Category: MEDITATIONS – ANTONIO CARD BACCI

Posted in I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Thought for the Day – 14 March – How We Should Pray

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

How We Should Pray

“Finally, our prayer should be persevering.
Perseverance in prayer is always rewarded by God, especially during times of temptation.
The Gospel is full of examples of the way in which perseverance is rewarded.
Remember the blind man of Jericho, who was rebuked for his persistent entreaties.
Nevertheless, he went on shouting: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Cf Lk 18:34-43).
His prayer was eventually answered.
Remember the Centurion.
Although he was a pagan, he requested the cure of his paralysed servant with such outstanding faith and perseverance that Jesus granted what he asked.
“Not even in Israel,” said Jesus, “have I found such great faith” (Lk 7:9).
Remember the parable of the three loaves, which were so persistently demanded in the middle of the night until they were at last obtained (Cf Lk 11:5).
Remember Mary, the sister of Lazarus and the Samaritan woman.
Remember Jairus and the man suffering from dropsy.
Above all, remember the Canaanite woman who almost snatched a miracles from the Hands of Jesus by her humility and perseverance.

A confident spirit of perseverance always wins the Heart of God, Who sometimes waits before answering our prayers, in order to enkindle our desire, to make us pray more and, to reward our perseverance by a liberal bestowal of His favours.
Let us persevere in total trust, with intense love and in the deepest humility, knowing, without any doubt, that our prayers will be answered.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/16/thought-for-the-day-16-march-how-we-should-pray/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/04/thought-for-the-day-4-march-how-we-should-pray/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 13 March – PRAYER

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

PRAYER

“The Saints had their failings and temptations like everyone else.
Some experienced continual spiritual aridity.
Others, like St Anthony and St Benedict, were often tempted against purity, while St Francis de Sales, was strongly inclined towards impatience.
Others, like St Therese of the Child Jesus, were even tempted to despair.
But, they all conquered, by means of prauer.

If we wish to conquer in the same way, we must pray too.
Let us never tire of prayer.
Sooner or later, the Father of Goodness and Mercy, will answer us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/13/thought-for-the-day-13-march-prayer/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/13/thought-for-the-day-13-march-prayer-2/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 12 March – Detachment from the World

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

Detachment from the World

“This is not the same as saying that we should have no interest in worldly affairs.
Far from it.
It is our duty to think about them and make provision for the future.
We cannot and should not look for miracles from God.
We must have obligations to ourselves, or to our family, or to our position in life.
We are in this world to work, not to surrender to apathy or inactivity.
We must engage in worldly activity insofar as our circumstances demand it.

Nevertheless, our hearts should not be engrossed in earthly things, for they belong to God.
In the midst of our other preoccupations, we should adore, love and thank God, the Giver of every good, our Creator and our Redeemer.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/12/thought-for-the-day-12-march-detachment-from-the-world/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/12/thought-for-the-day-12-march-detachment-from-the-world-3/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS

Thought for the Day – 11 March – The Growth of Jesus

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

The Growth of Jesus

“Like Jesus, we must advance in goodness before men, as well as before God.
Our external behaviour should be the candid mirror of our inner sanctity.
The external appearance of courtesy, good manners and holiness, should not be mere ostentation.
It should be a vital expression of interior goodness which, naturally, tends to show itself outwardly, so that all “may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven” (Mt 5:16).
If it is no more than a display, Jesus will say that “they have received their reward” (Cf Mt 6:1,5).
If it is pure hyprocrisy, Jesus will drive away the culprits from Himself because, they are “like whited sepulchres” (Cf Mt 23:27).

Let us make Jesus our constant model, therefore.
Let our outward demeanour always reflect our interior goodness and holiness.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/11/thought-for-the-day-11-march-the-growth-of-jesus/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/11/thought-for-the-day-11-march-the-growth-of-jesus-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on VANITY, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR

Thought for the Day – 10 March – The Hidden Life of Jesus

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

The Hidden Life of Jesus

“There are many who complain that their work is degrading or heavy or unsatisfying.
This is an indication that they are working for themselves, rather than for God.

We should sanctify our work by prayer.
We should meditate on the example of Jesus and remeber that there are many sins for which we must make reparation.
If we offer our work to God, it will not only become meritorious but, much easier to bear.

To work purely for profit is avarice, to work for the good opinion and praise of others, is vanity and to work in order to pass the time – is a waste of time!
The perfect Christian approach, is to work in order to do our duty, to please God, to atone for our sins and to gain Heaven.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/10/thought-for-the-day-10-march-the-hidden-life-of-jesus/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/10/thought-for-the-day-10-march-the-hidden-life-of-jesus-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on The SOUL

Thought for the Day – 9 March – The Human Soul

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

The Human Soul

“Remember that every mortal sin means death to the soul, for it robs it of the supernatural life of grace, making it incapable of every good action and deserving of hell.
If you committed one mortal sin, God could tire of you, as if you were an unproductive tree and put an end to your life, without giving you time to repent!
Then, you would be lost for all eternity.
This thought should never leave your mind, particularly in time of temptation.
At such a time, turn to God with confidence, tell Him that you love Him and do not wish to offend Him at any price.
Face death rather than sin.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/27/thought-for-the-day-27-march-the-human-soul/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/10/thought-for-the-day-27-march-the-human-soul-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on EDUCATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on VANITY

Thought for the Day – 8 March – Knowledge and Goodness

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Thought for the Day – 8 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Knowledge and Goodness

“St Paul wrote: “Let no-one rate himself more than he ought but, let him rate himself according to moderation and according as God has apportioned to each one, the measure of faith” (Rom 12:31).
“Knowledge puffs up,” he said “but charity edifies” (1 Cor 8:11).

“The humble knowledge of oneself,” The Imitation of Christ tells us, “is a surer way to God, than deep researches after science. Knowledge is not to be blamed… but a good conscience and a virtuous life, are always to be preferred. But because many take more pains to be learned than to lead good lives, therefore, they often go astray” (Bk 2 ch 3).

So let us learn everything which our position in life requires of us and, as much besides as we are able.
But above all, let us learn to be good and holy.
If we fail in this, the rest is useless and dangerous!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/14/thought-for-the-day-14-july-knowledge-and-goodness/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/08/thought-for-the-day-8-march-knowledge-and-goodness/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SACRIFICE

Thought for the Day – 7 March – ST THOMAS AQUINAS

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Thought for the Day – 7 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

ST THOMAS AQUINAS

“Thomas of Aquin was a wealthy nobleman of great intelligence.
A brilliant future seemed to lie before him.
But, he answered the inspiration which called him to a life of Christian perfection, in the Order of St Dominic.
This divine vocation encountered serious obstacles.
His mother and brothers opposed it.
The latter went as far as capturing him and imprisoning him in a castle, where they put him beside a woman who tempted him to sin against holy purity.
But it was all useless.
He chased the temptress away with a blazing torch.
Then he knelt before a cross, outlined upon the wall and, as he was praying fervently, he experienced such wonderful peace that it seemed a foretaste of Heaven.
From that day, he was never again tried by temptation of the flesh.
He was like an Angel in human form.

Do you wish to share, even a little in these rewards?
Let us listen to the good inspiration which God gives u.
Like St Thomas Aquinas, let us be ready to make any sacrifice, rather than offend God.
Let us be prepared to work earnestly to acquire the virtues proper to our state in life.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/07/thought-for-the-day-7-march-st-thomas-aquinas/

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 6 March – CONSCIENCE

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

CONSCIENCE

“There are some people who have a right conscience, a conscient, in other words, which is based on the principles of the Gospel, on the precepts of the Church and on the sound advice of a good confessor.

Nevertheless, these must remember St Paul’s warning: “Let him who thinks he stands, take heed, lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12).
They must not grow proud, like the Pharisee who prayed in front of the altar but, must be humble, like the poor publican, who knew that without God’s direction and grace, he would fall into serious sin.

They should remember too that it is not enough to have a right conscience but, its dictates must be put into practice with the help of fervent prayer and frequent reception of the Sacraments.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/28/thought-for-the-day-28-march-conscience/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/06/thought-for-the-day-6-march-conscience/

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL

Thought for the Day – 5 March – Mortification and Penance

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

Mortification and Penance

“In Christian teaching, death is the beginning of life.
“Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies,” Jesus said, “it remains alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. He who loves his life, loses it and he, who hates his life in this world, keeps it unto life everlasting” (Jn 12:24-25).
This paradox of dying to this life in order to live in Heaven, was enacted in a wonderful way in the lives of Jesus and of the Saints.
It must be put into effect in our lives also, if we are to be genuine Christians.
Jesus shed His precious blood for us and His death was the beginning of His triumph.
The Apostles, Martyrs and Saints, gave their lives for Christ and received, as their reward, the happy and eternal life of Heaven.
By dying to our own ego and to our passions, we shall find the true life of Christ.
We must die to ourselves, so that Christ may live in us, as He lived in St Paul.
We must die to pride, so that Christian humility may live in us;
we must die to anger, so that patience may live in us;
we must die to lust, so that purity and innocence may live in us
and, we must die to selfishness, so that charity may live in us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 4 March – The Imitation of the Saints

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Thought for the Day – 4 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Imitation of the Saints

“Sacred Scripture says of Jesus, that He “did and taught” (Acts 1:11).
We should reflect on these words.
Very often we come across thinkers, who teach but do nothing.
Sometimes they even act contrary to their own precepts and then their work is futile and harmful!
Many unfortunate young people are the victims of the false ideas and bad example of their teachers.
It was not so with Jesus, nor was it so with the Saints, His faithful followers.

We can learn much from their writings and still more from their example.
For this reason we should read about their lives.
People read so many books and articles which teach them nothing and many others which arouse their lower instincts and smother their high ideals.
A good Christian should read the Lives of the Saints, as well as those books which it is his duty to know.
The highest and most useful school of learning for a sincere Christian, is the reading of the Gospel and The Lives of the Saints.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/02/thought-for-the-day-2-april-the-imitation-of-the-saints/

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TIME

Thought for the Day – 3 March – The Shortness of Time

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Thought for the Day – 3 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Shortness of Time

“Another vision will confront us also in that final hour.
Our frightened minds will see again all those hours which we have misused in sin.
The devil will try by every means in his power, to repaint them in our troubled imagination.
He will do his best to lead us into despair, even as he tempted Judas and many other sinners before us.

We know well that the mercy of God is infinite and that it remains infinite at the hour of death.
But, we know too that His justice, is no less infinite.
Since God has granted us so much time in which He called us to repentance and to a life of virtue, it could happen that at the point of death, He will put an end to the mercy and to the favours which He has shown us and which we have disregarded.
What will become of us then?
Remember that only one of the two thieves was converted.
The other died unrepentant on his cross, even though he was hanging by the side of Jesus!

Reflect and make provision while there is still time.
While we have time.,let us do good (Gal 6:10).
We shall be unable to do anything about it afterwards.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/05/thought-for-the-day-5-january-the-shortness-of-time/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/20/thought-for-the-day-20-march-the-shortness-of-time/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 2 March – Prayer as a Necessary Means of Salvation

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

Prayer as a Necessary Means of Salvation

“We should appreciate how necessary it is to pray with special fervour and perseverance, in times of great temptation and suffering.
If we neglect to do so when temptation assails us, we shall be on our own and shall certainly fall.
When we encounter suffering and everything seems to be crumbling around us, let us remember that God sees us and pities us.
Let us turn to Him. Who alone is able and eager to help us in our misfortunes.
When we pray, our tears are precious in His sight.
God’s love for us is infinite.
If we have recourse to Him, He will certainly answer us in the manner which He knows is best for us.
He has promised this, “If he cries out to me, I will hear him, for I am compassionate” (Ex 22:26).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/15/thought-for-the-day-15-march-prayer-as-a-necessary-means-of-salvation/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/02/thought-for-the-day-2-march-prayer-as-a-necessary-means-of-salvation/

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, The HOLY NAME

Thought for the Day – 1 March – The Five Tribunals of Justice

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

The Five Tribunals of Justice

“In regard to the civil authority, however, one thing should be made quite clear.
We are only obliged to obey it when it does not infringe on the rights of God or of the Church.
If it should run counter to these, we should answer in the words of St Peter and the other Apostles, when thy were called before the Sanhedrin.
“We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

If we had to suffer anything as a result, in the cause of God and of the Church, we should count that as our good fortune.
Like the Apostles, we should be able to rejoice that we have been found worthy to suffer indignity and ill-treatment for the sake of Jesus’ Name (Acts 5:41).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/20/thought-for-the-day-20-february-the-five-tribunals/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/20/thought-for-the-day-18-february-the-five-tribunals/

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 1 March – Repentance, Penance, Sacrifice

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 1 March – Ember Wednesday – 3 Kings. 19:3-8, Matthew 12:38-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement
with this generation and condemn it, for they repented …”

Matthew 12:41

“The sign of Jonah”

Matthew 12:39

“It was, too, to lead the Ninevites
to firm repentance and to convert them
to Him, Who would deliver them from death,
amazed as they were by the sign accomplished in Jonah …
In the same way, God permitted man
to be swallowed by that great monster,
the author of disobedience,
not so that he should altogether vanish away
and die but because God, had prepared beforehand,
the salvation fulfilled by His Word
by means of the “sign of Jonah.”

St Irenaeus (130-208)
Bishop of Lyons, Martyr and Father

“… In the conceitedness of our souls,
without taking the least trouble
to obey the Lord’s Commandments,
we think ourselves worthy
to receive the same reward
as those who have resisted sin to the death!”

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“To do penance is to bewail
the evil we have done
and to do no evil to bewail.”

“But He still follows behind us and counsels us,
that we have despised Him
but He still does not cease to call us.
We turn our backs on His face, so to speak,
when we reject His Words,
when we trample His Commandments underfoot
but He, Who sees that we reject Him,
still calls out to us by His Commandments
and waits for us by His patience,
stands behind us and calls us back
when we have turned away.”

St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“What are we doing?
If we really love the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
we should offer penance and sacrifices
in order to make reparation for our sins
and the sins of others
and, to propitiate this adorable Heart,
Which ardently desires to bestow
new favours upon us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PAPAL Apostolic EXHORTATIONS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY

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

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

The Examination of Conscience

“Pope St Pius X holds great authority for a Christian.
In his Exhortatio ad Clerum, he strongly recommends the Examination of Conscience, especially at the close of the day.
This Examination, he says, is necessary for Priests but it is no less necessary for the laity.
He recalls the apt words of St Augustine:
“Judge your own conscience.
Demand an account from it.
Dig deep and rend it apart.
Discover all the evil thoughts and intentions of the day … and punish yourself for them!” (Expos in Ps 4 n 8).
He also quotes the equally relevant works of St Bermard:
“Be a searching inquirer into your own integrity of life; examine your conduct everyday.
See how much you have advanced, or, how much you have fallen back …
Learn to know yourself. …
Place all your faults before your eyes.
Stand before yourself, as if it were before someone else and you will find reason to weep over yourself!” (Meditat Cap 5 de quotidiano sui ipsius examine).

The Saintly Pontiff concludes his inspiring address as follows: “Experience has proven that anyone who makes a strict examination of his thoughts, words and actions, is more firmly resolved to hate and avoid what is evil and wholeheartedly to love what is good” (Acta Pii X, IV p257).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on INDIFFERENCE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on ZEAL

Thought for the Day – 27 February – Fervour and Tepidity

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

Fervour and Tepidity

“Our Lord does not command us to be merely virtuous.
He commands us to be perfect.
“You, therefore, are to be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).
He tells us to love Him with our whole heart and our whole soul.
“Thou shalt love the Lord th God, with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul” (Mt 22:37).
He orders us to renounce everything rather than offend Him, (Lk 14:33) even to pluck out an eye or cut off a hand or foot, if it should present an obstacle to our eternal salvation (Mt 18:81).

How can we remain unmoved and inactive in the face of these exhortations?
The grace of perfection to which Our Lord calls us, cannot be reached without His grace which we can only obtain by fervent and unceasing prayer.
Fervour is the animating principle of the spiritual life.
It wins God’s gifts for us and makes us almost immune from sin.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/25/thought-for-the-day-25-february-fervour-and-tepidity/

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, HOLY COMMUNION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SILENCE

Thought for the Day – 26 February – Interior Silence

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

Interior Silence

“It is much easier to recollect ourselves in the Church in front of the Altar.
For this reason, one could not sufficiently recommend a visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament every morning before going to work and every evening, before going to bed.

The ideal is always daily Mass and Holy Communion.
This will be tiring and maybe, inconvenient.
But God is infinitely good and will handsomely reward us for anything we do out of love for Him or, for our own spiritual welfare.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/18/thought-for-the-day-18-february-interior-silence/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/18/thought-for-the-day-18-february-interior-silence-2/

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, St PAUL!, The HEART, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 February – Begone, Satan!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 26 February – The First Sunday of Lent – 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Matthew 4:1-11

“Begone, Satan!
for it is written:
The Lord thy God shalt thou adore
and Him only shalt thou serve.”

Matthew 4:10

“Do not, therefore, lose your confidence,
which has a great reward.
For you have need of patience that,
doing the will of God,
you may receive the promise.
For yet a very little while
and He Who is to come,
will come
and will not delay.”

Hebrews 10:35-37

“Expect temptation to your last breath.”

St Anthony Abbot (251-356)

“The demons that wage war on us,
through our shortcomings in virtue,
are those which teach —
impurity, drunkenness, avarice and envy.
Those that wage war on us,
through our excessive zeal for virtue,
teach — conceit, self-esteem and pride.
They [the demons] secretly pervert,
what is commendable,
into what is reprehensible!”

St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662)
Father of the Church

“It might even be said that we are fortunate
to have temptations, for these are the times
of spiritual harvest when we gather up for Heaven. …
If we were thoroughly saturated
with God’s Holy Presence,
it would be easy for us to resist the enemy.
With the thought ‘God sees you!’ we would never sin!

There was a saint who complained to our Lord
after being tempted and said to Him:
“Where were Thou, my most loveable Jesus,
during that awful storm?”
Our Lord answered:
“I was in the centre of thou heart…”

St John-Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)
The Curé of Ars

“When tempted,
turn immediately to your
Guardian Angel and ask him,
with all your heart,
“My Guardian Angel help me now.
Do not let me offend my God!”

St John Bosco (1815-1888)

“Why, we may ask,
does God permit us to be tempted?
He wishes us to realise, that only with His help,
can we aspire to the supernatural life
and triumph over our enemies.
Apart from Him, we shall be lost
but close to Him, we shall be invincible!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in CONFESSION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI

Thought for the Day – 25 February – The Sacrament of Penance

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Sacrament of Penance

“St Charles Borromeo had the habit of going to Confession everyday.
This was not the result of scruples on his p[art, it was simply that he was supernaturally enlightened so as to perceive, even his smallest faults and he was anxious to remove, from his soul, the slightest trace of sin.

We do not have to follow his example but, weekly or fortnightly Confession is strongly recommended by spiritual writers.
It is a great loss to neglect Confession for too long a period.
We are deprived of the graces of this Sacrament, our fervour grows cold and we slip easily from venial into mortal sin.

Let us decide to make a good Confession every week whenever we find it possilbe.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/23/thought-for-the-day-23-february-the-sacrament-of-penance/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/23/thought-for-the-day-22-february-the-sacrament-of-penance/

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, VENIAL SIN

Thought for the Day – 24 February – The Duties of Our State

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 24 February – 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 LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Thought for the Day – 23 February – The Order of the Day

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Order of the Day

“Once we have decided on our manner of behaviour towards God, it is necessary to determine how we shall act in regard to our neighbour.
We can have quite a number of unexpected matters to which we must attend during the day but normally, we have a good idea what kind of people we shall be dealing with.

There will be people who are an occasiuon of sin.
We must try to avoid these but, if that is not possible, we must be on our guard and rely on the weapons of divine grace to protect us.
There will be troublesome and annoying people with whom we must be patient and restrained.
There will be people who are in want, either materally or spiritually, whom we must enlighten and assist.
We shall meet difficulies and complicated problems to deal with which we must ask God for insight and prudence.

If we live in intimate union with Our Lord, we shall be competent to deal with all the business of the day, especially with the unexpected and even the shocking.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/15/thought-for-the-day-15-february-the-order-of-the-day/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/15/thought-for-the-day-15-february-the-order-of-the-day-2/

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, HOLY COMMUNION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Thought for the Day – 22 February – The Early Hours of the Day

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Early Hours of the Day

“If possible, it is desirable to begin the day by visiting Jesus.
He is always in the Tabernacle, waiting patiently and lovingly for us to visit Him.
Why could we not spend at least one half-hour with Him?
There are twenty four hours in the day.
Must we spend them in sleep, work, amusements and conversation without ever pausing to speak with Jesus?

What about Mass and Holy Communion?
It is true that we are not obliged to go to Mass on weekdays, nor have we a strict obligation to receive Holy Communion, except during the Paschal period.
But a genuine Catholic should not be satisfied with doing only what is commanded under pain of mortal sin.
He should love Jesus so much that he will experience an urgent need of communication with Him.
He should be ready to sacrifice a little of his early morning sleep, for the purpose of receiving Jesus in Holy Communion – if he is so blessed as to be near an early morning Mass.
Never forget (and pray for them) that there are thousands, perhaps millions who are deprived of this great grace of living near a Church!
There is no surer way of being able to resist the temptations of the day and of acquiring peace of spirit.
The practice of daily Communion can transform a man’s life.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/14/thought-for-the-day-14-february-the-early-hours-of-the-day/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/14/thought-for-the-day-13-february-the-early-hours-of-the-day/

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE

Thought for the Day – 21 February – Lord, That I May See!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

Lord, That I May See!

“The restlessness and intensity of living, make us see things as differently from what they really are.
But one day, the veil of the temple will be rent asunder before our frightened eyes and eternal Light will break upon us.
Then, we shall be blind no longer but, we shall see everything in the Light of eternity.

Let us place ourselves now, in the state in which we should like to find ourselves at that moment.
Let us consider ourselves and everything else, in the Light of eternity.
Then our blindness will disappear.
Since we shall see everything in God’s way, we shall direct all our thoughts and actions toward Him alone!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/21/thought-for-the-day-21-february-lord-that-i-may-see/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/21/thought-for-the-day-21-february-lord-that-i-may-see-2/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 12 February – The Causes of Discontent

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Causes of Discontent

“There is only one reason for our dissatisfaction.
It is given by St Augustine, profound observer that he was of the human heart: “You have made us for Yourself alone, O God and our hearts will always be restless, until they rest in You” (Confessions 1, 1:11).
If anyone rushes in all directions looking for happiness, he will never find it.
The created things of the world cannot satisfy our hearts which are on a far higher plane than these worldly things are.
Worse still, a man may look for happiness in pleasure or in sin but he will find only bitterness and disgust.

Let us look to God alone.
If we do everything for Him, a gleam of eternal happiness will brighten up our earthly pilgrimage!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/13/thought-for-the-day-13-february-the-causes-of-discontent/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/13/thought-for-the-day-13-february-the-causes-of-discontent-2/

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

Thought for the Day – 10 February – SELF-LOVE

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

SELF-LOVE

“There are three tiny blossoms which can scarcely be seen – those of the corn, the olive and the vine.
Nevertheless, from these we receive grain, oil and wine – three very precious commodities.
These three little blossoms are almost invisible in comparision with other larger flowers, such as that of the magnolia which do not yield any useful fruit.
They should present us with a starting-point for meditation.
Would we like our actions to be valuable in the sight of God and bring forth good fruit?

Let us be humble and suppress love of self.
Then God will look on us with favour.
He will give us His grace and make fertile the work which we do purely for Him.
“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Is 4:6).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/12/thought-for-the-day-12-february-self-love/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/12/thought-for-the-day-12-february-self-love-2/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on POVERTY

Thought for the Day – 9 February – The Love of Our Neighbour

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Love of Our Neighbour

“A few hundred yards from the centre of a big City, one often finds groups of hovels in which large numbers of families are living, herded together in poverty.
There, in the wintertime, these poor people suffer from the cold and damp and, in hot areas, from the burning heat in summer.
Often their hovels are badly roofed and protect from neither the cold nor the heat.
They are hungry and have not even a loaf of bread to kill the pangs of their deprived bodies.

Not very far away, there are luxurious mansions and expensive villas and up and down the streets, drift splendidly upholstered cars, carrying men and women for whom the only thing in life that matters, is pleasure and comfort.

“Love your neighbour as yourself” the Gospel says.
How far we still are from the realisation of this command!
Men would need to go to these poor hovels to do the Spiritual Exercises.
They would need to live in these places for at least a month.
Many ideas would be changed and many hearts transformed if this were done.
The slums, shacks, caves, shipping and even cardboard boxes and other hovels in which men have to live, bear sad testimony to the fact that the Gospel has not yet been understood by many and that Christian charity has still a long way to go.

Consider before God, if you are responsible, even in some small way, for this wretched state of affairs.
Form the resolution of contributing, as far as possible, to the relief of so much want and suffering.
Now is the time – Lent is nearly here!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/11/thought-for-the-day-11-february-the-love-of-our-neighbour/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/11/thought-for-the-day-11-february-the-love-of-our-neighbour-2/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FRIENDSHIP, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Thought for the Day – 8 February – The Use of Creatures

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 8 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Use of Creatures

“St Ignatius Loyola investigates this subject in his Spiritual Exercises.
He writes that we ought to use things, insofar as they bring us nearer to our final end.
We ought to avoid things completely, he continues, insofar as they separate or distract us from this end.

The function of creatures in our regard, is to lead us nearer to God, to remind us of God and to make us love God.
But if they are a source of scandal to us, we must avoid them.
The Gospel is very strict on this matter when it says, “If thy hand or foot is an occasion of sin to thee, cut it off and cast it from thee” (Mt 5:29-30; 18:8).

This means that we must be ready to give up anything or anyone, rather than endanger our souls and risk the loss of Divine grace and eternal life.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/09/thought-for-the-day-9-february-the-use-of-creatures/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/09/thought-for-the-day-9-february-the-use-of-creatures-2/

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Thought for the Day – 7 February – Religion and Action

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 7 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Religion and Action

“If we wish to be true and sincere Christians, it is not enough to believe, nor is it enough to attend the ceremonies of religion,
We must act like true Christians.
As St Gregory the Great writes, “We shall really be faithful Christians only when we practise, in our actions, what we promise in our words” (Sermon 29).
Since Christianity is above everything else, the religion of charity, it is essential that we should be on fire with the love of God and our our neighbour.
As St Augustine says, faith without charity is the faith which even the devil possesses (De Caritas 10).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/07/thought-for-the-day-7-february-religion-and-action/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/07/thought-for-the-day-7-february-religion-and-action-2/

Posted in DEVOTIO, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 6 February – Religion and Devotion

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

Religion and Devotion

“We must not be satisfied simply to carry out the acts of religion, however exactly.
We must fulfil them with love.
It is the spontaneous homage of the mind and the heart that God wants most of all.
The body must also pay its tribute of subjection to its Creator but if the mind and heart are cold and distracted, this tribute is worthless.
There is no religion without devotion.
“This people honours me with their lips but their heart is far from me” (Mt 15:8; Mk 7:6).
Consider this complaint of Our Lord.
Let us earnestly examine our conduct.
Religion is useless if it is not fed by the active fire of charity.
Anyone who is content to go to Mass on Feast Days and stand in the Church silently and indifferently like a candlestick without a candle, is not a true and sincere Catholic.
Religion must be deeply felt.
It must be penetrated by devotion and charity.
Only then will it inspire real Christian activity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/06/thought-for-the-day-6-february-religion-and-devotion/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/06/thought-for-the-day-6-february-religion-and-devotion-2/