Posted in QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 June – St Francis Caracciolo

Quote/s of the Day – 4 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – The Memorial of St Francis Caracciolo CRM (1563-1591) Priest, Founder

“Let’s go, let’s go to heaven.”

His last words

let's go lets go to heaven - last words st francis caracciolo 4 june 2020

“The zeal of your house consumes me”

(Ps 69:10)

the zeal of your house consumes me - st francis caracciolo 4 june 2020

“My most beloved Lord, how good you are!
Blood of Christ shed for me!
It is mine, do not deny it to me because it is mine!
O priests, strive to offer Mass everyday,
inebriate yourselves with this blood.
O Paradise, O Paradise,
Blessed are those who live in your house, O Lord.”

St Francis Caracciolo (1563-1591)

 

my most beloved Lord how good you are - st francis caracciolo 4 june 2020

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 June – ‘It is not our own love we are to give …’

One Minute Reflection – 4 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Thursday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14, Mark 12:28-34

Jesus replied:  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.
The second is this:  ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” … Mark 12:29-31mark 12 29-31 you shall love the lord your god with all your heart -4 june 2020

REFLECTION – “It is God we love;  love of God is the first commandment but the second is like it, namely, that it is only through others that we can return love for love to God.
The danger is when the second commandment becomes the first. However, we have a means of control which is to love each person, to love Christ, to love God in each person, without preference or distinction or exception.
The second danger is, that we cannot do it and will not do it, if we separate charity from faith and hope.
It is prayer that gives us faith and hope.   Without prayer we won’t be able to love. …
Faith and hope infused by prayer, are what will clear the path of our love from its most cluttering obstacle – self-love.
The third danger is to love, not “as Jesus has loved us” but in a human fashion.   And perhaps this is the greatest danger of all. …
It is not our own love we are to give, it is God’s love.   The love of God, a divine person, the gift of God to us but which remains a gift, which has to pass through us, so to speak, to pierce us, in order go elsewhere, to enter others.” … Venerable Madeleine Delbrêl (1904-1964) Missionary to the Outcasts, Author, Poet, Mystic – Fulfilling even on this earth the love for which God has created us (The joy of believing)the third danger is to love, not as Jesus has loved us-ven madeleine delbrel 4 june 2020

PRAYER – God power and mercy, by whose grace, Your people give You praise and worthy service, help us to see Your face in our neighbour. To love them all as we love You. Save us from faltering on our way and grant us the joys You have promised. St Francis Caracciolo, you who loved even unto death, kindly assist our journey by your prayers. Through Jesus our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.+st francis caracciolo pray for us 4 june 2020

Posted in JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The HOLY CROSS, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 3 June – The Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Revealed in the Gospel

Thought for the Day – 3 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Revealed in the Gospel

“If we meditate on the pages of the Gospel, we shall find that they are vibrant with the infinite love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Let us, in imagination, enter the cave of Bethlehem and kneel before the crib where the Divine Infant is lying.
Darkness is all around, darkness over the earth, darkness in the minds and hearts of the majority of men.
But, now, the heavens open and from the brightness the voices of angels ring out, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace among men of goodwill.”
Who is this infant?
He is the Eternal Word, the substantial image of God, Who, for love of us, has been made man.
He is the Infinite One Who has willed to unite Himself with the finite, in order to lift us towards Himself.
This little heart is throbbing like that of any baby but, in this throb, is expressed the love of the God-Man.
It is a profound mystery, that God should have loved man so much, that He became a tiny infant.
Yet, He did this so that we might love Him more easily and in order to show us His own immeasurable love.
There is about this Infant, a fascination, at once human and divine, which compels us to love Him, even as Mary, Joseph and the simple shepherds loved Him.
He is asking us for love, adoration and complete surrender.
Can we refuse Him?

Now let us take ourselves in imagination to Calvary and kneel at the foot of the Cross.
The heart which began to beat with the sacred love in the manger at Bethlehem, has given everything for us, has poured forth it’s precious blood for our salvation and, has bestowed on us, as a final gift, the Blessed Mother of God.
Now, this heart is consumed with love for us and ceases to beat only when it has give us everything.
“It is consummated” (Jn 19:30).
At Bethlehem we have experienced a joyful ecstasy of love.
Here, at the foot of the Cross, we should experience a deep sorrow, which will cause us to weep for our sins and to transform our lives after the model of Jesus Christ.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SPEAKING of ....., The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 June – “Speaking of:   The Last Things”

Quote/s of the Day – 3 June – Wednesday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12, Psalm 123:1-2, Mark 12:18-27

“Speaking of:   The Last Things”

“He is not God of the dead but of the living.”

Jesus
Mark 12:27

he is not god ofthe dead but of the living mark 12 27 3 june 2020

“At the end of your life,
you will be judged by your love.”

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

at the end of your life you will be judged by your love st john of the cross 3 june 2020

“The school of Christ is the school of charity.
…On the last day,
when the general examination takes place,
…Charity will be the whole syllabus.”

St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621)
Doctor of the Church

the school of christ is the school of charity on the last day - st robert bellarmine 3 june 2020

“When it is all over,
you will not regret having suffered,
rather, you will regret, having suffered so little
and suffered that little so badly.”

Bl Sebastian Valfre (1629-1710)

when-it-is-all-over-bl-sebastian-valfre-13-dec-2017 and 30 jan 2020

“The bridal train is sweeping by—
Angels are there—
the just made perfect are there—
little children and holy teachers
and white-robed saints and martyrs washed in blood…
His Bride hath made herself ready (Rv 19:7).
She has already attired herself,
while we have been sleeping.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

luke-12-20-fool-this-night-your-sol-the-bridal-train-is-sweeping-by-st-john-henry-newman-21-oct-2019 and 3 june 2020

“We will not be proclaimed blessed
on the altars in all probability
but if we are faithful,
in Heaven we will be proclaimed ‘blessed’
and that is enough for us.
Let us try to merit this hour of eternal delights.”

Bl Mary of the Passion (1839-1904)

we-will-not-be-proclaimed-blessed-bl-mary-of-the-passion-15-nov-2019-pray-for-us-and 3 june 2020

“On the last day, we will not be asked
if we accomplished great deeds,
or been acclaimed by men,
rather we will be asked
if we followed His will,
in the state and condition,
to which we were called.”

St Guido Maria Conforti (1865-1931)

on-the-last-day-st-guido-maria-conforti-5-nov-2019 and 3 june 2020

“The issue is now clear.
It is between light and darkness
and every one must choose his side.”

G K Chesterton (1874-1936)

(Chesterton’s last words)

the-issue-is-now-clear-g-k-chesterton-26-oct-2018 and 29 nov 2019

“Each and every one of us,
at the end of the journey of life,
will come face to face with either one
or the other of two faces…
And one of them,
either the merciful face of Christ
or the miserable face of Satan, will say,
“Mine, mine.”
May we be Christ’s!”

