Category: The HEART

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HEART, The HOLY CROSS, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 October – ‘ … We turn aside, we look for excuses …’

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One Minute Reflection – 25 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Saints Chrysanthus and Daria (Died c 282) Martyrs, Married Couple – Wisdom 3:1-8, Luke 11:47-51 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

REFLECTION – “You know what we are going to say in prayer to God before coming to Communion: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Interiorly prepare yourself to forgive because you are about to meet with these words in prayer. How are you going to say them? Are you perhaps not going to say them? In the end that is very much the question – will you say these words, yes or no? You hate your brother and will you utter the words: “Forgive us, as we forgive?” Are you going to say that you avoid these words? But in that case, are you praying? Pay close attention, my brethren. In a moment you are going to pray – forgive from the heart!

Look at Christ suspended on the Cross, listen to Him praying: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34). Doubtless, you will say: He was able to do it but I cannot. I am a man but He is God. You cannot imitate Christ? Why then did the Apostle Peter write: “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps” (1Pt 2:21)? Why does the Apostle Paul write: “Be imitators of God as beloved children” (Eph 5:1)? Why did the Lord Himself say: “Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29)? We turn aside, we look for excuses, when we claim to be impossible that which we do not want to do … My brethren, do not blame Christ for having given us commandments which are too difficult, impossible to fulfil. Rather, let us say to Him humbly, together with the psalmist: “ Thou art just, O Lord and Thy judgement is right” (Ps 118:137).” – St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop and Monk (Sermon 35).

PRAYER – May the prayer of Your blessed Martyrs, Chrysanthus and Daria, defend us, O Lord, that we may ever enjoy the loving help of those whom we honour by this celebration. ThroughJesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CONTEMPLATIVE Prayer, franciscan OFM, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 19 October – St Peter of Alcantara

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 October – St Peter of Alcantara OFM (1499-1562) Confessor

“The soul enjoys silence and peace,
not by many reasonings
but, by simply contemplating the Truth.”

“The trouble, is that everyone talks
about reforming others
and no-one thinks
about reforming himself.”

“In prayer, the soul cleanses itself from sin,
charity is nourished,
faith is strengthened,
hope made secure;
the spirit rejoices,
the soul grows tender
and the heart is purified,
truth discovers itself,
temptation is overcome,
sadness takes to flight,
the senses are renewed,
failing virtue is made strong,
tepidity disappears,
the rust of sin is rubbed away.
In it are brought forth,
lively flashes of heavenly desires
and in these fires,
burns the flame of Divine love.
Great are the excellences of prayer,
great its privileges.
The heavens open before it
and unveil therein, their secrets
and to it, are the ears of God ever attentive.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/19/quote-s-of-the-day-19-october-st-peter-of-alcantar/

A Golden Treatise of Mental Prayer

Download the book, “A Golden Treatise of Mental Prayer”

St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562)

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The BEATITUDES, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HEART, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 October – ‘ … And, the greater their purity, the more they will see!’

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One Minute Reflection – 16 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of the Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Proverbs
31:10-31, Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure, hidden in a field.” – Matthew 13:44

REFLECTION – “Some of the brethren think that they are excluded from the Holy Ghost’s gifts of grace. Because they neglect to practise the commandments, they do not know that he who has an unadulterated faith in Christ, has within himself, the sum total of all the Divine gifts. Since, through our laziness, we are far from having an active love for Him — a love which shows us the Divine Treasures within us — we naturally think that we are excluded from these gifts.

If, as St Paul says: “Christ dwells in our hearts through faith” (Eph 3:17) and, “all the treasures of wisdom and spiritual knowledge are hidden in Him” (Col 2:3), then, all the treasures of wisdom and spiritual knowledge are hidden in our hearts! They are revealed to the heart, in proportion to our purification by means of the commandments. This is the treasure, hidden in the field of your heart which you have not yet found because of your laziness. Had you found it, you would have sold everything and bought that field. But now, you have abandoned that field and give all your attention to the land nearby, where there is nothing but thorns and thistles! It is for this reason that the Saviour says: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8) for He is hidden in the hearts of those who believe in Him. They shall see Him and the riches that are in Him, when they have purified themselves, through love and self-control. And, the greater their purity, the more they will see!” – St Maximus the Confessor (c580-662) Abbot and Theologian (Centuries of love 4:69).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness, both of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, St Francis de Sales, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 14 October – The Faithful on Pilgrimage

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – St Callistus I (c218- c223) Confessor, Pope, Martyr (and remembering St Bernard our Pilgrim today) – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Simon Peter answered and said:
Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. ”

Matthew 16:16

“The fruits of the earth
are not brought to perfection immediately
but by time, rain and care.
Similarly, the fruits of men ripen
through ascetic practice,
study, time, perseverance,
self-control and patience.”

St Anthony Abbot (251-356)

“No-one should fear to suffer
for the sake of justice,
no-one should lose confidence
in the reward that has been promised.
The way to rest is through toil,
the way to life is through death.
Christ has taken on Himself
the whole weakness of our lowly human nature.
If then, we are steadfast in our faith in Him
and in our love for Him,
we win the victory that He has won,
we receive what He has promised.”

