Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 14 July – An Old Morning Prayer

Our Morning Offering – 14 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

An Old Morning Prayer – Excerpt
From The Blossoms of the Cross — 1894
The Sisters of St Joseph

I rise In God’s strength,
In God’s power,
In the Agony of Christ,
In the Cross of Christ,
In Christ’s Precious Blood,
These will sustain me against my enemies,
visible and invisible.
I rise in the blessing of Christ
which my dearest Jesus left to the whole world.
Protect me, All-Holy Trinity,
God the Father, Who created me,
God, the Son, Who redeemed me in His Precious Blood,
God, the Holy Ghost, Who sanctified me in Holy Baptism.
God, the Father, I give myself to Thee!
God, the Son, I commend myself to Thee!
God, the Holy Ghost, teach me!
Mary, Mother of God, assist me!
All you Saints of God, pray for me!
All you Holy Angels, protect me!
The Cross of Christ preserve me!
Amenan old morning prayer excerpt 1834 14 july 2020

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 LOVE of GOD, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 July – ‘Your love for your family would indeed fall short if you did not lead them to God…’

One Minute Reflection – 13 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 1:10-17Psalm 50:8-916-172123Matthew 10:34–11:1 and the Memorial of Blessed Mariano de Jesus Euse Hoyos (1845-1926) Priest

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me…” … Matthew 10:37

REFLECTION – “It is to those who are on fire with love or, rather, those He wants to set on fire with this love, that our Saviour addresses these words.   For our Saviour has not done away with but regulated, the love we owe to parents, spouse, children.   He did not say: “Those who love them” but “Those who love them more than me”…  Love your father but love the Lord even more, love him who brought you into the world but love yet more He who gave you being.   It was your father who brought you into the world but it was not he who created you, since he did not know, when he bred you, who you would be or what you would become.   It was your father who fed you but he is not the origin of the food that staunched your hunger.   Finally, your father must die if you are to inherit his goods but you will share the inheritance God intends for you, while living with Him eternally.

So love your father but not more than you love your God, love your mother but love still more the Church who has begotten you into eternal life…  Indeed, if you owe such gratitude to those who begot you for mortality, what kind of love do you owe to those who begot you for eternity?   Love your spouse, love your children as God does, to lead them to serve God together with you and then, when you are reunited, you will not be afraid of being separated.   Your love for your family would indeed fall short if you did not lead them to God…matthew-10-37-whoever-lovs-father-or-mother-so-love-your-father-but-not-more-st-augustine-15-july-2019 and 13 july 2020

Take up your cross and follow the Lord.   Your Saviour Himself, wholly God as He was in the flesh, clothed with your flesh, He, too, showed human feelings when He said – “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me,” (Mt 26:39)…  The servant’s nature with which He clothed Himself for your sake, caused His human voice, the voice of His flesh, to be heard.   He took your voice so as to express your weakness and give you His strength… and to show you, whose will to prefer.”… St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church – Sermon 344, #2-3the servant's nature with which he clothed himself - st augustine 13 july 2020

PRAYER – God our Father, we are Your children and You have set us aside to come home to You by the light of the way of Your divine Son. Grant we pray, that we may grow in faith and love daily, by the intercession of Blessed Mariano de Jesus Euse Hoyos and may be a light of love, to all around us, as he was.   We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl mariano de jesus euse hoyos pray for us 13 july 2020

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 13 July – O God, Be With Us By St Benedict

Our Morning Offering – 13 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

O God, Be With Us
By St Benedict (c 480-547)

O God,
from Whom to be turned,
is to fall,
to Whom to be turned,
is to rise,
and in Whom to stand,
is to abide forever,
grant us in all our duties,
Your help,
in all our perplexities,
Your guidance,
in all our dangers,
Your protection,
and in all our sorrows,
Your peace,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ameno god be with us by st benedict 13 july 2020

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 July – ‘… The Seed of the Divine Word’

One Minute Reflection – 12 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Fifteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11Psalm 65:10-14Romans 8:18-23Matthew 13:1-23

“As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it;  he indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”…Matthew 13:23

REFLECTION – “Indeed, you all know how land is cultivated.   First of all you pull out the weeds and throw away the stones, then you work the ground itself.   You do it again a second time, a third time and finally… you sow.   Oh, let it be like this in our souls!   First of all let us uproot the weeds, that is to say our evil thoughts; then take out the stones, in other words all our malice and obstinacy.   Finally, let us work our hearts with the plough of the Gospel and the ploughshare of the cross.   Let us break it by repentance, turn over the soil with almsgiving and with charity, prepare it for the seed of Our Lord… that it may joyfully receive the seed of the divine word and bring forth fruit, not just thirty but sixty and a hundredfold.”… St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) Monk & Bishop (Sermons to the people, no.6 passim ; SC 175)matthew13 23 - as for what was sown on the good soil-let us work our hearts with the plough of the gospel and the ploughshare of the cross - st caesarius 12 july 2020

PRAYER – A pure heart create for me O God, put a steadfast spirit within me! (Ps 50[51]) Lord God, bestow a full measure of Your grace to us.   Keep us within in the path of Your commandments, help us to work on the earth of our souls, rooting out the weeds and casting forth the stones of malice.   Grant that by the intercession of the Mother of Your Son and our Mother too, we may succeed in attaining sanctity. Through Christ, our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, amen.holy mother mary pray for us 16 jan 2019

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 12 July – Prayer before Holy Mass By St John Chrysostom

Our Morning Offering – 12 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Fifteenth Sunday of the Year in Ordinary Time, Year A

Prayer before Holy Mass
By St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O God, loose, remit and forgive
my sins against You.
Whether in word, or in deed, or in thought,
willingly or unwillingly,
knowingly or unknowingly, committed,
forgive them all,
for You are good and love mankind.
And through the prayers of Your most holy Mother,
of Your heavenly servants and holy powers
and of all the saints
who have found favour in Your sight,
enable me to receive, without condemnation
Your holy and immaculate Body
and Your Precious Blood,
to the healing of my soul and body
and to the driving away of all evil imaginations,
for Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
now and forever
and to ages of ages.
Amenprayer before holy mass by st john chrysostom 12 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, INCORRUPTIBLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 July – ‘… The most precious of His creatures’

One Minute Reflection – 11 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Saturday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings:  Isaiah 6:1-8Psalm 93:1-25Matthew 10:24-33 and the Memorial of St Benedict of Nursia OSB (c 480-547) Patron of Europe and Founder of Western Monasticism and St Olga Queen of Kiev (c 890-969)

“Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?   Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.   Even all the hairs of your head are counted.” … Matthew 10:29-30

REFLECTION – “If God shows such a solicitous care even for things of modest value (grass and flowers, for example), how can He forget you, that you are the most excellent of His creatures?   Why then did He create such beautiful things?   To manifest His wisdom and the greatness of His power, so that we might know all His glory.

Not only the heavens narrate the glory of God (Ps 18,2) but also the earth, as David points out, when he sang:   Praise the Lord, fruit trees and all cedars (Ps 148,9).   In fact, some creatures praise the Creator with their fruits, others with their greatness, still others with their beauty.

Another demonstration of the great wisdom and power of God resides in the fact that He adorns even the most vile objects of such beauty (what is, in fact, more vile than what exists today but tomorrow will no longer be?)   If, then, God has also given hay to what was not necessary at all (what good is it, in fact, it’s beauty?   To feed the fire?) how can He not give you what you need?   If the Lord has generously decorated the most vile thing of all and not for some purpose but only for beauty, much more He will honour you, the most precious of His creatures, in those things that are necessary to you. ” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on the Gospel of St Matthew, 22.1matthew 10 29-30 are not two sparrows sold - if the Lord has decorated ...how much more He will honour you - st john chrysostom 11 july 2020

PRAYER – Loving Father, grant me to have a true fervour in Your service.   Let me never tire of following Your Son’s example and avoiding evil.   Teach me to reside in total peace in Your wisdom and power and thus to trust You above all.   Grant that by the intercession of St Benedict and St Olga, we may grow in holiness and attain our eternal home with You.   We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st-benedict-pray-for-us-11-july-2017-3

st olga of kiev pray for us 11 july 2020

Posted in Hail MARY!, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 11 July – Greeting our Mother Mary

Our Morning Offering – 11 July – Saturday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time and a Marian Saturday

A Morning Salutation to Mary
A Coptic Catholic Prayer

We greet you,
glorious Mother of the Light
O Blessed Mary,
from the rising of the sun
to its setting
praise is due to you,
O Mother of God.
You are the second heaven,
the bright unfading flower,
the ever-virgin mother.
For the Father chose you
and the Holy Spirit overshadowed you
and the Son humbled Himself
and took flesh from you.
Therefore, ask Him to give peace
to the world He has created
and to deliver it from every tribulation.
And we shall sing to Him a new song
and bless Him,
now and forever,
Amena-morning-salutation-to-mary-coptic-prayer-27-ocat-2018-sat-prayer-to-mary and 11 july 2020

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One Minute Reflection – 10 July – ‘Citizens of Heaven.’

One Minute Reflection – 10 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Friday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Hosea 14:2-10Psalm 51:3-48-912-1417Matthew 10:16-23 and the Memorial of St Canute of Denmark (c 1042-1086) Martyr

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” … Matthew 10:16matthew 10 16 behold i send you out as sheep - 12 july 2019 and 10 july 2020

REFLECTION – “They live in the flesh but they are not governed by the desires of the flesh.   They pass their days upon earth, but they are citizens of heaven.   Obedient to the laws, they yet live on a level that transcends the law.   Christians love all men but all men persecute them.   Condemned because they are not understood, they are put to death but raised to life again.   They live in poverty but enrich many; they are totally destitute but possess an abundance of everything.  They suffer dishonour but that is their glory.   They are defamed but vindicated.   A blessing is their answer to abuse, deference their response to insult.   For the good they do they receive the punishment of malefactors but even then they, rejoice, as though receiving the gift of life.   They are attacked by the Jews as aliens, they are persecuted by the Greeks, yet no one can explain the reason for this hatred.

To speak in general terms, we may say that the Christian is to the world what the soul is to the body.   As the soul is present in every part of the body, while remaining distinct from it, so Christians are found in all the cities of the world but cannot be identified with the world.   As the visible body contains the invisible soul, so Christians are seen living in the world but their religious life remains unseen.   The body hates the soul and wars against it, not because of any injury the soul has done it but because of the restriction the soul places on its pleasures.  Similarly, the world hates the Christians, not because they have done it any wrong but because they are opposed to its enjoyments.

Christians love those who hate them just as the soul loves the body and all its members despite the body’s hatred.   It is by the soul, enclosed within the body, that the body is held together and, similarly, it is by the Christians, detained in the world as in a prison, that the world is held together.   The soul, though immortal, has a mortal dwelling place and Christians also live for a time amidst perishable things, while awaiting the freedom from change and decay that will be theirs in heaven.   As the soul benefits from the deprivation of food and drink, so Christians flourish under persecution.   Such is the Christian’s lofty and divinely appointed function, from which he is not permitted to excuse himself.” …  Ancient Christian writerFrom a letter to Diognetus (Nn. 5-6; Funk, 397-401)matthew 10 16 as sheep amidst the wolves - they suffer dishonour but that is their glory - diogenes 10 july 2020

PRAYER – Father of all holiness, guide our hearts to You. Keep in the light of Your truth, all those You have freed from the darkness of unbelief.   May our lives be the source of enlightenment to others and our faith and love every remain strengthened by Your grace.   Listen to the prayers of Your saint and angels on our behalf, as we long for our eternal home.   St Canute, we beg for your prayers.    We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amenst canute of denmark pray for us 10 july 2020

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 10 July – My God, Do Not Abandon Me

Our Morning Offering – 10 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Friday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time

My God, Do Not Abandon Me
By St Arsenius the Deacon (Died c 450)

My God,
do not abandon me,
though I have done nothing good
in Your sight
but, because You are compassionate,
grant me the power
to make a start.
Amen

Saint Arsenius the Deacon, sometimes known as Arsenius of Scetis and Turah, Arsenius the Roman or Arsenius the Great, was a Roman imperial tutor who became an anchorite in Egypt, one of the most highly regarded of the Desert Fathers, whose teachings were greatly influential on the development of asceticism and the contemplative life.
His contemporaries so admired him as to surname him “the Great.”   His feast day is celebrated on 8 May.

my god do not abandon me - st arsenius 10 july 2020

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD, Uncategorized

One Minute Reflection – 9 July – ‘… Be holy Missionaries’

One Minute Reflection – 9 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Thursday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Hosea 11:1-48-9Psalm 80:2-315-16Matthew 10:7-15 and the Memorial of Blessed Marija of Jesus Crucified Petković (1892-1966)

“And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” … Matthew 10:7

REFLECTION – “We Missionaries often wonder why the work of the conversion of the non-Christian world goes so slowly.   We usually give various reasons to explain this painful fact and in truth, the problem may be considered from many angles, some of which do not concern our responsibility.   But, for the part that does concern us and it is the main part, the problem has a very clear solution.   To save the world, God in His infinite wisdom wanted to have co-workers.   God does His part well – do the people called to help Him do their part equally well?
Let us work in such a way that the whole Church, all Christian people, led by their Bishops and clergy, truly feel the apostolic duty that is incumbent upon them to promote the propagation of the faith, with every means.   Let us work in such a way that that Missionaries, the most direct instruments for the conversion of souls, are saints and non-Christians will not be slow to be converted.
… You, Missionaries in active service in the field, are particularly concerned with your part of co-operation.   Therefore, I say to you, be holy Missionaries by following the footsteps of those great Missionaries who went before you and, for the part that concerns you, your apostolic duty will have been done to the full.   The souls the Lord, in His merciful designs, has entrusted to each one of you that you may lead them to salvation, will be saved and at the end of your days you will be able to say with the Divine Redeemer:  “(Father) I kept those you had given me true to you name.   I have watched over them and not one is lost” (Jn 17:12).” … Blessed Paolo Manna PIME (1872-1952) Superior General of the PIME Founder of the Pontifical Missionary Union – “Holiness is the Soul of Mission”matthew 10 7 and proclaim as you saying the kingdom of god is at hand - therefore, I say to you, be holy Missionaries - bl paolo manna 9 july 2020

PRAYER – “Lord, You have called us to the apostolate with the witness of our life and the proclamation of the Gospel, may we contribute to the coming of Your Kingdom in the nations to which you send us.  Lord, You wish us to be Missionaries in communion with the Churches that have given us the faith and richness of Christian life, keep us united to our bishops and to the people they guide, that together we may carry out the mission You have entrusted to us in their name. Lord, You wanted our parents and benefactors, through their generosity and sacrifices, to participate in our apostolic life, may they share the reward You have prepared for those who work for the coming of Your Kingdom throughout the world.   Merciful Lord, during their earthly life You assigned our deceased brethren the task of spreading Your Word, may they receive the reward for their apostolate in the glory of heaven.   AMEN” … (From the Manual of PIME MIssionaries) And Lord, may the prayers of Your holy men and women, today we call on Bl Marija of Jesus Crucified Petković, who proclaimed Your Kingdom by her life, be every heard for our intercession.

bl marija of jesus crucified petkovic pray for us 9 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 9 July – May I Be United With You, Good Jesus

Our Morning Offering – 9 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Thursday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time

May I Be United With You, Good Jesus
By St Peter Canisius (1521-1597)
Doctor of the Church

Let my eyes take their sleep
but may my heart always
keep watch for You.
May Your right hand bless Your servants
who love You.
May I be united with the praise
that flows from You, Lord Jesus,
to all your saints;
united with the gratitude
drawn from Your heart, good Jesus,
that causes Your saints to thank You;
united with Your passion, good Jesus,
by which You took away our guilt;
united with the divine longing
that You had on earth, for our salvation;
united with every prayer
that welled from Your divine Heart, good Jesus
and flowed into the hearts of Your saints.
Amenmay i be united with you good jesus by st peter canisius 9 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 July – Twelve

One Minute Reflection – 8 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Wednesday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Hosea 10:1-37-812Psalm 105:2-7Matthew 10:1-7

The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother … …Matthew 10:2

REFLECTION – “The order in which the Apostles were divided and the distinction of each one were given by Him Who plumbs the depths of the heart.   The first to be recorded is Simon called Peter (to distinguish him from the other Simon, who is called the Cananaean from the village of Cana in Galilee, where the Lord turned the water into wine). He also calls James, the son of Zebedee because he is followed by another James, the son of Alphaeus.   And He associates the apostles by pairs.   He joins Peter and Andrew as brothers not so much in the flesh as in the spirit;  James and John, who left behind their natural father and followed the true Father;  Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican.   The other Evangelists, in listing the names, put Matthew first and then Thomas, nor do they mention the name publican, lest in recalling his former way of life they seem to insult the Evangelist.   But Matthew, as we said before, places himself after Thomas and calls himself a publican so that “where sin abounded, grace has abounded even more.”

Simon the Cananaean is the one whom another Evangelist calls the Zealot.   In fact, Cana interpreted means “zeal.”   Church history relates that the apostle Thaddaeus was sent to Edessa, Abgarum in the region of Osroene.   The person whom Luke the Evangelist calls Jude the brother of James, elsewhere called Lebbaeus, which interpreted means “little heart,” is believed to have been referred to by three names. Simon Peter and the sons of Zebedee (called sons of thunder) were named for their strength of mind and great faith.   Judas Iscariot took his name either from his hometown, or from the tribe of Issachar.   By a certain prophecy he was born in condemnation of himself, for Issachar interpreted means “reward,” as to signify the price of the traitor.” … St Jerome (343-420) – Father & Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Matthew, 1.)matthew-10-2-the-names-of-the-12-apostles-are-these-st-jerome-10-july-2019 and 8 july 2020

PRAYER – Holy God and Almighty Father, we are the disciples of Your Son as we follow Him home to You, grant us we pray, the strength and love to imitate Him in all things and to daily, pick up our cross with joy and commitment.   May the Blessed Virgin, be a constant protection and assistance in our times of struggle and may all your angels and saints and martyrs, pray for us, through our Lord Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.blessed virgin mother pray for us 26 may 2020

Posted in INDULGENCES, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 8 July – By the Merit of the Precious Blood of Jesus – Indulgenced Act of Oblation to Our Father

Our Morning Offering – 8 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Wednesday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time

By the Merit of the
Precious Blood of Jesus
By Servant of God Pope Pius VII (1742-1823)
Papacy from 1800 to 1823
Indulgenced Act of Oblation to Our Father

Eternal Father!
I offer Thee the merit
of the Precious Blood of Jesus,
Thy well-beloved Son,
my Saviour and my God,
for all my wants,
spiritual and temporal,
in aid of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
and chiefly for those
who most loved this Precious Blood,
the price of our redemption
and who were most devout
to the sorrows and pains
of most Holy Mary,
our dear Mother.

Glory be to the Blood of Jesus,
now and forever
and throughout all ages.
Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time this prayed is offered
22 September 1817 with a Plenary Indulgence, once a month,
under the usual conditions.

In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI approved and granted it the Nihal Obstat – (nothing stands against), the process towards Canonising Pope Pius VII and he was granted the title Servant of God.
In late 2018, the Bishop of Savona announced that the cause for Pius VII would continue following the completion of initial preparation and investigation.   The Bishop named a new Postulator and a Diocesan tribunal began work into the cause.    The first Postulator for the cause, was Father Giovanni Farris (2007-18) and the current Postulator since 2018, is Father Giovanni Margara.

Note of Interest:  On 15 August 1811 – the Feast of the Assumption – it is recorded that the Pope celebrated Mass and was said to have entered a trance and began to levitate in a manner that drew him to the altar.   This particular episode aroused great wonder and awe among attendants, which included the French soldiers guarding him, who were awestruck at what had occurred and left records of it.

by the merit of the precious blood of jesus indulgenced act of oblation to the father - 8 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on VOCATIONS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 July – ‘Our Vocation … ‘

One Minute Reflection – 7 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Tuesday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Readings: Hosea 8:4-711-13Psalm 115:3-10Matthew 9:32-38 and the Memorial of Blessed Pope Benedict XI OP (1240-1303)

“The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few, therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” … Matthew 9:37-38

REFLECTION – “One day I was pondering over what I could do to save souls;  a phrase from the Gospel showed me a clear light – Jesus said to His disciples, pointing to the fields of ripe corn, “Look up and see the fields ripe for harvest” (Jn 4:35) and a little later, “The harvest is abundant but the labourers are few;  so ask the master of the harvest to send out labourers.”   How mysterious it is!   Is not Jesus all-powerful? Do not creatures belong to Him who made them?   Why then does Jesus say:  “Pray the master of the harvest to send out labourers … ?”   Why? …

Ah!   Jesus has so incomprehensible a love for us, that He wants us to have a share with Him in the salvation of souls.   He wants to do nothing without us.   The creator of the universe waits for the prayer of a poor little soul, to save other souls redeemed like itself, at the price of all His blood.

Our vocation, yours and mine, is not to go harvesting in the fields of ripe corn, Jesus does not say to us;  “Lower your eyes, look at the fields, and go and reap them,” our mission is still loftier.   Here are Jesus’ words:  “Lift up your eyes and see….”   See how in my Heaven there are places empty, it is for you to fill them! … each one of you is my Moses praying on the mountain (Ex 17:8f), ask Me for labourers and I shall send them, I await only a prayer, a sigh from your heart!” … St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897) Doctor of the Churchmatthew 8 37-38 the harvest is plentiful - our vocation yours and mine is not to harvesting - st therese of lisieux 7 july 2020

PRAYER – True Light of the world, Lord Jesus Christ, as You enlighten all men for their salvation, give us grace, we pray, to herald Your coming, by preparing Your ways of justice and of peace.   We lift our hearts and eyes in prayer and beg of You that we may always offer You the souls of those in need of You.   And may the prayers of Bl Pope Benedict XI, who fulfilled his role as Your labourer, strengthen us on our journey.   Who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl pope benedict XI pray for us 7 july 2020 (1)

Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 7 July – Good Friday By Christina Rossetti

Our Morning Offering – 7 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Tuesday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time

Good Friday
By Christina Rossetti (1830 – 1894)
Published in 1866

Am I a stone and not a sheep,
That I can stand, O Christ, beneath Thy cross,
To number drop by drop Thy blood’s slow loss,
And yet not weep?

Not so those women loved
Who with exceeding grief lamented Thee.
Not so fallen Peter, weeping bitterly.
Not so the thief was moved.

Not so the Sun and Moon
Which hid their faces in a starless sky,
A horror of great darkness at broad noon –
I, only I.

Yet give not o’er,
But seek Thy sheep, true Shepherd of the flock.
Greater than Moses, turn and look once more
And smite a rock.

Christina Georgina Rossetti (5 December 1830 – 29 December 1894) was an English poet who wrote various romantic, devotional and children’s poems.   “Goblin Market” and “Remember” remain famous.   She wrote the words of two Christmas carols well known in the UK: “In the Bleak Midwinter.” later set by Gustav Holst and by Harold Darke and “Love Came Down at Christmas,” set by Harold Darke and by other composers.   She was the sister of the well-known ‘Pre-Raphaelite’ Artist and Poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti.Good friday by Christina Rossetti 7 july 2020

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 July – ‘Faith … transforms all things…’ Bl Charles Eugène de Foucauld

One Minute Reflection – 6 July – Monday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Hosea 2:14-1619-20 (16-18, 21-22), Psalm 145:2-9Matthew 9:18-26 and the Memorial of St Maria Goretti (1890-1902) Martyr and Blessed Maria Theresa Ledóchowska SSPC (1863-1922)

“Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well.”…Matthew 9:22

REFLECTION – “Faith is that which makes us believe from the depths of our souls… all the truths that our religion teaches us, all that the Gospel holds and all that the Church sets before us.   The just man lives truly by this faith (Rom 1:17), for it replaces for him, the greater part of his natural senses.   It so transforms all things, that the senses are of little use to the soul, which through them is only deceived, whilst faith shews it realities.
Where the eye sees but a poor man, faith sees Jesus (Mt 25:40).   Where the ear hears curses and persecution, faith sings:  “Rejoice and be glad” (cf Mt 5:12).   The touch feels only blows and stonings but faith says: “Be glad you are deemed worthy to suffer for the name of Christ” (cf. Acts 5:41)…  The smell perceives only incense, faith tells us that the true incense is “the prayers of the saints” (Rv 8,4).
The senses lead us astray to created beauty, faith thinks of the eternal beauty and despises all created things, for they are as nothing and as dust beside that beauty.   The senses hold pain in horror, faith blesses it as a marriage crown that unites it to its Beloved, like a walk with her Bridegroom hand in divine hand.   The senses rebel against injuries but faith blesses them:  “Bless those that curse you” (Lk 6:28)… she finds them sweet, for in them she shares the lot of Jesus.   The senses are full of curiosity, faith is content to know nothing, she thirsts to bury herself and longs to pass her life motionless before the Tabernacle.”… Blessed Charles Eugène de Foucauld OCSO (1858-1916) Hermit and Missionary in the Sahara (Retreat at Nazareth 1897) To be Canonised as soon as possible after the return to normal routines, hopefully still this year, 2020. matthew-9-22-take-heart-daughter-your-faith-has-faith-is-bl-charles-de-foucauld-8-july-2019 and 6 july 2020

PRAYER – Almighty Lord and God, protect and strengthen us by Your power throughout this day, even as You have enabled us to begin it.   By Your grace, may the our faith be our guide and let our every thought, word and deed aim at doing Your will and what is pleasing in Your sight.   Grant that by the prayers of St Maria Goretti and Blessed Maria Theresa Ledóchowska, we may ever turn our eyes and hearts to our Lord Jesus Christ.   Through Him, Your divine Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.st maria goretti pray for us 6 july 2020

bl maria theresa ledochowska pray for us 6 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 6 July – By Your Heart and By Your Blood! by St Francis de Sales

Our Morning Offering – 6 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

By Your Heart and By Your Blood!
By St Francis De Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

May Your Heart
dwell always in our hearts!
May Your Blood
ever flow in the veins of our souls!
O Sun of our hearts,
You give life to all things
by the rays of Your goodness!
I will not go,
until Your Heart has strengthened me,
O Lord Jesus!
May the Heart of Jesus
be the King of my heart!
Blessed be God.
Amenby your heart and by your blood - st francis de sales 6 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, INCORRUPTIBLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 July – ‘… For I am meek and humble of heart’

One Minute Reflection – 5 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Zechariah 9:9-10Psalm 145:1-28-1113-14Romans 8:911-13Matthew 11:25-30 and the Memorial of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria CRSP (1502-1539)

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls…” … Matthew 11:29take my yoke upon you - matthew 11 29 5 july 2020

REFLECTION – “You are to “take my yoke upon you and learn from me.”   You are not learning from me how to refashion the fabric of the world, nor to create all things visible and invisible, nor to work miracles and raise the dead.   Rather, you are simply learning of me: “that I am meek and lowly in heart.”   If you wish to reach high, then begin at the lowest level.   If you are trying to construct some mighty edifice in height, you will begin with the lowest foundation.  This is humility.   However great the mass of the building you may wish to design or erect, the taller the building is to be, the deeper you will dig the foundation.   The building in the course of its erection, rises up high but he who digs its foundation, must first go down very low.   So then, you see even a building is low before it is high and the tower is raised, only after humiliation.”… St Augustine (354-430) Fater & Doctor (Sermon 69)if-you-wish-to-reach-high-then-begin-at-the-lowest-level-st-augustine-18-july-2019 and 5 july 2020

PRAYER – Holy God, our Father, we turn to You in confidence as children and pray, give us meekness of heart, make us “poor in spirit” that we may recognise that we are not self-sufficient, that we are unable to build our lives on our own but need You, we need to encounter You, to listen to You, to speak to You.   Help us to understand that we need Your gift, Your wisdom, which is Jesus Himself, in order to do the Your will in our lives and thus to find rest in the hardships of our journey.   May the prayers of Saint Anthony Zaccaria help us to learn the true humility of Your divine Son.   Grant this, we pray, through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, amen.st-anthony-mary-zaccaria-pray-for-us-5-july-2019 and 5 july 2020

Posted in EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, HYMNS, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 5 July – Ave Verum Corpus

Our Morning Offering – 5 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” -Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ave Verum Corpus
By Pope Innocent VI (c 1282-1362)
Papacy 1352-1362

Hail, true Body, truly born
Of the Virgin Mary mild
Truly offered, wracked and torn,
On the Cross for all defiled,
From Whose love pierced, sacred side
Flowed Thy true Blood’s saving tide.
Be a foretaste sweet to me
In my death’s great agony.
O Jesu dulcis!
O Jesu pie!
O Jesu Fili Mariae.
Amen

Just as St John the Baptist leapt with joy in his mother’s womb when the Saviour drew near in the womb of Mary, so we leap with joy in the presence of Our Eucharistic Lord.ave verum corpus - by pope innocent VI 5 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, INCORRUPTIBLES, JESUIT SJ, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on HOPE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 July – So let us fast and pray since we are still on the threshold of birth.

One Minute Reflection – 4 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” – Saturday of the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings:  Amos 9:11-15Psalm 85:11-14Matthew 9:14-17 and the Memorial of Blessed Petrus Kasui Kibe SJ (c 1587-1639) Prist and Martyr and Bl Pier Giorgio Frassati TOSF (1901-1925)

And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?   The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them and then they will fast.” … Matthew 9:15

REFLECTION – “However, our mourning is right if we burn with desire to see Him.   How happy they were who were able to enjoy His presence before His Passion, to question Him as they wished and listen to Him as necessary… As for us, we see the fulfilment of what He said: “The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it” (Lk 17:22)… “A little while and you will no longer see me and again a little while and you will see me” (Jn 16:19).

But now this is the hour of which He said:  “You will weep and mourn but the world will rejoice… But, He added, I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice and no-one will take your joy away from you” (v.22). The hope thus given us by Him, who is faithful in His promises, never now leaves us, without a certain joy — until that overwhelming joy comes on the day when we will be like Him because we will see Him as he is (1Jn 3:2)… “When a woman is in labour, she has pain because her hour has come,” says the Lord, “but when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world” (Jn 16:21).   This is the joy no-one can take away from us and with which we will be satisfied when we pass to eternal light from our present conception in faith.   So let us fast and pray since we are still on the threshold of birth.“…St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctormatthew 9 15 can the wedding guests mourn - however our morurning is right if we burn with desire to see him - st augustine 4 july 2020

PRAYER – Father almighty, as we wait and work and pray and fast in joyful hope of our eternal life with You, grant we pray that we may always remain steadfast in Your love.   Blessed Petrus Kasui Kibe, you of intrepid perseverance and faith and Pier Giorgio Frassati, you whose faith could move mountains, pray for us, that we will fully utilise the many gifts our Almighty God has bestowed on us as we journey home. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord, in union with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.bl petrus kasui kibe pray for us 4 july 2020

bl-pier-pray-for-us - 4 july 2017

Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 4 July – Mother of the Eternal Word

Our Morning Offering – 4 July – “Month of the Precious Blood” and a Marian Saturday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time

Mother of the Eternal Word
Raccolta Prayer

Most glorious Virgin,
chosen by the eternal Counsel
to be the Mother of the eternal Word made flesh,
thou who art the treasurer of divine graces
and the advocate of sinners,
I who am thy most unworthy servant
have recourse to thee.
Be thou pleased to be my guide
and counsellor in this vale of tears.
Obtain for me
through the Most Precious Blood
of thy divine Son,
the forgiveness of my sins,
the salvation of my soul
and the means necessary to obtain it.
In like manner obtain for the Holy Church
victory over her enemies
and the spread of the kingdom of Jesus Christ
upon the whole earth.
Amenmother of the eternal word from the raccolta 4 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 July – ‘Saintly doubt of the disciple!’

One Minute Reflection – 3 July – Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle of Christ, Readings:  Ephesians 2: 19-22, Psalms 117: 1bc, 2, John 20: 24-29

Thomas answered, and said to him: ‘My Lord, and my God.’ … John 20:28

john-20-28-my-lord-and-my-god-feat-of-st-thomas-3-july-2019 and 3 july 2020

REFLECTION“Thomas said to the Twelve: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe!” (Jn 20:25).   The name ‘Thomas’ means ‘abyss’, for by his doubt he gained an even deeper understanding and became firmer in his faith.  …  It was not by chance but by divine decree, that Thomas was absent and unable to believe what he heard. A splendid decree!   Saintly doubt of the disciple!
“Unless I see in his hands,” he said (Jn 20:25).   He wished to see raised up, the fallen tent of David, of which Amos had said:  “On that day I will raise up the fallen tent of David;  I will repair the breaches of its walls” (cf. Am 9:11).   ‘David’ stands for the divinity;   the ‘tent’, Christ’s own body in which the divinity was contained as in a tent, fallen, crushed in death and the Passion.   The breaches in the walls stand for the wounds of his hands, feet and side.   These are the wounds that the Lord would rebuild in his Resurrection.   It was of them that Thomas said:  “Unless I put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe!”
The Lord, understanding, did not want to leave His honest disciple, who was to become a vessel of election, in doubt.   And so, He removed the smoke of doubt from his mind, in an act of kindness, just as He removed the blindness of infidelity from Paul.   “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side and do not be unbelieving but believe”   Then Thomas said to Him:  “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:27-28)” … St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Doctor of the Churchthe name thomas means abyss for by his doubt he gained an even deeper understanding - st anthony of padua 3 july 2020

PRAYER – Almighty Father,as we honour Thomas the Apostle, let us always experience the help of his prayers. May we have eternal life by believing in Jesus, whom Thomas acknowledged as Lord, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amenst-thomas-pray-for-us-2 3 july 2019 and 2020

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 3 July – Saint Thomas, Whom the Saviour Chose

Our Morning Offering – 3 July – Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle of Christ

Saint Thomas, Whom the Saviour Chose
Breviary Hymn For the Feast of St Thomas
By Samuel Scheidt, 1567-1654
Text: Qui luce splendes ordinis
Trans: Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK

Saint Thomas, whom the Saviour chose
When here on earth, as special friend,
Accept our joyful hymn of praise,
And to our earnest prayer attend.

Your love for Christ made you desire
To die with Him and share His plight.
His love for you gave you a throne
Of glory in His realm of light.

Your tortured love could not believe
The Ten had seen Him, as they said
But you must touch His hands and feet
To prove Him risen from the dead.

And later when you saw Him too
With joy, His mercy you adored,
Acclaiming Him as truly God,
And worshipping your risen Lord.

As you once grew to know our Lord,
Give us more faith, both strong and firm,
And make our love grow deeper yet
For Jesus whom we have not seen.

All glory be to Christ, our Lord,
Who by your prayer will grant us grace,
When we have blindly walked in faith,
To see the glory of His face.
Amen

st thomas whom the saviour chose - breviary hymn - 3 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SIN, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 July – “Thy sins are forgiven thee.”

One Minute Reflection – 2 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Thursday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Amos 7: 10-17, Psalms 19: 8, 9, 10, 11, Matthew 9: 1-8 and the Memorial of St Swithun (c 800-863) Bishop

“Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee.” … Matthew 9:2

REFLECTION – “The scribes declared that God alone can forgive sins. But Jesus, even before He forgave sins, revealed the secrets of the heart, thereby showing, that He also possessed that other power reserved to God …  For it is written:  “You alone, O Lord, know the secrets of humankind” and “Man sees the outward appearance but God sees the heart” (2 Chr 6:30; 1 Sam 16:7).   In this way Jesus reveals His divinity and equality with the Father, uncovering the depths of their hearts to the scribes and making known those thoughts, they are afraid to speak openly for fear of the crowd.   And this He did with great gentleness. …
The lame man might have made his disappointment known to Christ by saying:  “OK! You have come to cure another kind of sickness and heal another kind of evil – sin.   But what proof am I going to get that my sins are forgiven?”   Yet he said nothing of the sort but put his trust in the One who had the power to heal him. …
To the scribes, Christ said:  “Which is easier?   To say:  Your sins are forgiven, or rather:  Take up your stretcher and go home?”   In other words:  ‘What seems easier to you?   To strengthen a paralysed body or put aside the sins of the soul?’   Obviously, to heal a body since forgiveness of sins goes as much beyond the healing, as the soul is above the body.   But since one of these works is visible and the other not, I am equally going to carry out the work that is visible and lesser, in order to prove, that which is greater and unseen.   At that very moment Jesus witnessed by His works that He is “He who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn 1:29).” … St John Chrysostom (c 345-407) – Doctor of the Church – Homilies on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, no. 29, 2 ; PG 57, 359matthew 9 2 be of ood heart son thy sins - which ios easier - st john chrysostom 2 july 2020

PRAYER – Lord God, be the beginning and the end of all that we are and do and say.   Prompt our actions with Your grace, may Your light be our only way, may Your commands be our only need and complete all, with Your all-powerful help.   St Swithun, your love of God in all things proved by Him in your countless miracles, pray for us!   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God with You, forever and ever, amen.

st swithun pray for us 2 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 2 July – Constant Prayer to the Precious Blood of Jesus By St Catherine of Siena

Our Morning Offering – 2 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Thursday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time

Constant Prayer
to the Precious Blood of Jesus
By St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Doctor of the Church

Precious Blood,
Ocean of Divine Mercy,
Flow upon us!
Precious Blood,
most pure Offering,
Procure us every grace!
Precious Blood,
Hope and Refuge of sinners,
Atone for us!
Precious Blood,
Delight of holy souls,
Draw us!
Amenconstant prayer to the precious blood of jesus by st catherine of siena 2 july 2020

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on COWARDICE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 July – ‘Alas, my dear brethren, we are poor stuff …’

One Minute Reflection – 1 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Wednesday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: Amos 5: 14-15, 21-24,  Psalm 50: 7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 16bc-17, Matthew 8: 28-34 and the Memorial of St Junipero Serra (1713-1784) and Blessed Ignatius “Nazju” Falzon OFS (1813-1865)

And he said to them:  Go.   But they going out went into the swine and behold, the whole herd ran violently down a steep place, into the sea and they perished in the waters.   And behold the whole city went out to meet Jesus and when they saw him, they besought him, that he would depart from their coasts.. … Matthew 8:32,34… Matthew 8:32-34

matthew 8 32 and he said to them go but they going out went into the swine 1 july 2020

REFLECTION – “Dear Lord, what we are capable of when we are left to ourselves!   There are some who, in their own words, are envious of the saints who did great penances.   They believe that they could do as well.   When we read the lives of some of the martyrs, we would, we think, be ready to suffer all that they suffered for God, the moment is short lived, we say, for an eternity of reward.   But what does God do to teach us to know ourselves or, rather, to know that we are nothing? This is all He does – He allows the Devil to come a little closer to us. Look at this Christian who a moment ago was quite envious of the hermit who lived solely on roots and herbs and who made the stern resolution to treat his body as harshly.   Alas!   A slight headache, a prick of a pin, makes him, as big and strong is he is, sorry for himself. He is very upset.   He cries with pain.   A moment ago he would have been willing to do all the penances of the anchorites — and the merest trifle makes him despair!

Look at this other one, who seems to want to give his whole life for God, whose ardour all the torments there are cannot damp.   A tiny bit of scandalmongering …. a word of calumny …. even a slightly cold reception or a small injustice done to him …. a kindness returned by ingratitude …. immediately gives birth in him to feelings of hatred, of revenge, of dislike, to the point, often, of his never wishing to see his neighbour again, or at least. of treating him coldly with an air which shows very plainly what is going on in his heart.   And how many times is this his waking thought, just as it was the thought that almost prevented him from sleeping?   Alas, my dear brethren, we are poor stuff and we should count very little upon our good resolutions!” … St John Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

a slight headache a prick of apin - st john vianney mattew 8 28-34 two demonics and the pigs swine 1 july 2020

PRAYER – All-powerful God, to serve You is to reign.   Your love gave St Juniperro Serra and Blessed Nazju Falzon, the courage to proclaim the truth of Christ and to preach and live in the light of the Kingdom.  Grant that by their prayers, our lives may bear witness to the faith we profess and our love bring others, to the peace and joy of Your gospel. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amenstjuniperoserra-pray-for-us - 1 July 2017 and 2020

bl nazju falzon pray for us 1 july 2020

Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 1 July – Daily Offering to the Father by St Gertrude the Great

Our Morning Offering – 1 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Tme

Daily Offering to the Father
By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

Eternal Father,
I offer Thee the most precious blood
of Thy Divine Son, Jesus,
in union with the Masses said
throughout the world today,
for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory,
for sinners everywhere,
for sinners in the universal Church,
for those in my own home,
and in my family.
Amen

You might see fantastic claims for this prayer, especially printed on Holy Cards, such as the release of 1000 souls from Purgatory, each time it is prayed.
Nowhere in St Gertrude’s writings, is this wild promise made so be careful of treating prayers and devotions as amulets or magical charms.
The Church has summarily condemned prayer cards containing a promise to release one or more souls from Purgatory, or any other ‘miraculous’ claims.
Such an easy way to release 1,000 souls seems inconsistent with the Church’s understanding of Purgatory, given that ordinarily, to release one soul, requires a plenary indulgence which is very difficult to get and, given all the means the Church employs to help the dead, such as special masses or indulgences applicable only to the dead.

daily offering to the father -precious blood - st gertrude 1 july 2020

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 June – “Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?” 

One Minute Reflection – 30 June – “The Last day of the Month of the Sacred Heart” – Tuesday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time Year A, Readings: Amos 3:1-84:11-12Psalm 5:5-8Matthew 8:23-27

He said to them, “Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?”   Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea and there was great calm. … Matthew 8:26matthew-8-26-why-are-you-afraid-o-men-of-little-faith-2-july-2019 and 30 june 2020

REFLECTION – “God is not at all displeased when, on occasion, you quietly complain to him.   Don’t be afraid of saying to him:  “Lord, why do you stand afar off? (cf. Ps 9:22 LXX)   You know well that I love You and only long for Your love.   Graciously come to my aid and do not abandon me.”

If your desolation continues and your anguish is unbearable, unite your voice to that Jesus, Jesus dying in affliction on the cross – say, as you beg the divine pity:  “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Mt 27:46)   But profit from this trial, firstly, so as to humble yourself even more, while reminding yourself, that we are not worthy of any consolations when we have offended God and then, so as to revive your confidence even more by reminding yourself that, whatever He may do or permit, God only has your well-being in mind and that, in this way, “all things work together for the good” (cf. Rm 8:28) of your soul.   The more that trouble and discouragement besiege you, the more you should arm yourself with courage and cry out:  “The Lord is my light and my help, who should I fear?” (Ps 26:1).   Yes, Lord, it is You who enlighten me, You who will save me, in You I entrust myself, “in you I place my hope, I shall never be confounded” (Ps 30:2 LXX).

In this way, stand firm in peace, certain that “no-one has hoped in the Lord and been confounded” (Sir 2:11 Vg.), none have been lost after having placed their trust in God.” … St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) – Bishop and Doctor of the Church – What should we talk about with God? (from: ‘How to Converse Continually and Familiarly with God’).matthew 8 24 suddenly a violent storm ... jesus was asleep - but proft from this trila - st alphonsus liguori 30 june 2020

PRAYER – Lord, You are the beginning and the end of all that we do, all that we are and all that we say.   Lead us by the light of Your grace in complete trust and confidence and complete us with Your all-powerful help.   Let Your light penetrate the hidden fears of our hearts and may our trust be complete.  And may we always understand that our Mother, loves us and cares for us in all our needs.    We worship You in Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amen.IMM MARY MOTHER OF GOD PRAY FOR US 7 MAY 2020

Posted in CONSECRATION Prayers, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL ENCYLICALS, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 30 June – Consecration to the Sacred Heart By Pope Leo XIII

Our Morning Offering – 30 June – “The Last day of the Month of the Sacred Heart” – Tuesday of the Thirteenth week in Ordinary Time

Consecration to the Sacred Heart
By Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)
Pope from 1878-1903

Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race,
look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thine altar.
We are Thine and Thine we wish to be
but, to be more surely united with Thee,
behold each one of us,
freely consecrates himself today to Thy most Sacred Heart.
Many indeed have never known Thee,
many too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee.
Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus
and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart.
Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful,
who have never forsaken Thee
but also of the prodigal children, who have abandoned Thee,
grant that they may quickly return to Thy Father’s house
lest they die of wretchedness and hunger.
Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions,
or whom discord keeps aloof
and call them back to the harbour of truth and unity of faith,
so that there may be but one flock and one Shepherd.
Be Thou, King of all those.
who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry or of Islamism
and refuse not to draw them into the light and kingdom of God.
Turn Thine eyes of mercy towards the children of the race,
once Thy chosen people – of old they called down upon themselves
the Blood of the Saviour;
may it now descend upon them,
a laver of redemption and of life.
Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church,
assurance of freedom and immunity from harm;
give peace and order to all nations
and make the earth resound from pole to pole with one cry:
“Praise be to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation;
to It be glory and honour forever.”
Amen

The above prayer, composed by Pope Leo XIII was included in the 1899 encyclical Annum Sacrum issued by Leo XIII as he Consecrated the entire world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The consecration was influenced by two letters written to the Holy Father by Blessed Sister Mary of the Divine Heart, who stated that in visions of Jesus Christ, she had been told to request the Consecration.

consecration to the sacred heart by pope leo XIII 30 June 2020

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on SIN, SAINT of the DAY, St PAUL!, St PETER!, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 June – ‘Peter and Paul are our teachers…’

One Minute Reflection – 29 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Readings: Acts 12:1-11Psalm 34:2-92 Timothy 4:6-817-18Matthew 16:13-19

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” … Jesus said to him in reply … And so I say to you, you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of the hell shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.  Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” … Matthew 16:16,17,18-19matthew 16 18 upon this rock i will build my church 22 feb 2020 chair of st peter

REFLECTION – “Christ the Mediator “ committed no sin and no deceit was found in his mouth” (1Pt 2:22).   How could I venture to draw near Him, I who am a sinner, a grievous sinner whose sins are more numerous than the sands of the sea?   He is all that is most pure, I am all that is most impure … This is the reason why God has given me these apostles, men and sinners – very grievous sinners – who learnt for themselves, through their own experience, how merciful they should be to others.   Guilty themselves of great offences, they will grant a ready pardon to great offences and repay us according to the measure meted out to them (Lk 6:38).

The apostle Peter committed a very great sin, possibly the greatest of all.   He received a forgiveness for it that was as swift as it was ready, even to not losing anything of the privilege of his primacy.   And Paul, who unleashed unrestrained aggression against the newborn Church, was brought to faith at the call of God’s Son Himself.   In return for so many evils, he was filled with such great blessings that he became “a chosen instrument to carry the Lord’s name before Gentiles, kings and Israelites” (Acts 9:15) (…)

Peter and Paul are our teachers – they learned the way of life fully from the one Teacher of all and continue to teach us today.” … St Bernard (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, Theologian, Mellifluous Doctorpeter and paul are our teachers - st bernard - 29 june 2020

PRAYER – O God, who on the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul give us the noble and holy joy of this day, grant, we pray, that your Church may in all things follow the teaching of those through whom she received the beginnings of right religion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amensts-peter-and-paul-pray-for-us-18-nov-2017