Category: MORNING Prayers

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LENT, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

LENTEN REFLECTION – The First Week of Lent – 2 MARCH

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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LENTEN REFLECTION – 2 MARCH

Purification of Spirit through fasting and almsgiving

by St Pope Leo the Great (died 461 AD) Doctor of the Church

Dear friends, at every moment the earth is full of the mercy of God and nature itself is a lesson for all the faithful in the worship of God.    The heavens, the sea and all that is in them bear witness to the omnipotence of their Creator and the marvelous beauty of the elements as they obey him demands from the intelligent creation a fitting expression of its gratitude.

But with the return of that season marked out in a special way by the mystery of our redemption and of the days that lead up to the paschal feast, we are summoned more urgently to prepare ourselves by a purification of spirit.

The special note of the paschal feast is this:  the whole Church rejoices in the forgiveness of sins.    It rejoices in the forgiveness not only of those who are then reborn in holy baptism but also of those who are already numbered among God’s adopted children.

Initially, men are made new by the rebirth of baptism.    Yet there is still required a daily renewal to repair the shortcomings of our mortal nature and whatever degree of progress has been made there is no one who should not be more advanced.    All must therefore strive to ensure that on the day of redemption no one may be found in the sins of his former life.

Dear friends, what the Christian should be doing at all times should be done now with greater care and devotion, so that the Lenten fast enjoined by the apostles may be fulfilled, not simply by abstinence from food but above all by the renunciation of sin.

There is no more profitable practice as a companion to holy and spiritual fasting than that of almsgiving.    This embraces under the single name of mercy many excellent works of devotion, so that the good intentions of the faithful may be of equal value, even where their means are not.    The love that we owe both God and man is always free from any obstacle that would prevent us from having a good intention.   The angels sang: Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth.   The person who shows love and compassion to those in any kind of affliction is blessed, not only with the virtue of good will but also with the gift of peace.

The works of mercy are innumerable.   Their very variety brings this advantage to those who are true Christians, that in the matter of almsgiving not only the rich and affluent but also those of average means and the poor are able to play their part.    Those who are unequal in their capacity to give can be equal in the love within their hearts.

there-is-no-more-profitable-practice-stpopeleothegreat

Posted in LENT, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 2 March

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 2 March

“Happy the soul to whom it is given to attain this life with Christ, to cleave with all one’s heart to Him whose beauty all the heavenly hosts behold forever, whose love inflames our love, the contemplation of whom is our refreshment, whose graciousness is our delight, whose gentleness fills us to overflowing, whose remembrance makes us glow with happiness, whose fragrance revives the dead, the glorious vision of whom will be the happiness of all the citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem.   For He is the brightness of eternal glory, the splendour of eternal light, the mirror without spot.”

St Clare of Assisi to St Agnes of Prague

for-he-is-the-brightness-of-eternal-glory-stclaretostagnes

(Read the entire letter here: http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/bread_on_the_trail/2011/08/a-letter-of-st-clare-to-blessed-agnes-of-prague-on-christian-contemplation.html)

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

One Minute Reflection – 2 March

Posted on by AnaStpaul

May the Lord……make you overflow with love for one another and for all…………1 Thes 3:12

REFLECTION – “Therefore, most beloved sister, or should I say, Lady worthy of great respect because You are the spouse and the mother and the sister of my Lord Jesus Christ and have been adorned resplendently with the sign of inviolable virginity and most holy poverty. Be strengthened in the holy service which You have undertaken out of an ardent desire for the Poor Crucified, Who for the sake of all of us took upon Himself the Passion of the Cross and delivered us from the power of the Prince of Darkness to whom we were enslaved because of the disobedience of our first parents and so reconciled us to God the Father.”………….St Clare of Assisi to St Agnes of Prague

PRAYER – Loving Father, grant me the grace to strive after perfect love. Help me to bring forth frequent acts of love so that I may grow in this greatest of virtues. Help me to be a loving support to all you need me in any way, stranger or friend. Fill my heart with the love You have for me and the unceasing love of Your Divine Son who died for me. St Agnes of Prague, pray for us! Amen