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

“Now, you must always persevere
in firmly placing all your trust in our Lord,
in the troublesome business you have in hand.
It will give you a fine opportunity
of laying a good foundation of submission
to God’s will and peace of soul.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

“If we are to reach God, Who is our goal,
it is necessary for us to know, love and serve Him.
In the hidden depths of our own being, we hear His Voice.
As our Creator, Redeemer and Benefactor,
God has the right to the undivided affection of our hearts.
This love should not be empty and sterile, however,
it should be active and effective.
Knowing and loving God,
we should feel the obligation of serving Him
as our Master, in whatever He commands,
even when this demands a heavy sacrifice on our part!”

“We should also have great confidence
in the continual assistance which God offers us
in the temptations, troubles and trials of life.
When pain torments us,
when humiliations are difficult to bear,
when all is dark. we fear each moment
and we feel abandoned, let us trust in Him,
Who is the Way, the Truth and Life.
He says to us, as He said to Peter floundering in the waves:
“O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?” (Mt 14:31).
He is always ready to console and comfort.
He is always there waiting for our call.
We are not alone!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EASTER, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on TRUTH, The HEART, The RESURRECTION, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – St Francis of Assisi

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226) Confessor, Founder

“All I want to know is Christ
and the power flowing
from His Resurrection!”

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

“Be strengthened in Almighty God
and in the power of His might,
for with His help, nothing is difficult.
Throw off the heavy load of your own will,
cast aside the burden of sin
and gird yourselves as valiant warriors!
Forget what you are leaving behind;
strain forward to the great things before you.
I tell you that every place where you set foot,
shall be yours.
For the Spirit Who goes before your face
is Christ the Lord.
He will carry you to the topmost peak
in the arms of His Love.”

“Keep a clear eye toward life’s end.
Do not forget your purpose
and destiny as God’s creature.
What you are in His sight,
is what you are and nothing more.
Remember that when you leave this earth,
you can take nothing that you have received…
but only what you have given – a full heart
enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.”

Great and Glorious God
By St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226)

Great and glorious God,
my Lord Jesus Christ!
I implore Thee to enlighten me
and to disperse the darkness of my soul.
Give me true faith, firm hope and perfect charity.
Grant me, O Lord, to know Thee so well
that in all things I may act by Thy Light
and in accordance with Thy holy Will.
Amen

Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace.
“The Peace Prayer”
By St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226

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

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-october-st-francis-of-assisi/

St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226)

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 26 September – St Vincent Ferrer’s Prayer of Petition, Grant Me, O My God

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Our Morning Offering – 26 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”

Grant me, O my God
By St Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419)

Good Jesus,
let me be penetrated with love
to the very marrow of my bones,
with fear and respect toward Thee.
Let me burn with zeal for Thy honour,
so that I may deeply resent,
all the outrages committed against Thee,
especially those of which,
I myself have been guilty.
Grant further, O my God,
that I may humbly adore
and acknowledge Thee,
as my Creator and penetrated with gratitude
for all Thy benefits,
I may never cease to render Thee thanksgiving.
Grant that I may bless Thee in all things,
praise and glorify Thee,
with a heart full of joy and gladness
and obeying Thee with docility
in every respect, I may one day,
despite my ingratitude and unworthiness,
be seated at Thine table
together with Thine Holy Angels and Apostles,
to enjoy ineffable delights for all eternity!
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The HEART, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 25 September – O God, We Love Thee

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Quote/s of the Day – 25 September – Ferial Day, the 17th Sunday after Pentecost – Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God,
with thy whole heart
and with thy whole soul
and with thy whole mind.”

Matthew 22:37

“Amongst all loves,
God’s is so to be preferred
that we must always stand prepared in mind,
to forsake them all for that alone!”

(Treatise on the Love of God, Book 10, Chapter 7)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

“Delight in prayer is no measure of our love of God.
But if we bear difficulties patiently,
resist the urgings of self-love resolutely
and fulfil our duties in life willingly,
if we live trusting in Providence
and desiring to be known – only by God! –
then, we will show that we truly love God!
Such deeds are unmistakable signs of love.
Let us always be faithful in doing God’s will
because, all else, is unworthy of the name of love!”

St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)

“You either
belong wholly
to the world
or wholly to God.”

St Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

I Love Thee, O My God
By St John Vianney (1786-1859)

I love Thee,
O my God
and my only desire is to love Thee
until the last breath of my life.
I love Thee,
O my infinitely lovable God
and I would rather die loving Thee
than live without loving Thee.
I love Thee, Lord
and the only grace I ask,
is to love Thee eternally.
My God,
if my tongue cannot say
in every moment that I love Thee,
I wish my heart to repeat it to Thee
as often as I draw breath!
Amen

O God, We Love Thee
Prayer inspired by St Louis’ Last Instructions
to his Eldest Son, Philip
(Perhaps Philip prayed thus)

O God, we love Thee.
We wish to do nothing to displease Thee.
If we have troubles, let us thank Thee.
If we do not, we also humbly thank Thee.
Let us pray diligently
and be compassionate and generous to the poor.
May we hold fast all that is good
and all that is bad, discard.
We thank Thee for friends,
who help us bear our burdens
and help us grow in holiness.
Let us turn away from calumniators and slanderers
and lend a willing ear to those who speak of God.
Let us always do what is right and just for those we serve
and promote peace among our neighbours.
Let us be quick to defend our Faith.
O Holy Lord, all Thy holy Saints,
defend us from all evils.
Grant us Thy grace to fulfil always,
Thy Holy Will,
so that Thou may be glorified and honoured
and so we may be with Thee forever.
Amen

Quotes of St Vincent Strambi:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/25/quote-s-of-the-day-25-september-st-vincent-strambi/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ON the SAINTS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 September – Thou shalt love the Lord Thy God, with alll thou heart … Matthew 22:37

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One Minute Reflection – 25 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824) Bishop, Priest of the Passionist Order of St Paul of the Cross – Ferial Day, the 17th Sunday after Pentecost – Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 22:34-46 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Master, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” … Matthew 22:36

REFLECTION – “O Lord, what is it that you require of Your servants? “Take my yoke upon you,” you say. And what sort of yoke is this? “My yoke is easy and my burden light.” Now who would not willingly bear a yoke that does not press down but gives strength; a burden that does not weigh heavily but refreshes? As You rightly added: “And you will find rest” (Mt 11:29). And what is this yoke of Yours that does not tire but gives rest? It is the first and greatest of the commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.” What could be easier, better or more agreeable than to love the goodness, beauty and love that is most perfectly Yours, O Lord my God?

Do You not offer a reward to those who keep the com­mandments, which are “more desirable than a heap of gold and sweeter than honey from the comb?” (Ps 19[18]:11) So in every way You offer a very ample reward, as James the apostle says: “The Lord has prepared the crown of life for those who love him” (Jas 1:12) (…) And Paul quotes these words from Isaiah: “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9).

That first and great commandment is not only profitable for the man who keeps it or for God who commands it – the other commandments of God also make perfect, him who obeys them, improves him, instructs him and makes him illustrious; in a word, they make him good and holy. If you understand this, realise that you have been created for the glory of God and for your own eternal salvation; this is your end, this is the object of your soul and the treasure of your heart. You will be blessed if you reach this goal but miserable if you are cut off from it.” – St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Doctor of the Church (The Ascent of the Mind to God, 1).

PRAYER – From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and by the intercession of the blessed and gloriosus Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, the blessed Vincent Strambi, Thy Confessor and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors, being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. 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 "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, St Francis de Sales, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – Look up!

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Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Hebrews 9:2-12, Luke 13:6-17 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“She was bent over
and utterly unable
to look upwards.”

Luke 13:11

“They shall see God.”
Matthew 5:8

“You will surely not be allowed to see
with an impure heart
what one can only see with a pure heart.
You will be moved away,
put at a distance, you will not see!
The vision of God is promised ONLY
to people with a pure heart.
This is not without a reason, since the eyes
that allow us to see God are in the heart.
Those are the eyes the Apostle Paul was talking about
when he said: “May He enlighten your innermost vision”
(Eph 1:18).
So, at the present time because of their weakness,
those eyes are enlightened by faith;
later, because of their strength,
they will be enlightened by vision…
“Now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror;
then we shall see face-to-face.”

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

“Whatever riches and all other transitory things
you may possess, you must keep your heart
free from the slightest affection for them.
Your heart may be surrounded by riches;
however, riches must never master your heart!
… Do not let that mind which is the likeness of God,
cleave to mere earthly goods;
let it always be raised above them,
not sunk in them.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“Let us not strive for the rewards of Heaven,
valuable though they may be
but live, so as to please the God of Heaven.
If God were not in Heaven,
all its beauty, riches and sweetness,
would be dull rather than delightful.
By faith, we know, God already dwells within us.
But in Heaven, we will see God face-to-face.
May we so live that one day,
we will be in Heaven praising
and praying eternally,
before our Lord and Saviour!”

“To be faithful, we must live simply.
Then, being free from attachments,
we are possessed by nothing.
We live in such absolute openness to Divine Love
that whatever pleases God,
becomes our heart’s desire.”

St Jane Frances de Chantal VHM (1572-1641)

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 21 September – The Heart of Judas

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Thought for the Day – 21 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Heart of Judas

“Even after his betrayal, Judas still had time to make amends.
It would have sufficed if he had gone to Jesus and asked Him for forgiveness.
He would certainly have received the kiss of peace.
He was overcome by despair, however and decided that his sin was too great to be forgiven.
So, throwing away his money, the reward of his betrayal, he took a rope and “hanged himself with a halter” (Mt 27:5).

If we should ever have the misfortune to fall into sin, we should remember that the mercy of God is infinite.

