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

Feast of Our Lady of Grace and Memorials of the Saints – 9 June

Our Lady of Grace
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St Ephrem of Syria – The Harp of the Holy Spirit! (Optional Memorial)
About St Ephrem!
https://anastpaul.com/2017/06/09/saint-of-the-day-9-june-st-ephrem-of-syria-father-and-doctor-of-the-church/


Bl Alexander of Kouchta
St Alexander of Prusa
Bl Anne Marie Taigi
St Arnulf of Velseca
St Baithen of Iona
St Columba of Iona (521-597) Apostle of the Picts, Apostle to Scotland

St Comus of Scotland
St Cumian of Bobbio
St Cyrus
Bl Diana d’Andalo
St Diomedes of Tarsus
St Felicianus
Bl Henry the Shoemaker
St Jose de Anchieta
Bl Joseph Imbert
St Julian of Mesopotamia
St Luciano Verdejo Acuña
Bl Luigi Boccardo
St Maximian of Syracuse
St Pelagia of Antioch
St Primus
St Richard of Andria
Bl Robert Salt
Bl Sylvester Ventura
St Valerius of Milan
St Vincent of Agen

Martyrs of Arbil – 5 saints: Five nuns who were martyred together in the persecutions of Tamsabur for refusing to renounce Christianity for sun-worship – Amai, Mariamne, Martha, Mary and Tecla. They were beheaded on 31 May 347 at Arbil, Assyria (in modern Kurdistan, Iraq)

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Feast of Notre-Dame du Dimanche/Our Lady of Sunday and Memorials of the Saints – 8 June

Our Lady of Sunday:  Also known as Notre-Dame du Dimanche
About the Apparition:
An apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Auguste Arnaud on 8 June 1873 and 8 July 1873. Arnaud was married, the father of two, and a winemaker who regularly skipped Sunday Mass to work his vineyards. Our Lady appeared to him in the vineyard on 8 June and reminded him “You must not work on Sundays.”   In honour of this blessing, Arnaud placed a Cross and a Statue of Mary at the site in the field.   On 8 July Our Lady appeared again, this time to both Auguste and his neighbours who had gathered there and told them, “You must never work on Sunday!   Blessed are those who believe.”
Dates: 8 June and 8 July in 1873
Location: vineyard in Saint-Bauzille-de-la-Sylve, l’Hérault, France
Approval: 1876 by Bishop de CabrièresOUR LADY OF SUNDAY NOTRE DAME DU MINANCHE WITH CHURCHOUR LADY OF SUNDAY NOTRE DAME DU MINANCHE
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St Anne Mary Taigi
St Bron of Cassel
St Calliope
St Clodulf of Metz
Bl Engelbert of Schäftlarn
St Eustadiola of Moyen-Moutier
St Fortunato of Fano
St Gildard of Rouen
Bl Giorgio Porta
Bl Giselbert of Cappenberg
St Heraclius of Sens
Bl István Sándor
St Jacques Berthieu SJ (1838-1896)
Biography:

Saint of the Day – 8 June – St Jacques Berthieu SJ (1838-1896) “Martyr of Madasgacar”


Bl John Davy
Bl John Rainuzzi
Bl Maddallena of the Conception
Bl Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan
St Maximinus of Aix
St Medard (c 456-545)

St Melania the Elder
St Muirchu
St Pacificus of Cerano
Bl Peter de Amer
Bl Robert of Frassinoro
St Sallustian
St Syra of Troyes
St Victorinus of Camerino
St William of York

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Second Thoughts of the Day – 4 June – LA MADONNA DELLA SANITÀ and St Francis of Caracciolo

Second Thoughts of the Day – 4 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – The Memorial of St Francis Caracciolo CRM (1563-1591) Priest, Founder

From the Clerics Regular Minor – Adorno Fathers

In the church of San Lorenzo in Lucina in Rome, there is a sacred image of the Blessed Mother entitled, LA MADONNA DELLA SANITÀ, or rendered in English as Our Lady of Health.
This ancient image had been lost for centuries but was rediscovered as the structure was being restored in the church during the time of Pope Sixtus V.   It was moved to the main altar above the painting of the Crucifixion by Guido Reni, see below.san lorenzo in lucina rome guida reni crucifizion madonna della sanita
A few years later, Pope Paul V entrusted this church to the Clerics Regular Minor.
His Holiness, who had great esteem for St Francis Caracciolo, spoke to him at length about the Sacred Image of the Madonna, recommending its veneration, entitled Our Lady of Health, in regard to the many graces which were granted to the sick, even during times of plague.
The Clerics Regular Minor promulgated this devotion among the faithful over the years.
In 1867, when a terrible plague afflicted the City of Rome, the faithful of San Lorenzo in Lucina, encouraged by the Clerics Regular Minor, invoked Mary’s aid under this title by reviving this devotion and they were freed from the scourge of cholera.
In 1868, in thanksgiving for graces received, a booklet entitled “Cenni Istorici della Madonna della Sanità di S. Lorenzo in Lucina “ with prayers was published.
Let us invoke the aid of the Blessed Mother under the title of “LA MADONNA DELLA SANITÀ” during this time of for the end of the evil virus and the conversion of sinners.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF HEALTH—PREGHIERA ALLA MADONNA DELLA SANITÀ

God gave you, O pre-elected Mary,
Mother of the eternal Word,
who through such a lofty dignity,
filled you with divine Wisdom,
who became the wonder of the Angels,
the marvel of the world,
the Queen of Heaven,
the Cooperator of Christ
in the redemption of the whole human family
and our Mother of love and mercy.
Oh! full of joy,
we praise and thank the Divine Word
for having graced you with so many sublime gifts,
enriched by His divine Wisdom.
Though we are wretched sinners
but humbled and repentant,
we turn to your Son Jesus, our Advocate before His Divine Father
and to you, our most wise Mother of Mercy,
to obtain for us the forgiveness of our sins with sincere sorrow.
Say unto the Divine Child,
whom you hold close to your bosom,
that we strive to be devout
and offer Him our repentant hearts again
and we will be saved.
Give us those graces and help
that we need for the benefit of our eternal salvation.
Help every devoted infirm person, who trusts in you,
by means of this devout exercise to this prodigious Imagine
for those who have recourse to you.
The favours and graces which you always give
to those who trust in you are innumerable
and, the new graces, you have obtained,
show us that you are for us always, our Mother of Health.
Oh Our most loving Mother,
obtain for us again from your Son Jesus,
our most lovable Redeemer,
that we may always trust in His infinite merits
and in your most powerful intercession, to obtain,
with the graces that we ask for in our temporal needs,
the eternal salvation of our souls.
AMEN

Madonna della Sanita, Pray for Us!

madonna della sanita our lady of health PRAY FOR US st francis caracciolo 4 june 2020 church of lorenzo naples

St Francis Caracciolo, Pray for Us!

