Quote/s of the Day – 8 August – The Fourteen Holy Helpers – 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16, Mark 16:15-18 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:15
“Let us trust in Him. Who has placed this burden upon us. What we ourselves cannot bear, let us bear, with the help of Christ. For He is All-powerful and He tells us: ‘My yoke is easy and my burden light,’”
St Boniface (c672-754) Martyr, Confessor, Bishop “The Apostle of Germany”
“We will never do anything great for God if we do not realise the great gifts which God has given us. The very fact that you have the Catholic Faith at this time of apostasy, shows that you are especially blessed by God. Count yourselves extremely blessed. Hold onto your Catholic Faith, despite all the things going on around you ,- not only in your own life but in the world in general AND in the Church!”
St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church
“Know that the greatest service that man can offer to God, is to help convert souls.”
St Rose of Lima (1586-1617)
Prayer to the Fourteen Holy Helpers By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
Great Princes of Heaven, Holy Helpers, who sacrificed to God all your earthly possessions, wealth, preferment and even life and who now are crowned in Heaven in the secure enjoyment of eternal bliss and glory. Have compassion on me, a poor sinner in this vale of tears and obtain for me, from God, for Whom you gave up all things and Who loves you as His servants, the strength to bear patiently all the trials of this life, to overcome all temptations and to persevere in God’s service to the end that one day, I too may be received into your company, to praise and glorify Him, the Supreme Lord, Whose beatific vision you enjoy and Whom you praise and glorify forever. Amen.
One Minute Reflection – 8 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Fourteen Holy Helpers – 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16, Mark 16:15-18 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15
REFLECTION – “You have heard what the Lord said to His disciples after the Resurrection. He sent them out to preach the Gospel and they did so. Listen: “Through all the earth their voice resounds and to the ends of the world, their message” (Ps 18[19],5). Step by step, the Gospel has reached even to us and the ends of the earth. In a few words the Lord, addressing Himself to His disciples, set out what we are to do and what we have to hope for. Just as you have heard, He said: “Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved.” He asks for our faith and offers us salvation. What He offers us, is so precious that what He asks of us, is as nothing.
“The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings, O my God… from Thy delightful stream, Thou gives them to drink, for with Thee, is the Fountain of Life” (Ps 35[36],8f.). Jesus Christ is the Fountain of Life. Before the Fountain of Life came to us, we had only a human salvation like that of the beasts, of which the psalm speaks: “Man and beast you save, O Lord” (Ps 35[36],7). But now the Fountain of Life has come even to us, the Fountain of Life died for our sakes. Will He refuse us His Life,Who, for our sakes, gave His Death? He is salvation and this salvation is not worthless, like the other one. Why? Because it does not pass away. The Lord has come. He died but He killed death. In Himself, He brought an end to death. He assumed it and He killed it. Where is death now, then? Look for it in Christ and it is no longer there. It used to be there but there it died. O Life, Death of death! Take heart: it will also die in us. What was fulfilled in the Head will also be fulfilled in the members and death will die in us, too!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 233).
PRAYER – PRAYER – O God, Who gladden us with the annual festival of Thy 14 holy Saints, mercifully grant, that we, who celebrate the anniversary of their death, may also strive to equal the courage of their Martyrdom. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 7 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary”
Mary, Mother of Grace By St Athanasius (297-373) Father & Doctor of the Church
It becomes you to be mindful of us, as you stand near Him who granted you all graces, for you are the Mother of God and our Queen. Help us for the sake of the King, the Lord God and Master, Who was born of you. For this reason, you are called full of grace. Remember us, most holy Virgin, and bestow on us gifts from the riches of your graces, Virgin full of graces. Amen
Preparatory Prayer by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
O Mary, Virgin most Blessed and Mother of Our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ, through thy mercy I beseech thee, to come to my aid and to inspire me with such confidence in thy power that I may have recourse to thee, pray to thee and implore thy aid, in all needs of soul and body. Amen
Meditation: Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, was conceived without original sin. She never dimmed by actual sin, the lustre of sanctifying grace which beautified her soul. Nevertheless, she had to pass through the dark prtal of death, before she was assumed, body and soul, into Heaven. She had not been endowed with the privilege of immortality, with which God had invested our first parents in paradise. It was meet that she should be like unto her Divine Son in everything, even in death. But as she had drained, the bitter cup of suffering during her whole life and especially, when standing beneath the Cross, her death was to be free from pain and suffering. She quietly passed away, yielding up her spirit, in a yearning desire to be united forever, with her Divine Son in Heaven.
Practice: If you have dispossessed your heart of all unruly attachment to the goods and enjoyments of this earth, you, too, may hope for a happy and tranquil transition, from this land of exile, to your home in Heaven. Therefore, if you are still attached to the transitory things of this life, disengage your heart from them now. The voluntary renouncement of earthly goods, alone is meritorious before God. The separation from them, enforced by the strong hand of death, is of no supernatural value.
Prayer of the Church:We beseech Thee, O Lord, pardon the shortcomings of Thy servants that we who, by our own works, are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Novena Prayer: Day One
O Most benign Mother Mary! I rejoice that by thy happy and tranquil death, the yearning of thy heart was appeased and thy life, so rich in merit and sacrifice, received its crown. I rejoice that after passing from this life, thou, O most loving Mother, was made the glorious and powerful Queen of Heaven and dost exercise thy influence as such, for the benefit of thy frail, exiled children on earth. Obtain for me, I beseech thee, this my special petition ……………….. and a happy death that I may praise and glorify thy might and kindness, forever in Heaven. Amen
Hail Mary …….
Ejaculation:Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation!
Indulgence. – (1) 100 days, every time. (2) A Plenary Indulgence, once a month, on any day, to all who shall have said it everyday for a month, under the usual conditions.
Quote/s of the Day – 6 August – The Transfiguration of Our Lord – 2 Peter 1:16-19, Matthew 17:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Lord, it is good for us to be here”
Matthew 17:4
“Let us listen to the holy Voice of God which summons us from on high, from the holy mountain top. There, we must hasten – I make bold to say – like Jesus, Who is our leader and has gone before us into Heaven. There, with Him, may the eyes of our mind shine with His light and the features of our soul be made new; may we be transfigured with Him and moulded to His image, ever becoming divine, being transformed in an ever greater degree of glory.”
St Anastasius Sinaita (Died 6th Century) Priest and Abbot of St Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai
“What was surprising about Jesus’ Face becoming like the sun since He Himself is the Sun? He is indeed the Sun but a Sun hidden behind a cloud. Now, for a moment, the cloud dispersed and He shone out. What is this cloud that dispersed? It was not so much the flesh but the weakness of the flesh that disappeared for a moment.”
Peter the Venerable (1092-1156) Abbot of Cluny Sermon 1 for the Transfiguration
“At His Transfiguration Christ showed His disciples, the splendour of His beauty, to which He will shape and colour those who are His: ‘He will reform our lowness configured to the body of His glory.’”
St Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274) Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 6 August – The Transfiguration of Our Lord – 2 Peter 1:16-19, Matthew 17:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: ‘Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen from the dead.‘” – Matthew 17:9
REFLECTION – “Jesus Christ spoke, a great deal, to His disciples about His Sufferings, Passion and Death and, He foretold the afflictions, they themselves would have to endure and the violent deaths they would one day have to undergo (Mt 16:21-26). That is why, after telling them such hard and difficult things, He tries to comfort them by drawing attention to the reward He will give them when He comes in His Father’s glory (Mt 16:27)… He wants to show them, beforehand, as far as they are capable of it in this life, the great majesty in which He was to come and thus, forestall the trouble and sadness His Apostles, particularly Saint Peter, might feel before His death…
“Jesus took with Him, Peter, James and John.” Why only take these three Apostles? No doubt because they outstripped the others. Saint Peter because of his ardour, his love; Saint John because he was the disciple Jesus loved (Jn 13:23) and Saint James because he had said along with his brother: “We can drink your cup” (Mt 20:22) and subsequently kept his word (Acts 12:2)…
Why did Jesus cause Moses and Elijah to appear?… He was constantly accused of breaking the Law and blaspheming, appropriating for Himself, a glory that did not belong to Him, the glory of the Father… Therefore, wanting, a glory that did not belong to Him, Jesus calls on the authority of two of the most unimpeachable witnesses – Moses, who had given the Law … and Elijah, who had burned with zeal for the glory and service of God (1 Kgs 19:10) … He also wanted to teach them that He was lord over life and death, by causing one man who was dead and another who had been carried off alive in a fiery chariot, (2 Kgs 2,11) to appear. He wanted, too, to reveal the glory of His Cross to His disciples and comfort Peter and his companions, who were frightened by his Passion, reviving their courage. For Moses and Elijah spoke with Him about the glory He was to receive in Jerusalem (Lk 9:31). That is to say, they spoke of His Passion, His Cross which the prophets had always called His glory.” – St John Chrysostom (345-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on Saint Matthew’s Gospel no 56).
PRAYER – O God, Who in the glorious Transfiguration of Thy Only-begotten Son strengthened the Mysteries of faith, by the testimony of the fathers and, by the Voice coming down in a shining cloud, miraculously betokened the complete adoption of Thy children, mercifully grant that we, be made co-heirs with that King of glory and sharers in that same glory. 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).
Quote/s of the Day – 5 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Dedication of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Snows
“In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart. And that you may obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; as long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection, you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favour, you shall reach the goal!”
St Bernard (1090-1153) Mellifluous Doctor of the Church
“If you are in danger, if your hearts are confused, turn to Mary!”
St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)
No-one who shall invoke this Mother of Grace, with devotion and perseverance, can possibly perish forever.”
St John Eudes (1601-1680) “The Apostle of Two Hearts”
Tota Pulchra Es, Maria You Are All Beautiful, Mary Unknown Author – 4th Century
You are all beautiful, Mary, and the original stain is not in you. You are the glory of Jerusalem, you are the joy of Israel, you give honour to our people. You are an advocate of sinners. O Mary, O Mary, Virgin most intelligent, Mother most merciful. Pray for us, Plead for us, To the Lord Jesus Christ.
Tota pulchra es, Maria. Et macula originalis non est in Te. Tu gloria Ierusalem. Tu laetitia Israel. Tu honorificentia populi nostri. Tu advocata peccatorum. O Maria, O Maria, Virgo prudentissima. Mater clementissima. Ora pro nobis. Intercede pro nobis. Ad Dominum Iesum Christum.
One Minute Reflection – 5 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Dedication of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Snows – Sirach 24:14-16, Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28
REFLECTION – “Mary was very discreet – we have proof of this in the Gospel. Where do you see her having been talkative, or full of presumption? Once she stood at the door wishing to speak to her Son but, she did not use her maternal authority either, to interrupt His preaching or to enter the house where He preached (Mk 3:31).
If I remember correctly, the Evangelists only allow Mary’s words to be heard four times. First, when she addressed the Angel – and this was only in answer to him. Secondly, during her visit to Elizabeth when, having been praised by her cousin, Mary wanted to praise the Lord even more. Thirdly, when she complained to her Son, then aged twelve that His father and she herself, had searched for Him anxiously. Fourthly, at the wedding of Cana when she intervened with her Son and the servants.
