Category: QUOTES on SIN

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on SIN, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 25 April – The Manner in which We Oughtto Receive the Blessed Sacrament (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 25 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LIV: … The Manner in which We Ought
to Receive the Blessed Sacrament (Part One)

“The Motives for approaching this Divine Sacrament are many, from which it follows that there are various requirements to be observed at three different times:
Before Communion
At the moment of reception of Communion
After Communion

  1. BEFORE COMMUNION: Whatever be our motive, we must, if stained with mortal sin, cleanse ourselves in the Sacrament of Penance.
    And with all sincerity of heart, we must offer ourselves to Jesus Christ, consecrating our souls and all their faculties to His service.
    For, it is in this Sacrament that He bestows to mankind, His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, together with the immense and inexhaustible treasure of His Infinite merits.
    And as all of our gifts to Him are insignificant, when compared to His gifts to us, we should desire nothing less, than the totality of merits gained by the created beings of the universe, to offer as a gift deserving His regard.
    If our desire is victory over spiritual adversaries, we should meditate for some time previous to the reception of Communion on the incomprehensibly ardent desire, of our Saviour to be one with us in suppressing our inordinate appetites.

In order, however, to formulate some idea of this Divine wish in our regard, we might consider two things.
The first is the ineffable joy with which Wisdom Incarnate dwells among us, for He calls it His delight [Prov VIII:31].
The second is the implacable hatred He bears toward mortal sin, inasmuch as it is both an insuperable obstacle to that much-desired intimate union with Him and in utter opposition to His Divine perfections.
For as God is sovereignly good, a Light undimmed and Beauty inviolate, He must inevitably hate sin which is all malice, all darkness and all corruption.
So burning indeed is this hatred of God for sin that the entire dispensation of the Old and New Testaments, has been ordained for its destruction.
Several of God’s Saints have said that Divinity would have suffered a thousand deaths on a thousand Golgothas, if the smallest faults could be annihilated within us.
These considerations, rudimentary as they are, may enable you to see ,how much our Saviour desires to dwell within our hearts to expiate therefrom, our common enemies; thus we should welcome Him with all the fervour of which we are capable.
The joyful expectancy of His arrival will raise our courage and inspire us to war anew on our predominant passion, by performing many
acts of the contrary virtue.
Particularly should this be so on the evening before and on the morning of our reception of Holy Communion.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The PASSION, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 22 April – Meditation on the Sufferings of Christ (Part Three)

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Thought for the Day – 22 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

LI: … Meditation on the Sufferings of Christ
(Part Three)

“Moreover, as this Divine Saviour loved mankind to an ineffable degree, such an ardent and tender love must have caused Him much sorrow for the sins which would tear men from Him.
For He knew that no-one could sin mortally, without destroying that sanctifying grace which is the bond between Himself and the just.
And this separation would cause Jesus greater anguish of soul than dislocated limbs caused His body.
For the soul, altogether spiritual and immeasurably superior to the body, is much more delicately attuned to pain.
But of all the afflictions of our blessed Saviour, the most grievous, doubtless, was the sight of the damned, incapable of repentance, who must inevitably be banished, from His presence, for all eternity.

If the contemplation of such suffering moves you to compassion for your dying Jesus, meditate further and you will find that His excessive suffering was not caused by your sins alone; for His Precious Blood was shed, not only to cleanse you from the sins you have committed, but to preserve you from those you might have committed were you unaided by Heaven.

It is a fact that you will never be without motives for taking part in the sufferings of Jesus Crucified.
Know, moreover, that human nature never was and never will be, subject to any affliction which was unknown to Him.
He suffered from injuries, reproaches, temptations, pains, loss of goods, voluntary austerities, more acutely, than those who groan under.
For, as this tender Saviour had a perfect comprehension of any affliction of mind or body to which we are prone, even to the least pain or headache.
He must certainly have been moved with great compassion for us.

Who, however, can express what He felt at the sight of His Blessed Mother’s pain and grief?
For she shared in all the pangs and outrages which attended His Passion and, with the same views and from the same motives.
And although her sufferings were infinitely short of His, they were excruciating beyond expression.
The awareness of our Lady’s agony redoubled the sorrows of Jesus and pierced His heart still deeper.
Hence it was that a certain devout soul compared the heart of Jesus to a burning furnace in which He voluntarily suffered from the ardent flames of Divine love.

And after all, what is the cause of such unspeakable agony?
Nothing but our sins – this is the answer.
Therefore, the greatest compassion and gratitude we can possibly show towards Him, Who has suffered so much for us, is to be truly sorry for our past offences, out of pure love for Him; to detest sin with all the fervour of our soul because it is displeasing to Him and to wage ceaseless war against our evil inclinations because, they are His greatest enemies.

Thus divesting ourselves of the old man and putting on the new, we adorn our souls with virtue, in which alone, their beauty consists.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/20/thought-for-the-day-20-april-meditation-on-the-sufferings-of-christ-part-
PART TWO:

Posted in "Follow Me", DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Quote/s of the Day – 5 April – St Vincent Ferrer

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 April – St Vincent Ferrer OP (1350-1419) Confessor, called “The Angel of the Apocalypse” and of “The Last Judgement” and the “Mouthpiece of God.”

“If you truly wish to help
the soul of your neighbour,
you should firstly approach God
with all your heart.
Ask Him simply,
to fill you with charity,
the greatest of all virtues.”

“When troubled by temptations,
raise up your heart and soul to God,
humbly beseeching Him
to turn them to His greater glory
and to your salvation,
supporting the temptations
as long as it shall please Him
and imploring Him, to grant you grace,
never to offend Him.”

“Regard yourself as more vile
and miserable in the sight of God
because of your faults,
than any sinner whatever,
no matter what his sins. . .
and consider closely that any grace,
or inclination to good or desire of virtue,
you may have, is not of yourself
but of the sole mercy of Christ.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/04/05/quote-s-of-the-day-5-april-st-vincent-ferrer-2/

St Vincent Ferrer OP (1350-1419)

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOOD FRIDAY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The SEVEN PASSION Feasts

Our Morning Offering – 29 March – Membra Jesu Nostri, O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

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Our Morning Offering – 29 March – Good Friday

Membra Jesu Nostri
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
By Blessed Arnulf of Leuven O.Cist. (c1200-1276)

O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, Thine only crown;
O sacred Head, what glory,
what bliss till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call Thee mine.

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered,
was all for sinners’ gain;
Mine, mine, was the transgression
but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Saviour!
’Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favour,
vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee,
Thou noble Countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee
and flee before Thy glance.
How art thou pale with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How doth Thy Visage languish
that once was bright as morn!

Now from Thy cheeks has vanished,
their colour once so fair;
From Thy red lips is banished
the splendour that was there.
Grim death, with cruel rigour,
hath robbed Thee of Thy life;
Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigour,
Thy strength in this sad strife.

My burden in Thy Passion,
Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression
which brought this woe on Thee.
I cast me down before Thee,
wrath were my rightful lot;
Have mercy, I implore Thee;
Redeemer, spurn me not!

What language shall I borrow
to thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never,
outlive my love to Thee.

My Shepherd, now receive me;
my Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me,
O Source of gifts Divine.
Thy Lips have often fed me
with words of Truth and Love;
Thy Spirit oft hath led me
to Heavenly joys above.

Here I will stand beside Thee,
from Thee I will not part;
O Saviour, do not chide me!
When breaks Thy loving Heart,
When soul and body languish
in death’s cold, cruel grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish,
Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.

The joy can never be spoken,
above all joys beside,
When in Thy Body broken
I thus with safety hide.
O Lord of Life, desiring
Thy Glory now to see,
Beside Thy Cross expiring,
I’d breathe my soul to Thee.

My Saviour, be Thou near me
when death is at my door;
Then let Thy Presence cheer me,
forsake me nevermore!
When soul and body languish,
oh, leave me not alone
But take away mine anguish
by virtue of Thine own!

Be Thou my consolation,
my shield when I must die;
Remind me of Thy Passion
when my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee,
upon Thy Cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfolds Thee.
Who dieth thus dies well!

This Poem/Hymn was incorrectly ascribed to St Bernard of Clairvaux, for they are consistent with his style and his devotion. However, “the external proof for this ascription is so slight as to be negligible” (Hurlbut, VII, 18).
The “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” did appear in St Bernard’s collected works but only two hundred years after his death. When the Monasteries were suppressed in the French Revolution, all of the relevant manuscripts disappeared. The only surviving manuscript, dated 1320, bears Arnulf’s name (Arnulfus de louan). Here is Blessed Arnulf’s story:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/04/02/saint-of-the-day-2-april-blessed-arnulf-of-leuven-o-cist-c1200-1276-abbot/

Arnulf’s Poem consists of a cycle of seven Poems, each a meditation on one of the Wounds of the Crucified Christ.
The words of the Hymn remind us, not only of the depth of Christ’s love but also how much He suffers because of our sins.

Posted in EVENING and NIGHT Prayers, GOD ALONE!, HOLY WEEK, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The LAMB of GOD, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 28 March –The Night of the Passion

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

The Night of the Passion

“Picture Jesus during this long and sorrowful night.
Abandoned by everyone, betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter, unjustly judged worthy of death by the Hight Priest, buffered and mocked by the soldiers, He suffers and prays and offers Himself as a victim of reparation, especially for all those sins which are being committed and will be committed by night! – throughout the ages and all over the world.

Let us bow low before Him in spirit.
Let us tell Him with penitent hearts that we shall never offend Him again and that we love and adore Him.
Let us promise to offer the prayers and sufferings of this day in reparation for the sins which men commit under cover of darkness.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/13/thought-for-the-day-13-april-the-night-of-the-passion/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/14/thought-for-the-day-14-april-the-night-of-the-passion/

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, EVENING and NIGHT Prayers, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The HOLY NAME

Quote/s of the Day – 27 March – St John Damascene

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 March – St John Damascene (675-749) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

Before retiring, The Examination of Conscience:
(or if one prefers, before beginning prayers)
go through all the points
suggested below in your mind and memory.

  1. Give thanks to Almighty God for granting you during the past day, by His grace, His gifts of life and health.
  2. Examine your conscience by going through each hour of the day, beginning from the time you rose from your bed and recall to memory – where you went, how you acted and reacted towards all persons and other creatures and what you talked about. Recall and consider with all care, your thoughts, words and deeds from morning until the evening.
  3. If you have done any good, do not ascribe it to yourself but to God Who gives us all the good things and thank Him.
    Pray that He may confirm you in this good and enable you to do other good works.
  4. But if you have done anything evil, admit that this comes from yourself and your own weakness, from bad habits or weak will. Repent and pray to the Lover of men that He may forgive you and promise Him firmly, never to do this evil again.
  5. Implore your Creator with tears, to grant you a quiet, undisturbed, pure and sinless night and to enable you, in the coming day, to devote yourself wholly to the glory of His holy Name.
  6. If you find a soft pillow, leave it and put a stone in its place, for Christ’s sake. If you sleep in winter, bear it, saying – Some did not sleep at all!”

From The Night Prayers before Retiring but the above image has just been made:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/27/quote-of-the-day-27-march-the-night-prayers-before-retiring-st-john-damascene/

St John Damascene (675-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY WEEK, LENT 2024, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, St PETER!, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 March – Tuesday of Holy Week – Jesus looked at him

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One Minute Reflection – 26 March– Tuesday of Holy Week – Jeremias 11:18-20, Mark 14:32-72; 15, 1-46

“ I know not this man of whom you speak. And immediately the cock crew again. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said unto him: Before the cock crows twice, thou shalt thrice deny me. And he began to weep.” – Mark 14:71-72

REFLECTION – “The first time Peter denied, he did not weep because the Lord had not looked at him. He denied a second time and did not weep because the Lord still did not look at him. He denied a third time; Jesus looked at him and he wept very bitterly (Lk 22:62). Look at us, Lord Jesus, so that we might know how to weep for our sins. This shows us that even the fall of the Saints may be useful to us. Peter’s denial has done me no wrong, on the contrary, I have gained from his repentance – I have learned to be beware of faithless companions. …

So Peter wept and wept bitterly; he wept so hard that he washed away his offence with his tears. And you, too, if you would win pardon, wipe out your guilt with tears. At that very moment, in that same hour, Christ will look at you. If some kind of fall happens to you, then He, the ever-present witness of your intimate life, looks at you to call you back and cause you to confess your lapse. Then do as Peter did, who thrice said: “Lord, you know that I love you” (Jn 21:15). He denied three times and three times he also confessed. But he denied by night; he confessed in broad daylight.

All this has been written, to make us understand, that no-one should be puffed up. If Peter fell for having said: “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be” (Mt 26:33), who is there to count on himself? … From whence then, Peter, shall I call you to mind, to teach me your thoughts as you wept? From heaven where you have already taken your place among the choirs of angels, or from the grave? For that death, from which the Lord was raised, did not reject you in your turn. Teach us what use your tears were to you. But you taught it without delay for having fallen before you wept, your tears caused you to be chosen to guide others, you who, to begin with, did not know how to guide yourself.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on St Luke’s Gospel, 10,89f.

PRAYER – Almighty and eternal God, grant us so to celebrate thy mysteries of our Lord’s Passion, that we may deserve to obtain forgiveness. 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 DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, OUR Cross, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SIN, The PASSION, The SEVEN PASSION Feasts

Our Morning Offering – 22 March – My Sorrowful Mother, Help Me to Bear My Crosses

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Our Morning Offering – 22 March – Friday in Passion Week, the Fifth Friday in Lent, Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows

My Sorrowful Mother,
Help Me to Bear My Crosses
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Doctor of the Church

My sorrowful Mother,
by the merit of that grief
which you felt
at seeing your beloved Jesus
led to death,
obtain for me the grace
to bear with patience,
those crosses which God sends me.
I will be fortunate
if I also shall know how
to accompany you
with my cross until death.
You and Jesus,
both innocent,
have borne a heavy cross
and shall I,
a sinner who has merited hell,
refuse mine?
Immaculate Virgin,
I hope you will help me
to bear my crosses with patience.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 March – ‘ … But, we are able to fall from His Hands, if we are negligent!’

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One Minute Reflection – 20 March – “The Month of St Joseph” – Wednesday in Passion Week – Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-19, 25; John 10:22-38 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And I give them everlasting life and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of My Hand.” – John 10:28

REFLECTION – “For “no-one snatches us away from His Hands,” according to what was said in the Gospel according to John.
Yet, it is not written, that just as no-one snatches us away, no-one also falls from His Hands.
For one who is self-determined is free.
And, I say, no-one will snatch us away from the Hand of God, no-one can take us.
But, we are able to fall from His Hands, if we are negligent!” – Origen (c 185-253) Priest, Theologian, Exegist, Writer, Apologist, Father (Homilies on Jeremiah, 18).

PRAYER – In Thy mercy, O Lord, may this hallowing fast enlighten the hearts of Thy faithful people and since Thou have given them the desire to serve Thee, lend a gracious ear to their prayers.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 LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 17 March –Instructions for Mortifying Passions,to Attain the Necessary Virtues (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 17 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXXIII: … Instructions for Mortifying Passions,
to Attain the Necessary Virtues (Part One)

“Although I have said so much on the course to be pursued in order to conquer self and adorn it with all virtues, there still remain, some other points concerning which, I would give you some advice.

+++ 1. In your endeavours after holiness, never, be persuaded to use such spiritual exercises as select formally, different virtues, for different days of the week, setting apart one for the attainment of each.
But, let the order of your warfare and your exercise, be to combat those passions which have always injured and still continue to assault and injure you and, to adorn yourself and that, with all possible perfection, with their contrary virtues.
For having once acquired these virtues, all others will be readily attained, as occasion offers, with little comparative exertion.
And occasions will never be wanting, for all the virtues are linked together in one chain and he who possesses one in perfection, has all the others ready on the threshold of his heart.

+++ 2. Never set a fixed time, such as days, or weeks, or years, for the attainment of any virtue but, as an infant newly born, a soldier just enlisted, fight your way continually towards the summit of perfection.
Never stand still, even for a moment – for to stand still in the way of virtue and perfection, is not to regain breath or courage but, to fall back, or to grow feebler
than before.
By standing still, I mean flattering ourselves that we have perfectly acquired the virtue in question and so, taking less heed of the occasions which call us to fresh acts of it, or of little failures therein.
Therefore, be careful, be fervent, be watchful – that you neglect not the slightest opportunity of exercising any virtue.
Love all such occasions and especially those which are attended with the greatest difficulty because, habits are quickest formed and deepest rooted, when the difficulties to be overcome, are greatest!
Love those occasions, therefore which present such difficulties.
Fly from those only and, with rapid step, with all diligence and speed which might lead to the temptation of the flesh.

+++ 3. Be prudent and discreet in those exercises which may prove injurious to bodily health, such as – self-chastisement by means of disciplines, hair-cloths, fasts, vigils, meditations and the like – for these virtues must be acquired slowly and by degrees, as will be hereafter explained.
As to other virtues which are wholly internal, such as – the love of God, contempt of the world, self-abasement, hatred of vicious passions and of sin, meekness and patience, love towards all men, towards those who injure us and the like, – it is not necessary to acquire these gradually, nor to mount by degrees to perfection therein but, you should strive, at once, with all your might, to practice each without delay and with all possible perfection!

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, ST FRANCIS de SALES, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY NAME, THOMAS a KEMPIS

Quote/s of the Day – 15 March – Let us weep for our sins and increase in love for our Divine Redeemer .

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Quote/s of the Day – 15 March – Friday of the Fourth Week in Lent – 3 Kings 17:17-24; John 11:1-45 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I Am
the Resurrection
and the
Life”

John 11:25

“Love Him, then, keep Him as a friend.
He will not leave you as others do,
or let you suffer lasting death.
Sometime, whether you will or not,
you will have to part with everything.
Cling, therefore, to Jesus in life and death,
trust yourself to the glory of Him,
Who alone can help you
when all others fail.“

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

“If thou art bound down by sickness,
if sorrows weary thee,
if thou art trembling with fear,
invoke the name of Jesus!”

St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1456)

“A person who is conscious of his misery,
can certainly have great confidence in God.
In fact, he cannot have true confidence in Him,
without this consciousness of his misery.
This knowledge and acknowledgement
of our misery, leads us to the presence of God.”

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

“Although the sinner
does not believe in Hell,
he will, nevertheless, go there,
if he has the misfortune to die
in mortal sin.”

St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)

“Let us weep for our sins
and increase in love for our Divine Redeemer.
The Crucifix will teach us,
as it taught the Saints,
the lesson of charity towards God
and towards our neighbour.
It will teach us to hate sin and to love virtue.
If we cherish it during life,
it will be our consolation
to kiss the Crucifix at the moment of death.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in BAPTISM, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LENT 2024, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 15 March – Do Not Fall Back Again Into Death!

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 15 March – Friday of the Fourth Week in Lent – 3 Kings 17:17-24; John 11:1-45 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Now, by this I know t
hat thou art a man of God
and the Word of the Lord
in thy mouth is true.”
3 Kings 17:24

“ Lazarus, come forth!”
John 11:43

Do Not Fall Back Again Into Death!

St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Laid to rest in the tomb, you heard the resounding call.
Is there any Voice greater than that of the Word?
Then you came out, you who were dead not merely for four days but for a very long time indeed.
You were raised with Christ … your burial bands fell to the ground.
Do not fall back again now into death; do not rejoin those who dwell in the tombs; do not allow yourself to be stifled by the burial bands of your sins.
For would you be able to come back to life once again?
Would you be able to bring out, from the death of here below, the resurrection of all men at the end of time? …

So let the Lord’s call resound in your ears!
Do not close them today to the teaching and admonitions of the Lord.
If you used to be blind, without light in your tomb, open your eyes lest you sink into the sleep of death.
In the Light of the Lord, behold light! in the Spirit of God, fix your eyes on the Son.
If you take to yourself the Word, in its entirety, then you focus onto your soul, all the power of Christ Who heals and restores to life ….
Do not be afraid to put some work into preserving your Baptismal purity and set the ways that lead to the Lord, within your heart.
Take care to preserve the act of acquittal which you received through pure grace ….

Let us be Light, as the disciples learned, from He Who is the Great Light: “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14).
Let us be lamps in this world by holding up on high the Word of Life, by being a life force for others.
Let us set out in search of God, in search of the One Who is the First and Purest of Lights.” – (Sermon on Holy Baptism).

Posted in "Follow Me", ACT of CONTRITION, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, ST FRANCIS de SALES, The HEART, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 11 March – Help us, O God, our Saviour

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 March – Monday of the Fourth Week in Lent – 3 Kings 3:16-28; John 2:13-25 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Remember not our former iniquities,
let Thy mercies speedily prevent us,
for we are become exceeding poor.
Help us, O God, our Saviour
and for the glory of Thy Name, O Lord,
deliver us and forgive us our sins,
for Thy Name’s sake.”

Psalm 78:8-9

“… There is one Road
and one only,
well secured against all possibility
of going astray
and, this Road is provided
by One, Who is Himself
both God and Man.
As God, He is the Goal,
as Man, He is the Way.”

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

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

St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455)

“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 CATECHESIS, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 10 March – On the Tender Compassion which Jesus Christ entertains towards Sinners

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 10 March – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent – Galatians 4:22-31, John 6:1-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“They who trust in the Lord
are like Mount Sion
which is immovable;
which forever stands.”
Psalm 124:1-2

“Make the men sit down.”
John 6:10

On the Tender Compassion which Jesus Christ
Entertains Towards Sinners

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“WE read in this day’s Gospel that, having gone up into a mountain with His disciples and seeing a multitude of five thousand persons, who followed Him because they saw the miracles which He wrought on them that were diseased, the Redeemer said to St Philip: “Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat ?” “Lord,” answered St Philip, “two-hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient that every one may take a little.” St Andrew then said: There is a boy here that has five barley loaves and two fishes but what are these among so many? But Jesus Christ said: “Make the men sit down.” And he distributed the loaves and fishes among them. “The multitude were satisfied and the fragments of bread which remained, filled twelve baskets.”
The Lord wrought this miracle through compassion for the bodily wants of these poor people but, far more tender is His compassion, for the necessities of the souls of the poor that is, of sinners, who are deprived of the Divine Grace.

But, my Lord, since Thou hast resolved to take human flesh, would not a single prayer offered by Thee be sufficient for the redemption of all men? What need, then, was there of leading a life of poverty, humiliation and contempt, for thirty- three years, of suffering a cruel and shameful death on an infamous gibbet and of shedding all Thy Blood by dint of torments?
I know well, answers Jesus Christ, that One Drop of My Blood, or a simple prayer, would be sufficient for the salvation of the world but neither,would be sufficient to show the love which I bear to men and, therefore, to be loved by men when they should see me dead on the Cross, for the love of them, I have resolved to submit to so many torments and to so painful a death.
This, He says, is the duty of a good Shepherd “I Am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd giveth His Life for His sheep… I lay down My Life for My sheep.” (John 10:11, 15) …

This tenderness of Jesus Christ was experienced by the sinful woman (according to St Gregory, — Mary Magdalene) who cast herself at the feet of Jesus and washed them with her tears. (Luke 7:47 and 50) The Lord, turning to her with sweetness, consoled her by saying: “Thy sins are forgiven … thy faith hath made thee safe; go in peace.” (Luke 7:48 and 50.) Child, thy sins are pardoned; thy confidence in Me has saved thee; go in peace.
It was also felt by the man who was sick for thirty- eight years and who was infirm, both in body and soul. The Lord cured his malady and pardoned his sins. … We have also a proof of the tender compassion of the Son of God for sinners, in his conduct towards the woman caught in adultery.

… Jesus Christ has come, not to condemn,but to deliver sinners from hell, as soon as they resolve to amend their lives. And when He sees them obstinately bent on their own perdition, He addresses them with tears in the words of Ezechiel:
“Why will you die, O house of Israel?” (18:31). My children, why will you die? Why do you voluntarily rush into hell, when I have come from Heaven to deliver you from it by death?”
He adds: you are already dead to the grace of God.
But I will not allow your death — return to Me and I will restore to you the life which you have lost.

Let us then, sinners, return instantly to Jesus Christ.
If we have left Him, let us immediately return, before death overtakes us in sin and sends us to hell, where the mercies and graces of the Lord shall, if we do not amend, be so many swords which shall lacerate the heart for all eternity!” – (Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent – Intro, 3,8,9,11,12).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SIN, The KINGDOM of GOD, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 March –The least in the Kingdom of Heaven – Matthew 5:19

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One Minute Reflection – 7 March – “The Month of St Joseph” – – St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225-1274) Confessor, Doctor – Wisdom 7:7-14; Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so, will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments, will be called greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” – Matthew 5:19

REFLECTION – “For what reason then does He call some of these commandments “least,” although they are so magnificent and lofty? Jesus spoke this way because He was about to introduce His own teaching, as a new law . As He humbles Himself and speaks of Himself with great modesty, so He refers to His own teaching in the same manner. In this way, Jesus teaches us to practice humility in everything. And besides, since some suspected His teaching to be a new departure, He temporarily taught it in a more reserved way.

But when you hear “least in the Kingdom of Heaven,” you are to think of nothing but hell and punishment. For it was His practice to speak, not only of the joy the Kingdom brings but also, of the time of the resurrection and the fearful event of the Second Coming.

Think of one who calls a brother a fool. That one, transgresses only one commandment, maybe even the slightest one and falls into hell. Compare that one with another, who breaks all the commandments and instigates others to break them too. Do both have the same relationship to the Kingdom? This is not the argument Jesus is making. Rather, He means, that one who transgresses only one of the commands will, on the final day, be the least—that is, cast out—and last and will fall into hell!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Archbishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (The Gospel of Saint Matthew, Homily 16).

PRAYER – O God, Who enlightened Thy Church with the wondrous learning of blessed Thomas, Thy Confessor and enriched her through his holy life, grant us, we beseech Thee, both to understand what he taught and by following his example, to do what he did. Through tJesus 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 ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, HYMNS, LENT 2024, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SIN, The KINGDOM of GOD, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 6 March – Sweet Angel of Mercy!

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 6 March – Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 51:13-17; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Nor then do thou leave me,
Angelical friend!
But at the tribunal
Of Judgement attend
And cease not to plead
For my soul, till, forgiven,
Thou bear it aloft
To the Palace of Heaven!”

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

Sweet Angel of Mercy!
By Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)

Sweet Angel of mercy!
By Heaven’s decree
Benignly appointed
To watch over me!
Without thy protection,
So constant and nigh,
I could not well live;
I should tremble to die.

All thanks for thy love,
Dear companion and friend!
Oh may it continue
With me to the end!
Oh cease not to keep me,
Blest guide of my youth,
In the ways of religion
And virtue and truth.

Support me in weakness,
My spirit inflame;
Defend me in danger,
Secure me from shame,
That safe from temptation,
Or sudden surprise,
I may mount the straight path
That ascends to the skies.

When Satan his snares
For my ruin shall lay,
Be thou, gentle comrade,
My comfort and stay
And in every event
Which may happen to me,
Make all my desires
With thine to agree.

When I wander in error,
My footsteps recall,
Remove from my path
What might cause me to fall.
Preserve me from sin
And in all that I do,
May God and His glory
Be ever in view.

O thou who didst witness
My earliest breath,
Be with me, I pray,
In the hour of death.
Console me in sadness,
Refresh me in pain
And teach me how best
I may mercy obtain.

That, cleansed by confession
Complete and sincere,
From every defilement
Afflicting me here,
All glowing with love,
I may gladly depart.
With faith on my lips
And with hope in my heart.

Nor then do thou leave me,
Angelical friend!
But at the tribunal
Of Judgement attend
And cease not to plead
For my soul, till, forgiven,
Thou bear it aloft
To the Palace of Heaven!

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 5 March – Of the Devil’s Devices Against Those Already Held, in the Bondage of Sin

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Thought for the Day – 5 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXVIII: … Of the Devil’s Devices Against Those
Already Held, in the Bondage of Sin

“When the devil holds a man in the bondage of sin, his chief care is to blind his eyes more and more and to avert everything from him which might lead to a knowledge of his most wretched condition.
And not only does he, by instilling contrary thoughts, drive from him all reflections and inspirations which call him to conversion but, by affording him ready opportunities, he makes him fall into new and greater sins.

Hence, the thicker and darker waxes his blindness, the more desperate and habitual becomes his course of sin and thus, from blindness to deeper blindness, from sin to fouler sin, his wretched life will whirl on, even unto death, unless God, by His grace, should intervene to save him.

The remedy for one in this unhappy condition is, to be ready to give dilligent heed to the thoughts and inspirations which call him from darkness to light, crying with all his heart to his Creator:
“O Lord, help me,
help me speedily,
leave me no longer in the darkness of sin.”
And let him not fail to repeat this cry for mercy over and over again in these or the like words.
If possible, let him have immediate recourse to some spiritual guide and ask aid and counsel that so he may be delivered from the power of the enemy.
And if he cannot do this, at the moment, let him with all speed, fly to the Crucifix, prostrating himself before it and asking mercy and aid also, from the Mother of God.

On this speed does the victory depend, as you will learn in the next chapter.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 3 March – What Are We To Do When Wounded? (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 2 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXVI: … What Are We To Do When Wounded?
(Part Two)

“This exercise is very displeasing to the devil, both because he sees it to be most acceptable to God and, also because, he is enraged to see himself overcome by one,over whom he had been at first victorious.
And, therefore, he seeks by many artful wiles, to make us relinquish it and, through our carelessness and lack of vigilance, he is but too often successful!
The more difficult, therefore, this exercise may seem to you, the greater violence must you do to yourself, renewing it repeatedly, even after a single fall.

And, if after any fall, you feel uneasy, distrustful,and confused in mind, the first thing to be done is to recover your peace and quietness of mind, and together with it, your confidence in God.
Armed with these, turn again to the Lord — for your uneasiness on account of your sin arises, not from the consideration of the offence against God but, of the injury to yourself.

To recover this peace, discard entirely from your mind, the thought of your fall and set yourself to meditate on the unspeakable goodness of God — how He is beyond measure, ready and willing to forgive every sin, how grievous soever; calling the sinner by manifold ways and means, to come to Him that He may unite him to Himself in this life, by His grace, in order to his sanctification and, in the life to come, by His glory, for his eternal beatication.

And having quieted your mind by these and the like reflections, turn your thoughts once more to your fall, according to the instructions given you above.

Again, at the time of sacramental Confession, to which I exhort you to have frequent recourse, recall to mind all your falls and ,with renewed sorrow and indignation at the offence against God and, renewed purpose, never again to offend Him, disclose them with all sincerity to your spiritual Father.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/02/thought-for-the-day-2-march-what-are-we-to-do-when-wounded-part-one/

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on SACRILEGE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 3 March – On Concealing Sins in Confession

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 3 March – The Third Sunday in Lent – Ephesians 5:1-9; Luke 11:14-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Walk then, as children of the Light.
For the fruit of the Light is in all goodness
and justice and truth.”
Ephesians 5:8-9

“And He was casting out a devil
and the same was dumb.”
Luke 11:14

On Concealing Sins in Confession

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“THE devil does not bring sinners to hell with their eyes open — he first blinds them with the malice of their own sins. “For their own malice blinded them.” (Wis 2:21) He thus leads them to eternal perdition.
Before we fall into sin, the enemy labours to blind us that, we may not see the evil we do and, the ruin we bring upon ourselves, by offending God.
After we commit sin, he seeks to make us dumb that, through shame, we may conceal our guilt in Confession.
Thus, he leads us to hell by a double chain, inducing us, after our transgressions, to consent to a still greater sin the sin of sacrilege!

… St Augustine says that, to prevent the sheep from seeking assistance by there cries, the wolf seizes them by the throat and thus securely carries them away and devours them.
The devil acts in a similar manner with the sheep of Jesus Christ.
After having induced them to yield to sin, he seizes them by the throat that they may not confess their guilt and thus, he securely brings them to hell.
For those who have sinned grievously, there is no means of salvation but the confession of their sins!
But, what hope of salvation can he have who goes to Confession and conceals his sins and makes use of the tribunal of penance to offend God and to make himself doubly the slave of Satan?
What hope would you entertain of the recovery of the man, who, instead of taking the medicine prescribed by his physician, drank a cup of poison instead?
God! What can the Sacrament of Penance be to those who conceal their sins but a deadly poison which adds to their guilt, the malice of Sacrilege?
In giving Absolution, the Confessor dispenses to his patient the Blood of Jesus Christ; for it is through the merits of that Blood that he absolves from sin.

What, then, does the sinner do, when he conceals his sins in Confession?
He tramples underfoot, the Blood of Jesus Christ.
And should he afterwards receive the Holy Communion in a state of sin, he is, according to St Chrysostom, as guilty as if he threw the Consecrated Host into a sink …
Accursed shame! how many poor souls do you bring to hell?
… Unhappy souls! they think only of the shame of confessing their sins and do not reflect that, if they conceal them, they shall be certainly damned!” (Extract from the Sermon for the Third Sunday of Lent, 1 and 5).

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING, SELF-DISTRUST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 2 March – What Are We To Do When Wounded? (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 2 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XXVI: … What Are We To Do When Wounded?
(Part One)

“When you feel yourself wounded from having weakly, or it maybe, even willfully and deliberately, fallen into some sin, be not over-fearful or over-anxious but,, turn instantly to God, saying:

“Behold, O Lord, what I, of myself, have done!
And what, indeed, could be expected of me but falls?”

And then, after a short pause, humble yourself in your own eyes, mourn over the offence committed against your Lord and, without falling into discouragement, be full of indignation against your evil passions, especially that which has occasioned your fall.
Then say:

“Nor even here, Lord, should I have stopped,
if Thine Goodness had not withheld me.”

And here give thanks to Him and love Him more than ever, wondering at the excess of His Mercy, Who, when you had so deeply offended Him, stretched out His right Hand to save you from another fall!

Lastly, say, with great confidence in His Infinite Compassion:

“Forgive me, Lord, for Thine own sake,
suffer me not to depart from Thee,
nor to be separated from Thee,
nor evermore to offend Thee.”

And this done, do not sit down to consider whether God has pardoned you or not — for this is nothing else but pride, restlessness of mind, loss of time and, under colour of various fair pretexts, a delusion of the devil.
But, committing yourself unreservedly to the Merciful Hands of God, pursue your exercise as if you had not fallen.

And if you should fall wounded many times in the day, repeat that which I have taught you, with no less faith than the first, the second, the third and even the last time and despising yourself and hating the sin, more and more, strive to lead, henceforth, a life of greater watchfulness.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, ST FRANCIS de SALES

Quote/s of the Day – 1 March – ‘… a HATRED for nothing but SIN…’

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 March – Friday of the Second Week in Lent and the Feast of the Holy Shroud – – Genesis 37:6-22; Matthew 21:33-46.– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“He will bring those evil men
to an evil end”

Matthew 21:41

“Little children follow and obey their father.
They love their mother.
They know nothing of covetousness,
ill-will, bad temper, arrogance and lying.
This state of mind opens the road to Heaven.
To imitate our Lord’s own humility,
we must return to the simplicity
of God’s little ones.”

St Hilary (315-368)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“I see clearly with the interior eye,
that the sweet God loves, with a pure love,
the creature that He has created
and has a HATRED for nothing but SIN,
which is more opposed to Him,
than can be thought or imagined.”

St Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510)

“Let us then depart, let us depart from Egypt,
let us approach Our Lord,
let us make provision of good works;
let the feet of our affections be bare,
let us clothe ourselves with innocence,
let us not be satisfied with crying for mercy,
let us go forth from Egypt, let us delay no longer.
The hour is come to arise from sleep,
since we know that He receives sinners;
the Angels await our repentance,
the Saints pray for it!”

St Francis de Sales 91567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

“There is a golden rule which we should always remember
as it will be helpful to us in fighting temptation
and in resisting discouragement.
It is simply this:
As long as we implore God’s grace
and do all we can and ought, in order to withstand
the onslaught of temptation, God will do the rest!
If God, nevertheless, allows us to fall,
this will be in order to humble us
and to make us understand,
more clearly that we can do nothing without Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING, SELF-DISTRUST, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 28 February – ‘…Let Us Hate Our Sins and Love Him Who, Will Exact Punishment for Them …’

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 28 February – St Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin/Gabriel Possenti CP (1838-1862) Confessor, – 1 John 2:14-17; Mark 10:13-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“He will not deprive, of good things,
those who walk in innocence.
O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man
who trusts in Thee!”
Psalm 83:13

“One thing is lacking to thee;
go, sell whatever thou has
and give to the poor
and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven
and come, follow Me.”
Mark 10:21

Let Us Hate Our Sins and Love Him
Who Will Exact Punishment for Them.

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

“What then should the Christian do?
He ought to use the world, not become its slave.
And what does this mean?
It means having, as though not having.

So says the Apostle: “My brethren, the appointed time is short — from now on, let those who have wives, live as though they had none and those who mourn, as though they were not mourning and those who rejoice, as though they were not rejoicing and those who buy, as though they had no goods and those who deal with this world, as though they had no dealings with it.”

For the form of this world is passing away.
But I wish you to be without anxiety.
He who is without anxiety waits without fear until his Lord comes.
For what sort of love of Christ is it to fear His coming?
Brothers, do we not have to blush for shame?
We love Him, yet we fear His coming!
Are we really certain that we love Him?
Or do we love our sins more?
Therefore, let us hate our sins and love Him Who, will exact punishment for them.
He will come whether we wish it or not.
Do not think that because He is not coming just now, He will not come at all. He will come, you know not when and provided He finds you prepared, your ignorance of the time of His coming, will not be held against you.” (A Discourse on Psalm 95)

Posted in "Follow Me", CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VICE, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The BEATITUDES, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 February – ‘One thing is lacking to thee … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 28 February – “The Month of the Most Holy and Blessed Trinity”– St Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin/Gabriel Possenti CP (1838-1862) Confessor, – 1 John 2:14-17; Mark 10:13-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“One thing is lacking to thee; go, sell whatever thou has and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven and come, follow Me.” – Mark 10:21

REFLECTION – “Blessed is the poor man who cried and whom the Lord heard. Blessed is the man poor in offence. Blessed is the man poor in vices. Blessed is the poor man, in whom the prince of this world finds nothing. Blessed is the poor man who, is like that Poor Man Who, although He was rich, became poor for our sake. Matthew fully revealed this when he said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” One poor in spirit is not puffed up, is not exalted in the mind of his own flesh. This Beatitude is first, when I have laid aside every sin and I have taken off all malice and I am content with simplicity, destitute of evils. All that remains is that I regulate my conduct. For what good does it do me to lack worldly goods, unless I am meek and gentle?

Although there are many charms of delights in riches, yet there are more incentives to practice virtues. Although virtue does not require assistance and the contribution of the poor person, is more commended, than the generosity of the rich, yet with the authority of the heavenly saying, He condemns, not those who have riches but those who do not know how to use them. The pauper is more praiseworthy who gives with eager compassion and is not restrained, by the bolts of looming scarcity. He thinks that he who has enough for nature, does not lack. So the rich person is the more guilty, who does not give thanks to God, for what he has received but vainly hides wealth given for the common use and conceals it, in buried treasures. Then the offence consists, not in the wealth but in the attitude.

Purify yourself with your tears. Wash yourselves with mourning. If you weep for yourself, another will not weep for you…. One who is a sinner weeps for himself and rebukes himself, that he may become righteous, for just people accuse themselves of sin. Let us pursue order because, it is written, “Set in order love in me.” I have laid down sin. I have tempered my conduct. I have wept for my transgressions. I begin to hunger. I hunger for righteousness. The sick, when he is seriously ill, does not hunger because, the pain of the illness excludes hunger. What is the hunger for righteousness? What is the bread of which it is said, “I have been young and am old and I have not seen the righteous man forsaken, nor his seed begging bread?” Surely, one who is hungry, seeks increase of strength. What greater increase of virtue is there, than the rule of righteousness?” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church( Exposition on the Gospel of Luke, 5).

PRAYER – O God, Who taught blessed Gabriel to meditate continually on the sorrows of Thy most sweet Mother and Who, through her, exalted him by the glory of a holy life and miracles; grant us, we beseech Thee, through his intercession and example so to share in the sorrows of Thy Mother that her motherly protection may save us. 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", APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, The INCARNATION, The LAMB of GOD, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 February – ‘ … I am your Light, your Salvation and your King. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 23 February – St Peter Damian (1007-1072) Cardinal Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I am not come to destroy but to fulfil.” – Matthew 5:17

REFLECTION – “The sacrifice of the lamb, the Passover rite and the letter of the Law have reached their term in Jesus Christ, in view of Whom, everything in the ancient Law took place – and, even more so, in the new dispensation. For the Law became the Word; from being old it became new … the commandments have been transformed into grace and the foreshadowing into Truth; the lamb has become the Son, the sheep has become man and man has become God. …

God, although He was the Lord, put on our humanity; He suffered for him, who was suffering, was bound for him, who was captive, was judged for the guilty, was buried for him, who was buried. He was raised from the dead and cried out in a loud voice: “If anyone wishes to oppose Me, let us appear together” (Is 50:8). It is I Who delivered the condemned man; I Who restored life to the dead; I Who raised up those in the grave. “Who disputes My right?” It is I, He says, I Who am the Christ, I Who destroyed death, Who triumphed over the enemy, Who bound the mighty enemy and carried off man to the heights of Heaven; it is I, He says, Who am the Christ.

Come along then, every human family, full of sin as you are and receive the forgiveness of your sins. For I Myself am your forgiveness, I am the Passover of salvation, the Lamb slain for your sakes, your Redemption, Life and Resurrection; I am your Light, your Salvation and your King. It is I Who lead you to the heights of Heaven, I Who will raise you up; it is I Who will bring you to see the Father Who is from all eternity; it is I Who will raise you up by My all-powerful Hand.” – St Melito of Sardis (Died c180) Bishop of Sardis in Smyrna and Father of the Church [Paschal Homily (Passim)]

PRAYER – Grant us, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, to follow the counsel and examples of St Peter, Thy Confessor and Bishop, so that by setting earthly goods at naught we may attain everlasting happiness. 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", ACT of CONTRITION, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SIN

Our Morning Offering – 21 February – Lord Jesus, Think on Me By St Synesius of Cyrene

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Our Morning Offering – 21 February – Ember Wednesday

Lord Jesus, Think on Me
By St Synesius of Cyrene (375-430)
Bishop of Ptolemais, Father

Lord Jesus, think on me
and purge away my sin,
from earth-born passions set me free,
and make me pure within.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
With care and woe oppressed,
let me Thy loving servant be
and taste Thy promised rest.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
nor let me go astray,
through darkness and perplexity
point Thou the heav’nly way.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
that, when the flood is past,
I may eternal brightness see
and share Thy joy at last.
Amen

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on SIN, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 18 February – “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Matthew 4:7

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 18 February – The First Sunday of Lent – 2 Corinthians 6:1-10; Matthew 4:1-11 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“We entreat you not to receive
the grace of God in vain.
For He says:
In an acceptable time,
I have heard you
and in the day of salvation,
I have helped you.
Behold, now is the acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation!”
2 Corinthians 6:1-2

“Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”
Matthew 4:7

On the Number of SINS BEYOND which,
GOD PARDONS NO More!

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Doctor zelantissimu

“ The sinner who abandons himself to sin without striving to resist temptations, or without at least asking God’s help to conquer them and hopes that the Lord will one day draw him from the precipice, tempts God to work miracles, or rather, to show to him an extraordinary mercy not extended to the generality of Christians.
God, as the Apostle says, “will have all men to be saved,” (1 Tim 2;4) but, He also wishes us all to labour for our own salvation, at least by adopting the means of overcoming our enemies and, of obeying Him when He calls us to repentance.
Sinners hear the calls of God but they forget them and continue to offend Him.
But God does not forget them.
He numbers the graces which He dispenses, as well as the sins which we commit.
Hence, when the time which He has fixed arrives, God deprives us of His graces and begins to inflict chastisement.
… Be attentive. …

Hence, according to St Chrysostom, God is more to be feared, when He bears with sinners than when He instantly punishes their sins. “ Plus timendum est, cum tolerat quam cum festinanter punit.” (He is more to be feared when He tolerates than when He punishes quickly).
And why?
Because, says St Gregory, they to whom God has shown most mercy, shall, if they do not cease to offend Him, be chastised with the greatest rigour.
The saint adds that God often punishes such sinners with a sudden death and does not allow them time for repentance.
And the greater the light which God gives to certain sinners for their correction, the greater is their blindness and obstinacy in sin.
“For it had been better for them not to have known the way of justice, than, after they had known it, to turn back.” (2 Pet 2: 21.)
Miserable the sinners who, after having been enlightened, return to the vomit.
St Paul says, that it is morally impossible for them to be again converted. “For it is impossible for those who were once illuminated, who have tasted also the heavenly gifts … and are fallen away, to be renewed again to penance.” (Heb 6:4, 6.) …

O folly of sinners!
If you purchase a house, you spare no pains to get all the securities necessary to guard against the loss of your money; if you take medicine, you are careful to assure yourself that it cannot injure you; if you pass over a river, you cautiously avoid all danger of falling into it but –
for a transitory enjoyment, for the gratification of revenge, for a beastly pleasure which lasts but a moment, you risk your eternal salvation, saying:
“I will go to Confession after I commit this sin.”
And when, I ask, when are you to go to Confession?
You say: “On the morrow.”
But who promises you tomorrow?
Who assures you that you shall have time for Confession and that God will not deprive you of life, as He has deprived so many others, in the act of sin?
“Diem tenes,” says St Augustine, “qui horam non tenes.”
You cannot be certain of living for another hour and you say: “I will go to confession to-morrow.”
Listen to the words of St Gregory: “He who has promised pardon to penitents, has not promised tomorrow to sinners.” (Hom. xii. in Evan).

God has promised pardon to all who repent but, he has not promised to wait until tomorrow for those who insult Him.
Perhaps God will give you time for repentance, perhaps He will not.
But, should He not give it, what shall become of your soul?
In the meantime, for the sake of a miserable pleasure, you lose the grace of God and expose yourself to the danger of being lost forever.”- (Extract fromSERMON XV. FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT.1,6,8).

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, LENT, LENT 2024, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Our Morning Offering – 18 February – Ex More Docti Mystico, The Fast, As Taught by Holy Lore

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Our Morning Offering – 17 February – The First Sunday of Lent

Ex More Docti Mystico
The Fast, As Taught by Holy Lore
By St Gregory the Great (540-604)
Pope, Father, Doctor of the Church
Trans. John Mason Neale

The fast, as taught by holy lore,
We keep in solemn course once more.
The fast to all men known and bound
In forty days of yearly round.

The law and seers that were of old
In divers ways this Lent foretold,
Which Christ, all seasons’ King and Guide,
In after ages sanctified.

More sparing, therefore, let us make
The words we speak, the good we take,
Our sleep and mirth – and closer barred
Be every sense in holy guard.

Avoid the evil thoughts that roll
Like water o’er the heedless soul;
Nor let the foe occasion find
Our souls in slavery to bind.

In prayer together let us fall,
And cry for mercy, one and all,
And weep before the Judge’s Feet,
And His avenging wrath entreat.

The grace have we offended sore,
By sins, O God, which we deplore;
But pour upon us, from on high,
O pardoning One, Thy clemency.

Remember Thou, though frail we be,
That yet Thine handiwork are we;
Nor let the honour of Thy Name
Be by another put to shame.

Forgive the sin that we have wrought;
Increase the good that we have sought
That we at length, our wanderings o’er,
May please Thee here and evermore.

Grant, O Thou Blessed Trinity,
Grant, O Essential Unity,
That this our fast of forty days
May work our profit and Thy praise.

There are twelve translations of this lovely Lenten Hymn.
This one by L M Neale
Liturgical Use: Matins Hymn on Sundays
and week-days during Lent.

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 17 February – The Wounds of the Soul

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 17 February – Saturday after Ash Wednesday – Isaias 58:9-14, Mark 6:47-56 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And the Lord will give thee rest continually
and will fill thy soul with brightness
and deliver thy bones
and thou shalt be like a watered garden
and like a fountain of water,
whose waters shall not fail.”
Isaias 58:11

“As many as touched Him
were saved”
Mark 6:56

The Wounds of the Soul

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

“Let us set before our interior consideration, someone gravely wounded who is about to breathe his last. … Now, the soul’s wound is sin, of which Scripture speaks in these terms: “Wound and welt and gaping gash, not drained or bandaged or eased with salve” (Is 1:6). Oh you who are wounded, recognise your Physician within you and show Him the wounds of your sins. May He understand your heart’s groaning, Who already knows its secret thoughts. May your tears move Him. Go as far as a little shamelessness in your beseeching (cf. Lk 11:8). Bring forth deep sighs to Him, without ceasing, from the depth of your heart.

May your grief reach Him so that He may say to you also : “The Lord has pardoned your sin” (2 Sam 12:13). Cry out with David, who said: “Have mercy on me, O God, in … the greatness of your compassion” (Ps 50[51]:3). It is as though one were to say: “I am in great danger because of an enormous wound, that no doctor can cure, unless the all-powerful Physician comes to help me.” For this all-powerful Physician, nothing is incurable. He heals without charge, with one word, He restores to health. I would have despaired of my wound, were it not that I placed my trust in the Almighty.” (Commentary on Psalm 50)

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the ANTI-christ, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The HEART, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 February – About the fourth watch of the night, He came …

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One Minute Reflection – 17 February – The First Saturday of Lent – Isaias 58:9-14, Mark 6:47-56 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… About the fourth watch of the night, He came towards them, walking upon the sea …” – Mark 6:48

REFLECTION – “Then He made the disciples get into the boat, while He dismissed the crowds. After doing so, He went up to pray. When it was evening, He was there alone” (Cf Mt 14:22-23). If we are to explain these happenings we must distinguish between the times. If He was alone in the evening, this points to His solitude at the hour of His Passion when panic had caused everyone to scatter. If He made His disciples get into the boat and cross over the sea, while He Himself dismissed the crowds and if, having dismissed them, He went up a mountain, this means that He directed them to remain in the Church and to sail across the sea – that is to say, this world – until, at His return in glory, He would grant salvation to all, who are to be the remnant of Israel (cf. Rom 11:5)… and this people would give thanks to God His Father and be set firm within His glory and majesty…

“During the fourth watch of the night, He came toward them.” In the expression “fourth watch of the night” we find the number corresponding to the signs of His care. Thus, the first watch was that of the Law; the second, that of the Prophets; the third, that of His coming in the flesh; the fourth is situated in His return in glory. But He will find the Church declining and hemmed in by the spirit of the Antichrist and all the distresses of this world. He will come when anxieties and afflictions are at their height … The disciples will be terrified even by the coming of the Lord, fearing the images of a reality distorted by Antichrist and by the deceitful imaginations infiltrating their sight. But our good Lord will speak to them directly, casting out their fear and saying: “It is I”, dispersing their fear of imminent shipwreck by faith in His coming! ”- St Hilary (315-368) Bishop of Poitiers, Father & Doctor of the Church (Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew).

PRAYER – Hear, O Lord, our humble prayers and grant that we may devoutly keep this fast which has been established, to cure our souls and bodies. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, CONTEMPLATIVE Prayer, DOCTORS of the Church, EVENING and NIGHT Prayers, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2024, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on WATCHING, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 14 February – Ash Wednesday – ‘… And so, you must be more earnest in prayer and in alms-giving, in fasting and in watching. …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 February – Ash Wednesday

“What dost thou have that thou hast not received?”

1 Corinthians 4:7

“She did not leave the temple,
serving with fastings and prayers,
night and day.”

Luke 2:37

“If, in holy Scripture, Christ is the true Sun and the true Day,
there is no hour when Christians
should not adore God frequently and constantly,
so that we, who are in Christ, that is,
in the true Sun and true Day,
should be persevering, throughout the whole day,
in our petitions and prayer.
And when, in the course of time,
the revolving night returns,
there can be no harm from the nocturnal shades,
for those who pray because, to the sons of Light (1 Thes 5:5),
even in the night there is day!
For when is he without light who has Light in his heart?
Or when does he not have sun and day
to whom Christ is Sun and Day?”

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

“… Behold, now is the acceptable time.
behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6).
And so, you must be more earnest
in prayer and in alms-giving,
in fasting and in watching.
He that until now has given alms,
in these days, let him give more –
for as water quencheth a flaming fire,
so does almsgiving wipe out sin (Eccles 3:3).
He that, until now, fasted and prayed,
let him fast and pray still more –
for there are certain sins which are not cast out,
except by prayer and fasting (Mc 27:20).”

“Fasting is the death of sin,
the destruction of our crimes
and the remedy of our salvation.”

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

“Listen to the Lord’s appeal:
‘Come, then, return to Me
and learn to know Me as your Father,
Who repays good for evil,
love for injury
and boundless charity
for piercing wounds!”

St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450)
“Golden Words”
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Are we going to neglect our own salvation?
Let us show great compassion
towards the poor
so as to be made worthy of possessing
good things to come for all eternity!”

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

“For the devil may tempt the good
but he cannot find rest in them;
for he is shaken violently
and upset and driven out –
now by their prayers,
now by their tears of repentance
and now. by their almsgiving
and similar good works.”

St Bruno (c1030-1101)

“If you want God to hear your prayers,
hear the voice of the poor.
If you wish God to anticipate your wants,
provide for those of the need,
without waiting for them to ask you.
Especially, anticipate the needs
of those, who are ashamed to beg.
To make them ask for alms,
is to make them buy it!”

St Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555)

“The sacred gift of prayer
is already in the Right Hand of the Saviour;
as soon as ever you shall have emptied yourself of self,
He will pour it into your heart!”

(Letters to Persons in Religion III 19)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis