Category: MORNING Prayers

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

Our Morning Offering – 22 April – To Jesus, Master, the Truth

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 22 April – Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

To Jesus, the Truth
By Blessed James Alberione (1884-1971)

O Jesus,
our One, our only Light,
when You illumine the anxious minds,
evil error takes flight
and eternal Truth serenely shines.
The world, when deprived of Your Light,
remains enwrapped in densest darkness.
May faith and charity benign,
unite their flames in every heart.
May every tongue sing praise to You,
may schools and arts in every age,
sing Your praises,
may books and journals bear Your Truth,
resplendent on each printed page.
May nations sing Your glorious paise
and around the globe,
Your Truth resound,
transmitted by new means and ways,
which modern man has discovered.
Jesus, our everlasting Truth, Way and Life,
by You we are led,.
by You we live,
to Father, You and the Spirit,
may all peoples praise and glory give.
Amen.

Blessed Fr James Alberione (1884-1971)
the Founder of the Pauline Family,
composed various Prayers to Jesus Master,
The Way, the Truth and the Life,
specifically directed to honour Jesus, the Master –
to sanctify the whole person, mind, will and heart.
These prayers are prayed by his Orders every day.

To Jesus, the Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/09/our-morning-offering-9-april-to-jesus-master-the-life/

To Jesus, the Way:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/17/our-morning-offering-17-april-bl-james-alberione-to-jesus-the-way/

to jesus the truth bl james alberione 22 april 2020

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

One Minute Reflection – 30 April – ‘You are with me.’

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One Minute Reflection – 30 April – Tuesday of the Second week of Easter. Readings: Acts 4:32-37, Psalm 93:1-2, 5, John 3:7-15

“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.   So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” … John 3:8john 3 8 the wind blows where it wishes - 21 april 2020

REFLECTION – St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross [Edith Stein] OCD (1891-1942) Martyr
“At last I stood at Church’s gate.
It opened. I sought admission.
From Your priest’s mouth Your blessing greets me.
Within me stars are strung like pearls.
Red blossom stars show me the path to You.
They wait for You at Holy Night.
But Your goodness
Allows them to illuminate my path to You.
They lead me on.
The secret which I had to keep in hiding
Deep in my heart,
Now I can shout it out –
I believe-I profess!
The priest accompanies me to the altar,
I bend my face-
Holy water flows over my head.

Lord, is it possible that someone who is past
Midlife can be reborn (Jn 3:4)?
You said so and for me it was fulfilled,
A long life’s burden of guilt and suffering
Fell away from me.
Erect I receive the white cloak,
Which they place round my shoulders,
Radiant image of purity!
In my hand I hold a candle.
Its flame makes known
That deep within me glows Your holy life.

My heart has become Your manger,
Awaiting You,
But not for long!
Maria, Your mother and also mine
Has given me her name.
At midnight she will place her newborn child
Into my heart.

Ah, no-one’s heart can fathom,
What You’ve in store for those who love You (1Cor 2:9).
Now You are mine and I won’t let You go.
Wherever my life’s road may lead,
You are with me.
Nothing can ever part me from Your love (Rm 8:39).”ah-no-ones-heart-can-fathom-st-teresa-benedicta-30-april-2019 and 21 april 2020

PRAYER – True Light of the World, Lord Jesus Christ, as You enlighten all men for their salvation, fill us the grace of the Holy Spirit, that our eyes may be opened and our path visible.   May our hearts be filled with the certainty of Your love and grant us the grace to share Your light with all.   May Your love in us overcome all things, let there be no limit to our faith, our hope and our endurance.   Lead us in Your ways of peace to eternal life by Your Mother’s protecting help.   Who live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amen.bl virgin mary mother of god pray for us 27 july 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYER WARRIORS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 21 April – O Lord, Draw Near In Troubles and Perils

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Our Morning Offering – 21 April – Tuesday of the Second week of Easter and the Memorial of St Anselm ‬OSB (1033-1109) Doctor of the Church

O Lord, Draw Near
In Troubles and Perils
By St Anselm ‬(1033-1109)
Doctor of the Church

O Lord,
we bring You
the troubles and perils
of peoples and nations,
the sighing of prisoners and captives,
the sorrows of the bereaved,
the needs of strangers,
the helplessness of the weak,
the tiredness of the weary,
the failing powers of the aged.
O Lord, draw near to each,
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

o lord draw near in troubles and perils - st anselm 21 april 2020

Posted in BAPTISM, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, EASTER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 April – By the power of the Spirit

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One Minute Reflection – 20 April – Monday of the Second week of Easter, Readings: Acts 4:23-31, Psalm 2:1-9, John 3:1-8 and the Memorial of Blessed Chiara Bosatta (1858-1887)

Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no-one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” … John 3:5

REFLECTION – The Roman Missal – Prayer for the blessing of baptismal water during the Easter Vigil

Father, You give us grace through sacramental signs,
which tell us of the wonders of Your unseen power.

In baptism we use Your gift of water,
which You have made a rich symbol
of the grace You give us in this sacrament.

At the very dawn of creation
Your Spirit breathed on the waters,
making them the wellspring of all holiness.

The waters of the great flood
You made a sign of the waters of baptism,
that make an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness.

Through the waters of the Red Sea
You led Israel out of slavery,
to be an image of God’s holy people,
set free from sin by baptism.

By the waters of the Jordan
Your Son was baptised by John
and anointed with the Spirit.

Your Son willed that water and blood
should flow from His side
as He hung upon the cross.

After His resurrection, He told his disciples,
‘Go out and teach all nations,
baptising them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’

Father, look now with love upon Your Church,
and unseal for her the fountain of baptism.

By the power of the Spirit
give to the water of this font
the grace of Your Son.

You created humankind in Your own likeness:
cleanse us from sin in a new birth of innocence
by water and the Spirit.

We ask You, Father, with Your Son,
to send the Holy Spirit upon the waters of this font.

May all who are buried with Christ
in the death of baptism
rise also with Him to newness of life.john 3 5 nicodemus and jesus no-one can enter - prayer baptismal water roman missal 20 april 2020

PRAYER – Almighty God and Father, grant that Your faithful people who were buried with Your Son in baptism, may by His Resurrection and intercession at Your right hand, obtain for us eternal life.   Send Your Spirit upon Your adopted children and lead us in Your way.   Grant that by the intercession of Blessed Chiara Bosatta, our path may be straightened and glow with Your light.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl chiara bosatta pray for us 20 april 2020

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS

Our Morning Offering – 20 April – Jesu, be You my Life!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 20 April – Monday of the Second week of Easter

Jesu, be You my Life!
Msgr Robert Hugh Benson (1871-1914)

I cannot live alone another hour,
Jesu, be You my Life!
I have not power to strive,
be You my Power
In every strife!
I can do nothing
– hope, nor love, nor fear.
But only fail and fall.
Be You my soul and self,
O Jesu dear.
My God and all!
Amenjesu be you my life - msgr robert hugh benson 20 april 2020

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, EASTER, GOD is LOVE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 April – “Jesus, I trust in You” 

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One Minute Reflection – 19 April – Low Sunday the Octave Day of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, Readings: Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31

“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them;
if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” … John 20:23john-20-23-peace-be-with-you-div-mercy-sun-28-april-2019 and 19 april 2020

REFLECTION – “Jesus entrusted to [the fearful, astounded disciples] the gift of “forgiving sins”, a gift that flows from the wounds in His hands, His feet, and especially from His pierced side.   From there a wave of mercy is poured out over all humanity.
Let us relive this moment with great spiritual intensity.   Today the Lord also shows us His glorious wounds and His Heart, an inexhaustible source of light and truth, of love and forgiveness.   The Heart of Christ! His “Sacred Heart” has given men everything- redemption, salvation, sanctification.…
Through the mystery of this wounded heart, the restorative tide of God’s merciful love continues to spread over the men and women of our time.   Here alone, can those who long for true and lasting happiness, find its secret.   “Jesus, I trust in You.”   This prayer, dear to so many of the faithful, clearly expresses the attitude with which we too would like to abandon ourselves trustfully into your hands, O Lord, our only Saviour.
You are burning with the desire to be loved, O Jesus and those in tune with the sentiments of your Heart learn how to build the new civilisation of love.   A simple act of abandonment is enough to overcome the barriers of darkness and sorrow, of doubt and desperation.  The rays of Your divine mercy restore hope, in a special way, to those who feel overwhelmed by the burden of sin.” … St John Paul II (1920-2005) Homily for Divine Mercy Sunday, 22 April 2001the heart of christ his sacred heart - st john paul 19 april 2020

PRAYER – Almighty Father, grant we pray that with Mary’s help, Mater Misericordiae, Mother of Jesus who is the incarnation of Divine Mercy, that we become renewed in the Spirit, in order to co-operate in the work of peace which You are accomplishing in the world and which is not just talk but which is actualised, in the countless gestures of charity by all his sons and daughters.   Grant we pray, that we taste the beauty of the encounter with the Risen Lord and draw from the source of His merciful love, to be apostles of His peace.   Through Christ, Redeemer and Merciful Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.mary mother of mercy pray for us 19 april 2020

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 19 April – O Spirit of God, Spirit of Love and of Mercy

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Our Morning Offering – 19 April – Low Sunday the Octave Day of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday

O Spirit of God, Spirit of Love and of Mercy
By St Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938)

O Spirit of God, Spirit of love and of mercy,
Who pours into my heart the balm of trust,
Your grace confirms my soul in what is good,
Giving it an invincible strength – constancy!

O Spirit of God, Spirit of peace and of joy,
Who comforts my thirsting heart,
Pour into it the living spring of divine love
And make it dauntless in battle.

O Spirit of God, my soul’s most lovable guest,
I, for my part, desire to be faithful to You
In days of joy, as much as in days of suffering.
Spirit of God, I desire to live always in Your presence.

O Spirit of God who penetrates my being
And lets me know Your divine and Trinitarian life,
You initiate me to Your divine Being;
Thus united with You, I have eternal life.
Ameno spirit of god spirit of love and mercy - st faustina - 19 april 2020 divine mercy sunday

Posted in EASTER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on MISSION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 April – The great commission

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One Minute Reflection – 18 April – Easter Saturday, Readings: Acts 4:13-21, Psalm 118:1, 14-21, Mark 16:9-15

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

REFLECTION – “Duc in altum! “let us cast out into deep waters!” (Lk 5:4).   Let us go forward in hope!   …. The Son of God, who became incarnate two thousand years ago out of love for humanity, is at work even toda -: we need discerning eyes to see this and, above all, a generous heart to become the instruments of His work. (…)  “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19).   The missionary mandate accompanies us into the Third Millennium and urges us to share the enthusiasm of the very first Christians – we can count on the power of the same Spirit who was poured out at Pentecost and who impels us still today to start out anew, sustained by the hope “which does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5).

At the beginning of this new century, our steps must quicken as we travel the highways of the world.   Many are the paths on which each one of us and each of our Churches must travel but there is no distance between those who are united in the same communion, the communion which is daily nourished at the table of the Eucharistic Bread and the Word of Life.   Every Sunday, the Risen Christ asks us to meet Him as it were once more in the Upper Room where, on the evening of “the first day of the week” (Jn 20:19) He appeared to His disciples in order to “breathe” on them His life-giving Spirit and launch them on the great adventure of proclaiming the Gospel.” … St Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) Apostolic Letter “ Novo millennio ineunte ”, # 58

mark 16 15 go into all the world and proclaim - our steps must quicken as we travel - st john paul 18 april 2020

PRAYER – Lord our God, You increase and multiply Your faithful by Your abundant gift of grace.   Look now on Your chosen people and clothe them forever in the garment of eternal life.   May we, in confident love of You, go forth and live our lives in witness and speak with joy of the ways of truth.   Grant that the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, the saints and angels, may accompany us on our journey.   Through our Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.blessed virgin mary immaculate mother - pray for us - 2 sept 2018

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EASTER, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 April – “It is the Lord!”

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One Minute Reflection – 17 April – Easter Friday, Readings: Acts 4:1-12, Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27, John 21:1-14

“It is the Lord!” … John 21:7

REFLECTION – “The Lord says to those tired and disappointed fishermen:  “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some” (v. 6).   The disciples trust in Jesus and the result is an incredibly abundant catch.   In that exclamation: “It is the Lord!” there is all the enthusiasm of the Paschal faith, full of joy and wonder, which sharply contrasts with the disappearance, the dejection, the sense of powerlessness that had accumulated in the disciples’ hearts.

The presence of the Risen Jesus transforms everything – darkness has become light, futile work has again become fruitful and promising, the sense of weariness and abandonment, give way to a new impetus and to the certainty that He is with us.   From that time, these same sentiments enliven the Church, the Community of the Risen One.  All of us are the community of the Risen One!” … Pope Francis – Regina Coeli, 10 April 2016john 21 7 it is the lord - the presence of the Risen Jesus transforms everything - pope francis - 17 april 2020 easter friday

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, You offer the covenant of reconciliation to mankind in the mystery of Easter.   Cleanse our hearts by Your truth and guide our lives by Your holiness, may we do what is right and pleasing to You.   Open our eyes to see You and our ears to Hear You, that we may follow your commandments and Your Way.   Grant that what we celebrate in worship, we may carry out in our lives.   May our Holy Mother, ever keep us in her prayers and care.   Through Christ, our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour to You, forever, amenblessed virgin mother pray for us 17 april 2020

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

Our Morning Offering – 17 April – Bl James Alberione -To Jesus, Master, the Way

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Our Morning Offering – 17 April – Easter Friday

To Jesus, the Way
By Bl James Alberione (1884-1971)

O Jesus,
You are the Way secure,
You guide us on life’s troubled ways,
amid the errors of each age,
while we gaze toward our fatherland.
taking to Yourself our nature,
You came to us in flesh and blood
and as our model and our mould,
You call us to tread the way You trod.
A stable You chose at birth,
long years You laboured tirelessly,
the bitter Cross You did embrace
and so You tell us,
“Learn of me.”
Jesus, our everlasting Way, Truth and Life,
by You we are led,
by You we live,
to Father, You and the Spirit,
may all peoples praise and glory give.
Amen.

Blessed Fr James Alberione (1884-1971)
the Founder of the Pauline Family,
composed various Prayers to Jesus Master,
The Way, the Truth and the Life,
specifically directed to honour Jesus, the Master –
to sanctify the whole person, mind, will and heart.
These prayers are prayed by his Orders everyday.

See Jesus, the Life
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/09/our-morning-offering-9-april-to-jesus-master-the-life/

to jesus the way by bl james alberione 17 april 2020 easter friday

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection -– 16 April – “You are witnesses of these things”

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One Minute Reflection -– 16 April – Easter Thursday, Readings: Acts 3:11-26, Psalm 8:2, 5-9, Luke 24:35-48

“You are witnesses of these things” ... Luke 24:48

REFLECTION – “After His Resurrection, the Lord appeared to His disciples and greeted them, saying:  “Peace be with you!”   Peace is what this saving salutation truly is, since the word “salutation” derives from the word for “salvation.”   What more could one hope for?   Man receives greetings of salvation in person, for our salvation is Christ.   Yes, He is our salvation, He who was wounded for our sake and nailed to the tree, then descended from the tree and placed in a tomb.   But He is risen from the tomb and His wounds are healed, although still keeping their scars.   That His scars remain, is a help to His disciples, so that the wounds in their hearts, might be healed.   What wounds are these? The wounds of their unbelief.   He appeared before their eyes in a genuine bodily form and “they thought they were seeing a ghost.”   This is no light wound to their heart. (…)
But what does the Lord Jesus say?   “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?”   It is good for man, not that thoughts should arise in his heart but that his heart should arise – arise, that is to say, to where the apostle Paul wanted to set the hearts of the faithful, when he said to them:  “If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory” (Col 3:1-4).   What glory is this? The glory of the resurrection. (…)
As for us, we believe in the word of these disciples without their having shown us the Saviour’s risen body. (…)   But at that time, such an event seemed unbelievable.   And so, our Saviour led them to believe, not by sight alone but by touch, so that by means of the senses, faith might enter their hearts and be preached throughout the world, to those who had neither seen nor touched but who, nevertheless, would believe unhesitatingly (cf. Jn 20:29).” … St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church – Sermon 116; PL 38, 657luke 24 48 you are witnesses - as for us we believe in the word of these disciples - st augustine 16 april 2020

 

PRAYER – Lord God, let there be one faith in our hearts, one love for You, one Way in You, for You are the One Truth and the only Way. We linger in Your light and beg Your unending kindness. Grant that by the prayers of Your saints we may obtain Your strength and may Your Mother and ours, walk by our side and hold fast to our hand.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.

blessed virgin queen and mother pray for us 5 may 2019

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The RESURRECTION

Our Morning Offering – 15 April – St Bede’s Grant us Your Light, O Lord

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Our Morning Offering – 15 April – Thursday of Easter week

Grant us Your Light, O Lord
By St Bede (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Grant us Your light, O Lord,
so that the darkness of our hearts,
may wholly pass away
and we may come at last,
to the light of Christ.
For Christ is that morning star,
who, when the night of this world has passed,
brings to His saints,
the promised light of life
and opens to them,
everlasting day.
Amen

(From ‘On the Apocalypse’)grant us your light o lord - st bede - easter thursday 16 april 2020

Posted in EASTER, franciscan OFM, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 April – Only by faith is He known to be present… 

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 15 April – Easter Wednesday, Readings: Acts 3:1-10, Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9, Luke 24:13-35

“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” … Luke 24:32luke 24 32 did not our hearts burn within us -15 april 2020 easter wed

REFLECTION – “Brethren, let us turn to the account of Christ’s appearances to His disciples after the Resurrection, which are most important, first, as showing that such an unconscious communion with Him is possible;  next, that it is likely to be the sort of communion now granted to us, from the circumstance that in that period of forty days after the Resurrection, He began to be, in that relation towards His Church, in which He is still and probably intended, to intimate to us thereby, what His presence with us is now.
Now observe what was the nature of His presence in the Church after His Resurrection. It was this, that He came and went as He pleased, that material substances, such as the fastened doors, were no impediments to His coming and that, when He was present His disciples did not, as a matter of course, know Him. …  The two disciples on the way to Emmaus do not seem to have been conscious of this at the time but on looking back, they recollected that, as having been, which did not strike them while it was.   “Did not,” they say, “did not our heart burn within us?” …
Let us observe, too, when it was that their eyes were opened… when He consecrated and broke the Bread.   There is evidently a stress laid on this in the gospel…  for so it was ordained, that Christ should not be both seen and known at once, first He was seen, then He was known.   Only by faith is He known to be present…  He removed His visible presence and left but a memorial of Himself.   He vanished from sight that He might be present in a Sacrament and in order to connect His visible presence with His presence invisible, He for one instant, manifest Himself to their open eyes;  manifested Himself, if I may so speak, while He passed from His hiding-place of sight without knowledge, to that of knowledge without sight.” … St John Henry Newman (1801-1890) – Cardinal, Founder of the Oratory in England, Theologian, Poet, Writer, Hymnest – PPS 6, 10

luke 24 30 broke the bread- only by faith-knowledge without sight - st john henry newman 15 apil 2020

PRAYER – Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You.   You know how easily I abandon You.
Stay with me Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, so that I may not fall so often.
Stay with me Lord, for You are my life and without You, I am without fervour.
Stay with me Lord, for You are my light and without you, I am in darkness.
Stay with me Lord, to show me Your will.
Stay with me Lord, so that I may hear Your voice and follow You…. St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968) (Stay with Me, Lord – Excerpt)
And grant holy Father, that the prayers of Our Lord’s Mother and ours, the Blessed Virgin, may assist us on our way.   Through Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You, forever, amen.stay-with-me-o-lord-st-padre-pio-23-sept-2018 and 22 sept 2019 2

Posted in EASTER, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The RESURRECTION

Our Morning Offering – 15 April – Tis I – Be not Afraid!

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Our Morning Offering – 15 April – Easter Wednesday

Tis I – Be not Afraid!
St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

WHEN I sink down in gloom or fear,
Hope blighted or delayed,
Thy whisper, Lord, my heart shall cheer,
“’Tis I – be not afraid!”

Or, startled at some sudden blow,
If fretful thoughts I feel,
“Fear not, it is but I!” shall flow,
As balm my wound to heal.

Nor will I quit Thy way, though foes
Some onward pass defend,
From each rough voice the watchword goes,
“Be not afraid!… a Friend!”

And O! when judgement’s trumpet clear
Awakes me from the grave,
Still in it’s echo may I hear,
“’Tis Christ!  He comes to save.”tis i be not afraid 15 april 2020 st john henry newman easter wed

Posted in EASTER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 April – ‘Not everyone saw the Risen Jesus. Why Not?’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 14 April – Tuesday of Easter week, Readings: Acts 2:36-41, Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22, John 20:11-18

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”   She turned and said to him in Aramaic “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). … John 20:16

REFLECTION – “One question, however, continually arises at this point.   Not everyone saw the Risen Jesus.   Why not?   Why did He not go in triumph to the Pharisees and Pilate to show them that He was alive and to let them touch His scars?   But in asking such a question, we are forgetting that Jesus was not a resuscitated corpse like Lazarus and the boy of Naim.   They were allowed to return once more, to their erstwhile biological life, which sooner or later, would have to end, after all, with death.   What happened in Jesus’ case, was quite different – He did not return to the old life but began a new one, a life that is ultimate, no longer subject to nature’s law of death but standing in God’s freedom and hence final and absolute.   A life, therefore, that is no longer part of the realm of physics and biology, although it has integrated matter and nature into itself on a higher plane.   And that is why it is no longer within the ambit of our senses of touch and sight.   The Risen One cannot be seen like a piece of wood or stone.   He can only be seen by the person to whom He reveals Himself.   And He only reveals Himself, to the one whom He can entrust with a mission.   He does NOT reveal Himself, to curiosity but to LOVE;  LOVE is the indispensable organ if we are to see and approach Him.” … Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) – The Word of the Witnesses – Seek that Which is Above (1985)john 20 16 jesus said to her mary - the risen one cannot be seen like pieceor wood or stone - ratzinger - pope benedict 14 april easter tuesday

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, You gave our Saviour the command to become man and undergo the Cross, as an example of humility for all men to follow and showed the Grace of Your love for us.   We have the lessons of His suffering, grant us the grace of His love and the fellowship of His Resurrection.   May Mary, His Mother and ours, who after the pain and sorrow of the Cross, rejoiced in the glory of His Resurrection, intercede for us, that we may grow in true love of her Son and thus join in her rejoicing.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.holy mary mother of god - pray for us - 13 may 2018

Posted in EASTER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 April – “Stop. Jesus is Risen.” 

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One Minute Reflection – 13 April – Easter Monday, Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33, Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11, Matthew 28:8-15

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb,
fearful yet overjoyed and ran to announce the news to his disciples. … Matthew 28:8

ran to announce the news to his disciples matthew 28 8 - 13 april 2020 easter monday

REFLECTION – “Today, the Church continues to say:  “Stop. Jesus is Risen.”   And this is not a fantasy.   The Resurrection of Christ is not a celebration with many flowers.   This is beautiful but this is not it.   It is something more.   It is the mystery of the discarded stone which becomes the foundation of our existence.   Christ is Risen.   And with faith in the Risen Christ, we too, pebbles on this earth of pain, tragedy, acquire meaning amid so many calamities.   The sense to look beyond, the sense to say:  “Look, there is no wall; there is a horizon, there is life, there is joy, there is the cross with this ambivalence.  Look ahead, do not close within yourself.   You pebble, acquire meaning in life because you are a pebble near that rock, that stone which the evil of sin discarded”.   Brothers and sisters, this is what I wanted to say to you.   Go home today repeating in your hearts: “Christ is Risen”. … Pope Francis – Easter Sunday, 16 April 2017

with faith in the risen christ, we too, pebbles - 13 april 2020 easter monday

PRAYER – Lord God, You bring us joy through the Easter mysteries.   Continue to be bountiful to Your people, lead us from darkness to the perfect freedom, by which the joy that gladdens our way on earth, will be fulfilled in heaven.   May the prayer of your angels and saints, with Mary the Mother of our Saviour and our Mother, grant us peace and strength.   We make our prayer through our Lord, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, God forever amen.

MARY MOTHER OF THE RISEN CHRIST PRA PRO NOBIS PRAY FOR US 13 APRIL 2020

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, EASTER, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The RESURRECTION

Our Morning Offering – 13 April – Easter Monday- Victimae Paschali Laudes

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Our Morning Offering – 13 April – Easter Monday

The beautiful ancient Easter sequence
Victimae Paschali Laudes can be said or sung
before the Gospel everyday during the Octave:

Victimae Paschali Laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim
Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems,
Christ, who only is sinless,
Reconciles sinners to the Father.

Death and life have contended
in that combat stupendous,
The Prince of Life, who died, reigns immortal.

Speak, Mary, declaring
What you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of Jesus’ resurrection.

Bright angels attesting,
The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen,
To Galilee He goes before you.”

Christ indeed from death is risen,
our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia!++

victimae paschali laudes no 2 easter monday 13 april 2020

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

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

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

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. … John 20:1mary magdalene came to the tomb - john 20 1 -12 april 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, HOLY SATURDAY, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 April – ‘And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.’

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One Minute Reflection – 11 April – Sabbatum Sanctum – Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil in the Holy Night, Readings: Romans 6:3-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 15-17, 22-23, Matthew 28:1-10

And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.
They approached, embraced his feet and did him homage. … Matthew 28:9matthew 28 9 and behold jesus met them on their way and greeted them - holy sat 11 april 2020

REFLECTION – “When the third day dawned of the Lord’s sacred repose in the tomb (…) Christ, the “power and Wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24), with the author of death lying prostrate, conquered even death itself and opened to us access to eternity, when He raised Himself from the dead by His divine power in order to make known to us the paths of life.

Then there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, with raiment like snow and his countenance like lightening.   He appeared attractive to the devout and severe to the wicked – for he terrified the soldiers and comforted the timid women, to whom the Lord Himself first appeared after rising, because their intense devotion so merited.   Then He was seen by Peter, then by the disciples going to Emmaus, then by all the apostles except Thomas.   Later He presented Himself to be touched by Thomas, who proclaimed his faith:  “My Lord and my God.”   And thus, during forty days, He appeared in many ways to His disciples, both eating and drinking with them.

He enlightened our faith with proofs and lifted up our hope with promises, so as finally to enkindle our love with gifts from heaven.” … St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Doctor of the Churchhe enlightened our faith with proofs - st bonaventure holy sat 11 april 2020

PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, whose only-begotten Son, descended to the realm of the dead and rose from there in glory, grant that Your faithful people, who were buried with Him in Baptism, may, by His Resurrection, obtain eternal life.   With Mary His Mother, who in her sorrow remained with Him at the Cross and by whose prayers we receive succour, grant that we too will be with Him in glory.   Through Christ our Lord and Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.mother of sorrows pray for us 20 april 2019 holy sat

Posted in HOLY SATURDAY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 11 April – Beautiful and Glorious

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Our Morning Offering – 11 April – Sabbatum Sanctum – Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil in the Holy Night

Beautiful and Glorious
By St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

I look at You, my Lord Jesus
and think of Your most holy Body
and I keep it before me
as the pledge of my own resurrection.
Though I die, as die I certainly shall,
nevertheless, I shall not forever die,
for I shall rise again.
O You, who are the Truth,
I know and believe,
with my whole heart,
that this very flesh of mine will rise again.
I know, base and odious as it is at present,
that it will one day, if I be worthy,
be raised incorruptible
and altogether beautiful and glorious.
This I know, this by Your grace,
I will ever keep before me.
Amenbeautiful and glorious - bl john henry newman - holy sat 10 april 2020

Posted in GOOD FRIDAY, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The PASSION, The SECOND COMING, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – Friday of the Passion of the Lord – 10 April – Jesu!

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One Minute Reflection – Friday of the Passion of the Lord – 10 April, Readings:  Isaiah 52:13–53:12, Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1-19:42

There they crucified him and with him two others, one on either side and Jesus between them … John 18:18

REFLECTION – “Truly, you are a hidden God!” (Is 45:15).   Why hidden?   Because He had neither form nor beauty, yet power was in His hands.   It was there His fortitude was hidden.

Was He not hidden when he submitted His hands to brutes and His palms received the nails?   The print of the nails gleamed on His hands and His innocent side received the wound.   They shackled His feet in fetters, the iron pierced His soles and His feet were fastened to the tree.   These wounds did God suffer on our behalf at the hands of His own people, in His own home.   O how marvellous are His wounds by which the wounds of the world were healed!   How victorious His wounds, by which He slew death and stung hell! (…) Therefore, O Church, O dove, you have coverts in the rock and a hollow in the wall in which to rest (cf. Sg 2:14). (…)

And what will you do (…) when He comes in the clouds with great power and majesty? (cf. Mt 24:30)   He will come down with heaven and earth ablaze and by the terror of His coming He will dissolve the elements.   When He has come, the Sign of the Cross will be seen in the sky and the beloved one will show the scars of His wounds and the prints of the nails by which He was transfixed in His own home.” … St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159) – Cistercian Monk, Bishop

PRAYER – The Angel of the Agony
Saint John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Jesu! by that shuddering dread which fell on Thee.
Jesu! by that cold dismay which sicken’d Thee.
Jesu! by that pang of heart which thrill’d in Thee.
Jesu! by that mount of sins which crippled Thee.
Jesu! by that sense of guilt which stifled Thee.
Jesu! by that innocence that girded Thee.
Jesu! by that sanctity that reign’d in Thee.
Jesu! by that Godhead which was one with Thee.
Jesu! spare those souls which are so dear to Thee.
Who in prison, calm and patient, wait for Thee.
Hasten, Lord, their hour and bid them come to Thee.
To that glorious Home, where they shall ever gaze on Thee.
Amen

jesu the angel of the agony st john henry newman good friday 10 april 2020
Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOOD FRIDAY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The PASSION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

One Minute Reflection – 9 April – ‘… Walk in Him …’

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One Minute Reflection – 9 April – Maundy Thursday, Evening Vigil Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Readings: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14, Psalms 116:12-13, 15-18, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-15

Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not know now but afterward, you will understand.”   Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.”   Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part in me.” … John 12:7-8

john 13 8 if i do not wash you you have no part in me - maundy thursday holy 9 april 2020

REFLECTION – “Jesus, fully aware that the Father had put everything into His power and that He had come from God and was returning to God, rose from supper.”   That which had not been in Jesus’s hands before is put into His hands by the Father – not just some things and not others but everything.

David had said:  “The Lord says to my lord:  Sit at my right hand while I make your enemies your footstool” (Ps 109[110]:1).   The enemies of Jesus shared out, as it were, that ‘all’ which He knew His Father was giving Him. (…)   On account of those who were far away from God, He was separated from God who, by nature, did not wish to leave the Father.   He left God, so that all who have been separated from God, should return to God with Him, in His hands, according to His eternal design. (…)

So what was Jesus doing in washing the feet of His disciples?   By washing them and wiping them with the towel around His waist wasn’t Jesus making their feet beautiful at the moment when they were going to have to proclaim the good news?   It was then, in my opinion, that the prophetic word was fulfilled:  “How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim good news!” (Is 52:7; Rm 10:15).   But if, by washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus makes them beautiful, how can we express the genuine beauty in those whom He immerses fully “in the Holy Spirit and in fire” (Mt 3:11)?   The feet of the apostles were made beautiful so that (…) they might set out along the holy road and walk in Him who said:  “I am the Way” (Jn 14:6).   For whoever has had his feet washed by Jesus and he alone, follows that living way that leads to the Father.   That way has no room for dirty feet! (…)   In order to follow this living, spiritual way (Heb 10:20) (…) they had to have their feet washed by Jesus who set aside His garments (…) so as to take upon His own body, the dirtiness of their feet with the towel which was His only garment, for “he bears our infirmities” (Is 53:4). … Origen (c 185-253) Father of Church, Priest, Theologian – Commentary on St John’s Gospel

the feet of the apostles were made beautiful -origen 9 april 2020

PRAYER – Love of You, with our whole heart, Lord God, is holiness. Increase then Your gifts of divine grace in us, so that, as in Your Son’s Death, You made us hope for what we believe, You may likewise, in His Resurrection, make us come to You, our final end. Listen we beg, to the prayers of Your holy ones and may the Blessed Mother walk along with us and keep our hand, ever in hers.   Through Jesus Himself, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God with You, forever and ever, amen.

mother of sorrows pray for us 16 nov 2019

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, HOLY WEEK, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 9 April – To Jesus Master, the Life

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Our Morning Offering – 9 April – Holy Thursday Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

To Jesus, the Life
By Blessed James Alberione (1884-1971)

O Wellspring of eternal life,
all life is grafted in You, Lord,
You break the bonds of death
and give life to us anew.
Descending from Your splendid throne,
You have brought this gift to us below,
profusely from Your open side,
You bestow divine riches.
We have joined Your Mystical Body,
engrafted by baptismal grace,
life flowing from Your seven springs,
lifts up anew our fallen race.
Though wounded by our parents’ fault,
our nature is restored by grace,
virtue is practised for Your love
and reaps the heavenly reward.
Only You can give true peace,
lead nations to live in harmony,
cause innocence to bloom in homes,
grant prosperity to our works.
Jesus, our everlasting Life, Truth and Way,
by You, we are led,
by You we live,
to Father, You and the Spirit,
may all peoples praise and glory give.
Amen

Blessed Fr James Alberione (1884-1971)
the Founder of the Pauline Family,
composed various Prayers to Jesus Master,
The Way, the Truth and the Life,
specifically directed to honour Jesus, the Master –
to sanctify the whole person, mind, will and heart.
These prayers are prayed by his Orders everyday.

to jesus the life by bl james alberione 9 april 2020 maundy thursday holy thursday

Posted in LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, To JESUS through MARY

Our Morning Offering – 4 April – Loving Mother, have pity on me …

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Our Morning Offering – 4 April – Saturday of the Fifth week of Lent, Year C “Marian Saturdays”

Mother of Sorrows, of Love, of Mercy
By Fr Lawrence Lovasik SVD (1913-1986)

Mary, most holy Virgin and Queen of Martyrs,
accept the sincere homage of my childlike love.
Into your heart, pierced by so many sorrows,
welcome my poor soul.
Receive it as the companion of your sorrows
at the foot of the Cross, on which Jesus
died for the redemption of the world.
Sorrowful Virgin, with you,
I will gladly suffer all the trials,
misunderstandings and pains
which it shall please our Lord to send me.
I offer them all to you in memory of your sorrows,
so that every thought of my mind
and every beat of my heart,
may be an act of compassion and of love for you.
Loving Mother, have pity on me,
reconcile me to your Divine Son Jesus,
keep me in His grace and assist me
in my last agony,
so that I may be able to meet you in heaven
and sing your glories.
Mary, most sorrowful Mother of Christians,
pray for us.
Mother of love, of sorrow
and of mercy, pray for us!
Amen. Amen!mother of sorrows of love of mercy fr lovasik-4 april 2020

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 3 April – Strengthen me, O God

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Our Morning Offering – 3 April – Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Strengthen me, O God
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Strengthen me, O God,
by the grace of Your Holy Spirit.
Grant me the power to grow in holiness
and to empty my heart of all useless care and anxiety,
that I may not be led by the desire for earthly things,
whether of little or great value.
Help me to regard all things
in this world, as they are –
passing and short-lived –
realising, that I, too,
will pass away with them.
Nothing under the sun is lasting
but all is vanity and a chase after wind (Eccl 1:14).
Give me Your heavenly wisdom, O Lord,
that I may learn,
that the most important thing
is to seek You and to find You
and, above all things else,
to love You,
Amen

The Imitation – Book 3 Ch 27strengthen me o god by thomas a kempis 3 april 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2020, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 April – “Before Abraham was made, I am.” 

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One Minute Reflection – 2 April – Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent, Readings: Genesis 17:3-9, Psalm 105:4-9, John 8:51-59

“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was made, I AM. ”   So they took up stones to throw at him but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. … John 8:58-59

REFLECTION – “Before Abraham was made, I am.”   Recognise the Creator-distinguish the creature.   He who spoke was made the seed of Abraham and that Abraham might be made, He Himself was before Abraham.
Hence, as if by the most open of all insults thrown at Abraham, they were now excited to greater bitterness.   Of a certainty it seemed to them, that Christ the Lord had uttered blasphemy in saying, “Before Abraham was made, I am.”   “Therefore took they up stones to cast at Him.”   To what could so great hardness have recourse, save to its like?   “But Jesus” [acts] as man, as one in the form of a servant, as lowly, as about to suffer, about to die, about to redeem us with His blood, not as He who is-not as the Word in the beginning and the Word with God.   For when they took up stones to cast at Him, what great thing were it had they been instantly swallowed up in the gaping earth and found the inhabitants of hell in place of stones?   It were not a great thing to God but better was it that patience should be commended than power exerted.   Therefore “He hid Himself” from them, that He might not be stoned.   As man, He fled from the stones but woe to those from whose stony hearts God has fled?”… St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctorjohn-8-58-59-and-they-picked-up-stones-as-a-man-jesus-fled-st-augustine-11-april-2019 and 2 april 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, break the bonds of our sin which our weakness have forged to enchain us and in Your loving mercy, forgive Your people’s guilt.   Never flee from us in our weakness O Lord and grant us Your salvation.   Help us Holy Mother to be the imitators of your Son.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God for all time and eternity, amen.blessed-virgin-mary-mother-of-god-pray-for-us-26-nov-2018 and 26 nov 2019

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2020, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on FAITH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 2 April – O Saviour of the World

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 2 April – Thursday of the Fifth week of Lent

O Saviour of the World
By St Ignatius of Antioch (c 35-c 108)
Father of the Church

Lord Jesus Christ,
on the human side
You are sprung from David’s line,
Son of God according to God’s will and power,
born of the Virgin Mary,
baptised by John
and actually Crucified for us in the flesh,
under Pontius Pilate and Herod the Tetrarch.
On the third day, You raised a standard
to rally Your saints and faithful forever
in the one body of Your Church.
By the grace and power of these mysteries,
fit us out with unshakeable faith,
nail us body and soul to Your Cross
and root us in love by Your Blood, shed for us,
O Saviour of the world,
living and reigning, now and forever,
amen.o saviour of the world - st ignatius of antioch prayer 2 april 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on TRUTH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 April – ‘By faith we adhere to Christ …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 1 April – Wednesday of the Fifth week of Lent, Readings:  Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95, Responsorial psalm Daniel 3:52-56, John 8:31-42 and the Memorial of St Lodovico Pavoni FMI (1784-1849)

“If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.”...John 8:31-32

REFLECTION – “By faith we adhere to Christ and the edifice of our spiritual life becomes thereby firm and stable.   Christ makes us share in the stability of the divine rock against which even hell’s fury cannot prevail (Mt 16:18).

Thus divinely sustained, we are conquerors over the assaults and temptations of the world and of the devil, the prince of this world (1 Jn 5:4).   The devil and the world, which the devil uses as an accomplice, offer violence to us or solicit us;  by faith in the word of Jesus we come out victorious from these attacks.   …Now, the devil is “the father of lies and the prince of darkness” (cf. Eph 6:12) while God is ” the Truth” and “in Him is no darkness” (cf. Jn 14:6; 1 Jn 1:5).   If we always listen to God, we shall always be victorious. When our Lord, who is our model in all things, was tempted, He repulsed temptation by placing the authority of God’s Word in opposition to each solicitation of the Evil One.   We ought to do the same and repulse hell’s attacks by faith in Jesus’ word. (…)

What is true of the devil is true of the world – it is by faith that we overcome it.   When people have a living faith in Christ, they fear neither difficulties nor opposition, nor the world’s judgement,s because they know that Christ abides in us, by faith and because they rely on Him.” … Blessed Columba Marmion (1858-1923) Abbot – Our faith, the victory over the world (Christ, the Ideal of the Monk, rev.)

john 8 31-32 if you continue in my word - if we always listen to god - bl columba marmion 1 april 2020

PRAYER – God of mercy, shed Your light on our hearts that are being purified by penance and in Your goodness, give us a favourable hearing. Teach us to work with You and for You and thus fill the world with Your Spirit.   In Christ our Saviour, we become a new creation and Your adopted children, therefore, all things are renewed.   May the prayers of St Lodovico Pavoni, who gave himself completely to You and Your little ones, assist us to do the same.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

st lodovico pavoni pray for us 1 april 2020