Category: QUOTES on SANCTITY

Posted in "Follow Me", ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on ZEAL, St PAUL!, St PETER!, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Thought for the Day – 6 July – St Peter and St Paul

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Thought for the Day – 6 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971) – Octave Day of Saints Peter and Paul

St Peter, Prince of the Apostles
St Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles

“It is good to admire the fidelity of St Peter and the designs of Divine Providence in making him the visible Head of the Church but, it is far better, to follow his example.
His love for Jesus, led him to leave his family and his fisherman’s trade, in order to follow Our Lord.
It led him to undertake long voyages, to endure imprisonment and to face martyrdom.
What can we do for the love of Jesus?
Remember that, if love is to be sincere, it must be generous and effective.

Secondly let us meditate on and imitate, the ardent and fearless faith of St Peter.
He was not afraid to preach the teaching of Christ before the Sanhedrin.
He was not afraid of Herod, who cast him into prison.

He was not afraid of the Roman Emperor, who caused him to be crucified.
Our faith should be steadfast and lively, like his!

Finally, let us imitate Peter in his repentance.
Although he loved Jesus very much and had such great faith in Him, in a moment of weakness and of imprudence, he denied Him three times.
All his life, however, be wept bitterly for this sin.
Whenever he heard a cock crowing, it was as if an arrow had pierced his heart.
He was not satisfied, until he was hanging upon the cross like his Divine Master and could prove his love for Jesus by a Martyr’s death.”

St Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles

We can learn many other virtues from St Paul, besides his zealous love for God and for his fellowmen.
We can also learn from him, the virtues of humility and of apostolic fervour.
The Apostle of the Gentiles reached such heights of sanctity, as to feel himself transformed into Christ Himself and to deserve to be taken up into the third Heaven, where he enjoyed a foretaste of eternal happiness.
Nevertheless, he considered himself unworthy to be called an Apostle and he realised, that all his gifts came to him from God.
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to think anything as from ourselves but our sufficiency, is from God” (2 Cor 3:5).
Whenever we succeed in any project, we should think on the same lines because, it is only when we are humble and depend on the grace of God, that the success of our actions will redound to the glory of our Creator.
If the cancer of ambition or of self-love, should corrupt our purity of intention, our work would not be blessed by God and would not make us worthy of everlasting life.
Let us repeat often: “All for You, with You and in You, my God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/29/thought-for-the-day-29-june-st-peter-prince-of-the-apostles-st-paul-the-apostle-to-the-gentiles/

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PARTIAL Indulgence, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HEART, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 June – ‘ … They clothe themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ …’

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One Minute Reflection – 23 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart” – The Octave Day of Corpus Christi –1 Corinthians 11:23-29, John 6:56-59.

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

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

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

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

That is why all the faithful who love God and their neighbour, truly drink the Cup of the Lord’s Love even though, they may not drink the cup of His Bodily Suffering. And becoming inebriated from it, they put to death, whatever in their nature is rooted in earth. They clothe themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not indulge fleshly desires. They do not fix their gaze on visible things but contemplate things, which the eye cannot see. Thus they drink the Lord’s Cup by preserving the holy bond of love; without it, even if a man should deliver his body to be burned, he gains nothing. But the gift of love enables us to become, in reality, what we celebrate as Mystery in the Sacrifice.” – St Fulgentius of Ruspe (c 462 – 533) Bishop, Father (An excerpt from Against Fabianus).

PRAYER – Grant, O Lord, that we may always fear and love Thy Holy Name, for Thou never fails to guide those whom Thou firmly establish in Thy love. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
MAY the Heart of JESUS in the most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the Tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. – Indulgence 100 Days, Once a Day. Raccolta 161 Pius IX, 29 February 1868.

Posted in HOLY COMMUNION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, VENIAL SIN

Thought for the Day – 22 June – Frequent Communion

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

Frequent Communion

“For the practice of daily Communion, however, we should have the approval of our Confessor.
We should be fully determined to preserve ourselves free from every sin, especially from grave sin, for otherwise, we could not approach the Eucharistic banquet (if anyone receives Jesus with mortal sin on his soul, he commits a terrible sacrilege).
This practice, moreover, should help us to avoid every deliberate imperfection and venial sin and should inspire in us, a lively spirit of Christian charity.
“Receive Communion everyday,” said St Augustine, “because it will help you everyday … but you must live in a manner which will entitle you to communicate daily” (De Verbo Domini – Sermon 28).

Frequent Communion, therefore, will enable us to set out upon the road to perfection, without relaxing in our resolution and without any false scruples.
“Two kinds of people,” wrote st Francis de Sales, “should receive Communion frequently – the perfect and the imperfect; the perfect in order to preserve their holiness; the imperfect, in order to reach perfection.” (Introduction to the Devout Life c 2).