It is enough to go to Him and to ask for pardon and for the grace not to offend Him any more under any circumstances.
We should then resolve to love Him with all the power of our poor hearts, to atone for our sins and to serve Him faithfully for the rest of our lives.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/08/thought-for-the-day-8-september-the-heart-of-judas/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/07/thought-for-the-day-7-april-the-heart-of-judas/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Martyr

“For, as Scripture says,
“The first living creature was like a lion,” (Rev 4:7)
symbolising His effectual working,
His leadership and Royal Power;
“the second was like a calf,”
signifying His Sacrificial and Priestly order
but, “the third had, as it were, the face as of a man,”
– an evident description of His coming as a human being;
“the fourth was like a flying eagle,”
pointing out the gift of the Spirit
hovering with its wings over the Church.
And, therefore, the Gospels of
Mark, Luke, Matthew and John
are in accord with these living things,
among which Christ Jesus is seated. …”

St Irenaeus (c130-c202)
Bishop, Martyr, Father

“Why did Jesus not call Matthew,
at the same time, as He called Peter
and John and the rest?
He came to each one, at a particular time,
when He knew that they would respond to Him.
He came at a different time to call Matthew,
when He was assured
that Matthew would surrender to His call.
For He, Who is acquainted
with our inmost hearts
and knows the secrets of our minds,
knows when each one of us is ready
to respond fully.”

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

Prayer to St Matthew
as your Patron Saint

Saint Matthew, whom I have chosen
as my Special Patron, pray for me,
that I, too, may one day
glorify the Blessed Trinity in Heaven.
Obtain for me your lively faith,
that I may consider all persons,
things and events,
in the light of Almighty God.
Pray, that I may be generous
in making sacrifices of temporal things,
to promote my eternal interests,
as you, so wisely did.
Set me on fire with a love for Jesus,
that I may thirst for His sacraments
and burn with zeal,
for the spread of His kingdom.
By your powerful intercession,
help me in the performance
of my duties to God,
to myself and to all the world.
Win for me the virtue of purity
and a great confidence in the Blessed Virgin.
Protect me this day
and everyday of my life.
Keep me from mortal sin.
Obtain for me the grace of a happy death.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST, The WILL of GOD, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 18 September – The Divine Counsellor

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

The Divine Counsellor

“Speak Lord, for Thy servant hears.
Give me understanding that I may know Thy testimonies.
Let not Moses, nor any of the Prophets, speak to me but speak Thou rather, O Lord God, the Inspirer and Enlightener of all the Prophets…
They may indeed sound forth words but they give not the Spirit.
Most beautifully do they speak but if Thou be silent, they inflame not the heart…
They declare the commandments but Thou enables us to fulfil them.
They show the way but Thou gives the strength to walk in it…
Speak to me that it may be some comfort to my soul and the amendment of my whole life and also, to Thy praise, glory and everlasting honour!” (Cf The Imitation of Christ Bk III, Ch 2).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/10/thought-for-the-day-10-december-the-divine-counsellor/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/17/thought-for-the-day-17-september-the-divine-counsellor/

Posted in PAPAL PRAYERS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 18 September – O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!

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Our Morning Offering – 18 September

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!
By Pope Benedict XV (1854-1922)

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!
O Fount of every good!
I adore Thee, I love Thee
and sincerely repenting of my sins,
I present to Thee my poor heart.
Give it back to me
humble, patient,
pure and in everything,
conformed to Thy wishes.
Make me, O good Jesus,
live in Thee and for Thee.
Protect me in dangers,
comfort me in afflictions,
grant me health of body,
succour in my temporal needs,
Thy blessing in all my works
and the grace of a holy death.
Amen

Indulgence – 100 days
Once a day
Pope Benedict XV
4 December 1916

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 17 September – Almighty God, Open Thou My Heart

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Our Morning Offering – 17 September – The 16th Sunday after Pentecost

Almighty God, Open Thou My Heart
A Prayer for Guidance
By St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

ALMIGHTY God,
open Thou my heart
and enlighten me with the grace of the Holy Spirit,
to see those things which are well-pleasing to Thy will.
Direct my thoughts and understanding
to those things which it is proper to meditate upon
and to take in hand;
in such fashion, as by fitting character
and deeds, I might be found worthy
of the eternal joy of heavenly life.
Direct my acts to Thy commandments,
that I might, by labour
so unbrokenly, study to bring them to fulfilment,
as to attain to an everlasting reward.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CATECHESIS, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 13 September – He had compassion on her …

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Ferial Day – Galatians 5:25-26; 6:1-10, Luke 7:11-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And the Lord, seeing her,
had compassion on her
and said to her,
‘Do not weep.’”

Luke 7:13

“Prayer, appeases the anger of God;
He pardons the sinner
when he prays with humility.”

St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455)

“The medicine of God,
is Jesus Christ,
Crucified and Risen,
the measure of all things.”

