Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 July – ‘… The Grace of Repentance …’

One Minute Reflection – 14 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” = Tuesday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: Isaiah 7:1-9Psalm 48:2-8Matthew 11:20-24 and the Memorial of St Francisco Solanus y Jiménez OFM (1549 – 1610) Priest – “The Wonder Worker of the New World” and St Camillus de Lellis MI (1550-1614) “The Giant of Charity”

“But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgement for the land of Sodom than for you.”… Matthew 11:24

REFLECTION – “Let us fix our thoughts on the blood of Christ and reflect how precious that blood is in God’s eyes, inasmuch as its outpouring for our salvation, has opened the grace of repentance to all mankind.
For we have only to survey the generations of the past, to see, that in everyone of them, the Lord has offered the chance of repentance to any, who were willing to turn to Him.   When Noah preached repentance, those who gave heed to him were saved.   When, after Jonah had proclaimed destruction to the people of Niniveh, they repented of their sins and made atonement to God with prayers and supplications, they obtained their salvation, notwithstanding, that they were strangers and aliens to Him.

All those, who were ministers of the grace of God, have spoken, through the Holy Spirit, of repentance.
The very Lord of all, Himself has spoken of it and even with an oath – By my life, the Lord declares, it is not the sinner’s death that I desire, so much as his repentance and, he adds, this gracious pronouncement, Repent, O house of Israel and turn from your wickedness. Say to the children of my people, though your sins may stretch from earth to heaven and though they may be redder than scarlet and blacker than sackcloth, yet if you turn wholeheartedly to me and say ‘Father’, I will listen to you as I would to a people that was holy.

Thus, by His own almighty will, He has confirmed his desire that repentance should be open to everyone of His beloved.

Let us bow, then, to that sovereign and glorious will.   Let us entreat His mercy and goodness, casting ourselves upon His compassion and wasting no more energy in quarrels and a rivalry which only ends in death.” … St Pope Clement I (c 35-99) – From his Letter to the Corinthians (Chs 7, 4-8, 3; 8, 5-9, 1; 13, 1-4; 19, 2)matthew 11 24 but i tell you that it shall be more tolerable - let us bow then to that sovereign - st pope clement I 14 july 2020

PRAYER – God our Father, we are Your children and You have set us aside to come home to You by the light of the way of Your divine Son. Fill us with knowledge of our need to turn to You in sorrow and repentance, that we may one day attain our final home with You. Grant we pray, that by the intercession of Saints Francisco Solanus and Camillus de Lellis, we may too become lights announcing Your love to all around us. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.ST FRANCISCO SOLANO PRAY FOR US 14 JULY 2020

st camillus de lellis pray for us

 

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 13 July – “Whoever loses his life, for my sake, will find it.” Matthew 10:39

Quote/s of the Day – 13 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 1:10-17, Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23, Matthew 10:34–11:1

“Whoever finds his life, will lose it
and whoever loses his life, for my sake, will find it.”

Matthew 10:39

matthew 10 29 whoever finds hislife will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake - 13 july 2020

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

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

do-not-say-this-happened-by-chance-st-basil-the-great-13-july-2019-no-2 and 13 july 2020

“The Lord is near,
do not be anxious
about anything!”

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

An excerpt from his Sermon 171

the lord is near do not be anxious about anything - st augustine 13 july 2020

“In God’s name let us go on bravely.”

St Joan of Arc (1412-1431)

in-gods-name-st-joan-of-arc-30-may-2020 and 13 july 2020

“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.”

Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751)

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

“Consider the shortness of time,
the length of eternity
and reflect how everything here below
comes to an end and passes by.
Of what use is it, to lean upon,
that which cannot give support?”

St Gerard Majella (1726-1755)

consider-the-shortness-of-time-st-gerard-majella-16-oct-2019 and 13 july 2020

“We are blind,
left to ourselves,
we should take the wrong way, 
we must leave it to Him.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

we are blind - st john henry newman 13 july 2020

“I trust in God
and wish nothing else
but His will.”

St Zygmunt Szcesny Felinski (1822-1895)

i-trust-in-god-st-zygmunt-felinski-17-sept-2019-1 and 13 july 2020

“Do not be preoccupied
with the future,
God is in charge of it.”

St Léonie Françoise De Sales Aviat (1844-1914)

do-not-be-preoccupied-with-the-future-st-leonie-aviat-10-jan-2020 and 13 July 2020

“The glance of God is like a fortifying dew,
a luminous ray, which fertilises and expands –
let us work without noise and without rest,
let us work before God’s eyes,
before God alone!”

Bl Luigi Orione (1872-1940)

the glance of god - bl luigi orione 13 july 2020

“My past, O Lord, to Your mercy,
my present, to Your love,
my future, to Your Providence.”

St Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968)

my-past-o-lord-to-your-mercy-st-pio-23-sept-2019 and 13 july 2020

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 LOVE of GOD, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 July – ‘Your love for your family would indeed fall short if you did not lead them to God…’

One Minute Reflection – 13 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 1:10-17Psalm 50:8-916-172123Matthew 10:34–11:1 and the Memorial of Blessed Mariano de Jesus Euse Hoyos (1845-1926) Priest

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me…” … Matthew 10:37

REFLECTION – “It is to those who are on fire with love or, rather, those He wants to set on fire with this love, that our Saviour addresses these words.   For our Saviour has not done away with but regulated, the love we owe to parents, spouse, children.   He did not say: “Those who love them” but “Those who love them more than me”…  Love your father but love the Lord even more, love him who brought you into the world but love yet more He who gave you being.   It was your father who brought you into the world but it was not he who created you, since he did not know, when he bred you, who you would be or what you would become.   It was your father who fed you but he is not the origin of the food that staunched your hunger.   Finally, your father must die if you are to inherit his goods but you will share the inheritance God intends for you, while living with Him eternally.

So love your father but not more than you love your God, love your mother but love still more the Church who has begotten you into eternal life…  Indeed, if you owe such gratitude to those who begot you for mortality, what kind of love do you owe to those who begot you for eternity?   Love your spouse, love your children as God does, to lead them to serve God together with you and then, when you are reunited, you will not be afraid of being separated.   Your love for your family would indeed fall short if you did not lead them to God…matthew-10-37-whoever-lovs-father-or-mother-so-love-your-father-but-not-more-st-augustine-15-july-2019 and 13 july 2020

Take up your cross and follow the Lord.   Your Saviour Himself, wholly God as He was in the flesh, clothed with your flesh, He, too, showed human feelings when He said – “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me,” (Mt 26:39)…  The servant’s nature with which He clothed Himself for your sake, caused His human voice, the voice of His flesh, to be heard.   He took your voice so as to express your weakness and give you His strength… and to show you, whose will to prefer.”… St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church – Sermon 344, #2-3the servant's nature with which he clothed himself - st augustine 13 july 2020

PRAYER – God our Father, we are Your children and You have set us aside to come home to You by the light of the way of Your divine Son. Grant we pray, that we may grow in faith and love daily, by the intercession of Blessed Mariano de Jesus Euse Hoyos and may be a light of love, to all around us, as he was.   We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl mariano de jesus euse hoyos pray for us 13 july 2020

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

Quote/s of the Day – 12 July – ‘Cultivate serious study!’

Quote/s of the Day – 12 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Fifteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11, Psalm 65:10-14, Romans 8:18-23, Matthew 13:1-23

“Not on bread alone
is man to live
but on every utterance
that comes from the mouth of God.”

Matthew 4:4

matthew-4-4- not on bread alone is man to live - 13 july 2017 - mem of st henry

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

Matthew 13:23

matthew 13 23 - as for what was sown on good soil - 12 july 2020

“Those who are my sheep
hear my voice
and follow me”

John 10:27

john 10 27 those who are my sheep hear my voice and follow me 12 july 2020

“For he knows that Scripture, as a whole,
is God’s one perfect and complete instrument,
giving forth, to those who wish to learn,
it’s one saving music…”

Origen (c 185-253)
Theologian, Father of the Church

scripture as a whole is god's one perfect - origen 12 july 2020

“The Church is the Ship
outside which
it is impossible to understand
the Divine Word,
for Jesus spoke from the boat
to the people gathered
on the shore.”

St Hilary of Poitiers
(315-368)
Father & Doctor of the Church

the-church-is-the-ship-outside-of-which-st-hilary-divine-word-13-jan-2020 and 12 july 2020

“We speak to God when we pray,
we listen to Him,
when we read the Scriptures.”

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

we speak to god when we pry - st ambrose 12 july 2020

“Ignorance of Scripture
is ignorance of Christ.”

ignorance-of-the-scriptures-is-ignorance-of-christ-st-jerome-30-sep-2018 and 2019

“Let sleep find you holding your Bible
and when your head nods,
let it be resting on the sacred page.”

St Jerome (343-420)
Father and Doctor of the Church

let sleep find you holding your bible - st jerome 12 july 2020

“We truly seize Christ
if our minds grasp the Word.”

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

Sermons on the Gospel of John, no 48, 9-11we truly seize christ if our minds grasp the word st augustine 12 july 2020

“The Holy Bible is like a mirror before our mind’s eye.
In it we see our inner face.
From the Scriptures we can learn
our spiritual deformities and beauties.
And there too we discover the progress we are making
and how far we are from perfection.”

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

the holy bible is like a mirror - st gregory he great

“When it comes to obeying the commandments
or enduring adversity,
the words uttered by the Father
should always echo in our ears –
“This is my Son, the beloved,
in whom I am well pleased,
listen to Him.”

St Pope Leo the Great (400-461)
Father and Doctor of the Church

when-it-comes-to-obeying-the-commandments-st-pope-leo-the-great-10-june-2020 and 12 july 2020

“The grain of mustard seed is the Lord,
who by faith is sown spiritually
in the hearts of those who accept Him.
… For it is written,
“The word is very near to you,
in your mouth and in your heart” (Rm 10:8),
that is, the word of faith, Christ,
being Himself, the word that is sought.”

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

Second Century on Theology, nos. 10-11, 35

mark 4 30-31 the grain of mustard seed is the lord - st maximus 31 jan 2020 to what shall I compare

“Always give good heed to the Word of God,
whether you hear or read it in private,
or hearken to it when publicly preached.
Listen with attention and reverence,
seek to profit by it
and do not let the precious words fall unheeded
but receive them into your heart.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor caritatis

always-give-good-heed-to-the-word-of-god-st-francis-de-sales-16-feb-2020 and 12 july 2020

“Cultivate serious study!
Sacred scripture says,
‘Because you have despised wisdom,
I will despise you’.”

St Joseph Freinademetz SVD (1852-1908)

cultivate serious study! St Joseph freinademetz 12 july 2020

Posted in CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, I BELIEVE!, MIRACLES, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SUNDAY REFLECTIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

Sunday Reflection – 12 July – The Sacrament that You Receive is Effected by the Words of Christ – St Ambrose

Sunday Reflection – 12 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Fifteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11, Psalm 65:10-14, Romans 8:18-23, Matthew 13:1-23

“But blessed are your eyes, for they see
and your ears, for they hear.
For truly, I say to you,
many prophets and righteous people,
longed to see what you see and did not see
and to hear what you hear and did not hear it.”

Matthew 13:16-17

The Sacrament that You Receive is Effected by the Words of Christ

Saint Ambrose (340-397)
Bishop and Great Latin Father and Doctor of the Church

An excerpt from his work, On the Mysteries

and this body which we make present - sun reflection 12 july 2020 st ambrose

We see that grace can accomplish more than nature, yet so far we have been considering instances of what grace can do through a prophet’s blessing.   If the blessing of a human being had power even to change nature, what do we say of God’s action in the Consecration itself, in which the very words of the Lord and Saviour are effective?   If the words of Elijah had power even to bring down fire from heaven, will not the words of Christ have power to change the natures of the elements?   You have read that in the creation of the whole world He spoke and they came to be;  He commanded and they were created.   If Christ could by speaking create out of nothing what did not yet exist, can we say that His words are unable to change existing things into something they previously were not?   It is no lesser feat to create new natures for things than to change their existing natures.

What need is there for argumentation?   Let us take what happened in the case of Christ Himself and construct the truth of this mystery from the mystery of the incarnation.   Did the birth of the Lord Jesus from Mary come about in the course of nature?   If we look at nature we regularly find that conception results from the union of man and women.    It is clear then, that the conception by the Virgin was above and beyond the course of nature.   And this Body, which we make present, is the Body born of the Virgin.   Why do you expect to find in this case, that nature takes its ordinary course in regard to the Body of Christ, when the Lord Himself was born of the Virgin in a manner above and beyond the order of nature?   This is indeed the true flesh of Christ, which was crucified and buried.   This is then, in truth, the Sacrament of His Flesh.

The Lord Jesus Himself declares – This is my Body.   Before the blessing contained in these words, a different thing is named;   after the Consecration a Body is indicated.   He Himself speaks of His Blood. Before the Consecration something else is spoken of;  after the Consecration Blood is designated.   And you say: “Amen,” that is: “It is true.”   What the mouth utters, let the mind within, acknowledge, what the word says, let the heart ratify.

So the Church, in response to grace so great, exhorts her children, exhorts her neighbours, to hasten to these mysteries – Neighbours, she says, come and eat;  brethren, drink and be filled.   In another passage the Holy Spirit has made clear to you what you are to eat, what you are to drink.   Taste, the prophet says and see, that the Lord is good;  blessed is the man who puts his trust in Him.   Christ is in that sacrament, for it is the Body of Christ.   It is, therefore, not bodily food but spiritual.   Thus the Apostle too says, speaking of its symbol – Our fathers ate spiritual food and drank spiritual drink.   For the body of God is spiritual;  the body of Christ is that of a divine spirit, for Christ is a spirit.   We read – The spirit before our face is Christ the Lord.   And in the letter of Saint Peter we have this – Christ died for you.   Finally, it is this food that gives strength to our hearts, this drink which gives joy to the heart of man, as the prophet has written.

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 July – ‘… The Seed of the Divine Word’

One Minute Reflection – 12 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Fifteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11Psalm 65:10-14Romans 8:18-23Matthew 13:1-23

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

REFLECTION – “Indeed, you all know how land is cultivated.   First of all you pull out the weeds and throw away the stones, then you work the ground itself.   You do it again a second time, a third time and finally… you sow.   Oh, let it be like this in our souls!   First of all let us uproot the weeds, that is to say our evil thoughts; then take out the stones, in other words all our malice and obstinacy.   Finally, let us work our hearts with the plough of the Gospel and the ploughshare of the cross.   Let us break it by repentance, turn over the soil with almsgiving and with charity, prepare it for the seed of Our Lord… that it may joyfully receive the seed of the divine word and bring forth fruit, not just thirty but sixty and a hundredfold.”… St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Monk & Bishop (Sermons to the people, no.6 passim ; SC 175)matthew13 23 - as for what was sown on the good soil-let us work our hearts with the plough of the gospel and the ploughshare of the cross - st caesarius 12 july 2020

PRAYER – A pure heart create for me O God, put a steadfast spirit within me! (Ps 50[51]) Lord God, bestow a full measure of Your grace to us.   Keep us within in the path of Your commandments, help us to work on the earth of our souls, rooting out the weeds and casting forth the stones of malice.   Grant that by the intercession of the Mother of Your Son and our Mother too, we may succeed in attaining sanctity. Through Christ, our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.holy mother mary pray for us 16 jan 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 12 July – Prayer before Holy Mass By St John Chrysostom

Our Morning Offering – 12 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Fifteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A

Prayer before Holy Mass
By St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O God, loose, remit and forgive
my sins against You.
Whether in word, or in deed, or in thought,
willingly or unwillingly,
knowingly or unknowingly, committed,
forgive them all,
for You are good and love mankind.
And through the prayers of Your most holy Mother,
of Your heavenly servants and holy powers
and of all the saints
who have found favour in Your sight,
enable me to receive, without condemnation
Your holy and immaculate Body
and Your Precious Blood,
to the healing of my soul and body
and to the driving away of all evil imaginations,
for Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
now and forever
and to ages of ages.
Amenprayer before holy mass by st john chrysostom 12 july 2020

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 11 July – St Benedict

Quote/s of the Day – 11 July – The Memorial of St Benedict of Nursia OSB (c 480-547)

“It is time now for us to rise from sleep!”

it is time now for us to rise from sleep! st benedict 11 july 2020

“Listen and attend
with the ear of your heart.”

listen and attend with the ear of your heart st benedict 11 july 2020

“He should know,
that whoever undertakes,
the government of souls,
must prepare himself
to account for them.”

he should know that whoever undertakes the government - st benedict 11 july 2020

“For at all times
we must so serve Him
with the good things He has given us,
that He may not, as an angry Father,
disinherit His children,
nor as a dread Lord, provoked by our evil deeds,
deliver us to everlasting punishment
as wicked servants who refuse
to follow Him to glory.”

for at all times we must so serve Him - st benedict 11 july 2020

“He, who labours as he prays,
lifts his heart to God,
with his hands.”

he who labours as he prays lifts his heart to god with his hands - st benedict 11 july 2020

“Run, while you have the light of life!”

More here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/07/11/quote-s-of-the-day-11-july-st-benedict/

St Benedict (c 480-547)

run while you have the light of life! 11 july 2020 st benedict

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, INCORRUPTIBLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 July – ‘… The most precious of His creatures’

One Minute Reflection – 11 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Saturday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings:  Isaiah 6:1-8Psalm 93:1-25Matthew 10:24-33 and the Memorial of St Benedict of Nursia OSB (c 480-547) Patron of Europe and Founder of Western Monasticism and St Olga Queen of Kiev (c 890-969)

“Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?   Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.   Even all the hairs of your head are counted.” … Matthew 10:29-30

REFLECTION – “If God shows such a solicitous care even for things of modest value (grass and flowers, for example), how can He forget you, that you are the most excellent of His creatures?   Why then did He create such beautiful things?   To manifest His wisdom and the greatness of His power, so that we might know all His glory.

Not only the heavens narrate the glory of God (Ps 18,2) but also the earth, as David points out, when he sang:   Praise the Lord, fruit trees and all cedars (Ps 148,9).   In fact, some creatures praise the Creator with their fruits, others with their greatness, still others with their beauty.

Another demonstration of the great wisdom and power of God resides in the fact that He adorns even the most vile objects of such beauty (what is, in fact, more vile than what exists today but tomorrow will no longer be?)   If, then, God has also given hay to what was not necessary at all (what good is it, in fact, it’s beauty?   To feed the fire?) how can He not give you what you need?   If the Lord has generously decorated the most vile thing of all and not for some purpose but only for beauty, much more He will honour you, the most precious of His creatures, in those things that are necessary to you. ” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on the Gospel of St Matthew, 22.1matthew 10 29-30 are not two sparrows sold - if the Lord has decorated ...how much more He will honour you - st john chrysostom 11 july 2020

PRAYER – Loving Father, grant me to have a true fervour in Your service.   Let me never tire of following Your Son’s example and avoiding evil.   Teach me to reside in total peace in Your wisdom and power and thus to trust You above all.   Grant that by the intercession of St Benedict and St Olga, we may grow in holiness and attain our eternal home with You.   We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st-benedict-pray-for-us-11-july-2017-3

st olga of kiev pray for us 11 july 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 July – “Sheep Amidst the Wolves”

Quote/s of the Day – 10 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Friday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Hosea 14:2-10, Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17, Matthew 10:16-23

“Sheep Amidst the Wolves”

“You shall not hate your brother in your heart
but you shall reason with your neighbour,
lest you bear sin because of him.
You shall not take vengeance
or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people
but, you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord”

Leviticus 19:17-18

leviticus-19-17-18-you-shall-not-hate-your-brother-love-our-enemy-16-june-2020 and 10 july 2020

“But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you…”

Matthew 5:44

matthew-5-44-but-i-say-to-you-love-your-enemies-16-march-2019 and 16 june 2020

“We are treated as deceivers and yet, are truthful,
as unrecognised and yet, acknowledged,
as dying and behold we live,
as chastised and yet, not put to death,
as sorrowful yet, always rejoicing,
as poor yet, enriching many,
as having nothing and yet, possessing all things.”

2 Corinthians 8-10

2-corinthians-8-10-we-are-treated-as-deceivers-and-yet-are-truthful-17-june-2019-and-15-june-2020 and 10 july 2020

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

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

what-is-the-surest-kind-of-witness-st-ambrose-13-july-2019 and 27 nov 2019

“You don’t love in your enemies
what they are
but what you would have them become,
by your prayers!”

St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor

you-dont-love-in-your-enemies-what-they-are-but-what-you-would-have-them-become-by-your-prayers-st-augustine-18-june-2018 and 10 july 2020

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

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)

when-he-has-begun-to-follow-me-st-caesarius-of-arles-21-feb-2020 and 10 july 2020

“We must show love
for those who do evil to us
and pray for them.
Nothing is dearer
or more pleasing to God than this.”

St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303-1373)

we-must-show-love-for-those-who-do-evil-to-us-st-bridget-of-sweden-16-june-2020 and 10 july 2020

“… I declare to you,
that there is no other way of salvation
than the one followed by Christians.
Since this way teaches me to forgive my enemies
and all who have offended me,
I willingly forgive the king
and all those who have desired my death.
And I pray that they will obtain
the desire of Christian Baptism.”

St Paul Miki SJ (1564-1597) Martyr

i-declare-to-you-that-there-is-no-other-way-of-salvation-st-paul-miki-16-june-2020 and 10 july 2020

“Visit me not, O my loving Lord –
if it be not wrong so to pray –
visit me not those trying visitations
which saints alone can bear!
Still, I leave all in Thy hands, my dear Saviour –
I bargain for nothing.
Only, if Thou shall bring heavier trial on me,
give me more grace –
flood me with the fullness of Thy strength and consolation,
that they may work in me,
not death but life and salvation.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

luke-21-9-but-not-a-hair-of-your-head-visit-me-not-loving-lord-st-john-henry-newman-27-nov-2019 and 10 july 2020

“Catholics are part of the Church Militant.
They struggle and they suffer for the triumph of Christ.
They must never lose sight of their Divine Model,
so that their trials will be turned into joy.”

St Pius X (1835-1914)

catholics are part of the church militant - st pius X 10 july 2020

“To live without faith,
without a heritage to defend,
without battling constantly for truth,
is not to live
but to ‘get along,’
we must never just ‘get along’.”

Bl Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925)
“Man of the Beatitudes”to-live-without-faith-bl-pier-giorgio-frassati-4-july-2020 and 10 july 2020

“When I feel overwhelmed by misfortune,
the greatest joy that the Lord can give me,
is to go to the altar, to put my forehead against it
(as on the day of my ordination to the priesthood)
and to feel the presence of the only reality.
Not only does calm return
but my body seems to be annihilated,
the only true life begins,
the life of that which is intangible.”

Bl Leonid Feodorov (1879-1935) Martyr

when-i-feel-overwhelmed-by-misfortune-bl-leonid-feodorov-7-march-2019-and-27-nov-2019 and 10 july 2020

“Let us love our enemies,
bless those who curse us,
pray for Those who persecute us.
For love will conquer
and will endure for all eternity.
And happy are they who live
and die in God’s love.”

let-us-love-our-enemies-bl-franz-jagerstatter-21-may-2020 and 10 july 2020

” …We need no rifles or pistols for our battle
but instead, spiritual weapons –
and the foremost among these is prayer….
Through prayer,
we continually implore new grace from God,
since without God’s help and grace,
it would be impossible for us to preserve the Faith
and be true to His commandments….”

we need no rifles or pistols for our battle- bl franz jagerstatter martyr 10 july 2020

“Since the death of Christ,
almost every century
has seen the persecution of Christians,
there have always been heroes
and martyrs who gave their lives –
often in horrible ways –
for Christ and their faith.
If we hope to reach our goal some day,
then we, too, must become heroes of the faith.”

Blessed Franz Jägerstätter (1907-1943)
Martyr of Conscientious Objection

we-need-no-rifles-or-pistols-for-our-battle-bl-franz-jagerstatter-21-may-2020 and 10 july 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on VIOLENCE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 July – ‘Citizens of Heaven.’

One Minute Reflection – 10 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Friday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Hosea 14:2-10Psalm 51:3-48-912-1417Matthew 10:16-23 and the Memorial of St Canute of Denmark (c 1042-1086) Martyr

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” … Matthew 10:16matthew 10 16 behold i send you out as sheep - 12 july 2019 and 10 july 2020

REFLECTION – “They live in the flesh but they are not governed by the desires of the flesh.   They pass their days upon earth, but they are citizens of heaven.   Obedient to the laws, they yet live on a level that transcends the law.   Christians love all men but all men persecute them.   Condemned because they are not understood, they are put to death but raised to life again.   They live in poverty but enrich many; they are totally destitute but possess an abundance of everything.  They suffer dishonour but that is their glory.   They are defamed but vindicated.   A blessing is their answer to abuse, deference their response to insult.   For the good they do they receive the punishment of malefactors but even then they, rejoice, as though receiving the gift of life.   They are attacked by the Jews as aliens, they are persecuted by the Greeks, yet no one can explain the reason for this hatred.

To speak in general terms, we may say that the Christian is to the world what the soul is to the body.   As the soul is present in every part of the body, while remaining distinct from it, so Christians are found in all the cities of the world but cannot be identified with the world.   As the visible body contains the invisible soul, so Christians are seen living in the world but their religious life remains unseen.   The body hates the soul and wars against it, not because of any injury the soul has done it but because of the restriction the soul places on its pleasures.  Similarly, the world hates the Christians, not because they have done it any wrong but because they are opposed to its enjoyments.

Christians love those who hate them just as the soul loves the body and all its members despite the body’s hatred.   It is by the soul, enclosed within the body, that the body is held together and, similarly, it is by the Christians, detained in the world as in a prison, that the world is held together.   The soul, though immortal, has a mortal dwelling place and Christians also live for a time amidst perishable things, while awaiting the freedom from change and decay that will be theirs in heaven.   As the soul benefits from the deprivation of food and drink, so Christians flourish under persecution.   Such is the Christian’s lofty and divinely appointed function, from which he is not permitted to excuse himself.” …  Ancient Christian writerFrom a letter to Diognetus (Nn. 5-6; Funk, 397-401)matthew 10 16 as sheep amidst the wolves - they suffer dishonour but that is their glory - diogenes 10 july 2020

PRAYER – Father of all holiness, guide our hearts to You. Keep in the light of Your truth, all those You have freed from the darkness of unbelief.   May our lives be the source of enlightenment to others and our faith and love every remain strengthened by Your grace.   Listen to the prayers of Your saint and angels on our behalf, as we long for our eternal home.   St Canute, we beg for your prayers.    We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amenst canute of denmark pray for us 10 july 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 9 July – ‘… For the love of Jesus’

Quote/s of the Day – 9 July – The Memorial of Blessed Marija of Jesus Crucified Petković (1892-1966)

“Love infinitely,
the most sweet Lord Jesus Christ,
do everything for Him alone
and spend your life,
in works of mercy and of love.”

