Category: DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on STRENGTH, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 3 August – The Universal Prayer of St Clement I

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Our Morning Offering – 3 August – Pentecost VIII

In The Name Of The Whole
Christian People
The Universal Prayer of St Clement I (c88–c101)
Pope and Martyr,
Apostolic Father of the Church

We beg Thee, Master,
be our help and strength.
Save those among us who are oppressed,
have pity on the lowly
and lift up the fallen.
Heal the sick,
bring back the straying
and feed the hungry.
Release those in prison,
steady those who falter
and strengthen the fainthearted.
Let all nations come to know Thee,
the One God, with Thy Son Jesus Christ
and ourselves, Thy people
and the sheep of Thy pasture.
Do not keep count of the sins of Thy servants
but purify them, through the bath of Thine Truth
and direct our steps.
Help us to walk in holiness of heart
and to do what is good and pleasing in Thine eyes
and in the eyes of our rulers.
Master, let Thine Face shine on us
to grant us every good in peace,
protect us by Thine powerful Hand,
deliver us from every evil, by the might of Thine Arm.
Grant us and all who dwell on this earth,
peace and harmony, O Lord.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SIN, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 29 July – Why God Created Us

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

Why God Created Us

“We should ask the reason for everything which comes from the Hand of God.
Have you ever seriously considered WHY you are in this world?
It is certainly not for the sake of this passing earthly existence, for the sake of earning your living, or enjoying yourself.
You know well, that the passing pleasures of this life do not satisfy the human heart and cannot be the final goal of life.
Each one of us has a thirst for all that is infinite, eternal and perfect.
God alone can satisfy this thirst.
Just as we are created by God, so we are created for Him.
Just as we came from God, so we are gradually travelling back towards Him, for He is the final goal of our earthly journey.
We should meditate on this great truth which we were first taught in the Catechism, namely, that we were created to know, love and serve God on this earth and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven.
Let us not allow ourselves to be dazzled by earthly beauty.
God alone is the eternal beauty which will satisfy our hearts.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/26/thought-for-the-day-26-march-why-god-created-us/

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION

Thought for the Day – 24 July – Prayer as a Necessary Means of Salvation

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Thought for the Day – 24 July – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Prayer as a Necessary Means
of Salvation

“St Augustine calls prayer “the key to Heaven.”
We should acknowledge the Infinite Goodness of God in giving us such an easy means of salvation, for when He gave us prayer, He gave us the key to His Kingdom of Heaven.
He invites us earnestly, to pray.
“Ask and it shall be given you;  seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you” (C. Mt 7:7, Lk 11:9).
“If you ask the Father anything in my name, He will give it to you” (Cf Jn 16:23)
“Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation” (Cf Mt 26:41, Mk 14:38).

When Jesus was in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, His Apostles became tired and sleepy.
He rebuked them gently and asked them for the second time to pray, that they might not yield to temptation.
He makes this request of us also.
We grow weary and apathetic as the Apostles did, while the devil is busy with his evil suggestions and the dangers of the world surround us.
We have constant need of the grace of God to prevent us from falling.
Let us pray fervently and bear in mind the advice of St Alphonsus:  “If you give up praying, you will certainly be damned!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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

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

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

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

Luke 7:38

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

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

St Clement of Alexandria (c150-c215)

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

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

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 July – ‘ … He spoke to her alone but, He was drawing all creation to His grace. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 22 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Mary Magdalene (1st Century) Penitent – Song 3:2-5; 8:6-7 – Luke 7:36-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” – Luke 7:50

REFLECTION – “A sinful woman has proclaimed to us that God’s Love has gone forth in search of sinners. For when He called her, Christ was inviting our whole race to His Love and, in her person, He was drawing all sinners to His forgiveness. He spoke to her alone but, He was drawing all creation to His grace. …

Who would not be struck by the Mercy of Christ, Who accepted an invitation to a Pharisee’s house, in order to save a sinner! For the sake of the woman, who hungered for forgiveness, He, Himself felt hunger for the table of Simon the Pharisee and all the while, under the guise of a meal of bread, He had prepared for the sinner, a meal of repentance! …

In order that you may have the same experience, reflect within yourself that your sin is great but that it is blasphemy against God and an injury to yourself, to despair of His forgiveness because your sin seems to you to be too great. He has promised to forgive your sins, however many they are; will you tell Him you cannot believe this and dispute with Him, saying that your sin is too great and He cannot heal your sickness? Stop at that point and cry out with the prophet: “Lord, I have sinned against you” (Ps 50:6). At once He will reply, “As for Me, I have overlooked your fault, you shall not die.” Glory to Him from us all, through all ages! Amen, Amen.” ~ An Anonymous Christian Syrian Writer of the 6th Century [ ACW} (From a collection of Sermons on the sinful woman, 1, 4.5.19.26.28).

PRAYER – May the prayers of blessed Mary Magdalen help us, O Lord, Who was moved by her prayers, her love and peniteance, that we too may learn true repentance and sorrow for our sins..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 ACT of CONTRITION, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 22 July – Prayer of Contrition By St Alphonsus

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Our Morning Offering – 22 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Mary Magdalene (1st Century) Penitent –

O Jesus, My Sweet Love!
(I too have kept Thee suffering)

Prayer of Contrition
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Jesus, my sweet Love!
I too have kept Thee suffering
through all Thy life.
Tell me, then, what I must do
in order to win Thy forgiveness.
I am ready to do all Thou askest of me.
I am sorry, O sovereign Good,
for all the offences I have committed against Thee.
I love Thee more than myself,
or at least, I feel a great desire to love Thee.
Since it is Thou Who hast given me this desire,
do Thou also give me the strength to love Thee exceedingly.

It is only right that I,
who have offended Thee so much,
should love Thee very much.
Always remind me of the love
Thou hast borne me,
in order that my soul may ever burn
with love of Thee and long to please Thee alone.
O God of love,
I, who was once a slave of hell,
now give myself all to Thee.
Graciously accept me and bind me to Thee
with the bonds of Thy love.
My Jesus, from this day and forever,
in loving Thee will I live
and in loving Thee will I die.

O Mary, my Mother and my hope,
help me to love Thy dear God and mine.
This is the only favour I ask of thee
and through thee, I hope to receive it.
Amen

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

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

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

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

Luke 7:38

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

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

St Clement of Alexandria (c150-c215)

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

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

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

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

Posted in BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, BREVIARY Prayers, CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WISDOM, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Our Morning Offering – 17 July – Prayer in Praise of God By St Francis of Assisi

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Our Morning Offering – 17 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood”

Prayer in Praise of God
By St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226)

Thou art Holy, Lord, the only God
and Thine Deeds art wonderful.
Thou art Strong.
Thou art Great.
Thou art the Most High.
Thou art Almighty.
Thou, Holy Father art King of Heaven and earth.
Thou art Three and One, Lord God, all Good.
Thou art Good, all Good, Supreme Good,
Lord God, Living and True.
Thou art Love. Thou art Wisdom.
Thou art Humility. Thou art Endurance.
Thou art Rest. Thou art Peace.
Thou art Joy and Gladness.
Thou art Justice and Moderation.
Thou art all our Riches and Thou art Suffice for us.
Thou art Beauty. Thou art Gentleness.
Thou art our Protector.
Thou art our Guardian and Defender.
Thou art our Courage.
Thou art our Haven and our Hope.
Thou art our Faith, our great Consolation.
Thou art our Eternal Life,
Great and Wonderful Lord, God Almighty,
Merciful Saviour.
Amen

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 14 July – St Bonaventure

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 July – St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church

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

“Men do not fear a powerful hostile army,
as the powers of hell fear the name
and protection of Mary.”

“Although you feel tepid,
approach with confidence,
for the greater your infirmity,
the more you stand in need
of a physician!”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/07/14/quote-s-of-the-day-14-july-st-bonaventure-3/

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

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 12 July – The Beggars of God

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

The Beggars of God

“Both in the natural and in the supernatural order, we are in continual need of the aid of God.
We did not exist and God, in His Infinite Goodness, created us.
It is He, Who preserves us in existence from day to day and from moment to moment.
The act of conservation, is like a continuous creation.
If God did not sustain us, we should return immediately to the dust from which we came: “Remember, man, that dust you are and unto dust you shall return” (Gen 3:19).

We are continually dependent on our Lord and Creator for our existence and activity.
If we remained always aware of this tremendous fact, we would never offend God.
We would show Him a filial gratitude and humbly implore His assistance.

We are so poor and He is so rich.
We are so weak and He is so strong.
We are blind and He is the true Light, which illumines every man who comes into the world (Jn 1:9).
Ask for God’s help with confidence, perseverance and resignation to His Holy Will.
As St Augustine says, we are the beggars of God!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, DYING / LAST WORDS, ON the SAINTS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, SAINT of the DAY, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Quote/s of the Day – 9 July – St John Fisher and St Thomas More – Martyrs

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 July – St John Fisher (1469-1535) Bishop, Martyr, Cardinal – St Thomas More (1478-1535) Martyr, Confessor

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

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

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

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

“Help me, Most Loving Father,
help me with Thy mighty grace.
Succour me with Thy most gracious favour.
Rescue me from these manifold perils in which I am,
for unless Thou wil relieve me, of thy Infinite Goodness,
I am but as a lost creature.”

(From the Prayer in the Tower)

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

penance is a needful thing to the sinner - st john fisher 22 june 2020

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr, Confessor

“For those whom He Loved,
He Loved unto the end and this He wished,
they too should do. He was not
an inconstant Lover Who does as many do,
Love for a while and then, upon some light occasion,
leave His Love and turn from being a friend to an enemy,
as the false traitor, Judas did.
But He, still so persevered in Love
unto the very end, so that, for very Love,
He came to that painful end and that,
not only for His friends who were already His
but too, for His enemies, to make them His friends
and not for His benefit but only for their own!”

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

O Lord, Grant Us …
A Prayer of Petitio
By St Thomas More (1478-1535)

O Lord, grant us a mind
which is humble,
quiet, peaceaable,
patient and charitable
and a taste of Thy Holy Ghost,
in all our thoughts, words and deeds.

O Lord, grant us a lively faith,
a firm hope, a fervent charity,
a love of Thee.

Take from us all lukewarmness
in meditation
and all dullness in prayer.
Give us fervour and delight
in thinking of Thee,
Thy grace and Thy tender
compassion toward us.

Grant us, good Lord,
the grace to work
for the things we pray for.
Amen.

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 9 July – Good Lord, Exercise Thy Mercy By St John Fisher

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Our Morning Offering – 9 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Feast of St John Fisher (1469-1535)
Bishop, Martyr, Confessor, Cardinal

Good Lord,
Exercise Thy Mercy
By St John Fisher (1469-1535)
Bishop, Martyr

Good Lord,
set in Thy Church
strong and mighty pillars
who may suffer
and endure great labours,
who too shall not fear persecution,
nor death but always suffer
slander, shame and all kinds of torments,
with goodwill,
for the glory and praise
of Thine Holy Name.
By this manner, Good Lord,
the truth of Thy Gospel
shall be preached throughout the world.
Therefore, Merciful Lord,
exercise Thy Mercy,
show It indeed upon Thy Church!
Amen

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 8 July – Merciful Jesus! Stretch Forth Thy Hand of Mercy

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Our Morning Offering – 8 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood”

Merciful Jesus!
Stretch Forth Thy Hand of Mercy
(Excerpt – Prayer in a Time of Anguish)
By St Jerome (347-419)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Merciful Jesus!
Thou art my strength, my refuge and my deliverer;
in Thee I have believed and hoped;
in Thee have I loved.
Call me now, I beseech Thee and I will answer.
Stretch forth Thy Hand of mercy, to the work of Thy Hands
and let me not perish, whom Thou hast redeemed
with Thy Precious Blood.
It is now time for dust to return to dust
and my spirit to Thee Who gavest it.
Open then, Lord, the Gate of Life and receive me.
Receive me most merciful Lord,
according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies,
Who receivedst the thief on the cross
and now prepare my soul for hearing
the same promise of mercy which he did.
I am ill, O Lord and Thee my Physician.
Heal me then, my God and I shall be healed,
let me not be confounded, for I put my trust in Thee.
In Thee have I hoped – let me not be cast off forever!
… Deal not with me, according to what I deserve,
nor chastise me, according to my iniquities
but help me, O God, my Saviour
and for the glory of Thy Name deliver me.
Now, at this hour, show mercy to me
and whenever I depart, receive me
into the number of Thy family that I, may be one of those,
who are to praise Thee forever.
Amen

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES for CHRIST, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 7 July – O Most Merciful Lord, Engrave Thy Wounds Upon My Heart By St Gertrude

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Our Morning Offering – 7 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – O Most Merciful Lord, Engrave Thy Wounds Upon My Heart By St Gertrude

O Most Merciful Lord,
Engrave Thy Wounds Upon My Heart
By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
grant that I may aspire to Thee
with my whole heart, with yearning desire
and with a thirsting soul,
seeking only Thy sweetness and Thy delights,
so that my whole mind
and all that is within me,
may ardently sigh for Thee,
Who art our true Beatitude.
O most merciful Lord,
engrave Thy Wounds upon my heart
with Thy most Precious Blood
that I may read in them,
both Thy Grief and Thy Love.
May the memory of Thy Wounds
ever remain in my inmost heart,
to excite my compassion for Thy sufferings
and to increase my love for Thee.
Grant too that I may despise all creatures
so that my heart may delight in Thee alone.
Amen.

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 1 July – The Passion of Our Lord

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Thought for the Day – 1 July – “The Feast and Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Passion of Our Lord

“Meditation on the Passion of Jesus” writes St Albert the Great, “is more profitable than fasting on bread and water or than scourging ourselves.”

This is because, when we meditate with love and gratitude on the Passion of our Redeemer, we have the experience of being transformed and set aglow with charity.
We realise the truth of St Paul’s words, “The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, that will be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18)).

Let us cast ourselves, therefore, into the merciful arms of God and be prepared to suffer everything, even death, for the love of Jesus.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRAYER – O God, Who made this day holy by the Martyrdom of Thy Apostles Peter and Paul, grant Thy Church to follow in all things the teaching of those from whom she first received the faith. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

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

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS

Thought for the Day – 28 June – The Promises Made to Those Who Practise Devotion to the Sacred Heart

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

The Promises Made to Those Who Practise
Devotion to the Sacred Heart

“The promises made by Jesus to those who are truly devoted to His Sacred Heart, are a new proof of His Infinite Love and Mercy.
However, if anyone were to cultivate devotion to the Sacred Heart, merely to gain His benefits and to think more of his own spiritual and temporal advantage than of Jesus, he would display a niggardly spirit, quite unworthy of the Lord’s favour.

The worship of the Sacred Heart could degenerate into a kind of utilitarian egoism, undeserving of the name of devotion at all!
Pious practices, could become cold and formal and degenerate into sentimentality tinged with superstition.
There is nothing to prevent us asking the Sacred Heart for graces and favours which we need.
In fact, we should do so, for it is He Who has made these promises to us and is eager to fulfil them because He loves us.
But, we should be generous with Jesus in return for His Infinite Generosity towards us.
We should love Him because He is so worthy of our love.
Our love should be expressed, not only in prayers and outward forms but, in a deep personal transformation, which will make us more like Jesus.

True love transforms and unites two hearts.
Let us love Jesus and we shall live with Jesus, through Jesus and in Jesus.
His love will effect in us, the miracle which it produces in St Paul.
“To me to live is Christ!” (1 Phil 1:21).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/07/thought-for-the-day-7-june-the-promises-made-to-those-who-practise-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart/

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on JUDGING, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN

Quote/s of the Day – 17 June – ‘… The austerity of false justice … ‘

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Quote/s of the Day – 17 June – 1 John 4:8-21 – Luke 6:36-42 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The disciple is not above his Master …”

Luke 6:40

“Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field?
How then has it weeds?”

Matthew 13:27

“While the Householder slept,
the enemy sowed tares;
when the servants hastened to root them up,
the Master prevented them,
reserving for Himself the separation of wheat and chaff. … No-one, before the Day of Judgement,
can take Christ’s winnowing fan in hand,
no-one can pass judgement on another,
whoever they might be.”

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

Guide Me Lord
By St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Church

O Lord Jesus Christ,
Who seeks those who stray
and receives them when returning,
make me approach Thee
through the frequent hearing of Thy Word,
lest I sin against my neighbour,
by the blindness of human judgement,
through the austerity of false justice,
through comparing his inferior status,
through too much trust in my merits
or through ignorance of the Divine Judgement.
Guide me to search diligently,
each corner of my conscience,
lest the flesh dominate the spirit!
Amen

“On the other hand, Charity
shall cover a multitude of sins.
If we have been always men of charity,
it is wonderful how God will seem
to have forgotten our many sins.
The poor whom we have helped
will pray for us, those whom we have comforted
in sorrow, will say kind things on our behalf
and our charitable judgeement of others,
will find its counterpart in God’s judgement of us.
Our sins will be concealed and disappear
under the mantle of our charity.
Is my charity such as this to cover my sins?”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD is LOVE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The HOLY CROSS, The SIGN of the CROSS

Thought for the Day – 13 June – The Sacred Heart of Jesus Surmounted by a Flaming Cross

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Thought for the Day –13 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Surmounted by a Flaming Cross

“St Margaret Mary saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus, surmounted by flames in the midst of which, a Cross was raised on high.
These flames and this Cross, were the symbol of the Infinite Love of Jesus.
Let us reflect a little.
God, immeasurably happy in Himself, wished to communicate a share in His happiness to men, whom He created in a state of earthly happiness.
He was offended by men and, when He saw that they were heading for destruction, He sent His Eternal Word to them.
The Word took a human nature and became our Brother;  He preached the way to Heaven and gave us the means to achieve it.
More than this, He offered Himself as a Divine victim of expiation for our sins.
Having been condemned by those whom He had come to show the way, He died on the Cross and shed all His Blood, for our salvation.

Pagans of all times have called this “the folly of the Cross.”
In fact, it is the miracle of the Infinite Love of God for humanity.
Let us remember, however, that, although His Love and Goodness are Infinite, so also is His Justice!
It is an overwhelming miracle of love on the part of God, that He became man and died for us.
It will be our own downfall if we fail to co-operate with this miracle of love!

The same Jesus, Who died on the Cross for us and revealed His Heart, pierced and flaming with love, will one day appear with the same glorious Sign of the Cross, as our Supreme Judge.
Then, He will say to the wicked: “Depart from me, accursed ones, into everlasting fire!”

God’s Justice is, as Infinite as His charity!
We must choose either the way of the Cross, the way of love and goodness to which the Sacred Heart of Jesus invites us, or the way of sin, which leads to the gulf of ruin and the final condemnation of the Supreme Judge.
This is the tremendous choice we have to make!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 June – O Lord, make haste, come quickly!

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One Minute Reflection – 13 June – “The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Ember Friday – Pentecost Friday – St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Cpmfessor, Evangelical Doctor of the Church – Joel 2:23-24; 26-27 – Luke 5:17-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But that you may know that the Son of man hath the power on earth, to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy), I say to thee too – Arise, take up thy bed and go into thy house. ” – Luke 5:24

REFLECTION – “Unhappy Adam! What more could you possibly seek than the Divine Presence? Yet, see how thanklessly you ponder your misdeed: “No! I will be like God!” (cf. Gen 3:5). What insufferable pride! You have only just been created out of clay and mud and, in your insolence, you wish to be like God!?… This is how pride brought forth disobedience, the reason for our misfortune…

What humility is there which could make amends for such a pride? What human obedience is there which could redeem such a fault? Captives who we were, how could we set captives free? Tainted, how could we liberate those stained by sin? Is Thy creature to die, then, my God? “Have Thou forgotten pity? Do Thou in anger withhold Thy compassion?” (Ps 76:10). Ah no! “My thoughts are thoughts of peace, not of woe”says the Lord (Jer 29:11).

O Lord, make haste, come quickly! Behold the tears of the poor; see, “the sighs of the prisoners come before Thee” (Ps 78:11). What a happy time it will be, what a glad and desirable day, when the Voice of the Father resounds: “Because of the misery of the wretched and the tears of the poor, now will I arise” (Ps 11:6)… Yes, “Come Thyself to save us, Lord, for there are no longer any more Saints” (cf Ps 11:2).” – St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167) Cistercian Abbot (Sermon for the Nativity).

PRAYER – May the solemn feast of blessed Anthony, Thy Confessor and Doctor, make Thy Church rejoice, O God, so that, ever sustained by spiritual help, she may deserve to reap everlasting joy. 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).

Sweet Heart of my JESUS, make me love Thee ever more and more! 300 Days Once a Day. ii. Plenary, Once a month. Raccolta – 162. Blessed Pope Pius IX, 26 November 1876.

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS

Thought for the Day – 12 June – The Promises Made to Those who Practise Devotion to the Sacred Heart

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

The Promises Made to Those Who Practise
Devotion to the Sacred Heart

“The promises made by Jesus to those who are truly devoted to His Sacred Heart, are a new proof of His Infinite Love and Mercy.
However, if anyone were to cultivate devotion to the Sacred Heart, merely to gain His benefits and to think more of his own spiritual and temporal advantage than of Jesus, he would display a niggardly spirit, quite unworthy of the Lord’s favour.

The worship of the Sacred Heart could degenerate into a kind of utilitarian egoism, undeserving of the name of devotion at all!
Pious practices, could become cold and formal and degenerate into sentimentality tinged with superstition.
There is nothing to prevent us asking the Sacred Heart for graces and favours which we need.
In fact, we should do so, for it is He Who has made these promises to us and is eager to fulfil them because He loves us.
But, we should be generous with Jesus in return for His Infinite Generosity towards us.
We should love Him because He is so worthy of our love.
Our love should be expressed, not only in prayers and outward forms but, in a deep personal transformation, which will make us more like Jesus.

True love transforms and unites two hearts.
Let us love Jesus and we shall live with Jesus, through Jesus and in Jesus.
His love will effect in us, the miracle which it produces in St Paul.
“To me to live is Christ!” (1 Phil 1:21).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/07/thought-for-the-day-7-june-the-promises-made-to-those-who-practise-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart/

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on MERCY

Our Morning Offering – 21 May – St Jerome Emiliani’s O Mary, Twice Mother of Mercy

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Our Morning Offering – 21 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

O Mary, Twice Mother of Mercy
By St Jerome Emiliani (1486–1537)

O Mary,
thou art twice Mother of Mercy
because thou hast been made
Mother of our most merciful Saviour,
and, furthermore because,
thou hast given to us
so many signs
of thy maternal care and love.
Turn upon us, we beseech thee,
thy glance of compassion
and grant, that we may always
live free from sin,
which is the only impediment
to receiving the fruits
of the Divine Mercies.
Amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, The LAST THINGS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 May – ‘ … I shall profit by this talent which Thou hast lent to me until Thy return … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 16 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Ubaldus Baldassini (c1085-1160) Bishop and Confessor –Sirach 44:16-17.22-23:45,3.7.15 – Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21

REFLECTION – “The Word of the Father, Only-begotten Son of God, Sun of Justice (Mal 3:20), is the great Merchant Who has brought us the price of our redemption. It is a truly precious exchange which we can never value sufficiently, when a King, Son of the King Most High, has become the Coin, the Gold has paid our dues, the Just Man is given for the sinner. Truly unmerited mercy, perfectly disinterested love, astonishing goodness … it is a completely disproportionate purchase, in which the Son of God is delivered up for the servant, the Creator is put to death for the one He has created, the Lord is condemned for His slave.

O Christ, these are Thine Works, Thou Who descended from Heaven’s brightness into our hellish darkness, to bring Light to our gloomy prison. Thou came down from the Right Hand of the Divine Majesty, into our human misery, to redeem the human race, Thou Who descended from the Father’s glory, to death on the Cross, to triumph over death and its author. Thou art the only One and there is no other but Thee, Who could have been drawn to redeem us through Thine Own Goodness…

Let all the merchants of Teman (Bar 3:23) withdraw from this place … it is not they but Israel [Thy] beloved whom [Thou hast] chosen, Thou Who hide these mysteries from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to those babes and humble servants of Thine (Lk 10:21) … O Lord, I willingly embrace this purchase since it concerns me!… I remember all the things Thou hast done, Thou Who desire that I should keep them alive … Therefore, I shall profit by this talent which Thou hast lent to me until Thy return and will stand before Thee with great joy. O God, grant that I may then hear these sweet words: “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Mt 25:21).” – St Bernard O.Cist. (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, known as the Last Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church (Selected sermons, no 42: The Five Purchases).

PRAYER – Mercifully give us Thine help, we beseech Thee, O Lord and by the intercession of blessed Ubaldus, ThyConfessor, stretch over us the Right Hand of Thy mercy against all wickedness of the devil. 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.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, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on MERCY, The IMITATION of MARY

Thought for the Day – 11 May – VIRTUES and TASKS of a GOOD SERVANT of MARY

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Thought for the Day – 11 May – The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Extracts from The Imitation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
Imprimatur 17 February 1947

Chapter III
VIRTUES AND TASKS OF
A GOOD SERVANT OF MARY

i. Do you always wish to do what is pleasing to Mary?
Be humble, patient, chaste, reserved in everything, full of mildness, an interior man, filled with zeal, little versed in exterior matters, recollected.
Read often, write often but most often, pray.
The service of Mary should seem, neither long nor laborious but, on the contrary always delightful, always full of happiness, always eager.
To serve with your heart and mind, such a mistress, is always a work pious and useful for salvation.
The most lowly offerings are acceptable to her, as equivalent to the most solemn, when they are proffered with love, with spontaneity and with devotion.
She knows how little we are able to give and she requires not the impossible from her children.
A merciful sovereign and queen of mildness, she is, above all, a mother. As a mother, she knows only how to be compassionate to the little and the poor, she who has given to the world, Mercy in Jesus.

ii. Learn then to call upon Jesus in everything and you will be aided, both in perils of the soul and of the body.
Have Jesus always in your heart, in happiness, and you will never be overcome by human distress.
Say the Hail Mary often – you will find joy and peace in it – no prayer is more beautiful than the Our Father – none is sweeter and gentler, than the Hail Mary.
Pray as the Angel prayed before Mary – work as a faithful servant works and you shall have, your crown and mansion in Heaven.
He who knows how to nourish his soul with prayer, he who knows how to pray with the sacred texts, will never know aridity in devotion.
Strive thus constantly, to honour the Names of Jesus and Mary in your heart and with your lips.

III. Wherever you may go, or wherever you may be, implore Jesus and call upon Mary.
Have, as a rule of life and, as a help in time ot need, this pious invocation –
“Guide, O my Lord, always guide my way in Thy presence.”
He who bears Jesus and Mary in his heart, always works well, always conducts himself well.
Sing these two Names, sing them in your heart, sing them with your lips, sing them with your hands.
Let your looks seek them, let your eyes implore them, let your arms embrace them, let your knees adore them.

iv. Prayer: O Mary, O Mother Full of Mercy,

O Mary, O Mother full of mercy,
receive close to thee,
thy servant wandering without consolation,
in the midst of his trials.
Look, O my Queen, look at my affliction
and open to me, thine heart full of consolation.
Here I am, praying and saying in my distress
that I shall not cease, nor leave thee,
until thou hast had pity on me.
I know, O Mother,
thine incomparable sweetness,
I know the maternal flame of thy noble heart,
I know the fullness of love which fils it
and that I may have full hope in thee.
I take refuge with thee too, O my Mother,
so that in joy as in sorrow,
I may receive thy watchful succour
and listen to thy maternal consolation.

(Thomas à Kempis, The Valley of Lilies,ChapterXIII)

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD the FATHER, Hail MARY!, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on JOY, The ANNUNCIATION, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The IMITATION of CHRIST, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 9 May – OUR DUTIES TO MARY

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Thought for the Day – 9 May – The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Extracts from The Imitation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
Imprimatur 17 February 1947
Translated from the French
Dr Célestin Albin de Cigala (1865-1928)

PART ONE
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
Chapter II
OUR DUTIES TO MARY

i. Choose, O my son, Mary for mother, for advocate and for model, before all things.
Greet her everyday with the Angelic Salutation. This salutation pleases her above all others.
If sometimes, the devil tempts you and turns you from your duties as a devout servant of Mary, do not permit that to stop you from invoking her always.
Think always of Mary; repeat the name of Mary, over and over.
Honour Mary; glorify Mary in everything; prostrate yourself before Mary; give yourself again to Mary.
Live with Mary; meditate with Mary; rejoice with Mary; weep with Mary; work with Mary; watch with Mary; act with Mary; rest with Mary.
With Mary, bear Jesus in your arms; live at Nazareth with Mary.
Go to Jerusalem, go with Mary; search, as Mary did, for Jesus.
Remain near the Cross with Mary, weep for Jesus; weep for Him with Mary; with Mary bury Jesus in the tomb; rise with Jesus and with Mary.
Rise to Heaven with Jesus and with Mary! Live always with Mary in life and in death.

ii. If you know how to think and act in this way, you will advance rapidly in perfection.
Mary will protect you with all her power and, Jesus will hear you in His gentle mercy.
What we do is very little. It is nothing. Nevertheless, if we do it with Mary, we shall rise, little by little, to God our Father.
We shall always find, consolation and joy, near Him.
Happy is he, who knows how to keep Jesus and Mary near him always, as hosts of his table, consolers in his troubles, aid in his danger, counsel in his doubt, protectors at his death.
Happy is he who, considering himself as a wayfarer in this world and, as a stranger, keeps Jesus for a Companion and Mary for a hostess.

iii. Prayer:
Ave Maria, Full of Grace!

O Mother, I come to you filled with hope.
I come to you recalling the exultant joy
which the Archangel Gabriel once brought to you,
when, falling on his knees before you,
he saluted your virginity, saying respectfully:
Hail, Mary, the Lord is with thee!
This greeting I say to you again,
O Mother, with the heart,
and, if I could, with the voice of all the faithful,
so that thus all creatures may sing with me
from the depth of their souls and their being:
Ave Maria, full of grace, the Lord is with thee,
thou art blessed, O Mother, among all women
and Jesus the fruit of thy womb,
is blessed on earth and in Heaven,
today and always.

(By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
Soliloquy of the Soul, Chapter XVIII)

Posted in "Follow Me", DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SELF-DISTRUST, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 6 May – ‘ … Thus they drink the Lord’s Cupby preserving the holy bond of love … ‘

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 May – The Feast of St John Before the Latin Gate – Wisdom 5:1-5, Matthew 20:20-23

“Can you Drink
the Chalice
which I Shall Drink?”

Matthew 20:22

“And you shall be hated by all men,
for My Name’s sake.
But, not a hair of your head shall perish.”

Luke 21:17-18

“That is why all the faithful who love God
and their neighbour, truly drink the Cup
of the Lord’s Love, even though,
they may not drink the cup of His Bodily Suffering.
And becoming inebriated from it,
they put to death, whatever in their nature
is rooted in earth.
They clothe themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ
and do not indulge fleshly desires.
They do not fix their gaze on visible things
but contemplate things, which the eye cannot see.
Thus they drink the Lord’s Cup
by preserving the holy bond of love –
without it, even if a man should deliver his body
to be burned, he gains nothing.
But the gift of love enables us to become,
in reality, what we celebrate
as Mystery in the Sacrifice.”

St Fulgentius of Ruspe (c462–533)
Bishop, Father

“What is not pleasing to God,
is anxiety and disquiet of mind.
The Lord wants our limitations
and weaknesses, to find their support
in His Strength; He wants us
to hope that His Goodness will complete
and perfect the imperfectness of our means.”

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)
Priest, Founder of the Society of Jesus

(Letter of 17 November 1555)

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, HOLY SATURDAY, HOLY WEEK, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 19 April – The Death of our Saviour

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

The Death of our Saviour

In the midst of His sufferings, Jesus forgets Himself and pray for His executioners.
“Father,” He pleaded, “forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34).
Who were these people who crucified Him?
We know well that they were not only the Jews but all of us.
The Prophet Isaiah, had foretold this.  “He was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins … He was offered because it was his own will…” (Is 53:5-7).
We are all the crucifiers of Jesus.   Therefore, He willed to suffer and to die for all of us and when He was hanging on the Cross, He begged for forgiveness for us all.
This should incite us to trust in God and to do repentance for our sins.
We should be sorry for our sins because, they were the real cause of the voluntary death of Jesus.
We should have confidence in Him because, He forgave us when He was dying on the Cross and is ready to pardon us again, as long as we are sincerely repentant.

Let us consider how Jesus, even though He was derided and nailed to the Cross, prayed for and forgave His executioners.
How do we normally behave?
Perhaps we fly into anger at the first word of offence or act of misunderstanding, or perhaps we nourish secret feelings of hatred in our hearts for our brothers in Jesus Christ?
Let us kneel before the Cross and tell Our Lord, that we wish to be meek and humble of heart, like Him.
We wish to be quick to forgive and to live in peace and, even, if it is necessary, to do good to those who offend us, or at any rate, to pray fervently for them.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, The INCARNATION, The LAMB of GOD, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 10 April – The Passion of Our Lord

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Thought for the Day – 10 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Passion of Our Lord

“The Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, is one of the most profound Mysteries of our religion.
It is a Mystery of Infinite Goodness and Mercy, which, out of love for fallen humanity, the Eternal Word of God, should have assumed a human form and become Man, in order to show us the way to Heaven and to enable us, to reach it.
Jesus came amongst us, to instruct us, to call us, to perfection and to give us, an example and the necessary assistance.
But, He did much more than this.
He came also to bear the weight of our offences and to offer Himself, as a spotless Victim of Love and suffering in expiation of our sins.
All this, seems too great a Mystery, almost inconceivable, in fact, until we consider that, the charity of God is as Infinite as His nature.
This is why, the Saints experienced hours of ecstasy contemplating the Passion and Death of our Divine Redeemer.
Whenever St Gertrude looked upon the figure of Jesus nailed to the Cross, she could not restrain her tears.
She was accustomed to say, that God was specially merciful towards those who meditated on the Passion and Death of Jesus.
St Bernard writes, that even as the rocks were rent asunder at the Death of Our Redeemer, so, our sin-hardened hearts, should feel as if they were breaking, when we meditate on His Sufferings.
Let us meditate, therefore, on the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
If we are sinners, as unfortunately, we all are, we shall be moved to weep for our sins.
If we are imperfect and lukewarm, we shall be set on fire with love and a determination, to requite, as far as possible, the Infinite charity of Jesus Christ.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, In the PRESENCE of GOD, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE, The HOLY NAME, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 April – ‘Forgiven … Because she has loved much …’ Luke 7:47

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 10 April – Thursday in Passion Week –Ferial Day – Daniel 3:25, 34-45 – Luke 7:36-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

Luke 7:38

“Wherefore I say to you,
her sins, many as they are,
shall be forgiven her
because she has loved much.
But he, to whom little is forgiven,
loves little.”

Luke 7:47

“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

“A servant of the Lord
stands bodily before men
but mentally,
he is knocking at the gates of Heaven.
with prayer.”

St John Climacus (c 525-606)
Father of the Church

“For, just as water extinguishes a fire,
just so, does charity blot out our sins.”

St John of God (1495-1550)

“ I shall spend every moment loving.
One who loves, does not notice her trials;
or perhaps, more accurately,
she is able to love them.
I shall do everything for Heaven, my true home.
There, I shall find my Mother,
in all the splendour of her glory.
I shall delight with her
in the joy of Jesus Himself,
in perfect safety.”

St Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 April – ‘ … He spoke to her alone but, He was drawing all creation to His grace. …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 10 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Thursday in Passion Week –Ferial Day – Daniel 3:25, 34-45 – Luke 7:36-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” – Luke 7:50

REFLECTION – “A sinful woman has proclaimed to us that God’s Love has gone forth in search of sinners. For when He called her, Christ was inviting our whole race to His Love and, in her person, He was drawing all sinners to His forgiveness. He spoke to her alone but, He was drawing all creation to His grace. …

Who would not be struck by the Mercy of Christ, who accepted an invitation to a Pharisee’s house, in order to save a sinner! For the sake of the woman, who hungered for forgiveness, He, Himself felt hunger for the table of Simon the Pharisee and all the while, under the guise of a meal of bread, He had prepared for the sinner, a meal of repentance! …

In order that you may have the same experience, reflect within yourself that your sin is great but that it is blasphemy against God and an injury to yourself, to despair of His forgiveness because your sin seems to you to be too great. He has promised to forgive your sins, however many they are; will you tell Him you cannot believe this and dispute with Him, saying that your sin is too great and He cannot heal your sickness? Stop at that point and cry out with the prophet: “Lord, I have sinned against you” (Ps 50:6). At once He will reply, “As for Me, I have overlooked your fault, you shall not die.” Glory to Him from us all, through all ages! Amen, Amen.” ~ An Anonymous Christian Syrian Writer of the 6th Century [ACW} (From a collection of Sermons on the sinful woman, 1, 4.5.19.26.28).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the dignity of human nature, weakened by excessive self-indulgence, may be restored by the earnest practice of healing self-denial. 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).