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One Minute Reflection – 23 June – “The road that leads to life”

One Minute Reflection – 23 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Tuesday of the Twelfth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-36, Psalm 48:2-4, 10-11, Matthew 7:6, 12-14

“The road that leads to life” … Matthew 7:14

REFLECTION – “This, beloved, is the way in which we found our salvation, Jesus Christ, the High Priest who offers our gifts, the patron and helper in our weakness (Heb 10:20; 7:27; 4:15).   It is through Him, that we look straight at the heavens above.   Through Him, we see mirrored, God’s faultless and transcendent countenance.   Through Him, the eyes of our heart were opened.   Through Him, our unintelligent and darkened mind shoots up into the light.   Through Him, the Master was pleased to let us taste the knowledge that never fades, He who is “the radiance of His splendour, who towers as much above the angels, as the title He has inherited, is superior to theirs” (He 1:3-4) (…)

Let us take our body.   The head is nothing without the feet and the feet are nothing without the head.   The smallest organs of our body are necessary and valuable to the whole body, in fact, all parts conspire and yield the same obedience, toward maintaining the whole of the body (cf.1 Co 12:12f.).
Therefore, let the whole of our body be maintained in Christ Jesus and let each submit to their neighbour’s rights in the measure determined by the special gift bestowed on them.   Let the strong care for the weak and the weak respect the strong;  let the rich support the poor and the poor render thanks to God for giving them the means of supplying their needs;   let the wise show their wisdom, not in words but in active help;  the humble must not testify to themselves but leave it to another to testify in their behalf.   Those who are continent must not boast, knowing that it is another who confers on them the ability to remain continent.

Let us, therefore reflect, brethren, of what clay we were made, what and who we were when we entered the world, out of what grave and darkness, our Maker and Creator has brought us into the world, where He has prepared His benefits before our birth.   Since, then, we owe all these blessings to Him, we are obliged to thank Him in every way.” … St Pope Clement I (c 35 – c 99)- Pope from c 90 to c 99 – Letter to the Corinthians, § 36-38matthew 7 14 the road that leads to life - this beloved is the way in which we - st pope clement I 23 june 2020

PRAYER – The Elder Brother’s Prayer

Teach me, my Lord,
to be sweet and gentle in all the events of life,
in disappointments,
in the thoughtlessness of those I trusted,
in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied.
Let me put myself aside,
to think of the happiness of others,
to hide my little pains and heartaches,
so that I may be the only one to suffer from them.
Teach me to profit by the suffering
that comes across my path.
Let me so use it that it may make me
patient, not irritable.
That it may make me broad in my forgiveness,
not narrow, haughty and overbearing.
May no one be less good
for having come within my influence.
No one less pure, less true, less kind,
less noble for having been a fellow traveller
in our journey toward Eternal Life.
As I go my rounds from one distraction to another,
let me whisper from time to time,
a word of love to Thee.
May my life be lived in the supernatural,
full of power for good,
and strong in its purpose of sanctity.
Amenthe elder brother's prayer - new - 23 june 2020

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Quote/s of the Day – 18 June – ‘Our Father who art in heaven …’

Quote/s of the Day – 18 June – Thursday of the Eleventh week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Sirach 48:1-14 (1-15), Psalm 97:1-7, Matthew 6:7-15

“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”

Jesus
Matthew 6:9-13

the-lords-prayer-matthew-6-9-13-20-june-2019 and 18 june 2020

“So, my brothers, let us pray as God our master has taught us.
To ask the Father in words His Son has given us,
to let Him hear the prayer of Christ ringing in His ears,
is to make our prayer one of friendship, a family prayer.
Let the Father recognise the words of His Son.
Let the Son who lives in our hearts, be also on our lips.
We have Him as an Advocate for sinners, before the Father,
when we ask for forgiveness for ours sins,
let us use the words given by our Advocate.
He tells us –
Whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you.
What more effective prayer could we then make,
in the name of Christ, than in the words of His own prayer?”

let-us-pray-as-god-our-master-has-taught-us-no 2 used on 16 sept 2019 memorial of st-cyprian-12-march-2019-lenten-thoughts-no-2- used again 20 june 2019

“As the Lord’s Prayer continues, we ask:
Give us this day our daily bread.
We can understand this petition in a spiritual
and in a literal sense.
For in the divine plan both senses
may help toward our salvation.
For Christ is the Bread of Life;
this Bread does not belong to everyone
but is ours alone.
When we say, our Father,
we understand that he is the Father
of those who know Him and believe in Him.
In the same way, we speak of our daily bread,
because Christ is the Bread of those who touch His body.”

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

An excerpt from his “On the Lord’s Prayer”as the lord's prayer continues we ask, give us this day our daily bread - st cyoprian of carthage 18 june 2020

“For the author and giver of divine blessings
could not but be our teacher as well,
providing the words of this prayer,
as precepts of life,
for those disciples who believe in Him
and follow the way He taught in the flesh.
Through these words,
He has revealed the hidden treasures
of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3)
that exist in Him as pure form.
And, in all who offer this prayer,
He kindles the desire to enjoy such treasures.”

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

Interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer

matthew-6-9-Pray then like this Our Father -for-the-author-and-giver-of-st-maximus-the-confessor-on-the-lords-prayer-20-june-2019 and adapted 18 june 2020

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

the-human-person-has-a-beautiful-task-to-pray-and-to-love-st-john-vianey-23-may-2020 18 june 2020

“Prayer is nothing other than union with God.
… This union of God with his little creature
is something beautiful.
It is a happiness that we cannot understand.
We had deserved not to pray
but God, in His goodness, allows us to speak to Him.
Our prayer is incense,
which He receives with tremendous pleasure.”

St John-Marie Vianney (1786-1859)

Catechism on Prayer]

prayer is nothing other than unon with god - st joh n vianney 18 june 2020

“Father, hallowed be thy name.”

Luke 11:2hallowed be thy name - 10 oct 2018

“I have an instinct within me,
which leads me to rise and go to my Father,
to name the Name of His well-beloved Son
and having named it,
to place myself, unreservedly in His hands, saying
“if Thou, Lord, will mark iniquity, Lord,
who shall stand it?
For with Thee, there is merciful forgiveness.”

St John Henry Newman
(1801-1890)

To My Fatheri-have-an-instinct-within-me-which-leads-me-to-rise-and-go-to-my-father-john-henry-newman-9-oct-2019 - adapted 18 june 2020

“God sees us always, for He is everywhere.
…He sees clearly, everything which we think,
desire or do, even our most secret hidden actions.
Do we perfectly grasp this tremendous truth?
Are we aware of it, at every moment of our lives
and do we make it the guide for our conduct?
If we were to live continually in the Presence of God,
our lives would be angelic, rather than human,
for we would not allow ourselves to commit even the slightest sin,
nor to be guilty of the least thought, word or action,
which might offend Him.
The more we fail in our awareness of the Presence of God,
the more disordered our actions become.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)god-sees-us-always-bacci-30-march-2020 and 18 june 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 17 June – ‘Purity of intention…’

One Minute Reflection – 17 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14, Psalm 31:20, 21, 24, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

“Beware of practising your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” … Matthew 6:1

REFLECTION – “Our Lord, so the early Fathers say, used to tell His disciples to be well-proved bankers, proving all things, holding fast what is of value.   No coin finds acceptance commercially if the gold is below standard, underweight, of it the piece is illegally struck;  nor can our actions have any value spiritually, unless they are suitable, graced with charity and have a pious motive.

Take fasting, for instance – if I fast simply for the purpose of slimming, my fasting is for debased spiritual coinage;  if temperance underlies it but I am not in a state of grace, it is still deficient, for charity alone gives weight to what we do;  if I do it merely out of courtesy for the company in which I find myself, it lacks the stamp of right intention. Let my fasting be based on temperance, my soul in a state of grace, my intention solely to please God, then my efforts will ring true, fit to enlarge my store of charity.

Given utmost purity of intention and a firm resolve to please God, little actions are well done.   In these circumstances they lead to great holiness.   Some people, in spite of eating all they can, remain only skin and bone, weak, listless, their powers of digestion are poor.   Others may eat next to nothing yet be fit as fiddles, full of energy — nothing is wrong with their digestion!   Some folk there are, in the same way, who do many good things, yet have little extra charity to show for it – coldness and carelessness, or instinct and inclination rather than grace or zeal, is where the blame lies.   On the other hand, there are those who accomplish little but to perfect is their will, their intention, however, that their growth in charity is great.   They have only a little talent but they make such careful use of what they have that the Lord rewards them for it generously.” … St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva, Doctor Caritatismatthew 6_1 - beware of practising - let my fasting be based on temperance my soul in a state of grace - st francis de sales 17 june 2020

PRAYER – Litany of Humility
By Servant of God Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930) – who was accustomed to recite this prayer daily after the celebration of Holy Mass.

O Jesus meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honoured, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver, me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That in the opinion of the world, others may increase
and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I,
provided that I become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Amenlitany of humility by card merry del val 17 june 2020

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Thought for the Day – 16 June – Steadfastness in Suffering

Thought for the Day – 16 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Steadfastness in Suffering

both our joys and our sorrows are sanctified if we offer them to god who arranges everything for our good bacci 16 june 2020 STD

“We are all obliged to suffer in soul and body.
Suffering begins at birth and ends at death.
“The whole life of a Christian is a cross,” (Sermon 31) says St Augustine.
For this reason, we have to develop the virtue of patience.
“Let patience have it’s perfect work,” says St James, “that you may be perfect and entire” (Js 1:4).
If we are to be perfect, we must accept suffering and trials from the hands of God and offer them to Him in a spirit of harmony with His holy will.
In this way, all our actions become valuable, for they are acts of reparation and of love, which will be rewarded in Heaven.
Both our joys and our sorrows are sanctified, if we offer them to God, Who arranges everything for our own good.
The Saints longed to suffer because, they loved God and knew that suffering is the only true way in which we can prove our love.
Suffering is the best medicine for the soul, for when it is endured with patience, it purifies us and prepares us for Heaven.
“If God does not punish you for our sins,” says St Augustine, “it is a sign that you are no longer counted among His sons” (De Pastoribus liber unus, c 5).
“Whom the Lord loves, he chastises,” St Paul writes “and, he scourges every son whom he receives” (Heb 12:6).

Suffering is, in fact, a gift from God.
It reminds us that we have not been created for this world but for Heaven, in preparation for which, we must carry our cross with patience in the footsteps of Jesus.
No matter what we do, we must suffer.
Either we bear trials patiently and gain an increase of merit, or we rebel against them and gain no merit at all.
When we suffer, let us think of the two thieves, both of whom were tortured in the same way.
But the good thief accepted his torments with patience in reparation for his sins and was saved, while the bad thief, rebelled against his sufferings and was most probably damned forever!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

suffering is in fact a gift from god - bacci - 16 june 2020

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 June – ‘Let us love our enemies, bless those who curse us…’

Quote/s of the Day – 16 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Tuesday of the Eleventh week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 21:17-29, Psalm 51:3-6, 11, 16, Matthew 5:43-48

“You shall not hate your brother in your heart
but you shall reason with your neighbour,
lest you bear sin because of him.
You shall not take vengeance
or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people
but, you shall love your neighbour as yourself:  I am the Lord”

Leviticus 19:17-18

leviticus 19 17-18 you shall not hate your brother - love our enemy - 16 june 2020

“But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you…”

Matthew 5:44

matthew-5-44-but-i-say-to-you-love-your-enemies-16-march-2019 and 16 june 2020

“So hold fast to the sweet and salutary bond of love,
without which, the rich are poor
and with which the poor are rich.
What do the rich possess if not charity? …
And since “God is love,” (1 Jn 4:8)
as John the evangelist says,
what can the poor lack,
if they merit to possess God by means of charity? …
So love, dearest brethren
and hold fast to charity
without which, no-one will ever see God.”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)
Monk and Bishop

Sermons addressed to the people, no. 23, 3

matthew-5-44-love-your-enemies-so-hold-fast-to-the-sweet-st-caesarius-of-arles-18-june-2019 and 16 june 2020

“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.”

St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303-1373)

we must show love for those who do evil to us - st bridget of sweden 16 june 2020

“… I declare to you,
that there is no other way of salvation
than the one followed by Christians.
Since this way teaches me to forgive my enemies
and all who have offended me,
I willingly forgive the king
and all those who have desired my death.
And I pray that they will obtain
the desire of Christian Baptism.”

St Paul Miki SJ (1564-1597) Martyr

i declare to you that there is no other way of salvation - st paul miki 16 june 2020

“All our religion is but a false religion
and all our virtues are mere illusions
and we ourselves are only hypocrites in the sight of God,
if we have not that universal charity for everyone –
for the good and for the bad,
for the poor and for the rich
and for all those who do us harm,
as much as those who do us good.”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

all-our-religion-is-but-a-false-religion-if-we-have-not-love-for-our-enemies-st-john-vianney-4-aug-2018 and 16 june 2020

“When we talk about the coming of the Kingdom
and pray for its coming,
we are not thinking of a discrimination
according to race or blood
but of the brotherhood of all,
for all men are our brothers –
not excluding even those who hate and attack us –
in a close bond with the One,
who causes the sun to rise on the good
and the bad alike (Mt 5:45).”

Blessed Titus Brandsma (1881-1942) Martyr

all-men-are-our-brothers-bl-titus-brandsma-1st-sat-lent-16-march-2019 and 16 june 2020

“Let us love our enemies,
bless those who curse us,
pray for Those who persecute us.
For love will conquer
and will endure for all eternity.
And happy are they who live
and die in God’s love.”

Blessed Franz Jägerstätter (1907-1943)
“Called-up to a Higher Order”
Martyr of Conscientious Objection

let us love our enemies - bl franz jagerstatter 21 may 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 15 June – ‘… Go with him for two miles.’

One Minute Reflection – 15 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Monday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 21:1-16, Psalm 5:2-3, 4-7, Matthew5:38-42 and the Memorial of St Germaine Cousin (1579–1601)

“Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.” … Matthew 5:41

REFLECTION – “Do you grasp the excellence of a Christian disposition? After you give your coat and your cloak, even if your enemy should wish to subject your naked body to hardships and labours, not even then, Jesus says, must you forbid him.   For He would have us possess all things in common, both our bodies and our goods, as with them that are in need, so with them that insult us.   For the latter response comes from a courageous spirit, the former from mercy.   Because of this, Jesus said, “If any one shall compel you to go one mile, go with him two.” Again He leads you to higher ground and commands you to manifest the same type of aspiration.   For if the lesser things He spoke of at the beginning receive such great blessings, consider what sort of reward awaits those who duly perform these and what they become even before we hear of receiving rewards.   You are winning full freedom from unworthy passions in a human and passible body.” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop, Father & Doctor (The Gospel of Matthew: Homily 18)matthew-5-41-should-anyone-press-you-into-service-do-you-grasp-the-excellence-of-a-christian-disposition-st-john-chrysostom-17-june-2019 and 15 june 2020

PRAYER – King of heaven and earth, Lord God, rule over or hearts and bodies this day.   Sanctify us and guide our every thought, word and deed according to the commandments of Your law, so that now and forever, Your grace may free and save us.   Teach us Lord to walk in the ways of the Cross of Your Son, our Saviour, as St Germaine Cousin so lovingly and willingly inspires us to do.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God, forever, amenst germaine cousin pray for us 15 june 2020

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Thought for the Day – 14 June – The Feast of Corpus Christi

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

The Feast of Corpus Christi

only the immense love of god could conceive such a miracle - bacci 14 june 2020

“St Thomas Aquinas refers to the Blessed Eucharist as the greatest of all Jesus Christ’s miracles.

All the other miracles were accomplished in an instant or, at the most, protracted over a few years, like the raising to live of Lazarus, or the widow’s son at Naim.
The Eucharist, on the contrary, is a miracle which continues throughout the centuries and all over the world!

The other miracles, moreover, gave us a part of the power and goodness of Jesus.
But, the Eucharist gives us Jesus Himself with all His graces and gifts.
It was not enough for Our Lord to offer Himself on Calvary as a propitiary host for our sins.
It was not enough for Him to shed His precious Blood for our redemption.
It was not enough to give us the Church to instruct us and to guide us on the way to Heaven.

He wished to give us Himself in addition.
He wished to remain with us as our companion on our mortal pilgrimage and as the spiritual nourishment of our souls.

The power of Jesus is as infinite as His charity.
Nevertheless, in the Eucharist, this power and charity are, as it were, exhausted.
Only the immense love of God, could conceive such a miracle.

When we consider this mysterious gift which Jesus has given to each of us, we cannot say that it is too difficult for us to conquer the perverse inclinations of our corrupted nature and that we lack the strength to continue on the way of perfection.
Everything is possible with Jesus.
“I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).

Let us go to Jesus and take our nourishment from Him.
Then, like St Paul, we shall be able to do everything in Him, Who is our strength and our support.
In union with Jesus, we shall be able to conquer sin and to become holy. amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

everything is possible with jesus - corpus christi - 14 june 2020 bacci

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Thought for the Day – 13 June – St Anthony

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

St Anthony

henceforward italy was st anthony second fatherland - bacci - gradual martyrdom 13 june 2020

“St Anthony of Padua was not born a saint but he became one as the result of prayer, self-denial and penance, which attracted to him, God’s many graces.

On a summer evening in the year 1219, five mendicant friars arrived at the gate of the ancient Abbey of Coimbra, asking for hospitality from the Canons Regular of St Augustine.
They received a whole-hearted welcome.
When they had refreshed themselves, they revealed that they belonged to the new Religious Family founded by St Francis of Assisi.
They said that they hoped to reach Morocco, in order to convert the Saracens and, if it was God’s pleasure, to receive the palm of Martyrdom.
Amongst the Canons Regular, who were listening to them, was the youthful Anthony, who had already consecrated his life to God.

Not long afterwards, this little band of Franciscan Missionaries, was cut down by the scimitars of the infidels and became a glorious band of Martyrs.
Their bodies were brought back in triumph to the Abbey which they had visited and there they were buried with great honour.
When they were going away, Anthony had listened enthusiastically to all that they had said and felt a noble envy.
Now that he was in the presence of their hallowed remains, he experienced an urge to follow in their footsteps.

St Anthony joined the Franciscan Order and joyfully set off for the coast of Morocco in search of Missionary labour and of Martyrdom.
But, when he landed on African soil, he was struck down by a serious attack of malaria, which compelled him to return to his native land.

There is no foreseeing the designs of Divine Providence.
The boat in which Anthony was travelling was battered by a tempest and had to go ashore in Italy.
Henceforward, Italy was Anthony’s second fatherland.
It was here, that he conducted his remarkable and fruitful apostolate and slowly accomplished his Martyrdom, by the daily struggle for perfection.

This, is a headline for us!
We may not have been called to go and spread the faith amongst the infidels, at the risk of Martyrdom.
But, we have all been called to a state of holiness.
Perfection, moreover, is a gradual Martyrdom.
The heroic daily effort which is required to abstain from sin and to overcome the wayward tendencies of our nature, can fairly be said, to be, no less difficult, than a bloody Martyrdom.
This is the kind of Martyrdom which we must all endure.
St Anthony of Padua, will obtain for us the grace, to undergo it with the same generosity and constancy, which he displayed.”

St Anthony of Padua, Pray for Us all! Amen.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

ST ANTHONY OF PADUA PRAY FOR US 3

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Thought for the Day – 12 June – “Unless You Turn and Become Like Little Children, You Will Not Enter into the Kingdom of Heaven”

Thought for the Day -12 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Unless You Turn and Become Like Little Children, You Will Not Enter into the Kingdom of Heaven”

anyone who makes himself insignificant - bacci - little children 12 june 2020

“At the beginning of their ministry, before they had been strengthened and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, the Apostles were as ambitious as most other men.
One day, the mother of John and James, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and asked Him, if her two sons could have precedence over the other Apostles and sit on the highest thrones in His kingdom, one at His right hand and the other at His left.
Jesus disapproved of this desire to predominate. “Whoever wishes to become great among you,” He said, “shall be your servant and, whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; even as the Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt 20:26-28).

On another occasion, the Apostles came to Jesus and asked Him, which of them would be the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus’ only answer was to call a little child and to place him in the centre of the group.
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.   Whoever, therefore, humbles himself as this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3-4).

This is the lofty teaching of the Gospel.
If we wish to be great and pleasing in the eyes of God, we must be unimportant in our own regard and in our relations with men.
The Gospel involves an overthrow of human values.
Anyone who makes himself insignificant, will become great.
Anyone who tries to make himself out to be a great man, becomes of little account in the eyes of God.
“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Cf Js 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).
If we wish to please the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the first thing we must do, is become as little children.
In other words, we shall have to suppress our ambition and vanity and destroy our self-love, so that, the Sacred Heart may fill our hearts with the love of God alone!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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

Our Morning Offering – 9 June – May Your Heart Dwell Always in our Hearts! – By St Francis de Sales

Our Morning Offering – 9 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

May Your Heart Dwell
Always in our Hearts!
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.
Amenmay-your-heart-dwell-always-in-our-hearts-prayer-to-the-sac-heart-st-francis-de-sales-8-june-2018-sacred-heart and 9 june 2020

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Thought for the Day – 6 June – The Worship of the Sacred Heart in Relation to the Love of God and of Our Neighbour

Thought for the Day – 6 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Worship of the Sacred Heart
in Relation to the Love of God and of Our Neighbour

our love for the sacred heart of jesus should be real and effective - bacci 6 june 2020

“There is nothing sentimental about having devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Neither does this devotion consist only in prayers and pious practices.
It is much deeper than this.
It should flood our whole being, enkindle the fire of divine love in our hearts and transform our lives in accordance with the commands of Jesus.
A love which is not active cannot be genuine, it is only a passing emotion.

Our love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus should be real and effective.
As far as possible, it should change us into living replicas of Jesus Christ.

“You are my friends,” He said, “if you do the things I command you” (Jn 15:14).
Which commands does He mean?
All of them, of course.
“Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29).
“If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mt 16:24).
“Thy shalt love the Lord thy God, with they whole heart and with they whole soul” (Mt 22:37).

Anyone who practises these precepts and all others which are contained in the Gospel, is sincerely devoted to the Sacred Heart.
If anyone neglects to put them into practice but is satisfied with prayers, aspirations and the performance of spiritual exercises, his devotion is empty and has no foundation.

These prayers, aspirations and pious practices have their value, insofar, as they can attract God’s grace.
But, we must co-operate with God’s grace by our good actions.
Then our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, will be sincere and effective.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

anyone who practises these precepts - bacci 6 june 2020

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

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

“Speaking of:   The Last Things”

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

Jesus
Mark 12:27

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bl Sebastian Valfre (1629-1710)

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

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

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

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

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

Bl Mary of the Passion (1839-1904)

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

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

St Guido Maria Conforti (1865-1931)

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

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

G K Chesterton (1874-1936)

(Chesterton’s last words)

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

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

Ven Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

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

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

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

The Necessity of Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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

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

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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

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

Speaking of: Belonging to God

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

Jesus

John 12:17

john 12 17 render to caesar 2 june 2020

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

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

“Love God, then do what you will.”

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

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

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

St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr

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

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

St Robert Southwell SJ (1561-1595)

god gave himself - st robert southwell - 21 feb 2018

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

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)

(Pensées, 553)

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

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

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

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

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

we are like the penny - gk chesterton 30 april 2020

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

G K Chesterton (1874-1936)

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

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

Hans Urs von Balthasar (1905-1988)

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

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

Peter Kreeft

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

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Thought for the Day – 28 May – Living the Gospel

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

Living the Gospel

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

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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

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

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

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

John 17:21

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

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

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

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

23. To pray as much as possible.

24.   To practice all the mortifications that obedience permits.

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

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

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

28.   Not to complain in sickness.

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

30.   To drive away melancholy.

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor

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

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

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

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One Minute Reflection – 28 May – ‘… Your treasure hidden within us…’

One Minute Reflection – 28 May – “Mary’s Month” – Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter, Readings:  Acts 22:30; 23:6-11, Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11, John 17:20-26 and The Memorial of Blessed Lanfranc of Canterbury (c 1005-1089)

“And I have given them the glory you gave me …” … John 17:22

REFLECTION – “… Through our unremitting zeal for you, Lord, set upon us the sign of Your day that is not measured by the sun. … In Your sacrament we daily embrace You and receive You into our bodies;  make us worthy to experience the resurrection for which we hope.   We have had Your treasure hidden within us, ever since we received baptismal grace, it grows ever richer at Your sacramental table.   Teach us to find our joy in Your favour!   Lord, we have within us Your memorial, received at Your spiritual table; let us possess it in its full reality when all things shall be made new.

We glimpse the beauty that is laid up for us, when we gaze upon the spiritual beauty Your immortal will, now creates within our mortal selves.   Saviour, Your Crucifixion marked the end of Your mortal life;  teach us to crucify ourselves and make way for our life in the Spirit.   May Your Resurrection, Jesus, bring true greatness to our spiritual self and may Your sacraments be the mirror, wherein we may know that self.   Saviour, Your divine plan for the world is a mirror for the spiritual world – teach us to walk in that world as spiritual men.

Lord, do not deprive our souls, of the spiritual vision of You, nor our bodies of Your warmth and sweetness.   The mortality lurking in our bodies spreads corruption through us;  may the spiritual waters of Your love cleanse the effects of mortality from our hearts. Grant, Lord, that we may hasten to our true city and, like Moses on the mountaintop, possess it now in vision.” … St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church – (Sermo 3, De fine et admonitione 2. 4-5)john 17 22 - and i have given them the glory you gave me - we have had our treasure - st ephrem 28 may 2020

PRAYER – God of mercy, You have filled us with the hope of resurrection by restoring man to his original dignity.   May we who relive this mystery each year come to share it in perpetual love.   May the Mother of Our Lord stand with us as we gaze upward to her Son and may the prayer of Bl Lanfranc, be a support in our troubles.   Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.blessed virgin queen and mother pray for us 5 may 2019

bl lanfranc of canterbury pray for us 28 may 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 25 May – ‘Who will be crowned without having fought?’

One Minute Reflection – 25 May – “Mary’s Month” – Monday of the Seventh week of Easter, Readings: Acts 19:1-8, Psalm 68:2-7, John 16:29-33 and the Memorial of St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi O.Carm (1566-1607)

“In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart, I have conquered the world.” ... John 16:33

REFLECTION – “Let nothing intervene to hinder the progress of any who travel alongside each other, in this evangelical life but let us walk with agile step though the road be rough and hard, let us show a brave and manly spirit, overcome obstacles, pass along from pathway to pathway, from hill to hill, until we climb onto the mountain of the Lord and make a home for ourselves in the holy place of His impassibility.

Now, companions assist each other on the way;  so then, my brothers, as the apostle says: “Bear one another’s burdens” (Gal 6:2) and make up for whatever is lacking to others (cf. 2 Cor 8:14 ; Phil 2:30).   To the negligence that perhaps holds sway today, noble courage will succeed tomorrow, now one is in gloom and then suddenly one rises to the surface and discovers joy again, at one moment our passions rise up but soon God comes to help us, they are broken and calm returns.   For you will only be seen like this yesterday and the day before but, dear friend, you will not always remain the same but the grace of God will draw near you, the Lord will fight for you and perhaps, like the great Antony, you will say:  “Where were you just now?” and he will answer: “I wanted to see your combat.”

For now, let us persevere, children, dear children, let us be patient for a little, brothers, dear brothers.…   Who will be crowned without having fought?   Who will go to rest if he is not tired (cf. 2 Tim 2:5-6)?   Who will gather the fruits of life without having planted virtues in his soul?   Cultivate them, prepare the earth with the greatest care, take trouble over it, sweat over it, children, God’s workers, imitators of the angels, competitors with incorporeal beings, lights for those who are in the world (cf. Phil 2:15)!” … St Theodore the Studite (759-826) Monk – Catechesis 28john 16 33 in the world you will have tribulation- who will be crowned without having fought - st theodore the studite 25 may 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, as You brought joy to the world, through the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, grant that through His Virgin Mother, we may constantly seek and recognise our Lord and Saviour and turn to Him in complete trust and love.   May we ever live in confidence and share our joy with our neighbour.   St Maria Magdalena de’ Pazzi, pray that we may know the courage of our Saviour.   Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY PRAY FOR US 25 MAY 2020

st maria magdalena de pazzi pray for us 25 may 2020

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Thought for the Day – 24 May – The Recollection of Mary

Thought for the Day – 24 May – “Mary’s Month” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Recollection of Mary

“It is believed that when the Angel Gabriel visited the Blessed Virgin in order to tell her that she was to be the Mother of God, she was in a quiet corner of her home, absorbed in prayer.
She had no love for the noise and confusion of the world but preferred to be recollected in the company of God.
This was to be the pattern of her whole life.
In the midst of her domestic duties, on her journey to St Elizabeth and on her travels in Galilee and Judea, in the wake of her divine Son, her mind and heart were always concentrated on God.

Interior recollection is a wonderful thing.
It helps us to hear God’s voice more clearly.
It keeps us removed from the temptations of the world and assists us in sanctifying every moment of our lives.

“The cell continually dwelt in growth sweet,” (Bk 1, C 20:5) says The Imitation of Christ and goes onto ask:  “What can thou see elsewhere that thou does not see here?   Behold the heavens and the earth and all the elements, for out of these are all things made” (Ibid C 20:8).
“As often as I have been amongst men,” it exclaims, “I have returned less a man” (Ibid C 20:2).
When we move around chattering with different people, we have lost something of ourselves by the time we return home.
Perhaps we have wasted a good deal of time in useless conversation or, worse still, have seen or heard unpleasant or disturbing things.
When we go about in the world, we do not often see much that is edifying or instructive and rarely meet people whose conversation does us good.
For this reason, even when we cannot remain apart, we should carry in ourselves, as Mary did, a spirit of interior recollection and communication with God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

our lady help of christians pray for us 24 may 2020

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thoughts of Mary – 23 May – Our Striving After Perfection With Our Mother’s Help

Thoughts of Mary – 23 May – “Mary’s Month”

Our Striving After Perfection With Our Mother’s Help
Moments with Saint Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

“To have a special devotion to Mary, means, that we are trying to perfect our own spiritual lives, in imitation of our heavenly Mother and with the help of her grace.
In this effort, which we must all make, we must strive to obtain purity and be constant in our search for what is best and in our endeavour to improve our conduct.
We must find the sure and decisive way of attaining the bright goal of our desires, with the sure hope of finally sharing, with Mary, in the joy of Jesus Christ, the fountain of eternal life.

We turn to you, O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother too.
How could we, with trembling hearts, concern ourselves with the greatest problem of all, that of life and death, now overshadowing all mankind, without trusting ourselves to your intercession to preserve us from all dangers?

This is your hour, O Mary, Our Blessed Jesus entrusted us to you in the final hour of His bloody Sacrifice.
We are sure that you will intervene.

And now, indeed, we beseech you for peace, O most sweet Mother and Queen of the world.
The world does not need victorious wars or defeated peoples but renewed and strengthened health of mind and peace, which brings prosperity and tranquillity;  this is what it needs and what it is crying out for – the beginning of salvation and lasting peace. Amen, Amen.”we turn to you o blessed virgin mary - st john XXIII 23 may 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, franciscan OFM, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUTH, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 21 May – Blessed Franz Jägerstätter (1907-1943) Layman Martyr “A Saint for our Times!”

Quote/s of the Day – 21 May – Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter and the Memorial of Blessed Franz Jägerstätter OFS (1907-1943) Layman Martyr “The Man Who Would Not Bow His Head to Hitler.”

“If the Church stays silent
in the face of what is happening,
what difference would it make,
if no church were ever opened again?”

if the church stays silent - bl franz jagerstatter 21 may 2020

His sacrifice was uniformly regarded as foolish by his neighbours and his story almost forgotten but for a book written by an American, Gordon Zahn, who heard of Jagerstatter when researching the subject of German Catholics’ response to Hitler.
This book, In Solitary Witness, influenced Daniel Ellsberg’s decision to stand against the Vietnam War by bringing the Pentagon Papers to public attention.   The following quote, taken from one of Jagerstatter’s last letters while in prison.

“Just as the man who thinks only of this world, does everything possible to make life here easier and better, so must we, too, who believe in the eternal Kingdom, risk everything in order to receive a great reward there.
Just as those who believe in National Socialism tell themselves that their struggle is for survival, so must we, too, convince ourselves that our struggle is for the eternal Kingdom.
But with this difference – we need no rifles or pistols for our battle but instead, spiritual weapons – and the foremost among these is prayer…. Through prayer, we continually implore new grace from God, since without God’s help and grace it would be impossible for us to preserve the Faith and be true to His commandments….”

we need no rifles or pistols for our battle - bl franz jagerstatter 21 may 2020

“Let us love our enemies,
bless those who curse us,
pray for Those who persecute us.
For love will conquer
and will endure for all eternity.
And happy are they who live
and die in God’s love.”

let us love our enemies - bl franz jagerstatter 21 may 2020

“I can say from my own experience
how painful life often is,
when one lives as a halfway Christian-
it is more like vegetating than living.”

halfway christian more like vegetatin gthan living bl franz jagerstatter 21 may 2020

“We are not dealing with a small matter
but the great (apocalyptic)
life and death struggle has already begun.
Yet in the midst of it, there are many,
who still go on living their lives
as though nothing had changed … “

we are not dealing with a small matter - bl franz jagerstatter 21 may 2020

“I am convinced that it is still best
that I speak the truth,
even though it costs me my life.
For you will not find it written
in any of the commandments of God
or of the Church,
that a man is obliged under pain of sin,
to take an oath committing him to obey
whatever might be commanded him by his secular ruler. “

i am convinced that it is still best that I speak the truth - bl franz jagerstattr 21 may 2020

“Since the death of Christ,
almost every century has seen the persecution of Christians,
there have always been heroes
and martyrs who gave their lives –
often in horrible ways –
for Christ and their faith.
If we hope to reach our goal some day,
then we, too, must become heroes of the faith.”

if we hope to reach our goal some day then we too must become heroes of the faith - bl franz jagerstatter 21 may 2020

“I cannot believe that,
just because one has a wife and children,
a man is free to offend God.”

i cannot believe that juse because - bl franz jagerstatter 21 may 2020

“I believe it is better to sacrifice one’s life right away,
than to place oneself in the grave danger
of committing sin and then dying.”

Blessed Franz Jägerstätter (1907-1943)

“Called-up to a Higher Order”
Martyr of Conscientious Objection

i believe it is better to sacrifice one's life - rather than commit sin - bl franz jagerstatter 21 may 2020

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

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

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

Mary, the Source of Holiness

“God is the primary origin of all holiness.
But, the Blessed Virgin gave us Jesus, Who is our Redeemer and the author of grace.
For this reason, she may be called the source of grace, the divine aqueduct, as St Bernard puts it, through which, the supernatural life of grace is brought to us (In adv Domini, Serm 2, no 5).
She was, moreover, full of grace and outstanding in holiness – as the Mother of God, she can obtain anything for us from her divine Son, because “it is the will of God that we receive everything through the hands of Mary” (St Bernard, In Nativ BMV, Serm, no 7).
Thirdly, even by her example, she can be the source of sanctity for us.
If we study her amazing humility, we shall learn to be humble, for our sinfulness gives us such good reason to humble ourselves.
If we meditate on her spotless purity, we shall experience a great desire and love for this beautiful virtue and shall have recourse to her in every danger to save us from impurity.
Then, let us reflect on her ardent love for God and for men.
Her charity prompted her maternal heart to offer up, as a divine Victim, her Son nailed to the Cross.
If we reflect on the nature of her charity, we also shall feel urged to love God above all things and to pray, work and make sacrifices for the salvation of our fellowmen.
Let us have, always before our minds, the image of our heavenly Mother and we shall be inspired to seek perfection in all our actions.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

st pope john paul pray for us 22 oct 2018

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY GHOST, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 May – ‘…Our life in God.’

One Minute Reflection – 18 May – “Mary’s Month” – Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 16:11-15, Psalms 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 9, John 15:26–16:4

“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me” ... John 15:26

REFLECTION – “The Spirit promised by the prophets descended upon the Son of God made Son of man (Mt 3:16), accustoming Himself in this way, to dwell alongside Him within the human race, to rest over humankind and reside in God’s workmanship, working the Father’s will in them and renewing them, by causing them to pass from their old way of life to the newness of Christ.

This is the Spirit David requested for the human race, saying:  “And with your guiding Spirit, sustain me” (Ps 51[50]:14 LXX).   This is also the Spirit who, as Luke says, descended upon the disciples after the Ascension on the day of Pentecost, having power to give all nations entrance to life and to open up the New Covenant to them.   Stirred by one feeling, the disciples uttered the praises of God in every language while the Spirit gathered together into unity a dispersed peoples and offered the Father the first-fruits of all nations (Acts 2).

Therefore, the Lord promised to send the Comforter who would bind us to God.    For as a lump of dough and a single loaf cannot be formed of dry wheat without water, neither could we, being many, be made one in Christ Jesus (1 Cor 10:17) without the water come down from heaven.   And as dry earth does not bring forth fruit unless it receive moisture, so we also, who were, to begin with but dry wood, could never have brought forth fruit unto life without generous rain from above.   For our bodies have received the union that leads to incorruptibility by the washing of Baptism but our souls, by means of the Spirit.   That is why both are necessary, since both contribute towards our life in God.” … St Irenaeus (130-202) Bishop, Martyr, Theologian and Father of the Church – Against the heresies III, 17, 1-2john 15 26 when the advocate comes - therefore the lord promised to send the comforter - st ireneaus no 2 18 may 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, You sanctify Your Church in every race and nation by the joy of Your risen Son.   By His life, Death and Resurrection You grant us life and through Your Holy Spirit, You grant us the fruits of faithful love.  May we ever be graced by Your gift of faith and be led to our heavenly Home.   Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary may we be strengthened for the journey.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.mother mary trusted guide pray for us 1 nov 2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The TEN COMMANDMENTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 14 May – “Do what I command you” – John 15:14 and St Augustine

Quote/s of the Day – 14 May – Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26, Psalm 113:1-8, John 15:9-17

“You are my friends if you do what I command you. “

John 15:14

“It is not that we keep His commandments first
and that then He loves
but that He loves us
and then we keep His commandments.
This is that grace which is revealed to the humble
but hidden from the proud.”

john 15 14 you are my friends if you do what I command you - it is not that we keep - st augustine 14 may 2020

“God provides the wind
but man must raise the sails.”

god provides the wind but man must raise the sails - st augustine 14 may 2020

“A man may lose the good things of this life against his will
but, if he loses the eternal blessings,
he does so with his own consent.”

a man may lose the good things of this life - st augustine 14 may 2020

“Christ is not valued at all,
unless He is valued above all.”

christ is not valued at all unelss he is valued above all - st augustine 14 may 2020

“He who created you, without you,
will not justify you, without you.”

he who created you without you will not justify you without you st augustine 14 may 2020

“If we live good lives, the times are also good.
As we are, such are the times.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Doctor of Grace

if we live good lives the times are also good as we are, such are the times - st augustine 14 may 2020

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

Quote of the Day – 11 May – Obeying God

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

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

John 14:24

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

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

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

Homilies on the Gospels no 30

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

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

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

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

Fr Jean Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751)

‘Abandonment to Divine Providence’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MARIAN PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 8 May – Blessed Henri Vergès FMS (1930-1994) Martyr

Quote/s of the Day – 8 May – The Memorial of Blessed Henri Vergès FMS (1930-1994) Martyr, Marist Brothers Missionary and one of the 19 Algerian Martyrs

“… How can one express a spiritual experience?
One can only stammer.
God alone knows the windings of the way,
the path He intends for this one and for that one,
the journeying marked out by our
welcomes and refusals.”

one can only stammer - bl henri verges martyr 8 may 2020

“God has simply sent me
to sow the seed in the field chosen by Him –
thus, to sow in peace
and to leave Him
to look after the growth.
Without being surprised
by the presence of the cross,
as in the life of Jesus Himself.”

god has simply sent me - bl henri verges 8 may 2020

“Let the Peace of Christ
invade me always,
more and more intimately.
Patience, gentleness towards myself,
patience, gentleness towards all,
in particular, the young people
the Lord entrusts to me.
Virgin Mary, make me
an instrument of peace
for the world.”

Bl Henri Vergès FMS (1930-1994) Martyr

let the peace of christ invade me always - bl brother henri verges martyr 8 may 2020

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 May – ‘Hitch up your garment and be ready for action…’

One Minute Reflection – 8 May – “Mary’s Month” – Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 13:26-33, Psalm 2:6-11, John 14:1-6 and the Memorial of Blessed Henri Vergès FMS (1930-1994) Martyr

Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” … John 14:6i am the way the truth and the life john 14 6 8 may 2020

REFLECTION – “Day by day follow God’s path, keeping Him closely attached to you by His promise.   In fact, He Himself said, through the mediation of His apostles, to all those who seek His will and His testimonies (Ps 118[119]:31 LXX), that He would be with them until the end of the world (Mt 28:20) where paths and footsteps will be unknown (cf, Ps 76:20), as the divine David said in his songs.   Yet, in an invisible way, He is present to the eyes of the mind, making Himself seen by those who have a pure heart and conversing with them.   So pursue your path ….

Take the wings of the love of God to fly like the clouds (cf. Is 60:8), raised above the obstacles of this earth.   Anoint your feet with the oil of joy (cf. Ps 44:8) and temperance. Do not hinder the Lord’s narrow way with your dragging feet.   If you are thirsty in your pusillanimity, drink the water of patience (cf. Sir 15:3), if you are hungry in your spiritual sluggishness, eat the bread that nourishes and strengthens the heart of man (cf. Ps 103[104]:15), a word of wisdom and courage.   Hitch up your garment and be ready for action, look up and don’t burden yourself with those oppressive loads which are your evil desires.   For anyone who is accomplishing the journey from earth to heaven, it is enough to diligently pursue one’s path without assuming extra weight. …

Be strong in the Lord;   go up to the mountain of God, to His holy house (Is 2:3) with Isaiah the cantor, the prophet with such a powerful voice.   Let none remain behind, none sit down;  help one another, everyone rooted in a firm charity.” … St Theodore the Studite (759-826) Monk and Theologian at Constantinople – Catechesis 11do not hinder the lord's narrow way with your dragging feet - st theodore the studite 8 may 2020

PRAYER – “[Lord God] I believe in You, increase my faith.   All my hopes are in You, secure my trust.   I love You, teach me to love You more each day… I adore You as my first beginning, I long for You as my final end. I praise You as my constant helper and call on You as my loving protector.   Guide me by Your Wisdom, correct me with Your Justice, comfort me with Your Mercy, protect me by Your Power…  Lord, enlighten my understanding, enflame my will, purify my heart, sanctify my soul.   Help me to repent of my past sins and to rise above my human weaknesses and to grow stronger as a Christian…”  (from the Universal Prayer by Pope Clement XI (1649-1721)   Mary, Mother of our Lord, pray for us!   Blessed Henri Vergès (1930-1994) Martyr, pray for us!

lord god I believe help my unbelief excerpt universal prayer pope clement - 17 may 2019

bl henri verges pray for us 8 may 2020