Category: QUOTES on VIRTUE

Posted in "Follow Me", CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, THEOLOGICAL

Thought for the Day – 13 July – The Definition of Charity ‘What is Charity?’

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Thought for the Day – 13 July – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
Today we begin a new seriest with Fr Clarke having completed “Patience.” I believe we still have a week or so of “Humility” to complete.

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Definition of Charity
What is Charity?

Charity is an infused virtue, by which we love God for His own sake and above all things and our neighbour as ourselves, for the love of God.
It is the best gift which God Himself can give, the gift compared to which, all other gifts are insignificant and worthless. It is the end and aim, the perfection and the crown of the Christian life. If we possess it, we have all things; if we possess it not, we have nothing; we are miserable and wretched and poor and blind and naked before God.
Pray that God may teach you to know and to love His Divine gift.

Charity is called an infused virtue, because we can only obtain it, if God shall please to pour it into our soul. No amount of practice can make it ours. No natural benevolence will develop into charity, unless God adds that supernatural character which alone can render it pleasing in His sight and meritorious of eternal life.
We must carefully distinguish natural from supernatural charity and we must beware of being satisfied with the former.

Charity is one of the virtues called “Christian virtues,” inasmuch, as their model and type, is the Life of Christ upon earth because, they unite us to Christ and make us like unto Him.
It is true that charity is, in itself, pre-eminently the Christian virtue and when Saint Paul says, “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14), he refers alone to the virtue of charity, with which we must be clothed, if we are to be the servants and followers of our Lord. Can I say I am clothed with charity, so all around me see it? Do they not too often detect in me, a lamentable want of this virtue?

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on VICE, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 July– ‘ … For everything lies in the soul’s inner sanctuary. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 8 July– “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Elizabeth of Portugal TOSF (1271-1336) Widow, Queen – Proverbs 31:10-31; Matthew 13:44-52 – – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure  hidden in a field;
he who finds it, hides it and in his joy, goes and sells all that he has
and buys that field.” – Matthew 13:44

REFLECTION – “In my opinion, it would be unworthy of us to withdraw, even for a moment, from the contemplation of Christ. When we have lost sight of Him, even briefly, let us turn our mind’s regard back to Him, directing the eyes of our heart, as by a very straight line. For everything lies in the soul’s inner sanctuary. There, after the devil has been expelled and the vices no longer reign at all, the Kingdom of God can be established in us, as the Evangelist says: “For amen I say to you that the Kingdom of God is within you.”

But within us there can be nothing else than knowledge or ignorance of the truth and the love, of either the vices, or the virtues, by which we make ready a Kingdom in our hearts, either for the devil or for Christ.

The Apostle Paul also describes the characteristics of this Kingdom when he says: “For the Kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Thus, if the Kingdom of God is within us and the Kingdom of God is itself, righteousness and peace and joy, then, whoever abides in these things, is undoubtedly in the Kingdom of God … Let us lift up the eyes of our soul to that Kingdom which is endless joy!” – St John Cassian (c360-435) Monk, Theologian, Founder of Monasteries, Father of the Church, Disciple of St John Chrysostom (Conferences No 1).

PRAYER – Most merciful God, Who among other admirable gifts, endowed blessed Queen Elizabeth with the special grace of calming the tumult of war; grant by her intercession that, after the peace for which we humbly pray, we may attain everlasting happiness. 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 ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, St Francis de Sales, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 June – ‘Why do you put yourself in trouble? …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 26 June – Ecclesiasticus 44:10-15, Luke 12:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings?
And yet not one of them is forgotten before God.
Yes, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Therefore, do not be afraid, you are of more value t
han many sparrows.”

Luke 12:6-7

“[He] hath called you out of darkness
into His marvellous Light … ”

1 Peter 2:9

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

“Who will be crowned without having fought?
Who will go to rest if he is not tired
(cf. 2 Tim 2:5-6)?
Who will gather the fruits of life
without having planted virtues in his soul?
Cultivate them, prepare the earth
with the greatest care,
take trouble over it, sweat over it,
children, God’s workers,
imitators of the Angels,
competitors with incorporeal beings,
lights for those who are in the world.
(cf. Phil 2:15)!”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)

“Fear is a greater evil
than the evil itself.”

(Letters to Persons in the World, VI, 12)

“Why do you put yourself in trouble?
God is good; He sees very well what you are.”

(Letters to Persons in Religion, III, 16)

“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 ACT of ADORATION, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, THEOLOGICAL

Our Morning Offering – 20 June – Act of Love to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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Our Morning Offering – 20 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”

Act of Love to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
By Servant of God
Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val (1865-1930)

Reveal Thy Sacred Heart to me, O Jesus
and show me Its attractions.
Unite me to It forever.
Grant that all my aspirations
and all the beats of my heart,
which cease, not even while I sleep,
may be a testimonial to Thee,
of my love for Thee
and may it say to Thee –
“Yes, Lord, I am all Thine”
the pledge of my allegiance to Thee,
rests forever in my heart
and will never cease to be there.
May Thou accept,
the slight amount of good that I do
and be graciously pleased,
to repair all my wrong-doing –
so that I may be able,
to bless Thee,
in time and in eternity.
Amen

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, BAPTISM, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, QUEENSHIP of MARY, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY GHOST, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 18 June – “The Harp of the Holy Ghost!”

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Quote/s of the Day – 18 June – “The Harp of the Holy Ghost!” Father & Doctor of the Church, Confessor

“The Cross gives Light to the whole universe;
it casts out darkness
and gathers nations together in charity,
into One Church, One Faith, One Baptism…”

“Virtues are formed by PRAYER.
PRAYER preserves temperance.
PRAYER suppresses anger.
PRAYER prevents emotions of pride and envy.
PRAYER draws the Holy Ghost, into the soul
and raises man to Heaven.”

“Let Heaven sustain me in its embrace
because, I am honoured above it.
For Heaven was not Thy Mother
but Thou hast made it Thy Throne.
How much more honourable
and venerable, than the throne
of a king, is His Mother?!”

“Thou alone and Thy Mother,
are in all things fair,
there is no flaw in Thee
and no stain in Thy Mother.”

“Some people, who were opposed to the Holy Ghost, said:
“These people have had too much new wine; they are drunk.”
Indeed, you speak truly! However, it is not as you think it is.
It is not wine from the vineyard they have drunk.
It is a new wine that flows from Heaven –
a wine newly pressed on Golgotha.
The Apostles caused it to be drunk and thus ,
they inebriated all creation.
This is wine that was pressed on the Cross!”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/18/quote-s-of-the-day-18-june-st-ephrem/

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on VICE, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE, The HEART, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 9 May – Concerning the Manner of Perseverance in the Spiritual Combat until Death

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Thought for the Day – 9 May – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

LXI: … Concerning the Manner of Perseverance
in the Spiritual Combat until Death

“One of the requisites in the Spiritual Combat is perseverance in the continual mortification of our unruly passions – for, in this life, they are never utterly subdued but take root in the human heart like weeds in fertile soil.
This is a battle from which we cannot escape – ours is a foe, we cannot evade.
The fight against passion will last a lifetime and he, who lays down his arms, will be slain.
Moreover, we must combat enemies, who hate us, with unquenchable fury and, are consecrated to our destruction.
The more we would make friends of them, the more they would make
derelicts of us!
But be not daunted by their strength or number, for in this war, he alone is conquered, who voluntarily surrenders and the entire power of our enemies is in the hands of that Captain under Whose banner we fight.
And not only will He preserve us from treachery but, He will be our Champion.
He, Who is infinitely superior to all the foe, will crown you with conquest provided you, as a warrior, rely not on your own finite powers but on His Almighty Power and Infinite Goodness.

If, however, He seems slow in coming to your aid and apparently leaves you in the withering fire of the enemy, be not discouraged, rather fight resolutely in the firm belief that He will convert all things which befall you, to your eventual benefit and, even the unexpected crown of victory will be yours.

For your part, never desert your Commanding Officer, Who, for your sake, did not shrink from death itself and, in dying on Calvary’s hill, conquered the entire world.
Fight courageously under His colours and do not lay down your arms, while there is one foe left.
For, if a single vice is neglected, it will be a beam in your eye and a thorn in your side, constantly hindering you from triumph in your glorious and victorious cause.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

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

Posted in GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS for PRIESTS, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, QUOTES on PURITY, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY GHOST, THEOLOGICAL

One Minute Reflection – 16 April – The Prayer of a shepherd

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One Minute Reflection – 16 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament”– Ferial Day – 1 Peter 2:21-25; John 10:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I am the Good Shepherd, I know My Own and My Own know Me.”- John 10:14

REFLECTION – “O Jesus, Good Shepherd, a Shepherd who is truly good, Shepherd full of loving kindness and gentleness, the cry of a poor and wretched shepherd rises up to Thee: a weak and clumsy shepherd, an unprofitable shepherd (cf. Lk 17:10) and yet, in spite of all, a shepherd of Thyine flock. Yes, Good Shepherd, the cry of this shepherd who is far from being good rises up to Thee. He cries to Thee, uneasy for himself, uneasy for Thine flock … Thou knows my heart, Lord, Thou knows my wish is to spend entirely, for those Thou has entrusted to me ,all Thou has given to Thy servant …, and more than anything, to spend myself for them without counting the cost (2 Cor 12:15)…

Even Thou Thyself, did not disdain to spend Thyself for them. Therefore, teach me, Lord, even me Thy servant, teach me through Thine Holy Ghost, how to expend myself for them … By Thine inexpressible grace, grant me, Lord, to bear their weaknesses with patience, to sympathise with kindness, to help them with discretion. May Thine Spirit’s instruction teach me to console the afflicted, strengthen the fearful, raise up those who fall, to be weak with the weak, to share the shame of those who stumble, to make myself all things to all, to gain them all (2 Cor 11:29; 1 Cor 9:19.22). Put true words on my lips, words which are upright and just, so that they may grow in faith, hope and love, in chastity and humility, in patience and obedience, fervour of spirit and purity of heart. Since it is Thou Who has given them this blind guide (Mt 15:14), this ignorant teacher, this incapable leader, teach him, whom Thou has installed as their professor, guide the one, Thou has commanded to guide others.” – St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167) Cistercian Monk (The Prayer of a shepherd 1,7)

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 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!, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SELF-DISTRUST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 11 April – On Prayer (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 11 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

The Fourth Weapon of the Spiritual Combat
XLIV: … On Prayer (Part Two)

“3. When you pray, let it be your intention to will God’s Will alone and not your own, as well in asking as in obtaining that is, pray because God Wills you to pray and desire to be heard, insofar and, no farther, than He Wills. Your intention, in short, should be to unite your will to the Will of God and not to draw His Will to yours.
And this because ,your will, being infected and ruined by self-love, often errs and knows not what to ask but the Divine Will, being always united to ineffable goodness, can never err.
The Will of God is, therefore, the rule and ruler of all other wills and, it deserves and Wills to be followed and obeyed by all.
Ask, therefore, always such things as are conformable to God’s Will and, if you be in doubt whether anything be so or not, ask it on the condition of its being according to the Will of God.
And those things, (such as all virtues) which you certainly know to be agreeable to Him, ask rather, in order to serve and please Him thereby, than for any other motive, how spiritual so-ever.

