Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 February – “The faith of the Canaanite woman”

One Minute Reflection – 14 February – Thursday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Gospel: Mark 7:24–30 and the Memorial of Sts Cyril and Methodius “Apostles to the Slavs”- Patrons of Europe and St Valentine (176-273) Martyr

But immediately a woman, whose little daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit, heard of him and came and fell down at his feet....Mark 7:25

REFLECTION – “O woman, your faith is great.   Let it be done to you as you wish” (Mt 15:28).   Indeed, she had great enough faith, since she knew neither the ancient miracles, commands and promises of the prophets, nor the more recent ones of the Lord himself. In addition, as often as she was disregarded by the Lord, she persevered in her entreaties and she did not cease knocking by asking him, though she knew only by popular opinion that he was the Saviour.   On account of this, she secured the great object for which she implored…
If one of us has a conscience polluted by the stain of avarice, conceit, vain-glory, indignation, irascibility, or envy and the other vices, he has “a daughter badly troubled by a demon” like the Canaanite woman.   He should hasten to the Lord, making supplication for her healing…   Being submissive with due humility, [such a person] must not judge himself to be worthy of the company of the sheep of Israel (that is, souls that are pure) but instead, he must be of the opinion that he is unworthy of heavenly favours. Nevertheless, let him not, in despair, rest from the earnestness of his entreaty but with his mind free of doubt, let him trust in the goodness of the supreme Benefactor, for the one who could make a confessor from a robber (Lk 23:39f.), an apostle from a persecutor (Acts 9:1-30, an evangelist from a publican (Mt 9:9-13) and who could make sons for Abraham out of stones, could turn even the most insignificant dog into an Israelite sheep.”...St Bede the Venerable (673-735) – Father & Doctor of the Churchmark 7 25 the caananite woman - if one of us - st bede 14 feb 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Help us Lord, to cleave to You alone and grow in sanctity and charity. Create in us a clean heart O Lord!   As we walk in the ways of Your divine Son, our Saviour, may we grow in faith and by our lives and words, be a light in the world.   Grant that by the prayers of Sts Valentine and Sts Cyril and Methodius, we may be strengthen and grow in worthiness to receive Your grace.   Through our Lord Jesus Christ in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.st valentine pray for us 14 feb 2019sts-cyril-and-methodius-pray-for-us-14-feb-2018-no-2

Posted in JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 14 February -Prayer for Unbelievers

Our Morning Offering – 14 February – Thursday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of Sts Cyril and Methodius “Apostles to the Slavs”- Patrons of Europe

Prayer for Unbelievers
By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

Eternal God,
Creator of all things
remember that the souls of unbelievers
have been created by You,
in Your own image and likeness
and formed to become Your own People..
Behold, O Lord,
how, to Your dishonour,
hell is being filled with these very souls.
Remember that Jesus Christ, Your Son,
for their salvation, suffered a most cruel death.
Do not permit, O Lord, I beseech You,
that Your divine Son be any longer
despised by unbelievers
but rather, being appeased by the prayers
of Your saints and the Church,
the most holy spouse of Your Son,
deign to be mindful of Your mercy
and forgetting their idolatry
and their unbelief,
bring them to know Him,
Whom You did send,
Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord,
Who is our health, life and resurrection,
through Whom,
we have been redeemed and saved,
and to Whom,
be all glory forever.
Amenprayer for unbelievers by st francis xavier sj 14 feb 2019.jpg

Prayer on the Memorial of Sts Cyril & Methodius
“Patrons of Europe”

Almighty and everlasting God,
who by the power of the Holy Spirit
moved Your servant Cyril
and his brother Methodius,
to bring the light of the Gospel
to a hostile and divided people,
overcome all bitterness
and strife among us,
by the love of Christ.
May we take Your word
into our hearts
that we may share it with all
and be one in professing the true faith.
Make us one united family
under the banner of the Prince of Peace,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever,
amen.prayer - sts cyril and methodius memorial 14 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 February – “All these evil things come from within and they defile a man.”

One Minute Reflection – 13 February – Wednesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C. Gospel: Mark 7:14-23 and the Memorial of Blessed Jordan of Saxony OP (1190-1237)

And he said, “What comes out of a man is what defiles a man.   For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.   All these evil things come from within and they defile a man.” Mark 7:20-23

REFLECTION – “The boundary between good and evil does not pass outside of us but rather within us.   We could ask ourselves: where is my heart?   Jesus said:  “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”.   What is my treasure?   Is it Jesus, is it His teaching?   If so, then the heart is good.   Or is my treasure something else?   Thus it is a heart which needs purification and conversion.   Without a purified heart, one cannot have truly clean hands and lips which speak sincere words of love — it is all duplicitous, a double life — lips which speak words of mercy, of forgiveness but only a sincere and purified heart can do this.”…Pope Francis – Angelus, 30 August 2015mark 7 20 what comes out of a man - the boundary between good and evil - pope francis 13feb2019.jpg