St John Leonardi (1541-1609)
Confessor, Priest, Founder

“O God, fullness of goodness,
You do not forsake any,
except those who forsake You.
You never take away Your gifts,
except when we take away our hearts.
We rob the goodness of God,
if we claim the glory of our salvation for ourselves.
We dishonour His mercy,
if we say He has failed us.
… We blaspheme His goodness,
if we deny that He has helped and assisted us.
In short, O God, cry loud and clear into our ears:
“your destruction comes from you, O Israel.
In me alone is found your help” (Hos 13:9).

“Our misery.
is the throne
of God’s mercy.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 September – ‘ … Do as much as you can … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 5 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455) Bishop of Venice, Confessor – Ecclesiasticus 44:16-27; 45:3-20, Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But he who had received the one talent, went away and dug in the earth and hid his Master’s money. ” – Matthew 25:18

REFLECTION – “You too, if you wish it, can deserve the exalted quality of the name of God’s Angel. Each one of you, insofar, as he can, insofar, as he receives an inspiration from on high, if he recalls his neighbour from his wickedness, takes care to encourage him to do good, proclaims the eternal Kingdom, or eternal punishment, to one astray – each one of you is truly an Angel of Jesus’ holy words. No-one should say, I am unable to give counsel, I am not qualified to encourage anyone. Do as much as you can, lest you be tormented for having badly kept, what you received! He who was given only one talent was more eager to hide it than to distribute it (Mt 25:14)…

Draw others, as far as you consider you have advanced; desire to have comrades on your way toward God. If any of you, my friends, is going to the market, or perhaps to the public baths, he will invite someone whom he sees to have nothing else to do, to come with him. That earthly kind of action is habitual among you. So, if you are going toward God, take care not to go to Him alone! The one who has already received, in his heart, a word of heavenly love, may also return to his neighbours an external word of encouragement.” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on the Gospels No 5).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God that the venerable feast of Thy blessed Confessor and Bishop, may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. 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 PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 31 August – Prayer and Our Lady

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Thought for the Day – 31 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Prayer and Our Lady

“O Mary, my Mother, obtain for me that spirit of prayer which will keep me always close to God.
I know that sin can never conquer me if I remain united to God.
I know if my heart is filled with the desire of Heavenly gifts, there will be no room in it for useless or sinful affections.
I wish to follow your example and live a life of prayer and recollection.
But, I am very weak and unstable.
Please obtain for me the gift of constant and persevering prayer and grant that I may never lose it.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

On this last day of the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, let us call upon the Mother of Our Lord and our Mother, in all our great needs.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 28 August – St Augustine’s O God, the House of My Soul is Narrow

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Our Morning Offering – 28 August – St Augustine (354-430) – Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of Grace and Father

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

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 August – ‘ … Faith saves, faith justifies, faith cures, both body and soul. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 27 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Joseph Calasanz (1557-1648) Confessor, Priest – Galatians 3:16-22, Luke 17:11-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And Jesus said to him: Arise, go your way, for your faith has saved you.” – Luke 17:19

REFLECTION – “And as they were on their way, they were made clean.” Let all sinners listen to this and try to understand it. It is easy, for the Lord to forgive sins. Sinners have often been forgiven before they came to a Priest. In fact, their repentance and cure occur simultaneously – at the very moment of their conversion, they pass from death to life. Let them understand, however, what this conversion means, let them heed the Lord’s words: “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning and rend your hearts and not your garments” (Jl 2:12). To be really converted one must be converted inwardly, in one’s heart…

“One of them, when he saw that he was cured, went back again, praising God at the top of his voice.” In truth, this man stands for all those who, after their cleansing by the waters of Baptism or cured by the Sacrament of Penance, renounce the devil and take Christ as their model, following Him with praise, adoration and thanksgiving and nevermore abandoning His service. “And Jesus said to him: Arise, go your way. for your faith has saved you.” Great, therefore, is the power of faith. “Without it,”as the Apostle says, “it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6). “Abraham believed God and because of this, God regarded him as righteous” (Rom 4:3). Faith saves, faith justifies, faith cures, both body and soul.” – St Bruno of Segni (c1049-1123) Confessor, Bishop (Commentary on Saint Luke’s Gospel 2: 40)

PRAYER – O God, Who through St Joseph, Thy Confessor, did graciously will to provide Thy Church with a new method for the training of youth, in the spirit of understanding and holiness grant, we beseech Thee, that, following his example and through his intercession, we may live and teach so as to acquire an everlasting reward. Through esus 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 SUN of JUSTICE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The BEATITUDES, The HEART, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

One Minute Reflection – 23 August – “Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased thy Father to give thee a Kingdom. ” – Luke 12:32

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One Minute Reflection – 23 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Philip Benizi OSM (1233-1285) Confessor – 1 Corinthians. 4:9-14, Luke 12:32-34 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased thy Father to give thee a Kingdom. ” – Luke 12:32

REFLECTION – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven”. The beginning of the New Testament is altogether joyful and full of fresh grace. It even nudges the unbeliever and sluggish to pay heed and, more to the point, to act, by promising happiness to the unfortunate and the Kingdom of Heaven to those in exile, those in any kind of distress. The beginning of the new Law is pleasant to hear and starts off under happy auspices, since the Legislator follows on from this beginning ,by giving so many assurances of beatitude. In this way those who have been attracted by them will go from one virtue to the next, climbing the eight steps that this Gospel has set up and placed within our hearts… For, it is clear that what it is all about, is the ascent of the heart and of the progress of merit, through eight steps of virtue, leading men gradually from the lowest to the highest levels of evangelical perfection. In this way they will at last enter and see the God of gods in Zion (Ps 83: 8), in His Temple, of which the Prophet has said: “It had a stairway of eight steps,” (Ez 40:37).