  1. Be careful when you go to prayer to adorn yourself with works corresponding to your petitions and, after you have prayed, labour more earnestly still, to fit yourself for the grace and virtue you desire to obtain.
    For the exercise of prayer must be so continually accompanied by the exercise of self-discipline that the one may involve the other; otherwise, to pray for a virtue and take no trouble to obtain it, would be rather to tempt God than to serve Him!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/10/thought-for-the-day-10-april-on-prayer-part-one/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, St PETER!, The HEART, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 11 April – St Pope Leo the Great

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 April – St Leo I, the Great (c400-461) Pope, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

“Peter has spoken
by the mouth of Leo!”

“Nothing escaped the Wisdom and Power of Christ,
the elements of nature lay at His service,
spirits obeyed Him, Angels served Him. …
And yet, out of all the world,
Peter alone was chosen to stand at the head,
for the calling of all the peoples
and the oversight of all the Apostles
and Fathers of the Church.”

“Virtue is nothing
without the trial of temptation,
for there is no conflict,
without an enemy,
no victory, without strife.”

“No-one, however weak, is denied
a share in the victory of the Cross.
No-one is beyond the help
of the prayer of Christ.”

“Our sharing in the Body and Blood of Christ
has no other purpose than to transform us
into that which we receive.”

“For the man who loves God,
it is sufficient to please the One he loves
and, there is no greater recompense to be sought,
than the loving itself.
For love is from God, by the very fact
that God Himself is love.
The good and chaste soul
is so happy to be filled with Him
that it desires to take delight in nothing else.
For what the Lord says is very true:
‘Where your treasure is,
there also will your heart be.’”

St Pope Leo the Great (c400-461)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CARMELITES, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on ANGELS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SELF-DISTRUST, St Francis de Sales, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 April – [He] hath called you out of darkness …

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Easter Saturday – 1 Peter 2:1-10, John 20:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“[He] hath called you out of darkness
into His marvellous Light … ”

1 Peter 2:9

“Let not your hearts be troubled,
neither let them be afraid.”

John 14:27

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

“Who will be crowned without having fought?
Who will go to rest if he is not tired
(cf. 2 Tim 2:5-6)?
Who will gather the fruits of life
without having planted virtues in his soul?
Cultivate them, prepare the earth
with the greatest care,
take trouble over it, sweat over it,
children, God’s workers,
imitators of the Angels,
competitors with incorporeal beings,
lights for those who are in the world
(cf. Phil 2:15)!”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)

“Lord, help me to live this day,
quietly, easily.
To lean upon Thy great strength,
trustfully, restfully.
To wait for the unfolding of Thy will,
patiently, serenely.
To meet others,
peacefully, joyously.
To face tomorrow,
confidently, courageously.”

St Frances of Assisi (c1181-1226)

“Let nothing perturb you,
nothing frighten you.
All things pass.
God does not change.
Patience achieves everything.”

St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of Prayer

“Let us think only
of spending the present
day well.
Then, when tomorrow
shall have come,
it will be called
TODAY
and then, we will think
about it.”

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

Posted in QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 5 April–Of the Time to be Given to the Exercise of Each Virtue and Of the Signs of Progress (Part Two)

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

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

XL: … Of the Time to be Given to the Exercise
of Each Virtue and Of the Signs of Progress (Part Two)

“And the greater the alacrity and joyfulness of spirit which accompanies these acts, the greater may be our hope that we have derived protit from this exercise.

We must beware, however, of assuming, as a certainty, that we have acquired any virtue, or entirely subdued any one passion, even though, after a long time and after many struggles, we may have ceased to feel its motions within us.
For here too, the arts and devices of Satan and our own deceitful nature, may find place, since that which is really vice seems to our lurking pride, to be virtue.
Besides, if we look to the perfection to which God calls us, we shall hardly persuade ourselves, however great the progress we have made in the way of holiness, that we have even crossed its threshold!

Return, therefore, to your first exercises, as a young soldier and a newborn babe but just beginning to struggle, as if you had hitherto done nothing.

And remember to attend rather to advancement in holiness, than to an examination of your progress; for the Lord God, the true and only Searcher of our hearts, gives this knowledge to some and withholds it from others, according as He sees that it will lead to pride or to humility and, as a loving Father, He removes a danger from one, while to another, He offers an opportunity of increase in holiness.

Therefore, although the soul does not perceive its progress, let it continue these exercises; for they shall be seen when it will please the Lord, for the soul’s greater good, to make it known to it.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/04/thought-for-the-day-4-april-of-the-time-to-be-given-to-the-exercise-of-each-virtue-and-of-the-signs-of-progress-part-one/

Posted in QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TIME, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior), THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 4 April–Of the Time to be Given to the Exercise of Each Virtue and Of the Signs of Progress (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 4 April– The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XL: … Of the Time to be Given to the Exercise
of Each Virtue and Of the Signs of Progress (Part One)

“It is not for me to determine the time to be given to the exercise of each several virtue.
This must be regulated by the state and necessities of individuals, by the progress they are making in their spiritual course and, by the judgement of their director.

