FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES – Page 22

DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The HOLY NAME, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 April -– Easter – ‘The Door is Open’

Posted on April 12, 2020April 12, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 12 April -– Easter Sunday – The Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!!!
For with thee is the fountain of life
and in thy light, we shall see light.

Psalm 36:9

“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hell, where is your victory?
Christ is risen and you are overthrown.
Christ is risen and the demons are fallen.
Christ is risen and the angels rejoice.
Christ is risen and life reigns.
Christ is risen and not one dead remains in the grave.
For Christ, being risen from the dead,
is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages.”

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

“There is just one Name in the whole world that lives –
it is the Name of One who passed His years in obscurity
and who died a malefactor’s death.
(Two thousand yeas) have gone by since that time but still It has It’s hold upon the human mind.
It has possessed the world and It maintains possession.
Amid the most various nations, under the most diversified circumstances,
in the most cultivated, in the rudest races and intellects,
in all classes of society, the Owner of that great Name reigns.
High and low, rich and poor, acknowledge Him.
Millions of souls are conversing with Him,
are venturing at His word, are looking for His presence. Palaces, sumptuous, innumerable, are raised to His honour.
His image, in it’s deepest humiliations,
is triumphantly displayed in the proud city, in the open country,
at the corners of streets, on the tops of mountains.
It sanctifies the ancestral hall, the closet and the bedchamber,
it is the subject for the exercise of the highest genius in the imitative arts.
It is worn next to the heart in life, it is held before the failing eyes in death.

O fulfil Your Resurrection in us
and as You have purchased us,
claim us, take possession of us,
make us Thine.”
Amen

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

“It seems as if the human world
has no doors opening toward God.
It is locked in upon itself.
It is a prison, a house of the dead.

[BUT TODAY] …
The Door is open
It is called
Jesus Christ”

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger – Pope Benedict XVI

Seek That Which is Above

BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRIST the KING, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 April – Easter Sunday – The first day of the new life

Posted on April 12, 2020April 12, 2020 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 12 April – Easter Sunday – The Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord, Readings: Acts 10:34, 37-43, Psalms 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23, Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, John 20:1-9 or Matthew 28:1-10

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. … John 20:1

REFLECTION – “Here is a wise saying: “The day of prosperity makes one forget adversity” (Sir 11:25). Today the first sentence passed against us has been forgotten – more! not just forgotten but cancelled! This day has wiped away completely all remembrance of our condemnation. In former times childbearing took place in pain, now we are born without suffering. Formerly we were no more than flesh, born of the flesh, today, what is born is spirit, born of the Spirit. Yesterday we were born mere children of men, today we are born children of God. Yesterday we were cast out of heaven to the earth, today, He who reigns in the heavens makes us citizens of heaven. Yesterday, death reigned because of sin, today, thanks to Him who is the Life, righteousness regains its might.

In former times one man opened for us the gates of death, today, the one Man brings us back to life. Yesterday, life was lost to us because of death but today, Life has destroyed death. Yesterday, shame caused us to hide ourselves beneath the fig tree, today, glory draws us towards the tree of life. Yesterday, disobedience expelled us from Paradise, today, our faith causes us to enter it. Once again the fruit of life is held out to us to be enjoyed as much as we wish. Once again the stream of Paradise, whose water irrigates us through the four rivers of the gospels (cf. Gn 2:10), comes to refresh the whole face of the Church. (…)

From now on what are we to do but imitate the mountains and hills of the prophecies in their leaping for joy: “Mountains, skip like rams; hills, like lambs of the flock!” (Ps 114[113]:4). “Come, then, let us sing joyfully to the Lord!” (Ps 95[94]:1). He has broken the power of the enemy and raised up the great trophy of the cross… So let us say: “The Lord is a great God and a great king above all gods!” (Ps 95[94],3). He blesses the year by crowning it with His bounty (cf. Ps 65[64]:12) and He gathers us together in spiritual chorus in Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be glory for endless ages. Amen.” … St Gregory of Nyssa (c 335-395) – Father of the Church – Homily for the holy and life-giving Pasch jesus christ is risen - in former times - st gregory of nyssa easter sun 12 april 2020

PRAYER – Breviary Hymn
Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ our heav’nly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now He rules eternal King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

Praise to God the Father sing, Alleluia!
Praise to God the Son, our King, Alleluia!
Praise to God the Spirit be, Alleluia!
Now and through eternity, Alleluia! jesus christ is risen today alleluia 12 april 2020

DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The RESURRECTION

Our Morning Offering – 12 April – St Pope Gregory the Great’s Easter Prayer

Posted on April 12, 2020April 11, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 12 April – Easter Sunday – The Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord

Easter Prayer
By St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604)
One of the original four Doctors of the Latin Church

It is only right,
with all the powers of our heart and mind,
to praise You Father and Your Only-Begotten Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dear Father, by Your wondrous condescension
of Loving-Kindness toward us, Your servants,
You gave up Your Son.
Dear Jesus,
You paid the debt of Adam for us,
to the Eternal Father by Your Blood
poured forth in Loving-Kindness.
You cleared away the darkness of sin
by Your magnificent and radiant Resurrection.
You broke the bonds of death
and rose from the grave as a Conqueror.
You reconciled Heaven and earth.
Our life had no hope of Eternal Happiness
before You redeemed us.
Your Resurrection has washed away our sins,
restored our innocence and brought us joy.
How inestimable is the tenderness of Your Love!
We pray You, Lord, to preserve Your servants
in the peaceful enjoyment of this Easter happiness.
We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord,
Who lives and reigns with God The Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.
Amen easter-prayer-by-st-pope-gregory-the-great-monday-in-easter-week-22-april-2019 and 12 april 2020

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EASTER, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The RESURRECTION

Solemnity of Solemnities – Easter Sunday – 12 April

Posted on April 12, 2020April 11, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Solemnity of Solemnities
Easter Sunday – 12 April – The Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord

A Blessed and Holy Easter to you all!
Alleluia!

