Category: DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 13 April – On Prayer (Part Four)

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Thought for the Day – 13 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

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

“Continue perseveringly in prayer; for humble perseverance vanquishes the invincible.
And, if the importunity of the widow in the Gospel, inclined to her request the unjust judge, laden with iniquity, shall a like perseverance fail to incline to our petitions that Good God, Who is Himself the plenitude of goodness?!

And, although the Lord should delay to hear and even seem to reject your prayer, pray on still and still hold fast firm and lively confidence in His aid; for, in Him, there is no lack but an Infinite superabundance of all things needful for the grace we ask.

Therefore, unless there be some fault on your part, you may rest assured either of obtaining all your petition, or something which will be more profitable to you, or, it may be, both together and the more He seems to repulse you, the more do you humble yourself in your own sight, considering your own de-merits and fixing your eyes steadfastly on the mercy of God.

Establish thus, more and more, your confidence in Him which will be most acceptable to your Lord, if you maintain it more lively and entire, the more it is assailed.

Lastly, give thanks always to God, acknowledging Him to be no less good and wise and loving, when some things are denied, than if all were granted you.
Happen what may, do you remain ever steadfast and joyful in humble submission to His Divine Providence.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/10/thought-for-the-day-10-april-on-prayer-part-one/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/11/thought-for-the-day-11-april-on-prayer-part-two/
PART THREE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/12/thought-for-the-day-12-april-on-prayer-part-three/

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 12 April – On Prayer (Part Three)

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

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

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

“5. Let your petitions be ordinarily preceded by thanksgiving for previous mercies, in the following or similar forms:
“O Lord, Who, of your goodness,
have created and redeemed me
and on so many and numberless occasions,
unknown to me, have delivered me
out of the hands of my enemies;
help me now and refuse not my petitions,
although I have been ever rebellious
and ungrateful to you.”
And if, while you are praying for any particular virtue, some painful occasion for its exercise should present itself, fail not to return thanks to God for the opportunity thus afforded you which is no small token of His loving-kindness.

  1. As prayer derives its efficacy and its power of propitiating God and inclining Him to our desires from the goodness and mercifulness of His own nature, from the merits of the Life and Passion of His Only-Begotten Son and from His promise to hear us, conclude your petitions with one or more of the following sentences:
    “Of Thine great mercy, O Lord,
    grant me Thine grace.
    May the merits of Thine Son
    obtain for me my petition.
    Remember Thine promises, O my God
    and incline Thine ear to my prayer.”
    And at other times ask for graces through the merits of the Virgin Mary and the, Saints, who have great power with God and are greatly honoured by Him because, in this life they greatly honored His Divine Majesty!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/10/thought-for-the-day-10-april-on-prayer-part-one/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/11/thought-for-the-day-11-april-on-prayer-part-two/

Posted in "Follow Me", APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, ON the SAINTS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), SELF-DISTRUST, ST FRANCIS de SALES, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HOLY NAME, The RESURRECTION, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 9 April – “My Lord and my God.”

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Tuesday in the Second Week of Easter – 1 John 5:4-10, John 20. 19-31 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“My Lord and my God.”

John 20:28

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

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

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

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

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

“Keep yourself faithfully
in the presence of God;
avoid hurry and anxiety,
for there are no greater obstacles
to our progress in perfection.
Have an unlimited confidence
in His mercy and goodness.”

“Our greatest fault is, that
we wish to serve God in our way,
not in His way — according to our will,
not according to His will….
To be truly a Saint, it is necessary
to be one according to the will of God.”

“Alas, how the faith of Jesus’ Apostles
is shaken after His Crucifixion!
Assembled in a room with closed doors,
they are filled with fear.
Then Jesus enters, stands in their midst
and greets them: ‘Peace be with you.’ …
Without the presence of our Saviour,
they felt timid and lacked strength.
Such is the case when one is without God.
They were afraid.
Like a ship tossed in a storm without a pilot,
such was this poor boat.
Our Lord appears to His disciples
to bring relief to their fear.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in "Follow Me", DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Quote/s of the Day – 5 April – St Vincent Ferrer

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 April – St Vincent Ferrer OP (1350-1419) Confessor, called “The Angel of the Apocalypse” and of “The Last Judgement” and the “Mouthpiece of God.”

“If you truly wish to help
the soul of your neighbour,
you should firstly approach God
with all your heart.
Ask Him simply,
to fill you with charity,
the greatest of all virtues.”

“When troubled by temptations,
raise up your heart and soul to God,
humbly beseeching Him
to turn them to His greater glory
and to your salvation,
supporting the temptations
as long as it shall please Him
and imploring Him, to grant you grace,
never to offend Him.”

“Regard yourself as more vile
and miserable in the sight of God
because of your faults,
than any sinner whatever,
no matter what his sins. . .
and consider closely that any grace,
or inclination to good or desire of virtue,
you may have, is not of yourself
but of the sole mercy of Christ.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/04/05/quote-s-of-the-day-5-april-st-vincent-ferrer-2/

St Vincent Ferrer OP (1350-1419)

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The HOLY CROSS, The LAMB of GOD, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 31 March – The Redemption

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Thought for the Day – 31 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Redemption

“In conclusion, let us say this prayer of St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787):
“My soul, look at this Crucified Man …
see how the arms extend to embrace you,
how the head bows forward
to give you the kiss of peace.
See how His side is open to receive you.
What have you to say?
Such a good and loving God deserves to be loved.
O my Jesus!
Adorable Jesus!
O Love of my soul!
How can I ever forget Thee?
How can I ever love anything
apart from Thee!
O suffering Jesus,
may the memory of Thee ever remain
in my heart!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/13/thought-for-the-day-13-september-the-redemption/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/31/thought-for-the-day-31-march-the-redemption/

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 29 March – The Crucifixion

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

The Crucifixion

“On either side of Jesus there were two other crosses, to which two robbers had been tied.
When one of these saw how Jesus prayed and forgave, in the midst of His sufferings, he was touched by the grace of God.
He began to hate his crimes and sins and to believe in the Divine Redeemer.
Turning towards Jesus, he begged for forgiveness.
“Lord,” he said, “remember me when Thou comes into Thy Kingdom.”
Jesus returned his gaze at once and replied:
“This day, thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.”

This moving episode holds two main lessons for us.
(1) No matter how great and numerous our sins are, God in His Infinite Mercy, will forgive us if we sincerely repent and resolve to lead better lives.
(2) We should not, on the other hand, put off our conversion until the moment of death.

As St Augustine points out, only one of the two thieves is reported to have been converted.
We are taking a grave risk whenever we abuse God’s Goodness and Mercy!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/02/thought-for-the-day-2-april-the-crucifixion/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/15/thought-for-the-day-15-april-the-crucifixion/

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOOD FRIDAY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The SEVEN PASSION Feasts

Our Morning Offering – 29 March – Membra Jesu Nostri, O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

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Our Morning Offering – 29 March – Good Friday

Membra Jesu Nostri
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
By Blessed Arnulf of Leuven O.Cist. (c1200-1276)

O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, Thine only crown;
O sacred Head, what glory,
what bliss till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call Thee mine.

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered,
was all for sinners’ gain;
Mine, mine, was the transgression
but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Saviour!
’Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favour,
vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee,
Thou noble Countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee
and flee before Thy glance.
How art thou pale with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How doth Thy Visage languish
that once was bright as morn!

Now from Thy cheeks has vanished,
their colour once so fair;
From Thy red lips is banished
the splendour that was there.
Grim death, with cruel rigour,
hath robbed Thee of Thy life;
Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigour,
Thy strength in this sad strife.

My burden in Thy Passion,
Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression
which brought this woe on Thee.
I cast me down before Thee,
wrath were my rightful lot;
Have mercy, I implore Thee;
Redeemer, spurn me not!

What language shall I borrow
to thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never,
outlive my love to Thee.

My Shepherd, now receive me;
my Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me,
O Source of gifts Divine.
Thy Lips have often fed me
with words of Truth and Love;
Thy Spirit oft hath led me
to Heavenly joys above.

Here I will stand beside Thee,
from Thee I will not part;
O Saviour, do not chide me!
When breaks Thy loving Heart,
When soul and body languish
in death’s cold, cruel grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish,
Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.

The joy can never be spoken,
above all joys beside,
When in Thy Body broken
I thus with safety hide.
O Lord of Life, desiring
Thy Glory now to see,
Beside Thy Cross expiring,
I’d breathe my soul to Thee.

My Saviour, be Thou near me
when death is at my door;
Then let Thy Presence cheer me,
forsake me nevermore!
When soul and body languish,
oh, leave me not alone
But take away mine anguish
by virtue of Thine own!

Be Thou my consolation,
my shield when I must die;
Remind me of Thy Passion
when my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee,
upon Thy Cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfolds Thee.
Who dieth thus dies well!

This Poem/Hymn was incorrectly ascribed to St Bernard of Clairvaux, for they are consistent with his style and his devotion. However, “the external proof for this ascription is so slight as to be negligible” (Hurlbut, VII, 18).
The “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” did appear in St Bernard’s collected works but only two hundred years after his death. When the Monasteries were suppressed in the French Revolution, all of the relevant manuscripts disappeared. The only surviving manuscript, dated 1320, bears Arnulf’s name (Arnulfus de louan). Here is Blessed Arnulf’s story:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/04/02/saint-of-the-day-2-april-blessed-arnulf-of-leuven-o-cist-c1200-1276-abbot/

Arnulf’s Poem consists of a cycle of seven Poems, each a meditation on one of the Wounds of the Crucified Christ.
The words of the Hymn remind us, not only of the depth of Christ’s love but also how much He suffers because of our sins.

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, To JESUS through MARY

Our Morning Offering – 16 March – Look Down, O Mother Mary! By St Alphonsus

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Our Morning Offering – 16 March – Saturday of the Fourth Week in Lent and our Mother Mary’s Day

Look Down, O Mother Mary!
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor
Transl, Fr Edmund Vaughan, CSSR in 1863

Look down, O Mother Mary!
From thy bright throne above;
Cast down upon thy children
One only glance of love.

And if a heart so tender
With pity flows not o’er,
Then turn away, O Mother!
And look on us no more.

See how, ungrateful sinners,
We stand before thy Son;
His loving heart upbraids us
The evil we have done.

But if thou wilt appease Him,
Speak for us—but one word;
Thou only canst obtain as
The pardon of our Lord.

O Mary, dearest Mother!
If thou wouldst have us live,
Say that we are thy children,
And Jesus will forgive.

Our sins make us unworthy
That title still to bear
But thou art still our Mother,
Then show a Mother’s care.

Open to us thy mantle,
There stay we without fear,
What evil can befall us
If, Mother, thou art near?

O sweetest, dearest Mother!
Thy sinful children save;
Look down on us with pity,
Who thy protection crave.

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on VANITY, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 14 March – The Last Artifice of the Devil –Making even Virtue, an Occasion of Sin! (Part Three)

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Thought for the Day – 14 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

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

“Consider next, that not only do all the works which you have done. fall short of the Light which has been given you to know them and the grace to execute them but too, that in themselves, they are very imperfect and are deficient of that pure intention and due diligence and fervour, with which they should be performed and which should always accompany them.

If, then, you will well consider this, you will see reason, rather for shame, than for vain complacency because, it is but too true that the graces which we receive pure and perfect from God, are sullied in their use, by our imperfections.

Again, compare your works with those of the Saints and other servants of God — for by such comparison, you will find that your best and greatest, are of base alloy and of little worth.
Next, measure them by those which Christ wrought for you in the Mystery of His life and of His continual Cross and setting aside the consideration of His Divinity, view His works in themselves alone — considering both the fervour and the purity of the love with which they were wrought and, you will see that all your works are indeed, as nothing.

And lastly, if you will raise your thoughts to the Divinity and the boundless Majesty of your God and the service which He deserves at your hands, you will plainly see that your works should excite in you not vanity but fear!

Therefore, in all your ways, in all your works, however holy they maybe, you must cry unto your Lord with all your heart, saying:
“God be merciful to me a sinner!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/12/thought-for-the-day-12-march-the-last-artifice-of-the-devil-making-even-virtue-an-occasion-of-sin-part-one/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/13/thought-for-the-day-13-march-the-last-artifice-of-the-devil-making-even-virtue-an-occasion-of-sin-part-two/

Posted in "Follow Me", CATECHESIS, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, ST FRANCIS de SALES, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 March – ‘ …The great and excellent Physician …’

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One Minute Reflection – 14 March – “The Month of St Joseph” – Thursday of the Fourth Week in Lent – 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

REFLECTION – “Our Lord, the great and excellent Physician of our infirmities, announced everywhere, before coming into this world, both His arrival and the maladies He would cure; sometimes by His prophets. …”

What wonder then if, in the Gospel, we find Him surrounded by the sick, by sinners and by publicans! O vain and foolish murmuring of the Hebrews, when they said: “This man receiveth sinners.” Whom would you wish Him to receive? Is it not the honour of a Physician to be sought for by the sick and so much the more, as their maladies are considered incurable? …

Thus, how were the poor Prodigal and the unfortunate Absalom received by their fathers? And, otherwise, what would become of us, for all have sinned? Every man is a liar, that is to say, a sinner. If we say that we are without sin, we deceived ourselves. Return to the Lord, and forsake your injustice, for His Mercy is great towards those who are converted to Him. Why is He called Saviour, unless in order to save? …

But, oh, miserable that we are! We are often called and we only turn a deaf ear. “I have called and you have not heard,” says God. We are drawn and we obstinately resist Him. He complains, saying: “All the day long have I stretched out My hands to this incredulous and rebellious people! ”…

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!” – (Consoling Thoughts on God and Providence).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who are chastising the flesh by fasting, may rejoice in this holy practice and thus, with earthly passions subdued, we may the more readily direct our thoughts to Heavenly things. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DYING / LAST WORDS, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING

Our Morning Offering – 14 March – Lord Jesus Christ, Have Mercy Upon Me. The Dying Prayer of St Richard of Chichester

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Our Morning Offering – 14 March – Thursday of the 4th Week in Lent

Lord Jesus Christ,
Have Mercy Upon Me.
The Dying Prayer of
St Richard of Chichester (1197-1253)

Lord Jesus Christ,
I thank Thee
for all the blessings Thou hast given me
and for all the sufferings and shame,
Thou didst endure for me,
on which account,
that pitiable cry of sorrow was Thine:
“Behold and see, if there was any sorrow
like unto My sorrow!”
Thou knowest Lord,
how willing I should be, to bear insult
and pain, and death for Thee,
therefore, have mercy upon me,
for to Thee do I commend my spirit.
Amen

St Richard recited this prayer on his deathbed, surrounded by the Clergy of his Diocese. The words were transcribed, in Latin, by his Confessor and friend, Fr Ralph Bocking (who ultimately also became his Biographer), a Dominican Friar. The prayer was eventually published in the Acta Sanctorum, an encyclopedic text in 68 folio volumes of documents examining the lives of Saints. The British Library copy contains Fr Bocking’s transcription of the prayer in his handwriting as below:

Gratias tibi ago,
Domine Jesu Christe,
de omnibus beneficiis
quae mihi praestitisti;
pro poenis et opprobrious,
quae pro me pertulisti;
propter quae planctus ille lamentabilis
vere tibi competebat.
Non est dolor similis sicut dolor meus.

However, the first English translation is as above an not the version below, or the one more commonly known as “Day by Day” which words were never in the original and were added and used in the extremely sacrilegious and blasphemous “Godspell” – even though the common version with the rhyming “Triplet” (i.e. clearly, dearly, nearly) – is the one found commonly in Hymn and Prayer Books.
Bearing in mind that this was “The Dying Prayer ” of St Richard, it is obviously highly unlikely that he would have requested the grace of daily sanctity, “day by day!”

Thanks be to Thee,
my Lord Jesus Christ
For all the benefits
Thou hast given me,
For all the pains and insults
Thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer,
Friend and Brother,
May I know Thee more clearly,
Love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly.
Amen

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VANITY, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 13 March – The Last Artifice of the Devil –Making even Virtue, an Occasion of Sin! (Part Two)

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Thought for the Day – 13 March – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

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

“Again, in the life of grace and the performance of good works, what good or meritorious deed, could your nature perform by itself, if deprived of Divine assistance?

For, considering, on the other hand, the multitude of your past transgressions and moreover, the multitude of other sins from which, God’s compassionate Hand, has alone withheld you, you will find that your iniquities, being multiplied, not only by days and years but, by acts and habits of sin, (one evil habit drawing another after it), would have swelled to an almost infinite amount and so, have made of you, another infernal Lucifer!

Hence, if you would not rob God of the praise of His goodness but cleave faithfully to Him, you must learn, day-by-day, to think more humbly of yourself.
And be very careful to deal justly in this judgement of yourself, or it may do you no little injury.
For, if in the knowledge of your own iniquity, you surpass a man who, in his blindness, accounts himself to be something, you will lose exceedingly and fall far below him in the action of the will, if you desire to be esteemed and regarded by men, for that which you know yourself, not to be.

If, then, you desire that the consciousness of your vileness and sinfulness should protect you from your enemies and make you dear to God, you must not only despise yourself, as unworthy of any good and deserving of every evil but, you must love to be despised by others, detesting honours, rejoicing in shame and
stooping on all occasions to offices which others hold in contempt.
You must make no account at all of their judgement, lest you be, thereby, deterred from this holy exercise.
But take care that the end in view be solely your own humiliation and
self-discipline, lest you be in any degree influenced by a certain lurking pride and spirit of presumption which, under some specious pretext or other, often causes us to make little or no account of the opinions of others.

And should you perchance come to be loved, esteemed, or praised by others for any good gift bestowed upon you by God, be not moved, a single step, thereby but, collect yourself steadily within the stronghold of this true and just judgement of yourself, first turning to God and saying to Him with all your heart :

“O Lord, never let me rob Thee of Thy honour
and the glory of Thy grace.
To Thee be praise and honour and glory,
to me, confusion of face.”

And then say mentally of him who praises you:

“Whence is it that he accounts me good,
since truly, my God and His works, are alone good?”

For by thus, giving back to the Lord that which is His own, you will keep your enemies afar off and prepare yourself to receive greater gifts and favours from your God.

And if the remembrance of good works exposes you to any risk of vanity, view them instantly, not as your own but as God’s and say to them :

“I know not how you did appear and originate in my mind,
for you derived not your being from me
but the good God and His grace created, nourished and preserved you.
Him alone, then, will I acknowledge as your true
and first Parent, Him will I thank
and to Him, will I return all the praise.
Amen!”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/12/thought-for-the-day-12-march-the-last-artifice-of-the-devil-making-even-virtue-an-occasion-of-sin-part-one/

Posted in "Follow Me", CARMELITES, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The HEART, The HOLY FACE

Quote/s of the Day – 13 March – I am the Light of the world

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 March – Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Lent – Isaias 1:16-19, John 9:1-38 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I am the Light of the world;
he who follows me will not walk in darkness
but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

“Arise, be enlightened, …
for thy Light is come!”

Isaias 60:1

“Let us listen to the holy Voice of God
which summons us from on high,
from the holy mountain top.
There, we must hasten – I make bold to say –
like Jesus, Who is our leader
and has gone before us into Heaven.
There, with Him, may the eyes of our mind
shine with His light and the features of our soul
be made new; may we be transfigured with Him
and moulded to His image,
ever becoming divine,
being transformed in an ever greater degree of glory.”

St Anastasius Sinaita (Died 6th Century)
Priest and Abbot

Eternal Light, Shine into our Hearts
By St Alcuin of York (735-804)

Eternal Light, shine into our hearts,
Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil,
Eternal Power, be our support,
Eternal Wisdom, scatter the
darkness of our ignorance,
Eternal Pity, have mercy on us
that with all our heart
and mind
and soul
and strength,
we may seek Thy Face
and be brought,
by Thine Infinite Mercy
to Thy Holy Presence;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord
Amen

“The endurance of darkness
is the preparation for great light!”

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)

Posted in "Follow Me", ACT of CONTRITION, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, ST FRANCIS de SALES, The HEART, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 11 March – Help us, O God, our Saviour

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 March – Monday of the Fourth Week in Lent – 3 Kings 3:16-28; John 2:13-25 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Remember not our former iniquities,
let Thy mercies speedily prevent us,
for we are become exceeding poor.
Help us, O God, our Saviour
and for the glory of Thy Name, O Lord,
deliver us and forgive us our sins,
for Thy Name’s sake.”

Psalm 78:8-9

“… There is one Road
and one only,
well secured against all possibility
of going astray
and, this Road is provided
by One, Who is Himself
both God and Man.
As God, He is the Goal,
as Man, He is the Way.”

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

“Prayer, appeases the anger of God;
He pardons the sinner
when he prays with humility.”

St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455)

“O God, fullness of goodness,
You do not forsake any,
except those who forsake You.
You never take away Your gifts,
except when we take away our hearts.
We rob the goodness of God,
if we claim the glory of our salvation for ourselves.
We dishonour His mercy,
if we say He has failed us.
… We blaspheme His goodness,
if we deny that He has helped and assisted us.
In short, O God, cry loud and clear into our ears:
“your destruction comes from you, O Israel.
In me alone is found your help” (Hos 13:9).

“Our misery.
is the throne
of God’s mercy.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The REDEMPTION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 March – “Destroy this temple and in three days, I will raise it up. ” – John 2:19

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One Minute Reflection – 11 March – Monday of the Fourth Week in Lent – 3 Kings 3:16-28; John 2:13-25 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Destroy this temple and in three days, I will raise it up. ” – John 2:19

REFLECTION – “We are still God’s workmen who are building the temple of God. This temple’s dedication has already taken place in its Head, in that the Lord has Risen from the dead after His victory over death and, having destroyed in Himself what was mortal, He has Ascended to Heaven … But now, we are building this temple through faith, so that its dedication may also be made at the final resurrection. That is why … one of the Psalms has the title: “When the Temple was rebuilt after the captivity” (95:1). Call to mind our own former captivity, when the devil held the whole world in his power, like a flock of the unfaithful. It was due to this captivity that our Redeemer came. He shed His Blood for our ransoming and, by the Blood He poured out, He cancelled the debt which was holding us captive (Col 2:14) … Sold beforehand to sin, we have now been set free by grace.

Following this captivity, the temple is now being built and, to raise it up, the Good News is proclaimed. That is why this Psalm begins as follows: “Sing to the Lord a new song” And, lest you think this temple is being constructed in some insignificant corner, as the heretics who separate themselves from the Church build it, pay attention to what follows: “Sing to the Lord, all you lands” …

“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands.” Sing and clap your hands! Sing and “bless the Name of the Lord” (v. 2). Proclaim the Day born of the Day of Salvation, the Day born of the Day of Christ. For Who is the Salvation of God if not His Christ? This is the Salvation we pray for in the Psalm: “Show us, Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help.” Just men of old longed for this salvation, those of whom the Lord said to His disciples: “Many desired to see what you see, but did not see it” (Lk 10:24) … “Sing to the lord a new song; sing to the Lord” See the fervour of the builders! “Sing to the Lord and bless His Name.” Proclaim the Good News! What good news is that? Day is born from Day … Light from Light; the Son from the Father, the Saving Power of God! This is how the temple is built after the captivity.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 163:5).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who devoutly keep the sacred observances, year by year, may be pleasing to Thee, both in body and soul. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CARMELITES, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on MERCY

Quote/s of the Day – 10 March – Both debtor and creditor…

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 March – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent

“… Every man is both debtor and creditor…
A beggar asks you for alms but you, too,
are God’s beggar, for when we pray
we are all beggars of God.
We stand – or rather, prostrate ourselves –
at our Father’s door (cf Lk 11:5);
we beseech Him with groans,
anxious to receive a grace from Him
and this grace is God Himself!
What does the beggar ask of you?
Bread. And what is it that you are asking of God
but Christ, Who said:
“I am the Living Bread come down from Heaven”
(Jn 6:51).”

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

Lord God, Lift Me Up
By St John of the Cross (1542-1591)

Lord God, my Beloved,
if Thou art still mindful of my sins
and wilt not grant my petitions,
let Thy will be done,
for this is my main desire.
Show Thy goodness and mercy
and Thou shalt be known for them.
If Thou art waiting for me
to do good works
and upon their performance,
Thou wilt grant my petitions,
cause them to be accomplished in me, O Lord!
Send also, the punishment for my sins,
which is acceptable to Thee.
For how will I raise myself up to Thee,
born and bred as I am, in misery,
unless Thou, O Lord,
wilt lift me up
with the Hand which made me?!
Amen

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

Posted in CATECHESIS, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 10 March – On the Tender Compassion which Jesus Christ entertains towards Sinners

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 10 March – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent – Galatians 4:22-31, John 6:1-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“They who trust in the Lord
are like Mount Sion
which is immovable;
which forever stands.”
Psalm 124:1-2

“Make the men sit down.”
John 6:10

On the Tender Compassion which Jesus Christ
Entertains Towards Sinners

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

“WE read in this day’s Gospel that, having gone up into a mountain with His disciples and seeing a multitude of five thousand persons, who followed Him because they saw the miracles which He wrought on them that were diseased, the Redeemer said to St Philip: “Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat ?” “Lord,” answered St Philip, “two-hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient that every one may take a little.” St Andrew then said: There is a boy here that has five barley loaves and two fishes but what are these among so many? But Jesus Christ said: “Make the men sit down.” And he distributed the loaves and fishes among them. “The multitude were satisfied and the fragments of bread which remained, filled twelve baskets.”
The Lord wrought this miracle through compassion for the bodily wants of these poor people but, far more tender is His compassion, for the necessities of the souls of the poor that is, of sinners, who are deprived of the Divine Grace.

But, my Lord, since Thou hast resolved to take human flesh, would not a single prayer offered by Thee be sufficient for the redemption of all men? What need, then, was there of leading a life of poverty, humiliation and contempt, for thirty- three years, of suffering a cruel and shameful death on an infamous gibbet and of shedding all Thy Blood by dint of torments?
I know well, answers Jesus Christ, that One Drop of My Blood, or a simple prayer, would be sufficient for the salvation of the world but neither,would be sufficient to show the love which I bear to men and, therefore, to be loved by men when they should see me dead on the Cross, for the love of them, I have resolved to submit to so many torments and to so painful a death.
This, He says, is the duty of a good Shepherd “I Am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd giveth His Life for His sheep… I lay down My Life for My sheep.” (John 10:11, 15) …

This tenderness of Jesus Christ was experienced by the sinful woman (according to St Gregory, — Mary Magdalene) who cast herself at the feet of Jesus and washed them with her tears. (Luke 7:47 and 50) The Lord, turning to her with sweetness, consoled her by saying: “Thy sins are forgiven … thy faith hath made thee safe; go in peace.” (Luke 7:48 and 50.) Child, thy sins are pardoned; thy confidence in Me has saved thee; go in peace.
It was also felt by the man who was sick for thirty- eight years and who was infirm, both in body and soul. The Lord cured his malady and pardoned his sins. … We have also a proof of the tender compassion of the Son of God for sinners, in his conduct towards the woman caught in adultery.

… Jesus Christ has come, not to condemn,but to deliver sinners from hell, as soon as they resolve to amend their lives. And when He sees them obstinately bent on their own perdition, He addresses them with tears in the words of Ezechiel:
“Why will you die, O house of Israel?” (18:31). My children, why will you die? Why do you voluntarily rush into hell, when I have come from Heaven to deliver you from it by death?”
He adds: you are already dead to the grace of God.
But I will not allow your death — return to Me and I will restore to you the life which you have lost.

Let us then, sinners, return instantly to Jesus Christ.
If we have left Him, let us immediately return, before death overtakes us in sin and sends us to hell, where the mercies and graces of the Lord shall, if we do not amend, be so many swords which shall lacerate the heart for all eternity!” – (Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent – Intro, 3,8,9,11,12).

Posted in CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, HOLY WEEK, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 10 March – God of Mercy and Compassion

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Our Morning Offering – 10 March – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent

God of Mercy and Compassion
By Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736)
Composer

God of mercy and compassion,
Look with pity upon me,
Father, let me call Thee Father,
‘Tis Thy child returns to Thee.

Refrain:
Jesus, Lord, I ask for mercy.
Let me not implore in vain,
All my sins, I now detest them,
Never will I sin again.

By my sins I have deserved
Death and endless misery,
Hell with all its pains and torments,
And for all eternity.
(Refrain)

By my sins I have abandoned
Right and claim to heav’n above.
Where the Saints rejoice forever
In a boundless sea of love.
(Refrain)

See our Saviour, bleeding, dying,
On the cross of Calvary;
To that Cross my sins have nail’d Him,
Yet He bleeds and dies for me.
(Refrain)

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, ST FRANCIS de SALES, The KINGDOM of GOD, The SECOND COMING

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 9 March – Heaven or Hell?

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 9 March – Saturday of the Third Week in Lent – Proverbs 31:10-31, Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Thou hast loved justice
and hated iniquity;
therefore God, thy God,
hath anointed thee
with the oil of gladness,
above thy fellows.”
Psalm 44:8

“So shall it be at the end of the world.
The Angels shall go out
and shall separate the wicked
from among the just.
And shall cast them into the furnace of fire:
there shall be weeping
and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 13:49-50

HEAVEN or HELL?

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“CONSIDER THAT THE CHOICE you make in this life will last forever in the next!
Consider too, that while both are open to receive you, according to your choice, yet God, Who is prepared to give the one by reason of His Justice, the other by reason of His Mercy, all the while desires, unspeakably that you should select Paradise. offering you countless graces on God’s part, countless assistance to attain to it.
Consider that Jesus Christ, enthroned in Heaven, looks down upon you in loving invitation – ‘O beloved one, come unto Me and joy forever in the eternal blessedness of My Love!’
Behold His mother yearning over you with maternal tenderness, ‘Courage, my child, do not despise the Goodness of my Son, or my earnest prayers for thy salvation.‘ …

O Hell, I abhor thee now and forever; I abhor thy griefs and torments, thine endless misery, the unceasing blasphemies and maledictions which thou pourest out upon my God and turning to thee, O blessed Paradise, eternal glory, unfading happiness, I choose thee forever as my abode, thy glorious mansions, thy precious and abiding tabernacles.

O my God, I bless Thy Mercy which gives me the power to choose, O Jesus, Saviour, I accept Thine Eternal Love and praise Thee for the promise Thou hast given me, of a place prepared for me, in that blessed New Jerusalem, where I shall love and bless Thee forever. ” (Excerpt – ‘Introduction to the Devout Life’ 9th Meditation).

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

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

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

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

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

“Love takes up,
where knowledge leaves off.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on TRUTH, SAINT of the DAY, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 7 March – O Merciful God By St Thomas Aquinas

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Our Morning Offering – 7 March – Thursday of the Third Week in Lent – St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225-1274) Confessor, Doctor

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

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

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 5 March – Of the Devil’s Devices Against Those Already Held, in the Bondage of Sin

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

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

XXVIII: … Of the Devil’s Devices Against Those
Already Held, in the Bondage of Sin

“When the devil holds a man in the bondage of sin, his chief care is to blind his eyes more and more and to avert everything from him which might lead to a knowledge of his most wretched condition.
And not only does he, by instilling contrary thoughts, drive from him all reflections and inspirations which call him to conversion but, by affording him ready opportunities, he makes him fall into new and greater sins.

Hence, the thicker and darker waxes his blindness, the more desperate and habitual becomes his course of sin and thus, from blindness to deeper blindness, from sin to fouler sin, his wretched life will whirl on, even unto death, unless God, by His grace, should intervene to save him.

The remedy for one in this unhappy condition is, to be ready to give dilligent heed to the thoughts and inspirations which call him from darkness to light, crying with all his heart to his Creator:
“O Lord, help me,
help me speedily,
leave me no longer in the darkness of sin.”
And let him not fail to repeat this cry for mercy over and over again in these or the like words.
If possible, let him have immediate recourse to some spiritual guide and ask aid and counsel that so he may be delivered from the power of the enemy.
And if he cannot do this, at the moment, let him with all speed, fly to the Crucifix, prostrating himself before it and asking mercy and aid also, from the Mother of God.

On this speed does the victory depend, as you will learn in the next chapter.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in CATECHESIS, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOOD FRIDAY, LENT 2024, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, ST FRANCIS de SALES, The HOLY CROSS, The LORD'S PRAYER, The PASSION, The SEVEN PASSION Feasts

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 5 March – Forgiving Our Brother With All Our Heart

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 5 March – Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent – 4 Kings 4:1-7; Matthew 18:15-22 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone
who is indebted to us.”
Luke 11:4

“Then Peter came up to him and said,
“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me
and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times
but seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:21-22

Forgiving Our Brother With All Our Heart

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

“The first word our Lord spoke on the Cross was a prayer for those who were Crucifying Him; thus, He carried out what Saint Paul wrote: “In the days of His flesh, He offered prayer and sacrifice” (Heb 5:7). It is true that those who were Crucifying our Divine Saviour did not know Him … for, if they had known Him, they would not have Crucified Him (1 Cor 2:8). Therefore, our Lord, seeing the ignorance and weakness of those torturing Him, began to make excuses for them and offer this Sacrifice to His heavenly Father for them – for prayer is a sacrifice: … “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34).
How great was the flame of love burning in our sweet Saviour’s heart, since amidst the strongest of His pains, at the time when the strength of His sufferings seemed to take from Him even the ability to pray for Himself, He came, through the strength of charity, to forget Himself but not those He had created …

By this He wanted to make us understand the love He bore for us, a love which could not be lessened by any kind of suffering and, to teach us, too, what our hearts ought to be feeling with regard to our neighbour …

Now, since this Divine Lord had been occupying Himself in asking forgiveness for us, it is absolutely certain that His request was granted. For His Divine Father honoured Him too much to refuse Him anything He asked.” – (Sermon for Good Friday 25/03/1622).

Posted in CARMELITES, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 4 March – Morning Offering By St Thérèse

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Our Morning Offering – 4 March – Monday of the Third Week in Lent

Morning Offering
By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873 – 1897)

O my God!
I offer Thee all my actions of this day
for the intentions and for the glory
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart,
my every thought,
my simplest works,
by uniting them to It’s infinite merits
and I wish to make reparation for my sins,
by casting them into the furnace
of It’s Merciful Love.
O my God!
I ask Thee for myself
and for those whom I hold dear,
the grace to fulfil perfectly Thy Holy Will,
to accept for love of Thee,
the joys and sorrows of this passing life,
so that we may one day be united together
in Heaven for all Eternity.
Amen.

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 3 March – What Are We To Do When Wounded? (Part Two)

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

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

XXVI: … What Are We To Do When Wounded?
(Part Two)

“This exercise is very displeasing to the devil, both because he sees it to be most acceptable to God and, also because, he is enraged to see himself overcome by one,over whom he had been at first victorious.
And, therefore, he seeks by many artful wiles, to make us relinquish it and, through our carelessness and lack of vigilance, he is but too often successful!
The more difficult, therefore, this exercise may seem to you, the greater violence must you do to yourself, renewing it repeatedly, even after a single fall.

And, if after any fall, you feel uneasy, distrustful,and confused in mind, the first thing to be done is to recover your peace and quietness of mind, and together with it, your confidence in God.
Armed with these, turn again to the Lord — for your uneasiness on account of your sin arises, not from the consideration of the offence against God but, of the injury to yourself.

To recover this peace, discard entirely from your mind, the thought of your fall and set yourself to meditate on the unspeakable goodness of God — how He is beyond measure, ready and willing to forgive every sin, how grievous soever; calling the sinner by manifold ways and means, to come to Him that He may unite him to Himself in this life, by His grace, in order to his sanctification and, in the life to come, by His glory, for his eternal beatication.

And having quieted your mind by these and the like reflections, turn your thoughts once more to your fall, according to the instructions given you above.

Again, at the time of sacramental Confession, to which I exhort you to have frequent recourse, recall to mind all your falls and ,with renewed sorrow and indignation at the offence against God and, renewed purpose, never again to offend Him, disclose them with all sincerity to your spiritual Father.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/02/thought-for-the-day-2-march-what-are-we-to-do-when-wounded-part-one/

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING, SELF-DISTRUST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 2 March – What Are We To Do When Wounded? (Part One)

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

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

XXVI: … What Are We To Do When Wounded?
(Part One)

“When you feel yourself wounded from having weakly, or it maybe, even willfully and deliberately, fallen into some sin, be not over-fearful or over-anxious but,, turn instantly to God, saying:

“Behold, O Lord, what I, of myself, have done!
And what, indeed, could be expected of me but falls?”

And then, after a short pause, humble yourself in your own eyes, mourn over the offence committed against your Lord and, without falling into discouragement, be full of indignation against your evil passions, especially that which has occasioned your fall.
Then say:

“Nor even here, Lord, should I have stopped,
if Thine Goodness had not withheld me.”

And here give thanks to Him and love Him more than ever, wondering at the excess of His Mercy, Who, when you had so deeply offended Him, stretched out His right Hand to save you from another fall!

Lastly, say, with great confidence in His Infinite Compassion:

“Forgive me, Lord, for Thine own sake,
suffer me not to depart from Thee,
nor to be separated from Thee,
nor evermore to offend Thee.”

And this done, do not sit down to consider whether God has pardoned you or not — for this is nothing else but pride, restlessness of mind, loss of time and, under colour of various fair pretexts, a delusion of the devil.
But, committing yourself unreservedly to the Merciful Hands of God, pursue your exercise as if you had not fallen.

And if you should fall wounded many times in the day, repeat that which I have taught you, with no less faith than the first, the second, the third and even the last time and despising yourself and hating the sin, more and more, strive to lead, henceforth, a life of greater watchfulness.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 March – “I shall arise and shall go to my Father” – Luke 15:18

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One Minute Reflection – 2 March – “The Month of St Joseph” – Saturday of the Second Week in Lent – Ferial Day – Genesis 27:6-40; Luke 15:11-32 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I shall arise and shall go to my Father” – Luke 15:18

REFLECTION – “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.

As of the tax collector, have mercy on me and I shall live by Thy grace! O Son of God, forgive my sins as Thou did with the adulteress. Save me from the waves, as Thou did with Peter. Have mercy on my lowness, as Thou did for the good criminal and remember me! O Lord, come search for me, like the lost sheep and Thou will find me; carry me on Thy shoulders, Lord, to the house of Thy Father.

As Thou didst, with the blind man, open my eyes that I may see Thy Light! As for the deaf, open my ears, that I may hear Thy Voice! As for the paralytic, heal my disability so that I may praise Thy Name. As for the leper, cleanse me of my sin with Thy hyssop (cf Ps 50:9). As the young girl, the daughter of Jairus, make me live, our Lord. As Peter’s mother-in-law, heal me, for I am sick. As the young boy, the widow’s son, raise me up, that I may stand up again. As Thou did with Lazarus, cry out to me with Thy Own Voice and undo my bandages. For I am dead because of sin, like as for a sickness, raise me up from my ruin that I may praise Thy Name!

I beg Thee, Lord of Heaven and earth, come save me and show me Thy Way, so that I may come towards Thee. Bring me back to Thee, Son of the Good Lord and fill me with Thy Mercy. I will come to Thee and then will I be filled with joy!” – St Jacob of Sarug (c451-521) Bishop, Theologian, Poet, Writer, Father (A poem).

PRAYER – Grant that our fasting may be beneficial to us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, so that by chastising our flesh, we may obtain strength for our souls. Through tJesus 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 DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, GOOD FRIDAY, Holy Name PRAYERS, HOLY WEEK, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY NAME, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION, The SEVEN PASSION Feasts

Our Morning Offering – 1 March – Glory, Honour and Praise, To Our Lord Jesus Christ!

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Our Morning Offering – 1 March – Friday of the Second Week in Lent and the Feast of the Holy Shroud

Glory, Honour and Praise,
To Our Lord Jesus Christ!
A devout Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ,
to be said both Morning and Evening
By St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621)
Doctor of the Church
(From His “A Brief Christian Doctrine”)

GLory, Honour and Praise Be,
May all the world adore Thee,
blessed be Thy Holy Name,
Who for us sinners,
vouchsafest to be born of a humble Virgin
and blessed be Thine Infinite Goodness,
Who died upon the Cross for our Redemption.
O Jesu, Son of God
and Saviour of mankind,
have mercy upon us
and so dispose our lives here,
by Thy Grace
that we may, hereafter,
rejoice with Thee forever
in Thy Heavenly Kingdom,
Amen.

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on PRESUMPTION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on VANITY, SELF-DISTRUST, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 27 February – Of the Ways to Rule the Tongue

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Thought for the Day – 27 February – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

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

XXIV: … Of the Ways to Rule the Tongue

“It is very necessary that the tongue be well bridled and regulated, as we are all much inclined, to let it run wildly on, upon those things which are most pleasing to the senses.

MUCH SPEAKING springs, ordinarily, from pride.
We persuade ourselves that we know a great deal; we take delight in our own conceits and endeavour, by needless repetitions, to impress them upon the minds of other, that we may exercise a mastery over them, as though they needed instruction from us.
It is not possible, in a few words, to express, the many evils which arise from overmuch speaking.
TALKATIVENESS is the mother of sloth, the sign of ignorance and folly, the door of slander ,the minister of falsehood, the destroyer of fervent devotion.
A multitude of words adds strength to evil passions, by which, again, the tongue is the more easily led to indiscreet speech.
Do not indulge in long conversations with those who are unwilling to hear you, lest you weary them; nor with those who love to listen to you, lest you exceed the bounds of modesty.

AVOID LOUD and assertive speaking, which is not only odious in itself but, is also a sign of presumption and vanity.

NEVER SPEAK OF YOURSELF or your doings, nor of your kindred, except in case of absolute necessity and then, with all possible brevity and reserve.
If others seem to speak overmuch of themselves, try to put a favourable construction upon their conduct but, do not imitate it, even though, their words seem to tend to self-humiliation and self-accusation.

SPEAK AS LITTLE as maybe possible, of your neighbour, or of anything concerning him, unless an occasion occurs to say something in his praise.

SPEAK WILLINGLY OF GOD and especially, of His Love and Goodness but with fear and caution, lest even here, you fall into error.
Rather, take pleasure in listening, while others speak of Him, treasuring their words in the depth of your heart.

LET THE SOUND of men’s voices strike only upon your ear – meanwhile, you should lift up your heart to God and, if you must, listen to their discourse, in order to understand and reply to it, yet neglect not to cast your eye in thought to Heaven, where God dwells and, contemplate His loftiness, as He ever beholds your vileness.

CONSIDER WELL the things your heart suggests to you, before they pass onto your tongue – for you will perceive that many of them would be better suppressed altogether and never reach the ears of anyone!
Nay, I can still further assure you that not a few, even of those which you will then think it expedient to pronounce aloud, would be far better buried in silence and so, you will perceive, upon reflection, when the opportunity for speaking is past.

SILENCE IS A STRONG FORTRESS, in the spiritual combat and a sure pledge of victory.

SILENCE IS THE FRIEND, of him who distrusts himself and trusts in
God; it is the guard of holy prayer and a wonderful aid in the practice of virtue.
In order to acquire the practice of silence, consider frequently
the great benefits which arise therefrom and, the evils and dangers of verbosity
Love this virtue and in order to acquire the habit of it, keep silence occasionally, even at times when you might lawfully speak, provided this be not to your own prejudice, or to that of others.
And you will be greatly helped to achieve this virtue, by withdrawing from the society of men; for, in the place of this, you will have the society of Angels, Saints and of God Himself!

Lastly, remember the combat which you have in hand that, seeing you have so much to do, you may the more willingly refrain from all superfluous words.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, BREVIARY Prayers, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, HYMNS, JESUIT SJ, LENT 2024, LENTEN THOUGHTS, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 27 February– “ … Come to Our Help, Watchful Ward of Our Lives”

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Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 27 February– Tuesday of the Second Week in Lent – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The troubles of my heart are multiplied,
deliver me from my necessities.
See my abjection and my labour
and forgive me all my sins.”
Psalm 24:17-18

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled
and whoever humbles himself
will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:12

PENANCE
“ … Come to Our Help,
Watchful Ward of Our Lives”

Custodes Hominum Psallimus Angelos
Praise We the Guardian Angels of Men
By St Robert Bellarmine SJ (1542-1621)
Archbishop of Capua, Theologian
Doctor of the Church

Angel-guardians of men,
spirits and powers we sing,
Whom our Father hath sent,
aids to our weakly frame,
Heavenly friends and guides,
help from on high to bring,
Lest we fail through the foeman’s wile.

He, the spoiler of souls,
Angel-traitor of old,
Cast in merited wrath
out of his honoured place,
Burns with envy and hate,
seeking their souls to gain
Whom God’s mercy invites to Heaven.

Therefore, come to our help,
watchful ward of our lives:
Turn aside from the land,
God to thy care confides
Sickness and woe of soul,
yea and what else of ill
Peace of heart to its folk denies.

Now to the Holy Three
praise evermore resound:
Under Whose Hand Divine
resteth the triple world
Governed in wondrous wise,
glory be Theirs and Might
While the ages unending run.
Amen

This Hymn/Prayer/Reflection by St Robert Bellarmine,was added to the Roman Breviary in 1608, by command of Pope Paul V. It is for Vespers in the Office for “the Holy Guardian Angels. Double of the second class, 2 October.