ST FRANCIS CARACCIOLO PRAY FOR US NO 2 4 JUNE 2020

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Nostra Signora di Caravaggio / Our Lady of Caravaggio, Lombardy, Italy (1432) and Memorials of the Saints – 26 May

St Philip Neri Cong Orat (1515-1595) Priest and Founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, Mystic, Missionary of Charity, “The Third Apostle of Rome,” after Saints Peter and Paul. Philip was a mystic of the highest order, a man of ecstasies and visions, whose greatest happiness was to be alone with God. Yet at the call of charity he gave up the delight of prayer and, instead, sought God by helping his neighbour. His whole life is that of the contemplative in action.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/05/26/saint-of-the-day-26-may-s-philip-neri-cong-orat/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/26/saint-of-the-day-26-may-st-philip-neri-1515-1595-the-third-apostle-of-rome/

Nostra Signora di Caravaggio / Our Lady of Caravaggio, Lombardy, Italy (1432) – 26 May:

55-our lady of caravaggio-locatelli

Title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary who appeared in an apparition on 26 May 1432 in the countryside outside Caravaggio, Lombardy, Italy.   Giannetta de’ Vacchi Varoli was cutting hay in a field when the Virgin appeared. Mary requested penance from and a chapel built by the locals.   A new spring of healing water appeared in the hay field.   The apparition anniversary became a day of pilgrimage to the Shrine of Santa Maria del Fonte built at the site and devotion to the Madonna of Caravaggio spread through the region and eventually around the world.   In 1879, Italians from Lombardy built a chapel for their settlement in southern Brazil.   As it was the only sacred art that any of them possessed, they dedicated the Chapel to the Madonna di Caravaggio.   Today the shrine hosts over a million pilgrims annually.   Patronage – Diocese of Cremona, Italy.


St Alphaeus
St Anderea Kaggwa
Bl Andrea Franchi
St Becan of Cork
Bl Berengar of Saint-Papoul
St Damian the Missionary
St Desiderius of Vienne
St Pope Eleuterus
St Felicissimus of Todi
St Fugatius the Missionary
St Gioan Ðoàn Trinh Hoan
St Guinizo of Monte Cassino
St Heraclius of Todi
Bl Lambert Péloguin of Vence
St Mariana de Jesus de Paredes OFS (1618-1645) “The Lily of Quito” – The first Canonised Saint of Ecuador.

St Odulvald of Melrose
St Paulinus of Todi
St Peter Sanz
St Ponsiano Ngondwe
St Priscus of Auxerre and Companions
St Quadratus of Africa
St Quadratus the Apologist
St Regintrudis of Nonnberg
St Simitrius of Rome and Companions
St Zachary of Vienne

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, OPEN HOUSE...Conversations with..., QUEENSHIP of MARY, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Thoughts of Mary – 25 May – Queen of the World

Thoughts of Mary – 25 May – “Mary’s Month”

Queen of the World
Moments with Saint Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

“An eloquent passage written by St Peter Canisius, as a commentary on the Gospel of St Luke, contains these admirable reflections: “Oh blessed day that saw the humble Handmaid of the Lord raised and borne aloft to such great glory, made Queen of Heaven and Mistress of the world! She could rise no higher than this, being destined to reign in glory by the side of Christ, enthroned in the Kingdom of the blessed.”

…. This is one of the characteristic conceptions of the Christian faith.
When we think of the Mother, we know we are all brothers of the Son;  we know that the Spirit, the divinity of our Brother, passes mysteriously into us and enables us to understand these hidden and wonderful truths, with the help of the sublime and magnificent indications of the sacred liturgy.

We must, therefore, try in every way we can, to foster these feelings in ourselves and make them more profound, ever adding new warmth to our love for Mary.
This helps us to love our Lord Jesus Christ, the beginning, the continuation and the end of all and, also, to love His Gospel and His Church.

Everything must always be placed in the light of this supernatural doctrine and under the protection of the Mother of God, who, having risen to eternal glory, has not withdrawn herself from us and does not lose sight of us.
She is always willing and anxious to listen to our prayers and receive the trustful petitions we offer to her, with profound humility, so that she may present them to her Son.”

she is always willing and anxious to listen to our prayers - st john XXIII - queen of the world 25 may 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 May – With Jesus, to the Father

One Minute Reflection – 24 May – “Mary’s Month” – The Seventh Sunday of Easter, Readings: Acts 1:12-14, 1 Peter 4:13-16, Psalm 27(26):1.4.7-8a, John 17:1-11 and the Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians

“Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” … John 17:11

REFLECTION – “In this seeking after God, the principle of our holiness, we cannot find a better model than Christ Jesus Himself.   But, you will at once say, how is this?   Can Christ be our model?   How could He “seek God” since He was God Himself?   It is true that Jesus is God, true God come forth from God, Light arising from the uncreated Light, Son of the living God, equal to the Father (cf. Creed of the Mass).   But, He is likewise man, He is authentically one of us through His human nature. …   And we see Christ Jesus, like a giant, rejoice to run the way in the pursuit of the glory of His Father.   This is His primal disposition.

Let us hear how, in the Gospel, He clearly tells us so:  “I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me” (Jn 5:30).   To the Jews, He proves that He comes from God, that His doctrine is divine, because He seeks the glory of Him that sent Him (cf. Jn 7:18).   He seeks it to such a degree, that He has no solicitude for His own (cf. Jn 8:50).   He has ever these words upon His lips: “My Father,” His whole life is but the magnificent echo of this cry:  “Abba, Father!”   All for Him is summed up in seeking the will and the glory of His Father.   And what constancy in this search!   He Himself declares to us that He never deviated from it:   “I do always the things that please [my Father]” (cf. Jn 8:29).   At the supreme hour of His last farewell, at the moment when about to deliver Himself up to death, He tells us, that all the mission He had received from His Father was accomplished (cf. Jn 17:4). …

If, as God, Jesus is the term of our seeking, as Man, He is the unique Exemplar, wherefrom we ought never to turn our gaze.” … Bl Columba Marmion (1858-1923) Abbot – To seek God (Christ, the Ideal of the Monk)

john 17 11 holy father, keep them in your name - if as god jesus is the term of our seeking, as man he is the unique Exemplar - bl columba marmion 24 may 2020

PRAYER – Since it is from You, God our Father, that redemption comes to us, Your adopted children, look with favour on the family You love, grant us to seek You and to to find You in Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.,, May our whole being become a copy of Your Son’s obedience and thus follow Him to You in our eternal heritage.   We entreat Our Lady, Queen of Heaven and Help of Christians to offer her prayers to You to strengthen us in our trials.   Through Christ, Our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen.

our lady help of christians pray for us 24 may 2020

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians/Auxilium Christianorum and Our Lady of China – Memorials of the Saints – 24 May

The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord +2020 (in some countries today, in the USA and elsewhere Ascension was celebrated on Thursday 21 May).
OR The Seventh Sunday of Easter +2020

St Augustine on the Ascension of the Lord:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/05/13/13-may-the-solemnity-of-the-ascension-of-the-lord/

Our Lady, Help of Christians/Auxilium Christianorum
About this Marian feast: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/24/feast-of-our-lady-help-of-christians-24-may/

Our Lady of China:  Our Lady of China is a title for the Virgin Mary in China who is believed to have appear at the small village of Donglu in 1900.   In Chinese she is called Zhōnghuá Shèngmǔ.   She is also known as Our Lady of Donglu.official_authentic_portrait_lady_of_china

St Afra of Brescia
Bl Benedict of Cassino
St David, King of Scotland (1085-1183)
Bl Diego Alonso
St Donatian of Nantes
St Gennadius of Astroga
St Hubert of Bretigny
Bl Isidore Ngei Ko Lat
St Joanna the Myrrhbearer
Bl John del Prado
Bl John of Montfort
Bl Juan of Huete
Bl Louis-Zéphirin Moreau
St Manahen
St Marciana of Galatia
Bl Maria Gargani OFS (1892-1973)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/05/24/saint-of-the-day-24-may-blessed-maria-gargani-ofs-1892-1973/
Bl Mario Vergara
St Meletius the Soldier
Bl Nicetas of Pereslav
St Palladia
St Patrick of Bayeux
Bl Philip of Piacenza
St Rogatian of Nantes
St Sérvulo of Trieste
St Simeon Stylites the Younger
St Susanna
Bl Thomas Vasière
St Vincent of Lérins
St Vincent of Porto Romano

Martyrs of Istria: A group of early martyrs in the Istria peninsula. We know little more than some names – Diocles, Felix, Servilius, Silvanus and Zoëllus.

Martyrs of Plovdiv: 38 Christians martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian. We don’t even known their names. They were beheaded in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Martyrs of the Small West Gate: Additional Memorial – 20 September as part of the Martyrs of Korea. A group of lay catechists and catechumens who were imprisoned and executed together for the crime of being Christian.
• Saint Agatha Kim A-Gi
• Saint Agatha Yi So-Sa
• Saint Anna Pak A-Gi
• Saint Augustine Yi Kwang-Hon
• Saint Barbara Han A-Gi
• Saint Damianus Nam Myong-Hyok
• Saint Lucia Pak Hui-Sun
• Saint Magdalena Kim Ob-I
• Saint Petrus Kwon Tug-In
They were beheaded on 24 May 1839 at the Small West Gate, Seoul, South Korea and were Canonised on 6 May 1984 by Pope John Paul II.

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUEENSHIP of MARY, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE

Thought for the Day – 23 May – Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth

Thought for the Day – 23 May – “Mary’s Month” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth

“Towards the close of his life, St Paul wrote to his well-beloved disciple, St Timothy:  “As for me, I am already being poured out in sacrifice and the time of my deliverance is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.   For the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord, the just judge, will give to me in that day;  yet, not to me only but, also to those who love his coming” (2 Tim 4:6-8).

After all his apostolic labours and difficulties and, after a lifetime of boundless love, St Paul could confidently say, that he would receive the crown which he had earned.
When the Blessed Virgin came to the end of her earthly pilgrimage, during which she had lovingly worked and suffered so much for Jesus, she could have expected, with even greater certainty, to receive the crown of glory, which she had merited.
She was the noblest and holiest of creatures, because, she was the Mother of the eternal Word of God made man.
Therefore, her reward had to be greater than that of any other creature.
She was the Mother of the King of Angels and of Saints, of Heaven and earth.
As such, it was her place to rule over them all.
Seated at the right hand of her divine Son, she has glory and power, which none other could possess.
The Church, therefore, invokes her under the title of Queen of Angels and of Saints, Queen of Apostles, Queen of Virgins, of Confessors and of Martyrs, Queen of Heaven and of earth.
When our Holy Father, Pius XII, solemnly proclaimed her Queenship, in the year 1954, he was only giving voice to the general consensus of tradition, of the Liturgy and of the belief of all the faithful (Cf Encyclical, Ad Coeli Reginum, 11 Oct 1954).

It should be very encouraging to all of us to know that we have so powerful a Queen in Heaven, whose privilege it is, to dispense God’s graces.
She has crushed the poisonous head of Satan.
Now, she is able and eager to help us, her loyal sons and servants, to resist temptation, to frustrate the schemes of our deadly enemy and to perfect ourselves in virtue. Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

mary queen of heaven and earth -bacci 23 may 2020

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MOTHER of GOD, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Thoughts of Mary – 18 May – Mother of God

Thoughts of Mary – 18 May – “Mary’s Month”

Mother of God
Moments with Saint Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

“My thoughts turn once more the words of the humble daughter of Israel who still speaks for our own hearts and lips, words which we repeat with enthusiasm to the blessed Mother of Jesus, who is our own Mother too – “Beata, beata viscera Mariae Virginis quae portaverunt, AEtern Patris Fillium!” “O blessed indeed the womb that bore you!
And, I place my confident trust in the reply of Jesus, which is the renewed assurance for you, children of the Catholic Church, that we may find here below on earth, a a pledge of our eternal happiness in heaven, prosperity, joy and peace, in proportion to our unconquerable fidelity to the teaching of the divine Word, always better understood and better guarded:  “Blessed rather, are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”
O Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother too!
We hail you with this cry that all generations of men repeat, contemplating the mysteries of your life and the splendour of your Assumption.
Once more, we hail you as blessed, beata – intercede for us, O glorious Queen of the world and be ever mindful of us, particularly in the dangers and needs of this present hour!
O Jesus, Son of Mary, our Brother and our Saviour, by the mystery of the body and blood which you deigned to assume from the Virgin’s pure womb and which we today renew on our Altar, preserve for us, the gift of faith for the salvation of our souls, for the prosperity and greatness of our people and for the glory of Your name, which will be, at the same time, our glory and our joy, in this present life and in eternity, amen.”