Christós anésti.
Jesus Christ is risen! He is truly risen!
Alleluia!
Amen

Today we forget the troubles of the world, for we have reached our goal, today is Easter, the day we celebrate Christ’s Resurrection. This is the single most important feast day of the Church. With Christ’s Death and Resurrection, Christ has conquered sin and death, the gates of heaven are now open to man.

Yes, Lord, make us Easter people,
men and women of light,
filled with the fire of Your love.
Amen

Pope Francis

Fr Francis Fernandez from his ‘In Conversation with God: Daily Meditations, Volume Two.’ explains why this feast is so pivotal:

“The glorious Resurrection of the Lord is the key to interpreting His whole life and the ground of our faith. Without this victory over death, says St Paul, all our preaching would be useless and our faith in vain.
Furthermore, the guarantee of our future resurrection is secured upon the Resurrection of Christ, because although we were dead through sin, God, full of mercy, moved by the infinite compassion with which He loved, gave us Christ…and He raised us with Him. Easter is the celebration of our Redemption and, therefore, the celebration of thanksgiving and joy.
The Resurrection of the Lord is a central reality of the Catholic faith and has been preached as such since the beginning of Christianity. The importance of this miracle is so great that the Apostles are, above all else, witnesses of Jesus’ Resurrection (cf. Acts 1:22; 2:43; 3:15; etc.). They announce that Christ is alive and this becomes the nucleus of all their preaching. After twenty centuries this is what we announce to the world – Christ lives! The fact of the resurrection is the supreme argument for the divinity of Our Lord….”

“And Jesus Christ lives.
And this crowns us with happiness.
This is the great truth which fills our faith with meaning.
Jesus, who died on the cross, has risen.
He has triumphed over death,
He has overcome sorrow, anguish and the power of darkness…
In Him we find everything.
Outside of Him our life is empty “

St Josemaria Escrivá (1902-1975)

EASTER, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, SAINT of the DAY

Easter Sunday: The Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord +2020 and Memorials of the Saints – 12 April

Posted on April 12, 2020April 11, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Easter Sunday: The Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord +2020

Christós anésti.
Jesus Christ is risen! He is truly risen!

St Acutina
St Alferius of La Cava
Bl Andrew of Montereale
Bl Angelo Carletti di Chivasso OFM (1411-1495)
Blessed Angelo’s Biography:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/04/12/saint-of-the-day-12-apil-blessed-angelo-carletti-di-chivasso/

St Artemón of Caesarea

St Basil of Parion
St Constantine of Gap
St Damian of Pavia
St David Uribe Velasco (1889-1927) Priest and Martyr of the Cristero War
St Erkemboden of Thérouanne
St Florentin of Arles
St Pope Julius I
St Lorenzo of Belem
St Peter of Montepiano
St Sabas the Lector
St Teresa de Jesús “de los Andes” OCD (1900-1920)
St Teresa’s Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/12/saint-of-the-day-12-april-saint-teresa-de-jesus-de-los-andes-ocd-1900-1920/
St Tetricus of Auxerre
St Victor of Braga
St Vissia of Fermo
St Wigbert
St Zeno of Verona (c 300 – 371)
About St Zeno:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/04/12/saint-of-the-day-12-april-st-zeno-of-verona-c-300-371/

DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOOD FRIDAY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 10 April – St Bernard’s Our Lord’s Passion

Posted on April 10, 2020April 9, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 10 April – Friday of the Passion of the Lord

Our Lord’s Passion
St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) Doctor of the Church

In Your hour of holy sadness
could I share with You, what gladness
should Your Cross to me be showing.
Gladness past all thought of knowing,
bowed beneath Your Cross to die!

Blessed Jesus, thanks I render
that in bitter death, so tender,
You now hear Your supplicant calling,
Save me Lord and keep from falling
from You,
when my hour is night.

our-lords-passion-st-bernard-17-march-2018

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN POETRY, The ANNUNCIATION, The INCARNATION

Second Thought for the Day – 25 March – The Annunciation by Thomas Merton

Posted on March 25, 2020March 25, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Second Thought for the Day – 25 March – The Annunciation

the annunciation poem by thomas merton 25 march 2020

The Annunciation
By Fr Thomas Merton (1915-1968)

Ashes of paper, ashes of a world
Wandering, when fire is done:
We argue with the drops of rain!

Until one comes Who walks unseen
Even in elements we have destroyed.
Deeper than any nerve
He enters flesh and bone.
Planting His truth, He puts our substance on.
Air, earth and rain
Rework the frame that fire has ruined.
What was dead is waiting for His Flame.
Sparks of His Spirit spend their seeds, and hide
To grow like irises, born before summertime.
These blue thinas bud in Israel.

The girl prays by the bare wall
Between the lamp and the chair.
(Framed with an angel in our galleries
She has a richer painted room, sometimes a crown.
Yet seven pillars of obscurity
Build her to Wisdom’s house, and Ark and Tower.
She is the Secret of another Testament
She owns their manna in her jar.)

Fifteen years old –
The flowers printed on her dress
Cease moving in the middle of her prayer
When God, Who sends the messenger,
Meets His messenger in her Heart.
Her answer, between breath and breath,
Wrings from her innocence our Sacrament!
In her white body God becomes our Bread.

It is her tenderness
Heats the dead world like David on his bed.
Times that were too soon criminal
And never wanted to be normal
Evade the beast that has pursued
You, me and Adam out of Eden’s wood.
Suddenly we find ourselves assembled
Cured and recollected under several green trees.

Her prudence wrestled with the Dove
To hide us in His cloud of steel and silver:
These are the mysteries of her Son.
And here my heart, a purchased outlaw,
Prays in her possession
Until her Jesus, makes my heart
Smile like a flower in her blameless hand.

Fr Thomas Merton (1915-1968), Trappist monk and priest is recognized as one of the major spiritual fathers of our times. His longing for silence and solitude, his contemplative vision, his engagement with need for world peace through inner life of the spirit, his journey across religious traditions, cultures and disciplines, make him a man for all times but especially for our own. Thomas Merton expressed this vision in his poetry, novels, essays, devotionals and autobiographical writings.

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The ANNUNCIATION, The INCARNATION, To JESUS through MARY

Quote of the Day – 25 March – Mary’s Titles

Posted on March 25, 2020March 25, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 25 March – The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

“Mary’s titles are numberless…
she is the palace in which the mighty King of kings abode,
yet He did not cast her out when He came,
because it was from her that He took flesh and was born.
She is the new heaven in which dwelt the King of kings,
in her, Christ arose and from her, rose up to enlighten creation,
formed and fashioned in His image.
She is the stock of the vine that bore the grape,
she yielded a fruit greater than nature
and He, although other than her in His nature,
ripened in colour on being born of her.
She is the spring from which living waters
sprang up for the thirsty
and all those who drank them,
yielded fruit a hundredfold.”

Saint Ephrem (306-373)

Father and Doctor of the Church

Sermons on the Mother of God, 2, 93-145

More here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/25/quote-s-of-the-day-25-march-in-her-god-spun-a-garment-with-which-to-save-us/

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, NOTES to Followers, The LORD'S PRAYER

Holy Father Calls on World to Pray the “Our Father” Together at 12 Noon and announces the Urbi et Orbi Blessing on Friday 27 March which will include a Plenary Indulgence

Posted on March 25, 2020March 25, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Holy Father Calls on World to Pray the “Our Father” Together at 12 Noon and announces the Urbi et Orbi Blessing on Friday 27 March which will include a Plenary Indulgence

Pope Francis has called for all Christians throughout the world to join in praying the Our Father on Wednesday, 25 March 2020, at noon.

25 march 2020 pray the our father at noon today pope francis coronavirus 25march2020

He made the appeal after praying the noonday Angelus on 22 March broadcast from Apostolic Library in the Vatican.

“In these days of trial, while humanity trembles because of the pandemic’s menace, I would like to propose to all Christians to unite their voices to Heaven,” the Pope said after Sunday’s Angelus. “I invite all the Heads of Churches and the leaders of all the Christian Communities, together with all the Christians of the various Confessions, to invoke the Most High, Almighty God, reciting contemporaneously the prayer that Jesus Our Lord taught us. I invite all, therefore, to do so several times a day, but, all together, to recite the Our Father .

On the day in which many Christians recall the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary of the Incarnation of the Word, may the Lord be able to hear the unanimous prayer of all His disciples that are preparing to celebrate the victory of the Risen Christ.

With this same intention, next Friday, 27 March at 6:00 pm, I will preside over a moment of prayer in the courtyard of St Peter’s Basilica, with the empty Square. From now on I invite all to take part spiritually through the means of communication. We will listen to the Word of God, we will elevate our prayer, we will adore the Most Blessed Sacrament, with which at the end I will give the Urbi et Orbi Blessing, to which will be annexed the possibility to receive a Plenary Indulgence.”

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The ANNUNCIATION

Our Morning Offering – 25 March – The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Posted on March 25, 2020March 24, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 25 March – The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Prayer to Our Lady of the Annunciation
By Blessed James Alberione (1884-1971)
(The founder of the Daughters of St Paul)

Queen of heaven and earth,
daughter of the Father,
Mother of the divine Son,
spouse of the Holy Spirit,
I praise God
for the unique grace given to you.

Mary, you became the great Mother
of our divine Saviour,
our Master, true Light of the world,
uncreated Wisdom,
source of all Truth and first Apostle of Truth.
You gave the world
the book to read, the eternal Word.

For this I bless the holy Trinity
and I ask you to obtain for me
the grace of heavenly wisdom,
to be a fervent disciple of Jesus
and to be lovingly devoted to the Church,
the pillar of truth.

Make the light of the Gospel
shine to the farthest bounds of the earth.
Queen of the Apostles, pray for us!
Amen prayer to our lady of the annunciation by bl james alberione 25 march 2019

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, The ANNUNCIATION

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord and Memorials of the Saints – 25 March

Posted on March 25, 2020March 24, 2020 by AnaStpaul

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord – 25 March
https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/25/the-solemnity-of-the-annunciation-of-the-lord-25-march/

Our Lady of Betania:
The name Betania means Bethany in Spanish. It was originally given this name by Maria Esperanza and was the site of their farm, in Venezuela. Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary were reported and eventually a small chapel was built here and the faithful began to gather, especially on Feast Days but throughout the year.

St Alfwold of Sherborne
St Barontius of Pistoia
St Desiderius of Pistoia
St Dismas
St Dula the Slave
Bl Emilian Kovch (1884-1944) Priest, Martyr
About St Emilian:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/03/25/saint-of-the-day-25-march-blessed-emilian-kovch-1884-1944-martyr/

Bl Everard of Nellenburg
Bl Herman of Zahringen
St Hermenland
St Humbert of Pelagius
Bl James Bird
Bl Josaphata Mykhailyna Hordashevska
St Kennocha of Fife
St Lucia Filippini
St Marie-Alphonsine/Mariam Sultaneh Danil Ghattas (1843-1927)

St Matrona of Barcelona
St Matrona of Thessaloniki
St Mona of Milan
St Ndre Zadeja
Bl Pawel Januszewski
St Pelagius of Laodicea
Bl Placido Riccardi
St Procopius
St Quirinus of Rome
Bl Tommaso of Costacciaro
—
262 Martyrs of Rome: A group 262 Christians martyred together in Rome. We know nothing else about them, not even their names.

