Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 24 October ” – “And immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.”

Quote/s of the Day – 24 October ” – Jeremiah 31: 7-9; Psalm 126: 1-6; Hebrews 5: 1-6; Mark 10: 46-52

And immediately
he received his sight
and followed him on the way.

Mark 10:52

Come, follow me”

Matthew 19:21

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

John 8:12

Whatever you do, do from the heart,
as for the Lord and not for others,
knowing that you will receive
from the Lord
the due payment of the inheritance;
be slaves of the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24

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

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

We will follow You, Lord Jesus.
But in order for us to follow You,
call us because without You,
no-one will ascend towards You.
For You are the way, the truth, the life.
You are also our help,
our trust, our reward.
Welcome those who belong to You,
You who are the way;
strengthen them, You who are the truth;
give them life, You who are the life.

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Let us listen to the Lord:
“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (Jn 14:6).
If you are looking for the Truth,
follow the Way which is also the Truth.
This is where you are going and it is how you go.
It is not by another thing that you go to something;
it is not by anything else that you come to Christ;
it is through Christ that you come to Christ.
How to Christ through Christ?
To Christ God through Christ man;
through the Word made flesh,
to the Word who was with God, from the beginning;
through what we have eaten to what the angels eat daily.
In fact it is what is written:
“He gave them bread from heaven; man ate the bread of angels” (Ps 77[78]:24-25).
What is the bread of angels?
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was in God and the Word was God” (Jn 1:1-3). How has man eaten the bread of angels?
“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

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

“Jesus is happy to come with us,
as Truth is happy to be spoken,
as Life to be lived,
as Light to be lit,
as Love is to be loved,
as Joy to be given,
as Peace to be spread.

St Francis of Assisi (1181/2–1226)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 24 October – Prayer before Holy Communion By St Basil the Great

Our Morning Offering – 24 October – Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost

Prayer before Holy Communion
By St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Lord, I know that I am not worthy
to receive Thy Holy Body and Precious Blood;
I know that I am guilty
and that I eat and drink
condemnation to myself,
not discerning the Body and Blood
of Christ, my God.
But trusting in Thy loving kindness,
I come to Thee, Who hast said –
‘Whoever eats My Body and drinks My Blood,
will dwell in me and I in him’;
Therefore, Lord, have compassion on me
and do not put to shame Thy sinful servant
But deal with me according to Thy great mercy
And grant that these holy gifts,
may be for me,
healing, cleansing, enlightenment,
protection, salvation and sanctification
of soul and body.
May they cast out from me
every dark delusion,
sinful deed or work of the evil one.
May they move me to trust and love Thee always,
to amendment of life,
increase of virtue,
obedience to Thy commandments,
communion of the Holy Spirit,
provision for my final journey
and a good defence before the dreadful
seat of judgement.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the HIGH PRIEST, CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 October – ‘This kind Master’

Quote/s of the Day – 23 October – Readings: Romans 8: 1-11; Psalm 24: 1b-6; Luke 13: 1-9

I shall cultivate the ground around it
and fertilise it; it may bear fruit in the future.
If not, you may cut it down.

Luke 13:8-9

… This kind Master
closes His Church to no-one.
He not only receives
and pardons those adversaries,
those blasphemers,
those persistent enemies of His Name,
provided they do penance for their offence
and acknowledge the crime committed
but, He admits them to the reward
of the kingdom of heaven.
What can be called more patient,
what more kind?
Even he, who shed the Blood of Christ,
is given life,
by the Blood of Christ.

St Cyprian of Carthage – (c 200- c 258)
Bishop and Martyr,
Father of the Church

When he has begun to follow Me,
according to My teaching and precepts,
he will find many people contradicting him
and standing in his way,
many who not only deride but even persecute him.
Moreover, this is true,
not only of pagans who are outside the Church
but also of those, who seem to be in it visibly
but are outside of it because of the perversity of their deeds.
Although these glory,
in merely the title of Christian,
they continually persecute faithful Christians
.”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)”

If you seek an example of humility,
look upon Him Who is Crucified,
although He was God, He chose to be judged
by Pontius Pilate and put to death. …
If you seek an example of obedience,
imitate Him Who was obedient to the Father
“even to death” (Phil 2:8).
“For just as through the disobedience
of one person, Adam,
the many were made sinners,
so through the obedience of One,
the many will be made righteous” (Rom 5:19). .
If you seek an example of contempt
for earthly things,
imitate Him Who is “King of kings
and Lord of lords” (1 Tm 6:15),
“in whom are hidden
all the treasures of wisdom
and knowledge” (Col 2:3).
On the Cross He was stripped naked,
ridiculed, spat upon, bruised,
crowned with thorns,
given to drink of vinegar and gall.

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

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 October – ‘ … I lend them time …’

One Minute Reflection – 23 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Romans 8: 1-11; Psalm 24: 1b-6; Luke 13: 1-9

I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilise it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not, you may cut it down.” – Luke 13:8-9

REFLECTION – “[Saint Catherine heard God say to her]: “Whether the world wills it or not, it offers Me glory. True, the people of the world do not offer Me glory in the way they ought, by loving Me above all things. But I, for My part ,draw from them glory and praise for My Name.

For My Mercy and the fulness of My Charity are reflected in them because I lend them time and do not order the earth to swallow them up for their sins. No, I look on them and order the earth to give them a share of its fruits and I command the sun to warm them and give them its light and heat and I order the sky to move above them. In all created things made for them, I employ My Mercy and Love, nor do I withdraw these because of their sins. I give to sinners, as I give to the just — and often more to sinners than to just because the just are ready to suffer and I will deprive them of earthly goods, in order to give them more abundantly of the goods of Heaven.

So My Mercy and Love shine on My servants, sometimes in the persecutions the world’s servants inflict on them, proving in them the virtues of patience and charity. By offering constant, humble prayer, My suffering servants turn it into glory and praise for My Name. So, whether the wicked will it or not, they offer Me glory in this, even though their intent is to insult Me..” – St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church, Co-patron of Europe (The gift of conformity to Christ, chap. 50, no. 80 (The Dialogue, Bk. 2).

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help me to keep my death constantly before my eyes, for this is my final account. I pray You for a holy life that my death may be holy and that I may come to You and live for all eternity with You. May each moment of my life, the good and the trials, bear abundant fruit for love of You. When my hour is come, bid me come to You, Lord. Hear the prayers of your Saints and the Mother of Your divine Son, who lived each moment of her life for the glory of Your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 23 October – Hail, O Mother!

Our Morning Offering – 23 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” and a Marian Saturday

Hail, O Mother!
By St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Hail, O Mother!
Virgin, heaven, throne, glory of our Church,
it’s foundation and ornament.
Earnestly pray for us to Jesus,
your Son and Our Lord,
that through your intercession,
we may have mercy on the day of judgement.
Pray that we may receive, all those good things
which are reserved for those who love God.
Through the grace and favour of Our Lord, Jesus Christ,
to Whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
be power, honour and glory,
now and forever.
Amen

Posted in CARMELITES, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The HOLY NAME, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 22 October – On Pilgrimage

Quote/s of the Day – 22 October – On Pilgrimage

Let Your Name, not mine, be praised.
Let Your Work, not mine, be magnified.
Let Your Holy Name be blessed
but let no human praise be given to me.
You are my glory.
You are the joy of my heart.
In You I will glory and rejoice
all the day and for myself
I will glory in nothing but my infirmities. …

Thomas `a Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

The Imitation of Christ – Book 3 Chapter 40

And like the little grain of mustard seed …
we should set it in the garden of our soul,
all weeds being pulled out
for the better feeding of our faith.
Then shall it grow and …
through the true belief of God’s word …
we shall be well able to command
a great mountain of tribulation
to void from the place
where it stood in our hearts,
whereas with a very feeble faith
and faint, we shall scarcely
be able to remove a little hillock.

St Thomas More (1478-1535)

Never listen to those,
who are speaking evil of another
and never say anything evil of anyone,
excepting of yourself
and when you take pleasure in doing this,
you will be advancing rapidly.

St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of the Church

All our goodness is a loan;
God is the owner;
God works
and His work is God.

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

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 October – ‘Interpreting the present time …’

One Minute Reflection – 22 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary”– Readings: Romans 7: 18-25a; Psalm 119: 66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94; Luke 12: 54-59

You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”… Luke 12:56

REFLECTION – “People focus their attention on things of this kind. From long observation and practice, they tell beforehand when rain will fall or violent winds will blow. One especially sees that sailors are very skillful in this matter. He says that it would be suitable for those, who can calculate things of this sort and may foretell storms that are about to happen, to focus the penetrating eyes of the mind also on important matters. What are these?

The law showed beforehand the Mystery of Christ, that He would shine out, in the last ages of the world, on the inhabitants of the earth and submit to be a Sacrifice for the Salvation of all. It even commanded a lamb to be sacrificed as a type of Him, Who died towards evening and at lighting of lamps. We might now understand, that when, like the day, this world was declining to its close, the great, precious and truly saving Passion would be fulfilled. The door of salvation would be thrown wide open to those who believe in Him and abundant happiness be their share. In the Song of Songs, we also find Christ calling to the bride described there. The bride personally represents the Church, in these words, “Arise, come, my neighbour, my beautiful dove. Look, the winter is past and the rain is gone. It has passed away. The flowers appear on the ground. The time of the pruning has come.” As I said, a certain springlike calm was about to arise, for those who believe in Him.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Bishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor (Commentary on Luke, Homily 95)

PRAYER – Lord God, You fill us with Your grace and teach us true faith. Strengthen in our hearts that faith that no trials may quench the fire, that we may seek Your Face in every moment and accept AND LIVE all of Your will. Send us Your Spirit to keep the fire blazing. By the inspiration and prayers of the Blessed Virgin, may we grow in sanctity and may the humble love and intercession of Mary Mother of our faith, be our succour. Through Jesus Your Son our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SACRED HEART QUOTES, The HOLY GHOST, The HOLY NAME

Quote/s of the Day – 21 October – Put on Christ!

Quote/s of the Day – 21 October – Readings: Romans 6: 19-23; Psalm 1: 1-4 and 6; Luke 12: 49-53

I have come to set the earth on fire!

Luke 12:49

Do whatever he tells you.

John 2:5

His action is preceded
by the beaming rays of His light and knowledge.
He comes with the truth of the real Protector;
for He comes to save, to lead, to teach, to counsel,
to strengthen, to console,
to illumine in the first place the mind of the person
who receives Him
and through that person‘s works,
the minds of others.

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

A person who wishes
to become the Lord’s disciple
must repudiate a human obligation,
however honourable it may appear,
if it slows us, ever so slightly,
in giving the wholehearted obedience
we owe to God
.”

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

True spiritual life consists in this:
that man keep his eyes on God all the time,
long for nothing but for God,
keep nothing in mind but God,
begin every single action,in God’s name
and direct it to Him.

St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502-1539)

“O Heart of love,
I put all my trust in Thee,
for I fear all things,
from my own weakness,
but I hope for all things,
from Thy Goodness.

St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)

Posted in BAPTISM, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, GOD ALONE!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 October – ‘Put on Christ.’

One Minute Reflection – 21 October – – “Month of the Most Holy Rosary” – Readings: Romans 6: 19-23; Psalm 1: 1-4 and 6; Luke 12: 49-53

I have come to set the earth on fire and how I wish it were already kindled!” – Luke 12:49

REFLECTIUON – “He also said, “I came to cast fire upon the earth and would that it were already kindled!” These flaming words from the lips of our Lord Jesus Christ reveal the malice of sin. He also reveals the excellence of good actions performed for the glory of God and His Christ. Then we are ready for the Baptism of water, which is a type of the Cross, death, burial and resurrection from the dead.

One who is prepared to be Baptised in the Name of the Holy Spirit, is one who has been born anew, who undergoes a change of residence, habits and associates, so that, walking by the Spirit, he may be ready to be Baptised in the name of the Son and to put on Christ.” – St Basil the Great (329-379) Bishop of Caesarea, Father & Doctor one of the original 4 Doctors of the Eas(Concerning Baptism)

PRAYER – Father, grant that we may be,
bearers of Christ Jesus, Your Son.
Allow us to fill with Your light
the world around us.
Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit
to carry out our mission
of living and following
the path of Jesus, our Lord.
Help us to understand,
that by Your grace
Your gifts are Your blessings,
to be shared with others.
Fill us with Your Spirit of love
to give glory to You
in loving all
and preaching by our love.
Nourish in us the desire
to go forth
as the bearers of Your Son
fearless and gentle,
loving and merciful.
Make us true Christ-bearers,
that in seeing us
only He is visible.
Amen (The Christopher Prayer – Unknown)

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on WATCHING, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 October – ‘Expand your heart, run to meet the Sun of the Eternal Light …’

One Minute Reflection – 19 October – “Month of the Most Holy Rosary” – Readings: Romans 5: 12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21; Psalm 40: 7-10, 17; Luke 12: 35-38

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.” – Luke 12:35-36

REFLECTION – “God, the Word, stirs up the lazy and arouses the sleeper. For indeed, someone who comes knocking at the door is always wanting to come in. But it depends on us if He does not always enter or always remain. May your door be open to Him who comes – open your soul, enlarge your spiritual capacities, that you may discover the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace and sweetness of grace. Expand your heart, run to meet the Sun of that Eternal Light that “enlightens everyone” (Jn 1,9). It is certain that this true Light shines for all but, if anyone shuts their windows, then they themselves shut themselves off from this Eternal Light.

So even Christ remains outside, if you shut the door of your soul. It is true that He could enter but He doesn’t want to use force, He doesn’t put those who refuse under pressure. Descended from the Virgin, born from her womb, He shines throughout the universe to give light to all. Those who long to receive the light, that shines with an everlasting brightness, open up to Him. No night comes to intervene. Indeed, the sun we see each day gives way to night’s darkness but the Sun of Justice (Mal 3,20) knows no setting for Wisdom is not overcome by evil.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan and Father and Doctor of the Church (12th Sermon on Psalm 118)

PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God and Father, grant us the grace of Your Spirit and fill us with the light of understanding and love. May we learn to truly pray and by our prayers to entreat You to bless us in Your goodness and lead us to true faith in Your eternal light and Word sent to redeem us. May we always be waiting and prepared to open the door of our hearts to Jesus Christ our Lord, who comes in light, love and peace. Grant that by the prayers of all Your Angels and Saints, we may be strengthened. Holy Mother, be our protection and our guide. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PRAYER

Our Morning Offering – 19 October – Prayer for the Gift of Prayer By St Alphonsus Liguori

Our Morning Offering – 19 October

Prayer for the Gift of Prayer
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Incarnate Word,
You have given Your Blood and Your Life
to confer on our prayers that power by which,
according to Your promise,
they obtain for us all that we ask.
And we, O God,
are so careless of our salvation,
that we will not even ask You for the graces
that we must have, if we should be saved!
In prayer You have given us the key
of all Your Divine treasures
and we, rather than pray,
choose to remain in our misery.
Alas! O Lord, enlighten us,
and make us know the value of prayers,
offered in Your name and by Your merits,
in the eyes of Your Eternal Father.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on The SOUL, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 October – ‘… If you seek an example … ‘

One Minute Reflection – 17 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Isaiah 53: 10-11; Psalm 33: 4-5, 18-20, 22; Hebrews 4: 14-16; Mark 10: 35-45

Whosoever will be first among you, shall be the servant of all.” – Mark 10:44

REFLECTION – “What need was there that the Son of God should suffer for us? There was great need and indeed, it can be assigned to two reasons. The first, is that it was a remedy against sin and the second, is for an example of what we should do. … For the Passion of Christ can bring about a complete reformation of our lives. … If you seek an example of charity, then “no-one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13). … If you seek an example of patience, you will find it in its highest degree on the Cross. … Christ suffered greatly upon the Cross and with all patience because “when he was insulted, he returned no insult” (1 Pt 2:23), “like a lamb led to the slaughter, he opened not his mouth” (Is 53:7). … “Let us persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising its shame” (Heb 12:1-2).

If you seek an example of humility, look upon Him Who is Crucified, although He was God, He chose to be judged by Pontius Pilate and put to death. … If you seek an example of obedience, imitate Him Who was obedient to the Father “even to death” (Phil 2:8). “For just as through the disobedience of one person, Adam, the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of One the many will be made righteous” (Rom 5:19). . If you seek an example of contempt for earthly things, imitate Him Who is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tm 6:15), “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). On the Cross He was stripped naked, ridiculed, spat upon, bruised, crowned with thorns, given to drink of vinegar and gall. St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Dominican Theologian, Doctor of the Church (On the Apostles’ Creed – Collationes In Symbolum apostolorum, art. 4 # 64.70.72-76; [trans. Joseph Collins])

PRAYER – Holy Father, grant me an operative faith, a faith that will move mountains. Enlighten my soul with Your Light, Goodness, Power and Wisdom. Let my faith be an image of You by lively deeds and love and by conforming myself to Your Will in all things. As the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Your only-begotten Son, longed only to serve the God of all in complete self-denial and humility, may we always strive to imitate her Fiat in serving You, with upright hearts and thus manifest a true faith, through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 17 October – Prayer before Holy Mass By St Ambrose

Our Morning Offering – 17 October – Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost

Prayer before Holy Mass
By St Ambrose (340-397)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Lord Jesus Christ,
We approach Your banquet table
as saints and sinners
and dare not rely on our own worth
but only on Your goodness and mercy.
Gracious God of majesty and awe,
we seek Your protection,
we look for Your healing.
We appeal to You, the fountain of all mercy.
Lord Jesus Christ, eternal King,
Crucified for us, look upon us with mercy
and hear our prayer, for we trust in You.
Merciful Father, purify us in body and soul
and make us worthy to taste the Holy of Holies.
May Your Body and Blood,
which we intend to receive,
unworthy as we are,
be for us the remission of our sins,
the washing away of our guilt,
the end of our evil thoughts
and the rebirth of our better instincts.
May it incite us to do the works pleasing to You
and profitable to our health, in body and soul
and may it deliver us from evil.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY SPIRIT, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, St PAUL!, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 October – “Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.”

Quote/s of the Day – 17 October – “Month of the Most Holy Rosary” – Readings: Romans 4: 13, 16-18; Psalm 105: 6-9, 42-43; Luke 12: 8-12

…Do not be anxious how
or what you are to answer,
or what you are to say;
for the Holy Spirit
will teach you,
in that very hour,
what you ought to say.

Luke 12:11-12

Let not your hearts be troubled,
neither let them be afraid.

John 14:27

Be on your guard,
stand firm in the faith,
be courageous,
be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Do not say,
this happened by chance,
while this came to be of itself.”
In all that exists
there is nothing disorderly,
nothing indefinite,
nothing without purpose,
nothing by chance …
How many hairs are on your head?
God will not forget one of them.
Do you see how nothing,
even the smallest thing,
escapes the gaze of God?

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father & Doctor of the Church

What is the surest kind of witness?
“Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ
came among us in the flesh” (cf. 1Jn 4,2)
and who keeps the commands of the Gospel…
How many there are each day
of these hidden martyrs of Christ
who confess the Lord Jesus!
… So be faithful and courageous
in interior persecutions
so that you may also win
the victory in exterior persecutions.

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father & Doctor of the Church

God’s love calls us to move beyond fear.
We ask God for the courage
to abandon ourselves unreservedly,
so that we might be moulded
by God’s grace,
even as we cannot see
where that path may lead us
.”

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

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 of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY SPIRIT, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 October – ‘He should take courage … ‘

One Minute Reflection – 16 October – “Month of the Most Holy Rosary” – Readings: Romans 4: 13, 16-18; Psalm 105: 6-9, 42-43; Luke 12: 8-12

…Do not be anxious how or what you are to answer or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say – Luke 12:11-12

REFLECTION – “The Christian should not fear or be distressed in difficult circumstances and thus be distracted from trust in God. He should take courage as if the Lord were at hand directing his affairs and strengthening him against all his adversaries.

It is as if the Holy Spirit were instructing him, even as to the very replies he should make to his enemies.”… St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church (The Morals, 63)”

PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God, grant us the grace of Your Spirit and fill us with the light of understanding and love. Grant that by the prayers of your Saints we may be strengthened and depend only on You. Holy Queen of the Holy Rosary, our Mother Mary and St Hedwig, pray for us. We make our prayer through Jesus, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, POETRY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 15 October – St Teresa of Jesus

Quote/s of the Day – 15 October – The Memorial of St Teresa of Jesus of Avila OCD (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church

When we accept
what happens to us
and make the best of it,
we are praising God.

However softly we speak,
God is near enough to hear us.

Souls who do not practice prayer,
are like people whose limbs are paralysed.

Let us live in such a way,
as not to be afraid to die.

I am Thine and born for Thee,
What wilt Thou do with me?”
By St Teresa of Jesus of Avila OCD (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church
(Excerpted on the image)

Sovereign Lord, upon Thy throne,
Endless Wisdom, One and whole,
Goodness that dost feed my soul,
Good and great, One God alone,
As I sing my love for Thee.
What wilt Thou do with me?

Thine I am, for Thou didst make me;
Thine, for Thou alone didst save me;
Thine – Thou couldst endure to have me;
For Thine own, didst deign to take me.
Never once, didst Thou forsake me.
Ruined were I, if not for Thee:
What wilt Thou do with me?

What, O good and loving Lord,
What wilt Thou have this creature do?
This Thy slave, a sinner too,
Waiting till she hears Thy word?
With Thy will in close accord,
Sweetest Love, I come to Thee:
What wilt Thou do with me?

Take, O Lord, my loving heart:
See, I yield it to Thee whole,
With my body, life and soul
And my nature’s every part.
Sweetest Spouse, my life Thou art;
I have given myself to Thee:
What wilt Thou do with me?

Let me live or let me die;
Give me sickness, give me health;
Give me poverty or wealth;
Let me strive or peaceful lie.
Weakness give or strength supply –
I accept it all of Thee:
What wilt Thou do with me?…

I am Thine and born for Thee,
What wilt Thou do with me?”

Poem – I am Yours, for You I was born –
“Vuestra Soy, para Vos nací

(trans. E.Allison Peers)

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/15/quotes-of-the-day-15-october-st-teresa-of-jesus-of-avila/

St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 October – ‘For love calls for love in return. …’

One Minute Reflection – 15 October – Readings: Romans 4: 1-8; Psalms 32: 1b-2, 5, 11; Luke 12: 1-7 – The Memorial of St Teresa of Jesus of Avila OCD (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows
.”…Luke 12:7

REFLECTION – “What more do we desire from such a good friend at our side? Unlike our friends in the world, He will never abandon us when we are troubled or distressed. Blessed is the one who truly loves Him and always keeps Him near. Let us consider the glorious Saint Paul – it seems, that no other name fell from his lips, than that of Jesus because, the name of Jesus, was fixed and embedded in his heart. Once I had come to understand this truth, I carefully considered the lives of some of the Saints, the great contemplatives and found, that they took no other path – Francis, Anthony of Padua, Bernard, Catherine of Siena. A person must walk along this path in freedom, placing himself in God’s hands. If God should desire to raise us to the position of one who is an intimate and shares His secrets, we ought to accept this gladly.

Whenever we think of Christ, we should recall, the love that led Him to bestow on us, so many graces and favours and also, the great love God showed in giving us, in Christ, a pledge of His love – for love calls for love in return. Let us strive to keep this always before our eyes and to rouse ourselves to love Him. For if, at some time the Lord should grant us the grace, of impressing His love on our hearts, all will become easy for us and we shall accomplish great things quickly and without effort.” – St Teresa of Jesus (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from her On the Book of Life)

PRAYER – Lord Jesus Christ, You wondrously revealed all of the deep treasures of Your Heart to St Teresa. May her merits and example win us the grace to love You above all things and in all things so that we may make our abode in Your own Sacred Heart. Through You, Lord Jesus, who live and reign forever, in union with God our Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, amen.

Posted in CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 15 October – Thy Holy Will

Our Morning Offering – 15 October – The Memorial of St Teresa of Jesus of Avila OCD (1515-1582) Doctor of the Church

Thy Holy Will
By St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of the Church

Lord,
grant that I may always
allow myself to be guided by Thee,
always follow Thy plans
and perfectly accomplish Thy Holy Will.
Grant that in all things,
great and small,
today and all the days of my life,
I may do,
whatever Thou may require of me.
Help me to respond
to the slightest prompting
of Thy grace,
so that I may be Thy trustworthy instrument,
for Thy honour.
May Thy Will be done in time
and eternity –
by me, in me and through me.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 14 October – Love

Quote/s of the Day – 14 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Romans 3: 21-30; Psalms 130: 1b-6ab; Luke 11: 47-54

Whatever you do, do from the heart,
as for the Lord and not for others,
knowing that you will receive
from the Lord
the due payment of the inheritance;
be slaves of the Lord Christ.”

Colossians 3:23-24

Love[ing] one another
with the charity of Christ,
let the love you have in your hearts,
be shown outwardly in your deeds …

St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)

“Love is watchful.
Sleeping, it does not slumber.
Wearied, it is not tired.
Pressed, it is not straitened.
Alarmed, it is not confused
but like a living flame,
a burning torch,
it forces its way upward
and passes unharmed
through every obstacle.”

“Nothing is sweeter than love,
nothing stronger or higher or wider;
nothing is more pleasant, nothing fuller
and nothing better in heaven or on earth,
for love is born of God
and cannot rest except in God,
Who is above all created things.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

On the journey of this life to eternity,
let me carry You in my heart,
following Mary’s example,
who bore You in her arms,
during the flight to Egypt.

… It is Him you should love and no other.
Of Him you could and should say
“My Beloved is mine and I am his” (Sg 2:16);
my God has given Himself without reserve
and, without reserve, I give myself to Him;
He has chosen me as the object of His tenderness
and He, among thousands,
He, the radiant and ruddy one (Sg 5:10),
so loveable and so loving,
He is the chosen of my heart,
the only one I wish to love.

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

When the heart is pure and simple,
it cannot help loving
because it has discovered,
the source of love,
which is God.

St John Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

I Want to Love You, My God
By St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)

I want to love You, my God,
with all my heart,
with all my being,
with all my strength.
I consecrate to You,
my thoughts,
desires,
words
and actions,
whatever I have
and whatever I can be.
Let me use what I have
for Your greater honour
and glory,
according to Your will.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRIDE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 13 October – Hypocrisy

Quote/s of the Day – 13 October – The 104th Anniversary of the Last Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima and the Miracle of the Sun – Readings: Romans 2: 1-11; Psalm 62: 2-3, 6-7,9; Luke 11:42-46

But woe to you Pharisees!
For you tithe mint and rue and every herb
and neglect justice and the love of God.

Luke 11:42

Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees,
which is hypocrisy.

Luke 12:1

Mint and dill and cumin are only spices for food
but are not themselves, substantial food.
What substantive food would mean in conversion,
would be that which is necessary
for the justification of our souls—faith and love—
unlike these legalisms,
which are more like condiments and flavourings.
It is as if, a meal might be thought to consist,
more of condiments and flavourings,
than the food itself.
The seriousness of judgement is neglected,
while great attention is given to minor matters
.”

Origen (c 185-253)
Priest, Theologian, Father

Grace is given,
not to those who
speak [their faith]
but to those,
who live their faith
.”

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

As “pride is the beginning of all sin,” (Eccl. 10:15)
so humility is the foundation of all virtue.
Learn to be really humble and not,
as the hypocrite, humble merely in appearance.

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

Our lADY of FATIMA speaks – here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/13/quote-s-of-the-day-13-october-our-lady-of-fatima/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection- 13 October – “Woe to you …!”

One Minute Reflection- 13 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” and the 104th Anniversary of the Last Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima and the Miracle of the Sun – Readings: Romans 2: 1-11; Psalm 62: 2-3, 6-7,9; Luke 11:42-46

Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb but you pay no attention to judgement and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others.” – Luke 11:42

REFLECTION – “The transgression of one commandment, transgresses the law. It proves the man to be without the law. When anyone disregards those commandments, which especially are important above the rest, what words will he find able to save him from deserved punishment? The Lord proved that the Pharisees merited these severe censures, saying, “Woe to you, Pharisees, who tithe mint, rue and all herbs and pass over judgement and the love of God!” You should have done these things and not passed by the others, that is, to leave them undone. They omitted, as of no importance ,those duties which they were especially bound to practice, like justice and the love of God. They carefully and scrupulously observed, or rather commanded the people subject to their authority to observe, only those commandments that were means of great revenues for themselves.”St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Archbishop of Alexandria, known as The Pillar of Faith, Father and Doctor of the Incarnation (Commentary on Luke, Homily 84)

PRAYER – Lord God, open our hearts to Your Grace, that we may be filled with Your light and overflow with gratitude for Your merciful love. May we love and adore and worship You in return. Although we are sinners, our hearts long to thank You in total trust and humble thankfulness. Grant that by the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima, our Mother, we may grow in holiness. Through Your only Son, our Saviour and Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, God, forever, amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, MARIAN PRAYERS, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Quote/s of the Day – 12 October – St Serafino of Montegranaro

Quote/s of the Day – 12 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” and the Memorial of St Serafino of Montegranaro OFM Cap (1540-1604)

Be constant in secret prayers
which God, Who indeed sees in secret,
rewards in the open.
Hold fast to this exercise
of a most excellent way of life.
that you may find hidden treasure
in the day of need.”

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

I have nothing,
just a Crucifix and a Rosary
but with these,
I hope to benefit the Friars

and become a Saint.

Said by St Serafino upon entering the Novitiate

… [I] resolved to recite a Rosary
for anyone who caused me trouble.
Then I heard the voice
from the Tabernacle say,
‘Your prayers for those
who mortify you,
are very pleasing to Me.
In exchange, I am ready
to grant you many graces.‘”

Saint Serafino prayed each day:

Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour Crucified.

St Serafino of Montegranaro (1540-1604)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering -12 October – May Your Heart Dwell Always in our Hearts!

Our Morning Offering -12 October

May Your Heart Dwell
Always in our Hearts!
by Saint Francis De Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

May Your Heart
dwell always in our hearts!
May Your Blood
ever flow in the veins of our souls!
O Sun of our hearts,
You give life to all things
by the rays of Your goodness!
I will not go,
until Your Heart has strengthened me,
O Lord Jesus!
May the Heart of Jesus
be the King of my heart!
Blessed be God.
Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, PAPAL ENCYLICALS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 11 October – Feast of the Divine Maternity

Quote/s of the Day – 11 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Feast of the Divine Maternity – Readings: Ecclus 24:23-31, Gospel: Luke 2: 43-51

But Mary kept all these things,
pondering them in her heart.

Luke 2:19

“Having confidence in you,
O Mother of God, I shall be saved.
Being under you protection,
I shall fear nothing.
With your help,
I shall give battle to my enemies
and put them to flight,
for devotion to you,
is an arm of Salvation.”

St John Damascene (676-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Alma Redemptoris Mater
Loving Mother of the Redeemer
By Blessed Herman of Reichenau/the Cripple OSB (1013–1054)

Loving Mother of the Redeemer!
Hear thou thy people’s cry,
Star of the deep
and portal of the sky!
Mother of Him
Who thee from nothing made,
Sinking we strive
and call to thee for aid;
Oh, by that joy
which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last,
let us thy mercy see.

“Wherefore, in the same holy bosom
of His most chaste Mother,
Christ took to Himself flesh
and united to Himself,
the spiritual Body formed
by those who were to believe in Him.
Hence Mary, carrying the Saviour
within her, may be said,
to have also carried, all those.
whose life was contained
in the life of the Saviour.
Therefore, all we who are united to Christ
and, as the Apostle says,
are members of His body,
of His flesh and of His bones (Eph 5:30),
have issued from the womb of Mary,
like a body united to it’s head.”

St Pius X (1835-1914)
Pope from 1903 to 1914

Encyclical “Ad diem illum laetissimum” #10-11

Hail O Mary, Mother of God
By St Cyril of Alexander (376-444)
Doctor of the Incarnation
Known as ‘The Pillar of Faith”

Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Virgin and Mother!
Morning Star, perfect vessel.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Holy Temple in which god Himself was conceived.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Chaste and pure dove.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Who enclosed the One who cannot be encompassed
in your sacred womb.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
From you flowed the true light, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Through you the Conqueror
and triumphant Vanquisher of hell came to us.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Through you, the glory of the Resurrection blossoms.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
You have saved every faithful Christian.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 11 October – Mother of my God, Lady Mary, Queen of Mercy

Our Morning Offering – 11 October – Feast of the Divine Maternity

Mother of my God,
Lady Mary, Queen of Mercy
By St Alphonsus Ligouri (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Mother of my God and my Lady Mary,
as a beggar, all wounded and sore,
presents himself before a great Queen,
so do I present myself before you,
who are Queen of heaven and earth.
From the lofty throne on which you sit,
disdain not, I implore you,
to cast your eyes on me,
a poor sinner.
God has made you so rich
that you might assist the poor
and has made you Queen of Mercy,
that you might relieve the miserable.
Behold me then and pity me.
Behold me and abandon me not,
until you see me changed
from a sinner into a saint.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on FAITH, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Our Morning Offering – 10 October – Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Our Morning Offering – 10 October – Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Father, Son and Holy Spirit
By St Gregory of Nazianzen (330-390)
Father and Doctor

O God,
You alone are unutterable,
from the time You created all things
that can be spoken of.

You alone are unknowable,
from the time You created all things
that can be known.

All things cry out about You,
those which speak
and those which cannot speak.

All things honour You,
those which think
and those which cannot think.

For there is one longing, one groaning,
that all things have for You.

All things pray to You
that perceive Your plan
and offer You a silent hymn.

In you, the One,
all things abide
and all things endlessly run to You
who are the end of all.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The HEART, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 9 October – Bearing Christ in our hearts

One Minute Reflection – 9 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: : Joel 4: 12-21; Psalm 97: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Luke 11: 27-28

He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “Mary was more blessed in accepting the faith of Christ than in conceiving the flesh of Christ. To someone who said, “Blessed is the womb that bore you,” He replied, “Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” Finally, for His brothers, His relatives according to the flesh, who did not believe in Him, of what advantage was that relationship? Even her maternal relationship would have done Mary no good unless she had borne Christ, more happily in her heart, than in her flesh.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of Grace (Holy Virginity, 3).

PRAYER – “O my God, whatever is nearer to me than You, things of this earth and things more naturally pleasing to me, will be sure to interrupt the sight of You, unless Your grace interfere. Keep You my eyes, my ears, my heart, from any such miserable tyranny. Keep my whole being fixed on You. Let me never lose sight of You and while I gaze on You, let my love of You grow more and more every day.” … St John Henry Newman (1801-1890) May we run the race in obedience and love of the Will of our God, always seeking Your Face in those who are the leastg. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Quote/s of the Day – 7 October – The Holy Rosary

Quote/s of the Day – 7 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Memorial of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary/Our Lady of Victory

The greatest method
of praying,
is to pray
the Rosary.

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

The salvation of the whole world
began with the “Hail Mary.”
Hence, the salvation of each person
is also attached to this prayer.

St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)

Those who say the Rosary daily
and wear the Brown Scapular
and who do a little more,
will go straight to Heaven
.”

St Alphonsus Ligouri (1696-1787)
Doctor of the Church

And so we contemplate
all the great mysteries of His life
and His birth in the manger
and so too, the mysteries of His suffering
and His glorified life.
But even Christians,
with all their knowledge of God,
have usually more awe than love of Him
and the special virtue of the Rosary,
lies in the special way,
in which it looks at these mysteries,
for with all our thoughts of Him
are mingled thoughts of His Mother
and in the relations between Mother and Son,
we have set before us the Holy Family,
the home in which God lived.

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

If our age in its pride laughs at
and rejects Our Lady’s Rosary,
a countless legion of the most saintly men
of every age and of every condition,
have not only held it most dear
and have most piously recited it
but, have also used it at all times,
as a most powerful weapon
to overcome the devil,
to preserve the purity of their lives,
to acquire virtue more zealously,
in a word, to promote peace among men.

Pope Pius XI (1857-1939)

There is no surer means
of calling down God’s blessing
upon the family,
than the daily recitation
of the Rosary.

Venerable Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-october-on-the-rosary-by-the-popes-pre-vatican-ii/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 October – ‘ … He Who knows how to give good gifts to His children urges us to ask, seek and knock.’

One Minute Reflection – 7 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Malachi 3: 13-20b; Psalm 1: 1-4 and 6; Luke 11: 5-13

Which father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?” – Luke 11:11-12

REFLECTION – “Of those three things that the Apostle commends, faith is either signified by the fish because of the water of Baptism, or because it remains unharmed by the waves of this world. The Serpent is opposed to it, because it craftily and deceitfully persuaded man not to believe in God. The egg symbolises hope because the chick is not yet alive but will be; it is not yet seen but is hoped. “Hope that is seen is not hope.” The scorpion is opposed to hope because, whoever hopes for eternal life, forgets the things that are behind and reaches out to those that are before. It is dangerous for him to look backward and he is on guard against the rear of the scorpion, which has a poisoned dart in its tail. Bread symbolises love because “the greatest of these is love” and among foods, bread certainly surpasses all others in value. The stone is opposed to it because the stonehearted cast out love. It may be that these gifts signify something more appropriate, yet He who knows how to give good gifts to His children urges us to ask, seek and knock.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Letter 130)

PRAYER – Lord God and Father, who entrusted the earth to men and each to the other, grant us the grace this day, to see Your Face in our neighbour and to seek all who need our help. Grant us the grace to work faithfully for Your glory, for the salvation of our souls through the light of faith You have given us. We beg the grace of Your love and mercy and the light of love You send with Your Holy Spirit. May the prayers of Mary our Holy Mother, keep us ever in her guiding care. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), The LORD'S PRAYER, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 October – “Lord, teach us…”

Quote/s of the Day – 6 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Jonah 4: 1-11; Psalm 86: 3–6, 9-10; Luke 11: 1-4

Lord, teach us to pray …”

Luke 11:1

For what reason did God send Him to preach to the poor?
“To preach release to captives.”
We were the captives.
For many years Satan had bound us
and held us captive and subject to himself.
Jesus has come
“to proclaim release to captives and sight to the blind.”
By His word and the proclamation of His teaching,
the blind see.

Origen (c 185-253)

He did not treat us as our sins deserved.
For we are now sons of God.
How do we show this?
The only Son of God died for us,
so that He might not remain alone.
He who died as the only Son,
did not want to remain as the only Son.
For the only Son of God made many sons of God.
He bought brothers for Himself by His blood,
He made them welcome by being rejected,
He ransomed them by being sold,
He honoured them by being dishonoured,
He gave them life by being put to death.

St Augustine (354-430)
Bishop, Great Western Father and Doctor of Grace

For the Author and Giver of divine blessings
could not but be our Teacher as well,
providing the words of this prayer,
as precepts of life,
for those disciples who believe in Him
and follow the way He taught in the flesh.
Through these words,
He has revealed the hidden treasures
of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3)
that exist in Him as pure form.
And, in all who offer this prayer,
He kindles the desire to enjoy such treasures.”

St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662)
Monk and Theologian

Interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer

Prayer is nothing other than union with God.
… This union of God with his little creature
is something beautiful.
It is a happiness that we cannot understand.
We had deserved not to pray
but God, in His goodness, allows us to speak to Him.
Our prayer is incense,
which He receives with tremendous pleasure.”

St John-Marie Vianney (1786-1859)

(Catechism on Prayer]

“Immediately after rising
and throughout the day,
all make the Sign of the Cross
and renew their trust in God:
to be strengthened by the power of the Father,
to be enlightened by the wisdom of the Son
and to be sanctified by the love of the Holy Spirit.
And as they bless themselves, they may say:
Of myself I can do nothing,
with God I can do everything,
I want to do everything for love of God.

St Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850)

From the Rule of the Pallottines