Category: QUOTES on GOOD WORKS

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, Quotes on SALVATION, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 1 April –

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 1 April – Easter Monday

“This is the day which the Lord hath made,
let us be glad and rejoice therein.”

Psalm 117:24.

“If we follow Christ closely we shall be allowed,
even on this earth,
to stand, as it were,
on the threshold of the heavenly Jerusalem
and enjoy the contemplation,
of that everlasting Feast,
like the blessed Apostles,
who, in following the Saviour as their Leader,
showed and still show,
the way to obtain the same gift from God.
They said – See, we have left all things and followed Thee.
We too follow the Lord
and we keep His Feast
by deeds rather than by words.”

St Athanasius (297-373)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“For Christ is our Salvation.
For He is our Salvation,
Who was wounded for us
and fastened with nails to the Wood
and taken down from the Wood
and laid in the sepulchre.
But He rose from the sepulchre
and although His Wounds were healed,
the Scars remained.
For this He judged expedient for His Disciples
that He should keep His Scars,
to heal the wounds of their soul.”

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

“All I want to know is Christ
and the power flowing
from His Resurrection!”

St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226)

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, EVENING and NIGHT Prayers, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The HOLY NAME

Quote/s of the Day – 27 March – St John Damascene

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 March – St John Damascene (675-749) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

Before retiring, The Examination of Conscience:
(or if one prefers, before beginning prayers)
go through all the points
suggested below in your mind and memory.

  1. Give thanks to Almighty God for granting you during the past day, by His grace, His gifts of life and health.
  2. Examine your conscience by going through each hour of the day, beginning from the time you rose from your bed and recall to memory – where you went, how you acted and reacted towards all persons and other creatures and what you talked about. Recall and consider with all care, your thoughts, words and deeds from morning until the evening.
  3. If you have done any good, do not ascribe it to yourself but to God Who gives us all the good things and thank Him.
    Pray that He may confirm you in this good and enable you to do other good works.
  4. But if you have done anything evil, admit that this comes from yourself and your own weakness, from bad habits or weak will. Repent and pray to the Lover of men that He may forgive you and promise Him firmly, never to do this evil again.
  5. Implore your Creator with tears, to grant you a quiet, undisturbed, pure and sinless night and to enable you, in the coming day, to devote yourself wholly to the glory of His holy Name.
  6. If you find a soft pillow, leave it and put a stone in its place, for Christ’s sake. If you sleep in winter, bear it, saying – Some did not sleep at all!”

From The Night Prayers before Retiring but the above image has just been made:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/27/quote-of-the-day-27-march-the-night-prayers-before-retiring-st-john-damascene/

St John Damascene (675-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, HOLY WEEK, LENT 2024, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, St Francis de Sales, St PETER!

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 26 March – Never Stop Weeping!

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 26 March – Tuesday in Holy Week – Jeremias 11:18-20, Mark 14:32-72; 15, 1-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“What a fall was this which pierced
the Heart of Our Lord! ”
St Francis de Sales

“Before the cock crows twice,
thou shalt thrice deny Me.
And he began to weep …”
Mark 14:72

Never Stop Weeping!

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

“One of the Apostles, Saint Peter, greatly wronged his Master, for he denied and swore he never knew Him and, not content with that, cursed and blasphemed against Him, protesting that he did not know who he was (Mt 26:69). What a fall was this which pierced the Heart of Our Lord! Alas, poor Saint Peter, what are you doing? What are you saying? You do noy know Who He is, you do noy know Him? You, who were called to be an Apostle by His own mouth, who confessed Him to be the Son of the living God? (Mt 16:16). Oh, wretched man that you are, how could you dare to say you do not know Him? Was it not He Who,, only recently, was at your feet washing them (Jn 13:6), who fed you with His own Body and Blood?…

So let no-one rely on their good works and think they have nothing more to fear, since St Peter, who had received so many graces and had vowed to accompany our Lord to prison and even to death itself, nevertheless, denied Him at the mere whisper of a chambermaid!

Hearing the cock crow, St Peter recollected what he had done and what his good Master had said to him and then, realising his fault, he went out and wept so bitterly that, on this account, he received a full, Plenary Indulgence and remission for all his sins. O blessed St Peter who, through such contrition for your faults, have received a general forgiveness for such great disloyalty… I am very certain, it was our Lord’s Holy Look which pierced his heart and opened his eyes, to make him recognise his sin (Lk 22:61)… From that time on, he never stopped weeping, above all when he heard the cock crow at night and in the morning… In this way, from being a great sinner, he became a great Saint!” (From ‘Le Livre des quatre amours’ Bk 10).

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on VANITY, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 14 March – The Last Artifice of the Devil –Making even Virtue, an Occasion of Sin! (Part Three)

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

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

XXXII: … The Last Artifice of the Devil –
Making even Virtue, an Occasion of Sin!
(Part Three)

“Consider next, that not only do all the works which you have done. fall short of the Light which has been given you to know them and the grace to execute them but too, that in themselves, they are very imperfect and are deficient of that pure intention and due diligence and fervour, with which they should be performed and which should always accompany them.

If, then, you will well consider this, you will see reason, rather for shame, than for vain complacency because, it is but too true that the graces which we receive pure and perfect from God, are sullied in their use, by our imperfections.

Again, compare your works with those of the Saints and other servants of God — for by such comparison, you will find that your best and greatest, are of base alloy and of little worth.
Next, measure them by those which Christ wrought for you in the Mystery of His life and of His continual Cross and setting aside the consideration of His Divinity, view His works in themselves alone — considering both the fervour and the purity of the love with which they were wrought and, you will see that all your works are indeed, as nothing.

And lastly, if you will raise your thoughts to the Divinity and the boundless Majesty of your God and the service which He deserves at your hands, you will plainly see that your works should excite in you not vanity but fear!

Therefore, in all your ways, in all your works, however holy they maybe, you must cry unto your Lord with all your heart, saying:
“God be merciful to me a sinner!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/12/thought-for-the-day-12-march-the-last-artifice-of-the-devil-making-even-virtue-an-occasion-of-sin-part-one/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/13/thought-for-the-day-13-march-the-last-artifice-of-the-devil-making-even-virtue-an-occasion-of-sin-part-two/

Posted in CATECHESIS, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on PRAYER

Quote/s of the Day – 14 March – St Lawrence Justinian on the Holy Mass and Prayer

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 March – St Lawrence Justinian on Prayer

“There is no prayer or good work
so great, so pleasing to God,
so useful to us,
as the Holy Mass.”

“No human tongue can enumerate
the favours which emanate from
the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
The sinner is reconciled with God,
the just man becomes more upright,
sins are wiped away,
vices are uprooted,
virtue and merit increases
and the devil’s schemes are frustrated.”

“By the practice of prayer
we can construct an impregnable citadel,
in which we shall be securely protected
against all the snares of the enemy.”

“The exterior works of Martha,
without the interior spirit of Mary,
cannot be perfect.
He deceives himself.
who expects, without the aid of prayer,
to succeed in the work of saving souls,
— a work as dangerous as it is sublime!
Without the reflection of prayer,
he shall certainly faint on the way!”

St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455)

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VANITY, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 13 March – The Last Artifice of the Devil –Making even Virtue, an Occasion of Sin! (Part Two)

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

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

XXXII: … The Last Artifice of the Devil –
Making even Virtue, an Occasion of Sin!
(Part Two)

“Again, in the life of grace and the performance of good works, what good or meritorious deed, could your nature perform by itself, if deprived of Divine assistance?

For, considering, on the other hand, the multitude of your past transgressions and moreover, the multitude of other sins from which, God’s compassionate Hand, has alone withheld you, you will find that your iniquities, being multiplied, not only by days and years but, by acts and habits of sin, (one evil habit drawing another after it), would have swelled to an almost infinite amount and so, have made of you, another infernal Lucifer!

Hence, if you would not rob God of the praise of His goodness but cleave faithfully to Him, you must learn, day-by-day, to think more humbly of yourself.
And be very careful to deal justly in this judgement of yourself, or it may do you no little injury.
For, if in the knowledge of your own iniquity, you surpass a man who, in his blindness, accounts himself to be something, you will lose exceedingly and fall far below him in the action of the will, if you desire to be esteemed and regarded by men, for that which you know yourself, not to be.

If, then, you desire that the consciousness of your vileness and sinfulness should protect you from your enemies and make you dear to God, you must not only despise yourself, as unworthy of any good and deserving of every evil but, you must love to be despised by others, detesting honours, rejoicing in shame and
stooping on all occasions to offices which others hold in contempt.
You must make no account at all of their judgement, lest you be, thereby, deterred from this holy exercise.
But take care that the end in view be solely your own humiliation and
self-discipline, lest you be in any degree influenced by a certain lurking pride and spirit of presumption which, under some specious pretext or other, often causes us to make little or no account of the opinions of others.

And should you perchance come to be loved, esteemed, or praised by others for any good gift bestowed upon you by God, be not moved, a single step, thereby but, collect yourself steadily within the stronghold of this true and just judgement of yourself, first turning to God and saying to Him with all your heart :

“O Lord, never let me rob Thee of Thy honour
and the glory of Thy grace.
To Thee be praise and honour and glory,
to me, confusion of face.”

And then say mentally of him who praises you:

“Whence is it that he accounts me good,
since truly, my God and His works, are alone good?”

For by thus, giving back to the Lord that which is His own, you will keep your enemies afar off and prepare yourself to receive greater gifts and favours from your God.

And if the remembrance of good works exposes you to any risk of vanity, view them instantly, not as your own but as God’s and say to them :

“I know not how you did appear and originate in my mind,
for you derived not your being from me
but the good God and His grace created, nourished and preserved you.
Him alone, then, will I acknowledge as your true
and first Parent, Him will I thank
and to Him, will I return all the praise.
Amen!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/12/thought-for-the-day-12-march-the-last-artifice-of-the-devil-making-even-virtue-an-occasion-of-sin-part-one/

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CARMELITES, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on MERCY

Quote/s of the Day – 10 March – Both debtor and creditor…

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 March – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent

“… Every man is both debtor and creditor…
A beggar asks you for alms but you, too,
are God’s beggar, for when we pray
we are all beggars of God.
We stand – or rather, prostrate ourselves –
at our Father’s door (cf Lk 11:5);
we beseech Him with groans,
anxious to receive a grace from Him
and this grace is God Himself!
What does the beggar ask of you?
Bread. And what is it that you are asking of God
but Christ, Who said:
“I am the Living Bread come down from Heaven”
(Jn 6:51).”

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

Lord God, Lift Me Up
By St John of the Cross (1542-1591)

Lord God, my Beloved,
if Thou art still mindful of my sins
and wilt not grant my petitions,
let Thy will be done,
for this is my main desire.
Show Thy goodness and mercy
and Thou shalt be known for them.
If Thou art waiting for me
to do good works
and upon their performance,
Thou wilt grant my petitions,
cause them to be accomplished in me, O Lord!
Send also, the punishment for my sins,
which is acceptable to Thee.
For how will I raise myself up to Thee,
born and bred as I am, in misery,
unless Thou, O Lord,
wilt lift me up
with the Hand which made me?!
Amen

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Mystical Doctor of the Church

Posted in QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VICE, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 9 March – Of the Devil’s Artifices, In Order to Draw Us Away, From the Path of Holiness (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 9 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XXXI: … Of the Devil’s Artifices, In Order
to Draw Us Away, From the Path of Holiness
(Part One)

“The fourth device of the Evil One, when he sees us advancing steadily towards holiness, is, to excite within us, a variety of good desires that, by this means, he may lead us away from the exercise of virtue, into sin.

A sick person is perhaps bearing his illness with a patient will.
The cunning adversary knows that by this means, he may attain to a habit of patience and, he immediately sets before him all the good works which, in a different condition, he might be able to perform, and tries to persuade him that if he were but well, he would be able to serve God better and be more useful to himself and others.
Having once aroused such wishes within him, he goes on increasing them by degrees, until he makes the subject restless at the impossibility of carrying them into effect and, the deeper and stronger such wishes become, the more does this restlessness increase.
Then the enemy leads him on gently and with a stealthy step, to impatience at the sickness, not as sickness but as a hindrance to those good works which he so anxiously desires to perform for some greater good.
When he has brought him thus far, with the same art he removes from his mind the end he had in view, to serve God and perform good works and leaves him only, the bare desire to be rid of his sickness.
And then, if this does not happen according to his wish, he is so much troubled, as to become actually impatient and so, unconsciously, he falls from the virtue in which he was exercising himself, into the opposite vice.

The way to guard against and resist this snare, is, to be very careful, when in a state of trial, not to give way to desires after any good work which, being out of your power to execute, would very probably disquiet you.
In such cases, resign yourself, with all patience, resignation and humility, to the conviction, that your desires would not have the effect you think, inasmuch as you are far more insignificant and unstable, than you account yourself to be.

Or else believe that God, in His surer counsels, or on account of your unworthiness, is not pleased to accept this work at your hand but, will rather that you should patiently abase and humble yourself under the Gentle and Mighty Hand of His Will.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, St Francis de Sales

Quote/s of the Day – 1 March – ‘… a HATRED for nothing but SIN…’

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 March – Friday of the Second Week in Lent and the Feast of the Holy Shroud – – Genesis 37:6-22; Matthew 21:33-46.– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“He will bring those evil men
to an evil end”

Matthew 21:41

“Little children follow and obey their father.
They love their mother.
They know nothing of covetousness,
ill-will, bad temper, arrogance and lying.
This state of mind opens the road to Heaven.
To imitate our Lord’s own humility,
we must return to the simplicity
of God’s little ones.”

St Hilary (315-368)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“I see clearly with the interior eye,
that the sweet God loves, with a pure love,
the creature that He has created
and has a HATRED for nothing but SIN,
which is more opposed to Him,
than can be thought or imagined.”

St Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510)

“Let us then depart, let us depart from Egypt,
let us approach Our Lord,
let us make provision of good works;
let the feet of our affections be bare,
let us clothe ourselves with innocence,
let us not be satisfied with crying for mercy,
let us go forth from Egypt, let us delay no longer.
The hour is come to arise from sleep,
since we know that He receives sinners;
the Angels await our repentance,
the Saints pray for it!”

St Francis de Sales 91567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

“There is a golden rule which we should always remember
as it will be helpful to us in fighting temptation
and in resisting discouragement.
It is simply this:
As long as we implore God’s grace
and do all we can and ought, in order to withstand
the onslaught of temptation, God will do the rest!
If God, nevertheless, allows us to fall,
this will be in order to humble us
and to make us understand,
more clearly that we can do nothing without Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", OPEN HOUSE...Conversations with..., QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SELF-DISTRUST, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 29 February – The Soldier of Christ Must Avoid All which May Disturb His Peace of Mind (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 29 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XXV: … The Soldier of Christ Must Avoid All
which May Disturb His Peace of Mind
(Part Two)

“Besides, when the heart is unquiet, it is always exposed to manifold assaults of the enemy and, moreover, in such a state, we are incapable of understanding and discovering the correct path and the sure way of holiness.

Our enemy, who, above all things, hates this peace because, the Spirit of God, dwells therein and inspires marvellous works, the devil often seeks, in a friendly disguise, to rob us of such God-given peace, by instilling into our hearts, sundry desires which have a semblance of good.
But ,their deceitful nature maybe detected by this test, among others, that is – they rob us of our peace of mind!

Therefore, to avert so great an evil, when the sentinel gives notice of the approach of some new desire, on no account give it entrance into your heart, until, with a free and unbiased will, you have first presented it to God and, confessing your ignorance and blindness, have earnestly prayed to Him for light to discern whether it comes from Him or from the enemy.

Have recourse also, if possible, to the judgement of your spiritual father.
And, even if the desire should be from God, do not begin to carry it into execution until you have mortified your own eagerness; for a work preceded by such mortication, will be far more acceptable to Him, than if performed with all the impetuosity of nature.
Nay, sometimes it maybe that the mortication will please Him better than the work itself.

Thus, casting from you all evil desires,and not venturing to carry even good desires into effect, until you have first repressed your natural impulses, you shall keep the fortress of your heart in security and peace.

And, in order to preserve it in perfect peace, you must also guard and defend it from certain inward self-reproaches and remorseful feelings which are sometimes from the devil, although, as they accuse you of some failing, they seem to come from God.
By their fruits shall you know whence they proceed!
If they humble you, if they make you diligent in well-doing, if they do not take from you, your trust in God, then receive them with all thankfulness as coming from Him.
But, if they discourage you, if they make you fearful, distrustful, slack and feeble in good deeds, then, be assured, they come from the enemy!
Give no ear to them but continue your exercise.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/02/28/thought-for-the-day-28-february-the-soldier-of-christ-must-avoid-all-which-may-disturb-his-peace-of-mind-part-one/

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, CONTEMPLATIVE Prayer, DOCTORS of the Church, EVENING and NIGHT Prayers, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2024, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on WATCHING, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 14 February – Ash Wednesday – ‘… And so, you must be more earnest in prayer and in alms-giving, in fasting and in watching. …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 14 February – Ash Wednesday

“What dost thou have that thou hast not received?”

1 Corinthians 4:7

“She did not leave the temple,
serving with fastings and prayers,
night and day.”

Luke 2:37

“If, in holy Scripture, Christ is the true Sun and the true Day,
there is no hour when Christians
should not adore God frequently and constantly,
so that we, who are in Christ, that is,
in the true Sun and true Day,
should be persevering, throughout the whole day,
in our petitions and prayer.
And when, in the course of time,
the revolving night returns,
there can be no harm from the nocturnal shades,
for those who pray because, to the sons of Light (1 Thes 5:5),
even in the night there is day!
For when is he without light who has Light in his heart?
Or when does he not have sun and day
to whom Christ is Sun and Day?”

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

“… Behold, now is the acceptable time.
behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6).
And so, you must be more earnest
in prayer and in alms-giving,
in fasting and in watching.
He that until now has given alms,
in these days, let him give more –
for as water quencheth a flaming fire,
so does almsgiving wipe out sin (Eccles 3:3).
He that, until now, fasted and prayed,
let him fast and pray still more –
for there are certain sins which are not cast out,
except by prayer and fasting (Mc 27:20).”

“Fasting is the death of sin,
the destruction of our crimes
and the remedy of our salvation.”

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

“Listen to the Lord’s appeal:
‘Come, then, return to Me
and learn to know Me as your Father,
Who repays good for evil,
love for injury
and boundless charity
for piercing wounds!”

St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450)
“Golden Words”
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Are we going to neglect our own salvation?
Let us show great compassion
towards the poor
so as to be made worthy of possessing
good things to come for all eternity!”

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

“For the devil may tempt the good
but he cannot find rest in them;
for he is shaken violently
and upset and driven out –
now by their prayers,
now by their tears of repentance
and now. by their almsgiving
and similar good works.”

St Bruno (c1030-1101)

“If you want God to hear your prayers,
hear the voice of the poor.
If you wish God to anticipate your wants,
provide for those of the need,
without waiting for them to ask you.
Especially, anticipate the needs
of those, who are ashamed to beg.
To make them ask for alms,
is to make them buy it!”

St Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555)

“The sacred gift of prayer
is already in the Right Hand of the Saviour;
as soon as ever you shall have emptied yourself of self,
He will pour it into your heart!”

(Letters to Persons in Religion III 19)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, The HOLY FACE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 February – ‘ … We must understand the miracles of our Lord ,,,’

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One Minute Reflection – 13 February – Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus – Ferial Day – 1 Cor. 13:1-13; Luke 18:31-43 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And immediately he saw and followed him, glorifying God.” – Luke 18:43

REFLECTION – “Our Redeemer foresaw that the hearts of His disciples would be greatly disturbed by His Passion. He foretold to them, far ahead, of both the agony of His Passion and the glory of His Resurrection (Lk 18:31-33). Then, when they beheld Him dying, as had been foretold, they would not doubt that He was to rise again. But since the disciples, still worldly as they were, were entirely unable to grasp, the Words of the Mystery (v.34), there was need of a miracle! A blind man received the Light before their eyes, so that a heavenly deed might strengthen the faith of those who failed to grasp the Words of the heavenly Mystery.

We must understand the miracles of our Lord and Saviour, dearly beloved, so as to believe that they have been truly effected and that their meaning, nevertheless, still signifies something else too … We do not know the historical identity of the blind man but we do know whom he mystically denotes. The blind man is the human race. In our first parents it was driven from the joys of paradise and ignorant of the brightness of the Divine Light, it suffered the darkness of its condemnation. But yet, it is enlightened by the presence of its Redeemer, to see already, the joys of inward light, by desire and to direct the footsteps of its good works, in the way of Life.” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on the Gospels).

PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, mercifully hear our prayers; loose us from the chains of our sins and keep us from all adversity. 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).

An Aspiration to the Eternal Father
to be Frequently Recited During the Day …

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Holy Face of Jesus,
covered with blood, sweat, dust and spittle,
in reparation for our sins
and the sins of the whole world.

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 February – ‘ … Does not the example of the ten virgins make us tremble? …’

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One Minute Reflection – 10 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity” – St Scholastica (c482-547) Virgin Nun, St Benedict’s twin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

REFLECTION – “My brothers, there is a time for sowing and a time for harvesting, a time for peace and another for war, a time for labour and another for rest (Cf Eccl 3). But, for the salvation of the soul, all times are right and every journey is worthwhile, at least, if we wish it to be. Therefore, let us always be moving towards the good, ready to move, full of eagerness, putting words into deeds. For, says the Apostle Paul, “it is not those who hear the law, who are just in the sight of God; rather, those who observe the law, will be justified” (Rom 2:13) … Is this the time for spiritual warfare? Then we should fight vigorously and pursue, with God’s aid, the devilish thoughts that rise up inside us. If, on the other hand, it is time for spiritual harvest, we should enthusiastically gather in the crops and collect together, into spiritual barns, provisions for eternal life…

It is always the time for prayer, for tears, for repentance after a failing, always time to take the Kingdom of Heaven by storm! Why delay? Why set aside till later? Why put off our improvement, from day to day? “For the world, in its present form, is passing away” (1 Cor 7:31) … Are we going to live forever? … Does not the example of the ten virgins make us tremble? “The Bridegroom is coming,” says the Gospel, “go out to meet Him.” And the wise virgins went out to meet him with lamps alight and went into the wedding feast — whereas, the foolish virgins, delayed by their lack of good works, cried out: “Lord, Lord, open the door for us. But He said in reply: Amen, I say to you, I do not know you” and He added: “Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” So we should stay awake and rouse the soul to soberness, compunction, holiness, purification and illumination, so as to prevent death from shutting the door and no-one being there to open it to us or help us!” – St Theodore the Studite (750–826) Father, Abbot, Theologian, Writer at Constantinople (Small Catechism No 130).

PRAYER – O God, Who, to show us the way of innocence, caused the soul of Thy Virgin, blessed Scholastica, to fly up to heaven in the likeness of a dove, grant us, through her merits and prayers, to live innocently, so that we may be found worthy to reach everlasting joys. 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 "Follow Me", ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, Quotes on SALVATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 February – ‘… Be a lamp then in heart, in hand, in lips. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 2 February – The Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, Candlemas – Malachias 3:1-4; Luke 2:22-32 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“My eyes have seen Thy salvation …” – Luke 2:30

REFLECTION – “Come then, my brethren, give an eye to that candle burning in Simeon’s hands. Light your candles too by borrowing from that Light; for these candles I speak of are the lamps which the Lord orders us to have in our hands (Mt 25:1; Lk 12:35). Come to Him and be enlightened (Ps 33:6), so as to be not merely carrying lamps but to be very lamps yourselves, shining inside and out, for yourselves and for your neighbours.

Be a lamp then in heart, in hand, in lips. The lamp in your heart will shine for you; the lamp in your hand or on your lips, will shine out for your neighbours. The lamp in the heart is loving faith; the lamp in the hand is the example of good works; the lamp on the lips is edifying speech. But not just before men, must we shine by works and word but before Angels too, by prayer and before God Himself by pure Intention. Our lamp before the Angels is the purity of our devotion, when, in the sight of Angels, we chant the Psalms with care, or pray with burning ardour; our lamp before God is the honesty of our intention to please Him only, Whose approval we have won…

There are so many lamps then, my brethren, to lighten your way, if only you will come to the Source of all Light and be enlightened. Come, I say, to Jesus, Who shines out to us from Simeon’s arms. He will give Light to your faith, lustre to your works, meaning to your words for men, ardour to your prayer, purity to your intentions … And when this life’s lamp is extinguished, there will arise a life’s Light which can never be extinguished, a shimmering noonday Light, arising, as it were, at the evening of your life!” – Blessed Guerric of Igny O.Cist. (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (1st Sermon for the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, we humbly beseech Thy Majesty that, as Thy Only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the nature of our flesh, so may Thou grant us to be presented to Thee with purified minds. 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). 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 "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior), SELF-DISTRUST, St Francis de Sales, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 25 January – Conversion

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Quote/s of the Day – 25 January – Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, Apostle

“O my brethren, if only we wanted to,
if only we all wanted to perceive
our soul’s paralysis in all its depth!
Then we would see
that it is lying on a stretcher of sins,
deprived of strength.
Christ’s action within us,
would be a source of light
and we would understand
that each day He sees our lack of faith,
harmful as it is, that He draws us
towards healing remedies
and sharply presses our rebellious wills.
“My son” He says, “your sins are forgiven you.”

St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450)
“Golden Words”
Father & Doctor of the Church

“What are you afraid of, you men of little faith?
That He will not pardon your sins?
But with His own hands He has nailed them to the Cross.
That you are used to soft living
and your tastes are fastidious?
But He knows the clay of which we are made (Gn 2:7).
That a prolonged habit of sinning binds you like a chain?
But the Lord loosens the shackles of prisoners.
Or perhaps that angered by the enormity
and frequency of your sins,
He is slow to extend a helping hand?
But where sin abounded,
grace became superabundant (Rom 5,20).
Are you worried about clothing
and food and other bodily necessities
so that you hesitate to give up your possessions?
But He knows that you need all these things (Mt 6,32).
What more can you wish?
What else is there to hold you back
from the way of salvation? ”

St Bernard (1091-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

“When it is dark,
we do not see how dusty and dirty
our house is.
Only when the place
is flooded with sunlight,
do we realise its awful condition.
So, we need the light of God’s grace
to show us the real state of our soul
and to induce us
to clean up our hearts!”

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

“I see clearly with the interior eye,
that the sweet God loves, with a pure love,
the creature that He has created
and has a HATRED for nothing but SIN,
which is more opposed to Him,
than can be thought or imagined.”

St Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510)

“A person who is conscious of his misery,
can certainly have great confidence in God.
In fact, he cannot have true confidence in Him,
without this consciousness of his misery.
This knowledge and acknowledgement
of our misery, leads us to the presence of God.”

“Let us then depart, let us depart from Egypt,
let us approach Our Lord,
let us make provision of good works;
let the feet of our affections be bare,
let us clothe ourselves with innocence,
let us not be satisfied with crying for mercy,
let us go forth from Egypt, let us delay no longer.
The hour is come to arise from sleep,
since we know that He receives sinners;
the Angels await our repentance,
the Saints pray for it!”

St Francis de Sales 91567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

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Quote/s of the Day – 22 January – ‘… Always persevere …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 22 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – St Vincent of Saragossa (Died 304) Protomartyr of Spain and St Anastasius the Persian (Died 628) Martyr – Wisdom 3:1-8; Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And you shall be hated by all men,
for My Name’s sake.”

Luke 21:17

“The fruits of the earth
are not brought to perfection immediately
but by time, rain and care.
Similarly, the fruits of men ripen
through ascetic practice,
study, time, perseverance,
self-control and patience.”

St Anthony Abbot (251-356)

“Rejoice and be happy!
Persevere to the end
and prefer to die
rather than abandon the post,
to which God has called you!”

St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Doctor of the Church

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

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

“Now, you must always persevere
in firmly placing all your trust in our Lord,
in the troublesome business you have in hand.
It will give you a fine opportunity
of laying a good foundation of submission
to God’s will and peace of soul.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Excerpt from the Prayer
to the Five Wounds of Jesus
By St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)

I pray Thee, O most gentle Jesus,
that having redeemed me
by Baptism from original sin,
so now, by Thy Precious Blood,
which is offered and received,
throughout the world,
deliver me from all evils,
past, present and to come.
And by Thy most bitter Death,
give me a lively faith,
a firm hope
and perfect charity,
so that I may love Thee
with all my heart and all my soul
and all my strength.
Make me firm and steadfast in good works
and grant me perseverance in Thy service,
so that I may be able to please Thee always.
Amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WATCHING, The HEART, The HOLY CROSS, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 January –  “Many will come … ” – Matthew 8:11

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One Minute Reflection – 21 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – St Agnes (c 291- c 304) Virgin and Martyr – Romans 12:16-21; Matthew 25:1-13 –Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Many will come from the east and the west and will recline… at the banquet in the Kingdom of Heaven” – Matthew 8:11

REFLECTION – “I have seen our Lord in the Gospel accomplish many miracles and, reassured by them, have strengthened my fearful words. I have seen the centurion throw himself at the Lord’s feet, nations send their firstfruits to Christ. The Cross has not yet been erected and already, pagans hasten towards their Master. The words “Go, teach all nations” have not yet been heard (Mt 28,19) but the nations are already hastening. Their race precedes their call, they are burning with desire for the Lord. The sound of preaching has not yet been heard but they are hurrying towards the One Who preaches. Peter… has now been instructed and they gather around the One Who is teaching him; the light of Paul has not yet blazed beneath Christ’s standard and nations are coming with incense to adore the King (Mt 2:1).

And now, see how a centurion begs Him and says to him: “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralysed, suffering dreadfully.” Here is a new miracle indeed! The servant, whose limbs are paralysed leads his master to the Lord; the slaves’ sickness gives health to his owner. Seeking his servant’s healing, he finds our Lord and while he is seeking for his slave’s cure, he becomes Christ’s conquest!” – Basil of Seleucia (Died c 468) Archbishop (Homily 19 on the centurion, PG 85, 235f).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Thou Who choose the weak things of the world to confound the strong, mercifully grant that we, who are celebrating the feast of blessed Agnes, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may reap the benefit ofher patronal intercession with Thee. 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 "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRESUMPTION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 January –  ‘ … So keep watch with vigilant soul and you will see the pure Truth with open eyes! …’

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One Minute Reflection – 17 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – St Anthony Abbot (251-356) – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6; Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

REFLECTION – “These words mean – you are to be awake and vigilant because you do not know the hour when the Lord will come from the wedding … Because, as soon as some feeling of pride, self-satisfaction or self-will enters a man, the Enemy is there, cutting the precious bag, of all his good works from him. Oh, children! How many people like these, will you see, who have done great works … and thus gained great renown … but, presumption has stripped them of all … They will be placed after the poor and simple fellows, whom no-one values because of their outward appearance and work. Because they humbly take a lowly place, these latter, will be set above the others … So keep watch with vigilant soul and you will see the pure Truth with open eyes …

“Let your loins be girt about and your lamps alight.” Here there are three points to notice. First – the loins are to be girded like someone firmly bound with a rope, so as to be led, against his will … Second – you are to carry lighted lamps in your hands which is to say, works of love. Your hands should never stop doing the true, ardent work of charity … Third – you should wait for the Lord when He returns from the wedding … “The Lord will set them over all His goods; He will gird Himself and will serve them.” This wedding from which the Lord comes, takes place in the most interior part of the soul, in its depths, where the noble image is found. O what intimate contact the soul has with God and God with it, in this depth and what a marvellous work God does there! What rejoicing and joy He finds there! It surpasses all feeling and thought and yet, man knows nothing and feels nothing of it.” – Fr Johannes Tauler OP (c1300-1361) Dominican Priest and Friar, renowned Preacher and Theologian (Sermon 77 for the Feast of a Confessor).

PRAYER – May the intercession of the Blessed Abbot Anthony, commend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, so that what we do not deserve by any merits of our own, we may obtain by his patronage. Through tJesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 January – ‘… The obedience of the Star calls us to imitate its humble service …’

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One Minute Reflection – 10 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” – Within the Octave of The Epiphany – Isaias 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy Light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” – Isaias 60:1

REFLECTION – “This is the day which Abraham saw and rejoiced to see, when he knew that the sons born of his faith would be blessed in his seed, that is, in Christ. Believing that he would be the father of the nations, he looked into the future, giving glory to God, in full awareness that God is able to do what He has promised.

This is the day which David prophesied in the Psalms, when he said: All the nations which you have brought into being, will come and fall down in adoration in Thy presence, Lord and glorify Thy Name. Again, the Lord has made known His salvation; in the sight of the nations, He has revealed His Justice.

This came to be fulfilled, as we know, from the time when the Star beckoned the Three Wise Men out of their distant country and led them, to recognise and adore, the King of Heaven and earth. The obedience of the Star calls us to imitate its humble service: to be servants, as best we can, of the grace which invites all men to find Christ.

Dear friends, you must have the same zeal to be of help to one another, then, in the Kingdom of God, to which faith and good works are the way, you will shine as children of the Light: through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Ghost, forever and ever. Amen.” – St Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Father and Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from his On the Lord’s Epiphany, Sermon 3).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who by the guidance of a star this day revealed Thy Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may come to behold Thee in glory. 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 CARMELITES, CHRIST the LIGHT, CONTEMPLATIVE Prayer, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for the NEW YEAR, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HEART, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 January – Advice for 2024 from St John of the Cross

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 January – Advice for 2024 from St John of the Cross

“What we need most,
in order to make progress,
is to be silent before this great God
with our appetite and with our tongue,
for the language He best hears
is silent love.”

“Contemplation is nothing else
but a secret, peaceful
and loving infusion of God
which, if admitted,
will set the soul on fire
with the Spirit of love.”

“Take God for your spouse and friend
and walk with Him continually
and you will not sin
and will learn to love
and, the things you must do,
will work out prosperously for you.”

“The endurance of darkness
is the preparation for great light!”

“Strive to preserve your heart in peace;
let no event of this world, disturb it.”

Lord God, Lift Me Up
By St John of the Cross (1542-1591)

Lord God, my Beloved,
if Thou art still mindful of my sins
and wilt not grant my petitions,
let Thy will be done,
for this is my main desire.
Show Thy goodness and mercy
and Thou shalt be known for them.
If Thou art waiting for me
to do good works
and upon their performance,
Thou wilt grant my petitions,
cause them to be accomplished in me, O Lord!
Send also, the punishment for my sins,
which is acceptable to Thee.
For how will I raise myself up to Thee,
born and bred as I am, in misery,
unless Thou, O Lord,
wilt lift me up
with the Hand which made me?!
Amen

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Mystical Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, GOOD RESOLUTIONS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FRIENDSHIP, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Quote/s of the Day – 3 January – Help for those New Year Resolutions

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 January – Help for those New Year Resolutions

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

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

“Remember God
more often
than you breathe!”

“Grace is given,
not to those who speak [their faith]
but to those, who live their faith!”

St Gregory of Nazianzen (330-390)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Be strengthened in Almighty God
and in the power of His might,
for with His help, nothing is difficult.
Throw off the heavy load of your own will,
cast aside the burden of sin
and gird yourselves as valiant warriors!
Forget what you are leaving behind;
strain forward to the great things before you.
I tell you that every place where you set foot,
shall be yours.
For the Spirit, Who goes before your face
is Christ the Lord.
He will carry you to the topmost peak
in the arms of His Love.”

St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226)

Posted in ADVENT QUOTES, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, CATHOLIC Quotes, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, JESUIT SJ, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SPIRITUAL WORKS of MERCY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The INCARNATION, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Quote/s of the Day – 23 December – Prepare the way of the Lord

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Quote/s of the Day – 23 December – Ember Saturday of Advent – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Luke 3:1-6 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Prepare the way of the Lord”
Luke 3:4

“I speak out in order to lead Him
into your hearts but He does not choose to come
where I lead Him, unless you prepare the way for Him.”

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

“He came from Him,
from Whom He did not depart,
going forth from Him,
with Whom He stayed,
so that without intermission,
He was wholly in eternity,
wholly in time,
wholly was He found in the Father
when wholly in the Virgin,
wholly in His own Majesty
and in His Father’s,
at the time
when He was wholly in our humanity. ”

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1110-1159)

O God, We Love Thee
Prayer inspired by St Louis’ Last Instructions
to his Eldest Son, Philip
(Perhaps Philip prayed thus)

O God, we love Thee.
We wish to do nothing to displease Thee.
If we have troubles, let us thank Thee.
If we do not, we also humbly thank Thee.
Let us pray diligently
and be compassionate and generous to the poor.
May we hold fast all that is good
and all that is bad, discard.
We thank Thee for friends,
who help us bear our burdens
and help us grow in holiness.
Let us turn away from calumniators and slanderers
and lend a willing ear to those who speak of God.
Let us always do what is right and just for those we serve
and promote peace among our neighbours.
Let us be quick to defend our Faith.
O Holy Lord, all Thy holy Saints,
defend us from all evils.
Grant us Thy grace to fulfil always,
Thy Holy Will,
so that Thou may be glorified and honoured
and so we may be with Thee forever.
Amen

St Louis IX (1214-1270) Confessor, King of France

“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.”

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

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on MERCY, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SPIRITUAL WORKS of MERCY, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the POOR, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 December – What dost thou have that thou hast not received? – 1 Corinthians 4:7

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 December – Hebrews 13:7-17; Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“To one He gave five talents;
to another, two; to a third, one—
to each according to his ability. …”

Matthew 25:15

“What dost thou have that thou hast not received?”

1 Corinthians 4:7

“Are we going to neglect our own salvation?
Let us show great compassion
towards the poor
so as to be made worthy of possessing
good things to come for all eternity!”

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

“For the devil may tempt the good
but he cannot find rest in them;
for he is shaken violently
and upset and driven out –
now by their prayers,
now by their tears of repentance
and now. by their almsgiving
and similar good works.”

St Bruno (c1030-1101)

“What great profit you gain from God
when you are generous!
You give a coin
and receive a Kingdom;
you give bread from wheat
and receive the Bread of Life;
you give a transitory good
and receive an everlasting one.
You will receive it back,
a hundred times more
than you offered.”

St Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555)

“As well as the corporal works,
there are the spiritual works of mercy.
Everyone is not obliged to undertake the former,
that would be impossible, for instance,
for the desitute, the sick, the aged.
But, everyone is OBLIGED to undertake the latter.
Sometimes a kind word
is more valuable than money!”
… Remember, however, that the practice
of the spiritual works of mercy,
does not excuse us from the exercise
of material works of charity,
wherever that is possible for us (Cf Js 2:16).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in CARMELITES, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 24 November – Lord God, Lift Me Up

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Our Morning Offering – 24 November – St John of the Cross OCD (1542-1591) Confessor, Doctor of the Church

Lord God, Lift Me Up
By St John of the Cross (1542-1591)

Lord God, my Beloved,
if Thou art still mindful of my sins
and wilt not grant my petitions,
let Thy will be done,
for this is my main desire.
Show Thy goodness and mercy
and Thou shalt be known for them.
If Thou art waiting for me
to do good works
and upon their performance,
Thou wilt grant my petitions,
cause them to be accomplished in me, O Lord!
Send also, the punishment for my sins,
which is acceptable to Thee.
For how will I raise myself up to Thee,
born and bred as I am, in misery,
unless Thou, O Lord,
wilt lift me up
with the Hand which made me?!
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 November – ‘ … So keep watch with vigilant soul and you will see the pure Truth with open eyes! …’

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One Minute Reflection – 10 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”– St Andrew Avellino CR (1521–1608) Confessor – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

REFLECTION – “These words mean – you are to be awake and vigilant because you do not know the hour when the Lord will come from the wedding … Because, as soon as some feeling of pride, self-satisfaction or self-will enters a man, the Enemy is there, cutting the precious bag, of all his good works from him. Oh, children! How many people like these, will you see, who have done great works … and thus gained great renown … but, presumption has stripped them of all … They will be placed after the poor and simple fellows, whom no-one values because of their outward appearance and work. Because they humbly take a lowly place, these latter, will be set above the others … So keep watch with vigilant soul and you will see the pure Truth with open eyes …

“Let your loins be girt about and your lamps alight.” Here there are three points to notice. First – the loins are to be girded like someone firmly bound with a rope, so as to be led, against his will … Second – you are to carry lighted lamps in your hands which is to say, works of love. Your hands should never stop doing the true, ardent work of charity … Third – you should wait for the Lord when He returns from the wedding … “The Lord will set them over all His goods; He will gird Himself and will serve them.” This wedding from which the Lord comes, takes place in the most interior part of the soul, in its depths, where the noble image is found. O what intimate contact the soul has with God and God with it, in this depth and what a marvellous work God does there! What rejoicing and joy He finds there! It surpasses all feeling and thought and yet, man knows nothing and feels nothing of it.” – Fr Johannes Tauler OP (c1300-1361) Dominican Priest and Friar, renowned Preacher and Theologian (Sermon 77 for the Feast of a Confessor).

PRAYER – O God, by his difficult vow to make daily progress in holiness, Thou placed in the heart of blessed Andrew, Thy Confessor, a wondrous longing to ascend unto Thee, grant us, by his merits and intercession, so to become sharers of that same grace that, ever pursuing the more perfect things, we may be happily brought unto the height of Thy glory. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in HOLY COMMUNION, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on MERIT, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY SOULS

Thought for the Day – 7 November – How We Can Help the Faithful Departed

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Thought for the Day – 7 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

How We Can Help the Faithful Departed

“In short, there are innumerable means at our disposal, of helping to release the Holy Souls and, of establishing them, without delay, as our intercessors in Heaven.
These good works are advantageous to ourselves and to them.
In Holy Communion, we draw closer to God; by almsgiving, we grow more detached from worldly possessions and, by penance and mortification, we restrain our wayward appetites and passions.
At the same time, we know that we are helping those for whom we offer the ,merits of our deeds, for we are enabling them to be purified, as soon as possible of their imperfections and so, to enter into the infinite joy of the Beatific Vision of Almighty God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/07/thought-for-the-day-7-november-how-we-can-help-the-faithful-departed/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/07/thought-for-the-day-7-november-how-we-can-help-the-faithful-departed-2/

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on MERCY, The HOLY SOULS

Thought for the Day – 4 November – More About the Sufferings of Purgatory

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Thought for the Day – 4 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

More About the Sufferings of Purgatory

“If I were to die now, in which region of Purgatory should I be likely to be confined?
I have no way of knowing this but, there is something which I do know with certainty.
I know that I should avoid the slightest offence against God that I should expiate my past sins by prayer and penance and, that I should pray for the suffering souls in Purgatory, for this is a Work of Mercy which is most pleasing to God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/04/thought-for-the-day-4-november-more-about-the-sufferings-of-purgatory/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/04/thought-for-the-day-4-november-more-about-the-sufferings-of-purgatory-2/

Posted in CONSECRATION Prayers, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SPIRITUAL WORKS of MERCY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 October – St Anthony Mary Claret

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Quote/s of the Day – 23 October – St Anthony Mary Claret CMF (1807-1870) Archbishop and Founder of the Claretians

“Christian perfection consists in three things:
praying heroically,
working heroically
and suffering heroically.”

“I shall be kind to everyone,
particularly to those
whom I find troublesome.”

“Although the sinner
does not believe in Hell,
he will, nevertheless, go there,
if he has the misfortune to die
in mortal sin.”

I Wish to Love Thee, My God
By St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)

I wish to love Thee, my God,
with all my heart,
with all my being,
with all my strength.
I consecrate to Thee,
my thoughts,
desires, words
and actions,
whatever I have
and whatever I can be.
Let me use what I have
for Thy greater honour
and glory,
according to Thy will.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/24/quote-s-of-the-day-24-october-st-anthony-mary-claret/

St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 October – ‘… Let us be watchful, to observe and to do the Lord’s precepts. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 20 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – St John Cantius (1390-1473) Confessor – James 2:12-17, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

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“.

 Let us always wait with solicitude and caution for the sudden coming of the Lord, so that when he knocks, our faith maybe 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 – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that by following the example of blessed John, Thy Confessor, we may advance in a knowledge of holiness and, by showing pity for others, obtain Thou forgiveness through his merits. 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 QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR

Quote/s of the Day – 6 October – St Bruno

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 October – St Bruno O.Cart (c1030-1101) Priest, Confessor

“While the world changes,
the Cross stands firm.”

“By your work,
you show what you love
and what you know.”

“For the devil may tempt the good
but he cannot find rest in them;
for he is shaken violently
and upset and driven out –
now by their prayers,
now by their tears of repentance
and now. by their almsgiving
and similar good works.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/06/quote-s-of-the-day-6-october-st-bruno/

St Bruno (c1030-1101)