Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Hail MARY!, MARIAN QUOTES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 27 October – “Hail Mary … Holy Mary”

Thought for the Day – 27 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“Hail Mary … Holy Mary”

“The Angel’s greeting was later completed by the salavation of St Elizabeth.
As soon as Elizabeth saw the Blessed Virgin coming to visit her, she cried out in humble veneratin: “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!” (Lk 1:42).

In the first part of the Hail Mary, then, we pay her the words of the Gospel, the highest tributes ever accorded to any human creature, proclaiming her to be full of grace, blessed among women and Mother of the Redeemer.
The second part, which was later added by the Church,  (composed and proposed by St Peter Canisius 1521-1597) Doctor of the Church), is a heartfelt supplication addressed to Mary as the Mother of God and our Mother.
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen.”
It would be hard to find a more touching plea.
We ask our heavenly Mother to intercede for us now – because we have such great need of her assistance in this vale of tears and temptations.
May she be always by our side, to shelter us beneath her mantle!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/26/thought-for-the-day-25-october-hail-mary/

Posted in CONSECRATION Prayers, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SPIRITUAL WORKS of MERCY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 October – St Anthony Mary Claret

Quote/s of the Day – 23 October – St Anthony Mary Claret CMF (1807-1870) Archbishop and Founder of the Claretians

Christian perfection consists in three things:
praying heroically,
working heroically
and suffering heroically.

I shall be kind to everyone,
particularly to those
whom I find troublesome
.”

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

I Wish to Love Thee, My God
By St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)

I wish to love Thee, my God,
with all my heart,
with all my being,
with all my strength.
I consecrate to Thee,
my thoughts,
desires, words
and actions,
whatever I have
and whatever I can be.
Let me use what I have
for Thy greater honour
and glory,
according to Thy will.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/24/quote-s-of-the-day-24-october-st-anthony-mary-claret/

St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)

Posted in "Follow Me", MARIAN QUOTES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, REDEMPTIVE Suffering, ROSARY QUOTES, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The RESURRECTION

Thought for the Day – 14 October – The First Glorious Mystery – The Resurrection of Our Lord

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The First Glorious Mystery
The Resurrection of Our Lord

“Do we wish to share also in the joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Let us imitate Mary.
First of all, we must participate as she did in the sufferings of Christ.
By meditating frequently on the Passion and Death of Christ, we can nourish in our hearts, an intense love for Him Who suffered so much for our salvation.
Let us learn to carry our cross, as He carried His, with resignation and with conformity to God’s Will.
Spiritual joy is always the fruit of renunciation and love.

We cannot be happy with Jesus triumphant ,if we have not first imitated Jesus suffering.
We cannot rise gloriously into Heaven, if we have not first walked patiently with Mary along the Way of Calvary!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/13/thought-for-the-day-13-october-the-first-glorious-mystery-the-resurrection-of-our-lord/

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

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 GOD ALONE!, GOOD FRIDAY, INGRATITUDE, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, REDEMPTIVE Suffering, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 13 October – The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery – The Crucifixion

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery
The Crucifixion

“At last, Jesus reaches Calvary, breathless and reduced to utter exhaustion.
The instrument of torture is taken from Him and laid upon the ground.
Our divine Redeemer suffers acute pain as Her is again stripped of His garments, which have stuck to His wounds.
Now, He is stretched, an innocent victim, on the altar of sacrifice, the Cross.
One of the executioners grasps His hand, pierces it with a large nail and attaches it to the wood.
Then, he does the same with the other hand and with the two feet.
His Mother is close at hand.
She feels in her heart the blows of the hammer which lacerate the living flesh of Jesus.
Jesus remains silent “as a meek lamb that is carried to be a victim” (Jer 11:19).

Now, the executioners raise up the Cross and fix it in the hold already prepared for it.
The shock of this impact sends a shudder of terrible pain through the Victim’s members and entire frame.
Behold Him now, suspended between Heaven and earth, the Mediator between God and humanity, the Victim of Expiation for the innumerable sins of men.

Come near to the Cross and kiss the bloodstained feet.
While the Jews are insulting Him and most of the Apostles have abandoned Him, let us tell Him how much we love Him.
Let us tell Him of our sorrow for our sins and of our determination to make amends for our faults and for our ingratitude, by living in accordance with His teachings and example.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, St Francis de Sales, The HOLY GHOST, The LAMB of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 October – That you may abound in hope … Romans 15:13

Quote/s of the Day – 12 October – Romans 15:4-13. Matthew 11:2-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Now, the God of hope,
fill you with all joy and peace
in believing – that you may abound in hope
and in the power of the Holy Ghost.

Romans 15:13

And as soon as He sees you seek Him fervently,
He will make Himself known to you.
He will appear to you, grant you His help,
bestow the victory on you
and save you from your enemies.
In fact, when He sees how you are looking for Him,
how you continually place all your hope in Him,
then He will instruct you,
teach you true prayer,
give you that authentic charity that is Himself.
Then, He will become everything to you:
your Paradise, Life-giving Tree,
Precious Pearl, Crown, Architect, Farmer,
One subject to suffering
but not afflicted with suffering,
Man, God, Wine, Living Water,
Lamb, Bridegroom, Soldier, Armour,
Christ Who is “All in All” (1Cor 1B,28).

St Macarius of Egypt (c300-390)

The soul glorifies the Lord,
when it consecrates all its inner powers
on praising and serving God
and when, by its submission
to the Divine commands,
it proves that it never loses sight
of His Power and Majesty.
The spirit rejoices in God, its Saviour,
when it places all its joy
in the remembrance of its Creator,
from Whom it hopes for eternal salvation.

St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Great indeed is the confidence
which God requires us to have
in His paternal care and in His Divine Providence
but why should we not have it,
seeing that no-one has ever been deceived in it?
No-one ever trusts in God
without reaping the fruits of his confidence.

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

(Spiritual Conferences 6)

Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, ROSARY QUOTES, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 9 October – The Second Sorrowful Mystery, The Scourging

Thought for the Day – 9 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Second Sorrowful Mystery
The Scourging

Tradition holds that Mary followed Jesus through the various stages of His Passion.
It is impossible to believe that she would have abandoned Him in these tragic hours.

She must, at least, have known of the cruel flogging which He endured and, while His body was being torn by lashes, she was most probably not far away, participating, by her maternal sorrow, in her Son’s torment.
Here, then, was a double Martyrdom – the Martyrdom of Blood and the Martyrdom of tears.

Life demands the shedding of blood and the shedding of tears!
What are the motives which cause you sorrow in life?
Are yours the tears of unsated ambition, of frustrated caprice, or of discouragement in times of trouble?
Such tears are not worthy of a Christian.
His, should be tears of repentance for his sins and tears of love for Jesus and Mary.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/09/thought-for-the-day-9-october-the-second-sorrowful-mystery-the-scourging/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/09/thought-for-the-day-9-october-the-second-sorrowful-mystery-the-scourging-2/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOOD FRIDAY, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, QUOTES on ANGELS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, St Francis de Sales, St PAUL!, The PASSION, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – Take courage: It is I,

Quote/s of the Day – 5 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Hebrews 10:32-38, Luke 12:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body
and after that have nothing more they can do. …
be afraid of him who, after he has killed,
has power to cast into hell.

Luke 12:4-5

Take courage: It is I,
do not be afraid.
And He got into
the boat with them
and the wind fell

Mark 6:50-51

Do not, therefore, lose your confidence,
which has a great reward.
For you have need of patience
that, doing the will of God,
you may receive the promise.
For yet a very little while
and He Who is to come,
will come
and will not delay.

Hebrews 10:35-37

Go forward bravely.
Fear nothing.
Trust in God – all will be well.

St Joan of Arc (1412-1431)

Now it is that we are to show
an invincible courage towards our Saviour,
serving Him purely for the love of His will,
not only without pleasure
but amid this deluge of sorrows,
horrors, distresses and assaults,
as did his glorious Mother and St John,
upon the day of His Passion.
Amongst so many blasphemies,
sorrows and deadly distresses,
they remained constant in love …

The good Angels are around you,
like a company of Sentinels on guard!

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

We think not enough of this Truth –
that God is present with us
that He sees our thoughts,
even long before we have them.
That He knows what we think
and shall think, better than we ourselves
that He sees the folds and recesses,
of our heart
and of this other Truth –
that NOTHING HAPPENS to us
but by the order of Providence.
We should all be Saints,
if we well apprehended these Truths.
And truly, it is a great consolation,
to know that God sees
the bottom of our heart.”

St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
Disciple and Collaborator with
St Francis de Sales in Founding
the Sisters of the Visitation

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

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 WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, I BELIEVE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on PHYSICAL SICKNESS, ILLNESS, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Thought for the Day – September – Faith and Hope

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

Faith and Hope

“We should also have great confidence in the continual assistance which God offers us in the temptations, troubles and trials of life.
When we are strongly tempted, we should remember that God will not permit us to be tempted beyond our strength (Cf 1 Cor 10:13), and we should pray to Him for help.

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

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/04/thought-for-the-day-4-july-faith/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/05/thought-for-the-day-5-july-faith-and-hope/

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Thought for the Day – 22 September – Depending Always on Jesus

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

Depending Always on Jesus

“Virtue is difficult and life holds more trials than consolations.
Sometimes, we feel discouraged because virtue seems impossible and we fall so often, in spite of our best resolutions or because, our cross seems too heavy and we feel that we are overburdened.

Where will we find comfort in our sufferings and strength in our weakness?
“Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28).
Go to Jesus and depend always on Him.

Difficulties will be overcome, the cross will grow lighter, the pain will be less severe, if we rely always on Jesus.
Isaias, the Prophet, placed these words on the lips of God: “I have made you and I will bear-I will carry and I will save” (Is 46:3).
At that time, Jesus had not yet come; He was not yet present among us with His doctrine, with His consoling spirt and with His Divine Eucharist.
Now things are different; we have Emmanuel, God with us!
Why, therefore, do we not allow ourselves to be carried by Him?
It is necessary for us to allow ourselves to be “Carried by the grace of God,” (Bk II, Ch 9) as The Imitation of Christ puts it.

If God is with us, who or what can prevail against us?

We must, as St Francis de Sales writes, lean on the arm of Jesus, as the child leans securely on the arm of it’s mother.
“It matters little,” he adds, “where she walks, on a grassy plain or on a steep path surrounded by precipices.”
She, is his mother and she carries him; that is enough to make him happy and content.
We must trust Jesus in this way, relying always on His support in joy and in sorrow, in moments of trial and in moments of satisfaction, in life and in death.
Let us not be afraid; Jesus is better and stronger than our earthly mother.
If He guides and supports us, we can be sure of Heaven, no matter what happens!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CATECHESIS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, MODESTY, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales, The PASSION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 September – Be Patient, Persevere in Prayer …

Quote/s of the Day – 19 September – Hebrews 10:32-38, Matthew 24:3-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

For patience is necessary for you
that, doing the Will of God,
you may receive the promise.
For yet a little and a very little while
and He that is to come, will come
and will not delay.

Hebrews 10:36-37

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

St Francis of Paola (1416-1507)

During the night
we must wait for the Light.”

LET US PERSEVERE IN PRAYER at all times.
For if Our Lord seems not to hear us,
it is not because He wants to refuse us.
Rather, His purpose is to compel us to cry out louder
and to make us more conscious
of the greatness of His mercy.
… In the same way, when Our Lord deprives us
of sweetness and consolation, it is not to refuse us
or to make us lose courage
but He casts vinegar into our mouth,
in order to excite us to draw so much closer
to His Divine Goodness and to encourage us in perseverance.
It is also to elicit proofs of our patience.”

Have patience with all things
but chiefly, have patience with yourself.
Do not lose courage
in considering your own imperfections
but instantly set about remedying them,
everyday begin the task anew.

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

Do not live any longer in yourself
but let Jesus Christ live in you in such a way
that the virtue of this Divine Saviour may be resplendent
in all your actions, in order that all may see in you
a true portrait of the Crucified and sense,
the sweetest fragrance of the holy virtues of the Lord,
in interior and exterior modesty,
in patience,
in gentleness,
suffering,
charity,
humility
and in all others that follow.

St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, OUR Cross, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY NAME, The LORD'S PRAYER, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 September – Saint Cyprian of Carthage, Martyr

Quote/s of the Day – 16 September – Saints Cornelius and Cyprian – Wisdom 3:1-8, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And you shall be hated by all men,
for My Name’s sake.
But, not a hair of your head shall perish.

Luke 21:17-18

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

An excerpt from St Cyprian’s
Treatise On the Lord’s Prayer

https://anastpaul.com/2019/06/20/thought-for-the-day-20-june-part-one-treatise-on-the-lords-prayer-st-cyprian-of-carthage-c-200-c-258/

He [Christ], protects their faith
and gives strength to believers,
in proportion to the TRUST,
that each man,
who receives that strength,
is willing to place in Him.

