Category: MEDITATIONS – ANTONIO CARD BACCI

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, St Francis de Sales, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 September – ‘ … No more world, no more sins!’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 4 September – Feria – Galatians 5:16-24, Matthew 6:24-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“No man can serve two masters.”

Matthew 6:24

“Penance is a needful thing to the sinner,
who desires to recover health of his soul.
And, in doing penance, there be three things
to be considered:
serious compunction of heart,
confession of mouth
and satisfaction by deed.”

St John Fisher (1469-1535)

“Worldly love aims at pleasing everyone
and saddening no-one.
Many call this politeness!
but, it is simply
self-praise and flattery!”

“If you wish to rid yourself of self-love,
purify your intentions
and, in every action,
seek what is pure
and what alone, will give honour to God.”

St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502-1539)

“Lord, forgive this great sinner.
Give me time to do penance.
No more world, no more sins!”

St Camillus de Lellis MI (1550-1614)

“To advance well,
we must apply ourselves
to make good way
on the road nearest to us
and do, the first day’s journey.”

“We fight the monsters of Africa
in imagination
but, from lack of attention,
we allow ourselves, in reality,
to be killed by the little serpents
which lie in our way!”

(Intro to the Devout Life III:37)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity of the Church

“Let us be humble like Mary.
Let us make God’s glory,
rather than our own satisfaction,
the object of our actions.
Only one thing should count with us
and that is, the testimony
of a good conscience before God.
Everything else is passing and futile.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD

Thought for the Day – 2 September – Intimacy with Jesus

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Thought for the Day – 2 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Intimacy with Jesus

“In his memoirs written while in exile, Napoleon says: “Many have desired and endeavoured to be obeyed, revered and honoured by all; only Jesus Christ has demanded this because He is God.”

“As the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you,” we read in the Gospel of St John.
“Abide in My love” (Jn 15:9).

Jesus, therefore, asks each of us, not only to love Him but, to remain intimately united to Him in love.
He has a perfect right to demand this because, as God, He is our Creator and as God-Man, He is our Redeemer, Who out of love for us has given Himself entirely.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Thought for the Day – 1 September – The Problem of Evil

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Thought for the Day – 1 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Problem of Evil

“According to St Augustine, great good can come from the evil which God permits.
In the first place, God displays His infinite goodness and mercy.
Even though He permits us to offend Him out of respect for our human liberty.
He is always ready to forgive us, even as He forgave the penitent thief.

In the second place, by permitting evil, God gives the good, an opportunity of practising virtue, especially the virtue of patience.
If there were no persecutors, there would be no Martyrs and the Church would be deprived of the glory which makes her most like her Founder, Jesus Christ.

Finally, each of us has a particular duty to fulfil in resisting the onslaught of evil.
As followers and soldiers of Christ, we cannot remain passive.
The invasion of the forces of darkness and evil, demands a counter-attack by the forces of light and good, in defence of the Faith and of the Church.
As Christians, we are the sons of Martyrs.
We must not refuse, therefore, to make our lives a continuous martyrdom for the triumph of goodness in ourselves and in others.
The faithful exercise of virtue and of the apostolate is often a form of martyrdom.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE & TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/01/thought-for-the-day-1-september-the-problem-of-evil/

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 31 August – Prayer and Our Lady

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Thought for the Day – 31 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Prayer and Our Lady

“O Mary, my Mother, obtain for me that spirit of prayer which will keep me always close to God.
I know that sin can never conquer me if I remain united to God.
I know if my heart is filled with the desire of Heavenly gifts, there will be no room in it for useless or sinful affections.
I wish to follow your example and live a life of prayer and recollection.
But, I am very weak and unstable.
Please obtain for me the gift of constant and persevering prayer and grant that I may never lose it.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

On this last day of the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, let us call upon the Mother of Our Lord and our Mother, in all our great needs.

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR

Thought for the Day – 30 August – The Duties of Our State

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

The Duties of Our State

“Let us be content, or at least, resigned in the position in which Providence has placed us.
Let us pay special attention to those things which we are obliged to do.
Anything which is not necessary should be left until later, even if it is more pleasant or seems more worthwhile in itself.
Let us never become involved in business which is incompatible with our state or dangerous to our eternal welfare.
Let us not make light of minor offences against the duties of our state.
Smaller transgressions gradually become greater.
Above all, let us try to sanctify our calling.
It is one thing to work conscientiously, another to work in a spirit of holiness.,
Even pagans can do their duty earnestly.
Doing our duty is only a help to our eternal salvation if it is done with God’s grace for the purpose of serving Him, for His love and glory.
This should be our manner of behaviour.
If it is, we can claim to have sanctified our state in life and to have made our work holy.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/16/thought-for-the-day-16-february-the-duties-of-our-state/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/16/thought-for-the-day-16-february-the-duties-of-our-state-2/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 29 August – Avarice and Ambition

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

Avarice and Ambition

“What is our attitude in regard to these matters?
We are not forbidden, naturally, to look after our own affairs and our work.
In fact, it is our duty to do so, to whatever degree is demanded by the circumstances in which we live.
Similarly, it is not forbidden to try to better our social position.
But, all this must be done, however, with a due sense of proportion and by the proper means.

The first concern in our life should be the service of God.
This is what we were created for; this is what we must wholeheartedly aim at doing.
Only in this way can we secure peace of mind and attain eternal salvation.
Everything else must be secondary to our ultimate purpose in life.
Otherwise, God would be in a position inferior to ourselves and this would be equivalent to robbing, for ourselves, the honour and glory due to our Creator and Redeemer!
Think earnestly about this truth.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/24/thought-for-the-day-24-february-avarice-and-ambition/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/24/thought-for-the-day-24-february-avarice-and-ambition-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD

Thought for the Day – 28 August – The Examination of Conscience

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

The Examination of Conscience

“It is necessary and profitable, therefore, to end the day with an Examination of Conscience, made in the presence of God.
Entering into ourselves, we examine our thoughts, words and actions.
Examine also the motives behind our actions and see whether they have been distorted or really directed towards God.
Examine the sins we have committed, so that we may beg for pardon and form resolutions to do better.
See whether we have prayed fervently, or distractedly and half-heartedly.
See if we have co-operated with the graces and good inspirations which we have been given.
See if we have improved, or grown worse, in our efforts to do good.
See if we have been dissipated or close to God.

From a close examination of this kind, we shall draw an incitement to humility and repentance, in addition, to greater determination in the future.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/28/thought-for-the-day-28-february-the-examination-of-conscience/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/02/28/thought-for-the-day-28-february-the-examination-of-conscience-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Thought for the Day – 27 August – Evening Prayer

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

Evening Prayer

“We must remember, moreover, that during the night we can be assailed by many dangers to soul and body.
The devil stops at nothing in his efforts to seduce us.
Anyone who goes to bed with no other thought than of getting a pleasant night’s sleep, has neglected to ask for God’s blessing and is running the risk of yielding to temptations.
During these hours of necessary inactivity, the devil can come with all his wiles to tempt us.
In the beginning there will be idle day-dreaming, then impure images and finally, the full-blooded onslaught of temptation.
It would be disastrous if we were caught unprepared and without any help from God.
But this assistance can be obtained by fervent and constant prayer.
If it is always necessary to pray, it is especially necessary when we are inactive and, therefore, in a state of continual danger from the seductions of the devil.

So let our day close with prayer and from prayer we shall pass onto sleep.
Let us offer to God this sleep, so necessary for the restoration of bodily energy.
Let us make the intention of offering every breath we draw as an act of obedience and of the love of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/27/thought-for-the-day-27-february-evening-prayer/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/27/thought-for-the-day-27-august-evening-prayer/

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 26 August – Visits to the Blessed Sacrament

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

Visits to the Blessed Sacrament

“Taste and see how good the Lord is; happy the man who takes refuge in him” (Ps 33:9).
Many people, unfortunately, place their trust in men and in worldly things.
They soon see the mistake they have made and are disillusioned and embittered.

It was not so with the Saints.
They spent long hours by day and by night, praying to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and, carried away with them, reserves of spiritual strength and tranquility.
When they could not visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, many of them would go to some place where they could see a Church and remain there in adoration.
Whenever duty made it impossible for St Stanislaus Kostka to remain before the Tabernacle, he asked his Angel Guardian to adore Jesus on his behalf..

If we were on fire with love for God, as the Saints were, we should do the same as they did.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/26/thought-for-the-day-26-february-visits-to-the-blessed-sacrament/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/26/thought-for-the-day-26-august-visits-to-the-blessed-sacrament/

Posted in ACT of PERFECT CONTRITION, EXTREME UNCTION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, The LAST THINGS, VENIAL SIN

Thought for the Day – 25 August – EXTREME UNCTION

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

EXTREME UNCTION

“The Sacrament of Extreme Unction is the final link in the chain of favours with which our lives are girdled.
It heals the wounds which sin has left in us, comfers grace upon the soul and can even restore the health of the body if this coincides with our spiritual welfare.
“Is anyone among you sick?” asks St James. “Let him bring in the presbyters of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (Js 5:14-15).

Extreme Unction is a Sacrament of the living and should, therefore, be received in the state of grace.
If, for some grave reason, however, it is impossible for the sick man to make his confession, he can make, as far as is possible, an act of perfect contrition and receive this Sacrament, thereafter.
In this case, Extreme Unction can remit even the mortal sins which he is unable to confess.

Of itself, however, this Sacrament increases Sanctifying grace in the soul, pardons venial sins, remits the temporal punishment due to sins which have already been forgiven and removes the evil inclinations and weakness of will, which are the result of sin.
It enables the soul, moreover, to endure suffering and temptation and to await death with calmness and resignation.
We should be deeply grateful to God for deigning to comfort and assist us in our final trial!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DEATH, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The HOLY VIATICUM

Thought for the Day – 24 August – Holy Viaticum

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

Holy Viaticum

“Although the Holy Eucharist sustains us through life’s journey, we need it most of all, when we are nearing the end and are at last, in sight of our heavenly home.

Men can do no more for us in these final moments.
Our friends, if we have any left, will have nothing to give us except their affection.
The doctors will have abandoned us once we have passed the stage where medical aid is of any use to us.
Life will have become an elusive memory, a sad memory if it recalls a long succession of sins but, a consoling one, if it reminds us of good deeds and acts of mortification.

As a general rule, a dying man experiences a longing for some kind of assistance.
Our yearning will be satisfied if it is our privilege to receive, in our final moments, the Divine Healer, Who is also our Saviour and Redeemer.
Since death can seize us unawares, however, we cannot depend too much on this last consolation.
Whenever we receive Holy Communion, we should ask Jesus not to deprive us of Holy Viaticum at the hour of death.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/24/thought-for-the-day-24-august-holy-viaticum-part-one/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on TIME, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Thought for the Day – 23 August – Those Who Will to be Damned

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

Those Who Will to be Damned

“We cannot claim that we are too weak to fight our temptations.
“God is faithful and will not permit you to be tempted beyond your strength” (1 Cor 10:13).
Neither can we complain that we have not enough time to think about such matters, for when God gave us time, He intended us to devote it principally to the solution of the most important problem in our lives, which is, our salvation!
It is futile to insist that the devil is too strong for us, for, to quote St Augustine, he is like a chained mastiff which can bark at us with all his might but, cannot bite us, unless we approach too close to him.

We have been given every weapon – there is no excuse!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/27/thought-for-the-day-27-august-those-who-will-to-be-damned/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/14/thought-for-the-day-14-january-those-who-will-to-be-damned/

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 22 August – Patience

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

Patience

“If we are patient from the motive of the love of God, we can gain merit in His sight.

There are three grades of perfection in the virtue.
(2) The first is the acceptance, with Christian resignation, of every kind of misfortune, offering it in expiation of our sins.
(2) The second consists in a cheerful and willing acceptance of these misfortunes because they come from God.
(3) The third stage is reached, when we actually desire them out of our love for Jesus Christ.

Which grade have we attained?
If we wish to please God, it is essential that we should have made the first grade at least.
“A patient man is better than a warrior and he, who rules his temper, than he who takes a city (Prov 26:22).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/31/thought-for-the-day-31-august-patience/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/23/thought-for-the-day-23-august-patience/

Posted in "Follow Me", CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, ROSARY QUOTES, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, THE FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTION

Quote/s of the Day – 22 August – “ … Am I not here, who is your Mother? … ”

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Quote/s of the Day – 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/

“Woman, behold thy son. …
Behold thy mother.”

John 19:26-27

“Gracious Lady,
you are a Mother and Virgin,
you are the Mother
of the body and soul
of our Head and Redeemer,
you are also truly Mother
of all the members of Christ’s Mystical Body.
For through your love,
you have co-operated
in the begetting of the faithful in the Church.
Unique among women,
you are Mother and Virgin,
Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ.
You are the beauty and charm of earth, O Virgin.
You are, forever, the image of the holy Church.
Through a woman came death,
through a woman came life,
yes, through you, O Mother of God.“

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“Let not your heart be disturbed.
Do not fear that sickness,
nor any other sickness or anguish.
Am I not here, who is your Mother?
Are you not under my protection?
Am I not your health?
Are you not happily within my fold?
What else do you wish?
Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything!”

Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego
9 December 1531

“My child, behold my Heart
all pierced with thorns,
which the blasphemies
and ingratitude of men
drive deeper at every moment . . .
make known to men that:

I promise to assist.
at the hour of death.
with the graces necessary for salvation,
all those who, on the first Saturdays
of five consecutive months,
go to Confession,
receive Holy Communion,
say the Rosary
and spend a quarter of an hour with me,
in meditation on the fifteen
Mysteries of the Rosary,
with the object of making reparation to me.”

Our Lady of Fatima
1917

Make Me Like Yourself, Mary My Mother
By St Louis-Marie de Montfort (1673-1716)

My powerful Queen,
you are all mine, through your mercy
and I am all yours.
Take away from me, all that may displease God
and cultivate in me, all that is pleasing to Him.
May the light of your faith,
dispel the darkness of my mind,
your deep humility,
take the place of my pride,
your continual sight of God,
fill my memory, with His Presence.
May the love of your heart
inflame the lukewarmness, of mine.
May your virtues, take the place of my sins.
May your merits, be my enrichment
and make up for all which is wanting in me, before God.
My beloved Mother,
grant that I may have, no other spirit but your spirit,
to know Jesus Christ and His Divine Will
and to praise and glorify the Lord,
that I may love God, with burning love like yours.
Amen

“Be our Mother, O Mary,
for you have borne us spiritually on Mount Calvary,
at the foot of the Cross.
Deign to obtain for us, through your intercession
that we may love Jesus as you loved Him
and follow Him faithfully, as you followed Him,
unto Death.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Thought for the Day – 21 August – Perseverance

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

Perseverance

“The grace of God is the principal weapon upon which we must depend in order to gain our victory.
We should pray for it humbly and perseveringly.
There will be victors and losers in the battle for Heaven as there are in earthly contests.
We must ensure that we are on the winning side!
For this purpose, we should combine fervent and constant prayer with generous co-operation with the grace of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/30/thought-for-the-day-30-august-perseverance/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/30/thought-for-the-day-30-august-perseverance-2/

Posted in CONTEMPLATIVE Prayer, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 20 August – The Interior Life

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

The Interior Life

“Let us go to Jesus when we are worn out by conflict and have no strength left.
Let us go to Him when we feel that we can walk no further along the stony path to perfection.
He will help us and restore our courage; He will grant us an increase of grace which is the source of the spiritual life.

It is essential, however, that we should have a spirit of recollection.
If we are dissipated, we shall be unable to hear the Voice of God.
We must speak with God and open our hearts to Him; we must tell Him that we love Him and wish to learn to love Him more and to comform more completely to His designs for us.
Then, we shall find peace and contentment in the interior life, such as the world can neither know, nor communicate.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/29/thought-for-the-day-29-august-the-interior-life/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/22/thought-for-the-day-22-august-the-interior-life/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE

Thought for the Day – 19 August – The Sons of God

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

The Sons of God

“We are, or ought to be, sons of God.
We are His adopted sons by means of the grace which gives us a share in His Divine Life.
This idea is contained, even in the Old Testament, “You are gods, all of you, sons of the Most High (Ps 81:6)”
“The Spirit Himself,” explains St Paul, “gives testimony to our spirit that we are sons of God. But, if we are sons, we are heirs also, heirs indeed of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Rom 8:16-17).

In other words, the grace of God transforms us and makes us His adopted sons.
The supernatural life is grafted onto the soul, bringing forth a new man who is capable of actions which will deserve an everlasting reward.
We must not allow the old tree, with its dead branches and barren fruit, to spring up again within us, the old man with his defects and evil inclinations must remain dead.

If God’s life is extinguished in us,. we shall cease to be His heirs and co-heirs with Christ. We shall be incapable of doing anything good and shall be destined to eternal damnation.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/28/thought-for-the-day-27-august-the-sons-of-god/

Posted in CONFESSION, HOLY COMMUNION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 18 August – Two Paths to Heaven

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

Two Paths to Heaven

“The second path to Heaven, however, demands sacrifice on our part.
Our repentance must be practical and supernatural.
It should lead us to confess our sins in the Sacrament of Penance and to regain God’s friendship in Holy Communion.
After that, our way must be one of self-mortification: “Unless you repent,” Jesus warns us, “you will all perish” (Lk 13:51).

The first penance which we must perform, is to offer to God, all the physical and moral sufferings which are in store for us during life and at the hour of death.
Then, we must add our own voluntary acts of self-denial.
The generosity of the Saints, in this regard, was rewarded by the lasting friendship of God.
As for ourselves, we should remember that Jesus, Himself, has warned us that we shall be lost if we neglect to do penance (Ibid).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/26/thought-for-the-day-26-august-two-paths-to-heaven-part-one/
PART TWO: https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/17/thought-for-the-day-17-march-two-paths-to-heaven-part-two/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS

Thought for the Day – 17 August – Pride is Robbery!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

Pride is Robbery!

“In order to combat human pride, God humbled Himself (Ps 18:15).
Not only did He assume a human nature like ours but, He was born poor and lowly and willed to die upon the Cross, as a condemned criminal!

What a tremendous lesson for human pride!
God gave us Himself as an example to be imitated: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29).

If we do not learn from this great lesson in humility, we shall never make any progress in the way of Christian perfection.
Nothing, says St Augustine, is a greater barrier to perfection than pride (In Ps 18:15).

We must take care to lay the foundation stone of humility, therefore, before we can begin to build the edifice of Christian perfection.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/25/thought-for-the-day-25-august-pride-is-robbery/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/18/thought-for-the-day-18-august-pride-is-robbery/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, St PAUL!

Thought for the Day – 16 August – The Surest Way to Avoid Sin

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Surest Way to Avoid Sin

“The third defence against sin is a spirit of prayer.
A man who is constantly close to God cannot offend Him.
The spirit of prayer keeps a man in supernatural contact with God.
As in an electric current, when the contact is interrupted, the light goes out.
If we wish to receive light from God, we must remain in contact with Him.

Christ told His disciples that “they must always pray and not lose heart” (Lk 18:1) and, St Paul explains how we can always pray.
“Whatever you do in word or in work,” he says, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col 3:17).
In this sense, therefore, all work becomes prayer and since we are constantly praying, we cannot offend God!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/20/thought-for-the-day-20-july-the-surest-way-to-avoid-sin/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/17/thought-for-the-day-17-august-the-surest-way-to-avoid-sin/

Posted in DANTE ALIGHIERI!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on VIRTUE, THE ASSUMPTION

Thought for the Day – 15 August – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Assumption of
the Blessed Virgin Mary

“After she had risen, Mary was gloriously taken up into Heaven.
Jesus has ascended into Heaven by His own power but Mary was borne aloft by the Angels, whose Queen she was soon to be proclaimed.
She reigns in Heaven with her Divine Son and looks down in love and mercy on her exiled children, whom she is ever ready to assist.

She was the humblest and most exalted of creatures (Dante, Paradiso XXXIII 2), for, when told that she was to be the Mother of God, she desired to be called His handmaid.

Humility is the Mother of all the virtues, even as pride is the source of all the vices.
If we wish to share in Mary’s triumph, we must first of all share in her humility.

“Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled” Jesus has said “and he who humbles himself shall be exalted” (Lk 14:11).
“God resists the proud,” we are reminded by the Apostle James “but gives grace to the humble” (Js 4:6).

The glorious Assumption of Mary contains a lesson in humbility for all of us!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/15/thought-for-the-day-15-august-the-assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/15/__trashed-21/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, The BEATITUDES, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 14 August – Christian Joy

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 14 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Christian Joy

“If we live good lives, hoping for a Heavenly reward and guided by the action of the Holy Spirit, dwelling within us, we shall possess this spiritual joy.
Once we possess it, it will be erased, neither by temptation, nor by suffering, nor by persecution, as long as our faith remains firm and steadfast.
The sincere Christian accepts pleasure and pain with equal readiness because he places everything in God’s hands.

This explains what Jesus had in mind when He said: “Blessed are you poor … Blessed are you who hunger …. Blessed are you who weep …. Blessed shall you be when men hate you and when they shut you out and reproach you …. ” (Lk 6:20-22).
The Saints were happy in spite of suffering and persecution.

We must try, at least, to achieve that spirit of complete resignation to God’s will which is always rewarded by peace of soul!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/24/thought-for-the-day-24-august-christian-joy/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/14/thought-for-the-day-14-august-christian-joy/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 13 August – Lapsing into Sin

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 13 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Lapsing into Sin

“Away then, with all thoughts of discouragement!
Let us ask humbly for forgiveness every time we fall, for God understands our weakness.
Then let us begin again with confidence in God’s grace!

But why, we may ask, does God permit us to fall, time and time again, without giving us the grace to resist?
In such a case, we must accept the mystery of God’s dealings with us.
God often allows us to fall in order to humble us and to make us realise that we are powerless without Him.
Pride is often the cause of our sins and our pride must be curbed.
“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Cf Is 4:6).

Instead of giving into discouragement, therefore, we should acknowledge our own weakness and pray again to God to help us!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/16/thought-for-the-day-16-august-lapsing-into-sin/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the KING, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on INDIFFERENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VANITY

Thought for the Day – 12 August – Renouncing All Things

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 12 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Renouncing All Things

“Self-renunciation involves too, the surrender of other attachments, such as the love of worldly honours, ambitions, the desire for success and many other affections which would binder us from living the life of Gof.

When we have arrived at a state of indifference to illness or health, wealth ot powers, life or death, we shall be able to say that we have completely renounced self because God alone will reign within us.

When we have stripped ourselves of all alien affections, God will be our absolute Sovereign and we shall be really immensely rich!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/16/thought-for-the-day-16-august-renouncing-all-things/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/12/thought-for-the-day-12-august-renouncing-all-things/

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on MORALS, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 11 August – Divine Providence

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 11 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Divine Providence

“How foolish it is for the sinner to exult and to sink into complacency.
For all he knows, he may already be abandoned by God because the measure of God’s mercy to him has been exhausted!

Those who are leading good lives may have to endure a great deal but, “blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted”and, “blessed are they who suffer persecution, for justrice’s sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Cf Mt 5:10).

Even in the moral order, Divine Providence stands out quite clearly, being infinitely good to the just and merciful to sinners but, severely condemning all sinfulness.
Let us meditate on the wonders of Providence and regulate our lives in accordance with its designs.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/19/thought-for-the-day-19-august-divine-providence/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/11/thought-for-the-day-august-duvine-providence/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales, St PAUL!, The BEATITUDES, The HOLY NAME

Quote/s of the Day – 11 August – And you shall be hated … for My Name’s sake.

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 11 August – Tiburtius (Died c286) Martyr, Layman, St Susanna of Rome (Died c 295) Virgin Martyr, St Philomena (Died 304) Virgin Martyr – Hebrews 11:33-39, Luke 21:9-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And you shall be hated by all men,
for My Name’s sake.”

Luke 21:17

“But others were racked,
not accepting deliverance
that they might find
a better resurrection.”

Hebrews 11:35

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men,
I also will acknowledge before my Father,
who is in Heaven…”

Matthew 10:32

“Rejoice and be happy!
Persevere to the end
and prefer to die
rather than abandon the post,
to which God has called you!”

St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Doctor of the Church

“Give me grace,
to amend my life
and to have an eye to mine end,
without grudge of death,
which, to them,
who die in You,
good Lord,
is the gate of a wealthy life.”

St Thomas More (1478-1535)
Martyr

“You must choose – is it better
that there should be thorns in your garden,
in order to have roses,
or that there should be no roses
in your garden,
in order to have no thorns?”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

“We must love God so much,
that we are prepared
to endure everything willingly,
for love of Him.
Those who suffer are blessed, therefore,
only on one condition,
namely, on condition
that they suffer for love of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on JUDGING, QUOTES on KINDNESS

Thought for the Day – 10 August – Rash Judgement

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 10 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Rash Judgement

“Let us contemplate Jesus as our model.
While He was hanging from the Cross, He looked down compassionately upon His jeering enemies.
Not only did He pray for them and forgive them but, He even made excuses for them to His heavenly Father.
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:24).

It is still the same.
Very often, when people commit sin they do so because they have not reflected about what they are doing.

For this reason, we should always be kind in our judgements and prudent about expressing them.
A harsh judgement can cause irreparable damage to our brother’s character, whereas, a kind word, can lead him back from the path of evil!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/12/thought-for-the-day-12-august-rash-judgement/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/07/thought-for-the-day-7-august-rash-judgement/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 9 August – The Mystery of Life

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 9 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Mystery of Life

“These reflections reveal to us the transience of this life and make sorrows and hardships seem easier to endure and, even welcome, if we know how to offer them to God.
What difference will the sufferings of a past existence make?

What will remain tomorrow of the trials which we have encountered today?
Only a consoling memory, as long as we have offered them to God.

Let us examine all our affections, desires and sufferings in the light of eternity.
Viewed in that relationship, they can all become a source of self-sanctification.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/09/thought-for-the-day-9-august-the-mystery-of-life/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/08/thought-for-the-day-8-august-the-mystery-of-life/

Posted in Against ICONOCLASM, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI

Thought for the Day – 6 August – Sacred Images

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 6 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Sacred Images

“Apart from avoiding the two extremes of behaviour which have been mentioned, we should cultivate a proper respect for the images of Saints, men and women, who have benefited mankind.
If we can cherish so dearly the portraits of our parents, how much more should we revere the images of Christ, Our Lady and the Saints.

We should kneel before them and imagine that the loved ones are present whom they represent.
As we are praying, we should remember the virtues of those to whom we pray and resolve to follow in their footsteps.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/07/thought-for-the-day-7-august-sacred-images/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/04/thought-for-the-day-4-august-sacred-images/

Posted in "Follow Me", INGRATITUDE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 5 August – THE CRUCIFIX

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 5 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

THE CRUCIFIX

“Let us weep for our sins and increase in love for our Divine Redeemer.
When we are oppressed by the weight of our own cross, we shall look at the Crucifix and find comfort.
When we are tempted, we shall grasp the Crucifix and turn away with horror from thoughts of sin and ingratitude.

The Crucifix will teach us, as it taught the Saints, the lesson of charity towards God and towards our neighbour.
It will teach us to hate sin and to love virtue.
If we cherish it during life, it will be our consolation to kiss the Crucifix at the moment of death.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/04/thought-for-the-day-4-august-the-crucifix/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/25/thought-for-the-day-25-september-the-crucifix/