Let us ask the advice of our regular Confessor.
We shall be fortunate if we can approach the Sacred Banquet everyday, or at least very often, for we shall be sure that we are on the path to holiness.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/21/thought-for-the-day-21-august-frequent-communion/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, VENIAL SIN

Thought for the Day – 20 June – The Eucharistic Life

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

The Eucharistic Life

“The Eucharistic life, which is the life of union with Jesus, especially by means of daily Communion, transforms us and makes us holy.
It preserves and increases in us, the grace which is the supernatural life of the soul.
The Eucharist, of itself, does not bestow grace because, it is a Sacrament of the living.
It is our food and food is not given to the dead but, to the living.
For this reason, we should receive Holy Communion free from the stain of sin.
The Eucharist, moreover, remits venial sin, strengthens us in our resolution and increases our charity.
Venial sin, is a sickness of the soul.
Just as natural food banishes listlessness and vulnerability to disease, our Eucharistic nourishment has the same effect on our spiritual life.

It is because the Blessed Eucharist increases our love for Jesus, that it weakens our evil inclinations.
The Eucharist and sin, are mutually exclusive of one another because, the Eucharist is Jesus and sin is the devil.
Our Eucharistic food, moreover, produces, in our souls, a spiritual consolation which is a foretaste of the happiness of Heaven.

Let us listen to Jesus living within us.
He will enable us to forget our worldly cares and will raise us to a higher plane where, by God’s Infinite Goodness, we shall continue to grow in virtue.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/08/thought-for-the-day-8-august-the-eucharistic-life/

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, The HOLY GHOST, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

Quote/s of the Day – 14 June – St Basil the Great

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 June – The Memorial of St Basil the Great (329-379) Bishop of Caesarea, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

“How long are we going to put off
obeying Christ, Who calls us
into His Heavenly Kingdom?
Are WE NOT going to purify ourselves?
WILL we NOT resolve to forsake
our customary way of life
to follow the Gospel radically?…
We claim to want the Kingdom of God
yet, without bothering,
to concern ourselves,
with the means of obtaining it?!
What is more, in the conceitedness
of our souls, without taking the least trouble
to obey the Lord’s Commandments,
we think ourselves worthy
to receive the same reward,
as those who have resisted sin,
to the death!”

“Through Him, hearts are lifted up,
the infirm are held by the hand
and those who progress,
are brought to perfection.
He shines on those who are cleansed
from every spot and makes them spiritual people,
through fellowship with Himself.
When a sunbeam falls
on a transparent substance,
the substance itself becomes brilliant
and radiates light from itself.
So too, the Spirit-bearing souls,
illumined by Him,
finally become spiritual themselves
and their grace is sent forth to others.
From this comes knowledge of the future,
understanding of mysteries,
apprehension of hidden things,
distribution of wonderful gifts,
heavenly citizenship,
a place in the choir of Angels,
endless joy in the presence of God,
becoming like God
and the highest of all desires – becoming God!”

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

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/01/02/quote-s-of-the-day-2-january-the-memorial-of-st-basil-the-great-329-379-and-st-gregory-of-nazianzen-330-390-fathers-doctors-of-the-church/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 13 June – St Anthony

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 June – The Memorial of St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Evangelical Doctor of the Church

“When it is dark,
we do not see how dusty and dirty
our house is.
Only when the place
is flooded with sunlight,
do we realise its awful condition.
So, we need the light of God’s grace
to show us the real state of our soul
and to induce us
to clean up our hearts!”

“Charity is the soul of faith
and makes it alive;
without love, faith dies!”

“Christ acts like a loving mother.
To induce us to follow Him,
He gives us Himself as an example
and promises us a reward
in His kingdom.”

Lord Jesus, Bind Me to Yourself

Lord Jesus, bind me to Yourself
and to my neighbour, with love.
May my heart not be turned away from You.
May my soul not be deceived,
nor my talent or mind,
enticed by allurements of error,
so that I may never
distance myself from Your love.
Thus may I love my neighbour as myself,
with strength, wisdom and gentleness,
with Your help,
You who are blessed
throughout all ages.
Amen.

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/13/quote-s-of-the-day-13-june-st-anthony-of-padua-2/

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, INDULGENCES, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 June – In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

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One Minute Reflection – 12 June – Trinity Sunday and “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Romans 11:33-36, Matthew 28:18-20

“Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:19-20

REFLECTION – “And so, dearly-beloved, let us rejoice with spiritual joy and let us with gladness pay God worthy thanks and raise our hearts’ eyes, unimpeded, to those heights where Christ is. Minds that have heard the call to be uplifted must not be pressed down by earthly affections, they that are fore-ordained to things eternal, must not be taken up with the things that perish; they that have entered on the way of Truth, must not be entangled in treacherous snares and, the faithful, must so take their course through these temporal things, as to remember that they are sojourning in the vale of this world, in which, even though they meet with some attractions, they must not sinfully embrace them but bravely pass through them.