Ven Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

each-and-everyone-of-us-ven-fulton-sheen-26-oct-2018 and 29 nov 2019

“We must always be ready.
Let our faith be lively and active
and our minds turned towards God,
Who is waiting for us.
There is no need to be afraid.
He is good and merciful.
He desires our salvation.
This is a wonderfully consoling thought.
God desires my salvation!
Let us surrender ourselves to Him,
therefore, as if we had to die this very moment!”

death-we-must-always-be-ready-bacci-8-jan-2020 and 3 june 2020

“It is not God Who is relentless.
It is the damned soul
which was relentlessly ungrateful
towards the infinitely good and merciful God.”

it-is-not-god-who-is-relentless-bacci-15-jan-2020-hell-3 and 3 june 2020 the last things

“They are flames which will never be extinguished,
flames which burn but do not consume,
flames without light –
dark and accompanied by the shrieking of eternal despair.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

they-are-flames-which-will-never-be-extinguished-bacci-snip-no-2-14-jan-2020 and 3 june 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS

Thought for the Day – 2 June – The Necessity of Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Thought for the Day – 2 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Necessity of Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Considered as the cult of the love of God and of His Incarnate Son, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is a necessary and obligatory religious practice.
God loved us so much, that He willed that the Eternal Word should assume a human nature, instruct us concerning the way to Heaven and give us the means necessary to reach it and, die upon the Cross, in order to impart to us, the merits of the shedding of His Precious Blood.
It is obvious, then, that we have a strict duty to make a return of homage and love, for such great love on God’s part.
God so loved the world,” the Gospel says, “that He gave His only-begotten Son that those who believe in Him, may not perish but may have life everlasting” (Jn 3:16).
In this, has the love of God been shown in our case,” St John adds in his first epistle, “that God has sent His only-begotten Son into the world that we may live through Him” (1 Jn 4:9).

It is the mystery of the immeasurable love of God, that He became man, suffered and died for us.
We should offer Him, in return, not only the affection of our hearts but, also, our adoration, gratitude and the dedication of our entire lives in His service.
As He lived and died for love of us, so we should live and die for love of Him.
As His human-divine actions were aimed at our salvation, so we should aim all our thoughts and actions at the promotion of His glory.

In this way, writes Pope Pius XI, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, becomes the synthesis of Christianity and the guide to more perfect knowledge, love and imitation of Christ (Encyclical Miserentissimus Redemptor, AAS 1928, p.167).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – Speaking of: Belonging to God

Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Tuesday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18, Psalm 90:2-4, 10, 14, 16, Mark 12:13-17

Speaking of: Belonging to God

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s
and to God, the things that are God’s.”

Jesus

John 12:17

john 12 17 render to caesar 2 june 2020

“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord
and our hearts are restless
until they rest in You.”

you have made us for yourself - st augustine 14 feb 2019

“Love God, then do what you will.”

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

love god then do what you will - st augustine - belonging to god 2 june 2020

“Love God, serve God,
everything is in that.”

St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)

love-god-serve-god-everything-is-in-that-st-clare-1-jan-2019 and 2020

“Lord, take me from myself
and give me to Yourself.”

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

lord take me from myself and give me to your yourself - st catherine of siena - 30 april 2020

“If you wish to enter into life,
keep My commandments.
If you will know the truth,
believe in Me.
If you will be perfect,
sell all.
If you will be My disciple,
deny yourself.
If you will possess the blessed life,
despise this present life.
If you will be exalted in heaven,
humble yourself on earth.
If you wish to reign with Me,
carry the Cross with Me.
For only the servants of the Cross
find the life of blessedness
and of true light.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
The Imitation of Christ Chapter 56

if you wish to enter into life keep my commandments - thomas a kempis 2 june 2020 belonging to god

“I am the king’s good servant
but God’s first.”

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr

i am the kings good servant but god's first - st thomas more 29 jan 2019

“God gave Himself to you,
now give yourself to God.”

St Robert Southwell SJ (1561-1595)

god gave himself - st robert southwell - 21 feb 2018

“Jesus will be in agony
even to the end of the world;
we must not sleep
during that time”

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)

(Pensées, 553)

jesus will be in agony even to the end of the world - we must not sleep during that time blaise pascal 2 june 2020

“Who except God can give you peace?
Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?”

St Gerard Majella C.Ss.R. (1726-1755)

who except god can give you peace - st gerard majella 2 june 2020

“We are like the penny,
because we have the image of the king stamped on us,
the divine King.”

we are like the penny - gk chesterton 30 april 2020

“A Catholic is a person,
who has plucked up courage,
to face the incredible and inconceivable idea,
that something else may be wiser than he is.”

G K Chesterton (1874-1936)

a catholic is a person - seeking chesterton - part two - 8 may 2018

“What you are is God’s gift to you,
what you become,
is your gift to God.”

Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)

what you are is god's gift to you what you become is your gift to god - hans urs von balthasar 20 april 2020

“If you truly love God and His will,
then doing what you will,
will, in fact,
be doing what God wills.”

Peter Kreeft

if you truly love god and his will then doing what you will - peter kreeft 2 june 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 June – ‘He sets His image within you …’

One Minute Reflection – 2 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Tuesday of the Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18, Psalm 90:2-4, 10, 14, 16, Mark 12:13-17

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God, the things that are God’s.” … John 12:17

REFLECTION – “Oh man! why do you despise yourself so, seeing that you are so precious to God?   And why do you demean yourself in this way when God honours you by Christ’s birth in our flesh?   Why search out how you were made and not enquire what you were made for?   Was not this whole dwelling, this world that you see, made for you?   For your sake, light spreads abroad and causes darkness to fade;  for your sake, night is ruled and day measured;  for you, heaven shines with the varied splendours of sun and moon and stars;  for you, the earth is spangled with flowers, trees and fruits;  for you, was created this amazing mass of animal life, in the air, the fields, the loveliness of water, so that no dismal solitude should spoil the new world’s joy….

Besides this, the Creator seeks out what else He can add to your dignity – He sets His image within you (Gen 1:27) so that your visible image, might make present upon earth, the invisible Creator and, to you, He entrusts the care of earthly goods, so that so vast a domain as this is, should not be lacking a representative from the Lord. … And what God accomplished in you by His power, He graciously assumed into Himself – He wanted to be truly manifested in the man in whom, hitherto, He had only appeared in image.   He enabled us to become in reality what had only been a mere likeness before. …  And so Christ is born, to restore all its integrity to fallen nature.” … St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermon 148, On the mystery of the Incarnationjohn 12 17 render to caesar - why search out how you were made and not enquire what you were made for st peter chrysologus 2 june 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, true light and creator of light, grant us the grace to see clearly by the light who is Light, Your only Son.   Lead us in His path and send us Your Spirit.   Grant us the strength to grow in holiness so that our struggle against the powers of darkness may we a victory over temptation.   May the prayers of the Mother of Your Son, the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother too, be a balm of enduring succour, as we fulfil Your commandments in this world and strive to reach our eternal home.   We make our prayer through Christ Your divine Son, Whom You sent to make us like unto Himself, in the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen.blessed virgin mother pray for us 2 june 2020 (1)

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD is LOVE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Thought for the Day – 1 June – Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Thought for the Day – 1 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

devotion to the sacred heart - bacci 1 june 2020

“All devotions which have been approved by the Church are valuable because they are acts of religion which have as their object, the author of all holiness and source of all goodness.
By these acts, God is adored, thanked and supplicated by His children who have been redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ.
Devotion to the Blessed Virgin and to the Saints, is also directed, ultimately, towards God, Who has endowed His faithful servants, especially the Mother of Jesus, with His gifts and graces and has established them as mediators by His Throne.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, however, is not one of the many pious practices merely permitted or recommended by the Church.
Fundamentally, it is a devotion which is essential for any Christians, insofar, as it is the cult of the love of God made man for our sakes.

