Category: MORNING Prayers

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOGMA, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 April – “I and the Father are one.” – John 10:30

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One Minute Reflection – 27 April – Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 11:19-26, Psalm 87:1-7, John 10:22-30

“I and the Father are one.” – John 10:30

REFLECTION – “Sent out, issuing from the Father,
the Word came down and dwelt
wholly within the Virgin’s womb.
Wholly in the Father, wholly in that virginal breast,
He, Whom nothing can contain, was wholly in all things.
While remaining what He was, He assumed the form of a slave (Phil 2:7)
and, when He had been sent into the world,
He became a man in every way. …

How are we to state, what to all angels,
archangels and created things,
is impossible to explain?
It can be thought truly, yet not by any means expressed
and indeed our minds cannot understand it perfectly.
God and man and man-God, how can He also be
wholly Son of the Father
in so inseparable a way?
How has He become the Virgin’s Son and come into the world?
And how is it, that He has remained impossible for anything to contain? …

Now you will become silent,
for even if you wished to speak
your spirit would find no words
and your chattering tongue, is reduced to silence. …

Glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
divinity impossible to grasp, indivisible in nature.
We worship You in the Holy Spirit, we who possess Your Spirit
because we have received Him from You.
Beholding Your glory, we do not cast about unrestrainedly
but it is in Him, in Your Spirit, that we see You,
O Father unbegotten and Your only-begotten Word
Who comes forth from You.
And we adore the Trinity, without division or confusion,
in His simple divinity, majesty and power.” – Symeon the New Theologian (c 949-1022) Monk – Hymn 21

PRAYER – Lord God, grant Your people constant joy in the renewed vigour of their souls. They rejoice because You have restored them to the glory of Your adopted children, let them look forward gladly to the certain hope of the resurrection. Draw us constantly to Your Son, Jesus, our Lord, teach us to know Him and may the prayers of our Blessed Mother , guide us amidst the storms of this mortal life. We make our prayer through our Resurrected Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen, alleluia!

Acts 11: 19-26
19 Now they who had been dispersed by the persecution that arose on occasion of Stephen, went about as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none but to the Jews only.
20 But some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were entered into Antioch, spoke also to the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believing, were converted to the Lord.
22 And the tidings came to the ears of the church, that was at Jerusalem, touching these things and they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch.
23 Who, when he was come and had seen the grace of God, rejoiced and he exhorted them all, with purpose of heart to continue in the Lord.,
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.
And a great multitude was added to the Lord.
25 And Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul, whom, when he had found, him, he brought to Antioch.
26 And they conversed there in the church a whole year and they taught a great multitude, so that at Antioch the disciples were first named Christians.

Gospel: John 10: 22-30
22 And it was the feast of the dedication ,at Jerusalem: and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.
24 The Jews , therefore, gathered around about him and said to him:
How long dost thou hold our souls in suspense? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25 Jesus answered them: I speak to you and you believe no,: the works that I do in the name of my Father, they give testimony of me.
26 But you do not believe because you are not of my sheep.
27 My sheep hear my voice: and I know them and they follow me.
28 And I give them life everlasting and they shall not perish forever and no man shall pluck them out of my hand.
29 That which my Father has given me, is greater than all and no-one can snatch them out of the hand of my Father.
30 I and the Father, are one.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, The WORD

Our Morning Offering – 27 April – O the Word of My Lord

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Our Morning Offering – 27 April – Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

O the Word of My Lord
Song of a Young Prophet
By Brother Damian Lundy FSC (1944-1997)

O the word of my Lord
Deep within my being,
Oh the word of my Lord,
You have filled my mind.

Before I formed you in the womb
I knew you through and through,
I chose you to be Mine.
Before you left your mother’s side
I called to you, My child, to be My sign.
Refrain

I know that you are very young,
But I will make you strong.
I’ll fill you with My word
And you will travel through the land,
Fulfilling My command
Which you have heard.
Refrain

And everywhere you are to go
My hand will follow you;
You will not be alone.
In all the danger that you fear
You’ll find Me very near,
Your words, My own.
Refrain,

This hymn, based on Jeremiah 1, was composed by English Brother and teacher Brother Damian Lundy of the De La Salle Order. It is sometimes referred to as “Song of a Young Prophet.” It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Bro Damian.
He died in 1997 at the age of 53. He is widely respected as a leading innovator in many forms of Catholic apostolate and education in the UK. He is credited with devising the currently standard form of Catholic Residential Youth Work and for writing many popular hymns and prayers and leading seminars and conferences.
In 1975, Damian founded St Cassian’s Centre, Kintbury, which is still operating today as a widely visited and respected Catholic Youth Retreat Centre.

Posted in CHRIST the KING, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 26 April– Alone With None but Thee, My God

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Our Morning Offering – 26 April– Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Alone With None but Thee, My God
Attri. St Columban (543-615)

Alone with none but Thee, my God
I journey on my way,
what need I fear when Thou art near,
O King of night and day?
More safe am I within Thy hand
than if a host should round me stand.

My destined time is known to Thee,
and death will keep his hour;
did warriors strong around me throng,
they could not stay his power.
No walls of stone can man defend
when Thou Thy messenger dost send.

My life I yield to Thy decree
and bow to Thy control
in peaceful calm, for from Thine arm
no power can wrest my soul,
could earthly omens e’er appal
a man that heeds the heavenly call?

The child of God can fear no ill,
His chosen, dread no foe;
we leave our fate with Thee and wait
Thy bidding when to go,
’tis not from chance our comfort springs,
Thou art our Trust, O King of kings.

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The GOOD SHEPHERD

Our Morning Offering – 25 April – O Good Shepherd, You Whom My Soul Loves. By St Gregory of Nyssa

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Our Morning Offering – 25 April – The Fourth Sunday of Easter / Good Shepherd Sunday

O Good Shepherd,
You Whom My Soul Loves.
By St Gregory of Nyssa (c 335–C 395)
Father of the Church

Where are You pasturing Your flock,
O good Shepherd,
Who carry the whole flock on Your shoulders?
(For the whole of human nature is one sheep
and You have lifted it onto Your shoulders).
Show me the place of peace,
lead me to the good grass that will nourish me,
call me by name so that I,
Your sheep, hear Your voice
and by Your speech,
give me eternal life.
Answer me, You Whom my soul loves.
… Show me then (my soul says),
where You pasture Your flock,
so that I can find that saving pasture too
and fill myself with the food of heaven,
without which, no-one can come to eternal life
and run to the spring
and fill myself with the drink of God.
You give it, as from a spring,
to those who thirst –
water pouring from Your side, cut open by the lance,
water that, to whoever drinks it,
is a spring of water,
welling up to eternal life.
Amen

This is a tiny excerpt from St Gregory of Nyssa’s commentary on the Song of Songs (Cap. 2: PG 44, 802), using the imagery of Psalm 23, appeals to the Lord Jesus Christ for the promised green pastures, restful waters and noonday rest that is the final, eternal destination of those who love God and walk in His ways.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 April – “To whom shall we go?”

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One Minute Reflection – 24 April – Saturday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 9:31-42, Psalm 116:12-17, John 6:60-69

“You have the words of eternal life” – John 6:68

REFLECTION – “To whom shall we go?” Peter asks. In other words: “Who else will instruct us in the divine mysteries the way you do?” or, “To whom shall we go to find anything better? You have the words of eternal life.” They are not hard words, as those other disciples say but words, that will bring us to the loftiest goal unceasing, endless life removed from all corruption. These words surely make quite obvious to us, the necessity for sitting at the feet of Christ, taking Him as our one and only teacher and giving Him our constant and undivided attention. …

That the desire to follow Christ alone and to be with Him always, is a good thing leading to our salvation, is entirely self-evident, yet we may learn this from the Old Testament as well. When the Israelites had shaken off Egyptian tyranny and were hastening toward the promised land, God did not allow them to make disorderly marches, nor did the Lawgiver let each one go where he would, for without a guide they should undoubtedly have lost the way completely. … Keeping with their guide was the Israelites’ salvation then, just as not leaving Christ is ours now. For He was with those people of old under the form of the tabernacle, the cloud and the fire (Ex 13:21; 26:1f) …

“Whoever serves me must follow me, so as to be with me wherever I am” (Jn 12:26) … But accompanying the Saviour Christ and following Him, is by no means to be thought of as something done by the body. It is accomplished rather, by deeds springing from virtue. Upon such virtue the wisest disciples firmly fixed their minds…. With good reason they cried out, “Where can we go?” It was as though they said: We will stay with You always and hold fast to Your commandments. We will receive Your words without finding fault, or thinking Your teaching hard, as the ignorant do but thinking rather: “How sweet are Your words to my throat! Sweeter to the mouth are they, than honey or the honeycomb!” (Ps 118[119]:103).” … St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) – Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on Saint John’s Gospel, 4, 4

PRAYER – Mould our minds and our hearts, we pray You Lord, by the union of Your Son and His Church. As we belong to You, You joined us to Your Son to become one with Him. May we always strive to live up to this union and may we make our lives, a constant sharing, in Christ’s death and Resurrection. May His Mother give us her heart, to love Him as she does. We make our prayer through Him and in Him and with Him, in the union of the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.

Acts 9: 31-42
31 Now the church had peace throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria and was edified, walking in the fear of the Lord and was filled with the consolation of the Holy Ghost.
32 And it came to pass, that Peter, as he passed through, visiting all, came to the saints who dwelt at Lydda.
33 And he found there a certain man named Eneas, who had kept his bed for eight years, who was ill of the palsy.
34 And Peter said to him: Eneas, the Lord Jesus Christ heals thee: arise and make thy bed. And immediately he arose.
35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron, saw him and they were converted to the Lord.
36 And in Joppe there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick and died. Whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppe, the disciples hearing that Peter was there, sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not be slack to come unto them.
39 And Peter rising up, went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber. And all the widows stood about him weeping and shewing him the coats and garments which Dorcas made them.
40 And they all being put forth, Peter kneeling down prayed and turning to the body, he said: Tabitha, arise.
And she opened her eyes and seeing Peter, she sat up.
41 And giving her his hand, he lifted her up.
And when he had called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive.
42 And it was made known throughout all Joppe and many believed in the Lord.

GOSPEL: JOHN 6:60-69
60 Many, therefore, of his disciples, hearing it, said: This saying is hard and who can hear it?
61 But Jesus, knowing in himself, that his disciples murmured at this, said to them: Doth this scandalise you?
62 If then you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
63 It is the spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing. The words that I have spoken to you, are spirit and life.
64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning, who they were that did not believe and who he was, that would betray him.
65 And he said: Therefore, did I say to you, that no man can come to me, unless it be given him by my Father.
66 After this, many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him.
67 Then Jesus said to the twelve: Will you also go away?
68 And Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? thou has the words of eternal life.
69 And we have believed and have known, that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS to the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 24 April – Mother of my God, Lady Mary, Queen of Mercy

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Our Morning Offering – 24 April – Saturday of he Third Week of Easter

Mother of my God,
Lady Mary, Queen of Mercy
By St Alphonsus Ligouri (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Mother of my God and my Lady Mary,
as a beggar, all wounded and sore,
presents himself before a great Queen,
so do I present myself before you,
who are Queen of heaven and earth.
From the lofty throne on which you sit,
disdain not, I implore you,
to cast your eyes on me,
a poor sinner.
God has made you so rich
that you might assist the poor
and has made you Queen of Mercy,
that you might relieve the miserable.
Behold me then and pity me.
Behold me and abandon me not,
until you see me changed
from a sinner into a saint.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 April – “We are, all of us, one bread, one body”

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One Minute Reflection – 23 April – Friday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 9:1-20, Psalm 117:1-2, John 6:52-59

“ He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood, abides in me and, I in him. ” … John 6:56

REFLECTION – “This bread you see on the Altar, consecrated by the word of God, is the Body of Christ. This cup consecrated by the word of God, or rather its contents, is the Blood of Christ. In these two elements our Lord desired to hand over, for our veneration and love, His Body and Blood, shed for the remission of our sins. If you have received them with a good disposition, then you are what you have received. As the apostle Paul declares: “We are, all of us, one bread, one body” (1 Cor 10,17)…

This bread reminds you how much you ought to love unity. Was this bread made out of only one wheat grain? To begin with, weren’t there a large number of grains? Before taking on the form of bread, they were separated. It was water that brought them together once they had been ground. If the wheat isn’t first of all, crushed and then soaked, one cannot give it the shape of a loaf.

In the same way, you have been ground down by the humiliation of fasting and the exorcism of the scrutinies. Then the baptismal water came to soak you, so that you could take on the form of bread.

However, we cannot make bread without fire. What represents the fire here? Holy chrism. For the oil that feeds our fire is the Sacrament of the Holy Spirit… On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit was revealed in the form of tongues of fire… … Thus the Holy Spirit comes here like fire after water and you become that bread which is the body of Christ. Thus this Sacrament is like a symbol of unity.” – St Augustine (3540430) Bishop, Father, Doctor of Grace – Sermon 227, 4th Sermon for Easter day; to the newly baptised, concerning the Sacrament

PRAYER – Almighty God, You sent Your Son and we have now come to know the grace of His Resurrection. Through Him we live and move and have our being. As we follow Him, He walks with us and leads us to You. Grant we pray, that His Mother and ours, may guide our way to Him and be a solace in our trials. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God now and forever, amen.

Acts 9: 1-20
1 And Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
2 And asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any men and women of this way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus and suddenly, a light from heaven shone around about him.
4 And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 He said: Who art thou, Lord? And he: I am Jesus whom thou persecute. It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.
6 And he trembling and astonished, said: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
7 And the Lord said to him: Arise and go into the city and there, it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Now the men who went in company with him, stood amazed, hearing indeed a voice but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the ground and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing.
But they leading him by the hand, brought him to Damascus.
9 And he was there three days, without sight and he did neither eat nor drink.
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias.
And the Lord said to him in a vision – Ananias. And he said: Behold I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said to him: Arise and go into the street that is called Stait and seek in the house of Judas, one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold he prays.
12 (And he saw a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hands upon him, that he might receive his sight.)
13 But Ananias answered: Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints in Jerusalem.
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that invoke thy name.
15 And the Lord said to him: Go thy way; for this man is to me a vessel of election, to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel.
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
17 And Ananias went his way and entered into the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus hath sent me, he that appeared to thee in the way as thou came; that thou may receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes, as it were, scales and he received his sight and rising up, he was baptised.

Gospel: John 6: 52-59
52 The Jews, therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
53 Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.
54 He that eateth my flesh and drinks my blood, has everlasting life and I will raise him up in the last day.
55 For my flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indeed.
56He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood, abides in me and, I in him.
57As the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father, so he that eats me, the same also shall live by me.
58This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Not as your fathers did eat manna and are dead.
He that eats this bread, shall live forever.
59These things he said, teaching in the synagogue, in Capharnaum.

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 23 April – God Be in My Head

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Our Morning Offering – 23 April – Friday of the Third Week of Easter

God Be in My Head
Sarum Book of Hours, 1514

God be in my head
and in my understanding.
God be in my eyes
and in my looking.
God be in my mouth
and in my speaking.
God be in my heart
and in my thinking.
God be at my end
and at my departing.
Amen

The Sarum Rite (or Use of Sarum, also known as the Use of Salisbury) is the Latin liturgical rite developed at Salisbury Cathedral and used from the late eleventh century until the English Reformation.
It is largely identical to the Roman rite but was known for additional responses not in the Roman Rite and for its high ceremony. It also has a wealth of richly worded prayers that have influenced Christian worship ever since.
Saint Osmund (Died 1099) Bishop of Salisbury, is the Bishop who introduced the Sarum Rite – read his life here: https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/04/saint-of-the-day-4-december-saint-osmund-died-1099/
The Cathedral’s liturgy was widely respected during the late Middle Ages and churches throughout the British Isles and parts of northwestern Europe adapted its customs for celebrations of the Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours.

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 22 April – May the Lord Jesus Touch Our Eyes

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Our Morning Offering – 22 April – Thursay of the Third Week of Easter

As today is the Memorial of St Leonides, Martyr for Christ,
Origen’s Father, let us pray his son’s words:

May the Lord Jesus Touch Our Eyes
By Origen (c 185-253)
Father of the Church

May the Lord Jesus touch our eyes,
as He did those of the blind.
Then we shall begin to see in visible things
those which are invisible.
May He open our eyes to gaze,
not on present realities
but on the blessings to come.
May He open the eyes of our heart,
to contemplate God in Spirit,
through Jesus Christ the Lord,
to Whom belong,
all power and glory,
through all eternity.
Amen

Posted in CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, ONE Minute REFLECTION, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 April – “I am the bread of life” John 6:35

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One Minute Reflection – 21 April – Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 8:1-8, Psalm 66:1-7, John 6:35-40 and the Memorial of St Anselm ‬(1033-1109) Doctor of the Church

“I am the bread of life” John 6:35

REFLECTION – “When Christ Himself has said of the bread: “This is my body” who could waver? And when He asserts that “This is my blood” who could be in doubt? Once, in Cana of Galilee, Jesus changed water into wine – which is akin to blood. So who could now refuse to believe it, if He transforms wine into blood? He wrought this amazing miracle when invited to an earthly marriage, so how could anyone refuse to acknowledge that He might grant the happiness of His own Body and Blood, to “the friends of the Bridegroom,” (Mt 9,15)?

For His body, has been given to you under the appearance of bread and His blood, under the appearance of wine, so that, when you have partaken of the body and blood of Christ, you might be one body and one blood with Him. So shall we become Christ-bearers [“Christophers”]. His body and blood are diffused through all our members – see, then, how we become participants in the divine nature! Formerly, when He was talking to the Jews, Christ said: “Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you do not have life in you” (Jn 6,53. If the bread and wine only seem to be purely natural substances to you, don’t stop at that… If your senses lead you astray, let your faith reassure you.

So when you draw near to receive him do not do so without respect, holding out the palms of your hands with your fingers spread apart. But since the King is about to rest in your right hand, make a Throne for Him with your left. Receive the Body of Christ in the hollow of your hand and answer: Amen!” – St Cyril of Jerusalem (313-350) Bishop of Jerusalem, Father & Doctor of the Church – Catechetical Lectures to the Newly Baptised, 22

PRAYER – Holy almighty God, in Your wisdom You created us and by Your providence You rule and feed us with the bread of life, Your Divine Son Penetrate our inmost being with Your holy light, so that our way of life may always be one of faithful service, as we follow Your Son, who leads us to eternal life. May the prayers of Mary our Mother and St AAnselm, help us to shine Your light on our neighbour. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Acts 8: 1b-8
1 There was raised a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem and they were all dispersed through the countries of Jude, and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men took order for Stephen’s funeral, and made great mourning over him.
3 But Saul made havock of the church, entering in from house to house and dragging away men and women, committed them to prison.
4 They. therefore. that were dispersed, went about preaching the word of God.
5 And Philip going down to the City of Samaria, preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord were attentive to those things which were said by Philip, hearing and seeingthe miracles which he did.
7 For many of them who had unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, went out.
8 And many, taken with the palsy and that were lame, were healed.

Gospel: John 6: 35-40
35 And Jesus said to them: I am the bread of life,-he that comes to me, shall not hunger and he that believeth in me, shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, that you also have seen me and you believe not.
37 All that the Father gives to me, shall come to me; and him that comes to me, I will not cast out.
38 Because I came down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him that sent me.
39 Now this is the will of the Father who sent me, that of all that he hath given me, I should lose nothing but should raise it up agaiin, the last day.
40 And this is the will of my Father that sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him, may have life everlasting and I will raise him up on the last day.

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

Our Morning Offering – 21 April – The Joy of My Lord By St Anselm

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Our Morning Offering – 21 April – Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter +2021 and the Memorial of St Anselm ‬OSB (1033-1109) Doctor of the Church

The Joy of My Lord
By St Anselm ‬(1033-1109)
Doctor of the Church

I beseech You, O my God,
that I may know You, love You,
and rejoice in You.
If in this life, I cannot do these things fully,
grant that I may, at the least,
progress in them, from day to day.
Advance in me the knowledge of You now,
that in the life to come, it may be complete.
Increase in me the love of You here,
that there, it may be made full.
O God of truth.
I pray, that I may obtain
that which You promise,
that my joy may be complete.
And in the meantime,
let my mind meditate on it,
let my soul hunger after it
and my whole being long for it,
till at last, I enter into the joy of my Lord,
Who is God, blessed forever.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, HYMNS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY NAME

Our Morning Offering – 20 April – Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee! By St Bernard

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Our Morning Offering – 20 April – Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee!
By St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast!
Yet sweeter far Thy face to see
And in Thy presence rest.
No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find,
A sweeter sound than Jesus’ name,
The Saviour of mankind.
O hope of every contrite heart!
O joy of all the meek!
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!
But what to those who find?
Ah! this nor tongue, nor pen can show
The love of Jesus, what it is,
None but His loved ones know.
Jesus! our only hope be Thou,
As Thou our prize shall be;
In Thee be all our glory now
And through eternity.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 19 April – Your Will Alone

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Our Morning Offering – 19 April – Monday of the Third Week of Easter

Your Will Alone
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Angelic Doctor of the Church

Oversee, O my God, my life,
that I may do what You ask of me;
allow me to see and permit me to do
whatever is fitting and profitable to my soul.
Lead me not, O Lord my God,
into excessive wealth or want,
lest I put my trust in riches,
or despair in misery.
Let me take no joy or sorrow,
save in what would lead me
to You or from You.
Let me delight only in pleasing You
and fear only displeasing You.
O Lord, let all passing things
seem worthless to me
and let everything eternal, become my treasure.
May I despise any joy apart from You
and seek nothing that is without You.
Make carrying the burdens
for You my relaxation, O Lord
and rest without You, itself a burden.
Amen

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

Our Morning Offering – 18 April – My Lord, I am Unworthy!

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Our Morning Offering – 18 April – The Third Suday of Easter

My Lord, I am Unworthy!
Prayer before Holy Communion
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

My Lord,
Who are You
and who am I,
that I should dare to take You
into my body and soul?
A thousand years
of penance and tears
would not be sufficient
to make me worthy
to receive so royal a Sacrament even once!
How much more am I unworthy of it,
who fall into sin daily,
I, the incorrigible,
who approach You so often
without due preparation!
Nevertheless, Your mercy
infinitely surpasses my unworthiness.
Therefore, I make bold
to receive this Sacrament,
trusting in Your love.
Amen

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

One Minute Reflection – 17 April – “It is I, be not afraid.”…John 6:20

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One Minute Reflection – 17 April – “Saturday of the Second Week of Easter, Readings: First: Acts 6: 1-7, Psalm: Psalms 33: 1-2, 4-5, 18-19, Gospel: John 6: 16-21 and the meorial of St Pope Anicetus I (Died 168)

“It is I, be not afraid.”…John 6:20

REFLECTION – “Enlighten me, good Jesus, with the brightness of internal light and take away all darkness from the habitation of my heart. Restrain my wandering thoughts and suppress the temptations which attack me so violently. Fight strongly for me, and vanquish these evil beasts — the alluring desires of the flesh — so that peace may come through Your power and the fullness of Your praise resound in the holy courts, which is a pure conscience. Command the winds and the tempests, say to the sea: “Be still” and to the north wind, “Do not blow” and there will be a great calm.

Send forth Your light and Your truth to shine on the earth, for I am as earth, empty and formless until You illumine me. Pour out Your grace from above. Shower my heart with heavenly dew. Open the springs of devotion to water the earth, that it may produce the best of good fruits. Lift up my heart pressed down by the weight of sins and direct all my desires to heavenly things, that having tasted the sweetness of supernal happiness, I may find no pleasure in thinking of earthly things.

Snatch me up and deliver me from all the passing comfort of creatures, for no created thing can fully quiet and satisfy my desires. Join me to Yourself in an inseparable bond of love because You alone can satisfy him who loves You and without You, all things are worthless.” – Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471) – The Imitation of Christ – Book 3 Ch 23

PRAYER – Let us praise You Lord, with voice and mind and deed and since life itself is Your gift, may all we have and are, be Yours! May our Mother be with us and pray for us and listen, we pray, to the prayers of St Pope Anicetus as we ask his intercession. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, in union with You, one God for all eternity, amen.

Acts 6: 1-7
1 And in those days, the number of the disciples increasing, there arose a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, for that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look out among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying was liked by all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon, and Parmenas and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.
6 These they set before the apostles; and they praying, imposed hands upon them.
7 And the word of the Lord increased; and the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly, a great multitude also of the priests obeyed the faith.

Gospel: John 6: 16-21
16 And when evening was come, his disciples went down to the sea.
17 And when they had gone up into a ship, they went over the sea to Capharnaum; and it was now dark and Jesus was not come unto them.
18 And the sea arose, by reason of a great wind that blew.
19 When they had rowed, therefore ,about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they saw Jesus, walking upon the sea and drawing nigh to the ship and they were afraid.
20 But he saith to them: It is I; be not afraid.
21 They were willing, therefore, to take him into the ship and presently the ship was at the land to which they were going.

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

Our Morning Offering – 17 April – Mary, I Beg You

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Our Morning Offering – 17 April – “Saturday of the Second Week of Easter

Mary, I Beg You
By St Anselm (1033-1109)
Magnificent Doctor
Marian Doctor

Mary, I beg you,
by that grace through which
the Lord is with you
and you will to be with Him,
let your mercy be with me.
Let love for you always be with me,
and the care for me be always with you.
Let the cry of my need,
as long as it persists,
be with you,
and the care of your goodness,
as long as I need it,
be with me.
Let joy in your blessedness
be always with me,
and compassion for my wretchedness,
where I need it,
be with you.
Amen

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE

Our Morning Offering – 16 April – I Will Put Myself In Your Hands

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Our Morning Offering – 16 April – Friday of the Second Week of Easter

I Will Put Myself In Your Hands
By St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

O my God, I will put myself
without reserve ,into Your hands.
Wealth or woe,
joy or sorrow,
friends or bereavement,
honour or humiliation,
good report or ill report,
comfort or discomfort.
Your presence or the
hiding of Your Countenance,
all is good,
if it comes from You.
You are Wisdom
and You are Love –
what can I desire more.
Amen

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 April – The gifts of the Paraclete

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One Minute Reflection – 215April – Thursday of the Second Week of Easter, Readings: Acts 5:27-33, Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20, John 3:31-36

“ For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God, for God doth not give the Spirit by measure. … but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him.”  … John 3:34,36

REFLECTION – “How can someone with little or no faith be made to realise that an ant grows wings, a caterpillar turns into a butterfly and many other strange and unexpected things happen in nature, so that in this way he shakes off the sickness of unbelief and despair, himself acquires wings and buds in spiritual knowledge like a tree?  “I am He,” God says, “who makes the dry tree flourish;  I give life to dry bones” (cf. Ezek 17:24; 37:1-14). (…)
Sometimes our soul grows despondent at the huge swarm of its sins and temptations, and says:  “Our hope is gone and we are lost” (Ezek 37:11 LXX).   Yet God, who does not despair of our salvation, says to us:   “You shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord” (Ezek 37:6).  To the soul that doubts how it can ever give birth to Christ through great acts of holiness, these words are said:  “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you” (Lk 1:35).   Where the Holy Spirit is present do not expect anymore the sequence and laws of nature and habit.   The Holy Spirit, Whom we worship, is all-powerful and, in an astonishing way, He brings into existence what does not as yet exist within us.   The intellect, which was previously defeated, He now makes victorious.
For the Paraclete, Who in compassion, comes upon us from above, “is higher than all” (Jn 3:31) and He raises us above all natural impulses.” … St John of Karpathos (7th century) Bishop, Monk

PRAYER – Lord God, whose name is holy and whose mercy is proclaimed in every generation, send forth Your Spirit into our hearts and grant that, faithfully pondering on all that is holy, we may ever live in the splendour of Your presence.   Listen we beseech You, to the prayers we request from the Blessed Virgin Mary and all Your Angels and Saints, that we may ever entreat the Holy Spirit to grant us His light.   We make our prayer through Christ, Your Son our Lord and Saviour, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever amen.

Acts 5: 27-33
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying: Commanding we commanded you, that you should not teach in this name and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and you have a mind to bring the blood of this man upon us.
29 But Peter and the apostles answering, said: We ought to obey God, rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus, whom you put to death, hanging him upon a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand, to be Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins.
32 And we are witnesses of these things and the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to all that obey him.
33 When they had heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they thought to put them to death.

Gospel: John 3: 31-36
31 He that cometh from above, is above all. He that is of the earth, of the earth he is, and of the earth he speaketh. He that cometh from heaven, is above all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony, hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God, for God doth not give the Spirit by measure.
35 The Father loveth the Son: and he hath given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth in the Son, hath life everlasting but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY SPIRIT, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY GHOST

Our Morning Offering – 15 April – Nunc, Sancte, nobis Spiritus

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Our Morning Offering – 15 April – Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

Nunc, Sancte, nobis Spiritus
By St Ambrose (340-397)
Come, Holy Ghost, Who ever One
Trans St John Henry Newman (1801-1890) Trans 1836

Come, Holy Ghost, Who ever One
Art with the Father and the Son.
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls possess
With Thy full flood of holiness.

In will and deed, by heart and tongue,
With all our powers, Thy praise be sung.
And love light up our mortal frame,
Till others catch the living flame.

Almighty Father, hear our cry
Through Jesus Christ our Lord most high,
Who with the Holy Ghost and Thee
Doth live and reign eternally.

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on TRUTH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 April – “Light came into the world” – John 3:19

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One Minute Reflection – 14 April – Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter, Readings: First: Acts 5: 17-26, Psalm: Psalms 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, Gospel: John 3: 16-21 *Readings below

“Light came into the world” – John 3:19

REFLECTION – “The commandment of the Lord shines clearly, enlightening the eyes” (Ps 18 [19].9). Receive Christ, receive power to see, receive your light, that you may plainly recognise both God and man… Let us open ourselves to the light, then and so to God. Let us open ourselves to the light and become disciples of the Lord… Let us, then, shake off forgetfulness of truth, shake off the mist of ignorance and darkness that dims our eyes and contemplate the true God… For upon us, buried in darkness, imprisoned in the shadow of death, a heavenly light has shone, a light of a clarity, surpassing the sun’s and of a sweetness, exceeding any this earthly life can offer. That light is eternal life and those who receive it live. Night, on the other hand, is afraid of the light, and melting away in terror gives place to the day of the Lord. Unfailing light has penetrated everywhere and sunset has turned into dawn.

This is the meaning of the new creation (Gal 6,15; Rv 21,1) for the Sun of Righteousness (Mal 3,20), pursuing His course through the universe, visits all alike, in imitation of His Father, “who makes his sun rise upon all” (Mt 5,45) and bedews everyone with His truth… He, it is, who has changed sunset into dawn and death into life by His Crucifixion, He, it is, who has snatched the human race from perdition and exalted it to the skies. Transplanting what was corruptible, to make it incorruptible, He has transformed earth into heaven…

He deifies us by His heavenly teaching, by “instilling his laws into our minds, and writing them on our hearts. That all, be they of high estate or low, shall know God. And I will be merciful to them, God says and I will remember their sin no more” (Jr 31,33f.). Let us accept the laws of life, then; let us obey God’s promptings, let us learn to know Him.” – St Clement of Alexandria (150- 215) Theologian, Father of the Church – Exhortation to the Greeks, 11, 113

PRAYER – Shed your clear light on our hearts, Lord, so that walking continually in the way of Your commandments, we may never be deceived or misled. Your ways are not our ways, teach us to willingly agree to them, for You know which way we should go. Help us to say “yes” always to Your plan and to render ourselves as a sacrament of Your divine love to all we meet. Fill us with the grace to be your tools to bring glory to Your kingdom. May the prayers of your Angels and Saints and Your Blessed Mother and ours, bring us strength. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ with You, in the union of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.

Acts 5: 17-26
17 Then the high priest rising up and all they that were with him, (which is the heresy of the Sadducees,) were filled with envy.
18 And they laid hands on the apostles,and put them in the common prison.
19 But an angel of the Lord by night opening the doors of the prison and leading them out, said: 20 Go and standing, speak in the temple to the people, all the words of this life.
21 Who having heard this, early in the morning, entered into the temple and taught. And the high priest coming and they that were with him, called together the council and all the ancients of the children of Israel and they sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But when the ministers came and opening the prison, found them not there, they returned and told, 23 Saying: The prison indeed we found shut with all diligence and the keepers standing before the doors but opening it, we found no man within.
24 Now, when the officer of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were in doubt concerning them, what would come to pass.
25 But one came and told them: Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people.
26 Then went the officer with the ministers and brought them without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

John 3: 16-21
16 For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish but may have life everlasting.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world, to judge the world but that the world may be saved by him.
18 He that believeth in him is not judged. But he that doth not believe, is already judged – because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the judgement: because the light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil.
20 For everyone that doth evil hateth the light and cometh not to the light, that his works may not be reproved.
21 But he that doth truth, cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest because they are done in God.

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

Our Morning Offering – 14 April – May I Be United with You, Good Jesus

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Our Morning Offering – 14 April – Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

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

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

Posted in EASTER, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, The RESURRECTION

Our Morning offering – 13 April – He is Risen, Tell the Story

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Our Morning Offering – 13 April – Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

He is Risen, Tell the Story
By Father Willard F Janusch (1930-2018)

He is risen, tell the story
to the nations of the night;
from their sin and from their blindness,
let them walk in Easter light.
Now begins a new creation,
now has come our true salvation.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

Mary goes to tell the others
of the wonders she has seen;
John and Peter come a’running
what can all this truly mean?
O Rabboni, Master holy,
to appear to one so lowly!
Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

He has cut down death and evil,
He has conquered all despair;
He has lifted from our shoulders,
all the weight of anxious care.
Risen Brother, now before you,
we will worship and adore You.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

Now get busy, bring the message,
so that all may come to know
there is hope for saint and sinner,
for our God has loved us so.
Ev’ry church bell is a’ringing,
ev’ry Christian now is singing.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

A Parish Priest, Seminary Professor and prolific Musician and Hymnist, Fr Willard wa Ordained in 1956 and died at the age of 88 in 2018.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EASTER, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES for CHRIST

Our Morning Offering – 12 April – Jesu, be You my Life!

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Our Morning Offering – 12 April – Monday of the Second week of Easter

Jesu, be You my Life!
Msgr Robert Hugh Benson (1871-1914)
Supernumerary Private Chamberlain to St PopePius X

I cannot live alone another hour,
Jesu, be You my Life!
I have not power to strive,
be You my Power
in every strife!
I can do nothing
– hope, nor love, nor fear.
But only fail and fall.
Be You my soul and self,
O Jesu dear.
My God and all!
Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, EASTER, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 11 April – The Regina Coeli

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Our Morning Offering – 11 April – The Octave Day of Easter

The Regina Coeli

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
For He whom thou did merit to bear, alleluia.
Has risen, as He said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray.
O God, who gave joy to the world
through the resurrection of Thy son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
grant we beseech Thee,
that through the intercession
of the Virgin Mary,
His mother, we may obtain
the joys of everlasting life.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen

Remember to exchange your Angelus prayer for the Regina Coeli as from Easter Sunday for the next 50 days of Eastertide.
According to Catholic tradition, St Gregory the Great (540-604) heard angels chanting the first three lines one Easter morning in Rome, while following barefoot in a great religious procession of the icon of the Virgin painted by St Luke the Evangelist. He was thereupon inspired to add the fourth line.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The REDEMPTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 April – Easter Saturday – ‘What He offers us, is so precious, that what He asks of us, is as nothing.’ St Augustine

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One Minute Reflection – 10 April – Easter Saturday, Readings: First: Acts 4: 13-21, Psalm: Psalms 118: 1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21, Gospel: Mark 16: 9-15 *First Reading and Gospel in full below

“Preach the gospel to every creature” – Mark 16:15

REFLECTION – “You have heard what the Lord said to His disciples after the Resurrection. He sent them out to preach the Gospel and they did so. Listen: “Through all the earth their voice resounds and to the ends of the world, their message” (Ps 18[19],5). Step by step, the Gospel has reached even to us and the ends of the earth. In a few words the Lord, addressing Himself to His disciples, set out what we are to do and what we have to hope for. Just as you have heard, He said: “Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved.” He asks for our faith and offers us salvation. What He offers us, is so precious, that what He asks of us, is as nothing.

“The children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings, O my God… from your delightful stream You give them to drink, for with you is the fountain of life” (Ps 35[36],8f.). Jesus Christ is the Fountain of Life. Before the Gountain of Life came to us, we had only a human salvation, like that of the beasts of which the psalm speaks: “Man and beast you save, O Lord” (Ps 35[36],7). But now, the Fountain of Life has come even to us, the Fountain of Life died for our sakes. Will He refuse us His life Who, for our sakes, gave His death? He is salvation and this salvation is not worthless, like the other one. Why? Because it does not pass away. The Lord has come. He died, but He killed death. In Himself, He brought an end to death. He assumed it and He killed it. Where is death now, then? Look for it in Christ and it is no longer there. It used to be there but there it died. O life, death of death! Take heart, it will also die in us. What was fulfilled in the Head, will also be fulfilled in the members and death will die in us, too.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermon 233

PRAYER – Lord our God, You increase and multiply Your faithful by Your abundant gift of grace.   Look now on Your chosen people and clothe them forever in the garment of eternal life.   May we, in confident love of You, go forth and live our lives in witness and speaking with joy of the ways of truth.   Grant that the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, the Saints and Angels, may accompany us on our journey.   Through our Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Acts 4: 13-21
13 Now seeing the constancy of Peter and of John, understanding that they were illiterate and ignorant men, they wondered and they knew them that they had been with Jesus.
14 Seeing the man also who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But they commanded them to go aside out of the council; and they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying: What shall we do to these men? for indeed a known miracle hath been done by them, to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: it is manifest and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it may be no farther spread among the people, let us threaten them that they speak no more in this name to any man.
18 And calling them, they charged them not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answering, said to them: If it be just in the sight of God, to hear you rather than God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 But they threatening, sent them away, not finding how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified what had been done, in that which had come to pass.

Gospel: Mark 16: 9-15
9 But he rising early the first day of the week, appeared first to Mary Magdalen, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
10 She went and told them that had been with him, who were mourning and weeping.
11 And they hearing that he was alive and had been seen by her, did not believe.
12 And after that he appeared in another shape to two of them walking, as they were going into the country.
13 And they going, told it to the rest: neither did they believe them.
14 At length he appeared to the eleven as they were at table and he upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart because they did not believe them, who had seen him after he was risen again.
15 And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Posted in HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 10 April – Easter Saturday – The Mater Christi

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Our Morning Offering – 10 April – Easter Saturday

The Mater Christi
Unknown Author

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
What shall I ask of thee?
I do not sigh for the wealth of earth
For the joys that fade and flee,
But, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
This do I long to see —
The bliss untold which thy arms enfold,
The Treasure upon thy knee.

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
He was All-in-All to thee,
In the winter’s cave, in Nazareth’s home,
In the hamlets of Galilee,
So, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
He will not say nay to thee,
When He lifts His Face to thy sweet embrace,
Speak to Him, Mother, of me.

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
The world will bid Him flee,
Too busy to heed His gentle voice,
Too blind His charms to see,
Then, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
Come with thy Babe to me,
Tho’ the world be cold, my heart shall hold
A shelter for Him and thee.

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
What shall I do for thee?
I will love thy Son with the whole of my strength,
My only King shall He be.
Yes! Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
This will I do for thee,
Of all that are dear or cherished here,
None shall be dear as He.

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
I toss on a stormy sea,
O lift thy Child as a Beacon Light,
To the Port where I fain would be!
And, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
This do I ask of thee —
When the voyage is o’er, oh! stand on the shore
And show Him at last to me.

The author is unclear – The 1920 St Gregory Hymn book (editor Nicola A. Montani) credits it to Nicola A Montani.
The 1914 American Catholic hymn book credits it to “S. N. D. ” – most likely meaning a Sister of Notre Dame.

Posted in CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EASTER, HYMNS, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 9 April – Easter Friday – To Christ the Prince of Peace

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Our Morning Offering – 9 April – Easter Friday

To Christ the Prince of Peace
Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

To Christ the Prince of Peace,
And Son of God most high,
The Father of the world to come,
Sing we with holy joy.

Deep in His heart, for us,
The wound of love He bore;
That love wherewith He still inflames
The hearts that Him adore.

O Jesu, victim blest,
What else but love divine
Could Thee constrain to open thus
That Sacred Heart of thine?

O fount of endless life,
O spring of water clear,
O flame celestial, cleansing all
Who unto Thee draw near!

Hide us in Thy dear heart,
For thither do we fly;
There seek Thy grace through life, in death
Thine immortality.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DOUBT, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 April – Easter Thursday – “Touch me and see.” – Luke 24:39 – St Anthony of Padua

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 8 April – Easter Thursday, Readings: First: Acts 3: 11-26 Psalm: Psalms 8: 2ab and 5, 6-7, 8-9, Gospel: Luke 24: 35-48

“Touch me and see.” – Luke 24:39

REFLECTION – “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.” I think there are four reasons why our Lord showed His side, hands and feet to the Apostles. First of all, to prove He was truly risen and remove from us, any cause for doubt. Secondly, so that the “dove” – that is to say, the Church or the faithful soul – might make its nest in those wounds as in “the crevice of the rock” (Sg 2:14) and find refuge there, from the eye of the bird of prey. Thirdly, to imprint as an emblem, the marks of the Passion in our hearts. And in the fourth place ,as a warning, asking us to show Him pity and not pierce Him anew, with the nails of our sins.

He shows us His hands and His feet: “Behold,” He says, “the hands that have fashioned you (cf. 119[118]:73); see how the nails have pierced them. Behold My heart – the heart where you My faithful, you my Church, were born as Eve was born from Adam’s side: see how the lance has opened it, so that the door of Paradise, held shut by the fiery Cherubim, might be opened to you. The blood that flowed from My side has driven aside that angel and blunted his sword, the water has extinguished the fire (cf Jn 19:34) … Listen carefully, take these words to yourself and peace will be with you.” – St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Evangelical Doctor of the Church, Franciscan

PRAYER – Lord God, let there be one faith in our hearts, one love for You, one Way in You, for You are the One Truth and the only Way. We linger in Your light and beg Your unending kindness. Grant that by the prayers of Your Saints we may obtain Your strength and may Your Mother and ours, walk by our side and hold fast to our hand. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.

Epistle: Acts 3: 11-26
11 And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran to them to the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
12 But Peter seeing, made answer to the people: Ye men of Israel, why wonder you at this? or why look you upon us, as if by our strength or power we had made this man to walk?
13 The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus, whom you indeed delivered up and denied before the face of Pilate, when he judged he should be released.
14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you.
15 But the author of life you killed, whom God hath raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
16 And in the faith of his name, this man, whom you have seen and known, hath his name strengthened; and the faith which is by him, hath given this perfect soundness in the sight of you all.
17 And now, brethren, I know that you did it through ignorance, as did also your rulers.
18 But those things which God before had shewed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
19 Be penitent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.
20 That when the times of refreshment shall come from the presence of the Lord, and he shall send him who hath been preached unto you, Jesus Christ,
21 Whom heaven indeed must receive, until the times of the restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets, from the beginning of the world.
22 For Moses said: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me: him you shall hear according to all things whatsoever he shall speak to you.
23 And it shall be, that every soul which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
24 And all the prophets, from Samuel and afterwards, who have spoken, have told of these days.
25 You are the children of the prophets, and of the testament which God made to our fathers, saying to Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
26 To you first God, raising up his Son, hath sent him to bless you; that every one may convert himself from his wickedness.

Gospel: Luke 24: 35-48
35 And they told what things were done in the way and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread.
36 Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not.
37 But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit.
38 And he said to them: Why are you troubled and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39 See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; touch and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have.
40 And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and feet.
41 But while they yet believed not and wondered for joy, he said: Have you any thing to eat?
42 And they offered him a piece of a broiled fish,and a honeycomb.
43 And when he had eaten before them, taking the remains, he gave to them.
44 And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.
46 And he said to them: Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead, the third day:
47 And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And you are witnesses of these things.

Posted in EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, The LAMB of GOD, The REDEMPTION

Our Morning Offering – 8 April – Easter Thursday – O Lamb of God

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 8 April – Easter Thursday

O Lamb of God
By St Irenaeus (c 130 – c 202)
Bishop & Martyr, Father of the Church

O Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world,
look upon us and have mercy upon us,
You who art Yourself, both victim and Priest,
Yourself, both Reward and Redeemer,
keep safe from all evil
those whom You have redeemed,
O Saviour of the world.
Amen

Posted in EASTER, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 7 April – Stay with us!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 7 April – Easter Wednesday, Readings: First: Acts 3: 1-10, Psalm: Psalms 105: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9, Gospel: Luke 24: 13-35

“And they said one to the other: ‘Was not our hearts burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way and opened to us the scriptures?’” – Luke 24:32

REFLECTION – “What is the innermost reason of this fruitfulness of God’s Word? It is that Christ is ever living: He is ever the God who saves and quickens. … All proportion guarded, that which is true of the person of Jesus is true also of His Word and, what was true yesterday, is still true in our days.
Christ lives in the soul of the just, under the infallible direction of this inner master, the soul … penetrates into the divine light, Christ gives it His Spirit, the first author of Holy Writ, that it may there “search into the very depths of the infinite” (cf. 1 Cor 2:10). It contemplates God’s marvels with respect to men; it measures, by faith, the divine proportions of the mystery of Jesus and this wonderful spectacle, whereof the splendours enlighten and illuminate it, touches, draws, enraptures, uplifts, transports and transforms the soul. It experiences in its turn, what the disciples of Emmaus felt when Christ Jesus Himself vouchsafed to interpret to them the sacred books: “Was not our heart burning within us whilst he spoke in the way and opened to us the Scriptures.”

What is there astonishing, then, in the fact, that the soul, charmed and won by this living Word, “which penetrates even to the marrow” (Heb 4:12) makes the prayer of these disciples its own – “Stay with us! O Thou the incomparable Master, indefectible Light, infallible Truth, the only true Life of our souls!” Forestalling these holy desires “the Holy Spirit Himself prays for us with unspeakable groanings” which constitute true prayer, these vehement desires to possess God, to live no longer save for the Father’s glory and for that of His Son Jesus. Love becomes great and burning by contact with God, takes possession of all the powers of the soul, renders it strong and generous, to do perfectly, all the Father’s will, to give itself up ,wholly to the divine good pleasure.” – Blessed Columba Marmion (1858-1923) Abbot – Monastic prayer (Christ, the Ideal of the Monk)

PRAYER – God our Father, you give us the joy of celebrating our Lord’s Resurrection. Let the word of the Word, our Resurrected Saviour, lead us to our eternal joy. May the intercession of all your Angels, Saints and the Blessed Mother of the Risen Christ, bring us safely home. Through Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You, now and for all eternity, amen.

Epistle: Acts 3: 1-10
1 Now Peter and John went up into the temple at the ninth hour of prayer.
2 And a certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb, was carried: whom they laid every day at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, that he might ask alms of them that went into the temple.
3 He, when he had seen Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms.
4 But Peter with John fastening his eyes upon him, said: Look upon us.
5 But he looked earnestly upon them, hoping that he should receive something of them.
6 But Peter said: Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, I give thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise, and walk.
7 And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up, and forthwith his feet and soles received strength.
8 And he leaping up, stood, and walked, and went in with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
10 And they knew him, that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him.

Gospel: Luke 24: 13-35
13 And behold, two of them went, the same day, to a town which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, named Emmaus.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, that while they talked and reasoned with themselves, Jesus himself also drawing near, went with them.
16 But their eyes were held, that they should not know him.
17 And he said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk, and are sad?
18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answering, said to him: Art thou only a stranger to Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that have been done there in these days?
19 To whom he said: What things? And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people;
20 And how our chief priests and princes delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21 But we hoped, that it was he that should have redeemed Israel: and now besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done.
22 Yea and certain women also of our company affrighted us, who before it was light, were at the sepulchre,
23 And not finding his body, came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who say that he is alive.
24 And some of our people went to the sepulchre, and found it so as the women had said, but him they found not.
25 Then he said to them: O foolish, and slow of heart to believe in all things which the prophets have spoken.
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into his glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures, the things that were concerning him.
28 And they drew nigh to the town, whither they were going and he made as though he would go farther.
29 But they constrained him; saying: Stay with us because it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in with them.
30 And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight.
32 And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures?
33 And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them,
34 Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
35 And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread.