Category: QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 August – ‘ … As the Father has sent Him…’

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One Minute Reflection – 2 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Feast of St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 10:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

REFLECTION – “Our Lord Jesus Christ Ordained the disciples to be guides and teachers of the world and to be “stewards of God’s mysteries” (1Cor 4:1). He also bade them… like lights, to illuminate and give light, not merely to the Jewish people… but everywhere under the sun and to peoples scattered over all the earth (cf Mt 5:14)…

For, if He desired to send His disciples out, even as the Father had sent Him, (Jn 20:21) was it not necessary for those who were destined to imitate His mission, to ascertain what it was that the Father sent the Son to do? In various ways, then, He expounded the character of His mission. And, on one occasion, He said: “I have come to call, not the righteous but sinners, to repentance” (Lk 5:32) and again: “For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him Who sent Me” (Jn 6:38) and yet, once more: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through Him” (Jn 3:17).

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) Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on the Gospel of John 12:1).

PRAYER – O God, Who through blessed Alphonsus Maria, Thy Confessor and Bishop, fired with love for souls, enriched Thy Church with a new family; we beseech Thee that, taught by his saving counsels and strengthened by his example, we may be enabled, happily to come to Thee. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 14 July – St Bonaventure

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church

“He is the origin of all wisdom.
The Word of God in the heights,
is the source of wisdom.
Christ is the source of all true knowledge,
for He is “the way, the truth and the life.” (Jn 14:6). …
As way, Christ is the teacher
and origin of knowledge …
Without this Light,
which is Christ,
no-one can penetrate
the secrets of faith.”

“… One of the soldiers opened His side with a lance
and immediately there came forth
blood and water. ”
John 19:34

“Let us draw near to the Heart
of our most sweet Lord Jesus
and we shall be glad and rejoice in it.
How good and how sweet it is
to dwell in this Heart!
This is the hidden treasure,
the pearl of great price which we discover,
O Jesus, when we dig in the field of Thy Body (cf Mt 13:44).
Who, then, would cast aside this Pearl?
Far from it!
For It, I will give away all my goods and offer in exchange,
all my concerns and affections.
I will lay down all my cares in the Heart of Jesus,
it is He Who will suffice for me
and Who will, without fail,
supply all I need to live on!”

O Holy Lord
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

O Holy Lord,
Father Almighty, everlasting God,
for the sake of Your bounty
and that of Your Son,
Who for me,
endured suffering and death;
for the sake of the most excellent
holiness of His Mother
and the merits of all His Saints,
grant unto me, a sinner,
unworthy of Your blessings,
that I may love You only,
may ever thirst for Your love,
may have continually
in my heart the benefits of
Your Passion,
may acknowledge my own wretchedness
and, may desire to be trampled upon
and to be despised by all men.
Let nothing grieve me, save my guilt.
Amen

Mother of Mercy
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor

Virgin full of goodness,
Mother of Mercy,
I entrust to you my body and soul,
my thoughts, my actions,
my life and my death.
O my Queen, help me,
and deliver me from all
the snares of the devil.
Obtain for me the grace
of loving my Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son,
with a true and perfect love,
and after him, O Mary,
to love you with all my heart
and above all things.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/14/quote-s-of-the-day-14-july-st-bonaventure/

St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CONFESSION, CONFESSION/PENANCE, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, St PETER!, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 June –Whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth … Matthew 16:19

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One Minute Reflection – 29 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles – Acts 12:1-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven.” – Matthew 16:19

REFLECTION – “Bridegroom and Bride, that is Christ and the Church, are as one, be it in receiving confession or in bestowing absolution. All this makes clear why Christ had to tell each of us: “Go, show yourself to the priest” (Mt 8,4)… It follows that apart from Christ, the Church cannot grant forgiveness and that Christ has no will to forgive, apart from the Church. The Church’s authority to forgive extends only to the repentant, to those, that is, whom Christ has already touched; Christ, on His part, has no intention of regarding as forgiven, one who despises the Church.

Doubtless, Christ need accept no restraints to His power of Baptising, Consecrating the Eucharist, Ordaining Priests, forgiving sins and the like but, the humble and faithful Bridegroom, prefers to confer such blessings, with the co-operation of His Bride. “What God,” then, “has joined, let no man put asunder” (Mt 19,6). “I say this is a great mystery and refers to Christ and the Church” (Eph 5,32)… To remove the Head from the Body (Col 1,18) were to ruin the whole Christ, irreparably. Christ, apart from the Church, is no more the whole Christ, than the Church is complete, if separated from Christ. Head and Body go to make the whole and entire Christ.” – Bl Isaac of Stella (c 1100 – c 1170) Cistercian Monk, Abbot, Theologian, Philosopher (Sermon 11, §11-814).

PRAYER – O God, Who made this day holy by the Martyrdom of Thy Apostles Peter and Paul, grant Thy Church to follow in all things the teaching of those from whom she first received the faith. 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).

ALL PRAISE, honour and glory to the Divine Heart of JESUS. Indulgenced– 50 Days, once a day. 168 Pope Leo XIII, 14 June 1901.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, St JOHN the BAPTIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 June – What will He be who comes as the Way (Jn 14:6), if such is the one, who prepares the way?

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One Minute Reflection – 24 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and the Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist – Isaias 49:1-3, 5-7, Luke 1:57-68 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“What then will this child be?” – Luke 1:66

REFLECTION – “What will the glory of the Judge be, if the glory of the hero is so great? What will He be who comes as the Way (Jn 14:6), if such is the one, who prepares the way? . . . We are celebrating John’s birthday, we also celebrate the birthday of Christ . . . John was born of a woman who was too old for childbearing; Christ was born of a young virgin. John’s birth occurred in spite of the age of his parents; Christ’s birth occurred without the union of sexes. One was predicted by an Angel, the other was conceived by the voice of the Angel…The news of John’s birth was met with incredulity and his father was struck dumb; Mary believes in Christ’s birth and conceives Him through faith…

John, then, appears as the boundary between two covenants, the old and the new. That he is a sort of boundary the Lord Himself bears witness, when He speaks of the law and prophets lasting until John the Baptist: “The law and the prophets lasted until John” (Lk 16:16). Thus John represents the time that is past and, at the same time, he is the herald of the new era to come. Because he represents the past, he is born of aged parents; as herald of the new era, he is declared to be the prophet while still in his mother’s womb (Lk 1:41) . . . It was revealed that he was to be Christ’s precursor even before they had ever seen one another. These are Divine happenings surpassing the limits of our human frailty.

In due course he is born, he receives his name, his father’s tongue is loosened. One must read these events in the light of their deeper symbolic meaning.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (6th Sermon for the Nativity of John the Baptist, No 293:1)

PRAYER – O God, Who made this a day most worthy of our celebration because of blessed John; grant Thy people the grace of spiritual joys and direct the minds of all the faithful into the path of eternal salvation. T hrough Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

OUR Lady of the Sacred Heart, Pray for Us! – Indulgence 100 Days. Everytime – Raccolta 174 St Pius X, 9 July 1904.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY SPIRIT, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PARTIAL Indulgence, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY GHOST, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 June –  ‘ … They clothe themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ …’

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One Minute Reflection – 10 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Within the Octave of Corpus Christi and The Memorial of St Margaret Queen of Scotland (1045-1093) Widow – 1 Corinthians 23-29, John 6:56-59 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For as often as you shall eat this Bread and drink the Cup, you proclaim the Death of the Lord, until He comes.” – 1 Corinthians 11:26

REFLECTION – “In our offering of the Holy Sacrifice we fulfil the Command of our Saviour, as recorded by the Apostle Paul: The Lord Jesus, on the night in which He was betrayed, took bread and after He had given thanks, broke it and said: This is My Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me. The same way, after the supper, He took the Cup saying: This Cup is the New Covenant in My Blood. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this Bread and drink this Cup, you shall proclaim the Death of the Lord until He comes.

This Sacrifice is offered, then, to proclaim the Lord’s Death; it is offered in remembrance of Him, Who laid down His Life for our sake. As He says: Greater love than this no man has, that he lay down his life for his friends. Because Christ died for us out of love, we ask, when we make remembrance of His Death, at the time of Sacrifice, that we too may be granted love through the coming of the Holy Spirit. We pray, that by the Love which Christ had for us, when He braved the Cross, we may receive the grace of the Spirit and be crucified to the world and the world to us. The Death Christ died, He died to sin, once for all but the Life He lives, He lives to God. Let us imitate our Lord’s Death and also live a new life. Strengthened with the gift of His Love, let us die to sin and live for God.

For God’s Love has been poured out in our hearts, through the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to us. Indeed our sharing in the Lord’s Body and Blood, when we eat His Bread and drink His Cup, teaches us, that we should die to the world and that we should keep our life hidden with Christ in God, crucifying our flesh with its vices and evil desires.

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 (c 462 – 533) Bishop, Father (An excerpt from Against Fabianus).

PRAYER – O God, Who made blessed Queen Margaret glorious by her remarkable charity toward the poor; grant, by her intercession and example that Thy charity may continually increase in our hearts. 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).

MAY the Heart of JESUS in the most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the Tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. – Indulgence 100 Days, Once a Day. Raccolta 161 Pius IX, 29 February 1868.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, St Francis de Sales, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 9 June – “He had made a memory of His wonderful works.”

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 June – Within the Octave if Corpus Christi – 1 Corinthians 23-29, John 6:56-59 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Love.
It signifies Love,
It produces love.
The Eucharist is the consummation
of the whole spiritual life.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor angelicus/Doctor communis

“The Holy Eucharist
is the perfect Communion of Saints,
for it is the food common to Angels
and sainted souls in Paradise
and ourselves – it is the true Bread
of which all Christians participate.
The forgiveness of sins,
the Author of forgiveness being there, is confirmed;
the seed of our resurrection sown,
life everlasting bestowed. …
This very belief in the Most Holy Sacrament,
which, in truth, reality and substance,
contains the true and natural
Body of Our Lord,
is actually the abridgment of our Faith,
according to that of the Psalmist:
“He had made a memory of His wonderful works.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 June – “Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21

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One Minute Reflection – 6 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – St Norbert (c 1080-1134) Bishop, Confessor, Founder of the Premonstratensian or the Norbertine Canons and Sisters, “Defender of the Eucharist” and “Apostle of the Eucharist,”– Sirach 44:16-27; 45:3-20, Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21

REFLECTION – “The Word of the Father, Only-begotten Son of God, Sun of Justice (Mal 3:20), is the great Merchant Who has brought us the price of our redemption. It is atruly precious exchange that we can never value sufficiently when a King, Son of the King most high, has become the Coin, the Gold has paid our dues, the Just Man is given for the sinner. Truly unmerited mercy, perfectly disinterested love, astonishing goodness…, it is a completely disproportionate purchase, in which the Son of God is delivered up for the servant, the Creator is put to death for the one He has created, the Lord is condemned for His slave.

O Christ, these are Your works, You Who descended from Heaven’s brightness into our hellish darkness, to bring light to our gloomy prison. You came down from the Right Hand of the Divine Majesty, into our human misery, to redeem the human race, You Who descended from the Father’s glory to death on the Cross, to triumph over death and its author. You are the only One and there is no other but You Who could have been drawn to redeem us through Your own goodness…

Let all the merchants of Teman (Bar 3:23) withdraw from this place… it is not they but Israel [Your] beloved that [You have] chosen, You Who hide these mysteries from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to those babes and humble servants of Yours (Lk 10:21)… O Lord, I willingly embrace this purchase since it concerns me! I remember all the things You have done, You Who desire that I should keep them alive… Therefore, I shall profit by this talent which you have loaned to me until Your return and will stand before You with great joy. O God, grant that I may then hear these sweet words: “Well done, good servant! Enter the joy of your Lord” (Mt 25:21).” – St Bernard O.Cist. (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, known as the Last Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church (Selected sermons, no 42: The Five Purchases).

PRAYER – To God, Who made blessed Norbert, Thy Confessor and Bishop, a brilliant preacher of Thy Word and through him, enriched Thy Church with a new religious family, grant, we beseech Thee, that by his prayerful intercession and Thy help, we may be able to do what he has taught us by his words and deeds. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on VANITY, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), QUOTES on WISDOM, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST

Thought for the Day – 30 April – TRUE WISDOM

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

TRUE WISDOM

“According to Christian teaching, both knowledge and wisdom, properly understood, are gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Only the Light and Grace of the Holy Spirit, can enable us to comprehend the Truth which, in its plenitude, is God Himself and to appreciate the vanity of human things, as long as they are not ordained to their final end which is God and the everlasting life of happiness.

St Thomas Aquinas holds that human and earthly things are the proper object of science, insofar however, as they ought to be directed towards God.
“The man who has a correct approach to science, regards creatures as ordained to God, does not value them for more than they are worth and does not permit them to constitute the purpose of his life” (Summa Theologiae II-II q9 a4).
“All creatures are ordained to God and to His glory,” he writes elsewhere, “in that they manifest the Divine Goodness in themselves; they are, moreover, the means to everlasting happiness” (Quaestiones disputate, De Caritate q1 a7).

Nature maybe said to be a sacrament which enables us to gain experience of God (Summa Theologiae III q60 a2 ad1).
This is how knowledge becomes wisdom which is not content merely to have a proper estimation of human objects but, proceeds to penetrate, with the assistance of Revelation and of Grace, into the transcendent Mysteries of the Divinity.
Wisdom, moreover, guides the will and the heart, as well as the intellect.
It is practical, as well as speculative, for it directs our actions, as well as our thoughts towards God.
Like the Saints, we should be guided entirely by this true intellectual and practical wisdom.
“Grant me, O Lord, celestial wisdom,” we should pray with the Author of The Imitation of Christ, “that I may learn, above all things, to seek Tbee and to find Thee; above all things, to relish Thee and to love Thee and to understand, all other things, as they are, according to the order of Thy Wisdom!” (Bk III c27).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on TRUTH, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 April – ‘ … Thanks to this Heart … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 20 April – “The Month of the Resurrection” –Feria Day, Thursday in the Second Week of Easter – 1 John 5:4-10, John 20:19-31 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“My Lord and my God.” – John 20:28

REFLECTION – “Thomas said: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in His Hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into His Side, I will not believe.” What an astonishing hardness of heart on this disciple’s part: not even the witness of so many of the brethren, nor even the sight of their joy, were enough to give him faith. Yet, the Lord appeared to take care of him. The good Shepherd does not allow the loss of His sheep (Mt 18:12) having said to His Father: “Thou gave them to me and none of them was lost” (Jn 17:6.12). Let the shepherds learn, then, what care they should show towards their sheep, since the Lord came for a single one. Any care and labour are a small thing, compared with the importance of one soul…

“Put your finger here and see My Hands, and bring your hand and put it into My Side, and do not be unbelieving but believe.” O blessed hand that penetrated the secrets of the Heart of Christ! What riches did they not find in it? It was while resting on this Heart that John drew out the Mysteries of Heaven (Jn 13:25), while penetrating It that Thomas found great treasures – what a wonderful school which forms such disciples! Thanks to this Heart, the former expressed marvellous things, higher than the stars, concerning the Divinity when he said: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1). And the latter, touched by the Light of Truth, cried out this sublime cry: “My Lord and my God!” – St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1486-1555) Hermit of Saint Augustine, Bishop (Sermon for Low Sunday (in Homiliarius Breviarii Romani).

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, may be 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", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY WEEK, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, Quotes on SALVATION, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 April – ‘Come, come, let us go up together to the Mount of Olives.’

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One Minute Reflection – 5 April – St Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419) Confessor called the “Angel of the Apocalypse” and of “The Last Judgement” and the “Mouthpiece of God.”– “Spy” Wednesday in Holy Week – Isaias 53:1-12, Luke 22:1-71 and 23:1-53 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But Jesus he delivered up to their will.” – Luke 23:25

REFLECTION – “Come, come, let us go up together to the Mount of Olives. Together let us meet Christ, Who is returning today from Bethany and going of His own accord to that Holy and Blessed Passion, to complete the Mystery of our Salvation. And so He comes, willingly taking the road to Jerusalem, He Who came down from the heights for us, to raise us who lie in the depths, to exaltation with Him, as the revealing Word says: “above all authority and rule and power and above every Name that is named” (Eph 1:21). He comes without display, without boast. For, as the prophet says, “He will not contend or shout out and no-one will hear His Voice” (Is 42:2). He is gentle and lowly and His entrance is humble…

Then, let us run with Him as He presses on, to His Passion. Let us imitate those who have gone out to meet Him, not scattering olive branches or garments or palms in His path but spreading ourselves before Him as best we can, with humility of soul and upright purpose. So may we welcome the Word as He comes (Jn 1:9); so may God, Who cannot be contained within any bounds, be contained within us.

For He is pleased to have shown us this gentleness, He Who is gentle and who “rides upon the setting sun” (Ps 56:12) which refers to our extreme lowliness. He is pleased to come and live with us and to raise us up or bring us back to Himself through the Word which unites to God.” – St Andrew of Crete (660-740) Bishop and Father (Homily for Palm Sunday).

PRAYER – O God, Who graciously enlightened Thy Church by the virtues and preaching of blessed Vincent, Thy Confessor, grant that we, Thy servants, may be taught by his example and delivered from all harm by his intercession. 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, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUTH, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY NAME, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 April – ‘… The sweetness and perfume of His Name.’

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 April – Monday in Holy Week – Isaias 50:5-10, John 12:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The house was filled
with the odour of the ointment.”

John 12:3

“As you know, as long as perfume is preserved
inside its flask, it keeps its fragrance
but, as soon as is poured out or emptied,
it spreads out its fragrant scent.
Even so, as long as our Lord and Saviour
reigned with His Father in Heaven,
the world was unaware of Him,
He was unknown here below.
But when, for our salvation,
He deigned to humble Himself,
by descending from Heaven,
to take on a human body,
then He spread abroad in the world,
the sweetness and perfume of His Name.”

St Chromatius of Aquilaea (Died c 407)
Bishop of Aquileia, Italy, Father

“People who associate the name of Christian
with a dishonest life, injure Christ! …
If God’s Name, is blasphemed by bad Christians,
it is praised and honoured,
on the other hand,
by the good:
“For in every place, we are the aroma of Christ”
(2 Cor,14-15).
And it is said in the Song of Songs:
“Your name is oil poured out” (1,3).”

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

“Nothing so curbs the onset of anger,
so allays the upsurge of pride.
It cures the wound of envy,
controls unbridled extravagance
and quenches the flame of lust.
It cools the thirst of covetousness
and banishes the itch of unclean desire…
For when I Name Jesus,
I set before myself,
a Man Who is meek and humble of heart,
kind, prudent, chaste, merciful,
flawlessly upright and holy
in the eyes of all
and this same Man, is the all-powerful God
Whose way of life heals me,
Whose support is my strength.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father and Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

Posted in CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on TRUTH

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 27 March – MONDAY IN PASSION WEEK – “In love, by love, for love and of love”

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Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 27 March – Monday of Passion Week

“In love, by love, for love and of love”
St Francis de Sales

MONDAY IN PASSION WEEK
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“THE SWEET JESUS was scourged, crowned, condemned, mocked and rejected as man, devoted, destined and dedicated to carry out and endure, the opprobriums and ignominies due in punishment to all sins and He served as a general sacrifice for sin, being made, as it were, an anathema, separated from and abandoned by His Eternal Father.

The Divine Saviour wished to die in the flames of love because of the Infinite Charity He bore towards us and, by the force and power of love, that is to say, He would die in love, by love, for love and of love.
This is what He Himself says:
“No-one takes away My life but I lay it down of Myself, for I have power to lay it down and to take it up again” .—He was offered, says Isaias because He wished it.” – (Consoling Thoughts of St Francis de Sales).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 19 March – God of Mercy and Compassion

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Our Morning Offering – 19 March – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent

God of Mercy and Compassion
By Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736)
Composer

God of mercy and compassion,
Look with pity upon me,
Father, let me call Thee Father,
‘Tis Thy child returns to Thee.

Refrain:
Jesus, Lord, I ask for mercy.
Let me not implore in vain,
All my sins, I now detest them,
Never will I sin again.

By my sins I have deserved
Death and endless misery,
Hell with all its pains and torments,
And for all eternity.
(Refrain)

By my sins I have abandoned
Right and claim to heav’n above.
Where the saints rejoice forever
In a boundless sea of love.
(Refrain)

See our Saviour, bleeding, dying,
On the cross of Calvary;
To that cross my sins have nail’d Him,
Yet He bleeds and dies for me.
(Refrain)

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi 4 January 1710 – 16 or 17 March 1736 was an Italian Baroque composer, violinist and organist. His best-known works include his Stabat Mater and the opera La serva padrona (The Maid Turned Mistress). His compositions include operas and sacred Masses and music. He died of tuberculosis at the age of 26.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The TRANSFIGURATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 March – ‘… We will share in this honour … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 5 March – The Second Sunday in Lent
– Thessalonians 4:1-7, Matthew 17:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

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

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

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

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who sees how we are deprived of all strength, guard us inwardly and outwardly that in body, we may be protected against all misfortunes and in mind, cleansed of evil thoughts and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, be assisted on this earthly pilgrimage. 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 CATECHESIS, CATHOLIC Quotes, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, Of PILGRIMS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WATCHING, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, St Francis de Sales, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 4 March –

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Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 4 March – The Memorial of St Casimir (1458-1484) Confessor, Prince – Saturday of Ember Week in Lent – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 31:8-11,Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The just shall flourish like the palm tree,
he shall grow up, like the cedar of Lebanon.”
Psalm 91:13

“Stay dressed for action
and keep your lamps burning … ”
Luke 12:35-36

VIGILANT FAITH AND CHARITY
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“IT WORKS THE SAME WAY with faith as with charity.
We know by the works which charity performs, whether faith is dead or dying. When it produces no good works, we conclude that it is dead and when they are few and sluggish, that, it is dying.
But just as there is a dead faith, there must also be a living one which is its opposite.
It is excellent. Joined and United with charity and vivified by it, it is strong, firm and Constant. It performs many great and good works which deserve the praise: “Oh, how great is your faith! Let all that you desire be done.” …

It is great because of the good works it performs and also because of the many virtues which accompany it and which it governs. … So charity united to faith is not only followed by all the virtues but, as a queen, she commands them and all obey and fight for her and, according to her will. From this, results the multitude of good works, of a living faith.

There is a vigilant faith which, again, depends on its union with charity.
But there is also one which is sluggish, dull and apathetic and, it is the opposite of vigilant faith. It is lax in applying itself to the consideration of the Mysteries of our Religion.
It is completely torpid and, for this reason, it does not penetrate revealed Truths at all. It sees them, to be sure and knows them, because its eyes are not altogether closed.
It is not asleep but it is drowsy or dozing. It resembles weary people who, although their eyes are open, see almost nothing and although they hear talking, they neither know nor understand what is said. Why? Because they are quite overcome with sleepiness. …

But vigilant faith not only performs good works, like living faith, it also penetrates and understands revealed Truths quickly and with great depth and subtlety of perception.
It is active and diligent, in seeking and embracing those things which can increase and strengthen it.
It watches and perceives from afar, all its enemies.
It is always on the alert to discover the good and to avoid evil.
It guards itself against anything which could ruin it.
Vigilant, it walks firmly and easily keeps from falling over precipices.

This vigilant faith is accompanied by the Four Cardinal Virtues: Fortitude, Prudence, Justice and Temperance.
It uses them as an Armoured Breastplate to put its enemies to flight, or to remain among them firm, invincible and unshaken.
So great is its strength that it fears nothing because, not only is it strong but also, it is aware of its strength and by Whom it is supported—Truth itself!” (Sermon for Thursday after the First Sunday of Lent, 17 February 1622).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, LENT, LENT 2023, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 1 March – FAITH

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Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 1 March – Thursday of the First Week in Lent – Ezechiel 18:1-9, Matthew 15:21-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Keep me, O Lord, as the apple of Your eye,
hide me in the shadow of Your wings.”
Psalm 16:8,2

“O woman, great is thy faith!
be it done to thee as thou desire …”
Matthew 15:28

FAITH
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“FAITH IS THE BASIS AND FOUNDATION of all the other virtues but particularly of hope and of charity.
Now what I say of charity applies also to all the many virtues associated with it. When charity is united and joined to faith, it vivifies it.
And so it follows that there is a dead faith and a dying faith.

Dead faith is faith separated from charity, a separation which prevents us from performing works, conformable to the faith we profess.
This dead faith is that which many Christians – the worldly – have. Indeed, they believe all the Mysteries of our Holy Religion but since their faith is not accompanied by charity, they perform no good works which conform to their faith.
Dying faith is that which is not entirely separated from charity. It performs some good works, although rarely and feebly, for charity cannot really be in the soul which has faith without performing works, either little or great.
It must either produce or perish because it cannot exist without doing good works.

Just as the soul cannot remain in the body without producing vital actions, so charity cannot be united to our faith, without performing works conforming to it [Gal 5:6; Jas 2:14-26]. It cannot be otherwise.
Therefore, do you want to know if your faith is dead or dying? Examine your works and actions. …

Dead faith resembles a dry tree that has no living substance at all. In springtime when other trees bud forth leaves and flowers, this one brings forth nothing because it does not have sap which those have that are not dead but only dormant.
Now, here is another point. However much all other trees may look like this dead tree in winter, nevertheless, in their season they produce leaves, flowers and fruits. This never happens with the tree that is really dead. It may look like the other trees, to be sure but it is dead, for it never brings forth either flowers or fruit.
Similarly, dead faith may indeed appear to be living faith but with this important difference – it bears neither the flowers nor the fruit of good works, while living faith always bears them,and in all seasons! (Sermon for Thursday after the First Sunday in Lent, 17 February 1622).

Posted in "Follow Me", 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), The HOLY GHOST, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 9 February – St Cyril of Alexandria

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 February – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” “Doctor of the Incarnation,” Bishop,Confessor, Father and Doctor, of the Church

“Indeed, the Mystery of Christ
runs the risk of being disbelieved,
precisely because, it is so incredibly wonderful!”

“He who abides in Me and I in Him,
the same bears much fruit”

John 5:5

“We are preserved in being, if we grow onto Him
and cling fast to the holy commandment,
which has been handed down to us
and, if we are eager to keep the blessing of nobility,
that is to say, if we never consent, in any way,
to “grieve the Holy Spirit” (Eph 4:30),
Who has come to dwell in us and, through Whom,
we believe, God has made His home in us. …
For just as the vine-stock supplies and distributes,
the virtue of its own inherent natural quality to the shoots,
so, too, the Only-Begotten Word of God,
implants, in His people, a sort of affinity
with His own nature and that of the Father.
By the gift of the Spirit, they are united with Him
by every kind of holiness.
He nourishes them, so that they become devout
and He moves them to knowledge of all virtue
and good works.”

“… [The Kingdom of God] … is within you.
That is, it depends on your own wills
and is in your own power,
whether or not you receive it.
Everyone, that has attained
to justification, by means of faith in Christ
and decorated by every virtue,
is counted worthy,
of the Kingdom of Heaven.”

“He says that these temptations must come.
Is this then because God, Who governs all,
forces people to their commission of sin?
Away with the thought!
Nothing that is evil comes from Him.
He is the fountain of all virtue.
Why then must this happen?
They clearly happen because of our infirmity,
for all of us stumble in many things,
as it is written.
Nevertheless, He says, that there will be woe
to the person who lays the stumbling blocks
in the way.
He does not leave indifference in these things
without rebuke but restrains it by fear of punishment.
He still commands us to bear with patience
“ those who cause sins to happen.”

“We must note, therefore,
that he who does things pleasing to God,
serves Christ but he who follows his own wishes,
is a follower, rather of himself and not of God!”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/09/quote-s-of-the-day-9-february-st-cyril-of-alexandria/

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 February – “If it dies, it produces much fruit” – John 12:24

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One Minute Reflection – 1 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinitys” – St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35 – 107) Martyr, Bishop of Antioch, Apostolic Father of the Church. – Romans 8:35-39, John 12:24-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

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

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

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

PRAYER – Be mindful of our weakness, O aAmighty God and since the burden of our deeds is grievous to us, grant that the glorious intercession of blessed Ignatius Thy Martyr and Bishop, may protect us. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CONFESSION/PENANCE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 January – Whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth … Matthew 16:19

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One Minute Reflection – 16 January – Saint Pope Marcellus I (Died 309) – 1 Peter 5:1-4, 10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven.” – Matthew 16:19

REFLECTION – “Bridegroom and Bride, that is Christ and the Church, are as one, be it in receiving confession or in bestowing absolution. All this makes clear why Christ had to tell each of us: “Go, show yourself to the priest” (Mt 8,4)… It follows that apart from Christ, the Church cannot grant forgiveness and that Christ has no will to forgive, apart from the Church. The Church’s authority to forgive extends only to the repentant, to those, that is, whom Christ has already touched; Christ, on His part, has no intention of regarding as forgiven, one who despises the Church.

Doubtless, Christ need accept no restraints to His power of Baptising, Consecrating the Eucharist, Ordaining Priests, forgiving sins and the like but, the humble and faithful Bridegroom, prefers to confer such blessings, with the co-operation of His Bride. “What God,” then, “has joined, let no man put asunder” (Mt 19,6). “I say this is a great mystery and refers to Christ and the Church” (Eph 5,32)… To remove the Head from the Body (Col 1,18) were to ruin the whole Christ, irreparably. Christ, apart from the Church, is no more the whole Christ, than the Church is complete, if separated from Christ. Head and Body go to make the whole and entire Christ.” – Bl Isaac of Stella (c 1100 – c 1170) Cistercian Monk, Abbot, Theologian, Philosopher (Sermon 11, §11-814).

PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, graciously hear the prayers of Thy people, that we may be helped by the merits of blessed Marcellus, Thy Pope and Martyr, whose sufferings we celebrate. 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 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, SACRED HEART QUOTES, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 January – This is that disciple … John 21:24

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One Minute Reflection – 3 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus” – Octave Day of St John, Apostle – Ecclesiasticus 15:1-6, John 21:19-24 –Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“This is that disciple who bears witness concerning these things and who has written these things and we know that his witness is true.” – John 21:24

REFLECTION – “In proportion to the grace that caused Jesus to love him and enabled him to rest on Jesus’ Breast at the Supper (Jn 13:23), John abundantly received [the Spirit’s gifts] of understanding and wisdom (Is 11:2) – understanding with which to comprehend Scripture, wisdom with which to compose his own books with wonderful skill. As a matter of fact, he did not receive this gift right from the time when he rested on our Lord’s Breast, even if he was subsequently able to draw from that Heart “in which are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). When he says, that when he went into the tomb “he saw and he believed,” he acknowledges that “they did not yet understand the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead” (Jn 20:9). Like all the other Apostles, John received its fullness, when the Holy Spirit came [at Pentecost] and when grace had been given to each of them “according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (Eph 4:7). …

The Lord Jesus loved this disciple more than all the others … and opened the secrets of Heaven to him … to make of him the author of that profound Mystery which man can say nothing about, of himself: the Mystery of the Word, God’s Utterance, the Word made flesh. This is the fruit of that love. Yet even though He loved him, it was not to him that Jesus said: “You are Peter, and on this rock I shall build my Church” (Mt 16:18) … While He loved all His disciples and especially Peter, with a love in mind and soul, our Lord loved John with the love of His Heart …. In the order of Apostleship, Simon Peter received the first place and the “keys of the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 16:19) but John, won another inheritance, the spirit of understanding, “a wealth of joy and gladness” (Sir 15:6).” – Rupert of Deutz (c 1075- c 1130) Benedictine Monk, Theologian and Writer (The Works of the Holy Spirit, IV, 10 SC 165)

PRAYER – O Lord, graciously shed light upon Thy Church, so that, enlightened by the teachings of blessed John, Thy Apostle and Evangelist, she may gain Thy everlasting 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 DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The DIVINE INFANT, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Quote/s of the Day – 23 December – O Emmanuel,

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Quote/s of the Day – 23 December – Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent – “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception”

“O Emmanuel,
King and Lawgiver
Desire of the nations,
Saviour of all people,
Come and set us free,
Lord, our God!”

“In adoring our Saviour’s birth,
it is our origin that we celebrate.
Christ’s temporal generation
is the source of the Christian people,
the birth of His Mystical Body.
All of us encounter in this Mystery,
a new birth in Christ.”

St Pope Leo the Great (400-461)
Father & Doctor of the Church

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

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1110-1159)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on the PRIESTHOOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 December – “Stewards of the Mysteries of God”

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One Minute Reflection – 19 December – “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception” – Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent – 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Luke 3:1-6 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Let a man so account of us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the Mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found trustworthy …” – 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

REFLECTION – “Wishing to emphasise the special office of the servants whom He has placed in charge of His people, the Lord says, “Who, do you think, is the faithful and wise steward, whom the Lord sets over His household, to give to them their measure of wheat at the proper time? Blessed is that servant, whom his Master will find so doing, when He comes.” Who is that Master, brethren? Without a doubt it is Christ, who says to His disciples: “You call me Teacher and Lord and you are right, for so I am” (Jn 13,13). What, too, is the Master’s Household? Doubtless it is the one which the Lord Himself ransomed… This Sacred Household is the Holy, Catholic Church, which is spread throughout the whole earth, with abundant fertility and glories, in the fact, that she has been redeemed by the Precious Blood of her Master.

As He Himself says: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10,45). He is, too, the Good Shepherd, Who laid down His life for His sheep” (Jn 10,11)…

As to who the steward is, who ought to be faithful, as well as wise, the Apostle Paul shows us, when, speaking of himself and his companions, he says: “This is how one should regard us, as the servants of Christ and stewards of the Mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found trustworthy” (1Cor 4,1-2). Now, lest anyone of us should think that it is only the Apostles who have been made stewards… the blessed Apostle Paul shows us that the Bishops also are stewards, when he says: “For a Bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless” (Tt 1,7)…We, therefore, who are the servants of the Master of the household, we are the stewards of the Lord, we have received the measure of wheat to disburse to you.” – St Fulgentius of Ruspe (c 462-533) Bishop, Father (Homily 1, on the Lord’s servants).

PRAYER – Put forth Thy power, O Lord, we beseech Thee and delay not and with Thy great might, come to our aid, so that what is hindered by our sins, maybe hastened by Thy merciful goodness. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 9 November – Your Instrument

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Our Morning Offering – 9 November – Dedication of The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour

Your Instrument
Prayer of St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

Almighty God,
You have generously made known
to human beings,
the Mysteries of Your life
through Jesus Christ
Your Son in the Holy Spirit.
Enlighten my mind
to know these Mysteries
which Your Church
treasures and teaches.
Move my heart to love them
and my will to live in accord with them.
Give me the ability
to teach this Faith to others
without pride,
without ostentation
and without personal gain.
Let me realise
that I am simply Your instrument
for bringing others to the knowledge
of the wonderful things
You have done for all Your creatures.
Help me to be faithful to this task
that You have entrusted to me.
Amen

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Quote/s of the Day – 29 October – The Mystical Body

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 October – The Mystical Body

“Mary, having merited to give flesh
to the Divine Word
and thus, supply the price
of our redemption
that we might be delivered
from eternal death, therefore,
she is more powerful
than all others,
to help us gain eternal life.”

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

“It is not surprising if,
despite being far apart,
we are present to each other
and without being acquainted,
know each other
because, we are members of One Body,
we have One Head,
we are steeped in One Grace,
we live on One Loaf,
we walk on One Road
and we dwell in the Same House!”

St Paulinus of Nola (c 354-431)

“In adoring our Saviour’s birth,
it is our origin that we celebrate.
Christ’s temporal generation
is the source of the Christian people,
the birth of His Mystical Body.
All of us encounter in this Mystery,
a new birth in Christ.”

St Pope Leo the Great (400-461)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“For nothing more glorious,
nothing nobler,
nothing surely, more honourable
can be imagined, than to belong
to the One, Holy Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church,
in which we become members of one Body
as venerable as it is unique;
are guided by one supreme Head;
are filled with one divine Spirit;
are nourished during our earthly exile
by one doctrine and one heavenly Bread,
until at last, we enter into
the one, unending blessedness of heaven.
But lest we be deceived,
by the angel of darkness,
who transforms himself into an angel of light,
let this be the supreme law of our love –
to love the Spouse of Christ,
as Christ willed her to be
and as He purchased her with His Blood.”

Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)
“Mystici Corporis Christi” 1943

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

One Minute Reflection – 23 October – ‘ … God walks in step with the simple ones, He shows Himself to the humble ones … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 23 October – Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost – Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer – Ephesians 5:15-21, John 4:46-53 Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Unless you see signs and wonders, you believe not.” – John 4:48

REFLECTION – “Whoever examines the majesty of God will be crushed by His glory” (Prv 25,27 Vg). God can do works that surpass man’s understanding… Faith is required of you and sincerity of life – not high intelligence, nor penetrating knowledge of the mysteries of God. If you do not understand, nor grasp what is below you, how will you comprehend what is above you? Be subject to God, submit yourself to the faith and the light of knowledge will be given to you, as much as you need and can use.

Some have grave temptations concerning faith and sacraments, which are not to be imputed to them but rather, to the enemy. Take no notice, do not argue with your thoughts, nor answer the doubts with which the devil attacks you; believe God’s word, believe His saints and prophets and the wicked enemy will be routed. It is often most profitable to God’s servant, to endure such things. For the devil does not tempt the infidel or sinner, of whom he has already secure possession but he uses various means, to tempt and harass the devout faithful.

Go on then with simple unquestioning faith and approach the Sacrament with reverent beseeching. Anything you cannot understand, commit it surely to God, Who is omnipotent. God does not deceive you – the over-confident person deceives himself. God walks in step with the simple ones, He shows Himself to the humble ones, He grants understanding to the little ones; “He reveals hidden meanings to little ones” and hides away His grace from the inquisitive and the proud. Human reason is feeble and fallible but true faith cannot be deceived. All use of reason, all human inquiry should walk in the footsteps of faith; it should not go on in front of it, nor call it in question.” – Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471) (The Imitation of Christ IV, 18).

PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, graciously grant Thou faithful, forgiveness and peace that they may be cleansed of all sin and serve Thee with minds free from care. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TIME, ROSARY QUOTES, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT

Quote/s of the Day– 7 October – The Blessings of the Holy Rosary

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Quote/s of the Day – 7 October – The Month and Feast of the Most Holy Rosary

THE SEVEN BLESSINGS OF THE HOLY ROSARY

“The Rosary, recited with meditation on the mysteries, brings about the following marvellous results:

  1. It gradually gives us a perfect knowledge of Jesus Christ;
  2. It purifies our souls, washing away sin;
  3. It gives us victory over all our enemies;
  4. It makes it easy for us to practice virtue;
  5. It sets us on fire with love of Our Blessed Lord;
  6. It enriches us with graces and merits;
  7. It supplies us with what is needed to pay,
    all our debts to God and to our fellow men
    and finally, it obtains all kinds of graces for us from Almighty God.”

St Louis Marie Grignion De Montfort (1673-1716)

“We put great confidence
in the Holy Rosary,
for the healing of evils
which afflict our times.”

Venerable Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, St JOHN the BAPTIST, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 29 August – The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 August – The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist

“Amen I say to you, there hath not risen
among them that are born of women,
a greater than John the Baptist.”

Matthew 11:11

“The Lord called me from birth,
from my mother’s womb
He pronounced my name.”

Isaias 49:1

“I, for my part, think that the mystery of John
is being fulfilled in the world until the present.
The spirit and the power of John,
must first fill the soul of whoever is destined
to believe in Christ Jesus,
“to prepare for the Lord a people well-disposed” (Lk 1:17)
and to “make ready the way of the Lord,
[to] clear Him a straight path” (Lk 3:5)
in the roughness of their hearts.
Not only at that time were
“the winding paths … made straight
and the rough ways smooth;”
rather, the spirit and the power of John
still go before the Lord and Saviour’s coming today.
Oh greatness of the Lord’s Mystery
and of His plan for the world! ”

Origen Adamantius (c 185-253)
Priest, Theologian, Exegist,
Writer, Apologist, Father

“Why was John allowed to die?”
For what occurred was not a death
but a crown, not an end
but the beginning of a greater life.
Learn to think and live like a Christian.
You will not only remain unharmed
by these events
but will reap the greatest benefits.”

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

Posted in Hail MARY!, MARIAN QUOTES, OUR Cross, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HERESY, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 19 August – St John Eudes

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – nd the Memorial of St John Eudes (1601-1680) Confessor, “The Apostle of Two Hearts”

“The crosses with which our path
through life is strewn,
associate us with Jesus
in the Mystery of His Crucifixion.”

“No-one who shall invoke
this Mother of Grace,
with devotion and perseverance,
can possibly perish forever.”

“Let infidels and heretics,
let the relatives and the friends
of bad Catholics,
weep without consolation
and weep unceasingly,
for the death of their departed ones!”

St John Eudes (1601-1680)
“The Apostle of Two Hearts”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/19/quote-s-of-the-day-19-august-st-john-eudes-2/

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH

Thought for the Day – 11 August – Duvine Providence

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

Divine Providence

“How can we reconcile with this concept of Divine Providence, the confusion and injustice which also exists in the world?
Why does God sometimes permit the evil to prosper and the good to be oppressed?
Why does He not crush iniquity, as soon as it raises its head, instead of allowing the wicked to enjoy the pleasures of this earth, while the good are suffering?

The designs of God are hidden and mysterious but, it is certain, that He arranges everything justly and for the best.
God never hurries, for He contemplates all creatures and events, in the light of eternity.
The devil may hurry, “knowing that he has but a short time” (Apoc 12:12) but God is the Master of time!

God waits for men at the last threshold of life, in order to do justice to them all.
His patience and mercy endure until the final moment of death because, He has said: “I desire not the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Cf Ez 33:11).
This is the Mystery of God’s Mercy.

St Augustine offers another explanation as to why evil men often seem to be happy and victorious in this world.
His suggestion is quite frightening.
Even the worst of men, he says, do a certain amount of good during life.
Nevertheless, if they die unrepentant, they will be punished for all eternity.
Therefore, the justice of God concedes to them as a small reward in this life, for any good which they may have accomplished.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/19/thought-for-the-day-19-august-divine-providence/

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, St PETER!, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The TRANSFIGURATION, The WORD

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

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One Minute Reflection – 6 August – The Transfiguration of Our Lord – 2 Peter 1:16-19, Matthew 17:1-9..

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

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

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

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

PRAYER – O God, Who in the glorious Transfiguration of Thy Only-begotten Son strengthened the Mysteries of faith, by the testimony of the fathers and, by the Voice coming down in a shining cloud, miraculously betokened the complete adoption of Thy children, mercifully grant that we, be made co-heirs with that King of glory and sharers in that same glory .Through 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).