Category: QUOTES on HEAVEN

Posted in ADVENT, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The DIVINE INFANT

Thought for the Day – 18 December – The Cradle of the Divine Infant Jesus

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Thought for the Day – 18 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Christmas Novena III
The Cradle of the Divine Infant Jesus

“Perhaps I still preserve a strong attachment to sin and fall badly from time to time.
What is the main motivating power in my life?
Perhaps, I am motivated by self-interest and am attracted by pleasure, ease and worldly glory.
How little I have learned from the example of Our Lord in the manger.

Let us remember, that the man who looks only for worldly success, cannot find Heaven!
He will wind up bitter and disillusioned, whereas the man who seeks Jesus Christ, will eventually enjoy the peace and happiness which God alone can give.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/18/thought-for-the-day-18-december-a-christmas-novena-the-cradle-of-the-divine-infant-jesus/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, St Francis de Sales, The BEATITUDES, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 11 December – ‘Let us keep our eyes unceasingly fixed upon the Divine Ideal …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Sirach 44:16-27; 45:3-20; Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“ Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

Matthew 25:21

“Blessed are you poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours …”

Luke 6:20

“Let us keep our eyes unceasingly
fixed upon the Divine Ideal;
let us work to realise, within ourselves,
the perfection to which God wishes us to reach,
in order to imitate His Divine Son.”

Columba Marmion (1858-1923)
Abbot

“Christ acts like a loving mother.
To induce us to follow Him,
He gives us Himself as an example
and promises us a reward in His kingdom.”

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor

“Do not fix your longings on anything
which you do not possess;
do not let your heart rest in that which you have;
do not grieve overmuch,
at the losses which may happen to you –
and then, you may reasonably believe
that although rich in fact,
you are not so in affection
but that you are poor in spirit
and, therefore, blessed,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is yours.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St JOSEPH, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The WORD

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

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – The Octave Day of All Saints – Apocalypse 7:2-12; Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

Matthew 5:8

“The Almighty has concentrated in St Joseph,
as in a sun of unrivalled lustre,
the combined light and splendour
of all the other Saints.”

St Gregory Nanzianzen (330-390)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Death to the Saints is not a punishment but a reward.
“For so He giveth His beloved sleep.” (Ps cxxvii: 3).
The death of him, who loves God,
is not called death but sleep, so he can truly say:
“I will lay me down in peace
and take my rest.” (Ps iv: 9).

Cardinal St Fisher, as Saunders relates,
when about to die for the Faith,
put on the best clothes he had, saying, he was going to a wedding.
When he came in sight of the scaffold
he cast away his staff, saying:
“Make haste my feet, make haste, for we are not far from Paradise.”
And before dying he sang Te Deum,
in returning thanks to God, Who had allowed him
to die a Martyr’s death, for the holy Faith
and thus being filled with joy,
he placed his head under the axe.”

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

“Those in the Catholic Church,
whom some rebuke for praying to Saints
and going on pilgrimages,
do not seek any Saint as their saviour.
Instead, they seek Saints,
as those whom their Saviour loves
and whose intercession and prayer,
for the seeker, He will be content to hear.
For His Own sake,
He would have those He loves, honoured.
And when they are thus honoured for His sake,
then, the honour that is given them, for His sake,
overflows especially to Himself.”

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr, Confessor

“Let us read the lives of the Saints;
let us consider the penances
which they performed
and blush to be so effeminate
and so fearful of mortifying our flesh.”

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

O Paradise! O Paradise!
By Fr Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)
Written in 1854

O Paradise! O Paradise!
Who doth not crave for rest?
Who would not seek the happy land,
Where they that loved are blest.

Where loyal hearts and true,
Stand ever in the Light,
All rapture through and through,
In God’s most holy sight?

O Paradise! O Paradise!
The world is growing old;
Who would not be at rest and free
Where love is never cold?
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
Wherefore doth death delay;
Bright death which is the welcome dawn
Of our eternal day;
Where loyal hearts, &c

O Paradise! O Paradise;
‘Tis weary waiting here;
I long to be, where Jesus is,
To feel, to see Him near.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
I want to sin no more!
I want to be as pure on earth
As on thy spotless shore.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
I greatly long to see
The special place my dearest Lord
Is furnishing for me.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
I feel ’twill not be long;
Patience! I almost think I hear
Faint fragments of thy song.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

Tune: “Paradise” Joseph Barnby, 1856.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales, The GOOD SHEPherd Prayers, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 Novemer – Promises and Reward

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 Novemer – Within the All Saints Octave – Apocalypse 7:2-12; Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward
will be great in Heaven.”

Matthew 5:12

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

John 20:29

“Be glad in that day and rejoice,
for behold, your reward is great in Heaven,”

Luke 6:23

“May He,
Who is the Track of the runners
and the Reward of the winners,
lead and guide you along it –
He, Christ Jesus!”

Bl Guerric of Igny O.Cist (c1080-1157)

“Christ acts like a loving mother.
To induce us to follow Him,
He gives us Himself as an example
and promises us a reward in His kingdom.”

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor

“You will be consoled
according to the greatness
of your sorrow and affliction;
the greater the suffering,
the greater will be the reward.”

St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi (1566-1607)

“It is true that we require great confidence
to abandon ourselves, without any reserve,
to Divine Providence but, when we do abandon all,
Our Lord takes care of all and disposes of all.
But, if we reserve anything which we are
unwilling to confide to Him, He leaves us,
as if He would say:
“You think yourselves sufficiently wise
to manage that affair without Me –
you can do so and see what will come of it!”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The BEATITUDES, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 November – ‘ … Rejoice, ardent travellers! …’

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One Minute Reflection – 6 Novemer – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Within the All Saints Octave – Apocalypse 7:2-12 – Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

REFLECTION – “Rejoice in the Lord without ceasing (cf. Phil 4:4), my dear children. I beg you rejoice, citizens of Heaven but exiles on earth, inhabitants of the Jerusalem on high (cf Gal 4:26) but banished from affairs here below, inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven but disinherited from taking any part at all, in earthly pleasures!   Rejoice, ardent travellers, at undergoing exile and maltreatment in a foreign land in the name of the commandment of God! Rejoice, you who are last in this world but lords of blessings that exceed our understanding (cf. Phil 4:7).
Rejoice, noble company, brought together by God, assembly united in heart and soul, who give life to filial and fraternal love, a replica on earth of the host of Angels! … Rejoice, God’s workers, apostolic men. … Rejoice, you who set your joy in each other, each making his own the reputation of his brother, you in whom is found neither jealousy, rivalry nor envy but, in their place, peace and charity and life in common. In truth, I do not say that we are not attacked – indeed, who is crowned if not the one who struggles and fights, who exchanges thrusts and wounds with his assailants? – but I say that we should not let ourselves be brought down by the machinations of Satan.

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

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who granted us to honour the merits of all Thy Saints in a single solemn festival, bestow on us, we beseech Thee, through their manifold intercession that abundance of Thy mercy for which we yearn. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the KING, Gerard MANLEY HOPKINS SJ, GOD ALONE!, HYMNS, JESUIT SJ, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – St Ignatius and his Brethren – Seeing God in all things

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – All Saints and Blesseds of the Society of Jesus (SJ)

I Love Thee, O Thou Lord Most High!
Translation and Parphrase
of St Ignatius Loyola’s Latin Hymn
By Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

I love, I love Thee, Lord most high!
Because Thou first hast loved me;
I seek no other liberty
But that of being bound to Thee.

May memory no thought suggest,
But shall to Thy pure glory tend;
My understanding find no rest
Except in Thee, its only End.

My God, I here protest to Thee,
No other will have I than Thine;
Whatever Thou hast given me,
I here again to Thee resign.

All mine is Thine — say but the word,
Whate’er Thou wllest shall be done;
I know Thy Love, all-gracious Lord;
I know It seeks my good alone.

Apart from Thee, all things are naught;
Then grant, O my supremest bliss!
Grant me to love Thee as I ought;
Thou givest all in giving this!

“A precious crown is reserved in Heaven
for those who endow their actions with
all the diligence of which they are capable,
for, it is not enough to do good,
we must do it well!”

“God takes special care
to detach from the passing pleasures of this world,
those whom He Loves with special predilection,
by sending them desires after heavenly bliss
and, by the sorrows and bitterness
of the present life.”

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

I Love Thee, God, I Love Thee
O Deus Ego Amo Te
By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)
Translated by Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ (1844-1889)

I love Thee, God, I love Thee—
Not out of hope for Heaven for me
Nor fearing not to love and be
in the everlasting burning.
Thou, my Jesus, after me
Didst reach Thine arms out dying,
For my sake suffered nails and lance,
Mocked and marred countenance,
Sorrows passing number,
Sweat and care and cumber,
Yea and death and this for me,
And Thou could see me sinning.
Then I, why should not I love Thee,
Jesu so much in love with me?
Not for Heaven’s sake, not to be
Out of hell by loving Thee,
Not for any gains I see,
But just the way that Thou didst me
I do love and will love Thee.
What must I love Thee, Lord, for then?
For being my King and God.
Amen

“We must make our way towards eternity,
never regarding what men think of us,
or of our actions,
studying only to please God.”

St Francis Borgia (1510-1572)

““Man’s salvation and perfection
consists in doing the Will of God
which he must have in view in all things
and, at every moment of his life.”

St Peter Claver (1581-1654)

“Can we think, the life of man,
better employed than in this good work?
What do I say? Would not all the labours
of a thousand men, be well rewarded,
in the conversion of a single soul
gained to Jesus Christ?
I have always felt a great love
for this kind of life
and for a profession so excellent
and so akin to that of the Apostles.”

St Isaac Jogues (1607-1646)
Martyr

“Are we in the habit of seeing all thing in God
and God in all things?
Do we accept all things from His Holy Hands
and do His Will cheerfully and lovingly?
Do we try to control ourselves when God sends
us sorrows, in addition to joy?
If we find we are in need of reform in this matter,
we should make good resolutions and fulfil them!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The BEATITUDES, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 November – And opening His mouth, He taught them … – Matthew 5:1-2

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One Minute Reflection – 5 Novemer – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Within the Octave of All Saints and the Feast of the Holy Relics – Apocalypse 7:2-12; 4:1-3 – Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: http s://www.drbo.org/

“And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain… And opening His mouth, He taught them … Blessed are …” – Matthew 5:1-2

REFLECTION – “Lord Jesus Christ, to teach us the summit of virtue, Thou ascended the mountain with Thy disciples and taught them the Beatitudes and highest virtues, promising them the rewards applicable to each. Grant that my weakness may hear Thy Voice, that I may apply myself, through their practice, to acquire the merit of the virtues, so that, by Thy Mercy, I may receive the promised reward. As I consider the payment, do not let me refuse the effort of the labour. Make my hope of eternal salvation, sweeten the bitterness of the cure, inflaming my soul with the splendour of Thy work. Out of the wretched person I am, create one of the blessed; from the blessedness here below, lead me through Thy Grace, to the blessedness of the homeland.

Come, Lord Jesus Christ, in search of Thy servant, seeking Thy erring and exhausted sheep. Come, Spouse of the Church, in search of Thy lost coin. Come, Father of mercies, welcome the prodigal son returning to Thee. Come, then, Lord, for Thou art the only One, able to call back the sheep who has strayed, to find the lost drachma, to reconcile the runaway son. Cone, that there may be salvation on earth and joy in Heaven! Turn me towards Thyself and grant that I may carry out a true and perfect repentance, that I may become an occasion for joy, among the angels. Sweetest Jesus, I pray Thee, by the immensity of Thy Love for me, a sinner, grant that I may love Thee alone, above all things, that I maybe consoled by none but Thou, my sweetest God!” – Ludolph of Saxony (c1300-1378) Monk, Theologian, Writer, Dominican then a Carthusian (Prayers to Jesus Christ).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who granted us to honour the merits of all Thy Saints in a single solemn festival, bestow on us, we beseech Thee, through their manifold intercession, that abundance of Thy mercy for which we yearn. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PURGATORY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The HOLY SOULS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 November – ‘ … Why do we not hasten and run …’ John 5:28-29

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One Minute Reflection – 3 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Within the Octave of All Saints – All Holy Souls in Purgatory – 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 – John 5:25-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Do not wonder at this, for the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs shall hear the Voice of the Son of God. And they who have done good, shall come forth unto the resurrection of Life but they who have done evil, until the resurrection of judgement.” – John 5:28-29

REFLECTION – “We should consider, beloved brethren and we should reflect constantly that we have renounced the world and as strangers and foreigners, we sojourn here for a time (Heb 11:13). Let us embrace the day which assigns each of us to his dwelling which, on our being rescued from here and released from the snares of the world, restores us to Paradise and the Kingdom. What man, after having been abroad, would not hasten to return to his native land? Who, when hurrying to sail to his family, would not more eagerly long for a favourable wind that he might more quickly embrace his dear ones? We account Paradise our country, we have already begun to look upon the patriarchs as our parents.

Why do we not hasten and run, so that we may see our country, so that we may greet our parents? A great number of our dear ones there, await us, parents, brothers, children; a dense and copious throng longs for us, already secure in their safety but still anxious for our salvation! … There, are to be found, the glorious choir of Apostles, there, the throng of exultant Prophets, there, the innumerable multitude of Martyrs wearing crowns on account of the glory and victory of their struggle and passion, there, the triumphant Virgins … the merciful enjoying their reward, who have performed works of justice by giving food and alms to the poor, who, in observing the precepts of the Lord, have transferred their earthlyinheritance to the treasuries of Heaven!

To these, beloved brethren, let us hasten with eager longing! let us pray that it may befall us speedily to be with them, speedily to come to Christ. May God see this our purpose … Who will give, more ample rewards of His charity, to those whose longings for Him have been greater.” – St Cyprian (200-258) Bishop of Carthage, Martyr, Father (On Mortality 26).

PRAYER – O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants and handmaids, the remission of all their sins, that they may obtain, by our loving prayer,s the forgiveness which they have always desired. Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 October – ‘ … Be careful lest, when the King enters, He finds fault with some aspect of your heart’s clothing! ,,,’

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One Minute Reflection – 23 October – Ferial Day – The Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer – The Feast day of St Anthony Mary Claret CMF (1807-1870) Archbishop and Founder of the Claretians – Ephesians 4:23-28 – Matthew 22:1-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” – Matthew 22:12

REFLECTION – “But you, my friends, since you have already come into the house of the marriage feast, our holy Church, as a result of God’s generosity, be careful lest, when the King enters, He finds fault with some aspect of your heart’s clothing!

What do we think is meant by the wedding garment, dearly beloved? For if we say it is Baptism or faith, is there anyone who has entered this marriage feast without them? A person is outside because he has not yet come to believe. What then must we understand by the wedding garment but love? That person enters the marriage feast but without wearing a wedding garment, who is present in the holy Church. He may have faith but he does not have love. We are correct when we say that love is the wedding garment because this, is what our Creator Himself possessed, when He came to the marriage feast, to join the Church to Himself. Only God’s Love brought it about, that His Only-Begotten Son, united the hearts of His chosen, to Himself. John says “God so Loved the world that He gave His Only-Begotten Son for us.” – St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) Father and Doctor of the Church – (Sermons on the Gospel No 38).

PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, graciously grant Thou faithful, forgiveness and peace that they may be cleansed of all sin and serve Thee with minds free from care. 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 BAPTISM, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 October – ‘ … What then must we understand by the wedding garment but love?…’ St Gregory the Great – Matthew 22:1-14

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One Minute Reflection – 19 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Peter of Alcantara OFM (1499-1562) Confessor – Ephesians 4:23-28 – Matthew 22:1-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” – Matthew 22:12

REFLECTION – “But you, my friends, since you have already come into the house of the marriage feast, our holy Church, as a result of God’s generosity, be careful lest, when the King enters, He finds fault with some aspect of your heart’s clothing!

What do we think is meant by the wedding garment, dearly beloved? For if we say it is Baptism or faith, is there anyone who has entered this marriage feast without them? A person is outside because he has not yet come to believe. What then must we understand by the wedding garment but love? That person enters the marriage feast but without wearing a wedding garment, who is present in the Holy Church. He may have faith but he does not have love. We are correct when we say that love is the wedding garment because this, is what our Creator Himself possessed, when He came to the marriage feast, to join the Church to Himself. Only God’s Love brought it about, that His Only-Begotten Son, united the hearts of His chosen, to Himself. John says “God so Loved the world that He gave His Only-Begotten Son for us.” – St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) Father and Doctor of the Church – (Sermons on the Gospel No 38).

PRAYER – O God, Who graciously made blessed Peter, Thy Confessor, glorious by the gift of remarkable penance and sublime contemplation, grant, we beseech Thee, that, by the merit of his prayers, we may the more easily understand the things of Heaven by curbing our passions. 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", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, Quotes on SALVATION

Thought for the Day – 26 September – HEAVEN

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Thought for the Day – 26 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

HEAVEN

“God desires our salvation.
“God wishes all men to be saved” (1 Tim 2:4).
We are all aspiring to Heaven.
We shall not be denied the grace of God, as long as we ask for it with confidence and perseverance.
St Augustine tells us that Paradise is ours, if we wish: “You are not called to embrace the earth but, to prepare yourselves for Heaven; not to the successes of this world, nor to a short-lived and transient prosperity but, to eternal life, together with the Angels” (Serm 296 6:7).

Contemplate that true and everlasting happiness.
Let us direct towards it, our intentions and desires and all our work!
Then the day will come when we shall be really happy for all eternity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 September – ‘ … If we are faithful in labouring at this work …’

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One Minute Reflection – 22 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor – Ecclesiasticu Sirach 44:16-27; 45:3-20 – Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“ Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” – Matthew 25:21

REFLECTION – “Let us keep our eyes unceasingly fixed upon the Divine Ideal; let us work to realise, within ourselves, the perfection to which God wishes us to reach, in order to imitate His Divine Son. He is the form of our eternal predestination and for each one, there exists “given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ.” (cf Eph 4:7). Here below we do not know what this measure is, by what amount the measure of our predestination is fixed by God. But, without question, it is going to form Christ in us, to reproduce the characteristics of the unique Ideal which the Father Himself indicates …

If we are faithful in labouring at this work, despite temptations and difficulties, the day of reward promised by God will sound for us. … If we have had that constant application which love brings to the perfect fulfilment of our Heavenly Father’s wishes, if we have done “ always the things which please Him” (Jn 8:29), we shall receive the magnificent reward promised by Him Who is Faithfulness Itself: “Well done, good and faithful servant because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (cf Mt 25:21). All the Saints, on entering Heaven, hear these blessed words; this is the welcome they receive from Christ Jesus!

And what are the good things in which Our Lord gives a share? – God Himself, in His Trinity and His perfections and, with God, all spiritual good. The soul will be like God for it will “See Him as He really is” (1 Jn 3:2). Through this ineffable vision which succeeds to faith, the Soul will be fixed in God and will find in Him the Divine stability. It will be forever knit in a perfect embrace to the supreme and immutable Good, without the fear of ever losing Him.” – Columba Marmion (1858-1923) Abbot (“The Instruments of Good Works” – Christ the Ideal of the Monk)

PRAYER – O God, Who endowed blessed Bishop Thomas with the virtue of special pity for the poor, we beseech Thee, through his intercession, generously to pour forth the riches of Thy mercy upon all those who pray to Thee.ThroughJesus 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 CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, St Francis de Sales, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 20 September – Blessed are you who are poor

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Quote/s of the Day – 20 September – The Vigil of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist – Wisdom 5:16-20 – Luke 6:17-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the Kingdom of God.”

Luke 6:20

“Let him who is greatest among you,
become as the youngest
and he who is the leader,
as the servant.”

Luke 22:25

“No Christian should think of himself
as his own master
but each should rather so think and act,
as though given by God,
to be slave to his fellow brothers and sisters.”

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

“Humility is the mother of many virtues
because, from it are born:
obedience, fear, reverence, patience,
modesty, meekness and peace.
He who is humble easily obeys everyone,
fears to offend anyone,
is at peace with everyone,
is kind to all!”

St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555)

“Be generous to the poor orphans
and those in need.
The man to whom our Lord
has been liberal
ought not to be stingy.
We shall one day find in Heaven,
as much rest and joy
as we ourselves have dispensed in this life.”

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

“Humility is not just about self-mistrust
but about the entrusting of ourselves to God.
Distrusting ourselves and our own strength
produces trust in God
and from that trust,
generosity of soul is born.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CARMELITES, CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, INGRATITUDE, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on the POOR, St Francis de Sales, The PASSION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 7 September – Just one returned to show his gratitude …

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Quote/s of the Day – 7 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Pentecost XIII – Galatians 3:16-22; – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/– –

“Were not ten made clean?
And where are the other nine?”

Luke 17:17

“While He is judged, Wisdom remains silent
and the Word says nothing.
His enemies despise and Crucify Him …
Those, to whom yesterday,
He gave His Body as food, watch from a distance
as He dies. Peter, the first of the Apostles,
is the first to flee. Andrew also took flight
and John, who rested at His side,
did not prevent the soldier from piercing that side
with a lance. The Twelve fled –
they did not say one word in His favour, they,
for whom He is giving His Life.
Lazarus is not there, he, whom He called back to life.
The blind man did not weep for Him
Who opened his eyes to the light
and the crippled man, who could walk
thanks to Him, did not run to Him.
Only a bandit who was crucified next to Him
confessed Him and called Him his King!
O thief, precocious blossom from the tree of the Cross, first fruit of the wood from Golgotha!”

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“ For man’s lowliness,
is his gratitude
and, God’s greatness,
is His Mercy.”

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

“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.”

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

“Do much for God
and do nothing without love:
refer everything to this love;
eat and drink with it in mind!”

(Letter to Madame de Chantal)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

Daily Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Prayers to the Sacred Heart
1936 – 15th Edition, Dublin

O Sacred Heart of Jesus,
filled with infinite love,
broken by our ingratitude
and pierced by our sins,
yet loving us still,
accept the Consecration
we make to Thee,
of all that we are
and all that we have.
Take every faculty
of our souls and bodies,
only day by day
draw us, nearer and nearer
to Thy Sacred Heart,
and there, as we shall hear the lesson,
teach us Thy Holy Way.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The LAST THINGS

Quote/s of the Day – 28 August – St Augustine

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Quote/s of the Day – 28 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Feast of St Augustine (354-430) Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of Grace

“Behold, thy mother”
John 19:27

“His Mother is the entire Church
because by God’s grace,
she brings forth the members of Jesus Christ,
that is to say, those who are faithful to Him.
His Mother is also every holy soul
who does the Will of His Father
and whose fruitful charity is made manifest
in those whom it brings forth for Him
until He Himself is formed in them (Gal 4:19)…”

“Be you then also ready,
for at what hour you think not,
the Son of man will come.”
Luke 12:40

“The more unsure the day of our death is,
the more painful are the trials of life and the more too,
we should fast and pray since,
to all intents and purposes, tomorrow we die.
Even now, the hope we thus put
in the One Who is faithful to His promise,
will not leave us without some joy,
until we are filled with overwhelming joy
on the day when “we shall be like Him
because we shall see Him as He is” (1Jn 3:2),
when “no-one shall take our joy away from us”

“Give of your earthly goods
and receive eternal ones;
give earth and receive Heaven!”

“Judge your own conscience.
Demand an account from it.
Dig deep and rend it apart.
Discover all the evil thoughts
and intentions of the day …
and punish yourself for them!”
(Expos in Ps 4 n 8).

“To arrive at the knowledge of the Truth,
there are many paths – the first is humility,
the second is humility
and the third is humility!”

“Humility is a very strange entity.
The moment we think we have it,
we have already lost it!”

Late Have I Loved Thee!
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

Late have I loved Thee,
Beauty ever ancient and ever new,
late have I loved Thee!
Lo, Thou were within
but I outside,
seeking there for Thee
and upon the shapely things
Thou hast made
I rushed headlong – I, misshapen.
Thou wast with me
but I was tnot with Thee.
They held me back far from Thee,
those things which would have no being,
were they not in Thee.
Thou called, shouted,
broke through my deafness.
Thou flared, blazed,
banished my blindness.
Thou lavished Thy fragrance,
I gasped
and now I pant for Thee.
I tasted Thee
and now I hunger and thirst.
Thou touched me
and I burned for Thy peace.
Amen

“May we listen too, to the Voice of the Lord
which, from on high, exhorts and consoles us.
… For He has heard our groaning,
He has seen our sighs,
He has sounded the desires of our hearts for
“the one thing we ask” (v.4).
Thanks to Christ’s intercession,
He has favourably received our one prayer,
our one request.
And while we are completing our pilgrimage
in this world, even as the road is a long one,
He will not refuse what He has promised.
He says to us: “Hope in the Lord.”
He Who has promised is all powerful,
He is trustworthy, He is faithful.
… Therefore, do not let yourself be troubled.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/08/28/quote-s-of-the-day-28-august-st-augustine-3/

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

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, DYING / LAST WORDS, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PURGATORY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN

Quote/s of the Day – 27 August – St Caesarius of Arles and St Joseph Calasanz

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop, Father of the Church and St Joseph Calasanz (1557-1648) Confessor, Priest– –

“The worst kind of sin,
is not to acknowledge
that you are sinful.”

“God never deserts a man,
unless He is first deserted by that man.
For even if a man shall have committed
grievous sins once, twice and a third time,
God still looks for him,
‘so that he may be converted and live!‘”

“Whatever He receives on earth,
He returns in Heaven.”

“A person may say,
I am not much concerned
how long I stay in purgatory,
provided I may come to eternal life.
Let no-one reason thus!
Purgatory fire will be more dreadful
than whatever torments can be seen, imagined
or endured in this world.
He who is now afraid to put his finger into the fire,
does he not fear,
lest he be then all buried in torments, for a very long time?”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)
Bishop, Father of the Church

St Joseph Calasanz (1557-1648)
QUOTES:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/08/27/quote-s-of-the-day-27-august-st-joseph-calasanz/

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MODESTY, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on MERCY

Quote/s of the Day – 25 August – “Whatever He receives on earth, He returns in Heaven.”

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Quote/s of the Day – 25 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Louis IX (1214-1270) King and Confessor – Wisdom 10:10-14 – Luke 19:12-26 –Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And he who had received the five talents
went and traded with them,
and gained five more.

Matthew 25:16

“And he said to him:
Well done, thou good servant …”

Luke 19:17

“God is Good but He is also Just…
So do not underestimate God –
His love for men
should not become a pretext,
for negligence on our part.”

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

“For the man who is kindly,
modest, merciful and just,
will not keep his good works to himself
but will see to it
that these admirable fountains,
send out their streams,
for the good of others.
Again, the man who is clean of heart,
a peacemaker and ardent for truth,
will order his life, so as to contribute
to the common good.”

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

“Whatever He receives on earth,
He returns in Heaven.”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, franciscan OFM, Lady POVERTY, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 August – “Sell what you possess and give alms.” – Luke 12:33

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One Minute Reflection – 23 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Philip Benizi OSM (1233-1285) Confessor – 1 Corinthians. 4:9-14 – Luke 12:32-34 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Sell what you possess and give alms.” – Luke 12:33

REFLECTION – “O blessed Lady poverty, who bestows eternal riches on those who love and embrace her! O holy poverty, to those who possess and desire you, God promises the Kingdom of Heaven and offers, indeed, eternal glory and blessed life! O God-embracing poverty, whom the Lord Jesus Christ, Who ruled and now rules Heaven and earth, “Who spoke and things were made,” (Ps 32:9) condescended to embrace before all else! “The foxes have dens,” He says “and the birds of the air have nests but the Son of Man,” Christ, “has nowhere to lay His Head” (Mt 8:20) “but bowing His Head, gave up His Spirit” (Jn 19:30).

If so great and good a Lord then, on coming into the Virgin’s womb, chose to appear despised, needy and poor in this world, so that those who were in utter poverty and want and in absolute need of heavenly nourishment, might become rich in Him by possessing the Kingdom of Heaven, then rejoice and be glad! Be filled with a remarkable happiness and a spiritual joy! Contempt of the world has pleased you more than [its] honours, poverty more than earthly riches and you have sought to store greater treasure in Heaven rather than on earth, “where rust does not consume nor moth destroy nor thieves break in and steal” (Mt 6:20). “Your reward,” then, “is very great in heaven” (Mt 5:12)!” – St Clare (1193-1252) Virgin, Founder (1st letter to St Agnes of Prague).

PRAYER – O God, Who through St. Philip, Thy Confessor, gave us an outstanding example of humility, grant that Thy household may follow his example by scorning worldly prosperity and, ever seek the things of Heaven. 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, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 August – “If it dies, it produces much fruit” – John 12:24

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One Minute Reflection – 10 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Lawrence (Died 258) Martyr, “Keeper of the Treasures of he Church” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 –John 12:24-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If it dies, it produces much fruit” – John 12:24

REFLECTION – “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed which a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet, when full-grown it is the largest of plants. It becomes a large bush and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.’” (Mt 13:31). This small seed is for us the symbol of Jesus Christ, Who, sowed into the garden where He was buried, rose from it shortly after, through His Resurrection, as a big tree.

One could say that when He died, He was like a small seed – a small seed because of the humiliation of His flesh but a big tree because of the glorification of His Majesty. He was like a small seed when he appeared completely disfigured before our eyes but like a large tree when He rose again like “the most handsome of men” (Ps 44:3).

The branches of this mysterious tree, are the holy preachers of the Gospel, of whom one of the Psalms indicates the reach: “Their report goes forth throughout all the earth, their message, to the ends of the world “ (Ps 19:5; cf Rom 10:18). The birds rest on these branches while the souls of the just, who have been raised up above earth’s attractions, on the wings of holiness, find in the words of these preachers of the Gospel, the consolation they need in the sorrows and difficulties of this life.” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on Matthew, Ch.13).

PRAYER – Grant us, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, to extinguish the flames of our sins, as Thou granted St Lawrence to overcome the fires of his tortures. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in DYING / LAST WORDS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of PETITION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, The LAST THINGS, The SIGN of the CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 9 August – O Thou, Most Holy Virgin Mary (Pray for Me in All My Necessities) By St John Vianney

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Our Morning Offering – 9 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859) Confessor

O Thou, Most Holy Virgin Mary
(Pray for Me in All My Necessities)
By St John Vianney (1786-1859)

O thou, Most Holy Virgin Mary,
who dost evermore stand
before the Most Holy Trinity
and to whom it is granted, at all times
to pray for us to thy Most Beloved Son;
pray for me in all my necessities;
help me, combat for me
and obtain for me,
the pardon of all my sins.
Help me especially at my last hour
and when I can no longer give
any sign of the use of reason,
then do thou encourage me,
make the Sign of the Cross for me
and fight for me against the enemy.
Make in my name, a profession of faith;
favour me with a testimony of my salvation
and never let me despair of the mercy of God.
Help me to overthrow the wicked enemy.
When I can no longer say:
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
I place my soul in Thy hands,”
do thou say it for me;
when I can no longer hear
human words of consolation,
do thou comfort me.
Leave me not before I have been judged
and if I have to expiate my sins in Purgatory,
Oh! pray for me earnestly
and admonish my friends,
to procure for me a speedy enjoyment
of the Blessed Sight of God.
Lessen my sufferings,
deliver me speedily and lead my soul
into Heaven with thee
that, united with all the elect,
I may there bless and praise my God
and thee, for all eternity.
Amen.

Posted in GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Our Morning Offering – 8 August – Prayer to the Fourteen Holy Helpers By St Alphonsus

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Our Morning Offering – 8 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Feast of the 14 Holy Helpers

Prayer to the Fourteen Holy Helpers
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Doctor of the Church

Great princes of Heaven, Holy Helpers,
who sacrificed to God all your earthly possessions,
wealth, preferment and even life
and who now are crowned in Heaven
in the secure enjoyment of eternal bliss and glory;
have compassion on me,
a poor sinner in this vale of tears
and obtain for me from God,
for Whom you gave up all things
and Who loves you as His servants,
the strength to bear patiently, all the trials of this life,
to overcome all temptations
and to persevere in God’s service to the end,
that one day I too may be received into your company,
to praise and glorify Him, the supreme Lord,
Whose Beatific Vision you enjoy
and Whom you praise and glorify forever.
Amen

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PURITY

Quote/s of the Day – 7 August – St Cajetan

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Quote/s of the Day – 7 August – St Cajetan (1480-1547) Confessor

“Even if all the Saints
and every single creature
should abandon you,
Jesus will always be near you,
for whatever your need.”

“There is no road to Heaven
but that of innocence or penance.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/08/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-august-st-cajetan-3/

St Cajetan (1480-1547)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, OUR Cross, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, St PETER!, The HOLY CROSS, The TRANSFIGURATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 August – ‘… We will share in this honour … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 6 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Transfiguration of Our Lord – 2 Peter 1:16-19 – Matthew 17:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“His Face shone like the sun and His garments became white as snow.” – Matthew 17:2

REFLECTION – “The Lord displays His glory before chosen witnesses and makes illustrious that bodily shape which He shared with others, with such splendour that His Countenance shone like the sun and His garments became as white as snow. In this Transfiguration, the chief object was to remove the scandal of the Cross from the hearts of the disciples and, to prevent their faith being disturbed, at the humiliation of His voluntary Passion, by revealing the excellence of His hidden dignity. But, with no less foresight, the foundation was laid, of the hope of holy Church, that the whole Body of Christ, might realise, with what a change it was to be endowed and that the members, might promise themselves, a share in that honour which had shone forth in their Head.

But to confirm the Apostles and to lead them onto all knowledge, still further, instruction was conveyed by this miracle. For Moses and Elias, that is, the law and the prophets, appeared talking with the Lord, so that, in the presence of these five men, might most truly be fulfilled, what was said – In two or three witnesses every word stands. What more stable, what more steadfast, than the Word, in the proclamation of which, the trumpet of the Old and of the New Testaments, sounds forth and the records of ancient witnesses, agree with the teaching of the Gospel? For the pages of both Covenants corroborate each other and He, Whom, under the veil of Mysteries, the types that went before, had promised, is displayed clearly and manifestly by the splendour of His present glory.

The Apostle Peter, therefore, being stirred by the revelation of these Mysteries, despising things worldly and scorning things earthly, was carried away by a certain excess of mind, to the desire of things eternal and, being filled with rapture at the whole vision, longed to make his abode with Jesus, in the place where he was gladdened by the sight of His glory. And so also he says: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if Thou wilt, let us set up here, three tents, one for Thee and one for Moses and one for Elias. But to this proposal the Lord made no reply, signifying that what he asked was not indeed wicked, but irregular, since the world could not be saved, except by Christ’s Death and by the Lord’s example in this, the faithful were called upon to believe that, although there ought not to be any doubt about the promises of happiness, yet, we should understand that, amid the trials of this life, we must ask for power to endure, rather than for glory.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope, Father and Doctor (Sermon on the Transfiguration – excerpt).

PRAYER – O God, Who in the glorious Transfiguration of Thy Only-begotten Son strengthened the Mysteries of faith, by the testimony of the fathers and, by the Voice coming down in a shining cloud, miraculously betokened the complete adoption of Thy children, mercifully grant that we, be made co-heirs with that King of glory and sharers in that same 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 CHRIST the LIGHT, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WISDOM, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY

Quote/s of the Day – 31 July – St Ignatius Loyola

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Quote/s of the Day – 31 July – St Ignatius Loyola SJ (1491-1556) Priest, Confessor, Founder, Theologian, Spiritual Writer, Mystic.

Suscipe
“Receive”
By St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

Receive, O Lord,
all my liberty.
Take my memory, understanding
and entire will.
Whatsoever I have or hold,
Thou hast given it – I give all back to Thee
and commit it wholly to be governed by Thy Will.
Thy Love and Thy Grace give unto me
and I am rich enough
and ask for nothing more!
Amen

“God takes special care
to detach from the passing pleasures of this world,
those whom He Loves with special predilection,
by sending them desires after heavenly bliss
and, by the sorrows and bitterness
of the present life.”

“A precious crown is reserved in Heaven
for those who endow their actions with
all the diligence of which they are capable,
for, it is not enough to do good,
we must do it well!”

“Truth, always shines with the brightness
which belongs to it, while falsehood,
is wrapped in darkness –
to dispel this darkness, it is enough,
to put falsehood in the presence of truth!”

“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings?
And yet not one of them is forgotten before God.
Yes, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Therefore, do not be afraid, you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Luke 12:6-7

“It seems to me you ought to resolve to carry out
peacefully what you can.
Do not worry about all the rest
but entrust to Divine Providence
that which you are unable to accomplish on your own.
What is pleasing to God, is the reasonable care and attention
we give, to accomplishing well, whatever business
we must undertake through duty.
What is not pleasing to God,
is anxiety and disquiet of mind.
The Lord wants our limitations and weaknesses,
to find their support in His Strength;
He wants us to hope that His Goodness
will complete and perfect, the imperfectness of our means.
… May the Divine Goodness always be pleased
to communicate His Light of Wisdom to us,
so that we may clearly see and firmly accomplish,
His good pleasure, for ourselves and for others …
so that we may accept from His Hand,
whatever He sends us, taking due note
of what is the most important – patience,
humility, obedience and charity!”

(Letter of 17 November 1555)

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/07/31/quote-s-of-the-day-31-july-st-ignatius-loyola-2/

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, HYMNS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 30 July – Be Thou my Vision …

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 30 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Abdon and St Senen (Died c250) Martyrs – 2 Corinthians 6:4-10; Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward
will be great in Heaven.”

Matthew 5:12

“I know a man in Christ—
whether he was in or outside the body,
I do not know, God knows—
who was snatched up to the third heaven. . .
and heard secret words,
words which it is not granted to man to utter.”

2 Corinthians 12:2-4

“A servant of the Lord
stands bodily before men
but mentally,
he is knocking at the gates of Heaven.
with prayer.”

St John Climacus (c 525-606)
Father of the Church

Be Thou My Vision
By St Dallan Forgaill (c530- 598)
Martyr

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy Presence my Light.

Be Thou my Wisdom and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my Battle-shield, Sword for my fight,
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.
Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower.
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and Thou only, First in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Son,
Heart of my heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

St Dallan here:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/01/29/saint-of-the-day-29-january-st-dallan-forgaill-c-530-598/

“Give of your earthly goods
and receive eternal ones;
give earth and receive Heaven!”

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

“ In this vale of tears, even the happiest life is misery
compared to the life in Heaven.
Even the perfect tranquillity and peace,
enjoyed by the Saints of God on earth,
is confusion and trouble compared
to the peace of Heaven.
Yet, we can begin even here,
a life which contains the germ of Paradise.
The essential element of Heaven,
is union with God,and those,
who are united to God by supernatural charity,
have in them, the seed of Heaven’s happiness.”

How to Begin Heaven on Earth
Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SIN, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 29 July – Why God Created Us

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 29 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Why God Created Us

“We should ask the reason for everything which comes from the Hand of God.
Have you ever seriously considered WHY you are in this world?
It is certainly not for the sake of this passing earthly existence, for the sake of earning your living, or enjoying yourself.
You know well, that the passing pleasures of this life do not satisfy the human heart and cannot be the final goal of life.
Each one of us has a thirst for all that is infinite, eternal and perfect.
God alone can satisfy this thirst.
Just as we are created by God, so we are created for Him.
Just as we came from God, so we are gradually travelling back towards Him, for He is the final goal of our earthly journey.
We should meditate on this great truth which we were first taught in the Catechism, namely, that we were created to know, love and serve God on this earth and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven.
Let us not allow ourselves to be dazzled by earthly beauty.
God alone is the eternal beauty which will satisfy our hearts.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/26/thought-for-the-day-26-march-why-god-created-us/

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 29 July – Being Marthas and acting like Marys … St Augustine

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 29 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Martha, Sister of Saint Lazarus and Saint Mary of Bethany – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2 – Luke 10:38-42 –Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious
and troubled about many things
and yet, only one thing is needful.
Mary has chosen the best part
and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41-42 –

“Martha’s life is our own world;
Mary’s life, the world we are waiting for.
Let us live this one in uprightness,
so that we may gain the other, in its fullness.
What do we already possess
of that life here below?
… At this moment precisely,
we are leading the life to come to a certain extent –
you have gathered together,
away from matters of business,
apart from family cares
and are present here to listen.
When you act like this,
then you resemble Mary. ”

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

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on the POOR, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 July – ‘ … Thinking only of the life to come …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 26 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grandmother of Jesus.– Proverbs 31:10-31 – Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

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

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

PRAYER – O God, Who in Thy kindness gave blessed Anne the grace to be the mother of her, who Mothered Thy Only-begotten Son, graciously grant that we who keep her feast, maybe helped by her intercession with Thee. 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 DYING / LAST WORDS, franciscan OFM, QUOTES on HEAVEN

Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – St Francisco Solano

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

When Francisco Solano was about to die, one of the friars asked him:
‘Faher, when God takes you to Heaven
remember me when you enter
the everlasting Kingdom.’

With joy Francisco replied:

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

(From a contemporary Vita of St SFrancisco Solano)

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/07/24/quote-s-of-the-day-24-july-st-francisco-solano-ofm-1549-1610-the-wonder-worker-of-the-new-world/

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

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION

Thought for the Day – 24 July – Prayer as a Necessary Means of Salvation

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 24 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Prayer as a Necessary Means
of Salvation

“St Augustine calls prayer “the key to Heaven.”
We should acknowledge the Infinite Goodness of God in giving us such an easy means of salvation, for when He gave us prayer, He gave us the key to His Kingdom of Heaven.
He invites us earnestly, to pray.
“Ask and it shall be given you;  seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you” (C. Mt 7:7, Lk 11:9).
“If you ask the Father anything in my name, He will give it to you” (Cf Jn 16:23)
“Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation” (Cf Mt 26:41, Mk 14:38).

When Jesus was in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, His Apostles became tired and sleepy.
He rebuked them gently and asked them for the second time to pray, that they might not yield to temptation.
He makes this request of us also.
We grow weary and apathetic as the Apostles did, while the devil is busy with his evil suggestions and the dangers of the world surround us.
We have constant need of the grace of God to prevent us from falling.
Let us pray fervently and bear in mind the advice of St Alphonsus:  “If you give up praying, you will certainly be damned!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci