Category: QUOTES on THE WORLD

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, CONSECRATION Prayers, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, PAPAL MESSAGES, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, ROSARY QUOTES, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Quote/s of the Day – 13 October – Our Lady of Fatima / Our Lady of the Holy Rosary

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Our Lady of Fatima: The Sixth & Final Apparition – Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (the name she gave herself when Lucia asked her name).

“The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer
and the most efficacious means
of attaining eternal life.
It is the remedy for all our evils,
the root of all our blessings.
There is no more excellent way of praying.”

Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

“If there were one million families
praying the Rosary everyday,
the entire world would be saved.”

St Pope Pius X (1835-1914)

“There is no surer means
of calling down God’s blessing
upon the family,
than the daily recitation
of the Rosary.”

“We put great confidence
in the Holy Rosary,
for the healing of evils
which afflict our times.”

Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)

Act of Consecration and Reparation
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Queen of Heaven and Earth
and tender Mother of men,
in accordance with thy ardent wish
made known at Fatima,
I consecrate to thee, myself, my brethren,
my country and the whole human race.
Reign over us and teach us
how to make the Heart of Jesus reign
and triumph in us and around us,
as It has reigned and triumphed in thee.
We wish to atone for the many crimes
committed against Jesus and thee.
We wish to call down upon our country
and the whole world,
the peace of God in justice and charity.
We promise to imitate thy virtues,
by the practice of a Christian life
without regard to human respect.
We resolve to receive Holy Communion
on the first Saturday of every month
and to offer thee five decades
of the Rosary on this day,
together with our sacrifices
in the spirit of reparation and penance.
Amen.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/13/quote-s-of-the-day-13-october-our-ladys-words/

Posted in JESUIT SJ, OUR Cross, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS

Quote/s of the Day – 10 October – St Francis Borgia

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 October – St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572) Confessor

“When you pray,
hear Mass,
sit at table,
engage in business and,
when at bedtime you remove your clothes—
at all times, yearn that by the pain
which He felt when He was stripped
just before His Crucifixion,
He may strip us of our evil habits of mind.
Thus, naked, of earthly things,
we may also embrace the Cross!”

“What is it, my soul, that I seek in the world?
How long shall I pursue and grasp at shadows?
What is she already become,
who was lately so beautiful,
so great, so much revered?
This death which has thus treated the imperial diadem,
has already levelled his bow to strike me.
Is it not prudent, to prevent its stroke,
by dying now to the world that,
at my death. I may live to God?”

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

St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572)

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUTH, SACRED HEART QUOTES, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

Quote/s of the Day – 8 October – St Bridget of Sweden

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 October – St Bridget of Sweden (c1303-1373) Widow

“The source of justice,
is not vengeance
but charity.”

“The world would have peace,
if only men of politics
would follow the Gospel.”

“My Lord Jesus Christ,
Thy blessed, Royal and magnificent Heart,
could never, be swayed,
by torments ,
or terrors, or blandishments,
from the defence
of Thine Kingdom
of Truth and Justice.”

https://fisheaters.com/15prayersofstbridget.html

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/08/quote-s-of-the-day-8-october-st-bridget/

St Bridget of Sweden (c1303-1373)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 October – “Everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.” – Matthew 22:5

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One Minute Reflection – 8 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303-1373) Widow – Ephesians 4:23-28, Matthew 22:1-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.” – Matthew 22:5

REFLECTION – “Everything is ready. Come to the marriage feast.” But the people invited asked to be excused. They went “one to his farm, another to his business”… This astonishing busy-ness and constant agitation which stir the world, are seen, alas, only too often. The prodigious amount of clothing, food, buildings which we have and the many things, half of which would be ample enough, make one dizzy. This life should be nothing other, than a passage to eternity. With all our strength, we have to pull ourselves away from this exuberant activity and diversity, from all that is not absolutely necessary and, we must become recollected in ourselves, become attached to our vocation, consider where, how and in what manner, the Lord has called us – one to interior contemplation, the other to activity and a third… to interior quiet, in the calm silence of divine darkness, in unity of spirit.

