Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, NOTES to Followers, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 21 May – What Can I Say, Merciful Lady? – St Anselm

Our Morning Offering – 21 May – “Mary’s Month” – Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter

We shouldn’t really be praying this prayer right now in this Eastertide of Alleluias but, after so many weeks of this virus tyranny, my heart is sad, we were not able to celebrate Easter, we are beleaguered in every way and our hearts ache with longing for the Sacraments.   Then today’s Saint, Blessed  Franz Jägerstätter’s devotion to the Cross of Christ, his own courage and passion, seems so very appropriate for these times too.   May he inspire us and pray for us.   And may our Merciful Lady accept us too, the servants in place of the Master.   Let us Pray!

What Can I Say, Merciful Lady?
St Anselm (1033-1109)
Marian Doctor / Magnificent Doctor

My most merciful Lady,
what can I say about the fountains
that flowed from your most pure eyes
when you saw your only Son before you,
bound, beaten and hurt?
What do I know of the flood
that drenched your matchless face,
when you beheld your Son, your Lord
and your God,
stretched on the cross without guilt,
when the flesh of your flesh
was cruelly butchered by wicked me?
How can I judge what sobs
troubled your most pure breast
when you heard,
“Woman, behold your son,”
and the disciple,
“Behold, your Mother,”
when you received as a son
the disciple in place of the Master,
the servant for the Lord?
Amenwhat can i say merciful lady - st anselm - to the sorrowful mother at the foot of the cross 28 sept 2019

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 20 May – The Memorare

Our Morning Offering – 20 May – “Mary’s Month” – Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

The Memorare
By St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor

REMEMBER,
O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known,
that anyone who fled
to thy protection,
implored thy help,
or sought thy intercession
was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins,
my Mother,
to thee do I come,
before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions
but in thy mercy
hear and answer me.
Amen

(The Express Novena you will recall, is 9 times the Memorare)

the memorare st bernard 20 may 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, To JESUS through MARY

Our Morning Offering – 18 May – Virgin Full of Goodness, Mother of Mercy by St Thomas Aquinas

Our Morning Offering – 18 May – “Mary’s Month” Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

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

Virgin full of goodness,
Mother of mercy,
I entrust to you my body and my soul,
my thoughts and my actions,
my life and my death.
My Queen,
come to my aid
and deliver me from the snares of the devil.
Obtain for me the grace of loving
my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
with a true and perfect love,
and after him,
O Mary,
of loving you with all my heart
and above all things.
Amenvirgin-full-of-goodness-mother-of-mercy-st-thomas-aquinas-15-jan-2019 and 17 may 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 May – ‘… He will give you another Advocate’ – John 14:16

Quote/s of the Day – 17 May – Sixth Sunday of Easter, Readings: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17, Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20, 1 Peter 3:15-18, John 14:15-21

“And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it.
But you know it, because it remains with you and will be in you.”

John 14:16-17

john 14 16-17 and I will ask the father and he will give you anpther advocate - 17 may 2020

“Remember, then, that you received a spiritual seal,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence,
the spirit of holy fear.
Keep safe what you received.
God the Father sealed you,
Christ the Lord strengthened you
and sent the Spirit into your hearts
as the pledge of what is to come.”

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

Remember then that you received a spiritual seal - st ambrose - 5 june 2019

O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart.

Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling

and scatter there Your cheerful beams.”

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

o holy spirit descend plentifully - st augustine - 3 june 2019

“Our lives are all controlled by the Spirit now
and are not confined to this physical world
that is subject to corruption.
The light of the Only-begotten has shone on us
and we have been transformed into the Word,
the source of all life.”

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

our lives are all controlled by the spirit now - st cyril of alex doctor of the incarnation 17 may 2020

“The Holy Spirit leads us along,
as a mother leads her two year old child by the hand,
as a sighted person leads a blind one.
We should say each morning:
“Oh my God, send me Your Holy Spirit
who will make me understand
what I am and what you are …”
A soul who possesses the Holy Spirit
enjoys an exquisite taste in prayer,
it never loses the holy presence of God.”

St John Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

the-holy-spirit-is-like-a-mother-st-john-vianney-4-june-2019-no-2 and 17 may 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 17 May – “I am in my Father and you in me and I in you.” John 14:20

One Minute Reflection – 17 May – Sixth Sunday of Easter, Readings: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17, Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20, 1 Peter 3:15-18, John 14:15-21 and the Memorial of Blessed Antonia Messina (1919-1935) Virgin and Martyr

“I am in my Father and you in me and I in you.” ... John 14:20i am i my father and you in me and i in you john 14 20 17 may 2020

REFLECTION – “Cloth of scarlet or purple is a very precious and royal fabric, not because of the wool but because of the colour.   The actions of good Christians are of such great value, that heaven is given to us for them.   However, … it is not because they come from us and are the wool of our hearts.   Rather, it is because they are dyed with the blood of the Son of God.   I mean, that the Saviour sanctifies our actions by the merits of His blood.   A branch of the vine, united and joined to the stock, produces fruit, not by it’s own power but empowered by the stock.   Now we are untied by charity to our Redeemer, as members to the head (Eph 4:15-16).   That is why our fruits and good works, drawing their value from Him, merit life everlasting.

… We, ourselves, are branches that are dry, unprofitable and unfruitful.   We are not competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers (2 Cor 3:5-6) and able to do His will. Therefore, as soon as sacred love engraves on our hearts the name of our Saviour, our great Shepherd (1 Pet 2:25), we begin to bear delicious fruits for life everlasting.” …. St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of Charityas soon a sacred love engraves on our hearts the name ofour saviour - st francis de sales 17 may 2020

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, bring us to the joy of Your heavenly city, so that we, Your little flock, may follow where Christ, our Good Shepherd, has gone before us, by the power of His Resurrection.   May our hearts overflow with the joy of His eternal presence, that in Him and through Him and with Him, we may attain the happiness of life eternal.   May the prayers of the Blessed Virgin, guide us and may Blessed Antonia Messina too grant us her intercession, that we may always follow our Shepherd in faithful love.   We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and for all eternity, amen.faithful mother mary pray for us now and at the hour of our death amen 26 oct 2019

blessed antonia messina pray for us 17 may 2020

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The PASSION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 May – “You are not of the world …”

Quote/s of the Day – 16 May – Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 16:1-10, Psalm 100:1-3, 5, John 15:18-21

“If you were of the world,
the world would love you as its own
but because you are not of the world
but I chose you out of the world,
therefore, the world hates you.”

John 15:19

” The Lord’s Passion
depicts for us our present life of trial—
shows how we must suffer
and be afflicted and finally die.
The Lord’s Resurrection
and glorification
show us the life
that will be given to us in the future.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Doctor of Grace

john 15 19 if you were of the world - the Lord's Passion depicts for us - st augustine 16 may 2020

“…We mix with the world
without loving it,
for our affections
are given to another.
We can bear to look
on the world’s beauty,
for we have no heart for it.
We are not disturbed at it’s frowns,
for we live not
in it’s smiles.”

we mix with the world without loving it - st john henry newman 16 may 2020 we are not disturbed at it's frowns

“We are patient
in bereavement,
adversity,
or pain,
for they are Christ’s tokens.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

we are patient in bereavement, adversity or pain - st john henry newman 16 may 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The TEN COMMANDMENTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 14 May – “Do what I command you” – John 15:14 and St Augustine

Quote/s of the Day – 14 May – Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26, Psalm 113:1-8, John 15:9-17

“You are my friends if you do what I command you. “

John 15:14

“It is not that we keep His commandments first
and that then He loves
but that He loves us
and then we keep His commandments.
This is that grace which is revealed to the humble
but hidden from the proud.”

john 15 14 you are my friends if you do what I command you - it is not that we keep - st augustine 14 may 2020

“God provides the wind
but man must raise the sails.”

god provides the wind but man must raise the sails - st augustine 14 may 2020

“A man may lose the good things of this life against his will
but, if he loses the eternal blessings,
he does so with his own consent.”

a man may lose the good things of this life - st augustine 14 may 2020

“Christ is not valued at all,
unless He is valued above all.”

christ is not valued at all unelss he is valued above all - st augustine 14 may 2020

“He who created you, without you,
will not justify you, without you.”

he who created you without you will not justify you without you st augustine 14 may 2020

“If we live good lives, the times are also good.
As we are, such are the times.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Doctor of Grace

if we live good lives the times are also good as we are, such are the times - st augustine 14 may 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 14 May – Mary, I Beg You by St Anselm

Our Morning Offering – 14 May – “Mary’s Month” – Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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

Mary, I beg you,
by that grace through which
the Lord is with you
and you will to be with him,
let your mercy be with me.
Let love for you always be with me,
and the care for me be always with you.
Let the cry of my need,
as long as it persists,
be with you,
and the care of your goodness,
as long as I need it,
be with me.
Let joy in your blessedness
be always with me,
and compassion for my wretchedness,
where I need it,
be with you.
Amenmary-i-beg-you-st-anselm-23 may 2017

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, OPEN HOUSE...Conversations with..., QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thoughts of Mary – 13 May – Behold Your Mother

Thoughts of Mary – 13 May – “Mary’s Month”

Behold Your Mother
Moments with Saint Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

“Shortly before His death, Jesus, seeing His Mother with the beloved disciple by her side, said to Mary, indicating John:  “Behold your son.”
Then He said to His disciple:  “Behold our Mother.”

As if enraptured by the infinite generosity of God, St Robert Bellarmine asserts, that whoever draws near to the most high God with a frank and open heart may obtain grace and salvation.   In fact, Jesus, who wanted us to be co-heirs with Himself of His Father’s Kingdom, invites us too, to share in the kindness of His perfect Mother and, she herself loves to carry on her work of mercy and solicitude for all who are working their way to their home with her Son.

“Let us then,” says Bellarmine, “hasten with confidence to Christ’s throne of grace and with prayers and profound contrition, let us beg Him to repeat for everyone of us, the words He said His Mother:  “Behold your son.”
In the same way, as He looks at Mary, may He repeat to everyone of us, the wonderful invitation:  “Behold your Mother.”

In short, here we find our true relationship, already established on earth, with Jesus our Redeemer and our brother and our relationship with Mary, the Mother of Jesus and of all who belong to the to those He has wished to redeem.
It is, therefore, a glory of Catholic worship and of the Christian Doctrine, which always presents the Lord Jesus to us with His Mother by His side.

How eternally happy are those faithful, who invoke the heavenly Queen by the sweet name of Mother and faithfully follow her counsel, her inspiration and her example!”shortly before his death - st john XXIII 13 may 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MOTHER of GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, To JESUS through MARY

Thoughts of Mary – 12 May – To Jesus Through Mary

Thoughts of Mary – 12 May – “Mary’s Month”

To Jesus Through Mary
Moments with Saint Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

The simple words of the first page of Matthew’s Gospel:  “Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ” (Mt 1:16) suffice for me, to establish the fundamental principle of all the great theological teaching which illustrates the connection between the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady.

Christian piety has rejoiced to learn from the Book of Acts, that Mary was present at the first gatherings of the faithful, when they broke read together as brothers and spent long hours in prayer.
And modern art has often portrayed the heavenly Mother in the act of receiving, from the hand of St John, the beloved apostle, the Communion of the Body and Blood of her Son.
But all this is superfluous and unnecessary for our convinced belief.

When we say, that in the Eucharist, we have the Son and in Mary, we have His Mother, have we not said all?
The great genius of Hippo, St Augustine, with his eagle-eyed power of vision, found the words which so brilliantly contain the Doctrine – Ave corpo vero, nato de Maria VirgineHail, true body, born of the Virgin Mary!

In this way – a delightful thing to say, a sublime thing to contemplate – the terms of this twofold mystery are merged into one, so that Mary appears to us radiant in the light of the Eucharistic mystery;  they are merged and yet they are the two extreme points, between which is evolved and developed, the whole Catholic Dogma of the Incarnation and of the continuing life of the Church.

when we say that inthe eucharist we have the son - to jesus through mary - st john XXIII 12 may 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 12 May – “All Generations Shall Call Me Blessed”

Thought for the Day – 12 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“All Generations Shall Call Me Blessed”

she made a solemn prophecy behold all generations bacci 12 may 2020

‘A Jewish girl, poor in this world’s goods but rich in virtue, arrived after a long and difficult journey at a village in the hills of Judea, called Hebron.
There, she paid a visit to her cousin, Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth saw the girl, she was immediately enlightened by the Holy Spirit with the knowledge, that her visitor, was the Mother of God.
“How have I deserved,” she cried out, “that the mother of my Lord, should come to me?” (Lk 1:43).
At these words, Mary looked up towards Heaven and gave spontaneous expression to a hymn of humble acknowledgement to God, Who had “regarded the lowliness of His Handmaid” (Lk 1:48).
Then she made a solemn prophecy, which would surely have assured the cynical intellectuals and nobles of the land but, which history has wonderfully fulfilled.
“Behold” she said, “all generations shall call me blessed” (ibid).
We can testify today, that this miracle came to pass.
All the nations have paid reverence to the Jewish girl, who became the Mother of God and our Mother, the Queen of Heaven and earth, the comforter of the afflicted, the conqueror of Satan and the invincible Guardian of the Church.
From the engravings in the Catacombs, to the celestial Madonnas of the Angelico, from the rudimentary sculpture of Roman art, to the prayerful statues on the pinnacles of more modern Cathedrals, the image of Mary has shone as a beacon of hope for all generations.
Men bow before her and ask for light, for comfort and for pardon.
If anyone follows Mary,” says St Bernard, “he will not lose his way; if anyone pray to her, he will not despair;  if anyone thinks of her, he will not sin;  if anyone reaches out to her, he will not fall;  if anyone places himself under her protection, he need have no fear;  if anyone places himself under her leadership, he will never give up;  if anyone pays homage to her, he is certain reach his destination safely (Homil Missus est 2:17).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

if anyone follows mary - st bernard 12 may 2020

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 May – Peace

Quote/s of the Day – 12 May – “Mary’s Month” Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 14:19-28, Psalm 145:10-13, 21, John 14:27-31

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

John 14:27

john 14 27 let not your hearts be troubled - 12 may 2020

‘He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit” ‘
Lord Jesus Christ, once again grant that of us, too, there may be but “one heart and mind” (Acts 4:32) for then there will be “a great calm” (Mk 4:39).
My dear listeners, I exhort you to good will and kindness to one another and peace with all.   For were we to have charity among ourselves, we would have both peace and the Holy Spirit.   Let us undertake to become devout and pray to God… since the apostles persevered in prayer…   If we set ourselves to fervent prayer then the Holy Spirit will enter us and say:   “Peace be with you! It is ,; be not afraid” (cf. Mk 6:50)…
And what ought we to ask God for, my brethren?   For all that is for His honour and the salvation of your souls and, in a word, for the help of the Holy Spirit –   “Send forth your Spirit and they will be created” (Ps 104[103]:30) – peace and tranquillity…”

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

First Sermon for Pentecost

for were we to have charity - st francis de sales no 2 12 may 2020

“Peace is not the product of terror or fear.
Peace is not the silence of cemeteries.
Peace is not the silent result of violent repression.
Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all.
Peace is dynamism.
Peace is generosity.
It is right and it is duty.”

St Óscar Romero (1917–1980)

peace-is-not-st-oscar-romero-24-march-2019

“May the God of love and peace,
set your hearts at rest
and speed you on your journey,
may He meanwhile,
shelter you from disturbance by others,
in the hidden recesses of His love,
until He brings you, at last,
into that place of complete plenitude,
where you will repose forever,
in the vision of peace,
in the security of trust
and in the restful enjoyment of His riches.”

St Raymond of Peñafort (1175-1275)
“Father of Canon Law”

may-the-god-of-love-and-peace-st-raymond-of-penafort-7-jan-2019 and 12 may 2020

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Our Morning Offering – 12 May – Gracious Lady, Mother and Virgin

Our Morning Offering – 12 May – “Mary’s Month” Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Gracious Lady, Mother and Virgin
By St Augustine (354-430)
Doctor of Grace

Gracious Lady,
you are a Mother and Virgin.
You are the Mother of the body and soul
of our Head and Redeemer.
You are also truly Mother
of all the members
of Christ’s Mystical Body.
For through your love,
you have co-operated
in the begetting of the faithful in the Church.
Unique among women,
you are Mother and Virgin,
Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ.
You are the beauty and charm of earth, O Virgin.
You are forever, the image of the holy Church.
Through a woman came death,
through a woman came life,
yes, through you, O Mother of God.
Be with us through this life.
Amen

gracious lady mother and virgin - st augustine 12 may 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 11 May – The Search for God

Thought for the Day – 11 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Search for God

“There was a man who left home in order to travel.
For many months, he wandered on and on, sometimes along broad highways, sometimes on rocky by-roads.
Often he travelled in hail, rain and snow, often beneath a burning sun but no matter what the weather, he journeyed on and on.
He climbed the peaks of the highest mountains and came down again into the valleys.
It seemed as if his journey would never end.
One day, however, he grew very tired and sat down pensively by the side of the road.
A passer-by approached him in a friendly fashion, “You look very tired,” he said. “Have you been a long time travelling?”
“A very long time,” came the answer. “I don’t seem to have any energy left.”
“But where are you going?” his new friend enquired.
The traveller almost started.
After a moment’s consideration, he replied in a toe of wonder:  “Where am I going?   I’m afraid I don’t know!”

Many men, unfortunately, are like the traveller in this story.
They have been a long time on the road.
They can hardly remember when they first set out in search of a distant dream.
They are looking anxiously but often unconsciously, for happiness.
But they cannot find it, for happiness is a name for something greater, for God Himself.
It is God whom we must seek if we wish to find happiness.
Otherwise, our earthly journey will have no purpose and no goal.
Life is unintelligible without God.
“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord,” cried St Augustine “and our heart is restless until it rest in You” (Confessions I, 1:1).
Jesus understands the problem of our human nature.
“Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened,” He says “and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The TEN COMMANDMENTS, The WORD

Quote of the Day – 11 May – Obeying God

Quote of the Day – 11 May – “Mary’s Month” – Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 14:5-18, Psalm 115:1-2.3-4.15-16, John 14:21-26.

“Whoever does not love me, does not keep my words.”

John 14:24

john 14 24 whoever does not love me does not keep my words 11 may 2020

“If some rich and powerful friend were to enter your home,
you would quickly clean the entire house, 
for fear something there, might offend your friend’s eyes, when he entered.
Let anyone then who is preparing his inner house for God,
cleanse away the dirt of his evil deeds.
… The Lord comes into the heart
and makes His home in one,
who truly loves God
and observes His commandments…”

St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604)
Doctor of the Church

Homilies on the Gospels no 30

the lord comes into the heart and makes his home in one - st pope gregory the great 11 may 2020

“There is absolutely nothing
that gives us more peace,
or does more to make us holy,
than obeying the will of God.”

there is absolutely nothing - fr jean pierre de caussade - 30 april 2018

“We must offer ourselves to God
like a clean, smooth canvas
and not worry ourselves about
what God may choose to paint on it
but at each moment,
feel only, the stroke of His brush.”

Fr Jean Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751)

‘Abandonment to Divine Providence’

we must offer ourselves to god like a clean smooth canvas - st jean pierre de causade abandonment div prov-11may 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN PRAYERS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 11 May – Hail, O Mother!

Our Morning Offering – 11 May – “Mary’s Month” – Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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

hail o mother st john chrysostom 11 may 2020

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote of the Day – 10 May 2020 – How to get to Christ through Christ?

Quote of the Day – 10 May 2020 – The Fifth Sunday of Easter

“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 the Church

let us listen to the lord i am the way and the truth - st augustine 10 may 2020

Posted in Act of SPIRITUAL COMMUNION, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, SUNDAY REFLECTIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Sunday Reflection – 10 May – ”Lord, I am not worthy”

Sunday Reflection – 10 May – The Fifth Sunday of Easter

”Lord, I am not worthy”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

When I say, Domine, non sum dignus—”Lord, I am not worthy”—You whom I am addressing, alone understands in their fullness the words which I use.   You see how unworthy so great a sinner is to receive the One Holy God, whom the Seraphim adore with trembling.   You see, not only the stains and scars of past sins but the mutilations, the deep cavities, the chronic disorders which they have left in my soul.   You see the innumerable living sins, though they be not mortal, living in their power and presence, their guilt and their penalties, which clothe me.   You see all my bad habits, all my mean principles, all wayward lawless thoughts, my multitude of infirmities and miseries, yet You come.   You see most perfectly how little I really feel what I am now saying, yet You come.

