Category: MEDITATIONS – ANTONIO CARD BACCI

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 29 May – The Great Exile

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 29 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Great Exile

“Holy Mary my Mother, grant that God may rule my mind and that thou may be always in my thoughts.
Help me to live always in the Presence of God and to dedicate all my thoughts, desires ands affections to Him.
Grant that all the actions of my poor life, may be in accordance with His Holy Will.
Amen”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/29/thought-for-the-day-29-may-the-great-exile/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/29/thought-for-the-day-28-may-the-great-exile/

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Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PENTECOST, QUOTES on TRUTH, The HOLY SPIRIT

Thought for the Day – 28 May – The Feast of Pentecost

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Thought for the Day – 28 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Feast of Pentecost

“Let us pray fervently to the Holy Ghost.
Let us pray with the Church:
“Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.”

Let us recollect ourselves in prayer before the Spirit of God on this day of Pentecost.
Let us renew our resolutions and entrust them to Him so that He may help us to carry them out.

Aspiration: Come into our hearts, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/05/thought-for-the-day-5-june-the-feast-of-pentecost/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/23/thought-for-the-day-22-june-the-feast-of-pentecost/

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HOPE

Thought for the Day – 27 May – Mary, Our Hope

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 27 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Mary, Our Hope

“O Mary, my Mother, I place my trust in you because I know, that your intercession, is all-powerful with your Divine Son, Jesus.
Help me to detach myself completely from sin and, to conquer my rebellious inclinations.
Grant that I may imitate the shining example of your sanctity in such a way, that you may be truly my hope and my sure refuge, now and at the hour of my death.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/13/thought-for-the-day-13-may-mary-our-hope/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/29/thought-for-the-day-29-october-mary-our-hope/

Posted in Hail MARY!, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 26 May – “All Generations Shall Call Me Blessed”

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Thought for the Day – 26 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“All Generations Shall Call Me Blessed”

“O Mary, my loving Mother, I wish to add my voice to the millions of voices which have proclaimed thy blessedness throughout the ages.
Grant that my recognition of thy sanctity may not be merely verbal but may be proved by deeds.
Let me do more than pray to thee as my Mother, my Queen and my powerful Mediatrix with God.
Let me also acknowledge that thou are all this to me by a practical and filial imitation of thou outstanding virtues.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/12/thought-for-the-day-12-may-all-generations-shall-call-me-blessed/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/12/thought-for-the-day-12-may-all-generations-shall-call-me-blessed-2/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PEACE

Thought for the Day – 25 May – The Search for God

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Thought for the Day – 25 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Search for God

“Holy Mary, help me to aim at pleasing God throughout my life.
Help me to see Him in all things, to love Him in all my affections, to direct all my thoughts and desires towards Him.
This is the only way in which I can become like you, my Mother.
In this way, I shall find peace on earth, even in the midst of suffering and the happiness in Heaven, which will never pass away.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/11/thought-for-the-day-11-may-the-search-for-god/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/11/thought-for-the-day-11-may-the-search-for-god-2/

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 24 May – The Recollection of Mary

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Thought for the Day – 24 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Recollection of Mary

“Holy Mary, thou who are constantly close to God, obtain for me too, this interior spirit of prayer.
Then, I shall be able to raise my thoughts to God in the midst of worldly confusion and I shall not surrender to the enchantments of worldly pleasures.
Under thou protection, I shall always remain united to God, Who is my only true good.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/24/thought-for-the-day-24-may-the-recollection-of-mary/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/24/thought-for-the-day-24-may-the-recollection-of-mary-2/

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Thought for the Day – 23 May – Prayer to Mary, Our Mother

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Thought for the Day – 23 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Prayer to Mary, Our Mother

“O Mary, be my merciful and kind Mother always but especially when you see me struggling against temptation and against the wiles of the devil.
Grant that I may never fall and offend God again.
I need you so much.
Help me and save me.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/22/thought-for-the-day-22-may-prayer-to-mary-our-mother/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/23/thought-for-the-day-23-may-prayer-to-mary-our-mother/

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUEENSHIP of MARY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 22 May – Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth

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Thought for the Day – 22 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth

“O Queen pf Angels and of Saints, my most powerful and most loving Mother, have pity on me, for I am surrounded by such great perils and need so much to advance in virtue.
Although I am weak and weary, I desire ardently to imitate the shining example of thy holidness.
Obtain for me, from thy Divine Son, the grace to imitate thee, as far as I am able on earth, so that one day I may share thy happiness in the Presence of God for all eternity.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/22/thought-for-the-day-22-may-mary-queen-of-heaven-and-earth/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/22/thought-for-the-day-22-may-mary-queen-of-heaven-and-earth-2/

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PURITY

Thought for the Day – 21 May – Holy Purity

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 21 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Holy Purity

“Most Pure Virgin, Immaculate Mother of God, thou sees how many dangers and snares surround my soul.
Thou sees how weak I am and how much I need thy help.
Assist me, I beseech thee when I am tempted.
Gran, I cry unto thee, that I may die in the state of grace, rather than fall into sin. Amen”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/21/thought-for-the-day-21-may-holy-purity/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/21/thought-for-the-day-21-may-holy-purity-3/

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SANCTITY

Thought for the Day – 20 May – Mary, the Source of Holiness

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 20 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Mary, the Source of Holiness

“Mary, my Mother, you are all-holy.
You gave Jesus to us and received from Him the Role of Mediatrix of His graces.
Ask of your Divine Son that we may always be able to avoid the slightest trace of sin and to devote all our thoughts, affections and actions to becoming holy. Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/20/thought-for-the-day-20-may-mary-the-source-of-holiness-2/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/20/thought-for-the-day-20-may-mary-the-source-of-holiness-3/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARY'S MONTH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 19 May – Mary, the Source of Peace

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Thought for the Day – 19 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”
Mary, the Source of Peace

“If we wish to possess this true peace, which only God can give, we must control and regulate the movements of our passions when they rebel against the soul.
In other words, as St Augustine says, our lower appetites must obey our reason and this, in its turn, must be subject to its author, God! (De Serm. Domini, 1,2).
Real peace can only come to us as the result of the hard and constant labour of subordinating our passions to right reason and our reason to God.
“And this is the peace,” Augustine writes, “which God gives on earth, to men of goodwill; this is the most perfect wisdom ” (Ibid).

We have found, from sad experience, that sin and the free play of the passions, cannot give us real peace because “there is no peace for the wicked” (Is 48:22).
When, by the grace of God and the assistance of Our Lady, we have subdued our rebellious inclinations, it is necessary for us to go further and abandon ourselves completely into the hands of God, asking Him for a spirit of absolute conformity to Hs Will on all occasions.
This is the price which we must pay to enjoy the peace which the world cannot give and which God gives only to those who do His Holy Will in all things (Cf Jn 14:27).

It may seem that the way to acquire this peace is very difficult but, there is no other way.
Let us pray to Our Lady.
She has won peace and victory for the Church on many occasions; for example, against the Turks at Lepanto in 1571 and at Vienna in 1683.
In the same way, she will obtain for us, her children, interior peace of soul, the greatest treasure which we can possess on earth!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/18/thought-for-the-day-18-may-mary-the-source-of-peace/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The ASCENSION of the LORD

Thought for the Day – 18 May – The Ascension of Jesus

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Thought for the Day – 18 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Ascension of Jesus

“After His glorious Resurrection from the dead, Jesus appeared to His Apostles.
For forty days He instructed them concerning the Kingdom of God.
When He had announced to His followers, that He would send the Holy Spirit to give them the enlightenment and courage to preach the Gospel, they gathered together on the Mount of Olives and saw Him rise upwards until a bright cloud hid Him from their view.
The Mystery of the Ascension contains a lesson for us.
We must be detached from the world and brought closer to Heaven, which is our true home.
We are so attached to earthly things because money, reputation and pleasure are closer to our hearts than the thought of God or of eternity.
We shall have to leave all these things behind soon enough, however.
When death comes, the world will slip away from us and the soul will stand alone before God.

Let us begin to detach ourselves from worldly affairs and to make Heaven the object of our desires.
Why should we be sorry or afraid, or both, to leave this earth?
Remember the teaching of St Paul “Here we no permanent city but we seek for the city that is to come” (Heb 13:14).
“For me to live is Christ,” he said, “and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21). “desiring to depart and to be with Christ, a lot by far the better” (Phil 1:23).

Let us pray in the beautiful words of the Church: “Lord, grant that while we are living in this changing world, we may aspire to the true happiness of Heaven, so that in the midst of earthly vicissitudes, our hearts maybe content in this ambition.” (Roman Breviary).

Let us not be afraid of death, for it is only the Gate of Heaven!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

ANOTHER REFLECTION ON THE ASCENSION:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/13/thought-for-the-day-13-may-the-ascension-of-jesus/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The ASCENSION of the LORD, The LAST THINGS

Quote/s of the Day –18 May – The Ascension of the Lord

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Quote/s of the Day –18 May – The Ascension of the Lord

“From that time onward,
He was to remain at the Father’s Right Hand,
until the completion of the period, ordained by God,
for the Church’s children to increase and multiply,
after which, in the same Body with which He ascended,
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
And so, our Redeemer’s Visible Presence
has passed into the Sacraments.
Our faith is nobler and stronger because,
empirical sight has been replaced
by a reliable teaching, whose authority
is accepted by believing
hearts, enlightened from on high.”

St Leo the Great (400-461)
Pope , Great Father
and Doctor of the Church

“… The just ascend into Heaven
but not in the manner that Christ ascended,
namely by His own power,
for they are taken up by Christ –
“Draw me, we will run after thee.” (Sg 1:3)
Or indeed, we can say,
that no-one but Christ has ascended into Heaven
because the just do not ascend,
except, insofar as they are members of Christ,
Who is the Head of the Church. … ”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus/Doctor Communis

“Perhaps, the Blessed Mother,
was the last to take her eyes off the disappearing cloud
which had removed Jesus from view.
Her human eyes never saw again,
the beloved figure of her Divine Son
but, in her soul, she saw Him entering triumphantly
into Heaven among choirs of Angels
and sitting at the right hand of the Eternal Father.
She saw and thought with infinite yearning,
of the not too distant day,
when she would have passed from mortal exile,
into the everlasting happiness of Heaven,
where she would embrace her Divine Son again,
in an ecstasy of love.

We have all been called to ascend to Heaven
with Jesus and Mary.
Let us remember, however, that only the innocent
and the repentant can be admitted into Paradise!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/26/quote-s-of-the-day-26-may-the-ascension-of-our-lord/

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT

Thought for the Day – 17 May– Living in the Presence of God

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 17 May– Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Living in the Presence of God

“The masters of the spiritual life advise us to the best way to cultivate an awareness of the presence of God (Cf St Alphonsus Liguori, Al Divino Servizio, III, 3).
This may be done by employing the intellect to form the concept of God’s nearness and by using the will, to offer to Him, ourselves and everything around us, with acts of humility, adoration and love.
The intellect, enlightened by faith, tells us that God is everywhere, “Do not I fill heaven and earth? said the Lord” (er 23:24).
We should see Him in all His creations which reflect His eternal glory.
“Learn to love the Creator in the creature” says St Augustine, “so that you may not become attached to created things and so lose Him by Whom, you yourself were created” (In Px 18).

When we wish to revive, in our minds, a sense of the presence of God, we should not picture Him as a distant Being but, as our own God, Who condescended to dwell within us.
We should then listen to His inspirations and humbly venerate His Divine Majesty, which resides in our souls.
“Do you not know,” says St Paul, “that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor 3:16).
God is everywhere but He dwells in a special manner, in our souls.
It is difficult for us, however, to live with our minds constantly concentrated on Him.
If we were able to do so, this would be an anticipation of the happiness of the Blessed in Heaven.
But, we should have a habitual intention, which we should renew as often as possible, of living in the presence of God and of offering Him all our desires and actions.
Then, our whole life will be a continual prayer of great value in the sight of God.

My loving Mother Mary, you lived both physically and spiritually, permanently in God’s presence, help me to live as you did.
Help me to consciously remember the Divine presence in my soul and offer Him all that I am and do.
Help me to love our good God, more and more.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/25/thought-for-the-day-25-may-living-in-the-presence-of-god/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FREE WILL, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on VANITY, QUOTES on WISDOM, The HEART, The HOLY SPIRIT

Thought for the Day – 30 April – TRUE WISDOM

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 30 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

TRUE WISDOM

“According to Christian teaching, both knowledge and wisdom, properly understood, are gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Only the Light and Grace of the Holy Spirit, can enable us to comprehend the Truth which, in its plenitude, is God Himself and to appreciate the vanity of human things, as long as they are not ordained to their final end which is God and the everlasting life of happiness.

St Thomas Aquinas holds that human and earthly things are the proper object of science, insofar however, as they ought to be directed towards God.
“The man who has a correct approach to science, regards creatures as ordained to God, does not value them for more than they are worth and does not permit them to constitute the purpose of his life” (Summa Theologiae II-II q9 a4).
“All creatures are ordained to God and to His glory,” he writes elsewhere, “in that they manifest the Divine Goodness in themselves; they are, moreover, the means to everlasting happiness” (Quaestiones disputate, De Caritate q1 a7).

Nature maybe said to be a sacrament which enables us to gain experience of God (Summa Theologiae III q60 a2 ad1).
This is how knowledge becomes wisdom which is not content merely to have a proper estimation of human objects but, proceeds to penetrate, with the assistance of Revelation and of Grace, into the transcendent Mysteries of the Divinity.
Wisdom, moreover, guides the will and the heart, as well as the intellect.
It is practical, as well as speculative, for it directs our actions, as well as our thoughts towards God.
Like the Saints, we should be guided entirely by this true intellectual and practical wisdom.
“Grant me, O Lord, celestial wisdom,” we should pray with the Author of The Imitation of Christ, “that I may learn, above all things, to seek Tbee and to find Thee; above all things, to relish Thee and to love Thee and to understand, all other things, as they are, according to the order of Thy Wisdom!” (Bk III c27).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on VANITY, QUOTES on WISDOM

Thought for the Day – 29 April – Knowledge and Learning

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 29 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Knowledge and Learning

“What is the purpose of our studies and our quest for knowledge?
It is interesting to read what St Bernard has to say on this subject.

“There are those who wish to learn for learning’s sake – these are simply curious and come to no serious conclusions.
There are those, moreover, who study in order to be better known – these are vain men.
Others acquire knowledge in order to sell it and to make money, or in order to gain honours – these are merchants of science and culture.
There are others, however, who cultivate science as an instrument to be used in the service of their neighbour – such men are motivated by charity.
There are also some, who study in order to sanctify themselves – and this is true WISDOM!” (Serm 35).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CONTEMPLATIVE Prayer, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 28 April – The Contemplative and the Active Life

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 28 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Contemplative and the Active Life

“The man is heading for disaster who becomes obsessed with the necessity for external activitiy to the exclusion of the vital source of the apostolate, which is to be found in prayer and contemplation.
He will sow much and will gather nothing!
He will make a great deal of noise, wherever he goes but, his work will not be blessed by God.
Those who are overactive and think that they can conquer the whole world, says St John of the Cross, would do well to remember that they would be more useful to the Church and more pleasing to God, if they spent at least half their time with God in prayer.

Unless neighbourly love and external charity are inspired by the love of God, they are a useless sham and are often no more than the outward expression of personal ambition.
On the other hand, there is something lacking in prayer and contemplation, if they fail to produce good works.
Love cannot be idle and contemplation should not be mere daydreaming.
If a man loves and contemplates God, he will love and contemplate his neighbour.
Then he will feel the urge to dedicate himself, no matter what the sacrifice, to charitable activity on his neighbour’s behalf.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/17/thought-for-the-day-17-may-contemplation-and-our-lady/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/02/thought-for-the-day-2-december-the-contemplative-and-the-active-life/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 27 April – The Word of God

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 27 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Word of God

“The Word of God should be for us a summons to turn completely from vice towards virtue.
It should be the lamp which illuminates the darkness of our minds and helps us to see the ugliness of sin.
It should revive our faith and set our hearts on fire with the love of God and the desire for Heaven.

Every sermon which we hear and every prayer of Sacred Scripture which we read, should incite us to further progress in the way of Christian perfection.
This should be our main goal in life.
If we try hard to reach it, we shall, by the grace of God, become the good ground in which the Divine Seed will bear abundant fruit for eternal life.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/20/thought-for-the-day-20-september-the-word-of-god/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/04/13/thought-for-the-day-13-april-the-word-of-god/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 26 April – The Only Remedy for All Our Ills

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 26 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Only Remedy for All Our Ills

“We should not stop short at doing the will of God with resignation but should aim at doing it from the motive of love.
We should perform all our most ordinary actions and accept physical and moral suffering, purely for the love of God.
Then we shall have peace, both in joy and in sorrow and we shall be happy.

Only the Saints fully understood this great principle of doing and enduring everything for the love of God alone.
They made it their basic rule of life.
If Jesus granted them consolation and favours, they thanked Him.
If He sent them severe suffering and spiritual desolation, they were equally grateful.
“To me to live, is Christ” (Phil 1:21) said St Paul.
Jesus Christ must reign supreme in my will and in my heart and in all my actions.
Then sorrow and suffering will be all the same to me and I shall possess the peace and happiness of the Saints.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/28/thought-for-the-day-28-april-the-only-remedy-for-all-our-ills/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/26/thought-for-the-day-26-june-the-only-remedy-for-all-our-ills/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 25 April – Gospel Reading

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 25 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Gospel Reading

“Finally, we should practice what we learn in the Gospel.
If this were not the result of our reading, our efforts would be worth very little.
When reading, we should apply to our lives the spirit and the precepts of Jesus.
This was the practice of the Saints, whose lives were a continual implementation of the Gospel message.
So, St Aloysius and others, understood and applied to their own lives, the maxim: “Blessed are pure of heart.”
St Francis and his followers, applied another maxim: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
St Francis de Sales applied to himself, in a special way, the words: “Blessed are the meek.”
As a result, he was noted for his gentleness of character, this man, known as “The Gentleman Saint” and “The Gentle Christ of Geneva!”

We should read the Gospel everyday.
It should be for us, a school of practical spirituality, esspecially adapted to the needs of our own soul, which will finally lead us to sanctity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/24/thought-for-the-day-24-april-gospel-reading/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/21/thought-for-the-day-21-july-gospel-reading/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on GOSSIP

Thought for the Day – 24 April – Conversation with God and with Men

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 24 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Conversation with God and with Men

“Let us recall again the sentence in which The Imitation of Christ paraphrases – an idea of Seneca (Epistulae morales ad Lucilium 7).
“As often as I have been amongst men, I have returned less a man” (Bk 1 c XX,2).
The writer goes onto explain what he means by this.
“It is easier to keep silence altogether, than not to fall into excess in speaking … No man can safely speak but he who loves silence!” (Ibid).

We have all experienced how true it is that when we are frequently in the company of others, we become easily absorbed in matters which are spiritually advantageous neither to ourselves nor to our neighbour.
If the people with whom we associate were holy, this would not happen.
It is always edifying to hold confersation with a Saint.
After such a conversation we go away better Christians than we were beforehand.
“Nobody,” writes Tertullian, “is wiser, more faithful and nobler, than the Christian” (De Praeseriptione haereticorum, 3).

Unfortunately, Saints are rare, whereas evil men are common and idle and foolish men more common still.
“Walk with wise men and you will become wise but the companion of fools, will fare badly” (Prov 13:20).

This does not mean that we should all become hermits, for that is a lofty vocation wqo which only a few are called.
But it remains true that constant chatter with other men, is both a waste of time and harmful.
So-called society life is dissipating and disedifying.

Converse with men when it is necessary, when it is useful and when it is polite to do so.
At such times, let your speech be simple and good and your behaviour edifying.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 23 April – Daily Progress

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 23 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Daily Progress

“The second way in which we should make daily spiritual progress is by adorning our soul with virtues.
When we have cleansed our soul of the scars of sin,. there still remains the positive task of adorning it with Christian virtues.

We should begin by acquiring the virtue of humility which is the foundation of the entire spiritual life.
One can never be too humble.
It is difficult to become humble and it involves lifelong renunciation and sacrifice.

Once we have acquired this virtue, however, the sunshine and dew of Divine Grace cause others to spring up beside it.
It will be easier then to advance, day-by-day nearer to perfection.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/12/thought-for-the-day-12-november-daily-progress/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/12/thought-for-the-day-12-november-daily-progress-2/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, Quotes on SALVATION

Thought for the Day – 22 April – The Salvation of Souls

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 22 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Salvation of Souls

“Remember the countless conversions effected by the Saints as a result of their prayers, mortifications and heroic sacrifices.
No-one can call himself a Christian who does not love, in a practical manner, his fellowmen, especially unfortunate heretics and sinners.

Make up your mind, to offer your prayers and sacrifices for their conversion.
Include them in your daily offering, daily Mass and daily Rosary too.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/07/thought-for-the-day-7-july-the-salvation-of-souls/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/11/thought-for-the-day-9-december-the-salvation-of-souls-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Thought for the Day – 21 April – The Dignity and Responsibility of Being a Christian

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 21 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Dignity and Responsibility
of Being a Christian

“Let us examine ourselves particularly on the duties of our state and see if we are fulfilling them generously.
Not only are we obliged to obey the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church but, each of us must carry out too, the obligations attached to his position in life.
We are well aware of what these obligations are.
Naturally, they vary from person to person.
Let us remember that God gives each of us the graces necessary for his state and that we shall have to accounmt for the way we have used these before the Eternal Judge.

The man who has received a lot will have to account for a lot.
Perhaps we have received a very large share of graces.
If so, besides the general duties attached to the dignity of being a Christian, we have other important obligations which, as Christians, we must carry out generously,”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/21/thought-for-the-day-21-april-the-dignity-and-responsibility-of-being-a-christian/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/11/thought-for-the-day-11-january-the-dignity-and-responsibility-of-being-a-christian/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 20 April – The Glory of God

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 20 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Glory of God

“Holiness consists in love – not earthly love, of course but supernatural love.
It consists in seeking God in all things, in doing His will without reservation, in aiming at His glory alone.
All else, is dust and ashes!

So it will appear to us at the end of life when we shall be able to view ourselves and the world around us, in the light of eternity.
Herein lies the explanation of the lives of the Saints, lives of sacrifice dedicated to God and to the salvation of souls.
“Everything for the greater glory of God,” was the motto of St Ignatius Loyola.
“Everything in the Name of God,” said St Vincent de Paul.
“My God is my All” said St Catherine of Genoa.
“Love God, serve God, everything is in that!” exclaimed St Clare of Assisi.

How do my thoughts, desires and ambitions compare with these?
Are they sincerely directed towards God and towards His glory?”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/26/thought-for-the-day-26-november-the-glory-of-god/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/21/thought-for-the-day-21-november-the-glory-of-god/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 19 April – Faith and Charity

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 19 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Faith and Charity

“Faith is a wonderful thing.
As has been said, it is a supernatural gift from God, which we should keep alive by prayer.
Faith alone is not enough, however.
It is the foundation, on which we must build the structure of our Christian life.
It is especially necessary for it to be united to the flame of charity.
“Without love,” says St Augustine, “there is only the faith, which the devil has” (De Caritate 10) because, as St James explains, “the devil also believes and trembles” (Js 2:19).
We, however, should believe and love.
We must combine faith with charity towards God and towards our neighbour.
Our faith should be active.
As St Paul says, it should work under the influence of charity (Gal 5:6).
Without charity and good works, faith is a lifeless thing.

If we really believe, we should love God above all things, even more than we love ourselves and, we should be ready to make any sacrifice for Him, even the sacrifice of our lives.

Faith should induce us to think constantly of God and charity should urge us to do everytig for His sake, rather than for any lesser purpose.
If we lack this kind of charity, we cannot claim to be sincere Christians.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/23/thought-for-the-day-23-april-faith-and-charity/

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL

Thought for the Day – 18 April – A Life of Fervour

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 18 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Life of Fervour

“The fervent Christian will never miss an opportunity of advancing in perfection.
When he feels that he is growing negligent, he combats the signs of spiritual retrogression and makes a new beginning, by telling God that he wishes to belong entirely to Him.
It is his motto that no day must ever pass without a further step towards perfection.
To decide to stand still is fatal, for it leads, inevitably, to a decline.
It is true, that the constant effort to advance costs great sacrifices but, sanctity cannot be achieved without sacrifice and everlasting happiness cannot be gained without perseverance in virtue.
Moreover, difficult though the ascent towards perfection may be, it eases the heaviness of our hearts and brings us the fundamental peace which God alone can give.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/15/thought-for-the-day-15-july-a-life-of-fervour/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/15/thought-for-the-day-15-july-a-life-of-fervour-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on REPARATION, QUOTES on SCANDAL, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 17 April – SCANDAL!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 17 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

SCANDAL!

“Some people are careful to avoid giving grave scandal but do not give it a thought in matters which they regard as trivial.
They have no scruples about imprudent gestures, malicious innuendoes, double-meaning conversations, acts of impatience, lack of understanding or constant grumbling.
Such things may seem trivial in themselves but can cause a great deal of harm in certain circumstances and in certain types of company.

We should keep control over ourselves and examine our behaviour in these matters every evening.
If we examine ourselves properly, we shall realise that we have failed to a greater or lesser degree.
Consequently, we shall recognise our obligation to make reparation, as far as possible, for any scandal which we have given.
This can be done especially by giving good example.
We have a strict obligation in conscience, to make reparation for all sin – never forgetting or disregarding any occasions when we were the instruments of the devil and have caused (sometimes GRAVE) scandal [these days maybe to 1000s on social media!].”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/28/thought-for-the-day-28-december-scandal/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS

Thought for the Day – 16 April – The Three Grades of Perfection, The Third Grade

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 16 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Three Grades of Perfection –
The Third Grade

“The Third Grade of perfection consists in preferring suffering to pleasure, humiliation to honours and the cross, to an easy life.
By these means, we imitate Christ better and show our love for Him.
The way of the cross, is the way of Jesus and is the only path to holiness.
It is easier for those who walk this path to be detached from sin and from the world and to remain close to Jesus.
This is the way which the Saints chose.

In which grade of perfection are we?
Even if we are still far from the peak of the third grade of perfection, we should, nevertheless, work hard to reach it,
It is particularly essential that we should stand firm in the first grade of being faithful to the motto of St Dominic Savio: “Death rather than sin!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/24/thought-for-the-day-24-april-the-three-grades-of-perfection-introduction/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/14/thought-for-the-day-14-february-the-three-grades-of-perfection-one-and-two/

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DIVINE MERCY, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, The UNFORGIVEABLE SIN

Thought for the Day – 15 April – The Mercy of God

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 15 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Mercy of God

“Remember, that if God’s mercy is infinite, so also is His justice.

When we realise that we have fallen into serious sin, we should not give way to despair as Judas did but, should turn to Jesus trustingly and contritely, saying with the Psalmist, “My refuge and my fortess, my stonghold, my deliverer, my shield, in whom I trust” (Ps 143:2).
We shall certainly be forgiven.

It would be the highest form of ingratitude and even blasphemous, to abuse God;s goodness and mercy.
Let our repentance be sincere and effective.
In return for the infinite goodness of God, let us give Him our love, limited indeed but willing and constant.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/11/thought-for-the-day-19-april-the-mercy-of-god-2/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/28/thought-for-the-day-28-april-the-mercy-of-god/