once more we hail you as blessed beata mothr of god - st john XXIII 18 may 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, To JESUS through MARY

Our Morning Offering – 18 May – Virgin Full of Goodness, Mother of Mercy by St Thomas Aquinas

Our Morning Offering – 18 May – “Mary’s Month” Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Virgin Full of Goodness
Mother of Mercy
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor angelicus
Doctor communis

Virgin full of goodness,
Mother of mercy,
I entrust to you my body and my soul,
my thoughts and my actions,
my life and my death.
My Queen,
come to my aid
and deliver me from the snares of the devil.
Obtain for me the grace of loving
my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
with a true and perfect love,
and after him,
O Mary,
of loving you with all my heart
and above all things.
Amenvirgin-full-of-goodness-mother-of-mercy-st-thomas-aquinas-15-jan-2019 and 17 may 2020

Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, OPEN HOUSE...Conversations with..., QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Thoughts of Mary – 14 May – Praying With Our Mother

Thoughts of Mary – 14 May – “Mary’s Month”

Praying With Our Mother
Moments with Saint Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

“My dear brothers in Christ and in the love of Mary!
The Sacred Altar is the meeting point, of all, that is for the Christian and the Catholic, a vision of heavenly doctrine, inspired by divine grace, the inexhaustible source of strength, holiness and joy in our life here below, in the certainty of the eternal life to come.

Follow Me then to this Blessed Altar of My Sacrifice, which is the Sacrifice offered for you and with you, for all that is dearest to you in the innermost sanctuary of your souls and in your family life and in the various relationships of your civil and social activity.

The land where we were born, which is so dear to us, is always, even when resplendent with natural beauty, full of thorns and of things which cause us distress and pain.

True comfort is found, only in union with the Cross of Christ and His sufferings, united with the sorrows of His Mother, who is our Mother too.

Oh, how beautiful is and how consoling, to believe, live and pray with our Mother, sharing in her love with her Son, the Word of God, made man for us, as a sign of blessing, prosperity and peace amid the uncertainties of this present life, in the certain hope of the eternal joys which await us. Amen.

true comfort is found, only in union with the cross of christ - st john XXIII 14 may 2020

Posted in Hail MARY!, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI

Thought for the Day – 14 May – The Refuge of Sinners

Thought for the Day – 14 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Refuge of Sinners

mary the refuge of sinners - bacci 14 may 2020

“Refuge of sinners, pray for us.”
This is one of the most beautiful invocations in the Litany of Loreto.
In the second half of the Hail Mary, the Church, knowing that we are all sinners, teaches us to pay to our heavenly Mother: “Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.”
When a mother sees her sons going astray or behaving badly, she does not cease to love them.
One might say, that, she loves them all the more, because, in addition to her natural affection, she develops a sense of anxious compassion for them when she thinks of the way in which they have risked their eternal salvation by sinning.
Mary’s attitude to us is like this.
The only difference is, that our earthly mothers suffer as a result of our transgressions and ingratitude without being able to do much to change us.
Mary, on the other hand, being the Mother of Jesus as well as our Mother, is not only willing but able, to help us.
No matter how enormous our sins may be, no matter how irresistible our carnal instincts may seem, no matter how hopelessly we may have plunged into the depths of evil, it is enough for us to raise our eyes in confidence towards Mary.
Like a merciful Mother, she will obtain for us from God, forgiveness and the strength to return to the path of penitence and of peace.
“Poor ship-wrecked sinners,” says St Bonaventure, “have recourse to Mary and she will lead you to the port of salvation.” (In Ps 8).
Our good Mother, St Bernard tells us, does not shrink in horror from the most wretched of sinners.
He need only turn to her for help and she will save him from damnation (Or Pan ad BV).
How comforting it should be for us to realise that we have such a merciful and powerful Mother.
Let us turn to her with trust and humility and she will certainly assist us.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 13 May – Our Lady of Fatima

Quote/s of the Day – 13 May – “Mary’s Month” The Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima

“Look, my Daughter,”
Our Lady said to Lúcia on 10 December 1925,
“at my heart, surrounded with thorns,
with which ungrateful men pierce me. “

look my daughter at my heart-ou rlady of fatima to lucia-13 may 2020

Our Lady assured Lúcia:
“My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge
and the way that will lead you to God.”
Thus, if we devote ourselves to her Immaculate Heart,
Mary will lead us to her Son, Jesus Christ
and we will be on the way to Heaven.

Our Lady of Fatima

my immaculate heart will be your refuge our lady to bl lucia 13 may 2020

 

Posted in CONSECRATION Prayers, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 13 May – Consecration To Our Lady of Fatima

Our Morning Offering – 13 May –  “Mary’s Month” and the 103rd Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima – Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Official Prayer of Consecration
To Our Lady of Fatima
(Issued for the Jubilee in 2017)

Our lady of Fatima Hail,
Mother of the Lord,
Virgin Mary,
Queen of the Rosary of Fatima!
Blessed among all women,
you are the image of the Church dressed in the Paschal light,
you are the honour of our people,
you are the triumph over the mark of evil.
Prophecy of the merciful Love of the Father,
Teacher of the Annunciation of the Good News of the Son,
Sign of the burning Fire of the Holy Spirit,
teach us, in this vale of joys and sorrows,
the eternal truths that the Father reveals to the little ones.
Show us the strength of your mantle of protection.
In your Immaculate Heart,
be the refuge of sinners
and the way that leads to God.
In Faith, Hope and Love,
I surrender myself to you.
Through you, I consecrate myself to God,
O Virgin of the Rosary of Fatima.
And thus surrounded by the Light that comes from your hands,
I will give Glory to the Lord, forever and ever.
Amenconsecration to our lady of fatima 13 may 2020

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

13 May – The 103rd Anniversary of the First Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, Feast of Our Lady of Succour of Sicily and Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament and Memorials of the Saints

13 May 2020 +++ Our Lady of Fatima 103rd Anniversary of the First Apparition – Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (the name she gave herself when Lucia asked her name). (Optional Memorial)
All about Our Lady of Fatima:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/05/13/the-centenary-of-the-apparitions-of-our-lady-of-fatima-our-lady-of-the-holy-rosary-13-may-2017/

Our Lady of Succour of Sicily:   Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary under this title began in Palermo, Sicily in the 14th century and has since spread throughout the Augustinians.   It began when Father Nicola Bruno, who suffered from severe and long-term pains in his side, prayed to Our Lady for healing while meditating on a painting of Mary in which she used a stick or club to chase away the dragon and protect the infant Jesus, the artist was making reference to passages in Genesis and Revelations that referred to the eternal enmity between The Woman and the serpent.   That night, Father Nicola received a vision of Mary and was healed.   The painting received the title “Our Lady of Help” and the devotion began.   Since 1804 the celebration has had its own liturgy.

Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament:   St Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868) and Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament.
The title of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament was first given to Mary by St Peter Julian Eymard in May 1868, while speaking to his novices.   A few years later he described what her statue should look like:   “The Blessed Virgin holds the Infant in her arms and He holds a chalice in one hand and a Host in the other.”   He exhorted them to invoke Mary: “Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, pray for us who have recourse to thee!”

The Background:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/13/feast-of-our-lady-of-the-most-blessed-sacrament-13-may/st-peter-julian-eymard-and-our-lady-of-the-blessed-sacrament (1)

St Abban of Abingdon
St Agnes of Poitiers
St André-Hubert Fournet (1752-1834) “The Good Father”
St Anno of Verona
St Argentea of Cordoba
St Euthymius the Illuminator
Bl Fortis Gabrielli
Bl Gerard of Villamagna
Bl Gemma of Goriano
St Glyceria of Trajanopolis
St John the Silent
Bl Julian of Norwich (c 1342-c 1416)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/05/13/saint-of-the-day-13-may-blessed-julian-of-norwich-c-1342-c-1416/

St Lucius of Constantinople
St Mael of Bardsey
Bl Magdalen Albrizzi
St Merewenna of Rumsey
St Mucius of Byzantium
St Natalis of Milan
St Onesimus of Soissons
St Servatus of Tongres
St Valerian of Auxerre

Martyrs of Alexandria:   A group of Catholic Christians martyred in the church of Theonas, Alexandria, Egypt by order of the Arian Emperor Valens.    Their names have not come down to us.   372 in Alexandria, Egypt.

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, OPEN HOUSE...Conversations with..., QUEENSHIP of MARY

Thoughts of Mary – 10 May – Our Mother

Thoughts of Mary – 10 May – “Mary’s Month”

Our Mother
Moments with Saint Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

“In this earthly life of ours, in the exercise of our individual and collective freedom, in mutual respect and in the common striving for charity and brotherliness – in all these things which make up our earthly life, that shines in the light of God, the light of truth and love – we have as our loving and guiding star, Mary the Mother of Jesus Christ, whom He, when about to die, left to us to be our Mother and whom we love with such warmth of filial affection, that we wish to glorify her as our Queen.

But, there must be no confusion of ideas.
Christ Jesus is King, by His very nature.
He is seated upon the throne, because He, is Himself, the Lord, the Holy One, the Most High.
That is why He is enthroned.
But we like to think of His Mother and ours, as standing beside Him, in her golden robe, surrounded by a great throng, as Psalm 44 (45) described her centuries before her birth: “At your right hand, stands the Queen, with her virgin companions, her escort, in her train.”

O Queen of the Universe, remain forever with us ….
All our voices will mingle with the voice of the Holy Father and those of the whole Catholic world: “Hear us, O Mary, O Mother and Queen, we pray to you, O sweet, O merciful, O loving, Immaculate Virgin Mary.” Amenhear us o mary o mother and queen - st john XXIII 10 may 2020

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MARY, MATER ECCLESIAE, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 10 May – Prayer to Mary, Mother of the Church

Our Morning Offering – 10 May – “Mary’s Month” – The Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year C

Prayer to Mary,
Mother of the Church
and Mother of our Faith
By Pope Francis

Mother, help our faith!
Open our ears to hear God’s word
and to recognise His voice and call.
Awaken in us a desire to follow in His footsteps,
to go forth from our own land
and to receive His promise.
Help us to be touched by His love,
that we may touch Him in faith.
Help us to entrust ourselves fully to Him
and to believe in His love,
especially at times of trial,
beneath the shadow of the cross,
when our faith is called to mature.
Sow in our faith, the joy of the Risen One.
Remind us, that those who believe are never alone.
Teach us to see all things
with the eyes of Jesus,
that He may be light for our path.
And may this light of faith
always increase in us,
until the dawn of that undying day
which is Christ Himself, your Son, our Lord!
Amen

*Prayer to Mary at the conclusion of the Encyclical Lumen Fidei (29 June 2013)prayer to mary mother of the chuch and of our faith - pope francis - 12 may 2019

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, OPEN HOUSE...Conversations with..., PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The INCARNATION

Thoughts of Mary – 9 May – “Show You are Our Mother”

Thoughts of Mary – 9 May – “Mary’s Month”

“Show You are Our Mother”
Moments with Saint Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

in her heaven and earth were joined - st john XXIII 9 may 2020

“The glorification of Mary, as it shines in the gentle radiance of this month’s celebrations, is simply a reminder of her mission, of all God’s purpose in her.

It is a mission of mercy and salvation, which springs from her other supreme privilege, divine motherhood.
God’s purpose is one of forgiveness and reconciliation, because the Heavenly Father, when He sent His Son to redeem the world, chose Mary as His first collaborator in His plan for our redemption.
In her, heaven and earth were joined and through her, the Divine Saviour was offered to mankind.