O my God, left to myself should I not perish under the awful splendour and the consuming fire of Your Majesty.   Enable me to bear You, lest I have to say with Peter, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

o-my-god-left-to-myself-bl-john-henry-newman-27-may-2018 (1)

Act of Spiritual Communion
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor

I desire, good Jesus,
to receive Thee in Holy Communion
and since I cannot now receive Thee
in the Blessed Sacrament,
I beseech Thee to come to me spiritually
and to refresh my soul with Thy sweetness.
Come, my Lord, my God and my All!
Come to me
and never let me ever again be separated from Thee by sin.
Teach me Thy blessed ways,
help me with Thy grace to imitate Thy example,
to practise meekness, humility,
charity and all the virtues of Thy Sacred Heart.
My divine Master, my one desire is to do Thy will
and to love Thee more and more.
Help me that I may be faithful to the end in Thy service.
Bless me in life and in death,
that I may praise Thee forever in heaven,   Amen.

act of spiritual comm by st alphonsus 10 may 2020 no 4

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, SAINT of the DAY

Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A +2020 and Memorials of the Saints – 10 May

Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A +2020

St John of Avila (1499-1569) “Apostle of Andalusia”– Doctor of the Church
About St John:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/10/saint-of-the-day-10-may-st-john-of-avila-1499-1569-apostle-of-andalusia-known-as-father-master-avila-doctor-of-the-church/

St Joseph de Veuster (1840-1889) – St Damian of Molokai “The Martyr of Molokai”(Optional Memorial)
St Damian’s life:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/05/10/10-may-the-memorial-of-st-damian-de-veuster-de-molokai/

Robert Louis Stevenson and St Damian: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/05/10/blessed-memorial-of-s-damian-de-veuster-de-molokai/

St Alphius of Lentini
Bl Amalarius of Metz
Bl Antonio of Norcia
St Aurelian of Limoges
Bl Beatrix d’Este the Elder
St Blanda of Rome
St Calepodius of Rome
St Catald of Taranto
St Comgall of Bangor
St Cyrinus of Lentini
St Dioscorides of Smyrna
Blessed Enrico Rebuschini MI (1860-1938) (This video shows great images of Italy).

St Epimachus of Rome
St Felix of Rome
Bl Giusto Santgelp
St Gordian the Judge
Bl Ivan Merz (1896-1928)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/05/10/saint-of-the-day-10-may-blessed-ivan-merz-1896-1928/
Bl Nicholas Albergati
St Palmatius of Rome
St Philadelphus of Lentini
St Quartus of Capua
St Quintus of Capua
St Simplicius of Rome
St Solange of Bourges
St Thecla
Bl William of Pontnoise

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 9 May – O Blessed Lady – St Bernard

Our Morning Offering – 9 May – “Mary’s Month” – Saturday Fourth Week of Easter

O Blessed Lady,
Mediatrix and Advocate
By St Bernard (1090-1153)
Doctor of Light

Our Mediatrix and Advocate
O blessed Lady,
you found grace, brought forth the Life,
and became the Mother of Salvation.
May you obtain the grace for us to go to the Son.
By your mediation, may we be received by the One
who through you, gave Himself to us.
May your integrity compensate with Him
for the fault of our corruption;
and may your humility,
which is pleasing to God,
implore pardon for our vanity.
May your great charity
cover the multitude of our sins
and may your glorious fecundity
confer on us a fecundity of merits.
Dear Lady, our Mediatrix and Advocate,
reconcile us to your Son,
recommend us to Him,
and present us to your Son.
By the grace you found,
by the privilege you merited,
by the mercy you brought forth,
obtain for us the favour we ask of you,
O blessed Lady.
Ameno blessed lady mediatrix and advocate 9 may 2020 st bernard

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 7 May – “A servant is not greater than his master…”

Quote/s of the Day – 7 May – Thursday Fourth week of Easter, Readings: Acts 13:13-25, Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27, John 13:16-20

“A servant is not greater than his master…”

John 13:16

john 13 16 a servant is not greater than his master 7 may 2020

“It is not that I want merely,
to be called a Christian
but to actually be one.
Yes, if I prove to be one,
then I can have the name.”

St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35-c 108)
Martyr, Father of the Church

it is not that i want merely to be called a christian - st ignatius of antioch 7 may 2020

“Do not follow any road
but that which Christ trod.
This road seems hard but it is safe.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Great Western Father and Doctor of the Church

do not follow any road but that which christ trod - st augustine 7 may 2020

“There is a difference between renouncing all things and leaving all things.
For it is the way of few perfect men to leave all things,
that is, to cast behind them the cares of the world
but it is the part of all the faithful, to renounce all things,
that is, so to hold the things of the world
instead of by them being held in the world.”

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

there is a difference between renouncing all things and leaving all things st bede 18 april 2020

“‘… Choose the same things as Himself…”
That which is small and despised,
that is what He has chosen,
my Saviour and God,
who put on our flesh
to confound human fame and wealth.”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)
Monk and Theologian at Constantinople

Catechesis 78

choose the same things as himself-st theodore the studite 7 may 2020

“When it comes to following Jesus,
it’s usually not more information that we need
but more guts.”

Father Mike Schmitz

when it comes to following jesus - fr mike schmitz 7 may 2020

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for PRIESTS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The GOOD SHEPHERD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 May – ‘ … Be the shepherd of your sheep…’

Quote/s of the Day – 6 May – Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

May God bestow upon our Bishops.
all the graces needed to carry out their role in our Church!

“Give him a spirit of courage and right judgement, a spirit of knowledge and love.”

“O Christ, my God, You stooped down to me, poor straying sheep, to take me on Your shoulders (Lk 15:5) and have set me down in green pastures (Ps 23[22]:2).   You have quenched my thirst at the springs of true doctrine, through the mediation of Your pastors, whose shepherd You were, before entrusting to them Your flock…  And now, O Lord, You have called me… to serve Your disciples, by what design of Your Providence I know not, only You know.

But, Lord, lighten the heavy burden of those sins of mine that have so gravely offended You, purify my mind and heart.   Lead me by the right way (Ps 23[22]:3) as by a light enlightening me.   Enable me to proclaim Your word boldly, may Your Spirit’s tongue of flame (Acts 2:3) give perfect freedom to my tongue and make me constantly attentive to Your presence.

Be a shepherd to me, O Lord and together with me, be the shepherd of Your sheep, that my heart may not cause me to swerve either to right or to left.   Let Your good Spirit lead me in the right way, that my actions may be carried out, according to Your will – even to the end.   Amen

St John Damascene (675-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church

a pastor's prayer to the good shepherd - st john damascene 13 may 2019

“We do not really want a religion
that is right where we are right.
We want a religion that is right where we are wrong.
We do not want, as the newspapers say,
a church that will move with the world.
We want a church that will move the world.”

G K Chesterton (1874-1936)

we do not really want a religion - gk chesterton 6 may 2020

A Prayer for our Bishops

Jesus, Good Shepherd,
You sent us the Holy Spirit to guide Your Church
and lead her faithful to You,
through the ministry of the successors of Your Apostles, the Bishops.
Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,
grant to Your bishops
wisdom in leading,
faithfulness in teaching
and holiness in guarding Your sacred Mysteries.
As they cry out with all the faithful, “Our Father!”,
may Your Bishops be ever more closely identified with You in Your divine Sonship
and offer their own lives with You, the one saving Victim.
Renew in Your Bishops deeper faith,
greater trust in You,
childlike reliance on our Mother Mary
and unwavering fidelity to the Holy Father.
Holy Mary, intercede for Your bishops.

Sts Peter & Paul, pray for them.
St Andrew, pray for them.
St James, pray for them.
St John, pray for them.
St Thomas, pray for them.
St James, pray for them.
St Philip, pray for them.
St Bartholomew, pray for them.
St Matthew, pray for them.
Sts Simon & Jude, pray for them.
St Matthias, pray for them.
St Joseph, protect them.
St Michael, defend them.
St John Vianney, pray for them.
All you saints in heaven, pray for them.
Amena prayer for our bishops 6 may 2020

“The Church exists, for nothing else but to draw men into Christ,
to make them little Christs.
If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons,
even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time.
God became man for no other purpose.”

C S Lewis (1898-1963)

the church exists for nothing else = c s lewis - 16 may 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 6 May – Mother of Mercy by St Bonaventure

Our Morning Offering – 6 May – ‘Mary’s Month” – Wednesday of the Fourth week of Easter

Mother of Mercy
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Serpahic Doctor

Virgin full of goodness,
Mother of Mercy,
I entrust to you my body and soul,
my thoughts, my actions,
my life and my death.
O my Queen, help me,
and deliver me from all
the snares of the devil.
Obtain for me the grace
of loving my Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son,
with a true and perfect love,
and after Him, O Mary,
to love you with all my heart
and above all things.
Amenmother of mercy - st bonaventure - 6 may 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), SAINT of the DAY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 May – “I and the Father are one.”

Quote/s of the Day – 5 May – Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts11:19-26, Psalm 87:1-7, John 10:22-30

“I and the Father are one.”

John 10:30

john 10 30 - i and the father are one 5 may 2020

Christians are baptised “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:30). Before receiving the sacrament, they respond to a three-part question when asked to confess the Father, the Son and the Spirit: “I do.”   “The faith of all Christians rests on the Trinity”( St Caesarius of Arles).   Christians are baptised “in the name” of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – not “in their names,, for there is only one God, the almighty Father, His only Son and the Holy Spirit – the Most Holy Trinity.

The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life.   It is the mystery of God in Himself.   It is, therefore, the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them.   It is the most fundamental and essential teaching in the hierarchy of the truths of faith.   The whole history of salvation is identical with the history of the way and the means, by which the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, reveals Himself to men and reconciles and unites with Himself, those who turn away from sin. …

The Trinity is a mystery of faith in the strict sense, one of the mysteries that are hidden in God, which can never be known unless they are revealed by God.   To be sure, God has left traces of His Trinitarian Being in His work of creation and in His Revelation throughout the Old Testament.   But His inmost Being, as Holy Trinity, is a mystery that is inaccessible to reason alone, or even to Israel’s faith before the Incarnation of God’s Son and the sending of the Holy Spirit.

CCC – Catechism of the Catholic Church
# 232-234, 237

the mystery of the most holy trinity is the central mystery of christian faith and life ccc232-234 5 may 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

“…Therefore, never allow yourself to start brooding again
but always be brave and trust.
Serve your good Master with an open heart full of joy.
The right way is to see all events and all obstacles
in the spirit of faith as being in the hands of Our Lord
and to hear Him say to you, on every occasion,
as He did to the disciples
‘It is I. Do not fear. Have faith.’”

