Category: MORNING Prayers

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

One Minute Reflection – 20 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 20 December

You, O God, are my stronghold, my gracious God!………..Ps 59:18

REFLECTION – In tribulations, turn to God with confidence.  You will obtain strength, light and knowledge.

In joys and successes, turn to God with fear and sincerity.  You will escape all snares and be free of everything false…………….St John of the Cross

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, let me turn to You in good times and in bad.  Grant that I may always remain in loving union with You no matter what adversity or goodness should befall me.  As St Dominic de Silos lived his life, when he was exiled, he found another way to give You honour and through this adversity You filled his work with miracles. So too may it be in my life. St Dominic de Silos Pray for us! Amen

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Posted in JESUIT SJ, MORNING Prayers

Our Morning Offering – 20 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 20 December

Son of the Father, Christ,
You who are living in us,
You are the hope of our glory.
Live in us,
subject our life to the norms of Your life,
make our life like Yours.
Live in me,
pray in me,
suffer in me,
for no more than that do I ask.
For when I have You, I am rich.
Those who have found You
have found the strength
and victory for their life.
Amen.
By Fr Karl Rahner SJ

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 19 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 19 December

In a very short pontificate – just around 4 years – St Pope Anastasius I faced two big problems.  The first was Origen and the second the Donatists.  He dealt with them both effectively by conference with his brother Bishops, to confirm his own understanding.

It is not unlike the situations we ourselves face on a daily basis, living as we do in a secular society.  And how do we resolve such issues – we are not all theologians/apologists or debaters?

We have everything we need in the Catechism of the Catholic Church – every single answer is there!  Do you own a copy?  It should be by now rather well-worn!

St Pope Anastasius I Pray for us!

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

One Minute Reflection – 19 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 19 December

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him and he with me……Rv 3:20

REFLECTION – “Speak to Jesus and you will give joy to His heart.
Your own heart will open up to the ray
of this Sun of Goodness, like humid
and chilled flowers on a spring morning”…………St Peter Julian Eymard

PRAYER – Lord Jesus, let me learn to open the door to my heart to You and speak with You daily. Let me be inundated with the warmth of Your love and direction so that I may follow You more closely every day. Let me live only Your truth dear Lord and follow the teachings of Your Church as St Pope Anastasius I did, whom I ask for intercession in prayer. Amen

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 19 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 19 December

Morning Prayer of St. Alphonsus Liguori

My most sweet Lord,
I offer and consecrate to You this morning
all that I am and have:
my senses,
my thoughts,
my affections,
my desires,
my pleasures,
my inclinations,
my liberty.
In a word,
I place my whole body
and soul
in Your hands.
Amen

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 18 December

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Thought for the Day – 18 December

St Winebald was strongly influenced by his father, St Ruchard and his brother, St Willibald.  Sometimes sanctity runs in the family and the encouragement that the family members receive from one another is a large part of their holiness.  Let us keep in mind that those we associate with have a powerful influence on our personality and our character.  Yesterday on the Memorial of St Olympias, we saw the amazing strength and support she supplied to one of our greatest Saints – Chrysostum – the proof is in the associate – be they family or friend!

St Winebald Pray for us!

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote/s of the Day – 18 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 18 December

“Your God is ever beside you – indeed, He is even within you”

“There is a practice that is most powerful in keeping us united with God. That practice is the constant recollection of His presence.”

~~~ St Alphonsus Liguori

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

One Minute Reflection – 18 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 18 December

We walk by faith, not by sight……….2 Cor 5:7

REFLECTION – ‘Faith is like a bright ray of sunlight.

It enables us to see God in all things as well as all things in God”………St Francis de Sales

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help me to shine the spotlight of Your faith on the world I live in.  Grant that I may see You everywhere and serve You in everything.  Help me to walk by Faith alone, as your saints did, as St Winibald walked forth into strange lands to spread your light! St Winibald Pray for us! Amen

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

One Minute Reflection – 17 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 17 December

A loyal friend is like a safe shelter; find one, and you have found a treasure…..Sir 6:14

REFLECTION – “A friend is more to be longed for than the light; I speak of a genuine one. And wonder not: for it were better for us that the sun should be extinguished, than that we should be deprived of friends; better to live in darkness, than to be without friends.”……………………… St John Chrysostom

PRAYER – God of all consolation, teach me to put all my trust in You. Let me then go out and share the joy of Your love with my neighbour and give You grateful thanks for those You have given me to love and accompany me on our journey to You. St Olympias you were a stalwart and loving friend to St John Chrysostum, Pray for us! Amen

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Posted in MORNING Prayers

Thought for the Day – 17 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 17 December

Loyalty to friends is an important part of being a Christian and St Olympias suffered for hr loyalty to St John Chrysostum.  Her friendship was a great comfort to him in his suffering, as his letters show and his friendship was a support to her own sufferings.

Friendship is something that should be cherished and nurtured.

Looking at so many saints who accomplished great things and from whom we learn now – in our time – most had great friendships on which to rely and which were their help and comfort, both in their spiritual and temporal lives.

St Olympias and St John Chrysostum Pray for us!

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

Quote of the Day – 17 December

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Quote of the Day – 17 December

“For not eating and drinking makes friendship: such friendship even robbers have and murderers. But if we are friends, if we truly care for one another, let us in these respects help one another. This leads us to a profitable friendship: let us hinder those things which lead away to hell.”

~~~ Saint John Chrysostom

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 17 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 17 December

O Lord and lover of men,
make shine in our hearts
the pure light of Your divine knowledge
and open the eyes of our mind to the
understanding of Your gospel teaching.
Instill in us the fear of
Your blessed commandments,
that trampling upon all carnal desires,
we may enter upon a spiritual life,
willing and doing all that is Your good pleasure.
For You are the light of our souls and of our bodies,
Christ O God and we give glory to You together with
Your eternal Father and Your
all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit,
now and for ever, world without end. Amen.

(From the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom)

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 16 December

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Thought for the Day – 16 December

St Adelaide had to live in the world, with all the turmoil and violence of political life, yet managed to live totally for God in the midst of her many occupations.  She was wife, mother, queen and empress, noble in every way  She is proof that sanctity can be achieved anywhere and that every way of life can me made holy.  So we complain about the strife and evil around us, near to us, so let us be the light of God, let us shine forth His Face, let us strive for the virtue of the holy.

St Adelaide, Pray for us!

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote of the Day – 16 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 16 December

“It is by the path of love, which is charity, that God draws near to man and man to God. But where charity is not found, God cannot dwell. If, then, we possess charity, we possess God, for “God is Charity.”

~~~ St Albert the Great

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

One Minute Reflection – 16 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 16 December

Seek after integrity, piety, faith, love, steadfastness and a gentle spirit…………1 Tm 6:12

REFLECTION – Virtue is a very wonderful thing for us.  It is the good of life, the fruit of a clear conscience and the peace of the innocent………St Ambrose

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help me to build up virtue in my life.  Let me realise that by cultivating all the virtues, I will attain happiness not only in heaven but also here on earth. Father, You gave us St Adelaide, as an example, who though an Empress, sought the virtues of piety, faith, charity and love.  May we imitate her.  St Adelaide of Burgundy Pray for us! Amen

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Posted in JESUIT SJ, MORNING Prayers

Our Morning Offering – 16 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 16 December

See, O merciful God, what return
I, Your thankless servant, have made
for the innumerable favours
and the wonderful love You have shown me!
What wrongs I have done, what good left undone!
Wash away, I beg You, these faults and stains
with Your precious blood, most kind Redeemer
and make up for my poverty by applying Your merits.
Give me the protection I need to amend my life.
I give and surrender myself wholly to You,
and offer You all I possess,
with the prayer that You bestow Your grace on me,
so that I may be able to devote and employ
all the thinking power of my mind
and the strength of my body in Your holy service,
who are God blessed for ever and ever. Amen

St Peter Canisius SJ

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Posted in ADVENT, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 15 December

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Thought for the Day – 15 December

In her love of the crucified Christ, St Maria Crocifissa di Rosa, saw her mission in the suffering members of His Mystical Body.  She made their suffering her own and became the servant of all.  How often do we see Christ in others, especially those who are sick and suffering?  Perhaps this Advent I may pray that my eyes be opened to the suffering around me.

St Maria di Rosa, Pray for us!

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote of the Day – 15 December

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Quote of the Day – 15 December

“Those who refuse to be humble cannot be saved.”

~~~ St Bede

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

One Minute Reflection – 15 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 15 December

Live on in me, as I do in you………..Jn 15:4

REFLECTION – Unfurl the sails, and let God steer us where He will……………(For) All the ways of this world are as fickle and unstable as a sudden storm at sea……St Bede

PRAYER – Lord God, grant me the grace to see all human beings as potential persons in whom You dwell.  And let me respect them because of You my God.  Let me see the Face of Your Son in all. Teach me to follow Christ who is my Lord and Redeemer and see His presence in all, as St Maria di Rosa did, for love of You. St Maria di Rosa, Pray for us. Amen

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 15 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 15 December

Grant us Your light O Lord

so that the darkness of our hearts

ay wholly pass away

and we may come at last to the light of Christ.

For Christ is that Morning Star

who when the night of this world has passed

brings to His saints the promised light of life

and opens to them everlasting day.

Amen

by St Bede from “On the Apocalypse”

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

Thought for the Day – 14 December

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Thought for the Day – 14 December

John, in his life and writings, has a crucial word for us today. We tend to be rich, soft, comfortable. We shrink even from words like self-denial, mortification, purification, asceticism, discipline. We run from the cross. John’s message—like the gospel—is loud and clear: Don’t—if you really want to live!

“O you souls who wish to go on with so much safety and consolation, if you knew how pleasing to God is suffering and how much it helps in acquiring other good things, you would never seek consolation in anything;  but you would rather look upon it as a great happiness to bear the Cross of the Lord.” – Saint John of the Cross

St John of the Cross Pray for Us!

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

Quotes of the Day – 14 December

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Quotes of the Day – 14 December

“In giving us His Son, His only Word,
He spoke everything to us at once
in this sole Word – and He has no more to say…
because what He spoke before to the prophets in parts,
He has now spoken all at once by giving us
the ALL Who is His Son.”

“If a man wishes to be sure of the road
he treads on, he must close his eyes
and walk in the dark.”

“Those who trust in themselves
are worse than the devil!”

“At the end of your life,
you will be judged by your love.”

~~~ ST JOHN OF THE CROSS (Saint of the Day)

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

One Minute Reflection – 14 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 14 December

Lead a life worthy of the Lord
and pleasing to him in every way….
Multiply good works of every sort…..
.Col 1:10

REFLECTION – Strive uneasingly to be pleasing to God and ask Him to accomplish His will in you.
Love Him with all your might; you owe Him a great deal!………….St John of the Cross (Saint of the Day)

PRAYER – God of power and might, let me do always the things that are pleasing to You. For You are my Greatest Benefactor and my Sole Good. St John of the Cross Pray for us that we may achieve total commitment and love for God. Amen

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 14 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 14 December

PRAYER OF PEACE
BY SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS.
O blessed Jesus,
give me stillness of soul in You.
Let Your mighty calmness reign in me.
Rule me, O King of Gentleness,
King of Peace.

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 13 December

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Thought for the Day – 13 December

Lucy’s feast comes during Advent, when we wait for the coming of Christ, the Light of the World.   It is said that our eyes are the windows into our souls. There is physical blindness and there is also inner blindness. I often wonder how many opportunities I have missed or have been blind to when it comes to being an instrument of Christ’s light for others. In a world filled with the darkness of greed, selfishness and individualism, light is needed and we have been given the wonderful challenge to be that light for others. Stamping out the darkness that surrounds and envelops our world by courageously standing up for our faith would result in a world of brilliant Christ-light!

St Lucy is a genuine, authentic heroine, first class, an abiding inspiration for all Christians. The moral courage of the young Sicilian martyr shines forth as a guiding light, just as bright for today’s youth as it was in A.D. 304.

St Lucy Pray for us!

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote of the Day – 13 December

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Quote of the Day – 13 December

“The more we are afflicted in this world,
the greater is our assurance in the next;
the more we sorrow in the present,
the greater will be our joy in the future.”

~~~ St Isidore of Seville

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

One Minute Reflection – 13 December

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One Minute Reflection – 13 December

Be on your guard,
stand firm in the faith,
be courageous, be strong…..1 Cor 16:13

REFLECTION – “If you were to lift my hand to your idol and so make me offer against my will, I would still be guiltless in the sight of the true God, who judges according to the will and knows all things. If now, against my will, you cause me to be polluted, a twofold purity will be gloriously imputed to me. You cannot bend my will to your purpose; whatever you do to my body, that cannot happen to me.”……….St Lucy (Saint of the Day)

PRAYER – Father in heaven, teach me to store up a treasury of merits for eternity. Grant that I may use this earthly life to be person You want me to be. St Lucy, pray for us that we too may chieve courage and true love for God, that we may become lights of love in this world and thus obtain the crown of glory for all eternity. Amen

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Posted in ADVENT, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DEVOTIO, LENT, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Our Morning Offering – 13 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 13 December

Lord Jesus Christ,
by Your patience in suffering
You made holy earthly pain
and gave us the example
of obedience to Your Father’s will:
Be near me
in the trials of my day
and in time of weakness;
sustain me by Your grace,
that my strength and courage
may not fail;
bless me according to Your will;
and help me always to believe
that what happens to me here
is of little account
if You hold me in eternal life,
my Lord and my God. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, 1979, adapted

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 12 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Mary’s appearance to St Juan Diego as one of his people is a powerful reminder that Mary and the God who sent her accept all peoples. In the context of the sometimes rude and cruel treatment of the Indians by the Spaniards, the apparition was a rebuke to the Spaniards and an event of vast significance for Native Americans. While a number of them had converted before this incident, they now came in droves. According to a contemporary chronicler, nine million Indians became Catholic in a very short time. In these days when we hear so much about God’s preferential option for the poor, Our Lady of Guadalupe cries out to us that God’s love for and identification with the poor is an age-old truth that stems from the Gospel itself.

Mary’s visit to Guadalupe is a reminder that God will remember his mercy for all people. In Mary’s song of joy, the Magnificat, she praised God because he has put down the mighty, exalted the lowly, filled the hungry and sent the rich away empty.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Pray for us!

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Quote of the Day – 12 December

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Quote of the Day – 12 December

“Am I not here, I, who am your mother?  Are you not under my shadow and protection?  Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, the crossing of my arms?  Am I not the source of all your joy?  What more do you need?  Let nothing else worry you, disturb you.”

– The Virgin Mary, to St. Juan Diego at Tepeyac Hill

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