But, if we set ourselves faithfully and diligently to work after the manner I have described, there is no doubt but that, in a few weeks’ time, we shall have made no little progress.

It is a sign of advancement in holiness if we persevere in our exercises of virtue amid dryness, darkness and anguish of spirit and the withdrawal of spiritual consolation.

Another clear indication will be the degree of resistance made by the senses to the performance of acts of virtue; for the weaker this resistance, the greater will be our progress.
When, therefore, we cease to experience any opposition or rebellion in the inferior and sensual will and, more especially, in sudden and unexpected assaults, we may look upon it as a sign that we have acquired the virtue.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 3 April– How to Avail Ourselves of Occasions for the Exercise of a Single Virtue

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Thought for the Day – 3 April– The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XXXIX: … How to Avail Ourselves of Occasions
for the Exercise of a Single Virtue

“We have already seen that it is more profitable to exercise ourselves, for a time, in a single virtue than in many at once and that, we should use, with this view, the occasions we meet with, however diverse they may be.
Now learn how to accomplish this, with tolerable success.

It may happen that in the same day, or even in the same hour, we are approved for something in which we have done well, or blamed on some other account; we may be harshly refused some favour we have asked, it maybe a mere trifle; we may be unjustly suspected; or, we may be called upon to endure some bodily pain, or some petty annoyance, such as a dish badly cooked; or some more heavy affliction and more difficult to be borne, may befall us, such as this wretched life is full of!

Although, in the variety of these or similar occurrences, we may perform various acts of virtue, yet, if we would keep to the rule laid down, we shall continue to exercise ourselves in acts wholly conformable to the virtue we have at the time in hand; as for example:

+++If, when these occasions present themselves, we are exercising ourselves in patience, we shall endure them all willingly and with a joyful heart.

+++If our exercise be of humility, we shall, in all these little crosses, acknowledge ourselves to be deserving of every possible ill.

+++If of obedience, we shall submit ourselves at once to the Almighty Hand of God, as well as, to all created things, whether rational or even inanimate which may have caused us these annoyances and this, to please Him because He has so willed it.

+++If of poverty, we shall be well content to be stripped and robbed of all earthly consolations, whether great or small.

+++If of charity, we shall produce acts of love towards our neighbour as the instrument of good to us and towards our Lord God, as the first and loving cause whence these annoyances proceed, or by Whom they are permitted for our spiritual exercise and improvement.

From what has been said of the various accidents which may befall us daily, we may also learn how, during a single trial of long duration, such as sickness or other like affliction, we may yet continue to produce acts of that virtue in which we are at the time exercising ourselves.

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on VIRTUE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 2 April– Esteem All Opportunities of Fighting for the Acquisition of Virtue (Part Two)

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

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

XXXVIII: … Esteem All Opportunities of
Fighting for the Acquisition of Virtue (Part Two)

“The other consideration (of which we have already spoken) is, that all events which befall us come from God, for our good, in order that we may derive fruit therefrom.

And although, as we have said before, some of these occasions, such as our own defects, or those of others, cannot be said to be of God, Who wills not sin, yet they are from Him, inasmuch as He permits them and though able to hinder them, hinders them not.
But all the sorrows and afflictions which come upon us, either by our own fault or the malice of others, are both from God and of God because He concurs in them and that, which He would not have us do, as being full of a deformity beyond measure hateful to His most pure eyes, He would yet have us suffer, for our greater advancement in holiness, or for some other wise reason unknown to us.

Seeing, then, that it is most assuredly our Lord’s will that we should suffer willingly, any Cross which may come upon us, either from others or from our own evil deeds, to say, as many do in excuse for their impatience that God wills not evil but abhors it, is a vain pretext, whereby to cover our own faults and avoid the Cross which He wills us to bear.

Nay, I will say further, that supposing all other circumstances the same, our Lord is more pleased with our patient endurance of trials which come upon us from the wickedness of men, especially of those, whom we have served and benefited, than with our endurance of other grievous annoyances.
And this because, our proud nature is, for the most part, more humbled by the former than by the latter and also because, by willingly enduring them, we do above measure, please and magnify our God, co-operating with Him in that, wherein His ineffable goodness and omnipotence shine forth most brightly, namely, in extracting from the deadly poison of malice and wickedness, the sweet and precious fruit of holiness and virtue!

No sooner, therefore, does our Lord perceive in us an earnest desire to attempt and persevere in so glorious an undertaking, than He prepares a chalice of strongest temptation and strongest trial, for us, that we may drink it at the appointed hour and we, recognising therein His love and our own good, should receive it willingly and blindly, confidently and promptly drinking it to the very dregs, as a medicine compounded by a Hand which cannot err; of ingredients the more profitable to the soul, in proportion to their intrinsic bitterness!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/01/thought-for-the-day-1-april-esteem-all-opportunities-of-fighting-for-the-acquisition-of-virtue-part-one/

Posted in OUR Cross, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 1 April– Esteem All Opportunities of Fighting for the Acquisition of Virtue (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 1 April– The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XXXVIII: … Esteem All Opportunities of
Fighting for the Acquisition of Virtue (Part One)

“I shall not be contented to have you simply NOT shun the opportunities which may present themselves of attaining the different virtues, – for, I would have you esteem them as goods of great price and value – seek and embrace them joyfully whenever they present themselves and, account those dearest and most precious which are most repugnant to nature!

