as with Christ in the Passion and with Jesus in the Eucharist.   The Saint then stresses how essential prayer is.   Praying, she says, “means being on terms of friendship with God frequently conversing in secret with Him who, we know, loves us” (Vida 8, 5).  St Teresa’s idea coincides with Thomas Aquinas’ definition of theological charity as “amicitia quaedam hominis ad Deum”, a type of human friendship with God, who offered humanity His friendship first – it is from God that the initiative comes (cf. Summa Theologiae II-II, 23, 1).

Prayer is life and develops gradually, in pace with the growth of Christian life – it begins with vocal prayer, passes through interiorisation by means of meditation and recollection, until it attains the union of love with Christ and with the Holy Trinity. Obviously, in the development of prayer climbing to the highest steps does not mean abandoning the previous type of prayer.  Rather, it is a gradual deepening of the relationship with God that envelops the whole of life.

Dear brothers and sisters, St Teresa of Jesus is a true teacher of Christian life for the faithful of every time.   In our society, which all too often lacks spiritual values, St Teresa teaches us to be unflagging witnesses of God, of His presence and of His action.   She teaches us truly to feel this thirst for God that exists in the depths of our hearts, this desire to see God, to seek God, to be in conversation with Him and to be His friends.

This is the friendship we all need that we must seek anew, day after day.   May the example of this Saint, profoundly contemplative and effectively active, spur us too every day to dedicate the right time to prayer, to this openness to God, to this journey, in order to seek God, to see Him, to discover His friendship and so to find true life – indeed, many of us should truly say:  “I am not alive, I am not truly alive because I do not live the essence of my life”.

Therefore time devoted to prayer is not time wasted, it is time in which the path of life unfolds, the path unfolds to learning from God an ardent love for Him, for His Church and practical charity for our brothers and sisters.    Many thanks.”

St Teresa, Pray for Us!st-teresa-of-jesus-pray-for-us-215 oct 2017

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, MYSTICS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY

Quotes of the Day – 15 October – The Memorial of St Teresa of Jesus/Avila (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church

Quotes of the Day – 15 October – The Memorial of St Teresa of Jesus/Avila (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church

“Oh my Lord!
How true it is that,
whoever works for You,
is paid in troubles!
And what a precious price
to those who love You,
if we understand its value.”oh-my-lord-st-teresa-of-jesus-15-oct-2017

“We need no wings
to go in search of Him
but have only to look upon Him,
present within us.”we need no wings - st teresa of jesus - avila - 15 oct 2018

“Always think of yourself
as everyone’s servant;
look for Christ Our Lord
in everyone
and you will then have
respect and reverence
for them all.”always think of yourself as everyone's servant - st teresa of avila - 15 oct 2018

St Teresa of Jesus/Avila (1515-1582)

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PAPAL SERMONS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on JOY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

One Minute Reflection – 14 October – Today’s Gospel: Mark 10:17–30 –

One Minute Reflection – 14 October – Today’s Gospel:  Mark 10:17–30 — Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

“You lack one thing – go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven and come, follow me.”...Mark 10:21

REFLECTION – “Jesus’ reply is clear:  “I tell you there is no-one who has given up everything and has not received everything”.   If you gave up everything. You will receive everything, in that overflowing measure with which God gives His gifts.   You will receive everything. …. Everything!”…   The Lord does not know how to give less than everything – when He gives something, He gives Himself, which is everything. …the sign that we are on the ‘everything and nothing’ path, of the forsaken fullness, is joy.   It is no surprise that “the rich young man’s countenance darkened and he went away saddened”. …amid the trials and difficulties, the saints had a cheerful face, a generous outlook and joy in their heart.   This is the sign”….Pope Francis – Santa Marta, 28 February 2017you lack one thing go sell - mark 10 21 - the lord does not know - pope francis 14 oct 2018

PRAYER – Lord God, open our hearts to Your grace.   Teach us Your ways  . May we always be intent upon doing Your will. With You, in You and for You! Grant that the prayers of our Blessed Mother Mary, St Donatian and all Your holy saints in heaven, grant us Your gifts and with them true joy.   We make our prayer through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.blessed virgin holy mother mary pray for us 14 oct 2018st donatian pray for us 14 oct 2018

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SPEAKING of ....., The CHRIST CHILD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 October – Speaking of: Seeking Prof Clive Staples

Quote/s of the Day – 12 October

Speaking of:  Seeking Prof Clive Staples

“Once in our world,
a stable had something in it,
that was bigger,
than our whole world.”once-in-our-world-c-s-lewis-24-dec-2017 - no 2

“Enemy-occupied territory –
that is what this world is.
Christianity is the story of how,
the rightful king has landed,
you might say landed in disguise
and is calling us all, to take part,
in a great campaign of sabotage.”enemy-occupied-territory-c-s-lewis-19-april-speaking-of-becoming-a-saint

“Real joy
seems to me,
almost as unlike
security or prosperity,
as it is unlike
agony.”real joy - c s lewis - 12 oct 2018

“Do not waste time bothering
whether you “love” your neighbour;
act as if you did.
As soon as we do this we find
one of the great secrets.
When you are behaving as if
you loved someone,
you will presently come to love him.”do-not-waste-time-c-s-lewis-13-april-2018 - no 2

“There are two kinds of people –
those who say to God,
‘Thy will be done’
and those to whom God says,
‘All right, then, have it your way.'”there are two kinds of people - c s lewis - 12 oct 2018

“You can’t go back
and change the beginning
but you can start where you are
and change the ending.”you-cant-go-back-and-change-the-beginning-c-s-lewis-23-april-2018

“God whispers to us in our pleasures,
speaks in our conscience
but shouts in our pains –
it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”god-whispers-to-us-in-our-pleasures-c-s-lewis-10-july-2018

“God, who foresaw your tribulation,
has specially armed you to go through it,
not without pain but without stain.”god-who-foresaw-your-tribulation-c-s-lewis-10-july-2018

“He died for us.
Why not live for Him?”he-died-for-us-c-s-lewis-13-oct-2017-no2

C S Lewis (1898-1963)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 October – Today’s Gospel: Luke 11:5–13 and the Memorial of St Pope John XXIII

One Minute Reflection – 11 October – Today’s Gospel: Luke 11:5–13 – Thursday of the Twenty-seventh week in Ordinary Time and the Memorial of St Pope John XXIII