How grave is the case of a Christian,
if he, a servant, is unwilling to suffer
when his Master first suffered! …
The Son of God suffered that He
might make us sons of God
and the son of man will not suffer
that he may continue to be a son of God!? …
The Maker and Lord of the world
also warns us, saying: “If the world hates you,
remember that it hated Me before you.
If you were of the world, the world would love its own
but because you are not of the world
but I have chosen you out of the world ”
… remember the word that I said to you:
“The servant is not greater than his Lord

(Jn 15:18-20).”

I shall cultivate the ground around it
and fertilise it; it may bear fruit in the future.
If not, you may cut it down.

Luke 13:8-9

… This kind Master
closes His Church to no-one.
He not only receives
and pardons those adversaries,
those blasphemers,
those persistent enemies of His Name,
provided they do penance for their offence
and acknowledge the crime committed
but, He admits them to the reward
of the Kingdom of Heaven.
What can be called more patient,
what more kind?
Even he, who shed the Blood of Christ,
is given life,
by the Blood of Christ.

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

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

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

Posted in CARMELITES, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on WATCHING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 September – ‘ … I really think, nothing seems impossible, to one who loves. … ‘ St Teresa

One Minute Reflection – 16 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Saints Cornelius and Cyprian – Wisdom 3:1-8, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Resolve, therefore, in your hearts, not to meditate beforehand, how you are to make your defence. For I Myself, will give you utterance and wisdom …” – Luke 21:14-15

REFLECTION – “O strong love of God! I really think, nothing seems impossible, to one who loves. O happy soul which has obtained this peace, from its God! For it has become mistress over all the trials and perils of the world. If only it can serve its good Spouse and Lord, it fears none of them – and, with good reason… Think of something which occurs to me now and which, is applicable to those who are naturally pusillanimous and have little courage… Although, in actual fact, their soul has been raised up to this state, the weakness of their nature makes them afraid. We must be on the watch, or this natural weakness, will deprive us of a great crown. When you find yourselves as pusillanimous as this, my daughters, have recourse to faith and humility and do not fail to go forward with faith, for nothing is impossible to God (Lk 1:37). He has thus been able to give many holy Saints, the courage to endure all the cruel tortures which they had resolved to suffer for His sake!

It is of this resolution and this free-will that the soul wishes to make Him Master, though He has no need of our efforts. Indeed, His Majesty is pleased that His works should shine forth in those who are weak, since in these, there is more scope for His power and, for the fulfilment of His desire, to grant us favours…

Pay no heed to the arguments adduced by your mind and your own weakness – this weakness will only grow, if you begin to imagine, what will and what will not happen…This is no time to think about your sins, leave them alone, humility is out of place now, it comes at the wrong time… Be assured that the Lord never forsakes those who love Him and risk everything for His sake!” – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582) Carmelite, Doctor of the Church (Conceptions of the Love of God Ch 3:4-6).

PRAYER – May the feast of the blessed Martyrs and Bishops, Cornelius and Cyprian, protect us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and may their holy prayer recommend us to Thee.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).

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Quote/s of the Day – 15 September – Our Sorrowful Mother

Quote/s of the Day – 15 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and The Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin – Our Lady of Sorrows – Judith 13:22; 13:25, John 19:25-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Woman, behold thy son. …
Behold thy mother

John 19:26-27

Whoever you are,
who love the Mother of God,
take note and reflect
with all your innermost feelings,
upon her, who wept for the Only-Begotten
as He died…
The grief she felt in the Passion of her Son,
goes beyond all understanding.

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)

Now it is that we are to show
an invincible courage towards our Saviour,
serving Him purely for the love of His will,
not only without pleasure
but amid this deluge of sorrows,
horrors, distresses and assaults,
as did his glorious Mother and St John,
upon the day of His Passion.
Amongst so many blasphemies,
sorrows and deadly distresses,
they remained constant in love …

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Holy Simeon foretold,
that the sword of sorrow would pierce her heart.
In fact, her life was altogether interwoven with hardship,
want and suffering until, eventually,
she knelt at the foot of the Cross
on which Jesus was dying for the love of mankind
and offered the divine Victim for our salvation.
At the last moment, however,
torn with sorrow though she was,
she did not depart in the slightest
from her spirit of perfect acceptance of God’s will.
Consequently, her peace of soul
was never diminished or extinguished.
Let us learn from her, to accept everything
from God’s hands, both the tiny pleasures
which brighten our lives, from time to time
and the humiliations, sufferings and death,
which it pleases God to keep in store for us.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

When Mary Weeps
By Father Frederick M Lynk (1881-unknown)

When Mary weeps, her mother’s heart
Is full to overflowing.
When Mary weeps, pain’s piercing dart
Stabs Him beyond all knowing,
Who is by sinners Crucified,
Blasphemed, forsaken and denied.