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 19 March – St Joseph

Posted on March 19, 2020March 18, 2022 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

St Joseph

“If it is true that the importance of his God-given role upon earth is the measure of a Saint’s greatness, then with the exception of Mary, none is greater than St Joseph.
He was chosen by God as the head of the Holy Family, as the most chaste spouse of the Mother of God and the foster-father of Jesus Christ.
The Word Incarnate, the Lord and King of Heaven and earth, was obedient to him, as was the Blessed Virgin, the holiest of creatures.
He lived for thirty years in the company of Mary and was the chaste guardian of her virginity and divine motherhood.
He had the privilege of clasping the holy Infant to his breast and of providing, by his labour, for the needs of Him, whose omnipotence, causes the corn to sprout and brings forth the many fruits of the soil.
In this regard, St Joseph is greater than any of the Angels, for none of them was ever entrusted with such a sublime mission.
For this reason, we should love him, in the same way as he loved his most chaste spouse, Mary and, his foster child, Jesus.
Knowing that he will certainly protect us, we should entrust all our cares and needs to him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

Quote/s of the Day – 19 March –

Posted on March 19, 2020March 19, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church

“Go, then to Joseph and do all, that he shall say to you,
Go to Joseph and obey him, as Jesus and Mary obeyed him,
Go to Joseph and speak to him, as they spoke to him,
Go to Joseph and consult him, as they consulted him,
Go to Joseph and honour him, as they honoured him,
Go to Joseph and be grateful to him, as they were grateful to him,
Go to Joseph and love him, as they love him still.”

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Doctor of the Church

“He was there to show Jesus to the world
and to hide Him when need arose,
to protect and nourish Him
and then to follow Him
at a distance and remain in the
shadows of the Lord’s mysteries,
shadows which were
every now and then,
lit with a heavenly radiance,
by the light touch
of a passing angel.”

St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

“Be in good spirits
under the fatherly mantle of St Joseph,
a place of safest refuge
in trials and tribulations.”

St Giuseppe Marello (1844-1895)

Bishop of Acqui, Italy and Founder of the Oblates of Saint Joseph

“Ite ad Joseph!
Go to Joseph with extreme confidence,
because I do not remember
having asked anything from St Joseph,
without having obtained it readily.”

St Pio of Pietrelcina/Padre Pio (1887-1968)

More St Joseph Quotes from the Saints here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/19/quote-s-of-the-day-19-march-st-joseph/

ite ad joseph - go to joseph - st padre pio 19 march 2020

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, LENT 2020, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH, The WORD

Lenten Reflection – 19 March – “He has so much to say to us, in this time, of a strong sense of being orphaned.”

Posted on March 19, 2020March 19, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Lenten Reflection – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church, Readings: 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers,
I will raise up your offspring after you,
who shall come forth from your body and I will establish his kingdom. …2 Samuel 7:12

DAILY MEDITATION:
“He has so much to say to us, in this time, of a strong sense of being orphaned.”

“And this man, this dreamer, is able to accept this duty, this grave duty. He has so much to say to us, in this time, of a strong sense of being orphaned. And so this man takes the promise of God and carries it onward in silence, with strength, he carries it onward so that God’s Will might be done. He is the man who doesn’t speak but obeys, the man of tenderness, the man capable of carrying forward the promises so that they might become solid, certain, the man who guarantees the stability of the Kingdom of God, the paternity of God, our sonship as children of God.
I like to think of Joseph as the guardian of weaknesses, of our weaknesses too, he is able to give birth to so many beautiful things from our weaknesses, even from our sins.” … Pope Francis

For thy steadfast love was established forever,
thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.

Psalm 89:2 lent - thursday of the third week 19 march 2020

Intercessions:
Christ our Lord came among us as the light of the world, that we might walk in His light
and not in the darkness of death. Let us praise Him and cry out to Him:
Let Your word be a lamp to guide us.

God of mercy, help us today to grow in Your likeness,
– that we who sinned in Adam may rise again in Christ.
Let Your word be a lamp to guide us,
– that we may live the truth and grow always in Your love.
Teach us to be faithful in seeking the common good for Your sake,
– that Your light may shine on the whole human family by means of Your Church.
Touch our hearts to live in trust of Your saving help,
– and to make amends for our sins against Your wisdom and goodness.

Closing Prayer:

St Joseph, be our Protector
By St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

St Joseph,
be always our protector.
That your internal spirit of peace,
silence, honest work and prayer
in the service of the Church
give us life and happiness
in union with your blessed Spouse,
our Sweet and Immaculate Mother
in the strong and mild love to Jesus,
Glorious and Immortal King
of the centuries and the people.
Amen st-joseph-be-our-protector-st-pope-john-xxiii-19-march-2019 and 19 march 2020

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 March – ‘Blessed Joseph, remember us …’

Posted on March 19, 2020March 18, 2020 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church, Readings: 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home … Matthew 1:24 matthew 1 24 when joseph awoke he did as the angel commanded him - 19 march 2020

REFLECTION – “When the divine goodness chooses someone to receive a special grace, it gives him all the charisms he needs, which greatly increases his spiritual beauty. This is wholly confirmed in the case of Saint Joseph, legal father of our Lord Jesus Christ and rightful husband of she, who is Queen of the world and Sovereign of angels. The eternal Father chose him to be provider and faithful guardian to his chiefest treasures, namely His Son and His bride – a function he faithfully fulfilled . That is why the Lord said: “Good and faithful servant, come, share your master’s joy” (Mt 25,21).
If you compare Joseph with all the rest of Christ’s Church, is he not the one who has been specially chosen, through whom Christ came into the world in regular and respectable fashion? So, if the whole of holy Church is indebted to the Virgin Mary, because it was she who enabled it to welcome Christ, after her it is to Saint Joseph that it owes a recognition and honour without compare.
Indeed, it is he who brings the Old Testament to an end, it is in him that the dignity of patriarchs and prophets receives its promised fruit. He alone possessed in reality what divine goodness had promised to them. Nor indeed should we doubt that the closeness and respect Christ showed to Joseph during His earthly life, as a son to His father, were ever denied in heaven, rather, He enriched and completed them. So, with reason, the Lord adds: “Enter into your master’s joy”.
PRAYER – Blessed Joseph, remember us, intercede with the help of your prayers to your adopted Son and may you likewise make the blessed Virgin, your spouse, to be favourable towards us, for she is the mother of Him, who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns world without end.” … St Bernadine of Siena (1380-1444) – Sermon on Saint Joseph blessed joseph remember us - st bernardine of siena 19 march 2020

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CHURCH, St PETER!

