Category: LENT

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2022, QUOTES on ALMS, The WORD

First Saturday of Lent – 5 March – Our Lenten Journey with the Great Fathers – ‘light shall rise for you in the darkness …’ Isaiah 58:10

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First Saturday of Lent – 5 March – Our Lenten Journey with the Great Fathers

“Take courage; it is I,
do not be afraid.
And He got into the boat with them
and the wind fell.”

Mark 6:50-51

“If you bestow your bread
on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise
for you in the darkness
and the gloom
shall become for you,like midday…”

Isaiah 58:10

[My father] actually treated his own property, as if it were another’s, of which he was but the steward, relieving poverty, as far as he could and expending, not only his superfluities but his necessities — a manifest proof of love for the poor, giving a portion, not only to seven, according to the injunction of Solomon but, if an eighth came forward, not even in his case being mi8serly but, more pleased to dispose of his wealth, than we know others are to acquire it.

THIS IS WHAT MOST people do – they give indeed but without that readiness, that is a greater and more perfect thing than the mere offering.
For he thought it much better to be generous, even to the undeserving, for the sake of the deserving, than from fear of the undeserving to deprive those who were deserving.
And this seems to be the duty of casting our bread on the waters, since it will not be swept away or perish in the eyes of the just Investigator but, will arrive yonder where all that is ours is laid up and will meet with us in due time, even though we think it not.

But what is best and greatest of all – [my father’s] magnanimity was accompanied by freedom from ambition!– St Gregory of Nazianzen (330-390) Archbishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (On the Death of His Father [Oration 18], 20).

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, LENT 2022, The WORD

Quote/s – 5 March – The First Saturday of Lent – “Thus says the Lord God”

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Quote/s – 5 March – The First Saturday of Lent – Isaiah 58:9-14, Mark 6:47-56

“Thus says the Lord God:
If you remove from your midst oppression,
false accusation
and malicious speech.
if you bestow your bread
on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise
for you in the darkness
and the gloom
shall become for you,like midday;
then the Lord will guide you always
and give you plenty,
even on the parched land.
He will renew your strength
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring whose water never fails.”

Isaiah 58:9-11

“… If you hold back your foot
on the Sabbath from following
your own pursuits on My holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the Lord’s Holy Day honourable;
if you honour it,
by not following your ways,
seeking your own interests,
or speaking with malice –
then you shall delight in the Lord …”

Isaiah 58:13-14

“Take courage; it is I,
do not be afraid.
And He got into the boat with them
and the wind fell.”

Mark 6:50-51

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HOPE

Our Morning Offering – 5 March – Shelter Me Under Thy Mantle, Refuge of Sinners

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Our Morning Offering – 5 March – The First Saturday of Lent

Shelter Me Under Thy Mantle,
Refuge of Sinners
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Most holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary,
to thee, who art the Mother of my Lord,
the Queen of the Universe, the Advocate,
the Hope, the Refuge of sinners,
I, who am the most miserable of all sinners,
have recourse this day.
I venerate thee, great Queen
and I thank thee for the many graces
thou hast bestowed upon me, even unto this day,
in particular, for having delivered me from the hell
which I have so often deserved by my sins.
I love thee, my dearest Lady
and because of that love,
I promise to serve thee willingly forever
and to do what I can to make thee loved by others.
I place in thee all my hopes for salvation,
accept me as thy servant
and shelter me under thy mantle,
thou, who art the Mother of Mercy.
And since thou are so powerful with God,
deliver me from all temptations,
or at least, obtain for me the strength
to overcome them until death.
From thee, I implore, a true love for Jesus Christ.
Through thee, I hope to die a holy death.
My dear Mother, by thy love for Almighty God,
I pray thee to assist me always
but most of all, at the last moment of my life.
Forsake me not then,
until thou shalt see me safely in Heaven,
there to bless thee and sing of thy mercies,
throughout all eternity.
Such is my hope.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2022, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on FASTING, The WORD

First Friday of Lent – 4 March – Our Lenten Journey with the Great Fathers – ‘And what kind of Christian is it, who will not fast with the Lord?’

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First Friday of Lent – 4 March – Our Lenten Journey with the Great Fathers – Isaiah 58:1-9, Matthew 5:43-38,6:1-4

“One thing I ask the Lord;
this I seek:
to dwell in the house of the Lord.”

Psalm 26:4

“Take heed not to do your good before men,
in order to be seen by them;
otherwise you shall have no reward
with your Father in Heaven.”