To this end, by the Divine assistance, you will be enabled to attain, by impressing strongly upon your mind, the following considerations:
Firstly – that opportunities are means adapted, nay, necessary, for the attainment of virtue.
When, therefore, you pray to the Lord for any virtue, you at the same time ask for occasions to exercise it; or else would your prayer be vain and you would be contradicting yourself and tempting your God, Who does not usually give patience without tribulation, nor humility without humiliations!

The same may be said of all virtues which are most surely attained by means of Crosses.
And the more painful these are, the more effectually do they aid us and, therefore, the more acceptable and welcome should they be.
For acts of virtue performed in such circumstances, are more generous and energetic and open to us, an easier and more speedy way to virtue.

But, we ought also, to value and not to leave without its appropriate exercise, the most trifling occasion, though it be but a word or a look which crosses our will – because, the acts thus produced, are more frequent, though less intense, than those called forth by circumstances of great difficulty.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, HOLY SATURDAY, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The RESURRECTION, The WORD, THEOLOGICAL

One Minute Reflection – 30 March – He is not here, for He is risen, as He said.

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One Minute Reflection – 30 March – Holy Saturday – The Lord’s Vigil Mass of Easter, Blessing of the Fire, Prophecies, Blessing of the Font, First Mass of Easter – Matthew 28:1-7 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And the Angel answering, said to the women: Fear not you, for I know that you seek Jesus Who was Crucified, He is not here, for He is risen, as He said.” – Matthew 28:5-6

REFLECTION – “When the third day dawned of the Lord’s Sacred repose in the tomb … Christ, the “power and Wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24), with the author of death lying prostrate, conquered even death itself and opened to us access to eternity, when He raised Himself from the dead by His Divine Power in order to make known to us the paths of Life.

Then there was a great earthquake, for an Angel of the Lord came down from Heaven, with raiment like snow and his countenance like lightening.   He appeared attractive to the devout and severe to the wicked – for he terrified the soldiers and comforted the timid women, to whom the Lord Himself first appeared after rising because, their intense devotion, so merited.   Then He was seen by Peter, then by the disciples going to Emmaus, then by all the Apostles except Thomas.   Later He presented Himself to be touched by Thomas, who proclaimed his faith:  “My Lord and my God.”   And thus, during forty days, He appeared in many ways to His disciples, both eating and drinking with them.

He enlightened our faith with proofs and lifted up our hope with promises, so as finally, to enkindle our love with gifts from Heaven!” … St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – O God, Who dost illuminate this most holy night by the glory of the Lord’s Resurrection, preserve in the new children of Thy family, the spirit of adoption which Thou hast given, that renewed in body and mind, they may render to Thee a pure service. Through our Lord 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 QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 24 March – Do Not Shun Any Opportunity which Offers the Attainment of Virtue

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Thought for the Day – 24 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XXXVII: … Do Not Shun Any Opportunity
which Offers the Attainment of Virtue

“We have seen very clearly that we must go forward without ever stopping in the way of perfection.
To this end, we ought to be very careful and vigilant, not to let slip any opportunity which may present itself for the attainment of any virtue.
For they have very little knowledge of this way, who avoid, as much as they can, all such adverse things as might greatly assist their progress.

For, not to forget my accustomed advice, if you would acquire the habit of patience, it is not expedient to avoid those persons, actions, or thoughts which move you to impatience.
Withdraw not, therefore, from the society of anyone because it is disagreeable but, whilst conversing and holding intercourse with those who most annoy you, keep your will always ready and disposed, to endure whatever may befall you, however wearisome and annoying; for otherwise, you will never learn to be patient.

In like manner, if you find any occupation irksome, either in itself, or because of the person who imposed it upon you, or because it hinders you from doing something else more pleasing, do not, therefore, shrink from undertaking and persevering in it, although it disquiets you and although you think to find peace by neglecting it; for this would be no true peace, as proceeding, not from a soul
purified from passion and adorned with virtues, neither could you ever, in this way, learn to suffer.

I would say the same of harassing thoughts — which, at times, will annoy and disturb your mind.
There is no need to drive them entirely from you, for besides the pain they occasion, they accustom you too, to bear contradiction.
And to give you contrary advice, would be to teach you rather to shun labour, than to attain to that virtue which you have in view.

It is very true that it becomes every man and especially the tried soldier, to defend himself on these occasions with vigilance and dexterity – now confronting his enemies, now evading them, according to the measure of spiritual strength and virtue which he has attained.

But, for all this, he must never actually turn back and retreat, so as to leave behind all opposition, for, even if we thereby save ourselves for the time, from the peril of falling, we shall risk exposing ourselves, more to future attacks of temptation, not being armed and fortified beforehand, by the exercise of the contrary virtue.
This counsel, however, applies not to the sins of the flesh, of which we have already spoken more particularly.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WATCHING, QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior), THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 23 March – Proceed with Unceasing Watchfulness in the Exercise of Virtue

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Thought for the Day – 23 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XXXVI: … Proceed with Unceasing Watchfulness
in the Exercise of Virtue

“One of the most important and necessary means for the attainment of virtue, besides what has been already taught, is to press forward continually to the end we have proposed to ourselves, lest by standing still, we fall back.

For, when we cease to produce acts of virtue, many unruly passions are generated within us by the violent inclination of the sensitive appetite and, by other exterior influences, whereby virtue is destroyed, or at least diminished and moreover, we thus lose many gifts and graces with which our Lord might have rewarded our further progress.

Therefore, the spiritual journey is different from the course of the earthly traveller; for he, by standing still, loses nothing of the ground already gained as is the case with him, who travels heavenward.
And moreover, the weariness of the earthly pilgrim increases with the continuance of his bodily motion, while, in the spiritual journey, the farther a man advances, the more does his vigour and strength increase!

For, by the exercise of virtue, the resistance of the inferior part of the soul which made the way difficult and wearisome, grows daily weaker while the superior part, wherein the virtue resides, is estalished, in the same proportion and strengthened.

Hence, as we advance in holiness, the pain which accompanied the progress, gradually diminishes and, a certain secret joy which, by the Divine operation, is mingled with that pain, increases hourly more and more.
And thus, proceeding with increasing ease and delight, from virtue to virtue, we at last reach the mountaintop, where the perfected spirit henceforth labours
without weariness but, rather with joy and ecstasy because, having now tamed and conquered its unruly passions and overcome itself and all created things, it dwells forever blessed in the bosom of the Most High and there, while sweetly labouring, takes its rest. Amen.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on VIRTUE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 22 March – Of the Means Whereby Virtues are Acquired (Part Two)

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

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

XXXV: … Of the Means Whereby Virtues
are Acquired (Part Two)

“The Sacred Words of Holy Scripture, either uttered with the lips or pondered in the heart, as may best suit our case, have a marvellous power to aid us in this exercise.
We should, therefore, have many such in readiness to bear upon the virtue we wish to practice and these, we should repeat continually throughout the day and especially, at each rising of the rebellious passion.
For instance, if we are striving to attain the virtue of patience, we may repeat the following words, or others like them:

“My children, suffer patiently the wrath which is come upon you.” Baruch 4:25.
“The patience of the poor, shall not perish for ever.” Psalm 9:18.
“The patient man is better than the valiant and he who ruleth his spirit, than he who taketh cities.” Proverbs 16:32.
“In your patience you shall possess your souls.” Luke 21:19.
“Let us run with patience to the fight proposed to us.” Hebrews 12:1.

To the same end, we may, in like manner, use such prayers as the following:

“When, O my God, shall this heart of mine be armed with the buckler of patience?”
“When shall I learn to bear every trouble with a quiet mind, so I may please my Lord?”
“O most dear sufferings which liken me unto my Lord Jesus, crucified for me!”
“Only Life of my soul, I shall ever, for Thy glory, live contented amid a thousand torments!”
“How blessed shall I be, if, in the midst of the fire of tribulation, I burn with the desire of even greater sufferings!”

Let us use these short prayers and others suitable to our advancement in holiness so that we may acquire the spirit of devotion.
These short prayers are called Ejaculations because they are darted like javelins towards Heaven.
They have great power to speed us towards virtue and will penetrate even to the heart of God, if only they have these two accompaniments for their wings:

+++ The one – a full certainty that our exercise of virtue is greatly pleasing to our God.
+++ The other – a true and fervent desire for the attainment of virtue, for the sole end of pleasing His Divine Majesty.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/21/thought-for-the-day-21-march-of-the-means-whereby-virtues-are-acquired-part-one/

Posted in GOOD RESOLUTIONS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE, The HEART, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 21 March – Of the Means Whereby Virtues are Acquired (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 21 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XXXV: … Of the Means Whereby Virtues
are Acquired (Part One)

“For the attainment of holiness, we need, besides all that has been already described, a great and generous heart, a will which is neither slack nor remiss but firm and resolute and withal, a certain expectation of having to pass through many bitter and adverse trials.

And furthermore, there are particular inclinations and affections which we may acquire by frequently considering how pleasing they are to God, how excellent and noble in themselves and, how useful and necessary to us, inasmuch as from them and in them, all perfection has its origin and end.

Let us, then, make a steadfast resolution every morning to exercise ourselves therein, according to the occasions which may arise in the course of the day; during which, we should often examine ourselves, to see, whether or not, we have fulfilled them, renewing them afterwards more earnestly.
And all this with especial reference to that virtue which we have in hand.

So also, let the examples of the Saints and our prayers and meditations on the life and passion of Christ, which are so needful in every spiritual exercise, be applied principally to the particular virtue in which we are, for the time exercising ourselves.

Let us do the same on all occasions which may arise, however variant in kind, as we shall presently explain more particularly.

Let us so inure ourselves to acts of virtue, both interior and exterior,that we may come at last to perform them with the same promptness and facility, with which, in times past, we performed others agreeable to our natural will.
And, as we said before, the more opposed such acts are to these natural wishes, the more speedily will the good habit be introduced into our soul.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in "Follow Me", CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LENT 2024, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The BEATITUDES, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 21 March – Seek for Nothing!

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 21 March – Thursday of Passion Week – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6, Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“He asked life of Thee,
Thou hast given him
length of days,
forever and ever.”
Psalm 20:5

“And everyone who has left house,
or brethren, or sisters, or father,
or mother, or wife, or children, or lands
for My Name’s sake,
shall receive a hundredfold
and shall possess life everlasting.”
Matthew 19:29

Seek for Nothing!

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

“Seek for nothing, desiring to enter for love of Jesus, with detachment, emptiness and poverty in everything in this world.
You will never have to do with necessities greater than those to which you made your heart yield itself – for the poor in spirit are most happy and joyful in a state of privation and he, who has set his heart on nothing, finds satisfaction everywhere.

The poor in spirit (Mt 5:3) give generously all they have and their pleasure consists in being thus deprived of everything for God’s sake and out of love for their neighbour …
Not only do temporal goods – the delights and tastes of the senses – hinder and thwart the way of God but, spiritual delights and consolations also, if sought for or clung to eagerly, disturb the way of virtue.” – (Spiritual maxims, nos. 352, 355,356, 364; 1693 Edition).

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 20 March – Virtues Are To Be Gradually Acquired,One At A Time and By Degrees

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Thought for the Day – 20 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XXXIV: Virtues Are To Be Gradually Acquired,
One At A Time and By Degrees

“Although the true servant of Christ who aspires to perfection should set no limit to his advancement, there are some kinds of spiritual fervour which require to be restrained with a certain discretion, lest, being initially embraced too ardently, they should give way and forsake us in the midst of our exercise.

Hence, besides what has been said as to moderation in exterior exercises, we
have to learn, moreover that even interior virtues, are best acquired gradually and in their due order – for thus, what is small in the beginning soon becomes great and permanent.
Thus, for instance, we should not ordinarily attempt to rejoice in afflictions and to desire them, until we have firstly passed through the lower degrees of the virtue of patience.

Neither would I have you give your chief attention to all, or to many virtues at once but, initially to one and then to the others – for thus, will the virtuous habit be more easily and firmly planted in the soul.
For, by the constant exercise of a single virtue, the memory recurs to it more promptly on all occasions, the intellect grows quicker to discern new methods and reasons for attaining it and, the will inclines more readily and fervently to its pursuit, than if occupied with many virtues at one and the same time.

And, by means of the uniformity of the exercise, the acts which relate to any single virtue are produced with less effort from the conformity between them. The one calls forth and aids his fellow and, by their mutual resemblance, they make a deeper impression upon the heart which is prepared and disposed, for the reception of new seed, by having already brought forth similar fruits.

These reasons have the greater force, as we know assuredly that whoever exercises himself well in one virtue, learns, at the same time, how to exercise himself in another and thus, by the inseparable connection between them, all grow together with the increase of one, as rays proceeding from one and the same Divine Light.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on VICE, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SELF-DISTRUST, The HEART, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 18 March –Instructions for Mortifying Passions,to Attain the Necessary Virtues (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 18 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

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

“And a last 3 points of advice:

+++ 4. Let your whole heart desire nothing, think of nothing, crave nothing, long for nothing but to conquer that passion with which you are struggling and to attain its contrary virtue.
Be this your world, your Heaven, your earth, your whole treasure and all with
the sole view of pleasing God.
Whether eating or fasting, labouring, or resting, watching or sleeping, at home or abroad, whether engaged in devotion or in manual labour, let all be directed to the conquest and extinction of this passion and, to the attainment of the contrary virtue.

+++ 5. Wage unceasing war against earthly pleasures and comforts, so will no vice have much power to assail you.
For all vices spring from this one root of pleasure – when this, therefore, is cut away by hatred of self, they lose their strength and power.
For, if with one hand you will try to fight against some particular sin, or pleasure and, with the other dally, with other earthly enjoyments, although their guilt be not mortal but only venial, your battles will be difficult and bloody, your victories infrequent and uncertain.
Keep, therefore, constantly in mind these Divine words:
“He that loveth his life shall lose it and he that hateth
his life in this world keepeth it unto life eternal.” John 12:25.

“Brethren, we are not debtors to the flesh,
to live according to the flesh.
For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die. ”

+++ 6. Lastly, it would be well, it maybe even necessary, for you to make, in the first place, a general Confession, with all the necessary conditions that you may be the better assured of your Lord’s favour, to Whom Alone you must look for all grace and victory!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/17/thought-for-the-day-17-march-instructions-for-mortifying-passionsto-attain-the-necessary-virtues-part-one/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on VANITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 12 March – The Last Artifice of the Devil –Making even Virtue, an Occasion of Sin! (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 12 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XXXII: … The Last Artifice of the Devil –
Making even Virtue, an Occasion of Sin!
(Part One)

“The cunning and malicious serpent never fails to tempt us, by his artifices, even by means of the very virtues we have acquired, thus, leading us to regard them and ourselves with complacency, they may become our ruin, exalting us on high, that we may fall into the sin of pride and vainglory!

To preserve yourself from this danger, choose for your battlefield, the safe and level ground of a true and deep conviction of your own nothingness – that you are nothing, that you know nothing, that you can do nothing and have nothing but misery and sin and deserve nothing but eternal damnation.

Entrench yourself firmly within the limits of this truth and suffer not yourself to be enticed, so much as a hair’s breadth therefrom, by any evil thought, or anything else which may befall you; knowing well that there are so many enemies, who would slay or wound you, should you fall into their hands.

In order to acquit yourself well in this exercise of the true knowledge of your own nothingness, observe the following rule:

“As often as you reflect upon yourself
and your own works and worth,
consider always what you are of yourself
and not what you are by the aid of God’s grace
and so, esteem yourself,
as you shall thus find yourself to be.”

Consider first the time before you were in existence and you will see yourself to have been, during all that abyss of eternity, a mere nothing and, that you did nothing and could have done nothing, towards giving yourself an existence!

Next, consider the time since you did receive a being from the sole bounty of God.
And here, also, if you leave to Him that which is His own, (His continual care of you which sustains you every moment of your life), what are you of yourself but still a mere nothing?!

For, undoubtedly, were He to leave you for one moment to yourself, you would instantly return to that first nothingness from whence you were drawn by His Almighty Hand.
It is plain that, in the order of nature and viewed in yourself alone, you have no reason to esteem yourself, or to desire the esteem of others!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VICE, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 9 March – Of the Devil’s Artifices, In Order to Draw Us Away, From the Path of Holiness (Part One)

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Thought for the Day – 9 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XXXI: … Of the Devil’s Artifices, In Order
to Draw Us Away, From the Path of Holiness
(Part One)

“The fourth device of the Evil One, when he sees us advancing steadily towards holiness, is, to excite within us, a variety of good desires that, by this means, he may lead us away from the exercise of virtue, into sin.

A sick person is perhaps bearing his illness with a patient will.
The cunning adversary knows that by this means, he may attain to a habit of patience and, he immediately sets before him all the good works which, in a different condition, he might be able to perform, and tries to persuade him that if he were but well, he would be able to serve God better and be more useful to himself and others.
Having once aroused such wishes within him, he goes on increasing them by degrees, until he makes the subject restless at the impossibility of carrying them into effect and, the deeper and stronger such wishes become, the more does this restlessness increase.
Then the enemy leads him on gently and with a stealthy step, to impatience at the sickness, not as sickness but as a hindrance to those good works which he so anxiously desires to perform for some greater good.
When he has brought him thus far, with the same art he removes from his mind the end he had in view, to serve God and perform good works and leaves him only, the bare desire to be rid of his sickness.
And then, if this does not happen according to his wish, he is so much troubled, as to become actually impatient and so, unconsciously, he falls from the virtue in which he was exercising himself, into the opposite vice.

The way to guard against and resist this snare, is, to be very careful, when in a state of trial, not to give way to desires after any good work which, being out of your power to execute, would very probably disquiet you.
In such cases, resign yourself, with all patience, resignation and humility, to the conviction, that your desires would not have the effect you think, inasmuch as you are far more insignificant and unstable, than you account yourself to be.

Or else believe that God, in His surer counsels, or on account of your unworthiness, is not pleased to accept this work at your hand but, will rather that you should patiently abase and humble yourself under the Gentle and Mighty Hand of His Will.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, GOD ALONE!, GOOD RESOLUTIONS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SELF-DISTRUST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 7 March – Of the Efforts of the Devil to Prevent the Conversion of Those Who Desire It (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 7 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XXIX: … Of the Efforts of the Devil to Prevent
the Conversion of Those Who Desire It
(Part Two)

“Prompt obedience, I say and not mere resolutions; for these are often fallacious and many have been deceived thereby through various causes:

+++ FIRST:
Because our resolutions are not founded upon self-distrust and trust in God, but our excessive pride, whence proceeds this blindness and delusion, prevents our perceiving it.
The light to see and the medicine to cure it, both proceed from the goodness of God, Who suffers us to fall that He may recall us thereby, from self-confidence to confidence in Him alone and from pride, to self-knowledge.
Your resolutions, therefore, to be effective, must be steadfast and to be steadfast, they must be free from all self-confidence and humbly based on confidence in God.

+++ SECOND:
When we are making our resolutions, we dwell on the beauty and excellence of virtue which attracts our will, slack and feeble as it is — but, when confronted by the difficulties which attend the attainment of virtue, the weak and untried, will fail and draw back.
Learn, therefore, to love the difficulties which attend the attainment of all virtues, more than even the virtues themselves and use these difficulties, in various measures, to strengthen your will, if you desire, in good earnest, to acquire thesm.
And know that the more courageously and lovingly you shall embrace these difficulties, the more speedy and complete shall be your victory over self and all your other enemies.

+++ THIRD:
In our resolutions, we too often look, rather to our own advantage than to the will of God and the acquisition of the virtues He requires of us.
This is frequently the case with resolutions made in times of great spiritual joy or acute sorrow, when we seem unable to find any relief but, in a resolution to give ourselves wholly to God and to the practice of virtue.
To avoid this snare, take care in times of spiritual consolation to be very cautious and humble in your resolutions, especially in your vows and promises and in tribulation, let your resolution be to bear your cross patiently, according to the will of God, nay, to exalt it, refusing all earthly and, if so be it, even all heavenly consolation.

Let your one desire, your one prayer, be that God would help you to bear all adverse things, keeping the virtue of patience unstained and giving no displeasure to your Lord.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/06/thought-for-the-day-6-march-of-the-efforts-of-the-devil-to-prevent-the-conversion-of-those-who-desire-it-part-one/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, Holy Name PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 7 March – St Thomas Aquinas

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Quote/s of the Day – 7 March – St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225-1274) Confessor, Doctor

“We are like children,
who stand in need of masters,
to enlighten us and direct us
and God has provided for this,
by appointing His Angels,
to be our teachers and guides.”

“To one who has faith,
no explanation is necessary.
To one without faith,
no explanations is possible.”

“Love takes up,
where knowledge leaves off.”

“If the highest aim of a Captain
were to preserve his ship,
he would keep it in Port, forever!”

“If then, you are looking for the way
by which you should go,
take Christ, for He, Himself, is the Way.”

“Happiness is secured through virtue;
it is a good attained by man’s own will.”

Grant Me Grace,
O Merciful God
Prayer of St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus & Doctor Communis
which he was accustomed to recite everyday
before the image of Christ.

Grant me grace,
O merciful God,
to desire ardently
all that is pleasing to Thee,
to examine it prudently,
to acknowledge it truthfully
and to accomplish it perfectly,
for the praise
and glory of Thy Name.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-march-st-thomas-aquinas/

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRAYER – O God, Who taught blessed Gabriel to meditate continually on the sorrows of Thy most sweet Mother and Who, through her, exalted him by the glory of a holy life and miracles; grant us, we beseech Thee, through his intercession and example so to share in the sorrows of Thy Mother that her motherly protection may save us. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).