Category: QUOTES on PERSECUTION

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GOSSIP, QUOTES on PRAYER, The LORD'S PRAYER, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 14 March – 70 Times 7

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 March – Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent – 4 Kings 4:1-7, Mattew 18:15-22 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/ – – – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me
and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”
“Jesus said to him,
“I do not say to you seven times
but seventy times seven.”

Matthew 18:21-22

“Judge not and you will not be judged;
condemn not and you will not be condemned;
forgive and you will be forgiven;
give and it will be given to you,
good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, running over,
will be put into your lap.
For the measure you give,
will be the measure you get back.”

Luke 6:37-38

“If your brother sins, rebuke him
and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times
in one day and returns to you
seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’
you should forgive him.”

Luke 17:3-4

“To the extent that you pray, with all your soul,
for the person who slanders you,
God will make the truth known
to those who have been scandalised
by the slander.”

St Maximus the Confessor (c 580–662)

“See to it that you refrain from harsh words.
But if you do speak them,
do not be ashamed to apply the remedy
from the same lips, that inflicted the wounds.”

“The recollection of an injury,
is . . . a rusty arrow
and poison for the soul.”

St Francis of Paola OM (1416-1507)

“If a man finds it very difficult to forgive injuries,
let him look at a Crucifix
and think that Christ shed all His Blood for him
and not only forgave His enemies
but, even prayed His Heavenly Father,
to forgive them too.
Let him remember,
that when he says the Pater Noster, everyday,
instead of asking pardon for his sins,
he is calling down VENGEANCE UPON HIMSELF!”

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

The Lord’s Prayer
Jesus
Matthew 6:9-13

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
Amen

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Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSECUTION

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 14 March – CHARITY in INJURY

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Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 14 March – Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent – 4 Kings 4:1-7, Mattew 18:15-22 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone
who is indebted to us.”
Luke 11:4

“Then Peter came up to him and said,
“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me
and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times
but seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:21-22

CHARITY in INJURY
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“THE CHRISTIAN SHOULD LOVE husband or wife with a calm, tranquil, firm and constant love, chiefly because God desires and enjoins us to do so. The same reason holds good as to children and other relatives and friends, each one according to
his rank.

But as a general thing, what is the state of your heart with regard to your neighbour? Do you love him from your heart and for the love of God?
In order to prove this, you must call to mind certain disagreeable, troublesome individuals, for with such, it is that we practice the love of God towards our neighbour and still more, towards those who do us any injury, either in word or deed.
Consider whether your heart is clear with regard to such and whether you have to force it to love them?
Are you slow to speak evil of your neighbour, especially of those whom you do not like?
Do you never injure him, either directly or indirectly?
A very little reflection will easily satisfy you on these points.” – (Introduction to the Devout Life).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GOSSIP, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 March – ‘ … What evil can your enemy do to you, which would be comparable to that, which you do to yourself?

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One Minute Reflection – 14 March – “The Month of the St Joseph” – Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent – 4 Kings 4:1-7, Matthew 18:15-22 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Then Peter came up to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times but seventy times seven.” – Matthew 18:21-22

REFLECTION – “Christ is asking two thing of us – to condemn our sins, to forgive those of the others; to do the first because of the second, which then will be easier, for the person who thinks of his sins will be less severe towards his companion in destitution. And to forgive not only with our mouth but “from the bottom of our heart,” so as not to turn against ourselves, the blade, with which we believe we can pierce the others. What evil can your enemy do to you which would be comparable to that, which you do to yourself? … If you let yourself go, in indignation and anger, you will be wounded, not because of the injury your enemy inflicted upon you but, from the resentment you feel because of it.

So do not say: “He insulted me, he slandered me, he did a great number of wretched things to me.” The more you say he did evil things to you, the more you show that he did you good, since he gave you an opportunity to purify yourself of your sins. Thus, the more he offends you, the more he places you in a state of obtaining the forgiveness of your faults from God. For if we want, no-one can damage us; even our enemies are thus doing us a great service… So consider how many advantages you draw from an injury that is suffered humbly and gently!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Fasther and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on Saint Matthew no 61).

This image is called CALUMNY by Botticelli

PRAYER – Almighty and eternal God, Who has dominion over both the living and the dead and has mercy upon all whom Thou foreknow will be Thine by faith and good works; we humbly beseech Thee that all for whom we have resolved to make supplication, whether the present world still holds them in the flesh, or the world to come holds them out of the body, may, through the intercession of the blessed Virgin and all Thy Saints, obtain of Thy goodness and clemency, pardon for all their sins.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", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 February – The temptation of the Lord

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One Minute Reflection – 26 February – The First Sunday of Lent – 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Matthew 4:1-11 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil.” – Matthew 4:1

REFLECTION – “If we look at the progress of our Lord’s temptation, we see how great the struggle was that set us free. from temptation. Our ancient enemy rose up against the first human being, our ancestor, in three temptations. He tempted him by gluttony, by vainglory and by avarice… He tempted him by gluttony when he showed him the forbidden food of the tree and told him: “Taste it.” He tempted him by vainglory when he said, “You will be like gods” (Gn 3:5). He tempted him by adding avarice when he said: “knowing good and evil.” Avarice is concerned not only with money but also with high position…

But the means by which the devil overcame the first Adam (1 Cor 15:47) were the same ones which caused him to yield, when he tempted the Second. He tempted Him by gluttony when he said, “Tell these stones to become bread.” He tempted Him by vainglory when he said, “If Thou are the Son of God, cast Thyself down.” He tempted him by an avaricious desire for high position when he showed him all the kingdoms of the world, saying: “I will give Thee all these, if Thou will fall down and worship me”… As a captive, the devil would depart from our hearts by the same avenue which had given him entrance, when he possessed us.