On all other occasions, Mary showed herself slow to speak, quick to listen, for she “kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart,” (Lk 2:19,51). No, nowhere will you find that she spoke out, not even about the Mystery of the Incarnation. Woe to those of us who are full of air! Woe to those of us who pour out our souls like leaky containers!
How many times Mary heard her Son, not only speaking in parables to the crowd but, in private, revealing to the disciples the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven. She saw Him working miracles, then hanging on the Cross, Dying, Risen and Ascending to Heaven. How many times could we say that on any of those occasions, the Virgin’s voice was heard?… The greater Mary is, the more she humbles herself, not just in all things but, more than all!” – St Bernard (1091-1153) Known as the Last Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church.
PRAYER – Grant us, Thy servants, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body and by the intercession of glorious and Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow and partake of the fullness of eternal happiness. 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).
Saint of the Day – 5 August – St Nonna of Nazianzen (c305-374) Widow of St Gregory Nazianzen the Elder, (c276-374) the saintly Bishop of Nazianzen and Mother of St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390) Doctor of the Church, his younger brother St Caesarius Nazianzen (c331-368) a Physician and St Gorgonia (Died c375) Married, Mother. Born in Nazianzen in Cappadocia (modern day Turkey) in around 305 and died in c374 in her home town, of natural causes. Patronages – death of children, Information services. Also known as – Nona.
The Roman Martyrology states: “In Nazianzus in Cappadocia, in today’s Turkey, Saint Nonna, who was the wife of the holy Bishop Gregory the Elder and mother of the Saints Gregory, Cesario and Gorgonia.”
Nonna was born and raised as a deeply religious Christian. After she married, she converted her husband Gregory to Christianity. He had been a member of the Hypsistarians, a Jewish-pagan sect which worshipped Hypsistos, the “Most High” God. Both Gregory and Nonna came from wealthy families and Gregory was able to personally finance the construction of a Church in the region. In 328, Gregory was selected as the Bishop of Nazianzen, a position he held until his death. At one point, Gregory subscribed to an Arian understanding of the Blessed Trinity. However, this was for a very brief time and he quickly renounced that position.
Nonna became the mother of three children, each of whom became Saints, the most notable of whom being the Doctor of the Church, St Gregory Nazianzen.
Nonna outlived her husband and two of her children, dying, almost certainly in 374.
Her son Gregory tells of an occasion in 351 when Nonna fell terribly sick with a severe illness and appeared to be at the point of death. On his way to visit a friend, Gregory hurried instead to his mother who, in the meantime, had begun to recover. She had a vision in which Gregory had given her magical cakes marked with the Sign of the Cross and blessed by him.
Gregory championed Nonna as a model of Christian motherhood. He wrote of her:
“My mother was a worthy companion for such a man [as my father] and her qualities were as great as his. She came from a pious family but was even more pious than they, although, in her body she was but a woman, in her spirit she was above all men…
Her mouth knew nothing but the truth but, in her modesty, she was silent about those deeds which brought her glory. She was guided by the fear of God. …”
Our Morning Offering – 4 August – On the Feast of St Dominic, we pray a prayer by one of his most illustrious children, St Albert the Great
Guide Me Lord By St Albert the Great (1200-1280) Doctor of the Church
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who seeks those who stray and receives them when returning, make me approach Thee through the frequent hearing of Thy Word, lest I sin against my neighbour, by the blindness of human judgement, through the austerity of false justice, through comparing his inferior status, through too much trust in my merits or through ignorance of the Divine Judgement. Guide me to search diligently, each corner of my conscience, lest the flesh dominate the spirit! Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 3 August – The Finding of the Relics of St Stephen, Protomartyr – Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-60. Matthew 23:34-39
“Amongst all loves, God’s is so to be preferred that we must always stand prepared in mind, to forsake them all for that alone!”
(Treatise on the Love of God, Book 10, Chapter 7)
“Whoever thinks well on eternity, troubles himself little about what happens in these three or four moments of mortal life.”
“By giving yourself to God, you not only receive Himself in exchange but, eternal life as well!”
“We must live a dying life and we must die a living death in the life of our Lord.”
(The Spirit of St. François de Sales, XV 6 )
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
A Prayer to the Holy Martyrs to Obtain Their Protection in Life and at Death By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
O thou blessed Princes of the heavenly Kingdom! Thou who sacrificed to the Almighty God, the honours, the riches received, in return, the unfading glory and never-ending joys of Heaven! Thou who art secure in the everlasting possession of the brilliant Crown of glory which thy sufferings have obtained! Look with compassionate regard upon our wretched state in this vale of tears, where we groan in the uncertainty of what maybe our eternal destiny. And from that Divine Saviour, for Whom, thou suffered so many torments and Who now repays thee with such unspeakable glory, obtain for us that we may love Him, with all our heart and receive in return, the grace of perfect resignation, under the trials of this life, fortitude, under the temptations of the enemy and perseverance, to the end. May thy powerful intercession obtain for us that we may one day, in thy blessed company, sing the praises of the Eternal God and even as thou now do, face-to-face, enjoy the Beatitude of His Vision! Amen
Thought for the Day – 2 August – Meditations with our Saint of the Day, St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
Acts which Catholics Should Perform Everyday (Part One) from The Mysteries of the Faith: – The Incarnation Vol. IV By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
“Upon Rising, after having made the Sign of the Cross:
My God! I adore Thee, I love Thee with my whole heart. I thank Thee for all Thy benefits, especially for having preserved me during the past night. I offer Thee all my actions and sufferings of this day, in union with the actions of Jesus and Mary and I make the intention of gaining all the Indulgences which I can gain. I purpose, O Lord! especially to avoid offending Thee this day! Amen.
It is good to make a Resolution, particularly in regard to the fault into which we fall the most often.
I beg Thee, for the love of Jesus, to grant me the grace of perseverance. I resolve to conform myself to Thy holy will and particularly, in those things which are contrary to my inclination, saying always, O Lord! Thy will be done. My Jesus, keep Thy hand over me this day! Most Holy Virgin Mary, take me beneath thy mantle. And do Thou, O Eternal Father, help me, for the love of Jesus and Mary! O my Angel Guardian and my holy Patron Saints, assist me. Amen.”
Say the Our Father, the Creed, three Hail Marys: in honour of the purity of Mary.
When the Clock Strikes the Hour:
My Jesus, I love Thee; never permit me to offend Thee again and let me never be separated from Thee.
St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
Quote/s of the Day – 2 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Feast of St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
Evening Prayer By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor (Indulgence of 3 Years, Once a Day)
Jesus Christ my God, I adore Thee and thank Thee for all the graces Thou hast given me this day. I offer Thee my sleep and all the moments of this night and I beseech Thee to keep me without sin. Wherefore ,I put myself, within Thy sacred side and under the mantle of our Lady, my Mother. Let Thy holy Angels stand about me and keep me in peace and let Thy blessing be upon me, O Lord my God. Amen
“How pleasing to Him it will be, if you sometimes forget yourself and speak to Him of His own glory; of the miseries of others, especially those who mourn in sorrow; of the souls in purgatory, His spouses, who long to behold Him in Heaven and, of poor sinners, who live deprived of His grace.”
Come O Holy Spirit! By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
You made Mary full of grace and inflamed the hearts of the Apostles with a holy zeal, enflame our hearts with Your love. You are the Spirit of goodness, give us the courage to confront evil. You are Fire, set us ablaze with Your Love. You are Light, enlighten our minds, that we may see what is truly igood and true. You are the Dove, give us gentleness. You are a Soothing Breeze, bring calm to the storms which rage within us. You are the Tongue, may our lips ever sing God’s praises You are the Cloud, shelter us under the shadow of Your protection. O Holy Spirit, melt the frozen, warm the chilled and enkindle in us, an earnest desire to please You. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
“The powers of hell will assail the dying Christian but his Angel Guardian will come to console him. His Patrons and St Michael, who has been appointed by God to defend his faithful servants, in their last combat with the devils, will come to his aid.”
“We should not forget, that the devil has his martyrs and that he infuses into them a false constancy. It is not the punishment but the cause, that makes the Martyr; that is – the confession of the True Faith.”
Prayer for a Holy Death By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor Patron of Final Perseverance
My beloved Jesus, I will not refuse the cross, as the Cyrenian did; I accept it, I embrace it. I accept, in particular, the death Thou hast destined for me, with all the pains which may accompany it; I unite it to Thy Death, I offer it to Thee Thou hast died for love of me; I will die for love of Thee and to please Thee. Help me by Thy grace. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always and then do with me what Thou will. Amen
O Afflicted Virgin! By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
O afflicted Virgin! O soul, great in virtues and great also in sorrows! for both arise from that great fire of love thou hast for God; thou “whose heart can love nothing but God.” O Mother, have pity on me, for I have not loved God and I have so much offended Him. Thy sorrows give me great confidence to hope for pardon. But this is not enough; I wish to love my Lord and who can better obtain this for me than thou, thou who art the Mother of fair love? O Mary, thou dost console all, comfort me also. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 2 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Feast of St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 2:1-7, Luke 10:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“At that time, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them forth …” – Luke 10:1
REFLECTION – “Our Lord Jesus Christ Ordained the disciples to be guides and teachers of the world and to be “stewards of God’s mysteries” (1Cor 4:1). He also bade them… like lights, to illuminate and give light, not merely to the Jewish people… but everywhere under the sun and to peoples scattered over all the earth (cf Mt 5:14)…
For, if He desired to send His disciples out, even as the Father had sent Him, (Jn 20:21) was it not necessary for those who were destined to imitate His mission, to ascertain what it was that the Father sent the Son to do? In various ways, then, He expounded the character of His mission. And, on one occasion, He said: “I have come to call, not the righteous but sinners, to repentance” (Lk 5:32) and again: “For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him Who sent Me” (Jn 6:38) and yet, once more: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through Him” (Jn 3:17).
By saying that He is sending them as the Father has sent Him, therefore, He summarised, in a few words, the character of the Apostles’ mission. In this way, they would know that they were bound to call sinners to repentance, to heal the sick, whether of body or soul and in all their dealings as stewards, not by any means to follow their own will but the will of Him Who sent them and, finally, to save the world, insofar as it received the teachings of the Lord.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (380-444) Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on the Gospel of John 12:1).
PRAYER – O God, Who through blessed Alphonsus Maria, Thy Confessor and Bishop, fired with love for souls, enriched Thy Church with a new family; we beseech Thee that, taught by his saving counsels and strengthened by his example, we may be enabled, happily to come to Thee. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 2 August – The Feast of St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
Act of Reparation By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor of the Church Indulgence of 3 Years Once a Day
O Jesus, my Saviour and Redeemer, Son of the living God, behold we kneel before Thee and offer Thee our reparation; we would make amends, for all the blasphemies uttered against Thy Holy Name, for all the injuries done to Thee in the Blessed Sacrament, for all the irreverence shown toward Thine Immaculate Virgin Mother, for all the calumnies and slanders, spoken against Thy Spouse, the Holy Catholic and Roman Church. O Jesus, Who hast said: “If you ask the Father anything in My Name, He will give it you,” we pray and beseech Thee, for all our brethren who are in danger of sin; sheld them from every temptation to fall away from the true faith; save those who are even now standing on the brink of the abyss; to all of them, give light and knowledge of the truth, courage and strength, for the conflict with evil, perseverance in faith and active charity! For this do we pray, most merciful Jesus, in Thy Name, unto God the Father, with Whom Thou livest and reignest in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
Saint of the Day – 2 August – St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church, Founder of the Redemptorists, Spiritual Writer, Miracle-worker, Composer, Musician, Artist, Poet, Lawyer, Scholastic Philosopher and Theologian.Patronages – against arthritis, against scrupulosity, of Confessors (given on 26 February 1950 by Pope Pius XII), final perseverance, moral theologians, moralists (1950 by Pope Pius XII), scrupulous people, vocations, Diocese of Acerra, Italy, Diocese of Agrigento, Italy, l Pagani, Italy, Sant’Agata de’ Goti, Italy.
Saint Alphonsus Mary Liguori from the Liturgical Year, 1909
Let us listen to the Church’s account of his life.
“I have not hid Thy justice within my heart, I have declared Thy truth and Thy salvation.” (Gradual of the Mass Ps 39:11)
Alphonsus Maria de Liguori was born of a noble family at Naples and from his early youth, gave clear proofs of sanctity. While he was still a child, his parents once presented him to St Francis Girolamo, of the Society of Jesus. The Saint blessed him and prophesied that he would reach his ninetieth year that he would be raised to the Episcopal dignity and would do much good for the Church.
Even as a boy he shrank from games and both by his words and example, incited noble youth to Christian modesty. When he reached early manhood, he enrolled himself in pious associations and made it his delight to serve the sick in the public hospital, to spend much time in prayer and in the Church and frequently to receive the Sacred Mysteries. He joined study to piety with such success that, when scarcely sixteen years of age, he took the Degree of Doctor in both Canon and Civil Law, in the University of his native City. In obedience to his fathers wishes, he pleaded at the bar but, while winning himself a name in the discharge of this office, he learned by experience, what dangers beset a lawyer’s life and, of his own accord, abandoned the profession. Then he refused a brilliant marriage proposed to him by his father, renounced his right of inheritance as eldest son and, hanging up his sword at the Altar of the Virgin of Mercy, he devoted himself to the Divine Service.
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The Image of Our Lady where St Alphonsus placed his sword
Having been made Priest, he attacked vice with such great zeal that, in the exercise of his Apostolic ministry, he hastened from place to place, working wonderful conversions. He had a special compassion for the poor and particularly, for country people and founded a Congregation for Priests, called “of the Holy Redeemer,” who were to follow the Redeemer through the fields and hamlets and villages, preaching to the poor.
In order that nothing might turn him from his purpose, Alphonsus bound himself by a perpetual vow of never to waste any time. On fire with love of souls, he strove to win them to Christ and to make them lead more perfect lives, both by preaching the Divine Word and by writings full of Sacred learning and piety. Marvellous was the number of hatreds he stilled and of wanderers he brought back to the path of salvation.
He had the greatest devotion to the Mother of God, and published a book on the “Glories of Mary.” More than once, while he was speaking of her with great earnestness during his sermons, a wonderful brightness came upon him from Our Lady’s image and he was seen, by all the people, to be rapt in ecstasy.
The Passion of our Lord and the Holy Eucharist were the objects of his unceasing contemplation and he spread devotion to them in a wonderful degree. When he was praying before the Altar of the Blessed Sacrament, or celebrating Holy Mass, which he never failed to do, through the violence of his love, he shed burning tears, was agitated in an extraordinary manner and at times, was carried out of his senses. He joined a wonderful innocence, which he had never stained by deadly sin, with an equally wonderful spirit of penance and chastised his body, by fasting, iron chains, hair-shirts and scourgings even to blood. At the same time, he was remarkable for the gifts of prophecy, reading of hearts, bilocation and many miracles.
Alphonsus firmly refused the Ecclesiastical dignities which were offered him, but he was compelled, by the authority of Pope Clement XIII. to accept the government of the Church of St Agatha of the Goths. As Bishop, although he changed his outward dress, yet he made no alteration in the severity of his life. He observed the same moderation; his zeal for Christian discipline was most ardent and he displayed the greatest devotedness in rooting out vice, in guarding against false doctrine and in discharging the other duties of the pastoral charge. He was most generous towards the poor, distributing to them, all the revenues of his See and, in a time of scarcity of corn, he sold even the furniture of his house, to feed his starving people. He was all things to all men. He brought religious women to lead a more perfect life and took care to erect a Monastery for Nuns of his Congregation.
Severe and continual sickness forced Alphonsus to resign his Bishopric and he returned to his children, as poor as when he had left them. Although worn out in body by old age, labours, chronic arthritis and other painful maladies, his mind was fresh and clear and he never ceased speaking or writing of heavenly things until at length, on the 1st of August he most peacefully expired, at Nocera-dei-Pagani, amidst his weeping children. It was in the year 1787, the ninetieth of his age. His virtues and miracles made him famous and on this account, in 1816, Pope Pius VII. enrolled him amongst the Blessed. God still glorified him with new signs and wonders and, on the Feast of the Most Blessed Trinity, in the year 1839, Gregory XVI solemnly inscribed his name on the list of the Saints; and finally, Pope Pius IX, after consulting the Congregation of Sacred Rites, declared him a Doctor of the universal Church.
The Little-known Miracles of the Liquefying Blood of St Alphonsus
Like St Januarius, the principal Patron of Naples, the Saint of the very renowned “Liquefying Blood.” However, it remains unknown to most, that there are several prodigies of blood liquefying in the Neapolitan City, so many that the French writer Jean Jacques Bouchard (1606-1641) called Naples, “Urbs sanguinum – The City of Blood.”
“Among these is that of St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori: the Doctor of the Church, the Saint of the Age of Enlightenment, the Founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, which today has more than 700 houses in 80 countries around the world. A prodigious fact of which there is no longer any memory, not even among his spiritual children.
And yet, until a few decades ago, hundreds of the faithful went to the Santa Maria della Mercede (Holy Mary of Mercy) and St Alphonsus Church in Naples, also known by the name of the Redemption of the Captives, in Via San Sebastiano, a few steps from the Conservatorio di San Pietro a Majella, the same place where the young and noble Alfonso de Liguori laid his sword at the foot of the Statue of the Virgin to witness, on the Anniversary of the Saint’s death, the liquefying of his blood preserved in an ampoule set in a marvellous Reliquary.
St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church, Founder of the Redemptorists, Spiritual Writer, Composer, Musician, Artist, Poet, Lawyer, Scholastic Philosopher and Theologian.
St Auspicius of Apt St Betharius of Chartres St Centolla of Burgos St Etheldritha of of Croyland Bl Frederic Campisani Bl Gundekar of Eichstätt Bl Joanna of Aza Bl John of Rieti St Maximus of Padua St Pedro de Osma St Plegmund St Rutilius
Quote/s of the Day – 21 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Praxedes, Virgin (Died 164) – 1 Corinthians 7:25-34, Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And the unmarried woman and the virgin, thinketh on the things of the Lord, that she may be holy, both in body and in spirit, in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 7:34
“Virginity can be lost by a single thought.”
St Jerome (343-420) Father and Doctor of the Church
“He errs who believes that he can overcome his sensual propensities and preserve chastity, by his own efforts. God’s mercy must extinguish nature’s ardour. Have recourse to the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin and rest assured, you will obtain this mercy.”
St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Chastity depends on the heart, for its source and on the body, as its subject. Hence, it may be lost, by all the external senses of the body and by the thoughts and desires of the heart.”
(Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 13).
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
Prayer for Chastity and Purity By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Dear Jesus, I know that every perfect gift and especially that of chastity, depends on the power of Thy Providence. Without Thee, a mere creature can do nothing. Therefore, I beg Thee, to defend, by Thy grace the chastity and purity of my body and soul. And if I have ever sensed or imagined anything that could stain my chastity and purity, blot it out, Supreme Lord of my powers that I may advance with a pure heart in Thy love and service, offering myself on the most pure altar of Thy Divinity, all the days of my life. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 21 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Praxedes, Virgin (Died 164) – 1 Corinthians 7:25-34, 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 – Graciously hear us, O God our Saviour, that, as we rejoice in the festival of blessed Praxedes, thy Virgin, so may we be nourished by the food of her heavenly teaching, as to be enlightened by the fervour of her dedicated holiness. 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).
One Minute Reflection – 19 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Vincent de Paul CM (1581-1660) Confessor, “Holy Hero of Divine Charity” – 1 Corinthians 4:9-14, Luke 10:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“The harvest indeed is great but the labourers are few.Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest that He send labourers into His harvest.” – Luke 10:2
REFLECTION – “Jesus Christ, loaded with scorn and insults by His foes, set Himself still more, to doing them good… He went through towns, villages and synagogues, teaching us not to pay back calumny with calumny but with even greater generosity. If you have God’s good pleasure and not people’s in mind when you do good to your neighbour, whatever they may do to you, do not stop doing good to them! Your reward can only be all the greater… That is why Christ did not wait for the sick to come to Him – He Himself went to them, taking them two essential goods at the same time – the Good News of the Kingdom and the healing of their ills.
Nor even was that enough for Him, He showed His concern in yet another way. “At the sight of the crowds, His heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is abundant but the labourers are few, so ask the Master of the harvest to send out labourers for His harvest.” Note, once again, His distancing Himself from vainglory. Not wanting to draw everyone to follow Him, He sent His disciples. He wanted to train them, not just for the struggles they were going to undergo in Judea but also, for the battles they will set in motion throughout the earth…
Jesus gives His disciples the power to heal bodies, while waiting before confiding to them, the equally important power to heal souls. Note how He demonstrates both the ease and the necessity of this work, at the same time. What does He say, in fact? “The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few.” I am not sending you out to sow but to harvest… In speaking like this, our Lord gave them confidence and showed them that the most important work had already been achieved!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on Saint Matthew’s Gospel No 32).
PRAYER – O God, Who endowed St Vincent with apostolic strength, to preach the Gospel to the poor and to enhance the dignity of clerical life; grant, we beseech Thee, that we. who honour his holy merits, may also conform to the example of his virtues. 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).
One Minute Reflection – 18 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Camillus de Lellis MI (1550-1614) Confessor, Priest and Founder, “The Giant of Charity.” – 1 John 3:13-18, John 15:12-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“This is My commandment that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man hath that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:12-13
REFLECTION – “We cannot truly love God without loving our neighbour, nor can we truly love our neighbour without loving God. This is why… the Holy Spirit was given a second time to the disciples. First it was given by the Lord while He was still dwelling on earth and later while he was watching over us in Heaven (Jn 20:22; Acts 2). He was given to us on earth that we may love our neighbours, from Heaven that we may love God. Why first on earth and later from Heaven – except for the reason given us openly by John: “How can anyone, who does not love his brother, whom he sees love God Whom he does not see?”
So let us love our neighbours, my friends, let us love the one who is near us, so that we may be able to attain the love of the One, Who is above us! Let our hearts reflect on what our neighbours hold up to God, so that they may be found completely worthy to rejoice in God with them. Then shall we reach the happiness of the heavenly multitude, the happiness of which we have received an assurance from the Holy Spirit. Let us move forward toward that goal where we shall be happy without end, with all our love. There is the holy community of heavenly citizens, there is the sure and solemn observance, there untroubled rest, there the true peace which is no longer dependent on us but given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ (Jn 14:27).” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Excerpt Sermons on the Gospel No 30).
PRAYER – O God, Who endowed St Camillus with a special gift of charity for the help of souls struggling in their final agony, pour upon us, we beseech Thee, by his merits, the spirit of Thy love, so that at the hour of our death, we may be found worthy to overcome the enemy and attain the heavenly crown. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 18 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus”
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
One Minute Reflection – 17 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – Feast of The Humility of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 1 Timothy 6:6-12, Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And everyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29
REFLECTION – “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.
The poor in spirit (Mt 5:3) give generously all they have and their pleasure consists in being thus deprived of everything for God’s sake and out of love for their neighbour … Not only do temporal goods – the delights and tastes of the senses – hinder and thwart the way of God but spiritual delights and consolations also, if sought for or clung to eagerly, disturb the way of virtue.” – St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Carmelite, Doctor of the Church (Spiritual maxims Nos 352, 355, 356, 364).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness both of mind and body and, by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, maybe delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of Thine eternal gladness.ThroughJesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Saint of the Day – 17 July – St Marcellina (c330-c398) Consecrated Virgin. Born in Trier, Gaul (in modern Germany), the daughter of the Praetorian Prefect of Gaul and the elder sister of St Ambrose of Milan and St Satyrus of Milan. Marcellina died in c398 in Milan of natural causes.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Milan, the Virgin St Marcellina, sister of the blessed Archbishop Ambrose, who received the religious veil from Pope Liberius, in the Basilica of St Peter at Rome. Her sanctity is attested by St Ambrse in his writings.”
Saint Marcellina was born around 330, probably in Trier, where the Western Roman Emperor then resided. Her father, Galliarum (or Ambrosius of Gaul), who belonged to the Roman noble family Aurelia, was Prefect of the Praetorian Guard and Governor of Gaul, including Spain, the Netherlands and Britannia. The family had become Christians early on and had Martyrs in their family. She was the eldest of three siblings, the younger brothers being Satyrus (c334-c379) and St Ambrose of Milan (c340-397).
When Galliarum died in 345 (or 354), his pious widow returned to Rome with her children. On Christmas Day 353, Marcellina received the veil as a Consecrated Virgin from Pope Liberius (352-366) but she continued to live at home, since, at that time, there were few regular Convents for women. In his sermon on that occasion, the Pope exhorted her to love only Our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in eternal reflection and asceticism and to always behave in Church with the utmost respect and reverence. Ambrose recorded the sermon in writing and added to the Pope’s eloquence, where he found it insufficient for the occasion.
When Ambrose became the Bishop of Milan in 374, Marcellina used to visit him there. Their brother, Satyrus, resigned from his Prefecture and came to live with Ambrose and lighten his burdens by taking care of his worldly affairs, so that the Bishop could concentrate on spiritual matters. But around 379, after a business trip to Africa, Satyrus was shipwrecked on the way home. Although he was able to swim to shore, he was so weakened that he fell ill and died in Milan in the arms of Ambrose and Marcellina. In Ambrose’ Eulogy for his brother, “De excessu fratris sui Satyri,” he referred to Marcelina as “a holy sister, well esteemed for her innocence and also for her uprightness and not least for her kindness to others.”
Marcellina used to advise Ambrose in spiritual matters, continuing the work she had begun when she was put in charge of his early education as a child. Three letters which he wrote to her have been preserved, in which he deals with problems he faced. It was to her that he dedicated his work on Virginity: “Libri III de virginibus ad Marcellinam.”
Her own life was characterised by great severity and asceticism and towards her end, Ambrose begged her to moderate her fasting and penatential exercises. She did not live in a community but in a private house in Rome with a single companion.
She survived Ambrose, who died in 397 and an old biography states that she died while Ambrose’ successor, Saint Simplician, was the Bishop of Milan (397-401). She died in mid-July – the year of death is usually given as 398 but the year 400 is also mentioned. She was buried in the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan near her brothers. In 1812, her Relics were transferred to a special Chapel built in her honour by donations from the faithful.
Her Feast day is 17 July and her name appears in the Martyrologium Romanum. The main sources for her biography are the writings of Ambrose and a Eulogy about her preserved by Mombritius. Ambrose’ Secretary, Paulinus, approached Marcellina to find out a little about Ambrose’ youth and it is also possible that Saint Jerome spoke to her.
Quote/s of the Day – 16 July – Our Lady of Mount Carme
“This fair olive-tree, led to the temple and, thenceforward planted in the House of God and cultivated by the Spirit, she, as a fruitful olive-tree, became the abode of all virtues.”
St John Damascene (675-749) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Truly, we are passing through disastrous times, when we may well make our own, the lamentation of the Prophet: “There is no truth and there is no mercy and there is no knowledge of God in the land” (Hosea 4:1). Yet, in the midst of this tide of evil, the Virgin Most Merciful rises before our eyes, like a rainbow, as the arbiter of peace between God and man.”
St Pius X (1835-1914)
“The Flos Carmeli The Flower of Carmel” By St Simon Stock (1165-1265)
O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein that thou art my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech thee from the bottom of my heart, to succour me in this my necessity. There are none that can withstand thy power. O show me herein, that thou art my Mother. Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for those who have recourse to thee. (Repeat three times)
Sweet Mother, I place this cause in thy hands. (Repeat three times)
This prayer, the “Flos Carmeli” (“The Flower of Carmel”), was composed by St Simon Stock (1165-1265), a Carmelite, so-called because he and other members of his order lived atop Mount Carmel in the Holy Land. St Simon Stock was visited by the Blessed Virgin Mary on 16 July 1251, at which time, she bestowed upon him a scapular, or habit, (commonly called “the Brown Scapular”), which became part of the liturgical clothing of the Carmelite order Oral tradition tells of St Simon Stock praying, with a passionate intensity to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, during a time of great distress and hardship for the Order. With fervour and faith, he prayed his prayer, the Flos Carmeli for the first time. And Our Lady answered his prayer. Thus, for seven centuries the Flos Carmeli continues to be prayed to the Blessed Mother with the firm faith that she she will answer its request with her powerful help.
One Minute Reflection – 16 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Pentecost VII – Romans 6:19-23, Matthew 7:15-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“By their fruits you will know them. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?”- Matthew 7:16
REFLECTION – “It does not seem to me that “false prophets” here refers to the heretics but rather to persons who live morally corrupt lives, while wearing a mask of virtue. They are usually called ‘frauds’ by most people. For this reason, Jesus continued by saying, “By their fruits you will know them.” For it is possible to find some virtuous persons, living among heretics. But among the corrupted of whom I speak, it is in not possible. “So what difference does it make,” Jesus says in effect, “if even among these false prophets some do put on a hypocritical show of virtue? Certainly, they will soon be detected.”
The nature of this road upon which He commanded us to walk, is toilsome and hard. The hypocrite would seldom choose to toil but would prefer only to make a show. For this very reason, the hypocrite is easily detected. When Jesus notes that “there are few who find it,” He distinguishes these, from those who do not find the way, yet pretend to find it. So do not look to the mask but to the behavioural fruits, of those who pursue the narrow way.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Archbishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (The Gospel of Matthew Homily 23).
PRAYER – O God, Who honoured the Order of Carmel with the special title of the most blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Thy Mother, graciously grant, that we, who this day honour her commemoration with solemn rites, defended by her care, may be found worthy to attain everlasting happiness.Through the same Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 16 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – Pentecost VII
Glory Be to Jesus, Who in Bitter Pains By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori 1696–1787) [Attrib] Transl. Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878) (An Indulgence of 100 days)
Glory be to Jesus, Who in bitter pain Poured for me the life-Blood From His sacred veins.
Grace and life eternal In that Blood I find; Blest be His compassion, Infinitely kind.
Blest through endless ages Be the precious stream, Which from endless torments Dost the world redeem.
Abel’s blood for vengeance Pleaded to the skies; But the Blood of Jesus For our pardon cries.
Oft as it is sprinkled On our guilty hearts, Satan in confusion Terror-struck departs.
Oft as earth exulting Wafts its praise on high, Angel-hosts rejoicing Make their glad reply.
Lift ye then your voices; Swell the mighty flood; Louder still and louder Praise the Precious Blood.
Quote/s of the Day – 15 July – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Be you then also ready …” Luke 12:40
“Wretch! using the excuse that your Master is late, do you imagine He will not come at all? His coming is certain! Then why do you not stay on your guard? No, the Lord is not slow in coming – this lateness is purely in the imagination of the wicked servant!”
St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church
“It is time now for us to rise from sleep!”
St Benedict (c 480-547)
“But vigilant faith not only performs good works, like living faith, it also penetrates and understands revealed Truths quickly and with great depth and subtlety of perception. It is active and diligent, in seeking and embracing those things which can increase and strengthen it. It watches and perceives from afar, all its enemies. It is always on the alert to discover the good and to avoid evil. It guards itself against anything which could ruin it. Vigilant, it walks firmly and easily keeps from falling over precipices.
This vigilant faith is accompanied by the Four Cardinal Virtues: Fortitude, Prudence, Justice and Temperance. It uses them as an Armoured Breastplate to put its enemies to flight, or to remain among them firm, invincible and unshaken. So great is its strength that it fears nothing because, not only is it strong but also, it is aware of its strength and by Whom it is supported —Truth itself!””
Our Morning Offering – 15 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” and Mary’s Day
Most Holy Mary By St John of the Cross (1542-1591) Doctor of the Church
Most holy Mary, Virgin of virgins, Shrine of the most Holy Trinity, joy of the Angels, sure Refuge of sinners, take pity on our sorrows, mercifully accept our sighs and appease the wrath of your most holy Son. Amen.
Quote/s of the Day – 14 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church
“He is the origin of all wisdom. The Word of God in the heights, is the source of wisdom. Christ is the source of all true knowledge, for He is “the way, the truth and the life.” (Jn 14:6). … As way, Christ is the teacher and origin of knowledge … Without this Light, which is Christ, no-one can penetrate the secrets of faith.”
“… One of the soldiers opened His side with a lance and immediately there came forth blood and water. ” John 19:34
“Let us draw near to the Heart of our most sweet Lord Jesus and we shall be glad and rejoice in it. How good and how sweet it is to dwell in this Heart! This is the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price which we discover, O Jesus, when we dig in the field of Thy Body (cf Mt 13:44). Who, then, would cast aside this Pearl? Far from it! For It, I will give away all my goods and offer in exchange, all my concerns and affections. I will lay down all my cares in the Heart of Jesus, it is He Who will suffice for me and Who will, without fail, supply all I need to live on!”
O Holy Lord By St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church
O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, everlasting God, for the sake of Your bounty and that of Your Son, Who for me, endured suffering and death; for the sake of the most excellent holiness of His Mother and the merits of all His Saints, grant unto me, a sinner, unworthy of Your blessings, that I may love You only, may ever thirst for Your love, may have continually in my heart the benefits of Your Passion, may acknowledge my own wretchedness and, may desire to be trampled upon and to be despised by all men. Let nothing grieve me, save my guilt. Amen
Mother of Mercy By St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Seraphic Doctor
Virgin full of goodness, Mother of Mercy, I entrust to you my body and soul, my thoughts, my actions, my life and my death. O my Queen, help me, and deliver me from all 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, to love you with all my heart and above all things. Amen
AnaStpaul 
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