Quote/s of the Day – 22 February – The Chair of Peter

Posted on February 22, 2020February 22, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 22 February – The Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter

“He who deserts the
Chair of Peter,
upon whom the Church was founded,
does he trust himself
to be IN the Church?”

(De Catholicae Ecclesiae Unitate, 251)

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

“Yes, the apostle chosen to be His co-worker,
merited to share, the same name as Christ.
They built the same building together –
Peter does the planting,
the Lord gives the increase
and it is the Lord, too, who sends those,
who will do the watering (cf. 1 Cor 3:6f.).”

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

Also here:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/22/quote-s-of-the-day-22-february-on-this-rock-i-will-build-my-church/

yes-the-apostle-chosen-to-be-his-co-worker-st-augustine-22-feb-2019 and 2020

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ON the SAINTS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CHURCH, St PETER!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 February – ‘Peter alone was chosen to stand at the head’

Posted on February 22, 2020February 22, 2020 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 February – The Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Readings: 1 Peter 5:1-4, Psalm 23, Matthew 16:13-19

“Upon this rock I will build my church” … Matthew 16:18 matthew 16 18 upon this rock i will build my church 22 feb 2020 chair of st peter

REFLECTION – “Nothing escaped the wisdom and power of Christ, the elements of nature lay at His service, spirits obeyed Him, angels served Him. (…) And yet, out of all the world, Peter alone was chosen to stand at the head, for the calling of all the peoples and the oversight of all the apostles and Fathers of the Church. Thus, even though there are many priests and shepherds among the People of God, Peter governed them all in person, while Christ also governs them in the capacity of Head. (…)

The Lord asks all the apostles what people think of Him and they all say the same thing, so long as they are making known the doubts deriving from human ignorance. But when the Lord demands to know what the disciples themselves think, the first to confess the Lord is he who is the first in dignity of the apostles. As he had said: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” Jesus answers him: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” That is to say, blessed are you because my Father taught this to you. Earthly opinion has not led you astray but it is heavenly inspiration that has instructed you. It is not flesh and blood that enabled you to discover me but He, whose only Son I am.

“And so I say to you,” that is to say- just as my Father has manifested my divinity to you so I am making known your superiority to you. “You are Peter” namely, I am the unshakeable Rock, the Cornerstone who makes two peoples one (Eph 2:14), the foundation other than which, no-one can lay any other (1 Cor 3:11). But you also, you are rock, since you are impregnable by My strength and, what I have by virtue of My power, you have in common with Me, by the fact, that you participate in it. “On this rock I will build my Church” (…) On the firmness of this foundation, He says, will I build an everlasting temple and my Church, whose summit is to reach to heaven, will be raised on the strength of that faith.” … Saint Pope Leo the Great (400-461) Father and Doctor of the Church – 4th sermon for the Anniversary of his Consecration nothing escaped the wisdom and power of christ - 22 feb 2020 chari of st peter st pope leo the great

PRAYER – Holy Father, send Your Divine Enlightener into the hearts of all Your faithful, filling us with the strength to fulfil our mission as the followers of the Chair of St Peter. And most of all, we pray Lord Holy God, to inspire and light the way of our Holy Father, Francis. Sustain and guide him, keep him in health and strength, to lead Your people by the Light of the Way and the Truth. Holy Father, have mercy on us, Holy Spirit guide and lead us, Lord Jesus Christ be our intercessor and teacher, amen. st peter pope apostle martyr pray for us 22 feb 2020 chair of st peter

BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, St PETER!

Our Morning Offering – 22 February – O Peter who were Named by Christ

Posted on February 22, 2020February 21, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 22 February – Feast of the Chair of St Peter

O Peter who were Named by Christ
Breviary Morning Prayer/Hymn
For the Feast of the Chair of St Peter

O Peter who were named by Christ
The guardian-shepherd of His flock,
Protect the Church He built on you
To stand unyielding, firm on rock.

Your weakness, Christ exchanged for strength,
You faltered but He made you true.
He knew the greatness of your love
And gave the keys of heav’n to you.

Unseen, eternal Trinity,
We give You glory, praise Your name,
Your love keeps faith with faithless men,
Through change and stress You are the same.
Amen

o peter who were named by christ - feast of the chair of st peter - 22 feb 2020

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, SAINT of the DAY, St PETER!

Feast of the Chair of St Peter and Memorials of the Saints – 22 February

Posted on February 22, 2020February 21, 2020 by AnaStpaul

The Chair of Saint Peter (Feast)
About this great Feast:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/22/feast-of-the-chair-of-st-peter-cathedra-petri-22-february/

St Ailius of Alexandria
St Angelus Portasole
St Aristion of Salamis
St Athanasius of Nicomedia
St Baradates of Cyrrhus
Bl Diego Carvalho
St Elwin
Blessed Émilie d’Oultremont d’Hoogvorst/Maria of Jesus (1818-1878)
St John the Saxon
St Limnaeus
St Margaret of Cortona TOSF (1247–1297)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/22/saint-of-the-day-22-february-st-margaret-of-cortona-tosf-1247-1297/

St Maximian of Ravenna
St Miguel Facerías Garcés
St Mohammed Abdalla
St Papias of Heirapolis
St Paschasius of Vienne
St Raynerius of Beaulieu
St Thalassius
—
Martyrs of Arabia – A memorial for all the unnamed Christians martyred in the desert and mountainous areas south of the Dead Sea during the persecutions of Emperor Valerius Maximianus Galerius.

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 2 February – The Purification of Our Lady

Posted on February 2, 2020February 1, 2022 by AnaStpaul

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

The Purification of Our Lady

“When we meditate on the subject of this Feast, we find two outstanding examples to be imitated.
The first is given by Mary.
She was perfectly pure and holy, conceived without original sin and full of grace.
She knew well that she had conceived her Divine Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
So, she was not obliged to observe this humiliating law of purification.
Nevertheless, she fulfilled it and gave God the offering of the poor as a lesson for us, in humility and poverty.
It is so easy for us to excuse ourselves from obeying the law and to make a display of our special privileges before others.
Let us learn from Mary, to love silent submission and detachment from worldly wealth and honours.

The other example is given us by Jesus.
Being God, there was no need for Him to be bought back, in the same way as the first-born sons of the Israelites.
He was the Saviour who had come to redeem the human race from sin and make them heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven.
But He said of Himself, “I have not come to destroy but to fulfil” (Mt 5:17).
A few days earlier He had submitted to the painful and humiliating rite of circumcision.
Now He allows Himself to be offered in the temple as a victim of expiation for all mankind.
These are glorious examples, before which, our pride should bow in shame.
We should be moved to offer ourselves to God, lovingly and without reserve”!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote/s of the Day – 2 February – The Presentation of the Lord

Posted on February 2, 2020February 1, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 2 February – The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

“Be a lamp then in heart, in hand, in lips.
The lamp in your heart will shine for you,
the lamp in your hand or on your lips
will shine out for your neighbours.
The lamp in the heart,
is loving faith,
the lamp in the hand,
is the example of good works,
the lamp on the lips, is edifying speech.”

Bl Guerric of Igny (c 1080-1157)

“The glorious St Simeon also was very happy…
to carry Him as did Our Lady…
we do this when we endure with love,
the labours and pains He sends us,
that is to say, when the love
which we bear to the Law of God,
makes us find His yoke easy and pleasing,
so that we love these pains and labours
and gather sweetness in the midst of bitterness.
This is nothing else but to carry Our Lord in our arms.
Now if we carry Him in this way,
He will, without doubt, Himself carry us.”

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

“Simeon gave back Jesus to His Mother,
he was only suffered to keep Him for one moment.
But we are far happier than Simenon.
We may keep Him always if we will.
In Communion He comes,
not only into our arms
but into our hearts.”

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

“Those who have met Jesus no longer fear anything.
We too can repeat the words of the elderly Simeon,
he too was blessed by the encounter with Christ,
after a lifetime spent in anticipation of this event:
“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation” (Lk 2:29-30).
At that instant, at last, we will no longer need anything,
we will no longer see in a confused way.
We will no longer weep in vain,
because all has passed,
even the prophecies, even consciousness.
But not love – this endures.
Because “love never ends” (1 Cor 13:8).”…

Pope Francis

General Audience, 25 October 2017

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 February – ‘We must be burning with love…’

Posted on February 2, 2020February 1, 2020 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 2 February – The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Readings: Malachi 3:1-4, Psalm 24:7-10, Hebrew 2:14-18, Luke 2:22-40 and the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life

And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God ..… Luke 2:27-28 luke 2 27 28 and inspired by the spirit he came into the temple - presentatio of the lord2 feb 2020

REFLECTION – “Your lamps must be burning in your hands” (Lk 12:35). By this outward sign let us remind ourselves of the joy of Simeon carrying the Light in his hands (…) We must be burning with love and radiant with good deeds and so take up Christ in our hands with Simeon (…) Let us discuss this charming custom of the Church of bearing lights aloft on this feast day (…) Could anyone hold up a lighted candle in his hands on this day, without at once remembering that old man, who on this same day, took up in his arms Jesus, God’s Word, clothed in flesh like a candle-flame clothed in wax and affirmed Him to be “the Light which would be a beacon for the Gentiles.” Surely he was that “burning and radiant lamp” (Jn 5:35; 1,7) which bore witness to the light. For this purpose he came in the Spirit, who had filled him, into the temple that he might “receive, O God, your loving-kindness in the midst of your temple” (Ps 48[47]:10) and declare him to be loving-kindness indeed and the light of your own people.

Truly, O holy Simeon, in the quiet contentment of old age you carried this light not simply in your hands but in the very dispositions of your heart. You were like a lamp-standard, seeing so clearly how much the Gentiles would one day be lit up, while reflecting (…) the bright rays of our faith. Old, yet still sincere, you can now be happy, in that, you really see what once you but foresaw. Gone is the world’s gloom, “the Gentiles bask in this light of yours,” “the whole earth is full of his glory” (Is 60:3; 6:3).” … Blessed Guerric of Igny O.Cist. (c 1080-1157) Cistercian abbot we must be burning with love ...and so take up christ in our hands like simeon bl guerric 2 feb 2020

PRAYER – May the Lord renew in you and in all consecrated people each day the joyful response to His freely given and faithful love. Dear brothers and sisters, like lighted candles, always and everywhere shine with the love of Christ, Light of the world. May Mary Most Holy, the consecrated Woman, help you to live to the full, your special vocation and mission in the Church for the world’s salvation. And may we all follow our Lord in obedience. Amen! … Pope Francis world-day-consecrated-life-2018-2-feb-2018 AND 2 FEB 2020

BREVIARY Prayers, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 2 February – O Light of All the Earth!

Posted on February 2, 2020February 2, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 2 February – The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

O Light of All the Earth!
Prayer, Morning Hymn
for the Feast of the Presentation
Liturgy of the Hours

Hail to the Lord who comes,
comes to His temple gate,
not with His angel host,
not in His kingly state.

But borne upon the throne
of Mary’s gentle breast,
thus to His Father’s house
He comes, the heavenly guest.

There Joseph at her side,
in reverent wonder stands
and, filled with holy joy,
old Simeon in his hands
takes up the promised Child,
the glory of all lands.

The world’s true light draws near,
All darkness to dispel,
the flame of faith is lit
and dies the power of hell.

Our bodies and our souls,
are temples now for Him,
for we are are born of grace –
God lights our souls within.

O Light of all the earth!
We light our lives with Thee,
the chains of darkness gone,
all sons of God are free.

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, Feast of Our Lady of the Candles and Memorials of the Saints -2 February

Posted on February 2, 2020February 1, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord: The feast commemorates the purifying of the Blessed Virgin according to the Mosaic Law, 40 days after the birth of Christ and the presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple. The feast was introduced into the Eastern Empire by Emperor Justinian I and is mentioned in the Western Church in the Gelasian Sacramentary of the 7th century. Candles are blessed on that day in commemoration of the words of Holy Simeon concerning Christ “a light to the revelation of the Gentiles” (Luke 2) and a procession with lighted candles is held in the church to represent the entry of Christ, the Light of the World, into the Temple of Jerusalem. “Candlemas” is still the name in Scotland for a legal term-day on which interest and rents are payable (2 February).
Patronage
• Jaro, Philippines
• Western Visayas, Philippines

About:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/02/feast-of-the-presentation-of-the-lord-2-february/

AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/02/feast-of-the-presentation-of-the-lord-in-the-temple-2-february/

Our Lady of the Candles – (formally known as Nuestra Señora de la Purificación y la Candelaria) is a Marian title and image venerated by Filipino Catholics. The image, which is enshrined on the balcony of Jaro Cathedral, is known as the patroness of Jaro District of Iloilo City and the whole of the Western Visayas.
The feast day of Our Lady of the Candles is on Candlemas (2 February) and is celebrated in Iloilo City with a Solemn Pontifical Mass presided by the Archbishop of Jaro. St Pope John Paul II personally issued a Canonical coronation towards the venerated image on 21 February 1981. our-lady-of-the-candles-original-crowned-image

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life – 2 February: Begun in 1997 by St Pope John Paul II, the World Day for Consecrated Life was intended to serve three purposes:
• to praise the Lord and thank Him for the great gift of consecrated life;
• to promote a knowledge of and esteem for the consecrated life by the entire People of God;
• to allow those in consecrated life to celebrate together the marvels which the Lord has accomplished in them, to discover by a more illumined faith the rays of divine beauty, spread by the Spirit in their way of life and to acquire a more vivid consciousness of their irreplaceable mission, in the Church and in the world;
It serves an opportunity to highlight the extraordinary contributions of men and women religious, as well as a time to pray for vocations to the consecrated life.
—
St Adalbald of Ostrevant
St Adeloga of Kitzingen
St Agathodoros of Tyana
St Andrea Carlo Ferrari
St Apronian the Executioner
St Bruno of Ebsdorf
St Burchard of Wurzburg
St St Candidus the Martyr
St Columbanus of Ghent
St Cornelius the Centurion
St Felician the Martyr
St Feock
St Firmus of Rome
St Flosculus of Orléans
St Fortunatus the Martyr
St Hilarus the Martyr
St Jean Theophane Venard
St Jeanne de Lestonnac
St Lawrence of Canterbury
Bl Louis Alexander Alphonse Brisson
Blessed Maria Domenica Mantovani (1862-1934)
St Marquard of Hildesheim
St Mun
Bl Peter Cambiano
St Rogatus the Martyr
St Saturninus the Martyr
St Sicharia of Orleans
St Simon of Cassia Fidati
Bl Stephen Bellesini
St Theodoric of Ninden
St Victoria the Martyr
—
Martyrs of Ebsdorf: Members of the army of King Louis III of France under the leadership of Duke Saint Bruno of Ebsdorf. The martyrs died fighting invading pagan Norsemen, and defending the local Christian population. Four bishops, including Saint Marquard of Hildesheim and Saint Theodoric of Ninden, eleven nobles, and countless unnamed foot soldiers died repelling the invaders. They were martyred in the winter of 880 in battle at Luneberg Heath and Ebsdorf, Saxony (modern Germany).

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SANCTITY, St PAUL!, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 25 January – ‘When Paul is blinded, he gets his vision.’

Posted on January 25, 2020January 25, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 25 January – Feast of the Conversion of St Paul

“I have appeared to you for this purpose,
to appoint you as a servant and witness,
of what you have seen and what you will be shown.
I shall deliver you from this people
and from the Gentile,s to whom I send you,
to open their eyes, that they may turn
from darkness to light
and from the power of Satan to God,
so that they may obtain forgiveness of sins
and an inheritance among those, who have been consecrated by faith in me.”

Acts 26:16-18

“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.”

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

“When Paul is blinded,
he gets his vision.
God has mysterious ways
of entering our life.
With Paul,
God seemingly gate-crashed.
With us, God might need
a little more time!”

Msgr Alex Rebello

Diocese of Wrexham, Wales

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

Galasians 2:20

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, St PAUL!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 January – ‘He had lived for himself…’

Posted on January 25, 2020April 3, 2023 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 25 January – Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, Reading: Acts 22:3-16, Psalm 117:1-2, Mark 16:15-18

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.” … Mark 16:15

REFLECTION – “Paul’s encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus literally revolutionised his life (…) Thus, it is important to realise what a deep effect Jesus Christ can have on a person’s life, hence, also on our own lives (…) how does a human being’s encounter with Christ occur? And of what does the relationship that stems from it consist? (…) Paul helps us to understand the absolutely basic and irreplaceable value of faith. This is what he wrote in his Letter to the Romans: “We hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law” (3:28). This is what he also wrote in his Letter to the Galatians: “[M]an is not justified by works of the law but only through faith in Jesus Christ” (2:16) (…) “Being justified” means being made righteous, that is, being accepted by God’s merciful justice to enter into communion with Him and, consequently, to be able to establish a far more genuine relationship with all our brethren and this takes place on the basis of the complete forgiveness of our sins. Well, Paul states with absolute clarity that this condition of life does not depend on our possible good works but on the pure grace of God – “[We] are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Rom 3:24).

With these words St Paul expressed the fundamental content of his conversion, the new direction his life took as a result of his encounter with the Risen Christ. Before his conversion, Paul had not been a man distant from God and from his Law. On the contrary, he had been observant, with an observance, faithful to the point of fanaticism. In the light of the encounter with Christ, however, he understood that with this, he had sought to build up himself and his own justice and that with all this justice, he had lived for himself. He realised that a new approach in his life was absolutely essential. And we find this new approach expressed in his words: “The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20).

before his conversion paul - pope benedict 25 jan 2020

Paul, therefore, no longer lives for himself, for his own justice. He lives for Christ and with Christ.” … Pope Benedict XVI – General audience of 08/11/06

PRAYER – Today Lord, we celebrate the conversion of St Paul, Your chosen vessel for carrying Your name to the whole world. Help us to make our way towards You by following in his footsteps and by being Your disciples before the men and women of our day. Grant that by the prayers of St Paul, we too may say, “Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20) Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, amen.

BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, St PAUL!

Our Morning Offering – 25 January – Great convert Teacher of the Faith

Posted on January 25, 2020January 24, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 25 January – Feast of the Conversion of St Paul

Breviary Hymn
Feast of the Conversion of St Paul

Great convert Teacher of the Faith
Who never ceased from preaching Christ,
Saint Paul impart to us your zeal,
That we may reach the joys unseen.

All glory to the Trinity,
Forever honour, sov’reignty,
To God Almighty be all praise,
Beginning and the End of all.
Amen great convert teacher of the faith - feast of the conversion of st paul 25 jan 2020

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, SAINT of the DAY

Feast of the Conversion of St Paul and Memorials of the Saints – 25 January

Posted on January 25, 2020January 24, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Feast of the Conversion of St Paul – 25 January
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/01/25/feast-of-the-conversion-of-st-paul-25-january/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/01/25/feast-of-the-conversion-of-st-paul-25-january-2/

St Agape the Martyr
St Agileus of Carthage
St Amarinus of Clermont
St Ananias of Damascus
Bl Antoni Swiadek
St Apollo of Heliopolis
St Artemas of Pozzuoli
St Auxentius of Epirus
St Bretannion of Tomi
St Donatus the Martyr
St Dwynwen
St Emilia Fernández Rodríguez de Cortés
St Eochod of Galloway
St Joel of Pulsano
St Juventinus of Antioch
Bl Manuel Domingo y Sol
St Maximinus of Antioch
St Palaemon
St Poppo of Stavelot (977-1048)
St Praejectus of Clermont
St Publius of Zeugma
St Racho of Autun
St Sabinus the Martyr

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BAPTISM of the LORD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 January – Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

Posted on January 12, 2020January 11, 2020 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 12 January – Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

“He wants you to become
a living force for all mankind,
lights shining in the world.

You are to be radiant lights
as you stand beside Christ,
the great light,
bathed in the glory of Him
who is the light of heaven.”

St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)
Father & Doctor of the Church

(An excerpt from Oration 39 – On Holy Light)

“O Lord, wishing to fulfil all things
that You ordained before the ages,
You received the servants of Your mystery,
from among the Angels, Gabriel,
from among Men, the Virgin,
from among the Heavens, the Star
and from among the Waters, the Jordan,
in which You washed away the sin of the world,
O our Saviour, glory to You.”

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

BAPTISM, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BAPTISM of the LORD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 January – ‘..The Father reveals, that His Son is to be worshipped by all the nations.’

Posted on January 12, 2020January 11, 2020 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 12 January – Feast of the Baptism of the Lord,
Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7, Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10, Acts 10:34-38, Matthew 3:13-17

And when Jesus was baptised, he went up immediately from the water and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw, the Spirit of God, descending like a dove and alighting on him... Matthew 3:16 matthew 3 16 behold the heavens were opened - 12 jan 2020.jpg

REFLECTION – “At Christmas, He was born a man, today, He is reborn sacramentally. Then He was born from the Virgin, today, He is born in mystery.
When He was born a man, His mother Mary held Him close to her heart; when He is born in mystery, God the Father embraces Him with His voice when He says: ‘This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, listen to him.’
The mother caresses the tender baby on her lap, the Father serves His Son by His loving testimony. The mother holds the child for the Magi to adore, the Father reveals, that His Son is to be worshipped by all the nations.
That is why the Lord Jesus went to the river for baptism, that is why He wanted His holy body, to be washed with Jordan’s water. at christmas he was born a man today he is bor sacramentally st maximus of turin 5 jan 2019.jpg

Someone might ask, “Why would a holy man desire baptism?” Listen to the answer: Christ is baptised, not to be made holy by the water but to make the water holy and by His cleansing, to purify the waters which He touched. For the consecration of Christ involves a more significant consecration of the water.
For when the Saviour is washed, all water for our baptism is made clean, purified at its source for the dispensing of baptismal grace to the people of future ages.
Christ is the first to be baptised then, so that Christians will follow after Him with confidence.” … St Maximus of Turin (c 380-c 465) christ is baptised not to be made holy but to make the water holy - st maximus of turin 12 jan 2020.JPG

PRAYER – Father, keep us from vain strife of words.
Grant to us constant profession of the Truth!
Preserve us in a true and undefiled faith
so that we may hold fast to that
which we professed when we were baptised
in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
that we may have You for our Father,
that we may abide in Your Son
and in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Amen…St Hilary of Poitiers (315-368) Father and Doctor of the Church o-holy-trinity-prayer-for-perseverance-in-truth-st-hilary-of-poitiers-13-jan-2018 and 12 jan 2020.jpg

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Psalm 36:9

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

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger – Pope Benedict XVI

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A Blessed and Holy Easter to you all! Alleluia!

Christós anésti. Jesus Christ is risen! He is truly risen! Alleluia! Amen

Pope Francis

St Josemaria Escrivá (1902-1975)

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Saint Ephrem (306-373)

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St Joseph

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Church

St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

St Giuseppe Marello (1844-1895)

St Pio of Pietrelcina/Padre Pio (1887-1968)

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“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

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

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

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The Purification of Our Lady

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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Bl Guerric of Igny (c 1080-1157)

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

St John Vianney (1786-1859)

Pope Francis

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Acts 26:16-18

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

Msgr Alex Rebello

Galasians 2:20

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St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390) Father & Doctor of the Church

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

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

A Blessed and Holy Easter to you all!
Alleluia!

Christós anésti.
Jesus Christ is risen! He is truly risen!
Alleluia!
Amen

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Doctor of the Church

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

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

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

St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)
Father & Doctor of the Church

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