Category: LOVE of NEIGHBOUR

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOCTRINE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SPIRITUAL WORKS of MERCY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 2 May – St Athanasius

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 May – The Feast of St Athanasius (297-373) Confessor, Father & Doctor of the Church

“The likeness of Wisdom has been stamped
upon creatures, in order that the world
may recognise the Word, Who was its Maker
and, through the Word, come to know the Father. ”

“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.”

“You will not see anyone,
who is really striving
after his advancement,
who is not given to spiritual reading.
And as to him who neglects it,
the fact will soon be observed
by his progress.”

“Similarly, anyone who wishes
to understand the minds
of the sacred writers
must first cleanse his own life
and approach the Saints,
by imitating their deeds.”

“Let us remember the poor
and not forget kindness to strangers;
above all, let us love God
with all our soul
and might
and strength
and our neighbour
as ourselves.”

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

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, St Francis de Sales, St PAUL!, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 1 May – “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” – John 14:6

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” –The Feast of St James the Lesser and St Philip Apostles – Wisdom 5:1-5 – John 14:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”

John 14:6

“Be imitators of God, as very dear children
and walk in love, as Christ also Loved us
and delivered Himself up for us …”

St Paul … Ephesians 5:1-2

“… There is one Road
and one only,
well secured against all possibility
of going astray
and, this Road is provided
by One, Who is Himself
both God and Man.
As God, He is the Goal,
as Man, He is the Way.”

“But the wise took oil
in their vessels”

Matthew 25:4

“The wise ones’ lamps were burning,
from the oil inside them,
from the assurance of their consciences,
from their inner boast,
from their deepest charity.”

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

“Father, forgive them.”
With this prayer, He wanted to make us understand
the Love He bore us, undiminished
by any suffering and to teach us how
our heart should be toward our neighbour.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, BAPTISM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 25 April – “Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”- St Mark Evangelist

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Quote/s of the Day – 25 April – St Mark Evangelist

“For the Son of Man came not to be served
but to serve and to give His Life
as a ransom for many …”

Mark 10:45

“Go into the whole world
and preach the Gospel
to every creature.”
Mark 16:15

“You have heard what the Lord said
to His disciples after the Resurrection.
He sent them out to preach the Gospel
and they did so.
Listen: “Through all the earth their voice resounds
and to the ends of the world, their message” (Ps 18[19],5).
Step by step, the Gospel has reached even to us
and the ends of the earth.
In a few words the Lord, addressing Himself
to His disciples, set out what we are to do
and what we have to hope for.
Just as you have heard, He said:
“Whoever believes and is Baptised will be saved.”
He asks for our faith and offers us salvation.
What He offers us, is so precious
that what He asks of us, is as nothing.”

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

“At that time, the Lord appointed
seventy-two others
and sent them forth …”
Luke 10:1

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

St Cyril of Alexandria (380-444)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Love is the most necessary of all virtues.
Love in the person who preaches the Word of God
is like fire in a musket.
If a person were to throw a bullet with his hands,
he would hardly make a dent in anything
but, if the person takes the same bullet
and ignites some gunpowder behind it, it can kill.
It is much the same with the Word of God.
If it is spoken by someone who is filled
with the fire of charity-
the fire of love of God and neighbor-
it will work wonders!”

St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)

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

St Thérèse of the Child Jesus
and the Holy Face (1873 – 1897)

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, I BELIEVE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, St Francis de Sales, The HOLY GHOST, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 15 April – Who is he who overcomes the world?

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Quote/s of the Day – 15 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Wednesday after the Octave of Easter – Ferial Day – 1 John 5:4 -10 – John 20:19-31– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Who is he who overcomes the world?
but he who believes
that Jesus is the Son of God.”

1 John 5:5

“He wants you to become
a living force for all mankind,
lights shining in the world.
You are to be radiant lights
as you stand beside Christ,
the Great Light,
bathed in the glory of Him
who is the Light of Heaven.”

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

“The very prince of the universe, is man;
the crowning point of man, is his heart;
of the heart, is love
and the perfection of love, is charity.
That is why the love of God is the goal,
the crowning point,
the be-all and end-all of the universe.”

(Treatise on the Love of God, Book 10, Chapter 1)

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

“If we live good lives, hoping for a Heavenly reward
and guided by the action of the Holy Spirit,
dwelling within us, we shall possess this spiritual joy.
Once we possess it, it will be erased, neither by temptation,
nor by suffering, nor by persecution,
as long as our faith remains firm and steadfast.
The sincere Christian accepts pleasure
and pain with equal readiness
because he places everything in God’s Hands.
… We must try, at least, to achieve that spirit
of complete resignation to God’s Will
which is always rewarded by peace of soul!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, Quotes Self-Oblation, SELF-DISTRUST, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 13 April – ‘… Clothing ourselves with the Lord …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Wisdom 5:1-5; Luke 14:26-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If anyone comes to Me
without hating his father
and mother, wife and children,
brothers and sisters
and even his own life,
he cannot be My disciple.”

Luke 14:26

“So likewise, everyone of you,
who does not renounce all
that he possesses,
cannot be My disciple.”

Luke 14:33

“Take nothing for your journey,
neither staff, nor bag,
nor bread, nor money;
neither have two tunics.”

Luke 9:3

“That is why all the faithful who love God
and their neighbour, truly drink the Cup
of the Lord’s Love, even though,
they may not drink the cup of His Bodily Suffering.
And becoming inebriated from it,
they put to death, whatever in their nature
is rooted in earth.
They clothe themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ
and do not indulge fleshly desires.
They do not fix their gaze on visible things
but contemplate things, which the eye cannot see.
Thus they drink the Lord’s Cup
by preserving the holy bond of love –
without it, even if a man should deliver his body
to be burned, he gains nothing.
But the gift of love enables us to become,
in reality, what we celebrate
as Mystery in the Sacrifice.”

St Fulgentius of Ruspe (c462–533)
Bishop, Father

“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.”

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)
Priest, Founder of the Society of Jesus

(Letter of 17 November 1555)

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Francis de Sales, St PAUL!, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 2 April – Maundy Thursday

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 April – Maundy Thursday

“Be imitators of God, as very dear children
and walk in love, as Christ also Loved us
and delivered Himself up for us …”

St Paul … Ephesians 5:1-2

“But I say to you,
Love your enemies …”

Matthew 5:44

“But the wise took oil
in their vessels”

Matthew 25:4

“The wise ones’ lamps were burning,
from the oil inside them,
from the assurance of their consciences,
from their inner boast,
from their deepest charity.”

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

“Father, forgive them.”
With this prayer, He wanted to make us understand
the Love He bore us, undiminished
by any suffering and to teach us how
our heart should be toward our neighbour.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“He Loves you as though He had
no-one else to love but you alone.
You, too, should love Him alone
and all others for His Sake.
Of Him you may say and, indeed, you should say:
My Beloved to me and I to Him (Cant, 2:16).
My God has given Himself all to me
and I give myself all to Him;
He has chosen me for His beloved
and I choose Him, above all others,
for my only Love.”

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

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ORIGINAL SIN, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY

Quote/s of the Day – 12 March – St Gregory the Great (540-604)

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Quote/s of the Day – 12 March – St Gregory the Great (540-604), Pope, Confessor, Father & Doctor of the Church, “Father of the Fathers”

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

“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.”

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

“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!”
… 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.”

“The branches of this mysterious tree
are the holy preachers of the Gospel,
of whom the Psalmist indicates the reach:
“Their report goes forth through 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 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.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2025/03/12/quote-s-of-the-day-12-march-st-gregory-the-great-3/

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

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Thought for the Day – 27 December – St John, the Apostle and Evangelist

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Thought for the Day – 27 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

St John, the Apostle and Evangelist

“Both in his Gospel and in his letters, St John continually emphasises the virtue of charity.
He stresses the need for love of God and love of our neighbour, “God is love,” he says, “and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him” (1 Jn 4:16).
According to St Jerome, when the Apostle John was almost a hundred years old and lacked the strength to speak for very long, he was accustomed to go, supported by his disciples, to gatherings of the faithful.
There he prepared, on every occasion, the same exhortation: “My children, love one another.”
His followers grew tired of this and finally asked him why he kept repeating the same phrase.
“Because that is God’s command,” he replied, “and if we do no more than obey it, that is sufficient!”

Let us meditate upon his words and let us remember, that our love for God is futile, unless it is accompanied by a practical love for our neighbour.
The love of God cannot be separated, from the love of our fellow-men.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MODESTY, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HOSPITALITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on TRUTH, The BEATITUDES, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 December – ‘ O God, grant that whatever good things I have,I may share generously with those who have not …’

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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

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

Matthew 25:16

“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)

“O God, grant that whatever good things I have,
I may share generously with those who have not
and whatever good things, I do not have,
I may request humbly, from those who do.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 30 November – The Blessedness of the Meek

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Thought for the Day – 30 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Blessedness of the Meek

“St John Climacus notes that there are three levels of meekness (Dcala Paradist pp 296-298).
The first grade, he says, consists in enduring with difficulty, the injuries done to us.
The second, consists in enduring them without displeasure and the third, in regarding them as an honour.

Those who reach the first level are to be congratulated, those who reach the second are to be applauded but, those in the third and highest category, are really blessed by God.

“One day,” he says, “I saw three Monks receiving the same insult.
The first was offended but said nothing, the second was not displeased on his own account but regretted the offence against Almighty God and the third wept for the fault of his neighbour.”
The first Monk, the Saint comments, feared God, the second loved God and the third loved both God and his fellow-man.

At What stage of perfection in this virtue can we claim to have arrived?
If we desire to be sincere Christians, we must realise that we ought to have achieved, at least the first level and should hope to advance eventaully, as far as the third and most perfect grade.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/28/thought-for-the-day-28-november-the-blessedness-of-the-poor/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/22/thought-for-the-day-22-november-the-blessedness-of-the-poor/

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Quote/s of the Day – 1 November – All Saints Day

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 November – All Saints Day

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

Matthew 5:8

“You say in your book that while we live,
we are able to pray for each other
but afterwards, when we have died,
the prayer of no person for another, can be heard.
But if the Apostles and Martyrs,
while still in the body, can pray for others,
at a time, when they ought still
to be solicitous, about themselves,
how much more will they do so,
after their crowns, victories and triumphs!?”

St Jerome (343-420)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“I feel a longing and a need to become a Saint.
I did not know it was so easy to become one
but now I see one can be holy and happy too.
I feel I simply MUST become a Saint!”

St Dominic (1170-1221)

“Dismiss all anger and look into yourself a little.
Remember, he of whom you are speaking,
is your brother and, as he is in the way of salvation,
God can make him a Saint,
in spite of his present weakness!”

St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555)

“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)
Most Zealous Doctor

“The chance to become a Saint
is offered me only once.
If I do not profit by it, it is gone forever.
Since I can have only once ,
the good fortune to become a Saint,
what shall hinder me
from labouring for that end?
I have every opportunity to sanctify myself.
Yes, I will be a Saint!”

St Gerard Majella (1726-1755)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, HOLY COMMUNION, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

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

“An apostolic missionary
must have both heart and tongue
ablaze with charity.”

“Love is the most necessary of all virtues.
Love in the person who preaches the Word of God
is like fire in a musket.
If a person were to throw a bullet with his hands,
he would hardly make a dent in anything
but, if the person takes the same bullet
and ignites some gunpowder behind it, it can kill.
It is much the same with the Word of God.
If it is spoken by someone who is filled
with the fire of charity-
the fire of love of God and neighbor-
it will work wonders!”

“Lord, by the Words of Consecration ,
the substance of the bread and wine,
is converted into the substance
of Thy Body and Blood.
All powerful Lord, say over me
the Word which will change me into Thee.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/10/23/quote-s-of-the-day-23-octoberber-st-anthony-mary-claret/

St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)

Posted in "Follow Me", CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on the POOR, St Francis de Sales, St PAUL!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 October – Shall receive a hundredfold … Matthew 19:29

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One Minute Reflection – 21 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Saint Ursula and Companions (Died c 238) Virgin Martyrs – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6 – Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… Shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29

REFLECTION – “The possessions which we have, are not our own: God has given them to us to cultivate and He wishes us to render them fruitful and profitable … Always deprive yourself, therefore, of some part of your means, giving them to the poor with a willing heart … It is true that God will return it to you, not only in the next world but also in this, for there is nothing which makes a person prosper, in temporal matters, so much, as almsgiving. But until such time as God shall repay it, you will always be impoverished to that extent. Oh! how holy and rich is the impoverishment which is caused by almsgiving.

Love the poor and poverty, for by this love you will become truly poor, since, as Scripture says: “We become like the things that we love” (cf Hos 9:10). Love makes those who love, equal to one another: “Who is weak and I am not weak?” says St Paul (2 Cor 11:29). He might have said: “Who is poor, with whom I am not poor?” For love made him become, such as those whom he loved. If, then, you love the poor, you will be truly participating in their poverty and poor like them. Now, if you love the poor, be often among them; be pleased to see them in your house and to visit them in theirs; associate willingly with them; be glad that they are near you in the Churches, in the streets and elsewhere. Be poor in speech with them, speaking to them as their equal but be rich in deed, giving them of your goods, as one who possesses more abundantly.

Will you do even more? … Become a servant of the poor; go to serve them … with your own hands … and at your own expense. This service has more glory in it than a throne!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church (Introduction to the devout life, Part three Ch 15).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God that we may never cease devoutly, to venerate the triumphs of Thy holy Virgins and Martyrs, Ursula and her companions that, as we cannot worthily shew forth their praises, yet we may continually honour them, with lowly service. 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", CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Love of Self, St Francis de Sales

Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – THE GREAT COMMANDMENT

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – Pentecost XVII – Ephesians 4:1-6 – Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

THE GREAT COMMANDMENT

“‘You shall love the Lord your God
with your whole heart
and with your whole soul
and your whole mind.’
This is the greatest and first commandment.
And the second is like it,
‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ”

Matthew 22:37-39

“But why does charity include love of ourselves?
Why, because we are wearing God’s Image and Likeness and, since all men enjoy the same noble dignity,
we love them too as we love ourselves …
I say it is for love of God,
from Whom he is,
Whose he is,
by Whom he is,
in Whom he is,
for Whom he is,
Whom he resembles
in a most particular manner.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in CARMELITES, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 October – ‘ … The Lord asks of us only two things …’

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One Minute Reflection – 5 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Pentecost XVII – St Placidus and Companions – Ephesians 4:1-6 – Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

REFLECTION – “The Lord asks of us only two things – love of His Majesty and love of our neighbour. These are what we must work for. By observing them with perfection, we do His Will and so, will be united with Him. But how far, as I have said, we are from doing these two things, as we ought, for so great a God! May it please His Majesty to give us His grace, so that we might merit, if we wish to reach this state that lies within our power.

The most certain sign, in my opinion, as to whether or not we are observing these two laws, is whether we observe well, the love of neighbour. We cannot know whether or not we love God, although there are strong indications for recognising that we do love Him but, we can know, whether we love our neighbour. And be certain that the more advanced you see you are, in love for your neighbour, the more advanced you will be in the love of God, for the love His Majesty has for us, is so great that to repay us for our love of neighbour, He will, in a thousand ways, increase the love we have for Him. I cannot doubt this. That is why, it is important for us to walk, with careful attention, to how we are proceeding in this matter, for if we practice love of neighbour with great perfection, we shall have done everything.  I believe that, since our nature is bad, we will not reach perfection in the love of neighbour, if that love does not rise from love of God, as its root.” – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582) Carmelite (Interior Castle, Fifth Dwelling Places, Ch 3).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness, both of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, maybe delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. 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, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on LUST, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SIMPLICITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, St Francis de Sales, St PAUL!, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 September – ‘… THE WORLD HATES Christians,so why give your love to it …?’

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Quote/s of the Day – 26 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Jean de Brébeuf (1593-1649) Priest, Martyr, and St Isaac Jogues SJ (1607-1646) Priest, Martyr, Missionary and Companions – Hebrews 10:32-38 – Luke 12:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body
and after that have nothing more they can do. …
be afraid of him who, after he has killed,
has power to cast into hell. ”

Luke 12:4-5

“It is He Who is our peace.”

St Paul
Ephesians 2:14

“The world … hates Me
because I bear witness concerning it,
that its works are evil.”

John 7:7

“… THE WORLD HATES Christians,
so why give your love to it,
instead of following Christ,
Who loves you and has redeemed you?
A man cannot love the Father
and love the world at the same time.
All that the world offers is the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes and earthly ambition.
The world and its allurements will pass away
but the man who has done the Will of God
shall live forever.
Our part, my dear brothers,
is to be single-minded, firm in faith
and steadfast in courage,
ready for God’s will, whatever it may be.
Banish the fear of death
and think of the eternal life which follows it.
That will show people that we really live our Faith.”

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

(An excerpt from On Man’s Mortality).

“You do not, in your enemies,
love what they are
but what you would have them become,
by your prayers!”

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

“Father, forgive them.”
With this prayer, He wanted to make us understand
the love He bore us, undiminished
by any suffering and to teach us how
our heart should be toward our neighbour.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

QUOTES of St Isaac Jogues SJ (1607-1646) Priest, Martyr
AND St Isaac Jogues SJ (1607-1646) Priest, Martyr
https://anastpaul.com/2024/09/26/quote-s-of-the-day-26-september-st-isaac-jogues-and-st-jean-de-brebeuf/

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY

Thought for the Day – 20 September – Charitable Works

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Thought for the Day – 20 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Charitable Works

“When Jesus was asked, what was the first commandment, He replied: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind and with thy whole strength. This is the first commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than this” (Mk 12:30-31).
As St Augustine says, the love of God and the love of neighbour are two branches of the same tree, the tree of charity.
“If anyone says, ‘I love God’ and hates his brother,” St John warns us, “he is a liar” (1 Jn 4:20).

We must prove our love for God by showing charity towards our neighbour.
All men are our brothers in Jesus Christ, Who has redeemed us by His Precious Blood.
Our Lord has said that He will regard as done for Himself, anything which we do for the least of our brethren (Mt 25:10).

Like the Saints, we should see Jesus Himself living in the poor and the suffering.
The Saints gave Him everything they had, not only their possessions but also their toil and their love.

Think how much those missionaries do who leave everything in order to go to foreign lands and win souls for Christ.
Think of the charitable work of the sisters and nurses in the hospitals, asylums and orphanages.
What are we doing?”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, St Francis de Sales, St PAUL!

Quote/s of the Day – 18 September – ‘ … But have not charity, I am nothing!’

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Quote/s of the Day – 18 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Joseph of Cupertino OFM Conv (1603-1663) Confessor – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; Matthew 22:1-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If I speak with the tongues
of men and of Angels
and have not charity,
I am become as sounding brass,
or a tinkling cymbal.
And if I should have prophecy
and should know all mysteries
and all knowledge
and if I should have all faith,
so that I could remove mountains
but have not charity,
I am nothing!”

St Paul
1 Corinthians 13:1-2

“Love the Lord and so,
learn to love yourselves
that when, by loving the Lord,
you shall have loved yourselves,
you may securely love
your neighbour as yourselves. …
So then, have faith with love.
This is the “wedding garment!”

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

“ It is necessary, therefore, to obey
the Eternal Father by following Our Lord
in order to hear His Word.
And behold, how we are taught that all
persons, whatever their condition may be,
must pray and meditate,
for it is there, principally,
where this Divine Master speaks to us.
… But, it will not do us any good to listen,
if we do not DO what He says to us,
observing His commandments
and His wishes faithfully,”

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

“But who really loves his neighbour
as if he were himself?
Only the Saints.
… The example of St Paul will suffice, however.
He said that his life was so much the life of Christ,
that it was not he himself, who was living
any longer but Christ in him. (Rom 9:3).
Do we possess this sincere and active love
of our neighbour?
Let us examine ourselves in this regard.
Let us remember that if we are lacking in this charity towards our brothers in Jesus, we are not genuine Christians!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 September – ‘What is that “wedding garment” then? …’ St Augustine

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One Minute Reflection – 18 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Joseph of Cupertino OFM Conv (1603-1663) Confessor – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 – Matthew 22:1-14 – Scripture search here: https://www. drbo.org/

Now the king went in to see the guests and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?‘” – Matthew 22:11-12

REFLECTION – “What is that “wedding garment” then? … The wedding garment” is such charity as this. “Although I speak with the tongues of men and of Angels and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.” Tongues have come in alone and it is said to them, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment? “I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and although I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains and have not charity, I am nothing.”

See, these are the miracles of men who very often have not “the wedding garment.” “Although,” he says,” I have all these and have not Christ, I am nothing.” … If then I have not charity, although I bestow alms freely upon the poor, although I have come to the confession of Christ’s Name even unto blood and fire, these things may be done even through the love of glory and so are vain.
… For “the wedding garment” is taken in honour of the union, the union, that is, of the Bridegroom to the Bride. You know the Bridegroom – it is Christ. You know the Bride – it is the Church. Pay honour to the Bride, pay honour to the Bridegroom. If you pay due honour to them both, you will be their children. Therefore, in this make progress. Love the Lord and so learn to love yourselves, that when, by loving the Lord, you shall have loved yourselves, you may securely love your neighbour as yourselves. …So then, have faith with love. This is the “wedding garment!” … St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace.

PRAYER – O God, Who willed that all things be drawn unto Thy Son, when He was raised above the earth, mercifully grant, by the merits and example of Thy seraphic Confessor Joseph that, having been raised above all earthly desires, we may be found worthy to come unto Him. 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 WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on the POOR, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 September – Being a Good Samaritan

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Ferial Day – 2 Corinthians 3:4-9 – Luke 10:23-37 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But a certain Samaritan, … seeing him,
was moved with compassion.”

Luke 10:33

“As long as anyone has the means
of doing good to his neighbour
and does not do so,
he shall be reckoned a stranger
to the Love of the Lord.”

St Irenaeus (c130-202
Father of the Church

“No-one has ever been accused,
for not providing ornaments
but, for those, who neglect their neighbour,
a hell awaits with an inextinguishable fire
and torment, in the company of the demons.
Do not, therefore, adorn the Church
and ignore your afflicted brother,
for he is the most precious temple of all.”

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

“We should strive to keep our hearts open
to the sufferings and wretchedness of others
and pray, continually, that God may grant us,
that spirit of compassion
which is truly the Spirit of God.”

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

“All our religion is but a false religion
and all our virtues are mere illusions
and we ourselves are only hypocrites
in the sight of God,
if we have not that universal charity for everyone –
for the good and for the bad,
for the poor and for the rich
and for all those who do us harm,
as much as those who do us good.”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 September – ‘ … Nothing gives as much honour to God, as mercy, for nothing is more like Him. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 4 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Rose of Viterbo (c1233 – 1251) Virgin – Ferial Day – 2 Corinthians 3:4-9 – Luke 10:23-37 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came upon him and seeing him, was moved with compassion.” – Luke 10:33

REFLECTION – “The first and the greatest of the commandments,that on which the Law and the Prophets are based, (Mt 22:40) is love which, it seems to me, brings its greatest proof, in love of the poor, in tenderness and compassion for one’s neighbour. Nothing gives as much honour to God, as mercy, for nothing is more like Him. “Mercy and Truth go before Him,” (Ps 88:15) and He prefers mercy to judgement (Hos 6:6). Nothing attracts the kindness of the Friend of humankind, as much as kindness towards humankind, (Wis 1:6) His reward is just, He weighs and measures mercy.

We must open our hearts to all who are poor and unhappy, whatever their suffering might be. That is the meaning of the commandment which requires us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Rom 12:15) Since we are also human, is it not right and proper for us to be kind towards those who are like us?” – St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390) Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church (On Love of the Poor, 4-6).

PRAYER – Protect Thy Church by Thine abiding mercy, we beseech Thee, O Lord and since all mortals fall without Thee, may Thy help keep them from danger and guide them to salvation. May the prayers of Thy virgin the blessed Rose, assist us on our journey to 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", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, St PETER!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 September – ‘ … Let us love one another then and, by so doing, we shall be loving Christ!’ St Augustine

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One Minute Reflection – 3 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Pius X (1835-1914) Pope, Confessor – 1 Thessalonians 2:2-8; John 21:15-17 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Lord, Thou knowest all things, Thou knowest I love Thee.” – John 21:17

REFLECTION – “The Lord appeared once again to His disciples after His Resurrection and questioning Peter, who from fear had thrice denied Him, extracted from him a threefold declaration of love.
Christ had been raised to life in the flesh and Peter to life in the spirit; for when Christ died, as a result of the torments He endured, Peter was also dead, as a result of denying his Master. Christ the Lord was raised from the dead; Christ the Lord raised Peter through Peter’s love for Him. And having obtained from him the assurance of that love, He entrusted His sheep to Peter’s care.

We may wonder what advantage there could be for Christ in Peter’s love for Him. If Christ loves you, you profit, not Christ and if you love Him, again, the advantage is yours, not His. But wishing to show us how we should demonstrate our love for Him, Christ the Lord, made it plain that, it is by our concern for His sheep.

“Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He asked. “I do love Thee.” “Then feed My sheep.” Once, twice and a third time, the same dialogue was repeated.
To the Lord’s one and only question, Peter had no other answer than “I do love Thee.” And each time the Lord gave Peter the same command: “Feed My sheep.”
Let us love one another then and, by so doing, we shall be loving Christ!” – St Augustine (354-430) FBishop, ather and Doctor of Grace (Guelferbytanus Sermon 16).

PRAYER – O God Who, for the defence of the Catholic faith and the restoration of all things in Christ, filled St Pius, the Supreme Pontiff, with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fearlessness, mercifully grant that, by following his teachings and examples, we may receive Thy eternal rewards. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DANTE ALIGHIERI!, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 28 August – The Creation

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Thought for the Day – 28 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Creation

“Dante describes the Creation beautifully as “Eternal Love expanded into new loves.”
Heaven and earth, Angels and men and all created beings, are nothing more than an expansion of this Eternal Love, into new loves.
Love unites and fills everything.
Everywhere in Heaven and on earth, there is love, there is need of love.
But whom shall we love?
The creatures who surround us?
Yes.
We may and should love them.
They are rays of the Light and Beauty of God.
We should love them because they reflect the Power and Glory of God.
But, we must not become attached to them.
We must not try to find, happiness and peace of mind in them.
They cannot give us contentment, for our hearts are made for something greater.
God made creatures for Himself, as St Augustine says and, therefore, our hearts will not rest until they rest in Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 August– ‘ … Love is the fulfilment of the Law …’ St Augustine

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One Minute Reflection – 20 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Feast of St Bernard (1090-1153) Confessor, Father and Mellifluous Doctor – Ecclesiasticus 39:6-14 – Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I am not come to destroy but to fulfil.” – Matthew 5:17

REFLECTION – “Grace which was formerly veiled, so to speak, in the Old Testament, has been fully revealed in the Gospel of Christ by a harmonious disposition of the times, just as God usually disposes of everything with harmony … But within this wonderful harmony, we notice a great difference between the two ages. On Sinai, the people did not dare draw near the place where the Lord was giving His Law; in the Upper Room, the Holy Ghost comes down on all those assembled there, while waiting for the fulfilment of the promise (Ex 19:23; Acts 2:1). In the first instance, the Finger of God inscribed the laws on tablets of stone but now, it is in human hearts where He writes it (Ex 31:18; 2 Cor 3:3). Formerly the Law was written without and brought fear to sinners but now, it has been given to them within, to make them righteous …

Indeed, as the Apostle Paul says, everything written on the stone tablets, “you shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill. .. you shall not covet” and whatever other commandments there may be, are summed up in this saying: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Love does no evil to the neighbour; hence, love is the fulfilment of the Law” (Rm 13:9f.; Lv 19:18) … This charity has been “poured into our hearts through the Holy Ghost Who is given to us” (Rm 5:5).” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (On the spirit and the letter, 28-30).

PRAYER – O God, Who gave to Thy people, blessed Bernard, as a minister of salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who cherished him on earth as a teacher of life, may be found worthy to have him as an intercessor in 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 AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, REDEMPTIVE Suffering, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The HEART, To JESUS through MARY, To JESUS through MARY

Thought for the Day – 18 August – The Apostolate of Prayer

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

The Apostolate of Prayer

“Everybody cannot be an Apostle in the strict sense of the word.
Not everyone can dedicate his whole life to the expansion of God’s Kingdom upon earth and to the conversion of pagans, heretics and sinners.
Everyone can, however, do a little in this cause.
Perhaps you cannot leave your family as the missionaries do and travel to distant lands to extend the Kingdom of God.
Perhaps you cannot enter a Convent or dedicate yourself to God as a Priest or a Religious because you have not received this high vocation from God.
We know, however, that each one of us has some responsibility for his neighbour and must help him whenever possible.
“Go surety for your neighbour according to your means ” (Eccles 29:20).

Now, the ‘Apostleship of Prayer’ offers everybody a simple way of doing exactly this.
Its object is to promote the glory of God and the salvation of souls, especially by means of prayer in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Besides prayer, we must offer the actions and sufferings of each day.
Let us decide to become one, with all the faithful, in offering the prayers and actions and sufferings of each day to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of His Mother Mary.

We shall certainly receive showers of graces, both for ourselves and for the salvation of the souls of our neighbours.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, St PAUL!

Thought for the Day – 12 August – Faith and Charity

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Thought for the Day – 12 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Faith and Charity

“Faith is a wonderful thing.
As has been said, it is a supernatural gift from God which we should keep alive by prayer.
Faith alone is not enough, however.
It is the foundation, on which we must build the structure of our Christian life.
It is especially necessary for it to be united to the flame of charity.
“Without love,” says St Augustine, “there is only the faith which the devil has” (De Caritate 10) because, as St James explains, “the devil also believes and trembles” (Js 2:19).
We, however, should believe and love.
We must combine faith with charity towards God and towards our neighbour.
Our faith should be active.
As St Paul says, it should work under the influence of charity (Gal 5:6).
Without charity and good works, faith is a lifeless thing.

If we really believe, we should love God above all things, even more than we love ourselves and, we should be ready to make any sacrifice for Him, even the sacrifice of our lives.

Faith should induce us to think constantly of God and charity should urge us to do everytig for His sake, rather than for any lesser purpose.
If we lack this kind of charity, we cannot claim to be sincere Christians.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOCTRINE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 August – “that way above the rest ”

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One Minute Reflection – 12 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Clare (1194-1253) Virgin – 2 Cor inthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2 – Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But the wise took oil in their vessels” – Matthew 25:4

REFLECTION – “It is some great thing, some exceedingly great thing, that this oil signifies. Do you think it might be charity? If we try out this hypothesis, we hazard no precipitate judgement. I will tell you why charity seems to be signified by the oil. The Apostle says, “I will show you a still more excellent way.” “If I speak with the tongue of mortals and of Angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” This is charity. It is “that way above the rest ” which is, with good reason, signified by the oil. For oil swims above all liquids. Pour in water and pour in oil upon it, the oil will swim above. If you keep the usual order, it will be uppermost, if you change the order, it will be uppermost. “Charity never fails!” … St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor (Sermon 93).

PRAYER – Hear us, O God, our Saviour that as we are gladdened by the festival of blessed Clare Thy virgin, so we may learn from it piety and devotion. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE

Thought for the Day – 6 August – The Cardinal Virtues of Mary

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Thought for the Day – 6 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Cardinal Virtues of Mary

“Let us compare ourselves with Mary and consider how far we have succeeded in acquiring these virtues.
If we are to possess fully, the Cardinal virtue of JUSTICE, we must direct all our thoughts, desires and actions, towards God.
Since everything comes from God, we should offer everything back to Him.
If we fail to do this, we are guilty of injustice towards God.
We take something which belongs to Him, for ourselves,
We must also be just to our neighbour.
It is not enough to be charitable only because there can be no charity, unless, it is founded on justice.
This justice should characterise our thoughts and judgements, as well as our words and actions.

Have we the Virtue of PRUDENCE?
Prudence demands constant self-control.
How often do we lose control over ourselves and say things which we ought not to say, or do things, which we ought not to do?
Prudence is a splendid virtue, which can be obtained by the grace of God, by living a life of union with Him.
It necessitates constant vigilance over our faculties and passions, in order to ensure, that nothing will interfere with our rational conduct and with our observance of the commandments of God.

Interior TEMPERANCE, is simply the result of prudence, insofar, as it obliges us to master ourselves and to abstain from everything which could upset the proper order of our faculties, in relation to one another and to God.
If we are inwardly temperate, we shall show external temperance in our words and deeds.
We shall abstain, in other words, from everything suggested by our lower nature, which is contrary to the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.
This means, we shall observe among other things, the Church’s laws of fasting and abstinence.
We shall keep away from dangerous amusements and from anything else which could be harmful to ourselves or to our neighbour.

Finally, we must imitate the FORTITUDE of Mary.
We must be brave in the face of temptation to sin, in suffering and in all the diffculties of life.
Looking always towards Heaven, our true home, we shall find at last, the peace and happiness, which have no end.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on THE WORLD, THEOLOGICAL

Thought for the Day – 5 August – The Theological Virtues of Our Lady

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Theological Virtues of Our Lady

“We also possess the Catholic Faith, or at any rate, believe that we possess it, for we often recite the Creed and were received, at Baptism, into the family of the Catholic Church.

But is our faith alive?
When a man is living his faith, he has a constant realisation of the Presence of God, Who has created him, maintains him in existence, has redeemed him, loves him and commands him to do good.
Otherwise, our faith is dead, for as St James writes, “faith, without works, is dead” (Js 2:26).
If our faith is not living, neither is our hope nor our charity.

Let us examine ourselves thoroughly.
Perhaps we do not think about God enough and, as a result our faith is weak.
Perhaps we place all our hope in earthly things and look for these passing pleasures, which cannot satisfy or hearts.
Perhaps we love ourselves and our possessions too much and have too little love for God, our only real good.
It maybe that we are constantly seeking our own interests and ease and are lacking in sincere and active charity towards our neighbour, when he is in need, even though he is our brother in Jesus Christ and we should love him as ourselves.
If this is the way matters stand, we are not genuine Catholics, for we have not the three theological virtues, which should form the basis of our lives.
Neither are we sincere sons of Mary, who possessed these three virtues in an outstanding manner.
Let us examine ourselves with a view to forming a few good and earnest resolutions.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/08/thought-for-the-day-8-may-the-theological-virtues-of-our-lady/

Posted in "Follow Me", CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 August – ‘We are to become vessels of God’s compassionate love for others.’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 3 August – The Finding of the Relics of St Stephen, Protomartyr: – Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Matthew 23:34-39 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And you shall be hated by all men,
for My Name’s sake.
But, not a hair of your head shall perish.”

Luke 21:17-18

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them”

Acts 7:60

“We are to become vessels
of God’s compassionate love for others.”

St Clare (1194-1253)

“ It is necessary, therefore, to obey
the Eternal Father by following Our Lord
in order to hear His Word.
And behold, how we are taught that all
persons, whatever their condition may be,
must pray and meditate,
for it is there, principally,
where this Divine Master speaks to us.
… But, it will not do us any good to listen,
if we do not DO what He says to us,
observing His commandments
and His wishes faithfully,”

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

“You must be reconciled to your enemies,
speak to them, as if they had never done you
anything but good, all your life,
keeping nothing in your heart but the charity,
which the good Christian should have, for everyone,
so that we may all appear with confidence,
before the tribunal of God.”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)