St Michael Garicoïts (1797-1863)

therefore never allow yourself to start brooding - st michel garicoits 14 may 2019

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, SAINT of the DAY, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection– 4 May – ‘…Like Matthew, therefore, follow this most devoted shepherd…’

One Minute Reflection– 4 May – ‘Mary’s Month’ -Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4, John 10:11-18 and the Memorial of Blessed Tommaso da Olera

“I am the good shepherd.   The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” … John 10:11john 10 11 - i am the good shepherd 4 may 2020

REFLECTION – “How great was this devoted shepherd’s solicitous care for the lost sheep and how great His mercy, the Good Shepherd Himself indicates with an affectionate metaphor in the parable of the shepherd and the hundredth sheep that was lost, sought with much care and finally found and joyfully brought back on His shoulders.   He openly declares the same thing in an express statement when He says: “The good shepherd gives his life for his sheep” (Jn 10:11).   In Him is truly fulfilled the prophecy: “Like a shepherd he will feed his flock” (Is 40:11).

In order to do this He endured toil, anxiety and lack of food, He travelled through towns and villages preaching the kingdom of God in the midst of many dangers and the plotting of the Pharisees and He passed the nights in watchful prayer.   Fearless of the murmuring and scandal of the Pharisees, He was affable to the publicans, saying that He had come into the world for the sake of those who are sick (Mt 9:12).   He also extended fatherly affection to the repentant, showing them the open bosom of divine mercy.

As witness to this, I call upon and summon Matthew, Zacchaeus, the sinful woman who prostrated herself at His feet and the woman taken in adultery.   Like Matthew, therefore, follow this most devoted shepherd;  like Zacchaeus receive Him with hospitality;  like the sinful woman anoint Him with ointment and wash His feet with your tears, wipe them with your hair and caress them with your kisses, so that finally, with the woman presented to Him for judgement, you may deserve to hear the sentence of forgiveness: “Has no one condemned you?  Neither will I condemn you.  Go, and sin no more” (Jn 8:10-11).” … St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Seraphic Doctor – The Tree of LifeLIKE MATTHEW THEREFORE FOLLOW THIS MOST DEVOTED SHEPHERD - ST BONAVENTURE 4 MAY 2020

PRAYER – Almighty God and Father, You have rescued Your faithful from enslavement to sin, by Your Son’s self-abasement.   You have raised up the world through His suffering. Fill us now with holy joy at His rising and triumph.   Let us hear His voice and follow Him to everlasting life.   Blessed Tommaso da Olera, you truly became a shepherd to the lowly and might, pray for us!   Our Lady Mother of our God, stay with us on our way. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.

blessed virgin mary mother of god pray for us 4 may 2020

st tommaso da clero pray for us 4 may 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 4 May – Run, hasten, O Lady – St Bernard

Our Morning Offering – 4 May – ‘Mary’ Month’ -Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter

O Lady, I Call upon You
By St Bernard (1090-1153)
Doctor of the Church

Run, hasten, O Lady,
and in your mercy help your sinful servant,
who calls upon you,
and deliver him from the hands of the enemy.
Who will not sigh to you?
We sigh with love and grief,
for we are oppressed on every side.
How can we do otherwise than sigh to you,
O solace of the miserable,
refuge of outcasts,
ransom of captives?
We are certain that when you see our miseries,
your compassion will hasten to relieve us.
O our sovereign Lady and our Advocate,
commend us to your Son.
Grant, O blessed one,
by the grace which you have merited,
that He, who through you,
was graciously pleased to become a partaker
of our infirmity and misery,
may also, through your intercession,
make us partakers, of His happiness and glory.
Ameno-lady-i-call-upon-you-st-bernard-run-hasten-o-lady-30-may-2018 and 23 dec 2019 and 26 jan 2019

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 May – ‘Let us enkindle our hearts, my friends…’

One Minute Reflection – 3 May – The Fourth Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd/Vocations Sunday, Readings: Acts 2:14, 36-41, Psalm 23:1-6, 1 Peter 2:20-25, John 10:1-10 and the Memorial of Blessed Edoardo Giuseppe Rosaz (1877-1903)

“I am the door.   If anyone enters by me, he will be saved
and will go in and out and find pasture.” … John 10:9

REFLECTION“Anyone who enters by me will be saved, he will go in out and will find pasture.”(Jn 10:9)   He will go into faith, he will go out from faith to vision, from belief to contemplation, will find pasture in eternal refreshment.

The Good Shepherd’s sheep will pasture, because whoever follows Him with a guileless heart, is nourished with a food of eternal freshness.   What are the pastures of these sheep but the eternal joys of an evergreen paradise?   The pasture of the elect, is the face of God always before us.   When we see Him perfectly, our hearts are endlessly satisfied with the food of life…

Let us seek these pastures, dearly beloved!   There we may enjoy the celebration of so many citizens.   Let the festival of those who rejoice attract us…   Let us enkindle our hearts, my friends, let our faith grow warm again for what it believes, let our desire for heavenly things take fire.   To love thus, is to be already on the way.  Anyone who is determined to reach his destination is not deterred by the roughness of the road that leads to it.   Nor must we allow the charm of success to seduce us, or we shall be like a foolish traveller who is so distracted by the pleasant meadows through which he is passing, that he forgets where he is going.”… St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) Father & Doctor of the Church – Homilies on the Gospel, no15John 10_9 I am the door - anyone who is determined to rech his destination - st pope gregory the great 3 may 2020 good shepsun 4 easter

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, bring us to the joy of Your heavenly city, so that we, Your little flock, may follow where Christ, our Good Shepherd, has gone before us, by the power of His Resurrection.   May the prayers of Bl Edoardo Giuseppe Rosaz and the Blessed Virgin, guide us, that we may always follow our Shepherd and thus reach our heavenly home, to praise Him forever. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and for all eternity, amen.mary-mother-of-god-pray-for-us-27-july-2018 and 29 march 2020

BL EDOARDO GIUSEPPE ROSAZ PRAY FOR US 3 MARY 2020

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, To JESUS through MARY

Thought for the Day – 2 May – The Intercession of Our Lady

Thought for the Day – 2 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Intercession of Our Lady

“Our Lady’s intercession is very powerful with God.
St Bernard tells us that it is the will of God, that everything comes to us through her holy hands (Sermo in Nativ BMV no 7).
He assures us, that Mary is the Mediatrix through whom we receive all favours from God (In Assump. BMV sermo 2, no 2).
Her power of intercession is the result of her divine and human motherhood.
Because she is the Mother of God, Jesus refuses her nothing;  because she is our mother, she loves us dearly and is eager to obtain from God, the spiritual favours, for which we ask.
For this reason, we should approach her with complete confidence.
St Bernard also writes:  “If anyone feels that he is overwhelmed by the tempests of this world and cannot keep an even course, let him raise his eyes towards Mary, let him remember Mary and call upon her…. In danger and in doubt, let him remember and call upon her.   Let the thought of Mary never leave his mind;  let her name never be far from his lips and from his heart …” (Super Miss. Homil 2, no 17).
In all our necessities, we should have confident recourse to our heavenly Mother.
Let us remember, however, that if we wish to be true sons of Mary and to be sure of being heard by her, we should ask especially, for spiritual graces.
Afterwards, we may ask, with equal confidence but, with resignation to God’s will, for temporal favours, provided they will not stand in the way of our eternal salvation.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRADITION, SAINT of the DAY, The RESURRECTION

Quote/s of the Day – 2 May –

Quote/s of the Day – 2 May – Saturday of the Third Week of Easter and the Memorial of St Athanasius (c 295-373) Father and Doctor of the Church “The Father of Orthodoxy”

“In ancient times, before the divine sojourn of the Saviour took place,
even to the saints, death was terrible,
all wept for the dead as though they perished.
But now, that the Saviour has raised His body,
death is no longer terrible,
for all who believe in Christ, trample on it, as it were nothing
and choose rather to die, than deny their faith in Christ.
And that devil, that once maliciously exulted in death,
now that its pains were loosed,
remained the only one truly dead.”

but now that the saviour has raised his body - st athanasius 2 may 2020

“In death, the Word made a spotless sacrifice and oblation of the body He had taken.   By dying for others, He immediately banished death for all mankind.”

On the Incarnation

in death the word made a spotless - st athanasius - 2 may 2019

“But what is also to the point, let us note that the very tradition, teaching and faith of the Catholic Church from the beginning was preached by the Apostles and preserved by the Fathers. On this the Church was founded – and if anyone departs from this, he neither is, nor any longer ought to be called, a Christian.”

but-what-is-also-to-the-point-let-us-note-st-athanasius-2-may-2019

“Christians, instead of arming themselves
with swords,
extend their hands in prayer.”

St Athanasius (c 295-373)

christians instaed of arming themselves - st athanasius 2 may 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 2 May – “You have the words of eternal life”

One Minute Reflection – 2 May – “Mary’s Month” – Saturday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 9:31-42, Psalm 116:12-17, John 6:60-69

“You have the words of eternal life” …. John 6:68

REFLECTION: “To whom shall we go?” Peter asks.   In other words:  “Who else will instruct us in the divine mysteries the way you do?” or, “To whom shall we go to find anything better? You have the words of eternal life.”   They are not hard words, as those other disciples say but words, that will bring us to the loftiest goal unceasing, endless life removed from all corruption.   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. …

That the desire to follow Christ alone and to be with Him always, is a good thing leading to our salvation, is entirely self-evident, yet we may learn this from the Old Testament as well.   When the Israelites had shaken off Egyptian tyranny and were hastening toward the promised land, God did not allow them to make disorderly marches, nor did the Lawgiver let each one go where he would, for without a guide they should undoubtedly have lost the way completely. … Keeping with their guide was the Israelites’ salvation then, just as not leaving Christ is ours now.   For He was with those people of old under the form of the tabernacle, the cloud and the fire (Ex 13:21; 26:1f) …

“Whoever serves me must follow me, so as to be with me wherever I am” (Jn 12:26) …  But accompanying the Saviour Christ and following Him is by no means to be thought of as something done by the body.   It is accomplished rather by deeds springing from virtue. Upon such virtue the wisest disciples firmly fixed their minds….  With good reason they cried out, “Where can we go?”   It was as though they said:  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!”   (Ps 118[119]:103).” … St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) – Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on Saint John’s Gospel, 4, 4John 6 68 - these words sure make quite obvious to us - sy cyril of alex 2 may 2020

PRAYER – Mould our minds and our hearts, we pray You Lord, by the union of Your Son and His Church.   As we belong to You, You joined us to Your Son to become one with Him.   May we always strive to live up to this union and may we make our lives, a constant sharing, in Christ’s death and Resurrection.   May His Mother give us her heart, to love Him as she does.   We make our prayer through Him and in Him and with Him, in the union of the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.mary-mother-of-god-pray-for-us-11-may-2019 and 2 may 2020