Our Morning Offering – 21 February – Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Lord be Blessed! (A Prayer of Thanksgiving and Self-oblation) By St John of God (1495-1550)
Lord be blessed! for in Thy great kindness to me, who art such a great sinner, having performed so many wicked things, yet Thou seest fit to set me free, from such a tremendous temptation and deception into which I fell, through my own sinfulness. Thou hast brought me into a safe harbour, where I shall endeavour to serve Thee with all my strength. My Lord, I beg Thee, with all my might, give me the strength of Thine grace and always let me see Thine clemency. I wish to be Thy slave, so kindly show me what I should do. Give peace and quiet to my soul which greatly desires this. O most worthy Lord, may this creature of Thine, serve and praise Thee. May I give my whole heart and mind, to Thee. Amen
Ash Friday – 20 February – Our Lenten Journey With St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Doctor of the Church
Friday : The Crown of Thorns
“Go forth, ye daughters of Sion and see King Solomon in the diadem, wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals and in the day of the joy of his heart.” Cant iii. n.
This is the voice of the Church inviting the souls of the faithful to behold the marvellous beauty of her Spouse. For the daughters of Sion, who are they but the daughters of Jerusalem, holy souls, the citizens of that City which is above, who with the Angels enjoy the peace which knows no end and, in consequence, look upon the glory of the Lord?
Go forth, shake off the disturbing commerce of this world so that, with minds set free, you may be able to contemplate Him Whom you love. And see King Solomon, the true Peacemaker, that is to say, Christ Our Lord.
In the diadem wherewith his mother crowned him, as though the Church said, “Look on Christ garbed with Flesh for us, the Flesh He took from the flesh of His Mother.” For it is His Flesh which is here called a Diadem, the Flesh which Christ assumed for us, the Flesh in which He died and destroyed the reign of death, the Flesh in which, rising once again, He brought to us the hope of resurrection.
This is the Diadem of which St.Paul speaks, We see Jesus for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour (Heb ii. 9). His Mother is spoken of as crowning Him because Mary the Virgin it was, who from her own flesh gave Him Flesh.
In the day of His espousals, that is, in the hour of His Incarnation, when He took to Himself the Church not having spot or wrinkle (Eph v. 27), the hour again when God was joined with man. And in the day of the joy of His heart. For the joy and the gaiety of Christ, is for the human race, salvation and redemption. And coming home, He calls together His friends and neighbours saying to them, Rejoice with Me because I have found My sheep which was lost (Luke xv. 6).
We can, however, refer the whole of this text simply and literally, to the Passion of Christ. For Solomon, foreseeing through the centuries the Passion of Christ, was uttering a warning for the daughters of Sion, that is, for the Jewish people.
Go forth and see King Solomon, that is, Christ, in His Diadem, that is to say, the Crown of Thorns, with which His Mother, the Synagogue has crowned Him; in the day of His espousals, the day when He joined to Himself the Church and in the day of the joy of His heart, the day in which He rejoiced that by His Passion, He was delivering the world from the power of the devil. Go forth, therefore, and leave behind the darkness of unbelief and see, understand with your minds, He Who suffers as Man is really God!
Go forth, beyond the gates of your City, that you may see Him, on Mount Calvary, Crucified.
ST THOMAS AQUINAS (1225-1274) Priest, Theologian, Dominican Doctor Angelicus (Angelic Doctor) Doctor Communis (Common Doctor) Added by Pope Saint Pius V in 1568
Ash Thursday – 19 February – Our Lenten Journey With St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Doctor of the Church
Thursday : Fasting
We fast for three reasons.
(i) To check the desires of the flesh. So St Paul says in fastings, in chastity (2 Cor vi. 5), meaning that fasting is a safeguard for chastity. As St Jerome says, “Without Ceres and Bacchus, Venus would freeze,” as much as to say, lust loses its heat through spareness of food and drink.
(ii) That the mind may more freely raise itself to contemplation of the heights. We read in the book of Daniel that it was after a fast of three weeks that he received the revelation from God (Dan x. 2-4).
(iii) To make satisfaction for sin. This is the reason given by the Prophet Joel, Be converted to me with all your heart, in fasting and in weeping and in mourning (Joel ii. 12). And here is what St Augustine writes on the matter. “Fasting purifies the soul. It lifts up the mind and it brings the body into subjection to the spirit. It makes the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of desire, puts out the flames of lust and shines the true light of chastity.”