Matthew 6:1

AND WHAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN is it who will not fast, at least until None (the mid-afternoon Breviary hour), during this season?
Recall how the Ninevites required even of children at the breast that they too should fast and their flocks and herds likewise, that all might be delivered from the danger that threatened them.
What kind of Christian is he who, although well and able refuses to fast with … the Lord?
They will say: We cannot both work and fast.
They cannot because they WILL NOT.
Then let them work less that they may fast more.
I warn you and I exhort you in the Lord, that none among you, unless a sick person or a child, eat or drink before the hour of Nones, except on Sundays.

I COUNSEL YOU ALSO, that he who is near the Church and can come, should hear Mass each day. And that he who can, should come each evening to the recitation of Vespers.
Let those who live far from the Church try to come to Vespers each Sunday at least …

LET HIM who has HATE in his heart, or anger, against another, put it wholly from himself, if he wishes to be saved. …
And you must understand, that whatever it is that you deny yourself through fasting must be given entirely to the poor, not kept back for yourselves!

MAY ALMIGHTY GOD grant, that you keep before you what I have told you and that you fulfil it … so that at the end of this life and at the close of your labours, you may enter into eternal rest.
May He grant you this, Who created you and sought at the price of His own Blood to redeem you,
Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen. – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Archbishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in LENT 2021, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MERCY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 March – Isaiah 58:6-9, Matthew 6:1-4

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 March – First Friday of Lent – Isaiah 58:1-9, Matthew 5:43-38,6:1-4

“This, rather, is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke;
setting free the oppressed,
breaking every yoke;
sharing your bread with the hungry,
sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;
clothing the naked when you see them
and not turning your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
your vindication shall go before you
and the glory of the Lord
shall be your rearguard.
Then you shall call
and the Lord will answer,
you shall cry for help
and He will say:
‘Here I am!’
For I, the Lord your God, am merciful.”

Isaiah 58:6-9

“Take heed not to do your good before men,
in order to be seen by them;
otherwise you shall have no reward
with your Father in Heaven.
Therefore, when you give alms,
do not sound a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets,
in order that they may be honoured by men.
Amen I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know
what your right hand is doing,
so that your alms may be given in secret
and your Father, Who sees in secret,
will reward you.”

Matthew 6:1-4

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2022, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The WORD

First Thursday of Lent – 3 March – ‘Put your house in order … ’ Isaiah 38:1

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First Thursday of Lent – 3 March – Our Lenten Journey with the Great Fathers – Isaiah 38:1-6, Matthew 8:5-13

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul:
in You, O my God, I trust …

Psalm 24:1

“In those days, when Hezekiah was mortally ill,
the prophet Isaiah … came and said to him;
Thus says the Lord:
‘Put your house in order,
for you are about to die;
you shall not recover.’

Isaiah 38:1

BEHOLD, NOW IS THE APPOINTED TIME, in which you must confess your sins to God and to the priest and by prayer and by fasting, by tears and by almsgiving, wipe them away.
Why should a sinner be ashamed to make known his sins, since they are already known and manifest to God and to His angels and even to the blessed in heaven?

CONFESSION delivers the soul from death.
Confession opens the door to heaven.
Confession brings us hope of salvation.
Because of this, the Scripture says: First tell thy iniquities that you may be justified (Is. xliii.
Here we are shown, that the man will not be saved, who, during his life, does not confess his sin.
Neither will that confession deliver you, which is made without true repentance.
For true repentance is grief of heart and sorrow of soul because of the evils a man has committed.
True repentance causes us to grieve over our offences and to grieve over them with the firm intention of never committing them again.

And although, everyday, a man lives may rightly be a day of repentance, yet it is in these days more becoming, more appropriate, to confess our sins, to fast and to give elms to the poor; since in these days you may wash clean the sins of the whole year.
Therefore, I counsel all of you and I exhort each one of you singly, to repair, whatever you know within your soul, is blameworthy.
Whosoever among you discerns, within himself, what is unworthy in a Christian, let him correct it. … St Athanasius (297-373) Archbishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor of the Church (The Season of Lent).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2022, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on WATCHING, The HEART

Ash Wednesday – 2 March – Our Lenten Journey with the Great Fathers Begins

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Ash Wednesday – 2 March – Our Lenten Journey with the Great Fathers Begins

“In the face of my darkness,
You are Light.
In the face of my mortality,
You are Life.”

St Gregory of Narek (950-1003)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“O Lord, deal with us,
not according to our sins,
nor requite us according to our crimes.”

Psalm 102:10

BEHOLD, DEARLY BELOVED, the Sacred days are drawing near, the acceptable time, of which it is written – Behold, now is the acceptable time. behold, now is the day of salvation (II Cor vi)
And so you must be more earnest in prayer and in alms-giving, in fasting and in watching. He that until now has given alms, in these days let him give more – for as water quencheth a flaming fire, so does almsgiving wipe out sin (Eccles. iii. 33).
He that until now fasted and prayed, let him fast and pray still more – for there are certain sins which are not cast out, except by prayer and fasting (Mc. xvii. 20).

