Category: MEDITATIONS – ANTONIO CARD BACCI

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), QUOTES on WISDOM, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST, The IMITATION of CHRIST, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 7 December –TRUE WISDOM

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

TRUE WISDOM

“According to Christian teaching, both knowledge and wisdom, properly understood, are gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Only the Light and Grace of the Holy Ghost, 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 CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, Quotes on SALVATION, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 6 December – The Word of God

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

The Word of God

“It is especially important for us to acquire the dispositions necessary to enable us to listen attentively to the Word of God and to put it into practice in our lives.
We are all acquainted with the parable of the sower.
The seed, of course, represents the Word of God.
Some of the seed fell by the wayside and was trampled into the earth or carried away by the birds.
Some fell on rocky ground and because of the lack of moisture, it withered away.
Some fell among thorns which choked it and prevented it from springing up.
Finally, the rest of the seed fell on good ground and yielded fruit more or less abundantly (Mt 13:3-8).

How do we receive the Word of God?
Perhaps we are constantly dissipated and distracted?
In that case, the Divine seed will not bear fruit but, will be trampled down or wither away.
It may be, however, that we hear the Word of God with pleasure and joy until our first enthusiasm is strangled by our fondness for money, ease and earthly pleasures which prevents us from laying up merit for everlasting life.

Let us remember that the Word of God is a very precious gift which ought not to be neglected or abused.
Our eternal salvation depends on the manner in which we receive it!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 5 December – Peace of Soul

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

Peace of Soul

“True peace consists in doing the will of God constantly and, with love.
When God gives us consolation and joy, we thank Him for His Infinite Goodness towards us.
When He sends us suffering and privation, we bless and thank Him nonetheless.
Let us recall the example of Job.
When he had lost his children, his health and all his possessions and, was derided by his wife and distrusted by his friends, he exclaimed in a spirit of resignation: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21).

All this may seem too difficult to us but, it is only on these conditions that we can obtain interior peace.
By surrendering our will entirely to God, in all the circumstances of our lives, we can raise ourselves above all the sorrows and vain desires of this earthly existence and, we will find in God, a lasting peace and tranquillity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/12/thought-for-the-day-12-december-peace-of-soul/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Love of Self

Thought for the Day – 4 December – TRUE LOVE of SELF

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

TRUE LOVE of SELF

“St Thomas Aquinas writes that man genuinely loves himself, when he directs all his activities towards God (Summa Theologiae I-II, q 100 a 5 ad 1).
True self-love, then, consists in dedicating all our thoughts and actions to God, Who is our highest and only true good.

Anything which does not lead us to God, is vain and useless.
Anything which keeps us away from God, separates us from our true good and, therefore, leads us towards everlasting spiritual ruin.
We should love ourselves then, by loving ourselves in God and for God.
If we fail to do this, we hate, rather than love ourselves because, we make folly, sin and eternal damnation, the objects of our lives.
Christianity, we may now conclude, cannot be said to condemn self-love.
It does not condemn it but simply purifies it.

The Church has always been opposed to any form of Quietism or Puritanism which would advocate the pure and disinterested love of God to the extent, of excluding, any thought of our own happiness, as the reward of our actions.
As if it would be possible to love God, when one had lost Him!
On the contrary, if we love God in Himself and above all things, we love ourselves too because, only in loving God, can we achieve our own perfect happiness.
The pure love of God does not exclude self-love but, elevates and completes it.”

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/04/thought-for-the-day-4-december-true-love-of-self/

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, Quotes on SALVATION

Thought for the Day – 3 December – The Salvation of Souls

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Thought for the Day – 3 December – 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

Posted in GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PEACE

Thought for the Day – 2 December – Recollection

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

Recollection

“We may imagine that all this applies only to Monks but that is not so.
We all need interior recollection and we can find it even during our work and in the midst of turmoil and confusion.
If we fail to find it, moreover, it is too bad for us, as The Imitation of Christ warns us.
“Peace is not in the heart of the carnal man, nor in the man who is devoted to outward things but, in the fervent and spiritual man” (Bk 1 Ch 6:2).

