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One Minute Reflection – 10 August – “If it dies, it produces much fruit” … John 12:24

One Minute Reflection – 10 August – “Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr, Readings: Second Corinthians 9:6-10Psalms 112:1-25-67-89John 12:24-26

“If it dies, it produces much fruit” … John 12:24

REFLECTION – “Through the glorious achievements of the holy Martyrs with which the Church blossoms everywhere, we are ourselves, proving to our own eyes, how true are the words we have been singing that:  “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Ps 116[115]:15).   For it is precious both in our sight and in the sight of Him, in whose name the death took place.

But the price of those deaths is the death of one man.   How many deaths did that one man purchase by His death, for, if He had not died, the grain of wheat would not be multiplied?   You heard His words when He drew near His passion, that is when He was drawing near to our redemption:  “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”   On the Cross He carried out a vast transaction;  there the purse of our price was unfastened and, when His side was opened by the lance of the soldier, there streamed the price for the redemption of the whole earth (cf. Jn 19:34).

Now the faithful ones and Martyrs have been purchased but the faithfulness of the Martyrs has been proved – their blood is the proof … “As Christ laid down his life for us, so we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1Jn 3:16).   In another place it is stated:  “At a grand table you have sat;  now carefully consider what has been put before you, since it is your duty to prepare for such things” (cf. Prv 23:1).   That table is great where the Lord of the table is Himself the meal.   No-one feeds guests with Himself as food but this is exactly what the Lord Christ does, He, Himself is the host who in­vites;  He, Himself is the food and the drink.   Therefore, the Martyrs have recognised what they were eating and drink­ing so as to be able to repay such gifts.   But whence can they make such return unless He who first paid the cost, supplies the source from which restitu­tion may be made?   That is the reason for the Psalm, where we sing what is written: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” ... St Augustine (354-430) Bishop of Hippo (North Africa), St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor – Sermon 329, for the Feast of the Martyrs, 1-2 ; PL 38, 1454if it dies it produces much fruit john 12 24-through the glorious achievements of the holy martyrs - st augustine 10 aug 2020 st lawrence

PRAYER – Lord God, You inspired St Lawrence with so ardent a love that his life was renowned for the service of Your people and his death for the splendour of his Martyrdom.   Help us to love what he loved and to live as he showed us.   St Lawrence, Martyr for Christ and His Church, pray for us.   Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever amen.st lawrence pray for us 10 aug 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 9 August – “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31

One Minute Reflection – 9 August – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Readings: 1 Kings 19:911-13Psalms 85:9-14Romans 9:1-5Matthew 14:22-33 and the Memorial of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (1891-1942) Martyr

“O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” … Matthew 14:31

REFLECTION – “Once again the disciples are a plaything of the waves and a storm, similar to the first one (Mt 8:4), hurls itself against them. The first time, however, they had Jesus with them, whereas this time they are alone and left to themselves. …  I think this was because our Saviour wanted to stir their sleeping hearts and, by throwing them into a panic, he inspired in them a strong desire for His presence and kept the remembrance of Him constantly in their mind.   Hence, He did not come to their help at once but “during the fourth watch of the night he came towards them, walking on the sea”. …

Peter, ever volatile, always getting in before the other disciples, said: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” …   He didn’t say, “Command me to walk on the water” but “come to you,” for there was none who loved Jesus so much as he.   He did the same thing after the Resurrection – unable to bear moving as slowly as the others in the boat, he jumped into the water to get there before them and satisfy his love for Christ. …  Getting out of the boat, then, Peter went towards Jesus, more delighted to be going towards Him than to be walking on the water.   But after confronting the greatest danger, that of the sea, he was to give in to a lesser, that of the wind.   Such is human nature!   Often, having overcome serious dangers we are conquered by lesser ones …  Peter had not yet been set free from all his fear … in spite of Christ’s presence beside him.   For it is of no use to be beside Christ if one is not close to him by faith.   This is what emphasises the distance separating master from the disciple …

o man of little faith why did you doubt matthew 14 31 - getting out of the boat, then - st john chrysostom 9 aug 2020

“O man of little faith, why did you doubt?”   So if Peter’s faith had not faltered he would have resisted the wind without difficulty.   And the proof of this is that Jesus grasped Peter while leaving the wind to continue blowing …   Just as the mother bird supports with her wings, as it is about to fall, the fledgling that has prematurely left the nest and draws it back into the nest, so does Christ with regard to Peter.” … St John Chrysostom (345-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church – Homilies on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, no. 50, 1-2

st teresa benedicta pray for us.2

PRAYER – Lord our God, the Light and Creator of Light, grant that faithfully pondering on all that is holy, we may ever live in the splendour of Your presence.   May we live in Your Presence, withstand the winds of the world and grow daily in faith.   By the help and intercession of St Teresa Benedicta, You may never permit us to separate ourselves from You and thus we may come, to completion in You, Through Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 August – “If you have faith” – Matthew 17:20

Quote/s of the Day – 8 August – Saturday of the Eighteenth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: Habakkuk 112-2, 4, Psalm 9:8-13, Matthew 17:14-20

“If you have faith” – Matthew 17:20

“If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.”
Jesus turned, and seeing her he said,
“Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well.”
And instantly the woman was made well.”

Matthew 9:21-22

matthew 9 21-22 if I only touch his garment i will be made well - 6 july 2020

Jesus said to him,
“Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

John 20:28-29

john-20-29-blessed-are-those-who-have-not-seen-and-have-believed-3-july-2020 and 8 aug 2020

“Elizabeth says:
‘Blessed are you because you have believed.’
You also are blessed,
because you have heard and believed.
A soul that believes,
both conceives and brings forth
the Word of God
and acknowledges His works.”

St Ambrose of Milan (340-397)
Great Latin Father and Doctor of the Church

elizabeth says blessed are you because you have believed - you also are blessed - st ambrose 6 july 2020

“Do you desire security?
Here you have it.
The Lord says to you, “I will never abandon you,
I will always be with you.”
If a good man made you such a promise,
you would trust him.
God makes it and do you doubt?
Do you seek a support, more sure
than the word of God, which is infallible?
Surely, He has made the promise,
He has written it,
He has pledged His word for it, it is most certain!”

do you desire security - st augustine faith or doubt 3 july 2020

“To one who has faith,
no explanation is necessary.
To one without faith,
no explanation is possible.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communisto one who has faith no explanation is necessary - st thomas aquinas 3 july 2020

“Paul says: I appeal to you by the mercy of God,
to present your bodies as a sacrifice, living and holy.
The prophet said the same thing:
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire
but you have prepared a body for me.
Each of us is called to be both a sacrifice to God and His priest.
Do not forfeit what divine authority confers on you.
Put on the garment of holiness, gird yourself with the belt of chastity.
Let Christ be your helmet, let the cross on your forehead be your unfailing protection.
Your breastplate, should be the knowledge of God, that He Himself has given you.
Keep burning continually, the sweet smelling incense of prayer.
Take up the sword of the Spirit.
Let your heart be an altar.
Then, with full confidence in God, present your body for sacrifice.
God desires, not death but faith.
God thirsts, not for blood but for self-surrender.
God is appeased, not by slaughter
but by the offering of your free will.”

St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450)
Bishop, Father & Doctor of the Church
“Doctor of Homilies”

the armour of christ - sat peter chrysologus do not forfeit - 8 aug 2020

“All things are possible for him who believes,
more to him who hopes,
even more to him who loves.”

St Lawrence of Brindisi(1559-1619)
Apostolic Doctor of the Church

all things are possible - st lawrence of brindisi 21 july 2020

“Faith is like a bright ray of sunlight.
It enables us to see God in all things,
as well as, all things in God.”

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

faith is like a bright ray of sunlight - st francis de sales 6 july 2020

“Bad Christians lack faith
and do not deny it
but they claim to be excused,
in that they have no reasons for believing.
Because of this, there is nothing as common
as this speech in the mouths of many people:
“If I had witnessed a miracle I should be a saint!”
“Evil and unfaithful generation!  It seeks a sign!” (Mt 12:39).
The wicked look for signs.”