But there is something else we have to consider too in this temptation of the Lord’s… He could have plunged His tempter into the depths. He did not reveal the power of His might but He only brought forth the precepts of Scripture. This was to give us an example of His patience, so that as often as we suffer something from vicious persons, we should be aroused to teach, rather than to exact revenge. Consider how great God’s patience is, how great our impatience! If we are provoked by injuries, or by some attack, we are influenced by rage… the Lord endured the devil’s opposition and He answered him with nothing except words of meekness!” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on the Gospel no 14).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who purify Thy Church by the annual Lenten observance, grant to Thy household that what they strive to obtain from Thee by abstinence, they may achieve by good works. 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 FATHERS of the Church, Holy Name PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HOLY NAME, The LAST THINGS

Our Morning Offering – 10 February – May We Confess Your Name to the End

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Our Morning Offering – 10 February – Friday of Septuagesima Week

May We Confess Your Name to the End
By St Cyprian of Carthage (200-258)
Bishop and Martyr
Apostolic Father of the Church

Good God,
may we confess Your Name to the end.
May we emerge unmarked
and glorious from the traps
and darkness of this world.
As You have bound us together,
by charity and peace
and as together,
we have persevered under persecution,
so may we also rejoice together
in Your heavenly kingdom.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, OUR Cross, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 February – “What does this mean, “take up a cross?”

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One Minute Reflection – 3 February – St Blaise (Died c 316) Martyr Bishop, Physician, Miracle-worker. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Matthew 16:24-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.” – Matthew 16:24

REFLECTION – “What does this mean, “take up a cross?” It means, he will bear with whatever is troublesome and in this very act, he will be following Me.
When he has begun to follow me, according to My teaching and precepts, he will find many people contradicting him and standing in his way, many who not only deride but even persecute him.
Moreover, this is true, not only of pagans who are outside the Church but also of those, who seem to be in it visibly but are outside of it because of the perversity of their deeds.
Although these glory, in merely the title of Christian, they continually persecute faithful Christians.
Such belong to the members of the Church in the same way, that bad blood is in the body.
Therefore, if you wish to follow Christ, do not delay in carrying His Cross, tolerate sinners but do not yield to them.
Do not let the false happiness of the wicked corrupt you.
You do well to despise all things for the sake of Christ, in order that you may be fit for His companionship.”- St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop of Arles and Father of the Church – (Sermons, 159).

PRAYER – O God, Who gladden us with the yearly festival of blessed Blaise, Thy Martyr and Bishop, mercifully grant that, as we venerate the anniversary of his Martyrdom, we may also rejoice in his protection. 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 HIGH PRIEST, FATHERS of the Church, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 January – And fear you not them who kill the body and are not able to kill the soul …” – Matthew 10:28

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One Minute Reflection – 26 January – St Polycarp (69-155) Martyr, Bishop of Smyrna (Asia Minor), Apostolic Father – 1 John 3:10-16, Matthew 10:26-32 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And fear you not them who kill the body and are not able to kill the soul …” – Matthew 10:28

REFLECTION – “They did not nail Polycarp but only tied him up. And so, he was bound, putting his arms behind his back, like a noble ram taken from a large flock for sacrifice, a burnt offering acceptable to and made ready for God. Then he gazed up to Heaven and said: “O Lord God Almighty, Father of Your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through Whom we have received knowledge of You, God of the angels and the powers and of all creation, God of the whole race of the righteous who live in Your sight: I bless You, for You have thought me worthy of this day and hour, to share the cup of Your Christ, as one of Your Martyrs, to rise again to eternal life in body and soul in the immortality of the Holy Ghost. May I be taken up today into Your Presence among Your Martyrs, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, in the manner You have prepared and have revealed and have now brought to fulfillment, for You are the God of truth… And so also I praise You for all things; I bless and glorify you through our Eternal High Priest in Heaven (Heb 4,14), in Your beloved Child, Jesus Christ, through Whom be glory to You and to Him and to the Holy Ghost, now and for the ages to come. Amen.” – Letter of the Church of Smyrna concerning the Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp (69-155)

PRAYER – O God, Who gave us joy by the annual solemnity of blessed Polycarp, Thy Martyr and Bishop, mercifully grant that we may rejoice in his protection, whose birthday we celebrate. 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 SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE MERCY, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 January – “Do whatever He tells you.”

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 January – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Do whatever He tells you.”

John 2:5

“Not everyone who says to Me,
‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of Heaven
but only the one who does
the will of My Father in Heaven.”