Let us make sure, therefore, that we shall not be distracted by worldly affairs.
In the midst of all our occupations, let us preserve a spirit of detachment and live in the presence of God.
May God be our first thought and our first desire and may He be the true goal of all our actions!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/03/thought-for-the-day-3-december-recollection/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/30/thought-for-the-day-30-november-recollection/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 1 December – The Blessedness of the Poor

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

The Blessedness of the Poor

“We have established the principle that wealth is, in itself, good and is a gift from God but that, “it is good, insofar, as it leads us towards virtue and evil, insofar, as it leads us towards vice” (Summa Contra Gentiles III 134).
We must now insist, once more, on the necessity of remaining detached from worldly goods and of concentrating our attention primarily on God.
It is an unfortunate fact that only too often, wealth is a spiritual obstacle, for it diverts our attention away from Heaven and towards worldly objects.
If this happens, some of its worse results can be the worship of money, the destruction of high ideals, indifference to the poverty of others, the vain and selfish search for happiness on this earth and complete spiritual blindness.
This is why it is more difficult for the rich man than for the poor man, to save his soul.

“If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell what thou hast and give to the poor” (Mt 19:21).
This is an evangelical counsel which we may have neither the courage, nor the vocation to pursue.
At least, however, let us seek to purify ourselves of all attachments to wealth.
If we have riches, moreover, let us do our best to use them as instruments of virtue.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 30 November – The Blessedness of the Meek

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

The Blessedness of the Meek

“St John Climacus notes that there are three levels of meekness (Dcala Paradist pp 296-298).
The first grade, he says, consists in enduring with difficulty, the injuries done to us.
The second, consists in enduring them without displeasure and the third, in regarding them as an honour.

Those who reach the first level are to be congratulated, those who reach the second are to be applauded but, those in the third and highest category, are really blessed by God.

“One day,” he says, “I saw three Monks receiving the same insult.
The first was offended but said nothing, the second was not displeased on his own account but regretted the offence against Almighty God and the third wept for the fault of his neighbour.”
The first Monk, the Saint comments, feared God, the second loved God and the third loved both God and his fellow-man.

At What stage of perfection in this virtue can we claim to have arrived?
If we desire to be sincere Christians, we must realise that we ought to have achieved, at least the first level and should hope to advance eventaully, as far as the third and most perfect grade.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/28/thought-for-the-day-28-november-the-blessedness-of-the-poor/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/22/thought-for-the-day-22-november-the-blessedness-of-the-poor/

Posted in Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, The BEATITUDES, The HOLY NAME

Thought for the Day – 29 November – The Blessedness of Those Who Suffer Persecution

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

The Blessedness of Those
Who Suffer Persecution

“Let us implore the Holy Ghost to enlighten us and to grant us this serene joy which is a reflection of the happiness of Heaven.
Oh by Thy Name we shall live in peaceful and fearless anticipation!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/06/thought-for-the-day-6-december-the-blessedness-of-those-who-suffer-persecution/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/thought-for-the-day-29-november-the-blessedness-of-those-who-suffer-persecution/

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, St PAUL!, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 29 November – “What are you looking for?”

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 November – Vigil of St Andrew Apostle – Ecclesiasticus 44:25-27; 45:2-4; 45:6-9; John 1:35-51 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Jesus turned and saw them following Him
and said to them, “What are you looking for?”

John 1:38

“Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God!”

Matthew 16:16

“It is He Who is our peace.”

St Paul
Ephesians 2:14

“… He effected a wonderful exchange with us,
through mutual sharing –
we gave Him the power to die,
He will give us the power to Live!”

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

“Grace is given,
not to those who speak [their faith]
but to those, who live their faith!”

St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“May He,
Who is the Track of the runners
and the Reward of the winners,
lead and guide you along it –
He, Christ Jesus!”

Bl Guerric of Igny O.Cist (c1080-1157)

“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 conform more completely
to His designs for us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 28 November – The Blessedness of the Peacemakers

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

The Blessedness of the Peacemakers

“Blessed are the peacemakers,” said Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, “for they shall be called children of God” (Mt 5:9).

True Christian peace which accompanies the perfect control of the passions and complete dedication to God’s cause, makes us like God and enables us, by His grace, to become His adopted children.
He is the God of peace, in Whom there is no conflict but only perfect order and harmony.
Since He is pure act, He understands Himself fully in all His beauty and perfection and, knowing Himself, He loves Himself.
He is peace, in an active and not in a passive sense.
For this reason, the peacemakers are singled out in a special way as the children of God.
In other words, they become like God, when they acquire that interior tranquility which is the fruit of virtue and of victory over the flesh.
With the help of Divine grace, we should do our utmost to gain this peace.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/05/thought-for-the-day-5-december-the-blessedness-of-the-peracemakers/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/28/thought-for-the-day-28-november-the-blessedness-of-the-peracemakers/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on WATCHING, QUOTES on WISDOM, The BEATITUDES, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 27 November – The Blessedness of the Pure of Heart

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

The Blessedness of the Pure of Heart

“Let us conclude this meditation with an appropriate prayer of St Thomas Aquinas.