St Claude la Colombière SJ (1641-1682)
Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

bad christians lack faith - st claude de la colombiere 8 aug 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 8 August – ‘… Cherish this gift of faith that leads you to God…’

One Minute Reflection – 8 August – Saturday of the Eighteenth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: Habakkuk 112-2, 4, Psalm 9:8-13Matthew 17:14-20 and the Memorial of St Cyriacus the Martyr, Deacon (Died c 303) One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and of St Dominic (1170-1221)

He said to them, “Because of your little faith.   For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”… Matthew 17:20

REFLECTION – “The word “faith” has one syllable but two meanings. First of all it is concerned with doctrine and it denotes the assent of the soul to some truth.   Faith in this sense brings blessing and salvation to the soul, as the Lord said:  “He who hears my word and believes in him who sent me, has eternal life.” (Jn 5:24)…
The word “faith” has a second meaning – it is a particular gift and grace of Christ.   “To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing” (1Cor 12:8-9).   Faith in the sense of a particular divine grace conferred by the Spirit is not, then, primarily concerned with doctrine but with giving a person powers, quite beyond their natural capability.   Whoever has this faith will say to a mountain:  “Move from here to there” and it will move and anyone who can in fact say these words through faith and “believes without hesitation that they will come to pass,” (Mk 11:23) receives this particular grace.   It is to this kind of faith that the Lord’s words refer – “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed.”   Now, a mustard seed is small in size but its energy thrusts it upwards with the force of fire.  Small are its roots, great the spread of its boughs and once it is fully grown the birds of the air find shelter in its branches (Mt 13:32).  So too, in a flash, faith can produce the most wonderful effects in the soul.
Enlightened by faith the soul gazes at the glory of God so far as human nature allows and, even before the consummation of all things, ranging beyond the boundaries of the universe, it has a vision of the judgement and of God making good the rewards he promised.   As far as it depends on you then, cherish this gift of faith that leads you to God and you will then receive the higher gift which no effort of yours can reach, no power of yours attain.”…St Cyril of Jerusalem (313-350) Bishop of Jerusalem, Father & Doctor of the Church (Baptismal Catechesis 5)if you have faith the size of a mustard seed - matthew 17 20 - as far as it depends on you then - sy cyril of jerusalem - 11 aug 2018

PRAYER – Holy God, grant we pray, Your Holy Spirit of love and divine grace to grow ever more in faith. By our prayers and love for You and our neighbour, may we merit Your divine assistance. Lord Jesus, help us to dwell often on the manner in which we are following You. Let us strive each day to become more and more like You in all things and, to become beacons of Your Light, to all the world. St Cyriacus Martyr for Christ, you who were and are a light to all, pray for us and may the prayers of St Dominic assist us in our day and may his zeal be our inspiration to always fight the good fight,amen.st cyriacus the martyr 14 holy helper pray for us 8 aug 2020

st-dominic-pray-for-us-2-8-aug-2017 and 5 nov 2019 all dom saints (1)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH

Thought for the Day – 7 August – Sacred Images

Thought for the Day – 7 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Sacred Images

sacred images - bacci 7 aug 2020

“There are two extremes to be avoided in venerating the images of Christ and the Saints.
In emulation of the ancient heresy of the Iconoclasts, there are some, who regard the veneration of images as a superstitious and idolatrous practice.
In support of their view, they quote from the Book of Exodus:  “You shall not carve idols for yourselves … you shall not bow down before them or worship them” (Ex 20:4-5).

The equivocation is obvious.
This prohibition refers to the images of false gods, not to the images of Saints.
It is the worship of idols which is forbidden, not devotion to the Saints.
There are examples in the Old Testament of the veneration of images and symbols, indicating the presence of God, such as the Ark of the Covenant, adorned by “two cherubim of beaten gold,” (Ex 25:18) and the bronze serpent mounted by Moses on a pole in the desert (Num 21:8).

From the early days of the Church, there existed in the Catacombs, representations of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin and the Martyrs and, the fact that they were adorned with halos, is a clear indication of the veneration with which they were regarded by the faithful.
The historian Eusebius, specifically mentions a bronze statue erected in honour of the Saviour, before which, the faithful prayed and were sometimes awarded with miracles.

Contrary to the accusations of some Protestants, therefore, this practice is not a novelty introduced by the Roman Church.
Moreover, the honouring of images is not idolatry because, it is not a direct adoration but, a relative and indirect veneration.
Homage is not paid to the actual statues or pictures but, to Christ, the Blessed Virgin and the Saints, whom the images represent.

“The images of Christ, of the Virgin Mother of God and of other Saints, are to be kept with honour in places of worship especially and, to them due honour and veneration is to be paid – not because it is believed that there is any divinity or power intrinsic to them, for which they are reverenced, nor because it is from them that something is sought, nor that a blind trust is to be attached to images as it once was, by the Gentiles who placed their hope in idols but, because the honour which is shown to them, is referred to the prototypes which they represent” (Council of Trent, Session 25).

The cult of images has, therefore, a solid theological foundation.
“We make images of holy men,” as St Cyril of Alexandria expressed it, “not to adore them as Gods but, as a reminder and a stimulus to ourselves to imitate them.   Moreover, we make images of Christ so that our love for Him may be more easily aroused” (In Ps 113:16).
Besides, being theologically correct, the practice is useful!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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Quote/s of the Day – 6 August – The Transfiguration and Sts Justus and Pastor

Quote/s of the Day – 6 August – Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Memorial of Justus and Pastor – The Holy Martyred Children of Alcala de Henares in Spain (Died 304)

“Do not fear death of the body nor the torments, little brother.
Calmly receive the strike of the sword.
The God who has seen fit to call us to such a great grace,
will give us the necessary strength,
to endure the sufferings that await us.”

St Justus to his Brother St Pastor (Died 304)
Holy Children Martyrs

do not fear death of the body - st justus to st pastor 6 aug 2020

“No-one should fear to suffer
for the sake of justice,
no-one should lose confidence in the reward
that has been promised.
The way to rest is through toil,
the way to life is through death.
Christ has taken on Himself
the whole weakness of our lowly human nature.
If then we are steadfast in our faith in Him
and in our love for Him,
we win the victory that He has won,
we receive what He has promised.”

St Pope Leo the Great (400-461)

Father and Doctor of the Church

no-one should fer to suffer - st pope leo - transfiguration 6 aug 2020

“By His loving foresight,
He allowed them to taste for a short time,
the contemplation of eternal joy,
so that they might bear persecution bravely.”

The Venerable St Bede (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

by his loving foresight - st bede transfiguration 6 aug 2020

“Jesus goes before us to show us the way,
both up the mountain and into heaven and —
I speak boldly — it is for us now,
to follow him with all speed . . .
Let us run with confidence and joy
to enter into the cloud like Moses and Elijah,
or like James and John.
Let us be caught up like Peter
to behold the divine vision
and to be transfigured by that glorious transfiguration.
Let us retire from the world,
stand aloof from the earth,
rise above the body,
detach ourselves from creatures
and turn to the Creator,
to whom Peter in ecstasy exclaimed:
‘Lord, it is good for us to be here.’”

St Anastasius (Died 628)

jesus goes before us to show us the way - st anastasius 6 aug 2019 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

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One Minute Reflection – 6 August – ‘Mould yourself on this figure ….’