SHOULD ANYONE CHERISH ANGER towards another, let him forgive from his heart. Should anyone take, unjustly what belongs to another, let him restore it and if not fourfold, at least that which he has taken, if he desires God to be merciful to himself (Lk. xix. 8).

AND although a Christian should abstain at all times from cursings and revilings, from oaths, from excessive laughter and from idle words, he must do this especially in these holy days, which are set apart, so that during these forty days, he may, by Penance, wipe out the sins of the whole year!

MAY YOU BELIEVE and believe firmly, that if, in these days, you have made a thorough Confession of your sins and done Penance as we have told you, you shall receive from Our Most Merciful Lord, the pardon of all your offences, as did the Ninivites, who earned deliverance from their afflictions by doing penance in sackcloth and ashes (Jn. iii).

So you also, following their example, if you cry out with all your heart to the Lord, you will invoke His Mercy on you, so that, serene and joyful, you will celebrate the day of the Lord’s Resurrection and, thus blessed, you will, after this life, cross over to your heavenly home, by the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, world without end. Amen. – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan. Father and One of the Four Original Doctors of the Latin Church

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2022, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on PRIDE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 March – ‘ … He strips bare the secret intentions of our souls. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 2 March – Ash Wednesday –Joel 2:12-19, Matthew 6:16-21

“They have received their reward” – Matthew 6:16

REFLECTION – “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them.” Why not? If people see them then what will you get out of them? “You will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.”  My brethren, the Lord is not bringing judgement here but giving an explanation. He casts light on the wiles of our thoughts, He strips bare the secret intentions of our souls. He draws attention to the measure of a just retribution, to those unrighteous, pondering righteousness. Righteousness that sets itself in the sight of others can expect no divine reward from the Father. It wanted to be seen and it was seen; it wanted to please others and it pleased them. It has received the recompense it wanted – the recompense it did not want, it will not have …

“When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do.” “Blow your trumpet” – this is the exact phrase in that this kind of alms is more like a deed of war than of peace. It passes wholly into its sound but has nothing to do with mercy. It comes from the land of disunion but has not been nourished by goodness. It is a dealing in outward show, not chaste commerce …. “So, then, when you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.” You have taken good note: – alms offered at a meeting, in public square and street corners, is not an offering made for the comforting of the poor but has been set forward in the sight of others to attract their admiration … Flee hypocrisy, my brethren, flee from it …. It does not bring comfort to the poor; the groans of the homeless but is only a pretext for it, to seek out even more busily, a spectacular glory for itself. It inflates its praise of the suffering of the poor. – St Peter Chrysologus (406-450) Bishop of Ravenna, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 9).

PRAYER – Grant, O Lord, that Your faithful people may, with true piety, undertake the time-honoured custom of fasting and may carry it out with unwavering devotion. 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).

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2021, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN

Our Morning Offering – 2 March – Pardon Lord, I Ask By St Ambrose

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Our Morning Offering – 2 March – Ash Wednesday

Pardon Lord, I Ask
By St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Lord Jesus Christ,
Who stretched out Your Hands on the Cross
and redeemed us by Your Blood,
forgive me, a sinner ,
for none of my thoughts
are hidden from You.
Pardon I ask,
Pardon I hope for,
Pardon I trust to have.
You, Who are full of pity and mercy,
spare me and forgive.
Amen.

Posted in LENT 2022, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ANGELS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Second Thoughts for our immanent entry into Lent – Planting a Lenten Garden

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A few last-minute sowing plans
for the garden of our souls.
Planting virtue and good habits
and ascending that steep hill,
day-by-day, with love, faithfulness
and perseverance.
Accompanying our Saviour on His
Journey of our Redemption:

Five Rows of Squash:

  1. Squash gossip
  2. Squash indifference
  3. Squash unkindness
  4. Squash temper
  5. Squash the idols of greed and lust

Six Rows of Peas:

  1. Prayer
  2. Penance
  3. Perseverance
  4. Purity
  5. Patience
  6. Politeness

Seven Heads of Lettuce:

  1. Let us be unselfish
  2. Let us be charitable
  3. Let us be obedient
  4. Let us be truthful
  5. Let us be gentle and kind
  6. Let us be repentant
  7. Let us be renewed

No garden is complete without Turnips:

  1. Turn up for Daily Mass
  2. Turn up fo Eucharistic Adoration
  3. Turn up for Daily Morning and Night Prayer
  4. Turn up for Spiritual reading on Breathing Catholic 🤗🙏💘

Conclude with Thyme:

Thyme with God, thyme for fasting, thyme for generosity and care of the poor, the sick, the suffering.

Water daily with patience
Feed with love
The Beloved Saviour will provide the growth.

Posted in LENT 2022, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The HOLY FACE, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 1 March – May we be Christ’s!

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 March – Feast of the Holy Face
and Shrove Tuesday

“You have said,
“Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Cast me not off,
forsake me not,
O God of my salvation.”

Psalm 27:8-9

“Gather to me my faithful ones,
who made a covenant with me
by sacrifice!”

Psalm: 50:5

“Each and everyone of us,
at the end of the journey of life,
will come, face to face
with either one,
or the other
of two faces…
And one of them,
either, the
merciful face of Christ
or the
miserable face of Satan,
will say,
“Mine, mine.”

May we be Christ’s!”

Ven Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)

Posted in DEVOTIO, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, LENT, The HOLY FACE

Feast of the Holy Face

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Feast of the Holy Face and Shrove Tuesday

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 Him 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.

Soon afterwards, Venerable Leo Dupont, known as the “Holy Man of Tours” helped to publicise this Devotion and through a number of miraculous cures attributed to an image of our Lord’s Holy Face, in his possession.

In 1885 Pope Leo XIII gave Ecclesiastical approval of the Devotion to the Holy Face and established an Archconfraternity for it.

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.

Tuesday Devotion to the Holy Face
The Lord also requested that His Holy Face be honoured each Tuesday and especially on Shrove Tuesday, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent. Requesting this Devotion, Jesus appeared covered with blood and very sadly said to Blessed Pierina:

Veronica’s veil, by Claude Mellan (c. 1649).

“Do you see how I suffer? Yet, very few understand Me. Those who say they love Me are very ungrateful! I have given My Heart as the sensible object of My great love to men and I give My Face as the sensible object of My sorrow for all the sins of men. I wish that it be venerated by a special Feast on Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. I wish that the Feast be preceded by a Novena in which the faithful make reparation with Me, joining together and sharing in My sorrow.”

As part of the preparations for Lent, it is appropriate to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Face by spending some time before the Blessed Sacrament and reciting the prayers of reparation. In addition, the repetition of this Devotion each Tuesday in Lent may be a means of drawing closer to Our Lord during this time of more intense prayer and conversion.

The Eight Promises of Jesus:

  1. All those who honour My Face in a spirit of reparation, will by so doing, perform the office of the pious Veronica. According to the care they take in making reparation to My Face, disfigured by blasphemers, so will I take care of their souls which have been disfigured by sin. My Face is the seal of the Divinity, which has the virtue of reproducing in souls the image of God.
  2. Those who by words, prayers or writing, defend My cause in this Work of Reparation I will defend before My Father and will give them My Kingdom.
  3. By offering My Face to My Eternal Father, nothing will be refused and the conversion of many sinners will be obtained.
  4. By My Holy Face, they will work wonders, appease the anger of God and draw down mercy on sinners.
  5. As in a kingdom they can procure all that is desired, with a coin stamped with the King’s effigy, so, in the Kingdom of Heaven, they will obtain all they desire, with the precious coin of My Holy Face.
  6. Those who, on earth, contemplate the wounds of My Face shall, in Heaven, behold it radiant with glory.
  7. They will receive in their souls, a bright and constant irradiation of My Divinity, that by their likeness to My Face, they shall shine with particular splendour in Heaven.
  8. I will defend them, I will preserve them and I assure them of Final Perseverance.
Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, NOVENAS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY FACE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face Day Nine – 28 February

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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)

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 Your 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 Spirit.
Amen

(Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer)

DAY NINE
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 You have deigned to hear us,
that You have chosen to answer us
in our hour of need.
We say this because we know,
that our prayers will be granted.
We know that You,
in Your loving kindness,
listen to our pleading hearts
and will give, out of Your fullness,
the answer to our problems.
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.

Prayer to the Holy Face
By St Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897)
of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face OCD (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, (3) Hail Marys, (1) Glory Be.

O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine,
be every Adoration Thine
(Three times)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 28 February – Hear us, O Heavenly Father,

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Our Morning Offering –28 February

Hear us, O Heavenly Father,
For the Sake of Your Only Son
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Almighty Father, come into our hearts
and so fill us with Your love
that forsaking all evil desires,
we may embrace You, our only good.
Show us, O Lord our God, what You are to us.
Say to our souls, I am your salvation,
speak so, that we may hear.
Our hearts are before You,
open our ears,
let us hasten after Your Voice.
Hide not Your Face from us,
we beseech You, O Lord.
Open our hearts, so that You may enter in.
Repair the ruined mansions,
that You may dwell therein.
Hear us, O Heavenly Father,
for the sake of Your only Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, NOVENAS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, The HOLY FACE

Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy FaceDay Eight – 27 February

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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)

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 Your 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 Spirit.
Amen

(Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer)

DAY EIGHT
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.

Most merciful Face of Jesus,
Who in this vale of tears,
was so moved by our misfortunes,
to call Yourself the healer of the sick
and the good Shepherd of the souls gone astray,
allow not Satan to draw us away from You
but keep us always under Your loving protection,
together with all souls who endeavour
to console You.

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 Spirit,
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)

Posted in LENT, SAINT of the DAY, The BEATITUDES

Quinquagesima Sunday, Nostra Signora della Luce / Our Lady of Light, Palermo, Italy, (18th Century) and Memorials of the Saints – 27 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quinquagesima Sunday:

The period of fifty days before Easter. It begins with the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, called Dominica in Quinquagesima or Esto Mihi from the beginning of the Introit of the Mass; it is a Sunday of the second class, and the colour the Mass and Office is violet.
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.

Nostra Signora della Luce / Our Lady of Light, Palermo, Italy, (18th Century) – 27 February:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/27/our-lady-of-light-palermo-italy-18th-century-and-memorials-of-the-saints-27-february/

St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows/Gabriel Possenti CP (1838-1862) Passionist Religious and student preparing for the Priesthood. Gabriel was known for his great devotion to the Sorrows of the Virgin Mary.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/27/saint-of-the-day-27-february-st-gabriel-of-our-lady-of-sorrows-cp-1838-1862/

St Gregory of Narek (950-1003) – Armenian Monk, Poet, Mystical Philosopher, Theologian, Writer. Father & Doctor of the Church (Memorial)
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/02/27/saint-of-day-27-february-st-gregory-of-narek-950-1003-doctor-of-the-church/

St Abundius of Rome
St Alexander of Rome
St Alnoth
St Anne Line
St Antigonus of Rome
St Baldomerus of Saint Just
St Basilios of Constantinople
St Comgan
St Emmanuel of Cremona
St Fortunatus of Rome
St Herefrith of Lindsey
St Honorina
St John of Gorze
Bl Josep Tous Soler
St Luke of Messina
Bl Maria Caridad Brader
Blessed Mark Barkworth OSB (c 1572–1601) Priest Martyr
St Procopius of Decapolis
Bl Roger Filcock
St Thalilaeus
Bl William Richardson

Martyrs of Alexandria: –
Besas of Alexandria
Cronion Eunus
Julian of Alexandria

Martyrs of Rome: –
Abundius
Alexander
Antigonus

Posted in Hail MARY!, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, MARIAN PRAYERS, NOVENAS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, The HOLY FACE

Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face Day Seven – 26 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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)

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 Your 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 Spirit.
Amen

(Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer)

DAY SEVEN
Psalm 51,14-15:
Give me again the joy of your help,
with a spirit of fervour sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors your ways
and sinners may return to you.

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)

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, NOVENAS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS

Lenten Preparation Novena to the HOLY FACE Day Six – 25 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Preparation Novena
in Reparation to the Holy Face
Day Six

“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)

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 Your 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 Spirit.
Amen

(Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer)

DAY SIX
Psalm 51,12-13:
A pure heart create for us O God,
put a steadfast spirit within us.
Do not cast us away from your presence
nor deprive us of your Holy Spirit.

May our hearts be cleansed, O Lord,
by the in-pouring of the Holy Spirit
and may He render them fruitful
by watering them with His heavenly dew.
Mary, the most chaste spouse of the Holy Spirit,
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

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)

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, NOVENAS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FACE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Lenten Preparation Novena to the HOLY FACE – Day Five – 24 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Preparation Novena
in Reparation to the Holy Face
Day Five

“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)

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 Your 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 Spirit.
Amen

(Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer)

Psalm 51,10-11:
Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,
that the bones you have crushed may revive.
From my sins turn away your Face
and blot out all my guilt.

Holy Face of Jesus,
Sacred Countenance of God,
how great is Your patience with humankind,
how infinite Your forgiveness.
We are sinners, yet You love us.
This gives us courage.
For the glory of Your 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 Your Precious Blood
and your Holy Face,
O Jesus, grant us our petition ………………
Pardon and mercy.
Amen

Prayer to Saint Joseph
– Adopt Us a Thy Children

Dear Saint Joseph!
Adopt us as thy children,
take charge of our salvation;
watch over us day and night,
preserve us from occasions of sin,
obtain for us purity of body and soul
and the spirit of prayer,
through thy intercession with Jesus,
grant us a spirit of sacrifice, of humility and self-denial,
obtain for us a burning love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
and a sweet, tender love for Mary, our Mother.
Saint Joseph, be with us in life,
be with us in death
and obtain for us a favourable judgement from Jesus,
our merciful Saviour.
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)

Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LENT 2022, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, NOVENAS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, The HOLY FACE, The PASSION

Lenten Preparation Novena to the HOLY FACE – Day Four – 23 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Preparation Novena
in Reparation to the Holy Face
Day Four

“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)

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 Your 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 Spirit.
Amen

(Console the Holy Face and recite the Daily Preparatory Prayer)

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.

