Posted in CATHOLIC TIME, CONFESSION/PENANCE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for the NEW YEAR, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on TIME

Thought for the Day – 28 December – The Value of An Hour

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

The Value of An Hour

There are twenty four hours in a day, eight thousand seven hundred and sixty, in a year.
How have you spent all the hours which God has given you in the past?

How do you intend to use the hours which He will give you in the future?

When you examine the past, you will find much to regret.
Perhaps you have spent many hours in sin, in idle gossp, in useless or dangerous pastimes, or in innumerable business transactions, all of which will contribute NOTHING towards your eternal salvation, which should be our main concern in this life.

How much time have you spent thinking of God, your Creator and Redeemer?
How many hours have you devoted to prayer, thanksgiving and penance.
How many have you spent in apostolic work on behalf of your neighbour?
It may be that the service of God and your spiritual welfare have, so far, been the least of your worries, on which you have expended no more than the few odd moments left over from your other preoccupations.
You are well aware, nevertheless, that the purpose of life is to know, love and serve God.
You know that you ought to offer Him all your thoughts, affections and actions, for He alone can make your happy – or do you NOT know and believe this?

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on HOPE, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 November – But he who shall persevere to the end,he shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

Quote/s of the Day – 27 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” –Ferial of the Last Sunday after Pentecost – Colossians 1:9-14; Matthew 24:15-35 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Tell us when shall these things be?
and what shall be the sign of Thy Coming
and of the consummation of the world
? ”

Matthew 24:3

But he who shall persevere
to the end,
he shall be saved.

Matthew 24:13

They will see the Son of Man
coming in the clouds of Heaven
with much power and majesty.

Matthew 24:30

It is written, ‘God is not mocked.’ (Gal 6: 7)
Indeed, God cannot be mocked,
nor circumvented, nor deluded
by any man’s astute deceit. …
Let each of you, then, I beg you, brethren,
confess his fault while the sinner is yet in this world,
while Confession is still possible,
while the satisfaction and remission
granted by the Priests,
is still acceptable to God
!”

St Cyprian of Carthage (c200-258)
Martyr, Bishop of Carthage,
Father of the Church

Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope.
Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping,
so that the God of all the universe,
as He beholds our intention,
may cleanse us from all sins,
fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand
and grant us the change of heart which saves.
God has called you and you have your calling
!”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St JOSEPH, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 November – The Octave Day of All Saints

Quote/s of the Day – 8 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – The Octave Day of All Saints – Apocalypse 7:2-12; Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.

Matthew 5:8

The Almighty has concentrated in St Joseph,
as in a sun of unrivalled lustre,
the combined light and splendour
of all the other Saints.

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

Death to the Saints is not a punishment but a reward.
“For so He giveth His beloved sleep.” (Ps cxxvii: 3).
The death of him, who loves God,
is not called death but sleep, so he can truly say:
“I will lay me down in peace
and take my rest.
” (Ps iv: 9).

Cardinal St Fisher, as Saunders relates,
when about to die for the Faith,
put on the best clothes he had, saying, he was going to a wedding.
When he came in sight of the scaffold
he cast away his staff, saying:
“Make haste my feet, make haste, for we are not far from Paradise.”
And before dying he sang Te Deum,
in returning thanks to God, Who had allowed him
to die a Martyr’s death, for the holy Faith
and thus being filled with joy,
he placed his head under the axe.

St John Fisher (1469-1535)
Bishop, Martyr, Cardinal

Those in the Catholic Church,
whom some rebuke for praying to Saints
and going on pilgrimages,
do not seek any Saint as their saviour.
Instead, they seek Saints,
as those whom their Saviour loves
and whose intercession and prayer,
for the seeker, He will be content to hear.
For His Own sake,
He would have those He loves, honoured.
And when they are thus honoured for His sake,
then, the honour that is given them, for His sake,
overflows especially to Himself.

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr, Confessor

Let us read the lives of the Saints;
let us consider the penances
which they performed
and blush to be so effeminate
and so fearful of mortifying our flesh.

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

O Paradise! O Paradise!
By Fr Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)
Written in 1854

O Paradise! O Paradise!
Who doth not crave for rest?
Who would not seek the happy land,
Where they that loved are blest.

Where loyal hearts and true,
Stand ever in the Light,
All rapture through and through,
In God’s most holy sight?

O Paradise! O Paradise!
The world is growing old;
Who would not be at rest and free
Where love is never cold?
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
Wherefore doth death delay;
Bright death which is the welcome dawn
Of our eternal day;
Where loyal hearts, &c

O Paradise! O Paradise;
‘Tis weary waiting here;
I long to be, where Jesus is,
To feel, to see Him near.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
I want to sin no more!
I want to be as pure on earth
As on thy spotless shore.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
I greatly long to see
The special place my dearest Lord
Is furnishing for me.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

O Paradise! O Paradise!
I feel ’twill not be long;
Patience! I almost think I hear
Faint fragments of thy song.
Where loyal hearts, &c.

Tune: “Paradise” Joseph Barnby, 1856.

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, PURGATORY, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The HOLY SOULS

Thought for the Day – 4 November – More About the Sufferings of Purgatory

hought for the Day – 4 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

More About the Sufferings of Purgatory

If I were to die now, in which region of Purgatory should I be likely to be confined?
I have no way of knowing this but, there is something which I do know with certainty.
I know that I should avoid the slightest offence against God that I should expiate my past sins by prayer and penance and, that I should pray for the suffering souls in Purgatory, for this is a Work of Mercy which is most pleasing to God.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/04/thought-for-the-day-4-november-more-about-the-sufferings-of-purgatory/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/04/thought-for-the-day-4-november-more-about-the-sufferings-of-purgatory-2/

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on PURITY, The LAST THINGS

Thought for the Day – 2 November – “Purgatory”

Thought for the Day – 2 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Purgatory”

“Purgatory is the masterpiece of God’s justice and mercy.
St John tells us in the Apocalypse, that nothing defiled can enter into the Heavenly Jerusalem (Apoc 21:27).

There are very few, however, who are privileged to arrive at the supreme moment of death, still wearing their Baptismal robe of innocence.
Even the just man falls very often as the Holy Spirit warns us (Prov 24:16).
We all possess many failings and have been guilty of many sins, either mortal or venial.
It is true, that we can obtain forgiveness by penance and by receiving the Sacraments but, there still remains the temporal punishment due to our sins.
Neither the small penances imposed by the Confessor, nor our own tiny acts of voluntary mortification, are sufficient to satisfy our debt.
We cannot be certain, moreover, that we shall be able, at the hour of our death, to cleanse ourselves of all our sins, by means of one good Confession.
Even if we appear before the judgement seat of God without any grave faults, there will still, unfortunately, be many debts to be paid and many imperfections to be purified.

What then will happen to us?
The justice of God cannot admit us, imperfect and defiled as we are, into the everlasting happiness of the Beatific Vision.

Will He reject us, therefore, even as He rejects those who die in mortal sin and are condemned to eternal punishment?
This is unthinkable, for the mercy of God is as Infinite as His justice.
And so, there is Purgatory, where the souls of those who have died in the state of grace but, still scarred with imperfections and burdened with debts to be paid, can find a way of purifying themselves and, of making themselves worthy of an everlasting reward.

Let us thank God for this gift, the last link in the chain of His mercies, which enables us to prepare ourselves for our entry into the Beatific Vision.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Quote/s of the Day – 1 November – All Saints Day

Quote/s of the Day – 1 November – All Saints Day

Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.

Matthew 5:8

You say in your book that while we live,
we are able to pray for each other
but afterwards, when we have died,
the prayer of no person for another, can be heard.
But if the Apostles and Martyrs,
while still in the body, can pray for others,
at a time, when they ought still
to be solicitous, about themselves,
how much more will they do so,
after their crowns, victories and triumphs!?

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

I feel a longing and a need to become a Saint.
I did not know it was so easy to become one
but now I see one can be holy and happy too.
I feel I simply MUST become a Saint
!”

St Dominic (1170-1221)

Dismiss all anger and look into yourself a little.
Remember, he of whom you are speaking,
is your brother and, as he is in the way of salvation,
God can make him a Saint,
in spite of his present weakness!

St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555)

Let us read the lives of the Saints;
let us consider the penances
which they performed
and blush to be so effeminate
and so fearful of mortifying our flesh.

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

The chance to become a Saint
is offered me only once.
If I do not profit by it, it is gone forever.
Since I can have only once ,
the good fortune to become a Saint,
what shall hinder me
from labouring for that end?
I have every opportunity to sanctify myself.
Yes, I will be a Saint
!”

St Gerard Majella (1726-1755)

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales, St PETER!, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 14 October – ‘Serving Him purely for the love of His Will’

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

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

Matthew 16:16

Arise my soul
and review your deeds
which have preceded you.
Scrutinize them closely
and shed the rain of your tears,
declaring openly to Christ, our thoughts and deeds
so that you may be justified.

St Andrew of Crete (660-740)
Bishop, Father of the Church

We become what we love
and who we love
shapes what we become.”

St Clare (1194-1253)

The greater and more persistent
your confidence in God,
the more abundantly
you will receive,
all you ask for.

St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Universal Doctor of the Church

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

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 September – But he who shall persevere to the end,he shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

Quote/s of the Day – 19 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Januarius of Naples (Died c304) Confessor, Bishop, Martyr and his Martyred Companions – Hebrews 10:32-38 – Matthew 24:3-13 – cripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Tell us when shall these things be?
and what shall be the sign of Thy Coming
and of the consummation of the world
? ”

Matthew 24:3

But he who shall persevere
to the end,
he shall be saved.

Matthew 24:13

It is written, ‘God is not mocked.’ (Gal 6: 7)
Indeed, God cannot be mocked,
nor circumvented, nor deluded
by any man’s astute deceit. …
Let each of you, then, I beg you, brethren,
confess his fault while the sinner is yet in this world,
while Confession is still possible,
while the satisfaction and remission
granted by the Priests,
is still acceptable to God
!”

St Cyprian of Carthage (c200-258)
Martyr, Bishop of Carthage,
Father of the Church

Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope.
Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping,
so that the God of all the universe,
as He beholds our intention,
may cleanse us from all sins,
fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand
and grant us the change of heart which saves.
God has called you and you have your calling
!”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on WATCHING, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The HOLY NAME, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

Quote/s of the Day – 16 September – St Cyprian of Carthage

Quote/s of the Day – 16 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of Saint Corneliu, Pope & Martyr and Saint Cyprian, Bishop & Martyr

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

Apostolic Father of the Church

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

He not only receives and pardons ,
those adversaries,
those blasphemers,
those persistent enemies of His Name,
provided they do PENANCE
for their offences
and acknowledge the CRIIMES committed
BUT, He admits them to the reward
of the Kingdom of Heaven!”

God’s Merciful Design has warned us
that the day of our own struggle,
our own contest, is at hand!
By that shared love
which binds us close together,
we are doing all we can,
to exhort our congregation,
to give ourselves unceasingly to fastings,
vigils and prayers in common.
These are the heavenly weapons
which give us the strength to stand firm and endure;
they are the spiritual defences,
the God-given armaments which protect us.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/09/16/quote-s-of-the-day-16-september-st-cyprian-of-carthage/

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

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Quote/s of the Day – 5 September – St Lawrence Justinian

Quote/s of the Day – 5 September – St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455) Bishop and Patriarch of Venice, Confessor

By the practice of prayer,
we can construct an impregnable citadel,
in which we shall be securely protected
against all the snares of the enemy.

He cannot help sorrowing
for other’s sins, who truly sorrows
for his own.

The name of Mary istruly a tower of strength
which saves sinners from punishment
and defends the just
from the assaults of hell.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/09/05/quote-s-of-the-day-5-september-st-lawrence-justinian-3/

St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455)

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The LAST THINGS

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

Quote/s of the Day – 28 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Feast of St Augustine (354-430) Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of Grace

Behold, thy mother
John 19:27

His Mother is the entire Church
because by God’s grace,
she brings forth the members of Jesus Christ,
that is to say, those who are faithful to Him.
His Mother is also every holy soul
who does the Will of His Father
and whose fruitful charity is made manifest
in those whom it brings forth for Him
until He Himself is formed in them
(Gal 4:19)…”

Be you then also ready,
for at what hour you think not,
the Son of man will come.

Luke 12:40

The more unsure the day of our death is,
the more painful are the trials of life and the more too,
we should fast and pray since,
to all intents and purposes, tomorrow we die.
Even now, the hope we thus put
in the One Who is faithful to His promise,
will not leave us without some joy,
until we are filled with overwhelming joy
on the day when “we shall be like Him
because we shall see Him as He is” (1Jn 3:2),
when “no-one shall take our joy away from us”

Give of your earthly goods
and receive eternal ones;
give earth and receive Heaven
!”

Judge your own conscience.
Demand an account from it.
Dig deep and rend it apart.
Discover all the evil thoughts
and intentions of the day …
and punish yourself for them
!”
(Expos in Ps 4 n 8).

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
!”

Late Have I Loved Thee!
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

Late have I loved Thee,
Beauty ever ancient and ever new,
late have I loved Thee!
Lo, Thou were within
but I outside,
seeking there for Thee
and upon the shapely things
Thou hast made
I rushed headlong – I, misshapen.
Thou wast with me
but I was tnot with Thee.
They held me back far from Thee,
those things which would have no being,
were they not in Thee.
Thou called, shouted,
broke through my deafness.
Thou flared, blazed,
banished my blindness.
Thou lavished Thy fragrance,
I gasped
and now I pant for Thee.
I tasted Thee
and now I hunger and thirst.
Thou touched me
and I burned for Thy peace.
Amen

May we listen too, to the Voice of the Lord
which, from on high, exhorts and consoles us.
… For He has heard our groaning,
He has seen our sighs,
He has sounded the desires of our hearts for
“the one thing we ask” (v.4).
Thanks to Christ’s intercession,
He has favourably received our one prayer,
our one request.
And while we are completing our pilgrimage
in this world, even as the road is a long one,
He will not refuse what He has promised.
He says to us: “Hope in the Lord.”
He Who has promised is all powerful,
He is trustworthy, He is faithful.
… Therefore, do not let yourself be troubled.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/08/28/quote-s-of-the-day-28-august-st-augustine-3/

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

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PURITY

Quote/s of the Day – 7 August – St Cajetan

Quote/s of the Day – 7 August – St Cajetan (1480-1547) Confessor

Even if all the Saints
and every single creature
should abandon you,
Jesus will always be near you,
for whatever your need.”

There is no road to Heaven
but that of innocence or penance.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/08/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-august-st-cajetan-3/

St Cajetan (1480-1547)

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, MARIAN PRAYERS, ON the SAINTS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SACRILEGE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, St JOSEPH

Quote/s of the Day – 2 August – St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Quote/s of the Day – 2 August – St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

He loves you as though He had
no-one else to love but you alone.
You, too, should love Him alone
and all others for His Sake.
Of Him you may say and, indeed, you should say:
My Beloved to me and I to Him (Cant, 2:16).
My God has given Himself all to me
and I give myself all to Him;
He has chosen me for His beloved
and I choose Him, above all others,
for my only Love.”

Sacrilegious tongues blaspheme the God
Who preserves their existence!
… you should be damned forever
and, instead of thanking Him for His goodness,
you, at the very time
that He bestows His favours upon you,
YOU blaspheme His Holy Name
!”

Let us read the lives of the Saints;
let us consider the penances
which they performed
and blush to be so effeminate
and so fearful of mortifying our flesh.

Since we all must die,
we should cherish a special devotion to St Joseph
that he may obtain for us a happy death.”

Jesus, My Saviour, Help Me!
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

Jesus, my Saviour, help me!
I am resolved truly to love Thee
and to leave all, to please Thee.
Help me to free myself
from everything which hinders me
from belonging wholly to Thee,
Who has loved me so much.
By thy prayers, O Mother Mary,
which are so powerful with God,
obtain for me this grace,
to belong wholly to God.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/08/02/quote-s-of-the-day-2-august-st-alphonsus-maria-de-liguori-2/

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

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE

Quote/s of the Day – 22 July – ‘ … And God saw, by their actions, how they turned from their evil ways … ‘

Quote/s of the Day – 22 July – St Mary Magdalen (1st Century) Penitent – Song 3:2-5; 8:6-7, Luke 7:36-50.

She began to bathe His feet with her tears
and wiped them with the hair of her head
and kissed His feet
and anointed them with ointment.

Luke 7:38

And God saw, by their actions,
how they turned from their evil ways
and the Lord, our God,
had mercy upon His people.

Jonas 3:10

To whom shall the Lord say,
“Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven”? (Mt 5:3)
It is yours if you want it,
if your choice is set upon God.
It is yours, if you will only believe
and follow the essence of the message,
just as the Ninevites obeyed the message of the Prophet
and obtained a gracious salvation
thanks to their sincere repentance,
instead of the destruction
which threatened them!

St Clement of Alexandria (c150-c215)

O Heavenly Father, have compassion for my cry
as Thou did for the prodigal son,
for I, too, am throwing myself at Thy feet
and crying aloud as he cried:
“Father, I have sinned!”
Do not reject me,
Thy unworthy child, O my Saviour
but cause Thy Angels
to rejoice too, on my behalf,
O God of goodness Thou,
Who desires that all should be saved.

St Romanos Melodios (c490-c 556)
Monk, Composer of hymns, Poet

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE

Thought for the Day – 21 July – The Examination of Conscience

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

The Examination of Conscience

Pope St Pius X holds great authority for a Christian.
In his Exhortatio ad Clerum, he strongly recommends the Examination of Conscience, especially at the close of the day.
This Examination, he says, is necessary for Priests but it is no less necessary for the laity.
He recalls the apt words of St Augustine:
Judge your own conscience.
Demand an account from it.
Dig deep and rend it apart.
Discover all the evil thoughts and intentions of the day … and punish yourself for them!
 (Expos in Ps 4 n 8).
He also quotes the equally relevant words of St Bernard:
Be a searching inquirer into your own integrity of life; examine your conduct everyday.
See how much you have advanced, or, how much you have fallen back …
Learn to know yourself. …
Place all your faults before your eyes.
Stand before yourself, as if it were before someone else and you will find reason to weep over yourself!”
 (Meditat Cap 5 de quotidiano sui ipsius examine).

The Saintly Pontiff concludes his inspiring address as follows: “Experience has proven that anyone who makes a strict examination of his thoughts, words and actions, is more firmly resolved to hate and avoid what is evil and wholeheartedly to love what is good” (Acta Pii X, IV p257).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/28/thought-for-the-day-28-february-the-examination-of-conscience/

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 22 July – Departing from Egypt

Quote/s of the Day – 22 July – St Mary Magdalen (1st Century) Penitent – Song 3:2-5; 8:6-7, Luke 7:36-50.

She began to bathe His feet with her tears
and wiped them with the hair of her head
and kissed His feet
and anointed them with ointment.

Luke 7:38

And God saw, by their actions,
how they turned from their evil ways
and the Lord, our God,
had mercy upon His people.

Jonas 3:10

To whom shall the Lord say,
“Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven”? (Mt 5:3)
It is yours if you want it,
if your choice is set upon God.
It is yours, if you will only believe
and follow the essence of the message,
just as the Ninevites obeyed the message of the Prophet
and obtained a gracious salvation
thanks to their sincere repentance,
instead of the destruction
which threatened them
!”

St Clement of Alexandria (c150-c215)

O Heavenly Father, have compassion for my cry
as Thou did for the prodigal son,
for I, too, am throwing myself at Thy feet
and crying aloud as he cried:
“Father, I have sinned!”
Do not reject me,
Thy unworthy child, O my Saviour
but cause Thy Angels
to rejoice too, on my behalf,
O God of goodness Thou,
Who desires that all should be saved.

St Romanos Melodios (c490-c 556)
Monk, Composer of hymns, Poet

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

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

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN QUOTES, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 4 July – St Andrew of Crete

Quote/s of the Day – 4 July – The Feast of St Andrew of Crete (c660-c740) Bishop, Father of the Church

Then, let us run with Him as He presses on to His Passion.
Let us imitate those who have gone out to meet Him,
not scattering olive branches
or garments or palms in His path
but spreading ourselves before Him as best we can,
with humility of soul and upright purpose.
So may we welcome the Word as He comes (Jn 1:9);
so may God, Who cannot be contained within any bounds,
be contained within us.
For He is pleased to have shown us this gentleness,
He, Who is gentle and who “rides upon the setting sun”
(Ps 56:12) which refers to our extreme lowliness.
He is pleased to come and live with us
and to raise us up or bring us back to Himself.

Arise my soul
and review your deeds
which have preceded you.
Scrutinize them closely
and shed the rain of your tears,
declaring openly to Christ, our thoughts and deeds
so that you may be justified.

Being thy servant, O Mary,
is a surety of salvation
which God grants solely,
to those He will save
!”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/07/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-july-st-andrew-of-crete-2/

St Andrew of Crete (660-740)
Bishop, Father of the Church

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CONFESSION/PENANCE, CONFESSORS, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PATRONAGE, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, St PAUL!, St PETER!, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 June –Whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth … Matthew 16:19

One Minute Reflection – 29 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles – Within the Octave of the Sacred Heart – Pentecost III – Acts 12:1-11 – Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven.” – Matthew 16:19

REFLECTION – “Bridegroom and Bride, that is Christ and the Church, are as one, be it in receiving confession or in bestowing absolution. All this makes clear why Christ had to tell each of us: “Go, show yourself to the priest” (Mt 8,4)… It follows that apart from Christ, the Church cannot grant forgiveness and that Christ has no will to forgive, apart from the Church. The Church’s authority to forgive extends only to the repentant, to those, that is, whom Christ has already touched; Christ, on His part, has no intention of regarding as forgiven, one who despises the Church.

Doubtless, Christ need accept no restraints to His power of Baptising, Consecrating the Eucharist, Ordaining Priests, forgiving sins and the like but, the humble and faithful Bridegroom, prefers to confer such blessings, with the co-operation of His Bride. “What God,” then, “has joined, let no man put asunder” (Mt 19,6). “I say this is a great mystery and refers to Christ and the Church” (Eph 5,32)… To remove the Head from the Body (Col 1,18) were to ruin the whole Christ, irreparably. Christ, apart from the Church, is no more the whole Christ, than the Church is complete, if separated from Christ. Head and Body go to make the whole and entire Christ.” – Bl Isaac of Stella (c 1100 – c 1170) Cistercian Monk, Abbot, Theologian, Philosopher (Sermon 11, §11-814).

PRAYER – O God, Who made this day holy by the Martyrdom of Thy Apostles Peter and Paul, grant Thy Church to follow in all things the teaching of those from whom she first received the faith. 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).

ALL PRAISE, honour and glory to the Divine Heart of JESUS. Indulgenced– 50 Days, once a day. 168 Pope Leo XIII, 14 June 1901.

Posted in BAPTISM, CHRIST the LIGHT, CONFESSION/PENANCE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, St JOHN the BAPTIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 June – What … shall this child be?

One Minute Reflection – 24 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus”– Within the Corpus Christi Octave – The Nativity of St John the Baptist – Isaias 49:1-3, 5-7 – Luke 1:57-68 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

What … shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.” – Luke 1:66

REFLECTION – “Rightly then, did the birth of this child make many rejoice then and does make many rejoice today – born in the old age of his parents, he was to preach the grace of rebirth to an aging world. Rightly does the Church solemnly venerate this birth which is wonderfully brought about by grace and, at which nature wonders.

To me certainly, the birth of the world’s Lamp (Jn 5:35) brings fresh joy, for it enabled me to recognise the true Light shining in the darkness but not mastered by the darkness, (Jn1:5.9). His birth brings me a joy utterly unspeakable, for so many outstanding benefits accrue to the world through it.
He is the first to give the Church instruction, to initiate it by penance, to prepare it by Baptism. When it is prepared, he delivers it to Christ and unites it with Him, (Jn 3:29). He both trains it to live temperately and, by his own death, gives it the strength to die with fortitude. In all these ways, he prepares a perfect people for the Lord. (Lk 1:17).” – Bl Guerric of Igny (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (Sermon 1 for Saint John the Baptist).

PRAYER – O God, Who made this a day most worthy of our celebration because of blessed John; grant Thy people the grace of spiritual joys and direct the minds of all the faithful into the path of eternal salvation. T hrough Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Sweet Heart of my JESUS, Make me love Thee ever more and more!
INDULGENCE – 300 Days. i. Partial, Every time ii. Plenary, once a month. Pope Pius IX, 26 November 1876 Raccolta 162

Posted in ACT of LOVE, ACT of REPARATION, CONFESSION/PENANCE, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS

Thought for the Day – 18 June – The Sacred Heart of Jesus Pierced by a Crown of Thorns

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

The Crown of Thorns Which Surrounds the Sacred Heart

There are many ways of showing our love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of making reparation for our sins and for the sins of mankind.
We can console ourselves with the reflection, that by these acts of love and reparation, we are removing the thorns which encircle and pierce the Heart of Jesus.
The simplest ways of doing this, are by prayers, aspirations and expressions of love, directed towards the adorable Heart of our Redeemer and, by visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
In silence and recollection, before the Tabernacle, we shall feel the Heart of Jesus, beating with love and, shall offer in return, for His infinite love, the affection of our poor hearts.

We can also receive Holy Communion in reparation.
When Jesus is in us and we are in Jesus, it will be easier and more pleasant, to offer Him our love and expiation.
We can make reparation also, by practising the devotion of the First Fridays of the month.
This pious practice, so pleasing to the Heart of Jesus, aims at being a mass offering of love and reparation, for the sins of the entire human race!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/09/thought-for-the-day-9-june-the-crown-of-thorns-which-surrounds-the-sacred-heart/

Posted in CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CONFESSION/PENANCE, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on WATCHING, The BEATITUDES, The SECOND COMING

Quote/s of the Day – 12 June – Keep your lamps burning …

Quote/s of the Day – 12 June – Ecclesiasticus i 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

“ … The Bridegroom came
and they, who were ready,
went in with Him …
 ”

Matthew 25:10

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)

If they, must regard themselves
as useless servants, who have done all their duty,
what must I do, who have done
so small a part of what I ought to have done
?”

St Andrew Avellino CR (1521–1608)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

One Minute Reflection – 7 April – ‘ … It is yours if you want it, if your choice is set upon God. …’

One Minute Reflection – 7 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Monday in Passion Week – Ferial Day – Jonas 3:1-10 – John 7:32-39 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

And God saw, by their actions, how they turned from their evil ways and the Lord, our God, had mercy upon His people.” – Jonas 3:10

REFLECTION – “Let us therefore repent, and pass from ignorance to true knowledge, from foolishness to wisdom, from unrighteousness to righteousness, from godlessness to God. The enjoyment of many other good things comes from this, to which God Himself alludes, speaking by Isaiah: “There is an inheritance for those who serve the Lord” (54:17). Not gold and silver, nor that which moth destroys and thieves steal (Mt 6:19) but the inestimable treasure of salvation … This is the inheritance with which God’s eternal covenant invests us, assuring us of His gifts and thus, our tenderly loving Father ceases not to exhort, to train, to love and to save us. “Become righteous” says the Lord. “All you who are thirsty, come to the water and you who have no money, come buy without money and drink” (Is 55:1). He invites us to the purifying bath, to salvation, to illumination … The Saints of the Lord shall inherit the glory of God and His power, a glory which “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, and which has not entered the human heart” (1Cor 2,9)…

You have this Divine Promise of grace; you have heard, on the other hand, of the threats of punishment – by these two ways the Lord saves … Why do we delay? Why do we not receive the free gift? Why do we not choose the better part? … “Behold,” He says, “I have set before you death and life” (Dt 30:15). The Lord tries to make you choose life. He counsels you like a father …

To whom shall the Lord say, “Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven”? (Mt 5:3) It is yours if you want it, if your choice is set upon God. It is yours, if you will only believe and follow the essence of the message, just as the Ninevites obeyed the message of the Prophet and obtained a gracious salvation thanks to their sincere repentance, instead of the destruction which threatened them!” – St Clement of Alexandria (c150-c215) Father, Theologian and Philosopher, Professor who taught at the Catechetical School of Alexandria. Among his pupils were Origen and Alexander of Jerusalem. (Against the Heathen Ch 10 ).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who have celebrated the Paschal Feast, may, by Thy bounty, retain its fruits in our daily habits and behaviour. 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 WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 April – Awaken and Arise!

Quote/s of the Day – 3 April –Thursday of the Fourth Week in Lent – Ferial Day – 4 Kings 4:25-38 – Luke 7:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Young man,
I say to thee,
arise!

Luke 7:14

I shall arise and shall go to my Father

Luke 15:18

Thy sins are forgiven thee …
Arise and walk.

Luke 5:23

Awake, O Sleeper and Rise from the Dead

Ephesians 5:14

As the prodigal son,
I will return to my Father’s house
and I will be welcomed back home.
I shall do the same, as he did –
will the Father not grant my prayer too?
O forgiving Father, here I am at Thy door
and I knock, open to me, let me enter,
so that I may not ruin myself, go away and die!
Thou made me Thy heir
and I neglected my inheritance
and squandered my goods –
from now on, may I be as a mercenary
and as a servant to Thee.

St Jacob of Sarug (c451-521)
Bishop, Theologian, Poet, Writer, Father

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

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

What better penance
can a heart do
which commits faults,
than to submit
to a continual abnegation
of self-will?

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

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 29 March – From NOW on …

Quote/s of the Day – 29 March – Saturday of the 3rd Week in Lent – Ferial Day – Daniel 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62 – John 8:1-11

Go and from now on,
sin no more

John 8:11

The Lord did condemn, therefore
but He condemned the sin, not the sinner…
Let them be careful, then, those who love
the goodness in the Lord
but who fear His truthfulness …
The Lord is gracious, t
he Lord is slow to anger,
the Lord is merciful BUT the Lord is also JUST
and the Lord is abounding in TRUTH (Ps 85:15).
… This, then, is the meaning of the words
He addresses to this woman,
“Neither do I condemn you but, having been
made secure concerning the past,
be on your guard in the future.
I, for My part, will not condemn you,
I have blotted out what you have done;
keep what I have commanded
that you may gain what I have promised
!”

You do not know
when your last day may come.
You are an ingrate!
Why not use the day, today,
that God has given you
to repen
t?”

The sky and the earth and the waters
and the things which are in them, the fishes
and the birds and the trees are not evil.
All these are good;
it is evil men who make this evil world.

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

Our God, … being good and merciful,
wants us to confess [our sins] in this world,
so that we may not be ashamed
because of them in the next.
So if we confess them then,
He, on His part,
shows Himself to be merciful;
if we acknowledge them,
then He forgives
… ”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)
Bishop and Monk

Oh, what peril attaches to sin, wilfully committed!
For it is so difficult for man to bring himself to penance
and without penitence,
guilt remains and will ever remain,
so long as man retains unchanged,
the will to sin,
or is intent upon committing it.

St Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CARMELITES, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JESUIT SJ, LENT, LENT- 2025, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LUST, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, SELF-DISTRUST, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 22 March – Make two wings

Quote/s of the Day – 22 March – Saturday of the Second Week in Lent, A Day of Fasting

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

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

Do you wish your prayer
to fly toward God?
Make for it two wings –
fasting and almsgiving!

Fasting cleanses the soul,
raises the mind,
subjects one’s flesh to the spirit,
renders the heart contrite and humble,
scatters the clouds of concupiscence,
quenches the fire of lust
and kindles the true light of chastity.
Enter again into yourself!”

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

Be generous to the poor orphans
and those in need.
The man to whom our Lord
has been liberal
ought not to be stingy.
We shall one day find in Heaven,
as much rest and joy
as we ourselves have dispensed in this life.

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

It is a matter of real sorrow
when God has given us strength
to break stronger fetters,
those of vanity and sin
that we neglect our own progress
and the attainment of such great blessings
because we will not detach ourselves from trifles.
Not only do we not advance, we fall back.
For it is well known, that on the spiritual road,
not to go on overcoming self, is to go backwards
and not to increase our gain, is to lose!

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

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, GOD ALONE!, HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 26 February – St Margaret of Cortona (1247–1297) Penitent

Quote/s of the Day – 26 February – St Margaret of Cortona (1247–1297) Penitent

This morning, my soul is greater
than the universe, since it possesses Thee,
Thou Whom Heaven and earth cannot contain
!”

Hide nothing from your Confessor …
a sick man can only be cured
by revealing his wounds
.”

In times of desolation,
God conceals Himself from us
so that we may discover, for ourselves,
what we are without Him.

St Margaret of Cortona (1247–1297)
Penitent

Posted in CATECHESIS, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, St PAUL!, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 February – Running the Race

Quote/s of the Day – 19 February – – Ferial Day – Septuagesima – 1 Corinthians 9,24-27.10; 1-5 – Matthew 20,1-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Know you not that they,
who run in the race,
all run indeed but one receiveth the prize?
So run that you may obtain.”

St Paul – 1 Corinthians 9:24

What determines that the gifts of God dwells in us,
is the measure of each one’s faith.
Because, it is to the extent that we believe
that the enthusiasm to act is given us.
And so, those who act,
reveal the measure of their faith
proportionate to their action,
they receive their measure of grace
according to what they have believed
. …”

St Maximus the Confessor (c580-662)
Father of the Church

Since happiness is nothing else
than the enjoyment of the Supreme Good
and the Supreme Good is above us,
no-one can enjoy happiness,
unless he rises above himself.

St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Franciscan Seraphic Doctor of the Church

Be brave and try to detach your heart
from worldly things.
Do your utmost to banish darkness
from your mind and come to understand
what true, selfless piety is.
Through confession, endeavour
to purify your heart of anything
which may still taint it.
Enliven your faith which is essential
to understand and achieve piety.

St John Bosco (1815-1888)

Posted in "Follow Me", CONFESSION/PENANCE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TIME, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 1 February – St Ignatius of Antioch

Quote/s of the Day – 1 February – – St Ignatius of Antioch (c35 – c107) Martyr, Bishop of Antioch, Apostolic Father of the Church

It is impossible for a man to be freed
from the habit of sin,
before he hates it, just as it is impossible
to receive forgiveness,
before confessing his trespasses.

Take heed, often, to come together,
to give thanks to God
and show forth His praise.
For when you assemble frequently,
in the same place,
the powers of Satan are destroyed
and the destruction at which he aims,
is prevented, by the unity of your faith.

A Christian is not his own master,
since all his time belongs to God.

I would rather die and come to Jesus Christ
than be king over the entire earth.
Him I seek, Who Died for us;
Him I love, Who Rose again because of us.

Pray without ceasing
on behalf of other men…
For cannot he who falls
rise again
?”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/02/01/quote-s-of-the-day-1-february-st-ignatius-of-antioch-2/

St Ignatius of Antioch (c35–c107)
Bishop, Martyr, Apostolic Father

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SELF-DISTRUST, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 31 January – St John Bosco

Quote/s of the Day – 31 January – St John Bosco “Don Bosco” SDB (1815-1888) Priest, Confessor, Founder.

Be brave and try to detach your heart
from worldly things.
Do your utmost to banish darkness
from your mind and come to understand
what true, selfless piety is.
Through confession, endeavour
to purify your heart of anything
which may still taint it.
Enliven your faith which is essential
to understand and achieve piety.”

If one is to do good,
he must have a little courage,
be ready for sacrifice,
deal affably with all
and never slight anybody.
By following this method,
I have always had significant success,
in fact, marvellous success!

Your mortification should be
your diligence in doing your duties
and in putting up with
the annoyances of others.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/31/quote-s-of-the-day-31-january-st-john-bosco-3/

St John Bosco (1815-1888)

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 25 January – Rise from the Dead

Quote/s of the Day – 25 January – Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, Apostle – Acts 9:1-22, Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

Acts 9:4

Awake, O Sleeper and Rise from the Dead

Ephesians 5:14

It is written, ‘God is not mocked.’ (Gal 6: 7)
Indeed, God cannot be mocked,
nor circumvented, nor deluded
by any man’s astute deceit. …
Let each of you, then, I beg you, brethren,
confess his fault while the sinner is yet in this world,
while Confession is still possible,
while the satisfaction and remission
granted by the Priests,
is still acceptable to God
!”

St Cyprian of Carthage (c200-258)
Martyr, Bishop of Carthage,
Father of the Church

Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope.
Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping,
so that the God of all the universe,
as He beholds our intention,
may cleanse us from all sins,
fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand
and grant us the change of heart which saves.
God has called you and you have your calling
!”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O Heavenly Father, have compassion for my cry
as Thou did for the prodigal son,
for I, too, am throwing myself at Thy feet
and crying aloud as he cried:
“Father, I have sinned!”
Do not reject me,
Thy unworthy child, O my Saviour
but cause Thy Angels
to rejoice too, on my behalf,
O God of goodness Thou,
Who desires that all should be saved.

St Romanos Melodios (c490-c556)
Monk, Composer of hymns, Poet

Truly, matters in the world,
are in a bad state
but if you and I begin, in earnest,
to reform ourselves,
a really good beginning
will have been made.

St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562)