“Make my heart watchful, O God,
so that no vain thoughts may distract it from Thee.
Make it noble,
so that it may never be seduced by any base affection.
Make it steadfast,
so that troubles may not dismay it.
Make it free,
so that it may not yield to the onslaughts of passion.
Grant me, my God,
the intelligence, to understand Thee,
the love, to seek Thee,
the wisdom, to find Thee,
words, to please Thee,
the perseverance, to wait faithfully for Thee
and, the hope of embracing Thee, at last.
Grant that I, a repentant sinner,
may bear Thy chastisements with resignation.
Poor pilgrim which I am,
may I draw on the treasury of Thine grace
and may I one day,
be eternally happy with Thee in Heavnely glory!
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/04/thought-for-the-day-4-december-the-blessedness-of-the-pure-of-heart/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/27/thought-for-the-day-27-november-the-blessedness-of-the-pure-of-heart/

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MERCY, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 26 November – The Blessedness of the Merciful

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

The Blessedness of the Merciful

“Let us remember that we have often made ourselves God’s enemies, by our sins.
We were often in need, when we were deprived of Divine grace.
On these occasions, God was merciful to us, for He granted us His forgiveness and His friendship.
These gifts of God, place an obligation on us, to behave in the same way to those who are in need, by assisting them willingly and generously and, to those who are unhappy, by consoling them as far as possible.

Let us remember, the great principle which Jesus Christ has given us.
“Even as you wish men to do to you, so also, do you unto them … Do good to those who hate you … Do not judge and you shall not be judged; do not condemn and you shall not be condemned. Forgive and you shall be forgiven, give and it shall be given to you …” (Cf Lk 6:30-38).
“With what judgement you judge, you shall be judged and with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you” (Mt 7:1).
So it shall be on the day of death, when we shall appear before the Supreme Judge!

Let us be generous throughout life in giving help and consolation to others.
It is more blessed to give, than to receive, as the Gospel says.
By giving, we shall find a little happiness, even in this world and shall be certain that one day, the most merciful Judge will pardon and embrace us!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/03/thought-for-the-day-2-december-the-blessedness-of-the-merciful/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/26/thought-for-the-day-26-november-the-blessedness-of-the-merciful/

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, INDULGENCES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for the SOULS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PURGATORY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, The HOLY SOULS

Thought for the Day – 9 November – INDULGENCES

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

INDULGENCES

“Indulgences, therefore, are an aid to repentance for sin, not a substitute for it.
In granting them, the Church is only imitating the merciful spirit of Jesus Christ, Who was always compassionate towards sinners.

Let us do our best to make profitable use of the Church’s generosity on our own behalf and, on behalf of the Faithful Departed.
Let us observe the necessary conditions in order to gain as many Indulgences as possible.

Every morning, we should make the intention of gaining all the indulgences which we can, during the day.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/09/thought-for-the-day-9-november-indulgences/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/09/thought-for-the-day-9-november-indulgences-2/

St Alphonsus’ little Morning Prayer:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/08/02/__trashed-24/

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, INDULGENCES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The HOLY SOULS

Thought for the Day – 7 November – How We Can Help the Faithful Departed

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

How We Can Help the Faithful Departed

“We have a natural obligation to help the faithful departed, for they are our fellow-men.
Are we capable of watching another human being in agony, without feeling pity for him?
If there is some way in which we can help him, moreover, ought we not to do so?
The Holy Souls are in agony, however, they are on fire with the love of God, yet cannot be united to Him.
We have a means of helping them through our prayers and good works.

There is a further obligation on us, arising from our religion.
They have been redeemed, like ourselves, by the Blood of Christ and God has told us that the same degree of mercy, will one day be shown to us, which we have shown to others.
The time will come when we also shall find ourselves in Purgatory and shall be in need of prayer.
If we remember the dead now, they will be in a position, one day, to do the same for us.
Blessed are the merciful, Jesus says, for they will obtain mercy.

When we appear before the judgement seat of God in order to account for the way in which we have spent our lives, He will count as done to Himself, whatever we have done to the poor, hungry and ill-clad.
Only if we have been merciful towards them, will He receive us into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Otherwise, He will send us away, accursed, for all eternity.
Now the Souls in Purgatory are more unfortunate than those who are poor, hungry and homeless in this world.
They hunger for God, they are full of regret for the sins which they have committed and they languish far from the eternal home, to which they belong.

Finally, we have a duty in justice, to help their souls.
Some of them are our parents, brothers, sisters, friends and benefactors.
Perhaps they are suffering now because they loved us too much because they wished to make money for us or because, they were led astray by our bad example!
It is not only charity, therefore but justice, which obliges us to pray for them.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, ON the SAINTS, PURGATORY, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The HOLY SOULS

Thought for the Day – 6 November – The Communion of Saints and the Souls in Purgatory

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

The Communion of Saints
and the Souls in Purgatory

“The consoling Doctrine of the Communion of Saints, is the foundation of devotion towards the faithful departed.
The universal Church, both on earth, in Purgatory and in Heaven, constitutes the Mystical Body of Christ, which is the channel of the Divine life of Jesus.

This life is not extinguished by death but only by mortal sin, which makes us like dead limbs separated from the vine which is Cbrist.
The souls of those belonging to us who have died in the state of grace, therefore, are living members of the Mystical Body of Christ.
Now, the different members of the human body, do not possess a separate life but are all co-ordinated and directed towards the good of the whole body.
In the same way, all the members of the Mystical Body, whether they are exiles on earth, suffering souls in Purgatory, or blessed in Heaven, should help one another so as to promote the welfare of the whole.

The blessed in Heaven and the faithful departed certainly do this and we ought to do the same.
We should preserve a bond of love and prayer between ourselves and our loved ones, who have departed from this life before us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PURGATORY, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 5 November – The Consolations of the Suffering Souls in Purgatory

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

The Consolations of the
Suffering Souls in Purgatory

“That is the way it is in Purgatory.
The suffering souls endure dreadful torments but, they are resigned to the will of God and are happy to suffer, indefinitely, in order to become holy.
Nevertheless, we can and should pray that their sufferings may be minimised and their joy increased while they are awaiting the moment of their liberation and of their entry into eternal glory.
The prayers, penances and good works which we offer, on their behalf, are a great consolation to them and draw God’s blessings upon ourselves.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/05/thought-for-the-day-5-november-the-consolations-of-the-suffering-souls-in-purgatory/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/05/thought-for-the-day-5-november-the-consolations-of-the-suffering-souls-in-purgatory-2/

Posted in CHRIST the KING, Gerard MANLEY HOPKINS SJ, GOD ALONE!, HYMNS, JESUIT SJ, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – St Ignatius and his Brethren – Seeing God in all things

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – All Saints and Blesseds of the Society of Jesus (SJ)

I Love Thee, O Thou Lord Most High!
Translation and Parphrase
of St Ignatius Loyola’s Latin Hymn
By Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

I love, I love Thee, Lord most high!
Because Thou first hast loved me;
I seek no other liberty
But that of being bound to Thee.

May memory no thought suggest,
But shall to Thy pure glory tend;
My understanding find no rest
Except in Thee, its only End.

My God, I here protest to Thee,
No other will have I than Thine;
Whatever Thou hast given me,
I here again to Thee resign.

All mine is Thine — say but the word,
Whate’er Thou wllest shall be done;
I know Thy Love, all-gracious Lord;
I know It seeks my good alone.

Apart from Thee, all things are naught;
Then grant, O my supremest bliss!
Grant me to love Thee as I ought;
Thou givest all in giving this!

“A precious crown is reserved in Heaven
for those who endow their actions with
all the diligence of which they are capable,
for, it is not enough to do good,
we must do it well!”

“God takes special care
to detach from the passing pleasures of this world,
those whom He Loves with special predilection,
by sending them desires after heavenly bliss
and, by the sorrows and bitterness
of the present life.”