When Mary weeps, God’s holy wrath
Is kindling cruel fires.
When Mary weeps, poor mankind’s path
Leads through war’s blood-soaked mires
And makes all human mothers moan
In love and pity for their own.

When Mary weeps, it’s time to pray
To have our sins forgiven.
When Mary weeps, each night and day
By sorrow must be riven,
Until His and her children will
Once more seek peace on Calvary’s hill.
When Mary weeps, we all must try
To dry her tears of sorrow.
When Mary weeps, we too must cry
To glimpse a brighter morrow,
When her Son’s name is recognised
And all, in love adore the Christ.
Amen

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 September – Hail, Most Precious and Life-giving Cross of the Lord!

Quote/s of the Day – 14 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Exaltation of the Holy Cross –Philippians 2:5-11, John 12:31-36 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

If anyone serves Me,
let him follow Me
and where I am,
there also shall My servant be.”

John 12:25-26

The wood of the Cross bears Him
Who made the universe.
Undergoing death for my life,
He Who bears the universe
is fastened to the tree, as one dead.
He Who breathes Life into the dead,
gives up the spirit on the tree.
The Cross brings no shame to Him at all
but, like a trophy,
confirms His complete victory.
Like a just Judge,
He is seated on the Throne of the Cross.
The Crown of Thorns.
He wears on His brow, confirms His victory
Take courage, I have conquered the world
and the prince of this world,
by taking away the sin of this world

(Jn 16:33; 1:29).”

St Germanus of Constantinople (c640-733)
Bishop, Father of the Church

Hail, Most Precious
and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord!

Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered
and let those, who hate Him,
flee from His Presence.
As smoke vanishes, let them vanish
and as wax melts by the presence of fire,
so let the demons perish by the presence
of those who love God
and who sign themselves
with the Sign of the Cross
and say in gladness:
Hail, Most Precious
and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord,
for Thou drives away the demons
by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ
Crucified on thee, Who went down to hell
and trampled on the power of the devil
and gave us thee, His venerable Cross,
for driving away all enemies.
O Most Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord,
help me with our holy Lady,
the Virgin Mother of God
and with all the Saints throughout the ages.
Amen.

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

(Part of the Night Prayers
by St John Damascene
)

If you cannot soar up as high as Christ
sitting on His Throne,
behold Him hanging on His Cross.
Rest in Christ’s Passion
and live willingly in His Holy Wounds.
You will gain marvellous strength
and comfort in adversities.
You will not care that men despise you!”

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

Ah ! what is all that I do and suffer,
compared with what my Jesus did
and suffered for my sake?
O, that I might, for His honour,
be torn with scourges and pierced with nails
and expire on the Cross for Him!

St Andrew Avellino (1521–1608)

He mounted the Cross through obedience
and died on it through obedience.
All those who are willing to be saved through the Cross,
will find salvation there.
But those, who desire to be saved without it,
will perish miserably.
There is no salvation, except in this Cross.

Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Judeaorum –
Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews
.”
John 19:19

HE DIED, THEN
But although He died for us and was lifted up on the Cross,
those who refuse to look upon Him, will surely die,
for there is no other redemption but in this Cross.

O God, how spiritually beneficial and profitable
is a consideration of Thy Cross and Passion!
Can we contemplate our Saviour’s humility on the Cross,
without becoming humble and,
having some affection for humiliations?
Can we see His obedience, without being obedient?
Certainly not!
No-one has ever looked upon Our Lord Crucified
and remained dead or sick.
On the other hand, all who have died,
have done so because.
they were unwilling to gaze upon Him,
just as the Israelites died.
who were unwilling to gaze upon the serpent
which Moses had raised upon the pole.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

( Sermons of St Francis de Sales for Lent)

Posted in HOLY WEEK, JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 14 September – This is My Joy, To Follow My Saviour

Our Morning Offering – 14 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

This is My Joy, To Follow My Saviour
A Prayer to Seek the Consolation of the Cross
By St Alphonsus Rodriguez SJ (1532-1617)

Jesus, love of my soul,
centre of my heart!
Why am I not more eager to endure pains
and tribulations for love of Thee,
when Thou, my God,
have suffered so many for me?
Come, then, every sort of trial in the world,
for this is my delight,
to suffer for Jesus.
This is my joy,
to follow my Saviour
and to find my consolation
with my Consoler on the Cross.
This is my happiness,
this my pleasure –
to live with Jesus,
to walk with Jesus,
to converse with Jesus,
to suffer with and for Him,
this is my treasure!
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HOLY NAME of MARY

Our Morning Offering – 12 September – Mother Mary, Queen Most Sweet!

Our Morning Offering – 12 September – Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary

Mother Mary, Queen Most Sweet!
Attrib. to St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Italian Hymn
Trans. Fr Edmund Vaughan CSSR (1827-1908)

Mother Mary, Queen most sweet!
Joy and love my heart inflame;
Gladly shall my lips repeat
Every moment thy dear name.

Ah! that name, to God so dear,
Has my heart and soul enslaved;
Like a seal it shall appear
Deep on heart and soul engraved.

When the morning gilds the skies,
I will call on Mary’s name;
When at evening twilight dies,
Mary, still will I exclaim.

Sweetest Mary, bend thine ear:
Thou my own dear mother art;
Therefore, shall thy name so dear
Never from my lips depart.

If my soul is sore oppress’d
By a load of anxious care,
Peace once more will fill my breast
When thy name re-echoes there.

Waves of doubt disturb my peace,
And my heart is faint with fear;
At thy name the billows cease,
All my’terrors disappear.

When the demon hosts invade,—
When temptation rages high,
Crying, “Mary, Mother! aid!”
I will make the tempter fly.

This shall be my comfort sweet,
When the hand of death is nigh,
Mary! Mary! to repeat
Once again—and then, to die.

This Hymn is an Anonymous Hymn belonging to the Redemptorist tradition but Hymnary.org attributes it to St Alphonsus Liguori.
“Hymns and Verses on Spiritual Subjects” (1863) notes that this is one of two Hymns, translated in that book, mentioned above, which come from a Neapolitan published collection of Mission Hymns which are attributed to St Alphonsus.

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 September – ‘ … Perseverance unto death … ‘

Quote/s of the Day – 11 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Protus and St Hyacinth (Died c257) Brother Martyrs – Wisdom 3:1-8, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here:

And you shall be hated by all men,
for My Name’s sake.

Luke 21:17

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

St Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865)

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

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

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Our Morning Offering – 11 September – Mother of Love, of Sorrow and of Mercy

Our Morning Offering – 11 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”

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

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

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PHYSICAL SICKNESS, ILLNESS, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The HOLY NAME

Quote/s of the Day – 10 September – I say to thee, arise!

Quote/s of the Day – 10 September – The 15th Sunday after Pentecost – Galatians 5:25-26; 6:1-10, Luke 7:11-16 – Scripture search here:

Young man, I say to thee, arise!
Luke 7:14

The young man’s mother, this widow,
was transported with joy at seeing her son rise.
Our Mother, the Church, also rejoices
when she sees her children’s
spiritual resurrection everyday.
The widow’s son was dead with the death of the body
but these latter, are dead with the death of the soul.
People wept tears over the visible death
of the former but people were not concerned
by the invisible death of the latter –
they did not even see it.
The only One Who did not remain indifferent,
is the One Who knew these deaths –
only the One, Who could give life back to them,
knew these deaths.
For if the Lord had not come to raise the dead,
the Apostle Paul would not have said:
“Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead
and Christ will give you Light.
” (Eph 5:14).”

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

O my brethren, if only we wanted to,
if only we all wanted to perceive
our soul’s paralysis in all its depth!
Then we would see
that it is lying on a stretcher of sins,
deprived of strength.
Christ’s action within us,
would be a source of light
and we would understand
that each day He sees our lack of faith,
harmful as it is, that He draws us
towards healing remedies
and sharply presses our rebellious wills.
“My son” He says, “your sins are forgiven you.

St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450)
Golden Words
Father & Doctor of the Church

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 91567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 7 September – “To be Silent, to Adore and to be Happy

Thought for the Day – 7 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“To be Silent, to Adore
and to be Happy”

To Adore:
What are we in the sight of God but poor, weak creatures?
How can we rebel against those sufferings with which the Lord, in His Infinite Wisdom, allows us to be afflicted?
Since it is God Who sends them, it can only mean that He wishes us to profit spiritually from them, in the same way, as we benefit physically from unpleasant medicine.

We gladly recognise, therefore, the mysterious designs of Divine Providence in all the circumstances of our lives, happy and unhappy.
Like the Holy Patriarch, Job, we should say: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away – blessed be the Name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21).
We should repeat too, with Jesus in Gethsemane: “Not My will but Thine be done” (Lk 22:42).

Like the Saints, we should thank God for all His designs in all the ways and moments of our lives.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/06/thought-for-the-day-6-september-to-be-silent-to-adore-and-to-be-happy-part-one/

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One Minute Reflection – 6 September – ‘ … It means… unceasing work for God’s Kingdom … ‘

One Minute Reflection – 6 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Ferial Day – Galatians 5:16-24, Matthew 6:24-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33

REFLECTION – “Seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these things shall be added to you”… It is said, then that we should seek the Kingdom of God. “That we should seek” – it’s a simple word but it seems to me, to be saying a great deal. It means… unceasing work for God’s Kingdom, not remaining in an indolent, motionless state but paying attention to one’s interior state, so as to govern it well, not being detached and uncaring at the exterior level… Seek God within yourself, since Saint Augustine confesses that, as long as he sought Him outside himself, he failed to find Him. Seek Him in your soul as in a pleasant dwelling place because, this is the basis on which, His servants of establish themselves, who try to put all the virtues into practice . We have to have an interior life, we have to move towards this – lacking this ,we lack everything… Let us try to make ourselves live interiorly… Let us seek God’s glory, seek the reign of Jesus Christ…

But, [you will tell me], there is so much to do, so many household jobs, so much business in town, in the fields – work everywhere! Do we have to abandon it all, then, so as to think of nothing but God?” No – but these occupations have to be sanctified by seeking God in them and doing them to find Him in them, rather than, to see them done. What our Lord wants, is for us to seek His glory, His Kingdom, His righteousness, before all else and, for this, to make our foundation the interior life, faith, trust, love, religious exercises…, labours and sufferings, with God our Sovereign Lord in view… Once we are firmly set in the search for God’s glory, we can be assured that the rest will follow.”St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) Priest, Founder (Conference given on 21/02/1659).

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 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 DOMINICAN OP, OUR Cross, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS

Quote/s of the Day – 30 August – St Rose of Lima

Quote/s of the Day – 30 August – St Rose of Lima OP (1586-1617) Virgin

Apart from the cross
there is no other ‘ladder’
by which we might get to Heaven.

Without the struggle of afflictions,
it is impossible to reach the height of grace.
The gift of grace increases
as the struggle increases.

If only we would learn how great it is
to possess divine grace
and how many riches it has within itself,
how many joys and delights.
We would devote all our concern,
to winning for ourselves
pains and afflictions,
in order to attain
the unfathomable treasure of grace.

St Rose of Lima (1586-1617)

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 22 August – Patience

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

Patience

“If we are patient from the motive of the love of God, we can gain merit in His sight.

There are three grades of perfection in the virtue.
(2) The first is the acceptance, with Christian resignation, of every kind of misfortune, offering it in expiation of our sins.
(2) The second consists in a cheerful and willing acceptance of these misfortunes because they come from God.
(3) The third stage is reached, when we actually desire them out of our love for Jesus Christ.

Which grade have we attained?
If we wish to please God, it is essential that we should have made the first grade at least.
A patient man is better than a warrior and he, who rules his temper, than he who takes a city (Prov 26:22).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/31/thought-for-the-day-31-august-patience/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/23/thought-for-the-day-23-august-patience/

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 August – St Jane Frances de Chantal

Quote/s of the Day – 21 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Jane Frances de Chantal VHM (1572-1641) Widow

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!

May we love and serve the Lord reverently.
with a loving, filial fear of offending our heavenly Father
and of displeasing Jesus, our Divine Beloved.
As long as we are in this life,
we would do well to follow
the well-travelled ways to holiness.
Fear of God is the first step on this path.
We cannot maintain a truly productive desire
of serving God, unless we have a holy fear
of displeasing Our Saviour
and of being negligent
in responding to grace and inspirations.

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.”