Matthew 7:21

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

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

“If we fail to live in the Light,
we shall, to our condemnation
and that of others,
be veiling over and obscuring,
by our infidelity,
the Light men so desperately need.
As we know from Scripture,
the man who received the talent
should have made it produce a heavenly profit
but instead, he preferred to hide it away
rather than put it to work
and was punished as he deserved.
Consequently, that brilliant Lamp
which was lit for the sake of our salvation
should always shine in us.
For we have the lamp
of the heavenly commandments
and spiritual grace,
to which David referred:
Your law is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.”

St Chromatius of Aquileia (Died c 407)
Bishop of Aquileia,
Father of the Church

“When he has begun to follow Me,
according to My teaching and precepts,
he will find many people contradicting him
and standing in his way,
many who not only deride but even persecute him.
Moreover, this is true,
not only of pagans who are outside the Church
but also of those, who seem to be in it visibly
but are outside of it because of the perversity of their deeds.
Although these glory,
in merely the title of Christian,
they continually persecute faithful Christians.”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY

Thought for the Day – 8 January – The Apostolate of Suffering

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Thought for the Day – 8 January – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Apostolate of Suffering

The Agony in the Garden by Luca Giordono (1634-1705) Naples, Italy

“Suffering has a still further purpose.
Besides bearing the role of an apostolate in our own lives, it can also be an apostolate for others,
We can offer our sufferings and sorrows to God, not only for our own spiritual advancement but, also for the expiation of the sins of the human race, for our enemies, for the persecutors of the Church (especially those within the Church!) and for all the other suffering members of the Mystical Body of Christ.
In this way, we can accomplish great good and can acquire great merit before God.

As a result of our offering, who knows how many hearts, hardened in sin, or how many souls forgetful of Heaven, may be touched by the grace of God?
Let us suffer with Jesus.
He alone can ease our pain and make it meritorious.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/10/thought-for-the-day-10-january-the-apostolate-of-suffering/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/08/thought-for-the-day-8-january-the-apostolate-of-suffering/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, FRANCISCAN OFM, GOD is LOVE, OUR Cross, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 January – ‘ … The greater the suffering, the greater will be the reward. …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus” – Octave of the Holy Innocents – Apocalypse 14:1-5 , Matthew 2:13-18 –Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If the world hates you,
know that it has hated Me first.”

John 15:18

“He who raised Him from the dead
will raise us also” (2Cor 4,14),
if we do His Will and live by His Commands
and love what He loved…
Let us be imitators of His endurance
and, if we suffer for His sake,
let us glorify Him.
For He set us this example Himself …”

St Polycarp (69-155)
Apostolic Father,
Bishop and Martyr

“Fix your minds on the Passion
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Inflamed with love for us,
He came down from Heaven
to redeem us.
For our sake, He endured
every torment of body and soul
and shrank from no bodily pain.
He, Himself, gave us an example
of perfect patience and love.
We, then, are to be patient, in adversity!”

“The recollection of an injury,
is . . . a rusty arrow
and poison for the soul.”

St Francis of Paola (1416-1507)

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

St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi (1566-1607)

“I think He intends to try you
like gold in the crucible,
so as to number you
amongst His most faithful servants.
Therefore, you must lovingly embrace
all occasions of suffering,
considering them
as precious tokens of His love.
To suffer in silence
and without complaint,
is what He asks of you.”

St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)
“Apostle of the Sacred Heart”

“Our Lord, Who saved the world,
through the Cross,
will only Work for the good of souls,
through the Cross.”

St Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 January – For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the Child, to destroy Him.” – Matthew 2:14

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One Minute Reflection – 4 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus” – Octave of the Holy Innocents – Apocalypse 14:1-5 , Matthew 2:13-18 –Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the Child, to destroy Him.” – Matthew 2:14

REFLECTION – “The Apostle John said: “Whoever says he abides in Christ, ought to walk even as Christ walked” (1 Jn 2:6). Moreover, the blessed Apostle Paul exhorts and teaches us, saying: “We are God’s children but if children, then heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him that we may also be glorified together” (Rm 8:16f.) … Let us, beloved brethren, imitate righteous Abel, who initiated Martyrdom, he being the first to be slain for righteousness’s sake (Gn 4:8) … let us imitate the three children Ananias, Azarias and Misael, who … overcame the king by the power of faith (Dn 3) … What of the prophets whom the Holy Spirit quickened to a foreknowledge of future events? What of the Apostles whom the Lord chose? Since these righteous men were slain for righteousness’ sake, have they not taught us also to die?

