Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, QUOTES on WATCHING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 May – – ‘Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning …’ Luke 12:35

One Minute Reflection – 26 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and the Memorial of St Philip Neri (1515-1595) Confessor – Wisdom 7:7-14, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.” – Luke 12:35-36

REFLECTION – “God, the Word, stirs up the lazy and arouses the sleeper. For indeed, someone who comes knocking at the door is always wanting to come in. But it depends on us, if He does not always enter or always remain.,, May your door be open to Him who comes; open your soul, enlarge your spiritual capacities, that you may discover the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace and sweetness of grace. Expand your heart; run to meet the Sun of that Eternal Light that “enlightens everyone” (Jn 1,9). It is certain, that this true Light shines for all but, if anyone shuts their windows, then they themselves, shut themselves off from this Eternal Light.

So even Christ remains outside, if you shut the door of your soul. It is true, that He could enter but He does not want to use force, He does not put those who refuse under pressure. Descended from the Virgin, born from her womb, He shines throughout the universe to give light to all. Those who long to receive the light, that shines with an everlasting brightness, open up to Him. No night comes to intervene. Indeed, the sun we see each day, gives way to night’s darkness but the Sun of Justice (Mal 3,20) knows no setting, for Wisdom is not overcome by evil.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan and Father and Doctor of the Church (12th Sermon on Psalm 118).

PRAYER – O God, Who raised blessed Philip, Thy Confessor, to the glory of Thy Saints, graciously grant that we, who rejoice in his Feast, may profit by the example of his virtues.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).

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Posted in GOD ALONE!, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PEACE

Thought for the Day – 25 May – The Search for God

Thought for the Day – 25 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Search for God

Holy Mary, help me to aim at pleasing God throughout my life.
Help me to see Him in all things, to love Him in all my affections, to direct all my thoughts and desires towards Him.
This is the only way in which I can become like you, my Mother.
In this way, I shall find peace on earth, even in the midst of suffering and the happiness in Heaven, which will never pass away.
Amen.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/11/thought-for-the-day-11-may-the-search-for-god/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/11/thought-for-the-day-11-may-the-search-for-god-2/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 19 May – Mary, the Source of Peace

Thought for the Day – 19 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”
Mary, the Source of Peace

“If we wish to possess this true peace, which only God can give, we must control and regulate the movements of our passions when they rebel against the soul.
In other words, as St Augustine says, our lower appetites must obey our reason and this, in its turn, must be subject to its author, God! (De Serm. Domini, 1,2).
Real peace can only come to us as the result of the hard and constant labour of subordinating our passions to right reason and our reason to God.
“And this is the peace,” Augustine writes, “which God gives on earth, to men of goodwill; this is the most perfect wisdom ” (Ibid).

We have found, from sad experience, that sin and the free play of the passions, cannot give us real peace because “there is no peace for the wicked” (Is 48:22).
When, by the grace of God and the assistance of Our Lady, we have subdued our rebellious inclinations, it is necessary for us to go further and abandon ourselves completely into the hands of God, asking Him for a spirit of absolute conformity to Hs Will on all occasions.
This is the price which we must pay to enjoy the peace which the world cannot give and which God gives only to those who do His Holy Will in all things (Cf Jn 14:27).

It may seem that the way to acquire this peace is very difficult but, there is no other way.
Let us pray to Our Lady.
She has won peace and victory for the Church on many occasions; for example, against the Turks at Lepanto in 1571 and at Vienna in 1683.
In the same way, she will obtain for us, her children, interior peace of soul, the greatest treasure which we can possess on earth!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/18/thought-for-the-day-18-may-mary-the-source-of-peace/

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 May – May your door be open to Him Who comes …

One Minute Reflection – 17 May – The Vigil of Ascension and the Memorial of St Paschal Baylon OFM (1540-1592) Confessor – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.” – Luke 12:35-36

REFLECTION – “God, the Word, stirs up the lazy and arouses the sleeper. For indeed, someone who comes knocking at the door is always wanting to come in. But it depends on us, if He does not always enter, or always remain. May your door be open to Him Who comes; open your soul, enlarge your spiritual capacities, that you may discover the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace and sweetness of grace. Expand your heart; run to meet the Sun of that Eternal Light that “enlightens everyone” (Jn 1,9). It is certain that this true Light shines for all but, if anyone shuts their windows, then they themselves shut themselves off from this Eternal Light.