O Lord Jesus, Who has said,
learn of Me for I am meek and gentle of heart
and Who did 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

O Most Holy and afflicted Virgin,
Queen of Martyrs!
Who stood beneath the Cross,
witnessing the agony of your Diyine Son,
look down with a Mother’s tenderness
and pity on us, as we kneel before you
to venerate your Dolours
and place our requests,
with filial confidence,
in the sanctuary of your wounded heart.
Present them on our behalf to Jesus,
through the merits
of His most Sacred Passion and Death,
together with your sufferings at the foot of the Cross
and through the united efficacy of both,
obtain the favour which we humbly ask.
To whom shall we go in our wants and miseries,
if not to you. O Mother of Mercy,
who having so deeply drunk
of the chalice of your Son,
graciously alleviate the sufferings of those
who still sigh in this land of exile.
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)

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Our Morning Offering – 23 February – Have Mercy, Lord By St Peter Damian

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Our Morning Offering – 23 February – The Memorial of St Peter Damian (1007-1072) Doctor of the Church

Have Mercy, Lord
By St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Doctor of the Church

Have mercy, Lord,
on all my friends and relatives,
on all my benefactors,
on all who pray to Thee for me
and on all who have asked me
to pray to Thee, for them.
Give them the spirit of fruitful penance,
mortify them in all vices
and make them flower
in all Thy virtues.
Amen

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, NOVENAS, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The HEART, The HOLY FACE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Lenten Preparation Novena to the HOLY FACE of JESUS – Day Three

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Preparation Novena
in Reparation to the Holy Face
Day Three

“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)

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 Your 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 Spirit.
Amen

(Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer)

Psalm 5:6b-7:
You are just when you pass sentence on me,
blameless, when you give judgment.
You know I was born guilty,
a sinner from the moment of conception.

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 Your Precious Blood
and Your 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)

Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, NOVENAS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, The HOLY FACE

Lenten Preparation Novena to THE HOLY FACE of JESUS – Day Two – 21 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Preparation
Novena to the Holy Face
DAY TWO

“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)

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

(Console the Holy Face
and recite the Daily Preparatory Prayer above.)

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.

Most Holy Face of Jesus,
we are truly sorryowful,
for we have hurt You so much.
By our sins, we have disobeyed You,
turned away from You
and omitted to please You, 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 Your Precious Blood
and Your Holy Face,
O Jesus, grant us our petition………………
Pardon and mercy.
Amen

Come O Holy Spirit!
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

You made Mary full of grace
and inflamed the hearts of the Apostles
with a holy zeal,
enflame our hearts with Your love.
You are the Spirit of goodness,
give us the courage to confront evil.
You are Fire,
set us ablaze with Your Love.
You are Light,
enlighten our minds,
that we may see what is truly igood and true.
You are the Dove,
give us gentleness.
You are a Soothing Breeze,
bring calm to the storms which rage within us.
You are the Tongue,
may our lips ever sing God’s praises
You are the Cloud,
shelter us under the shadow of Your protection.
O Holy Spirit, melt the frozen,
warm the chilled
and enkindle in us,
an earnest desire to please You.
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)

Posted in LENT 2022, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, NOVENAS, The HOLY FACE

Lenten Preparation Novena to THE HOLY FACE OF JESUS – Day One – 20 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Preparation
Novena to the Holy Face
DAY ONE

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

“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

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

(Console the Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) above.
Psalm 51,3-4.
Have mercy on me, O God in Your goodness,
in Your great tenderness, wipe away my faults,
wash me clean of my guilt, purify me from my sin.

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 Your Precious Blood
and Your Holy Face, O Jesus,
grant us our petition ………………
and Your pardon and mercy. Amen.

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)

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, franciscan OFM, LENT, LENT 2022, MARIAN TITLES

Sexagesima Sunday, Notre-Dame de Bolougn-sur-Mer / Our Lady of Bolougn-sur-Mer, France (633) and Memorials of the Saints – 20 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Sexagesima Sunday:
(Latin – Sexagesima, sixtieth) is the eighth Sunday before Easter and the second before Lent. The Ordo Romanus, St Alcuin and others, count the Sexagesima from this day to Wednesday after Easter. The name was already known to the Fourth Council of Orléans in 541. To the Latins it is also known as “Exsurge” from the beginning of the Introit. The station was at Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls of Rome and hence, the oratio calls upon the Doctor of the Gentiles. The Epistle is from Paul, 2 Corinthians 11 and 12, describing his suffering and labours for the Church. The Gospel (Luke 8) relates the falling of the seed on good and on bad ground, while the Lessons of the first Nocturn continue the history of man’s iniquity and speak of Noah and of the Deluge.

Notre-Dame de Bolougn-sur-Mer / Our Lady of Bolougn-sur-Mer, France (633) – 20 February:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/20/our-lady-of-bolougne-sur-mer-france-633-and-memorials-of-the-saints-20-february/

St Amata of Assisi OSC (Died c 1250)
St Bolcan of Derken
St Colgan

St Eleutherius of Tournai (c 456-532) the first Bishop of Tournai, France, Martyr. Confessor.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/20/saint-of-the-day-20-february-saint-eleutherius-of-tournai-c-456-532-bishop-martyr/

St Eucherius of Orleans OSB (c 687-743) Bishop Orléans, Benedictine Monk, Confessor.
About St Eucherius:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/20/saint-of-the-day-20-february-saint-eucherius-of-orleans-c-687-743/

St Falco of Maastricht

St Francisco Marto (1908-1919) Two of the three Visionaries of Fatima.
St Jacinta Marto (1910-1920)
Today (2022) is the Sixth Anniversary of their Canonisation: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/20/saints-of-the-day-20-february-saints-francisco-1908-1919-and-jacinta-marta-1910-1920

St Leo of Catania
St Nemesius of Cyprus
Blessed Pietro of Treia OFM (1214-1304) Friar of the Friars Minor.
St Pothamius of Cyprus
St Serapion of Alexandria
St Silvanus of Emesa

Blessed Stanislawa/Julia Rodzinska OP (1899-1945) Martyr, Dominican Sister, known as the “Mother of Orphans” and the “Apostle of the Rosary”, Apostle of Charity, Teacher, Catechist.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/20/saint-of-the-day-20-february-blessed-julia-rodzinska-op-1899-1945-martyr/

St Valerius of Courserans
St Wulfric of Haselbury
St Zenobius of Antioch

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN

Our Morning Offering -18 February – Lord Jesus, Think on Me By St Synesius of Cyrene

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering -18 February – Septuagesima Weekday

Lord Jesus, Think on Me
By St Synesius of Cyrene (375-430)
Bishop of Ptolemais, Father

Lord Jesus, think on me
and purge away my sin,
from earth-born passions set me free,
and make me pure within.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
With care and woe oppressed,
let me Thy loving servant be
and taste Thy promised rest.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
nor let me go astray,
through darkness and perplexity
point Thou the heav’nly way.
Lord Jesus, think on me,
that, when the flood is past,
I may eternal brightness see
and share Thy joy at last.
Amen

St Synesius, a native of Cyrene, born circa 375. His descent was illustrious. His pedigree extended through seventeen centuries and in the words of Gibbon, “could not be equaled in the history of mankind.”
He became distinguished for his eloquence and philosophy and as a statesman and patriot he took a noble stand. When the Goths were threatening his Country he went to the court of Arcadius and for three years, tried to rouse it to the dangers that were coming on the empire. But Gibbon says, ”The court of Arcadius indulged the zeal, applauded the eloquence and neglected the advice of Synesius.”
In 410 he was made Bishop of Ptolemaïs (modern Libya) but much against his will. He died in 430. We have extant one hundred and fifty-five epistles and ten hymns written at different periods of his life.

Posted in LENT 2022, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, NOTES to Followers, The HOLY FACE

Why didn’t you tell me?

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Why didn’t you tell me?! 🙈🙄🤗🙏

Oops – I seem to have miscounted the Nine days preceding the Feast of the Most Holy Face! Apologies – the Novena begins on Sunday 20 February as the Feast Day is 1 March.

Posted in LENT 2022, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, NOVENAS, The HOLY FACE

Lenten Preparation Novena to the Holy Face, Begins Sunday 20 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Preparation
Novena to the Holy Face
Begins Sunday 20 February

Shrove Tuesday is also the Feast of the Holy Face.
Many who discover this are quickly struck by the significance of beginning Lent more in love with His countenance.
For having made reparation “with Jesus, united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment” through the Novena, we can begin our Lenten walk with Christ, more eady to comfort Him along the way, as StVeronica did.

Indeed, this searingly beautiful devotion goes back to the Passion itself, when the veil of Veronica smoothed the injuries of Jesus’ Holy Face, so besieged with pain.
In 1843, Sister Marie of St. Peter had visions of Jesus requesting a devotion to His Holy Face called “The Golden Arrow, which brings Him great delight, as He said to Sr Marie, “All who honour My Holy Face in a spirit of reparation thereby perform for Me the services of the pious Veronica.”

In 1938, Jesus appeared to Sister Maria Pierina de Micheli (1890-1945), His face bloodied by His Passion and said, speaking of His Face, “I wish that it be venerated by a special Feast on Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. I wish that the Feast be preceded by a Novena in which the faithful make reparation with me, joining together and sharing in my sorrow.” For “Those on earth who contemplate the wounds of My Face, shall in Heaven, behold it, radiant with glory.”

Following that request, Pope Pius XII named Shrove Tuesday as the official Feast of the Holy Face in 1958.

We pray our Novena in fine company.
St Augustine (354-430), St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302) and St Bernard (1090-1153), St Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897), among many others, all venerated the Holy Face.

In a similar way, our Lenten witness to the wounds on His Hands and Feet is inadequate, if we have not first contemplated His Face, bitterly kissed by Judas, spat upon, battered, covered with sweat and blood and crowned with thorns, continuing to be dishonoured even today, through the Blessed Sacrament by profanations, abuse and neglect.

For so many, Shrove Tuesday is a date on the calendar that gets 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 ……

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, The BEATITUDES, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 16 February – O Merciful God By St Thomas Aquinas

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 16 February

O Merciful God
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis

O merciful God,
grant that I may ever perfectly
do Your Will in all things.
Let it be my ambition to work
only for Your honour and glory.
Let me rejoice in nothing but that leads to You,
nor grieve for anything, that leads away from You.
May all passing things be as nothing in my eyes
and may all that is Yours, be dear to me
and You, my God, dear above them all.
May all joy be meaningless without You
and may I desire nothing, apart from You.
May all labour and toil delight me when it is for You.
Make me, O Lord, obedient without complaint,
poor without regret,
patient without murmur,
humble without pretence,
joyous without frivolity,
and truthful without disguise.
Amen

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOMINICAN OP, INCORRUPTIBLES, LENT, LENT 2022, MARIAN TITLES, MYSTICS, SAINT of the DAY

Septuagesima Sunday, Notre-Dame de Pellevoisin / Our Lady of Pellevoisin, France (1876) and Memorials of the Saints – 13 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Septuagesima Sunday:
The word Septuagesima is Latin for “seventieth.” It is both the name of the liturgical season and the name of the Sunday. Septuagesima Sunday marks the beginning of the shortest Liturgical season. 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 on the movable date of Easter, which can fall between 22 March-25 April. Septuagesima Sunday can be as early as 18 January.
The Septuagesima season helps the faithful ease into Lent. It is a gradual preparation for the serious time of penance and sorrow; to remind the sinner of the grievousness of his errors and to exhort him to penance.
Liturgically it looks very much like Lent. The Gloria and Alleluia are omitted, the tone becomes penitential with the Priest wearing purple vestments. The main difference is that there are no fasting requirements.

Mother of Mercy, Notre-Dame de Pellevoisin / Our Lady of Pellevoisin, France (1876) – 13 February:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/13/mother-of-mercy-our-lady-of-pellevoisin-france-1876-and-memorials-of-the-saints-13-february/

St Adolphus of Osnabruk
St Aimo of Meda

Blessed Archangela Girlani O Carm (1460-1494) Virgin, Carmelite Nun, Mystic with the gift of levitation.
Her Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/13/saint-of-the-day-13-february-blessed-archangela-girlani-o-carm-1460-1494/

Bl Beatrix of Ornacieux
St Benignus of Todi
Bl Berengar of Assisi
St Castor of Karden
St Catherine de Ricci OP (1522-1590) Virgin, Tertiary of the Order of Preachers, Mystic, Stimatist. Her body is incorrupt.

Blessed Christine of Spoleto OSA (1435-1458) Widow, mother, religious nun of the Order of Saint Augustine.
About Blessed Christine:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/02/13/saint-of-the-day-13-february-blessed-christine-of-spoleto-osa-1435-1458/

St Dyfnog
St Ermenilda of Ely
Bl Eustochium of Padua OSB (1444-1469) Virgin

St Fulcran of Lodève (Died 1006) Bishop of Lodève, Reformer, especially within the clergy and religious orders, builder of many Churches, Convents and Hospitals, apostle of the poor and needy, miracle-worker.
St Futeran’s Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/13/saint-of-the-day-13-february-saint-fulcran-of-lodeve-died-1006-bishop/

St Fusca of Ravenna
St Gilbert of Meaux
St Gosbert of Osnabruck
St Pope Gregory II
St Guimérra of Carcassone
St Huno

Blessed Jordan of Saxony OP (1190-1237) Religious Priest, Preacher, the Second Master-General of the Order of Preachers, after St Dominic.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/02/13/saint-of-the-day-13-february-blessed-jordan-of-saxony-o-p-1190-1237/

St Julian of Lyon
St Lucinus of Angers
St Marice
St Martinian the Hermit
St Maura of Ravenna
St Modomnoc
St Paulus Lio Hanzuo
St Peter I of Vercelli
St Phaolô Lê Van Loc
St Stephen of Lyons
St Stephen of Rieti