1-thes-3-12st-agnes-of-prague-pray-for-us

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, LENT, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 2 March

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 2 March

Make my heart, Jesus, one with Yours,
that I may love others as You have loved me,
not for selfish gain but for Your sake alone.
By the power of Your Sacred Heart,
like the power of fire to transform
everything to itself,
make us one in loving You
by drawing all humantity to Yourself.
For You are the Paschal Lamb,
offered for sins,
who, in the Blessed Sacrament,
shines out like a spiritual rainbow.
You radiate in this new
and everlasting covenant,
the very beauty of paradise,
always before the eyes of the Father,
perpetuating here Your perfect sacrifice
on the Cross,
a sacrifice so pleasing that the Father grants
everything good, asked for
in Your Holy Name.
Amen
By Fr Vincent Martin Lucia

make-my-heart-jesus-one-with-yours-fr-vincent-martin-lucia

 

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LENT, MORNING Prayers, Uncategorized

Thought for the Day – 1 March 2017- Ash Wednesday

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“And so we begin a new spiritual journey today – a journey of preparation to rise with the Risen Lord on the day of Easter.   As part of our preparation, the Gospel sets before us reflections on three cardinal works necessary for our spiritual life: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.   These three works deal with three important areas of our life.   Prayer is our relationship with God;  fasting aims at our personal growth and almsgiving reveals our relationship with our neighbour and our responsibilities toward them.

During the Eucharistic celebration today we will be marked with ashes.   By imposing ashes on our foreheads, we are reminded to repent of our sins, to believe in the Gospel and to aim at what is permanent – life with the Risen Lord.” Fr Devasia Joseph SSP

“What the Christian should be doing at all times
should be done now (during Lent) with greater care and devotion,
so that the Lenten fast enjoined by the apostles
may be fulfilled, not simply by abstinence from food
but above all by the renunciation of sin.” – St Pope Leo the Great

st-leo-the-great-on-lent

Posted in LENT, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote of the Day – 1 March

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Quote of the Day – 1 March

“There is still time for endurance, for patience, time for healing, time for change.   Have you slipped?   Rise up.   Have you sinned?   Cease.   Do not stand among sinners but leap aside.   For when you turn away and weep, then you will be saved.”

St Basil the Great

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Posted in LENT, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 March

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 1 March

“Whoever is not with me is against me and whoever does not gather with me
scatters”………Luke 11:23

REFLECTION – “The devil desires to keep souls prisones but the Lord desires to set them free.   The devil incites us to evil but the Saviour invites us to practise good.   What accord is there between works that are so contrary?”…………..St Jerome

PRAYER – My Lord and my Saviour let me never give up the freedom from sin which You won for me. Help me to cling to You and shun all contact with evil. Help me Lord to renew my zeal and ambition to attain holiness in my Lenten journey. May my daily striving be because I love You, Lord Jesus, my love above all things! Amen

luke-11-23the-devil-desires-to-keep-souls-prisoners-stjerome

i-love-you-olord-jesuslent-fulton-sheen

 

Posted in LENT, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 1 March

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 1 March

St Augustine’s Penitential Prayer

O Lord,
The house of my soul is narrow;
enlarge it that You may enter in.
It is ruinous, O repair it!
It displeases Your sight.
I confess it, I know.
But who shall cleanse it,
to whom shall I cry but to you?
Cleanse me from my secret faults, O Lord,
and spare Your servant from strange sins.

St. Augustine of Hippo (AD 354-430)

o-lord-the-house-of-my-soul-is-narrow-st-augustine

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, Uncategorized

Thought for the Day – 28 February

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Thought for the Day – 28 February

After having renounced everything, one can still worship other idols, such as fame and name.   To be able to enjoy ‘hundred-fold’, one must detach oneself from ‘self’.   A true disciple is not the one who has left all material possessions to follow Jesus, rather the one who has given up the home of self-prestige, brother hatred, sister gossiping, mother backbiting, father pride and child selfishness.   When a person is free from such entanglements, she or he will receive a hundred times more the home of humanness, brother love, sister charity, mother understanding, father humility and child generosity.   This is the way one obtains eternal life.   It is easier to be a philanthropic than a disciple.   The former gives from abundance and earns worldwide praises;  the latter strives hard to let go the wealth of ego and receives mockery and persecution.   Only those who walk the talk can teach the value of renunciation and commitment.  (Sr Virginia Rajakumari SAB)

Lord, Lord help us all!

Veronica’s veil, by Claude Mellan (c. 1649).800px-claude_mellan_-_face_of_christ_-_wga14764

 

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 28 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 28 February

“Those on earth who contemplate the wounds of My Face

shall in heaven behold it radiant with glory.”

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Jesus to Sr Mary of St Peter in 1844 and dictated The Golden Arrow Prayer

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

One Minute Reflection – 28 Februa

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 28 February

Whoever wishes to be my follower
must take up his cross each day
and follow in my footsteps…………..Luke 9:23

REFLECTION – Let the primary desire of your heart be to stir up in yourselves an ardent and affectionate desire to imitate Jesus in all your works.
Strive to do everything as the Lord Himself would do……………St John of the Cross

PRAYER – Lord Jesus, help me to pattern my life after You.  Grant that I may imitate You completely – in all my thoughts, words and deeds.  May Your Holy Face be before my eyes in every moment, in every word, in every deed.    Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner!  Amen

luke-9-23

let-the-primary-desire-of-your-heart-stjohnofthecrossmay-your-holy-face-be-before-my-eyes

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 28 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 28 February

Almighty and Eternal Father,
since it has pleased Our Divine Saviour
to reveal to mankind in modern times
the power residing in His Holy Face,
we now avail ourselves of this Treasure
in our great need.
Since our Saviour Himself promised
that by offering to You His Holy Face
disfigured in the Passion we can procure
the settlement of all the affairs of our household
and that nothing whatsoever will be refused to us,
we now come before Your throne.
Eternal Father, turn away Your angry gaze
from our guilty people whose face has
become unsightly in Your eyes.
Look instead upon the Face of Your Beloved Son;
for this is the Face of Him in whom You are well pleased.
We now offer You His Holy Face covered
with blood, sweat, dust, spittle and shame,
in reparation for the worst crimes of our age.
The All-Merciful Advocate opens His mouth
to plead our cause; listen to His cries,
behold His tears, O God and,
through the merits of His Holy Face,
hearken to Him when He intercedes
for us poor miserable sinners.
Amen

the-holy-face-prayer

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LENT, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY
Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 27 February

We welcome you St Gregory of Narek as our newest Doctor of the Universal Church, with gratitude and joy! Gregory’s Book of Lamentations was the source of consolation and guidance for generations in times of immense suffering. His monastery survived for a thousand years but was destroyed by the Turks during the genocide. Armenians lost Narek but they still have the book they call by that name in his honour and many Armenians have traditionally slept with a copy of the work under their pillows. The words of Gregory, too, are consonant with Pope Francis’ call on all Catholics to reach out to God in our brokenness with humble and contrite hearts. Perhaps we should allow St Gregory to lead us through Lent this year? As Gregory wrote in the Lamentations, “Hear the prayers of my embattled heart for mercy, when I cry out to you, ‘Lord,’ in my time of need.”

St Gregory of Narek- Doctor of the Universal Church, pray for us!

All you Holy Martyrs and Saints of Armenia, pray for us!

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Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 27 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 27 February

“You found me, a sinner, lost in darkness
crying like the psalmist in prayer,
and because of Your willing care
you were called Shepherd, for not only
did You care, but You sought,
not only did You find, O worker of miracles
but with the goodness of Your love,
a love that defies description,
You rescued me,
lifting me upon Your shoulders,
to set down alongside Your heavenly army,
the heirs to Your fatherly legacy. ”

~~~~~ St Gregory of Narek (Book fo Lamentations) – Saint of the Day

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

One Minute Reflection – 27 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 27 February

You have drawn near …….. to the heavenly Jerusalem ……. to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant…..Hebrews 12:22-24

REFLECTION – “Hear the prayers of my embattled heart for mercy, when I cry out to you, ‘Lord,’ in my time of need.” …….St Gregory of Narek

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, amid the dizzying events and circumstances of daily life, let me keep my eyes on Jesus. Help me to rely on Him always, for He is my Redeemer. St Gregory of Narek, you who continue to lead and teach us the ways of true love, consolation and repentance, pray for all the souls of the Universal Church. Amen

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Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, Uncategorized

Our Morning Offering – 27 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 27 February

I long not so much for the gifts
as for the Giver.
I yearn not so much for the glory
as the Glorified.
I burn not so much with the desire for life
as in memory of the Giver of Life.
I sigh not so much with the rapture of splendour
as with the heartfelt fervour for its Maker.
I seek not so much for rest
as for the face of our C omforter.
I pine not so much for the bridal feast
as for the distress of the Groom,
through whose strength I wait with certain
expectation believing with unwavering hope
that in spite of the weight of my transgressions
I shall be saved by the Lord’s mighty hand and
that I will not only receive remission of sins
but that I will see the Lord Himself
in His mercy and compassion.

St Gregory of Narek – Book of Lamentations

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Posted in LENT, MORNING Prayers, NOVENAS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Lenten Preparation Novena

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REFLECTION – “LET US JUDGE OURSELVES, that we be not judged.
Let us afflict ourselves, that God may not afflict us.”

“And be sure of this: that if He has any love for you,
if He sees aught of good in your soul, He will afflict you,
if you will not afflict yourselves. He will not let you escape.
He has ten thousand ways of purging those whom He has chosen,
from the dross and alloy with which the fine gold is defaced.
He can bring diseases on you, or can visit you with misfortunes,
or take away your friends, or oppress your minds with darkness,
or refuse you strength to bear up against pain when it comes upon you.
He can inflict on you a lingering and painful death.
He can make “the bitterness of death pass” not.
We, indeed, cannot decide in the case of others,
when trouble is a punishment and when not;
yet this we know – that all sin brings affliction.
We have no means of judging others
but we may judge ourselves.
LET US JUDGE OURSELVES, that we be not judged.
Let us afflict ourselves, that God may not afflict us.
Let us come before Him with our best offerings,
that He may forgive us.” (Blessed John Henry Newman)

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Lenten Preparation Novena

DAY SEVEN

Today Lord I choose life,
I choose Your love and the challenge to live it and share it,
I choose hope, even in moments of darkness,
I choose faith, accepting You as Lord and God,
I choose to let go of some part of my burdens, day by day handing them over to You,
I choose to take hold of Your strength and power ever more deeply in my life.
I choose to judge and afflict myself.
I choose repentance and reparation and suffering, for all my sins
and those of all the world.
Forgive me my Lord!
May this truly be for me a time of new life, of change, challenge and growth.
May I come to Easter with a heart open to dying with You
and rising to Your new life, day by day. Help me to repent of my sins now and make reparation throughout
this Lenten season and each day thereafter.
United with your Son,
who makes His way to Calvary,
I offer You my intentions
(Mention your special intention)
Amen.

day-seven-lentprepnovena

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 26 February

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Thought for the Day – 26 February

The life of Blessed Isabella suggests to us that our human weaknesses, even those of the body, can be overcome by the grace of God. Isabelle, despite pressure to do otherwise for personal and political gain, resisted the pressure of the Courts of France to marry, remaining a virgin and consecrating herself to God.   She sought out the spiritual direction she needed, listened for the call of the Lord and followed it without question.   So eager to rejoin her Maker, she was rewarded with knowledge of when that would happen, which she awaited with joy.    Blessed Isabella of France inspires us to examine our lives, identifying those small barriers we hide behind, rather than serving God.   Whether it be work, sickness, fatigue, or financial security, we all have many reasons—many excuses—to focus on ourselves, rather than on the Lord and through Him, on those in need around us.   This is a perfect opportunity to broaden our view from ourselves to those around us, breaking down our barriers and embracing the Lord in those we serve.   Isabella made sure that nothing would keep her from God and she walked a very singular path to Him.   She is a lesson in determination – something we can achieve in our own quest for complete holiness!

Bl Isabella of France, pray for us!

bl-isabella-of-france-pray-for-us

Posted in MORNING Prayers

Quote of the Day – 26 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 26 February

“We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution.
Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.”

~~~~ Pope Benedict XVI

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Posted in JESUIT SJ, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 26 February

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Our Morning Offering – 26 February

Anima Christi by St. Ignatius of Loyola

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from the side of Christ, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
Good Jesus, hear me
Within Your wounds, shelter me
from turning away, keep me
From the evil one, protect me
At the hour of my death, call me
Into Your presence lead me
to praise You with all Your saints
Forever and ever, amen

anime-christi-by-st-iggy

Posted in LENT, MORNING Prayers, NOVENAS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY

Lenten Preparation Novena

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REFLECTION – “Now is the accepted time, now the day of salvation.”

“These are thoughts, I need hardly say, especially suited to this season. From the earliest times down to this day, these weeks before Easter have been set apart every year, for the particular remembrance and confession of our sins. From the first age downward, not a year has passed but Christians have been exhorted to reflect how far they have let go their birthright, as a preparation for their claiming the blessing. At Christmas we are born again with Christ; at Easter we keep the Eucharistic Feast. In Lent, by penance, we join the two great sacraments together. Are you, my brethren, prepared to say,—is there any single Christian alive who will dare to profess,—that he has not in greater or less degree sinned against God’s free mercies as bestowed on him in Baptism without, or rather against his deserts? Who will say that he has so improved his birthright that the blessing is his fit reward, without either sin to confess, or wrath to deprecate? See, then, the Church offers you this season for the purpose. “Now is the accepted time, now the day of salvation.” Now it is that, God being your helper, you are to attempt to throw off from you the heavy burden of past transgression, to reconcile yourselves to Him who has once already imparted to you His atoning merits and you have profaned them.” (Blessed John Henry Newman)

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Lenten Preparation Novena

DAY SIX

O gracious Father,
infuse in our hearts
the spotless light of Your Divine Wisdom
and open the eyes of our mind
that we may understand the teachings of Your Gospel.
Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments,
so that having curbed all carnal desires,
we may lead a spiritual life,
both thinking and doing everything to please You.
Help us to see,
in our ordinary difficulties and duties,
in the trials and temptations of every day,
the best opportunity of making up for past infidelities.
United with Your Son, who makes His way to Calvary,
I offer You my intention
(Mention your intention)
For You, our God,
are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies;
and to You we render glory,
together with Your Suffering Son,
and with Your all holy,
life-creating Spirit,
now and ever, and forever. Amen

day-six-lentprepnovena

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 25 February

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Thought for the Day – 25 February

In these days of “women’s liberation”, it is good to know that women like St Walburga worked side by side with their male brothers in great missionary works.   They are remembered for their independence, their splendid gifts and their devotion to the work of Christ.   Their example is still an inspiration today when the harvest indeed is great but the labourers are few.   And there is really no substitute for the female gifts – so come all your discerning hearts, go forth and show them!

St Walburga, pray for us!

st-walburga-pray-for-us-2st-walburga-feb-25

 

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote of the Day – 25 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 25 February

“Your God is ever beside you—
indeed, He is even within you.
“In Him we live, and move, and are.”
(Acts 17:28).
Not only is there no need of an intermediary
through whom He would want you
to speak to Him but He finds His delight
in having you treat with Him
personally and in all confidence.
Speak to Him often of your business, your plans,
your troubles, your fears—of everything
that concerns you.
But above all, converse with Him confidently
and frankly;
for God is not wont to speak to a soul
that does not speak to Him.”

~~~~~ St Alphonsus Liguori

your-god-is-ever-beside-you-stalphonsus

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

One Minute Reflection – 25 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 25 February

In truth and love then, we shall have grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son……..2 John 1

REFLECTION – Our thoughts must be centred on the search for truth and our affections on the fervour of love.   In this way, we will always be practising divine love…….St Bernard

PRAYER – All-loving Father, let me ever be open to Your truth and Your love.   Enable me to walk all my days in that love and that truth.    St Walburga, you were a shining example in your day and in ours, of living the walk of faith and truth for the honour and glory of God’s truth and His Kingdom, please pray for us all, amen.

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 25 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 25 February

Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve You as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labour and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do Your will.
Amen.

prayer-for-generosity-stignatiusloyola

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, LENT, MORNING Prayers, NOVENAS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Uncategorized

Lenten Preparation Novena

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REFLECTION – “The one came for a son’s privileges, the other for a servant’s drudgery. “

“Would you see how a penitent should come to God? turn to the parable of the Prodigal Son. He, too, had squandered away his birthright, as Esau did.   He, too, came for the blessing, like Esau.   Yes; but how differently he came! he came with deep confession and self-abasement.   He said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants:” but Esau said, “Let my father arise and eat of his son’s venison, that thy soul may bless me.”    The one came for a son’s privileges, the other for a servant’s drudgery.   The one killed and dressed his venison with his own hand and enjoyed it not; for the other the fatted calf was prepared and the ring for his hand and shoes for his feet and the best robe and there was music and dancing.” (Blessed John Henry Newman)

would-you-see-how-a-penitent-should-come-to-god-bl-j-h-newman

Lenten Preparation Novena

DAY FIVE

Dear Lord,
we are fast approaching the holy season of Lent.
We begin to realise anew that these are the days of salvation,
these are the acceptable days.
We know that we are all sinners.
We know that in many things we have all offended Your infinite majesty.
We know that sin destroys Your life in us
as a drought withers the leaves and chokes the life from the land,
leaving an arid, dusty desert.
Help us now, Lord,
in our feeble attempts to make up for past sin.
Bless our efforts with the rich blessing of Your grace.
Make us realize ever more our need of penance and of mortification.
Help us to see,
in our ordinary difficulties and duties,
in the trials and temptations of every day,
the best opportunity of making up for past infidelities.
Every day we are so often reminded in field and wood,
in sky and stream,
of Your own boundless generosity to us.
Help us to realize that You are never outdone in generosity,
and that the least thing we do for You will be rewarded,
full measure, pressed down, shaken together and flowing over.
Then we shall see, in our own souls,
how the desert can blossom,
and the dry and wasted land can bring forth the rich,
useful fruit that was expected of it from the beginning.

United with Your Son, who makes His way to Calvary,   I offer You my intention

(Mention your intention)
Amen.

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

Thought for the Day – 24 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 24 February

It was not long before Fr Tommaso Maria, envied for the good he achieved in his ministry and for his life as an exemplary priest, was faced with humiliation and persecution and, in 1880, even a brother priest’s slanderous calumny.    However, sustained by the Lord, he lovingly carried that cross which his own Bishop Ammirante had foretold at the time of his institute’s foundation:   “Have you chosen the title of the Most Precious Blood? Well, may you be prepared to drink the bitter cup”. (St John Paul at the Beatification of Blessed Thomas).

Know that we are all called to drink His Cup and carry His Cross but never forget – he carries and drinks with us all!

(St John Paul at the Beatification of Blessed Thomas).

Bl Thomas Mary Fusco, Pray for us!

St John Paul, Pray for us!

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

Quote of the Day – 24 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 24 February

“Patience is the safeguard
and pillar of all the virtues”.

~~~~~ Blessed Thomas Mary Fusco

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

One Minute Reflection – 24 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 24 February

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense.
You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised………………Hebrews 10:35-36

REFLECTION – “May work and suffering for God always be your glory and in your work and suffering, may God be your consolation on this earth and your recompense in heaven.”……………..Bl Thomas Mary Fusco

PRAYER – O Lord my God, give me the strength to endure with patience the sufferings I encounter in my life. Teach me to do my daily work for You alone and to do more than that in every way I can, for your greater glory. Blessed Thomas Mary Fusco, pray that we may achieve the crown of glory in heaven, amen.

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 24 February

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 24 February

An Act of Offering  (Prayers to Christ in the Eucharist by Servant of God Fr Benedict Groeschel)

O Lord,
I offer You myself.
You have given Yourself to me –
now I wish to give myself to You.
I give You my body, that it may be chaste and pure.
I give You my soul, that it may be free from sin.
I give You my heart, that I may always love You.
I give You every breath that I breathe, especially my last.
I give You myself in life and in death,
knowing this alone brings the happiness I seek, amen.

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