What harmonies of piety and love are awakened by the hymn Salve Regina, one of the oldest and dearest of all canticles, which sings with trustful longing, of this motherly role of Mary!
From beginning to end, this prayer – “Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy,” is the lyrical cry of all, who, disturbed by sin and subject to tears, pain and death, still look to her, as their “life, sweetness and hope.”
To her, they address their imploring prayer, a supreme expression of shining and unconquerable faith:  “Show unto us Jesus, the blessed fruit of thy womb, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.”

salve regina hail holy queen 22 aug 2019

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Feast of Our Lady of Luján, Apparition of St Michael the Archangel at Monte Gargano and Memorials of the Saints – 8 May

Apparition of St Michael the Archangel at Monte Gargano, Italy (492)
About this Apparition:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/08/saint-of-the-day-8-may-apparition-of-michael-the-archangel-at-monte-gargano-italy-492/st-michael-at-gargano

Our Lady of Luján:  The Virgin is a two feet tall terracotta statue of Our Lady. It was made in Brazil and sent to Argentina in May 1630.   Its original appearance seemed inspired by Murillo’s Immaculates.   In 1887, to preserve and protect it, the image was given a solid silver covering.   It is usually clothed with a white robe and sky blue cloak, the colours of the Argentinian flag.   Only the dark oval face with big blue eyes and the hands folded in prayer are now visible.Lujan2

St Acacius of Byzantium
Bl Aloysius Luis Rabata
St Amatus Ronconi
Bl Angelo of Massaccio
St Arsenio of Mount Scete
St Benedict II, Pope
St Boniface IV, Pope
Bl Clara Fey (1815-1894)
Her Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/05/08/saint-of-the-day-8-may-blessed-clara-fey-1815-1894/

St Desideratus of Bourges
Bl Domenico di San Pietro
St Gibrian
St Helladius of Auxerre
Blessed Henri Vergès FMS (1930-1994) Martyr
St Ida of Nivelles
St Martin of Saujon
St Metrone of Verona
St Odrian of Waterford
St Otger of Utrecht
St Peter of Besançon
Bl Pietro de Alos
Bl Raymond of Toulouse
Bl Teresa Demjanovich
Bl Ulrika Fransiska Nisch
St Victor Maurus
St Wiro of Utrecht

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 6 May – Mother of Mercy by St Bonaventure

Our Morning Offering – 6 May – ‘Mary’s Month” – Wednesday of the Fourth week of Easter

Mother of Mercy
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Serpahic Doctor

Virgin full of goodness,
Mother of Mercy,
I entrust to you my body and soul,
my thoughts, my actions,
my life and my death.
O my Queen, help me,
and deliver me from all
the snares of the devil.
Obtain for me the grace
of loving my Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son,
with a true and perfect love,
and after Him, O Mary,
to love you with all my heart
and above all things.
Amenmother of mercy - st bonaventure - 6 may 2020

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Feast of Madonna of Giubino and Memorials of the Saints – 1 May

St Joseph the Worker (Optional Memorial)
About this Memorial:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/01/memorial-of-st-joseph-the-worker-1-may/

AND here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/saint-of-the-day-1-may-st-joseph-the-worker/

Madonna of Giubino:
Read about this Marian Feast here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/05/01/memorial-of-st-joseph-the-worker-feast-of-the-madonna-of-giubino-and-memorials-of-the-saints-1-may/

Madonna_Di_Giubino_-_2017

St Aceolus of Amiens
St Acius of Amiens
St Aldebrandus of Fossombrone
St Amator of Auxerre
St Ambrose of Ferentino
St Andeolus of Smyrna
Bl Arigius of Gap
St Arnold of Hiltensweiler
St Asaph of Llanelwy
St Augustine Schöffler
St Benedict of Szkalka
St Bertha of Avenay
St Bertha of Kent
St Brieuc of Brittany
St Ceallach of Killala
St Cominus of Catania
Evermarus of Rousson
Bl Felim O’Hara
St Grata of Bergamo
St Isidora of Egypt
St Jeremiah the Prophet
St John-Louis Bonnard
Bl Klymentii Sheptytskyi
St Marculf
St Orentius of Auch
St Orentius of Loret
St Patientia of Loret
St Peregrine Laziosi OSM (1260-1345)
Bl Petronilla of Moncel
St Richard Pampuri OH (1897-1930) aged 33
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/05/01/saint-of-the-day-1-may-saint-richard-pampuri-oh-1897-1930/

St Romanus of Baghdad
St Sigismund of Burgundy
St Theodard of Narbonne
St Thorette
St Torquatus of Guadix
Bl Vivald of Gimignano

Martyrs of Amiens:
Aceolus
Acius

Martyrs of Loret:
Orentius
Patientia

Martyrs of Vietnam:
Augustine Schöffler
John-Louis Bonnard

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 April – ‘Draw me… ‘

One Minute Reflection – 30 April – Thursday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 8:26-40, Responsorial Psalm 66(65):8-9.16-17.20, John 6:44-51 and the Feast of Our Lady of Africa

“No-one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me, draw him” … John 6:44

REFLECTION – “Mother, I think it is necessary to give a few more explanations on the passage in the Canticle of Canticles:  “Draw me, we shall run in the odour of your ointments” (Sg 1:4 LXX). …   “No-one can come after me, unless the Father who sent me draws him,” Jesus said.   Again … He teaches us that it enough to knock and it will be opened, to seek in order to find, to hold out one’s hand humbly to receive what is asked for (Mt 7:8f, Lk 11:9f).   He says that everything we ask the Father in His name, He will grant it (Jn 16:23)….

What is it then to ask to be “Drawn” if not to be united in an intimate way to the object which captivates our heart?   If fire and iron had the use of reason and if the latter said to the other, “Draw me,” would it not prove that it desires to be identified with the fire in such a way that the fire penetrate and drink it up with its burning substance and seem to become one with it?   Dear Mother, this is my prayer.   I ask Jesus to draw me into the flames of His love, to unite me so closely to Him that He live and act in me.   I feel that the more the fire of love burns within my heart, the more I shall say:  “Draw me,” the more also the souls who will approach me (poor little piece of iron, useless if I withdraw from the divine furnace), the more these souls will run swiftly in the odour of the ointments of their Beloved, for a soul that is burning with love cannot remain inactive.   No doubt, she will remain at Jesus’ feet as did Mary Magdalene and she will listen to His sweet and burning words.   Appearing to do nothing, she will give much more than Martha (Lk 10:39ff.)” … St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897) Doctor of the Church – Autobiographical Ms. C 35john 6 44 no one can come to me - what is it then to ask to drawn - st therrese of the child jesus 30 april 2020

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, in Your Word, You shed the light of Your glory on the peoples who are living in the shadow of death.   By Your Word, You teach us all things and ‘draw’ us in the way of hope and love. For Your Word is Truth and Your Word became flesh and filled our world with the Sun of Justice, Your Son,   He who is the Sun and the Truth.   May our steps be guided by His Mother, Our Lady of Africa, as we follow in the footsteps of Your Word and be a protection in our trials.   Through Christ, our Lord Jesus, with You in union with the Holy Spirit, now and forever, amen.our lady of africa pray for us 30 april 2020 (1)

