Our Morning Offering – 18 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of Our Lady of Expectation
Awaiting Baby Jesus Traditional Catholic Advent Prayer
My heart is beating, filled with joy, awaiting Mary’s Baby Boy. For with this Child, we embrace the birth of God’s most precious grace. Baby Jesus, soon to come! For us comes the Promised One. Baby Jesus, God’s own Son, Thou will be the Chosen One to lead Thy flock unto salvation. Our eternal life awaits. The birth of Jesus brings us nearer Heaven’s Holy Gates. Sing with joy and count the days, for soon to come, the Lord we’ll praise. Rejoice that Jesus will soon arrive, the Messiah and our faith alive. Amen
Quote/s of the Day – 12 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” ––Within the Octave – Our Lady of Guadalupe
“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee …”
Luke 1:28
“You must know that when you ‘hail’ Mary, she immediately greets you! Do not think that she is one of those rude women of whom there are so many, on the contrary, she is utterly courteous and pleasant. If you greet her, she will answer you right away and converse with you!”
St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)
“May the Blessed Virgin, unique in her merits, stand in the presence of her Creator interceding always in our favour. She will be radiant in the fullness of glory, she who brought forth, from her virginal womb, the King of glory.”
St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)
“And thou, Immaculate Virgin Mary, my only joy, be thou my protectress and my consoler! Be ever my advocate with God that I may put into practice, my good resolutions.”
St Gerard Majella (1726-1755)
O Mary, Mother of God By St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
O Virgin most pure, wholly unspotted, O Mary, Mother of God, Queen of the universe, thou art above all the saints, the hope of the elect and the joy of all the blessed. It is thou who hast reconciled us with God; thou art the only refuge of sinners and the safe harbour of those who are shipwrecked; thou art the consolation of the world, the ransom of captives, the health of the weak, the joy of the afflicted and the salvation of all. We have recourse to thee and we beseech thee to have pity on us. Amen.
One Minute Reflection – December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave – Proverbs 8:22-35 – Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women” – Luke 1:28
REFLECTION – “Son of God, grant me your own admirable Gift that I may celebrate the wondrous beauty of Thy beloved Mother! The Virgin gave birth to a Son while preserving her virginity; she suckled Him Who gives nourishment to the peoples; in her immaculate breast, she bore Him Who carries the whole world in His Hands. She is Virgin and Mother, what will she not be hereafter? Holy in body, all beautiful in soul, pure of mind, upright in intelligence, perfect in feeling, chaste and faithful, pure of heart and filled with virtue.
May the hearts of virgins rejoice in Mary, since of her was born the One Who set humankind free from dreadful slavery. May the old Adam, wounded by the serpent, rejoice in Mary; it is Mary who gives Adam a posterity which allows Him to crush the accursed serpent and Who cures him of his mortal wound (Gen 3:15). Let Priests rejoice in the blessed Virgin; she has brought the High Priest into the world, Who gave Himself as a Victim, putting an end to the sacrifices of the Old Covenant. … Let the Prophets rejoice in Mary, since in her were fulfilled their visions, in her were realised their prophecies, in her were confirmed their oracles. Let all the Patriarchs rejoice in Mary, since she received the blessing promised to them, she, who, in her Son, has brought them to completion. …
Mary is the new tree of life who, instead of the bitter fruit picked by Eve, gives to mankind that sweet fruit on which the whole world is fed!” – St Ephrem (306-373) Deacon in Syria, Father and Doctor of the Church (Marian Hymn).
PRAYER – Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Thy only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve Thee with purified minds. Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 9 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave
Tota Pulchra Es, Maria You Are All Beautiful, Mary Unknown Author – 4th Century
You are all beautiful, Mary, and the original stain is not in you. You are the glory of Jerusalem, you are the joy of Israel, you give honour to our people. You are an advocate of sinners. O Mary, O Mary, Virgin most intelligent, Mother most merciful. Pray for us, Plead for us, To the Lord Jesus Christ.
Tota pulchra es, Maria. Et macula originalis non est in Te. Tu gloria Ierusalem. Tu laetitia Israel. Tu honorificentia populi nostri. Tu advocata peccatorum. O Maria, O Maria, Virgo prudentissima. Mater clementissima. Ora pro nobis. Intercede pro nobis. Ad Dominum Iesum Christum.
This prayer used by the Church since the 4th Century for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Purity of the Blessed Virgin. It takes some text from the book of Judith and other text from Song of Songs, specifically 4:7. Many composers have set this prayer to music over the centuries.
Quote/s of the Day – 8 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of the Immaculate Conception
“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women”
Luke 1:28
On 8 December 1854, Pope Pius IX promulgated Ineffabilis Deus, the Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. On 25 March 1858, at Lourdes, when asked by St Bernadette, who she was, Our Lady replied:
“I am the Immaculate Conception”
Our Lady to St Bernadette at Lourdes on 25 March 1858
“She saw herself raised to the highest dignity that ever was or will be, for although it should please God to create anew many worlds, He could never make a pure creature be greater than the Mother of God.
Our Lady humbled herself and acknowledged herself unworthy of being raised to the high dignity of Mother of God, therefore, she was made to be His Mother, for she had no sooner uttered the protestation of her littleness, than, having abandoned herself to Him, by an act of incomparable charity, she became the Mother of the Most High, Who is the Saviour of our souls!”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of Charity
“The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity had also been waiting for one, whose immaculate purity should make her fit, as far as any child of Adam could be fit, to be His Mother. There had been many holy women among the daughters of Abraham but none, without sin and, therefore, none in whose womb the Son of God could find repose. If Christ thus could not come to dwell with one who was stained with sin, what must be the purity He requires now, of those whose Guest He becomes in Holy Communion O Jesus, forgive me all my careless receptions of Thee, my want of careful preparation, my faults innumerable!”
Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) The Fulfilment of the Decree
Our Morning Offering – 8 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and The Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Immaculate! Immaculate! By Fr Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)
O Mother! I could weep for mirth, Joy fills my heart so fast; My soul today is Heaven on earth, O could the transport last! I think of thee and what thou art, Thy majesty, thy state And I keep singing, in my heart, Immaculate! Immaculate!
When Jesus looks upon thy face, His Heart with rapture glows And in the Church, by His sweet Grace, Thy blessed worship grows. I think of thee and what thou art, Thy majesty, thy state And I keep singing, in my heart,— Immaculate! Immaculate!
The Angels answer with their songs, Bright choirs in gleaming rows And Saints flock round thy feet in throngs And Heaven with bliss o’erflows. I think of thee and what thou art, Thy majesty, thy state And I keep singing, in my heart, Immaculate! Immaculate!
This Hymn comes from Hymns By Frederick Faber, (1871 edition) and is under the title “Immaculate! Immaculate!” It is a Hymn for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December.
One Minute Reflection – 8 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Feast of the Immaculate Conception – Proverbs 8:22-35 – Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Hail, full of grace!” – Luke 1:28
REFLECTION – “The degeneration caused by sin had obscured the beauty of our original nobility. But when the mother of Supreme Beauty is born, our nature finds its purity once more and sees itself moulded according to the perfect model, worthy of God (Gn 1:26)… We had all preferred the world below, to that above. There no longer remained any hope of salvation. The state of our nature cried aloud to Heaven to come to the rescue… Then at last, in His good pleasure, the world’s Divine Artificer determined to make a new world appear, a different world full of harmony and youth.
Now was it not fitting, that a most pure virgin without stain, should place herself at the service of this mysterious plan first of all?… And where was this virgin to be found, if not in this woman, alone of her kind, chosen by the world’s Creator before all generations? Yes, she indeed is Mother of God, divinely named Mary, whose womb gave birth to God Incarnate and whom, He Himself had supernaturally prepared, as His Temple…
In this way then, the design of the Redeemer of our race was to bring about a birth and, as it were, a new creation to replace the one that went before. Therefore, just as in Paradise, He had taken a little clay out of the pure and spotless earth, to fashion the first Adam (Gn 2:7), so, at the moment of bringing about His Own Incarnation, He made use of another earth, so to speak, namely, this Pure and Immaculate Virgin, chosen from among all other beings He had created. It is in her that He, Adam’s Creator, has remade us in our very substance and become a new Adam (1 Cor 15:45), that the old might be saved by the new and eternal.” – St Andrew of Crete (660-740) Bishop (Sermon 1 for the Nativity of the Mother of God ; PG 97, 812).
PRAYER – O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Thy Son, and Who, by Thy Son’s death, foreseen by Thee, preserved her from all taint, grant, we beseech Thee, through her intercession that we too, may come to Thee, unstained by sin. T Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
St Anastasia of Pomerania St Anthusa of Afric St Casari of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
St Eucharius of Trier (Died 3rd Century) the First Bishop of Trier, Germany, Date and place of birth are unknown but Eucharius is believed to have been of Italian origin. Additional Memorial in Limburg, Germany of the 3 Bishops sent by St Peter, occurs on 11 September. – The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Treves, St Eucharius, disciple of the blessed Apostle Peter and the first Bishop of that City.” His Holy Life: https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/08/saint-of-the-day-8-december-saint-eucharius-of-trier-died-3rd-century-bishop/
St Gunthildis St Macarius of Alexandria St Patapius (7th Century) Hermit
St Romaric (Died 653) Married French noble layman, Abbot, Founder of the renowned Remiremont double Monastery in north-eastern France. Died in 653 of natural causes. He was Canonised on 3 December 1049 by Pope Leo IX. The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In the Monastery of Luxeuil, St Romericus, Abbot, who left the highest station at the Court of King Theodebert, renounced the world and surpassed all others in the observance of monastic discipline.” About St Romaric: https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/08/saint-of-the-day-8-december-saint-romaric-died-653-abbot/
St Sophronius of Cyprus(6th Century) Bishop of the Island of Cyprus, off the coast of Greece, Apostle of widows and orphans, the poor and needy. It is believe, by his name which Greek meaning is ‘the wise‘, that he was of noble Greek origin. The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Cyprus, the holy Bishop Sophronius, who was a devoted protector of orphans and widows and a friend to the poor and the opporessed.” His Fervent Life: https://anastpaul.com/2024/12/08/saint-of-the-day-8-december-saint-sophronius-of-cyprus-6th-century-bishop/
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Our Morning Offering – 27 November – Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal – Patronages : … Special graces, miracles of healing, for conversions, for believers.
Our Blessed Lady and her Miraculous Medal are the solution to the difficulties we are facing. Now, more than ever, we need our Blessed Mother’s comfort and protection. Now, more than ever, we need to discover her peace. Now, more than ever, we need to know that our Mother is with us.
Prayer to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, we unite ourselves to thee under thy title of Blessed Mother, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. May this medal be, for each one of us, a sure sign of thy motherly affection for us and a constant reminder of our filial duties towards thee. While wearing it, may we be blessed by thy loving protection and preserved in the grace of thy Son. Most powerful Virgin, Mother of our Saviour, keep us close to thee, every moment of our lives so that like thee, we may live and act according to the teaching and example of thy Son. Obtain for us, thy children, the grace of a happy death, so that in union with thee we may enjoy the happiness of heaven forever. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 9 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Dedication of The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour – Apocalypse 21:2-5 – Luke 19:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“… For this day, I must abide in thy house.” – Luke 19:5
REFLECTION – “Some people are very like Zacchaeus. They desire to see Jesus as He is. All power of reason and all natural light, are too short and small for this, so they run ahead of all crowds and all the multiplicity of creatures. Through faith and love, they climb up to the highest part of their mind, where their spirit lives in its freedom, devoid of images and obstacles . It is there that Jesus is seen, known and loved in His Divinity, for there, He is always present, to the free and exalted spirit which has risen above itself in love of Him. Jesus there flows forth with a fullness of grace and favours.
But He says to all: “Come down quickly, for the exalted freedom of the spirit cannot be maintained, except through lowly obedience of mind. You must know and love Me, as both God and a human being, higher than all and lower than all! You will savour Me when I raise you up above all things and above yourself to Myself and, when you lower yourself beneath all things and beneath yourself, to Me and for My sake. Then, I will have to come to your house and remain living with you and in you and you with Me and in Me!”
When these persons know, taste and feel this, they come down quickly in great disdain of themselves and, with a humble heart and true displeasure, regarding their life and all their works, they say: “Lord, I am not worthy – but I am truly unworthy – that I should receive Thine glorious body in the blessed Sacrament, into the sinful house of my body and soul. But be gracious to me, Lord and have mercy upn my poor life and all my transgressions.” – Blessed Jan van Ruysbroeck (1293-1381) Canon Regular (A Mirror of Eternal Blessedness).
PRAYER – O God, Who for us bring each year the recurrence of the Consecration day of this Thy holy temple and always bring us back safely to the Sacred Rites, hear the prayers of Thy people and grant that, whoever enters this temple to pray for blessings., may rejoice in having obtained whatever he sought. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Blessed Gabriel Ferretti OFM (1385-1456) Priest, Friar of the Order of Friars Minor, Provincial Superior, Mystic. renowned missionary Preacher. He was zealous in the restoration and establishment of new Convents. He was an ancestor to both Cardinal Gabriele Ferretti and Pope Pius IX, having been descended from a long noble lineage. Patronage – Ancona. His body is incorrupt. He was Beatified on 19 September 1753 by Pope Benedict XIV. Zealous and Devoted Gabriel: https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/09/saint-of-the-day-9-november-blessed-gabriel-ferretti-ofm-1385-1456/
Blessed George Napper (1550-1610) Priest Martyr Beatified by Pope Pius XI on 15 December 1929
St Pabo St Sopatra St Theodore Stratelates St Ursinus (Died c280) Bishop and Confessor of Bourges St Vitonus of Verdun
Martyrs of Constantinople – 3 Saints: A group of ten Christians who tried to defend an image of Jesus over the Brazen Gate of Constantinople from an attack by Iconoclasts during the persecutions of Emperor Leo the Isaurian. The group of was seized by soldiers, condemned by judges for opposing the emperor, and Martyred. The only details that have survived are three of their names – Julian, Marcian and Maria. They were martyred in 730 at Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey).
Quote/s of the Day – 8 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” – The Octave Day of All Saints – Apocalypse 7:2-12; Matthew 5:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:8
“The Almighty has concentrated in St Joseph, as in a sun of unrivalled lustre, the combined light and splendour of all the other Saints.”
St Gregory Nanzianzen (330-390) Father & Doctor of the Church
“Death to the Saints is not a punishment but a reward. “For so He giveth His beloved sleep.” (Ps cxxvii: 3). The death of him, who loves God, is not called death but sleep, so he can truly say: “I will lay me down in peace and take my rest.” (Ps iv: 9).
Cardinal St Fisher, as Saunders relates, when about to die for the Faith, put on the best clothes he had, saying, he was going to a wedding. When he came in sight of the scaffold he cast away his staff, saying: “Make haste my feet, make haste, for we are not far from Paradise.” And before dying he sang Te Deum, in returning thanks to God, Who had allowed him to die a Martyr’s death, for the holy Faith and thus being filled with joy, he placed his head under the axe.”
St John Fisher (1469-1535) Bishop, Martyr, Cardinal
“Those in the Catholic Church, whom some rebuke for praying to Saints and going on pilgrimages, do not seek any Saint as their saviour. Instead, they seek Saints, as those whom their Saviour loves and whose intercession and prayer, for the seeker, He will be content to hear. For His Own sake, He would have those He loves, honoured. And when they are thus honoured for His sake, then, the honour that is given them, for His sake, overflows especially to Himself.”
St Thomas More (1478-1535) Martyr, Confessor
“Let us read the lives of the Saints; let us consider the penances which they performed and blush to be so effeminate and so fearful of mortifying our flesh.”
St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
O Paradise! O Paradise! By Fr Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863) Written in 1854
O Paradise! O Paradise! Who doth not crave for rest? Who would not seek the happy land, Where they that loved are blest.
Where loyal hearts and true, Stand ever in the Light, All rapture through and through, In God’s most holy sight?
O Paradise! O Paradise! The world is growing old; Who would not be at rest and free Where love is never cold? Where loyal hearts, &c.
O Paradise! O Paradise! Wherefore doth death delay; Bright death which is the welcome dawn Of our eternal day; Where loyal hearts, &c
O Paradise! O Paradise; ‘Tis weary waiting here; I long to be, where Jesus is, To feel, to see Him near. Where loyal hearts, &c.
O Paradise! O Paradise! I want to sin no more! I want to be as pure on earth As on thy spotless shore. Where loyal hearts, &c.
O Paradise! O Paradise! I greatly long to see The special place my dearest Lord Is furnishing for me. Where loyal hearts, &c.
O Paradise! O Paradise! I feel ’twill not be long; Patience! I almost think I hear Faint fragments of thy song. Where loyal hearts, &c.
The Feast of the Holy Relics: https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/05/feast-of-the-holy-relics-5-november-2/ AND: About: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/05/feast-of-the-holy-relics-5-november/ Protestantism pretends to regard the veneration which the Church pays to the Relics of the Saints, as a sin and contends that this pious practice is a remnant of paganism. The Council of Trent, on the contrary, has decided that the bodies of the Martyrs and other Saints, who were living members of Jesus Christ and temples of the Holy Ghost, are to be honoured by the faithful. This decision was based upon the established usage of the earliest days of the Church and upon the teaching of the Fathers and of the Councils. The Council orders, however, that all abuse of this devotion is to be careffully avoided and forbids any Relics to be exposed which have not been approved by the Bishops and, these Prelates are recommended, to instruct the people faithfully, in the teaching of the Church on this subject. While we regret, then, the errors of the impious and of heretics, let us profit by the advantages which we gain, by hearkening to the Voice of the Church!
All Saints and Blesseds of the Society of Jesus: The Society of Jesus, commonly known as the Jesuits, was Founded in 1534 by Saint Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) at Montmartre, Paris, France. A body of clerics regular organised for Apostolic work, following a religious rule and relying on alms for their support. It was the chief instrument of the Catholic Reformation. Pope Paul III approved the new rule in 1540 and Ignatius was elected the first general of the order in 1541. The constitutions, drafted by him and based on his Spiritual Exercises were adopted in 1558. It was the first order which enjoined by its constitutions devotion to the cause of education. The ministry of the Society consists chiefly in preaching. teaching catechism. administering the sacraments. conducting missions in parishes, taking care of parishes. organising pious confraternities, teaching in schools of every grade, writing books, pamphlets, periodical articles, going on foreign missions and special missions when ordered by the current Holy Father, to whom they take a vow of total obedience. Our current Holy Father, Pope Francis is a Jesuit and has jokingly wondered aloud who is boss of whom in his Order. The general resides at Rome, Italy and has a council of assistants. The motto of the Society is Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (For the greater glory of God). All Jesuit Saints and Blesseds: https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/05/feast-of-all-the-saints-and-blesseds-of-the-society-of-jesus/
St Canonica St Comasia St Dominator of Brescia +St Elizabeth (1st Century) Mother of St John the Baptist St Domninus the Physician St Epistemis St Eusebius of Terracina St Felix of Terracina St Fibitius St Galation
St Gerald OSA (1070–1123) Bishopof Béziers from 1121 until the day of his death, Canon Regular of St Augustine and the 2nd Prior of the community at Cassan Abbey, Apostle of the poor and sick, Gerald built a Hospital and restored and extended the Abbey, Miracle-worker. Born around 1070 in Puissalicon and died on 5 November 1123 in Béziers in France of natural causes. Patronages – Puissalicon and the town of Saint-Guiraud and of children suffering from eye diseases. His Life of Love: https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/05/saint-of-the-day-5-november-saint-gerald-of-beziers-osa-1070-1123-bishop/
Bl Gomidas Keumurjian Bl Gregory Lakota St Guetnoco St Hermenegild St Idda St Juan Antoni Burró Mas St Juan Duarte Martín St Kanten St Kea St Laetus (Died 534) Priest and Confessor of Orleans St Magnus of Milan St Mamete St Marco of Troia St Spinulus of Moyen-Moûtier St Sylvanus of Syria
Martyrs of Caesarea Maritima – 4 Saints: Four young Christian men who were Martyred together is the persecutions of Maximian – Aussenzius, Philotheus, Timothy and Theotimus. They were martyred in the arena at Caesarea Maritima, Palestine.
Quote/s of the Day – 3 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” and the Feast of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
The Doctrine of Purgatory by Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva Doctor of Charity of the Church
From “The Catholic Controversy“ (originally published by Burns and Oates, London 1886) Translated by Rev Henry Benedict Mackey OSB (19th Century) English Canon of the Isle of Wight
Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory By St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35-c 108) Apostolic Father of the Church
Receive in tranquility and peace, O Lord, the souls of Thy servants, who have departed this present life to come to Thee. Grant them rest and place them in the habitations of Light, the abodes of blessed spirits. Give them the life that will not age, good things that will not pass away, delights that have no end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
“ … Yet only grant me repentance here below That I may make reparation for my sins, … That these tears may extinguish the blazing furnace With its burning flames. …
And, instead of acting like the merciless, Set merciful compassion within me, That, by showing mercy to the poor, I may obtain Your mercy.”
St Nerses Chnorhali (1102-1173) Armenian Bishop
“The more one longs for a thing, the more painful does deprivation of it become. And because, after this life, the desire for God, the Supreme Good, is intense in the souls of the just – (because this impetus toward Him, is not hampered by the weight of the body and that time of enjoyment, of the Perfect Good, would have come) had there been no obstacle. The soul suffers enormously, from the delay.”
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Angelic Doctor
“If, during life, we have been kind to the suffering Souls in Purgatory, God will ensure that help be not denied us, after death.”
St Paul of the Cross (1694-1775)
“The Holy Souls must sometimes think, reproachfully, how little their friends on earth do to aid them in their present sufferings. Among many other methods of aiding them, I can offer up for them all the pains of mind and body which God sends me, asking God to accept them in alleviation of the sufferings of the holy souls. This will help me to be patient and to suffer willingly and, when my time comes, I shall find that patient suffering for others, will shorten my time of banishment from God, in the fires of Purgatory.”
Quote/s of the Day – 2 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” and the Feast of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
“A person may say, I am not much concerned how long I stay in purgatory, provided I may come to eternal life. Let no-one reason thus! Purgatory fire will be more dreadful than whatever torments can be seen, imagined or endured in this world. He who is now afraid to put his finger into the fire, does he not fear, lest he be then all buried in torments, for a very long time?”
St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Bishop, Father of the Church
“To assist the Souls in Purgatory, is to perform the most excellent of the Works of Mercy, or rather, it is to practice, in a most sublime manner, all the Works of Mercy together – it is to visit the sick; it is to give drink to thos who thirst, for the vision of God; it is to feed the hungry, to ransom prisoners, to clothe the naked, to procure, the hospitality of the heavenly Jerusalem for poor exiles; it is to comfort the afflicted, to instruct the ignorant — in fine, to practice all the Works of Mercy in one!”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis
“It is said that souls who, in this life, have but little longing for Heaven are punished in Purgatory with a peculiar pain, called the pain of languor. This surely is only just because, to have but little longing for Heaven is to set little value on the happiness of that eternal Kingdom which our Lord opened to us, by His Death. Remember then, frequently to think of, and long for Heaven. Say to God that your life seems an endless span, so great is your desire to go to Him, to see Him face-to-face and, to love Him. Say to Him, over and over again, Lord, as long as I live on this earth, I am in danger of forsaking Thee and of losing Thy Love.”
“How pleasing to Him it will be, if you sometimes forget yourself and speak to Him of His own glory; of the miseries of others, especially those who mourn in sorrow; of the souls in purgatory, His spouses, who long to behold Him in Heaven and, of poor sinners, who live deprived of His grace.”
St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
All Souls Day – (Will be celebrated tomorrow) The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed: Commemoration of the faithful departed in Purgatory. Abbot Odilo of Cluny instituted it in the Monasteries of his congregation in 998, other religious orders took up the observance and it was adopted by various Diocese and gradually by the whole Church. The Office of the Dead must be recited by the clergy on this day and Pope Benedict XV granted to all Priests, the privilege of saying three Masses of requiem – one for the souls in Purgatory one for the intention of the Holy Father one for the Priest’s intentions If the feast should fall on Sunday it is kept on 3 November. Patronage: Monselice, Italy HERE: https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/02/commemoration-of-all-souls-day-2-november/ AND: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/02/the-commemoration-of-all-the-holy-souls-in-purgatory-2-november/
St Ambrose of Agaune St Ambrose of Agaune St Amicus of Fonte Avellana St Amicus of Rambone St Baya of Scotland St Domninus of Grenoble St Erc of Slane St Eustochium of Tarsus St George of Vienne
Blessed John Bodey (1549-1583) Layman, Martyr, Husband and Schoolmaster. Born in 1549 at Wells, Somerset, England and died on 2 November 1583 at Andover, England by being hanged, drawn and quartered for the crime of being a Catholic and refusing to accept Elizabeth I, Queen of England, as the Head of the Church. Blessed John was Beatified on 15 December 1929 together with Blessed John Slade (feast day 30 October), by Pope Pius XI. His Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/02/saint-of-the-day-2-november-blessed-john-bodey-1549-1583-layman-martyr/
Bl John Bodey left and St Swithun Wells, right at Winchester Catholic Cathedral
St Jorandus of Kergrist St Justus of Trieste St Marcian (4th Century) Confessor
St Theodotus (c260–c335) Bishop of Laodicea(in modern Turkey), Philosopher, possibly a Physician, Theologian. He initially defended the Arians but after being provisionally excommunicated, he repented his stance and became a defender of orthodoxy. The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Laodicea in Syria, St Theodotus, a Bishop, powerful in words and adorned with good works and virtues.” His Life of Service: https://anastpaul.com/2024/11/02/saint-of-the-day-2-november-saint-theodotus-c260-c335-bishop/
Martyrs of Isfahan – 5+ Saints: Acindynus, Pegasius and Anempodistus were Persian priests who were imprisoned, tortured, interrogated and Martyred in the persecutions of king Sapor II of Persia; he considered any Christian to be a Roman spy and anti-Persian.
Martyrs of Sebaste – 10 Saints: A group of ten soldiers in the imperial Roman army of Emperor Licinius Licinianus who were executed together for refusing to burn incense as a sacrifice to the emperor. The only details that have survived are five of their names – Agapius, Cartherius, Eudoxius, Styriacus and Tobias. They were burned at the stake in 315 in Sebaste
Thought for the Day – 1 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Feast of All Saints
“Today’s feast should inspire in us, a burning desire to become holy. Men long for many things in this world, things which are often useless and, even sinful. They desire riches, pleasure, honours, success and material comfort. These things may be lawful but, they cannot satisfy the human heart, which is made for God. Whenever we achieve any of our ambitions in this world, are we in fact, happy or even perfectly satisfied? The truth is that we are not! because, the soul is greater than the objects which surround us. God alone can fill and satisfy it.
Sanctity should be our principal ambition. We should yearn to be more closely united to God, so that His Divinity may be reflected in our thoughts and in our actions. If we enjoy God’s friendship, we shall become more like God and shall be lifted up above petty mundane considerations. Perhaps, we doubt our ability to reach such a high spiritual level? Even so, we should, nevertheless, desire to reach it and, not just in a passing and indifferent manner but, constantly and actively. We should keep our desire alive by repeating it to ourselves and by continually praying for God’s grace to fulfil it. “I intend to become holy,” said little Dominic Savio and he kept the promise which he had made to God. Many people have formed the same resolution, both desert hermits and University professors, both humble workmen and rulers of nations. Since we ought to have the same intention, what is there to prevent us? Let us make this resolution now and put it into effect, with the help of God!”
“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:8
“You say in your book that while we live, we are able to pray for each other but afterwards, when we have died, the prayer of no person for another, can be heard. But if the Apostles and Martyrs, while still in the body, can pray for others, at a time, when they ought still to be solicitous, about themselves, how much more will they do so, after their crowns, victories and triumphs!?”
St Jerome (343-420) Father and Doctor of the Church
“I feel a longing and a need to become a Saint. I did not know it was so easy to become one but now I see one can be holy and happy too. I feel I simply MUST become a Saint!”
St Dominic (1170-1221)
“Dismiss all anger and look into yourself a little. Remember, he of whom you are speaking, is your brother and, as he is in the way of salvation, God can make him a Saint, in spite of his present weakness!”
St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555)
“Let us read the lives of the Saints; let us consider the penances which they performed and blush to be so effeminate and so fearful of mortifying our flesh.”
St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
“The chance to become a Saint is offered me only once. If I do not profit by it, it is gone forever. Since I can have only once , the good fortune to become a Saint, what shall hinder me from labouring for that end? I have every opportunity to sanctify myself. Yes, I will be a Saint!”
Our Morning Offering – 1 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”
I Salute Thee, All ye Holy Angels and Saints of God By St Gertrude the Great(1256-1302)
I salute thee through the Heart of Jesus, O all ye holy Angels and Saints of God. I rejoice in thy glory and I give thanks to our Lord for all the benefits which He has showered upon thee. I praise Him and glorify Him and offer thee, for an increase of thou joy and honour, the most gentle heart of Jesus. Deign, therefore, to pray for me that I may become, like thee, according to the Heart of God. Amen.
November “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”
All Saints Day – (a Holy Day of Obligation) Instituted to honour all the saints, known and unknown. It owes its origin in the Western Church to the dedication of the Roman Pantheon in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Martyrs by Pope Saint Boniface IV in 609, the anniversary of which was celebrated at Rome on 13 May. Pope Saint Gregory III Consecrated a Chapel in the Vatican Basilica in honour of All Saints, designating 1 November as their feast. Pope Gregory IV extended its observance to the whole Church. It has a Vigil and Octave and is a Holy Day of Obligation – the eve is popularly celebrated as Hallowe’en. Patronage – Arzignano, Italy. ABOUT: https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/01/solemnity-of-all-saints-1-november/ AND: https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/01/1-november-solemnity-of-all-saints/ AND: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/01/1-november-the-feast-of-all-the-saints/
St Caesarius of Africa St Caesarius of Damascus St Ceitho St Cledwyn of Wales Bl Clemens Kyuemon St Cyrenia of Tarsus St Dacius of Damascus St Deborah the Prophetess St Dingad Bl Dionysius Fugixima St Floribert of Ghent St Gal of Clermont St Genesius of Lyon St Germanus of Montfort St Harold the King St James of Persia St John of Persia St Julian of Africa St Juliana of Tarsus St Lluís Estruch Vives St Marcel of Paris St Mary the Slave St Mathurin St Meigan St Nichole St Pabiali of Wales Bl Pere Josep Almató Ribera Auras St Peter Absalon Bl Peter Paul Navarra Bl Petrus Onizuka Sadayu St Rachel the Matriarch
The Holy Souls in Purgatory (due to having fallen on a Sunday) All Souls Day – The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed: Commemoration of the faithful departed in Purgatory. Abbot Odilo of Cluny instituted it in the Monasteries of his congregation in 998, other religious orders took up the observance and it was adopted by various Diocese and gradually by the whole Church. The Office of the Dead must be recited by the clergy on this day and Pope Benedict XV granted to all Priests, the privilege of saying three Masses of requiem – one for the souls in Purgatory one for the intention of the Holy Father one for the Priest’s intentions If the feast should fall on Sunday it is kept on 3 November. Patronage: Monselice, Italy HERE: https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/02/commemoration-of-all-souls-day-2-november/ AND: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/02/the-commemoration-of-all-the-holy-souls-in-purgatory-2-november/
St Acepsimas St Acheric of Vosges Bl Alphais of Cudot Bl Berardo dei Marsi Bl Berchtold of Engelberg St Caesarius St Cecilio Manrique Arnáiz St Clydog St Cristiolus St Domnus (6th Century) Bishop and Confessor of Vienne St Elerius St Englatius St Florus of Lodeve St Gaudiosus of Tarazona St Germanus St Guenhael St Hermengaudius of Urgell St Hilary of Viterbo
Innumerable Martyrs of Saragossa: A large group of Christians martyred in Zaragoza, Spain by Dacian during the persecutions of Diocletian. Dacian ordered all Christians of the city into exile under pain of death; when they were assembled to leave, Dacian ordered imperial soldiers to massacre the lot of them. They were Martyred in 304.
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Lord of Miracles/Señor de los Milagros de Nazarenas – A mid-17th-century painting of the Crucifixion which is venerated in Lima, Peru and its celebration involves one of the largest processions in the world. It was painted by an unnamed African taken to Peru as a slave from what is now Angola. Above the Cross is the Holy Ghost and God the Father. Below and to the right of Jesus, is His mother, the Virgin Mary with her heart pierced by a Sword of Sorrow. Kneeling and weeping at the foot of the Cross is St Mary Magdalene. The name originated on 13 November 1655 when everything around it was destroyed in an earthquake which left the painting standing and undamaged. Christ is shown enduring the pain of Crucifixion. Every year in October, hundreds of thousands of devotees participate in a procession honouring the imag,e through the streets of Lima. Boulevards are decorated in purple from 18 or 19 and the final Feast 28 October, to celebrate the Lord of Miracles.
St Abdias of Babylon St Abraham of Ephesus St Alberic of Stavelot St Anastasia the Elder St Anglinus of Stavelot St Cyril of Rome St Cyrilla (3rd Century) Virgin Martyr of Rome St Diomedes the Younger St Dorbhene of Iona
St Gaudiosus (Died c453) Bishopof Abitinae in North Africa, Monk and founder of a Monastery where he introduced the Rule of St Augustine. The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Naples, St Gaudiosus, an African Bishop, who came to Campania because of the persecution of the Vandals and closed his holy career peacefully in a Monastery near that City.” His Holy Life: https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/28/saint-of-the-day-28-october-saint-gaudiosus-of-naples-died-c453-bishop/
St Genesius of Thiers Bl Germain of Talloires St Godwin of Stavelot
St Maria Ascuncion St Remigius of Lyons St Rodrigo Aguilar Aleman St Salvius of Amiens
Martyrs of Avila – 3 Saints: Two sisters and a brother who, during a period of persecution, fled Talavera de la Reina, Spain, were caught and executed. Martyrs: Christeta, Sabina and Vincent. 303 in Avila, Spain.
Quote/s of the Day – 26 October – The Feast of Christ the King – Colossians 1:12-20 – John 18:33-37 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“While He is judged, Wisdom remains silent and the Word says nothing. His enemies despise and Crucify Him … Those, to whom yesterday, He gave His Body as food, watch from a distance as He dies. Peter, the first of the Apostles, is the first to flee. Andrew also took flight and John, who rested at His side, did not prevent the soldier from piercing that side with a lance. The Twelve fled – they did not say one word in His favour, they, for whom He is giving His Life. Lazarus is not there, he, whom He called back to life. The blind man did not weep for Him Who opened his eyes to the light and the crippled man, who could walk thanks to Him, did not run to Him. Only a bandit who was crucified next to Him confessed Him and called Him his King! O thief, precocious blossom from the tree of the Cross, first fruit of the wood from Golgotha!”
St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Wake up then, believer and note what is stated here: “In my Name.” That [Name] is Christ Jesus. Christ signifies King, Jesus signifies Saviour. Therefore, whatever we ask for that would hinder our salvation, we do not ask in our Saviour’s Name and yet, He is our Saviour, not only when He does what we ask but also, when He does not. When He sees us ask anything to the disadvantage of our salvation, He shows Himself our Saviour by not doing it. The physician knows whether what the sick person asks for, is to the advantage or disadvantage of his health. And [the physician] does not allow what would be harmful to him, although the sick person himself, desires it. But the physician looks to his final cure.”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace of the Church
“Listen, then, my son and give me your ear. Break off all ties which bind and entangle you in this world. Change your secular service into something better, start being a soldier for the eternal King!”
St Paulinus of Nola (c354-431)
Be Thou My Vision By St Dallan Forgaill (c530- 598) Martyr
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best thought by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy Presence my Light.
Be Thou my Wisdom and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord. Thou my great Father, I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my Battle-shield, Sword for my fight, Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight. Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower. Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always. Thou and Thou only, First in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won, May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Son, Heart of my heart, whatever befall Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Supreme Lord and King of All! By St Albert the Great (1200-1280) Universal Doctor of the Church
We pray to Thee, O Lord, Who art the Supreme Truth, and all truth is from Thee. We beseech Thee, O Lord, Who art the highest Wisdom and all the wise depend on Thee, for their wisdom. Thou are the supreme Joy, and all who are joyous, owe it to Thee. Thou art the Light of minds and all receive their understanding from Thee. We love, we love Thee above all! We seek Thee, we follow Thee and we are ready to serve Thee. We desire to dwell under Thy Power for Thou art the King of all! Amen
One Minute Reflection – 26 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Pentecost XX – The Feast of Christ the King – Colossians 1:12-20 – John 18:33-37 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews …” – John 18:36
REFLECTION – “ Listen everyone, Jews and Gentiles … Listen all the kingdoms of the earth! I am not preventing you from ruling over this world, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” (Jn 18:36) So, do not be afraid with that senseless fear which seized Herod when My Birth was announced to him … “No,” the Savior says, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” May you not be made cruel by fear. It is true that the Son of God, speaking of the Father, says in a prophecy: “Through Him, I was established as King on Zion, His holy mountain.” (Ps 2:6) But that Zion and that mountain, are not of this world.
And what is His Kingdom? It is they who believe in Him, those to whom He says: “You are not of the world, just as I Am not of the world.” But He, nevertheless, wants them to be in the world; He prays to His Father: “I am not asking Thee to take them out of the world but, to protect them from the evil one.” (Jn 17:15) For He did not say: “My Kingdom is not in this world” but rather: “It is not OF this world.If My Kingdom were OF this world, My followers would be fighting to keep Me from being handed over.”
For His Kingdom really is here on earth until the end of the world, until the harvest of weeds mingled with the good seed (Mt 13:24.) … ButHis Kingdom is not from here, for He is like a traveller in this world . To those over whom He reigns, He says: “You do not belong to the world but I have chosen you out of the world.” (Jn 15:19) So they did belong to this world when they were not yet His Kingdom and they belonged to the prince of this world (Jn 12:3) … All who are born of Adam’s sinful race belong to this world; all who were reborn in Jesus Christ belong to His Kingdom and no longer belong to this world.For “God has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son.” (Col 1:13).” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace(Tractate 115 on the Gospel of John ) [Translated from the French].
PRAYER – Almighty and eternal God, Who willed to restore all things in Thy beloved Son, the King of the Universe, graciously grant that the peoples of the earth torn asunder by the wound of sin, may submit to His most gentle rule. Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 26 October – The Feast of Christ the King
Alone With None but Thee, My God Attri. St Columban (543-615)
Alone with none but Thee, my God I journey on my way, what need I fear when Thou art near, O King of night and day? More safe am I within Thy Hand than if a host should round me stand.
My destined time is known to Thee, and death will keep his hour; did warriors strong around me throng, they could not stay his power. No walls of stone can man defend when Thou Thy messenger dost send.
My life I yield to Thy decree and bow to Thy control in peaceful calm, for from Thine arm no power can wrest my soul, could earthly omens e’er appal a man that heeds the heavenly call?
The child of God can fear no ill, His chosen, dread no foe; we leave our fate with Thee and wait Thy bidding when to go, ’tis not from chance our comfort springs, Thou art our Trust, O King of kings.
CHRIST the KING “Therefore, by our Apostolic authority, we appoint the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, annually, on the last Lord’s day in the Month of October that is to say, on the Sunday which immediately precedes the Feast of All Saints, to be observed everywhere in the world. Likewise we enjoin, that the dedication of the human race to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, be annually renewed upon that selfsame day.” From the Encyclical Letter of Pope Pius XI Quas Primas; 11 December 1925 https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/25/25-november-the-solemnity-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-king-of-the-universe/ AND: https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/30/30-october-christ-the-king/
St Adalgott of Einsiedeln St Alanus of Quimper St Albinus of Buraburg
St Alfred the Great (849-899) King of Wessex, Confessor, Scholar, Writer and Translator, negotiator. He administered justice with insight and fairness, protected the poor, and encouraged art and the crafts. He tried in all that he did, to rule as a model Christian King. For all this, he alone among the rulers of England is called “the Great.” This Great Saint’s Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/26/saint-of-the-day-26-october-saint-alfred-the-great-849-899/
St Alorus of Quimper St Amandus of Strasburg St Amandus of Worms St Aneurin St Aptonius of Angouleme St Arnold of Queralt St Bean of Mortlach St Bernard de Figuerols
St Gaudiosus (7th Century) Bishop of Salerno St Gibitrudis St Gwinoc St Humbert St Lucian Martyr of Nicomedia and Companions St Marcian St Quadragesimus of Policastro St Quodvultdeus St Rogatian of Carthage
Our Morning Offering – 16 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of the Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Praeclara Custos Virginum! Blest Guardian of All Virgin Souls! By Anonymous Latin, 18th Century Trans. Fr Edward Caswall C.Orat. (1814–1878)
Blest Guardian of all virgin souls! Portal of bliss to man forgiven! Pure Mother of Almighty God! Thou hope of earth and joy of Heaven!
Fair Lily, found amid the thorns! Most beauteous Dove with wings of gold! Rod from whose tender root there sprang That healing Flow’r long since foretold!
Thou Tow’r, against the dragon proof! Thou Star, to storm-toss’d voyagers dear! Our course lies o’er a treacherous deep; Thine be the light by which we steer.
Scatter the mists that round us hang; Keep far the fatal shoals away And while through darkling waves we sweep, Open a path to life and day.
O Jesu, born of Virgin bright! Immortal glory be to Thee! Praise to the Father infinite And Holy Ghost eternally. Amen
This Hymn originated as the Hymn for Vespers in the Office of the Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is used for Matins on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Tune: “From High Heaven” Leipzig melody, 1539.
Quote/s of the Day – 11 October – The Feast of the Divine Maternity
“Gracious Lady, thou art a Mother and Virgin, thou art the Mother of the body and soul of our Head and Redeemer, thou art too, truly Mother of all the members of Christ’s Mystical Body. For through thy love, thou hast co-operated in the begetting of the faithful in the Church. Unique among women, thou art Mother and Virgin, Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ. Thou art the beauty and charm of earth, O Virgin. Thou art, forever, the image of the holy Church. Through a woman came death, through a woman came Life, yes, through thee, O Mother of God.“
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“You have guarded the integrity of the temple [of your body]; you have kept your tabernacle free from all sin, so that the Father becomes your guest, the Holy Ghost overshadows you and the Only-begotten Son Incarnate is born of you.”
St Hesychius of Jerusalem (Died c450) Priest, Exegete, Father
“May the Blessed Virgin, unique in her merits, stand in the presence of her Creator interceding always in our favour. She will be radiant in the fullness of glory, she who brought forth, from her virginal womb, the King of glory.”
St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)
“The prayers of Mary, have the force of command with Jesus Christ. Hence, it is impossible for the Son not to grant a grace for which the Mother asks.”
St Antoninus (1389-1459)
O Mary, Mother of God By St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
O Virgin most pure, wholly unspotted, O Mary, Mother of God, Queen of the universe, thou art above all the saints, the hope of the elect and the joy of all the blessed. It is thou who hast reconciled us with God; thou art the only refuge of sinners and the safe harbour of those who are shipwrecked; thou art the consolation of the world, the ransom of captives, the health of the weak, the joy of the afflicted and the salvation of all. We have recourse to thee and we beseech thee to have pity on us. Amen.
One Minute Reflection – 11 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – The Feast of the Divine Maternity –Ecclesiasticus Sirach 24:23-31 – Luke 2:43-51 –
“He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them and His mother kept all these things in her heart.” – Luke 2:51
REFLECTION – “Consider the most prudent woman Mary, Mother of true Wisdom, as the pupil of her Son. For she learned from Him, not as from a child or man but, as from God. Yes, she dwelt in meditation on His words and actions. Nothing of what was said or done by Him, fell idly on her mind. As before, when she conceived the Word itself, in her womb, so now, does she hold within her, His ways and words, cherishing them, as it were, in her heart. That which she now beholds in the present, she waits to have revealed with greater clarity, in the future. This practice she followed as a rule and law through all her life.” – St Bede the Venerable(673-735) Father and Doctor of the Church (Exposition of the Gospel of Luke).
PRAYER – O God, Who, by the message of an Angel, willed to take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant that we, Thy suppliants, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, maybe assisted by her intercession with Thee.Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
AnaStpaul 
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