The first virtue for the beginner, is to renounce the world, through which we become poor in spirit; the second is gentleness, by which we submit ourselves and become accustomed to obedience; then, the grief with which we lament our sins or with weeping beg for the virtues. These we certainly enjoy, wherever we have the greatest hunger and thirst for justice, as much for ourselves as for others and begin to be stirred by zeal against sinners. Yet, lest immoderate fervour turn into fault, the mercy by which it is tempered follows after. Through putting this into practice and training ourselves, when we have learnt how to be just and how to be merciful, then we may, perhaps, be capable of entering into contemplation and giving oursees to the purification of our hearts, so as to see God!” – Blessed Guerric of Igny (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (Sermon for All Saints).

PRAYER – O God, Who through St. Philip, Thy Confessor, gave us an outstanding example of humility, grant that Thy household may follow his example by scorning worldly prosperity and, ever seek the things of Heaven. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 22 August – Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary

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Our Morning Offering – 22 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of our Most Blessed and Loved Mother Mary

Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary
By Bernard of Cluny (12th Century) Monk
Trans. Fr Henry Bittleshon C.Orat. (1818-1886)

Daily, daily sing to Mary,
Sing, my soul, her praises due.
All her glorious actions cherish,
With the heart’s devotion true.
Lost in wond’ring contemplation,
Be her majesty confessed!
Call her Mother, call her Virgin,
Happy Mother, Virgin blest!

She is mighty to deliver,
Call her, trust her lovingly.
When the tempest rages round thee,
She will calm the troubled sea.
Gifts of Heaven she has given,
Noble Lady, to our race;
She, the Queen, who clothes her subjects,
With the Light of God’s own grace.

Sing, my tongue, the Virgin’s honours,
Who for us, her Maker bore,
For the curse of old inflicted,
Peace and blessings to restore.
Sing in songs of praise unending,
Sing the world’s majestic Queen;
Weary not nor faint in telling,
All the gifts that earth has seen.

All my senses, heart, affections,
Strive to sound her glory forth.
Spread abroad the sweet memorials
Of the Virgin’s priceless worth.
Where the voice of music thrilling,
Where the tongues of eloquence,
That can utter hymns befitting
All her matchless excellence?

All our joys do flow from Mary,
All then join her praise to sing.
Trembling, sing the Virgin Mother,
Mother of our Lord and King.
While we sing her awesome glory,
Far above our fancy’s reach,
Let our hearts be quick to offer
Love the heart alone can reach.

St Casimir (1458-1484) Confessor – his Feast Day is 4 March, called the Blessed Virgin his dear mother and he loved her as a child. In her honour he sang frequently a touching Hymn which is in use even at the present day. It begins thus: “Daily, Daily Sing to Mary.”
He repeated this many times everyday and asked to have it placed in the grave with him.
When his grave was opened after 120 years, both his body and this written Hymn, were untainted by any sign of corruption.

Bernard of Morlaix, or of Cluny, for he is equally well known by both titles, was an Englishman by extraction, both his parents being natives of that country. He was, however, born in France very early in the 12th Century, at Morlaix, Bretagne. Little or nothing is known of his life, beyond the fact that he entered the Abbey of Cluny, of which at that time, Peter the Venerable, was the Abbot, who filled the post from 1122 to 1156. There, as far as we know, he spent his whole life and there he probably died, although the exact dates of his death,and of his birth, are unrecorded.

Posted in CONTEMPLATIVE Prayer, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 20 August – The Interior Life

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

The Interior Life

“Let us go to Jesus when we are worn out by conflict and have no strength left.
Let us go to Him when we feel that we can walk no further along the stony path to perfection.
He will help us and restore our courage; He will grant us an increase of grace which is the source of the spiritual life.

It is essential, however, that we should have a spirit of recollection.
If we are dissipated, we shall be unable to hear the Voice of God.
We must speak with God and open our hearts to Him; we must tell Him that we love Him and wish to learn to love Him more and to comform more completely to His designs for us.
Then, we shall find peace and contentment in the interior life, such as the world can neither know, nor communicate.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/29/thought-for-the-day-29-august-the-interior-life/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/22/thought-for-the-day-22-august-the-interior-life/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY, The HEART, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 12 August – St Clare

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Quote/s of the Day – 12 August – St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253) Virgin

“God will be your helper
and best consoler. …”

“Because the way and path is difficult
and the gate through which one passes
and enters into life, is narrow,
there are both few who walk it
and who enter through it.”