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Feast of our Lady of Africa and Memorials of the Saints – 30 April

Our Lady, Mother of Africa: (Feast) North Africa, the land of Saints Monica, Augustine, among others, as part of Roman Empire began to become Christian in the 3rd century under Emperor Constantine. It remained Christian until the Arab invasions in later centuries.   The French re-established themselves early in the 19th century.
The first bishop, Bishop Dupuch found it impossible to build a church because the local population was hostile to the French.   He went back to France for assistance.   The Sodality of Our Lady in Lyon offered to the bishop a bronze statue of the Immaculate Conception with the understanding that she would be the Protectress of both the Mohammedans and the natives.   It was brought from France in 1840 and was entrusted to the Cistercian monks of Staueli.   Later, Cardinal Lavigiers, founder of the White Sisters, enshrined it in the new basilica at Algiers, where in 1876 the image was crowned. This bronze statue, very dark in colour, is known as Our Lady of Africa.
Pilgrims began to come to venerate the image where the lame, the blind and the crippled were miraculously healed and sailors came also, to beg for protection of their long and perilous voyages.   At this and other North African shrines the veneration given to Mary by Mohammedans is very marked. This feast commemorates the crowning of the Algiers statue.our lady mother of africa pray for us 30 april 2019

St Marie Guyart of the Incarnation OSU (1599-1672) ( Optional Memorial)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/04/30/saint-of-the-day-30-april-st-marie-guyart-of-the-incarnation-o-s-u/

St Pope Pius V (1504-1572) (Optional Memorial)
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/30/saint-of-the-day-saint-pope-pius-v-1504-1572/

St Adjutor of Vernon
St Aimo of Savigny
St Amator of Córdoba
St Aphrodisius of Alexandria
St Cynwl
St Dedë Plani
St Diodoro of Aphrodisias
St Donatus of Euraea
St Erconwald of London (Died c 693) “The Light of London”

St Eutropius of Saintes
St Forannan
St Genistus of Limoges
St Giuse Tuân
Bl Gualfardus of Augsburg
Bl Hildegard the Empress
St Joseph Benedict Cottolengo (1786-1842)
About St Joseph Cottolengo:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/04/30/saint-of-the-day-30-april-st-joseph-benedict-cottolengo-1786-1842-an-intense-day-of-love/

St Lawrence of Novara
St Louis of Córdoba
St Mariano of Acerenza
St Maximus of Ephesus
St Mercurialis of Forlì
St Peter of Córdoba
St Pomponius of Naples
St Quirinus of Rome
St Rodopiano of Aphrodisias
St Sophia of Fermo
St Swithbert the Younger
Bl Ventura of Spello
Bl William Southerne

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Feast of Our Lady of Montserrat and Memorials of the Saints – 27 April

Our Lady of Montserrat:   (718)   Our Lady is venerated under the invocation of the Virgin of Montserrat or “Rosa d’abril” – because of the Virolai hymn sung to her – at the Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery in the Montserrat mountain in Catalonia, Spain.
It is one of the black Madonnas of Europe, hence its familiar Catalan name, la Moreneta (“The little dark-skinned one”).
Believed by some to have been carved in Jerusalem in the early days of the Church. Legend has it that the Benedictine monks could not move the statue to construct their Monastery, choosing to instead build around it.
On 11 September 1844, Pope Leo XIII declared the Virgin of Montserrat, Patroness of Catalonia, Spain.our lady of montserrat

The full story of Our Lady of Montserrat:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/04/27/feast-of-our-lady-of-montserrat-27-april/

St Adelelmus of Le Mans
St Asicus of Elphin
St Castor of Tarsus
St Enoder
St Floribert of Liege
Bl Hosanna of Cattaro
Bl Jakov Varingez OFM (c 1400–1496)
His Life:

Saint of the Day – 27 April – Blessed Jakov Varingez OFM (c 1400–1496)


St John of Kathara
St Joseph Outhay Phongphumi
St Laurensô Nguyen Van Huong
St Liberalis of Treviso
St Maughold
Blessed Nicolas Roland (1642-1678)
St Noël Tenaud
Bl Peter Armengol
St Pollio of Cybalae
St Simeon of Jerusalem
St Stephen of Tarsus
St Tertullian of Bologna
St Theophilus of Brescia
St Winewald of Beverley
St Zita of Lucca (1212-1272)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/04/27/saint-of-the-day-27-april-st-zita-of-lucca/

Martyrs of Nicomedia: A group of Christians murdered together for their faith. In most cases all we have are their names – Dioscurus, Evanthia, Felicia, Felix, Germana, Germelina, Johannes, Julius, Laetissima, Nikeforus, Papias, Serapion and Victorinus. They died at Nicomedia, Bithynia, Asia Minor (modern Izmit, Turkey).

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 April – ‘ Trust, be faithful and He is with you…’

One Minute Reflection – 26 April – Third Sunday of Easter, Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33, Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11, 1 Peter 1:17-21, Luke 24:13-35 and the Memorial of St Rafael Arnáiz Barón (1911-1938)

“Stay with us” … Luke 24:29

REFLECTION – “My brethren, when was it that the Lord made Himself recognised? When He broke the bread.   So we ourselves are convinced, too, that when we break the bread we recognise the Lord.   If He hadn’t wanted to be recognised until that moment, it was for our sakes, we, who were not to see Him in the flesh but who were yet to eat Him in the flesh.   So you who believe in Him, whoever you are, you who do not bear the name of Christian in vain, who do not come casually into church, who hear the word of God in fear and hope – for you the broken bread will be a consolation.   Our Lord’s absence is not a real absence.   Trust, be faithful and He is with you even if you do not see Him.

When the Lord hailed them, the disciples had no faith.   They did not believe in His Resurrection, they did not even hope that He might be raised.   They had lost faith, they had lost hope.   They were dead men walking alongside a living one, they were walking, dead, with life.   Life was walking with them but, in their hearts, life was not as yet renewed.

And do you long for life?   Imitate the disciples and you will recognise the Lord.   They offered hospitality, our Lord seemed determined to proceed on His way but they held Him back …   You too, then, keep hold of the stranger if you wish to recognise your Saviour …  Learn where to look for the Lord, where to possess Him, where to recognise Him – in breaking bread with Him!” … St Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo, Father and Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – Lord God, grant Your people constant joy in the renewed vigour of their souls. They rejoice because You have restored them to the glory of Your adopted children, let them look forward gladly to the certain hope of the resurrection.   May the prayers of our Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Good Counsel, be of assistance to us amidst the storms of this mortal life.   We make our prayer through our Resurrected Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen, alleluia!

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

The Third Sunday of Easter, Year A +2020 and Memorials of the Saints – 26 April

The Third Sunday of Easter, Year A +2020

Our Lady of Good Counsel (Memorial)
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/04/26/thought-for-the-day-26-april/

Bl Alda of Siena
St Antoninus of Rome
St Basileus of Amasea
St Clarence of Venice
St Claudius of Rome
St Pope Cletus (c 25-c 89) 3rd Bishop of Rome and Martyr
Biography:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/04/26/saint-of-the-day-26-april-st-pope-cletus/
St Cyrinus of Rome
St Exuerantia of Troyes
Bl Gregory of Besians
Bl Juli Junyer Padern
St Lucidius of Verona
St Pope Marcellinus (Died 304) Martyr

St Paschasius Radbertus (785–865)
His life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/26/saint-of-the-day-26-april-saint-paschasius-radbertus-785-865/
St Pelligrino of Foggia
St Peter of Braga
St Primitive of Gabi
St Rafael Arnáiz Barón (1911-1938)
About this memorable Saint:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/04/26/saint-of-the-day-26-april-st-rafael-arnaiz-baron-o-c-s-o-1911-1938/

St Richarius of Celles (c 560-645)
Bl Stanislaw Kubista
St Trudpert of Munstertal
St William of Foggia
Bl Wladyslaw Goral

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Memorials of the Saints – 24 April

St Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577-1622) Known as “The Poor Man’s Lawyer” (Optional Memorial)
Biography:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/04/24/saint-of-the-day-24-april-st-fidelis-of-sigmaringen/

Our Lady of Bonaria:   Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the form of a statue of Mary and the Christ Child that was washed up at a Mercedarian monastery near Cagliari, Italy on 25 April 1370, apparently from a shipwreck the night before.   Legend says that the locals tried to open the crate it was in, but only one of the Mercedarian monks could get the it open.   Patron of Sardinia, Italy.Our Lady of Bonaria

Our Lady of Luján in Buenos Aires:  Lujan2Virgin of Luján, Patroness of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.   16th-century icon of the Virgin Mary.   Tradition holds that a settler ordered the terracotta image of the Immaculate Conception in 1630 because he intended to create a shrine in her honour to help reinvigorate the Catholic faith in Santiago del Estero, his region.   After embarking from the port of Buenos Aires, the caravan carrying the image stopped at the residence of Don Rosendo Oramas, located in the present town of Zelaya.   When the caravan wanted to resume the journey, the oxen refused to move. Once the crate containing the image was removed, the animals started to move again. Given the evidence of a miracle, people believed the Virgin wished to remain there.   The image was venerated in a primitive chapel for 40 years.   Then the image was acquired by Ana de Matos and carried to Luján, where it currently resides.

St Alexander of Lyon
St Anthimos of Nicomedia
St Authairius of La Ferté
St Benedetto/Benedict Menni OH (1841-1914)
“A Heart Without Borders”
https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/24/saint-of-the-day-24-april-saint-benedict-menni-oh-1841-1914-a-heart-without-borders/
St Bova of Rheims
St Deodatus of Blois
St Diarmaid of Armagh
St Doda of Rheims
St Dyfnan of Anglesey
St Egbert of Rathemigisi
St Eusebius of Lydda
St Gregory of Elvira
St Honorius of Brescia
St Ivo of Huntingdonshire
St Leontius of Lydda
St Longinus of Lydda
St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier (1796-1868)
About St Mary Euphrasia:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/04/24/saint-of-the-day-24-april-st-mary-euphrasia-pelletier-1796-1868/

St Mary of Cleophas
St Mary Salome
Mother of St James the Greater and St John, the Apostles of Christ.
St Mary has 2 Catholic universal Memorials – the 2nd is on 22 October – here is a post on that date:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/22/saint-of-the-day-22-october-saint-mary-salome-first-century-disciple-of-jesus/
St Mellitus of Canterbury (Died 624)
St Neon of Lydda
St Sabas the Goth of Rome
St Tiberio of Pinerolo
St William Firmatus

Mercedarian Martyrs of Paris: No info yet.

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

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

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

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

Saint Ephrem (306-373)

Father and Doctor of the Church

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

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

mary's titles are numberless - st ephrem - annunciation - sermon 25 march 2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

St Matrona of Barcelona
St Matrona of Thessaloniki
St Mona of Milan
St Ndre Zadeja
Bl Pawel Januszewski
St Pelagius of Laodicea
Bl Placido Riccardi
St Procopius
St Quirinus of Rome
Bl Tommaso of Costacciaro

262 Martyrs of Rome: A group 262 Christians martyred together in Rome. We know nothing else about them, not even their names.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Fourth “Laetare” Sunday of Lent +2019, Feasts of Our Lady and Memorials of the Saints – 22 March 2020

Fourth “Laetare” Sunday of Lent +2019

Our Lady of the Seven Veils:
About:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/03/22/memorial-of-our-lady-of-the-seven-veils-and-memorials-of-the-saints-22-march/castelproso our lady of seven sorrows

Our Lady of Sorrows of Castelpetroso:
About the Apparitions:
http://mariancalendar.org/our-lady-of-sorrows-castelpetroso-italy/

St Avitus of Périgord
St Basil of Ancyra
St Basilissa of Galatia
St Benevenuto Scotivoli of Osimo
Blessed Bronislaw Komorowski (1889-1940) Priest and Martyr
St Callinica of Galatia
Bl Clemens August von Galen (1878-1946)
The Lion of Munster!
https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/22/saint-of-the-day-22-march-blessed-clemens-august-count-von-galen-1878-1946/

St Darerca of Ireland
St Deghitche
St Epaphroditus of Terracina
St Failbhe of Iona
Bl François-Louis Chartier
St Harlindis of Arland
Bl Hugolinus Zefferini
St Lea of Rome
Bl Marian Górecki
St Nicholas Owen SJ (1562-1606)
Dear St Nicholas Owen – The Priest-Hole Builder:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/03/22/saint-of-the-day-22-march-st-nicholas-owen-s-j-1562-1606-the-priest-hole-builder-martyr/

St Octavian of Carthage
St Paul of Narbonne
St Saturninus the Martyr
St Trien of Killelga