“For everyone who asks, receives and he who seeks, finds and to him who knocks, it will be opened.”…Luke 11:10

REFLECTION – ” Now by asking, He means prayer but by seeking, zeal and anxiety, as He adds, seek and you shall find.   For those things which are sought require great care.   And this is particularly the case with God.   For there are many things which block up our senses.   As then we search for lost gold, so let us anxiously seek after God.   He shows also, that though He does not forthwith open the gates, we must yet wait.   Hence he adds, knock and it shall be opened to you, for if you continue seeking, you shall surely receive.   For this reason and as the door shut makes you knock, therefore He did not at once consent that you might entreat.
Or by the word knock perhaps he means seeking effectually, for one knocks with the hand but the hand is the sign of a good work.   Or these three may be distinguished in another way.   For it is the beginning of virtue to ask to know the way of truth.   But the second step is to seek how we must go by that way.   The third step is when a man has reached the virtue to knock at the door, that he may enter upon the wide field of knowledge.   All these things a man acquires by prayer  . Or to ask indeed, is to pray but to seek, is by good works to do things becoming our prayers.   And to knock is to continue in prayer without ceasing.”…St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father & Doctor of the Churchluke 11 10 - for everyone who asks receives - as then se search for lost gold - st john chrysostom - 11 oct 2018

PRAYER – Help us my Lord, to discern through prayer and meditation, what You truly want of us.   Then enable us to offer it to You and indeed to offer myself and all I have to You.   Teach us to listen that we might hear Your answers, teach us to wait in patience for that which we ask and to trust in Your answer and teach us to constantly knock at Your door in prayer.   May St John XXIII, pray for Holy Mother Church, pray for all the members of the Mystical Body, pray for our sons and daughters and for us all, pray for me! Amenst-john-23-pray-for-us-11-oct-2017

Posted in JESUIT SJ, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 10 October – The Memorial of St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572) and St Daniel Comboni (1831-1881)

Quote/s of the Day – 10 October – The Memorial of St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572) and
St Daniel Comboni (1831-1881)

“I have great doubts about the salvation of those
who do not have special devotion to Mary.”

“When you pray, hear Mass, sit at table, engage in business
and when at bedtime you remove your clothes—
at all times yearn that by the pain which He felt when He was stripped
just before His crucifixion, He may strip us of our evil habits of mind.
Thus, naked of earthly things, we may also embrace the cross.”

St Francis Borgia (1510-1572)

“For Africa,
I have dedicated my mind and my heart,
my blood and my life.”for africa i have dedicated - st daniel comboni - 10 oct 2018

“Our life is in God’s hands, 
He does what He wants, 
by an irrevocable gift,
we have sacrificed
our lives to Him.
Blessed be He.”our life is in god's hands - st daniel comboni - 10 oct 2018

“In Jesus crucified we are taken into the depths of God.   It is there that we come to understand most deeply the love God has for us and the absolute lengths to which God goes to give us life, even in our moments of darkness and defeat.

hat we see in the passion of Jesus is a love that gathers in all the scattered, shattered pieces of our life and heals them with a tenderness that can break our hearts.

What we see in the cross is a love that loses nothing that can be saved, whether that be our defeats, our brokenness, or our shame.   With God all these can be points of life for us and the reason is startling –

God can kiss us with a healing because God is wounded by our pain.”

St Daniel Comboni (1831-1881)

Vicar Apostolic of Central Africagod can kiss us - st daniel comboni - 10 oct 2018.jpg

Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 9 October – The Memorial of Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Quote/s of the Day – 9 October –

The Memorial of Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

“I have a place in God’s counsels,
in God’s world, which no one else has,
whether I be rich or poor,
despised or esteemed by man,
God knows me and calls me by my name.
God has created me to do Him
some definite service.
He has committed some work to me
which He has not committed to another.
I have my mission – I never may know it in this life
but I shall be told it in the next.
Somehow I am necessary for His purposes,
as necessary in my place as an Archangel in his –
if, indeed, I fail, He can raise another,
as He could make the stones children of Abraham.
Yet I have a part in this great work,
I am a link in a chain,
a bond of connection between persons.
He has not created me for naught.
I shall do good, I shall do His work,
I shall be an angel of peace,
a preacher of truth in my own place,
while not intending it,
if I do but keep His commandments
and serve Him in my calling.

Therefore I will trust Him.
Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away.
If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him,
in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him,
if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.
My sickness, or perplexity, or sorrow
may be necessary causes of some great end,
which is quite beyond us.
He does nothing in vain –
He may prolong my life, He may shorten it;
He knows what He is about.
He may take away my friends,
He may throw me among strangers,
He may make me feel desolate,
make my spirits sink, hide the future from me
– still He knows what He is about.”i have a place in god's counsels - bl john henry newman - 9 october 2018

“Who is the flower but our Blessed Lord?
Who is the rod, or beautiful stalk
or stem or plant out of which the flower grows
but Mary, Mother of our Lord, Mary, Mother of God?”who is the flower but our blessed lord - bl john henry newman - 1 may 2018

“Fear not that your life
shall come to an end
but rather fear,
that it shall never
have a beginning.”fear not that your life - bl john henry newman - 9 oct 2018

“Regarding Christianity,
ten thousand difficulties –
do not make one doubt.”regarding christianity - ten thousand difficulties - 9 oct 2018

“He compasses me round
and bears me in His arms.
He takes me up and sets me down.”

Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)he-compasses-me-round-bl-john-henry-newman-13-april-2018 (1)

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, franciscan OFM, MORNING Prayers, MYSTICS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – The Memorial of St Francis of Assisi (1181/2–1226)

Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – The Memorial of St Francis of Assisi (1181/2–1226)

“The one you are looking for,
is the One who is looking.”the one you are looking for - st francis of assisi - 4 oct 2018

“Let the whole world of mankind tremble,
the whole world shake
and the heavens exult when Christ,
the Son of the living God,
is on the altar in the hands of a priest.
O admirable heights and sublime lowliness!
O sublime humility! O humble sublimity!
That the Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God,
so humbles Himself that for our salvation,
He hides Himself under the little form of bread!
Look, brothers, at the humility of God
and pour out your hearts before Him!
Humble yourselves, as well,
that you may be exalted by Him.
Therefore, hold back nothing
of yourselves, for yourselves,
so that He,
Who gives Himself totally to you,
may receive you totally.”let the whole world of mankind tremble - st francis - 4 oct 2018

“Jesus is happy to come with us,
as Truth is happy to be spoken,
as Life to be lived,
as Light to be lit,
as Love is to be loved,
as Joy to be given,
as Peace to be spread.”jesus is happy to come with us - st francis of assisi - 4 oct 2018

“The deeds you do may be the only sermon
some persons will hear today.”

St Francis of Assisi (1181/2–1226)the-deeds-you-do-4-oct-2018

Posted in CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 1 October – The Memorial of St Thérèse of Lisieux O.C.D. (1873 – 1897) Doctor of the Church

Quote/s of the Day – 1 October – The Memorial of St Thérèse of Lisieux O.C.D. (1873 – 1897) Doctor of the Church

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

“When one loves,
one does not calculate.”when one loves one does not calculate - st t of l - 1 oct 2018

“My vocation is love.
In the heart of the Church, my mother,
I will be love
and then I will be all things.”my vocation is love - st t of l - 1 oct 2018

I am convinced,
that one should tell one’s spiritual director,
if one has a great desire for Communion,
for Our Lord does not
come from Heaven everyday,
to stay in a golden ciborium;
He comes to find another heaven,
the heaven of our soul,
in which He loves to dwell.”our lord does not come from heaven - st t of l - 1 oct 2018

“It is consoling,
that He who must judge us,
dwells in us
to save us always
from all of our miseries
and to pardon us.”it is consoling that he who must judge us - st t of l - 1 oct 2018

St Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on MARRIAGE, MARRIED LOVE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUTH, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 30 September – Memorial of St Jerome (347-419) Father and Doctor

Quote/s of the Day – 30 September – Memorial of St Jerome (347-419) Father and Doctor

“Love Sacred Scripture and wisdom will love you;
love it tenderly and it will protect you;
honour it and you will receive its caresses.
May it be for you, as your necklaces and your earrings.”

“Love the science of Scripture and you will not love the vices of the flesh”

“The Scriptures are shallow enough,
for a babe to come and drink,
without fear of drowning
and deep enough,
for theologians to swim in,
without ever reaching the bottom.”love sacred scripture - love the science of scriptue - the scriptures are shallow enough - st jerome - 30 sept 2018

“A false interpretation of Scripture,
causes that the gospel of the Lord,
becomes the gospel of man,
or, which is worse,
of the devil.”a false interpretation - st jerome - 30 sept 2018

“Does one not seem to dwell, already here on earth,
in the Kingdom of Heaven,
when one lives with these texts,
when one meditates on them,
when one does not know or seek anything else?”does one not seem to dwell - st jerome - 30 sept 2018

“Martyrdom does not consist only
in dying for one’s faith.
Martyrdom also consists, in serving God,
with love and purity of heart,
every day of one’s life.”
Divine Saviour,
we come to Your sacred table
to nourish ourselves,
not with bread but with Yourself,
true Bread of eternal life.
Help us daily to make a good and perfect meal
of this divine food.
Let us be continually refreshed
by the perfume of Your kindness and goodness.
May the Holy Spirit fill us with His Love.
Meanwhile, let us prepare a place
for this holy food by emptying our hearts.”martyrdom-does-not-st-jerome-30-sept-2017

“It is our part to seek,
His to grant what we ask;
ours to make a beginning,
His to bring it to completion;
ours to offer what we can,
His to finish what we cannot.”it is our part to seek - st jerome - 30 sept 2018

“Begin now,
what you will be,
hereafter.”begin now what you will be hereafter - st jerome - 30 sept 2018

“The face is the mirror of the mind
and eyes without speaking.
confess the secrets of the heart.”the face is the mirror - st jerome - 30 sept 2018

“Instead of speaking saintly words,
we must act them.”

instead of speaking - st jerome - 30 sept 2018

More here:

https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/quotes-of-the-day-30-september-the-memorial-of-st-jerome-347-419-father-and-doctor

St Jerome (347-419) Father and Doctor

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 28 September – Today’s Gospel: Luke 9:18-22

Quote/s of the Day – 28 September – Today’s Gospel:  Luke 9:18-22

“With regard to doing the will of the Lord,
even if someone should be scandalised by what we do,
we must not let that hamper our freedom of action.”

St Basil the Great (329-379) Father & Doctor of the Churchwith regard to doing the will of god - st basil the great - 28 sept 2018

“We are not drawn to God
by iron chains
but by sweet attractions
and holy inspirations.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Churchwe are not drawn to god - st francis de sales - 28 sept 2018

“If we follow, the Voice of God,
we shall be brought on,
step by step,
into a new world,
of which, before,
we had no idea.”

Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)if we follow the voice of god - bl john henry newman - 28 sept 2018

Posted in MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL SERMONS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 September – Today’s Gospel: Luke 9:18-22

One Minute Reflection – 28 September – Today’s Gospel: Luke 9:18-22 – Friday of the Twenty-fifth week in Ordinary Time and the Memorial of St Simón de Rojas O.SS. (1552-1624) known as “Father Ave Maria” and the “Apostle of the Ave Maria”

And he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”   And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”...Luke 9:20but who do you say - luke 9 20 - 28 sept 2018

REFLECTION – “In fact, there are two ways of “seeing” and “knowing” Jesus one – that of the crowd – is more superficial, the other – that of the disciples – more penetrating and genuine.   With His twofold question:  “What do the people say?” and “who do you say that I am?”, Jesus invited the disciples to become aware of this different perspective.   The people thought that Jesus was a prophet.   This was not wrong but it does not suffice, it is inadequate.   In fact, it was a matter of delving deep, of recognising the uniqueness of the person of Jesus of Nazareth and His newness.   This is how it still is today, many people draw near to Jesus, as it were, from the outside….Let us make Peter’s answer our own…..
Today too, as in Jesus’ day, it does not suffice to possess the proper confession of faith – it is always necessary to learn anew from the Lord the actual way in which He is Saviour and the path on which we must follow Him.   Indeed, we have to recognise that even for believers, the Cross is always hard to accept.”…Pope Benedict XVI – 29 June 2007today too, as in Jesus' day - pope benedict - 28 sept 2018

PRAYER – Lord God, You hold out the Light of Your Word to those who do not know You. Strengthen in our hearts, the faith You have given us and the Credo we profess, so that no trials may quench the fire Your Spirit has kindled in us.   May the intercession of St Simon de Rojas, grant us the grace of following the way of the Cross, to stand beneath it with our Mother, the Mother of God, Ave Maria!   We make our prayer through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.hail mary pray for us - 28 sept 2018st simon de rojas pray for us - 28 sept 2018

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, Uncategorized

Quote/s of the Day – 27 September – The Memorial of St Vincent de Paul C.M. (1581-1660)

Quote/s of the Day – 27 September – The Memorial of St Vincent de Paul C.M. (1581-1660)

“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.”perfection-consists-in-one-thing-alone-st-vincent-de-paul-27-sept-2018

“…We have all been called by God to work on a masterpiece!”we have all been called - st vincent de paul - 27 sept 2018

“Extend your mercy towards others,
so that there can be no one in need
whom you meet without helping.
For what hope is there for us if God
should withdraw His Mercy from us?”extend your mercy - st v de p - 27 sept 2018

“With renewed devotion, then,
we must serve the poor,
especially outcasts and beggars.
They have been given to us
as our masters and patrons.”we-renewed-devotion-st-vincent-de-paul-27-sept-2018

“It is not enough to give soup and bread.
This the rich can do.
You are the servant of the poor,
always smiling and good-humoured.
They are your masters, terribly sensitive
and exacting master you will see.
And the uglier and the dirtier they will be,
the more unjust and insulting,
the more love you must give them.
It is only for your love alone,
that the poor will forgive you the bread you give to them.it is not enough to give soup - st v de p - 27 sept 2018

“Go to the poor – you will find God!”

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)go to the poor you will find god - st v de p - PREFER THIS ONE - 27 sept 2018.jpg

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on MOTHERHOOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on the FAMILY, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 26 September – The Memorial of Blessed Louis Tezza M.I. (1841-1923) and Blessed Pope Paul VI (1897-1978)

Quote/s of the Day – 26 September – The Memorial of Blessed Louis Tezza M.I. (1841-1923) and Blessed Pope Paul VI (1897-1978)

“God’s invitation to become saints
is for all, not just a few.
Sanctity, therefore, must be accessible to all.
In what does it consist?
In a lot of activity?   No.
In doing extraordinary things?
No, this could not be for everybody and at all times.
Therefore, sanctity consists in doing good
and in doing this “good” in whatever condition
and place God has placed us.
Nothing more, nothing outside of this”

Blessed Louis Tezza M.I. (1841-1923)god's invitation to become saints - bl louis tezza 25 sept 2018

“No matter where you are
or where you may be working,
make sure the world,
will be renewed, upon contact with you.”no matter where you are - bl pope paul VI - 26 sept 2018

“Somebody should tell us,
right at the start of our lives, that we are dying.
Then we might live life to the limit,
every minute of every day.
Do it!   I say.
Whatever you want to do, do it now!
There are only so many tomorrows.”somebody should tell us - bl pope paul vi - 26 sept 2018

“Every mother is like Moses.
She does not enter the promised land.
She prepares a world she will not see.”every mother - paul VI - 26 sept 2018

“If you want peace, work for justice.”if you want peace work for justice - paul VI - 26 sept 2018

“… The Blessed Sacrament,
which is in the tabernacle,
is the living heart
of each of our churches.”the blessed sacrament - bl pope paul VI - no 2 - 26 sept 2018

“Christ is truly the Emmanuel,
that is, God with us, day and night,
He is in our midst.
He dwells with us full of grace and truth.
He restores morality, nourishes virtue,
consoles the afflicted, strengthens the weak.”christ-is-truly-emmanuel-bl-pope-paul-vi-14-nov-2017-reasons-to-come-to-adoration

“Every theological explanation…
must firmly maintain that in objective reality,
independently of our mind,
the bread and wine have ceased to exist after the consecration,
so that the adorable body and blood of the Lord Jesus
from that moment on,
are really before us.
under the sacramental species of bread and wine”.

every-theological-explanation-must-firmly-maintain-bl-pope-paul-vi-19-aug-20181

“This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace,
continues uninterruptedly, from the consent,
which she loyally gave, at the Annunciation
and which she sustained, without wavering beneath the Cross,
until the eternal fulfilment of all the elect.

Taken up to heaven, she did not lay aside this saving office
but by her manifold intercession, continues to bring us
the gifts of eternal salvation. By her maternal charity,
she cares for the brethren of her Son,
who still journey on earth, surrounded by dangers and difficulties,
until they are led into their blessed home.

Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church
under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress and Mediatrix.
This, however, is so understood,
that it neither takes away anything from,
nor adds anything to,
the dignity and efficacy of Christ the one Mediator.”

Lumen Gentium, 62

Blessed Pope Paul VI (1897-1978)lumen gentium 62 - bl pope paul VI - 24 may 2018

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SPEAKING of ....., The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 24 September – Today’s Gospel: Luke 8:16–18 – Speaking of: Living the Light

Quote/s of the Day – 24 September – Today’s Gospel: Luke 8:16–18 – Monday of the Twenty fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year B

“No one after lighting a lamp, covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light.”…Luke 8:16

Speaking of:  Living the Light

“Do not have Jesus Christ on your lips
and the world in your heart?”do not have jesus christ on your lips - st ignatius of antioch - 24 sept speaking of living the light

“Christianity is not,
a matter of persuading people
of particular ideas
but of inviting them,
to share in the greatness of Christ.”

“A Christian is not his own master,
since all his time belongs to God.”christianity is not a matter of persuading - a christian is not his own master - st ignatius of antioch - speaking of living the light - 24 sept 2018

“We recognise a tree by its fruit
and we ought to be able to recognise
a Christian by his action.
The fruit of faith should be evident in our lives,
for being a Christian is more than making
sound professions of faith.
It should reveal itself in practical and visible ways.
Indeed it is better to keep quiet about our beliefs
and live them out,
than to talk eloquently about what we believe
but fail to live by it.”we recognise a tree by its fruit - st ignatius of antioch - speaking of living the light - no 2- 24 sept 2018

“Christianity is not a matter of persuading people of particular ideas
but of inviting them to share in the greatness of Christ.
So pray that I may never fall into the trap of impressing people
with clever speech but instead, I may learn to speak with humility,
desiring only to impress people with Christ Himself.”christianity-is-not-a-matter-st-ignatius-of-antioch-17-oct-2017

“Labour together with one another;
strive in company together;
run together; suffer together; sleep together;
and awake together,
as the stewards and associates
and servants of God.
Please Him under whom you fight
and from whom you receive your wages.
Let none of you be found a deserter.
Let your baptism endure as your arms;
your faith as your helmet;
your love as your spear;
your patience as a complete panoply.
Let your works be the charge assigned to you,
that you may receive a worthy recompense.
Be long-suffering, therefore, with one another,
in meekness, as God is towards you.
May I have joy of you for ever!
Give.” … (St Ignatius of Antioch: The Epistles)labour together with one another - st ignatius of antioch - 24 sept 2018 - speaking of living the light

“Pray without ceasing on behalf of other men…
For cannot he that falls, rise again?”

St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35-c 108) Martyr – Father of the Churchpray without ceasing - st ignatius of antioch - 24 sept 2018 - speaking of living the light

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, franciscan OFM, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, MYSTICS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ANGELS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GOSSIP, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B and The Memorial of St Padre Pio (1887-1968)

Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B and The Memorial of St Padre Pio (1887-1968)

“Do not fear!   Jesus is more powerful than all hell.”do-not-fear - 23 sept 2017

“Do not be daunted by the cross.
The surest test of love consists in suffering for the loved one
and if God suffered so much for love,
the pain we suffer for Him becomes as lovable as love itself.”

“The greater your sufferings, the greater God’s love for you.”the-greater-your-sufferings-st-pio-23-sept-2017

“God will never permit anything,
to happen to us, that is not for our greater good.”

“The storms that are raging around you,
will turn out to be for God’s glory,
your own merit
and the good of many souls.”the storms that are - god will never permit - st pio - 23 sept 2018

“In all the free time you have,
once you have finished your duties of state,
you should kneel down and pray the Rosary.
Pray the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament
or before a crucifix.”in-all-the-free-time-st-pio-no-2-23-sept-2017

“Do you not see the Madonna always beside the Tabernacle?”do-you-not-see-st-pio-23-sept-2017

“Listen to the Mass, the way the Virgin Mary, stood at .. Calvary..”listen to the mass - st pio - 23 sept 2018

“We have close to us, an angelic spirit,
who never leaves us for an instant,
from the cradle to the grave,
who guides and protects us,
like a friend or a brother.”we have close to us an angelic spirit - st padre pio - 23 sept 2018

“When you gossip about a person it means
that you have removed the person from your heart.
But be aware, when you remove a man from your heart,
Jesus also goes away from your heart with that man.”

St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968)when-you-gossip-st-pio-23-sept-2017

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 20 September – The Memorial of the Korean Martyrs

Quote/s of the Day – 20 September – The Memorial of the Korean Martyrs – Sts Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong Hasang & Companions – 103 saints and beati

“We have received baptism, entrance into the Church
and the honour of being called Christians.
Yet what good will this do us,
if we are Christians in name only and not in fact?”we-have-received-baptism-st-andrew-kim-taegon-20-sept-2017

“This is my last hour of life, listen to me attentively:
if I have held communication with foreigners,
it has been for my religion and for my God.
It is for Him that I die.
My immortal life is on the point of beginning.
Become Christians if you wish to be happy after death
because God has eternal chastisements in store
for those who have refused to know Him.”

St Andrew Kim Taegon (1821-1846)

the first native Korean priest

and the first priest to die for Christ in Korea.this-is-my-last-hour-of-life-st-andrew-kim-taegon-20-sept-2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, SPEAKING of .....

Quote/s of the Day – The Memorial of St Alonso de Orozco O.S.A. (1500 – 1591) Augustinian Priest

Quote/s of the Day – The Memorial of St Alonso de Orozco O.S.A. (1500 – 1591) Augustinian Priest

Speaking of:  Seeking Augustine

“Your prayer is a conversation with God.
When you read, it is God who is speaking,
when you pray, it is with God that you are speaking.”your prayer is a conversation - st augustine - 19 sept 2018

“It is night while this life is lived.
And when is this night illuminated?
It is lighted when Christ descends to the night.
He took the flesh of this generation
and our night received the light.”
(En. in ps. 138,14)it is night while this life is livd - st augustine - 19 sept 2018

“I shall know You,
You who know me.
Virtue of my soul,
go deep into it
and make it fit for You,
so that You may have it
and possess it,
without stain or wrinkle.”i shall know you - st augustine - 19 sept 2018

“I realise what I am
and praise You for it.
Come to my aid,
that I may not stray
from the way of salvation.”
(Sermo 67, 9)i realise what i am and i praise you - st augustine -19 sept 2018

“If you elevate yourself,
God distances Himself from you.
If you humble yourself,
He leans towards you.”if you elevate yourself - st augustine - 19 sept 2018

“Habits support the intelligence
just as a way of living
leads to a way of life.”
(In Io. Ev. XVIII, 7)

St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Churchhabits support the intelligence - st augustine - 19 sept 2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TRUTH, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 18 September – Today’s Gospel: Luke 7:11–17

Quote/s of the Day – 18 September – Today’s Gospel: Luke 7:11–17, Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth week in Ordinary Time and the Memorial of St Juan Macias O.P. (1585-1645) and St Joseph of Cupertino O.F.M. Conv. (1603-1663)

Speaking of:  Living the Word

“The Christian should be an
‘alleluia’
from head to foot.

St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Churchthe christian should be an alleluia - st augustine - 10 april 2018 - speaking of evangelisation

“It is no use walking somewhere to preach,
unless our walking is our preaching.”

St Francis of Assisi (c 1181-1226)it is no use walking - st francis of assisi - 10 april 2018 - speaking of evangelisation

“To convert somebody,
go and take them by the hand
and guide them.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor of the Churchto convert somebody - st thomas aquinas - 18 sept 2018

“Cook the truth in charity,
until it tastes sweet.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Churchcook the truth in charity until it tastes sweet - st francis de sales - 23 may 2018

“We must speak to them with our hands
before we try to speak with our lips.”

St Peter Claver (1580-1654)we must speak to them with our hands - st peter claver - 23 may 2018

“Modern man listens
more willingly to witnesses,
than to teachers
and if he does listen to teachers,
it is because they are witnesses.”

Blessed Pope Paul VI (1897-1978)modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers - bl pope paul VI no 2 - 18 sept 2018

“The only way to win audiences,
is to tell people about the life
and death of Christ.
Every other approach is a waste.”

Ven Archbishop Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)the only way to win audiences - ven fulton sheen - 18 sept 2018

“Stay where you are – find your own Calcutta.”

St Mother Teresa (1910-1997)stay where you are find your own calcutta - st mother teresa - 18 sept 2018

“Your faith will grow,
only in the measure,
that you give it away.”

Bishop Robert Barronyour faith will grow - bishop barron - 18 sept 2018

“You are a billboard for Christ.”

Father Mike Schmitzyou are a billboard for christ - fr mike schmitz - 10 april 2018 - speaking of evang

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 September – The Memorial of St Robert Bellarmine SJ (1542-1621) and St Hildegard von Bingen OSB (1098-1179) both Doctors of the Church

Quote/s of the Day – 17 September – The Memorial of St Robert Bellarmine SJ (1542-1621) and St Hildegard von Bingen OSB (1098-1179) both Doctors of the Church

“O Trinity,
You are music,
You are life.”o trinity you are music you are life - st hildegard von bingen - 17 sept 2018

“The school of Christ,
is the school of love.
In the last day,
when the general examination takes place…
Love will be the whole syllabus.”

“LOVE is a marvellous
and heavenly thing.
It never tires
and it never thinks
it has done enough!”love is a marvellous - st robert bellarmine - 17 sept 2018

“When we appeal to the throne of grace,
we do so through Mary,
honouring God by honouring His Mother,
imitating Him by exalting her,
touching the most responsive chord
in the Sacred Heart of Christ,
with the sweet name of Mary.”

St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Doctor of the Churchwhen-we-appeal-st-robert-bellarmine-17-sept-2017 (1)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL SERMONS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 September – Today’s Gospel: Luke 7:1-10

One Minute Reflection – 17 September – Today’s Gospel: Luke 7:1-10 – Monday of the Twenty-fourth week in Ordinary Time and the Memorial of St Robert Bellarmine SJ (1542-1621) and St Hildegard von Bingen OSB (1098-1179) both Doctors of the Church

“Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.”…Luke7:6b-7

REFLECTION – “This man was a pagan, for the Jewish people were occupied by the Imperial Roman army at that time.   So it was as a centurion in Judaea that he was commanding his soldiers…
But our Lord, although he was in the midst of the people of Judaea, was already talking about the Church being spread all over the earth wherever His apostles were to be sent (Mt 8:11).   Indeed, the gentiles believed in Him without having see Him… Our Lord did not physically enter the centurion’s house and, even though absent in body, He was present in majesty and healed both that house and its faith.   Similarly, our Lord stood physically only amongst the people of Judaea -other peoples did not see His being born of a virgin, or suffering, or walking, or subject to the condition of human nature, or carrying out divine miracles.   None of these things were done amongst the gentiles and yet it was amongst them that what was said about Him was fulfilled:  “A people I did not know have served me.”   In what way did they serve Him?   The Psalm continues:  “As soon as they heard me, they obeyed me” (Ps 18[17]:44-45).”…St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Churchlord i am not worth - luke 7 6b-7 and indeed the gentiles believed - st augustine - 17 sept 2018

“When we go out to meet the Lord, we in some sense are masters of the moment. However, when we allow ourselves to be encountered by Him, He enters into us and renews us from within.   This is what it means for Christ to come, to renew all things, to renew hearts, souls, lives, hope and the journey.   We are on a journey of faith, like the faith of this centurion, to encounter the Lord and to allow ourselves to be encountered by Him.”…Pope Francis – Santa Marta, 2 December 2013lord i am not worth - luke 7 6b-7 and this is what it means pope francis - 17 sept 2018

PRAYER – Lord God and holy Father, guard our faith we pray and grace us with Your mercy.   Keep us every faithful to Your precepts and bring us to Your home, to look upon Your Face.   May the prayers of Your saints assist us on our journey.   In your untiring life of trust in God, St Hildegard von Bingen, you sought to make Him the goal of all and the love of all, please pray that we may imitate your zeal and love.   St Robert Bellarmine, as you worked tirelessly for the salvation of souls, so now pray for us all, as tirelessly, that we may achieve eternal joy.   We ask all this through Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st hildegard von bingen pray for us 17 sept 2018st-robert-bellarmine-pray-for-us-17-sept-2017-no-2

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL SERMONS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 13 September – 13 September – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Doctor – “John of the Golden Mouth”

Thought for the Day – 13 September – 13 September – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Doctor – “John of the Golden Mouth”

“The Second Paul”

“The Ladder to God”

It is said of John Chrysostom that when he was seated upon the throne of the New Rome, that is, Constantinople, God caused him to be seen as a second Paul, a doctor of the Universe.

Indeed, there is in Chrysostom a substantial unity of thought and action, in Antioch as in Constantinople.   It is only the role and situations that change.

In his commentary on Genesis, in meditating on God’s eight acts in the sequence of six days, Chrysostom desired to restore the faithful from the creation to the Creator:  “It is a great good”, he said, “to know the creature from the Creator”, He shows us the beauty of the creation and God’s transparency in His creation, which thus becomes, as it were, a “ladder” to ascend to God in order to know Him.

To this first step, however, is added a second:  this God Creator is also the God of indulgence (synkatabasis).   We are weak in “climbing”, our eyes grow dim.   Thus, God becomes an indulgent God who sends to fallen man, foreign man, a letter, Sacred Scripture, so that the creation and Scripture may complete each another.   We can decipher creation in the light of Scripture, the letter that God has given to us.   God is called a “tender father” (philostorgios) (ibid.), a healer of souls (Homily on Genesis, 40, 3), a mother (ibid.) and an affectionate friend (On Providence 8, 11-12).

But in addition to this second step – first, the creation as a “ladder” to God and then, the indulgence of God through a letter which he has given to us, Sacred Scripture – there is a third step.   God does not only give us a letter – ultimately, He Himself comes down to us, He takes flesh, becomes truly “God-with-us”, our brother until His death on a Cross.

And to these three steps – God is visible in creation, God gives us a letter, God descends and becomes one of us – a fourth is added at the end.   In the Christian’s life and action, the vital and dynamic principle is the Holy Spirit (Pneuma) who transforms the realities of the world.   God enters our very existence through the Holy Spirit and transforms us from within our hearts.”

Pope Benedict XVI – General Audience 26 September 2007

St John Chrysostom, Pray for us!st-john-chrysostom-pray-for-us-13 sept 2017

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 September – the Memorial of St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father & Doctor of the Church

Quote/s of the Day – 13 September – the Memorial of St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father & Doctor of the Church

“Never separate yourself from the Church.
No institution has the power of the Church.
The Church is your hope.
The Church is your salvation.
The Church is your refuge.”

“When you are before the altar where Christ reposes,
you ought no longer to think that you are amongst men;
but believe that there are troops of Angels
and Archangels standing by you and trembling with respect
before the Sovereign Master of Heaven and earth.
Therefore, when you are in Church,
be there in silence,
fear and veneration.”

“If we approach with faith, we too will see Jesus… 
for the Eucharistic table takes the place of the crib.
Here, the Body of the Lord is present, 
wrapped, not in swaddling clothes 
but in the rays of the Holy Spirit.”

“It is simply impossible to lead,
without the aid of prayer,
a virtuous life.”it is simply impossible - st john chrysostom - 13 sept 2018

“Let the mouth also fast from disgraceful speeches and railings.
For what does it profit if we abstain from fish and fowl
and yet bite and devour our brothers and sisters?
The evil speaker eats the flesh of his brother
and bites the body of his neighbour!”

St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father & Doctor

“John of the Golden Mouth”let-the-mouth-also-fast-from-disgraceful-st-john-chrysostom 13 sept 2017

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY CROSS

Quote/s of the Day – 30 August – The Memorial of St Jeanne Jugan /Mary of the Cross (1792 – 1879)

Quote/s of the Day – 30 August – The Memorial of St Jeanne Jugan /Mary of the Cross (1792 – 1879)

“Jesus is waiting
for you
in the chapel.
Go and find Him.”jesus is waiting for you in the chapel - st jeanne jugan - 19 june 2018

“Little,
very little,
be very little
before God.”little,be very little - st jeanne jugan - 30 aug 2018

“God is with us,
it will be accomplished …
God will help us,
the work is His.”god is with us - st jeanne jugan - 30 aug 2018

“In our troubles,
we must always say,
“Blessed be God,
thank You my God,
or glory to God!”in our troubles, we must always say - st jeanne jugan 30 aug 2018

“The Hail Mary
will take us
to Heaven.”the hail mary will take us to heaven - st jeanne jugan - 30 aug 2018

“Do not call me Jeanne Jugan.
All that is left of her
is Sister Mary of the Cross,
unworthy though she is
of that lovely name.”

St Jeanne Jugan/Mary of the Cross (1792-1879)do not call me jeanne jugan - st mary of the cross - 30 april 2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 28 August – The Memorial of St Augustine (354-430) – Father and Doctor of Grace

Quote/s of the Day – 28 August – The Memorial of St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance;
to seek Him the greatest adventure;
to find Him the greatest human achievement.”to fall in love with god - st augustine - 28 aug 2018

“Only the “new” person
can sing a new song to the Lord:
the person restored
from a fallen condition,
through the grace of God.
Let us sing a new song –
not with our lips
but with our lives!”only-the-new-person-no-2-st-augustine-15-aug-2017-mem-of-simpliacianus

“You ask what you might offer to God?
Offer yourself!
What does God expect from you,
except yourself?”you ask what you might offer to god - st augustine - 28 aug 2018 no 2

“Conquer yourself
and the world
lies at your feet.”conquer yourself - st augustine - 28 aug 2018

“God does not command impossibilities
but by commanding,
admonishes you do what you can
and to PRAY for what you cannot
and AIDS you that you may be able.”god-does-not-comman-st-augustine28 aug 2017

“God has no need of your money
but the poor have.
You give it to the poor and God receives it.”

“Our life and our death are with our neighbour.”god-has-no-need-and-our-life-and-our-death-st-augustine 28 aug 2017

“Do you wish to RISE?
Begin by DESCENDING.
You plan a tower
that will pierce the CLOUDS?
Lay first the foundation
of HUMILITY.”

St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of Gracedo you wish to rise, begin by descending - st augustine - 28 aug 2018

Posted in franciscan OFM, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL SERMONS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 August – Today’s Gospel: John 6:60–69

One Minute Reflection – 26 August – 21st Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year B – Today’s Gospel: John 6:60–69

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”...John 6:68-69

REFLECTION – “He does not say “where shall we go?” but “to whom shall we go?”   The underlying problem, is not about leaving and abandoning the work undertaken but to whom to go.   From Peter’s question, we understand, that fidelity to God is a question of fidelity to a person, to whom we bind ourselves, to walk together on the same road.   And this person is Jesus.   All that we have in the world does not satisfy our infinite hunger. We need Jesus, to be with Him, to be nourished at His table, on His words of eternal life!”…Pope Francis (Angelus, 23 August 2015)to whom shall we go - john 6 68-69 - he does not say where shall we go - pope francis - 26 aug 2018

“Be patient and persevere in the practice of meditation.   Be content, to start with, to make progress only by degrees.   Later on you will have legs that will ask for nothing but to run or, better, wings for flying with.
Be happy to obey.   It’s never easy but it is God we have chosen as our portion.   Accept that, as yet, you are only a little bee in its nest but, very quickly, it will become one of those wonderful workers so skilful in making honey.   Always remain humble before God and men, in love.   Then our Lord will speak to you in truth and enrich you with His gifts.”…St Pio of Pietrelcina “Padre Pio” (1887-1968)be patient and persevered - st pio - 26 aug 2018

PRAYER – Lord, by Your grace, we are made one in mind and heart.   Give us a love for what You command and a longing for what You promise, so that, amid this world’s changes, our hearts may be set on the world of lasting joy.   May the intercession of Your faithful servant, St Pope Zephyrinus, bring us strength and courage.   As it was Your will heavenly Father, that, at the angel’s message, Your Word should be conceived by the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant that as we believe her to be truly the Mother of God, so may we be helped always, by her intercession.   Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit, ‘totus tuus’ Maria – please pray for us, amen.immaculate-mary-pray-for-us-26 aug 2017

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 August – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14 and the Memorial of St Rose of Lima (1586-1617)

One Minute Reflection – 23 August -Today’s Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14 and the Memorial of St Rose of Lima (1586-1617)

“But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’...Matthew 22:11-12friend how did you get in here - matthew 22 12

REFLECTION – “What is that “wedding garment” then? … The wedding garment” is such charity as this.   “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of Angels and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.”   Tongues have come in alone and it is said to them, “How came ye in hither not having a wedding garment?” “Though,” said he, “I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains and have not charity, I am nothing.”   See, these are the miracles of men who very often have not “the wedding garment.”   “Though,” he says,” I have all these and have not Christ, I am nothing.” … If then I have not charity, though I bestow alms freely upon the poor, though I have come to the confession of Christ’s Name even unto blood and fire, these things may be done even through the love of glory and so are vain.
… For “the wedding garment” is taken in honour of the union, the union, that is, of the Bridegroom to the Bride.  You know the Bridegroom – it is Christ. You know the Bride – it is the Church.   Pay honour to the Bride, pay honour to the Bridegroom  . If you pay due honour to them both, you will be their children.   Therefore in this make progress.   Love the Lord and so learn to love yourselves, that when by loving the Lord, you shall have loved yourselves, you may securely love your neighbour as yourselves.
…So then, have faith with love.   This is the “wedding garment.”…St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctorso then have faith with love this then is the wed garment - st augustine - 23 aug 2018

“Thus, then, the obedient man,with the light of faith, in the truth burning in the furnace of charity … receives his end from Me, his Creator.”…St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Churchthus then, the obedient man - st catherine of siena - 23 aug 2018

PRAYER – “God our Father, for love of You, St Rose of Lima left the world and gave herself to a life of penitence, austerity and charity.   Help us by her prayers, so to follow the path of life on earth, in complete love of You and thus of Your children, that we may obtain the fulness of joy in Your presence in heaven and be clothed fit for the wedding feast.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st-rose-of-lima-pray-for-us-23 aug 2017

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, MARIAN QUOTES, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 21 August – the Memorial of St Pope Pius X (1835-1914)

Quote/s of the Day – 21 August – the Memorial of St Pope Pius X (1835-1914)

“HOLY COMMUNION
is the shortest
and the safest
way to heaven.”holy communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven - st pope pius X 21 aug 2018

““The daily adoration or visit to the Blessed Sacrament
is the practice, which is, the fountainhead
of all devotional works.”the daily adoration or visit to the blessed sacrament = st pope pius X - 21 august 2017

“The greatest obstacle in the apostolate of the Church
is the timidity or rather the cowardice of the faithful.”the-greatest-obstacle-st-pius-x-21 aug 2018

“My hope is in Christ,
who strengthens the weakest
by His Divine help.
I can do all in Him
who strengthens me.
His Power is infinite
and if I lean on Him,
it will be mine.
His Wisdom is infinite
and if I look to Him for counsel,
I shall not be deceived.
His Goodness is infinite
and if my trust is stayed in Him,
I shall not be abandoned.”my hope is in christ - st pope pius X 21 aug 2018

“Let the storm rage and the sky darken —
not for that shall we be dismayed.
If we trust as we should in Mary,
we shall recognise in her, the Virgin Most Powerful,
who with virginal foot did crush the head of the serpent.”let-the-storm-rage-st-pope-pius-x-21 aug 2017

“Truly, we are passing through disastrous times,
when we may well make our own, the lamentation
of the Prophet: “There is no truth and there is no mercy
and there is no knowledge of God in the land” (Hosea 4:1).
Yet, in the midst of this tide of evil,
the Virgin Most Merciful rises before our eyes,
like a rainbow, as the arbiter of peace
between God and man.”truly, we are passing - st pope pius X - 21 aug 2018

“God could have given us,
the Redeemer of the human race
and the Founder of the Faith,
in another way than through the Virgin
but since Divine Providence has been pleased,
that we should have the Man-God through Mary,
who conceived Him by the Holy Spirit
and bore Him in her womb,
it only remains for us to receive Christ,
from the hands of Mary.”

St Pope Pius X (1835-1914)god could have - st pope pius X - 21 aug 2018

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 August – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 19:23–30 and the Memorial of St Pope Pius X (1835-1914)

One Minute Reflection – 21 August – Tuesday of the Twentieth week in Ordinary Time, Year B – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 19:23–30 and the Memorial of St Pope Pius X (1835-1914)

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

REFLECTION – “Despite all our feelings of woe or of well-being, God wants us to understand and to believe, that we are more truly in heaven than on earth.   Our faith comes from the natural love of our soul and from the clear light of our reason and from the steadfast memory, which we have from God in our first creation.   And when our soul is breathed into our body, at which time we are made sensual, at once mercy and grace begin to work, having care of us and protecting us with pity and love, in which operation the Holy Spirit forms in our faith the hope, that we shall return up above to our substance, into the power of Christ, increased and fulfilled through the Holy Spirit… For in the same instant and place in which our soul is made sensual, in that same instant and place exists the city of God, ordained for Him from without beginning (Heb 11:16; Rv 21:2-3).   He comes into this city and will never depart from it, for God is never out of the soul, in which   He will dwell blessedly without end.”…Julian of Norwich (1342-1430) Mystic & Recluse (Revelations of divine love, ch. 55)

“Catholics are part of the Church Militant.   They struggle and they suffer for the triumph of Christ.   They must never lose sight of their Divine Model, so that their trials will be turned into joy.”…St Pius Xdespite all our feelings of woe - julian of norwich - 21 aug 2018they-struggle-and-they-suffer-st-pope-pius-x-21 aug 2017

PRAYER – Lord God, You filled the saints with strength and courage and gave them the knowledge of unity with You.   Grant, we pray, that in imitation of St Pope Pius X, we may defend the Catholic faith and renew all things in Christ, Your Son.   Help us Holy Father, to follow the example of St Pius and finally inherit eternal life ,with You and all the saints.   We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st-pope-pius-pray-for-us-21 aug 2017