Even these latter, are sometimes called by God to exterior, sometimes to interior actions, according to His good pleasure, yet,, the man pays no attention to his call. But if the person, who is called, interiorly to noble and calm silence, in the emptiness of the dark cloud, (Ex 24:18) was always wanting to forgo all charitable work because of it, then it would not be good. And unfortunately, the numbers of those today, who wish to carry out extra works of charity, are very rare . … The Gospel tells us too that the Master found one of His guests seated at the banquet who was not wearing the wedding garment. The wedding garment, which, this guest was lacking, is pure, true and divine charity, the true intention of seeking God which excludes all love of self and of all which is foreign to God – it wants only that which God wants. … To those who seek themselves, our Lord says: “My friend, how did you come in here without the garment of true charity?” They sought the gifts of God, rather than God Himself!” – Father Johnnes Tauler OP (c1300-1361) Dominican Friar, renowned Preacher and Theologian (Sermon 74 in honour of St Cordula (Died c450) Virgin Martyr, Companion of St Ursula).

PRAYER – O Lord, our God, Who through Thy Only-begotten Son revealed secrets to blessed Bridget, grant that through her kind intercession, we, Thy servants, may rejoice and be glad in the revelation of Thy eternal glory. 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 QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR

Quote/s of the Day – 6 October – St Bruno

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 October – St Bruno O.Cart (c1030-1101) Priest, Confessor

“While the world changes,
the Cross stands firm.”

“By your work,
you show what you love
and what you know.”

“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.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/06/quote-s-of-the-day-6-october-st-bruno/

St Bruno (c1030-1101)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 October – “For My yoke is sweet and My burden light.” – Matthew 11:30

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One Minute Reflection – 4 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – St Francis of Assisi OFM (c1181–1226) Confessor, Founder – Galatians 6:14-18, Matthew 11:25-30 Scripture Search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For My yoke is sweet and My burden light.” – Matthew 11:30

REFLECTION – “People who complain about the roughness of the Lord’s yoke have possibly not completely rejected, the heavy load of the lusts of the world, or, if they did reject them, they have enslaved themselves to them again, to their greater shame! Outwardly, they carry the yoke of the Lord but inwardly, they submit their shoulders to the burden of the world’s cares. They set on the balance of the Lord’s yoke, the hardships and difficulties which they inflict on themselves… As for the yoke of the Lord – it is “sweet and its burden light”.

Indeed, what is sweeter, what more glorious, than to see oneself lifted up above the world by the scorn one shows it and, seated at the summit of a conscience at peace, to have the whole world at one’s feet? Then, one sees nothing to desire, nothing to fear, nothing to envy, nothing of one’s own which might be taken away, no evil which might be caused one, by another. The eyes of the heart turn towards “an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled and unfading which is kept for us in Heaven” (1 Pt 1:4). With a sort of greatness of soul, one gives little importance to this world’s goods – they pass away; to the pleasures of the flesh – they are contaminated; to the world’s pomp – it fades and, in one’s joy, one repeats the words of the Prophet: “All mankind is grass and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, the flower fades but the Word of the Lord remains forever” (Is 40:6-8)… In charity – and nowhere but in charity – dwells true tranquillity and true sweetness, for, it is the yoke of the Lord!” – St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167) Cistercian Monk (The Mirror of charity I:30-31).

PRAYER – O God, Who by the good works of blessed Francis enriched Thy Church by establishing a new religious family, grant us to imitate him by emulation of him, by looking upon the things of earth as nought and ever to rejoice in sharing Thy heavenly gifts. 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", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, St Francis de Sales, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The WORD

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

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

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

Luke 13:11

“They shall see God.”
Matthew 5:8

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

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

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

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

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

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

St Jane Frances de Chantal VHM (1572-1641)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 September – ‘ … The devil … has bowed the souls of men down to the ground …. ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 23 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Pope Linus (c10 – c76) Successor to St Peter – Hebrews 9:2-12, Luke 13:6-17 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” – Luke 13:14

REFLECTION – “The whole human race, like this woman, is bent over and bowed down to the ground. Someone already understands these enemies. He cries out against them and says to God, “They have bowed my soul down.” The devil and his angels have bowed the souls of men down to the ground. He has bent them forward to be intent on temporary and earthly things and has stopped them from seeking the things that are above.