One Minute Reflection – 6 August – “Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary”- Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Readings: Daniel 7:9-1013-14 or 2 Peter 1: 16-19Psalm 97:1-25-69Matthew 17:1-9

” … His face shone like the sun” ... Matthew 17:2

REFLECTION“He was transfigured before them” (Mt 17:2).    Mould yourself on this figure as though with soft wax so to imprint the image of Christ on it, of whom it is said:  “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as snow.”   In this passage you should keep in mind four things – the face, the sun, the clothing and the snow.   In the front of the head, which is called a man’s face, there are three senses that are ordered and disposed in a wonderful way.   These are sight, smell, taste.   In the same sort of way, in the face of our souls, there are the vision of faith, the smell of discretion and the taste of contemplation. (…)

In the sun there is brightness, whiteness and heat.   The brightness of the sun accords perfectly with the vision of faith that, together with the clarity of its light, perceives and believes invisible realities.   May the countenance of our souls shine like the sun!   May what we see by faith shine in our deeds!   May the good we perceive through our interior eyes be brought to fruition externally in the purity of our actions, may what we taste of God in contemplation, be transformed to heat, in love of neighbour.   So, like that of Jesus, our faces “will shine like the sun.”St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Doctor of the Church – Sermon for Septuagesima Sundayhis face shone like the sun matthew 17 2 - mould yourself - st anthony of padua 6 aug 2020

PRAYER – Father, at the Transfiguration in glory of Your only-begotten Son, You confirmed the mysteries of faith by the witness to Jesus of the prophets Moses and Elijah.   You foreshadowed what we shall be when You bring our sonship to its perfection.   Grant that by listening to the voice of Jesus, we may become heirs with Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever and may Mary, our tender and caring Mother, help us to be bright rays of the saving light of her Son Jesus. Amentransfiguration - listen to him 17 march 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, To JESUS through MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 5 August – Mary

Quote/s of the Day – 5 August – “Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time and the Memorial of the Dedication of Mary Major

“Mary was placed by God
in the centre of history
and we can say,
that everything was made
through her
and with her
and in her.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Doctor of the Church

“Mary is the divine Page
on which God the Father
wrote the Word of God, His Son.
Let us draw near to her and read her!”

St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Church

“The single richest treasure in the Vatican is the Rosary.”

Bl Pope Pius IX (1792-1878)

the single richest treasure in the vatican is the rosary bl pope pius ix 3 aug 2019

“All to Jesus through Mary,
all to Mary for Jesus.”

St Marcellin Champagnat (1789-1840)

all to jesus through mary, all to mary for jesus - st marcellin

“No matter how enormous our sins may be,
no matter how irresistible our carnal instincts may seem,
no matter how hopelessly we may have plunged
into the depths of evil,
it is enough for us to raise our eyes
in confidence towards Mary.
… Like a merciful Mother,
she will obtain for us from God,
forgiveness and the strength
to return to the path of penitence and of peace.
… Let us turn to her with trust and humility
and she will certainly assist us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

mary the refuge of sinners - bacci 14 may 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 25 July – “How shall I repay the Lord?”

One Minute Reflection – 25 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Memorial of St James the Greater, Apostle of Christ, Readings:  2 Corinthians 4:7-15, Psalm 126, Matthew 20:20-28

INTERNET PROBLEMS – CANNOT UPLOAD IMAGES!

“Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” … Matthew 20:28

REFLECTION“How shall I repay the Lord?” (Ps 115[116B],12)   Not with holocausts or sacrifices or the observances of the legal cult but with my whole life itself.   And this is why, says the psalmist, “The cup of salvation I will take” (v.13).   The labour he underwent in the struggles of his filial devotion to God and the constancy with which he resisted sin even to death – this is what the psalmist calls his cup.

It was concerning this cup that our Lord Himself expressed Himself in the Gospels :   “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me” (Mt 26:39).   And again, to His disciples:  “Can you drink the cup that I shall drink?”   He intended to speak of that death He desired to suffer, for the salvation of the world.   Therefore, He says:  “The cup of salvation I will take up,” namely, my whole being is reaching out, parched, towards the consummation of martyrdom, even to the point of holding the torments endured, in the struggles of filial love as rest and not as suffering, for soul and body.   I too, He says, will offer Myself to the Lord as a sacrifice and oblation. …   And I am ready to pay these vows before all the people, for:  “My vows to the Lord I will pay in the presence of all his people!” (v.14).” … St Basil the Great (330-379) Monk and Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Father & Doctor of the Churchmatthew-20-28-25-july-2017 and 2020

PRAYER – Lord our God, You accepted the sacrifice of St James, the first of Your Apostles to give his life for Your sake.   May Your Church find strength in his martyrdom and support in his constant prayer. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.   St James the Greater, Apostle of Christ, Pray for us! Amenst-james-pray-for-us-25-july-2017 and 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – “Good Soil”

Quote/s of the Day – 24 July – Friday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Jeremiah 3:14-17, Responsorial psalm Jeremiah 31:10-13, Matthew 13:18-23

“Good Soil”

“This, beloved, is the way in which we found our salvation,
Jesus Christ, the High Priest who offers our gifts,
the patron and helper in our weakness (Heb 10:20; 7:27; 4:15).
It is through Him, that we look straight at the heavens above.
Through Him, we see mirrored, God’s faultless
and transcendent countenance.
Through Him, the eyes of our heart were opened.
Through Him, our unintelligent and darkened mind shoots up into the light.
Through Him, the Master was pleased to let us taste
the knowledge that never fades,
He who is “the radiance of His splendour,
who towers as much above the angels,
as the title He has inherited, is superior to theirs.”

St Pope Clement I (c 35 – c 99)

matthew-7-14-the-road-that-leads-to-life-this-beloved-is-the-way-in-which-we-st-pope-clement-i-23-june-2020-and 24 july 2020

O Lord and Master of My Life
Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian (306-373)
Father & Doctor of the Church

O Lord and Master of my life,
give me not a spirit of sloth, vain curiosity,
lust for power and idle talk.
But give to me, Thy servant,
a spirit of soberness, humility, patience and love.
O Lord and King,
grant me to see my own faults
and not to condemn my brother.
For blessed art Thou to the ages of ages.
Amen
O God, be merciful to me a sinner.
O God, cleanse me, a sinner.
O God, my Creator, save me
and for my many sins forgive me!

o-lord-and-master-of-my-life-st-ephrem-17-march-2020 and 24 july 2020

“A Christian is:
a mind through which Christ thinks,
a heart through which Christ loves,
a voice through which Christ speaks
and a hand through which Christ helps.”

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

a-chrisitan-is-a-mind-through-which-christ-thinks-st-augustine-14-april-2020-easter-tuesday 24 july 2020

“You have the words of eternal life”

John 6:68

“These words surely make quite obvious to us
the necessity for sitting at the feet of Christ,
taking Him as our one and only teacher
and giving Him our constant and undivided attention. …
Keeping with their guide was the Israelites’ salvation then,
just as not leaving Christ is ours now.
… We will stay with You always and hold fast to Your commandments.
We will receive Your words without finding fault,
or thinking Your teaching hard,
as the ignorant do but thinking rather:
“How sweet are Your words to my throat!
Sweeter to the mouth are they, than honey or the honeycomb!”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father and Doctor of the Church

john 6 68 you have the words - these words sure - st cyril of alex 24 july 2020

“Paul says: I appeal to you by the mercy of God,
to present your bodies as a sacrifice, living and holy.
The prophet said the same thing:
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire
but you have prepared a body for me.
Each of us is called to be both a sacrifice to God and His priest.
Do not forfeit what divine authority confers on you.
Put on the garment of holiness, gird yourself with the belt of chastity.
Let Christ be your helmet, let the cross on your forehead be your unfailing protection.
Your breastplate, should be the knowledge of God, that He Himself has given you.
Keep burning continually, the sweet smelling incense of prayer.
Take up the sword of the Spirit.
Let your heart be an altar.
Then, with full confidence in God, present your body for sacrifice.
God desires, not death but faith;
God thirsts, not for blood but for self-surrender;
God is appeased, not by slaughter but by the offering, of your free will.”

St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450)
Bishop, Father & Doctor of the Church
“Doctor of Homilies”

each-of-us-is-called-to-beoth-a-sacrifice-to-god-and-his-priest-st-peter-chrysologus-5-may-2020 and 24 july 2020

“Fix your minds on the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Inflamed with love for us, He came down from heaven to redeem us.   For our sake He endured every torment of body and soul
and shrank from no bodily pain.
He Himself gave us an example of perfect patience and love.
We, then, are to be patient in adversity.”

St Francis of Paola OM (1416-1507)

fix-your-minds-on-the-passion-st-francis-of-paola-2-april-2019 and 24 july 2020

“There is One very near you
Who knocks at your door every hour of the day,
Who begs you to listen to Him
and to keep silence in order to hear Him.”