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

I Love Thee, God, I Love Thee
O Deus Ego Amo Te
By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)
Translated by Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ (1844-1889)

I love Thee, God, I love Thee—
Not out of hope for Heaven for me
Nor fearing not to love and be
in the everlasting burning.
Thou, my Jesus, after me
Didst reach Thine arms out dying,
For my sake suffered nails and lance,
Mocked and marred countenance,
Sorrows passing number,
Sweat and care and cumber,
Yea and death and this for me,
And Thou could see me sinning.
Then I, why should not I love Thee,
Jesu so much in love with me?
Not for Heaven’s sake, not to be
Out of hell by loving Thee,
Not for any gains I see,
But just the way that Thou didst me
I do love and will love Thee.
What must I love Thee, Lord, for then?
For being my King and God.
Amen

“We must make our way towards eternity,
never regarding what men think of us,
or of our actions,
studying only to please God.”

St Francis Borgia (1510-1572)

““Man’s salvation and perfection
consists in doing the Will of God
which he must have in view in all things
and, at every moment of his life.”

St Peter Claver (1581-1654)

“Can we think, the life of man,
better employed than in this good work?
What do I say? Would not all the labours
of a thousand men, be well rewarded,
in the conversion of a single soul
gained to Jesus Christ?
I have always felt a great love
for this kind of life
and for a profession so excellent
and so akin to that of the Apostles.”

St Isaac Jogues (1607-1646)
Martyr

“Are we in the habit of seeing all thing in God
and God in all things?
Do we accept all things from His Holy Hands
and do His Will cheerfully and lovingly?
Do we try to control ourselves when God sends
us sorrows, in addition to joy?
If we find we are in need of reform in this matter,
we should make good resolutions and fulfil them!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PURGATORY

Thought for the Day – 3 November – The Pain of Purgatory

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

The Pain of Purgatory

“The Tradition of the Fathers and the ordinary teaching of the Church, describe the pains of Purgatory in such a fashion, that they should prompt us to avoid even the smallest sin, not only because it is an offence against the most amiable God but also because, it will be severely punished by Him.
This teaching, moreover, should move us to pity for the poor suffering souls, who are enduring such torments.

St Cyril of Jerusalem states, that the sum total of the sufferings of this world, is nothing in comparison to the sufferings of Purgatory.
He adds, moreover, that the pain of Purgatory is equal to the severity of the torments of Hell; the only difference is that the latter are everlasting, whereas the former, will have an end.
St Athanasius assures us that the least pang of suffering in Purgatory, is sharper than all the torments which it is possible to undergo on earth.
Moreover he adds, in comparison with the fire which afflicts the suffering souls, earthly fire is hardly even real!
St Bede the Venerable tells us, that even if we could imagine all the tortures to which tyrants subjected the Martyrs, such as iron hooks, red-hot pincers, roasting gridirons and boiling pitch, we should still have failed to form any idea of the pains of Purgatory!

But what is the reason for such severe torments?
It is that God loves these souls and desires that they be purified of sins, as soon as possible and be made worthy of infinite happiness.

The fires of Purgatory are nourished by a twofold love – the love of God, Who desires the purification of souls and, the love of these souls, who desire to expiate their faults in order to become worthy of being united to Him forever.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, PURGATORY, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on PURITY, The LAST THINGS

Thought for the Day – 2 November – “Purgatory”

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

“Purgatory”

“Purgatory is the masterpiece of God’s justice and mercy.
St John tells us in the Apocalypse, that nothing defiled can enter into the Heavenly Jerusalem (Apoc 21:27).

There are very few, however, who are privileged to arrive at the supreme moment of death, still wearing their Baptismal robe of innocence.
Even the just man falls very often as the Holy Spirit warns us (Prov 24:16).
We all possess many failings and have been guilty of many sins, either mortal or venial.
It is true, that we can obtain forgiveness by penance and by receiving the Sacraments but, there still remains the temporal punishment due to our sins.
Neither the small penances imposed by the Confessor, nor our own tiny acts of voluntary mortification, are sufficient to satisfy our debt.
We cannot be certain, moreover, that we shall be able, at the hour of our death, to cleanse ourselves of all our sins, by means of one good Confession.
Even if we appear before the judgement seat of God without any grave faults, there will still, unfortunately, be many debts to be paid and many imperfections to be purified.

What then will happen to us?
The justice of God cannot admit us, imperfect and defiled as we are, into the everlasting happiness of the Beatific Vision.
Will He reject us, therefore, even as He rejects those who die in mortal sin and are condemned to eternal punishment?
This is unthinkable, for the mercy of God is as Infinite as His justice.
And so, there is Purgatory, where the souls of those who have died in the state of grace but, still scarred with imperfections and burdened with debts to be paid, can find a way of purifying themselves and, of making themselves worthy of an everlasting reward.

Let us thank God for this gift, the last link in the chain of His mercies, which enables us to prepare ourselves for our entry into the Beatific Vision.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOD ALONE!, GOOD RESOLUTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The COMMUNION of SAINTS, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 1 November – The Feast of All Saints

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

The Feast of All Saints

“Today’s feast should inspire in us, a burning desire to become holy.
Men long for many things in this world, things which are often useless and, even sinful.
They desire riches, pleasure, honours, success and material comfort.
These things may be lawful but, they cannot satisfy the human heart, which is made for God.
Whenever we achieve any of our ambitions in this world, are we in fact, happy or even perfectly satisfied?
The truth is that we are not! because, the soul is greater than the objects which surround us. God alone can fill and satisfy it.

Sanctity should be our principal ambition.
We should yearn to be more closely united to God, so that His Divinity may be reflected in our thoughts and in our actions.
If we enjoy God’s friendship, we shall become more like God and shall be lifted up above petty mundane considerations.
Perhaps, we doubt our ability to reach such a high spiritual level?
Even so, we should, nevertheless, desire to reach it and, not just in a passing and indifferent manner but, constantly and actively.
We should keep our desire alive by repeating it to ourselves and by continually praying for God’s grace to fulfil it.
“I intend to become holy,” said little Dominic Savio and he kept the promise which he had made to God.
Many people have formed the same resolution, both desert hermits and University professors, both humble workmen and rulers of nations.
Since we ought to have the same intention, what is there to prevent us?
Let us make this resolution now and put it into effect, with the help of God!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Hail MARY!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on DEATH, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The COMMUNION of SAINTS

Thought for the Day – 31 October – “Pray for Us … at the Hour of our Death”

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“Pray for Us … at the Hour of our Death”

“We have come to the end of this month, which we have dedicated to Mary and her blessed Rosary.
Let us remember, however, that apart from this Month of October, we should dedicate our whole lives to her, up to our final moment of death.
We are always in need of Mary’s patronage and intercession with God.
Let us always have recourse to her, therefore, especially in danger and in suffering but, most especially, at the decisive moment of death, for this is the moment on which eternity depends.
This day will arrive sooner or later but, it will certainly come, “at an hour you do not expect” (Lk 12:40).

In the second part of the Hail Mary, the Church places on our lips, these words of supplication: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.”
How many times we have recited this prayer?!
But do we ever think of death?
Let us remember that a mediation on death is the most valuable lesson in life.
One day, we shall find ourselves face-to-face with God, drawing our last breath on earth.
It may be on a sick bed, it may be in the middle of a street – we do not know.
It may be after a long illness at the end of which we are comforted by the Holy Sacraments and blessed by a Priest, or it may be quite unexpected.
But, it is certain that death will come.
Let us aim, therefore, at being always prepared, so that it may not come when we have no good works to offer and when our hearts are full of ourselves and of worldly interests.
Like Mary, let us lead lives of holiness and we shall be sure to die holy deaths.
Let us beseech our heavenly Mother to be by our side at that final moment to sustain us in the conflict and to consign our souls to her divine Son, Jesus. Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES

Thought for the Day – 30 October – Prayer and Our Lady

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

“The Month of the Most Holy Rosary”
Prayer and Our Lady

“Mary’s was a life of constant prayer.
It is a thousand tmes more necessary, that ours, should be the same.
We are so weak and so prone to temptation that we are always in danger of falling into sin.
“Without me, you can do nothing,” (Jn 15:5) Jesus tells us.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. If anyone does not abide in me, he shall be cast outside as the branch and wither.” (Ibid).
“Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you ” (Mt 7:7).
In short, Jesus asks us to pray.
He wants us to pray because He wants to give us His graces.

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We cannot object that it is impossible for us to pray all the time because we have to work and fulfil other obligations.
The work, which has first claim on us, is the service of God, which is prayer.
Secondly, we can pray in tbe course of our daily work and of our different occupations, by offering to God, everything which we do.
No matter what we are doing, we can raise our minds to God in an act of love and so remain always, close to Him.

