Category: DEVOTIO

Posted in DEVOTIO, MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

GOOD FRIDAY – FAST and ABSTINENCE, Tre Ore (The Three Hours Devotion), Santa Maria El Puig / Our Lady of Puig, Valencia, Spain and Memorials of the Saints – 7 April

Posted on by AnaStpaul

GOOD FRIDAY – FAST and ABSTINENCE

Tre Ore (The Three Hours Devotion)
The Three Hours’ Agony on Good Friday from Noon until 3 o’clock to commemorate the three hours of Christ’s Hanging at the Cross.
It includes sermons on the Seven Last Words from the Cross and usually occurs between Noon and 3PM, the latter being the time when Jesus Died on the Cross and the time the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion begins.
In 1815, Pope Pius VII decreed a plenary indulgence to those who practice this devotion on Good Friday.

It is a fine tradition to keep silent
from Noon to 3:00 PM today.

Santa Maria El Puig / Our Lady of Puig, Valencia, Spain, Patron of Valencia and the Spanish Army – 7 April:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/07/easter-wednesday-our-lady-of-puig-valencia-spain-and-memorials-of-the-saints-7-april/

St Albert of Tournai
Bl Alexander Rawlins
St Brenach of Carn-Engyle
St Calliopus of Pompeiopolis
Bl Cristoforo Amerio
St Cyriaca of Nicomedia
St Donatus of North Africa

Blessed Edward Oldcorne SJ (1561-1607) Priest Martyr. Edward Oldcorne was Beatified on 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/07/saint-of-the-day-7-april-blessed-edward-oldcorne-sj-1561-1607-priest-martyr/

St Epiphanius the Martyr
St Finian of Kinnitty
St George the Younger
St Gibardus of Luxeuil
St Goran
St Guainerth
St Hegesippus of Jerusalem

St Henry Walpole SJ (1558–1595) Martyr, Priest of the Society of Jesus, Martyr, Confessor, Poet, Lawyer.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/07/saint-of-the-day-7-april-saint-henry-walpole-sj-1558-1595-martyr/

Saint Hermann Joseph O.Praem (c1150-1241) Priest, Friar of the Order of of Canons Regular of Prémontré (the Norbertines or White Canons), Mystic

Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta (1878-1905) Italian professed Religious who served as a member of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Missionary to China. Patronages – Missionaries, against typhus. Blessed Maria Assunta was Beatified on 7 November 1954 by Pope Pius XII.
Her body is incorrupt.
About Bl Maria Assunta:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/07/saint-of-the-day-7-april-blessed-maria-assunta-pallotta-1878-1905/

St Peleusius of Alexandria
Bl Ralph Ashley
St Rufinus the Martyr
St Saturninus of Verona
Bl Ursuline of Parma

Martyrs of Pentapolis – 4 Saints: A Bishop, Deacon and two Lectors at Pentapolis, Lybia who for their faith were tortured, had their tongues cut out, and were left for dead. They survived and each died years later of natural causes; however, because they were willing to die and because there were attempts to kill them, they are considered martyrs. We know little else except their names – Ammonius, Irenaeus, Serapion and Theodore c 310 at Pentapolis, Lybia.

Martyrs of Sinope – 200 Saints: 200 Christian soldiers Martyred together for their faith. We don’t even have their names. They were martyred in Sinope, Pontus, Asia Minor (in modern Turkey).

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Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DEVOTIO, GOD the FATHER, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on REPARATION, The HOLY FACE

Quote/s of the Day – 21 February – Devotion to The Holy Face

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 February – Feast of the Holy Face

As part of the preparations for Lent, it is appropriate to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Face by spending some time before the Blessed Sacrament and reciting the prayers of reparation.
In addition, the repetition of this Devotion each Tuesday in Lent maybe a means of drawing closer to Our Lord during this time of more intense prayer and conversion.

TAKEN FROM THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF SR MARY OF ST PETER OCD (1816-1848).

“Do you see how I suffer? Yet, very few understand Me. Those who say they love Me are very ungrateful! I have given My Heart as the sensible object of My great love to men and I give My Face as the sensible object of My sorrow for all the sins of men. I wish that it be venerated by a special Feast on Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. I wish that the Feast be preceded by a Novena in which the faithful make reparation with Me, joining together and sharing in My sorrow.”

Offering of the Holy Face
of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
in Reparation to God the Father

Eternal Father,
turn away Thy angry gaze from Thou guilty people
whose face has become unsightly in Thy eyes.
Look instead upon the Face of Thy beloved Son,
in Whom Thou art well pleased.
We now offer Thee,
this Holy Face, covered with shame
and disfigured by bloody wounds,
in reparation for the crimes of our age,
in order to appease Thy anger,
justly provoked against us.
Because, Thy Divine Son, our Redeemer,
hast taken upon His Head
all the sins of His members
that they might be spared,
we now beg Thee, Eternal Father,
to grant us mercy.
Amen.

An Aspiration to the Eternal Father
to be Frequently Recited During the Day …

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Holy Face of Jesus,
covered with blood, sweat, dust and spittle,
in reparation for our sins
and the sins of the whole world.

The Eight Promises of Jesus
To Those Who Honour His Holy Face

  1. All those who honour My Face in a spirit of reparation, will by so doing, perform the office of the pious Veronica. According to the care they take in making reparation to My Face, disfigured by blasphemers, so will I take care of their souls which have been disfigured by sin. My Face is the seal of the Divinity, which has the virtue of reproducing in souls, the image of God.
  2. Those, who by words, prayers or writing, defend My cause in this Work of Reparation, I will defend before My Father and will give them My Kingdom.
  3. By offering My Face to My Eternal Father, nothing will be refused and the conversion of many sinners will be obtained.
  4. By My Holy Face, they will work wonders, appease the anger of God and draw down mercy on sinners.
  5. As in a kingdom, they can procure all that is desired with a coin stamped with the King’s effigy, so, in the Kingdom of Heaven, they will obtain all they desire, with the precious coin of My Holy Face.
  6. Those who, on earth, contemplate the wounds of My Face shall, in Heaven, behold it radiant with glory.
  7. They will receive in their souls, a bright and constant irradiation of My Divinity, that by their likeness to My Face, they shall shine with particular splendour in Heaven.
  8. I will defend them, I will preserve them and I assure them of Final Perseverance.
Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, DEVOTIO, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, LENT 2023, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, NOVENAS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY FACE, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face – The First Day – 13 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Preparation
Novena to the Holy Face
To end on Shrove Tuesday,
The Feast of the Holy Face

For so many, Shrove Tuesday is a date on the calendar that is often overshadowed by Ash Wednesday that memorable day we wear the outward sign of repentance and recall our mortality. How much more meaningful will our Ash Wednesday be, if we first mark Shrove Tuesday as a Feast of the Holy Face, concluding the Novena we began in the time of preparation and beginning Lent more in love with the Countenance of Christ and, through Him, made more beautiful in our own soul. AMEN,
Let us Pray ………….

“I firmly wish that My Face reflecting the intimate pains of My Soul, the suffering and love of My Heart, be more honoured! Whoever gazes upon Me already consoles Me.” – (Our Lord Jesus Christ to Sister Pierina)

“All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … (Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude)

This Novena prayer may be said at any time but especially in the nine days leading up to the Feast of the Holy Face on Shrove Tuesday. The first Medal of the Holy Face was offered to Pope Pius XII who approved the Devotion and the Medal. In 1958, he formally declared the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus as Shrove Tuesday.

(Console the Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) below.
Psalm 51:3-4.
Have mercy on me, O God in Thy goodness,
in Thy great tenderness wipe away my faults,
wash me clean of my guilt, purify me from my sin.

DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER

O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity,
through the intercession of Holy Mary,
whose soul was pierced through
by a sword of sorrow
at the sight of the Passion of her Divine Son,
we ask Thy help,
in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus,
united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment.
We now implore all the Angels and Saints
to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena
to the Most Holy Face of Jesus
and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen

THE FIRST DAY:

PRAYER:
O most Holy Face of Jesus,
look with tenderness on us who are sinners.
You are a merciful God,
full of love and compassion.
Keep us pure of heart,
so that we may see Thee always.
Mary, our Mother,
intercede for us,
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Through the merits of Your Precious Blood
and Your Holy Face, O Jesus,
grant us our petition………………
and Your pardon and mercy.

Almighty Father, Come Into Our Hearts
By St Augustine (354-430)

Almighty Father, come into our hearts
and so fill us with Thy love
that forsaking all evil desires,
we may embrace Thee, our only good.
Show us, O Lord our God,
what Thou art to us.
Say to our souls, I Am your salvation,
speak so, that we may hear.
Our hearts are before Thee,
open our ears,
let us hasten after Thy Voice.
Hide not Thy Face from us,
we beseech Thee, O Lord.
Open our hearts, so that Thou may enter in.
Repair the ruined mansions,
that Thou may dwell therein.
Hear us, O Heavenly Father,
for the sake of Thy Only Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with Thee
and the Holy Ghost,
one God, now and forever.
Amen

Pray (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Marys, (1) Glory Be.

O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine,
be every Adoration Thine
(Three times)

Posted in DEVOTIO, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 6 February – Religion and Devotion

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 6 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Religion and Devotion

“We must not be satisfied simply to carry out the acts of religion, however exactly.
We must fulfil them with love.
It is the spontaneous homage of the mind and the heart that God wants most of all.
The body must also pay its tribute of subjection to its Creator but if the mind and heart are cold and distracted, this tribute is worthless.
There is no religion without devotion.
“This people honours me with their lips but their heart is far from me” (Mt 15:8; Mk 7:6).
Consider this complaint of Our Lord.
Let us earnestly examine our conduct.
Religion is useless if it is not fed by the active fire of charity.
Anyone who is content to go to Mass on Feast Days and stand in the Church silently and indifferently like a candlestick without a candle, is not a true and sincere Catholic.
Religion must be deeply felt.
It must be penetrated by devotion and charity.
Only then will it inspire real Christian activity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/06/thought-for-the-day-6-february-religion-and-devotion/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/06/thought-for-the-day-6-february-religion-and-devotion-2/

Posted in DEVOTIO, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The HOLY SOULS

Thought for the Day – 8 November – The Advantages of Devotion to the Souls in Purgatory

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Thought for the Day – 8 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Advantages of Devotion
to the Souls in Purgatory

“The story is told of St John of God who, on one occasion, when he was finding it difficult to provide for the crowds of sick people, whom he had in his hospital, he went about the streets of Granada, crying: “My dear brothers, give alms to yourselves!”
Many were astonished at these words but, the Saint explained that Jesus regards as done to Himself anything which we do for the poor and unfortunate and that, therefore, He repays the generous giver handsomely.
Since the Souls in Purgatory, are poor and needy, it is certain that whatever we do for them, will redound to our own advantage.

St Margaret of Cortona had a keen devotion to the Faithful Departed.
It is related of her that when she was dying, she saw a band of blessed spirits descending from above, in order to escort her into Heaven.
These were the countless souls whom her prayers had rescued from the pains of Purgatory.

“If only everyone realised,” the Cure d’Ars once said to a fellow Priest, “what great influence with God, the Holy Souls in Purgatory possess and, the vast number of favours which we obtain through their intercession, they certainly would not be forgotten. Let us pray earnestly for them and they will intercede strongly for us!”

“Whenever I wish to obtain some favour from our Heavenly Father,” said St Catherine of Bologna, “I have recourse to the Souls in Purgatory. I beseech them to present my petition to the Divine Majesty, in their name and through their inetercession, my request is granted.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/08/thought-for-the-day-7-november-they-advantages-of-devotion-to-the-souls-in-purgatory/

Posted in DEVOTIO, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, LENT, The HOLY FACE

Feast of the Holy Face

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Feast of the Holy Face and Shrove Tuesday

In the 19th Century Jesus expressed His wishes to Sister Mary of St Peter (1816-1848), a Carmelite Nun in Tours, France, that there be an actual Devotion to his Holy Face. Our Lord wanted this in reparation for blasphemies against Him and His Holy Name as well, as for the profanation of Sunday (when people engage unnecessarily in commerce and other such labours and chores on Sunday, a day meant for rest and reflection on God). In August of 1843 He dictated to her the well-known Golden Arrow Prayer. He also gave her Promises for those who would honour His Holy Face.

Soon afterwards, Venerable Leo Dupont, known as the “Holy Man of Tours” helped to publicise this Devotion and through a number of miraculous cures attributed to an image of our Lord’s Holy Face, in his possession.

In 1885 Pope Leo XIII gave Ecclesiastical approval of the Devotion to the Holy Face and established an Archconfraternity for it.

The first Holy Medal of the Holy Face was given to Ven Pope Pius XII, who approved the Devotion and the Medal. In 1958 he formally declared the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus as Shrove Tuesday for all Catholics.

Tuesday Devotion to the Holy Face
The Lord also requested that His Holy Face be honoured each Tuesday and especially on Shrove Tuesday, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent. Requesting this Devotion, Jesus appeared covered with blood and very sadly said to Blessed Pierina:

Veronica’s veil, by Claude Mellan (c. 1649).

“Do you see how I suffer? Yet, very few understand Me. Those who say they love Me are very ungrateful! I have given My Heart as the sensible object of My great love to men and I give My Face as the sensible object of My sorrow for all the sins of men. I wish that it be venerated by a special Feast on Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. I wish that the Feast be preceded by a Novena in which the faithful make reparation with Me, joining together and sharing in My sorrow.”

As part of the preparations for Lent, it is appropriate to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Face by spending some time before the Blessed Sacrament and reciting the prayers of reparation. In addition, the repetition of this Devotion each Tuesday in Lent may be a means of drawing closer to Our Lord during this time of more intense prayer and conversion.

The Eight Promises of Jesus:

  1. All those who honour My Face in a spirit of reparation, will by so doing, perform the office of the pious Veronica. According to the care they take in making reparation to My Face, disfigured by blasphemers, so will I take care of their souls which have been disfigured by sin. My Face is the seal of the Divinity, which has the virtue of reproducing in souls the image of God.
  2. Those who by words, prayers or writing, defend My cause in this Work of Reparation I will defend before My Father and will give them My Kingdom.
  3. By offering My Face to My Eternal Father, nothing will be refused and the conversion of many sinners will be obtained.
  4. By My Holy Face, they will work wonders, appease the anger of God and draw down mercy on sinners.
  5. As in a kingdom they can procure all that is desired, with a coin stamped with the King’s effigy, so, in the Kingdom of Heaven, they will obtain all they desire, with the precious coin of My Holy Face.
  6. Those who, on earth, contemplate the wounds of My Face shall, in Heaven, behold it radiant with glory.
  7. They will receive in their souls, a bright and constant irradiation of My Divinity, that by their likeness to My Face, they shall shine with particular splendour in Heaven.
  8. I will defend them, I will preserve them and I assure them of Final Perseverance.
Posted in DEVOTIO, DOCTORS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on ZEAL, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 6 February – Religion and Devotion

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 6 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Religion and Devotion

“Religion, should not be a cold, mehcanical practice of obedience to the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.
Deep spiritual devotion and supernatural charity are necessary, as well as religion.
In other words, religion should not be merely external but, should spring from the mind and heart, this is devotion, which is the spirit of religion.
“Devotion,” wites Aquinas, “seems to be the determination to give one’s self readily to the service of God” (Summa Theologiae, II-II, q 82, a 2, ad 1).
But this determination should be loving and effective because, as St Thomas also observes, “charity generates devotion” (Summa Theologiae, II-II, q 82, a 2, ad 2).

St Francis de Sales analysed and expanded these ideas.
“True and living devotion,” he writes, “presupposes the love of God – indeed, it really is a true love of God… but a love… which has reached that height of perfection at which it not only causes us to act but, to act zealously, frequently and promptly…” (Introduction to the Devout Life, Bk I, C 1).
He continues: “Since devotion consists in an unique degree of charity, it not only makes us prompt, active and zealous in the observance of all the divine commands but, incites us, furthermore, to perform readily and lovingly, as many good works as we can… even if they are only recommended or suggested” (Ibid).
From this solid and sincere devotion flows, that taste for divine things, that inner gentleness and peace of spirit which the Saints enjoyed, even in the midst of sorrow and disillusionment.
It is the spontaneous homage of the mind and heart, that God wants most of all.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/06/thought-for-the-day-6-february-religion-and-devotion/

Posted in DEVOTIO, GOD ALONE!, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, STATIONS of the CROSS, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 14 September – The Cross of Christ

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Crucifix

“The Crucifix is a simple meditation manual, open and intelligible to all, even to the most illiterate.
Anyone who turns to it, can study the sorrowful gaze of Jesus, His heart pierced with love for men.
His head crowned with thorns, His hands and feet transfixed with nails which support His divine body, streaming blood and writhing in anguish.
The Crucifix should be dear and sacred to every Catholic.
It should stand at the head of his bed, hang around his neck and hold a prominent position in his place of work or study.

Above all, however, the Crucifix should have its place in the heart of every fervent Catholic.
At every moment of his life, in time of sadness and of joy, he should remember, that God became man and suffered and died for him.
He should remember also, that this implies an obligation on his part, to work, suffer and die, for the love of God alone!

Many people meditate on the Crucifix.
They kiss it and claim to love it.
But while they love the Crucifix, they have no love for their particular cross, which they try, by every means in their power, to fling far away from them.
Now, it is very certain, that anyone who does not love his own cross, does not really love the Crucifix, for Jesus has told us that, “if anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mt 16:24).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CONTEMPLATIVE Prayer, DEVOTIO, DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SOLITUDE, SAINT of the DAY, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 February – “Come away … ” Mark 6:31

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One Minute Reflection – 8 February – Saturday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time Readings: Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21, Psalms 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6, Mark 6:30-34 and the Memorial of Saint Amand of Maastricht (c 584-c 679) Bishop

“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile” … Mark 6:31

REFLECTION – “If you wish to come and find Me, seek me aside. As Mark says: “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile. People were coming and going in great numbers and they had no opportunity even to eat.” (Mk 6:31).
Alas, such are the passions of the flesh and the turmoil of thoughts coming and going in our hearts that we have no time to eat the food of everlasting sweetness, nor perceive the taste of interior contemplation. That is why our Lord says: “Come away” from the noisy crowd “to a deserted place,” to solitude of mind and heart, “and rest awhile.” For truly, as the book of Revelation says: “There will be silence in heaven for about half an hour” (Rv 8:1); and in the Psalm: “Who will give me wings like a dove that I might fly away and find rest” (Ps 54[55]:7 LXX).
But let us listen to what the prophet Hosea says: “I will seduce her and lead her into the wilderness and I will speak to her heart” (cf. Hos 2:16 Vg). These three expressions: seduce, lead into the wilderness, speak to her heart, represent the three stages of the spiritual life – the beginning, development and perfection. The Lord seduces the beginner when He enlightens him with His grace so that he may grow and progress from virtue to virtue. Then he leads him aside from the din of the vices and disordered thoughts, into peace of spirit. Finally, once guided to perfection, God speaks to his heart. Then the soul experiences the sweetness of divine inspiration and can surrender totally to joy of spirit.
What depth of devotion, of wonderment and happiness in his heart! By devotion, he is raised above himself, through wonder, he is led above himself, through happiness, he is transported out of himself.” … St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Doctor of the Church – Sermon for the feast of Saint John the Evangelist

PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God, splendour of true light and never-ending day, let our striving for Your kingdom not fall short through selfishness or fear, may the universe be alive with the Spirit and our homes be the pledge of the world redeemed. May our hearts be eternally longing for that time alone with You, our one true Love. May our worldly duties be such that they never impede our progress in devotion and may the intercession of our Holy Mother, St Amand and all the saints, be a strength and a comfort. Through Jesus, our compassionate and loving Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You forever, amen.

Posted in DEVOTIO, DOCTORS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 3 February – Religion and Devotion

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

Religion and Devotion

“Religion, should not be a cold, mehcanical practice of obedience to the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.
Deep spiritual devotion and supernatural charity are necessary, as well as religion.
In other words, religion should not be merely external but, should spring from the mind and heart, this is devotion, which is the spirit of religion.
“Devotion,” wites Aquinas, “seems to be the determination to give one’s self readily to the service of God” (Summa Theologiae, II-II, q 82, a 2, ad 1).
But this determination should be loving and effective because, as St Thomas also observes, “charity generates devotion” (Summa Theologiae, II-II, q 82, a 2, ad 2).

St Francis de Sales analysed and expanded these ideas.
“True and living devotion,” he writes, “presupposes the love of God – indeed, it really is a true love of God… but a love… which has reached that height of perfection at which it not only causes us to act but, to act zealously, frequently and promptly…” (Introduction to the Devout Life, Bk I, C 1).
He continues: “Since devotion consists in an unique degree of charity, it not only makes us prompt, active and zealous in the observance of all the divine commands but, incites us, furthermore, to perform readily and lovingly, as many good works as we can… even if they are only recommended or suggested” (Ibid).
From this solid and sincere devotion flows, that taste for divine things, that inner gentleness and peace of spirit which the Saints enjoyed, even in the midst of sorrow and disillusionment.
It is the spontaneous homage of the mind and heart, that God wants most of all.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/06/thought-for-the-day-6-february-religion-and-devotion/

Posted in DEVOTIO, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPARATION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 19 October – The First Part of the “Our Father”

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Thought for the Day – 19 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The First Part of the “Our Father”

“The Pater Noster, being God’s own composition, is the most perfect of prayers.
It covers, moreover, all our obligations and all our needs.
It may be divided into two parts, the first of which refers to God, the second to ourselves.
We should ask, first of all for whatever is important to God and then, for whatever concerns ourselves.
This is the command of Jesus.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His justice and all these things shall be given you besides” (Mt 6:33).

When we have invoked our Father in Heaven, we go onto pray: “Hallowed be Thy name.”

Let us think about this.
What do we look for first of all when we pray?
Is it the glory of God, or, is it our own self-interest?
Which occupies the principal place in our thoughts, God, or our own ego?
Let us remember that we have been created for the glory of God.
We shall not find happiness, unless, we seek God’s glory alone, for God is our true welfare.

We must not allow ourselves to become absorbed in insignificant worldly objects, which can never completely satisfy us.
Rather, must we keep our minds on God.
“God alone is sufficient,” said St Teresa.
Without Him, there is nothing good within us or around us.

When we say “Hallowed be Thy name,” moreover, we should not only give God’s glory precedence over all our desires but, we should also make an act of reparation for the countless blasphemies by which His name has been injured.
How can we remain passive and inert, while our Creator and our Redeemer is being continually blasphemed and offended?
At the very least, we can set against the diabolical insults of many of our fellow-men, our own humble and loving prayer: “May Thy name, my God, be blessed and glorified.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DEVOTIO, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION, The SIGN of the CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 14 September – In Honour of the Holy Cross Third Prayer from the Seven Penitential Psalms Devotion

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Our Morning Offering – 14 September – Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Prayer In Honour of the Holy Cross
Third Prayer from the Seven Penitential Psalms Devotion

Almighty God,
Lord Jesus Christ,
who, for our sake, stretched out
Your pure hands on the Cross
and redeemed us with
Your precious Blood,
grant me to feel and understand
that I may have true repentance
and great perseverance,
all the days of my life.
Your reign is a reign for all ages.
Amen

Posted in DEVOTIO, DOCTORS of the Church, DOGMA, DOMINICAN OP, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, HOLY COMMUNION, HYMNS, I BELIEVE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on FAITH, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY EUCHARIST, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Our Morning Offering – 6 September – Tantum ergo Sacramentum

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Our Morning Offering – 6 September – Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

The hymn Tantum Ergo pays homage to our Lord both in the Eucharist and in His glory in the Trinity. It comprises the last two stanzas of Pange Lingua, a hymn written by Saint Thomas Aquinas for the Feast of Corpus Christi when it was first instituted by the Church in 1264.
This text has been set to music by composers as diverse as Palestrina, Mozart, Bruckner and Faure.

This wonderful miracle, when our Lord comes to give us His grace and support, occurs countless times everyday in Masses all over the world! And everyday, our Lord, like His faithful servant Saint Thomas Aquinas, invites us to see and worship Him in the Blessed Sacrament through the eyes of faith!

Tantum ergo Sacramentum
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus/Doctor Communis

Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
Laus et jubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio.
Ame.

Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail,
Lo! o’er ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.

To the everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high
With the Holy Spirit proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honour blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
Amen

Posted in DEVOTIO, HOLY COMMUNION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Thought for the Day – 21 August – Frequent Communion

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

Frequent Communion

“Even as our bodies need their daily sustenance of good to restore the energy which they have lost, so it is with out souls.
The nourishment of the soul, is the grace of God.
There is no better way of acquiring and increasing this grace, than by Holy Communion because, Communion gives us Jesus Himself, Who is the origin of grace.
Spiritual perfection consists in union with God.
We can achieve perfect union with God in Holy Communion, by means of which, we live the life of Jesus.
“He who eats me, he also shall live because of me.” (Jn 6:58)

Anyone who loves Jesus fervently, receives Holy Communion everyday.
If a man does not do this, it is a sign that he does not love Jesus perfectly.

The early Christians were “continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread in their houses;” (Cf Acts 2:46) in other words, they received Communion everyday.
It was Jesus, in the Blessed Eucharist Who nourished their faith and gave them the strength to endure Martyrdom.
This custom prevailed in many places up to the time of St Jerome and St Augustine, who wrote “This is your daily bread; receive it daily in order to benefit daily from it” (De Verbo Domini, Serm 28).
To those who believe that they were unworthy to receive everyday, St Ambrose said: “A man who is unworthy to receive everyday, will still be unworthy in a year’s time” (Bk 5, De Sacramentis, c 4).

We should not stay away from daily Communion because of our unworthiness, nor because of our lapses into sin.
“Because I am always sinning,” said St Ambrose, “I am always in need of medicine” (Ibid).
Humility is the basic virtue necessary in a Christian but it should not be a reason for abstaining from Holy Communion.
St Thomas Aquinas commented that, although it may be pleasing to God to stay away from Holy Communion out of humility, He is far better pleased with the love and confidence of a soul, which receives Him. (Cf Summa Theologiae, III, q 8, a 10 ad 3).

The Church, like Jesus, desires us to receive Communion daily, although it only binds us under pain of sin, to receive once a year during Paschaltide, in accordance with the decree of Innocent III, which was confirmed by the Council of Trent.
We are also required to receive the Blessed Eucharist, if we are in danger of death.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DEVOTIO, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, HOLY COMMUNION, HYMNS, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Our Morning Offering – 19 July – Sweet Sacrament, We Thee Adore

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Our Morning Offering – 19 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Sixteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time

Sweet Sacrament, We Thee Adore

I see upon the Altar placed
The Victim of the greatest love.
Let all the earth below adore
and join the heavenly choirs above:
Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore,
Oh! make us love Thee more and more.

Jesus! dear Shepherd of the flock,
that crowds in love, about Thy feet,
Our voices yearn to praise Thee, Lord
and joyfully Thy presence greet:
Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore,
Oh! make us love Thee more and more.

O Precious Blood of Jesus,
cleanse my soul from every stain!
Most pure Heart of Jesus, purify me!
Most humble Heart of Jesus,
teach me Thy humility!
Sweet Heart of Jesus,
communicate to me Thy gentleness and patience!
Most merciful Heart of Jesus,
have mercy on me!
Most loving Heart of Jesus,
inflame my heart with love of Thee!
AmenSweet sacrament we thee adore - 19 july 2020

Posted in Act of SPIRITUAL COMMUNION, DEVOTIO, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Thought for the Day – 28 June – Spiritual Communion

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Thought for the Day – 28 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Spiritual Communion

spiritual communion - bacci 28 june 2020

“Anyone who sincerely loves Jesus Christ, will not be satisfied with receiving Him daily in the Blessed Eucharist.
Often, during the day, he will feel the need of uniting himself again to the divine Spouse in an act of love.
This is what is known as Spiritual Communion.
It is a natural and spontaneous act for a true lover of Jesus.

“I am the vine, you are the branches,” Jesus has told us. “He who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit … as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me” (Cf Jn 15:4).
Since the supernatural life flows into our souls from Jesus, we must maintain our union with Him, even when He is not sacramentally present.
It is true, that the divine grace, remains in us, as long as we do not fall into mortal sin but, it grows weaker under the influence of worldly attractions and temptations.
It is necessary to revive the grace that is in us, when we feel that it is waning.
For this purpose, Spiritual Communion is very useful, for it is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament (Summa Theologiae, III, q 8, a 1 ad 3) and, an outpouring of love, in which we beseech Jesus to come and take complete possession of our hearts.
This practice was recommended by the Council of Trent (Session XIII, ch 8) and was frequently used by the Saints in order to keep alive the fire of divine charity in their souls and to guard themselves against the onslaughts of the world, the flesh and the devil.
If we act in the same manner, Jesus will always be within us and we shall always be in Jesus.
If God lives in us, who can harm us?
If God is for us, who is against us? (Rom 8:31).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DEVOTIO, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPARATION, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Thought for the Day – 27 June – The Sacred Heart of Jesus Pierced by a Crown of Thorns

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Thought for the Day – 27 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Sacred Heart of Jesus Pierced by a Crown of Thorns

there are many ways of showing our love for the sacred heart - bacci - pierced by thorns 27 june 2020

“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

we can also receive holy comm in reparation - sacred pierced by thorns bacci 27 june 2020

Posted in DEVOTIO, IMMACULATE HEART Quotes, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 20 June – The Immaculate Heart of Mary

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Quote/s of the Day – 20 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

“I want My Church to…put the devotion
to this Immaculate Heart
beside the devotion to
My Sacred Heart.”

Jesus to Lúcia of Fatima

i want my church to put the devotion - jesus to lucia of fatima 20 june 2020

“Look, my Daughter,”
Our Lady said to Lúcia on 10 December 1925,
“at my heart, surrounded with thorns,
with which ungrateful men pierce me. “

look-my-daughter-at-my-heart-ou-rlady-of-fatima-to-lucia-13-may-2020 and 20 june 2020 imm heart

Our Lady assured Lúcia:
“My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge
and the way that will lead you to God.”
Thus, if we devote ourselves to her Immaculate Heart,
Mary will lead us to her Son, Jesus Christ
and we will be on the way to Heaven.

Our Lady of Fatima

my-immaculate-heart-will-be-your-refuge-our-lady-to-bl-lucia-13-may-2020 and 20 june 2020 imm heart

“This Virgin Mother of the Only begotten of God is called Mary,
worthy of God, Immaculate of the Immaculate, one of the one.”

Origen (c 185-253)

this virgin mother of the only begotten of god is called mary - origen 20 june 2020

“Do you not know,
that not only is Jesus,
resting and dwelling continually
in the Heart of Mary
but that He is, Himself the Heart of Mary … “

St John Eudes
Apostle of the Two Holy Hearts

do you not know that not only is jesus resting and dwelling - st john eudes - imm heart 20 june 2020

“If you put all the love, of all the mothers into one heart,
it still would not equal the love
of the Heart of Mary for her children.”

St Louis de Montfort (1673-1716)

if you put all the love of all the mothers - st louis de montfort - 20 june 2020 imm heart

“…Let us continue
Immaculate Mary’s mission.
All is included in it.
May [we].. follow her example
and be the handmaid of the Lord
in everything,
everywhere
and always.”

Blessed Mary of the Passion (1839-1904)

let us continue immaculate mary's mission - bl mary of the passion - 20 june 2020 imm heart

Posted in DEVOTIO, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, QUOTES on TRUTH

Thought for the Day – 6 February – Religion and Devotion

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Thought for the Day – 6 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Religion and Devotion

“St Thomas Aquinas concisely expressed the nature of religion in these words: “The object of religion is to give honour to the One God because, He is the first principle of creation and order in the universe” (Summa Theologiae, II-II, q 81, a 3).

We know that everything is the work of God.
Everything depends on Him, both for it’s being and for it’s continued existence.
This is so from man, down to the minutest insect, from the stars in the sky, to the invisible atom.
It is true that man and the other creatures also work.
In fact, the universe is a gigantic workshop.
But God, is the one and only cause of man and of the whole of nature.
We are only instruments of the divine omnipotence.
Now, justice demands that we give everyone his due.
Everything belongs to God.
Therefore, man out to humble himself before God, in an act of adoration and loving obedience.
From the highest mountains to the depths of the valley, from the stars of the firmament to the tiny flowers of the fields, all creation unconsciously sings of the glory of God.
In the same way, man, a creature of intelligence and free will, should offer himself and all his faculties, in an act of complete homage to his Creator and Lord.
But, there is more to it than that.
God is not only our Creator and Lord, He is also our Redeemer.
The eternal Word of God became man out of love for us.
He gave us His teaching and commandments.
He redeemed us with His Precious Blood and left us the Church, as our Mother and our Infallible Teacher of Truth.
So, if religion is to be complete, it will oblige us to be obedient to whatever God has revealed and to whatever the Church, which He founded, commands and teaches us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DEVOTIO, DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY

Second Thought for the Day – 24 January – Devotion Must be Practised in Different Ways

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Second Thought for the Day – 24 January – Friday of the Second week in Ordinary Time, Year A and The Memorial of St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) “The Gentle Christ of Geneva” – Doctor of the Church: Doctor caritatis (Doctor of Charity)

Devotion Must be Practised in Different Ways

Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Bishop and Doctor of the Church

An excerpt from his Introduction to the Devout Life

“When God the Creator made all things, He commanded the plants to bring forth fruit each according to its own kind, He has likewise commanded Christians, who are the living plants of His Church, to bring forth the fruits of devotion, each one in accord with his character, his station and his calling.

I say that devotion must be practised in different ways by the nobleman and by the working man, by the servant and by the prince, by the widow, by the unmarried girl and by the married woman.   But even this distinction is not sufficient, for the practice of devotion must be adapted to the strength, to the occupation and to the duties of each one in particular.

Tell me, please, my Philothea, whether it is proper for a Bishop to want to lead a solitary life like a Carthusian, or for married people to be no more concerned than a Capuchin, about increasing their income, or for a working man to spend his whole day in church like a religious, or on the other hand, for a religious to be constantly exposed like a Bishop to all the events and circumstances, that bear on the needs of our neighbour.   Is not this sort of devotion ridiculous, unorganised and intolerable?   Yet this absurd error occurs very frequently but in no way, does true devotion, my Philothea, destroy anything at all.   On the contrary, it perfects and fulfils all things.   In fact if it ever works against, or is inimical to, anyone’s legitimate station and calling, then it is very definitely false devotion.

The bee collects honey from flowers in such a way as to do the least damage or destruction to them and he leaves them whole, undamaged and fresh, just as he found them.   True devotion does still better.   Not only does it not injure any sort of calling or occupation, it even embellishes and enhances it.

Moreover, just as every sort of gem, cast in honey, becomes brighter and more sparkling, each according to its colour, so, each person, becomes more acceptable and fitting in his own vocation, when he sets his vocation in the context of devotion.   Through devotion, your family cares become more peaceful, mutual love between husband and wife becomes more sincere, the service we owe to the Prince becomes more faithful and our work, no matter what it is, becomes more pleasant and agreeable.

It is therefore an error and even a heresy, to wish to exclude the exercise of devotion from military divisions, from the artisans’ shops, from the courts of princes, from family households.   I acknowledge, my dear Philothea, that the type of devotion which is purely contemplative, monastic and religious can certainly not be exercised in these sorts of stations and occupations but, besides this threefold type of devotion, there are many others fit for perfecting those who live in a secular state.

Therefore, in whatever situations we happen to be, we can and we must aspire to the life of perfection.”

St Francis de Sales, Pray for Us!

in whatever situations we happen to be in - st francis de sales pray for us 24 jan 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CHRISTMASTIDE!, DEVOTIO, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY

Our Morning Offering – 5 January – Who lives in Love

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Our Morning Offering – 5 January – The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Who lives in Love
By St Robert Southwell SJ (1561-1595) Martyr

Who lives in Love, loves least to live
and long delays doth rue,
if Him he love by whom he lives,
to whom all praise is due,
Who for our love did choose to live
and was content to die,
who loved our love more than His life,
and love with life did buy.
Let us in life, yea with our life
requite His living love,
for best we live when least we live,
if Love our life remove.
Mourn, therefore, no true lover’s death,
life only him annoy,
and when he taketh leave of life
then Love begins his joys.who lives in love - st robert southwell 5 jan 2020.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, DEVOTIO, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Thought for the Day – 19 November – Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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Thought for the Day – 19 November – The Memorial of St Matilda/Mechtilde of Hackeborn (c 1241-1298)

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Matilda and Gertrude of Helfta/the Great, became ardent devotees and promoters of Jesus’ heart after it was the subject of many of their visions.   The idea of hearing the heartbeat of God was very important to medieval saints, who nurtured devotion to the Sacred Heart.   Women such as Saint Matilda and Saint Gertrude perceived Jesus’ heart as the breast of a mother. Just as a mother gives milk to nourish her child, so Jesus in the Eucharist gives us His life blood.

In one vision, Mechtilde reported that Jesus said, “In the morning let your first act be to greet My Heart and to offer Me your own.   Whoever, breathes a sigh toward Me, draws Me to himself.”in the morning let your first act be - jesus to st matilda of hackeborn 19 nov 2019.jpg

One of the visions recounted by Mechtilde states that Jesus having appeared to her, commanded her to love Him ardently and to honour His Sacred Heart in the Blessed Sacrament as much as possible.   He gave her His Sacred Heart as a pledge of His love, as a place of refuge during her life and as her consolation at the hour of her death.   From this time Mechtilde had an extraordinary devotion to the Sacred Heart and she received such great graces from It, that she was accustomed to say, that if she had to write down all the favours and all the blessings which she had received by means of this devotion, a large book would not contain them.

In another, Jesus Himself recommended the Gospel.   Opening to her, the wound of His most gentle heart, He said to her:  “Consider how great is my love – if you want to know it well, you will not find it expressed more clearly anywhere, than in the Gospel.   No-one has ever expressed stronger or more tender feelings than these – As my Father has loved me, so have I loved you (John 15:9)”.

Her accounts of these visions were later compiled in the Liber Specialis Gratiae – The Book of Special Grace.

St Matilda of Hackeborn, Pray for Us!st matilda of hackeborn pray for us 19 nov 2019.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DEVOTIO, Hail MARY!, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MYSTICS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 19 November – St Matilda and the Devotion of the Three Hail Marys

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Quote of the Day – 19 November – Tuesday of the Thirty Third Week of Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 19:1–10 and the Memorial of St Matilda/Mechtilde of Hackeborn (c 1241-1298)devotion of the three hail marys - st matilda of hackeborn 19 nov 2019

Devotion of the Three Hail Marys

St Matilda of Hackeborn
was distressed over her eternal salvation
and prayed that the Most Holy Virgin
would assist her at the hour of death.

The Blessed Virgin appeared to her
and reassured her, saying:

“Yes, I will!
But I wish, for your part,
that you recite three Hail Marys
everyday, remembering,
in the first,
the power received
from the Eternal Father,
in the second,
the wisdom received from the Son,
with the third one,
the love that has filled the Holy Spirit”.

The Blessed Virgin taught her to pray
and to understand especially,
how the Three Hail Mary’s,
honour, the three persons
of the Bles

the hail mary - 19 nov 2019.jpg
Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DEVOTIO, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN Saturdays, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, MINI SERIES, SPEAKING of ....., The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The FIVE FIRST Saturdays, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 26 October – Speaking of:   Saturday Devotions in Honour of Our Lady – Part Three

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Thought for the Day – 26 October – Saturday of the Twenty Ninth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Marian Saturdays

Speaking of:   Saturday Devotions in Honour of Our Lady

Part Three

By Sr M Jean Frisk SSM

The Sorrowful Heart of Mary Saturdays

and the Five First Saturdayssaturday devotions in honour of our lady part three the sorrowful heart and the five first saturdays 26 oct 2019.jpg

In the message of Fatima, especially in the apparitions of 13 June and 13 July 1917, Mary drew attention to the custom of devoting Saturdays to her and praying the Rosary in reparation.   Lucia, the eldest of the three children heard the following on 13 June:

“My child, behold my heart surrounded with thorns which ungrateful men place therein at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude.   You, at least, try to console me and tell them that I promise to help, at the hour of death, with the graces needed for salvation, whoever, on the First Saturday of five consecutive months, shall confess and receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary and keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary with the intention of making reparation to me.”

On 13 July, the children were again admonished to say the rosary.   At this time, the Blessed Mother asked for the Consecration of the world to her Immaculate Heart and for communion of reparation on the first Saturday of each month.   These messages were accompanied by an appeal and a promise – an appeal for prayer and reparation by the people for their transgressions against the divine law; a promise of peace and love in this life and eternal happiness in the next on the twofold condition of prayer and amendment.

In 1925, Lucia vouched for this message, saying that Mary would assist us at the hour of death if the first Saturdays of five consecutive months were sanctified with Confession, Holy Communion, praying the Rosary and meditation.

This practice refreshed the custom known as the Rosary Saturdays, popular since the seventeenth century and continued to the present at places of pilgrimage.   Both Pope Pius IX and Pope Leo XIII fostered this custom.   St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort also fostered the Rosary in connection with his missions, which often encompassed Saturdays.

To be continued/…

Find Part One and Two by searching:
Saturday devotions

Mary, Faithful Mother, Pray for Us,

Now and at the Hour of our Death, amen!faithful mother pray for us now and at the hour of our death amen 26 oct 2019 no 2

Posted in DEVOTIO, MYSTICS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 16 October – The Twelve Promises of Devotion to the Sacred Heart

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Thought for the Day – 16 October – The Memorial of St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)

The Twelve Promises of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary
for those Devoted to His Sacred Heart

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
2. I will establish peace in their families.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life
and especially at the hour of their death.
5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
9. I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart
shall be exposed and honoured.
10. I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names
written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those
who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months
the grace of final repentance, they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments;
My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.

From Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque’s Vision of Jesus

the-12-promises-of-the-sacred-heart-16-oct-2017.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DEVOTIO, Hail MARY!, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, NOVENA, NOVENAS

Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary – Day Two – 29 September

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Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary – Day Two – 29 September

Day Two – We pray for the Persecuted Church
and our personal intention:

The joy of the Spirit, which was in the heart of Jesus and Mary, is ours in the experience of sincere prayer.
1. We pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit for the leaders of the Church and all the baptised, that we may walk faithfully the way of Jesus Christ.
2. We pray for a deep devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus
and in our prayer to her know that we are primarily opening our hearts to the God of love.
3. We pray for those who are oppressed by war and poverty,that they
may take courage from God who loves us constantly and unconditionally.
Let us pray to the Lord.

Daily Prayer along with our Daily Rosary:

My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet.
Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your requests at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart and for this special favour which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena: ………………………….. (Mention your request).

I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son.
If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused.
I know, dearest Mother, that you want me
to seek God’s holy Will concerning my request.
If what I ask for should not be granted,
pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul.

I offer you this spiritual Bouquet of Roses because I love you.
I put all my confidence in you,
since your prayers before God are most powerful.
For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus,
your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer.
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

Our Lady of the Rosary,
pray for our Holy Mother Church
and for our country.

Our Lady of Fatima,
obtain for humanity a lasting peace.

Sweet Heart of Jesus,
be my love.

Sweet Heart of Mary,
at the hour of my death,
lead me home.day two novena to our lady of the rosary 29 september 2019.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DEVOTIO, DOGMA, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Catholic Devotion for December – The Immaculate Conception

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Catholic Devotion for December – The Immaculate Conception

The Solemnity of the The Immaculate Conception, is celebrated on 8 December.december month of the imm conception - 1 dec 2018

In 1854, Pope Pius IX’s solemn declaration, Ineffabilis Deus, clarified with finality the long-held belief of the Church that Mary was conceived free from original sin.   In proclaiming the Immaculate Conception of Mary, as a dogma of the Church, the pope expressed precisely and clearly that Mary was conceived free from the stain of original sin.   This privilege of Mary’s, derives from God’s having chosen her as Mother of the Saviour, thus she received the benefits of salvation in Christ, from the very moment of her conception.

This great gift to Mary, an ordinary human being just like us, was fitting because she was destined to be Mother of God.   The purity and holiness of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a model for all Christians.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says of the Immaculate Conception of Mary:

490.  To become the mother of the Saviour, Mary “was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role”.   The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as “full of grace”.   In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God’s grace.

491.   Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, “full of grace” through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception  . That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1844: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.” (Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus, 1854.)

492.   The “splendour of an entirely unique holiness” by which Mary is “enriched from the first instant of her conception” comes wholly from Christ – she is “redeemed, in a more exalted fashion, by reason of the merits of her Son.”   The Father blessed Mary more than any other created person “in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” and chose her “in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before him in love.”

493.   The Fathers of the Eastern tradition call the Mother of God “the All-Holy” (Panagia) and celebrate her as “free from any stain of sin, as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature”.   By the grace of God Mary remained free of every personal sin her whole life long.december-the-month-of-the-immaculate-conception

Immaculate Mary, Pray for the Church, the Mystical Body of your Son!immaculate mary - pray for us

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DEVOTIO, MARTYRS, MORNING Prayers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 12 November – The Memorial of St Josaphat (1584-1623) Martyr

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 12 November – The Memorial of St Josaphat (1584-1623) Martyr

St Josaphat’s favourite devotional exercise was to make prostrations in which the head touches the ground, saying, the Jesus prayer:

‘Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of God,
have mercy on me,
a sinner.”

St Josaphat (1584-1623)the jesus prayer 3 - 13 feb 2018 - shrove tuesday

the jesus prayer - st josaphat's favourite - 12 nov 2018

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DEVOTIO, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MORNING Prayers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Devotion for August – The Immaculate Heart of Mary

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Devotion for August

The Immaculate Heart of Mary

The history of the devotion to the Heart of Mary is connected on many points with that to the Heart of Jesus;  nevertheless, it has its own history which, although very simple, is not devoid of interest.   The attention of Christians was early attracted by the love and virtues of the Heart of Mary.   The Gospel itself invited this attention with exquisite discretion and delicacy.   What was first excited was compassion for the Virgin Mother. It was, so to speak, at the foot of the Cross that the Christian heart first made the acquaintance of the Heart of Mary.   Simeon’s prophecy paved the way and furnished the devotion with one of its favourite formulae and most popular representations: the heart pierced with a sword.   But Mary was not merely passive at the foot of the Cross;  “she cooperated through charity”, as St Augustine says, “in the work of our redemption”.

Another Scriptural passage to help in bringing out the devotion was the twice-repeated saying of St Luke, that Mary kept all the sayings and doings of Jesus in her heart, that there she might ponder over them and live by them.   Some of the Fathers also throw light upon the psychology of the Virgin, for instance, S. Ambrose, when in his commentary on St Luke, he holds Mary up as the ideal of virginity and St Ephrem, when he so poetically sings of the coming of the Magi and the welcome accorded them by the humble Mother.

In the New Testament Elizabeth proclaims Mary blessed because she has believed the words of the angel ,the Magnificat is an expression of her humility and in answering the woman of the people, who in order to exalt the Son proclaimed the Mother blessed, did not Jesus himself say:  “Blessed rather are they that hear the word of God and keep it”, thus in a manner inviting us to seek in Mary that which had so endeared her to God and caused her to be selected as the Mother of Jesus?   The Fathers understood His meaning and found in these words a new reason for praising Mary.   St Leo says that through faith and love, she conceived her Son spiritually, even before receiving Him into her womb and St Augustine tells us, that she was more blessed in having borne Christ in her heart, than in having conceived Him in the flesh.

August has 2 Marian Feast Days, 15 August, The Assumption and 22 August, The Queenship of Mary.   The Feast of the Immaculate or Most Pure Heart of Mary is celebrated throughout the Church, in different countries and religious communities on different days. (http://www.traditionalcatholicpriest.com/2015/08/21/feast-of-the-immaculate-heart-of-mary-august-22nd/)devotion-for-august-the-immaculate-heart-of-mary-1 august 2017.jpg

Daily Prayer for August
for the Intercession of
the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Most Blessed Mother,
heart of love, heart of mercy,
ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer.
As your children, we implore your intercession,
with Jesus your Son.
Receive with understanding and compassion,
the petitions we place before you today,
especially those so deep in our heart.
We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open
to those who ask for your prayer.
We trust to your gentle care and intercession,
those whom we love
and who are sick or lonely or hurting.
Help all of us, Holy Mother,
to bear our burdens in this life,
until we may share eternal life and peace
with God, our Father forever.
Amendaily prayer for august for the intercession of the imm heart of mary - o most blessed mother, heart of love, heart of mercy - 1 august 2018