Category: MORNING Prayers

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One Minute Reflection -– 7 May – ‘… Choose the same things as Himself…”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection -– 7 May – “Mary’s Month” – Thursday Fourth week of Easter, Readings: Acts 13:13-25, Psalm 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27, John 13:16-20 and the Memorial of Nlessed Alberto of Bergamo OP (1214-1279)

“A servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” … John 13:16

REFLECTION – “Remember the wonders He has done for us (Ps 104[105]:5) in the past and those he does still. …  In response to what He has done for us let us do even more and return what we owe Him, most venerable brethren.   And what He wants from us is surely that we should fear Him, love Him with all our heart and all our mind (cf. Mt 22:37) and imitate His life in the flesh insofar as we can?

He made Himself a stranger by leaving heaven for earth so that we too might become strangers to thoughts that come from self-will.   He obeyed His father so that you too should unhesitatingly obey …. He humbled Himself even to death (cf. Phil 2:8) so that you too should share this sentiment, abasing and humbling yourselves in thought, deed, word and act.   Where is divine and true glory to be found, if not in becoming, without glory amongst men for God’s sake? …  That which is small and despised, that is what He has chosen, my Saviour and God, who put on our flesh to confound (1 Cor 1:27-28) human fame and wealth.

This is why He was born in a cave, was laid in a manger, was called the son of a carpenter, called a Nazarene.   He was clothed in one poor tunic and a single cloak;  He went by foot, suffered, was stoned by the Jews (cf. Jn 10:31), insulted, arrested, crucified, pierced with a lance, placed in the tomb, after which He rose again.   And so, He wishes to persuade us, brethren, to choose the same things as Himself before the angels, so that we may be crowned in the Kingdom of Heaven, into Christ our Lord Himself, to whom belongs glory and power, together with the Father and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.” … St Theodore the Studite (759-826) Monk and Theologian at Constantinople – Catechesis 78john 13 16 a servant is not greater than his master - he made himself a stranger - st theodore studite 7 may 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, stand by us in Your saving work and stay with us in Your gifts of grace.   You have rescued us from the darkness, keep us ever in Your light.   May the ways of truth and life which Jesus Christ Your Son taught us, be our anchor and our light.   We ask that You hear the intercession of Mary, the Blessed Virgin Mother and Bl Alberto of Bergamo, whom we beseech for help as we work to reach our heavenly home.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amenIMM MARY MOTHER OF GOD PRAY FOR US 7 MAY 2020

bl alberto of bergamo pray for us 7 may 2020

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

Our Morning Offering – 7 May – O Mary, I Give You My Heart by St Dominic Savio

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Our Morning Offering – 7 May – “Mary’s Month” – Thursday Fourth week of Easter

O Mary, I Give You My Heart
By St Dominic Savio (1842-1857)

O Mary, I give you my heart.
Grant me to be always yours.
Jesus and Mary,
be ever my friends
and, for love of you,
grant me to die, a thousand deaths
rather than to have the misfortune
of committing a single mortal sin.
AmenO mary I give you my heart st dominic savio 7 may 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD is LOVE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PAPAL ENCYLICALS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 May – ‘Through Him we have become certain of God…’

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One Minute Reflection – 6 May – ‘Mary’s Month” – Wednesday of the Fourth week of Easter, Readings: Acts 12:24–13:5, Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8, John 12:44-50

“I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world”…John 12:47john 12 47 i did not come to condemn the world but to save the world - 6 may 2020

REFLECTION – “It is not science that redeems man, man is redeemed by love.   This applies even in terms of this present world.   When someone has the experience of a great love in his life, this is a moment of “redemption” which gives a new meaning to his life.   But soon, he will also realise that the love bestowed upon him cannot by itself resolve the question of his life.   It is a love that remains fragile.   It can be destroyed by death.   The human being needs unconditional love.   He needs the certainty which makes him say – “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38- 39).   If this absolute love exists, with its absolute certainty, then—only then—is man “redeemed”, whatever should happen to him, in his particular circumstances.

This is what it means to say, Jesus Christ has “redeemed” us.   Through Him we have become certain of God, a God who is not a remote “first cause” of the world, because His only-begotten Son has become man and of Him everyone can say:   “I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20)….Pope Benedict XVI – Encyclical “ Spe Salvi ”#26it is not science that redeems man - pope benedict 15 may 2019

PRAYER – Lord God, life of those who believe in You, glory of the humble and happiness of the Saints, listen kindly to our prayer.   We long for what You promises, fill us from Your abundance, give us true faith and obedience.   May the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Your Son, be our constant recourse.   Through Our Lord, Jesus with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.mary-mother-pray-for-us-15-may-2018 and 2019 and 6 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

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

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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 ONE Minute REFLECTION, SAINT of the DAY, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 May – ‘Father, lead me to know Jesus’

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One Minute Reflection – 5 May – Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts11:19-26, Psalm 87:1-7, John 10:22-30 and the Memorial of St Angelus of Jerusalem O.Carm (1185-1220) Priest, Martyr

“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all and no-one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand..” … John 10:29

REFLECTION – “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give them eternal life and they shall never perish and no-one shall snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”   Did these sheep learn by following Jesus and then believe?   No.   “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all.”   It is thus the Father, who gives the sheep to the shepherd, it is the Father, who draws hearts to Jesus.

And the humble prayer that we can say as daughters and sons is:  ‘Father, draw me to Jesus, Father, lead me to know Jesus’ and the Father will send the Spirit to open our hearts and lead us to Jesus. Amen” …   Pope Francis – Santa Marta, 19 April 2016is greater than all john 18 29 - the humble prayer that we can say pope francis 5 may 2020

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.   Draw us constantly to Your son, Jesus, our Lord, teach us to know Him and may the prayers of our Blessed Mother and St Angelus of Jerusalem, who so zealously fought the good fight, 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!

immaculate mary pray for us - 2 sept 2018

ST ANGELUS OF JERUSALEM PRAY FOR US 5 MAY 2020

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, MARIAN PRAYERS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 5 May – Take my hand, O Blessed Mother

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Our Morning Offering – 5 May – “Mary’s Month” Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Take my hand, O Blessed Mother
Traditional Marian Prayer

Take my hand, O Blessed Mother,
hold me firmly lest I fall.
I am nervous when I’m walking
and to thee I humbly call.

Guide me over every crossing,
watch me when I’m on the stairs,
let me know you are beside me,
listen to my fervent prayers.

Bring me to my destination
safely, every single day.
Help me with each undertaking,
as the hours go on their way.

And when evening falls upon me
and I fear to be alone,
take my hand, O Blessed Mother,
once again and lead me home.
Amentake my hand o blessed mother 5 may 2020

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, SAINT of the DAY, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection– 4 May – ‘…Like Matthew, therefore, follow this most devoted shepherd…’

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One Minute Reflection– 4 May – ‘Mary’s Month’ -Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4, John 10:11-18 and the Memorial of Blessed Tommaso da Olera

“I am the good shepherd.   The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” … John 10:11john 10 11 - i am the good shepherd 4 may 2020

REFLECTION – “How great was this devoted shepherd’s solicitous care for the lost sheep and how great His mercy, the Good Shepherd Himself indicates with an affectionate metaphor in the parable of the shepherd and the hundredth sheep that was lost, sought with much care and finally found and joyfully brought back on His shoulders.   He openly declares the same thing in an express statement when He says: “The good shepherd gives his life for his sheep” (Jn 10:11).   In Him is truly fulfilled the prophecy: “Like a shepherd he will feed his flock” (Is 40:11).

In order to do this He endured toil, anxiety and lack of food, He travelled through towns and villages preaching the kingdom of God in the midst of many dangers and the plotting of the Pharisees and He passed the nights in watchful prayer.   Fearless of the murmuring and scandal of the Pharisees, He was affable to the publicans, saying that He had come into the world for the sake of those who are sick (Mt 9:12).   He also extended fatherly affection to the repentant, showing them the open bosom of divine mercy.

As witness to this, I call upon and summon Matthew, Zacchaeus, the sinful woman who prostrated herself at His feet and the woman taken in adultery.   Like Matthew, therefore, follow this most devoted shepherd;  like Zacchaeus receive Him with hospitality;  like the sinful woman anoint Him with ointment and wash His feet with your tears, wipe them with your hair and caress them with your kisses, so that finally, with the woman presented to Him for judgement, you may deserve to hear the sentence of forgiveness: “Has no one condemned you?  Neither will I condemn you.  Go, and sin no more” (Jn 8:10-11).” … St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Seraphic Doctor – The Tree of LifeLIKE MATTHEW THEREFORE FOLLOW THIS MOST DEVOTED SHEPHERD - ST BONAVENTURE 4 MAY 2020

PRAYER – Almighty God and Father, You have rescued Your faithful from enslavement to sin, by Your Son’s self-abasement.   You have raised up the world through His suffering. Fill us now with holy joy at His rising and triumph.   Let us hear His voice and follow Him to everlasting life.   Blessed Tommaso da Olera, you truly became a shepherd to the lowly and might, pray for us!   Our Lady Mother of our God, stay with us on our way. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.

blessed virgin mary mother of god pray for us 4 may 2020

st tommaso da clero pray for us 4 may 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 4 May – Run, hasten, O Lady – St Bernard

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Our Morning Offering – 4 May – ‘Mary’ Month’ -Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter

O Lady, I Call upon You
By St Bernard (1090-1153)
Doctor of the Church

Run, hasten, O Lady,
and in your mercy help your sinful servant,
who calls upon you,
and deliver him from the hands of the enemy.
Who will not sigh to you?
We sigh with love and grief,
for we are oppressed on every side.
How can we do otherwise than sigh to you,
O solace of the miserable,
refuge of outcasts,
ransom of captives?
We are certain that when you see our miseries,
your compassion will hasten to relieve us.
O our sovereign Lady and our Advocate,
commend us to your Son.
Grant, O blessed one,
by the grace which you have merited,
that He, who through you,
was graciously pleased to become a partaker
of our infirmity and misery,
may also, through your intercession,
make us partakers, of His happiness and glory.
Ameno-lady-i-call-upon-you-st-bernard-run-hasten-o-lady-30-may-2018 and 23 dec 2019 and 26 jan 2019

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SANCTITY, SAINT of the DAY, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 May – ‘Let us enkindle our hearts, my friends…’

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One Minute Reflection – 3 May – The Fourth Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd/Vocations Sunday, Readings: Acts 2:14, 36-41, Psalm 23:1-6, 1 Peter 2:20-25, John 10:1-10 and the Memorial of Blessed Edoardo Giuseppe Rosaz (1877-1903)

“I am the door.   If anyone enters by me, he will be saved
and will go in and out and find pasture.” … John 10:9

REFLECTION – “Anyone who enters by me will be saved, he will go in out and will find pasture.”(Jn 10:9)   He will go into faith, he will go out from faith to vision, from belief to contemplation, will find pasture in eternal refreshment.

The Good Shepherd’s sheep will pasture, because whoever follows Him with a guileless heart, is nourished with a food of eternal freshness.   What are the pastures of these sheep but the eternal joys of an evergreen paradise?   The pasture of the elect, is the face of God always before us.   When we see Him perfectly, our hearts are endlessly satisfied with the food of life…

Let us seek these pastures, dearly beloved!   There we may enjoy the celebration of so many citizens.   Let the festival of those who rejoice attract us…   Let us enkindle our hearts, my friends, let our faith grow warm again for what it believes, let our desire for heavenly things take fire.   To love thus, is to be already on the way.  Anyone who is determined to reach his destination is not deterred by the roughness of the road that leads to it.   Nor must we allow the charm of success to seduce us, or we shall be like a foolish traveller who is so distracted by the pleasant meadows through which he is passing, that he forgets where he is going.”… St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604) Father & Doctor of the Church – Homilies on the Gospel, no15John 10_9 I am the door - anyone who is determined to rech his destination - st pope gregory the great 3 may 2020 good shepsun 4 easter

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, bring us to the joy of Your heavenly city, so that we, Your little flock, may follow where Christ, our Good Shepherd, has gone before us, by the power of His Resurrection.   May the prayers of Bl Edoardo Giuseppe Rosaz and the Blessed Virgin, guide us, that we may always follow our Shepherd and thus reach our heavenly home, to praise Him forever. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and for all eternity, amen.mary-mother-of-god-pray-for-us-27-july-2018 and 29 march 2020

BL EDOARDO GIUSEPPE ROSAZ PRAY FOR US 3 MARY 2020

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, MARIAN PRAYERS, MAY - The Blessed Virgin MARY'S MONTH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 3 May – Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary Before Holy Mass

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Our Morning Offering – 3 May – The Fourth Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday and “Mary’s Month”

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Before Holy Mass

O most blessed Virgin Mary,
Mother of tenderness and mercy,
I, a miserable and unworthy sinner,
fly to you with all the affection of my heart
and I beseech your motherly love,
that, as you stood by your most dear Son,
while he hung on the Cross,
so, in your kindness,
you may be pleased to stand by me, a poor sinner,
and all Priests who today are offering the Sacrifice
here and throughout the entire holy Church,
so that with your gracious help,
we may offer a worthy and acceptable oblation
in the sight of the most high and undivided Trinity.
Amen.

(This prayer is adapted from the Priests’ Prayers Before each Mass)

prayer-to-the-blessed-virgin-before-mass-15-april-2018

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 May – “You have the words of eternal life”

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One Minute Reflection – 2 May – “Mary’s Month” – Saturday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 9:31-42, Psalm 116:12-17, John 6:60-69

“You have the words of eternal life” …. John 6:68

REFLECTION: – “To whom shall we go?” Peter asks.   In other words:  “Who else will instruct us in the divine mysteries the way you do?” or, “To whom shall we go to find anything better? You have the words of eternal life.”   They are not hard words, as those other disciples say but words, that will bring us to the loftiest goal unceasing, endless life removed from all corruption.   These words surely make quite obvious to us the necessity for sitting at the feet of Christ, taking Him as our one and only teacher and giving Him our constant and undivided attention. …

That the desire to follow Christ alone and to be with Him always, is a good thing leading to our salvation, is entirely self-evident, yet we may learn this from the Old Testament as well.   When the Israelites had shaken off Egyptian tyranny and were hastening toward the promised land, God did not allow them to make disorderly marches, nor did the Lawgiver let each one go where he would, for without a guide they should undoubtedly have lost the way completely. … Keeping with their guide was the Israelites’ salvation then, just as not leaving Christ is ours now.   For He was with those people of old under the form of the tabernacle, the cloud and the fire (Ex 13:21; 26:1f) …

“Whoever serves me must follow me, so as to be with me wherever I am” (Jn 12:26) …  But accompanying the Saviour Christ and following Him is by no means to be thought of as something done by the body.   It is accomplished rather by deeds springing from virtue. Upon such virtue the wisest disciples firmly fixed their minds….  With good reason they cried out, “Where can we go?”   It was as though they said:  We will stay with You always and hold fast to Your commandments.   We will receive Your words without finding fault, or thinking Your teaching hard, as the ignorant do but thinking rather:   “How sweet are Your words to my throat!   Sweeter to the mouth are they, than honey or the honeycomb!”   (Ps 118[119]:103).” … St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) – Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on Saint John’s Gospel, 4, 4John 6 68 - these words sure make quite obvious to us - sy cyril of alex 2 may 2020

PRAYER – Mould our minds and our hearts, we pray You Lord, by the union of Your Son and His Church.   As we belong to You, You joined us to Your Son to become one with Him.   May we always strive to live up to this union and may we make our lives, a constant sharing, in Christ’s death and Resurrection.   May His Mother give us her heart, to love Him as she does.   We make our prayer through Him and in Him and with Him, in the union of the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.mary-mother-of-god-pray-for-us-11-may-2019 and 2 may 2020

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 2 May – Mary, Mother of Grace by St Athanasius

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Our Morning Offering – 2 May – “Mary’s Month” – Saturday of the Third Week of Easter, the Memorial of St Athanasius (c 295-373) – Father and Doctor of the Church, “The Father of Orthodoxy”

Mary, Mother of Grace
St Athanasius (297-373) Father & Doctor

It becomes you to be mindful of us,
as you stand near Him who granted you all graces,
for you are the Mother of God and our Queen.
Help us for the sake of the King,
the Lord God and Master, who was born of you.
For this reason,
you are called full of grace.
Remember us, most holy Virgin,
and bestow on us gifts
from the riches of your graces,
Virgin full of graces.
Amenmary mother of grace no 2 st athanasius 2 may 2020

Posted in HOLY COMMUNION, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 May – ‘This bread is eternal, this stream flows without end.’

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One Minute Reflection – 1 May – Friday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 9:1-20, Psalm 117:1-2, John 6:52-59 and the Memorial of St Peregine Laziosi OSM (1260-1345)

“For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.” … John 6:55

REFLECTION – “Beloved brethren, quench your thirst at the waters of that divine spring we want to tell you about, quench it but don’t extinguish it, drink but don’t become satisfied.   The living spring, the source of life calls us and says:  “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink” (Jn 7:37).   Understand what it is you are drinking.   Let the prophet tell you and let the source itself tell you:  “Listen to the word of the Lord, they have forsaken me the source of living water” (Jer 2:13).   So the Lord our God Himself, Jesus Christ, is He who is that source of life and that is why He invites us, to come to Him so that we might drink Him.   Whoever loves Him, drinks Him, whoever feeds on the Word of God, drinks Him. …   Drink, therefore, from this source that others have forsaken.

That we might eat of this bread and drink from this spring (…) He refers to Himself as “the living bread that gives life to the world” (cf. Jn 6:51) which we are to eat. …  See from where this spring flows! see from where this bread comes down!   For one and the same Person is both Bread and Spring, the Only-begotten Son, our God, Christ the Lord, for whom we should ceaselessly hunger.

It is our love that gives Him as food to us, our desire that makes us eat Him and when we have been satisfied, we desire Him still.   Let us go to Him as to a fountain and drink of Him in our overflowing love, let us drink Him always with ever-new desire, finding our joy in the sweetness of His love.   The Lord is gentle and good.   We eat and drink Him without ceasing to hunger and thirst for Him, for we cannot exhaust this food and drink. We eat of this bread yet do not run out of it, we drink at this spring yet it does not run dry.   This bread is eternal, this stream flows without end.” … St Columbanus (563-615) – Spiritual instructions 12, 2, 3john 6 55 - fopr my flesh is true food - he refers to himself - st colombanus 1 may 2020

PRAYER – Almighty God, You sent Your Son and we have now come to know the grace of His Resurrection.   Through Him we live and move and have our being. As we follow Him, He walks with us and leads us to You.   Grant we pray, that His mother and ours, may guide our way to Him and may the prayers of St Peregrine, who followed closely behind the Lord, be a solace in our trials.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.sancta-maria-mary-most-holy-pray-for-us-10-may-2018 and 1 may 2020

st peregrine laziosi pray for us 1 may 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 1 May – Hail, O Mary, Mother of God

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 1 May – “Mary’s Month” and Friday of the Third Week of Easter

Hail, O Mary, Mother of God
By St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Virgin and Mother!
Morning Star, perfect vessel.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Holy Temple in which god Himself was conceived.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Chaste and pure dove.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Who enclosed the One who cannot be encompassed
in your sacred womb.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
From you flowed the true light, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Through you the Conqueror
and triumphant Vanquisher of hell came to us.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Through you, the glory of the Resurrection blossoms.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
You have saved every faithful Christian.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
Amenhail-o-mary-mother-of-god-st-cyril-of-alex-10-may-2019 (1)

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… ‘

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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 Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYER WARRIORS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, St JOSEPH

Our Morning Offering – 30 April – Prayer to St Joseph For the Opening of our Churches

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Our Morning Offering – 30 April – Thursday of the Third Week of Easter

“Let us Pray together, entrusting ourselves to the intercession of St Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Church, the Holy Family, Guardian of all our families.   Even the carpenter of Nazareth knew precariousness and bitterness.   Though he worried about the future, he knew how to walk the darkness of certain moments, always letting himself be guided by God’s will without reservation.” ... -Pope Francis, 18 March 2020

Prayer to St Joseph
For the Opening of our Churches
Adapted from a Prayer by Pope Francis

Protect, O Holy Guardian, this our Holy Church.
Enlighten our Bishops,
so that they might know — like you do —
how to care for those entrusted to their responsibility.
Bless, O St Joseph, the Church,
beginning with her ministers,
make her the sign and instrument
of your light and your goodness.
Accompany, us O St Joseph,
as we await the re-opening of our Churches.
We are bereft and suffering without the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
The Food for our journey is necessary to grant us strength,
although we call Our Lord to come to our hearts,
we miss His Real Presence.
Preserve the elderly from loneliness,
especially those who are recipients of the Holy Eucharist
in their homes, grant that no-one might be left in desperation
from abandonment and discouragement.
Comfort those who are the most frail,
encourage those who falter in faith,
strengthen all of us,
intercede for the poor.
With the Virgin Mother, beg the Lord to liberate the world
from every form of suffering and want
and to come back to us in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Amenprayer to st joseph for the opening of our Chruches - covid 19 29 april 2020 adapted by pope francis

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on MISSION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 April – ‘… Make His face shine…’

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One Minute Reflection – 29 April – Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 8:1-8, Psalm 66:1-7, John 6:35-40 and the Memorial of Bl Mary Magdalene of the Incarnation FSPA (1770-1824)

“This is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life”…John 6:40

REFLECTION – “We wish to see Jesus” (Jn 12:21).   This request, addressed to the Apostle Philip by some Greeks who had made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover, echoes spiritually in our ears too…  Like those pilgrims of two thousand years ago, the men and women of our own day — often perhaps unconsciously — ask believers not only to “speak” of Christ but, in a certain sense, to “show” Him to them.   And is it not the Church’s task, to reflect the light of Christ in every historical period, to make His face shine, also before the generations of the new millennium?

Our witness, however, would be hopelessly inadequate if we ourselves had not first contemplated His face…  The contemplation of Christ’s face, cannot fail to be inspired by all that we are told about Him, in Sacred Scripture, which from beginning to end, is permeated by His mystery, prefigured in a veiled way in the Old Testament and revealed fully in the New…  Remaining firmly anchored in Scripture, we open ourselves to the action of the Spirit (cf. Jn 15:26) from whom the sacred texts derive their origin, as well as to the witness of the Apostles (cf. Jn 15:27), who had a first-hand experience of Christ, the Word of life – they saw Him with their eyes, heard Him with their ears, touched Him with their hands (cf. 1 Jn 1:1).   What we receive from them is a vision of faith based on precise historical testimony.”…  St John Paul II (1920-2005) – Apostolic Letter “ Novo Millennio Inuente ” Nos 16-17john 6 40 - this is the will of my father - the men and women of our own day - st john paul 29 april 2020

PRAYER – Holy almighty God, in Your wisdom You created us and by Your providence You rule us.   Penetrate our inmost being with Your holy light, so that our way of life may always be one of faithful service, as we follow Your Son, who leads us to eternal life.  May the prayers of Mary our Mother and Blessed Mary Magdalene of the Incarnation, help us to shine Your light on our neighbour.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.mother-mary-pray-for-us-6-may-2018 and 29 april 2020

bl mary magdalene of the incarnation pray for us 29 april 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 29 April – A Prayer of Penitence – O God of Truth and Love

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Our Morning Offering – 29 April – Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter and the Memorial of St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church

O God of Truth and Love
A Prayer of Penitence
By St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) 

O omnipotent Father,
God of truth,
God of love
permit me to enter into
the cell of self-knowledge.
I admit, that of myself,
I am nothing
but that all being
and goodness in me
comes solely from You.
Show me my faults,
that I may detest them,
and thus I shall flee from self-love
and find myself clothed again
in the nuptial robe of divine charity,
which I must have,
in order to be admitted
to the nuptials of life eternal.
Ameno god of truth and love - st catherine of siena - 7 nov 2019

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, HOLY COMMUNION, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 May – “I am the bread of life”

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One Minute Reflection – 28 May – Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 7:51–8:1, Psalm 31:3-4, 6-8, 17, 21, John 6:30-35 and the Memorial of Blessed María Felicia of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament OCD (1925-1959)

“I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” … John 6:35john 6 35 i am the bread of life 28 april 2020 - no 2

REFLECTION – St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) – Sequence for the feast of Corpus Christi “ Lauda Sion ”
Laud, O Sion, thy salvation
Laud with hymns of exultation
Christ, thy King and Shepherd true,
Spend thyself, his honour raising,
Who surpasseth all thy praising,
Never canst thou reach His due.

Sing today, the mystery showing
Of the living, life-bestowing
Bread from heaven before thee set,
E’en the same of old provideth,
Where the Twelve, divinely guided,
At the holy table met.

Full and clear ring out thy chanting,
Joy nor sweetest grace be wanting
To thy heart and soul today …

Lo, the new King’s table gracing,
This new Passover of blessing
Hath fulfilled the elder rite,
Now the new the old effaceth,
Truth revealed, the shadow chaseth,
Day is breaking on the night.

What He did, at Supper seated,
Christ ordained to be repeated,
His memorial ne’er to cease
And His word for guidance taking,
Bread and wine we hallow, making
Thus our sacrifice of peace.

This the truth to Christians given,
Bread becomes His flesh from heaven,
Wine becomes His holy Blood (Jn 6:55). …

Whoso of this food partaketh,
Christ divideth not nor breaketh,
He is whole to all that taste.
Whether one this bread receiveth
Or a thousand, still He giveth
One same Food that cannot waste. …

Lo! the Angel’s Food is given (Ps 78[77]:25)
To the pilgrim who hath striven,
See the children’s Bread from heaven
Which to dogs may not be cast (Mt 15:26).

Truth the ancient types fulfilling,
Isaac bound, a victim willing (Gn 22),
Paschal lamb, its life-blood spilling,
Manna sent in ages past.

O true Bread, good Shepherd, tend us,
Jesu, of Thy love befriend us,
Thou refresh us, Thou defend us,
Thine eternal goodness send us
In the land of life to see (Ps 27[26]:13)

Thou who all things canst and knowest,
Who on earth such Food bestowest,
Grant us with the saints, though lowest,
Where the heavenly Feast Thou showest,
Fellow-heirs and guests to be.lauda sion st thomas aquinas 28 april 2020

PRAYER – Almighty Father, to whom this world, with all it’s goodness and beauty belongs, give us grace joyfully to begin this day in Your name and to fill it with the active love for You and our neighbour. By the food You give us, to sustain us on this journey, we are brought to holiness in Your Son, our Lord Jesus the Christ, whom You gave to us as our food.   May the Mother of Your Son and our mother, lead us to You and may the prayers of Bl Maria Felicia of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, be a succour on our way. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.holy mother mary pray for us 16 jan 2019

BL MARIA FELICIA PRAY FOR US NO 2 28 APRIL 2020

 

Posted in JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 28 April – O Christ Jesus, When All is Darkness

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Our Morning Offering – 28 April – Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter

O Christ Jesus,
When All is Darkness
By St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness
and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing
may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose,
Your will
through all things.
Ameno christ jesus whn all is darkness st ignatius loyola 28 april 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 April – ‘He, who is the Only God … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 27 April – Monday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 6:8-15, Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30, John 6:22-29 and the Memorial of Bl Nicolas Roland (1642-1678)

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” … John 6:29

REFLECTION – “It is Yours to grant our prayer, Yours to bring our seeking to its term, Yours to open the door where we knock (Lk 11:9).   For You see us to be naturally dulled by some sort of spiritual laziness and our spirit’s feebleness … prevents us from understanding Your mysteries. …   Here, then, is our expectation – that You will strengthen the first beginnings of this daunting project, affirm the progress of our enterprise and call us to participate in the Spirit who guided Your prophets and apostles. In this way we won’t understand their words in a different sense to the one they intended.(…

Indeed, we will affirm what they declared in their sacred teaching, that You, eternal God, are the Father of the eternal God, Your only Son.   You alone are the only one not to have been born and our Lord Jesus Christ is the only one to have been born of You by an eternal birth, yet without differing from You to the extent of suggesting there to be really two gods.   Yes indeed, we must make it known that He, who is the Only God, was fathered by You.   We must firmly declare it – He is nothing other than true God born of You, our true God and Father.

Therefore, grant us to give these words their true meaning, pour light into our minds … and set our faith firmly in the truth.   Enable us to say what we believe… that You are one God and Father and that there is one Lord Jesus Christ.   May we acclaim You …, may we revere You, one God, who yet is not alone and may we declare Him to be, Himself, true God.” … St Hilary (315-368) Father & Doctor of the Divinity of ChristJohn 6 29 - this is the work of god that you believe in him whom he has sent - indeed - st hilary 27 april 2020

PRAYER – King of heaven and earth, Lord God, rule over our hearts and bodies this day. Sanctify us and guide our every thought, word and deed, according to the commandments of Your law, so that now and forever, Your grace may free and save us. Let us walk in Your ways and be Your lights and thus by our lives, help others to follow You.   Grant that the prayers of our blessed Mother, the Mother of Jesus Your Son and Bl Nicolas Roland, who always lived for You alone, may help us, as we work through each day to reach our heavenly home.   Through Jesus the Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.ora pro nobis pray for us madonna mary blessed virghin 26 april 2020

bl nicolas roland pray for us 27 april 2020

Posted in EASTER, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 27 April – A Song of Praise

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Our Morning Offering – 27 April – Monday of the Third Week of Easter

A Song of Praise
St John Baptiste de la Salle (1651-1719)
(Instructions and Prayers Ch 17. 81-82)

My tongue is untied
in praise of my God.
because His mercy
for mankind has no limits
and He is loving
with all his creatures across the centuries.
I unite my voice with that of the angels and saints
to sing the glory of God in heaven
and His peace on earth.
Through Christ in whom You, Father, are pleased,
with Christ and in Christ
may every praise,
power,
honour and glory
be given to You
throughout the ages.
Alleluia!
SO BE IT.a song of praise by st john baptist de la salle 27 april 2020

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…’

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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 Act of SPIRITUAL COMMUNION, DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL ENCYLICALS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 26 April – Act of Spiritual Communion by Rafael Merry del Val

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Our Morning Offering – 26 April – Third Sunday of Easter, Year A

Most of us are still deprived of Holy Mass and the Holy Eucharist but this practice of making an Spiritual Communion, has been especially used by Christians in times of persecution, such as during the era of state atheism in the Eastern Bloc, as well as in times of plagues, such as now, during the current 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic, when we are unable to receive the Eucharist on the Lord’s Day.

Act of Spiritual Communion
By Servant of God Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930)

At Thy feet, O my Jesus,
I prostrate myself
and I offer Thee repentance of my contrite heart,
which is humbled in it’s nothingness
and in Thy holy presence.
I adore Thee in the Sacrament of Thy love,
the ineffable Eucharist.
I desire to receive Thee into the poor dwelling
that my heart offers Thee.
While waiting for the happiness of sacramental communion,
I wish to possess Thee in spirit.
Come to me, O my Jesus,
since I, for my part, am coming to Thee!
May Thy love embrace my whole being in life and in death.
I believe in Thee,
I hope in Thee,
I love Thee.
Amen

Let us remember the words of St Pope John Paul in his Encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia:

In the Eucharist, “unlike any other Sacrament, the mystery [of communion] is so perfect that it brings us to the heights of every good thing –
Here is the ultimate goal of every human desire, because here we attain God
and God joins Himself to us in the most perfect union.”
Precisely for this reason it is good to cultivate in our hearts a constant desire for the sacrament of the Eucharist.
This was the origin of the practice of “Spiritual Communion,” which has happily been established in the Church for centuries and recommended by Saints who were masters of the spiritual life.   St Teresa of Jesus (1515-1582) Doctor of Prayer, wrote:
“When you do not receive Communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a Spiritual Communion, which is a most beneficial practice;  by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you” [The Way of Perfection, Ch. 35.].1.

act of spiritual comm by rafael card merry del val 26 april 2020 3rd sun easter

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 April – St Mark

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One Minute Reflection – 25 April – Saturday of the Second Week of Easter, Readings: 1 Peter 5:5-14, Psalm 89(88):2-3,6-7,16-17, Mark 16:15-20 and the Memorial of St Mark the Evangelist and St Pedro de San Jose de Betancur OFB (1626-1667) “St Francis of Assisi of the Americas”

Jesus said to the Eleven, “go out to the whole world and the proclaim the gospel to all creation.”…Mark 16:15

REFLECTION – “Lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees” (Heb 12:12; Is 35:3).   The chief points of Saint Mark’s history are these—first, that he was … taken with Saint Barnabus and Saint Paul on their first apostolic journey;  next, that after a short time he deserted them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 15:38);  then, that after an interval, he was Saint Peter’s assistant at Rome (1 Pt 5:13) and composed his Gospel there principally from the accounts which he received from that Apostle;  lastly, that he was sent by Peter to Alexandria, in Egypt, …. here he proved himself, not merely an ordinary Christian but a most resolute and exact servant of God, founding and ruling that strictest Church of Alexandria … And the instrument of this change was, as it appears the influence of Saint Peter, a fit restorer of a timid and backsliding disciple.
The encouragement which we drive from these circumstances in St Mark’s history is, that the feeblest among us, may, through God’s grace become strong.
And the warning to be drawn from it is, to distrust ourselves and again, not to despise weak brethren, or to despair of them but to bear their burdens and help them forward if so be, we may restore them.” …
The history of Moses supplies us with an instance of a proud and rash spirit, tamed down to an extreme gentleness of deportment … “the meekest of men on earth “ (Nb 12:3).   St Mark’s history affords a specimen of the other and still rarer change, from timidity to boldness. … St Mark’s change, therefore, may be considered even more astonishing in its nature, than that of Moses.   “By faith,” he was “out of weakness made strong,” (cf. Heb 11:34).” … St John Henry Newman (1801-1890) PPS, vol 2, no 16mark 16 15 jesus said go out to the whole world - he proved himself - st john henry newman 25 april 2020

PRAYER – Almighty God, You chose the Evangelist St Mark and ennobled him with grace, to preach the Gospel.   Let his teaching so improve our lives and his prayers so support us, that we may walk faithfully in his footsteps, which are the footsteps of Christ our Lord.   We beg too for the intercession of St Pedro de San Jose de Betancur (1626-1667), Your faithful servant.   Through Jesus Christ our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st-mark-pray-for-us-25-april-2018

st pedro of st joseph betancur pray for us 25 april 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 25 April – Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Mary! by St Augustine

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Our Morning Offering – 25 April – Saturday of the Second Week of Easter

Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Mary!
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Blessed Virgin Mary,
who can worthily repay you
with praise and thanks
for having rescued a fallen world
by your generous consent!
Receive our gratitude and by your prayers
obtain the pardon of our sins.
Take our prayers into the sanctuary of heaven
and enable them to make our peace with God.
Holy Mary,
help the miserable,
strengthen the discouraged,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for your people,
plead for the clergy,
intercede for all women consecrated to God.
May all who venerate you feel now, your help and protection.
Be ready to help us when we pray
and bring back to us, the answers to our prayers.
Make it your continual concern to pray for the people of God,
for you were blessed by God and were made worthy to bear
the Redeemer of the world,
who lives and reigns forever.
Amenblessed-virgin-mary-holy-mary-by-st-augustine-4-may-2019 and 25 april 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 24 April – I Will Put Myself In Your Hands

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Our Morning Offering – 24 April – Friday of the Second week of Easter

I Will Put Myself In Your Hands
By St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

O my God, I will put myself
without reserve into Your hands.
Wealth or woe,
joy or sorrow,
friends or bereavement,
honour or humiliation,
good report or ill report,
comfort or discomfort.
Your presence or the
hiding of Your countenance,
all is good
if it comes from You.
You are Wisdom
and You are love –
what can I desire more.
Ameni will put myself in your hands - st john henry newman 24 april 2020

Posted in EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 April – ‘He does not ration his gift of the Spirit…’

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One Minute Reflection – 23 April – Thursday of the Second Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 5:27-33, Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20, John 3:31-36

“For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.   He does not ration his gift of the Spirit…he who does not obey the Son shall not see life.” … John 3:34,36john 3 34 36 - for the one whom god sent 23 april 2020

REFLECTION – “How can someone with little or no faith be made to realise that an ant grows wings, a caterpillar turns into a butterfly and many other strange and unexpected things happen in nature, so that in this way he shakes off the sickness of unbelief and despair, himself acquires wings and buds in spiritual knowledge like a tree?  “I am He,” God says, “who makes the dry tree flourish;  I give life to dry bones” (cf. Ezek 17:24; 37:1-14). (…)
Sometimes our soul grows despondent at the huge swarm of its sins and temptations, and says:  “Our hope is gone and we are lost” (Ezek 37:11 LXX).   Yet God, who does not despair of our salvation, says to us:   “You shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord” (Ezek 37:6).  To the soul that doubts how it can ever give birth to Christ through great acts of holiness, these words are said:  “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you” (Lk 1:35).   Where the Holy Spirit is present do not expect anymore the sequence and laws of nature and habit.   The Holy Spirit whom we worship is all-powerful and in an astonishing way He brings into existence what does not as yet exist within us.   The intellect that was previously defeated He now makes victorious.
For the Paraclete, who in compassion comes upon us from above, “is higher than all” (Jn 3:31) and He raises us above all natural impulses.” … St John of Karpathos (VII century) Bishop, Monkthe holy spirit whom we worship st john of karpathos 23 april 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, whose name is holy and whose mercy is proclaimed in every generation, send forth Your Spirit into our hearts and grant that, faithfully pondering on all that is holy, we may ever live in the splendour of Your presence.   Listen we beseech You, to the prayers we request from the Blessed Virgin Mary and all Your Angels and Saints, that we may ever entreat the Holy Spirit to grant us His light.   We make our prayer through Christ, Your Son our Lord and Saviour, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever amen.holy mary pray for us 23 april 2020

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, EASTER, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS, PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 23 April – You are the King of All

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 23 April – Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

You are the King of All
By St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Universal Doctor

We pray to You, O Lord,
who are the supreme Truth,
and all truth is from You.
We beseech You, O Lord,
who are the highest Wisdom,
and all the wise depend on You
for their wisdom.
You are the supreme Joy,
and all who are happy owe it to You.
You are the Light of minds,
and all receive their understanding from You.
We love, we love You above all.
We seek You, we follow You,
and we are ready to serve You.
We desire to dwell under Your power
for You are the King of all.
Amenyou are the king of all - st alert the great 23 april 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 April – ‘…The light that never dims.’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 April – Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 5:17-26, Psalm 34:2-9, John 3:16-21

“But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.”…John 3:21

REFLECTION – “In the evening, when the Bishop is present, the deacon carries in the lamp.   And standing in the midst of all the faithful who are there, he will offer thanksgiving.   First of all he says the greeting:  “The Lord be with you” and the people respond:  “And with your spirit.” –   Then he says  “Let us give thanks to the Lord” and they reply:  “It is right and just.   To Him be the greatness and supremacy together with the glory”…   Then he will pray thus, saying:
“We give you thanks, Lord, through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom You enlighten us by revealing the light that never dims.   Since day is spent and we have now reached evening, filled with the light of the day You created for our joy and since, through Your grace, we do not now lack the light of evening, we praise and glorify You through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, through Whom, to You, be glory and power and honour, with the Holy Spirit, now and forever and through all ages.   Amen.”   And everyone will say: “Amen.”
In this way, after the meal, all will stand in prayer.   The children say psalms as also the virgins.”…  St Hippolytus of Rome (c 170– c 235) Priest and Martyr – Apostolic Tradition, 25john-3-21-but-he-who-does-what-is-true-we-give-you-thanks-lord-st-hippolytus-1-may-2019 and 22 april 2020

PRAYER – Shed your clear light on our hearts, Lord, so that walking continually in the way of Your commandments, we may never be deceived or misled.   Your ways are not our ways, teach us to willingly agree to them, for You know which way we should go. Help us to say “yes” always to Your plan and to render ourselves as a sacrament of Your divine love to all we meet.   Fill us with the grace to be your tools to bring glory to Your kingdom.   May the prayers of your Angels and Saints and Your Blessed Mother and ours, bring us strength.   Through Our Lord Jesus Christ with You, in the union of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

mary madonna holy mother of god pray for us 22 april 2020