It is not our work which prevents us from praying constantly but our attachment to worldly things, our excessive love for ourselves and of other creatures.
We must avoid these distractions, if we wish to live like Mary in a continual state of prayer. ”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, INDULGENCES, MARIAN Antiphons, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on MEDIOCRITY, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 29 October – Mary, Our Hope – “our life, our sweetness and our hope.”

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“Mary, Our Hope”

“In the beautiful prayer, known as the Salve Regina or Hail, Holy Queen, the Church salutes Mary as “our life, our sweetness and our hope.”
Mary is our hope, because, she gave us our Saviour, Jesus and, because, she prays to Him continually for the graces which we need.
Following the example of Luther, modern protestants raise the objection that Mary cannot be regarded as a source of hope, because, all our trust should be placed in God.
Anyone who places his trust in creatures, draws down God’s curse upon himself, they say and, they go on to quote from Jeremias: “Cursed be the man who trusteth in man” (Jer 17:5).
But this is true only, when we trust in creatures independently of God, as if we can derive any good from them, without recourse to God.
We invoke Mary, however, as the Mother of God and our mediatrix with Him.
She is our hope, insofar as she obtains for us from God, the graces and favours which we require.
St Bernard assures us, that God has placed in Mary’s hands, all the riches which He wishes to bestow on us (Serm de aquaed).
“He will never experience eternal ruin,” says St Anselm, “for whom Mary has once prayed.”
St Bernard calls upon Mary as the foundation of all his hope (Ibid).
Let us remember, that Mary is our loving Mother who wishes us to pray to her because, she knows that if she intercedes on our behalf, she will certainly be heard.
It should be most consoling to us to have such a good and powerful Mother in whom, we can safely trust in every peril and in every necessity.
Let us pray to her with love and faith, in the certainty that, we shall be answered in the way that is best for us.
Let us say along with St John Damascene: “O Mother of God, if I place my trust in you, I shall be saved. If I am under your protection, I have nothing to fear because to be devoted to you, is to possess a weapon of salvation which God grants only to those, whom He desires to redeem” (Serm de Nat, cap 4).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DANTE ALIGHIERI!, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MOTHER of GOD, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, ROSARY QUOTES, The INCARNATION, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 28 October – “Mary, Mother of God”

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“Mary, Mother of God”

“The near-infinite greatness of Mary, flows from the fact, that she is the Mother of God.
The Eternal Word of the Father, consubstantial with Him in nature and equal to Him in Majesty, willed to become man in order to set us free from the slavery of sin and to regain Heaven for us.
He became man in the chaste womb of the Virgin Mary.
He took a human body and soul and was born of her, as the God-Man.
For this reason, there is attributed to His Divine Person, the title of Son of Mary and to Mary, the title of Mother of God.

There is a relationship between Mary and each of the three Divine Persons, for she is the daughter of God the Father, the spouse of the Holy Spirit by whose power the Word became incarnate in her and the mother of the Word made Man.
She is, moreover, in the words of Dante, the “termine fisso di eterno consiglio” (Paradiso 33:1-3).
In other words, she is the centre of the eternal plan which God established for the redemption of the human race.
It was God’s eternal design to reunite creation to the Uncreated, by means of Mary.
She became the mother of the Eternal Word, in whom the divine and human natures were indissolubly united.
He redeemed us by His infinite merits but, in this work of redemption, He employed the co-operation of His holy Mother.
All the graces, privileges and virtues of Mary, flow from this great mystery of her divine Motherhood.
As befitted the future Mother of God, she was conceived free from the stain of original sin and full of grace.
Her mortal life was a continuous ascent towards the highest peak of sanctity.
When she died, she was assumed body and soul into Heaven, where she was crowned in glory, as Queen of Angels and Queen of Saints.
When we consider the sublime nobility of Our Lady, we should be moved to love and venerate her.
This love and veneration does not subtract in the slightest from God’s glory, because, she is the Mother of God.
In fact, it is a great advantage to us, to imitate her and to call on her to intercede for us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in Hail MARY!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES

Thought for the Day – 27 October – “Hail Mary … Holy Mary”

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“Hail Mary … Holy Mary”

“The Angel’s greeting was later completed by the salutation of St Elizabeth.
As soon as Elizabeth saw the Blessed Virgin coming to visit her, she cried out in humble veneratin: “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!” (Lk 1:42).

In the first part of the Hail Mary, then, we pay her the words of the Gospel, the highest tributes ever accorded to any human creature, proclaiming her to be full of grace, blessed among women and Mother of the Redeemer.
The second part, which was later added by the Church,  (composed and proposed by St Peter Canisius 1521-1597) Doctor of the Church), is a heartfelt supplication addressed to Mary as the Mother of God and our Mother.
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen.”
It would be difficult to find a more touching plea.
We ask our heavenly Mother to intercede for us now – because we have such great need of her assistance in this vale of tears and temptations.
May she be always by our side, to shelter us beneath her mantle!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in INGRATITUDE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 26 October – “Deliver Us From Evil”

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“Deliver Us From Evil”

“When we ask God to deliver us from evil, we should think chiefly of the real evil, which is spiritual.
All other evils are insignificant in comparison with sin, which is an offence committed against God, our only good.
Sin robs us of His grace, which is the supernatural life of the soul, deprives us of His friendship and is an act of ingratitude towards our supreme Benefactor.

When we pray to God to deliver us from evil, we should renew our determination to avoid sin by every means in our power.
Prayer is futile, unless it is accompanied by the resolution never to offend God again.
Our prayers and good resolutions will draw God’s favour and will strengthen our bond of intimacy with Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior), ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, St PAUL!, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 25 October – “Lead Us Not Into Temptation”

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“Lead Us Not Into Temptation”

“Life is a prolonged trial.
St Paul compares it to a stadium in which everyone must fight to win.
If anyone lays down his arms, he will be unable to conquer his passions or to achieve the palm of victory.
“One who enters a contest, is not crowned, unless he has competed according to the rules ” (2 Tim 2:5).

With the exception of the Blessed Virgin, every human being is obliged to battle against the temptations of the flesh.
Sometimes, these can be quite terrifying.
St Paul himself confessed that he felt another law in his members, warning against the law of his mind.
“Unhappy man that I am!” he exdclaimed in supplication to God to come to his assistance.
“Who will deliver me from the body of this death?” (Rom 7:24).

The false enchantment and the wickedness of the world, also threatens to ensnare us.
“We know that we are of God and the whole world is in the power of the evil one” (1 Jn 5:19).
It is easy to become absorbed in worldly affairs and to forget the all-important spiritual realities.

Finally, there is the devil, whom St Peter describes as wandering about “seeking someone to devour.”  Resist him, he urges us, “steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same suffering befalls your brethren all over the world ” (Cf 1 Peter 5:9).

Faced as we are, with these three foes, we should implore God to help us by His grace.
Lead us not into temptation, O God but help us to conquer these enemies.
Without You, we can do nothing but with Your aid, all is possible.
Lead us not into temptation!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRIDE, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES

Thought for the Day – 24 October – “As We Also Forgive Our Debtors”

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“As We Also Forgive Our Debtors”

“If thou art offering thy gift at the altar,” Jesus tells us “and thou remember that thy brother has anything against thee, leave thy gift before the altar and go first to be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift” (Mt 5:23-24).
Prayer is futile, therefore, unless we have first forgiven our enemies!

“Learn from me,” Jesus said when He proposed Himself as a model to be imitated, “for I am meek and humble of heart.”
Then He added, “you will find rest for your souls” (Cf Mt 11:29).
The foundation of our hatred, anger and resentment, is always our wounded pride.
We need Christlike gentleness and humility, if we are to forgive sincerely and generously.
Only when we have this gentleness and humility, moreover, shall we find joy in forgiving and only then, shall we have peace.
As long as there is room in our hearts for pride and hatred, we can never enjoy peace of soul!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES

Thought for the Day – 23 October – “Forgive Us Our Debts”

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“Forgive Us Our Debts”

“Finally, we owe God a great deal on account of our sins.
Unfortunately, our only return for God’s continual favours, has been negligence, ingratitude and sin!
How many failings we have been guilty of throughout our lives?
Since it is an offence against God, Who is infinitely good and amiable, even venial sin cannot properly be atoned for by the merits of all the Angels and of all the Saints of Heaven.
Therefore, it was necessary for the Son of God, made Man, to offer Himself as a Victim of Expiation, on our behalf.

Remembering His infinite merits, we should humbly ask God – ‘forgive us our debts.‘ that is, our many sins and failings and, whatever punishment is owing to us, for every sin demands some expiation, either in this life or in the next!

Meanwhile, we should accept, with resignation, all the sufferings which God sends us in reparation for our sins and, we should promise never to offend Him again.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci