Category: DOCTORS of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, LITANIES, SACRED HEART NOVENA, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

A Novena In Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus By St Alphonsus – Day Four AND A Litany of Reparation to the Sacred Heartof Jesus– 8 June

Posted on by AnaStpaul

A Novena In Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus AND
A Litany of Reparation to the Sacred Heart
of Jesus

Because of the most sinful and depraved state of the world around us and most especially to offer some tiny consolation to the Most Adorable and Loving Heart of our Most Merciful and Sweetest Lord Jesus, we should never forget the horrors of the perversions and blasphemies of the so-called ‘pride month’ so terribly adopting this Sacred Month of June and too, the evils perpetrated upon our children under this banner!
When praying the Litany of Reparation may we make special remembrance of these evils.

Every day unite your prayers and adorations with those of the Most Holy Virgin and of one of the Nine Choirs of Angels and Saints, to honour one of the dispositions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to practise a particular virtue in Its honour.

THE FOURTH DAY

With the Blessed Virgin, the Dominations and the Holy Martyrs.

Adore the Sacred Heart of Jesus, burning with love for you and implore, as a favour, that your love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus may be increased.

Practice-–Visit the Sacred Heart, as often as possible, to render to It your thanksgiving, for the love It bears for you and to profess your love for It.

Prayer of St Alphonsus Liguori to the Sacred Heart

O Adorable Heart of my Jesus,
Heart created expressly. for the love of men!
Until now, I have shown towards Thee
only ingratitude.
Pardon me, O my Jesus.
Heart of my Jesus,
Abyss of Love and of Mercy,
how is it possible,
hat I do not die of sorrow
when I reflect on Thy Goodness to me
and my ingratitude to Thee?
Thou, my Creator, after having created me,
hast given Thy Blood and Thy Life for me
and, not content with this,
Thou hast invented a means of offering
Thyself everyday for me,
in the Holy Eucharist,
exposing Thyself to a thousand insults and outrages.
Ah, Jesus, do Thou wound my heart
with a great contrition for my sins
and a lively love for Thee.
Through Thy Tears and Thy Blood,
give me the grace of perseverance
in Thy fervent love, until I breathe my last sigh.
Amen.

A Litany of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O Sacred Heart, hear us.
Sacred Heart, graciously hear us.
For the forgetfulness and ingratitude of men,
We will console Thee, O Lord. *

For the way Thou art deserted in Thy Tabernacle, *
For the crimes of sinners, *
For the blasphemies uttered against Thee, *
For the sacrileges which profane Thy Sacrament of Love, *
For the coldness of the greater part of Thy children, *
For the abuse of Thy grace, *
For our own unfaithfulness, *
For the incomprehensible hardness of our hearts, *
For our long delay in loving Thee, *
For Thy bitter sadness at the loss of souls, *
For Thy long waiting at the door of our hearts, *
For Thy loving sighs, *
For Thy loving tears, *
For Thy loving imprisonment, *
For Thy loving death. *

Learn of Me:
Because I am meek and humble of heart.
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who know Thee not,
Have mercy on me as Thou seest best. **

O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who do not believe in Thee, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who are inconstant and ungrateful, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow during the whole course of Thy mortal life, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow in Thy agony and in Thy death, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who neglect their eternal salvation, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who offer the most Holy Sacrifice unworthily, **
Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for the scarcity of those who love Thee fervently, **

Sweet Heart of Jesus:
Be not my Judge but my Saviour.

O Jesus, loveliest of all beauty, wash me more and more from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin, that, purified by Thee, I may approach to Thee, the pure One, and may be worthy to dwell in “Thy Heart all the days of my life, that I may both see and do Thy will. For this cause was Thy side pierced, that an entrance might be opened for us. Who is there who would not love this wounded Heart? Who would not return love for love to Him that hath loved so well? Amen.

O adorable Heart of Jesus, if men did but know Thee: How they would love Thee!

If you would prefer the Sacred Heart Novena by St Alphonsus Liguorim with Reflectios – below is Day Four:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/17/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-four-17-june/
OR:
Another Novena with Scriptural Reflections by Sacred Space:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/13/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-four-13-june/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, LITANIES, SACRED HEART NOVENA, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

A Novena In Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus By St Alphonsus – Day Three AND A Litany of Reparation to the Sacred Heartof Jesus– 7 June

Posted on by AnaStpaul

A Novena In Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus AND
A Litany of Reparation to the Sacred Heart
of Jesus

Because of the most sinful and depraved state of the world around us and most especially to offer some tiny consolation to the Most Adorable and Loving Heart of our Most Merciful and Sweetest Lord Jesus, we should never forget the horrors of the perversions and blasphemies of the so-called ‘pride month’ so terribly adopting this Sacred Month of June and too, the evils perpetrated upon our children under this banner!
When praying the Litany of Reparation may we make special remembrance of these evils.

Every day unite your prayers and adorations with those of the Most Holy Virgin and of one of the Nine Choirs of Angels and Saints, to honour one of the dispositions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to practise a particular virtue in Its honour.

THE THIRD DAY

With the Blessed Virgin, the Thrones and the Holy Apostles.

Adore the Sacred Heart of Jesus, presenting to the Eternal Father our good works and our prayers and beseeching for our deficiencies, to the infinite Majesty of God.

Practice—Thank God for having given you so powerful a Mediator and endeavour to conform daily, more and more, to the sentiments of this Sacred Heart.

Prayer of St Alphonsus Liguori to the Sacred Heart

O Adorable Heart of my Jesus,
Heart created expressly. for the love of men!
Until now, I have shown towards Thee
only ingratitude.
Pardon me, O my Jesus.
Heart of my Jesus,
Abyss of Love and of Mercy,
how is it possible,
that I do not die of sorrow
when I reflect on Thy Goodness to me
and my ingratitude to Thee?
Thou, my Creator, after having created me,
hast given Thy Blood and Thy Life for me
and, not content with this,
Thou hast invented a means of offering
Thyself everyday for me,
in the Holy Eucharist,
exposing Thyself to a thousand insults and outrages.
Ah, Jesus, do Thou wound my heart
with a great contrition for my sins
and a lively love for Thee.
Through Thy Tears and Thy Blood,
give me the grace of perseverance
in Thy fervent love, until I breathe my last sigh.
Amen.

A Litany of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O Sacred Heart, hear us.
Sacred Heart, graciously hear us.
For the forgetfulness and ingratitude of men,
We will console Thee, O Lord. *

For the way Thou art deserted in Thy Tabernacle, *
For the crimes of sinners, *
For the blasphemies uttered against Thee, *
For the sacrileges which profane Thy Sacrament of Love, *
For the coldness of the greater part of Thy children, *
For the abuse of Thy grace, *
For our own unfaithfulness, *
For the incomprehensible hardness of our hearts, *
For our long delay in loving Thee, *
For Thy bitter sadness at the loss of souls, *
For Thy long waiting at the door of our hearts, *
For Thy loving sighs, *
For Thy loving tears, *
For Thy loving imprisonment, *
For Thy loving death. *

Learn of Me:
Because I am meek and humble of heart.
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who know Thee not,
Have mercy on me as Thou seest best. **

O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who do not believe in Thee, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who are inconstant and ungrateful, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow during the whole course of Thy mortal life, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow in Thy agony and in Thy death, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who neglect their eternal salvation, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who offer the most Holy Sacrifice unworthily, **
Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for the scarcity of those who love Thee fervently, **

Sweet Heart of Jesus:
Be not my Judge but my Saviour.

O Jesus, loveliest of all beauty, wash me more and more from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin, that, purified by Thee, I may approach to Thee, the pure One, and may be worthy to dwell in “Thy Heart all the days of my life, that I may both see and do Thy will. For this cause was Thy side pierced, that an entrance might be opened for us. Who is there who would not love this wounded Heart? Who would not return love for love to Him that hath loved so well? Amen.

O adorable Heart of Jesus, if men did but know Thee: How they would love Thee!

If you would prefer the Sacred Heart Novena by St Alphonsus Liguori with Reflections – below is Day Two:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/15/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-two-15-june/
OR:
Another Novena with Scriptural Reflections by Sacred Space:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/11/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-two-11-june/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, LITANIES, SACRED HEART NOVENA, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

A Novena In Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus By St Alphonsus – Day Two AND A Litany of Reparation to the Sacred Heartof Jesus– 6 June

Posted on by AnaStpaul

A Novena In Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus AND
A Litany of Reparation to the Sacred Heart
of Jesus

Because of the most sinful and depraved state of the world around us and most especially to offer some tiny consolation to the Most Adorable and Loving Heart of our Most Merciful and Sweetest Lord Jesus, we should never forget the horrors of the perversions and blasphemies of the so-called ‘pride month’ so terribly adopting this Sacred Month of June and too, the evils perpetrated upon our children under this banner!
When praying the Litany of Reparation may we make special remembrance of these evils.

Every day unite your prayers and adorations with those of the Most Holy Virgin and of one of the Nine Choirs of Angels and Saints, to honour one of the dispositions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to practise a particular virtue in Its honour.

THE SECOND DAY

With the Blessed Virgin, the Cherubim, and the Holy Prophets.

Adore the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which solicits, night and day, the mercy of God in our favour and incessantly offers itself in sacrifice for the expiation of our sins.

Practice—Recall to your mind, in the bitterness of your soul, the enormity of your sins; implore this Sacred Heart to give you a true contrition for them and unite the sorrow which you endeavour to conceive, with that which our Lord experienced in His adorable Heart.

Prayer of St Alphonsus Liguori to the Sacred Heart

O Adorable Heart of my Jesus,
Heart created expressly. for the love of men!
Until now, I have shown towards Thee
only ingratitude.
Pardon me, O my Jesus.
Heart of my Jesus,
Abyss of Love and of Mercy,
how is it possible,
that I do not die of sorrow
when I reflect on Thy Goodness to me
and my ingratitude to Thee?
Thou, my Creator, after having created me,
hast given Thy Blood and Thy Life for me
and, not content with this,
Thou hast invented a means of offering
Thyself everyday for me,
in the Holy Eucharist,
exposing Thyself to a thousand insults and outrages.
Ah, Jesus, do Thou wound my heart
with a great contrition for my sins
and a lively love for Thee.
Through Thy Tears and Thy Blood,
give me the grace of perseverance
in Thy fervent love, until I breathe my last sigh.
Amen.

A Litany of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O Sacred Heart, hear us.
Sacred Heart, graciously hear us.
For the forgetfulness and ingratitude of men,
We will console Thee, O Lord. *

For the way Thou art deserted in Thy Tabernacle, *
For the crimes of sinners, *
For the blasphemies uttered against Thee, *
For the sacrileges which profane Thy Sacrament of Love, *
For the coldness of the greater part of Thy children, *
For the abuse of Thy grace, *
For our own unfaithfulness, *
For the incomprehensible hardness of our hearts, *
For our long delay in loving Thee, *
For Thy bitter sadness at the loss of souls, *
For Thy long waiting at the door of our hearts, *
For Thy loving sighs, *
For Thy loving tears, *
For Thy loving imprisonment, *
For Thy loving death. *

Learn of Me:
Because I am meek and humble of heart.
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who know Thee not,
Have mercy on me as Thou seest best. **

O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who do not believe in Thee, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who are inconstant and ungrateful, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow during the whole course of Thy mortal life, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow in Thy agony and in Thy death, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who neglect their eternal salvation, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who offer the most Holy Sacrifice unworthily, **
Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for the scarcity of those who love Thee fervently, **

Sweet Heart of Jesus:
Be not my Judge but my Saviour.

O Jesus, loveliest of all beauty, wash me more and more from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin, that, purified by Thee, I may approach to Thee, the pure One, and may be worthy to dwell in “Thy Heart all the days of my life, that I may both see and do Thy will. For this cause was Thy side pierced, that an entrance might be opened for us. Who is there who would not love this wounded Heart? Who would not return love for love to Him that hath loved so well? Amen.

O adorable Heart of Jesus, if men did but know Thee: How they would love Thee!

If you would prefer the Sacred Heart Novena by St Alphonsus Liguori with Reflections – below is Day Two:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/15/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-two-15-june/
OR:
Another Novena with Scriptural Reflections by Sacred Space:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/11/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-two-11-june/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, LITANIES, SACRED HEART NOVENA, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

A Novena In Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus By St Alphonsus – Day One AND A Litany of Reparation to the Sacred Heartof Jesus– 5 June

Posted on by AnaStpaul

A Novena In Honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus AND
A Litany of Reparation to the Sacred Heart
of Jesus

Because of the most sinful and depraved state of the world around us and most especially to offer some tiny consolation to the Most Adorable and Loving Heart of our Most Merciful and Sweetest Lord Jesus, we should never forget the horrors of the perversions and blasphemies of the so-called ‘pride month’ so terribly adopting this Sacred Month of June and too, the evils perpetrated upon our children under this banner!
When praying the Litany of Reparation may we make special remembrance of these evils.

Every day unite your prayers and adorations with those of the Most Holy Virgin and of one of the Nine Choirs of Angels and Saints, to honour one of the dispositions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to practise a particular virtue in Its honour.

THE FIRST DAY

With the Blessed Virgin, the Seraphim and the Holy Patriarchs.

Adore often the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most Holy Sacrament, humble yourself before the Infinite Majesty of God the Father and offer, continually to Him, the purest and most profound homages.

Practice—Renew in your soul, the most lively sentiments of respect and adoration for God and frequently make these acts.

Prayer of St Alphonsus Liguori to the Sacred Heart

O Adorable Heart of my Jesus,
Heart created expressly. for the love of men!
Until now, I have shown towards Thee
only ingratitude.
Pardon me, O my Jesus.
Heart of my Jesus,
Abyss of Love and of Mercy,
how is it possible,
that I do not die of sorrow
when I reflect on Thy Goodness to me
and my ingratitude to Thee?
Thou, my Creator, after having created me,
hast given Thy Blood and Thy Life for me
and, not content with this,
Thou hast invented a means of offering
Thyself everyday for me,
in the Holy Eucharist,
exposing Thyself to a thousand insults and outrages.
Ah, Jesus, do Thou wound my heart
with a great contrition for my sins
and a lively love for Thee.
Through Thy Tears and Thy Blood,
give me the grace of perseverance
in Thy fervent love, until I breathe my last sigh.
Amen.

A Litany of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O Sacred Heart, hear us.
Sacred Heart, graciously hear us.
For the forgetfulness and ingratitude of men,
We will console Thee, O Lord. *

For the way Thou art deserted in Thy Tabernacle, *
For the crimes of sinners, *
For the blasphemies uttered against Thee, *
For the sacrileges which profane Thy Sacrament of Love, *
For the coldness of the greater part of Thy children, *
For the abuse of Thy grace, *
For our own unfaithfulness, *
For the incomprehensible hardness of our hearts, *
For our long delay in loving Thee, *
For Thy bitter sadness at the loss of souls, *
For Thy long waiting at the door of our hearts, *
For Thy loving sighs, *
For Thy loving tears, *
For Thy loving imprisonment, *
For Thy loving death. *

Learn of Me:
Because I am meek and humble of heart.
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who know Thee not,
Have mercy on me as Thou seest best. **

O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who do not believe in Thee, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who are inconstant and ungrateful, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow during the whole course of Thy mortal life, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow in Thy agony and in Thy death, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who neglect their eternal salvation, **
O Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for those who offer the most Holy Sacrifice unworthily, **
Heart of Jesus, by Thy sorrow for the scarcity of those who love Thee fervently, **

Sweet Heart of Jesus:
Be not my Judge but my Saviour.

O Jesus, loveliest of all beauty, wash me more and more from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin, that, purified by Thee, I may approach to Thee, the pure One, and may be worthy to dwell in “Thy Heart all the days of my life, that I may both see and do Thy will. For this cause was Thy side pierced, that an entrance might be opened for us. Who is there who would not love this wounded Heart? Who would not return love for love to Him that hath loved so well? Amen.

O adorable Heart of Jesus, if men did but know Thee: How they would love Thee!

If you would prefer the Sacred Heart Novena by St Alphonsus Liguori with Reflections – below is Day One:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/14/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-one-14-june/
OR:
Another Novena with Scriptural Reflections by Sacred Space:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/10/novena-in-honour-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-day-one/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, papal ENCYCLICALS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, St Francis de Sales

Devotion for June – THE MONTH OF THE MOST SACRED HEART of JESUS

Posted on by AnaStpaul

1 June – Devotion for June – THE MONTH OF THE MOST SACRED HEART of JESUS

In 1899, Pope Leo XIII Consecrated the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Since then, his successors have exhorted the faithful to turn to the Sacred Heart and make Acts of personal Consecration. They have also begged the faithful to offer prayers and penances to the Sacred Heart in reparation for the many sins of the world.

In his Encyclical on the Sacred Heart entitled Haurietis Aquas (“You Will Draw Waters”) Pope Pius XII notes that the genesis of the devotion to the Sacred Heart lies in the Covenant of Love from the Old Testament. He writes that “in the New Testament, the love which breathes from the Gospel, from the letters of the Apostles and the pages of the Apocalypse, all portray the Love of the Heart of Jesus.” He is linking this devotion to the Old Testament which was brought to life in Christ in the New Testament.

In the early 17th Century, Devotion to the Sacred Heart was given considerable attention in the preaching and writings of St John Eudes, known as “The Apostle of the Two Holy Hearts.”

St Francis (1567-1622) in his “Treatise on the Love of God,” lays out the foundation of the Devotion to the Sacred Heart. St Francis would greatly influence St Jane Frances de Chantal who was the Foundress of the Sisters of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the very Order which St Margaret Mary Alacoque VHM. (1647-1690), the Visionary of the Sacred Heart, would later join.

Our Lord appeared to St Margaret Mary, perhaps close to forty times. The first apparition occurred in the Visitation Chapel at Paray-le-Monial on 27 December 1673. The last apparition occurred less than two years later in June 1675. She saw His heart engulfed in flames and surrounded by thorns and heard His gentle voice:

“Behold this Heart which has so loved men that It spares nothing…to prove to them It’s love.   And, in return, I receive from the greater part of men, nothing but ingratitude, by the contempt, irreverence, sacrileges and coldness with which they treat Me in this Sacrament of Love.

I thirst, I burn with a consuming desire for men’s love and I find none to quench this thirst, according to My wish, by making any return of love.”

From her cloister, St Margaret Mary promoted the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, First Friday Devotion, The Twelve Promises and the Holy Hour of Reparation.

The Sacred Heart Enthronement desires to follow in the footsteps of Saints who came before and hold true to the basic request of Jesus to St.Margaret Mary, “I will bless the home in which the Image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honoured.”

Sweet Heart of my JESUS, Make me love Thee ever more and more! – 300 Days Indulgence Once a day, Plenary Once a month – Blessed Pope Pius IX – 26 November 1876

Posted in "Follow Me", CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, JESUIT SJ, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, Quotes Self-Oblation, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 May – ‘ With all my heart I pray …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 12 May – James 5:16-20 – Luke 11:5-13

“Ask and it shall be given you:
seek and you shall find:
knock and it shall be opened to you. ”

Luke 11:9

“With all my heart I pray,
for the hope of Heaven
because hope and faith,
are of much more value,
than all the riches of this world.”

St Paulinus of Nola (c354-431)

“Our part is to pray
that we may be worthy
of becoming His instruments.”

St Aloysius de Gonzaga (1568-1591)

“ It is necessary, therefore, to obey
the Eternal Father by following Our Lord
in order to hear His Word.
And behold, how we are taught that all
persons, whatever their condition may be,
must pray and meditate,
for it is there, principally,
where this Divine Master speaks to us.
… But, it will not do us any good to listen,
if we do not DO what He says to us,
observing His commandments
and His wishes faithfully,”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

“ Sometimes God delays His answer
in order to test our faith and perseverance.
It is important that we should pray
with a right intention,
with faith and perseverance
and, with resignation to God’s Will.
We must realise clearly,
God will grant us whatever is best for us,
at the most suitable moment!
Amen.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The HOLY NAME, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 May – ‘ … He is our Saviour, not only when He does what we ask but also, when He does not! …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 11 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” –Rogation Day – Ferial Day – Jasme 5:16-20 – Luke 11:5-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Ask and it shall be given you: seek and you shall find: knock and it shall be opened to you. ” – Luke 11:9

REFLECTION – “Whatever you shall ask.” Then why do we often see believers asking and not receiving? Perhaps it is that they do not ask correctly. When a person would make a bad use of what he asks for, God in His Mercy, does not grant him it. It is even more the case, that if someone asks what would, if answered, only tend to his injury, there is surely greater cause to fear, in case what God could not withhold with kindness, He should give in His anger. Still, if God even in kindness, often refuses the requests of believers, how are we to understand “Whatever you shall ask in My Name, I will do?” Was this said to the Apostles only? No. He says …, “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he shall do also.” And if we go to the lives of the Apostles themselves, we shall find that he who laboured more than them all, prayed that the messenger of Satan might depart from him but was not granted his request.

Wake up then, believer and note what is stated here: “In My Name.” That [Name] is Christ Jesus. Christ signifies King, Jesus signifies Saviour. Therefore, whatever we ask for that would hinder our salvation, we do not ask in our Saviour’s Name and yet, He is our Saviour, not only when He does what we ask but also, when He does not. When He sees us ask anything to the disadvantage of our salvation, He shows Himself our Saviour by not doing it. The physician knows whether what the sick person asks for, is to the advantage or disadvantage of his health. And [the physician] does not allow what would be harmful to him, although the sick person himself, desires it. But the physician looks to his final cure.

And some things we may even ask in His Name and He will not grant them to us, at the time, although He will sometime. What we ask for is deferred, not denied. He adds, “that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” The Son does not do anything without the Father, inasmuch as He does it, in order that the Father may be glorified in the Son, for the Father and Son are One.” – St Augustine (354-430) Great Western Father and Doctor of Grace of the Church (Tractates on the Gospel of John, 73)

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that we, who in our tribulation are yet of good cheer because of Thy loving-kindness, may find Thee mighty to save from all dangers. 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 AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 11 May – Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Mary! By St Augustine

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 11 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Mary!
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Blessed Virgin Mary,
who can worthily repay thee
with praise and thanksgiving
for having rescued a fallen world
by thy generous consent!
Receive our gratitude and by thy prayers,
obtain the pardon of our sins.
Take our prayers into the sanctuary of Heaven
and enable them to make our peace with God.
Holy Mary, help the miserable,
strengthen the discouraged,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for thy people,
plead for the clergy,
intercede for all women consecrated to God.
May all who venerate thee,
feel now, thy help and protection.
Be ready to help us when we pray
and bring back to us, the answers to our prayers.
Make it thy continual concern,
to pray for the people of God,
for thou were blessed by God
and were made worthy to bear
the Redeemer of the world,
Who lives and reigns forever.
Amen

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 May – ‘…God means to fill each of you with what is good – so cast out what is bad!…’ St Augustine

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 10 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Easter V – St Antoninus OP (1389-1459) – James 1:22-27 – John 16:23-30 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“That your joy may be full.” – John 16:24

REFLECTION – “The entire life of a good Christian is, in fact, an exercise of holy desire. You do not yet see what you long for but, the very act of desiring, prepares you, so that when He comes, you may see and be utterly satisfied.

Suppose you are going to fill some holder or container and you know you will be given a large amount. Then you set about stretching your sack or wineskin or whatever it is. Why? Because you know the quantity with which you will fill it and your eyes tell you, there is not enough room. By stretching it, therefore, you increase the capacity of the sack and this is how God deals with us. Simply by making us wait, He increases our desire, which in turn, enlarges the capacity of our soul, making it able to receive what is to be given to us.

So, my brethren, let us continue to desire, for we shall be filled. Take note of Saint Paul, stretching as it were, his ability to receive what is to come – ‘Not that I have already obtained this,’ he said, ‘or am made perfect. Brethren, I do not consider that I have already obtained it.’  We might ask him, ‘If you have not yet obtained it, what are you doing in this life?’  ‘This one thing I do,‘ answers Paul, ‘forgetting what lies behind, and stretching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the prize to which I am called in the life above.‘ Not only did Paul say he stretched forward but he also declared that he pressed on toward a chosen goal. He realised, in fact, that he was still short of receiving ‘what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived.‘

Such is our Christian life. By desiring Heaven, we exercise the powers of our soul. Now this exercise will be effective, only to the extent, that we free ourselves from desires leading to infatuation with this world. Let me return to the example I have already used, of filling an empty container. God means to fill each of you with what is good – so cast out what is bad! If he wishes to fill you with honey and you are full of sour wine, where is the honey to go? The vessel must be emptied of its contents and then be cleansed. Yes, it must be cleansed, even if you have to work hard and scour it. It must be made fit for the new thing, whatever it may be!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (An excerpt from his Tractates on «The First Letter of John»)

PRAYER – O Lord, may the merits of Antoninus, Your Confessor and Bishop, help us and just as we praise You for the wonders You have wrought in him, so may we glory in Your mercy toward us. T hrough 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 BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, I BELIEVE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE

Quote/s of the Day – 9 May – St Gregory Nazianzen

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 9 May – St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390) Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

“I cannot think on the One
without quickly being encircled
by the splendor of the Three;
nor can I contemplate the Three,
without straightaway being
carried back to the One.”

“These three virtues God requires
of all the Baptised:
right faith in the heart,
truth on the tongue,
temperance in the body.”

“What He was,
He laid aside;
what He was not,
He assumed.
He takes upon Himself the poverty of my flesh
so that I may receive the riches of His Divinity!”

“Who gave you the ability to contemplate
the beauty of the skies, the course of the sun,
the round moon, the millions of stars,
the harmony and rhythm which
issue from the world as from a lyre,
the return of the seasons, the alternation of the months, the demarcation of day and night,
the fruits of the earth, the vastness of the air,
the ceaseless motion of the waves,
the sound of the wind?”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2025/05/09/quote-s-of-the-day-9-may-st-gregory-nazianzen-2/

St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 May – “You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:14

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One Minute Reflection – 9 May – The Feast of St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390) Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church – Sirach 39:6-14, Matthew 5:13-19

“You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:14

REFLECTION – “I shall always love and reverence the Apostles sent by Christ and their successors, in sowing the seed of the Gospel, those zealous and tireless co-operators in propagating the Word, who may justly say of themselves: Let a man so account of us as the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the mysteries of God. For Christ, like a most watchful and most faithful householder, wished that the Gospel lamp should be lighted by such ministers and delegates, with fire sent down from Heaven and once lighted, should not be put under a measure but set upon a candlestick, so that it may spread its brightness far and wide and put to flight, all darkness and error, rife among both Jews and Gentiles.

Now it is not enough for the Gospel teacher to be a brilliant speaker in the eyes of the people; he must also be as a voice crying in the desert and endeavour, by his eloquence, to help many to lead good lives, lest, if he omit his duty of speaking, he be called the dumb dog that is not able to bark, spoken of by the prophet. Yes, he should also burn, in such a way, that, equipped with good works and love, he may adorn his evangelical office and follow the leadership of Paul. He indeed was not satisfied with bidding the Bishop of the Ephesians: This command and teach: conduct thyself in work as a good soldier of Christ Jesus but he unflaggingly preached the Gospel to friend and foe alike and, said with a good conscience to the Bishops gathered at Ephesus: You know how I have kept back nothing that was for your good but have declared it to you and taught you in public and from house to house, urging Jews and Gentiles to turn to God in repentance and to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Such should be the shepherd in the Church who, like Paul, becomes all things to all men, so that the sick may find healing in him; the sad, joy; the desperate, hope; the ignorant, instruction; those in doubt, advice; the penitent, forgiveness and comfort and finally, everyone, whatever is necessary for salvation. And so Christ, when He wished to appoint the chief teachers of the world and of the Church, did not limit Himself to saying to His disciples: You are the light of the world but also added these words: A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a measure but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all who are in the house. Those churchmen err, who imagine that it is by brilliant preaching, rather than by holiness of and all-embracing love, they fulfil their office.” – St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church (Sermon excerpt).

PRAYER – O God, Who gave to Your people, blessed Gregory, as a minister of salvation, grant, we beseech You, that we, who cherished him on earth as a teacher of life, may be found worthy to have him as an intercessor in Heaven. 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 DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Madonna del Bosco / Our Lady of the Woods, Lombardy, Italy (1617), St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390) and Memorials of the Saints for 9 May

Posted on by AnaStpaul

St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390) Archbishop of Constantinople, Father, Doctor, Confessor, Theologian, Philosopher, Orator, Poet, Writer, he is remembered as the “Trinitarian Theologian.” He is widely considered one of the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age. Along with his great friends and colleagues, the brothers St Basil the Great and St Gregory of Nyssa, he is known as one of the Cappadocian Fathers. The Cappadocia region, in modern-day Turkey, was an early site of Christian activity, with several missions by St Paul in this region.
The Roman Martyrology states of him today: “At Naziazus, the birthday of St Gregory, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, surnamed “The Theologian” because of his remarkable knowledge of divinity. At Constantinople, he restored the Catholic Faith, which was fast waning and repressed the rising heresies.”
Wonderful St Gregory:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/09/saint-of-the-day-9-may-st-gregory-nazianzen-330-390-great-father-and-doctor-of-the-church/
AND:
(In 1969, St Gregory’s Feast was combined with that of St Basil the Great – “Two Bodies one Spirit” and was then celebrated on 2 January).
Their lives here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/01/02/saint-s-of-the-day-2-january-st-basil-the-great-329-379-and-st-gregory-of-nazianzen-330-390-two-bodies-one-spirit/

Madonna del Bosco / Our Lady of the Woods, Imbersago, Como, Lombardy, Italy (1617) – 9 May:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/09/madonna-del-bosco-our-lady-of-the-woods-imbersago-como-lombardia-italy-1617-and-memorials-of-the-saints/

St Banban the Wise
St Beatus (3rd Century) Confessor
St Beatus of Lungern
St Brynoth of Scara
St Dionysius of Vienne
Bl Fortis Gabrielli
St Gerontius of Cervia

Blessed Giovanni Benincasa of Montepulciano OSM (1375-1426) Religious Friar of the Servite Order, Hermit, Mystic, Penitent. His Beatification received formal approval from Pope Pius VIII on 23 December 1829.
His Devout Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/09/saint-of-the-day-9-may-blessed-giovanni-benincasa-of-montepulciano-osm-1375-1426/

St Giuse Hien
St Gorfor of Llanover

St Gregory of Ostia
St Hermas of Rome
Isaiah the Prophet
St John of Châlon

Blessed Thomas Pickering (c1621-1679) Martyr, Benedictine Lay Brother. He was one of the 107 Martyrs of England and Wakes. They were Beatified by Pope Pius XI on 15 December 1929 and is, therefore, remembered with them all on 4 May. In character, he was described, as the most charitable and sweet-tempered of men.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/09/saint-of-the-day-9-may-blessed-thomas-pickering-osb-c-1621-1679-martyr/

St Vincent (Died c950) Abbot of San Pedro de Montes Abbey at Vierzon in Spain.
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2025/05/09/saint-of-the-day-9-may-saint-vincent-died-c950-abbot/

Martyrs of Persia: 310 Christians murdered together for their faith in Persia. No details about them have survived.

20 Mercedarian Martyrs of Riscala: 20 Mercedarian friars who were murdered by Huguenot heretics for refusing to denounce their faith. 16th century at the Santa Maria convent at Riscala, France.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, St Francis de Sales, The WORD, Thomas Aquinas

Quote/s of the Day – 8 May – Angels

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 May – The Apparition of St Michael the Archangel at Monte Gargano, Italy (492)

“See, I am sending My Angel before you,
to guard you on the way
and bring you to the place I have prepared.”

Exodus 23:20

“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.”

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

“When tempted,
turn immediately to your
Guardian Angel and ask him,
with all your heart,
“My Guardian Angel help me now.
Do not let me offend my God!”

St John Bosco (1815-1888)

“The good Angels are around you,
like a company of Sentinels on guard!”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on WATCHING, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 May – ‘ … To protect them from all evil, I have placed My Angels at their service. …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 8 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Apparition of St Michael the Archangel at Monte Gargano, Italy (492) – Apocalypse 1:1-5 – Matthew 18:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Watch, that you despise not, one of these little ones, for I say to you, their Angels in Heaven, always see the Face of My Father, Who is in Heaven.” – Matthew 18:10

REFLECTION – “Watch that you do not despise one of these little ones for, I say to you, their Angels in Heaven, always see the Face of My Father, Who is in Heaven.” With these words, Christ is saying to us something like this: « “Be vigilant, take care that you do not despise people who are simple, poor or weak. As for Me, I esteem them greatly to the extent that, to protect them from all evil, I have placed My Angels at their service. And what Angels! Do not think they are to be compared to the scullery boys working in My kitchen. No. They are equal to the officers in My Own palace, for: ‘they constantly see the Face of My heavenly Father’”…

Now, these Angels see the Face of God for several reasons.
Firstly, Angels must offer and present our good works to God. To this we have a testimony in the words Raphael addressed to Tobias : “I have presented your prayer before the Lord” (Tb 12:12). In the Book of The Apocalypse, too, we read: “An Angel with a golden cense r came and stood before the altar. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer with the prayers, of all the saints on the golden altar that is, before the throne of God,” (8:3). Let us note that this altar is the heart of whoever is truly faithful to God; before this altar, the Angels stand. Their censer represents the feelings of joy, with which they gather up our thoughts, prayers, words and actions, so as to offer them, all aflame with the fire of charity, on the golden Altar which stands before the Throne of God. And the offering rises up to the Son, Who is in the bosom of the Father. Therefore, it would be good for us always to have some good thing to place in the Angels’ censer.” – St Albert the Great (1200-1280) Dominican, Doctor of the Church (Sermon for the Feast of Saint Michael).

PRAYER – O God, Who has ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order, mercifully grant that as Thy holy angels always do Thee service in Heaven, so, by Thy appointment, they may succour and defend us on earth. 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, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 7 May – Abide in Me …

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 7 May – The Memorial of St Stanislas (1030-1079) Bishop and Martyr –Wisdom 5:1-5 – John 15,1-7

“Abide in Me and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
unless it abide in the vine,
so neither can you,
unless you abide in Me.”

John 15:4

“Without Me
you can do nothing.”

John 15:5

“… He effected a wonderful exchange with us,
through mutual sharing –
we gave Him the power to die,
He will give us the power to Live!”

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

“Truly blessed is he who cleaves,
with his thought, to the Prayer of Jesus,
constantly calling to Him in his heart,
just as air cleaves to our bodies,
or the flame to the candle.”

St Hesychius of Jerusalem (Died c450)
Priest, Exegete, Father

“May He,
Who is the Track of the runners
and the Reward of the winners,
lead and guide you along it –
He, Christ Jesus!”

Blessed Guerric of Igny O.Cist (c1080-1157)

“Let us go to Jesus when we are worn out by conflict
and have no strength left.
Let us go to Him when we feel
that we can walk no further
along the stony path to perfection.
He will help us and restore our courage;
He will grant us an increase of Grace which is the source of the spiritual life.
It is essential, however, that we should have
a spirit of recollection.
If we are dissipated, we shall be
unable to hear the Voice of God.
We must speak with God
and open our hearts to Him;
we must tell Him that we love Him
and wish to learn to love Him more
and to conform more completely
to His designs for us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 May – ‘…The Vine is the parent of its branches and provides their nourishment. …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 7 May – The Feast of St Stanislas (1030-1079) Bishop and Martyr – Wisdom 5:1-5 – John 15:1-7.– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I am the Vine, you the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, the same bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

REFLECTION – “The Lord calls Himself the Vine and those united to Him, branches, in order to teach us how much we shall benefit from our union with Him and, how important it is for us, to remain in His Love. By receiving the Holy Spirit, Who is the bond of union between us and Christ our Saviour, those who are joined to Him, as branches are to a vine, share in His own nature.

On the part of those who come to the Vine, their union with Him depends upon a deliberate act of the will, on his part, the union is effected by grace. Because we had goodwill, we made the act of faith that brought us to Christ and received from Him, the dignity of adoptive sonship which made us His own kinsmen, according to the words of Saint Paul: He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.

The Prophet Isaias calls Christ the Foundation because it is upon Him that we, as living and spiritual stones, are built into a holy priesthood to be a dwelling place for God in the Spirit. Upon no other Foundation than Christ ,can this temple be built. Here Christ is teaching the same Truth, by calling Himself the Vine, since the Vine is the parent of its branches and provides their nourishment.

From Christ and in Christ, we have been reborn through the Spirit, in order to bear the fruit of life; not the fruit of our old, sinful life but, the fruit of a new life, founded upon our faith in Him and our love for Him. Like branches growing from a vine, we now draw our life from Christ and we cling to His holy commandment, in order to preserve this life. Eager to safeguard the blessing of our noble birth, we are careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit Who dwells in us and Who makes us aware of God’s Presence in us.

Let the wisdom of John teach us how we live in Christ and Christ lives in us: The proof that we are living in Him and He is living in us, is that He has given us a share in His Spirit. Just as the trunk of the vine gives its own natural properties to each of its branches, so, by bestowing on them the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, the only-begotten Son of the Father, gives Christians a certain kinship with Himself and with God the Father because they have been united to Him by faith and determination to do His Will in all things. He helps them to grow in love and reverence for God and teaches them, to discern right from wrong and to act with integrity.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Known as “The Pillar of Faith” Archbishop of Alexandria, Father & Doctor of the Church, Doctor Incarnationis (Doctor of the Incarnation) [Commentary on the Gospel of John].

PRAYER – O God, in defence of Whose honour Stanislaus, the glorious Bishop, died by the swords of wicked men, grant, we beseech Thee, that all who seek his help may obtain salvation as a result of his prayers. 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, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, Quotes Self-Oblation, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 May – Can you drink the Chalice which I shall Drink?

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

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

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

“You do not, in your enemies,
love what they are
but what you would have them become,
by your prayers!”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Be strengthened in Almighty God
and in the power of His might,
for with His help, nothing is difficult.
Throw off the heavy load of your own will,
cast aside the burden of sin
and gird yourselves as valiant warriors!
Forget what you are leaving behind;
strain forward to the great things before you.
I tell you that every place where you set foot,
shall be yours.
For the Spirit, Who goes before your face
is Christ the Lord.
He will carry you to the topmost peak
in the arms of His Love.”

St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226) 

Posted in "Follow Me", 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 May – The Feast of St John Before the Latin Gate

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 6 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of St John Before the Latin Gate – Wisdom 5:1-5 – Matthew 20:20-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink?” – Matthew 20:22

REFLECTION – “Through their mother’s mediation, the sons of Zebedee press Christ as follows in the presence of their fellow Apostles:  “Command that we may sit, one at your right side and one at your left” (cf. Mk 10:35f.)… Christ hastens to free them from their illusions, telling them they must be prepared to suffer insults, persecutions, even death. “You do not know what you are asking.  Are you able to drink the chalice that I shall drink?” 

Let no-one be surprised to see the Apostles displaying such imperfect dispositions.   Wait until the Mystery of the Cross has been fulfilled and the strength of the Holy Spirit given to them.   If you want to see the strength of their souls, take a look at them later and you will see them to be above all human weakness.   Christ does not conceal their pettiness, so that you will be able to see what they become later by the power of the grace which will transform them! …”… St John Chrysostom (c 345-407) Father & Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – O God, Who sees that sins and sufferings do, on every side rise up to trouble us, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may find a shield in times of need, through the glorious intercession of Thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist beloved Saint John. 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 DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 5 May – St Anselm, Marian Doctor of the Church – Mary, I Beg You

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 4 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Mary, I Beg You
By St Anselm (1033-1109)
Marian Doctor
Magnificent Doctor

Mary, I beg you,
by that grace through which
the Lord is with you
and you will to be with Him,
let your mercy be with me.
Let love for you always be with me,
and the care for me be always with you.
Let the cry of my need,
as long as it persists,
be with you,
and the care of your goodness,
as long as I need it,
be with me.
Let joy in your blessedness
be always with me,
and compassion for my wretchedness,
where I need it,
be with you.
Amen,

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 May – ‘ … The Flesh of the Almighty Word, is the Body of Life ….’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 4 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of St Monica (322-387) Widow, Mother of St Augustine – 1 Timothy 5:3-10 – Luke 7:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/11-16

“Soon afterward He journeyed to a city called Naim and His disciples and a large crowd accompanied Him.” – Luke 7:11

REFLECTION – “Observe how He joins miracle to miracle. In the former instance, the healing of the centurion’s servant, He was present by invitation but here, He draws near without being invited. No-one summoned Him to restore the dead man to life but He comes to do so of His own accord. He seems to me to have purposely made this miracle follow upon the former.

The dead man was being buried and many friends were conducting him to his tomb. Christ, the Life and Resurrection, meets him there. He is the Destroyer of death and of corruption. He is the One in whom we live and move and are. He is Who has restored the nature of man to that which it originally was and has set free, our death-fraught flesh, from the bonds of death. He had mercy upon the woman and that her tears might cease,, He commanded saying, “Weep not.” Immediately the cause of her weeping was done away.

Christ raised him who was descending to his grave. The manner of his rising is plain to see. “He touched,” it says, “the bier and said, ‘Young man, I say unto thee, arise.’” How was not a word enough for raising him who was lying there? What is so difficult to it or past accomplishment? What is more powerful than the Word of God? Why then did He not work the miracle by only a word but also touched the bier? It was, my beloved, that you might learn, that the Holy Body of Christ is productive for the salvation of man. The Flesh of the Almighty Word is the Body of Life and was clothed with His Might. Consider, that iron, when brought into contact with fire, produces the effects of fire and fulfills its functions. The Flesh of Christ also has the power of giving life and annihilates the influence of death and corruption because, it is the flesh of the Word, Who gives life to all. May our Lord Jesus Christ also touch us, that delivering us from evil works, even from fleshly lusts, He may unite us to the assemblies of the saints.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Archbishop of Alexandria, Great Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Luke, Homily 36).

PRAYER – O God, the consoler of those who mourn and the safety of those who put their trust in You; Who mercifully accepted the holy tears of blessed Monica for the conversion of Augustine, her son; grant us through the intercession of both, to bewail our sins and to obtain the grace of Your forgiveness. 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 DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN PRAYERS, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 4 May – O Mary, Mother of God By St Ephrem

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Our Morning Offering – 4 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

O Mary, Mother of God
By St Ephrem (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O Virgin most pure, wholly unspotted,
O Mary, Mother of God,
Queen of the universe,
thou art above all the saints,
the hope of the elect
and the joy of all the blessed.
It is thou who hast reconciled us with God;
thou art the only refuge of sinners
and the safe harbour of those
who are shipwrecked;
thou art the consolation of the world,
the ransom of captives,
the health of the weak,
the joy of the afflicted
and the salvation of all.
We have recourse to thee
and we beseech thee
to have pity on us.
Amen.

Posted in CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, OUR Cross, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 3 May – The Feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 May – The Feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross

“If anyone wishes to come after Me,
let him deny himself, take up his cross
and follow Me.”

Matthew 16:24

“Let us detach ourselves in spirit
from all that we see
and cling to that which we believe.
This is the Cross
which we must imprint
on all our daily actions and behaviour.”

St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church

“Behold Jesus Christ Crucified,
Who is the only Foundation of our hope;
He is our Mediator and Advocate;
the Victim and Sacrifice for our sins.
He is Goodness and Patience itself;
His Mercy is moved by the tears o sinners
and He never refuses pardon and grace
to those who ask it with a truly contrite
and humbled heart.”

St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

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

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

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUTH, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 April – “Light came into the world” – John 3:19

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One Minute Reflection – 3 May – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Thr 4th Sunday of Easter – The Feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross – Philippians 2:5-11 – John 13:1-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Light came into the world” – John 3:19

REFLECTION – “The commandment of the Lord shines clearly, enlightening the eyes” (Ps 18:9). Receive Christ, receive power to see, receive your light, which you may plainly recognise both God and man… Let us open ourselves to the light then and so to God. Let us open ourselves to the light and become disciples of the Lord… Let us, then, shake off forgetfulness of truth, shake off the mist of ignorance and darkness which dims our eyes and contemplate the true God… For upon us, buried in darkness, imprisoned in the shadow of death, a heavenly light has shone, a light of a clarity, surpassing the sun’s and of a sweetness, exceeding any this earthly life can offer. That light is eternal life and those who receive it live. Night, on the other hand, is afraid of the light and melting away in terror gives place to the day of the Lord. Unfailing light has penetrated everywhere and sunset has turned into dawn.

This is the meaning of the new creation (Gal 6:15; Rv 21:1) for the Sun of Righteousness (Mal 3:20), pursuing His course through the universe, visits all alike, in imitation of His Father, “who makes His Sun rise upon all” (Mt 5:45) and bedews everyone with His Truth… He, it is, Who has changed sunset into dawn and death into life by His Crucifixion, He, it is, Who has snatched the human race from perdition and exalted it to the skies. Transplanting what was corruptible, to make it incorruptible, He has transformed earth into Heaven…

He deifies us by His heavenly teaching, by “instilling His laws into our minds and writing them on our hearts. That all, be they of high estate or low, shall know God. And I will be merciful to them, God says and I will remember their sin no more” (Jr 31,33f.). Let us accept the laws of life, then; let us obey God’s promptings, let us learn to know Him.” – St Clement of Alexandria (150- 215) Theologian, Father of the Church (Exhortation to the Greeks, 11, 113).

PRAYER – O God, Who didst cause the Cross of our salvation should in a most honourable wise, be found and Who didst manifest thereby, the marvellous efficacy of Thy Sufferings, mercifully grant that by the Ransom which Thou didst pay upon that Tree of Life, we may finally attain unto life eternal. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghostr, God, world without end. ℟. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOCTRINE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SPIRITUAL WORKS of MERCY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 2 May – St Athanasius

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 May – The Feast of St Athanasius (297-373) Confessor, Father & Doctor of the Church

“The likeness of Wisdom has been stamped
upon creatures, in order that the world
may recognise the Word, Who was its Maker
and, through the Word, come to know the Father. ”

“If we follow Christ closely we shall be allowed,
even on this earth,
to stand, as it were,
on the threshold of the heavenly Jerusalem
and enjoy the contemplation,
of that everlasting Feast,
like the blessed Apostles,
who, in following the Saviour as their leader,
showed and still show,
the way to obtain the same gift from God.
They said – See, we have left all things and followed Thee.
We too follow the Lord
and we keep His Feast
by deeds rather than by words.”

“You will not see anyone,
who is really striving
after his advancement,
who is not given to spiritual reading.
And as to him who neglects it,
the fact will soon be observed
by his progress.”

“Similarly, anyone who wishes
to understand the minds
of the sacred writers
must first cleanse his own life
and approach the Saints,
by imitating their deeds.”

“Let us remember the poor
and not forget kindness to strangers;
above all, let us love God
with all our soul
and might
and strength
and our neighbour
as ourselves.”

St Athanasius (297-373)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The FIVE FIRST Saturdays

Our Morning Offering – 2 May – Mary, Mother of Grace By St Athanasius

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Our Morning Offering – 2 May – “The Month of The Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast f St Athanasius (297-373) Bishop, Confessor, Father & Doctor of the Church

Mary, Mother of Grace
By St Athanasius (297-373)
Father & Doctor of the Church

It becomes thee to be mindful of us,
as thou stands near Him Who granted thee all Graces,
for thou art the Mother of God and our Queen.
Help us for the sake of the King,
the Lord God and Master, Who was born of thee.
For this reason,
thou art called Full of Grace.
Remember us, most holy Virgin
and bestow on us gifts
from the riches of thy Graces,
Virgin Full of Graces!
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

FIRST SATURDAY, Nuestra Señora de Oviedo / Our Lady of Oviedo, Spain (711), St Athanasius (c295-373) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church and the Saints – 2 May

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FIRST SATURDAY

Nuestra Señora de Oviedo / Our Lady of Oviedo, Spain (711) – 2 May:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/02/the-fifth-sunday-of-easter-nuestra-senora-de-oviedo-our-lady-of-oviedo-spain-711-and-memorials-of-the-saints-2-may/

St Athanasius (c295-373) – Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church, “Father of Orthodoxy,” Bishop of Alexandria, Defender of the true faith, throughout his life he opposed the Arian heresy. By denying the Godhead of the Word, the Arians turned Christ into a mere man, only higher in grace than others in the eyes of God.   St Athanasius took part in the Council of Nicea in 325 and until the end remained a champion of the faith, as it was defined by the Council.   In him, the Church venerates one of her Great Fathers and Doctors.   He was subjected to persecutions for upholding the true teaching concerning the person of Christ and was sent into exile from his See no less than five times.   He died at Alexandria in 373 after an Episcopate of forty-six years.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/02/saint-of-the-day-2-may-st-athanasius-c295-373-father-and-doctor-of-the-church-father-of-orthodoxy/

St Antoninus OP (1389-1459) “Antoninus the Counsellor,” Dominican Bishop, Confessor.
Although today is the date of his death, his feast day is actually kept on the 10th of this month.
His Ardent Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/05/02/saint-of-the-day-2-may-saint-antoninus-of-florence-op-1389-1459-antoninus-the-counsellor/

Bl Bernard of Seville
St Bertinus the Younger
Bl Boleslas Strzelecki
Bl Conrad of Seldenbüren
St Cyriacus of Pamphylia
St Eugenius of Africa
St Exsuperius of Pamphylia
St Felix of Seville

St Florentius of Algeria (Died c 485) Bishop, Confessor. His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/02/saint-of-the-day-2-may-st-florentius-of-algeria-died-c-485-b/

St Gennys of Cornwall
St Germanus of Normandy (Died c 460)
St Gluvias
St Guistano of Sardinia

St Joseph Luu
St Longinus of Africa
St Neachtain of Cill-Uinche
St Secundus (1st Century) Bishop of Avila, Spain


St Theodulus of Pamphylia
St Ultan of Péronne
St Vindemialis of Africa
St Waldebert of Luxeuil

St Wiborada OSB (Died 926) Martyr, Virgin, Benedictine Nun, Anchorite,ascetic, gifted with the charism of prophecy and miracles
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/02/saint-of-the-day-2-may-saint-wiborada-of-saint-gallen-osb-died-926-martyr/

Bl William Tirry

St Zoe of Pamphylia (Died 127) Martyr, Laywoman, Wife and Mother.
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/02/saint-of-the-day-2-may-saint-st-zoe-of-pamphylia-died-127-martyr/

Martyrs of Alexandria – 4 Saints: A group of Christians Marytred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. We know little more than their names – Celestine, Germanus, Neopolus and Saturninus. 304 in Alexandria, Egyp

Martyrs of Africa:
Eugenius
Longinus
Vindemialis

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 May – ‘Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father. ‘ – John 14:9

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One Minute Reflection – 1 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” –The Feast of St James the Lesser and St Philip Apostles – Wisdom 5:1-5 – John 14:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know Me, Philip? Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? …” – John 14:9

REFLECTION – “In the Church, I know of only one image, is, the image of the unseen God. God has said about this image, “Let us make man [humankind] in our image.” Of this image it is written that Christ is the “effulgence of the glory and impress of His hypostasis.”  In that image, I perceive the Father, as the Lord Jesus Himself has said, “Th e one who has seen me has seen the Father.” For this image is not separated from the Father, which indeed, has taught me the unity of the Trinity, saying, “I and the Father are one” and again, “All things whatever the Father has are mine.” [In this image, also perceive] the Holy Spirit, seeing that the Spirit is Christ’s and has received of Christ, as it is written, “He shall receive of mine and shall announce it to you.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan, Father and one of the original four Doctors of the Latin Church( – Sermon Against Auxentius, 32)

PRAYER – Lord God, each year You grant us the blessing of celebrating with joy, the feast day of Your Apostles and Martyrs Saints Philip and James. Make us partners with them by their prayers, in the Passion and Resurrection of Your only-begotten Son, so that we may come, with them, to the eternal vision of Your glory. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever, amen.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, OUR Cross, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS

One Minute Reflection – 30 April – ‘ … Keep going, persevere, bear and accept this delay and you have carried His Cross!’ … – (Matthew 25:10)

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One Minute Reflection – 30 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – St Catherine of Siena OP (1347-1380) Virgin – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; 11:1-2 – Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“ … The Bridegroom came and they, who were ready, went in with Him … ” – Matthew 25:10

REFLECTION – “In this world, which is to say, in the Church, wholly following Christ, He says to all of us: “Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself.” This command is not being directed to virgins but not married women, to widows but not wives, to Monks but not husbands, to Priests but not laity. It is the whole Church, the whole Body of Christ with all its members, differentiated and divided according to their proper functions which is, to follow Christ. May she wholly follow Him, she who is one alone, the dove, the bride (Sg 6:9); may she follow Him, she who has been redeemed and endowed with the Blood of her Bridegroom. Virginal purity has its place here; the continence of widows has its place here; wedded chastity has its place here…

These members who have their place here should follow Christ, each according to their category, each according to their status, each after its fashion. Let them deny themselves, that is to say, let them not rely on themselves. Let them carry their cross that is to say, bear, for Christ’s sake in the world, all that the world inflicts on them. May they love Him, He, the Only One, Who never deceives or is deceived, the Only One ,Who is not mistaken. May they love Him because, what He promises is true. Yet because, He does not give it to us now, our faith falters. Keep going, persevere, bear and accept this delay and you have carried His Cross!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 96:9)

RAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that we which do keep the birthday of Thy blessed Virgin Catherine and do year by year renew her memorial with solemn gladness in Thy presence, may likewise be conformed to the pattern of her saintly walk with Thee. 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 BREVIARY Prayers, CHRIST the LIGHT, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, POETRY, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day –29 April – Saint Thomas Aquinas in Eulogy for St Peter Martyr

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Quote of the Day –29 April – St Peter Martyr / of Verona OP (1205–1252) Martyr, Priest

Saint Thomas Aquinas, Dominican, in Eulogy
for Saint Peter Martyr, Dominican

Here silent is Christ’s Herald;
Here quenched, the People’s Light;
Here lies the Martyred Champion
Who fought Faith’s holy fight.

The voice the sheep heard gladly,
The light they loved to see
He fell beneath the weapons
Of graceless Cathari.

The Saviour crowns His Soldier;
His praise the people psalm.
The Faith he kept adorns him
With Martyr’s fadeless palm.

His praise new marvels utter,
New light he spreads abroad
And now the whole wide city
Knows well the path to God.

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on WISDOM, St Francis de Sales, St JOSEPH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 April –  ‘ … There is no doubt at all, that Saint Joseph was braver than David and wiser that Solomon …’

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One Minute Reflection – 29 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – The Octave Day of the Patronage of St Joseph – Genesus 49:22-26 – Luke 3:21-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And Jesus, Himself, was beginning about the age of thirty years, being – (as it was supposed) – the Son of Joseph … ” – Luke 3:23

REFLECTION – “How faithful in humility was the great Saint we are celebrating! That cannot be said in all its perfection for, in spite of what he was, in what poverty and lowliness he lived all the days of his life, a poverty and lowliness beneath which he kept hidden and concealed his great virtues and dignity!… Truly, I have no doubt at all, that the angels came, beside themselves with admiration, rank upon rank, to behold and wonder at his humility, while he sheltered that dearest Child, in the poor workshop where he worked at his employment, so as to feed the little Boy and the mother entrusted to him.

There is no doubt at all, that Saint Joseph was braver than David and wiser that Solomon, [who were his ancestors]. Nevertheless, seeing him reduced to the exercise of carpentry, who could have discerned this, unless they were enlightened by a heavenly light, so hidden did he keep the remarkable gifts, with which God had favoured him?

And what wisdom did he not have? For God gave him, His most glorious Son to care for… the universal Prince of heaven and earth… Nevertheless, you can see how low and humbled he was brought, more than can be said or imagined… he went to his own country and town of Bethlehem and none but he, was turned away from all those inns…

Notice how the Angel turns him about with both hands. He tells him he has to go to Egypt and he goes, he orders him to return and he returns. God wants him to be always poor… and he submits to it with love and not only for a while, for he was poor his whole life long.”- St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church – Conferences, no. 19) .

PRAYER – God, Who in Thine unspeakable foreknowledge didst choose thy blessed servant Joseph, to be the husband of Thine Own most holy Mother; mercifully grant now that he is in Heaven with Thee, we who on earth do reverence him for our Defender, may worthily be aided by the succour of his prayers, to Thee on our behalf. 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).