Bl Marija of Jesus Crucified Petković (1892-1966)

love infinitely the most sweet lord jesus christ - bl marija of jesus crucified opetkovic 9 july 2020

“Through Him, our gaze
penetrates the heights of heaven
and we see, as in a mirror,
the most holy face of God.
Through Christ, the eyes of our hearts are opened
and our weak and clouded understanding,
reaches up toward the light.”

St Pope Clement I (c 35-99)
Apostolic Father, Bishop of Rome and Martyr

john-14-9-he-who-has-seen-me-has-seen-the-father-through-him-our-gaze-st-pope-clement-of-rome-9-may-2020 and 9 July 2020

“In the morning let your first act be
to greet My Heart and to offer Me your own.
Whoever, breathes a sigh toward Me,
draws Me to himself.”

Jesus to St Matilda/Mechtilde of Hackeborn
(c 1241-1298)

in-the-morning-let-your-first-act-be-jesus-to-st-matilda-of-hackeborn-19-nov-2019-and-26-april-2020 and 9 july 2020

“O blessed Jesus, give me stillness of soul in You.
Let Your mighty calmness reign in me.
Rule me, O King of Gentleness,
King of Peace.”

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)

Doctor of the Churcho-king-of-gentleness-st-john-of-the-cross-14dec2018-and-14dec2019-and-26-april-2020 and 9 july 2020

“You leave the land
just as it is when you depart,
you do not carry anything away.
Our first aim is to go to God,
we are not on earth for anything but this!”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

you-leave-the-land-just-as-it-is-stjohn-vianney-6-may-2019 and 9 july 2020

“Do everything
out of love for God,
for God,
with God,
to get to God.”

Bl Maria Rosa Flesch (1826-1906)

do-everything-out-opf-love-for-god-for-god-with-god-to-get-to-god-blmaria-rosa-flesch-19-june-2020-sacred-heart and 9 july 2020

“The well-being of souls is only in Christ.
Therefore, let the love of Jesus
be our perfection and our profession,
let us light our hearts
from the eternal flames of love
that radiate from the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”

the-well-being-of-souls-is-only-in-christ-bl-paolo-manna-7-feb-2020 and 9 july 2020

“Go for the love of Jesus,
for the interests of Jesus
and Jesus will always be at your side,
always in your heart.”

Bl Paolo Manna (1872-1952)

go for the love of jesus - bl paolo manna 9 july 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on MISSION, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 8 July – Mission of Love

Quote/s of the Day – 8 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Wednesday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12, Psalm 105:2-7, Matthew 10:1-7

Mission of Love

“Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples

and gave them authority … “

Matthew 10:1matthew 10 1 jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority 8 july 2020

“Go out to the whole world
and proclaim the gospel to all creation.”

Mark 16:15

mark 16 15 go out to the whole world and proclaim the gospel 8 july 2020

“And when it was day, he called his disciples
and chose from them twelve,
whom he named apostle …”

Luke 6:13

luke-6-13-he-called-his-disciples-and-chose-twleve-28-oct-2019 and 8 july 2020

“Beloved:
What was from the beginning,
what we have heard,
what we have seen with our eyes,
what we looked upon and touched with our hands
concerns the Word of life (for the life was made visible;
we have seen it and testify to it
and proclaim to you the eternal life
that was with the Father
and was made visible to us.…”

1 John 1:1-2

beloved-what-was-from-the-beginning-what-we-have-heard-1-john-1-1-to-2-27dec2017-2018-and-2019 and 8 july 2020

“Now what it was they preached – in other words,
what it was that Christ revealed to them –
can properly be proved, in no other way,
than by those very Churches that the Apostles founded in person,
by directly declaring the Gospel to them,
first by word of mouth
and subsequently by their epistles.
If, then, these things are so,
it is manifest that all doctrine that agrees with the Apostolic Churches,
which are the matrix and source of the faith,
must be reckoned as true
and as undoubtedly containing that,
which those Churches received, from the Apostles,
the Apostles from Christ and Christ from God.”

Tertullian
full name Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus (c 155- c 240)
Father of the Church

john-15-15-all-that-i-have-heard-from-my-father-tertullian-now-what-it-was-they-preached-14-may-2020-8 july 2020

“But to bear with insult,
patiently undergo humiliation,
pray for those who persecute us (Mt 5,39.44) –
that is the Lord’s cup,
that is the Lord’s feast.“

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

but-to-bear-with-insult-patiently-undergo-humiliation...st-augustine-feast-of-st-james-25-july-2019.-and-27-nov-2019 and 8 july 2020

“Accordingly, in affirming that they are sent by Him
just as He was sent by the Father,
Christ sums up in a few words
the approach, they themselves should take to their apostolate.
From what He said, they would gather,
that it was their vocation to call sinners to repentance,
to heal those who were sick,
whether in body or spirit,
to seek in all their dealing,
never to do their own will
but the will of Him who sent them
and, as far as possible,
to save the world by their teaching.”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Bishop, Father & Doctor of the Church

accordingly in affirming that they are sent by Him just as He was sent by the father - st cyril of alex - 8 july 2020

“John’s God-illumined mind,
conceived the incomparable height of divine wisdom,
when he reclined on the Redeemer’s breast,
during the holy Last Supper meal (Jn 13:25).
And because “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3) are within the heart of Jesus, it is from there, that he drew
and from there, that he greatly enriched our wretchedness,
as people who are poor and generously distributed these goods,
taken from their source, for the salvation of the whole world.”

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

johns-god-illumined-mind-st-peter-damian-27-dec-2018-and-2019 and 8 july 2020

“The love of Jesus is noble and generous,
it spurs us onto do great things
and excites us to desire always,
that which is most perfect.
Love will tend upwards
and is not to be detained by things beneath.
Love will be at liberty
and free from all worldly affections…
for love proceeds from God
and cannot rest but in God above all things created.
The lover flies, runs and rejoices,
he is free and not held.
He gives all for all and has all in all,
because he rests in one sovereign Good above all,
from Whom all good flows and proceeds”

Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, Book III, Chapter V, 3-4

the-love-of-jesus-st-john-27-dec-2019-thomas-a-kempis and 8 july 2020

” …How could we not preach the gospel
if the Gospel is under our skin,
in our hands, our hearts, our heads?
We are obliged to say why we try to be what we want to be,
why we try not to be what we don’t want to be,
we are obliged to preach,
since preaching is to say something publicly
about Jesus Christ, our Lord and God
and one can’t love Him and be silent.”

Venerable Madeleine Delbrêl (1904-1964)
Missionary to the outcasts

matthew-10-8-without-cost-you-have-received-how-could-we-not-preach-the-gospel-ven-madelein-delbrel-11-june-2020 and 8 july 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SPEAKING of ....., The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 July – ‘… The Measure of each One’s Faith…’

Quote/s of the Day – 6 July – Monday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Hosea 2:14-16, 19-20 (16-18, 21-22), Psalm 145:2-9, Matthew 9:18-26

‘… The measure of each one’s faith…’

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

Matthew 9:21-22

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

“I live, no longer I
but Christ lives in me,”

Galasians 2:20

galasians-2-20-i-live-no-longer-i-but-christ-lives-in-me-25-jan-2020 - ST PAUL - and 6 july 2020

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

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

A Commentary on Luke, Book 2

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

“What determines that the gifts of God dwells in us,
is the measure of each one’s faith.
Because it is to the extent that we believe,
that the enthusiasm to act is given us.
And so those who act,
reveal the measure of their faith
proportionate to their action,
they receive their measure of grace
according to what they have believed. …”

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

what determines that the gifts of god dwells in us - st maximus the confessor 6 july 2020

“Pray in the spirit and sentiment of love,
in which the royal prophet said to Him,
‘Thou, O Lord, are my portion.’
Let others choose to themselves,
portions among creatures,
for my part, You are my portion,
You alone I have chosen for my whole inheritance.”

St Augustine of Canterbury (Died c 605)

pray-in-the-spirit-and-sentiment-of-love-you-alone-i-have-chosen-st-augustine-of-canterbury-27-may-2020 and 6 july 2020 speaking of faith

“He is present to the eyes of the mind,
making Himself seen by those who have a pure heart
and conversing with them.
So pursue your path ….
Do not hinder the Lord’s narrow way
with your dragging feet.
Hitch up your garment and be ready for action,
look up and don’t burden yourself
with those oppressive loads
which are your evil desires.
For anyone who is accomplishing
the journey from earth to heaven,
it is enough to diligently pursue one’s path
without assuming extra weight. … ”

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

 

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

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

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

“By faith we adhere to Christ
and the edifice of our spiritual life
becomes thereby firm and stable.
Christ makes us share
in the stability of the divine rock
against which even hell’s fury
cannot prevail (Mt 16:18).”

Blessed Columba Marmion (1858-1923) Abbot

Our faith, the victory over the world

by faith we adhere to christ - bl columba marmion 6 july 2020

“Life has only one face – LOVE.”

Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro (1936-1964)

life-has-only-one-face-love-bl-benedetta-porro-23-jan-2020 and 6 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, INCORRUPTIBLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 July – ‘… For I am meek and humble of heart’

One Minute Reflection – 5 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Zechariah 9:9-10Psalm 145:1-28-1113-14Romans 8:911-13Matthew 11:25-30 and the Memorial of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria CRSP (1502-1539)

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls…” … Matthew 11:29take my yoke upon you - matthew 11 29 5 july 2020

REFLECTION – “You are to “take my yoke upon you and learn from me.”   You are not learning from me how to refashion the fabric of the world, nor to create all things visible and invisible, nor to work miracles and raise the dead.   Rather, you are simply learning of me: “that I am meek and lowly in heart.”   If you wish to reach high, then begin at the lowest level.   If you are trying to construct some mighty edifice in height, you will begin with the lowest foundation.  This is humility.   However great the mass of the building you may wish to design or erect, the taller the building is to be, the deeper you will dig the foundation.   The building in the course of its erection, rises up high but he who digs its foundation, must first go down very low.   So then, you see even a building is low before it is high and the tower is raised, only after humiliation.”… St Augustine (354-430) Fater & Doctor (Sermon 69)if-you-wish-to-reach-high-then-begin-at-the-lowest-level-st-augustine-18-july-2019 and 5 july 2020

PRAYER – Holy God, our Father, we turn to You in confidence as children and pray, give us meekness of heart, make us “poor in spirit” that we may recognise that we are not self-sufficient, that we are unable to build our lives on our own but need You, we need to encounter You, to listen to You, to speak to You.   Help us to understand that we need Your gift, Your wisdom, which is Jesus Himself, in order to do the Your will in our lives and thus to find rest in the hardships of our journey.   May the prayers of Saint Anthony Zaccaria help us to learn the true humility of Your divine Son.   Grant this, we pray, through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, amen.st-anthony-mary-zaccaria-pray-for-us-5-july-2019 and 5 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, INCORRUPTIBLES, JESUIT SJ, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on HOPE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 July – So let us fast and pray since we are still on the threshold of birth.

One Minute Reflection – 4 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Saturday of the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings:  Amos 9:11-15Psalm 85:11-14Matthew 9:14-17 and the Memorial of Blessed Petrus Kasui Kibe SJ (c 1587-1639) Prist and Martyr and Bl Pier Giorgio Frassati TOSF (1901-1925)

And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?   The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them and then they will fast.” … Matthew 9:15

REFLECTION – “However, our mourning is right if we burn with desire to see Him.   How happy they were who were able to enjoy His presence before His Passion, to question Him as they wished and listen to Him as necessary… As for us, we see the fulfilment of what He said: “The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it” (Lk 17:22)… “A little while and you will no longer see me and again a little while and you will see me” (Jn 16:19).

But now this is the hour of which He said:  “You will weep and mourn but the world will rejoice… But, He added, I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice and no-one will take your joy away from you” (v.22). The hope thus given us by Him, who is faithful in His promises, never now leaves us, without a certain joy — until that overwhelming joy comes on the day when we will be like Him because we will see Him as he is (1Jn 3:2)… “When a woman is in labour, she has pain because her hour has come,” says the Lord, “but when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world” (Jn 16:21).   This is the joy no-one can take away from us and with which we will be satisfied when we pass to eternal light from our present conception in faith.   So let us fast and pray since we are still on the threshold of birth.“…St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctormatthew 9 15 can the wedding guests mourn - however our morurning is right if we burn with desire to see him - st augustine 4 july 2020

PRAYER – Father almighty, as we wait and work and pray and fast in joyful hope of our eternal life with You, grant we pray that we may always remain steadfast in Your love.   Blessed Petrus Kasui Kibe, you of intrepid perseverance and faith and Pier Giorgio Frassati, you whose faith could move mountains, pray for us, that we will fully utilise the many gifts our Almighty God has bestowed on us as we journey home. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord, in union with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.bl petrus kasui kibe pray for us 4 july 2020

bl-pier-pray-for-us - 4 july 2017

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on TRUTH, SAINT of the DAY, SPEAKING of ....., The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 July – Doubt or Faith?

Quote/s of the Day – 3 July – Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle of Christ

Speaking of:  Doubt or Faith?

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

John 20:28-29

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

“Men imitate the gods whom they adore
and to such miserable being,
their crimes become their religion.”

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

men imitate the gods whom they adore st cyprian of carthage 3 july 2020 doubt

“For by your doubting, I am taught to believe,
by your forked-tongue, that revealed the wound
on the divine body that was pierced,
I harvest the fruit for myself without pain.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor

for by your doubting i am taught to believe - st joh chrysostom 3 july 2020 thomas

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

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

“If you believe what you like in the Gospels
and reject what you don’t like,
it is not the Gospel you believe
but yourself.”

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

if you believe what you like - st augustine 26 nov 2019

“I believe
though I do not comprehend
and I hold by faith,
what I cannot grasp
with the mind.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor

i believe though i do not comprehend - st bernard - 3 july 2020

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

to one who has faith no explanation is necessary - st thomas aquinas 3 july 2020

“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

believing-is-an-act-of-the-intellect-st-thomas-aquinas-28-jan-2018 and 3 july 2020 - Copy

“You cannot be half a saint,
you must be a whole saint
or no saint at all.”

St Theresa of the Child Jesus/Lisieux (1873-1897)
Doctor of the Church

you-cannot-be-half-a-saint-st-therese-lisieux-11-june-2018-seeking-sainthood

“Divine truth [is not] ours
to summon at will.
If we determine that
we will find it out,
we shall find nothing ….
Let us believe,
evidence will come,
after faith, as it’s reward,
better than before it,
as it’s groundwork.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

divine truth is not ours to summon at will - st john henry newman 3 july 2020 doubt or faith

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 3 July – St Anatolius of Alexandria (Died 283) Bishop

Saint of the Day – 3 July – St Anatolius of Alexandria (Died 283) Bishop, Scholar, Scientiest, Philosoper, Conputist, Mathematiian, Writer – also known as Anatolius of Laodicea.   Born in Alexandria, Egypt and died in 283 at Laodicea, Syria of natural causes.   He was not only one of the foremost scholars of his day in the physical sciences, as well as in Aristotelean philosophy but also a great computist.st anatolius of laodicea

Note:  ComputistThe computus (Latin for ‘computation’) is a calculation that determines the calendar date of Easter.   Easter is traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon on or after 21 March (an approximation of the March equinox).   Determining this date in advance requires a correlation between the lunar months and the solar year, while also accounting for the month, date and weekday of the calendar.

Anatolius was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, during the early 3rd century.   Prior to becoming one of the great lights of the Church, Anatolius enjoyed considerable prestige at Alexandria.   According to Eusebius of Caesarea, he was credited with a rich knowledge of arithmetic, geometry, physics, rhetoric, dialectic and astronomy.   Also according to Eusebius, Anatolius was deemed worthy to maintain the school of the Aristotelian succession in Alexandria.   The pagan philosopher Iamblichus studied among his disciples for a short time.

There are fragments of ten books on Arithmetic written by him.   There is also a treatise onthe time of the Paschal celebration.   His famous 19-year Paschal cycle has survived in seven different complete medieval manuscripts of the Latin text De ratione paschali.   Saint Jerome praised his scholarship and writing, however, he was known not just as a scholar but as a humble and deeply religious man.   Ignorance horrified him and part of his work with the poor was to educate them. St Anatolius also held a number of government posts in Alexandria.

A story is told by St Eusebius of the way in which Anatolius broke up a rebellion against the Roman authorities in 263 in a part of Alexandria known then as Bruchium.   It was held by the forces of Zenobia and being violently beleaguered by the Romans was in a state of starvation. Anatolius, who was living in Bruchium at the time, met with the Romans and negotiated the release of non-combatant children, women, the sick and the elderly, saving many and earning him a reputation as a peacemaker.   The rebels, freed of caring for the non-combatants, were able to fight even longer.   However, when they lost, Anatolius found himself with enemies on both sides of the conflict and he decided to leave Alexandria.

Anatolius emigrated to Caesaria, Palestine.   His reputation as a scholar and Christian had preceeded him and he became assistant and advisor to the Bishop.   In 268, while en route to the Council of Antioch, he passed through Laodicea, Syria.   Their Bishop, Saint Eusebius of Laodicea, had just died, they saw Anatolius’ arrival as a gift from God and insisted that he assume the Bishopric.   He accepted and spent his remaining fifteen years there.

He died in 283 of natural causes.Saint-Anatolius-of-Alexandria

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SIN, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 July – “Thy sins are forgiven thee.”

One Minute Reflection – 2 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Thursday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Amos 7: 10-17, Psalms 19: 8, 9, 10, 11, Matthew 9: 1-8 and the Memorial of St Swithun (c 800-863) Bishop

“Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee.” … Matthew 9:2

REFLECTION – “The scribes declared that God alone can forgive sins. But Jesus, even before He forgave sins, revealed the secrets of the heart, thereby showing, that He also possessed that other power reserved to God …  For it is written:  “You alone, O Lord, know the secrets of humankind” and “Man sees the outward appearance but God sees the heart” (2 Chr 6:30; 1 Sam 16:7).   In this way Jesus reveals His divinity and equality with the Father, uncovering the depths of their hearts to the scribes and making known those thoughts, they are afraid to speak openly for fear of the crowd.   And this He did with great gentleness. …
The lame man might have made his disappointment known to Christ by saying:  “OK! You have come to cure another kind of sickness and heal another kind of evil – sin.   But what proof am I going to get that my sins are forgiven?”   Yet he said nothing of the sort but put his trust in the One who had the power to heal him. …
To the scribes, Christ said:  “Which is easier?   To say:  Your sins are forgiven, or rather:  Take up your stretcher and go home?”   In other words:  ‘What seems easier to you?   To strengthen a paralysed body or put aside the sins of the soul?’   Obviously, to heal a body since forgiveness of sins goes as much beyond the healing, as the soul is above the body.   But since one of these works is visible and the other not, I am equally going to carry out the work that is visible and lesser, in order to prove, that which is greater and unseen.   At that very moment Jesus witnessed by His works that He is “He who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn 1:29).” … St John Chrysostom (c 345-407) – Doctor of the Church – Homilies on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, no. 29, 2 ; PG 57, 359matthew 9 2 be of ood heart son thy sins - which ios easier - st john chrysostom 2 july 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, be the beginning and the end of all that we are and do and say.   Prompt our actions with Your grace, may Your light be our only way, may Your commands be our only need and complete all, with Your all-powerful help.   St Swithun, your love of God in all things proved by Him in your countless miracles, pray for us!   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God with You, forever and ever, amen.

st swithun pray for us 2 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SACRED HEART QUOTES, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 30 June – ‘I put all my trust in Thee …’

Quote/s of the Day – 30 June – “The Last day of the Month of the Sacred Heart” – Tuesday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time Year A, Readings: Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12, Psalm 5:5-8, Matthew 8:23-27

And they went and woke him, saying,
“Save us, Lord, we are perishing.”

Matthew 8:25

matthew 8 25 and they went and woke him saying save us lord - 30 june 2020

“It is I, be not afraid”

John 6:20

john 6 20 - it is I be not afraid 4 may 2019

“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

“The waters have risen
and severe storms are upon us
but we do not fear drowning,
for we stand firmly upon a rock.
Let the sea rage, it cannot break the rock.
Let the waves rise,
they cannot sink the boat of Jesus.”

the-waters-have-risen-but-they-cannot-break-the-rock-st-john-chrysostom-13-sept-2019 and 30 june 2020

“Let the world be in upheaval.
I hold to His promise and read His message,
that is my protecting wall and garrison.
What message?
‘Know that I am with you always,
until the end of the world!'”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Churchlet the world be in upheaval i hold to his opromise -st john chrysostom 30 june 2020

“It is not a calm sky, beloved
but the storm which tests a pilot’s skill.
When the breeze is mild,
even the poorest sailor,
can manage the ship.
But in the crosswinds of a tempest,
we want the best pilot with all His skill.”

St Peter Chrysologus (c 406 – c 450)
Father and Doctor of the Church

it is not a calm sky beloved but the storm which tests a pilot's skill - st peter chrysologus 30 june 2020

“Whoever has become a servant of the Lord,
fears only his Master.
But whoever is without the fear of God,
is often afraid of his own shadow.
Fearfulness is the daughter of unbelief.
A proud soul is the slave of fear,
hoping in itself,
it comes to such a state,
that it is startled by a small noise
and is afraid of the dark.”

St John Climacus (579-649)
Father of the Church

whoever-has-become-a-servant-of-the-lord-st-john-climacus-2-july-2019 and 30 june 2020

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

St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)

o-heart-of-love-i-put-all-my-trust-in-thee-16-oct-2019 and 30 June 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 and 30 june 2020

“We need not be afraid
because even while He sleeps,
He watches over us.
Jesus does not save us FROM storms,
He saves us IN storms.
DO NOT WAKE Jesus.
Let Him sleep.
He is still in control!”

Msgr Alex Rebello

Daily Reflections

we need not be afraid because even while he sleeps - msgr alex rebello 30 june 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St PAUL!, St PETER!, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 29 June – Peter and Paul

Quote/s of the Day – 29 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

“Their sound has gone out
into all the earth
and their words
to the ends of the world”

Psalm 19:5

psalm-19-5-their-sound-has-gone-out-29-june-2019-sts-petr-and-paul and 2020

“On this rock I will build my church”

Matthew 16:18

on-this-rock-matthew-16-18 29 june 2018 and 2020

“I assure you, brothers,
the gospel I proclaimed to you
is no mere human invention.
I did not receive it from any man,
nor was I schooled in it.
It came by revelation from Jesus Christ.”

Galatians 1:11-12

galatians 1 11-12 I assure you brothers the gospel I proclaimed - 29 june 2020

“….but we rejoice in our sufferings
because we know,
that suffering produces perseverance,
perseverance, character
and character, hope.”

Romans 5:4

we rejoice in our sufferings - romans 5 4 - 25 jan 2019

“Paul, more than anyone else,
has shown us what man really is
and in what our nobility consists
and of what virtue this particular animal is capable.
Each day he aimed ever higher,
each day he rose up with greater ardour
and faced with new eagerness,
the dangers that threatened him.
He summed up his attitude in the words:
I forget what is behind me
and push on to what lies ahead.
… The most important thing of all to him, however,
was that he knew himself to be loved by Christ.
Enjoying this love, he considered himself
happier than anyone else …”

chrysostum-on-paul-oneminreflc-25-jan-2018 and 29 june 2020

“The most important thing of all to him, however,
was that he knew himself to be loved by Christ.
… To be separated from that love was, in his eyes,
the greatest and most extraordinary of torments,
the pain of that loss would alone,
have been hell and endless, unbearable torture.”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

the-most-important-thing-of-all-to-him-st-john-chrysostom-on-st-paul-25-jan-2019 and 29 june 2020

“There must be general rejoicing, dearly beloved,
over this holy company whom God has appointed
for our example in patience and for our confirmation in faith.
But we must glory even more in the excellence of their fathers,
Peter and Paul, whom the grace of God has raised
to such a height among all the members of the Church
that He has set them like twin lights
of eyes in that Body whose head is Christ.”

he has set them like twin lights oe eyes in that body whose head is christ st pope leo the great 29 june 2020

“Out of the whole world one man,
Peter, is chosen to preside
at the head of all nations
and to be set over all the apostles
and all the fathers of the church.
Though there are, in God’s people,
many bishops and many shepherds,
Peter is thus appointed to rule
in his own person,
those whom Christ also rules
as the original ruler.”

out of the whole world one man, peter, is chosen -st pope leo the reat 29 june 2020

Saint Pope Leo the Great (400-461)
Father Doctor unitatis Ecclesiae

“…They said that, [the] Mediator had come and gone
but, had left behind Him,
what was to be
His representative till the end
of all things,
His Mystical Body,
the Church,
in joining which,
lay the salvation of the world.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

they said that the mediator had come and gone but had left behind him

O God,
who on the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul
give us a noble and holy joy of this day.
Grant, we pray, that Your Church
may in all things follow the teaching
of those through whom she received
the beginnings of right religion.
Grant that we may be sustained
by the intercession
of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul
and that Your Church,
may ever stand firm upon the one foundation,
which is Jesus Christ our Lord;
who lives and reigns with You,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen

prayer-on-the-solemnity-of-the-apostles-peter-and-paul 29 june 2017 and 2020

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, St PAUL!, St PETER!

Our Morning Offering – 29 June – Apostolorum Passio By St Ambrose

Our Morning Offering – 29 June – The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

Apostolorum Passio
By St Ambrose (c 340-397)
Father and Doctor

This happy day is sanctified
As Martyr’s glory we recall,
The cross bedewed with Peter’s blood,
The sword that won a crown for Paul.

The triumph of their martyrdom
United these great souls in death,
Whose faith in Christ had crowned their lives
In service to their latest breath.

Saint Peter held the primacy,
Saint Paul would equal him in grace,
When once, as chosen instrument
The cause of Christ he would embrace

Once, Simon, leaving Rome, turned back
To give, by death, full praise to God,
That by the cross he too should tread
The self-same path his Master trod.

Now Rome exults, as well she may
And strives to give devotion’s due
To one who sealed with his own blood
His work as priest and shepherd true.

And who can count the crowds that come
As loving children to her gate,
Where nations’ teacher, holy Paul
Once dwelt and gladly met his fate.

Grant us, O Lord, the final grace
Of sharing in their joy above,
That with such princes we may praise
Your bounty and undying love.
Amen

Translation:  The Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK

solem of sts peter and paul - apostolorum passio by st ambrose breviary hymn 29 june 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

A Blessed and Holy Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the Pillars of the Church! 29 June

A Blessed and Holy Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the Pillars of the Church! – 29 June

peterpaules-1

These are the ones who, living in the flesh, planted the Church with their blood;  they drank the chalice of the Lord and became the friends of God.

O God, who on the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul give us the noble and joy of this day, grant we pray, that your Church may in all things follow the teaching of those through whom she received the beginnings of right religion.

Mor-Christ-Condé wit sts peter and paul

Veneration of the two great Apostles, Peter and Paul, has its roots in the very foundations of the Church.   They are the solid rock on which the Church is built.   They are at the origin of her faith and will forever remain her protectors and her guides.   To them, Rome owes her true greatness, for it was under God’s providential guidance that they were led to make the capital of the Empire, sanctified by their Martyrdom, the centre of the Christian world whence should radiate the preaching of the Gospel.

St Peter suffered Martyrdom under Nero, in 66 or 67.   He was buried on the hill of the Vatican where recent excavations have revealed his tomb on the very site of the Basilica of St Peter’s.   St Paul was beheaded in the Via Ostia on the spot where now stands the Basilica bearing his name.   Down the centuries, Christian people in their thousands have gone on pilgrimage to the tombs of these Apostles.   In the second and third centuries the Roman Church already stood pre-eminent by reason of her apostolicity, the infallible truth of her teaching and her two great figures, Sts Peter and Paul.Giuseppe_cesari-madonna_and_child_with_sts._peter_and_paul

A partial indulgence may be gained today by anyone who makes devout use of a religious article blessed by any priest but “if the article of devotion has been blessed by the Sovereign Pontiff or by any Bishop, the faithful, using it, can also gain a plenary indulgence, provided they also make a profession of faith (e.g. the Apostles Creed), as long as the usual conditions are satisfied.”

“There is one day for the passion of two apostles.
But these two also were as one;
although they suffered on different days, they were as one.
Peter went first, Paul followed.
We are celebrating a feast day, consecrated for us by the blood of the apostles.
Let us love their faith, their lives, their labours,
their sufferings, their confession of faith, their preaching.”

St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Churchthese-two-also-were-as-one-staugustine-29-june-2017 and 29 june 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SUNDAY REFLECTIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Sunday Reflection – 28 June – ‘This Body He gave to us to keep and eat, as a mark of His intense love’

Sunday Reflection – 28 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year Athis-bodty-he-gave-to-us-st-john-chrysostom-1-sept-2019 and 28 june 2020

This is that Body which was once covered with blood

“When you see (the Most Blessed Sacrament) exposed, say to yourself –
‘Thanks to this Body, I am no longer dust and ashes, I am no more a captive but a freeman, hence, I hope to obtain heaven and the good things that are there in store for me… eternal life, the heritage of the angels, companionship with Christ;  death has not destroyed this Body which was pierced by nails and scourged . . . this is that Body which was once covered with blood, pierced by a lance, from which issued saving fountains upon the world, one of blood and the other of water. .

‘This Body He gave to us to keep and eat, as a mark of His intense love’.”

St John Chrysostom (347 to 407)
Father & Doctor

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, I BELIEVE!, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SOLITUDE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY GHOST

Quote/s of the Day – 28 June – Holy Solitude and Blessed Paolo Giustiniani

Quote/s of the Day – 28 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – The Memorial of Blessed Paolo Giustiniani ECMC (1476-1528) – Monk, Hermit and Founder of the Congregation of the Camaldolese Hermits of Monte Corona

“The supreme goal to which the monk tends,
the summit of the perfection of his heart,
is indeed the union of his heart with his Lord.”

St John Cassian (c 360-435)

Monk, Father of the Church
and Founder of Monasteries
Disciple of St John Chrysostom

te supreme goal to which the monk tends - st john cassian 28 june 2020

“O Hermitage, only those who know you,
who rest sweetly in your arms,
can tell of your grandeur
and chant your praises.
As for me, I only know this
and affirm it in all sincerity –
Whoever forces himself with perseverance
to enter more and more
into the desire to love You,
will finally enter Your mystery and,
at the same time,
the mystery of God.”

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

o hermitage, only those who know you, who rest sweetly in your arms - st peter damian 28 june 2020

“Go to Church for the work of God,
not by habit or duty,
but rather driven,
by the interior desire
to praise our Creator.”

go to church for the work of god - bl paolo giustiniani 28 june 2020

“Celebrate holy Mass in the joy of the Spirit.”

celebrate holy mass in the joy of the spirit - bl paolo giustiniani 28 june 2020 (1)

“I desire to serve my Lord Jesus Christ.
However, I blindly entrust the manner of service
to His decision – in action or in contemplation,
in peace and quiet
or in suffering and tribulation,
in the quiet of the cell
or else in wearisome wanderings.
So long as I am serving Him,
I have no preference or taste of my own.”

i desire to serve my lord Jesus Christ - bl paolo giustiniani 28 june 2020

“To me it appears incontrovertible,
that, above the light and discourse of reason,
there is another light.
It is clearer and more evident,
given by God to those human minds
that do not refuse to receive it
and by means of it, God can be properly understood. ….
This is the light of faith.

this is the light of faith bl paolo giustiniani 28 june 2020

Prayer of Blessed Paolo Giustiniani
“Lord, I dare not say to You:
“Show me the light that I may believe in Your Light”
but it is enough for me,
that You make me see my darkness …
Bring me back to myself.
In my misery I have distanced myself
not only from You but from myself,
becoming a stranger to myself.
Make me know my darkness,
that then I may look at the light.
Yes, I tell You and repeat to You incessantly,
Show me to myself,
so that I may know my sins.”

prayer of bl paolo biustiniani lord i dare not say to you - 28 jue 2020

“Until I was alone I never really lived.
Until I was alone, I was not with myself.
Until I was alone, I never drew near to my creator.”

Blessed Paolo Giustiniani (1476-1528)

until i was alone i never really lived - bl paolo giustiniani 28 june 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MERCY, SAINT of the DAY, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

One Minute Reflection – 28 June – ‘… I will say that you are My benefactor and that I am in your debt.’

One Minute Reflection – 28 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 2 Kings 4:8-1114-16Psalm 89:2-3,16-19Romans 6:3-48-11Matthew 10:37-42 and the Memorial of St Ireneaus (c 130 – 202) Father and Doctor of the Church

“Whoever receives you, receives me and whoever receives me, receives the one who sent me.” … Matthew 10:40

REFLECTION – “The Lord said:  “Whoever welcomes this little child on my account welcomes me.” (Lk 9:48)   The smaller our brother is, the more Christ is present.   For when we welcome a great personality, we often do so out of vainglory but the person who welcomes someone unimportant, does so, with a pure intention and for Christ.   He said:  “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”   And again:  “As often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me.” (Mt 25:35.40)   Since He is talking about a believer and a brother, no matter how unimportant he is, Christ comes in with him.   Open your house and welcome him.

He who welcomes a prophet because he bears the name of prophet receives a prophet’s reward.”   Thus, the person who welcomes Christ will receive the reward of Christ’s hospitality.   Do not doubt His words, trust them.   He himself told us:  “In them, I am presenting myself.”   And so that you do not doubt them, He decreed the punishment for those who do not welcome Him and the honours for those who do welcome Him (Mt 25:31).   He would not do this if He were not personally touched by honour or scorn.   He says: ‘You welcomed Me into your house, I will welcome you in the Kingdom of my Father.   You freed Me from hunger, I will free you from your sins.   You saw Me in chains, I will let you see your liberation.   You saw Me a stranger, I will make of you a citizen of heaven.   You gave Me bread, I will give you the Kingdom as your inheritance that is entirely yours.   You helped Me in secret, I will proclaim it publicly and I will say that you are My benefactor and that I am in your debt.’” … St John Chrysostom (345-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church – Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles, no. 45matthew 10 40 - whoever receives you receives me - you welcomed me into your house - st john chrysostom 28 june 2020

PRAYERO Lamb of God By St Irenaeus (c 130 – 202)
O Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world,
look upon us and have mercy upon us;
You who art Yourself, both victim and Priest,
Yourself, both Reward and Redeemer,
keep safe from all evil
those whom You have redeemed,
O Saviour of the world.
Ameno lamb of god - st irenaeus of lyons - 28 june 2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, SAINT of the DAY

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A and Memorials of the Saints – 28 June

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A +2020

St Irenaeus of Lyons (c 130 – c 202) (Memorial)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/28/saint-of-the-day-28-june-st-irenaeus/
AND Pope Benedict’s Catechesis:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/06/28/saint-of-the-day-28-june-st-irenaeus-of-lyons-c-130-c-202-father-of-the-church/

Bl Almus of Balmerino
St Argymirus of Córdoba
St Attilio of Trino
St Austell of Cornwall
St Benignus of Utrecht
St Crummine
Bl Damian of Campania
St Egilo
St Heimrad
St Lupercio
St Papias the Martyr
Blessed Paolo Giustiniani ECMC (1476-1528)
St Pope Paul I
St Theodichildis
St Vincenza Gerosa (1784–1847)
Her life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/06/28/saint-of-the-day-28-june-st-vincenza-gerosa-1784-1847/

Martyrs of Africa – 27 saints: 27 Christians martyred together. The only details about them to survive are the names – Afesius, Alexander, Amfamon, Apollonius, Arion, Capitolinus, Capitulinus, Crescens, Dionusius, Dioscorus, Elafa, Eunuchus, Fabian, Felix, Fisocius, Gurdinus, Hinus, Meleus, Nica, Nisia, Pannus, Panubrius, Plebrius, Pleosus, Theoma, Tubonus and Venustus. Unknown location in Africa, date unknown.

Martyrs of Alexandria – 8 saints: A group of spiritual students of Origen who were martyred together in the persecutions of emperor Septimius Severus – Heraclides, Heron, Marcella, Plutarch, Potamiaena the Elder, Rhais, Serenus and Serenus. They were burned to death c.206 in Alexandria, Egypt.

Posted in CHRIST the KING, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SAINT of the DAY, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY GHOST, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 June – Bl Louise-Thérèse de Montaignac and St Cyril of Alexandria

Quote/s of the Day – 27 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Memorial of St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) and Blessed Louise-Thérèse de Montaignac de Chauvance OSHJ (1820-1885) “Apostle of the Sacred Heart”

“You work for God, without doubt
but one must work IN God.”

you work for god without dout but one must work IN god - bllouise-therese 27 june 2020

“Love dies where there is no humility.”

love dies where there is nohumlity - bllouise-therese 27 june 2020

“To hand onto your children.
the faith you received from your parents,
is your first duty
and your greatest privilege as parents.
The home should be the first school of religion,
as it must be the first school of prayer.

to hand on to your children - bl louise-therese 27 june 2020

Prayer of Bl Louise-Thérèse
“O Jesus, Eternal Life in the womb of the Father,
Life of souls made in Your likeness,
In the name of Your Love,
make Your Heart known and revealed.”

Blessed Louise-Thérèse de Montaignac de Chauvance (1820-1885)
“Apostle of the Sacred Heart”

o jesus eternal life in the womb of the father -bl louise therese de montaignac 27 june 2020

“By nature, each one of us
is enclosed, in his own personality
but supernaturally, we are all one.
We are made one body in Christ
because we are nourished by one flesh.
As Christ is indivisible, we are all one in Him.
Therefore, He asked His Father
“that they may all be One, as We also are one.”

by natue each one of us is enclosed - st cyril of alex - 27 june 2020

“We have passed over the waves
of this present life like a sea,
with its commotion and insane bustle.
We have eaten spiritual manna,
the bread that came down from heaven
giving life to the world.”

my-father-gives-you-the-true-bread-john-6-32-we-have-passed-over-sdt-cyril-of-alex-7-may-2019 (1)

“Christ, has dominion over all creatures,
a dominion not seized by violence
nor usurped but His,
by essence and by nature.

christ has dominion over all - st cyril of alexandria 24 nov 2019 christ the king

“The mark of Christ’s sheep
is their willingness to hear and obey,
just as disobedience
is the mark of those who are not His.
We take the word ‘hear’
to imply obedience
to what has been said.”

john 10 3 he calls his own sheep - the mark of christ's sheep is their willingness to hear - st cyril of alex 13 may 2019

“We must note, therefore,
that he that does things pleasing to God,
serves Christ but he that follows his own wishes,
is a follower, rather of himself and not of God.”

we must note therefore that he does - st cyril of alex - 10 august 2018

“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 Incarnation

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

More from St Cyril here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/06/27/quote-s-of-the-day-27-june-st-cyril-of-alexandria-376-444-father-and-doctor/

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on TRUTH, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 June – “Lord, I am not worthy…”

One Minute Reflection – 27 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart”- Saturday of the Twelfth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Lamentations 2:210-1418-19Psalm 74:1-720-21Matthew 8:5-17 and the Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour and the Memorial of St Cyril of Alexandria  (376-444) – Doctor of the Church “The Pillar of Faith” & “Seal of all the Fathers” – Doctor Incarnationis (Doctor of the Incarnation) and Bl Louise-Thérèse de Montaignac de Chauvance OSHJ (1820-1885)

“Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof” … Matthew 8:8

REFLECTION – “When the Lord promised to go to the centurion’s house to heal his servant, the centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof but only say the word and my servant will be healed.”   By viewing himself as unworthy, he showed himself worthy for Christ to come, not merely into his house but also into his heart.   He would not have said this with such great faith and humility, if he had not already welcomed in his heart, the One who came into his house.   It would have been no great joy for the Lord Jesus to enter into his house and not to enter his heart.   For the Master of humility, both by word and example, sat down also in the house of a certain proud Pharisee, Simon and, though He sat down in his house, there was no place in his heart.   For in his heart the Son of Man could not lay his head.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace – Sermon 62matthew 8 8 lord i am not worthy that you should enter - he would not have said this with such great fiath - st augustine - 27 june 2020

PRAYER – God our Father, You open the gates of the kingdom of heaven to those who are born again of water and the Holy Spirit. Increase the grace You have given, so that the people who have been purified from all sin, may not forfeit the promised blessing of Your love. Grant that we may ever keep Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, before our eyes and do all in Him and through Him and for Him and may the prayers of our Mother of Perpetual Succour may ever guide and bear us in her care and may Your Saints pray for Holy Mother Church and us all! We make our pray through Christ, our Lord, in union with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.mother of perpetual succour pray for us 27 june 2020st cyril of alexandria pray for us

bl louise-therese de montaignac pray for us 27 june 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Mother of God of Gietrzwald, Poland and Memorials of the Saints – 27 June

Mother of Perpetual Succour – Feast 27 June

https://anastpaul.com/2018/06/27/thought-for-the-day-27-june-the-feast-of-our-lady-of-perpetual-succour/

Mother of God of Gietrzwald, Poland – Feast 27 June

Details of the above two Marian Feasts here: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/06/27/saints-memorials-and-feast-days-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-27-june/

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Father and Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/06/27/saint-of-the-day-27-june-st-cyril-of-alexandria-376-444-father-and-doctor-of-the-church/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/27/saint-of-the-day-27-june-st-cyril-of-alexandria-doctor-father-of-the-church-the-pillar-of-faith-seal-of-all-the-fathers-doctor-incarnationis-doctor-of-the-incarnation/

St Adeodato of Naples
St Aedh McLugack
St Anectus of Caesarea
St Arialdus of Milan
St Arianell of Wales
Bl Benvenutus of Gubbio
St Brogan
St Crescens of Galatia
St Crescentius of Mainz
Bl Daniel of Schönau
Bl Davanzato of Poggibonsi
St Desideratus of Gourdon
St Dimman
St Felix of Rome
St Ferdinand of Aragon
St Gudene of Carthage

Bl Hemma of Gurk
St Joanna the Myrrhbearer
St John of Chinon
St Ladislaus I – (c 1040-1095)
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/06/27/saint-of-the-day-st-ladislaus-i-c-1040-1095/
Blessed Louise-Thérèse de Montaignac de Chauvance OSHJ (1820-1885)

Blessed Maria Pia Mastena
St Sampson of Constantinople
St Spinella of Rome
St Tôma Toán
St Zoilus of Cordoba

Martyrs Killed Under Communist Regimes in Eastern Europe: Among the thousands of Christians murdered by various Communist regimes in their hatred of the faith, there were 25 members of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and Russian Byzantine Catholic Church, priests, bishops, sisters and lay people, whose stories are sufficiently well documented that we know they were murdered specifically for their faith in eastern Europe and whose Causes for Canonization were opened. Their Causes were combined and they were beatified together. They have separate memorials but are remembered together today. They are –
• Andrii Ischak • Hryhorii Khomyshyn • Hryhorii Lakota • Ivan Sleziuk • Ivan Ziatyk • Klymentii Sheptytskyi • Leonid Feodorov • Levkadia Harasymiv • Mykola Konrad • Mykola Tsehelskyi • Mykolai Charnetskyi • Mykyta Budka • Oleksa Zarytskyi • Ol’Ha Bida • Ol’Ha Matskiv • Petro Verhun • Roman Lysko • Stepan Baranyk • Symeon Lukach • Vasyl Vsevolod Velychkovskyi • Volodomyr Bairak • Volodymyr Ivanovych Pryima • Yakym Senkivsky • Yosafat Kotsylovskyi • Zenon Kovalyk

Beatified – 27 June 2001 by Pope John Paul II in Ukraine