Prayer of Abandonment
By St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)

O sovereign goodness
of the sovereign Providence of my God!
I abandon myself forever to Thy arms.
Whether gentle or severe,
lead me henceforth whither Thou will.
I will not regard the way
through which Thou will have me pass
but keep my eyes fixed upon Thee,
my God, who guides me.
My soul finds no rest without the arms
and the bosom of this heavenly Providence,
my true Mother, my strength and my rampart.
Therefore I resolve with Thy Divine assistance,
0 my Saviour,
to follow Thy desires and Thy ordinances,
without regarding or examining
why Thou does this rather than that
but I will blindly follow Thee,
according to Thy Divine will,
without seeking my own inclinations.
Hence I am determined to leave all to Thee,
taking no part therein,
save by keeping myself in peace in Thy arms,
desiring nothing, except as Thou incites me to desire,
to will, to wish.
I offer Thee this desire, 0 my God,
beseeching Thee to bless it.
I undertake all it includes,
relying on Thy goodness,
liberality and mercy,
with entire confidence in Thee,
distrust of myself,
and knowledge of my infinite misery and infirmity.
Amen.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/21/quote-s-of-the-day-21-august-st-jane-frances-de-chantal/

St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)

Posted in CONFESSION, HOLY COMMUNION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 18 August – Two Paths to Heaven

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

Two Paths to Heaven

The second path to Heaven, however, demands sacrifice on our part.
Our repentance must be practical and supernatural
.
It should lead us to confess our sins in the Sacrament of Penance and to regain God’s friendship in Holy Communion.
After that, our way must be one of self-mortification: “Unless you repent,” Jesus warns us, “you will all perish
” (Lk 13:51).

The first penance which we must perform, is to offer to God, all the physical and moral sufferings which are in store for us during life and at the hour of death.
Then, we must add our own voluntary acts of self-denial.
The generosity of the Saints, in this regard, was rewarded by the lasting friendship of God.
As for ourselves, we should remember that Jesus, Himself, has warned us that we shall be lost if we neglect to do penance (Ibid).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/26/thought-for-the-day-26-august-two-paths-to-heaven-part-one/
PART TWO: https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/17/thought-for-the-day-17-march-two-paths-to-heaven-part-two/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, The BEATITUDES, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 14 August – Christian Joy

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

Christian Joy

If we live good lives, hoping for a Heavenly reward and guided by the action of the Holy Spirit, dwelling within us, we shall possess this spiritual joy.
Once we possess it, it will be erased, neither by temptation, nor by suffering, nor by persecution, as long as our faith remains firm and steadfast.
The sincere Christian accepts pleasure and pain with equal readiness because he places everything in God’s hands.

This explains what Jesus had in mind when He said: “Blessed are you poor … Blessed are you who hunger …. Blessed are you who weep …. Blessed shall you be when men hate you and when they shut you out and reproach you …. ” (Lk 6:20-22).
The Saints were happy in spite of suffering and persecution.

We must try, at least, to achieve that spirit of complete resignation to God’s will which is always rewarded by peace of soul!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/24/thought-for-the-day-24-august-christian-joy/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/14/thought-for-the-day-14-august-christian-joy/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales, St PAUL!, The BEATITUDES, The HOLY NAME

Quote/s of the Day – 11 August – And you shall be hated … for My Name’s sake.

Quote/s of the Day – 11 August – Tiburtius (Died c286) Martyr, Layman, St Susanna of Rome (Died c 295) Virgin Martyr, St Philomena (Died 304) Virgin Martyr – Hebrews 11:33-39, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

And you shall be hated by all men,
for My Name’s sake.”

Luke 21:17

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

Hebrews 11:35

So everyone who acknowledges me before men,
I also will acknowledge before my Father,
who is in Heaven…

Matthew 10:32

Rejoice and be happy!
Persevere to the end
and prefer to die
rather than abandon the post,
to which God has called you!

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

Give me grace,
to amend my life
and to have an eye to mine end,
without grudge of death,
which, to them,
who die in You,
good Lord,
is the gate of a wealthy life.

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr

You must choose – is it better
that there should be thorns in your garden,
in order to have roses,
or that there should be no roses
in your garden,
in order to have no thorns?

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

We must love God so much,
that we are prepared
to endure everything willingly,
for love of Him.
Those who suffer are blessed, therefore,
only on one condition,
namely, on condition
that they suffer for love of God.

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!, OUR Cross, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 August – If anyone serves Me, he must follow me

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

If anyone serves me,
he must follow me
and where I am,
there will my servant be also.

John 12:26

If it dies, it produces much fruit”
John 12:24

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

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

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

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

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)
Monk and Theologian at Constantinople