So, even Christ remains outside, if you shut the door of your soul. It is true that He could enter but He does not want to use force, He does not put those who refuse under pressure. Descended from the Virgin, born from her womb, He shines throughout the universe to give Light to all. Those who long to receive the Light, which shines with an everlasting brightness, open up to Him. No night comes to intervene. Indeed, the sun we see each day gives way to night’s darkness but the Sun of Justice (Mal 3,20) knows no setting for Wisdom is not overcome by evil.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan and Father and Doctor of the Church – 12th Sermon on Psalm 118

PRAYER – O God, Who endowed blessed Paschal, Your Confessor, with a wondrous love for the Sacred Mysteries of Your Body and Blood, mercifully grant that we may be found worthy to share in the same spiritual abundance, which he received in this Divine Banquet. Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 26 April – The Only Remedy for All Our Ills

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

The Only Remedy for All Our Ills

“We should not stop short at doing the will of God with resignation but should aim at doing it from the motive of love.
We should perform all our most ordinary actions and accept physical and moral suffering, purely for the love of God.
Then we shall have peace, both in joy and in sorrow and we shall be happy.

Only the Saints fully understood this great principle of doing and enduring everything for the love of God alone.
They made it their basic rule of life.
If Jesus granted them consolation and favours, they thanked Him.
If He sent them severe suffering and spiritual desolation, they were equally grateful.
To me to live, is Christ” (Phil 1:21) said St Paul.
Jesus Christ must reign supreme in my will and in my heart and in all my actions.
Then sorrow and suffering will be all the same to me and I shall possess the peace and happiness of the Saints.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/28/thought-for-the-day-28-april-the-only-remedy-for-all-our-ills/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/26/thought-for-the-day-26-june-the-only-remedy-for-all-our-ills/

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 19 April – ‘Keep, O Lord, my heart at peace, always close to Thee.’

Quote/s of the Day – 19 April – Feria Day, Wednesday in the Second Week of Easter – 1 John 5:4-10, John 20:19-31 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Blessed are they who have not seen
and have believed.

John 20:29

“… No-one professing faith, sins,
no-one possessing love, hates. …

St Ignatius of Antioch (c35–c107)
Bishop, Martyr, Apostolic Father

What determines that the gifts of God
dwells in us,
is the measure of each one’s faith.
Because it is to the extent that we believe
that the enthusiasm to act is given us.
And so those who act,
reveal the measure of their faith
proportionate to their action,
they receive their measure of grace
according to what they have believed. …

St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662)
Monk and Theologian

If we wish to make any progress
in the service of God,
we must begin everyday of our life,
with new eagerness.
We must keep ourselves,
in the presence of God,
as much as possible
and have no other view or end,
in all our actions
but the Divine honour.

St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

Keep, O Lord, my heart at peace,
always close to Thee.
Thou Who calms the wild waves of the sea.

St Joseph Calasanz(1557-1648)

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL

Thought for the Day – 18 April – A Life of Fervour

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

A Life of Fervour

The fervent Christian will never miss an opportunity of advancing in perfection.
When he feels that he is growing negligent, he combats the signs of spiritual retrogression and makes a new beginning, by telling God that he wishes to belong entirely to Him.
It is his motto that no day must ever pass without a further step towards perfection.
To decide to stand still is fatal, for it leads, inevitably, to a decline.
It is true, that the constant effort to advance costs great sacrifices but, sanctity cannot be achieved without sacrifice and everlasting happiness cannot be gained without perseverance in virtue.
Moreover, difficult though the ascent towards perfection may be, it eases the heaviness of our hearts and brings us the fundamental peace which God alone can give.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/15/thought-for-the-day-15-july-a-life-of-fervour/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/15/thought-for-the-day-15-july-a-life-of-fervour-2/

Posted in EASTER, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD

Thought for the Day – 10 April – Easter: The Herald of Peace

Thought for the Day – 10 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Easter: The Herald of Peace

“At the close of this meditation, let us ask the risen Christ to give us His peace which is the only true peace.
My peace I give to you” (Jn 14:27).
Although it comes from Jesus, however, this peace requires an effort on our part too.
We must build it up carefully within ourselves with the help of God’s grace.
The foundations of interior peace, must be laid down, by controlling our passions, by avoiding the slightest trace of sin, by living the the life of prayer and of union with God, by loving Him above all things and creatures and by living and working for Him alone!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/13/thought-for-the-day-13-april-easter-the-herald-of-peace/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/08/thought-for-the-day-8-april-easter-the-herald-of-peace/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 4 April – Jesus in Gethsemane

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

Jesus in Gethsemane

In His sadness and loneliness, Jesus is comforted by an Angel.
It is true that, being God, He was in no need of being consoled by Angels.
Moreover, He had willingly allowed Himself to be offered as a Victim of Expiation for our sins.

“He was offered because it was His own will” (Is 53:7).
But, He wished to be an example to us in this matter too.

If we trustingly abandon ourselves to God’s will in moments of temptation and of sorrow, we shall receive comfort from our Angel too.
How many times have we experienced this mysterious consolation in our souls?
When we have bowed our heads in suffering and have offered ourselves as pure victims to God, we have felt an inner light and peace which only Divine grace can give.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/10/thought-for-the-day-10-april-jesus-in-gethsemane/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/11/thought-for-the-day-11-april-jesus-in-gethsemane/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FREEDOM, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY NAME, The KINGDOM of GOD, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 1April – ‘He who hates his life in this world, keeps it, unto life everlasting.’ John 12:25

Quote/s of the Day – 1April – “The Month of the Resurrection” – Saturday in Passion Week – Jeremias18:18-23, John 12:10-36 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

He who loves his life, loses it
and he who hates his life
in this world,
keeps it unto life everlasting.
If anyone serves Me,
let him follow Me
and where I am,
there also shall My servant be
.”

John 12:25-26

Why then do we pray
for the Kingdom of Heaven to come,
if this earthly bondage pleases us?
WHAT IS THE POINT of praying so often
for its early arrival,
if we would rather serve the devil here
than reign with Christ!?

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

(Excerpt from On Man’s Mortality)

Regard as free, not those,
whose status makes them outwardly free
but those, who are free
in their character and conduct.
For we should not call men truly free
when they are wicked and dissolute,
since they are slaves to worldly passions.
Freedom and happiness of soul
consist in genuine purity
and detachment from transitory things.

St Anthony Abbot (251-356)

True spiritual life consists in this:
that man keep his eyes on God, constantly,
long for nothing but for God,
keep nothing in mind but God
and begin every single action,
in God’s Name
and direct it to Him.

St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502-1539)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on WISDOM, The GOOD SHEPHERD

Quote/s of the Day – 29 March – Hear and Obey

Quote/s of the Day – 29 March –Wednesday in Passion Week – Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-19, 25, John 10:22-38 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

My sheep hear My Voice;
I know them and they follow Me.

John 10:27

Peace in us is the result
of two kinds of necessary obedience,
the obedience to right reason
of the lower faculties
and the obedience of right reason
to God, our Creator.
“This is the peace which God
gives on earth to men of goodwill;
this is the most perfect wisdom,

St Augustine (356-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

Do all through love,
nothing through constraint.
Love obedience more
than you fear disobedience.

(Letter to Madame de Chantal)

To find the Saviour
outside obedience’
is to lose Him altogether!

(Letters to Persons in Religion, VI, 22)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FREEDOM, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 23 March – Self-Denial

Thought for the Day – 23 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Self-Denial

This denial of ourselves to the extent of identifying our will with the Will of God, produces in us, a profound peace.
The Saints scaled this height and found there that tranquility of spirit which led them to rejoice in martyrdom and dishonour.

It was this peace of soul which made the dying St Aloysius Gonzaga smile and say: “I am happy to be going.
It was this which enabled the saintly, Cardinal Fisher, when he was going to the scaffold, to behold a light which does not fail and say: “Commit to the Lord your way … He will make justice dawn for you like the light (Ps 36:5-6).
This too, is why, the Imitation of Christ tells us that nobody is so free, as he who knows how to deny himself!””

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/22/thought-for-the-day-22-january-self-denial/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/21/thought-for-the-day-21-january-self-denial/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, OUR Cross, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the ANTI-christ, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HEART, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – ‘May grace and peace be yours in abundance …’

Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent – Galatians 4:22-31, John 6:1-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Jesus then took the loaves of bread
and having given thanks,
he distributed them to those who were seated there;
in the same way he gave them some fish,
as much as they wante
d.”

John 6:11

“… May grace and peace
be yours in abundance,
through knowledge of God
and of Jesus Our Lord…

2 Peter 1:2

Let the world turn upside down,
let everything be in darkness, in smoke,
in uproar – God is with us!

I recommend that you look before you
but not dwell upon those
dangers which you see in the distance.

Do not look forward to the changes and chances
of this life in fear – rather look to them
with full hope that, as they arise,
God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them.
He is your keeper. He has kept you hitherto.
Do you but hold fast to His dear hand
and He will lead you safely through all things
and, when you cannot stand,
He will bear you in His arms.
Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow.
Our Father will either shield you from suffering,
or He will give you strength to bear it
.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“Must you continue to be your own cross?
No matter which way God leads you,
you change everything into bitterness
by constantly brooding over everything.
For the love of God,
replace all this self-scrutiny,
with a pure and simple glance at God’s goodness!”

We think not enough of this Truth –
that God is present with us
that He sees our thoughts,
even long before we have them.
That He knows what we think
and shall think, better than we ourselves
that He sees the folds and recesses,
of our heart
and of this other Truth –
that NOTHING HAPPENS to us
but by the order of Providence.
We should all be Saints,
if we well apprehended these Truths.
And truly, it is a great consolation,
to know that God sees
the bottom of our heart.

St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
Disciple and Collaborator with St Francis de Sales
in Founding the Sisters of the Visitation

Prayer of Abandonment
By St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)

O sovereign goodness
of the sovereign Providence of my God!
I abandon myself forever to Thy arms.
Whether gentle or severe,
lead me henceforth whither Thou will.
I will not regard the way
through which Thou will have me pass
but keep my eyes fixed upon Thee,
my God, who guides me.
My soul finds no rest without the arms
and the bosom of this heavenly Providence,
my true Mother, my strength and my rampart.
Therefore, I resolve with Thy Divine assistance,
0 my Saviour,
to follow Thy desires and Thy ordinances,
without regarding or examining
why Thou does this rather than that
but I will blindly follow Thee,
according to Thy Divine will,
without seeking my own inclinations.
Hence I am determined to leave all to Thee,
taking no part therein,
save by keeping myself in peace in Thy arms,
desiring nothing, except as Thou incites me to desire,
to will, to wish.
I offer Thee this desire, 0 my God,
beseeching Thee to bless it.
I undertake all it includes,
relying on Thy goodness,
liberality and mercy,
with entire confidence in Thee,
distrust of myself,
and knowledge of my infinite misery and infirmity.
Amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, QUOTES on WATCHING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 March – ‘… Run to meet the Sun of that Eternal Light …’

One Minute Reflection – 4 March – The Memorial of St Casimir (1458-1484) Confessor, Prince – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 31:8-11,Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.” – Luke 12:35-36

REFLECTION – “God, the Word, stirs up the lazy and arouses the sleeper. For indeed, someone who comes knocking at the door is always wanting to come in. But it depends on us, if He does not always enter or always remain… May your door be open to Him Who comes; open your soul, enlarge your spiritual capacities that you may discover the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace and sweetness of grace. Expand your heart; run to meet the Sun of that Eternal Light that “enlightens everyone” (Jn 1,9). It is certain that this true Light shines for all but, if anyone shuts their windows, then they themselves, shut themselves off from this Eternal Light.

So even Christ remains outside, if you shut the door of your soul. It is true, that He could enter but He does not want to use force, He does not put those who refuse under pressure. Descended from the Virgin, born from her womb, He shines throughout the universe to give light to all. Those who long to receive the light which shines with an everlasting brightness, open up to Him. No night comes to intervene. Indeed, the sun we see each day, gives way to night’s darkness but the Sun of Justice (Mal 3,20) knows no setting, for Wisdom is not overcome by evil.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan and Father and Doctor of the Church (12th Sermon on Psalm 118).

PRAYER – O God, Who strengthened St Casimir with the virtue of steadfastness amid the luxuries of a Royal Court and the allurements of the world, we beseech Thee that through his intercession, Thy faithful may treat earthly things as naught and ever aspire to those of Heaven. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in FRANCISCAN OFM, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Our Morning Offering – 7 February – “The Peace Prayer”

Our Morning Offering – 7 February – Tuesday of Septuagesima Week – Preparing to prepare, making a plan of action, seeking the best means for ourselves.

Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace.
“The Peace Prayer”
By St Francis of Assisi (c 1181–1226

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving
that we receive;
it is in pardoning
that we are pardoned
and it is in dying,
that we are born to eternal life.
Amen

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JEALOUSY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 February – Septuagesima Sunday – Preparing to Prepare

Quote/s of the Day – 5 February – Septuagesima Sunday – Preparing to Prepare

“Prepare the way of the Lord
make His paths straight
” …

Luke 3:4

There is still time for endurance,
time for patience,
time for healing,
time for change.
Have you slipped?
Rise up!
Have you sinned?
Cease!
Do not stand among sinners
but leap aside!

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

“Then the righteous shall shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father.

Matthew 13:43

So from now on, run well (cf. Gal 5:7)
and may the devil not bewitch you (cf. Gal 3:1)
nor hinder you! …
May mercy, peace, charity,
freedom from envy,
from jealousy and ostentation
come upon you, docility, friendly speech,
solidarity, compassion
towards each other, humility.

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)

My Lord Jesus Christ,
You have made this journey
to die for me, with love unutterable
and I have so many times unworthily abandoned You
but now I love You with my whole heart
and because I love You,
I repent sincerely for having ever offended You.
Pardon me, my God
and permit me to accompany You on this journey.
You go to die for love of me,
I wish also, my beloved Redeemer,
to die for love of Thee.
My Jesus, I will live
and die always united to You.”
Amen

By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Each and everyone 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)

Posted in ARMOUR of CHRIST, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, GOD is LOVE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 29 January – True Peace

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

True Peace

“This absolute and loving abandonment to the Will of God in all things, brings complete inner peace but, it does not exclude conflict.
Interior peace is the result of the practice of virtue and, therefore, of the struggle against evil.
When Our Lord had repeated several times that He had given us His peace, He said too: “Do not think that I have come to send upon upon the earth; I have come to bring a sword, not peace.” (Mt 10:34).

These apparent contradictory words of Our Lord, are explained by the fact that the peace of Jesus does not consist in inactivity but demands action and strife and the conquest of evil.
It is a militant peace which Our Lord desires us to possess.
Only when we have controlled our passions, when we have made our wills entirely subject to the Will of God and have renounced ourselves, so that the Justice and Charity of Jesus Christ can triumph in us, only then shall we reach those serene heights, where storms from below cannot come near us and the peace of God reigns supreme!

We find examples of this true and perfect peace among the Saints, Martyrs and Apostles.
We read of the Apostles that “they departed … rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the Name of Jesus” (Acts 5:41).
This is an example of that genuine peace which is the result of victory in the combat against evil and of complete and loving submission to the Will of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/01/thought-for-the-day-1-february-true-peace/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/30/thought-for-the-day-30-january-true-peace/

Posted in "Follow Me", LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 28 January – Blessed are Those who Love Peace

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

Blessed are Those who Love Peace

Peace is especially opposed to sentiments of anger and hatred against our brothers.
It commands us to love and help them.
Hatred is the heritage of Cain because God says that “he who does not love, abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murdere. And you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 Jn 3:15).
A man who hates his brother may not actually kill him but, he is guilty of murdering him in his heart!
As a result, he loses peace of soul because, as St Augustine points out (Sermon 82), by hating someone, you create disorder in yourself and destroy that Divine harmony which was the gift of Divine grace and charity.

If we wish to preserve interior peace, we must cast out from our hearts, every vestige of hatred for our neighbour and entertain love, understanding and forgiveness, for all.
By loving our enemies, we place ourselves above them by an act of true Christian nobility.
We imitate Jesus, Who forgave His executioners and prayed for them from the Cross.

A fit of anger is like a moment of madness.
It is a great misfortune for anyone to yield to it.
He speaks and acts like a man who has lost his reason and allows himself to be carried away by blind passion.
When the moment of insanity is over, he will be ashamed of himself and of all that he has said and done.

It is necessary to be masters of ourselves and of our feelings.
Never speak or act until anger has subsided within you.
By persevering in co-operation with the grace of God, we presercve that inward calmness which is a reflection of the peace of God.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/31/thought-for-the-day-31-january-blessed-are-those-who-love-peace/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/29/thought-for-the-day-29-january-blessed-are-those-who-love-peace/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FRANCISCAN OFM, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUTH, The HEART, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 January – Light your lamps

Quote/s of the Day – 23 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus” – St Raymond of Peñafort (1175-1275) – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Gird your loins and light your lamps

Luke 12:35

The fire of the Lord is Light Eternal;
the lamps of believers are lit at this fire:
“Gird your loins and light your lamps,”
(Lk 12:35).
It is because the days of our life
are still night that a lamp is necessary.
This is the fire which,
according to the testimony
of the disciples at Emmaus,
the Lord Himself set within them:
“Were not our hearts burning within us
while He spoke to us on the way
and opened the scriptures to us?” (Lk 24:32).
He gives us evident proof of this fire’s action,
enlightening man’s inmost heart.
That is why the Lord will come in fire (Is 66,15)
so as to devour our faults at the resurrection,
fulfil each one’s desires with His Presence
and cast His Light over their merits and mysteries.

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

Jesus is happy to come with us,
as Truth is happy to be spoken,
as Life to be lived,
as Light to be lit,
as Love is to be loved,
as Joy to be given,
as Peace to be spread.

St Francis of Assisi (1181/2–1226)

Lord, Kindle our Lamps
By St Columban (543-615)

Lord, kindle our lamps,
Saviour most dear to us,
that we may always shine
in Thy Presence
and always receive Light
from Thee,
the Light Perpetual,
so that our own
personal darkness,
may be overcome
and the world’s darkness
driven from us.
Amen

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 19 January – Eternal God, Our Refuge By St Boniface

Our Morning Offering – 19 January

Eternal God, Our Refuge
By St Boniface (672-754)
Martyr

Eternal God,
the refuge and help of all Thy children,
we praise Thee for all Thou hast given us,
for all Thou hast done for us,
for all that Thou art to us.
In our weakness, Thou art strength,
in our darkness, Thou art light,
in our sorrow, Thou art comfort and peace.
We cannot number Thy blessings,
we cannot declare Thy love –
for all Thy graces, we bless Thee.
May we live as in Thy presence,
and love the things that Thou loves
and serve Thee in our daily lives,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 17 January – The Vicissitudes of Life

Thought for the Day – 17 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Vicissitudes of Life

“Let this be our resolution and the result of our meditation.
When we are tempted to sin, especially against holy purity, let us resist immediately and take flight.
When we encounter misunderstanding on the part of others, or even coldness or calumny, or injustice, let us not be depressed or annoyed.
The only thing which should concern us, is the evidence of our conscience before God.

Offer everything else to God – joy or sorrow, praise or blame, honour or humilition.
Ask only for His grace.
If we have that, we shall have peace of mind as well.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/17/thought-for-the-day-17-january-the-vicissitudes-of-life/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/17/thought-for-the-day-16-january-the-vicissitudes-of-life/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES for the NEW YEAR, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 January – For a New Year

Quote/s of the Day – 3 January – For a New Year

You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your mind.
And the second is like it:
You shall love your neighbour as yourself.

Matthew 22:36,39

If we would God discern
The world we must despise,
His love and hate must learn,
See all things with His eyes.
And we must self forgo
If God we would attain,
His grace must in us grow
And ease us from all pain.
So shall we sing His praise
And be at one with Him,
In peace our voices raise
In the celestial hymn,
That with quadruple harmony
And all mellifluous melody,
In Heaven resounds eternally.

Bl Jan van Ruusbroec (1293-1381)

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

St Francis Borgia (1510-1572)

Let us go forward in peace,
our eyes upon Heaven,
the only one goal of our labours.

St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, QUOTES on WATCHING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 31 December – ‘… Someone who comes knocking at the door, is always wanting to come in …’

One Minute Reflection – 31 December – “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception” – The Seventh Day of the Octave of Christmas and the Memorial of St Pope Sylvester I (Died 335) – 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.” – Luke 12:35-36

REFLECTION – “God, the Word, stirs up the lazy and arouses the sleeper. For indeed, someone who comes knocking at the door, is always wanting to come in. But it depends on us, if He does not always enter or always remain.,, May your door be open to Him who comes; open your soul, enlarge your spiritual capacities, that you may discover the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace and sweetness of grace. Expand your heart; run to meet the Sun of that Eternal Light that “enlightens everyone” (Jn 1,9). It is certain, that this true Light shines for all but, if anyone shuts their windows, then they themselves, shut themselves off from this Eternal Light.

So even Christ remains outside, if you shut the door of your soul. It is true, that He could enter but He does not want to use force, He does not put those who refuse under pressure.  Descended from the Virgin, born from her womb, He shines throughout the universe to give light to all. Those who long to receive the light, that shines with an everlasting brightness, open up to Him. No night comes to intervene. Indeed, the sun we see each day, gives way to night’s darkness but the Sun of Justice (Mal 3,20) knows no setting, for Wisdom is not overcome by evil.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan and Father and Doctor of the Church (12th Sermon on Psalm 118).

PRAYER – Look forgivingly on Thy flock, Eternal Shepherd and keep it in Thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Sylvester thy Confessor and Sovereign Pontiff, whom thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church. 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 GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 5 December – Peace of Soul

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

Peace of Soul

True peace consists in doing the will of God constantly and, with love.
When God gives us consolation and joy, we thank Him for His Infinite Goodness towards us.
When He sends us suffering and privation, we bless and thank Him nonetheles
s.
Let us recall the example of Job.
When he had lost his children, his health and all his possessions and, was derided by his wife and distrusted by his friends, he exclaimed in a spirit of resignation: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21).

All this may seem too difficult to us but, it is only on these conditions that we can obtain interior peace.
By surrendering our will entirely to God, in all the circumstances of our lives, we can raise ourselves above all the sorrows and vain desires of this earthly existence and, we will find in God, a lasting peace and tranquillity.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/12/thought-for-the-day-12-december-peace-of-soul/

Posted in "Follow Me", 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The HOLY SPIRIT, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 29 November – The Blessedness of Those Who Suffer Persecution

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

The Blessedness of Those Who Suffer Persecution

Why did God will to grant us happiness, only on this condition – that we deny ourselves and carry the cross with resignation?
The reason is that we should no longer be ourselves but, should belong entirely to God and, should no longer live our own lives, as St Paul expresses it but, should live the life of Jesus Christ.
We ought to become like Him, the Man of Sorrows, Who redeemed us at the price of His Precious Blood and forgave His executioners from the Cross.

We must suffer, moreover, so that, by our suffering, we may expiate our sins, purify our souls, detach ourselves from the world and begin to lead a heavenly life, even on this earth.

We should not imagine that this will make our lives sad and dreary.
On the contrary, it will fill them with the lasting joy which God sends from on high.
Let us acquire the peace which is founded on complete control of the passions, on absolute dedication to God and on the power of charity which can overcome all obstacles.
Before we can acquire it, of course, we must be enlightened and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
It was not until after Pentecost that the Apostles achieved this happiness, so that, “they departed from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer disgrace, for the Name of Jesus” (Acts 5:41).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/06/thought-for-the-day-6-december-the-blessedness-of-those-who-suffer-persecution/

Posted in ARMOUR of CHRIST, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 28 November – The Blessedness of the Peracemakers

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

The Blessedness of the Peracemakers

We should not imagine, however, that the peace which Jesus brought to us, is a lifeless peace, like that of a cemetery.
On the contrary, it is the peace of conquest, a living peace.

It cannot be attained by the sluggard, who is aiming at an easy and comfortable existence but, by the generous warrior who is always prepared to throw himself into the fight for virtue, for the glory of God and for the salvation of souls.

The peace of Jesus Christ is a victory over the evil which is rampant within us and around us.
It demands vigilance, strifc and perseverance in fidelity to Our Lord.
It requires the spirit of sacrifice, the love of God and dedication to the welfare of our fellowmen.
It is the fruit of internal and external combat.

It excludes all rancour, envy, detraction and malice, which is why it costs so much hardship and conflict.
When a man has gained the victory, however, he experiences that wonderful spiritual tranquility which God alone can give.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/05/thought-for-the-day-5-december-the-blessedness-of-the-peracemakers/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 22 November – The Blessedness of the Poor

Thought for the Day – 22 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Blessedness of the Poor

“Learn from me,” said Jesus when He proposed Himself to us, as our model, “for I am meek and humble of heart and You will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light” (Mt 11:30).
By your patience,” He said on another occasion, “you will win your souls” (Lk 21:19).
Love your enemies,” He said too, “do good to those who hate you and pray for those who persecute and calymuniate you, so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven, Who makes His sun to rise on the good and the evil and sends rain on the just and the unjust” (Mt 5:44).

If we obey this lofty teaching, we shall have peace of soul.
We shall not be easily annoyed but shall rather, regret the misdeeds and unhappiness, of those who unjustly offend us.
Moreover, we shall be able to persuade our fellowmen to follow the path of virtue.
This is why the Psalmist says that “the meek shall possess the land, they shall delight in abounding peace” (Ps 36:11).
Blessed are the meek,” Jesus repeats in the Sermon on the Mount, “for they shall possess the earth” (Mt 5:4).

What is meant by this promise?
Tyrants, persecutions and evil-doers, have passed away and are remembered with bitterness and execration.

But the Saints still hold sway over the world and dominate the minds and hearts of millions, winning universal love and veneration.
We should imitate the gentleness which can give such peace and exert such influence!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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

Posted in CONSECRATION Prayers, GOD ALONE!, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PURITY, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 16 November – O Heart of Jesus! By St Gertrude the Great

Our Morning Offering – 16 November – St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302) Virgin, Benedictine Religious, Mystic, Theologian, Writer.

O Heart of Jesus!
By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

Sanctity of the Heart of Jesus,
consecrate my heart;
Providence of the Heart of Jesus,
watch over my heart;
Unchangeableness of the Heart of Jesus,
strengthen my heart;
Purity of the Heart of Jesus,
purify my heart;
Obedience of the Heart of Jesus,
subjugate my heart;
Amiability of the Heart of Jesus,
make Thyself known to my heart;
Divine attractions of the Heart of Jesus,
captivate my heart;
Riches of the Heart of Jesus,
do ye suffice for my heart;
Floods of grace and blessing
which flow from the Heart of Jesus,
inundate my heart.
O Heart of Jesus! be Thou my joy,
my peace, my repose in this world
and in the next.
O Heart of Jesus! adored in Heaven,
Invoked on earth, feared in hell,
Reign over all hearts,
Reign throughout all ages,
Reign forever in celestial glory.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 November – ‘May your door be open to Him Who comes …’ – St Ambrose

One Minute Reflection – 10 November – St Andrew Avellino CR (1521– 1608) Confessor – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning and you yourselves ,like men waiting for their master’s return from the wedding; so that when he comes and knocks, they may straightaway open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the master, on his return, shall find watching.” – Luke 12:35-37

REFLECTION – “God, the Word, stirs up the lazy and arouses the sleeper. For indeed, someone who comes knocking at the door is always wanting to come in. But, it depends on us, if He does not always enter or always remain. May your door be open to Him Who comes; open your soul, enlarge your spiritual capacities, that you may discover the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace and sweetness of grace. Expand your heart, run to meet the Sun of that Eternal Light that “enlightens everyone” (Jn 1,9). It is certain, that this true Light shines for all but, if anyone shuts their windows, then they themselves shut themselves off from this Eternal Light.

So even Christ remains outside, if you shut the door of your soul. It is true that He could enter but He does not want to use force, He does not put those who refuse under pressure. Descended from the Virgin, born from her womb, He shines throughout the universe to give light to all. Those who long to receive the Light, that shines with an everlasting brightness, open up to Him. No night comes to intervene. Indeed, the sun we see each day gives way to night’s darkness but the Sun of justice (Mal 3,20) knows no setting, for Wisdom is not overcome by evil.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan and Father and Doctor of the Church – (12th Sermon on Psalm 118).

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

Posted in GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 7 November – Eternal God, Our Refuge By St Boniface

Our Morning Offering – 7 November – Within the All Saints Octave

Eternal God, Our Refuge
By St Boniface (672-754)
Marty
r

Eternal God,
the refuge and help of all Thy children,
we praise Thee for all Thou hast given us,
for all Thou hast done for us,
for all that Thou art to us.
In our weakness, Thou art strength,
in our darkness, Thou art light,
in our sorrow, Thou art comfort and peace.
We cannot number Thy blessings,
we cannot declare Thy love –
for all Thy graces, we bless Thee.
May we live as in Thy presence,
and love the things that Thou loves
and serve Thee in our daily lives,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen