Category: MORNING Prayers

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, JESUIT SJ, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SPIRITUAL WORKS of MERCY, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 September – Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” – Matthew 25:21

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 5 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455) Bishop and Patriarch of Venice, Confessor – Ecclesiasticus 44:16-27; 45:3-20 – Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“His Lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant because thou has been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many thing. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” – Matthew 25:21

REFLECTION – “I have no idea what to write you from these parts [India and Sri Lanka] except this – the consolations bestowed by our Lord God, to those who go among the pagans, to convert them to the Faith of Christ, are so great that, if there is any joy to be had in this life, it is surely this! I have often heard it said, to someone going about amongst these Christians: “Lord, do not give me so many consolations in this life! Yet since, in Thy infinite goodness and pity, Thou are giving them me, take me into Thine holy glory! For indeed, there is such great suffering in living without seeing Thee, after Thou has shown Thyself to Thy creature, in this way!” Ah! If only those who look for knowledge in study, took as much trouble in looking for the consolations of the apostolate, as they give day and night to the pursuit of knowledge! If only those joys, which the scholar seeks in what he is learning, he were to seek in making his neighbour feel, what he is in need of – to know and serve God, how much more consoled he would find himself to be and better prepared, to give an account of himself, when Christ returns and asks him: “Give me an account of your stewardship” …

I will end, asking our Lord God … to bring us together in His holy glory. And to obtain this blessing, let us take as our intercessors and advocates, all the holy souls of the region, where I now am. … I beg all these holy souls to obtain for us from our Lord God, for as long as we remain separated, the grace of feeling His holy will in the depth of our souls and of fulfilling it perfectly.” – St Francis Xavier (1506-1552) Jesuit missionary (Letter of 15/01/1544).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God that the venerable feast of Thy blessed Confessor and Bishop, may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in ACT of ADORATION, EUCHARISTIC ADORATION and Nocturnal, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The ADORABLE HEART of JESUS, The NINE FIRST FRIDAYS

Our Morning Offering – 5 September – Prayer in Adoration of the Sacred Heart for the First Friday today

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 5 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – First Friday

Prayer in Adoration of the Sacred Heart
By St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)
Visionary and Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God,
Whom I believe to be really present
in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar,
receive this most profound Act of Adoration
to supply for the desire I have,
to adore Thee unceasingly
and in thanksgiving,
for the sentiments of love
which Thy Sacred Heart
has for me in this Sacrament.
I cannot better acknowledge them,
than by offering Thee,
all the Acts of Adoration,
resignation, patience and love
which this same Heart has made
during its mortal life
and which it makes still
and which it shall make eternally in Heaven,
in order that through it,
I may love Thee, praise Thee
and adore Thee worthily,
as much as it is possible for me.
I unite myself to this Divine Offering
which Thou dost make to Thy Divine Father
and I consecrate to Thee,
my whole being,
praying Thee, to destroy in me,
all sin and not to permit
that I should be separated from Thee,
in time and eternally.
Amen.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 September – ‘ … Nothing gives as much honour to God, as mercy, for nothing is more like Him. …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 4 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Rose of Viterbo (c1233 – 1251) Virgin – Ferial Day – 2 Corinthians 3:4-9 – Luke 10:23-37 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came upon him and seeing him, was moved with compassion.” – Luke 10:33

REFLECTION – “The first and the greatest of the commandments,that on which the Law and the Prophets are based, (Mt 22:40) is love which, it seems to me, brings its greatest proof, in love of the poor, in tenderness and compassion for one’s neighbour. Nothing gives as much honour to God, as mercy, for nothing is more like Him. “Mercy and Truth go before Him,” (Ps 88:15) and He prefers mercy to judgement (Hos 6:6). Nothing attracts the kindness of the Friend of humankind, as much as kindness towards humankind, (Wis 1:6) His reward is just, He weighs and measures mercy.

We must open our hearts to all who are poor and unhappy, whatever their suffering might be. That is the meaning of the commandment which requires us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Rom 12:15) Since we are also human, is it not right and proper for us to be kind towards those who are like us?” – St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390) Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church (On Love of the Poor, 4-6).

PRAYER – Protect Thy Church by Thine abiding mercy, we beseech Thee, O Lord and since all mortals fall without Thee, may Thy help keep them from danger and guide them to salvation. May the prayers of Thy virgin the blessed Rose, assist us on our journey to Thee. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Prayers to the SORROWFUL MOTHER, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 4 September – To Our Lady of Sorrows By St Bonaventure

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 4 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”

To Our Lady of Sorrows
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

O most holy Virgin,
Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the overwhelming grief thou experienced
when thou witnessed the Martyrdom,
the Crucifixion and the Death,
of Thy Divine Son,
look upon me, with eyes of compassion
and awaken in my heart,
a tender commiseration for those sufferings
and a sincere detestation of my sins,
in order that,
being disengaged from all undue affection
for the passing joys of this earth,
I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem
and that, henceforward, all my thoughts
and all my actions may be directed
towards this one most desirable object,
the honour, glory and love
of our divine Lord Jesus,
and to thee,
the Holy and Immaculate
Mother of God.
Amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, St PETER!, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 September – ‘ … Let us love one another then and, by so doing, we shall be loving Christ!’ St Augustine

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 3 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Pius X (1835-1914) Pope, Confessor – 1 Thessalonians 2:2-8; John 21:15-17 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Lord, Thou knowest all things, Thou knowest I love Thee.” – John 21:17

REFLECTION – “The Lord appeared once again to His disciples after His Resurrection and questioning Peter, who from fear had thrice denied Him, extracted from him a threefold declaration of love.
Christ had been raised to life in the flesh and Peter to life in the spirit; for when Christ died, as a result of the torments He endured, Peter was also dead, as a result of denying his Master. Christ the Lord was raised from the dead; Christ the Lord raised Peter through Peter’s love for Him. And having obtained from him the assurance of that love, He entrusted His sheep to Peter’s care.

We may wonder what advantage there could be for Christ in Peter’s love for Him. If Christ loves you, you profit, not Christ and if you love Him, again, the advantage is yours, not His. But wishing to show us how we should demonstrate our love for Him, Christ the Lord, made it plain that, it is by our concern for His sheep.

“Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He asked. “I do love Thee.” “Then feed My sheep.” Once, twice and a third time, the same dialogue was repeated.
To the Lord’s one and only question, Peter had no other answer than “I do love Thee.” And each time the Lord gave Peter the same command: “Feed My sheep.”
Let us love one another then and, by so doing, we shall be loving Christ!” – St Augustine (354-430) FBishop, ather and Doctor of Grace (Guelferbytanus Sermon 16).

PRAYER – O God Who, for the defence of the Catholic faith and the restoration of all things in Christ, filled St Pius, the Supreme Pontiff, with heavenly wisdom and apostolic fearlessness, mercifully grant that, by following his teachings and examples, we may receive Thy eternal rewards. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CATHOLIC TIME, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS & NOVENA to St Joseph, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS TO St Joseph, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, WORKERS

Our Morning Offering – 3 September – O Glorious St Joseph, Model of Labour By St Pius X

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 3 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Pius X (1835-1914) Pope, Confessor and today, Wednesday, being St Joseph’s day. St Joseph continues his fatherly guardianship of Christ’s Body, the Holy Catholic Church. He is a very powerful intercessor for all of us. 

O Glorious St Joseph,
Model of Labour
A Prayer to St Joseph, Daily Before Work
By St Pius X (1835-1914) Pope, Confessor

O glorious St. Joseph,
model of all those who are devoted to labour,
obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously,
putting the call of duty above
my natural inclinations;
to work with gratitude and joy,
in a spirit of penance for the remission of my sins, considering it an honour to employ
and develop, by means of labour,
the gifts received from God,
to work with order, peace, moderation and patience, without ever shrinking
from weariness and difficulties,
to work above all, with purity of intention
and detachment from self,
having always, death before my eyes
and the account which I must render of time lost,
of talents wasted, of good omitted,
of vain complacency in success,
so fatal to the work of God.
All for Jesus, all through Mary,
all after thine example, O Patriarch, St Joseph.
Such shall be my watchword in life and in death.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on ZEAL, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 2 September – ‘ … He called His Apostles and entrusted them with the Gospel teaching, giving more to one, less to the other, …’ St Jerome

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 2 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross ” – St Stephen King of Hungary (c975- 1038) Confessor – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 31:8-11 – Luke 19:12-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I say to you that to everyone who has, more shall be given but from him, who does not have, even that which he has, shall be taken away.” – Luke 19;26

REFLECTION – “There is no question but that this Householder is Christ. After His Resurrection, when He was about to return triumphantly to the Father, He called His Apostles and entrusted them with the Gospel teaching, giving more to one, less to the other, never too much or too little but according to the abilities of those who received it.  In the same way, the Apostle Paul said that he had fed with milk those unable to take solid food (1 Cor 3:2)…

Five, two, one talent: let us take these to be the different graces granted to each, whether the five senses for the first; understanding of faith and works for the second; the reasons for distinguishing us from other creatures, for the third. “The one who received five talents went away and traded with them and made another five.” That is to say, besides the physical and material senses he had received, he added knowledge of heavenly things. His knowledge was raised from the creatures to the Creator, from the corporal to the incorporeal, from the visible to the invisible, from the transient to the eternal. “The one who received two made another two.” This one likewise, according to his ability, doubled in the school of the Gospel what he had learned in the school of the Law. Or perhaps we could say, that he understood that knowledge of faith and the works of this present life, lead to future happiness. “But the man who received one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.” In the grip of works here below and of worldly pleasures, the wicked servant neglected God’s commands.  However, let us note that, according to another evangelist, he wrapped it in a linen cloth – by this we could understand that he took away the force of his Master’s teaching, by a life of softness and pleasure…

The Master welcomed the first two servants… with the same words of praise. “Come,” He said, “share in your Master’s joy and receive what eye has not seen and ear has not heard and what has not entered the human heart” (1 Cor 2:9). What greater reward could be bestowed upon a faithful servant!?” – St Jerome (343-420) Translator of Sacred Scripture (the Vulgate), Father and One of the Original Four Doctors of the Latin Church .

PRAYER – We beseech Thee, Almighty God, that Thy Church be worthy to have as her glorious defender in Heaven, the blessed Stephen, Thy Confessor, whom she had as her champion while he reigned on earth. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on KINDNESS

Our Morning Offering – 2 September– Lord, for Tomorrow and its Needs

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 2 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”

Lord, for Tomorrow and its Needs
By Sister Mary Xavier (1877)

Lord, for tomorrow and its needs
I do not pray;
keep me, my God, from stain of sin,
just for today.

Let me both diligently work
and duly pray;
let me be kind in word and deed,
just for today.

Let me no wrong or idle word
unthinking say;
set Thou a seal upon my lips,
just for today.

And if today my tide of life
should ebb away,
give me Thy Sacraments Divine,
sweet Lord, today.

So, for tomorrow and its needs
I do not pray
but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord,
just for today.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY COMMUNION, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 September – ‘ … Let us love Him above all and in all. … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 1 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Giles (c650 – c710) Abbot – Ecclesiasticus Sir ach 31:8-11 – Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed are those servants, whom the Master, on His return, shall find watching.” – Luke 12:37

REFLECTION – “In order to clarify the role of the servants,He set at the head of His people, the Lord spoke this word related in the Gospel: “Who, then is the faithful and prudent steward whom the Master will put in charge of His servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his Master on arrival, finds doing so”… If we should be wondering in what that food allowance consists, Saint Paul gives us the answer; it is “the measure of faith which God has apportioned” (Rom 12:). That which Christ called, an allowance of food, Paul termed, a measure of faith, to teach us that there is no other spiritual food than the Mystery of Christian faith. We give you this allowance of food in the Lord’s Name every time we speak to you according to the rule of the true Faith, illumined by the spiritual gift of grace. As for that allowance, you receive it at the hands of the Lord’s stewards each time you hear the Word of Truth from the mouth of God’s servants.

May that food allowance which God shares among us, be our nourishment. Let us draw from it the solid food of worthy behaviour, so that we may come to the reward of eternal life. For fear lest we collapse along the way, let us believe in Him, Who gives Himself to us as Food (Mt 15:32) and reserves Himself to be our Reward, that we may find joy when we reach our homeland. Let us believe and hope in Him; let us love Him above all and in all. For Christ is our Food and will be our Reward. Christ is the nourishment and comfort of travellers on their way; He is the contentment and rejoicing of the blessed in their repose.” – St Fulgentius of Ruspe (467-532) Bishop Father (Sermon 1, 2-3).

PRAYER – May the pleading of blessed Giles Abbo,t make us acceptable unto Thee O Lord, we pray that what we may not have through any merits of our own, we may gain by means of his patronage. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, OUR Cross, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Prayers to the SORROWFUL MOTHER, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Our Morning Offering – 1 September – My Sorrowful Mother, Help Me to Bear My Crosses

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 1 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” –

My Sorrowful Mother,
Help Me to Bear My Crosses
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

My sorrowful Mother,
by the merit of that grief
which you felt
at seeing your beloved Jesus
led to death,
obtain for me the grace
to bear with patience,
those crosses which God sends me.
I will be fortunate
if I also shall know how
to accompany you
with my cross until death.
You and Jesus,
both innocent,
have borne a heavy cross
and shall I,
a sinner who has merited hell,
refuse mine?
Immaculate Virgin,
I hope you will help me
to bear my crosses with patience.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 31 August – ‘… Expand your heart; run to meet the Sun of that Eternal Light … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 31 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Pentecost XII – St Raymond Nonnatus 1204-1240) Priest, Confessor, Cardinal, Friar of the Mercedarian Order – Ecclesiasticus Sir 31:8-1 – Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.” – Luke 12:35-36

REFLECTION – “God, the Word, stirs up the lazy and arouses the sleeper. For indeed, someone who comes knocking at the door is always wanting to come in. But it depends on us, if He does not always enter or always remain. … May your door be open to Him who comes; open your soul, enlarge your spiritual capacities, that you may discover the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace and sweetness of grace. Expand your heart; run to meet the Sun of that Eternal Light which “enlightens everyone” (Jn 1:9).  It is certain, that this true Light shines for all but, if anyone shuts their windows, then they themselves, shut themselves off from this Eternal Light.

So even Christ remains outside, if you shut the door of your soul. It is true, He could enter but He does not wish to use force, He does not put those who refuse under pressure.  Descended from the Virgin, born from her womb, He shines throughout the universe to give Light to all. Those who long to receive the Light, that shines with an everlasting brightness, open up to Him. No night comes to intervene. Indeed, the sun we see each day, gives way to night’s darkness but the Sun of Justice (Mal 3:20) knows no setting, for Wisdom is not overcome by evil.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Bishop of Milan and Father and Doctor of the Church (12th Sermon on Psalm 118).

PRAYER – O God, Who made blessed Raymund, Thy Confessor, famous for delivering Thy faithful from the captivity of the infidels, grant us, by his intercession that, having been released from the bonds of our sins, we may with free minds, do what is pleasing to Thee. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CONSECRATION Prayers, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION

Our Morning Offering – 31 August – An Act of Consecration and Reparationto the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 31 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary” on this the last day of August let us pray ab Act of Consecration and Repration to our Mother’s Immacylate Heart

An Act of Consecration and Reparation
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Queen of Heaven and Earth
and tender Mother of men,
in accordance with thy ardent wish
made known at Fatima,
I consecrate to thee, myself, my brethren,
my country and the whole human race.
Reign over us and teach us
how to make the Heart of Jesus reign
and triumph in us and around us,
as It has reigned and triumphed in thee.
We wish to atone for the many crimes
committed against Jesus and thee.
We wish to call down upon our country
and the whole world,
the peace of God in justice and charity.
We promise to imitate thy virtues,
by the practice of a Christian life
without regard to human respect.
We resolve to receive Holy Communion
on the first Saturday of every month
and to offer thee five decades
of the Rosary on this day,
together with our sacrifices
in the spirit of reparation and penance.
Amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MORNING Prayers, ONE Minute REFLECTION, OUR Cross, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WATCHING, The HEART, The HOLY CROSS, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 August–  “Many will come … ” – Matthew 8:11

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 30 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Rose of Lima OP (1586-1617) Virgin – 2 Cor inthians10:17-18; 11:1-2 – Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Many will come from the east and the west and will recline… at the banquet in the Kingdom of Heaven” – Matthew 8:11

REFLECTION – “I have seen our Lord in the Gospel accomplish many miracles and, reassured by them, have strengthened my fearful words. I have seen the centurion throw himself at the Lord’s feet, nations send their firstfruits to Christ. The Cross has not yet been erected and already, pagans hasten towards their Master. The words “Go, teach all nations” have not yet been heard (Mt 28,19) but the nations are already hastening. Their race precedes their call, they are burning with desire for the Lord. The sound of preaching has not yet been heard but they are hurrying towards the One Who preaches. Peter… has now been instructed and they gather around the One Who is teaching him; the light of Paul has not yet blazed beneath Christ’s standard and nations are coming with incense to adore the King (Mt 2:1).

And now, see how a centurion begs Him and says to him: “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralysed, suffering dreadfully.” Here is a new miracle indeed! The servant, whose limbs are paralysed leads his master to the Lord; the slaves’ sickness gives health to his owner. Seeking his servant’s healing, he finds our Lord and while he is seeking for his slave’s cure, he becomes Christ’s conquest!” – Basil of Seleucia (Died c 468) Archbishop (Homily 19 on the centurion, PG 85, 235f).

PRAYER – Almighty God, Giver of all good things, Who willed that blessed Rose, imbued in early life with the dew of heavenly grace, should bloom among the Indians with the beauty of virginity and patience, grant unto us, Thy servants that, following the fragrance of her sweetness, we may be found worthy to become a sweet savour of Christ. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, MARIAN HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 30 August – Virginis Proles for the Feast of St Rose of Lima

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 30 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Rose of Lima OP (1586-1617) Virgin

Virginis Proles
Anonymous Latin, 8th Century
Trans. Fr Edward Caswall C.Orat. (1814-1878)

O Thou Thy Mother’s Maker, hail!
Hail, Virgin-born! to Thee;
Hear us, who on this day record
Thy Virgin’s memory.

Oh, through her prayers our sins forgive,
All good and gracious King !
So purified in heart may we
Thy praise eternal sing.

All glory to the Father be;
Praise to His only Son;
With Thee, who dost from both proceed.
While endless ages run.

This Hymn is used for Matins in the Common of Virgins in the Extraordinary form of the Roman Breviary. Verses 1, 4 and 5 above, are used for a Virgin who is not a Martyr.

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PURITY, St JOHN the BAPTIST

Our Morning Offering – 29 August – O Blessed Saint of Snow-White Purity!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 29 August – The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist

O Blessed Saint of Snow-White Purity!
By Paul the Deacon (c720-796)
Transl. Fr Edward Caswall C.Orat. (1814-1878)
Breviary Hymn for Lauds

O blessed Saint, of snow-white purity!
Dweller in wastes forlorn!
O mightiest of the Martyr host on high!
Greatest of Prophets born!

Of all the diadems which on the brows
Of Saints in glory shine,
Not one with brighter, purer halo glows,
In Heav’n’s high Court, than thine!

Oh! upon us thy tender, pitying gaze
Cast down from thy dread throne;
Straighten our crooked, smooth our rugged ways,
And break our hearts of stone.

So may the world’s Redeemer find us meet
To offer Him a place,
Where He may set His ever-blessed feet,
Coming with gifts of grace.

Praise in the Heav’ns to Thee, O First and Last,
The Trine eternal God!
Spare, Jesu, spare Thy people,whom Thou hast
Redeem ‘d with Thine Own Precious Blood.

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, OUR Cross, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 August – ‘Be lamps yourselves ! …’ St Augustine

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 28 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop, Confessor, Great Western Father and Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but upon a candlestick …” – Matthew 5:15

REFLECTION – “What sort of candlestick is this which bears such a light? I will teach you.
Be lamps yourselves and you will have a place on this lampstand. Christ’s Cross is one great lampstand.
Whoever wants to shine out should not be ashamed of this wooden candlestick.
Listen to me and you will get the point – the candlestick is the Cross of Christ …

“So will your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify” Glorify Whom? Not yourself, since to seek your own glory is to want to be extinguished!
“Glorify your heavenly Father.” Yes, that they may glorify Him, your heavenly Father, when they see your good works…

Listen to the Apostle Paul: “May I never glory except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world” (Gal 6:14).” – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – Give heed to our humble prayers, Almighty God and through the intercession of blessed Augustine, Thy Confessor and Bishop, kindly grant Thy oft-given mercy to those upon whom Thou bestows great hope in Thy forgiveness. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYER WARRIORS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The ANNUNCIATION, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR

Our Morning Offering – 28 August – Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Mary! By St Augustine

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 28 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Feast of St Augustine (354-430) – Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of Grace

Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Mary!
By St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Blessed Virgin Mary,
who can worthily repay thee
with praise and thanksgiving
for having rescued a fallen world
by thy generous consent!
Receive our gratitude and by thy prayers,
obtain the pardon of our sins.
Take our prayers into the sanctuary of Heaven
and enable them to make our peace with God.
Holy Mary, help the miserable,
strengthen the discouraged,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for thy people,
plead for the clergy,
intercede for all women consecrated to God.
May all who venerate thee,
feel now, thy help and protection.
Be ready to help us when we pray
and bring back to us, the answers to our prayers.
Make it thy continual concern,
to pray for the people of God,
for thou were blessed by God
and were made worthy to bear
the Redeemer of the world,
Who lives and reigns forever.
Amen

Posted in ADVENT QUOTES, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHILDREN, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY INFANCY, The NATIVITY of JESUS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 August – “And whoever receives one such little child for My sake, receives Me.” – Matthew 18:5

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 27 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Joseph Calasanz (1557-1648) Confessor, Priest –Wisdom 10:10-14; Matthew 18:1-5 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And whoever receives one such little child for My sake, receives Me.” – Matthew 18:5

REFLECTION – “Could God not have made the human person perfect right from the beginning? For God, Who has always been identical with Himself and Who is not created, everything is possible. But because the existence of the created beings began after God’s, they are necessarily inferior to God, Who made them … Thus, since they are created, they are not perfect. When they have just been born, they are small children and as small children, they are neither accustomed to, nor have they had practice in, perfect conduct … Thus, God could give perfection to the human person right from the beginning but, the human person was incapable of receiving this perfection, for he was only a small child.

And that is why, in the last times, when our Lord gathered up all things in Himself (Eph 1:10), He came to us, not in His power but, in such a way, we were able to see Him. For He could have come to us in His inexpressible glory but, we were not yet able to bear the greatness of His glory. … Although the Word of God was perfect, with humankind He became a small Child, not for Himself but because of the state of childhood, in which was humankind.” – St Irenaeus (c130-202) Bishop of Lyons, Martyr, Father of the Church (Against the Heresies IV 38, 1-2).

PRAYER – O God, Who through St Joseph, Thy Confessor, did graciously will to provide Thy Church with a new method for the training of youth, in the spirit of understanding and holiness grant, we beseech Thee, that, following his example and through his intercession, we may live and teach so as to acquire an everlasting reward. Through esus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PHYSICAL SICKNESS, ILLNESS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 August – St Augustine – ‘Your health is Christ!’ Mark 7:33

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 26 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Resumed Mass of Sunday – St Pope Zephyrinus (Died 217) Martyr and Our Lady of Czestochowa, Queen of Poland – 1 Corinthians 15:1-10 – Mark 7:31-37 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And taking him from the multitude apart, He put His fingers into his ears and spitting, he touched his tongue.” – Mark 7:33

REFLECTION – “The Lord heals all your ills” (Ps 102:3). Never fear, all your ills will healed. You say they are big ones but the Doctor is even greater. For an all-powerful Doctor there is no such thing as an incurable sickness. Simply let yourself be cared for, do not push away His hand, He knows what to do. Do not be happy only when He acts with gentleness but bear with it, too, when He prunes. Accept the unpleasantness of the cure, by thinking of the healing it will bring you.
Notice all those things, brethren, that people put up with in their physical ills, so as to prolong their lives a few days… You, at least, are not suffering for an uncertain result – He, who has promised you, your health, cannot be mistaken. Why is it that doctors are sometimes mistaken? Because they have not created the body they are treating. But God has made your body, God has made your soul. He knows how to re-create what He has created;, He knows how to re-fashion what He has formed. You have only to abandon yourself into His Doctor’s hands… Endure His hands, then, O soul that “blesses him and forgets not all his benefits – he heals all your ills” (P2 102[103]:2-3).
He Who had made you never to become sick, if you would keep His precepts, will He not heal you? He Who made the Angels and, in re-creating you, will make you equal to the Angels – will He not heal you? He Who made Heaven and earth, will He not heal you, after having made you, in His image? (Gn 1:26) He will heal you but you must consent to be healed. He heals every sickness perfectly but He does not heal it, in spite of Himself … Your health is Christ!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermon on the Psalms, Ps 102[103]: 5-6; PL 37, 1319

PRAYER – Grant us, Thy servants, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body and, by the intercession of the glorious and blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake to the full of eternal happiness.ThroughJesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 26 August – A Prayer to Our Lady of Mercy – Our Lady of Czestochowa!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 26 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa, The Black Madonna, Queen of Poland

A Prayer to Our Lady of Mercy
Our Lady of Czestochowa!

O Mary our dear Lady of Jasna Gora,
look graciously upon thy children
in this troubled and sinful world.
Embrace us all in thy loving
and Motherly protection.

Protect our youth from godless way;
assist our dear ones, who have grown old,
to prepare for their journey home;
shield our defenceless unborn
from the horrors of abortion
and be our strength against all sin.

Spare our children from all hatred,
discrimination and war.
Fill our hearts, our homes
and our world, with the peace
and love which comes only from thy Son
Whom thou embraces so tenderly.

O Queen and Mother,
be our comfort and strength!
Through thy Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord!
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on ZEAL, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 August– ‘There is no question but that this Householder is Christ. …’ St Jerome

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 25 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Louis IX (1214-1270) King and Confessor – Wisdom 10:10-14 –Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I say to you that to everyone who has, more shall be given but from him, who does not have, even that which he has, shall be taken away.” – Luke 19;26

REFLECTION – “There is no question but that this Householder is Christ. After His Resurrection, when He was about to return triumphantly to the Father, He called His Apostles and entrusted them with the Gospel teaching, giving more to one, less to the other, never too much or too little but according to the abilities of those who received it.  In the same way, the Apostle Paul said that he had fed with milk those unable to take solid food (1 Cor 3:2)…

Five, two, one talent: let us take these to be the different graces granted to each, whether the five senses for the first; understanding of faith and works for the second; the reasons for distinguishing us from other creatures, for the third. “The one who received five talents went away and traded with them and made another five.” That is to say, besides the physical and material senses he had received, he added knowledge of heavenly things. His knowledge was raised from the creatures to the Creator, from the corporal to the incorporeal, from the visible to the invisible, from the transient to the eternal. “The one who received two made another two.” This one likewise, according to his ability, doubled in the school of the Gospel what he had learned in the school of the Law. Or perhaps we could say, that he understood that knowledge of faith and the works of this present life, lead to future happiness. “But the man who received one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.” In the grip of works here below and of worldly pleasures, the wicked servant neglected God’s commands.  However, let us note that, according to another evangelist, he wrapped it in a linen cloth – by this we could understand that he took away the force of his Master’s teaching, by a life of softness and pleasure…

The Master welcomed the first two servants… with the same words of praise. “Come,” He said, “share in your Master’s joy and receive what eye has not seen and ear has not heard and what has not entered the human heart” (1 Cor 2:9). What greater reward could be bestowed upon a faithful servant!?” – St Jerome (343-420) Translator of Sacred Scripture (the Vulgate), Father and One of the Original Four Doctors of the Latin Church .

PRAYER – O God, Who transported Thy blessed Confessor Louis from an earthly throne to the glory of the heavenly Kingdom, by his merits and intercession we beseech Thee, to make us of the company of the King of kings, Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The DIVINE INFANT

Our Morning Offering – 25 August – To Thee, O Master

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 25 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary”

To Thee, O Master
Morning Offering
By St Macarius the Wonder-Worker (Died 850)

To Thee, O Master,
who loves all mankind
I hasten on rising from sleep.
By Thy mercy,
I go out to do Thy work
and I make my prayer to Thee.
Help me at all times and in all things.
Deliver me from every evil thing of this world
and from pursuit by the devil.
Save me and bring me to Thy eternal Kingdom,
For Thou art my Creator,
Thou inspire all good thoughts in me.
In Thee is all my hope
and to Thee I give glory,
now and forever.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 August – ‘ … Follow Christ … search the Gospel … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 24 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Pentecost XI – St Bartholomew the Apostle and Martyr – 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 – Luke 6:12-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“At that time, Jesus departed to the mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God.” -Luke 6:12

REFLECTION – “At that time, Jesus departed to the mountain to pray and He spent the night in prayer to God.” Not all those who pray, climb the mountain … but, those who pray well, who rise up above the goods of earth to higher goods, climb onto the summit of watchfulness and love, from on high. Those who worry about worldly riches or honours, do not climb the mountain; no-one who covets another’s lands, climbs the mountain.  Those who seek God, go up it and those who go up, beg the Lord’s aid for their journey. All great and noble souls climb the mountain, for it is not to the first comer alone that the Prophet says: “Go up onto a high mountain, thou who announce glad tidings to Sion. Cry out at the top of thy voice, thou who bring good news to Jerusalem,” (Is 40:9).  Not by physical exploits but by high-minded actions, will you scale this mountain. Follow Christ … search the Gospel – you will find that only His disciples climbed up the mountain with the Lord.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Archbishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church (On the Gospel of Saint Luke 5,41).

PRAYER – Almighty, eternal God, Who bestowed on us the devout and holy joy of this day to celebrate the Feast of Thy blessed Apostle Bartholomew, grant unto Thy Church, we beseech Thee, both to love what he believed and to preach what he taught. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 24 August – Behold the Messengers of Christ

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 24 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Feast of St Bartholomew, Apostle

Behold the Messengers of Christ
By Fr Jean-Baptiste Santeul (1630-1697)
Priest, Monk, Hymnist, Poet, Writer

Behold the Messengers of Christ,
Who sow in every place,
The unveiled Mysteries of God,
The Gospel of His Grace.

The things through mists and shadows dim
By holy prophets seen,
In the full Light of Day, they saw
With not a cloud between.

What Christ, true Man, Divinely wrought,
What God in Manhood bore,
They wrote, as God inspired, in words
Which live forevermore.

Although in space and time apart,
One Spirit ruled them all
And in their Sacred pages still
We hear that Spirit’s Call.

To God, the blessèd Three in One,
Be glory, praise and might,
Who called us from the shades of death
To His Own glorious Light.
Amen.

Trans. Compilers of Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861.
This Hymn was used for Vespers I & II and Nocturns on the Feasts of St Mark and St Luke in the Paris Breviary (1736). Cardinal Newman’s Hymni Ecclesiae has it listed for the same hours, as the Common of Evangelists in the Paris Breviary (presumably a later edition). Tune: “Tiverton“ J Grigg, c1791.

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HOPE, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The LAST THINGS

Our Morning Offering – 23 August – Hail Mary! Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 23 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Our Lady’s Day

Hail Mary!
Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
By St John Eudes (1601-1680)
“The Apostle of Two Hearts”

Hail Mary! Mother of God the Son.
Hail Mary! Spouse of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary! Temple of the Most Blessed Trinity.
Hail Mary! Pure Lily of the Effulgent Trinity.
Hail Mary! Celestial Rose
of the Ineffable Love of God.
Hail Mary! Virgin pure and humble,
of whom the King of Heaven willed to be born
and, with thy milk to be nourished.
Hail Mary! Virgin of Virgins,
Hail Mary! Queen of Martyrs,
whose soul a sword transfixed.
Hail Mary! Lady most blessed!
unto whom all power in Heaven
and earth is given.
Hail Mary! My Queen and my Mother!
my Life, my Sweetness and my Hope,
Hail Mary! Mother Most Amiable,
Hail Mary! Mother of Divine Love,
Hail Mary! Immaculate!
Conceived Without Sin!
Hail Mary! Full of Grace!
The Lord is with Thee!
Blessed art thou among women!
And blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus!
Blessed be thy spouse, Saint Joseph,
Blessed be thy father, Saint Joachim,
Blessed be thy mother, Saint Anne,
Blessed be thy guardian, Saint John,
Blessed be thy holy Angel, Saint Gabriel,
Glory be to God the Father, Who chose thee,
Glory be to God the Son,
Who loved thee,
Glory be to God the Holy Spirit,
Who espoused thee. AMEN,

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MOTHER of GOD, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PATRONAGE - THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 August – ‘ … His Mother is the entire Church …’ St Augustine

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Octave Day of the Assumption – Ecclesiasticus 24:23-31 – John 19:25-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold, thy mother” – John 19:27

REFLECTION – “He Who is the Fruit of one holy Virgin is the glory and honour of all the other holy virgins; for like Mary, they are themselves the mothers of Christ, if they do the Will of His Father, the glory and happiness of Mary in being the Mother of Jesus Christ shines forth above all, in the Lord’s words: “Whoever does the Will of my heavenly Father is brother and sister and mother to me.” (Mt 12:50)

Thus He shows the spiritual relationships which attaches Him to those whom He redeemed. His brothers and sisters are the holy men and women who partake with Him in the heavenly inheritance. His Mother is the entire Church because by God’s grace, she brings forth the members of Jesus Christ, that is to say, those who are faithful to Him. His Mother is also every holy soul who does the Will of His Father and whose fruitful charity is made manifest in those whom it brings forth for Him until He Himself is formed in them (Gal 4:19)…” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace of the Church (On holy virginity 5).

PRAYER – Almighty, everlasting God, Who in the Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, prepared a dwelling place worthy of the Holy Ghost, graciously grant, that we, who are devoutly keeping the Feast of her Immaculate Heart, may be able to live according to Thy Heart. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 22 August – O Immaculate Heart of Mary

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 22 August – “The Feast and the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary”

O Immaculate Heart of Mary
By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)

O Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I have nothing in myself to offer thee
which is worthy of thee
but what thankgiving I ought I to pay thee,
for all the favours which thou hast obtained for me
from the Heart of Jesus!
What reparation ought I to make thee
for all my tepidity in thy service!
I desire to return thee love for love,
the only good which I possess,
is the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
which thou, thyself hast given me.
I offer thee this Treasure of Infinite Price,
I cannot do more
and thou dost not deserve less, at my hand
but, receiving from me,
this Gift most Precious in thy sight,
be pleased, I beseech thee,
to accept too, my poor heart
which I here offer to thee
and I shall be forever blessed!
Amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 August– The Treasure and The Pearl

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 21 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Jane Frances de Chantal VHM (1572-1641) Widow – Within the Assumption Octave – Proverbs 31:10-31 – Matthew 13:44-52 – cripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Jesus said in parables: The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure, hidden in a field. … Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant seeking good pearls. ”- Matthew 13:44 and 45

REFLECTION – “The two parables of the treasure and the pearl, both teach us the same thing – we should prefer the Gospel before all earthly treasures. … However, there is something even more praiseworthy than this – we should delight to give it preference, joyfully, unhesitatingly. Let us never forget this, to abandon all else, so as to follow God, is to gain more, than one loses. The preaching of the Gospel is hidden in this world like a hidden treasure, a treasure without price.

To gain this treasure … two conditions are required – the forsaking of this world’s goods and a firm determination. For, it is a question “of a merchant searching for fine pearls, when he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” This one pearl is Truth and Truth is one, it is not divided. Do you possess a pearl? Then you know your wealth, it is clenched in the palm of your hand, no-one is aware of your fortune.

So it is with the Gospel, if you embrace it with faith, if it remains enclosed in your heart, what a treasure you have You alone know it is there. Unbelievers, who know neither what it is nor what value it has, have no idea of your incredible wealth!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on Saint Matthew’s Gospel No 47:2).

PRAYER – Almighty and merciful God, Who endowed St Jane Frances, burning with love of Thee, with a wondrous strength of spirit through all the paths of life, in the way of perfection and willed through her, to ennoble Thy Church, by a new religious family, grant by her merits and prayers, that we who are aware of our weakness, may trust firmly in Thy power and, by the assistance of divine grace, overcome all obstacles in our way. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 21 August – Prayer of Abandonment By St Jane Frances de Chantal

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 21 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Feast of St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)

Prayer of Abandonment
By St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)

O sovereign goodness
of the sovereign Providence of my God!
I abandon myself forever to Thy arms.
Whether gentle or severe,
lead me henceforth whither Thou will.
I will not regard the way
through which Thou will have me pass
but keep my eyes fixed upon Thee,
my God, who guides me.
My soul finds no rest without the arms
and the bosom of this heavenly Providence,
my true Mother, my strength and my rampart.
Therefore I resolve with Thy Divine assistance,
0 my Saviour,
to follow Thy desires and Thy ordinances,
without regarding or examining
why Thou does this rather than that
but I will blindly follow Thee,
according to Thy Divine will,
without seeking my own inclinations.
Hence I am determined to leave all to Thee,
taking no part therein,
save by keeping myself in peace in Thy arms,
desiring nothing, except as Thou incites me to desire,
to will, to wish.
I offer Thee this desire, 0 my God,
beseeching Thee to bless it.
I undertake all it includes,
relying on Thy goodness,
liberality and mercy,
with entire confidence in Thee,
distrust of myself,
and knowledge of my infinite misery and infirmity.
Amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 August– ‘ … Love is the fulfilment of the Law …’ St Augustine

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 20 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Feast of St Bernard (1090-1153) Confessor, Father and Mellifluous Doctor – Ecclesiasticus 39:6-14 – Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I am not come to destroy but to fulfil.” – Matthew 5:17

REFLECTION – “Grace which was formerly veiled, so to speak, in the Old Testament, has been fully revealed in the Gospel of Christ by a harmonious disposition of the times, just as God usually disposes of everything with harmony … But within this wonderful harmony, we notice a great difference between the two ages. On Sinai, the people did not dare draw near the place where the Lord was giving His Law; in the Upper Room, the Holy Ghost comes down on all those assembled there, while waiting for the fulfilment of the promise (Ex 19:23; Acts 2:1). In the first instance, the Finger of God inscribed the laws on tablets of stone but now, it is in human hearts where He writes it (Ex 31:18; 2 Cor 3:3). Formerly the Law was written without and brought fear to sinners but now, it has been given to them within, to make them righteous …

Indeed, as the Apostle Paul says, everything written on the stone tablets, “you shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill. .. you shall not covet” and whatever other commandments there may be, are summed up in this saying: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Love does no evil to the neighbour; hence, love is the fulfilment of the Law” (Rm 13:9f.; Lv 19:18) … This charity has been “poured into our hearts through the Holy Ghost Who is given to us” (Rm 5:5).” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (On the spirit and the letter, 28-30).

PRAYER – O God, Who gave to Thy people, blessed Bernard, as a minister of salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who cherished him on earth as a teacher of life, may be found worthy to have him as an intercessor in Heaven. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).