The nativity of Christ at once witnessed the Martyrdom of infants, so that they, who were two years old and under were slain for His Name’s sake. An age, not yet fitted for the battle, appeared fit for the crown. That it might be manifest that they, who are slain for Christ’s sake, are innocent, innocent infancy was put to death for His Name’s sake … How grave is the case of a Christian, if he, a servant, is unwilling to suffer when his Master first suffered! … The Son of God suffered that He might make us sons of God and the son of man will not suffer that he may continue to be a son of God!? … The Maker and Lord of the world also warns us, saying: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated Me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own but because you are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world ”… remember the word that I said to you: “The servant is not greater than his Lord” (Jn 15:18-20).” – St Cyprian of Carthage (c 200-258) Martyr, Bishop of Carthage, Father of the Church – Letter 55

PRAYER – O God, Whose praise the Innocents, Thy Martyrs, this day proclaimed, not by speaking but by dying, put to death in us all the wickedness of sin, so that Thy faith which our tongue professes, may be proclaimed also by our life. 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", ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUTH

Quote/s of the Day – 29 December – St Thomas à Becket

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 December – The Fifth Day of the Octave of Christmas and the Memorial of St Thomas à Becket (1118-1170) Martyr, Archbishop of Canterbury

“Do you not know that the largest trees
which have required years to grow,
are cut down in one hour?
It is foolish to look for their fruits
and yet to be unprepared for their fall.
Let it be your consolation, then,
that God’s enemies, however honourable
and exalted they may have been,
shall, nevertheless, fade away like the smoke!”

“Between the uprightness of my conscience
and the hardness of my lot,
I know not how, either
to show respect to my feelings,
or to the times.
The bitterness of my mind, urges me,
at all hazards, to speak what I think,
whereas the necessity of the times,
prompts me, however unbecomingly,
to keep silence. Good God!
Which way shall I turn myself?”

“Remember the sufferings of Christ,
the storms that were weathered…
the crown that came from those sufferings
which gave new radiance to the faith…
All Saints give testimony to the truth
that without real effort,
no-one ever wins the crown.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/29/quote-s-of-the-day-29-december-st-thomas-a-becket-1118-1170-martyr-2/

St Thomas à Becket (1118-1170)
Martyr, Archbishop of Canterbury

Posted in "Follow Me", FATHERS of the Church, OUR Cross, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD

One Minute Reflection – 16 December – What does this mean, “take up a cross?”

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One Minute Reflection – 16 December – “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception” – Friday of Ember Week in Advent – 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Matthew 16:24-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.” – Matthew 16:24

REFLECTION – “What does this mean, “take up a cross?” It means, he will bear with whatever is troublesome and in this very act, he will be following Me.
When he has begun to follow me, according to My teaching and precepts, he will find many people contradicting him and standing in his way, many who not only deride but even persecute him.
Moreover, this is true, not only of pagans who are outside the Church but also of those, who seem to be in it visibly but are outside of it because of the perversity of their deeds.
Although these glory, in merely the title of Christian, they continually persecute faithful Christians.
Such belong to the members of the Church in the same way, that bad blood is in the body.
Therefore, if you wish to follow Christ, do not delay in carrying His Cross, tolerate sinners but do not yield to them.
Do not let the false happiness of the wicked corrupt you.
You do well to despise all things for the sake of Christ, in order that you may be fit for His companionship.”- St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop of Arles and Father of the Church – (Sermons, 159).

PRAYER – Put forth Thy power, O Lord, we beseech Thee and come that those who trust in Thy goodness may soon be delivered from all harm. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", ARMOUR of CHRIST, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on the ANTI-christ, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The FLIGHT into EQYPT, The HOLY SCRIPTURES, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 2 December – St Chromatius of Aquileia

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 December – The Memorial of St Chromatius of Aquileia (Died c 407) Bishop of Aquileia, Theologian, Exegete, Writer and friend of Saints Ambrose and Jerome, defender of Saint John Chrysostom.

Let us pray to the Lord with all our heart
and with all our faith, let us pray to Him
to deliver us from all enemy incursions,
from all fear of adversaries. …
The Lord will fight to defend you
and you will be silent.
It is He who fights,
it is He who wins the victory….
And so that He may condescend to do so,
we must pray as much as possible.
He Himself said, in fact,
through the mouth of the prophet –
Call on Me on the day of tribulation;
I will set you free and you will give Me glory.

“However, in the allegorical or mystical sense,
this woman prefigured the Church,
which offered the full and entire devotion
of it’s faith to Christ …
There are twelve ounces to a pound
and this is the amount of perfume
the Church possesses, having received
the teaching of the twelve Apostles,
as if it were a precious perfume.
Indeed, what more precious
is there, than the Apostles’ teaching,
which contains both faith in Christ
and the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven? ”

“No man lights a candle
and puts it in a hidden place,
nor under a bushel but upon a candlestick,
that they who come in, may see the light.”

Luke 11:33

“If we fail to live in the Light,
we shall, to our condemnation
and that of others,
be veiling over and obscuring,
by our infidelity, the Light men so desperately need.
As we know from Scripture,
the man who received the talent
should have made it produce a heavenly profit
but instead, he preferred to hide it away
rather than put it to work
and was punished as he deserved.
Consequently, that brilliant Lamp
which was lit for the sake of our salvation
should always shine in us.
For we have the lamp
of the heavenly commandments
and spiritual grace, to which David referred:
Your law is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

St Chromatius of Aquileia (Died c 407)
Father of the Church

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

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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 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

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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 "Follow Me", LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MODESTY, QUOTES on MORALS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Thought for the Day – 14 November – Good Example

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Thought for the Day – 14 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Good Example

“The Holy Spirit tells us that God entrusts to everyone, the care of his neighbour (Ecclus 17:12).
“Let your light shine before men,” says Jesus Christ, “in order that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven” (Mt 5:16).
St Paul echoes this counsel, when he warns us not to return evil for evil but to “provide good things, not only in the sight of God but also in the sight of all men” (Cf Rom 12:17).
In other words, we are obliged to edify our neighbour by our good example.

Good example is the most effective sermon and it is a sermon which all of us can and should deliver.
We ought to preach this sermon everywhere and at all times – in the Church and outside it, in our family circle and in society, with our superiors, equals and inferiors, when we are speaking and when we are silent, in our behaviour and in our appearance!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/14/thought-for-the-day-14-november-good-example/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on ZEAL

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

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

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

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

“Let listening to worldly news
be BITTER FOOD for you
and let the words of
Saintly men
be as combs
filled with honey.”

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

“The Saints must be honoured
as friends of Christ
and children and heirs of God.
Let us carefully observe
the manner of life of all the Apostles,
Martyrs, Ascetics and just men,
who announced the coming of the Lord.
And let us emulate their faith,
charity, hope, zeal, life,
patience under suffering
and perseverance unto death,
so that we may also
share their crowns of glory.”

St John Damascene (676-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“I am a sinner
and do not think much of myself.
I have recourse,
to the greatest Servants of the Lord
that they may pray for me
to the blessed Christ and His Mother.
But do not forget,
that all the Saints
cannot endear you to Christ
as much as you can yourself.
It is entirely up to you!”

St Cajetan (1480-1547) Confessor

“God speaks to us through His Saints.
The Saints are those in whom
God dwells in such a special way
that their entire personalities reflect Him.
They live the Gospel perfectly.
Whenever we encounter
one of these privileged beings,
whether in the pages of a book [or online]
or in our actual surrounding world,
let us pay attention to them
and do our best to imitate their virtues.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 October – “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me first.”- John 15:18

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One Minute Reflection – 28 October – Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles – Ephesians 4:7-13, John 15:17-25 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me first.”- John 15:18

REFLECTION –“I rejoice with you greatly in our Lord Jesus Christ, that you welcomed the copies of true love [Ignatius of Antioch and his companions]…who were encumbered with saintly chains, which are the diadems of those, truly chosen by God and our Lord. And I rejoice because the deep root of your faith, which has been renowned from early times, still lasts and bears fruit to our Lord Jesus Christ, Who for our sins, endured even facing death and Whom “God raised, releasing Him from the throes of death” (Acts 2,24). “Though you have not seen Him, you believe with unutterable, triumphant joy” (1Pt 1,8)… “He who raised Him from the dead will raise us also” (2Cor 4,14), if we do His Will and live by His Commands and love what He loved… Let us be imitators of His endurance and, if we suffer for His sake, let us glorify Him. For He set us this example Himself and this is what we have believed.

So I beg you all, to obey the message of uprightness and to exhibit all endurance, such as you saw with your own eyes, not only in the blessed Ignatius and Zosimus and Rufus but also, in others of your number and in Paul himself and the rest of the Apostles, being assured, that all these “have not run in vain” (Gal 2,2) but in faith and uprightness and, that they are in the place that they have deserved with the Lord, with and for Whom they suffered. For they did not “love the present world” (2Tm 4,10) but Christ, Who died for us and was raised up by God for our sakes.”- St Polycarp (69-155) Apostolic Father, Bishop and Martyr – Letter to the Philippians, 1-2, 8-9

PRAYER – O God, Who has given us a way of coming to know Thy Name through Thy blessed Apostles Simon and Jude, grant us to honour their everlasting glory, by becoming more holy and to become more holy by honouring it. ThroughJesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, OUR Cross, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CHURCH, St PAUL!, St PETER!, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 October – “Although the earth and all who dwell in it quake, I have set firm its pillars”

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One Minute Reflection – 26 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Upon this rock I will build my church” – Matthew 16:18

REFLECTION – “Although the earth and all who dwell in it quake, I have set firm its pillars” (Ps 74[75],40). All the Apostles are pillars of the earth but, at their head, the two whose Feast we are celebrating. They are the two pillars who support the Church with their teaching, their prayer and the example of their steadfastness. The Lord Himself strengthened these pillars. For at first they were weak, completely incapable of supporting either themselves or others. And in this the Lord’s great design appears: it they had always been strong, people could have thought their strength came from themselves. That is why the Lord wanted to show what they were capable of, before strengthening them, so that all might know, that their strength came from God… Peter was thrown to the ground by the voice of a mere servant… and the other pillar was very weak too: “I was once a blasphemer and persecutor and an arrogant man” (1Tm 1,13)…

Hence we ought to praise these Saints with all our heart: our Fathers who bore such trials for the Lord’s sake and who persevered, with such determination. It is nothing to persevere in joy, happiness and peace. But this is what is great – to be stoned, scourged, struck for Christ (2 Cor 11,25) and in all this, to persevere with Christ. With Paul it is a great thing to be cursed and to bless, to be persecuted and to endure, to be slandered and to console, to be like the world’s rubbish and to draw glory from it (1 Cor 4,12-13)… And what shall we say of Peter? Even if he had undergone nothing for Christ, it would be sufficient to celebrate him today in that he was crucified for Him… He well knew where He Whom he loved, He Whom he longed for was… his cross has been his road to Heaven.” – St Aelred of Rielvaux (1110-1167) Cistercian Monk (Sermon 18, for the feast of S (ints Peter and Paul ; PL 195, 298).

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 WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Quote/s of the Day – 25 October – ‘ … The Holy Bond of Love … ‘

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Quote/s of the Day – 25 October – Saints Chrysanthus and Daria Died c 282) Martyrs, Married Couple

“Neither the weeping mothers’ love,
nor the mourning of fathers weeping for their sons,
nor the screams and howling
of the children themselves,
holds you back.
You massacre these little ones in their bodies
because fear is killing you, in your heart.
And you think that, if you achieve your end,
you will live on for a long time,
whereas, it is Life itself,
you are trying to kill!
He Who is the source of grace,
Who is both small and great,
Who is lying in a manger,
causes your throne to topple.
He accomplishes His design through you,
without your knowing it.
He gathers together the children of your enemies
and makes of them, children of adoption.”

St Quodvultdeus (Died c 453)
Father of the Church, Bishop of Carthage

“Without the Cup of the Lord
preserving the holy bond of love,
even if a man should deliver his body
to be burned, he gains nothing!”

St Fulgentus of Ruspe (c 462 – 533)

“Suffering is the ancient law of love;
there is no quest without pain;
there is no lover who is not also a Martyr.”

Bl Henry Suso (1295-1366)

“We should not forget,
that the devil has his martyrs
and that he infuses into them
a false constancy.
It is not the punishment
but the cause,
that makes the Martyr;
that is – the confession
of the True Faith.”

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 October – “I will send to them prophets and apostles and some of them they will kill and persecute. ” – Luke 11:49

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One Minute Reflection – 25 October – Saints Chrysanthus and Daria (Died c 282) Martyrs, Married Couple – Wisdom 3:1-8, Luke 11:47-51 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I will send to them prophets and apostles and some of them they will kill and persecute. ” – Luke 11:49

REFLECTION – “One of you will say: “I’m not able to love my enemies at all.” All through Holy Scripture God has said to you that you can and do you answer Him that, to the contrary, you cannot!? Now think about it – who are we to believe? God or you? Since He who is Truth itself cannot lie, let human weakness leave off its futile excuses forthwith! He who is just, cannot demand something impossible and He who is merciful, will not condemn someone for something that person could not avoid. So why these evasions then? There is no-one who knows better, what we are capable of, than He who has given us the ability. Such numbers of men, women, children, tender young girls, have borne flames, fire, sword and the wild beasts for Christ’s sake, without flinching and we, do we say that we cannot bear the insults of unintelligent persons?…

Indeed, if only the good are to be loved, what are we to say of the action of our God, of whom it is written: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son?” (Jn 3,16). For what good deeds are they, that the world had done, for God to love it so? Christ our Lord, found us all to be, not only evil but even dead, on account of original sin and yet… “he loved us and handed himself over for us” (Eph 5,2). In so acting, He loved even those who did not love Him, as the Apostle Paul also says: “Christ died for the guilty” (Rm 5,6). And in his inexpressible mercy, He gave this example to all humankind, saying: “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart” (Mt 11,29).” – St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop and Monk (Sermons to the people, no 37).

PRAYER – May the prayer of Your blessed Martyrs, Chrysanthus and Daria, defend us, O Lord, that we may ever enjoy the loving help of those whom we honour by this celebration.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", LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on MERCY, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 24 October – “As We Also Forgive Our Debtors”

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“As We Also Forgive Our Debtors”

“Some people hold that it is base and low-spirited to forgive easily, whereas, a keen sense of honour demands revenge.
Nothing could be more false.
The true greatness of human nature lies in its ability to conquer the lower instincts.
“It is far more difficult,” wrote a famous historian of antiquity, “to overcome oneself, than to defeat one’s enemy in battle” (Valerius Maximus, Memorable Deeds and Sayings, Bk IV, 2).
Forgiveness requires a victory over pride and sensitivity towards others and is, therefore, a high act of human value.

When we forgive, we do not abase ourselves before the man who has offended us but, we raise ourselves above him by our nobility and generosity.
By behaving in this manner, we display out self-control, inspire sentiments of respect and benevolence and, may even bring about a reconciliation and a renewal of friendship.

So, let us make a few good resolutions:
(1) Remembering how Jesus prayed for His executioners, let us always be generous in pardoning others;
(2) Let us do good to those who have offended us, adopting the motto of St Paul: “Be not overcome by evil but, overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21);
(3) When the injury which we have received, disturbs us greatly and causes us to lose our peace of mind, let us remain silent and procrastinate – “Delay is the best cure for anger,” wrote Seneca, who also, very truly observed, that whenever we have been angry with others, we end by being angry with ourselves!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/23/thought-for-the-day-23-october-as-we-also-forgive-our-debtors/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/24/thought-for-the-day-24-october-as-we-also-forgive-our-debtors/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MARIAN QUOTES, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, SAINT of the DAY, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS

Quote/s of the Day – 8 October – St Bridget

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 October – St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303-1373) Widow

“We must show love
for those who do evil to us
and pray for them.
Nothing is dearer
or more pleasing to God than this.”

“There is no sinner in the world,
however much at enmity with God,
who cannot recover God’s grace
by recourse to Mary
and by asking her assistance.”

“Mary is the lily in God’s garden.”

Mother of Love, of Sorrow and of Mercy
By St Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373)

O Blessed Virgin Mary,
Immaculate Mother of God,
who endured a Martyrdom of love and grief,
beholding the sufferings and sorrows of Jesus!
Thou didst co-operate in the benefit of my redemption
by thy innumerable afflictions
and by offering to the Eternal Father,
His only-begotten Son, as a holocaust
and victim of propitiation for my sins.
I thank thee for the unspeakable love
which led thee to deprive thyself
of the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus,
true God and true Man, to save me, a sinner.
Oh! make use of the unfailing intercession
of thy sorrows with the Father and the Son,
that I may steadfastly amend my life
and never again crucify
my loving Redeemer by my sins
and that, persevering till death in His grace,
I may obtain eternal life
through the merits of His Cross and Passion.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/08/quote-s-of-the-day-23-july-st-bridget/

St Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373)

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MARIAN TITLES, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GOSSIP, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SCANDAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on ZEAL

Quote/s of the Day – 13 August – St Maximus the Confessor and Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 August – Feast of Our Lady, Refuge of Sinner and the Memorial of St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662) Father of the Church

“To the extent that you pray
with all your soul
for the person who slanders you,
God will make the truth known, to those,
who have been scandalised
by the slander.”

“Theology without practice,
is the theology of demons!”

“The demons that wage war on us,
through our shortcomings in virtue,
are those which teach —
impurity, drunkenness, avarice and envy.
Those that wage war on us,
through our excessive zeal for virtue,
teach — conceit, self-esteem and pride.
They [the demons] secretly pervert,
what is commendable,
into what is reprehensible!”

St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662)
Father of the Church

MORE ST MAXIMUS QUOTES:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/13/quote-s-of-the-day-13-august-st-maximus/

Shelter Me Under Your Mantle,
O Refuge of Sinners
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Most holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary,
to you who are the Mother of my Lord,
the Queen of the Universe, the Advocate,
the hope, the refuge of sinners,
I, who am the most miserable of all sinners,
have recourse this day.
I venerate you, great Queen
and I thank you for the many graces
you have bestowed upon me even unto this day,
in particular for having delivered me from the hell
which I have so often served by my sins.
I love you, my dearest Lady
and because of that love,
I promise to serve you willingly forever
and to do what I can,
to make you loved by others also.
I place in you all my hopes for salvation,
accept me as your servant
and shelter me under your mantle,
you who are the Mother of Mercy.
And since you are so powerful with God,
deliver me from all temptations,
or at least obtain for me the strength
to overcome them until death.
From you I implore a true love for Jesus Christ.
Through you I hope to die a holy death.
My dear Mother, by your love for Almighty God,
I pray you to assist me always
but most of all, at the last moment of my life.
Forsake me not then,
until you shall see me safe in heaven,
there to bless you
and sing of your mercies through all eternity.
Such is my hope.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, OUR Cross, POETRY, QUOTES on HERESY, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 11 August – Martyrs

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 August – Saint Susanna of Rome (Died c 295) Virgin Martyr and and St Philomena (Died 304) Virgin Martyr – Hebrews 11:33-39, Luke 21:9-19

“But others were racked,
not accepting deliverance
that they might find
a better resurrection.”

Hebrews 11:35

The Passion of Andrew:
Hail, O Cross, yes, hail indeed!

“Hail, O Cross, inaugurated by the Body of Christ
and adorned with His limbs
as though they were precious pearls.
Before the Lord mounted you,
you inspired an earthly fear.
Now, instead, endowed with heavenly love,
you are accepted as a gift.

Believers know of the great joy that you possess
and of the multitude of gifts you have prepared.
I come to you, therefore,
confident and joyful,
so that you too may receive me,
exultant as a disciple of the One
Who was hung upon you….

O blessed Cross, clothed in the majesty
and beauty of the Lord’s limbs!…

Take me, carry me far from men
and restore me to my Teacher,
so that, through you,
the One who redeemed me by you,
may receive me.

Hail, O Cross, yes, hail indeed!”

“Without the Cup of the Lord
preserving the holy bond of love,
even if a man should deliver his body
to be burned, he gains nothing!”

St Fulgentus of Ruspe (c 462 – 533)

“We should not forget,
that the devil has his martyrs
and that he infuses into them
a false constancy.
It is not the punishment
but the cause,
that makes the Martyr;
that is – the confession
of the True Faith.”

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

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on THE WORLD, St PAUL!, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 August – ‘Do not love your life … ‘

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 August – St Lawrence (Died 258) Martyr “Keeper of the Treasures of he Church” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, John 12:24-26

“If it dies, it produces much fruit”

John 12:24

“Through the glorious achievements
of the holy Martyrs with which
the Church blossoms everywhere,
we are ourselves, proving to our own eyes,
how true are the words we have been singing that:
“Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his saints” (Ps 116[115]:15).
For it is precious both in our sight
and in the sight of Him, in Whose Name.
the death took place.”

“And all who wish to live
piously in Christ Jesus,
will suffer persecution.”

2 Timothy 3:12

“Do not love your life in this world!
If you truly love yourselves,
do not thus love your life
and then, you will save your life!”…

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

“In conformity with
the philosophy of Christ,
let us make of our life,
a training for death.”

St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662)
Father of the Church

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, St PAUL!

Quote of the Day – 3 August – ‘Let us endeavour too, to suffer, pray and work for the conversion of our fellowmen, …’

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Quote of the Day – 3 August – The Finding of the Relics of St Stephen, Protomarty – Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-60. Matthew 23:34-39

“It is possible that, as he lay dying,
Stephen looked up at Saul
and uttered his last prayer for this sincere
and honest young Jew, who had been led astray
by the prejudice and passion of the mob.
… Let us endeavour too, to suffer, pray
and work for the conversion of our fellowmen,
so many of whom, are wandering
in the darkness of error
or struggling in the clutches of vice.
Let us try, by our sufferings,
prayers and good example,
to draw down God’s grace
on our unhappy brothers.
If we succeed, we shall share
in the merits of their good actions
and we shall have ensured
our own everlasting salvation.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE MERCY, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARTYRS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 August – “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” – Acts 7:60

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 3 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Finding of the Relics of St Stephen, Protomartyr – Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-60. Matthew 23:34-39

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them” – Acts 7:60

REFLECTION – “Let us imitate our Lord and pray for our enemies … He was Crucified and yet, at the same time, prayed to His Father for the sake of those who were crucifying Him. But how could I possibly imitate our Lord, one might ask? If you want to, you can. If you weren’t able to do it how could He have said: “Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart”? (Mt 11:29) …

If you have difficulty in imitating our Lord, at least imitate him who is also His servant, His Deacon – I would speak of Stephen. Just as Christ, in the midst of those crucifying Him, without considering the Cross, without considering His own predicament, pleaded with the Father, on behalf of His tormentors (Lk 23:34), so His servant, surrounded by those who were stoning him, attacked by all, crushed beneath a hail of stones and, without taking any account of the suffering they were causing him, said: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Do you see how the Son spoke and how His servant prayed? The former said: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” and the latter said: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Moreover, to make us realise the fervour with which he was praying, he did not just pray, as he stood beneath the blows of the stones but, he spoke on his knees with sincerity and compassion …

Christ said: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Stephen cried out: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Paul, in his turn, said: “I offer up this sacrifice for my brethren, my kin according to race” (cf. Rm 9:3). Moses said: “If you would only forgive their sin! And if you will not, then strike me out of the book that you have written!” (Ex 32:32). David said: “May your hand fall on me and my kindred,” (2 Sam 24:17). … What kind of forgiveness do we think we shall get if we ourselves do the opposite of what is asked of us and pray against our enemies, when the Lord Himself and His servants, of both Old and New Testaments, direct us to pray on their behalf?” – St John Chrysostom (345-407) Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermon for Good Friday “The Cross and the bandit”

PRAYER – Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to imitate what we celebrate, so that we may learn to love, even our enemies; because we keep the anniversary of the invention of Him, Who knew how to plead even for His persecutors with our Lord, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with |Thee. lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 July – ‘I must give thanks to my God continuously. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 28 July – “The Month of the Precious Blood” – St Pope Innocent I (Died 417) Confessor – Wisdom 10:17-20, Luke 21:9-19

“But you will be delivered up by your parents and brothers and relatives and friends and some of you, they will put to death. And you will be hated by all, for My Name’s sake …” – Luke 21:16-17

REFLECTION – “I must give thanks to my God continuously. He has helped me to keep my faith, through difficult times, so that I can fearlessly offer myself as a kind of living sacrifice to Christ. The Lord has rescued me from so many dangers that sometimes I just have to ask: “God, who am I?… “From where did I get such wisdom?” It certainly wasn’t from inside myself. “I didn not know my future” and I had no great knowledge of God. And later on, Who was it, Who gave me such a wonderful and life-giving gift, the gift to know and love God? But to receive such things, I had to leave behind my home and family… I came to Ireland to preach the good news and to suffer abuse from unbelievers and… to have my mission shamefully criticised. I have had many hard times, even to the point of being enslaved again but I traded in my free birth for the good of others.

If I am worthy, I am even ready to lay down my life willingly and without hesitation for His Name. Here, in Ireland, is where I wish to live out my final days, if God will permit me. I owe so much to God, Who allowed so many people to find a new life in Him through me. I confirmed them in our Faith and Ordained Clergy for them everywhere, for a people just coming to a belief in God. The Master chose them from the ends of the earth, just as He said He would through the prophets: “The gentiles will come to you from the ends of the earth” and… “I will place you like a lamp among the nations so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” – St Patrick (c 380-461) Bishop. Missionary Monk (Confession, 34-38).

PRAYER – May the Martyrdom of Your Saints Nazarius, Celsus, Victor and Innocent, give us courage, O Lord and may it give us a help to counter- our weakness.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).