We know that Christianity is the religion of love.
“God is love and he who abides in love, abides in God and God in him” (1 Jn 4:16).
Everything flows from God’s love for mankind – both the Creation and the Redemption, for God created us out of love and redeemed us with the love of His only-begotten Son Who became man and died for us and, both the Old and the New Law, for the basis of the Old Law was “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength,” (Deut 6:4) and the commandment of charity, was called by Jesus His own commandment, on which His entire teaching was based.
The Sacraments, especially the Blessed Eucharist, have their origin in the same infinite love.
So have the graces which God gives us, our justification, through the merits of our Redeemer and the final reward for which we hope in Heaven.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart is the worship of this infinite love, of which, it is a living symbol.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 30 May – St Joan of Arc (1412-1431)

Quote/s of the Day – 30 May – The Memorial of St Joan of Arc (1412-1431)

“Act and God will act.”

act and god will act - st joan of arc 30 may 2020

“Since God had commanded it,
it was necessary that I do it.
Since God commanded it,
even if I had a hundred fathers and mothers,
even if I had been a King’s daughter,
I would have gone nevertheless.”

since god has commanded it - st joan of arc 30 may 2020

“In God’s name let us go on bravely.”

St Joan of Arc (1412-1431)

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/30/quote-s-of-the-day-30-may-the-memorial-of-st-joan-of-arc-1412-1431/

in god's name - st joan of arc 30 may 2020

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 May –  ‘Jesus loves the one who follows Him.’

One Minute Reflection – 30 May – “Mary’s Month” – Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31, Psalm 11:4-5, 7, John 21:20-25 and the Memorial of St Ferdinand III King (1199-1252)

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper”  … John 21:20

REFLECTION – “The love of Jesus for His faithful disciple is shown by the words:  “Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper” (Jn 21:20).

Someone who truly follows the Lord wants everyone to follow Him, which is why He turns to his neighbour with kind attentions, prayers and proclamation of the Gospel. Peter’s turning around, signifies all those things.   In the book of Revelation we find the same idea:  “The bridegroom and the bride – Christ and the Church – say:  ‘Come!’   Let him who hears say: ‘Come!'” (Rv 22:17).   Christ, through interior inspiration and the Church, by preaching, say:  “Come!”   And whoever hears these words says to his neighbour: “Come!” which is to say:  “Follow Jesus!”   Then Peter, turning round, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following after.   Jesus loves the one who follows Him.

Although his name is not mentioned, John stands out from the others, not because Jesus only loved him but because He loved him more than the others.   He loved all the others but this man was closer to Him. …  It was he who “reclined upon His chest during the supper” (Jn 21:20).   This was a great sign of love, the fact that he alone could have leaned on the chest of Jesus, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). …

And so, during the Supper in heaven, we shall be satisfied for eternity, we shall take our rest together with John on the chest of Jesus.   The heart is in the chest;  love is in the heart.   We shall rest in His love because, we shall love Him with all our heart and all our soul and shall discover in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. … So to Him be the praise and the glory for endless ages. Amen. … St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Evangelical Doctorjohn 21 20 - peter turned and saw the disciple following whom jesus loved-someone who truly follows the lord - st anthony of padua 30 may 2020

PRAYER – Almighty God and Father, Your ways are not our ways, teach us to willingly agree to them, for You know which way we should go.   Help us to say “yes” always to Your plan and to render ourselves, as a sacrament of Your divine love to all we meet.   Fill us with the grace to be your tools, to bring glory to Your kingdom.   Our Father, who art in heaven, may Your Will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.   Mary Mother of God, pray for us!   St Ferdinand, you who with the earthly power which rested on you, showed forth only the Love, Power and Will of God, Pray for Us!   Through our Our Lord Jesus Christ with You, in the union of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.blessed virgin merciful mother pray for us 30 oct 2019

st ferdinand III pray for us 30 may 2020

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 29 May – The Great Exile

Thought for the Day – 29 May – “Mary’s Month” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Great Exile

“Let us turn away from this spectacle of a corrupt and corrupting world and raise our fearful gaze towards Mary.
What a contrast!
She was wholly pure and beautiful.
Her mind was always in contact with God.
Her heart was full of the love of God and of her neighbour, whose redemption from the slavery of sin, she ardently desired to achieve by co-operating with her divine Son.
All her desires and actions were in harmony with the will of God, so that she lived completely in God.
Let us think about ourselves.
What place has Jesus in our approach to life?
Let us try and think of Him more often.
Let us meditate on the eternal truths, on the commandments of God and on the precepts of the Church which He has founded.
Let us endeavour to make all our actions conform with these commandments.
Above all, let us seek to love God more and more and, let us pray constantly, for those countless souls who ignore and reject Him.
Then we shall be content in the midst of the trials of this world, for we shall have God in our hearts.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SAINT of the DAY

One Minute Reflection – 29 May – ‘ All should Him speak with the one voice…’

One Minute Reflection – 29 May – “Mary’s Month” – Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 25:13-21, Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20, John 21:15-19 and the Memorial of St Pope Paul VI (1897-1978) and Bl Rolando Maria Rivi (1931-1945) “I belong to Jesus,” Seminarian, Martyr

“Do you love me?” … John 21:17

REFLECTION – “Here I find all good shepherds in the one shepherd (Jn 10:14).   Good shepherds are not lacking but they are in the one.   To speak of many. implies division …  If the Lord entrusted them at the time we speak of, it was because He found Peter – indeed, in Peter himself, He recommended unity.   There were many apostles but to one is said:  “Feed my sheep” …  When He entrusted His sheep to Peter, as one to another, He wished to make him one with Himself and, so to entrust the sheep to him, as to be Himself the Head, while Peter assumed the figure of the body (Col 1:18) …  What, then, does He first say to Peter, in order to entrust the sheep to him yet avoid entrusting them as if to another?   “Peter, do you love me?”   And he answered:  “I do love you.”   And again:  “Do you love me?”   And he answered:  “I do love you.”   And a third time: “Do you love me?”   And he answered a third time:  “I do love you”  He makes sure of love so as firmly to establish unity.

Jesus, the one shepherd, feeds His sheep in these shepherds and they in the Him …  It was not because of a scarcity of shepherds (as though the prophet were foretelling bad times to come) that He said:  “I will feed my sheep myself” as though He had no-one to whom to entrust them.   Even when Peter himself was alive and the apostles were still alive in the flesh, He, the one in whom all the shepherds are one reality, said:  “I have other sheep, that are not of this fold;  them also must I bring, that there may be one flock and one shepherd” (Jn 10:16).   So let them all be in the one Shepherd and speak with the one Shepherd’s voice…   All should Him speak with the one voice and not with different voices.   “I beseech you, brethren, that you all say the same thing and there be no divisions among you” (1Cor 1:10).   Let the sheep hear this voice, cleared of all division and cleansed of all heresy and let them follow their shepherd as He says:  “Those who are my sheep hear my voice and follow me” (Jn 10:27).” … St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace – Sermon 46, On the Shepherds, #30john 21 17 do you love me - when he entrusted his sheep to peter - st augustine 29 may 2020

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help us to accept the tasks you have given us to do in life. Let us be faithful all our days and be able to attain Your eternal reward in heaven.   May our Blessed Mother, St Paul VI and the Blessed little Rolando Rivi, who so diligently showed their love for Your Son, pray for us that we may always praise Your glory and be faithful at all times and in all circumstances, amen.st pope paul vi pray for us 30 april 2019

BL ROLANDO RIVI PRAY FOR US 29 MAY 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 28 May – Living the Gospel

Thought for the Day – 28 May – “Mary’s Month” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Living the Gospel

“The doctrine of the Gospel is so sublime that no generation has yet been able to practice it fully.
Only the Blessed Virgin and the Saints have approached the peak of perfection indicated by Christ.
“You are to be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).
How far have we advanced?
We are not expected, obviously, to achieve the absolute perfection of our heavenly Father.
But, we are obliged to strive towards it with the help of the grace of God.
It maybe that our particular circumstances excuse us from fulfilling the evangelical counsels but, we have no option but to obey the precepts of the Gospel.
We are under no obligation to sell all our possessions and give the money to the poor but, it is too bad for us if our hearts are not detached from earthly things and in contact with God.
We must be prepared to face the consequences, if we do not observe the precepts of justice and charity towards God and our neighbour.
We are especially obliged to help those who are in need of any kind, with whatever we have to spare in the way of material assistance or advice.
It is our own misfortune, too, if we do not mortify ourselves, accept the will of God, even in suffering and, empty our hearts of worldly attachments, in order to fill them with spiritual preoccupations.
Let us remember, that we belong to God!
All our thoughts and desires should, therefore, be directed towards God alone!

Most Holy Mary, you sought always to reflect in your own soul, the beauty and sanctity of your divine Son, by obeying His teaching in a heroic manner.
Obtain for me, the grace, to be detached from worldly affairs, especially from sin.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

you are to be perfect - living the gospel bacci 28 may 2020

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 28 May – St Alphonsus Liguori’s “50 Maxims for Attaining Perfection” Part Three

Quote/s of the Day – 28 May – Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11, Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11, John 17:20-26

“Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us”

John 17:21

joh 17 21 - just as you father are in me and I in you that they also may be in us 28 may 2020

St Alphonsus Liguori’s
“50 Maxims for Attaining Perfection in the Love of Jesus Christ”
Part Three

21.   To suffer crosses patiently, saying, “Thus it pleases Jesus Christ.”

22.   To renounce your own pleasures for the love of Jesus Christ.

23. To pray as much as possible.

24.   To practice all the mortifications that obedience permits.

25.   To do all your spiritual exercises as if it were for the last time.

26.   To persevere in good works in the time of aridity.

27.   Not to do, nor yet to leave undone, anything through human respect.

28.   Not to complain in sickness.

29.   To love solitude, to be able to converse alone with Jesus Christ.

30.   To drive away melancholy.

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor

ST ALPHONSUS LIGUORI 50 MAXIMS FOR ATTAINING PERFECTION PART THREE 28 MAY 2020

Part Onehttps://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/04/20/thought-for-the-day-20-april-friday-of-the-third-week-of-eastertide/st alphonsus - for attaining perfection - part one - 20 april 2018

Part Two https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/28/quote-s-of-the-day-28-may-monday-of-the-8th-week-of-ordinary-time-year-b/st alphonsus - for attaining perfection - part two - 28 may 2018

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SAINT of the DAY, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT

Quote/s of the Day -– 27 May – St Augustine of Canterbury

Quote/s of the Day -– 27 May – The Memorial of St Augustine of Canterbury
OSB (Died c 605)

“God, in His promises to hear our prayers,
is desirous to bestow Himself upon us;
if you find anything better than Him, ask it
but if you ask anything beneath Him,
you put an affront upon Him
and hurt yourself, by preferring to Him,
a creature which He created.

god in his promises to hear our prayers - st augustine of canterbury 27 may 2020

Pray in the spirit and sentiment of love,
in which the royal prophet said to Him,
‘Thou, O Lord, are my portion.’
Let others choose to themselves,
portions among creatures,
for my part, You are my portion,
You alone I have chosen for my whole inheritance.”

pray in the spirit and sentiment of love you alone I have chosen - st augustine of canterbury 27 may 2020

St Augustine of Canterbury (Died c 605)
“The Apostle to the English”

you alone i have chosen for my whle inheritance st augustne of canterbury 27 may 2020

“Ask God to lead you by Faith,
Only God, seek only Him.”

Bl Nicolas Roland (1642-1678)

ask god to lead you by faith only god, seek only him - bl nicolas roland 27 april 2020

“God alone!”

St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)GOD ALONE - st louis de montfort 28 april 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 May – With Jesus, to the Father

One Minute Reflection – 24 May – “Mary’s Month” – The Seventh Sunday of Easter, Readings: Acts 1:12-14, 1 Peter 4:13-16, Psalm 27(26):1.4.7-8a, John 17:1-11 and the Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians

“Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” … John 17:11

REFLECTION – “In this seeking after God, the principle of our holiness, we cannot find a better model than Christ Jesus Himself.   But, you will at once say, how is this?   Can Christ be our model?   How could He “seek God” since He was God Himself?   It is true that Jesus is God, true God come forth from God, Light arising from the uncreated Light, Son of the living God, equal to the Father (cf. Creed of the Mass).   But, He is likewise man, He is authentically one of us through His human nature. …   And we see Christ Jesus, like a giant, rejoice to run the way in the pursuit of the glory of His Father.   This is His primal disposition.

Let us hear how, in the Gospel, He clearly tells us so:  “I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me” (Jn 5:30).   To the Jews, He proves that He comes from God, that His doctrine is divine, because He seeks the glory of Him that sent Him (cf. Jn 7:18).   He seeks it to such a degree, that He has no solicitude for His own (cf. Jn 8:50).   He has ever these words upon His lips: “My Father,” His whole life is but the magnificent echo of this cry:  “Abba, Father!”   All for Him is summed up in seeking the will and the glory of His Father.   And what constancy in this search!   He Himself declares to us that He never deviated from it:   “I do always the things that please [my Father]” (cf. Jn 8:29).   At the supreme hour of His last farewell, at the moment when about to deliver Himself up to death, He tells us, that all the mission He had received from His Father was accomplished (cf. Jn 17:4). …

If, as God, Jesus is the term of our seeking, as Man, He is the unique Exemplar, wherefrom we ought never to turn our gaze.” … Bl Columba Marmion (1858-1923) Abbot – To seek God (Christ, the Ideal of the Monk)

john 17 11 holy father, keep them in your name - if as god jesus is the term of our seeking, as man he is the unique Exemplar - bl columba marmion 24 may 2020

PRAYER – Since it is from You, God our Father, that redemption comes to us, Your adopted children, look with favour on the family You love, grant us to seek You and to to find You in Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.,, May our whole being become a copy of Your Son’s obedience and thus follow Him to You in our eternal heritage.   We entreat Our Lady, Queen of Heaven and Help of Christians to offer her prayers to You to strengthen us in our trials.   Through Christ, Our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.

our lady help of christians pray for us 24 may 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD the FATHER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on The SOUL, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 May – “Mary’s Month” – ‘…A beautiful task’

One Minute Reflection – 23 May – “Mary’s Month” – Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 18: 23-28, Psalms 47: 2-3, 8-9, 10, John 16: 23-28

“Until now you have not asked anything in my name,
ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
… For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me.” … John 16:24,27

REFLECTION – “You see, my children, the Christian’s treasure is not on earth, it is in heaven (Mt 6:20).   So our thinking must go to where our treasure is.   The human person has a beautiful task, to pray and to love.   You pray, you love – that is the human being’s happiness on earth.the human person has a beautiful task, to pray and to love - st john vianey 23 may 2020

Prayer is nothing other than union with God.   When our heart is pure and united with God, we feel within ourselves a balm, an intoxicating sweetness, a dazzling light.   In this intimate union, God and the human person are like two pieces of wax that have melted together, you can no longer separate them.   This union of God with his little creature is something beautiful.   It is a happiness that we cannot understand.   We had deserved not to pray but God in His goodness allows us to speak to Him.   Our prayer is incense, which He receives with tremendous pleasure.

My children, your heart is small but prayer expands it and makes it able to love God. Prayer is a foretaste of heaven, an outflowing of paradise.   It never leaves us without sweetness.   It is honey, which descends into the soul and sweetens everything.   Sorrows melt in a prayer, that is well prayed, like snow in the sun.” … St John-Mary Vianney (1786-1859) – Catechism on Prayerjohn 16 24,27 ask and you will receive for the father himself loves you-prayer is nothing other than union with god - st john vianney 23 may 2020

PRAYER – – Since it is from You, God our Father, that redemption comes to us, Your adopted children, look with favour on the family You love, hear our prayer as we unite our voices in the name of Your Son, our Lord and Redeemer.   May our faith, love and joy in Christ bring us all alike to our eternal heritage and may the prayer of His blessed Mother and ours lead us safely home.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God with You, loving Father, forever, amen.bl-mother-of-our-lord-pray-for-us-27-oct-2018

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, PAPAL Apostolic EXHORTATIONS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SPEAKING of ....., The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 22 May – Speaking of Joy

Quote/s of the Day – 22 May – “Mary’s Month” – Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 18: 9-18, Psalms 47: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, John 16: 20-23

Speaking of Joy

“You will be sorrowful
but your sorrow will turn into joy.”

John 16:20

john 16 20 you will be sorrowful but your sorrow will turn into joy 22 may 2020

“Let us remain unafraid in all dangers,
trusting calmly, in the Divine
Providence, that watches over us day and night.”

St Joseph Freinademetz (1852-1908)
“Fu Shenfu” – Lucky Priest

let-us-remain-unafraid-st-joseph-freinademetz-28-jan-2020 and 6 feb 2020

“The well-being of souls is only in Christ.
Therefore, let the love of Jesus
be our perfection and our profession,
let us light our hearts
from the eternal flames of love
that radiate from the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”

Blessed Paolo Manna PIME (1872-1952)
“A Burning Soul”

Priest, Missionary in Burma (Myanmar),
Superior General of PIME,
Founder of the Pontifical Missionary Union

the well-being of souls is only in christ bl paolo manna 7 feb 2020

“Jesus is with me.
I have nothing to fear.”

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925)

jesus is with me i have nothing to fear bl pier giorgio frassati 4 july 2019

“Christian joy is, essentially,
a spiritual participation in the boundless joy,
at the same time both divine and human,
in the heart of Jesus Christ glorified…”

St Paul VI (1897-1978)

– Apostolic exhortation on Christian joy
‘Gaudete in Domino’ (PE 4; cf Lk 4:10)

christian joy is - st paul vi - gaudete in domino 5 oct 2019

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, MARIAN QUOTES, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Quote/s of the Day – 18 May – The One Hundredth Anniversary of St Pope John Paul’s Birthday (1920-2005)

Quote/s of the Day – 18 May – “Mary’s Month” – Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter and the One Hundredth Anniversary of St Pope John Paul’s Birthday (1920-2005)

“The blessed martyrs cry to our hearts.
Believe in God who is love!
Believe in Him in good times and bad!
Awaken hope!
May it produce in you,
the fruit of fidelity to God,
in every trial!”

St Pope John Paul II (1920-2005)
At the Beatification of the 108 Martyrs of World War Two in Poland, 13 June 1999

the-blessed-martyrs-cry-to-our-hearts-believe-in-god-who-is-love-st-john-paul-20-dec-2019 and 18 may 2020

“To die for the faith
is a gift to some,
to live the faith
is a call for all.”

to-die-for-the-faith-is-a-gift-to-some-to-live-the-faith-is-a-call-to-all-st-john-paul-28-sept-2019-and-20-oct-2019 and 18 may 2020

“Let the eyes of our faith
never wander
from the Cross of Calvary.”

let-the-eyes-of-our-faith-st-pope-john-paul-29-may-2018-and-22-oct-2019.no-2 and 18 May 2020

“Do not abandon yourselves to despair.
We are the Easter people
and
hallelujah
is our song.”

do-not-abandon-yourselves-to-despair-we-are-the-easter-people-22-oct-2019-st-john-paul-the-great and 18 may 2020

“Never,
as in the Rosary,
do the life of Jesus
and that of Mary,
appear so deeply joined.
Mary lives
only in Christ
and
for Christ!”

never-as-in-the-rosary-st-john-paul-no-15-rosarium-virginis-mariae-7-oct-2019-1 and 18 May 2020

Adoro te Devote, latens Deitas!
I Devoutly Adore You, hidden Deity
By St John Paul II (1920-2005)

We adore You, O wonderful Sacrament
of the presence of the One
who loved His own “to the end.”
We thank You, O Lord,
who edifies,
gathers together
and gives life to the Church.
O divine Eucharist, flame of Christ’s love
that burns on the altar of the world,
make the Church, comforted by You,
evermore caring, in wiping away,
the tears of the suffering
and in sustaining the efforts
of all who yearn for justice and peace.
And you, Mary, “Eucharistic” Woman
who offered your virginal womb
for the incarnation of the Word of God,
help us to live the Eucharistic Mystery
in the spirit of the “Magnificat.”
May our lives be a never-ending praise
of the Almighty who concealed Himself
beneath the humility of the Eucharistic signs.

Adoro te devote, latens Deitas. ..
Adoro te… adiuva me!

I Devoutly Adore You, hidden Deity
I Adore You, help me!

adoro-te-devote-latens-deitas-st-john-paul-27-oct-2019 and 18 May 2020

St Pope John Paul II (1920-1005)
Pray for Us!

st pope john paul pray for us 22 oct 2018

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 May – “I am in my Father and you in me and I in you.” John 14:20

One Minute Reflection – 17 May – Sixth Sunday of Easter, Readings: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17, Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20, 1 Peter 3:15-18, John 14:15-21 and the Memorial of Blessed Antonia Messina (1919-1935) Virgin and Martyr

“I am in my Father and you in me and I in you.” ... John 14:20i am i my father and you in me and i in you john 14 20 17 may 2020

REFLECTION – “Cloth of scarlet or purple is a very precious and royal fabric, not because of the wool but because of the colour.   The actions of good Christians are of such great value, that heaven is given to us for them.   However, … it is not because they come from us and are the wool of our hearts.   Rather, it is because they are dyed with the blood of the Son of God.   I mean, that the Saviour sanctifies our actions by the merits of His blood.   A branch of the vine, united and joined to the stock, produces fruit, not by it’s own power but empowered by the stock.   Now we are untied by charity to our Redeemer, as members to the head (Eph 4:15-16).   That is why our fruits and good works, drawing their value from Him, merit life everlasting.

… We, ourselves, are branches that are dry, unprofitable and unfruitful.   We are not competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers (2 Cor 3:5-6) and able to do His will. Therefore, as soon as sacred love engraves on our hearts the name of our Saviour, our great Shepherd (1 Pet 2:25), we begin to bear delicious fruits for life everlasting.” …. St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of Charityas soon a sacred love engraves on our hearts the name ofour saviour - st francis de sales 17 may 2020

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, bring us to the joy of Your heavenly city, so that we, Your little flock, may follow where Christ, our Good Shepherd, has gone before us, by the power of His Resurrection.   May our hearts overflow with the joy of His eternal presence, that in Him and through Him and with Him, we may attain the happiness of life eternal.   May the prayers of the Blessed Virgin, guide us and may Blessed Antonia Messina too grant us her intercession, that we may always follow our Shepherd in faithful love.   We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and for all eternity, amen.faithful mother mary pray for us now and at the hour of our death amen 26 oct 2019

blessed antonia messina pray for us 17 may 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 11 May – The Search for God

Thought for the Day – 11 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Search for God

“There was a man who left home in order to travel.
For many months, he wandered on and on, sometimes along broad highways, sometimes on rocky by-roads.
Often he travelled in hail, rain and snow, often beneath a burning sun but no matter what the weather, he journeyed on and on.
He climbed the peaks of the highest mountains and came down again into the valleys.
It seemed as if his journey would never end.
One day, however, he grew very tired and sat down pensively by the side of the road.
A passer-by approached him in a friendly fashion, “You look very tired,” he said. “Have you been a long time travelling?”
“A very long time,” came the answer. “I don’t seem to have any energy left.”
“But where are you going?” his new friend enquired.
The traveller almost started.
After a moment’s consideration, he replied in a toe of wonder:  “Where am I going?   I’m afraid I don’t know!”

Many men, unfortunately, are like the traveller in this story.
They have been a long time on the road.
They can hardly remember when they first set out in search of a distant dream.
They are looking anxiously but often unconsciously, for happiness.
But they cannot find it, for happiness is a name for something greater, for God Himself.
It is God whom we must seek if we wish to find happiness.
Otherwise, our earthly journey will have no purpose and no goal.
Life is unintelligible without God.
“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord,” cried St Augustine “and our heart is restless until it rest in You” (Confessions I, 1:1).
Jesus understands the problem of our human nature.
“Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened,” He says “and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The TEN COMMANDMENTS, The WORD

Quote of the Day – 11 May – Obeying God

Quote of the Day – 11 May – “Mary’s Month” – Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 14:5-18, Psalm 115:1-2.3-4.15-16, John 14:21-26.

“Whoever does not love me, does not keep my words.”

John 14:24

john 14 24 whoever does not love me does not keep my words 11 may 2020

“If some rich and powerful friend were to enter your home,
you would quickly clean the entire house, 
for fear something there, might offend your friend’s eyes, when he entered.
Let anyone then who is preparing his inner house for God,
cleanse away the dirt of his evil deeds.
… The Lord comes into the heart
and makes His home in one,
who truly loves God
and observes His commandments…”

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

Homilies on the Gospels no 30

the lord comes into the heart and makes his home in one - st pope gregory the great 11 may 2020

“There is absolutely nothing
that gives us more peace,
or does more to make us holy,
than obeying the will of God.”

there is absolutely nothing - fr jean pierre de caussade - 30 april 2018

“We must offer ourselves to God
like a clean, smooth canvas
and not worry ourselves about
what God may choose to paint on it
but at each moment,
feel only, the stroke of His brush.”

Fr Jean Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751)

‘Abandonment to Divine Providence’

we must offer ourselves to god like a clean smooth canvas - st jean pierre de causade abandonment div prov-11may 2020

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 May – ‘…The keeping of the commandments is the fruit…’

One Minute Reflection – 11 May – “Mary’s Month” – Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 14:5-18, Psalm 115:1-2.3-4.15-16, John 14:21-26.

“Whoever has my commandments and observes them, is the one who loves me.   Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” … John 14:21-22

REFLECTION – “The reign of life has begun, the tyranny of death is ended.   A new birth has taken place, a new life has come, a new order of existence has appeared, our very nature has been transformed!   This birth is not brought about by human generation, by the will of man, or by the desire of the flesh but by God.

If you wonder how, I will explain in clear language.   Faith is the womb that conceives this new life, baptism the rebirth by which it is brought forth into the light of day.   The Church is its nurse, her teachings are its milk, the bread from heaven is its food.   It is brought to maturity by the practice of virtue, it is wedded to wisdom, it gives birth to hope.  Its home is the kingdom, its rich inheritance the joys of paradise, its end, not death but the blessed and everlasting life prepared for those who are worthy.

… In this new creation, purity of life is the sun, the virtues are the stars, transparent goodness is the air and the depths of the riches of wisdom and knowledge, the sea.  Sound doctrine, the divine teachings are the grass and plants that feed God’s flock, the people whom He shepherds, the keeping of the commandments is the fruit, borne by the trees.

On this day is created the true man, the man made in the image and likeness of God. … He who for our sake became like us in order to make us His brothers, now presents to His true Father His own humanity, in order to draw all His kindred up after Him.” … St Gregory of Nyssa (c 335–c 395) Father of the Church- An excerpt from On Christ’s Resurrection, Homily 1john 14-21-22 whoever has my commandments and keeps them - sound doctrine the divine teachings - st gregory of nyssa - 11 may 2020

PRAYER – Lord, by Your grace, we are made one in mind and heart.   Give us a love for what You command and a longing for what You promise, so that, amidst this world’s changes, we may cling to our Father, live by Your word and carry it out against all the foes around us.   May our hearts be set on the world of lasting joy, our true home with You.   May the angels and saints intercede for us and may our Mother, the Mother of God, be a constant assistant and guiding hand.   We make our prayer, through our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God with You, forever and ever, amen.holy immm mothr of god pray for us 11 may 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD the FATHER, I BELIEVE!, PAPAL SERMONS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 9 May – ‘God does not leave us groping in the dark.’

Quote/s of the Day – 9 May – Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 13:44-52, Psalm 98:1-4, John 14:7-14

“If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:7

if yu know me then you will also know my father - john 14 7 9 may 2020

” God does not leave us groping in the dark.
He has shown Himself to us as a man.
In His greatness, He has let Himself become small.”

john-14-9-he-who-seen-me-god-does-not-leave-us-groping-in-the-dark-pope-benedict-18-may-2019 and 9 may 2020

“What is Faith?

First, faith is simple.
We believe in God – in God,
who is the Beginning
and End of human life.
We believe in a God,
who enters into a relationship
with us human beings,
who is our origin and our future.
Consequently, faith is,
always and inseparably, hope –
the certainty that we have a future
and will not end up as nothing.
And faith is love,
since God’s love is “contagious”.
This is the first thing –
we simply believe in God
and this brings with it,
hope and love.”

Pope Benedict XVI

Regensburg Homily, Tuesday 12 September 2006

what is faith - pope benedict 18 may 2019

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 May – “He who has seen me has seen the Father…”

One Minute Reflection – 9 May – Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 13:44-52, Psalm 98:1-4, John 14:7-14 and the Memorial of Bl Giovanni Benincasa of Montepulciano OSM (1375-1426)

“He who has seen me has seen the Father…”…John 14:9

REFLECTION – “Beloved, Jesus Christ is our salvation, He is the high priest through whom we present our offerings and the helper who supports us in our weakness. Through Him, our gaze penetrates the heights of heaven and we see, as in a mirror, the most holy face of God.   Through Christ, the eyes of our hearts are opened and our weak and clouded understanding, reaches up toward the light.   Through Him the Lord God willed that we should taste eternal knowledge, for Christ is the radiance of God’s glory and as much greater than the angels as the name God has given Him is superior to theirs.
… Think, my brothers, of how we first came into being, of what we were at the first moment of our existence.   Think of the dark tomb out of which our Creator brought us into His world, where He had His gifts prepared for us, even before we were born.   All this we owe to Him and for everything, we must give Him thanks.   To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.” … St Pope Clement of Rome (c 35-99), Apostolic Father, Bishop of Rome and Martyr – An excerpt from his Letter to the Corinthiansjohn 14 9 he who has seen me has seen the father - through him our gaze - st pope clement of rome 9 may 2020

PRAYER – Since it is from You God, our Father, that redemption comes to us, Your adopted children, look with favour on the family You love, give us true freedom and to all who believe in Christ and bring us all alike to our eternal heritage.   Grant we pray, that by the prayers of Your holy angels and saints, Blessed Giovanni Benincasa and most especially our beloved Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ, we may run this race always in prayer, trusting in Your divine Son’s intercession, to attain the Glory of Your Kingdom and the Light of Your Face. Through Jesus Christ, in the union of the Holy Spirit, God with You, forever and ever, amen.

mary-mater-christi-pray-for-us-18-may-2019 and 9 may 2020

BL GIOVANNI BENINCASA PRAY FOR US 9 MAY 2020

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One Minute Reflection -– 7 May – ‘… Choose the same things as Himself…”

One Minute Reflection -– 7 May – “Mary’s Month” – Thursday Fourth week of Easter, Readings: Acts 13:13-25, Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27, John 13:16-20 and the Memorial of Nlessed Alberto of Bergamo OP (1214-1279)

“A servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” … John 13:16

REFLECTION – “Remember the wonders He has done for us (Ps 104[105]:5) in the past and those he does still. …  In response to what He has done for us let us do even more and return what we owe Him, most venerable brethren.   And what He wants from us is surely that we should fear Him, love Him with all our heart and all our mind (cf. Mt 22:37) and imitate His life in the flesh insofar as we can?

He made Himself a stranger by leaving heaven for earth so that we too might become strangers to thoughts that come from self-will.   He obeyed His father so that you too should unhesitatingly obey …. He humbled Himself even to death (cf. Phil 2:8) so that you too should share this sentiment, abasing and humbling yourselves in thought, deed, word and act.   Where is divine and true glory to be found, if not in becoming, without glory amongst men for God’s sake? …  That which is small and despised, that is what He has chosen, my Saviour and God, who put on our flesh to confound (1 Cor 1:27-28) human fame and wealth.

This is why He was born in a cave, was laid in a manger, was called the son of a carpenter, called a Nazarene.   He was clothed in one poor tunic and a single cloak;  He went by foot, suffered, was stoned by the Jews (cf. Jn 10:31), insulted, arrested, crucified, pierced with a lance, placed in the tomb, after which He rose again.   And so, He wishes to persuade us, brethren, to choose the same things as Himself before the angels, so that we may be crowned in the Kingdom of Heaven, into Christ our Lord Himself, to whom belongs glory and power, together with the Father and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.” … St Theodore the Studite (759-826) Monk and Theologian at Constantinople – Catechesis 78john 13 16 a servant is not greater than his master - he made himself a stranger - st theodore studite 7 may 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, stand by us in Your saving work and stay with us in Your gifts of grace.   You have rescued us from the darkness, keep us ever in Your light.   May the ways of truth and life which Jesus Christ Your Son taught us, be our anchor and our light.   We ask that You hear the intercession of Mary, the Blessed Virgin Mother and Bl Alberto of Bergamo, whom we beseech for help as we work to reach our heavenly home.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amenIMM MARY MOTHER OF GOD PRAY FOR US 7 MAY 2020

bl alberto of bergamo pray for us 7 may 2020

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 May – “You have the words of eternal life”

One Minute Reflection – 2 May – “Mary’s Month” – Saturday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 9:31-42, Psalm 116:12-17, John 6:60-69

“You have the words of eternal life” …. John 6:68

REFLECTION: “To whom shall we go?” Peter asks.   In other words:  “Who else will instruct us in the divine mysteries the way you do?” or, “To whom shall we go to find anything better? You have the words of eternal life.”   They are not hard words, as those other disciples say but words, that will bring us to the loftiest goal unceasing, endless life removed from all corruption.   These words surely make quite obvious to us the necessity for sitting at the feet of Christ, taking Him as our one and only teacher and giving Him our constant and undivided attention. …

That the desire to follow Christ alone and to be with Him always, is a good thing leading to our salvation, is entirely self-evident, yet we may learn this from the Old Testament as well.   When the Israelites had shaken off Egyptian tyranny and were hastening toward the promised land, God did not allow them to make disorderly marches, nor did the Lawgiver let each one go where he would, for without a guide they should undoubtedly have lost the way completely. … Keeping with their guide was the Israelites’ salvation then, just as not leaving Christ is ours now.   For He was with those people of old under the form of the tabernacle, the cloud and the fire (Ex 13:21; 26:1f) …

“Whoever serves me must follow me, so as to be with me wherever I am” (Jn 12:26) …  But accompanying the Saviour Christ and following Him is by no means to be thought of as something done by the body.   It is accomplished rather by deeds springing from virtue. Upon such virtue the wisest disciples firmly fixed their minds….  With good reason they cried out, “Where can we go?”   It was as though they said:  We will stay with You always and hold fast to Your commandments.   We will receive Your words without finding fault, or thinking Your teaching hard, as the ignorant do but thinking rather:   “How sweet are Your words to my throat!   Sweeter to the mouth are they, than honey or the honeycomb!”   (Ps 118[119]:103).” … St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) – Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on Saint John’s Gospel, 4, 4John 6 68 - these words sure make quite obvious to us - sy cyril of alex 2 may 2020

PRAYER – Mould our minds and our hearts, we pray You Lord, by the union of Your Son and His Church.   As we belong to You, You joined us to Your Son to become one with Him.   May we always strive to live up to this union and may we make our lives, a constant sharing, in Christ’s death and Resurrection.   May His Mother give us her heart, to love Him as she does.   We make our prayer through Him and in Him and with Him, in the union of the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.mary-mother-of-god-pray-for-us-11-may-2019 and 2 may 2020

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 April – St Catherine of Siena and Bl Maria Magdalene

Quote/s of the Day – 29 April – Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 8:1-8, Psalm 66:1-7, John 6:35-40 and the Memorial of St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church and Bl Mary Magdalene of the Incarnation FSPA (1770-1824)

“I am the bread of life; he who comes to me, shall not hunger
and he who believes in me, shall never thirst.”

John 6:35

i am the bread of life - john 6 35 - 5 aug 2018

“He will provide the way and the means,
such as you could never have imagined.
Leave it all to Him,
let go of yourself,
lose yourself on the Cross
and you will find yourself entirely.”

he will provide the way and the means - st catherine of siena - 7 nov 2019 all dom saints

“Speak the truth in a million voices.
It is silence that kills!”

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

speak the truth in a million voices - st catherine of siena - 29 april 2019

“May Jesus be known, loved and adored by all
and be, in every moment,
the receiver of thanksgiving,
in the most holy and most divine Sacrament.”

Bl Mary Magdalene of the Incarnation (1770-1824)

may jesus be known loved and adored by all - bl maria mad_gdalene of the incarn 29 april 2020

Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, ON the SAINTS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SAINT of the DAY, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, To JESUS through MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 28 May – God alone!

Quote/s of the Day – 28 May – Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter and the Memorial of St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716), St Peter Chanel (1803-1841) Priest and Martyr, St Gianna Beretta Molla (1922-1962), Blessed María Felicia of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament OCD (1925-1959)

“God alone!”

GOD ALONE - st louis de montfort 28 april 2020

“Chosen soul, how will you bring this about?
What steps will you take to reach the high level
to which God is calling you?
The means of holiness and salvation,
are known to everybody,
since they are found in the Gospel,
the masters of the spiritual life have explained them,
the Saints have practised them…
These means are –
sincere Humility,
unceasing Prayer,
complete Self-denial,
abandonment to Divine Providence
and obedience to the Will of God.”

chosen soul how will you bring this about - st louis de montfort 28 april 2020

“Since grace enhances our human nature
and glory adds a still greater perfection to grace,
it is certain, that our Lord remains in heaven,
just as much the Son of Mary as He was on earth.
Consequently, He has retained the submissiveness
and obedience of the most Perfect of all Children,
towards the Best of all Mothers.”

True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, #27

since grace enhances our human nature and glory - st louis de montfort 28 april 2020

“The greatest saints,
those richest in grace and virtue,
will be the most assiduous in praying
to the most Blessed Virgin,
looking up to her,
as the perfect model to imitate
and as a powerful helper to assist them. “

St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)

the greatest saints - st louis de montfort 28 april 2020

“It does not matter, whether or not I am killed,
the religion has taken root on the island,
it will not be destroyed by my death,
since it comes not from men but from God.”

St Peter Chanel (1803-1841) Priest and Martyr

it does not matter whether or not i am killed - st peter chanel 28 april 2020

“The stillness of prayer
is the most essential condition
for fruitful action.
Before all else,
the disciple kneels down.”

the-stillness-of-prayer-st-gianna-molla-28-april-2018

“Our body is a cenacle,
a monstrance –
through its crystal,
the world should see God.”

St Gianna Beretta Molla (1922-1962)

our body is a cenacle - st gianna molla - 28 april 2018

“Father, for Your glory,
accept the total surrender of my being,
in union with the perfect sacrifice of Your divine Son.
In Him, through Him and with Him,
I live, love, believe, suffer and die….”

Blessed María Felicia of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament (1925-1959)

Father for your glory - bl maria of jesus in the bl sac - 28 april 2020

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 April – ‘ …Discover a Presence …’

Quote/s of the Day – 27 April – Monday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 6:8-15, Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30, John 6:22-29 and the Memorial of Bl Nicolas Roland (1642-1678)

“Do not labour for the food which perishes
but for the food which endures to eternal life,
which the Son of man will give to you…”

John 6:27

do not labour for the food which perishes - john 6 27 - 6 may 2019

“This very moment,
I may,
if I desire,
become the friend
of God.”

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

this very moment - st augustine - friend of god - 6 may 2019

“In this daily life which is doubtlessly your own,
Listen to your heart… ..
Discover a Presence which is more real than
this visible presence,
which dazzles you
and attracts your whole being…”

in this daily life - bl nicolas roland 27 april 2020

“Take a higher flight,
giving yourself completely
to the unique Goodness and Beauty.
Be content with God,
He will be your light,
your strength, your shelter at all times.”

take a higher flight - bl nicolas roland 27 april 2020

“Ask God to lead you by Faith,
Only God, seek only Him.”

Bl Nicolas Roland (1642-1678)

ask god to lead you by faith only god, seek only him - bl nicolas roland 27 april 2020

“Jesus Christ came to this earth to reign here
but not, says Saint Augustine, as other kings do,
to raise tribute, enrol armies and visibly do battle
against His enemies, for Jesus Christ assures us
that His kingdom is not of this world
but to establish His reign within our souls,
according to what He Himself says,
in the holy Gospel, that His kingdom is within us.”

St John Baptiste de La Salle (1651-1719)

jesus christ came to this earth to reign here - st john baptiste de la salle 27 april 2020 on the mem of bl nicolas roland

“You leave the land
just as it is when you depart,
you do not carry anything away.
Our first aim is to go to God,
we are not on earth for anything but this!”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

you leave the land just as it is-stjohn vianney 6 may 2019