“May the love you have in your hearts
be shown outwardly in your deeds.”

Excerpt from the Prayer
to the Five Wounds of Jesus
By St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)

I pray Thee, O most gentle Jesus,
that having redeemed me
by Baptism from original sin,
so now, by Thy Precious Blood,
which is offered and received,
throughout the world,
deliver me from all evils,
past, present and to come.
And by Thy most bitter Death,
give me a lively faith,
a firm hope
and perfect charity,
so that I may love Thee
with all my heart and all my soul
and all my strength.
Make me firm and steadfast in good works
and grant me perseverance in Thy service,
so that I may be able to please Thee always.
Amen.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/12/quote-s-of-the-day-12-august-st-clare/

St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HEART, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 August – “Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.” – Matthew 25:7

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One Minute Reflection – 12 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253) Virgin – 2 Cor inthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2 , Matthew 25:1-13

“Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.” – Matthew 25:7

REFLECTION – “There has come a shout at midnight. What can this shout be, if not what the Apostle speaks of – ‘in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.’ For the trumpet will sound and the dead will rise up, imperishable and as for us, we shall be changed (1 Cor 15:52). Once the shout has been raised at midnight, what happens next? They all arose. What is the meaning of “They all arose?” The hour is coming, says the Lord Himself, when all who are in the tombs will hear His Voice and come forth (Jn 5:28-29).

… What is the meaning of “They did not take oil in their flasks?” In their hearts … I mean, look at these foolish virgins who did not carry oil with them; by their self-denial which earns them the name of virgins and by their good works, represented by the lamps they bring, they are intent on pleasing other people. And, if they are intent on pleasing others and that is why they do these admirable things, they are not carrying oil with them. So you, then, mind you carry it with you, carry it inside, where God can see; carry the testimony of your conscience there. … So if you refrain from unlawful things and perform good works, in order to be admired by other people, there is no oil inside you! …

Before those virgins went to sleep, it does not say that their lamps were going out. The wise ones’ lamps were burning, from the oil inside them, from the assurance of their consciences, from their inner boast, from their deepest charity. But those of the foolish ones, were also burning. Why were they burning then? Because there was no dearth of admiration from other people. But after they had risen, that is to say, in the resurrection from the dead, they began to trim their lamps that is, to prepare to give God an account of their works. And because there is no-one then expressing admiration … they were asking for what they had always been used to, that is to say, to shine with someone else’s oil, to live in dependence on others’ admiration. Give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 93).

PRAYER – Hear us, O God, our Saviour that as we are gladdened by the festival of blessed Clare Thy virgin, so we may learn from it piety and devotion. 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 CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on PURITY, St Francis de Sales, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 July – Virginity, Chastity, Purity

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Praxedes, Virgin (Died 164) – 1 Corinthians 7:25-34, Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And the unmarried woman
and the virgin,
thinketh on the things of the Lord,
that she may be holy,
both in body and in spirit,
in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1 Corinthians 7:34

“Virginity can be lost by a single thought.”

St Jerome (343-420)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“He errs who believes
that he can overcome his sensual propensities
and preserve chastity, by his own efforts.
God’s mercy must extinguish nature’s ardour.
Have recourse to the intercession
of the Immaculate Virgin
and rest assured, you will obtain this mercy.”

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

“Chastity depends on the heart, for its source
and on the body, as its subject.
Hence, it may be lost,
by all the external senses of the body
and by the thoughts and desires of the heart.”

(Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 13).

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Prayer for Chastity and Purity
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Dear Jesus,
I know that every perfect gift
and especially that of chastity,
depends on the power of Thy Providence.
Without Thee, a mere creature can do nothing.
Therefore, I beg Thee, to defend, by Thy grace
the chastity and purity of my body and soul.
And if I have ever sensed or imagined anything
that could stain my chastity and purity,
blot it out, Supreme Lord of my powers
that I may advance with a pure heart
in Thy love and service,
offering myself
on the most pure altar of Thy Divinity,
all the days of my life.
Amen

Posted in GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on VOCATIONS, The HEART, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 July – St Vincent de Paul

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 July – St Vincent de Paul CM (1581-1660) Confessor, “Holy Hero of Divine Charity.”

“If God is the centre of your life,
no words are necessary.
Your mere presence will touch hearts!”

“We should strive to keep our hearts open
to the sufferings and wretchedness of others
and pray continually,
that God may grant us that spirit of compassion
which is truly the Spirit of God.”

“We should spend as much time,
in thanking God for His benefits,
as we do, in asking Him for them!”

“Perfection consists in one thing alone
which is doing the will of God.
For, according to Our Lord’s words,
it suffices for perfection to deny self,
to take up the cross and to follow Him.
Now, who denies himself and takes up his cross
and follows Christ better than he, who seeks
not to do his own will but always that of God?
Behold, now, how little is needed, to become as Saint?
Nothing more than to acquire the habit of willing,
on every occasion, what God wills.”

“Humility and charity
are the two master-chords:
one, the lowest;
the other, the highest;
all the others are dependent upon them.
Therefore, it is necessary, above all,
to maintain ourselves in these two virtues;
for observe well, that the preservation
of the whole edifice
depends on the foundation and the roof.”

Prayer for Vocations
By St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

O Lord,
send good workers to Thy Church,
but may they be good!
Send good missionaries
to work in Thy vineyard,
labourers, O my God,
such as they ought to be –
utterly detached from themselves,
their own comfort
and worldly goods.
Let them even be few in number,
provided that they are good!
O Lord, grant this grace
to Thy Church.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/19/quote-s-of-the-day-19-july-st-vincent-de-pau/

St Vincent de Paul CM (1581-1660)

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, The HEART, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 16 July – Our Passions

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

Our Passions

“Let us be vigilant in the control of our passions.
As soon as they tempt us to do anything contrary to right reason and the Divine Law, let us renew our resolutions and implore the help of God.
“O God,” let us pray, “I wish to love Thee above all things.
I wish neither to contemplate, nor intend, nor do anything which could offend Thee in any way.”
This is the only way in which we shall find peace and an easy conscience for, as The Imitation of Christ says, “whenever a man desires anything inordinately , straightaway, he is disquieted within himself” (Bk 1 C 6).
“It is by resisting the passions,” it continues, “and not by serving them, that true peace of heart is to be found” (Ibid).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/18/thought-for-the-day-18-july-our-passions/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/20/thought-for-the-day-20-july-our-passions/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 6 July – The Gift of Speech

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 6 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Gift of Speech

“Above all, the gift of speech is intended to be used in prayer.
The tongue should express externally, the interior language of the mind and heart which should be principally concerned with the adoration of our Creatpr.
Since we have received everything which we have from God, all our gifts should be used in His service.
Speech was given to us not only to enable us to speak with men but, more particularly, to enable us to speak with God.

Let us sanctify this gift by means of prayer.
Let us take care, however, that our prayers do not remain meaningless and superficial while our minds are absorbed with other matters.

Everything in us should pray.
The intellect should bow in adoration of God’s Majesty; the will should conform itself entirely to His law; the heart should find its true and only happiness in God and, the tongue should praise Him, implore His favour and forgiveness and offer our whole being to Him, from Whom we have receive everything.

This should be the primary function of speech.
If this gift is employed in this way, it will gain for us many other graces and favours from God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/08/thought-for-the-day-8-july-the-gift-of-speech/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, St PAUL!, St PETER!, The HEART

Quote of the Day – 30 June – ‘ … The heart of the world …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 30 June – The Commemoration of St Paul, Apostle and Martyr

“And now, who will grant me
to prostrate myself
at Paul’s sepulchre, to contemplate
the ashes of that body which, suffering for us,
filled up what was wanting
of the sufferings of Christ?
The dust of that mouth,
which spoke boldly before kings
and, showing what Paul was,
revealed the Lord of Paul?
The dust of that heart,
truly the heart of the world,
more lofty than the heavens,
more vast than the universe,
as much the heart of Christ, as of Paul
and wherein might be read,
the book of grace, graven by the Holy Spirit?
Oh! that I might see the remains of the hands,
which wrote those Epistles;
of the eyes, which were struck with blindness
and recovered their sight for our salvation;
of the feet which traversed the whole earth!
Yes. I would fain contemplate the tomb
where repose these instruments
of justice and of light,
these members of Christ,
this temple of the Holy Ghost.
O venerable body, which, together with that of Peter,
protects Rome more securely, than all ramparts!”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor

(Chrys. in Epist ad Rom. Serrmon xxxii)

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 10 June – Prayer to the Two Holy Heartsof Jesus and Mary

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 10 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Saturday Within the Octave of Corpus Christi and Mary’s Saturday

Prayer to the Two Holy Hearts
of Jesus and Mary

O Heart of Jesus, pierced for our sins
and giving us Your Mother on Calvary!
O Heart of Mary, pierced by sorrow
and sharing in the sufferings of your Divine Son
for our redemption!
O Sacred union of these Two Hearts!
Praised be the God of Love who united them together!
May we unite our hearts and every heart,
so that all hearts may live in unity and in imitation
of that Sacred unity which exists in these Two Hearts.
Triumph, O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary!
Reign, O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!
– in our hearts, in our homes and families,
in the hearts of those who as yet do not know You
and in all nations of the world.
Establish in the hearts of all mankind the sovereign triumph
and reign of Your Two Hearts so that the earth may resound
from pole to pole with one cry:
Blessed forever be the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
and the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary!
Obtain for me a greater purity of heart
and a fervent love of the spiritual life.
May all my actions be done for the greater glory of God
in unions with the divine heart of Jesus
and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Hear and answer our prayers and intentions
according to Your most merciful will.
Amen