Since that is what the Lord says about the woman whom Satan had bound for eighteen years, it was now time for her to be released from her bondage on the sabbath day. Quite unjustly, they criticised Him for straightening her up. Who were these, except people bent over themselves? Since they quite failed to understand the very things God had commanded, they regarded them with earthbound hearts. They used to celebrate the sacrament of the sabbath in a literal, material manner and did not notice it’s spiritual meaning!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father, Doctor of Grace (Sermon 162)

PRAYER – Look forgivingly on Thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in Thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Linus Thy Sovereign Pontiff, whom Thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUTH, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 19 September – O Merciful God by St Thomas Aquinas

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Our Morning Offering – 19 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”

O Merciful God
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus
Doctor Communis

O merciful God,
grant that I may ever perfectly
do Thy Will in all things.
Let it be my ambition to work
only for Thy honour and glory.
Let me rejoice in nothing
but that which leads to Thee,
nor grieve for anything,
which leads away from Thee.
May all passing things be as nothing in my eyes
and may all which is Thine be dear to me
and Thou, my God, dear above them all.
May all joy be meaningless without Thee
and may I desire nothing apart from Thee.
May all labour and toil delight me, when it is for Thee.
Make me, O Lord, obedient without complaint,
poor without regret,
patient without murmur,
humble without pretence,
joyous without frivolity,
and truthful without disguise.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TIME, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 September – ‘ … Grab hold of life! …’

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One Minute Reflection – 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/

“He who loves his life, loses it and he who hates his life in this world, keeps it unto life everlasting. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me and where I Am ,there also shall My servant be.” – John 12:25-26

REFLECTION – “… We are being towed along by a world which passes away, forgetting the world to come. We are greedy for present things but, do not take into account, the coming judgement. We will not run to meet the Lord as He comes!…

Let us turn back, brethren, let us turn back… By the very fact of His delay, of His still waiting, our Lord proves His desire to see us come back to Him, His desire that we should not perish. In His great goodness, He continues addressing these words to us: “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked but, would rather, he would change his ways and live ”(Ez 33:11). So let us turn back to Him, brethren, not fearing that time is running short. The time that belongs to time’s Author cannot be shortened. The proof of it lies in the criminal in the Gospel, who, at the moment of dying on the cross, got away with his pardon, grabbed hold of life and, breaking into paradise like a burglar, managed to make his way into the Kingdom (cf. Lk 23,43)!” – St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and “Doctor of Sermons” of the Church (Excerpt from Sermon 167).

PRAYER – O God, Who gladden us this day by the annual feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who know on earth, the mysteries of Christ, may be found worthy to obtain, in heaven, the rewards of His Redemption. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 September – ‘ … Slaves of a piece of senseless, soulless metal [worse – of paper]! … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 7 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Ferial Day – St Cloud (c522-560) Abbot, Confessor – Galatians 5:16-24, Matthew 6:24-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“No man serve two masters …” – Matthew 6:24

REFLECTION – “See what benefits Jesus Christ promises and how beneficial His commands are to us, since they set us free from such great evils. The misery caused you by riches, He says to us, is not just that of arming thieves against you and filling your mind with impenetrable gloom. The great wound they inflict, is to snatch you away from the blessed service of Jesus Christ, to make you slaves of a piece of senseless, soulless metal [worse – of paper]!

“You cannot serve both God and mammon.” My brethren, let us shudder at the thought that we are forcing Jesus Christ to speak to us about money, as though it were an alternative divinity to God! But surely, you will say, did not the patriarchs of old find it possible to serve God and money at the same time? Certainly not! But how, then, was it that Abraham and Job set such store by their wealth? I reply that there is no question here of invoking those, who possessed riches but those who were possessed by them. Job was a rich man; he made use of money without being its slave; he was its master, not its worshipper. He considered his wealth as though it had been another’s and saw himself as its administrator, not its proprietor. … That was why he was not the least bothered when he lost it.” – St John Chrysostom (345-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on Saint Matthew’s Gospel No 21).

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 "Follow Me", CATECHESIS, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

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

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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 GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 5 September – I Am Not Able

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Thought for the Day – 5 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

I Am Not Able

“The last question which we must ask ourselves, is the most difficult.
Should we choose honour or humiliation?
It is very difficult in this case to say to God: “Thy will be done.”
Yet, say it we must!

If honour, high position and success redound t0 the glory of God and to our spiritual advantage, then, let us accept them with humble gratitude.
But, if Divine Providence ordains that it is better for us to be humiliated and forgotten, we must accept this with cheerful resignation.
“Do with me what Thou will, O Lord,” we should pray.

“Grant me whatever pleases Thee, sickness or health, poverty or riches, honour or disgrace.”
We must always accept the will of God simply because, we love Him and wish to serve Him more faithfully.
Let us perform all our actions for His glory, for our eternal salvation and for the salvation of all mankind!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/05/thought-for-the-day-5-september-i-am-not-able/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/16/thought-for-the-day-16-january-i-am-not-able/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 4 September – Holy Indifference

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Thought for the Day – 4 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Holy Indifference

“We may wonder whether we are to have a long or a short life.
Nature would choose the first alternative because, the will to live and the fear of death are among the strongest of our basic instincts.
To obtain a long life, we are prepared to promise God that we shall dedicate it to His glory and spend it in doing good works.
But, if God sees that a long life would prove to be an occasion of sin for us and, that we should become too deeply attached to this world and forgetful of Heaven, then we should be resigned to and indeed, content with, a short life.

How many young people like St Maria Goretti, St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, St Dominic Savio and others, have reached the peak of sanctity while still in the flower of their youth?!
If this were the will of God for us, surely we should welcome the advent of an early death?

There is another question which often bothers those who attempt to look into the future.
Shall I be rich or poor?
It is natural to desire wealth and to want to avoid poverty.
Yet, Jesus says: “Blessed are the poor … and woe to the rich!”
It is clear then that wealth is likely to be a greater spiritual danger than poverty, for it can cause us to become more attached to worldly possessions.
We can save our souls whether we are rich or poor, as long as we make right use of whatever we have/

So let the will of God be done!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/04/thought-for-the-day-4-september-holy-indifference/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, St Francis de Sales, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 September – ‘ … No more world, no more sins!’

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 September – Feria – Galatians 5:16-24, Matthew 6:24-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“No man can serve two masters.”

Matthew 6:24

“Penance is a needful thing to the sinner,
who desires to recover health of his soul.
And, in doing penance, there be three things
to be considered:
serious compunction of heart,
confession of mouth
and satisfaction by deed.”

St John Fisher (1469-1535)

“Worldly love aims at pleasing everyone
and saddening no-one.
Many call this politeness!
but, it is simply
self-praise and flattery!”

“If you wish to rid yourself of self-love,
purify your intentions
and, in every action,
seek what is pure
and what alone, will give honour to God.”

St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502-1539)

“Lord, forgive this great sinner.
Give me time to do penance.
No more world, no more sins!”

St Camillus de Lellis MI (1550-1614)

“To advance well,
we must apply ourselves
to make good way
on the road nearest to us
and do, the first day’s journey.”

“We fight the monsters of Africa
in imagination
but, from lack of attention,
we allow ourselves, in reality,
to be killed by the little serpents
which lie in our way!”

(Intro to the Devout Life III:37)

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

“Let us be humble like Mary.
Let us make God’s glory,
rather than our own satisfaction,
the object of our actions.
Only one thing should count with us
and that is, the testimony
of a good conscience before God.
Everything else is passing and futile.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", 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 GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 September – No man can serve two masters. – Matthew 6:24

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One Minute Reflection – 4 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Rose of Viterbo (c1233 – 1251) Virgin – Galatians 5:16-24, Matthew 6:24-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“No man can serve two masters.” – Matthew 6:24

REFLECTION – “To want to place one’s hope and trust in passing things, is to want to set one’s foundations in running water! Everything passes, God abides. To be attached to what is transitory is to cut oneself off from what endures. For who, carried away by the angry whirling of a rapid, can stand firm in that roiling flood? So, if you wish to avoid being carried away by the current, then flee from all that flows away. Otherwise, the object of our love, will make us finish by doing exactly what we wanted to avoid! Whoever attaches himself to transitory things, will surely be dragged along, to wherever the things he is clinging to, are drifting.

So, the first thing we must do, is to keep ourselves from loving material goods; the second is, not to put our trust in such of those goods, as are entrusted for our use and not our enjoyment. The soul, who is attached to goods which only pass away, very soon loses its own stability. The current of this present life carries off, whoever it bears and, it is a foolish delusion, for whoever this current carries, to try to stand upright in it!” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Morals on Job, 34).

PRAYER – Protect Thy Church by Thine abiding mercy, we beseech Thee, O Lord and since all mortals fall without Thee, may Thy help keep them from danger and guide them to salvation. May the prayers of Thy virgin the blessed Rose, assist us on our journey 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).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 3 September – The Annual Retreat

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Thought for the Day – 3 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Annual Retreat

“It is useful, one might say necesssary, to spend time, now and again with God in meditating on the eternal truths.
It is too easy to become dissipated by contact with the many worldly things which distract us from our final end which is God and, from the sanctification of our souls.
With dissipation comes carelessness, spiritual lethargy and tepidity and, we know that tepidity eventually leads us to commit sin.

A Retreat is one of the best ways of recollecting ourselves and of renewing our spiritual energies.
It should not be thought that Retreats are suitable only for Priests and Religious.
They are suitable and even vitally necessary for all of us because, we are all in need of recollection and of a new impetus towards holiness which should be our common goal.

An annual Retreat, therefore, should be the aim of all the faithful, even of the laity.
Sometimes, we are disgusted and frightened by the desolate spectacle which the world presents us with!
Faith has grown weak; religious indifference is invading all sections of society; the forces of evil and of progress have achieved an almost universal and soul-destroying corruption of morals.
How has this happened?
We get the answer from the Prophet Jeremias, who laments that in the supreme moment of trial, the chosen people abandoned God!
“With desolation is all the land made desolate because, there is none who considereth in the heart” (Jer 12:1).

Let us resolve not to neglect this great means of sanctification.
If possible, let us make a Retreat every year.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WATCHING, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 September – ‘ … Let us be watchful to observe and to do, the Lord’s precepts … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 2 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Stephen King of Hungary (c975- 1038) Confessor – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11, Luke 19:12-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I say to you that to everyone who has, shall be given but from him, who does not have, even that which he has, shall be taken away.” – Luke 19;26

REFLECTION – “The Lord was looking to our days when He said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Lk 18:8) We see that what He foretold has come to pass. There is no faith in the fear of God, in the law of righteousness, in love, in good works …. That which our conscience would fear if it believed, it does not fear because it does not believe at all. If it believed, it would also take heed and if it took heed, it would be saved.

Therefore, beloved brothers, let us arouse ourselves as much as we can and break the slumber of our listlessness. Let us be watchful to observe and to do the Lord’s precepts. Let us be like He Himself, has bidden us to be, saying, “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately, when He comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants, whom the Master finds vigilant on His arrival“.

We ought to be dressed for work, lest, when the day of setting forth comes, it should find us burdened and entangled. Let our light shine, in good works and glow, in such a way, as to lead us from the night of this world, to the daylight of eternal brightness. Let us always wait with solicitude and caution for the sudden coming of the Lord, so that when he knocks, our faith may be on the watch and receive from the Lord, the reward of our vigilance. If these commands be observed, if these warnings and precepts be kept, we will not be overtaken in slumber, by the deceit of the devil. But we shall reign with Christ in His Kingdom, as servants on the watch.” – St Cyprian of Carthage (c 200-258) Bishop of Carthage and Martyr, Father of the Church (Treatise on the unity of the Church, 26-27).

PRAYER – We beseech Thee, Almighty God, that Thy Church be worthy to have as her glorious defender in Heaven, the blessed Stephen, Thy Confessor, whom she had as her champion while he reigned on earth. 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 GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 29 August – Avarice and Ambition

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Thought for the Day – 29 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Avarice and Ambition

“What is our attitude in regard to these matters?
We are not forbidden, naturally, to look after our own affairs and our work.
In fact, it is our duty to do so, to whatever degree is demanded by the circumstances in which we live.
Similarly, it is not forbidden to try to better our social position.
But, all this must be done, however, with a due sense of proportion and by the proper means.

The first concern in our life should be the service of God.
This is what we were created for; this is what we must wholeheartedly aim at doing.
Only in this way can we secure peace of mind and attain eternal salvation.
Everything else must be secondary to our ultimate purpose in life.
Otherwise, God would be in a position inferior to ourselves and this would be equivalent to robbing, for ourselves, the honour and glory due to our Creator and Redeemer!
Think earnestly about this truth.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/24/thought-for-the-day-24-february-avarice-and-ambition/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/24/thought-for-the-day-24-february-avarice-and-ambition-2/

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MERCY, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The ASCENSION of the LORD, The REDEMPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 28 August – St Augustine

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Quote/s of the Day – 28 August – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop, Confessor, Great Western Father and Doctor of the Church

“And He departed from our sight
that we might return to our hearts
and find Him there.
For He left us
and behold,
He is here!”

“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!”…

“He asks for our faith and offers us salvation.
What He offers us, is so precious
that what He asks of us, is as nothing!”

“When once I shall be united to You
with my whole being,
I shall at last be free of sorrow and toil.
Then my life will be alive,
filled entirely with You.
When You fill someone,
You relieve him of his burdens
but because, I am not yet filled with You,
I am a burden to myself.
Lord, have mercy! Woe is me!
I make no effort to conceal my wounds.
You are my Physician, I Your Patient.
You are merciful; I stand in need of mercy!”

“Mary, having merited to give flesh
to the Divine Word
and thus, supply the price
of our redemption
that we might be delivered
from eternal death, therefore,
she is more powerful
than all others,
to help us gain eternal life.”

MORE and MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/28/quote-s-of-the-day-28-august-st-augustine/

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

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 26 August – Visits to the Blessed Sacrament

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Thought for the Day – 26 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Visits to the Blessed Sacrament

“Taste and see how good the Lord is; happy the man who takes refuge in him” (Ps 33:9).
Many people, unfortunately, place their trust in men and in worldly things.
They soon see the mistake they have made and are disillusioned and embittered.

It was not so with the Saints.
They spent long hours by day and by night, praying to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and, carried away with them, reserves of spiritual strength and tranquility.
When they could not visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, many of them would go to some place where they could see a Church and remain there in adoration.
Whenever duty made it impossible for St Stanislaus Kostka to remain before the Tabernacle, he asked his Angel Guardian to adore Jesus on his behalf..

If we were on fire with love for God, as the Saints were, we should do the same as they did.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/26/thought-for-the-day-26-february-visits-to-the-blessed-sacrament/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/26/thought-for-the-day-26-august-visits-to-the-blessed-sacrament/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WATCHING, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 August – ‘ … Let us be watchful to observe and to do the Lord’s precepts.’

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One Minute Reflection – 25 August – St Louis IX (1214-1270) Confessor, King of France – Wisdom 10:10-14, Luke 19:12-26

“I say to you that to everyone who has, shall be given but from him, who does not have, even that which he has, shall be taken away.” – Luke 19;26

REFLECTION – “The Lord was looking to our days when He said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Lk 18:8) We see that what He foretold has come to pass. There is no faith in the fear of God, in the law of righteousness, in love, in good works …. That which our conscience would fear if it believed, it does not fear because it does not believe at all. If it believed, it would also take heed and if it took heed, it would be saved.

Therefore, beloved brothers, let us arouse ourselves as much as we can and break the slumber of our listlessness. Let us be watchful to observe and to do the Lord’s precepts. Let us be like He Himself, has bidden us to be, saying, “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately, when He comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants, whom the Master finds vigilant on His arrival“.

We ought to be dressed for work, lest, when the day of setting forth comes, it should find us burdened and entangle. Let our light shine, in good works and glow, in such a way, as to lead us from the night of this world, to the daylight of eternal brightness. Let us always wait with solicitude and caution for the sudden coming of the Lord, so that when He knocks, our faith may be on the watch and receive from the Lord, the reward of our vigilance. If these commands be observed, if these warnings and precepts be kept, we will not be overtaken in slumber, by the deceit of the devil. But we shall reign with Christ in His Kingdom, as servants on the watch.” – St Cyprian (c 200-258) Bishop of Carthage and Martyr, Father of the Church (Treatise on the unity of the Church, 26-27).

PRAYER – O God, Who transported Thy blessed Confessor Louis from an earthly throne to the glory of the heavenly Kingdom, by his merits and intercession we beseech Thee, to make us of the company of the King of kings, Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WATCHING, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 August – ‘Not all those who pray, climb the mountain…’ St Ambrose

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One Minute Reflection – 24 August – St Bartholomew the Apostle and Martyr – 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, Luke 6:12-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“At that time, Jesus departed to the mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God.” -Luke 6:12

REFLECTION – “At that time, Jesus departed to the mountain to pray and He spent the night in prayer to God.” Not all those who pray, climb the mountain… but, those who pray well, who rise up above the goods of earth to higher goods, climb onto the summit of watchfulness and love, from on high. Those who worry about worldly riches or honours, do not climb the mountain; no-one who covets another’s lands, climbs the mountain. Those who seek God, go up it and those who go up, beg the Lord’s aid for their journey. All great and noble souls climb the mountain, for it is not to the first comer alone that the prophet says: “Go up onto a high mountain, thou who announce glad tidings to Sion. Cry out at the top of thy voice, thou who bring good news to Jerusalem,” (Is 40:9). Not by physical exploits but by high-minded actions, will you scale this mountain. Follow Christ… search the Gospel – you will find that only His disciples climbed up the mountain with the Lord.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Archbishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church (On the Gospel of Saint Luke 5,41).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who bestowed on us the devout and holy joy of this day to celebrate the Feast of Thy blessed Apostle Bartholomew, grant unto Thy Church, we beseech Thee, both to love what he believed and to preach what he taught. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY GHOST, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 August – The Kingdom of Heaven

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Quote/s of the Day – 23 August – 1 Corinthians. 4:9-14, Luke 12:32-34 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Fear not, little flock,
for it hath pleased thy Father
to give thee a Kingdom. ”

Luke 12:32

“Whoever does not accept
the Kingdom of God,
like a little child,
shall not enter it.”

Mark 10:15

“He who loves his life, loses it
and he who hates his life
in this world,
keeps it unto life everlasting.
If anyone serves Me,
let him follow Me
and where I am,
there also shall My servant be.”

John 12:25-26

“Why then do we pray
for the Kingdom of Heaven to come,
if this earthly bondage pleases us?
WHAT IS THE POINT of praying so often
for its early arrival,
if we would rather serve the devil here
than reign with Christ!?”

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

“Through the Holy Spirit
comes our restoration to paradise,
our ascension into the Kingdom of Heaven,
our return to the adoption of sons,
our liberty to call God, Our Father,
our being made partakers of the grace of Christ,
our being called children of Light,
our sharing in eternal glory
and, in a word, our being brought
into a state of all “fulness of blessing,”
both in this world and in the world to come,
of all the good gifts that are in store for us,
by promise hereof, through faith,
beholding the reflection of their grace,
as though they were already present,
we await the full enjoyment.”

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

“This life is short and it is only given us
to gain the other.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The BEATITUDES, The HEART, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ANGELS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 August – ‘ … Stand ready to obey, when He comes and knocks …’

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One Minute Reflection – 19August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St John Eudes (1601-1680) Confessor, “The Apostle of Two Hearts”– Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning …” – Luke 12:35

REFLECTION – “It is so that our spirit may be detached from its fantasies that the Word invites us, to shake off this heavy sleep, from the eyes of our souls, so that we may not slide away from the true reality, by clinging to what lacks substance. That is why He sets before us an image of vigilance when He says: “Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning”… The meaning of these symbols is clear enough. Someone who is girded with temperance, lives in the light of a pure conscience because, filial trust enlightens his life, like a lamp. Lit up by the truth that person’s soul is detached from the sleep of illusion because, no empty dreams are leading it astray. As the Word says – if we do this, we shall enter into a life like that of the Angels…

Indeed, these are they who wait for the Lord at His return from the wedding and who are seated by the heavenly gates, with watchful eyes, so that the King of Glory (Ps 23:7) might once more pass through, when he returns from the marriage feast and enters again into the beatitude above the heavens. “Coming forth like the groom from his bridal chamber” (Ps 18:6)…, He united to Himself like a virgin, the nature we had prostituted to idols, once He had restored its virginal integrity, through sacramental regeneration. The nuptials, having now been accomplished, since the Church has been espoused by the Word… and brought into the chamber of His Mysteries, the Angels awaited the return of the King of Glory to the blessedness which matches His nature.

Hence, the text says that our lives ought to be like those of the Angels. Just as they live far from vice and self-deception, ready to welcome the second coming of the Lord, so we too ought to remain awake at the doors of our dwellings and stand ready to obey, when He comes and knocks at the door.” – St Gregory of Nyssa (335-395) Bishop, Father of the Church, Brother of St Basil the Great (Sermons on the Song of Songs No 11).

PRAYER – O God, Who wondrously enkindled St John, Thy Confessor, to promote the religious veneration of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and through him, willed to found new religious families in the Church, grant, we beseech Thee that we may honour his holy merits and may learn from the example of his virtues. 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 AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 14 August – ‘ If you seek an example of humility,… If you seek an example of obedience …’,

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Vigil of the Assumption – Ecclesiasticus 24:23-31, Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Rather, blessed are they
who hear the Word of God
and keep it.”

Luke 11:28

“A person who wishes
to become the Lord’s disciple
must repudiate a human obligation,
however honourable it may appear,
if it slows us, ever so slightly,
in giving the wholehearted obedience
we owe to God.”

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

“To arrive at the knowledge of the Truth,
there are many paths – the first is humility,
the second is humility
and the third is humility.”

“Humility is a very strange entity.
The moment we think we have it,
we have already lost it!”

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

“If you seek an example of humility,
look upon Him Who is Crucified,
although He was God, He chose to be judged
by Pontius Pilate and put to death. …
If you seek an example of obedience,
imitate Him Who was obedient to the Father
“even to death” (Phil 2:8).
“For just as through the disobedience
of one person, Adam,
the many were made sinners,
so through the obedience of One,
the many will be made righteous” (Rom 5:19). .
If you seek an example of contempt
for earthly things,
imitate Him Who is “King of kings
and Lord of lords” (1 Tm 6:15),
“in whom are hidden
all the treasures of wisdom
and knowledge” (Col 2:3).
On the Cross He was stripped naked,
ridiculed, spat upon, bruised,
crowned with thorns,
given to drink of vinegar and gall.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Angelic Doctor of the Church

“To find the Saviour outside obedience,
is to lose Him altogether.”

“When God puts inspirations into a heart,
the first He gives is obedience.”

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

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the KING, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on INDIFFERENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VANITY

Thought for the Day – 12 August – Renouncing All Things

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Thought for the Day – 12 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Renouncing All Things

“Self-renunciation involves too, the surrender of other attachments, such as the love of worldly honours, ambitions, the desire for success and many other affections which would binder us from living the life of Gof.

When we have arrived at a state of indifference to illness or health, wealth ot powers, life or death, we shall be able to say that we have completely renounced self because God alone will reign within us.

When we have stripped ourselves of all alien affections, God will be our absolute Sovereign and we shall be really immensely rich!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/16/thought-for-the-day-16-august-renouncing-all-things/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/12/thought-for-the-day-12-august-renouncing-all-things/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRAYER – Hear us, O God, our Saviour that as we are gladdened by the festival of blessed Clare Thy virgin, so we may learn from it piety and devotion. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "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

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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