St Simon-Marie-Just Ranfer de Bretenières (1838-1866)
Martyr

there-is-one-very-near-you-st-simon-ranfer-de-bretenieres-14-nov-2019 and 7 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, INCORRUPTIBLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 July – The disposition of the ground …

One Minute Reflection – 24 July – Friday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Jeremiah 3:14-17, Responsorial psalm Jeremiah 31:10-13Matthew 13:18-23 and the Memorial of St Charbel Makhluf (1828-1898)

“As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it;  he indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty and in another thirty.”...Matthew 13:23

REFLECTION – “And yet, if both the land be good and the Sower one and the seed the same, wherefore did one bear a hundred, one sixty, one thirty?
Here again the difference is from the nature of the ground, for even where the ground is good, great even therein, is the difference.
Understand that not the Sower is to be blamed, nor the seed but the land that receives it? not for its nature but, for its disposition.
And herein too, great is His mercy to man, that He does not require one measure of virtue.
… And these things He says, lest they that followed Him should suppose that hearing is sufficient for salvation.
… Yes, both vainglory and all the rest belong to this world and to the deceitfulness of riches, such as pleasure and gluttony and envy and vainglory and all the like.

But He added also the “way” and the “rock,” signifying that it is not enough to be freed from riches only, but we must cultivate also the other parts of virtue.
But what if you are free indeed from riches, yet are soft and unmanly? and what if you are not indeed unmanly but are remiss and careless about the hearing of the word?
No one part is sufficient for our salvation but there is required first, a careful hearing and a continual recollection, then fortitude, then contempt of riches and deliverance from all worldly things.” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctormatthew 13 23 - parable of the seed - but what if you are free indeed from riches - st john chrysostom 24 july 2020

PRAYER – A pure heart create for me O God, put a steadfast spirit within me! (Ps 50[51]) Lord God, bestow a full measure of Your grace to us.   Keep us within in the path of Your commandments, help us to work on the earth of our souls, rooting out the weeds and casting forth the stones of malice.   Grant that by the prayers of St Charbel Makhluf, who by Your grace triumphed in all virtues, we may succeed in attaining sanctity.   Through Christ, our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.st-charbel-pray-for-us-24-july-2017-2018-and-2019 and 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 24 July – Your Blood, The Fire of Love!

Our Morning Offering – 24 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Friday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time

Your Blood, The Fire of Love!
By St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)

O sweet Jesus, my Love,
to strengthen my soul
and to rescue it from the weakness
into which it has fallen,
You have built a wall around it
and have mixed the mortar with Your blood,
confirming my soul and uniting it
to the sweet will and charity of God!
Just as lime mixed with water
is placed between stones to cement them together,
so You, O God, have placed between
Your creature and Yourself,
the Blood of Your only-begotten Son,
cemented with the divine lime
of the fire of ardent charity,
in such a way that there is no Blood
without fire, nor fire without Blood.
Your Blood was shed, O Christ, by the fire of love!
Amenyour blood the fire of love - st catherine of siena 24 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY FACE, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 July – ‘… The Church’s longing has never lost its intensity …’

One Minute Reflection – 23 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Thursday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Jeremiah 2:1-37-812-13Psalm 36:6-11Matthew 13:10-17and the Memorial of St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303 – 1373) and Blessed Margarita de Maturana (1881-1934)

“For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see” … Matthew 13:17

REFLECTION – “In one of the psalms the prophet says: “My soul pines for your salvation;  I hope in your word” (119[118]:1) …  Who is it expressing this ardent desire if not “the chosen race, the royal priesthood, the people set apart for God” (1 Pt 2:9), each in their own day, in each one of those who have lived, are living or will live, from humanity’s first beginning, until the end of the world? …  That is why our Lord Himself says to His disciples:  “Many prophets and righteous men have longed to see what you see.”   It is their voice, then, we must recognise in this psalm …  Their longing has never come to an end in the saints, nor does it end even now in “the Body of Christ, the Church” (Col 1:18) until “the Desired of all nations” comes (Hag 2:8 Vg) …

So the beginning of the Church’s era, before the Virgin had given birth, comprised saints who longed to see Christ’s coming in the flesh and the period where we are now, following the Ascension, comprises other saints, who long to see the revealing of Christ to judge the living and the dead.   From the beginning to the end of time, the Church’s longing has never lost its intensity, excepting only, when our Lord was alive on earth in the company of His disciples.” … St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace – Discourses on the Psalms, Ps 119[118], no. 20 ; CCL 40, 1730matthew 13 17 for truly i say to you marny prophets - from the beginning to the end of time - st augustine 23 july 2020

PRAYER – “O Jesus, Son of God, You Who were silent in the presence of Your accusers, restrain my tongue until I find what should say and how to say it.   Show me the way and make me ready to follow it.   It is dangerous to delay, yet perilous to go forward.   Answer my petition and show me the way.   As the wounded go to the doctor in search of aid, so do I come to You. O Lord, give Your peace to my heart. “ (St Bridget).   And we ask God our Father that the prayers of St Bridget and Blessed Margarita de Maturana, may serve as an aid as we strive to attain virtue and see Your Face, O Lord, through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st bridget of sweden pray for us no 2 - 23 july 2018

bl margarita de maturana pray for us 23 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SAINT of the DAY, SPEAKING of ....., The LAST THINGS, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 22 July – “But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb…” Perseverance

Quote/s of the Day – 22 July – Feast of St Mary of Magdala, Readings: Song of Solomon 3:1-4 or 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9, John 20:1-2, 11-18

Speaking of:  Perseverance

“But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb…”

John 20:11

john 20 11 but mary stood weeping outside the tomb - 22 july 2020

“And will not God vindicate his elect,
who cry to him day and night?”

Luke 18:7

luke-18-7-and-will-not-god-vindicate-his-elect-who-cry-to-him-day-and-night-16-nov-2019 and 22 july 2020

Lord, if Your people still have need
of my services,
I will not avoid the toil.
Your will be done.
I have fought the good fight long enough.
Yet, if You bid me to continue to hold
the battle line, in defence of Your camp,
I will never beg to be excused
from failing strength.
I will do the work You entrust to me.
While You command,
I will fight beneath Your banner.
Amen

St Martin of Tours (c 316-397)

lord if your people still have need of my services - st martin of tours 22 july2020 (2)

“Our pilgrimage on earth cannot be exempt from trial.
We progress by means of trial.
No-one knows himself except through trial,
or receives a crown,
except after victory,
or strives,
except against an enemy or temptations.”

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

our pilgrimage on earth cannot be exempt from trial - st augustine 22 july 2020

“For now, let us persevere, children,
dear children, let us be patient for a little,
brothers, dear brothers.…
Who will be crowned without having fought?
Who will go to rest if he is not tired (cf. 2 Tim 2:5-6)?
Who will gather the fruits of life,
without having planted virtues in his soul?
Cultivate them, prepare the earth with the greatest care,
take trouble over it,
sweat over it, children, God’s workers,
imitators of the angels,
competitors with incorporeal beings,
lights for those who are in the world (cf. Phil 2:15)!”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)
Monk

Catechesis 28

for now let us perseverd children - st theodore the studite 22 july 2020

“Don’t sow your desires
in someone else’s garden,
just cultivate your own, as best you can;
don’t long to be other than what you are
but desire to be thoroughly what you are.
Direct your thoughts,
to being very good at that
and to bearing the crosses, little or great,
that you will find there.
Believe me, this is the most important
and least understood point to the spiritual life.
We all love according to what is our taste,
few people like what is according to their duty
or to God’s liking.
What is the use of building castles in Spain
when we have to live in France?”

dont-sow-your-desires-st-francis-de-sales-24-jan-2018-24-jan-2020 and 22 july 2020

It is not then a case for tears,
that we have so much work to do for our souls,
for we need great courage to go ever onwards
(since we must never stop)
and much resolution to restrain our desires.
Observe carefully this precept,
that all the Saints have given to those who would emulate them –
to speak little, or not at all,
of yourself and your own interests.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

Doctor of the Church

the-work-is-never-finished-st-francis-de-sales-27-march-2019-and-24-jan-2020 and 22 july 2020

“Love never says
‘I have done enough.’”

St Marie Eugénie de Jésus (1817-1898)

love-never-says-i-have-done-enough-st-marie-eugenie-de-jesus-10-march-2020 and 22 july 2020

“On the last day, we will not be asked
if we accomplished great deeds,
or been acclaimed by men,
rather we will be asked
if we followed His will,
in the state and condition,
to which we were called.”

The Eighth Circular Letter

St Guido Maria Conforti (1865-1931)

on-the-last-day-st-guido-maria-conforti-5-nov-2019and 22 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SAINT of the DAY, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 July – “Mary – Recognise Me as I recognise you”

One Minute Reflection – 22 July – Feast of St Mary of Magdala, Readings:  Song of Solomon 3:1-4 or 2 Corinthians 5:14-17Psalm 63:2-68-9John 20:1-211-18

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom are you seeking?”   Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him and I will take him away.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary.”   She turned and said to him in Aramaic,“Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). … John 20:15-16john 2016 - jesus said to her mary 22 july 2020

REFLECTION – “When Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and did not find the Lord’s body, she thought it had been taken away and so informed the disciples.   After they came and saw the tomb, they too believed what Mary had told them.   The text then says:  The disciples went back home, and it adds:  but Mary wept and remained standing outside the tomb.

We should reflect on Mary’s attitude and the great love she felt for Christ;  for though the disciples had left the tomb, she remained.   She was still seeking the One she had not found and while she sought she wept;  burning with the fire of love, she longed for Him who she thought had been taken away.   And so it happened that the woman who stayed behind to seek Christ, was the only one to see Him.   For perseverance is essential to any good deed, as the voice of truth tells us:  Whoever perseveres to the end will be saved.

At first she sought but did not find but when she persevered, it happened that she found what she was looking for.   When our desires are not satisfied, they grow stronger and becoming stronger they take hold of their object.   Holy desires likewise grow with anticipation and if they do not grow they are not really desires.  Anyone who succeeds in attaining the truth has burned with such a great love.   As David says:   My soul has thirsted for the living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God?   And so also in the Song of Songs the Church says:   I was wounded by love and again:  My soul is melted with love.

Woman, why are you weeping?   Whom do you seek?   She is asked why she is sorrowing so that her desire might be strengthened, for when she mentions whom she is seeking, her love is kindled all the more ardently.

Jesus says to her – Mary.   Jesus is not recognised when He calls her “woman,” so He calls her by name, as though He were saying: Recognise Me as I recognise you, for I do not know you as I know others, I know you as yourself.    And so Mary, once addressed by name, recognises who is speaking.   She immediately calls Him Rabboni, that is to say, teacher, because the One whom she sought outwardly, was the One who inwardly taught her to keep on searching.” … St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) Father and Doctor – (Hom. 25, 1-2, 4-5:PL 76, 1189-1193)and so it happened that the woman who stayed behind - st pope gregory 22 july 2020

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ made Mary of Magdala the first herald of Easter joy.   Grant that, following her example and helped by her prayers, we may, in this life, proclaim The living Christ and come to see Him reigning with You in glory.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ, in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever, amen.st-mary-of-magdala-pray-for-us-3-22-july-2017

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, franciscan OFM, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ANGELS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY GHOST, The TEN COMMANDMENTS

Quote/s of the Day – 21 July – St Lawrence of Brindisi

Quote/s of the Day – 21 July – The Memorial of St Lawrence of Brindisi OFM Cap (1559-1619) Doctor of the Church

“God is love
and all His operations
proceed
from
LOVE…”

god is love and all his operations proceed from love - st lawrence of brindisi 21 july 2020

“For Him all things were created
and to Him all things must be subject
and God loves all creature,
in and because of Christ.”

for-him-all-things-were-created-and-in-him-st-lawrence-of-brindisi-21-july-2018 and 21 July 2020

“Christ is the first-born of every creature
and the whole of humanity.
as well as the created world,
finds its foundation and meaning in Him.”

christ is the first born of every creature -st lawrence of brindisi 21 july 2020

“My dear souls, let us recognise, I pray you,
Christ’s infinite charity towards us
in the institution of this Sacrament of the Eucharist.
In order that our love be a spiritual love,
He wills a new heart, a new love, a new spirit for us.
It is not with a carnal heart but with a spiritual one,
that Christ has loved us with a gratuitous love,
a supreme and most ardent love,
by way of pure grace and charity.
Ah! One needs to love Him back
with one’s whole, whole, whole,
living, living, living and true, true, true heart!!”

my dear souls let us recognise i pray you - st lawrence of brindisi 21 july 2020

“The Angels in Heaven were created,
to be servants of Christ;
man was formed from the earth,
in order to be the image of Christ.”

the angels in heaven - st lawrence of brindisi 21 july 2020

“The Holy Spirit sweetens the yoke
of the divine law and lightens its weight,
so that we may observe God’s commandments
with the greatest of ease and even with pleasure.”

the holy spirit - st lawrence of brindisi 21 july 2020

“…The word of God
is a light to the mind
and a fire to the will.”

the word of god is a light to the mind and a fire to the will - st lawrence of brindisi 21 july 2020

“All things are possible for him who believes,
more to him who hopes,
even more to him who loves.”

St Lawrence of Brindisi(1559-1619)

Apostolic Doctor of the Church

all things are possible - st lawrence of brindisi 21 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SAINT of the DAY, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

One Minute Reflection – 21 July – ‘Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven’ … Matthew 12:50

One Minute Reflection – 21 July – Tuesday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Micah 7:14-1518-20Psalm 85:2-8Matthew 12:46-50 and the Memorial of St Lawrence of Brindisi OFM Cap (1559-1619) Doctor of the Church

“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven, is my brother and sister and mother.”… Matthew 12:50

REFLECTION – “His mother is the whole Church, since it is she, who, by God’s grace, gives birth to Christ’s members, that is to say, those who are faithful to Him.   Again, His mother is every holy soul who does the Father’s will and whose fruitful charity is made known in those, to whom she gives birth for Him, “until he has been formed in them” (cf Gal 4:19)…St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctorfor-whoever-does-the-will-of-my-father-matthew-12-50-his-mother-is-the-whole-church-st-augustine-24-july-2018 and 21 july 2020

PRAYER – Almighty Father, You made us Your children, You called us from all ages and You formed us by Holy Mother Church.   Grant, we pray, that by Your grace, we may be ever faithful to her and be guided by Your Holy Spirit of love.   O God may Your holy Saint Lawrence of Brindisi intercede for us that, being made imitators of the Lord’s Passion, we may merit to be co-heirs of His Kingdom.   Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.st lawrence of brindisi - pray for us - 21 july 2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 21 July – St Augustine’s Plea

Our Morning Offering – 21 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

O God of Our Life
St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church

God of our life,
there are days when the burdens we carry
chafe our shoulders and weigh us down,
when the road seems dreary and endless,
the skies grey and threatening,
when our lives have no music in them
and our hearts are lonely
and our souls have lost their courage.
Flood the path with light,
run our eyes to where the skies are full of promise,
tune our hearts to brave music,
give us the sense of comradeship
with heroes and saints of every age
and so quicken our spirits,
that we may be able to encourage, the souls of all
who journey with us on the road of life,
to Your honour and glory.
Ameno god of our life - st augustine - 7 jan 2020

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

Feast of Our Lady of Kazan and Memorials of the Saints -21 July

St Lawrence of Brindisi OFM Cap (1559-1619) Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/07/21/saint-of-the-day-21-july-st-lawrence-of-brindisi-ofm-cap-1559-1619-doctor-of-the-church-the-franciscan-renaissance-man/

Our Lady of Kazan:
This miraculous icon, also known as the Theotokos of Kazan, is thought to have originated in Constantinople in the 13th century before it was taken to Russia.   When the Turks took Kazan in 1438, the icon may have been hidden.   Ivan the Terrible liberated Kazan in 1552 and the town was destroyed by fire in 1579.
The icon was eventually found in the ruins of a burnt-out house at Kazan on the River Volga on 8 July in 1579.   According to tradition, the location of the icon was revealed during a dream by the Blessed Virgin Mary to a ten year old girl named Matrona.   Matrona told the local Bishop of her dream, but he did not believe her.   There were two more similar dreams, after which Matrona and her mother went to the place indicated by the Blessed Virgin and dug in the ruins what had been a house until the uncovered the icon.   It appeared untouched by the flames, with the colours as vivid and brilliant as if it were new.  Kazan_moscowThe Bishop took the icon to the Church of Saint Nicholas and immediately there was a miracle of a blind man’s sight being restored to him.   A Monastery was built over the place where the icon had been found.
Known as the Holy Protectress of Russia, the icon was stolen on 29 June 1904.   The thieves were later caught and claimed that they had destroyed the icon after taking the gold frame and jewels attached to the image.   In any event, the original has never been found, though there are many copies in existence, thanks to the popularity of the icon.   Many of the copies are known to be miracle working.
In 1993 a copy of the icon was given to Pope John Paul II, who kept it in his personal study before it was given to representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church in 2004.

Bl Agrícola Rodríguez García de Los Huertos
St Alberic Crescitelli
Blessed Angelina of Marsciano TOR (1357-1435) – Foundress and Abbess

St Arbogast of Strasbourg
St Barhadbescialas
St Benignus of Moyenmoutier
Bl Claudius of Avignon
St Claudius of Troyes
St Corona of Marceille
Bl Cristóbal López de Valladolid Orea
Bl Daniel Molini
St Daniel the Prophet
St Eleutherius of Marseille
St Eternus of Evreaux
Bl Gabriel Pergaud
St Iosephus Wang Yumei
St John of Edessa
St John of Moyenmoutier
Bl Juan de Las Varillas
Bl Juan de Zambrana
St Jucundinus of Troyes
St Julia of Troyes
St Justus of Troyes
Bl Parthenius of Thessaly
St Praxides of Rome
St Simeon Salus
St Victor (of Marseilles) (3rd century) Martyr
His Story:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/07/21/saint-of-the-day-21-july-st-victor-3rd-century-martyr/

St Wastrada
St Zoticus of Comana

Martyrs of Africa – 6 saints: Six Christians who were martyred together. We know no other details about them but the names – Emilian, Hugal, Motanus, Saphus, Stercorius and Victor. They were martyred in an unknown location in Africa, date unknown.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, I BELIEVE!, POETRY, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD, Uncategorized

Quote/s of the Day – 20 July – Firmly I Believe

Quote/s of the Day – 20 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Monday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year “A”, Readings: Micah 6:1-4, 6-8, Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16-17, 21, 23, Matthew 12:38-42

And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?

Mark 8:12

“But for what sign from heaven were they asking?
Maybe that He should hold back the sun,
or curb the moon,
or bring down thunderbolts,
or change the direction of the wind,
or something like that?
In Pharaoh’s time there was an enemy
from whom deliverance was needed.
But for one who comes among friends,
there should be no need of such signs.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)

Father & Doctor of the Church

mark 8 12 why does this generation seek a sign -but for what sign from heaven were they asking - st john chrysostom 20 july 2020

Firmly I Believe and Truly
St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Firmly I believe and truly
God is three and God is One
And I next acknowledge duly
Manhood taken by the Son.
And I trust and hope most fully
In that Manhood crucified
And each thought and deed unruly
Do to death, as He has died.
Simply to His grace and wholly
Light and life and strength belong
And I love, supremely, solely,
Him the holy, Him the strong.

And I hold in veneration,
For the love of Him alone,
Holy Church, as His creation,
And her teachings, as His own.
And I take with joy whatever
Now besets me, pain or fear
And with a strong will I sever
All the ties which bind me here.
Adoration aye be given,
With and through the angelic host,
To the God of earth and heaven,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

firmly i believe and truly st john henry newman 29 oct 2019 and this one 20 july 2020

“… Only by faith is He known to be present…
He removed His visible presence
and left but a memorial of Himself.
He vanished from sight that He might be present
in a Sacrament and, in order to connect His visible presence
with His presence invisible,
He for one instant, manifest Himself to their open eyes;
manifested Himself, if I may so speak,
while He passed from His hiding-place
of sight without knowledge,
to that of knowledge without sight.”

luke-24-30-broke-the-bread-only-by-faith-knowledge-without-sight-st-john-henry-newman-15-apil-2020 and 20 july 2020

The Sign of the Cross

WHENE’ER across this sinful flesh of mine
I draw the Holy Sign,
All good thoughts stir within me and renew
Their slumbering strength divine,
Till there springs up a courage high and true
To suffer and to do.

And who shall say but hateful spirits around,
For their brief hour unbound,
Shudder to see and wail their overthrow?
While on far heathen ground
Some lonely Saint hails the fresh odour, though
Its source he cannot know.

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

the-sign-of-the-cross-st-john-henry-newman-poem-10-april-2020-good-friday and 20 juy 2020

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

Our Morning Offering – 20 July – In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit By St Hilary

Our Morning Offering – 20 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Monday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time

In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
By St Hilary of Poitiers (315-368)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Father, keep us from vain strife of words.
Grant to us constant profession of the Truth!
Preserve us in a true and undefiled faith
so that we may hold fast to that
which we professed
when we were baptised
in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
that we may have You for our Father,
that we may abide in Your Son
and in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Amenin-the-name-of-the-father-son-and-holy-spirit-st-hilary-8-july-2019 and 20 july 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MYSTICS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on The SOUL, SPEAKING of ....., The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 July – Hell

Quote/s of the Day – 19 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Sixteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Wisdom 12:13, 16-19, Psalm 86:5-6,9-10, 15-16, Romans 8:26-27, Matthew 13:24-43

Hell

“Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire,
so will it be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send his angels
and they will gather out of his kingdom,
all causers of sin and all law-breakers
and throw them into the fiery furnace.
In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Jesus
Matthew 13:40-42

matthew 13 40-42 just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire - 19 july 2020

“Every man will receive the eternal punishment,
or reward which his actions deserve.
Indeed, if all men recognised this,
no-one would choose evil even for a short time,
knowing that he would incur the eternal sentence of fire.
On the contrary, he would take every means
to control himself and to adorn himself in virtue,
so that he might obtain the good gifts of God
and escape the punishments.”

St Justin Marytr (100-165)
Father of the Church and Martyr

everyma will receive the eternal - st justin martyr 19 july 2020

“Then shall those, already in the midst of the torments,
cry out with pleading voices
and there will be no-one to speak for them to the Lord
and they shall not be heard.”

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

the shall those already in the midst - st ephrem 19 july 2020

“I am filled with fear and trembling
and all my bones are shaken,
at the thought of that unhappy country
of the damned.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

i am filled with fear and trembling - st bernard 19 july 2020

“So then, I am speaking to you who live in the habit of mortal sin,
in hatred, in the mire of the vice of impurity
and who are getting closer to hell each day.
Stop! and turn around;
it is Jesus who calls you and who,
with His wounds, as with so many eloquent voices,
cries to you, “My son, if you are damned,
you have only yourself to blame:
‘Thy damnation comes from thee.’
Lift up your eyes and see all the graces
with which I have enriched you
to insure your eternal salvation.'”

St Leonard of Port Maurice (1676-1751)

so then i am speaking to you who live in the habit of mortal sin st leonard of port maurice 19 july 2020

“Poor Judas!
Above [2000] years have elapsed
since he has been in Hell
and his Hell is still only beginning.”

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

poor judas - st alphonsus 19 july 2020

“Meditate on the horrors of Hell,
which will last for eternity
because of one easily-committed mortal sin.
Try hard to be among the few who are chosen.
Think of the eternal flames of Hell
and how few there are that are saved.”

meditate-on-the-horrors-of-hell-st-benedict-joseph-labre-16-april-2020 and 19 july 2020

“I was watching souls
going down into the abyss,
as thick and fast as snowflakes,
falling in the winter mist.”

St Benedict Joseph Labre (1748-1783)

i was watching souls going down - st benedict joseph labre 19 july 2020

“I tremble when I see so many souls lost these days.
See, they fall into Hell,
as leaves fall from the trees
at the approach of winter.”

St John Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

i tremble when i see so many souls lost - st john vianney 19 july 2020

“The natural fire that we see during this life
has great power to burn and torment.
Yet this is not even a shadow of the fire of Hell.”

St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870)

the natural fire we see ....yet this is not even a shadow - st anthony mary claret 19 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 July -“Then the righteous will shine like the sun…” Matthew 13:43

One Minute Reflection – 19 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Sixteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Wisdom 12:1316-19Psalm 86:5-6,9-1015-16Romans 8:26-27Matthew 13:24-43

“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” … Matthew 13:43

REFLECTION – “When this, which is corruptible in us, clothes itself with incorruptibility and this, which is mortal, clothes itself in immortality” (1 Cor 15:54), then there will be perfect sweetness, perfect rejoicing, endless praise and love without fear. … And here below?   Do we not enjoy any kind of joy? … Certainly we find joy here below;  here we taste in hope of the life to come, a joy that will satisfy us completely in heaven.
However, the wheat has much to bear in the midst of the darnel.   The seed is mixed up with the straw and the lily grows among the thorns. … And indeed, what is it that was spoken to the Church?   “As a lily among thorns, so is my beloved among my maidens” (Sg 2:2).   It said, “Among my maidens” and not among foreigners.   O Lord, what are the consolations you give us?   What the comfort?   Or rather, what the alarm?   Are you calling your own maidens “thorns”?   By their behaviour they are thorns, He answers, but maidens through my sacraments. …
But where is the Christian to take refuge, then, if he is not to groan in the midst of false brethren?   Where is he to go?   What is he to do?   Is he to fly away to the desert?   Occasions for falling will follow him.  Will he who is doing so well, separate himself to the extent, of not putting up with a single one of his brothers?   What about him, then? Supposing nobody was able to put up with him before his conversion? … So if, under the pretext of making progress, he cannot bear with anyone else, by this very fact it is clear, he hasn’t progressed as yet.   Pay careful attention to these words:  “Bear with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:2-3).   Isn’t there anything in you that another has to bear?” … St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace – Discourses on the Psalm, Ps 99, 8-9matthew 13_43 then the righteous will shine like the sun - st augustine 19 july 2020

PRAYER – Father and almighty God, You have given Your Son to redeem us with complete and absolute love and mercy.   He has taken our flesh and given Himself to us and extended endless mercy for all time.   He has taught us the path of love and mercy.   Grant, we pray, that our hearts may grieve and repent with true sorrow.   And may the prayers of His Mother and ours, the Most Holy and Pure Virgin, assist us to extend love and mercy to all.   We make our prayer through the merits of His saving love and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever, amen.MOST HOLY AND PURE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD PRAY FOR US 19 JULY 2020

Posted in CHRIST the KING, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 July – “In his name the Gentiles will hope” … Matthew 12:21

One Minute Reflection – 18 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings:  Micah 2:1-5Psalm 10:1-47-814Matthew 12:14-21and the Feast of Our Lady of Good Deliverance

“In his name the Gentiles will hope” … Matthew 12:21

REFLECTION – “Who among us can know all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ and buried within the poverty of His flesh?   For, “for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty, you might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9).   Since He came in order to assume our mortal condition and lay low death itself, He appeared as one who was poor.   But He who has promised us distant riches has by no means lost those, from which He is kept away.   “How great is his abundant goodness which he keeps in store for those who fear him, he satisfies those who hope in him” (cf. Ps 31[30]:20). …

So that we might be able to lay hold of it, He who is equal to the Father, having the nature of God, became like us by taking the nature of a servant and recreates us in God’s likeness.   Having become son of man, the only Son of God transforms numberless men into sons of God. And after having sustained His servants by His own visible nature of a servant, He sets them free to contemplate the nature of God.   For “we are God’s children; what we shall be has not yet been revealed.   We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is” (1 Jn 3:2).   For in what do these treasures of wisdom and knowledge and these divine riches consist?   In what is this abundant goodness?   All we know is, that it is this, that satisfies us.” … St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace – Sermon 194 ; PL 38, 1016matthew 12 21 - in his name the gentiles will hope - so that we might be able to lay hold of it, He who is equal - st augustine - 18 july 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, in Your wisdom You created us, by Your Providence, You rule us.   Penetrate our inmost being with Your holy light so that our way of life may always be one of faithful service and childlike trust in You.   Grant that by the intercession of Our Lady of Good Deliverance, we may always follow behind Your Son and grasp His hand, to lead us to You, Through Jesus Christ our Lord with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.our lady of good deliverance pray for us 18 july 2020

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis, Uncategorized

Quote/s of the Day – 7 July – ‘Take Christ’

Quote/s of the Day – 7 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8, Responsorial psalm Isaiah 38:10-12, 16, Matthew 12:1-8

‘Take Christ’

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you,
I have called you by name, you are mine.”

Isaiah 43:1

isaiah 43 1 fear not for i have redeemed you i have called you by name you are mine 14 april 2020 easter tuesday

Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
…The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all
but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God,
that surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts
and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4, 5d,6-7

philippians-4-4-5d-6-7-1-jan-2020 and 17 july 2020

“The Christian should be an
‘alleluia’
from head to foot.

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

the-christian-should-be-an-alleluia-st-augustine-10-april-2018-speaking-of-evangelisation

“May Christ be heard in our language,
may Christ be seen in our life,
may He be perceived in our hearts”

St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Doctor of the Church

(Sermo VIII, 5)

may-christ-be-heard-st-peter-damian-21-feb-2019 and 17 july 2020

“The one you are looking for,
is the One who is looking.”

the one you are looking for is the one who is looking - st francis assisi 17 july 2020

“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)

jesus-is-happy-to-come-with-us-st-francis-of-assisi-4-oct-2018 and 17 july 2020

“Love God, serve God,
everything is in that.”

love-god-serve-god-everything-is-in-that-st-clare-1-jan-2019 and 2020

“Totally love Him,
who gave Himself totally,
for your love.”

St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)

totally loe hm who game hmself totally for your love - st clare of assisi 17 july 2020

“If, then, you seek to know what path to follow,
take Christ because He is the way.”

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

if the you seek to know what path to follow take christ - st thomas aquinas 17 july 2020

“He will be with you also, all the way, that faithful God.
Every morning when you awaken to the old and tolerable pain,
at every mile of the hot uphill dusty road of tiring duty,
on to the judgement seat, the same Christ there as ever,
still loving you, still sufficient for you, even then.
And then, on through all eternity.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

he will e with you also - thomas a kempis 17 july 2020 new

“Every Christian must be a living book
wherein one can read the teaching of the gospel.
This is what St Paul says to the Corinthians.
Our heart is the parchment;
through my ministry
the Holy Spirit is the writer because
‘my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe’
(Psalm 45:1).”

St Joseph of Leonissa OFM CAP (1556-1612)

every-christian-must-be-a-living-book-st-joseph-of-leonissa-4-feb-2018 17 july 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 July – “I say to you, something greater than the temple is here …” … Matthew 12:6

One Minute Reflection – 17 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings:  Isaiah 38:1-621-227-8, Responsorial psalm Isaiah 38:10-1216Matthew 12:1-8 and the Feast of The Madonna of Humility

“I say to you, something greater than the temple is here …” … Matthew 12:6

REFLECTION – ““Christ also reminded them of another prophecy, so that they might learn, that all things that were spoken of previously, were accomplished in Him through the law, that the priests in the temple broke the sabbath without offence, clearly revealing that Jesus Himself was the temple.
In Him, salvation was given to the Gentiles, through the teaching of the apostles, while the people who were bound by the law, wandered about faithlessly, so that He Himself might be greater than the sabbath.
Evangelical faith lived in Christ, transcends the law.” … St Hilary of Poitiers (315-368) – Father and Doctor of the Divinity of Christ – On Matthew, 12mmatthew 12 8 something greater than the temple is here - evangelical faith lived in christ-st hilary 17 july 2020

PRAYER – Almighty God, to whom this world with all its goodness and beauty belongs, give us grace joyfully to begin this day in Your name and to fill it, with an active love for You and for our neighbour.   Grant us the grace to repent of our sins, to turn to the Cross of Your Son and to beg Him in His great love and suffering to forgive us again!   Mary, the Madonna of Humility, intercede for us in our weakness and help us become humble and look only at the face of Christ. Amenmadonna of humility pray for us 17 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Our Morning Offering – 17 July – Prayer for the Gift of Prayer By St Alphonsus Liguori

Our Morning Offering – 17 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Prayer for the Gift of Prayer
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
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.
Amenprayer for the gift of prayer - st alphonsus liguori 17 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SPEAKING of ....., The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 16 July – “Mary”

Quote/s of the Day – 16 July – The Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

“Speaking of Mary”

“In her, God spun a garment with which to save us.”

St Ephrem (306-373) Father & Doctor

in her god spun - st pehrem - annunciation 25 march 2019

“A gentle maiden
having lodged
a God in her womb,
asks as it’s price,
peace for the world,
salvation for those who are lost
and life for the dead.”

St Peter Chrysologus “Golden Words”
(c 400-450) Father & Doctor

a gentle maiden having lodged a god in her womb - st peter chrysologus 30 july 2019

“No-one will ever be,
the servant of the Son
without serving the Mother.”

St Ildephonsus (607-670)

no-one-will-ever-be-a-servant-of-the-son-st-ildephonsus-5-may-2018 and 16 july 2020 (1)

“If the hurricanes of temptation rise against you,
or you are running upon the rocks of trouble,
look to the star – call on Mary!”

St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor

if-the-hurricanes-of-temptation-st-bernard-5-may-2018 and 16 july 2020

“What shall we say, brethren?
Is she not our mother?
Certainly, brethren,
she is in truth our mother.
Through her we are born,
not to the world
but to God.”

St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167)

what-shall-we-say-brethren-st-aelred-9-may-2019

“Mary is the most
sweet bait,
chosen,
prepared
and ordained by God,
to catch the hearts of men.”

St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Doctor of the Church

mary is the most sweet bait - st catherine of siena 16 july 2020

“Just as there is not one among all the Blessed
who loves God as Mary does, so there is no-one,
after God, who loves us as much as this most loving Mother does.
Furthermore, if we heaped together
all the love that mothers have for their children,
all the love of husbands and wives,
all the love of all the angels and Saints for their clients,
it could never equal Mary’s love for even a single soul.”

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Doctor of the Church
(The Glories of Mary)just-as-there-is-not-one-15-jan-2018-st-alphonsus-liguori ad 16 july 2020

“Only after the Last Judgment will Mary get any rest;
from now until then, she is much too busy with her children.”

“To serve the Queen of Heaven, is already to reign there
and to live under her commands, is more than to govern.”

St John Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

only-after-the-last-judgment-st-john-vianney-15-jan-2018 and 16 july 2020

”To desire grace, without recourse to the Virgin Mother,
is to desire to fly without wings!”

Ven Servant of God Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)

to desire grace - ven pope pius XII - 15 jan 2018

“Always stay close to this Heavenly Mother,
because she is the sea to be crossed
to reach the shores of Eternal Splendour.”

St Padre Pio (1887-1968)

always stay close to this heavenly mother - st padre pio - 5 may 2018

“Honouring Mary,
no matter how sacred,
is only the door
leading to Jesus.
Mary is the means,
Jesus is the end.
Mary is the road,
Jesus is the destination.”

mary-is-the-road-jesus-is-the-destination-26-june-2019-1-1 and 16 july 2020

Blessed Jacques Ghazir Haddad (1875-1954)

honouring-mary-bl-jacques-ghazir-haddid-26-june-2019-1 and 16 july 2020

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD is LOVE, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 July – ‘… Following Him!’

One Minute Reflection – 16 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Thursday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 26:7-91216-19Psalm 102:13-21Matthew 11:28-30 and the Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and of Blessed Ceslaus Odrowaz OP (c 1184– 1242) (Brother of St Hyacinth)

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for yourselves…” … Matthew 11:29

REFLECTION – “Dearest sister in Jesus.   I, Catherine, servant of the servants of Jesus, write to you in His Precious Blood, wishing only that you feed yourself with God’s love and nourish yourself with it, as at a mother’s breast.   Nobody, in fact, can live without this milk!
Who possesses God’s love, finds so much joy that every bitterness transforms itself into sweetness and that every great weight becomes light.   One must not be astonished because living in charity you live in God – “God is love and he who abides in love, abides in God and God abides in him”(1 John 4:16)
Thus, living in God, you can have no bitterness because God is delight, gentleness and never-ending joy!
This is why God’s friends are always happy!   Even if we are sick, poor, grieved, troubled, persecuted, we are always joyful.
… We do not seek joy elsewhere than in Jesus and we avoid any glory which is not that of the Cross.
Embrace, then, Jesus crucified, raising to Him the eyes of your desire! Consider His burning love for you, which made Jesus pour out His blood from every part of His body!
Embrace Jesus crucified, loving and beloved and in Him you will find true life because He is God made man.   Let your heart and your soul burn with the fire of love drawn from Jesus on the Cross!
You must, then, become love, looking at God’s love who loved you so much not because He had any obligation towards you but out of pure gift, urged only by His ineffable love.
You will have no other desire than to follow Jesus!   As if you were drunken with Love, it will no longer matter whether you are alone or in company – do not think about many things but only about finding Jesus and following Him!
Run, Bartolomea, do not stay asleep, because time flies and does not wait one moment!
Dwell in God’s sweet love.
Sweet Jesus, Jesus love.” … St Catherine of Sienna (1347-1380) – Doctor of the Church – From the “Letters” (letter no. 165 to Bartolomea, wife of Salviato of Lucca).matthew 11 29 take my yoke - embrace then jesus crucified - st catherine of siena 16 july 2020

PRAYER – “Holy God, our Father, we turn to You in confidence as children and pray, give us meekness of heart, make us “poor in spirit” that we may recognise that we are not self-sufficient, that we are unable to build our lives on our own but need You, we need to encounter You, to listen to You, to speak to You.   Help us to understand that we need Your gift, Your wisdom, which is Jesus Himself, in order to do the Your will in our lives and thus to find rest in the hardships of our journey.”   Hear the prayers we request of the Mother of our Jesus Crucified and our Mother, Our Lady of Carmel, dear Lord and holy God, which we pray through Christ, our Light, in the Holy Spirit, one God for all eternity, amen. … Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, 7 December 2011our-lady-of-mount-carmel-pray-for-us.2 16 july 2019 and 2020 (1)

bl ceslaus odrowaz pray for us 16 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on NATURE - GOD'S CREATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUTH, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 15 July – St Bonaventure

Quote/s of the Day – 15 July – The Memorial of St Bonaventure (1221-1274) Doctor of the Church

“Bonaventure so united holiness and theological knowledge that he rose to the heights of mysticism, while remaining a very active preacher and teacher, one beloved by all who met him.  To know him was to love him; to read him is still for us today to meet a true Franciscan and a gentleman.”

“If you learn everything, except Christ, you learn nothing.
If you learn nothing, except Christ, you learn everything.”

if you learn everything except christ you learn nothing - st bonaventure 15 july 29020

“When we pray,
the voice of the heart must be heard,
more than the proceedings,
from the mouth.”

when we pray - st bonaventure 15 july 2020

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

men do not fear a powerful hostile army - st bonaventure 15 july 2020

“If you do not know
your own dignity and condition,
you cannot value anything
at its proper worth.”

if you do not know your own dignity - st bonaventure - 15 july 2020

“In everything,
whether it is a thing sensed,
or a thing known,
God Himself is hidden within.”

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

More here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/07/15/quote-s-of-the-day-15-july-the-wisdom-of-st-bonaventure/

in everything whether it is a thing sensed - st bonaventure 15 july 2020