There is a commandment laid on us to fast. For fasting helps to destroy sin and to raise the mind to thoughts of the spiritual world. Each man is then bound, by the natural law of the matter, to fast just as much as is necessary to help him in these matters. Which is to say, fasting in general is a matter of natural law. To determine, however, when we shall fast and how, according to what suits and is of use to the Catholic body, is a matter of positive law. To state the positive law is the business of the Bishops and what is thus stated by them is called Ecclesiastical fasting, in contradistinction with the natural fasting previously mentioned.
ST THOMAS AQUINAS (1225-1274) Priest, Theologian, Dominican Doctor Angelicus (Angelic Doctor) Doctor Communis (Common Doctor) Added by Pope Saint Pius V in 1568
“Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust and kindles the true light of chastity. Enter again into yourself!”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“Arm yourself with prayer instead of a sword; be clothed with humility instead of fine raiment.”
St Dominic OP (1170-1221)
“What great profit you gain from God when you are generous! You give a coin and receive a Kingdom; you give bread from wheat and receive the Bread of Life; you give a transitory good and receive an everlasting one. You will receive it back, a hundred times more than you offered.”
Grant Me, My God By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Angelic Doctor, Common Doctor
Make my heart watchful, O God, so that no vain thoughts may distract it from Thee. Make it noble, so that it may never be seduced by any base affection. Make it steadfast, so that troubles may not dismay it. Make it free, so that it may not yield to the onslaughts of passion. Grant me, my God, the intelligence, to understand Thee, the love, to seek Thee, the wisdom, to find Thee, words, to please Thee, the perseverance, to wait faithfully for Thee and, the hope of embracing Thee, at last. Grant that I, a repentant sinner, may bear Thy chastisements with resignation. Poor pilgrim which I am, may I draw on the treasury of Thine grace and may I one day, be eternally happy with Thee in Heavenly glory! Amen.
Ash Wednesday – 18 February – Our Lenten Journey With St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Doctor of the Church
Ash Wednesday : Death
“By one man sin entered into this world and by sin death.” – Romans v. 12.
If for some wrongdoing a man is deprived of some benefit once given to him, that he should lack that benefit is the punishment of his sin.
Now, in man’s first creation he was divinely endowed with this advantage that, as long as his mind remained subject to God, the lower powers of his soul were subjected to the reason and the body was subjected to the soul.
But because by sin man’s mind moved away from its subjection to God, it followed that the lower parts of his mind ceased to be wholly subjected to the reason. From this there followed such a rebellion of the bodily inclination against the reason, that the body was no longer wholly subject to the soul.
Whence followed death and all the bodily defects. For life and wholeness of body are bound up with this, that the body is wholly subject to the soul, as a thing which can be made perfect is subject to that which makes it perfect. So it comes about that, conversely, there are such things as death, sickness and every other bodily defect, for such misfortunes are bound up with an incomplete subjection of body to soul.
The rational soul is of its nature immortal and, therefore, death is not natural to man insofar as man has a soul. It is natural to his body, for the body, since it is formed of things contrary to each other in nature, is necessarily liable to corruption and, it is in this respect, that death is natural to man.
But God who fashioned man is all powerful. And hence, by an advantage conferred on the first man, He took away that necessity of dying which was bound up with the matter of which man was made. This advantage was, however, withdrawn through the sin of our first parents.
Death is then natural, if we consider the matter of which man is made and it is a penalty, inasmuch as it happens through the loss of the privilege whereby man was preserved from dying.
Sin – Original Sin and actual sin – is taken away by Christ, that is to say, by Him Who is also the remover of all bodily defects. He shall quicken also your mortal bodies because of His Spirit Who dwelleth in you (Romams viii. II).
But, according to the order appointed by a wisdom which is Divine, it is at the time which best suits, when Christ takes away both the one and the other, i.e., both sin and bodily defects.
Now it is only right that, before we arrive at that glory of impassibility and immortality which began in Christ and which was acquired for us through Christ, we should be shaped after the pattern of Christ’s sufferings. It is then only right that Christ’s liability to suffer should remain in us too, for a time, as a means of our coming to the impassibility of glory in the way He himself came to it.
ST THOMAS AQUINAS (1225-1274) Priest, Theologian, Dominican Doctor Angelicus (Angelic Doctor) Doctor Communis (Common Doctor) Added by Pope Saint Pius V in 1568
Almsgiving of Saint Helladius (Eladius), oil painting by Francisco Bayeu c1770.
