Category: DOCTORS of the Church

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, ONE Minute REFLECTION, St JOSEPH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 March – “Joseph, son of David ” – Matthew 1:20

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One Minute Reflection – 20 March – “The Month of the St Joseph” and his Feast transferred from Sunday 19 March – Monday of the Fourth Week in Lent – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6, Matthew 1:18-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Joseph, son of David ” – Matthew 1:20

REFLECTION – “There is no doubt that Joseph was a very holy and trustworthy man, since the Mother of the Saviour was to be his wife. He was the “faithful and prudent servant” (Mt 24:45), for God established him to be His Mother’s support, the foster father of His flesh and the assistant for His plan of salvation.

We must recall, that he was of the House of David. He was son of David, not only by bonds of the flesh but even more, because of his faith, holiness and piety. God found in him, a second David, to whom He could confidently entrust His plans, even the most hidden. He revealed to him, as to another David, the mysteries of His Wisdom and disclosed to him, what no teacher in the world, could know. He allowed him to see and listen, to things that so many kings and prophets had wished to see and hear but which,, in spite of their desire, they had not been able to see or to hear (Mt 13:7), even more,, He made him carry and guide, embrace, nurture and protect Him. Both Mary and Joseph belonged to David’s race; in Mary was fulfilled the promise once made by the Lord to David, while Joseph was the witness of this fulfilment.” – St Bernard (1090-1153) (Surname de Fontaine) Priest, Cistercian Monk, The Last Father and Doctor Mellifluus (Mellifluous Doctor) (Homily on the “Missus est”, 2, 16).

PRAYER – May the merits of Thy most holy Mother’s Spouse help us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that through his intercession we may receive what we cannot obtain by our own efforts. 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).

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Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, OUR Cross, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the ANTI-christ, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The HEART, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – ‘May grace and peace be yours in abundance …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent – Galatians 4:22-31, John 6:1-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Jesus then took the loaves of bread
and having given thanks,
he distributed them to those who were seated there;
in the same way he gave them some fish,
as much as they wanted.”

John 6:11

“… May grace and peace
be yours in abundance,
through knowledge of God
and of Jesus Our Lord…”

2 Peter 1:2

“Let the world turn upside down,
let everything be in darkness, in smoke,
in uproar – God is with us!”

“I recommend that you look before you
but not dwell upon those
dangers which you see in the distance.”

“Do not look forward to the changes and chances
of this life in fear – rather look to them
with full hope that, as they arise,
God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them.
He is your keeper. He has kept you hitherto.
Do you but hold fast to His dear hand
and He will lead you safely through all things
and, when you cannot stand,
He will bear you in His arms.
Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow.
Our Father will either shield you from suffering,
or He will give you strength to bear it.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“Must you continue to be your own cross?
No matter which way God leads you,
you change everything into bitterness
by constantly brooding over everything.
For the love of God,
replace all this self-scrutiny,
with a pure and simple glance at God’s goodness!”

“We think not enough of this Truth –
that God is present with us
that He sees our thoughts,
even long before we have them.
That He knows what we think
and shall think, better than we ourselves
that He sees the folds and recesses,
of our heart
and of this other Truth –
that NOTHING HAPPENS to us
but by the order of Providence.
We should all be Saints,
if we well apprehended these Truths.
And truly, it is a great consolation,
to know that God sees
the bottom of our heart.”

St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
Disciple and Collaborator with St Francis de Sales
in Founding the Sisters of the Visitation

Prayer of Abandonment
By St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)

O sovereign goodness
of the sovereign Providence of my God!
I abandon myself forever to Thy arms.
Whether gentle or severe,
lead me henceforth whither Thou will.
I will not regard the way
through which Thou will have me pass
but keep my eyes fixed upon Thee,
my God, who guides me.
My soul finds no rest without the arms
and the bosom of this heavenly Providence,
my true Mother, my strength and my rampart.
Therefore, I resolve with Thy Divine assistance,
0 my Saviour,
to follow Thy desires and Thy ordinances,
without regarding or examining
why Thou does this rather than that
but I will blindly follow Thee,
according to Thy Divine will,
without seeking my own inclinations.
Hence I am determined to leave all to Thee,
taking no part therein,
save by keeping myself in peace in Thy arms,
desiring nothing, except as Thou incites me to desire,
to will, to wish.
I offer Thee this desire, 0 my God,
beseeching Thee to bless it.
I undertake all it includes,
relying on Thy goodness,
liberality and mercy,
with entire confidence in Thee,
distrust of myself,
and knowledge of my infinite misery and infirmity.
Amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, MIRACLES, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 19 March – DIVINE PROVIDENCE

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Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 19 March – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent – Galatians 4:22-31, John 6:1-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

“Jesus then took the loaves of bread
and having given thanks,
he distributed them to those who were seated there;
in the same way he gave them some fish,
as much as they wanted.”
John 6:11

DIVINE PROVIDENCE
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“… WHEN HUMAN AID FAILS US, all is not wanting, for God takes over and takes care of us by His special Providence. This poor multitude who follow Our Lord today were assisted by Him, only after they were all near faint with hunger.
He felt an extreme pity for them because, in their love of Him, they had so forgotten themselves that none had brought provisions, except the little Martial who had five barley loaves und two fish.
It is as if the Saviour, full of love for the hearts of these good people (who numbered about five thousand), said to Himself: “You have no care whatever for yourselves but I Myself will take care of you.”
Therefore, He called St. Philip to Him and asked him: “These poor people will faint on the way, if we do not assist them with some food but where could we find sufficient to sustain them?”
He did not ask this through ignorance,but to test him. …

Notwithstanding the fact that St Philip and St Andrew declared that the five barley loaves and two fish were nothing for so many, Our Lord ordered them to be brought to Him and He commanded His Apostles to make the people sit down.
They all did so very simply and in this they were certainly admirable, for they sat down to table without seeing anything on it and there was nothing to suggest that anything could be given to them.
Then Jesus took the loaves of bread, blessed them, broke them and ordered the Apostles to distribute them. When this was done, there was still some left, even though all had had enough to satisfy their need.

Thus Our Lord made all the five thousand men eat of the same five loaves and two fish, reproducing them as often as was necessary, that each one might have a portion according to his need.
All ate then of five loaves and two fish miraculously multiplied—all but St Martial who, not participating in this miracle, ate his own bread all alone and not that of the Saviour because He had brought His own provision.
For as long as we have our own bread, God does not work prodigies to sustain us.” – (Excerpt from the Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, 6 March 1622).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, MIRACLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on FAITH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 March – ‘ … We are preferred to them …’

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One Minute Reflection – 19 March – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent – Galatians 4:22-31, John 6:1-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“When the people, therefore, had seen the sign which Jesus had worked, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet Who is to come into the world..” – John 6:14

REFLECTION – “Governing the entire universe, is a greater miracle, than feeding five thousand people with five loaves of bread, yet no-one marvels at it. People marvel at the feeding of the five thousand, not because this miracle is greater but because, it is out of the ordinary. Who is even now providing nourishment for the whole world if not the God Who creates a field of wheat from a few seeds? Christ did what God does. Just as God multiplies a few seeds into a whole field of wheat, so Christ multiplied the five loaves in His Hands. For there was power in the Hands of Christ. Those five loaves were like seeds, not because they were cast on the earth but because, they were multiplied by the One Who made the earth.

This miracle was presented to our senses, in order to stimulate our minds… and so make us marvel at “the God we do not see because of his works, which we do see” (Rom 1,20). For then, when we have been raised to the level of faith and purified by faith, we shall long to behold, although not with our eyes, the invisible God Whom we recognise, through what is visible. This miracle was performed for the multitude to see; it was recorded for us to hear. Faith does for us, what sight did for them. We behold with the mind, what our eyes cannot see and we are preferred to them because of us it was said: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” (Jn 20,29).” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on Saint John’s gospel, 24).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who justly suffer for our sins may find relief in the help of Thy grace.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, HYMNS, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Our Morning Offering – 19 March – God of Mercy and Compassion

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Our Morning Offering – 19 March – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent

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

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

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

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

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

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

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi 4 January 1710 – 16 or 17 March 1736 was an Italian Baroque composer, violinist and organist. His best-known works include his Stabat Mater and the opera La serva padrona (The Maid Turned Mistress). His compositions include operas and sacred Masses and music. He died of tuberculosis at the age of 26.

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, DIVINE MERCY, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on STRENGTH, The HOLY SPIRIT

Quote/s of the Day – 18 March – St Cyril of Jerusalem

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Quote/s of the Day – 18 March – The Memorial of St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387) Bishop of Jerusalem, Confessor Father & Doctor of the Church

“ Your accumulated offences
do not surpass the multitude
of God’s mercies;
your wounds do not surpass
the great Physician’s skill!”

“The Spirit comes gently
and makes Himself known
by His Fragrance.
He is not felt as a burden,
for God is light, very light.
Rays of light and knowledge
stream before Him
as the Spirit approaches.
The Spirit comes with the tenderness
of a true friend – to save,
to heal, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen
and to console.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/18/quote-s-of-the-day-18-march-18-march-st-cyril-of-jerusalem/

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

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Hail MARY!, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN Saturdays

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 18 March – THE ANGELIC SALUTATION

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Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 18 March – Saturday of the Third Week in Lent, to Mary our Mother we pray today

“Let us run to Mary
and, as her little children,
cast ourselves into her arms
with a perfect confidence.”

“Hail Mary, full of grace …”

THE ANGELIC SALUTATION
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“LET US GLORY, says a pious author, in repeating this salutation, with the Angel Gabriel, the Apostles, the Martyrs and all the Christian world.
Let this Ave Maria, which comes to us fragrant as a Canticle of Heaven and repeated by as many echoes as there are faithful souls on earth, be sweet to our lips and sweeter still to our hearts.
It is a rare and enviable favour indeed to be able to salute a Queen and yet, everyday, at every moment, men and women, old and young, all of every condition, can salute the Queen of Heaven and earth, who contains, in her hands all the treasures of God and can be sure of being always heard and, that each salutation addressed to her, will meet with a corresponding benefit. . . .
But can the sinner too, dare to approach her? Yes, certainly – let him also come with humble confidence and salute her, who is his refuge, for she will in no wise be offended by his prayer and, if the Hail Mary from his lips be a cry of sorrow and repentance, it will become omnipotent and will obtain mercy, pardon, grace and salvation.
Hail Mary ! Ave Maria ! . . .
A sweet and beautiful word it is, which Heaven sent to earth and earth again returns, so frequently to heaven! ” – (The Month of Mary According to the Spirit of St Francis de Sales).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 March – What you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. Matthew 10:27

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One Minute Reflection – 18 March – “The Month of the St Joseph” – Saturday of the Third Week in Lent and the Memorial of St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387) Bishop of Jerusalem, Confessor Father & Doctor of the Church– Ecclesiasticus Ecclus 39:6-14, Matthew 10:23-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“What you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.” … Matthew 10:27

REFLECTION – “He had said previously, “What I tell you in the dark, declare in the light and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops.” He now explains what follows after this proclamation. The whole world is divided against itself for the sake of faith in Christ. Every house contains both unbelievers and believers. And a necessary conflict has been sent to break an evil peace. It is written in Genesis that God did a similar thing to the rebellious people who streamed out of the east and rushed to build a tower, by which they meant to reach the heights of Heaven. God divided their languages. For this same reason David prays in the Psalm, “O God, scatter the peoples who delight in war.” – St Jerome (343-420) Priest, Monk, Translator of the Sacred Scriptures into Latin, Father and one of the original 4 Doctors of the Latin Church (Commentary on Matthew 1)

PRAYER – Grant us, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, through the intercession of the blessed Bishop Cyril, so to acknowledge Thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom Thou have sent, that we may be found worthy to be forever numbered among the sheep who hear His Voice.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 DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 18 March – Virgin Full of Goodness, Mother of Mercy By St Thomas Aquinas

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Our Morning Offering – 18 March – Saturday of the Third Week in Lent, to Mary our Mother we pray today

Virgin Full of Goodness,
Mother of Mercy
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor angelicus
Doctor communis

Virgin full of goodness,
Mother of mercy,
I entrust to you my body and my soul,
my thoughts and my actions,
my life and my death.
My Queen,
come to my aid
and deliver me from the snares of the devil.
Obtain for me the grace of loving
my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
with a true and perfect love,
and after Him,
O Mary,
of loving you with all my heart
and above all things.
Amen.

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

Saturday of the Third Week in Lent, Nostra Signora della Misericordia / Our Lady of Mercy, Italy (1536), St Cyril of Jerusalem and Memorials of the Saints – 18 March

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Saturday of the Third Week in Lent – FAST

Nostra Signora della Misericordia / Our Lady of Mercy, Patron of Savona, Italy (1536) – 18 March:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/18/nostra-signora-della-misericordia-our-lady-of-mercy-patron-of-savona-italy-1536-and-memorials-of-the-saints-19-march/

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387) Bishop of Jerusalem, Confessor Father & Doctor of the Church, Theologian, Writer.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/03/18/saint-of-the-day-18-march-st-cyril-of-jerusalem/

St Alexander of Jerusalem (Died 251) Bishop and Martyr
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/18/saint-of-the-day-18-march-saint-alexander-of-jerusalem-died-251-bishop-and-martyr/

St Anselm of Lucca the Younger (1036-1086) Italian Bishop and Confessor.
About this St Anselm:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/18/saint-of-the-day-18-march-saint-anselm-of-lucca-the-younger-1036-1086/

St Braulio of Zaragoza (c590-c651) Bishop
Bl Christian O’Conarchy

St Edward the Martyr (962-978) Child King of England.
The Roman Martyrology states today: “In England, the holy King Edward, who was assasinated by order of his treacherous stepmother and became celebrated for many miracles.”
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/18/saint-of-the-day-18-march-saint-edward-the-martyr-c-962-978/

St Egbert of Ripon
St Eucarpius of Nicomedia
St Felix of Gerona
St Finan of Aberdeen
St Leobard of Tours
St Narcissus of Gerona
St Salvator of Horta OFM (1520-1567) Lay Brother of Friars Minor. His body is incorrupt.

St Trophimus of Nicomedia

Martyrs of Nicomedia – Commemorates the Christians who were Martyred anonymously, either singly and in small groups, by local pagans in the area of Nicomedia prior to the year 300 and who may have been over-looked in the waves of Diocletian persecutions that resulted in the deaths of thousands.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 March – ‘There is no question but that this Householder is Christ …’

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One Minute Reflection – 17 March – Friday of the Third Week in Lent and the Memorial of St Patrick (c385-461) Bishop, Confessor, “The Apostle of Ireland” – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 44:16-27; 45:3-20, Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“A man going abroad, called his servants and handed over his goods to them.” – Matthew 25:14

REFLECTION – “There is no question but that this Householder is Christ. After His Resurrection, when He was about to return triumphantly to the Father, He called His Apostles and entrusted them with the Gospel teaching, giving more to one, less to the other, never too much or too little but according to the abilities of those who received it. In the same way, the Apostle Paul said that he had fed with milk those unable to take solid food (1Co 3,2)…

Five, two, one talent: let us take these to be the different graces granted to each, whether the five senses for the first; understanding of faith and works for the second; the reasons for distinguishing us from other creatures, for the third. “The one who received five talents went away and traded with them and made another five.” That is to say, besides the physical and material senses he had received, he added knowledge of heavenly things. His knowledge was raised from the creatures to the Creator, from the corporal to the incorporeal, from the visible to the invisible, from the transient to the eternal. “The one who received two made another two.” This one likewise, according to his ability, doubled in the school of the Gospel what he had learned in the school of the Law. Or perhaps we could say, that he understood that knowledge of faith and the works of this present life, lead to future happiness. “But the man who received one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.” In the grip of works here below and of worldly pleasures, the wicked servant neglected God’s commands.  However, let us note that, according to another evangelist, he wrapped it in a linen cloth – by this we could understand that he took away the force of his Master’s teaching, by a life of softness and pleasure…

The Master welcomed the first two servants… with the same words of praise. “Come,” He said, “share in your master’s joy and receive what eye has not seen and ear has not heard and what has not entered the human heart” (1Cor 2,9). What greater reward could be bestowed on a faithful servant?” – St Jerome (343-420) Translator of Sacred Scripture (the Vulgate), Father and One of the Original Four Doctors of the Latin Church .

PRAYER – O, God, Who graciously sent blessed Patrick, Thy Confessor and Bishop, to preach Thy glory to the nations, grant through his merits and intercession that by Thy mercy, we may be able to accomplish what Thou command. 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 CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, DOCTORS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PHYSICAL SICKNESS, ILLNESS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the POOR, The HOLY NAME, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 March – Sickness

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 March – Thursday of the Third Week in Lent

“Now when the sun was setting,
all those who had any who were sick
with various diseases brought them to him
and he laid his hands on everyone of them
and healed them. And demons also came out
of many, crying,
“You are the Son of God!”
But he rebuked them
and would not allow them to speak
because they knew that he was the Christ.”

Luke 4:40-41

“If thou art bound down by sickness,
if sorrows weary thee,
if thou art trembling with fear,
invoke the name of Jesus!”