PRAYER – God our Saviour, through the grace of Baptism, You made us children of light. Hear our prayer, that we may always walk in that light and work for truth, as Your witnesses before men.   May our hearts be purified by You grace and may our hands and lips speak with sincere words of love. Blessed Jordan, you worked and walked with zeal and passion in the light of the Lord, please pray for us.   We make our prayer, through Christ our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.bl-jordanofsaxony-prayforus-13-feb-2017-2.jpg

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

Our Morning Offering – 13 February – Wednesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Our Morning Offering – 13 February – Wednesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Only For You, In You, By You.
By St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church

Lord Jesus,
let me know myself and know You
and desire nothing save only You.
Let me hate myself and love You.
Let me do everything, for the sake of You.
Let me humble myself and exalt You.
Let me think of nothing, except You.
Let me die to myself and live in You.
Let me accept whatever happens, as from You.
Let me banish self and follow You
and ever desire to follow You.
Let me fly from myself and take refuge in You,
That I may deserve, to be defended by You.
Let me fear for myself.
Let me fear You
and let me be among those, who are chosen by You.
Let me distrust myself and put my trust in You.
Let me be willing to obey, for the sake of You.
Let me cling to nothing, save only to You,
And let me be poor, because of You.
Look upon me, that I may love You.
Call me, that I may see You
and for ever enjoy You.
Amenonly fo you in you by you - st augustine 13 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on PRAYER, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 February – Gospel: Mark 7:1–13

One Minute Reflection – 12 February – Tuesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Gospel:  Mark 7:1–13

And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
‘This people honours me with their lips but their heart is far from me..”...Mark 7:6

REFLECTION – “Prayer is a heart to heart with God… Prayer that has been carried out well, touches God’s heart and prompts Him to answer us.   When we pray, let it be our whole being that turns towards God – our thoughts, our heart… The Lord will be moved to incline towards us and come to our help…mark 7 6 well did isaiah prophesy of you people - prayer is a heart to heart with god - st padre pio 12 feb 2019.jpg
Pray and hope.   Do not get upset, worrying doesn’t help.   God is merciful and will hear your prayer.   Prayer is our best weapon, it is the key that opens God’s heart.   You need to speak to Jesus less with your lips than with your heart.”…St Pio of Pietralcina “Padre Pio” (1887-1968)pray and hope - st padre pio 12 feb 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Look with favour on our morning prayer, Lord and in Your saving love let Your light penetrate the hidden places of our hearts.   May no sordid desires darken our minds, renewed and enlightened as we are, by Your heavenly grace.   May we live by the Light of Your divine Son and follow His precepts.   May the Mother of perpetual succour, pray for us.   We make our prayer through Christ our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.mother of perpetual succour pray for us 12 feb 2019.jpg

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

Our Morning Offering – 12 February – Remember Your Mercies, Lord

Our Morning Offering – 12 February – Tuesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Remember Your Mercies, Lord
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O Lord, my God,
You are my all and every good.
And what am I,
that I should presume to address You?
I am the poorest of Your servants
and a wretched worm,
far more poor and worthless
than I can ever realise or express.
Yet, Lord, remember that I am nothing,
I have nothing and can do nothing.
You alone are good, just and holy,
You can do all things,
fill all things,
bestow all things,
leaving only the wicked empty-handed.
Remember Your mercies, Lord
and fill my heart with Your grace,
since it is Your will
that none of Your works should be worthless.
How can I endure this life of sorrows,
unless You strengthen me
with Your mercy and grace?
Do not turn Your face from me,
do not delay Your coming,
nor withdraw Your consolation from me,
lest my soul become like a waterless desert.
Teach me, O Lord, to do Your will,
teach me to live worthily and humbly in Your sight,
for You are my wisdom,
who know me truly
and who knew me before the world was made
and before I had my being.
Amenremember your mercies lord - by thomas a kmepis 12 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, MORNING Prayers, PAPAL MESSAGES, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 February – 27th World Day of Prayer for the Sick

One Minute Reflection – 11 February – Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes and the 27th World Day of Prayer for the Sick

And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or country,
they laid the sick in the market places
and besought him that they might touch
even the fringe of his garment
and as many as touched it were made well...Mark 6:56and wherever he came - mark 6 56 11 feb 2019 world day of the sick.jpg

REFLECTION – “Only if we see ourselves, not as a world apart but in a fraternal relationship with others, can we develop a social practice of solidarity aimed at the common good.   We should not be afraid to regard ourselves as needy or reliant on others, because individually and by our own efforts, we cannot overcome our limitations.   So we should not fear, then, to acknowledge those limitations, for God himself, in Jesus, has humbly stooped down to us (cf. Phil 2:8) and continues to do so, in our poverty, He comes to our aid and grants us gifts beyond our imagining.”…Pope Francis, Message for the 27th World Day of the Sick27th world day of the sick - only if we see ourselves - pope francis 11 feb 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Grant us, O merciful God, protection in our weakness, that we, who keep the Memorial of the Immaculate Mother of God, may, with the help of her intercession, rise up from our iniquities. Grant, we pray that our lives may be gifts to all those who cry out in pain. 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, amen.our-lady-of-lourdes-pray-for-us-11-feb-2018.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 11 February – Monday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Our Morning Offering – 11 February – Monday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Help Us This Day, O Lord
By St Sulpicius Severus (c 363–c 425)
[St Supicius was a disciple of St Martin of Tours (c 316-307) and great friend of St Paulinus of Nola (c354- 431).   He was a writer and one of his most remembered works is his life of St Martin.]

Help us this day,
O Lord,
to serve You devoutly
and the world busily.
May we do our work wisely,
give help secretly,
go to our meal
with appetite
and dine moderately.
May we please
our friends duly,
go to bed merrily
and sleep soundly.
in the joy
of Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Amenhelp us this day o lord - 11 feb 2019 by st sulpicius severus

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CONSECRATION Prayers, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 10 February – Consecration to Our Lady of the Eucharist After Holy Communion

Our Morning Offering – 10 February – Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Consecration to Our Lady of the Eucharist
After Holy Communion

Mary is called Our Lady of the Eucharist, because
without her, there would be no physical Body of Jesus
to be present in the Eucharist. (See John 6:51)

Prayer by the Claretian Fathers Teaching Ministry

Most kind Mother,
we consecrate to you our bodies,
which have just been
honoured and sanctified
by the presence of your Divine Son,
our souls which have
conversed with Him
and our hearts which have loved Him.
O dearest Mother,
may the words which we have spoken, be made
acceptable to Him. through your intercession.
Tell Him the things which we should have said
but were unable to express.
Love Him and beseech Him for us,
your poor children.
Receive and keep us in your heart.
Warn us, protect us
and guide us during this day,
that we may faithfully serve your Divine Son
and please him
in all our thoughts, desires and actions.
Amenconsecration to our lady of the eucharist after holy comm - 10 feb 2019 sun 5C.jpg

Posted in MORNING Prayers, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection -9 February -Gospel: Mark 6:30–34 “To see, to have compassion, to teach.”

One Minute Reflection -9 February – Saturday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C , Gospel: Mark 6:30–34

As he went ashore he saw a great throng and he had compassion on them...Mark 6:34as he went ashore he saw a great multitude mark 6 34 - 9 feb 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “To see, to have compassion, to teach.   The first and second, to see and to have compassion, are always found together in the attitude of Jesus – in fact His gaze is not the gaze of a sociologist or a photojournalist, for He always gazes with “the eyes of the heart”.   These two verbs, to see and to have compassion, configure Jesus as the Good Shepherd.   His compassion too, is not merely a human feeling but is the deep emotion of the Messiah in whom God’s tenderness is made flesh.”...Pope Francis – Angelus, 19 July 2015mark 6 34 - to see to have compassion to teach - pope francis 9 feb 2019.jpg

PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God, splendour of true light and never-ending day, let our striving for Your kingdom not fall short through selfishness or fear, may the universe be alive with the Spirit and our homes be the pledge of the world redeemed.   May our eyes see and our hearts have compassion, to all those who need us.   May the intercession of our Holy Mother, St Apollonia and all the saints, be a strength and a comfort.   Through Jesus, our compassionate and loving Redeemer, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You forever, amen.holy mary mother of god - pray for us - 13 may 2018st apollonia pray for us 9 feb 2019

 

 

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Our Morning Offering – 9 February – A Daily Holy Family Prayer

Our Morning Offering – 9 February – Saturday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – The Month of the Holy Family

Daily Holy Family Prayer

Holy Family of Nazareth,
keep our family safe from all dangers and evil.
May Jesus always be the centre of our life
and of our home.
Grant us peace in this life and in the next.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
to you we entrust
the well-being
and salvation of our family.
Amendaily prayer to the holy family - 9 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 February – “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist.”

One Minute Reflection – 8 February – Friday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Mark 6:14–29 and the Memorial of St Jerome Emiliani (1486–1537)

“I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”…Mark 6:25

REFLECTION – “If it is glorious for the soldiers of this world to return to their fatherland triumphant, after vanquishing the enemy, how much better and greater is the glory for one who, after overcoming the devil, returns triumphant to heaven and after laying him low who had formerly deceived us, brings back the trophies of victory there, whence Adam, the sinner, had been ejected?   To offer the Lord the most acceptable gift of an uncorrupted faith, an unshaken virtue of the mind, an illustrious praise of devotion?… To become co-heir of Christ, to be made equal to the angels, to rejoice with the patriarchs, with the apostles, with the prophets in the possession of the heavenly kingdom?   What persecution can conquer these thoughts, what torments can overcome them?…

The lands are shut off in persecutions, heaven is open… How great a dignity and, how great a security it is to go forth hence happy, to go forth glorious in the midst of difficulties and affliction!   For a moment to shut the eyes with which men and the world are seen, to open them immediately that God and Christ may be seen!… If persecution should come upon such a soldier of God, virtue made ready for battle will not be able to be overcome him.   Or if the summons should come beforehand, the faith which was prepared for martyr­dom will not be without its reward…  In persecution, God crowns loyal military service, in peace, purity of conscience is crowned.”…St Cyprian (c.200-258) Bishop and Martyr, Father of the Churchmark 6 25 I want you to give me at once the head of john - to become co-heirs with christ - st cyprian 8 feb 2019.jpg

PRAYER– Father of mercy, You chose St Jerome Emiliani to be a father to orphans in their need.   Grant that through his prayer, we may keep faithfully the spirit of sonship, by which we are not only called but really are Your children.   Help us to imitate his love and faith, manifesting by our commitment to Your commandments, our true faith.   May we be filled with strength and grace as we face persecution and animosity in Your service.   We make our prayer through Jesus, our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever, amenst-jerome-emiliani-pay-for-us-8-feb-2018.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS

Our Morning Offering – 8 February – With this Heart, I will Love Thee

Our Morning Offering – 8 February – Friday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of  St Jerome Emiliani (1486–1537)

With this Heart, I will Love Thee
By Father Jean Croiset SJ (17th/18th Century)

I have nothing, O my Saviour and my God!
I have nothing, O my Saviour and my God!
I have nothing which can be pleasing unto Thee;
I can do nothing,
I am nothing
but I have a heart
and this is enough for me.
Health, honour and life itself
may be taken from me
but no man can rob me of my heart.
I have a heart
and with this heart I can love Thee,
O my Saviour Jesus,
worthy of all adoration!
And with this heart,
it is my determination to love You
and always I resolve to love Thee,
only to love Thee always.
Amenwith this heart i will love thee fr jean croiset sj - 8 feb 2019.no 2.jpg

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on the PRIESTHOOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 February – He Charged Them to take Nothing for their Journey

One Minute Reflection – 7 February – Thursday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C. Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

He charged them to take nothing for their journey...Mark 6:8

REFLECTION – “The characteristic of the missionary’s style is, so to speak, a face, which consists in the poverty of means.   His accoutrement responds to a criteria of modesty. Indeed the Twelve have the order to “take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts” (6:8).   The Teacher wants them to be free and unhampered, without reserves and without favours, certain only of the love of the One who sends them, strengthened only by His Word, which they go to proclaim.   The staff and the sandals are the gear of pilgrims because that is what the messengers of the Kingdom of God are, not omnipotent managers, not irreplaceable officials, not celebrities on tour.”…Pope Francis – Angelus, 15 July 2018mark 6 8 - he charged them to take nothing - the teacher wants them to be free - pope francis 7 feb 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Grant us Lord, a true knowledge of salvation so that, freed from fear and from the power of our foes, we may serve You, unhampered by any worldly ties, trusting only in Your loving and guiding hand.   Help us to give our hearts, minds, bodies, our all to You, serving faithfully all the days of our life.   May the prayers of our loving Mother, give us strength.   We make our prayer, through our Lord Jesus with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.blessed virgin mother of god pray for us 7 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 7 February – May I Love You More Dearly

Our Morning Offering-7 February-Thursday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

May I Love You More Dearly
By St Richard of Chichester (1197-1253)

Thanks be to You,
my Lord Jesus Christ
For all the benefits
You have given me,
For all the pains and insults
You have borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer,
friend and brother,
May I know You
more clearly,
Love You
more dearly,
Follow You
more nearly.
Amenmay i love you more dearly - st richard of chichester no 5 7 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 February – “Is not this the carpenter?”…Mark 6:3

One Minute Reflection – 6 February – Wednesday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Mark 6:1–6 and the Memorial of St Dorothy of Caesarea (Died 311) and St Paul Miki SJ (c 1564-1597) & Companions/Martyrs of Nagasaki – Martyrs

“Is not this the carpenter?”…Mark 6:3

REFLECTION – “Joseph loved Jesus as a father loves his son and he cared for Him, giving Him the best he had.   Joseph took charge of this child as he had been commanded and turned Jesus into a workman, passing on his craft to Him.   That is why their neighbours in Nazareth, when they spoke of Jesus, called Him, roughly speaking, a “carpenter” or “the son of a carpenter” (Mt 13:55)…
Jesus must have resembled Joseph in His traits of character and ways of working and talking.   His realism, His powers of observation, His way of sitting at table and breaking bread, His attraction for explaining His teaching in a concrete way by taking His examples from everyday things, reflect what Jesus’ childhood and youth were like and therefore His relationship with Joseph.   What depths there are in this mystery!   This Jesus, who is a man, who speaks with the accent of a particular region of Israel, who resembles a workman named Joseph, is indeed the Son of God.   And who can teach God anything?   Nevertheless, He is truly man and His life is a normal one – first a child, then a young man who helps Joseph in the workshop and finally, a mature man in the fullness of age:  “Jesus advanced in wisdom and grace before God and men” (Lk 2:52).
At the human level Joseph was Jesus’ master.   Day by day he surrounded Him with tender affection and cared for Him with joyful self-denial.   Is this not a very good reason for thinking this man to be just (Mt 1:19) – this saintly patriarch in whom the Old Testament faith reaches its climax as a master of the interior life?”…St Josémaria Escriva de Balaguer (1902-1975)

“According to the people of Nazareth, God is too great to humble Himself to speak through such a simple man!   It is the scandal of the Incarnation – the unsettling event of a God made flesh, who thinks with the mind of a man, works and acts with the hands of a man, loves with a human heart, a God who struggles, eats and sleeps like one of us.
The Son of God overturns every human framework – it is not the disciples who washed the feet of the Lord but, it is the Lord who washed the feet of the disciples (cf. Jn 13:1-20). This is a reason for scandal and incredulity, not only in that period but in all ages, even today.”…Pope Francis – Angelus, 8 July 2018mark 6 3 is not this the carpenter - the son of God overturns - pope francis 6feb2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God, source of strength and grace, grant us eyes to see and ears to hear and hearts to love the Word of Your Son.   Make us recognise Your Son in our daily lives and be generous in sharing our faith to all we meet.   Grant, we pray, that the prayers of St Dorothy of Caesarea and St Paul Miki and companions, may help us to manifest zeal and courage.   Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, in unity with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

st dorothy of caesarea pray for us 6 feb 2019.jpg

MARTYRS OF NAGASAKI PRAY FOR US.jpg

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 6 February – “O Mary”

Our Morning Offering – 6 February – Wednesday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

O Mary
By Ven Fulton J Sheen (1895-1979)

O Mary,
we have exiled your Divine Son
from our lives,
our councils,
our education
and our families!
Come with the light of the sun
as the symbol of His Power!
Heal our wars, our dark unrest,
cool the cannon’s lips so hot with war!
Take our minds off the atom
and our souls out of the muck of nature!
Give us rebirth in your Divine Son,
us, the poor children of the earth,
grown old with age!
Ameno mary no 2 - ven fulton sheen 6 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 February …”I say to you, arise.”… Mark 5:41

One Minute Reflection – 5 February – Tuesday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Gospel: Mark 5:21–43 and The Memorial of St Agatha (c 231- c 251)

…”I say to you, arise.”… Mark 5:41

mark 5 41 - i say to you arise - jairus' daughter - 5 feb 2019

REFLECTION – ““He took the child by the hand and said to her: ‘Talitha koum’, which means, ‘Little girl…arise.’”   “Since you have been born again, you are to be called ‘little girl’.   Little girl, arise for my sake – your healing does not come from you.”   “And immediately the little girl arose and walked around.”   May Jesus touch us, too and at once we shall walk.   We may well be paralysed, our deeds may be evil and we may be unable to walk, we may be lying on the bed of our sins… but if Jesus touches us, then we shall immediately be healed.   Peter’s mother-in-law was suffering with fever – Jesus touched her hand and she arose and immediately served Him (Mk 1:31)…

“They were utterly astounded and he gave them strict orders that no one should know this.”   Do you see now why He put the people out when He was going to work a miracle? He ordered and not just ordered but strictly ordered, that no one should know of this.   He ordered the three apostles and He ordered the parents, too, that no one should know. Our Lord ordered them all but the little girl herself, she who had stood up, could not be silent.

“And he said she should be given something to eat” – so that her resurrection might not be thought to be a ghostly apparition.   And He Himself, after His resurrection, ate fish and a piece of honeycomb (Lk 24:42)…   Lord, I beseech you, touch our hands as we, too, lie prostrate.   Make us rise from our bed of sins and enable us to walk.   And when we have walked, make them give us something to eat.   We cannot eat when we are lying down- unless we are standing, we shall not be able to receive the Body of Christ.”…St Jerome (347-420) – Father & Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – Increase in us, O Lord, the gift of faith, so that we may arise and offer our praise to You and by Your grace, yield fruit from heaven, for the glory of Your Kingdom. Lord God, let St Agatha, who became precious in Your sight through her pure life and valiant martyrdom, plead for our forgiveness.   For, with joy and rejoicing, as though to a feast, St Agatha, went to prison and offered her sufferings to You, with many prayers. Through Jesus Christ, Your divine Son, in unity with the Spirit, one God forever. St Agatha, pray for us, amen.

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

Our Morning Offering – 5 February – Write Your Blessed Name, Upon My Heart

Our Morning Offering – 5 February-Tuesday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Write Your Blessed Name, Upon My Heart
By Thomas à Kempis

Write Your blessed name,
O Lord,
upon my heart,
there to remain so indelibly engraved,
that no prosperity,
no adversity shall ever move me
from Your love.
Be to me a strong tower of defence,
a comforter in tribulation,
a deliverer in distress,
a very present help in trouble
and a guide to heaven
through the many temptations
and dangers of this life.
Amenwrite your blessed name o lord upon my heart - thomas a kempist - 5 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in JESUIT SJ, MORNING Prayers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD, VATICAN Documents

One Minute Reflection – 4 February – Gospel: Mark 5:1–20

One Minute Reflection – 4 February – Monday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Mark 5:1–20 and the Memorial of St John de Britto SJ (1647-1693) Martyr

“Go home to your friends and tell them, how much the Lord has done for you and how he has, had mercy on you.”…Mark 5:19

REFLECTION – “As the Son was sent by the Father, so He too sent the Apostles (Jn 20:21), saying:  “Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.   And behold I am with you all days even to the consummation of the world”.(Mt 28:19)   The Church has received this solemn mandate of Christ to proclaim the saving truth from the apostles and must carry it out to the very ends of the earth.(Acts 1:8)   Wherefore, she makes the words of the Apostle her own: “Woe to me, if I do not preach the Gospel” (1Cor 9:16) and continues unceasingly to send heralds of the Gospel until such time as the infant churches are fully established and can themselves continue the work of evangelising.
For the Church is compelled by the Holy Spirit to do her part, that God’s plan may be fully realised, whereby He has constituted Christ as the source of salvation for the whole world.   By the proclamation of the Gospel she prepares her hearers to receive and profess the faith.   She gives them the dispositions necessary for baptism, snatches them from the slavery of error and of idols and incorporates them in Christ, so that through charity, they may grow up into full maturity in Christ.   Through her work, whatever good is in the minds and hearts of men, whatever good lies latent in the religious practices and cultures of diverse peoples, is not only saved from destruction but is also cleansed, raised up and perfected unto the glory of God, the confusion of the devil and the happiness of man.
The obligation of spreading the faith is imposed on every disciple of Christ, according to his state.   However, although all the faithful can baptise, the priest alone can complete the building up of the Body in the eucharistic sacrifice.   Thus are fulfilled the words of God, spoken through His prophet:  “From the rising of the sun until the going down thereof my name is great among the gentiles and in every place a clean oblation is sacrificed and offered up in my name”.(Mal 1:11)   In this way the Church both prays and labours in order that the entire world may become the People of God, the Body of the Lord and the Temple of the Holy Spirit.”… Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, “Lumen Gentium”, #17 – Vatican Council IImark 5 19-go home to your friends - for the church is compelled -lumen gentium no 17 4 feb 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord God and Father, who entrusted the earth to men, to till and care for it and made the sun to serve their needs, give us grace this day, to work faithfully for Your Glord and for our neighbours’ good.   As we follow the Way of Your Son, fill us with the Holy Spirit of faith, hope and love.   Almighty God, You made Saint John of Britto, an illustrious preacher of the gospel.   Through his prayers inflame us with love and with his zeal for souls that we may serve You alone.   St John of Britto, pray for us!   Through Jesus, our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amen.st john de britto pray for us 4 feb 2019.jpg

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

Our Morning Offering – 4 February – the Memorial of St John de Britto SJ (1647-1693) Martyr – “Suscipe”

Our Morning Offering – 4 February – Monday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of St John de Britto SJ (1647-1693) Martyr

Suscipe
By St Ignatius Loyla SJ (1491-1556)

Take, Lord and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.
To You, Lord, I return it.

Everything is Yours,
do with it what You will.
Give me only Your love
and Your grace,
that is enough for me.suscipe - st ignatius loyola - 20 oct 2018.jpg

Posted in GOD the FATHER, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH

Second Thoughts for the Day – 3 February – Before you were born I consecrated you

Second Thoughts for the Day – 3 February – Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – First Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you,
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”…Jeremiah 1:4–5

As linked with the Gospel episode of Jesus’ proclaiming the Word of God in Nazareth and the people’s response, it is fair to ponder, all gifts given by the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to build-up the Body of Christ, the Church.   Through Baptism, Confirmation and the Most Holy Eucharist, all have been “set apart” and “appointed” for particular missions throughout our lives, beginning with the call ‘to be holy.’

This quote by Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890), is written and speaks of you and me:

God has created me to do Him some definite service;
He has committed some work to me
which He has not committed to another.
I have my mission—
I may never know it in this life but I shall be told it in the next.
…I am a link in a chain,
a bond of connection between persons.

He has not created me for naught.
I shall do good,
I shall do His work,
I shall be an angel of peace,
a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it,
if I do but keep His Commandments.

…Therefore I will trust Him.
Whatever, wherever I am.
I can never be thrown away.

If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him;
in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him;
in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.

…He does nothing in vain.
…He knows what He is about.

god has created me - bl john henry newman 3 feb 2019.jpg

Blessed John Henry Newman, Pray for us!bl-john-henry-pray-for-us - 9 oct 2018.jpg

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SUNDAY REFLECTIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, Uncategorized

Sunday Reflection – 3 February – “May we be Worthy” – St Cyprian of Carthage

Sunday Reflection – 3 February – Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

“May we be Worthy”

“He [Paul] threatens, moreover, the stubborn and forward and denounces them, saying, ‘Whosoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, is guilty of the body and blood of the Lord’ [1 Cor. 11:27].

All these warnings being scorned and contemned—[lapsed Christians will often take Communion] before their sin is expiated, before confession has been made of their crime, before their conscience has been purged by sacrifice and by the hand of the priest, before the offence of an angry and threatening Lord has been appeased, [and so] violence is done to His body and blood and they sin now, against their Lord, more with their hand and mouth than when they denied their Lord”

St Cyprian of Carthage (c 200- c 258) Bishop and Martyr, Father of the Church
(The Lapsed 15–16 [written in 251])lapsed christians - st cyprian of carthage - 3 feb 2019 sun reflec.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 February – Gospel: Luke 4:21–30 “And they rose up and put him out of the city”

One Minute Reflection – 3 February – Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 4:21–30 and The Memorial of St Blaise – Martyr (Died c 316) and St Ansgar (801-865)

And they rose up and put him out of the city and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong.   But passing through the midst of them he went away….Luke 4:29-30

REFLECTION – “A doctor came amongst us to restore us to health – our Lord Jesus Christ. He discovered blindness in our hearts and promised the light that “eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and has not entered the heart of man” (1Cor 2:9).
The humility of Jesus Christ is the cure for your pride.   Don’t scorn what will bring you healing, be humble, you for whom God humbled Himself.   Indeed, He knew that the medicine of humility would cure you, He who well understood your sickness and knew how to cure it.   While you were unable to run to the doctor’s house, the doctor in person came to your house… He is coming, He wants to help you, He knows what you need.
God has come with humility precisely in order that man might imitate Him.   If He had remained above you, how would you have been able to imitate Him?   And, without imitating Him, how could you be healed?   He came with humility because He knew the nature of the remedy He had to administer – a little bitter, it is true but healing.   And do you continue to scorn Him?   He who holds out the cup to you and you say:  “But what sort of God is this God of mine?   He was born, suffered, was covered with spittle, crowned with thorns, nailed on the cross!”   O miserable soul!   You see the doctor’s humility and not the cancer of your pride.   That is why humility displeases you…
It often happens that mentally ill people end up by beating their doctor.   When that happens, the unfortunate doctor is not only not distressed by the one who beat him but attempts to treat him…   As for our doctor, He did not fear being killed by sick people afflicted with madness, He turned His own death into their remedy.   Indeed, He died and rose again.”…St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Churchluke 4 29 and they rose and oput him out - as for our doctor - st augustine 3 feb 2019.jpg

PRAYER –  Lord our God, make us love You above all things and all our fellow-men, with a love that is worthy of You.   May we look to Your Divine Son in love and imitation.   Holy Father, You sent St Ansgar, Monk and Bishop, to bring the light of Christ to many nations of Northern Europe.   Through his prayer give us grace to live always in the light of Your truth.   Grant too, that by the prayers of St Blaise, we too may be granted the grace to follow Your only Son, no matter our sufferings, to You, in our heavenly home.   We make our prayer, through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever amen.st-blaise-pray-for-us-3-february-20171

st-ansgar-pray-for-us-3-feb-2018

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 3 February – The Bread of Angels

Our Morning Offering – 3 February – Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

The Bread of Angels
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Doctor of the Church

Pierce, O most sweet Lord Jesus,
my inmost soul with the most joyous
and healthful wound of Your love,
and with true, calm and most holy apostolic charity,
that my soul may ever languish and melt
with entire love and longing for You,
may yearn for You and for Your courts,
may long to be dissolved and to be with You.
Grant that my soul may hunger after You,
the Bread of Angels, the refreshment of holy souls,
our daily and supersubstantial bread,
having all sweetness and savour
and every delightful taste.
May my heart ever hunger after and feed upon You,
Whom the angels desire to look upon,
and may my inmost soul
be filled with the sweetness of Your savour;
may it ever thirst for You,
the fountain of life,
the fountain of widsom and knowledge,
the fountain of eternal light,
the torrent of pleasure,
the fulness of the house of God;
may it ever compass You,
seek You, find You, run to You,
come up to You, meditate on You, speak of You
and do all for the praise and glory of Your name,
with humility and discretion,
with love and delight,
with ease and affection,
with perseverence to the end
and be You alone ever my hope,
my entire confidence, my riches, my delight,
my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility,
my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment,
my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion,
my possession, my treasure;
in Whom may my mind and my heart
be ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably.
Amenthe bread of angels - st bonaventure - 3 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 February – Today’s Gospel: Luke 2:22–40

One Minute Reflection – 2 February – Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Gospel: Luke 2:22–40 and the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life

“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to thy people Israel.”...Luke 2:29-32luke 2 29-30 lord now let thy servant - 2 feb 2019

REFLECTION – “Those who have met Jesus no longer fear anything.   We too can repeat the words of the elderly Simeon, he too was blessed by the encounter with Christ, after a lifetime spent in anticipation of this event:  “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation” (Lk 2:29-30).   At that instant, at last, we will no longer need anything, we will no longer see in a confused way. We will no longer weep in vain, because all has passed, even the prophecies, even consciousness.   But not love – this endures.   Because “love never ends” (1 Cor 13:8).”…Pope Francis – General Audience, 25 October 2017we too can repeat the words of the elderly simeon - 2 feb 2019

PRAYER – May the Lord renew in you and in all consecrated people each day the joyful response to His freely given and faithful love.   Dear brothers and sisters, like lighted candles, always and everywhere shine with the love of Christ, Light of the world.   May Mary Most Holy, the consecrated Woman, help you to live to the full, your special vocation and mission in the Church for the world’s salvation.   And may we all follow our Lord in obedience. Amen!world-day-consecrated-life-2018-2 feb 2018.jpg

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS

Our Morning Offering – 2 February – The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Our Morning Offering – 2 February – The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Prayer for the Feast
of the Presentation of the Lord
By Abbot Prosper Guéranger OSB (1805-1875)

O Blessed Mother,
the sword is already in your heart.
You foreknow the future
of the Fruit of your womb.
May our fidelity in following Him,
through the coming mysteries,
of His public life
bring some alleviations
to the sorrows
of your maternal heart.
Amenprayer for the feast of the presentation by abbott gueranger 2 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PAPAL MESSAGES, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS

The Holy Father’s Prayer Intention for February 2019

The Holy Father’s Prayer Intention for February 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

Human Trafficking

For a generous welcome
of the victims of human trafficking,
of enforced prostitution
and of violence.

the holy father's prayer intention for feb 2019 human trafficking 1 feb 2019.jpg

Let us pray:

Prayer to St Josephine Bakhita
for Intercession Against Human Trafficking
By Pope Francis

Saint Josephine Bakhita, you were sold into slavery as a child
and endured unspeakable hardship and suffering.
Once liberated from your physical enslavement,
you found true redemption in your encounter
with Christ and his Church.
O Saint Josephine Bakhita,
assist all those who are entrapped in slavery.
Intercede on their behalf with the God of Mercy,
so that the chains of their captivity will be broken.
May God Himself free all those who have been threatened,
wounded or mistreated by the trade and trafficking of human beings.
Bring comfort to survivors of this slavery
and teach them to look to Jesus,
as an example of hope and faith,
so that they may find healing from their wounds.
We ask you to pray for us and to intercede on behalf of us al,
that we may not fall into indifference,
that we may open our eyes
and be able to see the misery and wounds
of our many brothers and sisters
deprived of their dignity and their freedom
and may we hear their cry for help.
Amen

PRAYER FROM THE
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER,
REFLECTION AND ACTION
AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Clementine Hall
Monday, 12 February 2018prayer to st josephine bakhita against human trafficking by pope francis 1 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 February – Gospel: Mark 4:26–34

One Minute Reflection – 1 February – Friday of the Third week in Ordinary Time, Year Gospel: Mark 4:26–34 and the Memorial of St Brigid of Ireland (c 453-523)

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man
should scatter seed upon the ground and should sleep and rise,
night and day and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how.”...Mark 4:26-28

REFLECTION – “We can be confident because the Word of God is a creative word, destined to become the “full grain in the ear” (v. 28).   This Word, if accepted, certainly bears fruit, for God Himself makes it sprout and grow in ways that we cannot always verify or understand. (cf. v. 27).   All this tells us that it is always God, it is always God who makes His Kingdom grow.   That is why we fervently pray “thy Kingdom come”.   It is He who makes it grow.   Man is His humble collaborator, who contemplates and rejoices in divine creative action and waits patiently for its fruits.”…Pope Francis – Angelus, 14 June 2015mark426-28thekingdomofgodisasifamanshouldscatter-itisalwaysgod-popefrancis1feb2019

PRAYER – Almighty Father, we bless You Lord of life, through whom all living things tend.  You are the source of all, our first beginning and our end!   Grant holy Father, that we may allow the Word to enter our hearts and grow by Your grace, so that we may always live for Your glory.   May the intercession of St Brigid of Ireland, who consistently tended Your seed, grant us strength and zeal.   Through Jesus Christ, our Lord with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.st brigid of ireland pray for us 1 feb 2019.jpg

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

Our Morning Offering – 1 February – Let Your Will be Mine

Our Morning Offering – 1 February – Friday of the Third week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Let Your Will be Mine
A Prayer for Fulfilling
the Will of God
Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O most merciful Jesus,
grant me Your grace,
that it may remain with me always
and persevere with me to the end.
Grant me always to will and desire,
what is more pleasing and acceptable to You.
Let Your will be mine
and let my will always follow Yours
in perfect conformity with it.
Let my will and desires, always be one with Yours
and let me be unable to will or not to will,
except as You will or do not will.
Grant that I may die to all worldly things
and that I may be despised and unknown
for love of You.
Grant, above all things to be desired,
that I may find rest in You
and that in Your Heart alone, may be my peace.
You, O Lord, give true peace to the heart
and perfect rest to body and soul.
Apart from You, all is difficult and never still.
In that peace, in You Who are the one,
supreme and eternal Good,
I will sleep and take my rest.
Amena prayer for fulfilling the will of god - thomas a kempis -1 feb 2019- corrected from 10 july 2018.jpg