Bl John Pibush – one of the Martyrs of Douai St Leo of Patera St Paregorius of Patara St Sadoth of Seleucia St Tarasius of Constantinople
St Theotonius OSC (1082-1162) Priest of the Canons Regular, Reformer of religious life in Portugal, Royal Counsellor,, Apostle of the poor, Founder of the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross, now known as “The Crosiers.” He is the first Portuguese Saint. His Life Story: https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/18/saint-of-the-day-18-february-saint-theotinius-1082-1162/
Bl William Harrington
Martyrs of North Africa – 7 Saints: Group of Christians who were Martyred together, date unknown. We know nothing else but seven of their names – Classicus, Fructulus, Lucius, Maximus, Rutulus, Secundinus and Silvanus. They were born and martyred in North Africa.
Martyrs of Rome – 5 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. We know nothing else but their names – Alexander, Claudius, Cutias, Maximus and Praepedigna. They were martyred in 295 in Rome, Italy.
Lenten Preparation Novena in Reparation to the Holy Face Day Nine
“All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)
(Console the Holy Face
and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) below.
DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER
O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, through the intercession of Holy Mary, whose soul was pierced through by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the Passion of her Divine Son, we ask Thy help, in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus, united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment. We now implore all the Angels and Saints to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena to the Most Holy Face of Jesus and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
THE NINTH DAY Psalm 50:18-19: For in sacrifice Thou take no delight, burnt offering Thou wouldst refuse. A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit, a contrite and humble heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Sacred Face of our Lord and our God, what words can we say to express our gratitude? How can we speak of our joy? That Thou hast deigned to hear us, that Thou hast chosen to answer us in our hour of need. We say this because we know, that our prayers will be granted. We know that Thou, in Thy loving kindness, listen to our pleading hearts and will give, out of Thy fullness, the answer to our prayers.
Mary, our Mother, thank you for your intercession on our behalf. Saint Joseph, thank you for your prayers.
Through the merits of your precious blood and your Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition……………… Pardon and mercy. Amen.
Prayer to the Holy Face By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (1873-1897)
O Jesus, Who, in Thy cruel Passion didst become, the ‘reproach of men and the Man of Sorrows,’ I worship Thy divine Face. Once it shone with the beauty and sweetness of the Divinity but now, for my sake, it is become as ‘the face of a leper.’ Yet, in that disfigured Countenance, I recognise Thy infinite love and I am consumed with the desire of making Thee loved by all mankind. The tears that flowed so abundantly from Thy Eyes are, to me, as precious pearls which I delight to gather, that with their worth, I may ransom the souls of poor sinners. O Jesus, Whose Face is the sole beauty which ravishes my heart, I may not see, here below, the sweetness of Thy glance, nor feel the ineffable tenderness of Thy kiss, I bow to Thy Will—but I pray Thee, to imprint in me, Thy divine likeness and I implore Thee, so to inflame me with Thy love, that it may quickly consume me and that I may soon reach the vision of Thy glorious Face in Heaven. Amen.
Pray (1) Our Father, three (3) Hail Marys, one (1) Glory Be
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every Adoration Thine (Three times)
Our Morning Offering – 17 February – Feast of the Flight into Egypt
My Beloved Redeemer Prayer for the Flight into Egypt (Excerpt) By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Church
My beloved Redeemer, I have many times driven Thee out of my soul but now I hope, that Thou have again taken possession of it. I beseech Thee, do Thou bind it to Thyself with the sweet chains of Thy love. Oh, do Thou make Thyself loved, make Thyself loved by all the sinners who persecute Thee, give them light, make them know the love Thou hast borne them and the love Thou deserves, since Thou goes wandering over the earth as a poor Infant, weeping and trembling with cold and seeking souls to love Thee! O Mary, most holy Virgin, O dearest Mother and companion of the sufferings of Jesus, do thou help me always to carry and preserve thy Son in my heart, in life and in death! Amen.
In the 19th Century Jesus expressed His wishes to Sister Mary of St Peter (1816-1848), a Carmelite Nun in Tours, France, that there be an actual Devotion to his Holy Face. Our Lord wanted this in reparation for blasphemies against Himself and His Holy Name as well, as for the profanation of Sunday (when people engage unnecessarily in commerce and other such labours and chores on Sunday, a day meant for rest and reflection on God). In August of 1843 He dictated to her the well-known Golden Arrow Prayer. He also gave her Promises for those who would honour His Holy Face. The first Holy Medal of the Holy Face was given to Ven Pope Pius XII, who approved the Devotion and the Medal. In 1958 he formally declared the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus as Shrove Tuesday for all Catholics in perpetuity. https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/01/feast-of-the-holy-face/
Shrove Tuesday: Shrove is the past tense of the word Shrive, which means “to hear a confession, assign penance and absolve from sin.” In the Middle Ages, especially in Northern Europe and England, it became the custom to confess one’s sins on the day before Lent began in order to enter the penitential season in a repentant spirit.
The Flight into Egypt (Year 1)- 17 February:
It was on the seventeenth of February, fifty five days after the Nativity of Jesus, when King Herod’s soldiers — sent to slaughter all little boys in Bethlehem and its neighbourhood who were two years old or under, in order to destroy a rival King, Jesus — were getting perilously near the cave at Bethlehem, where at first they little expected Our Lord to be. Saint Joseph received a message from God through an Angel, whereupon he took Our Lady and the Divine Infant and set off leaving the land of the Jews to travel to a land of the Gentiles. They took no-one with them, by way of servants or friends, as Saint Peter Chrysologus tells us.
The Town to which the Holy Family fled was called Fostat. It was three hundred miles from Bethlehem. A Church has been erected there, on the site of the house where the Holy Family lived during their exile. The little Town where the Holy Family lived in Egypt was not far from Heliopolis, a City in which — when Jesus, Mary and Joseph passed through it — statues of pagan gods crashed to the ground. Both Fostat and Heliopolis are not far from Cairo in Egypt.
St Lupiano St Mesrop the Teacher St Polychronius of Babylon St Romulus the Martyr St Secundian the Martyr
St Silvinus (c650-c717) Bishop, Missionary evangeliser in north-eastern pagain regions of France, gifted with miracles. Born of Celtic origins and died on 15 February c717 at the Abbey of Auchy-les-Moines, Artois, in Belgium. The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In the territory of Thérouanne, St Silvinus, Bishop of Toulouse.” His Holy Life: https://anastpaul.com/2025/02/17/saint-of-the-day-17-february-saint-silvinus-c650-c717-bishop/
Lenten Preparation Novena in Reparation to the Holy Face Day Eight
“All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)
(Console the Holy Face
and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) below.
THE EIGHTH DAY: Psalm 50:16-17: O rescue me, God of my salvation and my tongue shall extol Thy justice. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.
DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER
O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, through the intercession of Holy Mary, whose soul was pierced through by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the Passion of her Divine Son, we ask Thy help, in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus, united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment. We now implore all the Angels and Saints to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena to the Most Holy Face of Jesus and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
Most merciful Face of Jesus, Who in this vale of tears, was so moved by our misfortunes, to call Thyself the healer of the sick and the good Shepherd of the souls gone astray, allow not Satan to draw us away from Thee but keep us always under Thy loving protection, together with all souls who endeavour to console Thee.
Mary, our Mother, intercede for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us. Through the merits of Your Precious Blood and Your Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition ……………… Pardon and mercy. Amen
Omnipotentia Patris
O Omnipotence of the Father, help my frailty and save me from the depths of misery.
O Wisdom of the Son, direct all my thoughts, my words and my deeds.
O Love of the Holy Ghost, be the source of all the actions of my mind, that they may always be conformed to God’s good pleasure. Amen
Pray (1) Our Father, three (3) Hail Marys, one (1) Glory Be
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every Adoration Thine (Three times)
One Minute Reflection – 16 February – “The Month of the Most Blessed Trinity” – Ferial Day – Quinquagesima Sunday –1 Corinthians 13:1-13 – Luke 18:31-43.– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And immediately he saw and followed Him, glorifying God.” – Luke 18:43
REFLECTION – “Our Redeemer foresaw that the hearts of His disciples would be greatly disturbed by His Passion. He foretold to them, far ahead, of both the agony of His Passion and the glory of His Resurrection (Lk 18:31-33). Then, when they beheld Him dying, as had been foretold, they would not doubt that He was to rise again. But since the disciples, still worldly as they were, were entirely unable to grasp, the Words of the Mystery (v.34), there was need of a miracle! A blind man received the Light before their eyes, so that a heavenly deed might strengthen the faith of those, who failed to grasp the Words of the heavenly Mystery.
We must understand the miracles of our Lord and Saviour, dearly beloved, so as to believe that they have been truly effected and that their meaning, nevertheless, still signifies something else too … We do not know the historical identity of the blind man but we do know whom he mystically denotes. The blind man is the human race. In our first parents it was driven from the joys of paradise and ignorant of the brightness of the Divine Light, it suffered the darkness of its condemnation. But yet, it is enlightened by the presence of its Redeemer, to see already, the joys of inward light, by desire and to direct the footsteps of its good works, in the way of Life.” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on the Gospels).
PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, mercifully hear our prayers; loose us from the chains of our sins and keep us from all adversity. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 16 February – “The Month of the Nost Blessed Trinity” – Ferial Day – Quinquagesima Week
O Adorable Heart of my Jesus! By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
O Adorable Heart of my Jesus, Heart yearning expressly. for the love of men! Until now, I have shown towards Thee only ingratitude. Pardon me, O my Jesus. Heart of my Jesus, Abyss of Love and of Mercy, how is it possible, that I do not die of sorrow, when I reflect on Thy Goodness to me and my ingratitude to Thee? Thou, my Creator, after having created me, hast given Thy Blood and Thy Life for me and, not content with this, Thou hast invented a means of offering Thyself everyday for me, in the Holy Eucharist, exposing Thyself to a thousand insults and outrages! Ah, Jesus, do Thou wound my heart with a great contrition for my sins and a lively love for Thee. Through Thy Tears and Thy Blood, give me the grace of perseverance in Thy fervent love, until I breathe my last sigh. Amen.
Lenten Preparation Novena in Reparation to the Holy Face Day Seven
“All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)
(Console the Holy Face
and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) below.
Psalm 50:14-15: Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and strengthen me with a perfect spirit. I will teach the unjust Thy ways and the wicked shall be converted to Thee.
DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER
O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, through the intercession of Holy Mary, whose soul was pierced through by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the Passion of her Divine Son, we ask Thy help, in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus, united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment. We now implore all the Angels and Saints to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena to the Most Holy Face of Jesus and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
THE SEVENTH DAY:
Lord Jesus! After contemplating Thy features, disfigured by grief pain, after meditating upon Thy Passion with compunction and love, how can our hearts fail to be inflamed with a holy hatred of sin, which even now, outrages Thy Adorable Face! Lord, suffer us not to be content with mere compassion but grant us grace to closely follow Thee in this Calvary, so that the opprobrium destined for Thee may fall on us, 0 Jesus, that thus, we may have a share, small though it may be, in expiation of sin. Amen
Mary, our Mother, intercede for us.
Saint Joseph pray for us. Through the merits of Your Precious Blood and Your Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition ……………… Pardon and mercy. Amen
Hail Mary, Queen of Our Hearts, Our Mother Prayer in Honour of Mary By St Louis Marie de Montfort (1673-1716)
Hail Mary, Daughter of God the Father! Hail Mary, Mother of God the Son! Hail Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit! Hail Mary, Temple of the Most Holy Trinity! Hail Mary, our mistress, our wealth, our mystic rose. Queen of our hearts, our Mother, our life, our sweetness and our dearest hope! We are all Thine and all we have is thine. O Virgin, blessed above all things, may thy soul be in us, to magnify the Lord, may thy spirit be in us, to rejoice in God. Place thyself, O faithful Virgin, as a seal upon our hearts, that in thee and through thee, we may be found faithful to God. Grant, most gracious Virgin, that we may be numbered among those, whom thou art pleased to love, to teach and to guide, to favour and to protect, as thy children. Grant that with the help of thy love, we may despise all earthly consolations and cling to heavenly things, until through the Holy Spirit, thy faithful spouse and through thee, His faithful spouse, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, be formed within us for the glory of the Father. Amen
Pray (1) Our Father, three (3) Hail Marys, one (1) Glory Be
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every Adoration Thine (Three times)
Quinquagesima Sunday: This Season is seventeen (17) days long and includes the three Sundays before Ash Wednesday. The length of the Season never changes but the start date is dependent upon the movable date of Easter, which can fall between 22 March-25 April. For many early Christians Quinquagesima marked the time after which meat was forbidden. In many places, this Sunday and the next two days, were used to prepare for Lent by a good Confession; hence in England, we find the names Shrove Sunday and Shrovetide. Shrove is a form of the English word “shrive,” which means – to obtain absolution for one’s sins by way of Confession and doing penance.. As the days before Lent were frequently spent in merry-making, Pope Benedict XIV by the Constitution “Inter Cetera” (1 January 1748) introduced a Forty Hours’ Devotion to keep the faithful from dangerous amusements and to make some reparation for sins committed. Quinquagesima also means, the time between Easter and Pentecost, or from the Saturday after Easter to the Sunday after Pentecost; it is then called Quinquagesima Paschae paschalis, or laetitae.
Immaculate Heart of Mary: Refuge of Sinner Listed in the Missal as a Feastday in some place. What does this Feastday mean? The Heart of Mary is the divinely-appointed Refuge of Sinners. “O God,” exclaims St Alphonsus, “how great shall be the remorse of the damned Christian in thinking that, during life, he could have saved his soul with so much facility by invoking the intercession of this Mother of mercy; that he had not done so and that, there shall be no more time to do it.” “Perhaps,” says St Bonaventure, “we are in doubt as to whether Our Lady will hear us when we address our prayers to her. No, Mary does not refuse and never has refused pity and aid, to any sinner who has invoked her intercession.”
St Berach of Kilbarry St Craton St Decorosus of Capua St Dochow St Druthmar of Corvey St Eusebius of Asehia St Farannan of Iona
St Faustinus AND St Jovinus (Died c 120) Martyrs, Priest and Deacon respectively. Brothers. Both Evangelists, Preachers. Born at Brescia, Lombardy, Italy and the two brothers died together. They was thrown to the lions but the animals refused to touch them. Then beheaded in 120 at Brescia, Italy.
Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face To end on Shrove Tuesday, The Feast of the Holy Face
“All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)
(Console the Holy Face
and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) below.
Psalm50:12-13 A pure heart create in me O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Thy presence nor deprive me of Thy Holy Spirit.
DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER
O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, through the intercession of Holy Mary, whose soul was pierced through by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the Passion of her Divine Son, we ask Thy help, in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus, united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment. We now implore all the Angels and Saints to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena to the Most Holy Face of Jesus and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
THE SIXTH DAY:
Most Holy Face of Jesus, we are truly sorrowful, for we have hurt Thee so much. By our sins, we have disobeyed Thee, turned away from Thee and omitted to please Thee, by our lives. But now, we wish to do penance and amend our lives. Immaculate Heart of Mary, intercede for us, help us to console the Most Holy Face of Jesus. Pray for us, that we may share in the tremendous love thou hast for the most Holy and Blessed Trinity. Through the merits of Thy Most Precious Blood and Thy Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition……………… Pardon and mercy. Amen
O Victorious Prince, Guardian of the Church of God By St Aloysius de Gonzaga SJ (1568-1591) Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
O Victorious Prince, most humble guardian of the Church of God and of faithful souls, who, with such charity and zeal, took part in so many conflicts and gained such great victories over the enemy, for the conservation and protection of the honour and glory, we all owe to God, as well as for the promotion of our salvation. Come, we pray Thee, to our assistance, for we are continually besieged with such great perils by our enemies, the flesh, the world and the devil and as Thou wast a leader for the people of God, through the desert, so also be our faithful leader and companion through the desert of this world, until Thou conduct us safely, into the happy land of the living, in that blessed fatherland from which we are all exiles. Amen.
Pray (1) Our Father, three (3) Hail Marys, one (1) Glory Be
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every Adoration Thine (Three times)
Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face To end on Shrove Tuesday, The Feast of the Holy Face
“All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … (Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude the Great)
(Console the Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) below.
Psalm 51:10-11: But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God, forever, yea forever and ever. I will praise Thee forever because Thou hast done it and I will wait on Thy Name, for It is good in the sight of Thy saints.
DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER
O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, through the intercession of Holy Mary, whose soul was pierced through by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the Passion of her Divine Son, we ask Thy help, in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus, united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment. We now implore all the Angels and Saints to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena to the Most Holy Face of Jesus and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
THE FIFTH DAY:
Holy Face of Jesus, Sacred Countenance of God, how great is Thy patience with humankind, how infinite Thy forgiveness. We are sinners, yet Thou dost love us. This gives us courage. For the glory of Thy Holy Face and of the Blessed Trinity, hear and answer us.
Mary our Mother, intercede for us,Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Through the merits of Thy Most Precious Blood and Thy Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition ……………… Pardon and mercy. Amen
Hail, Holy Joseph, Hail! By Father Frederick William Faber CO (1814-1863)
Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Chaste spouse of Mary hail! Pure as the lily flow’r In Eden’s peaceful vale. Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Prince of the house of God! May His best graces be By thy sweet hands bestowed.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Comrade of Angels, hail! Cheer thou the hearts that faint, And guide the steps that fail. Hail, holy Joseph, hail! God’s choice wert thou alone! To thee the Word made flesh, Was subject as a Son.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail! Teach us our flesh to tame And, Mary, keep the hearts That love thy husband’s name. Mother of Jesus! bless, And bless, ye Saints on high, All meek and simple souls That to Saint Joseph cry. Amen
Pray (1) Our Father, three (3) Hail Marys, one (1) Glory Be.
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every Adoration Thine (Three times)
Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face To end on Shrove Tuesday, The Feast of the Holy Face
“All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … (Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude the Great)
(Console the Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) below.
Psalm 51:8-9:
Indeed you love truth in the heart, then in the secret of my heart, teach me Wisdom. O purify me, then I shall be clean, O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.
DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER
O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, through the intercession of Holy Mary, whose soul was pierced through by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the Passion of her Divine Son, we ask Thy help, in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus, united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment. We now implore all the Angels and Saints to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena to the Most Holy Face of Jesus and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
THE FOURTH DAY:
O Lord Jesus, Who has said, learn of Me for I am meek and gentle of heart and Who didst manifest upon Thy Holy Face, the sentiments of Thy Divine Heart, grant that we may love to meditate upon Thy Divine Countenance, that we may read there, Thy gentleness and Thy humility and learn from Thee to form our hearts in the practice of these two virtues, which Thou desires to see shine in Thy servants.
Mary our Mother and Saint Joseph help us.
Through the merits of Thy Precious Blood and Thy Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition ……………… Pardon and mercy. Amen
Prayer in Honour of the Dolours of the Blessed Virgin By St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Doctor of the Church
O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the Martyrdom, the Crucifixion and the Death, of your Divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that, being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem and that henceforward, all my thoughts and all my actions, may be directed towards this one most desirable object, the honour, glory and love to our Divine Lord Jesus, and to you, the Holy and Immaculate Mother of God. Amen
Pray (1) Our Father, three (3) Hail Marys, one (1) Glory Be.
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every Adoration Thine (Three times)
Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face To end on Shrove Tuesday, The Feast of the Holy Face
“All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … (Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude the Great)
(Console the Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) below.
Psalm 51:6b-7: You are just when you pass sentence on me, blameless, when you give judgement. You know I was born guilty, a sinner from the moment of conception.
DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER
O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, through the intercession of Holy Mary, whose soul was pierced through by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the Passion of her Divine Son, we ask Thy help, in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus, united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment. We now implore all the Angels and Saints to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena to the Most Holy Face of Jesus and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
THE THIRD DAY:
Prayer to The Holy Face By Pope Pius IX (1792-1878)
O Jesus! Cast upon us a look of mercy, turn Thy Face towards each of us as Thou did to Veronica, not that we may see It, with our bodily eyes, for this we do not deserve but turn It towards our hearts, so that, remembering Thee, we may ever draw from this Fountain of Strength, the vigour necessary, to sustain the combats of life. Amen
Mary, our Mother and Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Through the merits of Thy Precious Blood and Thy Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition ……………… Pardon and mercy. Amen
Prayer to the Angels and Saints We salute you, through the Holy Face and Sacred Heart of Jesus, O all you Holy Angels and Saints of God. We rejoice in your glory and we give thanks to our Lord for all the benefits which He has showered upon you, we praise Him and glorify Him and, for an increase of your joy and honour, we offer Him the most Holy Face and gentle Heart of Jesus. Pray that we may become formed according to the Heart of God. Amen.
Pray (1) Our Father, three (3) Hail Marys, one (1) Glory Be.
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every Adoration Thine (Three times)
Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face To end on Shrove Tuesday, The Feast of the Holy Face
“All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … (Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude the Great)
(Console the Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) below. Psalm 51:5-6a My offences truly I know them; My sin is always before me Against You, You alone, have I sinned, What is evil in Your sight I have done.
DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER
O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, through the intercession of Holy Mary, whose soul was pierced through by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the Passion of her Divine Son, we ask Thy help, in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus, united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment. We now implore all the Angels and Saints to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena to the Most Holy Face of Jesus and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
THE SECOND DAY:
PRAYER: Most Holy Face of Jesus, we are truly sorrowful, for we have hurt Thee so much. By our sins, we have disobeyed Thee, turned away from Thee and omitted to please Thee by our lives. But now, we wish to do penance and amend our lives. Immaculate Heart of Mary, intercede for us, help us to console the Most Holy Face of Jesus. Pray for us, that we may share in the tremendous love you have for the most Holy and Blessed Trinity. Through the merits of Thy Most Precious Blood and Thy Most Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition ……………… Pardon and mercy. Amen
Come O Holy Ghost! By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
Thou made Mary full of grace and inflamed the hearts of the Apostles with a holy zeal, enflame our hearts with Thy Love. Thou art the Spirit of goodness, give us the courage to confront evil. Thou art Fire, set us ablaze with Thy Love. Thou art Light, enlighten our minds, that we may see what is truly good and true. Thou art the Dove, give us gentleness. Thou art a Soothing Breeze, bring calm to the storms which rage within us. Thou art the Tongue, may our lips ever sing God’s praises Thou art the Cloud, shelter us under the shadow of Thy protection. O Holy Ghost, melt the frozen, warm the chilled and enkindle in us, an earnest desire to please Thee. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Pray (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Marys, (1) Glory Be.
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every Adoration Thine (Three times)
Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face To end on Shrove Tuesday, 17 February this year, The Feast of the Holy Face
For so many, Shrove Tuesday is a date on the calendar that is often overshadowed by Ash Wednesday that memorable day we wear the outward sign of repentance and recall our mortality. How much more meaningful will our Ash Wednesday be, if we first mark Shrove Tuesday as a Feast of the Holy Face, concluding the Novena we began in the time of preparation and beginning Lent more in love with the Countenance of Christ and, through Him, made more beautiful in our own soul. AMEN, Let us Pray ………….
“I firmly wish that My Face reflecting the intimate pains of My Soul, the suffering and love of My Heart, be more honoured! Whoever gazes upon Me already consoles Me.” – (Our Lord Jesus Christ to Sister Pierina)
“All those who, attracted by My Love and venerating My Countenance, shall receive, by virtue of My Humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of My Divinity. This splendour shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the Celestial Court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features, with My Divine Countenance.” … (Our Lord Jesus Christ to St Gertrude)
This Novena prayer may be said at any time but especially in the nine days leading up to the Feast of the Holy Face on Shrove Tuesday. The first Medal of the Holy Face was offered to Pope Pius XII who approved the Devotion and the Medal. In 1958, he formally declared the Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus as Shrove Tuesday.
(Console the Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) below. Psalm 51:3-4. Have mercy on me, O God in Thy goodness, in Thy great tenderness wipe away my faults, wash me clean of my guilt, purify me from my sin.
DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER
O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, through the intercession of Holy Mary, whose soul was pierced through by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the Passion of her Divine Son, we ask Thy assistance, in making a perfect Novena of Reparation with Jesus, united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment. We now implore all the Angels and Saints to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena to the Most Holy Face of Jesus and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
THE FIRST DAY:
PRAYER: O most Holy Face of Jesus, look with tenderness on us who are sinners. Thou art a merciful God, full of love and compassion. Keep us pure of heart, so that we may see Thee always. Mary, our Mother, intercede for us, Saint Joseph, pray for us. Through the merits of Thy Precious Blood and Thine Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition ……………… and Thy pardon and mercy.
Almighty Father, Come Into Our Hearts By St Augustine (354-430)
Almighty Father, come into our hearts and so fill us with Thy Love that forsaking all evil desires, we may embrace Thee, our only good. Show us, O Lord our God, what Thou art to us. Say to our souls, I Am your salvation, speak so, that we may hear. Our hearts are before Thee, open our ears, let us hasten after Thy Voice. Hide not Thy Face from us, we beseech Thee, O Lord. Open our hearts, so that Thou may enter in. Repair the ruined mansions, that Thou may dwell therein. Hear us, O Heavenly Father, for the sake of Thy Only Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. Amen
Pray (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Marys, (1) Glory Be.
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every Adoration Thine (Three times)
AnaStpaul 
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