One Minute Reflection – 17 January
What can a man offer in exchange for his very life?……..Mt 16:26
REFLECTION – Everything of this world is sold at its price or exchanged for another equivalently priced. But the promise of life eternal is purchased at a bargain price!……St Anthony Abbot (Saint of the Day)
PRAYER – Lord of all, help me to be willing to pay the price of receiving eternal life. Let me offer myself to You in all that I do and say each day. St Anthony Abbot, Pray for us, amen.
Our Morning Offering – 17 January
Act of Consecration to the Holy Name
To You, Lord Jesus Christ, I consecrate myself today
through Your Most Holy Name.
I consecrate to You all my thoughts, words and deeds,
all my sufferings and labours, all my hopes,
consolations and joys.
I consecrate to You my body with all its senses,
my soul with all its faculties, my entire being without reserve.
In particular I consecrate to You my heart
so that it may love only You and may be consumed
as a victim in the fire of Your divine love.
Jesus, I place my trust in Your most Holy and Sacred Name.
I beg for the remission of all my sins through Your infinite mercy.
I place within Your hands all my cares and anxieties.
Do with me what You will, my Jesus.
Take this offering of myself and give me
a place within Your Divine Heart forever.
I promise to love You and honour You and to spread,
as much as I can, devotion to Your most
Holy Name, until I draw my dying breath, amen
Quote of the Day – 16 January
“In God’s eyes our words have
only the value of our actions”.
~~~ St. Ignatius Loyola
One Minute Reflection – 16 January
May I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ………Gal 6:14
REFLECTION – “Devout souls cling wholeheartedly to the cross with Christ. They thus acquire the most abundant fruits of the Redemption for themselves and for others.”…….Pope Pius XI
PRAYER – Lord Jesus, You endured crucifxion for the salvation of the world. Grant that I may love and share Your Cross on earth so that I may join You in glory in heaven. Saints Berard, Peter, Adjute, Accurs, Odo and Vitalis, Pray for us, amen!
Our Morning Offering – 16 January
Holy Spirit, inspire me.
Love of God, consume me.
Along the true road lead me.
Mary, my mother, look upon me.
With Jesus bless me.
From all evil, from all illusion,
from all danger, preserve me, amen.
By St Mary of Jesus Crucified
Thought for the Day – 15 January
There are many ways of “being poor” and in today’s world, the more we have, the poorer we can be. Our Lady of Banneux is a most worthy intercessor to pray on our behalf to our God of such loving mercy, for all the needs of the poor of the world, for so many who are rich in goods but poor in spirit.
As St John Paul said on a visit to Banneux – “The poor today – and there are many ways of being poor! – feel at home in Banneux. They come here to find comfort, courage, hope, union with God in their affliction. I encourage the pilgrims who come here to pray to her, who, always and everywhere in the Church, reflects the face of the Mercy of God.”
Holy Mother Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!
Quote/s of the Day – 15 January
“I come to alleviate sufferings….
I am the Virgin of the Poor…..
I am the Mother of the Saviour,
the Mother of God. Pray very much.”
Our Lady of Banneux 1933
One Minute Relection – 15 January
On the way of duty I walk, along the paths of justice, granting wealth to those who love me…………Prv 8:20-21
REFLECTION – “Mary’s grace has given glory to heaven: a God to earth: and faith to the nations. She has conferred death on vices, order on life and a rule on morals.”………St Peter Chrysologus
PRAYER – Heavenly Father, grant me the grace to have Mary as my constant intercessor. In all difficulties, let me call on her aid, for she is Your beloved Daughter and our Blessed Mother. Holy Mother of Banneux, Pray for us, amen!
Our Morning Offering – 15 January
Our Lady of Banneux,
Mother of Our Saviour,
Mother of God,
Virgin of the Poor,
since thou hast promised to believe in us
if we believe in thee,
I put all my trust in thee.
Deign to listen to the prayers
that thou hast asked be addressed to thee;
have pity on all our spiritual and temporal miseries.
Restore to sinners the treasure of Faith,
and give to the poor their daily bread.
Deign to relieve suffering,
to heal the sick and to pray for us,
so that thus through thy intercession,
the reign of Christ the King
may extend over all nations, amen.
Thought for the Day – 14 January
St Felix and the Spider
This is the beautiful story of how St Felix of Nola hid from his enemies, during persecution. They were close on his tracks when he hid in the wall of a ruined house. He entered through a narrow opening and immediately afterward, a spider spun a web over the passage to mislead the persecutors. They saw the web and figured that no one could have passed through that opening for some days. So they went on, leaving the saint safe.
A spider web conceals St. Felix from his Roman pursuers
A man protected from terrible persecutors by a spider is extremely charming and poetic. It is a very beautiful episode. Soldiers of the Roman legion, all armed, are searching every inch of the ruined house. I nside one wall is St. Felix, hearing everything. He hears their conversation as they draw near his hiding place. When they stop close to the narrow opening, he thinks: “Now, I am lost.” Then, he hears the commander say: “Let’s not waste time searching here because there are spider webs. No one has been through this opening for some time.”
Again, even if the spider did not exist – and I am not at all sure that it didn’t – it portrays a difficult situation through which St. Felix had to pass that reflects what he had to suffer for the Church, that is, a high moral profile.
Whether these facts are true or not, they tell us that St. Felix was a great saint who left a deep mark on his time. Otherwise the people would not have preserved and passed on the memory of his life. Legend gives us a marvelous image of his life. It is a charming perspective that already has something of Heaven.
Let us pray to St. Felix, asking him to give us dedication in the service of the Church, the courage to face persecution and the desire for Heaven and to know and believe that marvels occur now, each moment of each day, through God who works extraordinary deeds if we believe! (by Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira)
The tomb of St. Felix in the Basilica di San Felix in Cimitile, built in the 3rd century
Quote of the Day – 14 January
“The way we treat people IS the way we treat God.”
~~~ Fr Pierre Teilhard de Chardin S.J.
One Minute Reflection – 14 January
Then will I go to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and youth……….Ps 43:4
REFLECTION – “We must strive to place ourselves completely in God’s hands. Then He will cause us to feel the effects of His goodness and protection – which are, at times extraordinary.”………St John Baptist de la Salle
PRAYER – Holy Lord God, let me live constantly in Your presence. Grant that I may possess a spirit of joy and gladness because of the firm knowledge that You are always with me and in You and through You and with You, the extraordinary is commonplace! St Felix of Nola, you did no immense deed but in 1800 years we have not forgotten your extraordinary love. Please pray for us, amen.
Our Morning Offering – 14 January
Before Jesus Crucified by Blessed Titus Brandsma
Dear Lord, when looking up at Thee,
I see Thy loving eyes on me,
Love overflows my humble heart,
Knowing what a faithful friend Thou are.
A cup of sorrow I foresee,
Which I accept for love of Thee,
Thy painful way I wish to go,
The only way to God I know.
My soul is full of peace and light,
Although in pain, this light shines bright.
For here Thou keepest to Thy breast.
My longing heart to find there rest.
Leave me here freely all alone,
In cell where never sunlight shone.
Should no one ever speak to me,
This golden silence makes me free!
For though alone, I have no fear,
Never wert Thou, O Lord, so near.
Sweet Jesus, please, abide with me!
My deepest peace I find in Thee
Thought for the Day – 13 January
It was in reading the Bible that St Hilary discovered the greatness of God and the sublimity of the Church and Christian teachings. The Bible is not just a revered book to be placed on our shelves in a place of honour it is a book to be read, to be studied and reflected upon. It leads not only to faith and holiness of life but also to the Kingdom of God itself. So we lear that Christ said His coming would bring not peace but a sword (see Matthew 10:34). The Gospels offer no support for us if we fantasise about a sunlit holiness that knows no problems. Christ did not escape at the last moment, though He did live happily ever after—after a life of controversy, problems, pain and frustration. Hilary, like all saints, simply had more of the same.
St Hilary of Poitiers Pray for us!
One Minute Reflection – 13 January
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not….Prv 3:5
REFLECTION – “In our attempt to penetrate God’s truth, we are held within the bonds of ignorance, by the weakness of our minds.
We comprehend Divine ideas by earnest attention to God’s teaching and by obedience to the faith, which carries us beyond mere human apprehension.”……St Hilary of Poitiers (Saint of the Day)
PRAYER – All-knowing God, grant me the grace to come to a better understanding of Your truths. Let me not only believe them but also carry them out daily in my life. St Hilary of Poitiers, Pray for us, amen!
Quote/s of the Day – 13 January
“The privilege of our Church is such that
it is never stronger than when it is attacked,
never better known than when it is accused,
never more powerful than when it appears forsaken.” (Treatise on the Trinity)
“When we are overcome by some evil will,
should we not tremble before the presence
of the choirs of angels that surround us?”
“The perfection of learning is to know God
in such a way that, though you realise
He is knowable, yet you know Him as indescribable.”
“No matter how sinful one may have been,
if he has devotion to Mary,
it is impossible that he be lost.”
~~~ St Hilary of Poitiers – Saint of the Day
Our Morning Offering – 13 January
PRAYER OF ST. HILARY OF POITIERS
For Perseverance In Faith
Father, keep us from vain strife of words.
Grant to us constant profession of the Truth!
Preserve us in a true and undefiled faith
so that we may hold fast to that
which we professed when we were baptised
in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
that we may have Thee for our Father,
that we may abide in Thy Son
and in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, amen.
It is easy to become discouraged when plans that we think that God MUST endorse are frustrated. Marguerite was called not to be a cloistered nun but to be a foundress and an educator.
God had not ignored her after all – nor is he ignoring YOU!
St Marguerite Bourgeoys Pray for us!
Quote of the Day – 12 January
“Without the Way, there is no going,
Without the Truth, there is no knowing,
Without the Life, there is no living.”
Thomas à Kempis
One Minute Reflection – 12 January
May the Lord ….make you overflow with love for one another and for all……..1 Thes 3:12
REFLECTION – “It seems to me that we do not pay enough attention to prayer, for unless it arises from the heart which ought to be its centre, it is no more than a fruitless dream. Prayer ought to carry over into our thoughts, our words and our actions…..It is true that all I have ever desired most deeply and what I still most ardently wish is that the great precept of the love of God above all things and of the neighbour as oneself be written in every heart.”……..St Marguerite Bourgeoys (Saint of the Day)
PRAYER – Loving Father, grant me the grace to strive after perfect love. Help me to bring forth frequent acts of love for my neighbour and in this, to grow each day in love for You.St Marguerite Bourgeoys Pray for us, amen.
Our Morning Offering – 12 January
O sweet Name of Jesus,
holy above all names in heaven and on earth
and to which every knee,
both of men and of angels in heaven,
on earth and in hell shall bend.
You are the the way of the just,
the glory of the saints,
the hope of those in need,
the balm of the sick,
the love of the devout
and the consolation of those that suffer.
O, Jesus be to me a help and a protector
so that Your Name may be blessed for all times…
Thomas A Kempis – (Manualis Parvulorum XIII)
Thought for the Day – 11 January
It has always been recognised that love of neighbour is part of the love of God and the great saints have lived this, helping the sick, the poor and the needy without expecting any return. Monasteries were the first hospitals where the sick were cared for, free of charge and where the goodness of God was shown in countless ways. St Theodosius the Cenobiarch was a leader in his time and in ours – we can do no less than he did!
St Theodosius Pray for us!
One Minute Reflection – 11 January
If you lavish your food on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom shall become like midday; then the LORD will guide you always and satisfy your thirst in parched places, HE will give strength to your bones and you shall be like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never fail…….Isaiah 58:10-11
REFLECTION – “Love is the bond of life, the mother of the poor and the teacher of the rich.
It is the nurse of orphans, the attendant of the elderly, the treasure of the indigent and the common port of all the afflicted.”……..St Gregory of Nyssa.
PRAYER – O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through His poverty might be rich, deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired, by the devotion of Your servant St Theodosius the Cenobiarch, may serve You with singleness of heart and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. St Theodosius the Cenobiarch. Pray for us! Amen
Our Morning Offering – 11 January
Grant that my soul may hunger after You,
the Bread of Angels,
the refreshment of holy souls,
our daily and super substantial bread,
having all sweetness and savor
and every delightful taste.
May it ever 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 perseverance 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, amen.
EXCERPT FROM A PRAYER BY ST BONAVENTURE
Thought for the Day – 10 January
Like St. Thomas More, St. Peter Orseolo took his success very lightly and had a secret hunger in his heart for closeness to God. He was somehow touched by the wonder of God, as are all great solitaries and that wonder drove him into the wilderness where he could be alone with God. His example said a great deal to the people of his age and very much to this current time, pointing the way to the reality of God and the magnitude of eternal life and the complete worthlessness of worldly achievements.
St Peter Orseolo, Pray for us!
Quote of the Day – 10 January
“I am well aware, almighty God and Father, that in my life I owe You a most particular duty. It is to make my every thought and word speak of You.”
~~~~~ St Hilary of Poitiers
One Minute Reflection – 10 January
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it…John 14:13-14
REFLECTION – The Holy Name of Jesus is, first of all, an all-powerful prayer. Our Lord Himself solemnly promises that whatever we ask the Father in His Name we shall receive. God never fails to keep His word.
Each time we say “Jesus,” it is an act of perfect love, for we offer to God the infinite love of Jesus………….st Alphonsus Liguori
PRAYER – Lord God, grant me the courage to confess my faith in the Name above all names and proclaim each moment the Holy Name of Your Son, thus giving You honour and glory. Jesus Name above all Names, be my standard and my beacon! Amen
Our Morning Offering – 10 January
Prayer to the Holy Name – St. Alphonsus Liguori
O my Jesus, You are the Saviour
who has given Your blood and Your life for me,
I pray You to write Your adorable name on my poor heart;
so that having it always imprinted in my heart by love,
I may also have it ever on my lips,
by invoking it in all my necessities.
If the devil tempts me,
Your name will give me strength to resist him;
if I lose confidence, Your name will animate me to hope;
if I am in affliction, Your name will comfort me,
by reminding me of all You have endured for me.
If I find myself cold in Your love,
Your name will inflame me by reminding me
of the love You have shown me.
I have fallen into so many sins
because I did not call on You;
from henceforth Your name shall be
my defense,
my refuge,
my hope,
my only consolation,
my only love.
Thus do I hope to live and so do I hope to die,
having Your name always on my lips.
Amen
Thought for the Day – 9 January
The same Spirit, that descended on the water of the River Jordan wafted over the waters during the first creation (Gen 1:2). Therefore, the Baptism in the Jordan presents yet another truth: that Jesus has started a new creation. He is the second man (1 Cor 15:47) or the last Adam (1 Cor 15:45), that comes to repair the first Adam’s guilt. He does this as the Lamb of God that takes away our sins.
‘Looking at the events in light of the Cross and Resurrection, the Christian people realised what happened: Jesus loaded the burden of all mankind’s guilt upon His shoulders; He bore it down into the depths of the Jordan. He inaugurated His public activity by stepping into the place of sinners’ (Joseph Ratzinger, Jesus of Nazareth, Bloomsbury 2007, p 18).
Quote of the Day – 9 January
“O Lord, wishing to fulfill all things
that You ordained before the ages,
You received the servants of Your mystery,
from among the Angels, Gabriel,
from among Men, the Virgin,
from among the Heavens, the Star
and from among the Waters, the Jordan,
in which You washed away the sin of the world,
O our Saviour, glory to You.”
St. John of Damascus
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