St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1456)

“The poor and the sick
are the Heart of God.
In serving them,
we serve Jesus Christ.”

St Camillus de Lellis MI (1550-1614)

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

“If it be God’s will that the remedies overcome
the sickness, return to God thanks, with humility;
if it be God’s will that the sickness overcome
the remedies, bless God with patience.”

“The prayer of the sick person
is his patience and his acceptance
of his sickness for the love of Jesus Christ.
Make sickness itself a prayer,
for there is none more powerful,
save Martyrdom!”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DIVINE MERCY, DOCTORS of the Church, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 16 March – PROPER CONDUCT IN ILLNESS

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Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 16 March – Thursday of the Third Week in Lent – Jeremias 7:1-7, Luke 4:38-44 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Thou opens Thy hand
and fills with blessing
every living creature.”
Psalm 144:16

“And standing over her,
He commanded the fever and it left her.
And immediately rising,
she ministered to them.”
Luke 4:39

PROPER CONDUCT IN ILLNESS
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“St Peter’s mother-in-law knew that Our Lord was in Capharnaum and that He was curing many sick people. Nevertheless, she did not anxiously send for Him to tell Him that she was suffering, nor did she beg Him to come to her house.
But what is even more amazing, is that even when they encountered one another in her house, she looked at Him and He looked at her but she did not say a word about her illness, so as to move Him to have pity on her; nor did she cry out, “Lord, Son of David, have pity on me” [Matt 15:22] or “Lord, say only the word and my soul will be healed” [Matt 8:8; Lk. 7:7]—that is, I will regain life and health. …

Our fever patient did not act in this way at all. She was in her bed without making any fuss whatever. It was enough for her that others knew she was ill; she was content to take what was given her for her health, not fretting over whether it would benefit her or not. She believed firmly that God was not the first, nor the second, nor the third cause of her illness, for He is not the cause of sickness in any way whatever.
Since He is not the cause of sin, then He is not the cause of sickness either.
But just as He permits sin, He sends infirmities to correct and purify us of it.
Thus, we must be submissive to His Justice, as well as to His Mercy, keeping a humble silence. This will make us tranquilly embrace the events of His Providence, as David did, who, in his afflictions said: “I suffered and was silent because I knew that it was Thou Who sent them to correct me and purge me of my guilt.” [Ps.38: 10-12].

Our fever patient did the same. “Thou have sent me the fever and I have accepted it. I have submitted myself, both to Thy Justice and to Thy Mercy. Just as Thou sent it to me, without my asking for it, so Thou can take it away, without my asking Thee to do so. Thou knows better than I do what is best for me. I have no need to trouble myself about it. It is sufficient for me that Thou look at me and that Thou knows that I am sick in my bed!” – (Sermon for the Thursday after the Third Sunday of Lent, 3 March 1622, concerning the cure of St Peter’s mother-in-law).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on FEAR, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 March – ‘ … What have you to fear? Why tremble? …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 16 March – “The Month of the St Joseph” – Thursday of the Third Week in Lent – Jeremias 7:1-7, Luke 4:38-44 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And standing over her, He commanded the fever and it left her. And immediately rising, she ministered to them.” – Luke 4:39

REFLECTION – “The Apostle Paul writes: “I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all His patience, as an example for those who would come to believe in Him for everlasting life” »(1Tim 1:16). Desiring to show pardon to all, He chose one of His most vicious enemies so that, when they saw him healed, no-one would be tempted to despair.

Is not this just what doctors do? When they have settled somewhere where they are not yet known, they first of all single out people who are suffering from incurable illnesses, so as to give proof of their kindness and make their skill known. Then each will say to the other: “Go and seek out this particular doctor; I assure you that he made me well again!… I had the same illness as you do, I went through the same suffering.” This is what Paul said to each sick person in danger of despairing: “The One Who healed me sends me to you, saying: Go and look for that hopeless sick person, tell him of your illness, make known to him the pain from which I cured you… Shout aloud to the despairing: ‘This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance – Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1Tim 1:15). What have you to fear? Why tremble? I myself am ‘the foremost of sinners’. I am telling this to you, who are sick, I, who have been cured. I, who now stand upright, to you who are cast down. I, who today ,am full of confidence, to you who despair.

So do not let yourself fall into despair. Are you sick? Come to Him and you will be healed. Are you blind? Come to Him and you will be enlightened… Let everyone say: “Come, let us bow and bend low before Him; let us weep before the Lord Who made us” (Ps 94:6).” – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop of Hippo, Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 176, 4).

PRAYER – From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech Thee and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. 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).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 DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HEART, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 15 March – OUR HEART

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Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 15 March – Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent
– Exodus 20:12-24, Matthew 15:1-20 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
Jeremias 31:3

“This people honours Me with their lips
but their heart is far from Me.”
Matthew 15:8

OUR HEART
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“HOW IS YOUR HEART TOWARDS GOD HIMSELF?
Do you take delight in thinking about Him?
Does such remembrance leave an agreeable sweetness behind it? “I remembered God and I was delighted,” said David.
Does your heart feel an inclination to love God and a particular satisfaction in dwelling on this love?
Does your heart love to reflect on God’s immensity, goodness and sweetness?
If remembrance of God comes to you amid worldly affairs and vanities, do you willingly receive it and does it take possession of you heart?
Does it seem to you that your heart turns that way and, as it were, runs out to meet God? … It is the same with souls that really love God. No matter how busy they are, when remembrance of God comes to them, they lose almost the very thoughts of all other things because of the joy that this dear remembrance has returned.
This is a very good sign.” (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part 5, Chapter 4)

“Imitate little children who with one hand hold fast to their father, while with the other, they gather strawberries or blackberries from the hedges.
So too if you gather and handle the goods of this world with one hand, you must always hold fast with the other to your Heavenly Father’s Hand and turn toward Him, from time to time, to see if your actions or occupations, are pleasing to Him.” – (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part 3, Chapter 10)

Posted in DIVINE MERCY, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, LENT 2023, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 15 March – O Merciful God By St Thomas Aquinas

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Our Morning Offering – 15 March – Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent

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

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

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSECUTION

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 14 March – CHARITY in INJURY

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Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 14 March – Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent – 4 Kings 4:1-7, Mattew 18:15-22 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

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

CHARITY in INJURY
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“THE CHRISTIAN SHOULD LOVE husband or wife with a calm, tranquil, firm and constant love, chiefly because God desires and enjoins us to do so. The same reason holds good as to children and other relatives and friends, each one according to
his rank.

But as a general thing, what is the state of your heart with regard to your neighbour? Do you love him from your heart and for the love of God?
In order to prove this, you must call to mind certain disagreeable, troublesome individuals, for with such, it is that we practice the love of God towards our neighbour and still more, towards those who do us any injury, either in word or deed.
Consider whether your heart is clear with regard to such and whether you have to force it to love them?
Are you slow to speak evil of your neighbour, especially of those whom you do not like?
Do you never injure him, either directly or indirectly?
A very little reflection will easily satisfy you on these points.” – (Introduction to the Devout Life).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GOSSIP, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 March – ‘ … What evil can your enemy do to you, which would be comparable to that, which you do to yourself?

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One Minute Reflection – 14 March – “The Month of the St Joseph” – Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent – 4 Kings 4:1-7, Matthew 18:15-22 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

REFLECTION – “Christ is asking two thing of us – to condemn our sins, to forgive those of the others; to do the first because of the second, which then will be easier, for the person who thinks of his sins will be less severe towards his companion in destitution. And to forgive not only with our mouth but “from the bottom of our heart,” so as not to turn against ourselves, the blade, with which we believe we can pierce the others. What evil can your enemy do to you which would be comparable to that, which you do to yourself? … If you let yourself go, in indignation and anger, you will be wounded, not because of the injury your enemy inflicted upon you but, from the resentment you feel because of it.

So do not say: “He insulted me, he slandered me, he did a great number of wretched things to me.” The more you say he did evil things to you, the more you show that he did you good, since he gave you an opportunity to purify yourself of your sins. Thus, the more he offends you, the more he places you in a state of obtaining the forgiveness of your faults from God. For if we want, no-one can damage us; even our enemies are thus doing us a great service… So consider how many advantages you draw from an injury that is suffered humbly and gently!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Fasther and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on Saint Matthew no 61).

This image is called CALUMNY by Botticelli

PRAYER – Almighty and eternal God, Who has dominion over both the living and the dead and has mercy upon all whom Thou foreknow will be Thine by faith and good works; we humbly beseech Thee that all for whom we have resolved to make supplication, whether the present world still holds them in the flesh, or the world to come holds them out of the body, may, through the intercession of the blessed Virgin and all Thy Saints, obtain of Thy goodness and clemency, pardon for all their sins.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, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on the POOR, The KINGDOM of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 13 March – ‘What great profit you gain …!’

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 March – Monday of the Third Week in Lent

“Are we going to neglect our own salvation?
Let us show great compassion
towards the poor
so as to be made worthy of possessing
good things to come for all eternity!”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“What great profit you gain from God
when you are generous!
You give a coin
and receive a Kingdom;
you give bread from wheat
and receive the Bread of Life;
you give a transitory good
and receive an everlasting one.
You will receive it back,
a hundred times more
than you offered.”

“If you want God to hear your prayers,
hear the voice of the poor.
If you wish God to anticipate your wants,
provide for those of the need,
without waiting for them to ask you.
Especially, anticipate the needs
of those, who are ashamed to beg.
To make them ask for alms,
is to make them buy it!”

St Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 13 March – TRUE AND LIVING DEVOTION

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Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 13 March – Monday of the Third Week in Lent – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“O Lord, deal with us,
not according to our sins,
nor requite us according to our iniquities.”
Psalm 102:10

“Hear, O God, my prayer,
and despise not my supplication.
Be attentive to me and hear me.
I am grieved in my exercise
and am troubled,”
Psalm 54:2-3

TRUE AND LIVING DEVOTION
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“ONE MAN SETS GREAT VALUE on fasting and believes himself to be leading a very devout life, as long as he fasts rigorously, although, the while, his heart is full of bitterness — and while he will not moisten his lips with wine, perhaps not even with water, in his great abstinence, he does not scruple to steep them in his neighbour’s blood, through slander and detraction.

Another man reckons himself as devout because he repeats many prayers dai­ly, although. at the same time. he does not refrain from all man­ner of angry, irritating, conceited or insulting speeches among his family and neighbours.
This man freely opens his purse in almsgiving but closes his heart to all gentle and forgiving feelings towards those who are opposed to him, while that one is ready enough to forgive his enemies but will never pay his rightful debts, save under pressure.

Meanwhile, all these people are conventionally called religious but, nevertheless, they are in no true sense really devout. …

But, in fact, all true and living devotion presupposes the love of God — and indeed, it is neither more, nor less, than a very real love of God, … And forasmuch as devotion consists in a high degree of real love, it not only makes us ready, active and diligent, in following all God’s Com­mands but, it also excites us to be ready and loving, in performing as many good works as possible … Devotion is simply a spiritual activity and liveliness, by means of which, Divine Love works in us.” – ( Intro­duc­tion to the Devout Life, Chapter 1: What true devotion is.)

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUTH, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The KINGDOM of GOD, The REDEMPTION, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 March – f St Gregory the Great

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Quote/s of the Day – 12 March – The Third Sunday in Lent and the Feast of St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Confessor, Father & Doctor of the Church, “Father of the Fathers”

“Your faith has saved you.”

Luke 18:42

“The blind man does not ask the Lord for gold
but for Light. He sets little store
by asking anything but Light …
Let us imitate him, dearly beloved …
Let us not ask the Lord for deceitful riches,
or earthly gifts, or passing honours
but for Light. And let us not ask for light
shut up in one place, or limited by time,
or ending with the coming of night.
The beasts behold such light just as we do.
Let us ask for the Light which we can see
with angels alone, Light without beginning
or end. The way to this Light is faith.
Hence Jesus immediately says to the blind man,
who is to be enlightened:
“Raise your eyes, your faith has saved you!”

“Have I not a right to do what I choose?
Or are you envious because I am generous?”

Matthew 20:15.

“But no-one should boast of his work or of his time,
when, after saying this, Truth cries out:
“So the last will be first and the first last.”
We know what good things we have done
and how many they are;
we do not know with what exactitude
our Judge on high will investigate them.
Indeed, we must all rejoice exceedingly,
to be even the last, in the Kingdom of God!”

“Stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.”

Luke 21:28

“Truth is exhorting His elect by saying:
“When the disasters of the world
become more frequent… let your hearts exult!
While the world, which is not your friend,
is coming to an end,
the redemption you have sought ,is coming near.!”
Those who love God are ordered to rejoice
and be merry at the world’s end.
They will soon find Him Whom they love,
while what they have not loved is passing away.
It should be far from the hearts of all the faithful
who long to see God, to grieve over the disasters
of a world, for they know, these very disasters,
are soon to end. It is written that:
“Whoever wishes to be a friend of this world,
makes himself an enemy of God” (Jas 4,4).”

“Someone who does not rejoice
as the end of the world approaches,
testifies that he is its friend
and this itself convicts him,
of being God’s enemy!”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/12/quote-s-of-the-day-12-march-st-gregory-the-great/

St Gregory the Great (540-604)
Pope, Confessor, Father and Doctor
“Father of the Fathers”

Posted in "Follow Me", CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 12 March – MUTUAL CHARITY

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Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 12 March – The Third Sunday in Lent – Ephesians 5:1-9, Luke 11,14-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“To Thee have I lifted up my eyes,
Who dwells in Heaven.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.”
Psalm 122:1,3

“Every kingdom divided
against itself is laid waste.”
Luke 11:17

MUTUAL CHARITY
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“IN TODAY’S GOSPEL[Lk. 11:14-28], Our Lord insists that every kingdom divided against itself, (not united in itself) is brought to desolation.
On the other hand, the converse is true, too – all kingdoms united in concord, not permitting any division to enter, will surely be filled with consolation. For if the propositions are opposite, the consequences must be, too.
These words are among the most remarkable, noteworthy and important that our Divine Master ever spoke. For this reason the ancient Fathers carefully interpreted them.

They agree that our Saviour had three kinds of concord or union in mind when He spoke, where division in any of them, results in desolation.
The first is the concord which should exist between a king and his subjects, making subjects submissive and obedient to his laws.
The second is the union which we ought to have within, in our inner kingdom, where reason must be the king to whom are subject, all the faculties of our spirit, all our senses and even our bodies. … (Without this obedience and submission we cannot avoid having desolation and trouble, any more than there could be peace in a kingdom in which the subjects are not obedient to the laws of the king.)

… The third, is that which we ought to have with each other. This union or concord, has been earnestly preached, recommended and taught to us by Our Lord, equally in word and example. … Nothing is so stressed, nothing stated so completely as the observance of this Commandment [the Commandment of love[. He does so with good reason, for the beloved of the Beloved, the great Apostle St John, assures us that anyone who says that he loves God and does not love his neighbour, is a liar [1 Jn.4:20-21]. On the other hand, he who says he loves his neighbour but does not love God also contradicts the truth. That simply cannot be. To love God without loving the neighbour, who is created in His Image and Likeness [Gen. 1:26-27], is im­possible.

But what should this union and concord be which we all ought to have? Oh! What should it be indeed! It must be such that if Our Lord Himself had not explained it, no-one would have been so daring as to use the same terms as His.
At the Last Supper, after He had given the incomparable pledge of His love for us men, the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, He said:
“Father, My very dear Father, I beseech Thee that all those whom Thou hast given Me may be one, as Thou and I, Father, are One ” [Jn 17:11-12, 21-22].
To show that He was not speaking only for the Apostles but for all the rest of us, He added: “I do not pray for them alone (that is, those He had just mentioned) but for all those who will believe in Me, through their word” [Jn 17:20].
Who would have dared, I repeat, to make such a comparison, or to ask that we might be united as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are united? – (Sermon for the Third Sunday of Lent, 27 February 1622).

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 12 March – Lucis Creator Optime, O Blest Creator of the Light By St Gregory the Great

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Our Morning Offering – 12 March – The Third Sunday in Lent and the Memorial of St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) – Father & Doctor

Lucis Creator Optime
O Blest Creator of the Light
By St Gregory the Great (540-604)
Pope, Father & Doctor
“Father of the Fathers”

O blest Creator of the light,
Who mak’st the day with radiance bright,
And o’er the forming world did’st call
The Light from Chaos First of all.

Whose wisdom join’d in meet array
The morn and eve and nam’d them day;
Night comes with all its darkling fears;
Regard Thy people’s pray’rs and tears.

Lest, sunk in sin and whelm’d with strife,
They lose the gift of endless life;
While thinking but the thoughts of time,
They weave new chains of woe and crime.

But grant them grace that they may strain
The heav’nly gate and prize to gain;
Each harmful lure, aside to cast,
And purge away each error past.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Shall live and reign eternally.
Amen

This hymn is used for Vespers (II) on Sundays throughout the year in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Breviary.
Trans John M Neale (1818-1866), 1851.
Tune: “Lucis Creator Optime” Gregorian Chant, Mode VIII, traditional.

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

THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT, St Pope Gregory the Great, Notre-Dames-des-Miracles / Our Lady of Miracles, France (1328) and Memorials of the Saints – 12 March

Posted on by AnaStpaul

THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT

St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) – Father & Doctor of the Church – “Father of the Fathers” –Papacy 3 September 590-12 March 604 – Pope, Prefect of Rome, Monk, Abbot, Writer, Theologian, Teacher, Liturgist, Administrator, Diplomat, Political Negotiator, Apostle of Charity and Social Justice, Apostle of Pastoral Ministry, PeaceMaker.
His Feast Day was moved in 1969.
The wondrous St Gregory!:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/03/saint-of-the-day-3-september-st-pope-gregory-the-great-540-604-father-doctor-of-the-church-father-of-the-fathers/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/09/03/saint-of-the-day-3-september-st-pope-gregory-the-great-540-604-father-doctor-of-the-church/

Notre-Dames-des-Miracles / Our Lady of Miracles, St Maur des Fosses, France (1328) – 12 March;
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/12/our-lady-of-miracles-st-maur-des-fosses-france-1328-and-memorials-of-the-saints-12-march/

St Almut of Wetter
St Alphege the Bald
St BasilissS of Asia
Bl Beatrix of Engelport
St Bernard of Carinola (1040-1109) Bishop
Bl Claudius the Minor
St Egdunus
St Fechno

Blessed Jerome of Recanati OSA (Died 1350) Priest, Friar of the Hermits of Saint Augustine, Peacemaker. He was Beatified in
1804 by Pope Pius VII (cultus confirmation).
The Roman Martyrology reads : “In Recanati in the Marche, Blessed Girolamo Gherarducci, Priest of the Order of the Hermits of St Agustine, who worked for peace and harmony between peoples.”
About Bl Jerome:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/12/saint-of-the-day-12-march-blessed-jerome-of-recanati-osa-died-1350/

Blessed Giustina Francucci Bezzoli (c 1257-1319) Virgin of the Order of St Benedict, Hermitess and Anchoress, Mystic. Her body is incorrupt.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/12/saint-of-the-day-12-march-blessed-giustina-francucci-bezzoli-c-1257-1319/

St Heiu of Hartlepool
St Indrecht of Iona
St Pope Innocent I
St Maximilian of Thebeste
St Mura McFeredach
St Paul Aurelian
St Peter the Deacon

St Seraphina (1238-1253) Virgin
Her Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/12/saint-of-the-day-12-march-saint-seraphina-1238-1253-virgin/

St Theophanes the Chronographer

Martyrs of Nicomedia – 8 Beati: Christians who were Martyred in succession in a single incident during the persecutions of Diocletian. First there were the eight imprisoned Christians, Domna, Esmaragdus, Eugene, Hilary, Mardonius, Maximus, Mígdonus and Peter, about whom we know little more than their names. Each day for eight days one of them would be strangled to death in view of the others so that they would spend the night in dread, not knowing if they were next.
Peter was the chamberlain or butler in the palace of Diocletian. When he was overheard complaining about this cruelty, he was exposed as a Christian, arrested, tortured and executed by having the flesh torn from his bones, salt and vinegar poured on the wounds and then being roasted to death over a slow fire.
Gorgonio was an army officer and member of the staff in the house of emperor Diocletian, Doroteo was a staff clerk. They were each exposed as Christians when they were overhead objecting to the torture and murder of Peter. This led to their own arrest, torture and executions.
Died in 303 in Nicomedia, Bithynia (in modern Turkey)
Additional Memorial – 28 December as part of the 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia. Beatified on 14 January 1891 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmation).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT, LENT 2023, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on VANITY

Quote/s of the Day – 11 March – Lent

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 March – Saturday of the Second Week in Lent

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

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

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

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

Posted in DIVINE MERCY, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, Quotes on SALVATION, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The PASSION, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 11 March – THE LOVING HEART OF GOD

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Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 11 March – Saturday of the Second Week in Lent – Genesis 27:6-40, Luke 15:11-32 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Lord, before I existed Thou
beheld me and called me by name …”
Jeremias 1:5

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

THE LOVING HEART OF GOD
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“REMEMBER the Heart of Our Lord saw your heart and loved you surely, from the Tree of the Cross. By this love, He obtained for you all the good things that you will ever have, including your resolutions.
Yes, we can say with Jeremias: “Lord, before I existed Thou
beheld me and called me by name” (cf. 1:5).

This is indeed so – His Divine Goodness has prepared, in His love and mercy, all the means, general and particular, for our salvation and consequently, our resolutions. Yes, without doubt. A woman with child prepares the cradle, the linen and swaddling clothes and even arranges a nurse for the child whom she hopes to bring forth, although it is not yet in the world.
So Our Lord, in His Goodness, is, as it were, pregnant with you,
wishing to bring you forth to salvation and make you His child, prepared upon the Tree of the Cross, everything you would need. He got ready your spiritual cradle, linen and swaddling clothes, your nurse and everything suitable for your happiness.

These are all the means, all the attractions and all the graces by which He guides you and wants to lead you to perfection.
My God, how deeply this truth should be fixed in our memory.
Is it possible that I have been loved and loved so tenderly, by my Saviour?
That He thought of me personally in all these little events by which He has drawn me to Himself?
How much then should we love, cherish and make good use of all this for our benefit!This is extremely kind. this loving Heart of my God thought of me, loved me and obtained for me a thousand means of salvation. This He did as though there was no other soul in the world He could think of!

The sun shines on one part of the earth, shining on it no less than if it shone nowhere else and, as if it shone upon it alone. In the
same way, Our Lord thought of and cared for all His loving children, in such a way, that He thought of each one of us. as though He had not thought of all the rest.
He loved me, says St Paul and gave Himself for me, (Galatians 2:20) as if He said: for myself alone, as though He had done nothing for the others.
Imprint this in your spirit, in order to cherish and nourish, with care, your firm resolution, so precious to the Heart of the Saviour.”– (Introduction to the Devout Life)

Posted in CARMELITES, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The BEATITUDES, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 March – Blessed ….

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 10 March – Friday of the Second Week in Lent – Hebrews 11:33-39, Luke 6:17-23. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
Wisely indeed He puts first…
what every man seeks…
For who does not want to be happy?
Why do men universally quarrel and fight,
bargain, resort to flattery
and inflict injuries on one another?
Is it not simply in order to obtain,
by fair means or foul…
something that promises to make them happy?…
So, the Teacher of all men… begins
by redirecting those who have lost the way…;
He Who is “the Way, the Truth and the Life”…
(Jn 14,16; 6,32;4,6) begins with the words:
“Happy are the poor in spirit.”

Bl Isaac of Stella O.Cist. (c 1100–c 1170)
Cistercian Monk, Abbot, Theologian, Philosopher

“Seek for nothing,
desiring to enter for love of Jesus,
with detachment, emptiness
and poverty in everything in this world.
You will never have to do
with necessities greater than those
to which you made your heart yield itself –
for the poor in spirit are most happy
and joyful in a state of privation
and he who has set his heart on nothing,
finds satisfaction everywhere!”

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

Posted in CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The BEATITUDES, The HEART

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 10 March – POVERTY AMID RICHES

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 10 March – Friday of the Second Week in Lent – Hebrews 11:33-39, Luke 6:17-23. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The just cried and the Lord heard them
and delivered them out of all their troubles.”
Psalm 33:18

“And He, lifting up His eyes on His disciples, said:
Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.”
Luke 6:20

POVERTY AMID RICHES
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God” and if so, woe be to the rich in spirit, for theirs must be the bitterness of hell! By rich in spirit, I mean him, whose riches engross his mind, or whose mind is buried in his riches. He is poor in spirit, whose heart is not filled with the love of riches, whose mind is not set upon them. …

Whatever riches and all other transitory things you may possess, you must keep your heart free from the slightest affection for them. Your heart may be surrounded by riches; however, riches must never master your heart! …
And this, my child, is what your heart should be – open only to Heaven, impenetrable to riches and earthly treasures. If you have them, keep your heart from attaching itself to them; let it maintain a higher level and amidst riches be as though you had none, superior to them.
Do not let that mind which is the likeness of God, cleave to mere earthly goods; let it always be raised above them, not sunk in them.

… Do not fix your longings on anything which you do not possess; do not let your heart rest in that which you have; do not grieve overmuch , at the losses which may happen to you – and then, you may reasonably believe, that although rich in fact, you are not so in affection but that you are poor in spirit and, therefore, blessed, for the Kingdom of Heaven is yours.” (Introduction to the Devout Life – PART III Containing counsels concerning the practice of virtue).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOOD FRIDAY, Holy Name PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY NAME, The HOLY SOULS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 10 March – Prayer to Christin His Passion and Death By St Francis de Sales

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 10 March – Friday of the Second Week of Lent

Hail, Sweet Jesus!
Prayer to Christ
in His Passion and Death
By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Hail, sweet Jesus!
Praise, honour and glory be to Thee, O Christ,
Who, of Thou own accord, embraced death,
and recommending Thyself to Thy heavenly Father,
bowing down Thy venerable Head,
did yield up Thy Spirit.
Truly thus giving up Thy life for Thy sheep,
Thou hast shown Thyself, to be the Good Shepherd.
Thou died, O Only-begotten Son of God.
Thou died, O my beloved Saviour,
that I might live forever.
O how great hope,
how great confidence have
I reposed in Thy Death and Thy Blood!
I glorify and praise Thy Holy Name,
acknowledging my infinite obligations to Thee.
O good Jesus,
by Thy bitter Death and Passion,
give me grace and pardon.
Give unto the faithful departed,
rest and life everlasting.
Amen

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The SECOND COMING, The SIN of PRESUMPTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 March – ‘Let them grow together until the harvest’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 9 March – Thursday in the Second Week of Lent – The Memorial of St Frances of Rome Obl.S.B. (1384-1440) Widow – Proverbs 31:10-31, Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

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

REFLECTION – “Our Lord was an example of incomparable patience. He bore with a “devil” among His disciples even to His Passion (Jn 6,70). He said: “Let them grow together until the harvest lest you uproot the wheat when you pull out the weeds” (cf. Mt 13,29f.). As a symbol of the Church, He preached that the net would bring back to shore, namely the end of the world, every kind of fish, both good and bad. And He made it known, in various other ways, whether openly or in parables, that there would always be a mixture of good and bad. But, nevertheless, He stresses, that we have to protect the Church’s discipline when He says: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother” (Mt 18,15)…

Yet today, we see people who think of nothing but stern commandments, who order that troublemakers be reproved, ‘not giving what is holy to the dogs,’ treating, like the publicans, ‘anyone who despises the Church, cutting off the scandalous member from the body‘ (Mt 7,6 ; 18,17 ; 5,30). Their stormy zeal so troubles the Church, that they pull out the weeds before their time and their blindness makes of them enemies, of the unity of Jesus Christ…

Take care not to let these presumptuous thoughts enter our hearts, trying to separate ourselves from sinners, so as not to be soiled by contact with them, wanting to form a band of pure and holy disciples. We will achieve nothing but breaking up our unity, under the pretext of not associating with the wicked. To the contrary, let us remember the parables of Scripture, their inspired words, their striking examples, where we are shown that, until the end of the world and the day of judgement, the bad will always be mingled amongst the good in the Church, without their participation in the Sacraments being harmful to the good, so long as these latter, have not played a part in their sins.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (On Faith and Works – Excerpt ch 3-5)

PRAYER – O God, Who along with other gifts of Thy grace honoured blessed Frances, Thy handmaid, with the close companionship of an angel, grant, we beseech Thee, that by the help of her intercession we may be made worthy to attain the companionship of Angels 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).