For to this devotion, the blessed Apostle Peter arouses us and entreating us, with that loving eagerness which he conceived, for feeding Christ’s sheep, by the threefold profession of love for the Lord, says, dearly-beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul 1 Peter 2:11 . But for whom do fleshly pleasures wage war, if not for the devil, whose delight it is to fetter souls that strive after things above, with the enticements of corruptible good things, and to draw them away from those abodes, from which he himself has been banished? Against his plots every believer must keep careful watch, that he may crush his foe on the side whence the attack is made. And there is no more powerful weapon, dearly beloved, against the devil’s wiles than kindly mercy and bounteous charity, by which every sin is either escaped or vanquished. But this lofty power is not attained, until that which is opposed to it be overthrown. And what so hostile to mercy and works of charity as avarice, from the root of which spring all evils? And unless it be destroyed by lack of nourishment, there must needs grow, in the ground of that heart, in which this evil weed has taken root, the thorns and briars of vices rather than any seed of true goodness.

Let us then, dearly-beloved, resist this pestilential evil and follow after charity, without which no virtue can flourish, that by this path of love, whereby Christ came down to us, we too may mount up to Him, to Whom with God the Father and the Holy Spirit is honour and glory forever and ever.” – St Leo the Great, Pope (400-461) Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 74).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Thou Who have given Thy servants, in the confession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and in the power of that Majesty, to adore its unity, grant, we beseech Thee, that in the firmness of this faith, we may ever be protected from all harm. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
MAY the HEART of JESUS be loved everywhere. 100 Days, Indulgence Once a day – Bl Pope Pius IX 23 September 1860

Posted in "Follow Me", ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 10 June – “Learn from Me, For I Am Meek and Humble of Heart”

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

“Learn From Me, For I Am Meek
and Humble of Heart”

“Aspiration: Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/11/thought-for-the-day-11-june-learn-from-me-for-i-am-meek-and-humble-of-heart/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/11/thought-for-the-day-11-june-learn-from-me-for-i-am-meek-and-humble-of-heart-2/

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, The WILL of GOD, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 9 June – ‘Take nothing for your journey …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart” – Pentecost Thursday – Acts 8:5-8, Luke 9:1-6

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

Luke 9:3

“You are the salt of the earth.”

Matthew 5:13

“It is as a matter of absolute necessity
that He commands all this.
Why must you be salt?
Jesus says in effect:
“You are accountable,
not only for your own life
but also, for that of the entire world.
I am sending you not to one or two cities,
nor to ten or twenty,
nor even to one nation,
as I sent the Prophets.
Rather, I am sending you to the entire earth,
across the seas, to the whole world,
to a world fallen into an evil state.”

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

“What is reprehensible,
is that while leading good lives themselves
and abhorring those of wicked men,
some, fearing to offend,
shut their eyes to evil deeds
instead of condemning them
and pointing out their malice.”

St Augustine (354-407)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“The love of Jesus is noble and generous,
it spurs us on to do great things
and excites us to desire always,
that which is most perfect.
Love will tend upwards
and is not to be detained by things beneath.
Love will be at liberty
and free from all worldly affections…
for love proceeds from God
and cannot rest but in God,
above all things created.
The lover flies, runs and rejoices,
he is free and not held.
He gives all for all and has all in all,
because he rests in One Sovereign Good above all,
from Whom all good flows and proceeds.”

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

(Book III, Chapter V, 3-4)

“Entrust yourself entirely to God.
He is a Father
and a most loving Father at that,
Who would rather let Heaven
and earth collapse,
than abandon anyone
who trusted in Him.”

St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775)

“God alone!”

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

St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 7 June – ‘They know His Voice

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Quote/s of the Day – 7 June – Pentecost Tuesday – Acts 8:14-17, John 10:1-10.

“… He goes before them
and the sheep follow Him
because they know His Voice.”

John 10:4

“And as for that in the good ground
they are those who, hearing the word,
hold it fast in an honest and good heart
and bring forth fruit with patience.”

Luke 8:15

“… Scripture, as a whole,
is God’s one perfect and complete instrument,
giving forth, to those who wish to learn …
It is one Saving Music…”

Origen (c 185-253)
Theologian, Father of the Church

“If you believe what you like in the Gospels
and reject what you don’t like,
it is not the Gospel you believe
but yourself.”

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

“The more you devote yourself,
to study of the Sacred utterances,
the richer will be your understanding of them,
just as the more the soil is tilled,,
the richer is the harvest.”

St Isidore of Seville (c 560-636)
Father & Doctor of the Church

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

St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PURITY, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The BEATITUDES, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 7 June – Seal Your Image on My Heart

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Our Morning Offering – 7 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart”

Seal Your Image on My Heart
By Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury (c 1125-1190)

O Lord, take away my heart of stone,
my hardened heart,
my uncircumcised heart
and grant to me a new heart,
a heart of flesh,
a clean heart.
Come, You Who cleanse the heart
and love the pure of heart,
possess my heart and dwell in it,
containing it and filling it,
higher than my highest
and more intimate
than my most intimate thoughts.
You are the Image of all Beauty
and the Seal of all Holiness,
seal Your Image on my heart
and seal my heart in Your Mercy,
O God, the Strength of my heart
and my Portion forever,
Amen.

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, NOTES to Followers, PENTECOST, QUOTES on GRACE, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 June – ‘… Where will you find Him? …’

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One Minute Reflection – 5 June – Pentecost Sunday, Alleluia! – Acts 2:1-11, John 14:23-31.

“But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things … ” – John 14:26

REFLECTION – “Whoever has the Spirit as their teacher
has no need of human knowledge
but, enlightened by this Spirit’s Light,
beholds the Son, sees the Father
and worships the Trinity of Persons,
the One God, Who is inexpressibly One by nature.

Stand still, O man! Tremble, you who are mortal by nature,
and consider how you have been taken from nothing
and how, in coming from your mother’s womb,
you saw the world that was made before you were.
And if you could have understood the height of Heaven,
or show the nature of the sun,
the moon and the stars,
where they are fixed and how they move…
or even the nature of the earth, from which you were taken,
its limits and bounds, its size and greatness…,
if you had uncovered the end of all things
and counted the sand of the sea
and if, too, you could have known your own nature…
then would you be able to consider your Creator,
how, in the Trinity, Unity dwells without confusion
and how, in the Unity, there is Trinity without division.

Seek the Spirit!…
Perhaps God will comfort you and grant you,
as He has already granted you to see the world,
the sun and the light of day,
yes, He will deign to enlighten you now, in the same way…,
to enlighten you with the Light of the Threefold Sun…
Then you will learn the Spirit’s grace –
that, even when absent, he is present by his power
and, when present, He is unseen because of His Divine nature
and is everywhere and nowhere.

If you try to see Him with the senses
where will you find Him? You will simply say: -Nowhere.
But if you have the strength to contemplate Him spiritually,
it is He, rather, Who will enlighten your soul
and open the eyes of your heart.” – St Simeon the New Theologian (949-1022) Monk, Father (Hymn 21).

PRAYER – O God, Thou, Who on this day have taught the hearts of the faithful by the Light of the Holy Spirit, grant us, by that Holy Spirit Himself, to know what is right and ever to rejoice in His help. 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 CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Holy Name PRAYERS, I BELIEVE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HEART, The HOLY NAME, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – Thank You for our Faith Lord!

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – The Octave Day of the Ascension

“He who believes and is baptised,
shall be saved …”

Mark 16:16

“See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name,
saying, ‘I am he’
and ‘The time has come.’
Do not follow them!”

Luke 21:8

“[Christ speaks:]
I became useless to those
who knew Me not,
because I shall hide Myself,
from those who possessed Me not.
And I will be with those who love Me.
… I arose and am with them
and will speak by their mouths.
For they have rejected those
who persecute them
and I threw over them, the yoke of My love.
… Then I heard their voice
and placed their faith in My Heart.
And I placed My Name upon their forehead (Rv 14,1)
because they are free and they are Mine!”

Odes of Solomon
(Hebrew Christian text f
rom the beginning of the 2nd Century)
N° 42

“Faith gives rise to prayer
and this prayer obtains
an increase of faith.”

“Wherever you are on earth,
however long you remain on earth,
the Lord is near,
do not be anxious about anything!”

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

“Let Your Name, not mine, be praised.
Let Your Work, not mine, be magnified.
Let Your Holy Name be blessed
but let no human praise be given to me.
You are my glory.
You are the joy of my heart.
In You I will glory and rejoice
all the day and for myself
I will glory in nothing but my infirmities. … ”

Thomas `a Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

The Imitation of Christ – Book 3 Chapter 40

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, St Francis de Sales, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 2 June – May the Heart of Jesus be the King of My Heart! By St Francis de Sales

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 2 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart”

May the Heart of Jesus
be the King of My Heart!
By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

May Your Heart dwell
always, in our hearts!
May Your Blood ever flow,
in the veins
of our souls!
O Sun of our hearts,
You give life to all things,
by the rays of Your goodness!
I will not go,
until Your Heart
has strengthened me,
O Lord Jesus!
May the Heart of Jesus
be the King of my heart!
Blessed be God.
Amen

Posted in CARMELITES, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SCANDAL, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SAINT of the DAY, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 29 May – St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 May – Sunday within the Octave of Ascension – The Memorial of St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi O.Carm (1566-1607)

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

“By opening the door of our heart
to love for God,
this love dissolves all self-love in us.
But we must open the door!”

“Prayer ought to be humble,
fervent, resigned, persevering
and accompanied by great reverence.
One should consider,
that he stands in the presence of God
and speaks with a Lord
before whom the Angels tremble,
from awe and fear.”

“Never utter,
in your neighbour’s absence,
what you would not say,
in their presence.”

St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi (1566-1607)

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/25/quote-s-of-the-day-25-may-st-maria-magdalena-de-pazzi/

Posted in QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SAINT of the DAY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 May – ‘ … Offer your whole self, your whole life …’

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One Minute Reflection – 29 May – Sunday within the Octave of Ascension – 1 Peter 4:7-11, John 15:26-27; 16:1-4 and the Memorial of St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi O.Carm (1566-1607)

“Yes, the hour is coming, for everyone who kills you, to think he is offering worship to God.” – John 16:2

REFLECTION – “I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Rm 12,1). With this plea the Apostle Paul raises all men to participation in the priesthood… We do not look outside ourselves for something to offer God but bring with us and within us, something to sacrifice to God for our own advantage… “I urge you by the mercies of God.” Brothers, this sacrifice is in Christ’s image, He Who laid down His life here below and offered it for the life of the world. Indeed He made a living sacrifice of His Body, Who yet lives after being killed. In so great a sacrifice, death was destroyed, removed by the sacrifice… Hence martyrs are born at the time of their death and begin to live as their life ends; they live when they are killed and shine in Heaven when people on earth think they have been snuffed out…

The prophet sang: “You did not ask for sacrifice or oblation but a body you have prepared for me” (Ps 39[40],7). Become both the sacrifice that is offered and the one who offers it to God. Do not lose what God’s power has granted you. Put on the cloak of holiness. Take up the belt of chastity. May Christ be the veil over your head; the cross, the breastplate that gives you perseverance. Keep in your heart the sacrament of Holy Scripture. May your prayer burn constantly, like a sweet-smelling fragrance to God. Take up “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph 6,17), may your heart be the altar where, without fear, you may offer your whole self, your whole life…

Offer your faith, to make reparation for unbelief; offer your fasting, to put an end to voraciousness; offer your chastity, that sensuality may die; be fervent, that wrongdoing may cease; exercise mercy, to end avarice and to suppress foolishness, offer your holiness. Thus will your life become your offering, if it has not been wounded by sin. Your body lives, yes, it lives, each time that, putting evil to death within you, you offer living virtues to God. ” – St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) “Doctor of Homilies,” Bishop of Ravenna, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 108)

PRAYER – O God, lover of chastity, Who endowed with heavenly gifts, blessed Mary Magdalena, a virgin on fire with love for You, grant that we, who keep this feast-day in her honour, may imitate her by purity and love. 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 MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The ASCENSION of the LORD

Thought for the Day – 28 May – The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven

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

The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven

“Forty days after His glorious resurrection, Jesus came, with all His friends, among them His Mother, to the Mount of Olives.
This area had already witnessed the opening phase of His passion, which was all the more poignant, perhaps because in Gethsemane, it was not only His body which was lacerated by scourges and nails but, His soul, which experienced the agonising vision of the sins and ingratitude of the human race.
Now, however, He is here with a glorified body as the Conqueror of sin and of death.
He looks for the last time on His small band of followers, to whom He has entrusted His mission of transforming the entire universe by preaching and putting into practice, the Gospel message, throughout the world.
Now, He promises them the Holy Spirit, Who will give them the power to overcome evil.
Then He is lifted up toward Heaven, until a bright cloud hides Him from their sight.

Perhaps, the Blessed Mother, was the last to take her eyes off the disappearing cloud which had removed Jesus from view.
Her human eyes never saw again, the beloved figure of her Divine Son but, in her soul, she saw Him entering triumphantly into Heaven among choirs of Angels and sitting at the right hand of the Eternal Father.
She saw and thought with infinite yearning, of the not too distant day, when she would have passed from mortal exile, into the everlasting happiness of Heaven, where she would embrace her Divine Son again, in an ecstasy of love.

We have all been called to ascend to Heaven with Jesus and Mary.
Let us remember, however, that only the innocent and the repentant can be admitted into Paradise.
If we have been unfortunate enough to have lost our baptismal innocence, only the second way is left to us – the way of penance.
We must purify ourselves of our sins by means of good works.
We must ascend NOW higher and highter, towards the summit of Christian perfection.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SACRAMENTS, The ASCENSION of the LORD, The HEART, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The SECOND COMING, The SEVEN LAST WORDS of CHRIST

One Minute Reflection – 26 May – ‘… And so, our Redeemer’s Visible Presence has passed into the Sacraments. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 26 May – The Ascension of Our Lord – Acts 1:1-11, Mark 16:14-20

“And the Lord Jesus, after He spoke to them, was taken up into Heaven and took His seat at the Right Hand of God.” – Mark 16:19

REFLECTION – “And so, while at Easter it was the Lord’s Resurrection which was the cause of our joy, our present rejoicing is due to His Ascension into Heaven. With all due solemnity, we are commemorating that day on which our poor human nature was carried up in Christ, above all the Hosts of Heaven, above all the ranks of Angels, beyond those Heavenly Powers, to the very throne of God the Father.

It is upon this ordered structure of divine acts, that we have been firmly established, so that the grace of God may show itself still more marvelous when, in spite of the withdrawal from our sight of everything that is rightly felt to command our reverence, faith does not fail, hope is not shaken, charity does not grow cold. It was in order that we might be capable of such blessedness, that on the fortieth day after His Resurrection, after He had made careful provision for everything concerning the preaching of the Gospel and the Mysteries of the New Covenant, our Lord Jesus Christ was taken up to Heaven before the eyes of His Disciples and so, His Bodily Presence among them, came to an end.

From that time onward, He was to remain at the Father’s Right Hand, until the completion of the period, ordained by God, for the Church’s children to increase and multiply, after which, in the same Body with which He ascended, He will come again to judge the living and the dead. And so, our Redeemer’s Visible Presence has passed into the Sacraments. Our faith is nobler and stronger because, empirical sight has been replaced by a reliable teaching, whose authority is accepted by believing hearts, enlightened from on high.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope , Great Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 74).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that as we do believe Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Saviour to have this day ascended into the heavens, so we may also in heart and mind, ascend and with Him continually dwell. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The HEART, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 22 May – My Name

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Quote/s of the Day – 22 May – The Fifth Sunday after Easter – James 1:22-27, John 16:23-30

“In that day, you will ask in My Name”

John 16:26

“And you shall be hated by all men,
for my name’s sake.”

Luke 21:17

“The eternal God
asks a favour of His bride:
“Hold me close to your heart,
close as locket or bracelet fits.”
No matter whether
we walk or stand still,
eat or drink,
we should at all times
wear the golden locket
“Jesus” upon our heart.”

Bl Henry Suso (1295-1366)

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

“The Name of Jesus
is the purest and holiest,
the noblest and most indulgent of names,
the Name of all blessings
and of all virtues,
it is the Name of the God-Man,
of sanctity itself.”

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

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 22 May – O God, the House of My Soul is Narrow By St Augustine

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Our Morning Offering – 22 May – The Fifth Sunday after Easter

O God, the House of My Soul is Narrow
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of Grace

O God,
the Light of the heart, that sees You,
The Life of the soul, that loves You,
The Strength of the mind, that seeks You,
May I ever continue to be steadfast in Your love.
Be the Joy of my heart,
Take all of me to Yourself and abide therein.
The house of my soul is, I confess,
too narrow for You.
Enlarge it, that You may enter.
It is ruinous but do repair it.
It has within it what must offend Your Eyes,
I confess and know it,
But whose help shall I seek in cleansing it
but Yours alone?
To You, O God, I cry urgently.
Cleanse me from secret faults.
Keep me from false pride and sensuality,
that they not get dominion over me.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 20 May – Mary, the Source of Holiness

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

Mary, the Source of Holiness

“Since we are Mary’s children, we should try and reproduce her holiness in ourselves.
Although, it is higher than that of the Angels, her sanctity is easy to imitate.
There is no record that she ever had ecstasies or worked miracles.
Her’s was a perfect internal sanctity, consisting of total conformity with the Will of God and an intense love for Him.
We must aspire to this kind of holiness and model our lives upon it.
There is no point in arguing that it is sufficient to be good Catholics and, that it is not necessary to be holy.
A Catholic, to be truly such, MUST be holy!

St Paul referred to the early faithful as saints (Eph 1:1).
“You are a chosen race,” said St Peter, “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people,” (1 Peter 1:16, Lev 11:44)
“You are to be perfect,” Jesus Himself had commanded, “even as your heavenly Father is perfect,” (Mt 5:48),
This was the reason, He indicated why He had come into the world – “that they may have life and have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10).
This is the purpose of the Gospel and this must be the purpose of our lives.
Some day, we shall either be holy in Heaven, or we shall be damned.
We shall either be saints in Heaven or condemned forever in Hell.
This truth merits careful though – everything else is passing but this is something which will never pass away.
This command to sanctify ourselves is a reality which is present at every moment of our lives.
Let us do our best to obey it, at any cost!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/20/thought-for-the-day-20-may-mary-the-source-of-holiness-2/

Posted in "Follow Me", CARMELITES, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SAINT of the DAY, The HEART, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 May – ‘For My Name’s sake’ – Matthew 19:29

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One Minute Reflection – 20 May – The Memorial of St Bernadine of Siena OFM (1380-1444) Confessor – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11, Matthew 19:27-29.

“And everyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29

REFLECTION – “Seek for nothing, desiring to enter for love of Jesus, with detachment, emptiness and poverty in everything in this world. You will never have to do with necessities greater than those to which you made your heart yield itself – for the poor in spirit are most happy and joyful in a state of privation and he who has set his heart on nothing, finds satisfaction everywhere.

The poor in spirit (Mt 5:3) give generously all they have and their pleasure consists in being thus deprived of everything for God’s sake and out of love to their neighbour … Not only do temporal goods – the delights and tastes of the senses – hinder and thwart the way of God but spiritual delights and consolations also, if sought for or clung to eagerly, disturb the way of virtue.” – St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Carmelite, Doctor of the Church (Spiritual maxims, nos. 352, 355,356, 364; 1693 edition).

PRAYER – O Lord Jesus, Who bestowed on blessed Bernardine, Your Confessor, an unusual love for Your Holy Name, we beseech You, by his merits and intercession, graciously pour upon us the spirit of Your love. Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

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 for CHRIST, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 May – ‘… The blessing of nobility …’

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One Minute Reflection – 18 May – The Memorial of St Venantius (Died c 250) Martyr – Wisdom 5:1-5, John 15:1-7

“He who abides in Me and I in Him, the same bears much fruit” – John 5:5

REFLECTION – “Because Christ wished to show His disciples, how necessary it is, to be rooted in love of Him and how beneficial it is, to cling to Him, He told them … that He was the vine and that the branches of the vine, were those, who were united to Him and, so to speak, inserted in Him so as to “participate in His nature” (2 Pt 1:4), through a share in the Holy Spirit. For we are made one with Christ the Saviour, by His Holy Spirit …

For we have been reborn from Him and in Him, that is, in the Spirit, in order to bear the fruit of life; not the old life we used to live but the life that consists of newness of faith and of love for Him. We are preserved in being, if we grow onto Him and cling fast to the holy commandment ,which has been handed down to us and, if we are eager to keep the blessing of nobility, that is to say, if we never consent, in any way, to “grieve the Holy Spirit” (Eph 4:30), Who has come to dwell in us and, through Whom, we believe, God has made His home in us. …

For just as the vine-stock supplies and distributes, the virtue of its own inherent natural quality to the shoots, so, too, the Only-Begotten Word of God, implants, in His people, a sort of affinity with His own nature and that of the Father. By the gift of the Spirit, they are united with Him by every kind of holiness. He nourishes them, so that they become devout and He moves them to knowledge of all virtue and good works.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Archbishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – O God, Who made this day holy by the triumph of blessed Venantius, Your Martyr, listen to the prayers of Your people, and grant that we, who honour his noble deeds, may imitate the constancy of his faith. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

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

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

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One Minute Reflection – 17 May – The Memorial of St Paschal Baylon OFM (1540-1592) Confessor – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40

“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 MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 14 May – The Refuge of Sinners

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

The Refuge of Sinners

“Mary, my merciful Mother, you see how wretched I am and how often I have fallen.
I wish to reform and sanctify myself but I am not able without your powerful assistance, the weakness of my nature is an insurmountable obstacle.
Come to my aid, O Mother of mercy.
Obtain for me, forgiveness from your Divine Son.
Obtain for me too, the grace of a complete change of heart, so that I may be truly your child here upon the earth and share in your glory in Heaven.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/14/thought-for-the-day-14-may-the-refuge-of-sinners/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/14/thought-for-the-day-14-may-the-refuge-of-sinners-2/

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on SANCTITY

Thought for the Day – 13 May – Mary, Our Hope

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Thought for the Day – 13 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Mary, Our Hope

“O Mary, my Mother, I place my trust in you because I know, that your intercession, is all-powerful with your Divine Son, Jesus.
Help me to detach myself completely from sin and, to conquer my rebellious inclinations.
Grant that I may imitate the shining example of your sanctity in such a way, that you may be truly my hope and my sure refuge, now and at the hour of my death.
Amen.”

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/13/thought-for-the-day-13-may-mary-our-hope/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/29/thought-for-the-day-29-october-mary-our-hope/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on HERESY, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 13 May – St Robert Bellarmine

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 May – The Memorial of St Robert Bellarmine SJ (1542-1621) Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church

“If you are wise,
then know, that you have been created
for the glory of God
and your own eternal salvation.
This is your goal;
this is the centre of your life;
this is the treasure of your heart.
May you consider truly good,
whatever leads you to your goal
and truly evil,
whatever makes you fall away from it.”

“A Pope who is a manifest heretic
automatically (per se),
ceases to be Pope and Head,
just as he ceases, automatically,
to be a Catholic and a Member of the Church.
Wherefore, he can be judged
and punished by the Church.
This is too, the teaching of all the ancient Fathers.”

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/17/quote-s-of-the-day-17-september-st-robert-bellarmine/

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

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CHRIST the KING Prayers, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on FAITH, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The SEVEN LAST WORDS of CHRIST, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 8 May – ‘ … and your heart shall rejoice.’

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 May – The Third Sunday after Easter – 1 Peter 2:11-19, John 16:16-22

“So also, you now indeed have sorrow
but I will see you again
and your heart shall rejoice.
And your joy,
no man shall take from you.”

John 16:22

“Even in a world
which is being shipwrecked,
remain brave and strong.”

“Holy Spirit, the Life that gives life:
You are the Cause of all movement.
You are the Breath of all creatures.
You are the Salve that purifies our souls.
You are the Ointment that heals our wounds.
You are the Fire that warms our hearts.
You are the Light that guides our feet.
Let all the world praise You!”

St Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)
Doctor of the Church

“Turn to the Lord with your whole heart
and leave behind this wretched world.
Then your soul shall find rest.
For the Kingdom of God
is the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit.
If you prepare, within your heart,
a fitting dwelling place,
Christ will come to you
and console you.”

Thomas á Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

O Holy Spirit of God
By Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus (1466-1536)
(Fr Erasmus of Rotterdam)

O Holy Spirit of God
with Your holy breath,
You purify the hearts and minds of humankind,
comforting them,
when they are in sorrow,
leading them,
aright when they have gone astray,
kindling them,
when their hearts are cold,
reconciling them,
when they are at variance
and enriching them,
with Your many gifts.
By Your working,
all things live.
We make our prayer to You,
maintain and day by day,
increase, the gifts which You
have granted us,
so that with Your Light
before us and within us,
we may pass through this world,
without stumbling
and without straying.
Who with the Father and the Son,
are One God,
now and forever.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUTH, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 7 May – “Without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 7 May – Wisdom 5:1-5, John 15,1-7.

“Without Me
you can do nothing.”

John 15:5

“Whoever does not gather
with me, scatters.”

Luke 11:23

“We recognise a tree by its fruit
and we ought to be able to recognise
a Christian by his action.
The fruit of faith
should be evident in our lives,
for being a Christian,
is more than making
sound professions of faith.
It should reveal itself
in practical and visible ways.
Indeed, it is better to keep quiet
about our beliefs
and live them out,
than to talk eloquently
about what we believe
but fail, to live by it.”

St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35-c 108)
Father of the Church

“… Now is the time in this life of suffering,
when we journey apart from Him.
… So let us fast and pray now
because, we are in the days of childbirth!”

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

“Girded with faith
and the performance of good works,
let us follow in His paths
by the guidance of the Gospel.”

“For at all times, we must so serve Him,
with the good things He has given us,
that he may not, as an angry Father,
disinherit his children,
nor as a dread Lord,
provoked by our evil deeds,
deliver us to everlasting punishment,
as wicked servants,
who refuse to follow Him to glory.”

St Benedict (c 480-547)

“Each one of us has a thirst
for all that is infinite, eternal and perfect.
God alone can satisfy this thirst.
Just as we are created by God,
so we are created for Him.
Just as we came from God,
so we are gradually travelling back towards Him,
for He is the final goal of our earthly journey.
We should meditate on this great truth
which we were first taught in the Catechism,
namely, that we were created
to know, love and serve God
on this earth and to be happy with Him
forever in Heaven.
God alone is the eternal beauty
which will satisfy our hearts.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The BEATITUDES

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

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

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

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

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

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/02/quote-s-of-the-day-2-may/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/02/quote-s-of-the-day-2-may-st-athanasius/

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