“Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust and kindles the true light of chastity. Enter again into yourself!”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“Arm yourself with prayer instead of a sword; be clothed with humility instead of fine raiment.”
St Dominic OP (1170-1221)
“What great profit you gain from God when you are generous! You give a coin and receive a Kingdom; you give bread from wheat and receive the Bread of Life; you give a transitory good and receive an everlasting one. You will receive it back, a hundred times more than you offered.”
Ash Wednesday – 18 February – Our Lenten Journey With St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Doctor of the Church
Ash Wednesday : Death
“By one man sin entered into this world and by sin death.” – Romans v. 12.
If for some wrongdoing a man is deprived of some benefit once given to him, that he should lack that benefit is the punishment of his sin.
Now, in man’s first creation he was divinely endowed with this advantage that, as long as his mind remained subject to God, the lower powers of his soul were subjected to the reason and the body was subjected to the soul.
But because by sin man’s mind moved away from its subjection to God, it followed that the lower parts of his mind ceased to be wholly subjected to the reason. From this there followed such a rebellion of the bodily inclination against the reason, that the body was no longer wholly subject to the soul.
Whence followed death and all the bodily defects. For life and wholeness of body are bound up with this, that the body is wholly subject to the soul, as a thing which can be made perfect is subject to that which makes it perfect. So it comes about that, conversely, there are such things as death, sickness and every other bodily defect, for such misfortunes are bound up with an incomplete subjection of body to soul.
The rational soul is of its nature immortal and, therefore, death is not natural to man insofar as man has a soul. It is natural to his body, for the body, since it is formed of things contrary to each other in nature, is necessarily liable to corruption and, it is in this respect, that death is natural to man.
But God who fashioned man is all powerful. And hence, by an advantage conferred on the first man, He took away that necessity of dying which was bound up with the matter of which man was made. This advantage was, however, withdrawn through the sin of our first parents.
Death is then natural, if we consider the matter of which man is made and it is a penalty, inasmuch as it happens through the loss of the privilege whereby man was preserved from dying.
Sin – Original Sin and actual sin – is taken away by Christ, that is to say, by Him Who is also the remover of all bodily defects. He shall quicken also your mortal bodies because of His Spirit Who dwelleth in you (Romams viii. II).
But, according to the order appointed by a wisdom which is Divine, it is at the time which best suits, when Christ takes away both the one and the other, i.e., both sin and bodily defects.
Now it is only right that, before we arrive at that glory of impassibility and immortality which began in Christ and which was acquired for us through Christ, we should be shaped after the pattern of Christ’s sufferings. It is then only right that Christ’s liability to suffer should remain in us too, for a time, as a means of our coming to the impassibility of glory in the way He himself came to it.
ST THOMAS AQUINAS (1225-1274) Priest, Theologian, Dominican Doctor Angelicus (Angelic Doctor) Doctor Communis (Common Doctor) Added by Pope Saint Pius V in 1568
St Honestus of Nimes St John III of Constantinople
St Julian of Egypt
St Juliana (Died c305) Virgin Martyr of Nicomedia
Blessed Mariano Arciero
St Maruta (Died 415) Bishop, Confessor, Theologian, Writer, honoured in the Syrian Rite Church as a Doctor of the Church. He was a friend of Saint John Chrysostom and acted as an Ambassador between the East Roman Emperor and the Persian Emperor. His Saintly Life: https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/16/saint-of-the-day-16-february-saint-maruta-died-c-415/
Martyrs of Cilicia – 12 Saints: A group of Christians who ministered to other Christians who were condemned to work the mines of Cilicia in the persecutions of Maximus. They were arrested, tortured and martryed by order of the governor Firmilian. They were Daniel, Elias, Isaias, Jeremy, Samuel. The group also includes the three known have been sentenced to the mines – Pamphilus, Paul of Jamnia, Valens of Jerusalem and those who were exposed as Christians as a result of these murders – Julian of Cappadocia, Porphyrius of Caesarea, Seleucius of Caesarea, Theodule the Servant. They were Martyred in 309 in Cilicia, Asia Minor (in modern Turkey).
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Our Morning Offering – 15 February – Quinquagesima Sunday
Grant Us This Day, O Lord By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus Doctor Communis
Grant us this day, O Lord a vigilant heart, that no alien thought can lure away from Thee, a pure heart. that no unworthy love can soil, an upright heart, that no crooked intentions can lead astray. And give us Lord, understanding to know Thee, zeal to seek Thee, wisdom to find Thee and a hope, that will one day take hold of Thee. Amen
Saint of the Day – 17 December – Saint Yolanda (c1231-c1283) OP Virgin, Nun of the Order of Preachers, the daughter of the Count of Vianden. Also known as – Yolande, Iolanda, … of Vianden.
Yolanda life is famously recorded in the epic poem “Yolanda von Vianden” written by Friar Hermann of Veldenz OP which is one of only two works we have from him, the other being a prose account Vita of her life.
This poem recounts how, as a young girl, she wished to become a Nun but her parents wished her to make a good marriage. Indeed, her mother had hoped to arrange a marriage to the noble Walram of Monschau, in order to consolidate the influence of the Counts of Vianden, especially in their relations with the Counts of Luxembourg.
In 1245, when Yolanda was 14, her mother, the Marchioness Marguerite of Courteney, brought Yolanda along as her companion on a visit to the Dominican Monastery of Marienthal, where Yolanda unexpectedly fled into the protection of its cloister and gained admission as a Novice.
A year later, in 1236, her mother returned, now with the armed support of several noblemen, threatening to destroy the Monastery unless Yolanda agreed to leave. The girl was thus persuaded to return to Vianden where her parents once again attempted to change her wishes by keeping her in Vianden Castle. But Yolanda did not waver. If anything, she became more steadfast and reinforced in her views through discussions with well-known Dominican Friars such as Walter von Meisemburg and St. Albertus Magnus.
Finally, even her mother relented and agreed that Yolanda should return to Marienthal. Entering a life of prayer and charity, Yolanda developed in her monastic life through the years and, in 1258, was eventually elected the Monastery’s Prioress. She remained there until hr death 25 years later in c1283. Her mother also joined the Monastery after the death of her husband during a Crusade (1252).
There is little remaining evidence of the life of Yolanda apart from a skull, said to be hers which is displayed at the Church of the Trinitarians in Vianden. As the monastery was closed in the 18th Century, there is no trace of her there today.
Yolanda’s steadfast resolve to leave the riches and privileges of the nobility in favouur of an austere and devout life in a monastery was as sensational as it was inspiring. ,no doubt explains why Friar Hermann was inspired to write her life story and why she has become such a revered Saint, above all, for Luxembourgish women.
St Begga of Ardenne (c613-693) Widow, Mother of 3 children, Founder of Churches and a Monastery of which she became the first Abbess. Patronages – Ardenne, against stuttering and of stutterers. he Roman Martyrology reads: “At Ardenne, at the Seven Churches, St Begga Widow, sister of St Gertrude of Nivelles.” St Begga’s Holy Life: https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/17/saint-of-the-day-17-december-saint-begga-of-ardenne-c613-693-widow/
St Yolanda (c1231-c1283)OP Virgin, Nun of the Order of Preachers
Martyrs of Eleutheropolis – (60+ Martyrs-Beati): Approximately 60 Christian soldiers in the imperial Roman army of emperor Heraclius; they were murdered as a group for their faith by invading Saracen Muslims. We know the names of two of them – Calaoicus and Florian. 638 in Eleutheropolis (Beit Jibrin), Palestine.
Quote/s of the Day – 14 December – Advent III, Gaudete Sunday – “Rejoice!”
“Gaudéte in Dómino semper”
“Rejoice in the Lord always”
Philippians 4:4
“The very Son of God, Older than the ages, the Invisible, the Incomprehensible, the Incorporeal, the Beginning of beginning, the Light of light, the Fountain of Life and Immortality, the Image of the Archetype, the Immovable Seal, the Perfect Likeness, the Definition and Word of the Father: He it is, Who comes to His Own Image and takes our nature, for the Good of our nature and unites Himself to an intelligent soul for the good of the soul, to purify like by Like.”
St Gregory of Nazianzen (330-390) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Awake, you who lie in the dust, awake and give praise. Behold, the Lord comes with salvation. He comes with salvation! He comes with unction, He comes with glory. Jesus cannot come without salvation, Christ cannot come without unction, nor the Son of God without glory. For He Himself is Salvation, He is Unction, He is Glory, as it is written, ‘A wise Son is the Glory of His Father.‘”
St Bernard (1090-1153) Father & MellifluousDoctor of the Church
“Rejoice and be happy! Persevere to the end and prefer to die rather than abandon the post, to which God has called you!”
Thought for the Day – 7 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
TRUE WISDOM
“According to Christian teaching, both knowledge and wisdom, properly understood, are gifts of the Holy Ghost. Only the Light and Grace of the Holy Ghost, can enable us to comprehend the Truth which, in its plenitude, is God Himself and to appreciate the vanity of human things, as long as they are not ordained to their final end which is God and the everlasting life of happiness.
St Thomas Aquinas holds that human and earthly things are the proper object of science, insofar however, as they ought to be directed towards God. “The man who has a correct approach to science, regards creatures as ordained to God, does not value them for more than they are worth and does not permit them to constitute the purpose of his life” (Summa Theologiae II-II q9 a4). “All creatures are ordained to God and to His glory,” he writes elsewhere, “in that they manifest the Divine Goodness in themselves; they are, moreover, the means to everlasting happiness” (Quaestiones disputate, De Caritate q1 a7).
Nature maybe said to be a sacrament which enables us to gain experience of God (Summa Theologiae III q60 a2 ad1). This is how knowledge becomes wisdom which is not content merely to have a proper estimation of human objects but, proceeds to penetrate, with the assistance of Revelation and of Grace, into the transcendent Mysteries of the Divinity. Wisdom, moreover, guides the will and the heart, as well as the intellect. It is practical, as well as speculative, for it directs our actions, as well as our thoughts towards God. Like the Saints, we should be guided entirely by this true intellectual and practical wisdom. “Grant me, O Lord, celestial wisdom,” we should pray with the Author of The Imitation of Christ, “that I may learn, above all things, to seek Tbee and to find Thee; above all things, to relish Thee and to love Thee and to understand, all other things, as they are, according to the order of Thy Wisdom!” (Bk III c27).”
Quote/s of the Day – 6 December – Hebrews 13:7-17; Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“To one He gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one— to each according to his ability. …”
Matthew 25:15
“And he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more.
Matthew 25:16
“God is Good but He is also Just… So do not underestimate God – His love for men should not become a pretext, for negligence on our part.”
St Basil the Great (329-379) Father and Doctor of the Church
“For the man who is kindly, modest, merciful and just, will not keep his good works to himself but will see to it that these admirable fountains, send out their streams, for the good of others. Again, the man who is clean of heart, a peacemaker and ardent for truth, will order his life, so as to contribute to the common good.”
St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Whatever He receives on earth, He returns in Heaven.”
St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)
“O God, grant that whatever good things I have, I may share generously with those who have not and whatever good things, I do not have, I may request humbly, from those who do.”
Thought for the Day – 4 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
TRUE LOVE of SELF
“St Thomas Aquinas writes that man genuinely loves himself, when he directs all his activities towards God (Summa Theologiae I-II, q 100 a 5 ad 1). True self-love, then, consists in dedicating all our thoughts and actions to God, Who is our highest and only true good.
Anything which does not lead us to God, is vain and useless. Anything which keeps us away from God, separates us from our true good and, therefore, leads us towards everlasting spiritual ruin. We should love ourselves then, by loving ourselves in God and for God. If we fail to do this, we hate, rather than love ourselves because, we make folly, sin and eternal damnation, the objects of our lives. Christianity, we may now conclude, cannot be said to condemn self-love. It does not condemn it but simply purifies it.
The Church has always been opposed to any form of Quietism or Puritanism which would advocate the pure and disinterested love of God to the extent, of excluding, any thought of our own happiness, as the reward of our actions. As if it would be possible to love God, when one had lost Him! On the contrary, if we love God in Himself and above all things, we love ourselves too because, only in loving God, can we achieve our own perfect happiness. The pure love of God does not exclude self-love but, elevates and completes it.”
Thought for the Day – 27 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Blessedness of the Pure of Heart
“Let us conclude this meditation with an appropriate prayer of St Thomas Aquinas.
“Make my heart watchful, O God, so that no vain thoughts may distract it from Thee. Make it noble, so that it may never be seduced by any base affection. Make it steadfast, so that troubles may not dismay it. Make it free, so that it may not yield to the onslaughts of passion. Grant me, my God, the intelligence, to understand Thee, the love, to seek Thee, the wisdom, to find Thee, words, to please Thee, the perseverance, to wait faithfully for Thee and, the hope of embracing Thee, at last. Grant that I, a repentant sinner, may bear Thy chastisements with resignation. Poor pilgrim which I am, may I draw on the treasury of Thine grace and may I one day, be eternally happy with Thee in Heavnely glory! Amen.”
Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces (1921): In 1921 Pope Benedict XV instituted 8 November as the Feast Day of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces. A text by St Louis Grignion de Montfort expresses this truth admirably: “Only Mary found grace before God (Luke 1:30) without the help of any other creature. And after her, all those who found grace before God, found it only through her. Mary was full of grace when the Archangel Gabriel saluted her (Luke 1:28) and was filled with grace when the Holy Ghost so mysteriously overshadowed her (Luke 1:35). From day to day, from moment to moment, she increased, so much. this twofold plenitude that she attained an immense and inconceivable degree of grace. So much so, that the Almighty made of her, the sole custodian of His treasures and sole dispenser of all His graces, so that she might ennoble, exalt and enrich all she chooses. She can lead them along the narrow path to Heaven and guide them through the narrow gate to Life. She can give a royal throne, scepter and crown to whomever she wishes. Jesus is always and everywhere, the Fruit and Son of Mary, and Mary is everywhere, the true tree who bears the Fruit of Life, the true Mother, who bears that Son!” – St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716) (True Devotion to Mary No 44)
Four Holy Crowned Martyrs: Saint Castorus, Saint Claudius, Saint Nicostratus and Saint Simpronian. Skilled stone carvers in the 3rd century quarries. Martyred when they refused to carve an idol of Aesculapius for Diocletian. They were drowned in the River Sava in 305. Patronages – against fever, cattle, sculptors, stone masons, stonecutters.
All Deceased Dominicans All Saints of Bologna, Italy All Saints of Wales Augustinian Martyrs of Spain
All Saints of the Diocese of Evry: A regional memorial of all the Saints and Beati of the calendar who have a connection to the Diocese of Evry-Corbeil-Essonnes, France:
Blessed Isabella of France, founded the Longchamp monastery
Blessed Nicolas Gaudreau, pastor of Vert-le-Petit
Blessed Pierre Bonse, pastor of Massy
Our Lady of Good Guard, patron saint of the diocese, venerated in Longpont-sur-Orge, France
Saint Corbinian, born in Saint-Germain-lès-Arpajon
Saint Denis of Paris, evangelizer of part of Essonne and revered ni Longpont-sur-Orge
Saint Eloi, who lived in Chilly-Mazarin
Saint Germain of Paris
Saint William of Bourges, son of Count Baldwin IV of Corbeil
Saint William of Aebelholt, pastor of Brunoy
Saint Wulfran of Sens, born in Milly-la-Forêt
Blessed Nativelle, vicar of Longjumeau
Blessed René Le Bris, pastor of Bris-sous-Forges
Saint Spire of Bayeux, whose relics are in Corbeil in the cathedral that bears his name
Quote/s of the Day – 7 November – The Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers
St Dominic’s Blessing By St Dominic de Guzman OP (1170-1221)
May God the Father, Who made us, bless us. May God the Son, send His healing among us. May God the Holy Ghost, move within us and give us eyes to see with, ears to hear with, and hands, with which Thy work, might be done. May we walk and preach the Word of God to all. May the Angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last, by God’s grace, to the Kingdom. Amen
“Whoever devoutly serves the Blessed Virgin through the recitation of the Rosary, will infallibly, receive blessings according to their spiritual and temporal needs.”
“None who persevered in devotion to the Holy Rosary, will be condemned.”
St Dominic OP (1170-1221)
“Saint Joseph was the just man: by his constant fidelity -an effect of justice; by his perfect discretion – a sister to prudence; by his upright conduct – a mark of strength and by his inviolable chastity – a flower of temperance.”
“The greater and more persistent your confidence in God, the more abundantly you will receive, all you ask for.”
St Albert the Great OP (1200-1280) Universal Doctor of the Church
“The Blessed Virgin was chosen to be the Mother of God and, therefore, it is not to be doubted, but that God fitted her for it by His graces.”
St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis
“In the case, in which, the Pope would become a heretic, he would find himself, by that fact, alone and, without any other sentence, separated from the Church. A head separated from a body cannot, as long as it remains separated, be head of the same body from which it was cut off. A Pope, who would be separated from the Church by heresy, therefore, would, by that very fact itself, cease to be head of the Church. He could not be a heretic and remain Pope because, since he is outside of the Church, he cannot possess the keys of the Church.”
St Antoninus OP (1389-1459)
“If you persevere in reciting the Rosary, this will be a most probable sign of your eternal salvation.”
The Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers: “Fountain of all holiness, You stirred up in our holy brothers and sisters an extraordinary love of truth, conformity to Christ Crucified and a thirst for the salvation of souls: may we imitate them in offering You thanksgiving on account of the way of life they gave us.” — From the Intercessions at Lauds for the Feast of All Saints of the Order of Preachers. HERE: https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/07/thought-for-the-day-7-november-feast-of-all-dominican-saints/
St Achillas (Died 313) Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, Confessor, Scholar particularly in Philosophy and Theology. Bishop St Theonas had Ordained him to the Priesthood and appointed Achillas as the Head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria upon the departure of St Pierius, for Rome, who we celebrated on 4 November. Born in Alexandria, Egypt and died there in 313 of natural causes. The Roman Martyrology states of him today: “At Alexandria, blessed Achillas, a Bishop renowned for erudition, faith and purity of life.” His Holy Life: https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/07/saint-of-the-day-7-november-saint-achillas-died-313-bishop-confessor/
St Amarand St Amaranthus
Blessed Anthony Baldinucci SJ (1665-1717) Priest of the Society of Jesus, Preacher, Writer and Missionary. Fr Baldinucci was Beatified by Pope Leo XIII on 25 March 1893. His Zealous Life: tps://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/07/saint-of-the-day-blessed-anthony-baldinucci-s-j-1665-1717/
St Athenodorus of Neo-Caesarea St Auctus of Amphipolis St Baud of Tours St Blinlivet St Congar
St Gebetrude A(Died c680)bbess of Remiremont St Herculanus of Perugia St Hesychius of Mytilene St Hieron of Mytilene Bl Hyacinth Castañeda Puchasons St Lazarus the Stylite
St Nicander of Mytilene Bl Peter Ou St Prosdocimus (2nd Century) Bishop and Confessor of Padua St Prosdocimus of Rieti St Raverranus of Séez St Rufus Bishop and Confessor of Metz St Taurion of Amphipolis St Thessalonica of Amphipolis St Tremorus of Brittany
Quote/s of the Day – 3 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” and the Feast of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
The Doctrine of Purgatory by Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva Doctor of Charity of the Church
From “The Catholic Controversy“ (originally published by Burns and Oates, London 1886) Translated by Rev Henry Benedict Mackey OSB (19th Century) English Canon of the Isle of Wight
Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory By St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35-c 108) Apostolic Father of the Church
Receive in tranquility and peace, O Lord, the souls of Thy servants, who have departed this present life to come to Thee. Grant them rest and place them in the habitations of Light, the abodes of blessed spirits. Give them the life that will not age, good things that will not pass away, delights that have no end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
“ … Yet only grant me repentance here below That I may make reparation for my sins, … That these tears may extinguish the blazing furnace With its burning flames. …
And, instead of acting like the merciless, Set merciful compassion within me, That, by showing mercy to the poor, I may obtain Your mercy.”
St Nerses Chnorhali (1102-1173) Armenian Bishop
“The more one longs for a thing, the more painful does deprivation of it become. And because, after this life, the desire for God, the Supreme Good, is intense in the souls of the just – (because this impetus toward Him, is not hampered by the weight of the body and that time of enjoyment, of the Perfect Good, would have come) had there been no obstacle. The soul suffers enormously, from the delay.”
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Angelic Doctor
“If, during life, we have been kind to the suffering Souls in Purgatory, God will ensure that help be not denied us, after death.”
St Paul of the Cross (1694-1775)
“The Holy Souls must sometimes think, reproachfully, how little their friends on earth do to aid them in their present sufferings. Among many other methods of aiding them, I can offer up for them all the pains of mind and body which God sends me, asking God to accept them in alleviation of the sufferings of the holy souls. This will help me to be patient and to suffer willingly and, when my time comes, I shall find that patient suffering for others, will shorten my time of banishment from God, in the fires of Purgatory.”
“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:8
“You say in your book that while we live, we are able to pray for each other but afterwards, when we have died, the prayer of no person for another, can be heard. But if the Apostles and Martyrs, while still in the body, can pray for others, at a time, when they ought still to be solicitous, about themselves, how much more will they do so, after their crowns, victories and triumphs!?”
St Jerome (343-420) Father and Doctor of the Church
“I feel a longing and a need to become a Saint. I did not know it was so easy to become one but now I see one can be holy and happy too. I feel I simply MUST become a Saint!”
St Dominic (1170-1221)
“Dismiss all anger and look into yourself a little. Remember, he of whom you are speaking, is your brother and, as he is in the way of salvation, God can make him a Saint, in spite of his present weakness!”
St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555)
“Let us read the lives of the Saints; let us consider the penances which they performed and blush to be so effeminate and so fearful of mortifying our flesh.”
St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
“The chance to become a Saint is offered me only once. If I do not profit by it, it is gone forever. Since I can have only once , the good fortune to become a Saint, what shall hinder me from labouring for that end? I have every opportunity to sanctify myself. Yes, I will be a Saint!”
Quote/s of the Day – 31 October – The Vigil of All Saints – Apocalypse 5:6-12 – Luke 6:17-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Blessed are you poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours …”
Luke 6:20
“Govern my heart O Lord, lest it drift into useless and disordered thoughts. Do not permit me to become excessively preoccupied with anything at all, even matters and concerns which are useful and good in themselves. Temper the affections of my soul, so that I may neither love, nor hate anything, in a way which exceeds due proportions. Let me neither rejoice, nor be saddened, beyond the measure which is fitting and rational.”
St Albert the Great (1200-1280) Universal Doctor of the Church
“Do not fix your longings on anything which you do not possess; do not let your heart rest in that which you have; do not grieve overmuch, at the losses which may happen to you – and then, you may reasonably believe that although rich in fact, you are not so in affection but that you are poor in spirit and, therefore, blessed, for the Kingdom of Heaven is yours.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis
“Be brave and try to detach your heart from worldly things. Do your utmost to banish darkness from your mind and come to understand what true, selfless piety is. Through confession, endeavour to purify your heart of anything which may still taint it. Enliven your faith which is essential to understand and achieve piety.”
Quote/s of the Day – 30 October – Ferial Day – Ephesians 5:15-21 –John 4:46-53 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And himself believed and his whole house.”
John 4:53
“So that our minds might be free of these illusions, the Word invites us to shake this deep sleep from the eyes of our soul, so that we might not slip away from the true realities, by becoming attached to that which has no consistency. That is why He suggests that we be watchful when He says: “Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning …” (Lk 12:35) For when the light shines before our eyes, it chases sleep away and, when our loins are held tight by a belt, they prevent the body from succumbing to it… The person who has fastened on the belt of temperance lives in the light of a pure conscience; the trust of a child illuminates his life like a lamp… If we live in this way, we will enter a life, like that of the Angels!”
St Gregory of Nyssa (c335–c395) Father of the Church (Brother of St Basil the Great)
“He pours light into our minds, arouses our desire and gives us strength… As the soul is the life of the body, so the Holy Ghost is the life of our souls.”
St Peter Damian (1007-1072) Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church
“Believing is: an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth, by command of the will, moved by God through grace.”
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus. Doctor Communis
“Do you also wish to go away?” He asked. It was then that Simon Peter made his memorable reply, “Lord, to whom shall be go? Thou hast the words of everlasting life.” (Jn 6:68-69). We also may experience, at times, a sense of uncertainty concerning the words of Jesus Christ. There are such tremendous mysteries in the Christian religion. But, a religion which contained no mysteries could scarcely be true. There are mysteries of nature surrounding us and within us. How can we imagine that there are no mysteries in God, the supreme and most perfect Being? Could it be possible for our petty intellects fully to comprehend God in Himself and in His revelation? Let us bow our heads, therefore, before the mysteries of the Divinity. Let us adore God and repeat with St Peter: We cannot go away from You, O God because You have the words of everlasting life.”
Quote/s of the Day – 21 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”
Remember the Angels especially during October
“See, I am sending My Angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared.”
Exodus 23:20
“It was pride which changed Angels into devils; it is humility which makes men as Angels!”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“We are like children, who stand in need of masters, to enlighten us and direct us and God has provided for this, by appointing His Angels, to be our teachers and guides.”
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis
“The good Angels are around you, like a company of Sentinels on guard!”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis
“The powers of hell will assail the dying Christian but his Angel Guardian will come to console him. His Patrons and St Michael, who has been appointed by God to defend his faithful servants, in their last combat with the devils, will come to his aid.”
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
“Nor then do thou leave me, Angelical friend! But at the tribunal Of Judgement attend And cease not to plead For my soul, till, forgiven, Thou bear it aloft To the Palace of Heaven!”
From “Sweet Angel of Mercy!” By Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)
Quote/s of the Day – 14 October – St Callistus I (c218- c223) Confessor, Pope, Martyr (and remembering St Bernard our Pilgrim today) – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. ”
Matthew 16:16
“Arise my soul and review your deeds which have preceded you. Scrutinize them closely and shed the rain of your tears, declaring openly to Christ, our thoughts and deeds so that you may be justified.”
St Andrew of Crete (660-740) Bishop, Father of the Church
“We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.”
St Clare (1194-1253)
“The greater and more persistent your confidence in God, the more abundantly you will receive, all you ask for.”
St Albert the Great (1200-1280) Universal Doctor of the Church
“Now it is that we are to show an invincible courage towards our Saviour, serving Him purely for the love of His Will, not only without pleasure but amid this deluge of sorrows, horrors, distresses and assaults, as did his glorious Mother and St John, upon the day of His Passion. Amongst so many blasphemies, sorrows and deadly distresses, they remained constant in love …”
Quote/s of the Day – 13 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Our Lady of Fatima: The Sixth & Final Apparition
“None who persevered in devotion to the Holy Rosary, will be condemned.”
St Dominic (1170-1221)
“You must know that when you ‘hail’ Mary, she immediately greets you! Do not think that she is one of those rude women of whom there are so many, on the contrary, she is utterly courteous and pleasant. If you greet her, she will answer you right away and converse with you!”
St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)
“If you persevere in reciting the Rosary, this will be a most probable sign of your eternal salvation.”
Blessed Alain de la Roche OP (1428-1475)
“Let not even one day pass without saying the Holy Rosary, no matter how burdened with many cares and labours you may be!”
Quote/s of the Day – 9 October – St John Leonardi (1541-1609) Confessor, Priest, Founder and St Louis Bertrand (1526-1581) Confessor, Missionary, “Apostle of South America”
“The medicine of God is Jesus Christ, Crucified and Risen.”
St Aron of Kracow St Abraham the Patriarch St Alfanus of Salerno St Andronicus of Antioch St Athanasia of Antioch Bl Bernard of Rodez St Demetrius of Alexandria St Deusdedit of Montecassino St Domninus St Dorotheus of Alexandria
St Goswin Bl Gunther St Lambert St Publia (4th Century) Widow, Abbess St Sabinus of the Lavedan St Valerius
Martyrs of Laodicea – Three Christians Martyred together in Laodicea but no other information about them has survived but their names – Didymus, Diodorus and Diomedes. They Died in Laodicea, Syria.
Quote/s of the Day – 1 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”
The Fifteen Promises is a tradition held by the Order of Preachers, that the Blessed Virgin Mary made Fifteen specific Promises through Saint Dominic (1170-1221) and Blessed Alain de la Roche (1428-1475), to those who faithfully pray the Rosary.
The 15 Promises of The Most Holy Rosary Given by The Blessed Virgin Mary
1.Those who faithfully serve me, by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces. 2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces, to all those who shall recite the Rosary. 3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell. 4. It will destroy vice, decrease sin and defeat heresies. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish. It will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God. It will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means. 5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish. 6. Whoever shall recite my Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its Sacred Mysteries, shall never be conquered and never overwhelmed by misfortune. God shall not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death Sinners shall convert. The just shall grow in grace and become worthy of eternal life. 7. Whoever shall have a true devotion to the Holy Rosary, shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church. 8. Those who are faithful, in reciting the Rosary, shall have, during their life and at their death, the Light of God and the plenitude of His graces. At the moment of death, they shall participate in the merits of the Saints in paradise. 9. I shall deliver from Purgatory, those who have been devoted to the Rosary. 10. The faithful children of the Rosary, shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven. 11. You shall obtain all you ask of me, by the recitation of the Rosary. 12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary, shall be aided by me, in their necessities. 13. I have obtained from my Divine Son, that all the advocates of the Rosary, shall have for intercessors, the entire Celestial Court during their life and at the hour of death. 14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons and brothers of my only Son, Jesus Christ. 15. Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.
“The Rosary, recited with meditation on the mysteries, brings about the following marvellous results:
It gradually gives us a perfect knowledge of Jesus Christ;
It purifies our souls, washing away sin;
It gives us victory over all our enemies;
It makes it easy for us to practice virtue;
It sets us on fire with love of Our Blessed Lord;
It enriches us with graces and merits;
It supplies us with what is needed to pay, all our debts to God and to our fellow men and finally, it obtains all kinds of graces for us from Almighty God.”
Saint of the Day – 8 September – BlessedAlanus de Rupe OP (c1428-1475) Priest and friar of the Order of Preachers, “Apostle of the Holy Rosary” Theologian, Professor, renowned Preacher, Missionary and Mystic. Born in c1428 in Sizun, Brittany, France and died on 8 September in 1475, in Zwolle, Netherlands. Patronage – of Zwolle, Netherlands. Also known as – Alain de la Roche, Alan de Rupe, Alan de la Roche, Alan the Breton, Alano de la Roca, Alanus Rupe
Some writers claim him as a native of Germany, others of Belgium but his disciple, Fr Cornelius Sneek OP (1455–1534), says he was born in Brittany. He is especially notable for his contributions to devotion to the Holy Rosary. According to tradition, the devotion to the Holy Rosary had been neglected and forgotten in most of Europe in the centuries after Saint Dominic established it and Alan is credited with re-establishing, increasing and spreading this most loved of all our devotions.
Alanus entered the Dominican Order in 1459 at age thirty-one. While pursuing his studies at Saint Jacques, in Paris, he distinguished himself in philosophy and theology.
From 1459 to 1475 he taught almost uninterruptedly at Paris, Lille, Douay, Ghent and Rostock in Germany, where, in 1473, he was made Master of Sacred Theology. During his sixteen years of teaching, he became a most renowned preacher.
He was indefatigable in what he regarded as his special mission, the preaching, spreading and re-establishment of the Holy Rosary which he did with tremendous success throughout northern France, Flanders and the Netherlands. In around 1470, A;amus established a Confraternity of the Psalter of the Glorious Virgin Mary which was instrumental in disseminating the Holy Rosary throughout Europe.
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Alanus published nothing during his lifetime,but immediately after his death, the brethren of his Province were commanded to collect his writings for publication. In 1859, a list of his writings was compiled.
“It was Blessed Alanus de Rupr, one of the first disciples of Saint Dominic, who co-ordinated the Rosary and enriched it by adding meditations, as well as the life of Jesus and Mary. He called it the Holy Rosary because it resembled a bouquet of roses placed at the feet of the Virgin.” (website of the Diocese of Meaux).
St Adrian (Died 306) Confessor, Lay Martyr, Royal Court Guard in Roman Imperial Court at Nicomedia in Asia-Minor during the time of Emperor Maximian in the early 4th Century. Patronages – against the plague/epidemics, against epilepsy, arms dealers, butchers, guards, soldiers. The Roman Martyrology reads this day: “At Nicomedia, St Adrian, with twenty three other Martyrs, who ended their Martyrdom on the 4th day of March by having their limbs crushed, after enduring many torments, under the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. Their remains were carried to Byzantium by the Christians and buried with due honours. Afterwards, the body of St Adrian was taken to Rome on this day, on which his festival is celebrated.” His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/08/saint-of-the-day-8-september-st-adrian-died-306-confessor-martyr/
BlessedAlanus de Rupe OP (c1428-1475) Priest, “Apostle of the Holy Rosary”
Martyrs of Alexandria – 5 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian – Ammon, Dio, Faustus, Neoterius and Theophilus. Martyred in Alexandria, Egypt.
Martyrs of Japan – (21 Beati: A group of 21 Missionaries and Converts, who were executed together for their faith. They were: Antonio of Saint Bonaventure, Antonio of Saint Dominic, Dominicus Nihachi, Dominicus of Saint Francis, Dominicus Tomach, Francisco Castellet Vinale, Franciscus Nihachi, Ioannes Imamura, Ioannes Tomachi, Laurentius Yamada, Leo Aibara, Lucia Ludovica, Ludovicus Nihachi, Matthaeus Alvarez Anji, Michaël Tomachi, Michaël Yamada Kasahashi, Paulus Aibara Sandayu, Paulus Tomachi, Romanus Aibar, Thomas of Saint Hyacinth, Thomas Tomachi Died on 8 September 1628 in Nagasaki, Japan Beatified on 7 May 1867 by Pope Pius XI.
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Quote/s of the Day – 4 August – St Dominic de Guzman OP (1170-1221) Confessor, Founder
St Dominic’s Blessing By St Dominic de Guzman OP (1170-1221)
May God the Father, Who made us, bless us. May God the Son, send His healing among us. May God the Holy Ghost, move within us and give us eyes to see with, ears to hear with, and hands, with which Thy work, might be done. May we walk and preach the Word of God to all. May the Angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last, by God’s grace, to the Kingdom. Amen
“I feel a longing and a need to become a Saint. I did not know it was so easy to become one but now I see one can be holy and happy too. I feel I simply MUST become a Saint!”
“The Holy Rosary is the best artillery against demons and their followers.”
“Whoever devoutly serves the Blessed Virgin through the recitation of the Rosary, will infallibly, receive blessings according to their spiritual and temporal needs.”
Our Morning Offering – 4 August – On the Feastday of St Dominic, a prayer by a Dominican
O Merciful God By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus Doctor Communis
O merciful God, grant that I may ever perfectly do Thy Will in all things. Let it be my ambition to work only for Thy honour and glory. Let me rejoice in nothing but that which leads to Thee, nor grieve for anything, which leads away from Thee. May all passing things be as nothing in my eyes and may all which is Thine be dear to me and Thou, my God, dear above them all. May all joy be meaningless without Thee and may I desire nothing apart from Thee. May all labour and toil delight me, when it is for Thee. Make me, O Lord, obedient without complaint, poor without regret, patient without murmur, humble without pretence, joyous without frivolity, and truthful without disguise. Amen
St Dominic de Guzman OP (1170-1221) Confessor, Founder of the Dominicans – The Order of Preachers – Priest, Founder, Teacher, Preacher, Mystic, Miracle-Worker, Apostle of the Holy Rosary. At Dominic’s Baptism, Blessed Joan, his Mother, saw a star shining from his chest, which became another of his symbols in art and led to his patronage of astronomy. https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/08/08/saint-of-the-day-8-august-st-dominic-de-guzman-founder-of-the-dominican-order-of-preachers/ A lovely personal description of St Dominic here: https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/04/saint-of-the-day-4-august-st-dominic-confessor/ The Roman Martyrology states today: “At Bologna, St Dominic, Confessor, Founder of the Order of Friars Preachers, most renowned for sanctity and learning. He preserved his chastity unsullied to the end of his life and by his great merits, raised three persons from the dead. After having repressed heresies by his preaching and instructed many in the religious and Godly life, he rested in peace on the 6th of this month. His Feast, however, is celebrated on this day by decree of Pope Paul IV.”
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Quote/s of the Day – 28 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Sts Nazarius and Celus, Martyrs and St Pope Victor I (Died c199)
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in Heaven.” Matthew 5:12
“ Rejoice, ardent travellers, at undergoing exile and maltreatment in a foreign land in the name of the commandment of God! Rejoice, you who are last in this world but lords of blessings which exceed our understanding (cf Phil 4:7). Yet a little while and we shall have vanquished. And blessed shall we be; blessed also, it shall be said, are the places, family and countries which have borne you (cf Lk 11:27-28).”
St Theodore the Studite (759-826)
“Rejoice and be happy! Persevere to the end and prefer to die rather than abandon the post, to which God has called you!”
St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
“Crosses, contempt, sorrows and afflictions, are the real treasures of the lovers of Jesus Christ Crucified.”
St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)
“You must choose – is it better that there should be thorns in your garden, in order to have roses, or that there should be no roses in your garden, in order to have no thorns?”
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