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

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

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

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

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/31/thought-for-the-day-31-august-prayer-and-our-lady/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/30/thought-for-the-day-30-october-prayer-and-our-lady/

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

Thought for the Day – 28 October – “Mary, Our Hope”

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

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

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/29/thought-for-the-day-25-october-mary-our-hope-our-life-our-sweetness-and-our-hope/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/29/thought-for-the-day-29-october-mary-our-hope/

Posted in Hail MARY!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on DEATH

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

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

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

“We seek her intercession, moreover, at the hour of death.
Death must come but if we have prayed often to our heavenly Mother, she will certainly be with us in those final and decisive moments of our lives.
If Mary is there to help us, we may be sure that death will come as a consolation, for it will be a peaceful journey towards everlasting happiness.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/26/thought-for-the-day-25-october-hail-mary/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/27/thought-for-the-day-27-october-holy-mary/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on The SOUL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, St Francis de Sales, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 27 October – ‘ … Wholly united with Christ. … ‘

Quote/s of the Day – 27 October – Vigil of Saints Simon and Jude – 1 Corinthians 4:9-14, John 15:1-7 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

I am the vine, you the branches;
whoever remains in me and I in him,
the same bears much fruit;
for without Me
you can do nothing.

John 15:5

To magnify her Royal Lover still further,
the soul must have eyes only for Him,
in other words, with an ever-growing,
anxiously eager attentiveness.
the soul must study all the details of His Beauty,
His perfections, must keep on discovering motives
for finding ever-increasing gratification
in the ineffable Beauty with which it is in love.

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

Place all your trust in God,
let Him be your fear and your love.
He will answer for you,
He will do what is best for you.
You have here no lasting home.
You are a stranger and a pilgrim
wherever you may be
and you shall have no rest,
until you are wholly united with Christ.
Why do you look about here
when this is not the place of your repose?

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

For the branch,” says St Augustine,
“there can be no half-measures.
Either it remains united with the vine,
or it is thrown into the fire.”
The same holds true for each one of us.
We must choose, either close union with Jesus,
or separation and spiritual death.
We must decide between a life of fervour in Christ,
or a life of tepidity and sin.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The LORD'S PRAYER

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

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

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

“Deliver us, O God, from the evil of eternal damnation.
Sin is the greatest evil but, as long as we are on earth, it is an evil which can still be remedied, for God, in His Infinite Mercy, is always ready to forgive and to restore us to His divine friendship, if we sincerely repent.
In Hell, however, there is no further remedy, for there, the Mercy of God has been superseded by His Infinite Justice.
Where the tree falls, there it must lie forever.
Such dreadful unhappiness is barely conceivable!

Deliver us from sin, O God, deliver us from a bad death, deliver us from Hell.
Help us to love You more and more and to serve You more faithfully, so that we may one day enjoy Your blessed company, for all eternity.
Amen.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/25/thought-for-the-day-25-october-deliver-us-from-evil/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/26/thought-for-the-day-26-october-deliver-us-from-evil/

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 October – Perseverance

Quote/s of the Day – 26 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Do not let love and fidelity forsake you,
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then will you win favour and esteem
before God and human beings.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
on your own intelligence do not rely.
In all your ways be mindful of him,
and he will make straight your paths
.”

Proverbs 3:3-6

A person who wishes
to become the Lord’s disciple
must repudiate a human obligation,
however honourable it may appear,
if it slows us, ever so slightly,
in giving the wholehearted obedience
we owe to God.

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

I think He intends to try you
like gold in the crucible,
so as to number you
amongst His most faithful servants.
Therefore, you must lovingly embrace
all occasions of suffering,
considering them
as precious tokens of His love.
To suffer in silence
and without complaint,
is what He asks of you.

St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)
Apostle of the Sacred Heart

When the sister of St Thomas Aquinas
asked him how to become holy,
he replied that it needed only one thing –
a firm act of the will,
for God will certainly supply the necessary grace..”
The grace of God is the principal weapon
upon which we must depend,
in order to gain our victory.
We should pray for it humbly and perseveringly.
There will be victors and losers
in the battle for Heaven,
as well as in earthly contests.
We must make sure that we are on the winning side!
For this purpose, we should combine
fervent and constant prayer
with generous co-operation with the grace of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

My God, Sweetness beyond words,
make bitter all the carnal comfort
that draws me from love of the eternal
and lures me to its evil self,
by the sight of some delightful good
in the present.
Let it not overcome me, my God.
Let not flesh and blood conquer me.
Let not the world and its brief glory
deceive me, nor the devil trip me by his craftiness.
Give me courage to resist,
patience to endure
and constancy to persevere.
Give me the soothing unction of Your spirit,
rather than all the consolations of the world
and in place of carnal love,
infuse into me the love of Your Name.

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
The Imitation of Christ
(Book 3 Ch 26:1-4)

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING

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

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

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

Why, we may ask, does God permit us to be tempted?
Ir is for our own good because:
(1) He desires us to co-operate with Him, in our own salvation.
The crown of glory, which is to be our reward, will only be given to him who has earned it.
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation,” says Sr James, “for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him” (Js 1:12);
(2) He wishes us to understand, moreover, that we can do nothing without Him, so that we may be humble and may pray to Him with faith and perseverance;
(3) He desires that we may be vigilant and may live in union with Him, by means of prayer.

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

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/24/thought-for-the-day-24-october-lead-us-not-into-temptation/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/25/thought-for-the-day-25-october-lead-us-not-into-temptation/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, ROSARY QUOTES, The LORD'S PRAYER, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION

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

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

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/22/thought-for-the-day-22-october-forgive-us-our-debts/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/23/thought-for-the-day-23-october-forgive-us-our-debts/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 22 October – Our Daily Bread

Thought for the Day – October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971) – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
Our Daily Bread

“When we pray to God to give us our daily bread, we should remember this beautiful sermon of Christ, (Cf Mt 6:25-34), which will remove all our anxiety and worldly worry.
As long as we are prepared to do our work, we shall obtain our daily bread from our loving Father and shall receive, in addition, spiritual peace, confidence and perfect resignation to His Holy Will.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/21/thought-for-the-day-19-october-our-daily-bread/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/22/thought-for-the-day-22-october-our-daily-bread/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, HOLY COMMUNION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 21 October – “Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread”

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
“Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread”

“We should not ask only for food for the body but for spiritual nourishment.
Not by bread alone does man live” says Holy Scripture “but, by every word which comes forth from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4; cf Deut 8:3).
The soul must be nourished, as well as the body, for it has its own life which is worn away by the daily conflict against sinful inclinations and by the constant struggle to achieve sanctity.
It needs to be nourished by the word of God, by His grace and especially, by receiving the Author of grace frequently in Holy Communion.
We should ask, before anything else, for the grace of God and for the true Bread of Life, which descends from Heaven.
Whoever eats this Bread shall live forever.

Let us ask for the life-giving Bread, for ourselves and for our unfortunate brothers who are living apart from Jesus, in a state of spiritual death.
May daily Communion become, once more, the inexhaustible source of the spiritual life and of Christian virtue which it was in the early days of the Church.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/20/thought-for-the-day-20-october-give-us-this-day-our-daily-bread/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/21/thought-for-the-day-21-october-give-us-this-day-our-daily-bread/

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JESUIT SJ, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI

Quote/s of the Day – 21 October – Angele Dei

Quote/s of the Day – 21 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”

God loves in the Seraphim, as charity,
knows in the Cherubim, as truth,
is seated in the Thrones, as equity,
reigns in the Dominions, as majesty,
rules in the Principalities, as principle,
guards in the Powers, as salvation,
acts in the Virtues, as strength,
reveals in the Archangels, as light,
assists in the Angels, as piety.

We should show our affection for the angels,
for one day, they will be our co-heirs,
just as here below, they are our guardians
and trustees, appointed
and set over u,s by the Father
.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor

Since God often sends us His inspirations
by means of His Angels,
we ought frequently to offer Him,
our aspirations, through the same channel.
… Call on them and honour them frequently
and ask their help in all your affairs,
temporal, as well as spiritual.

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

Recommend yourself to your Angel Guardian
three times a day –
in the morning. by the prayer “
Angele Dei
in the evening, by the same prayer
and during the day,
when you visit the Altars in Churches.
Remember that you are to be guided
by your Angel, like a blind man
who cannot see the dangers of the streets
and trusts entirely.
to the person who leads him.

St Aloysius de Gonzaga (1568-1591)

Angel of God, my Guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here,
ever this day (or night) be at my side,
to light and guard,
to rule and guide.
Amen.

When there is not enough time
to say this prayer, let us at least
turn to our Angel with
an Act of Faith and Love and say:
My Guardian Angel,
enlighten me.
My Guardian Angel,
help me.
My Guardian Angel,
protect me.”

He will certainly come to our assistance
and will implore, for us, from God,
the grace which we need.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Be good!
This will make your angel happy.
When sorrows and misfortunes,
physical or spiritual, afflict you,
turn to your Guardian Angel,
with strong trust
and he will help you.

St John Bosco (1815-1888)

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PEACE, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 20 October – The First Part of the “Our Father”

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The First Part of the “Our Father”

Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
There is infinite and everlasting happiness in Heaven because all the blessed do God’s will in a spirit of love and find perfect peace in Him.

We have a strict obligation to do God’s will because we all owe prompt and generous obedience to our Creator and Redeemer.
Furthermore, this is the only way in which we can acquire peace of soul, which is the beginning of true happiness.

There is no peace to the wicked” (Isa 48:22).
The sinner can never be at peace.

Therefore, when we say, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,” let us resolve to do God’s will in all things in the manner of the blessed in Heaven.
Our reward will be spiritual peace, even in the midst of trials and sorrows!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/19/thought-for-the-day-19-october-the-first-part-of-the-our-father/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/20/thought-for-the-day-20-october-the-first-part-of-the-our-father/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 19 October – The “Our Father”

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The “Our Father”

“God is truly our Father because He created us from nothing and because, He caused us to be born again through the Incarnation of His Only-begotten Son and the work of the Redemption.
In this way, He is doubly our Father.

Can we claim, however, to be true sons of God?
It is not enough simply to make this claim by reciting the “Our Father” but, we should prove it in a practical way in our daily lives.
We can do this by accepting God’s will in all things, by obeying His commandments and the precepts of the Church and, especially, by loving Him more than anything in creation.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/18/thought-for-the-day-18-october-the-our-father/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/19/thought-for-the-day-19-october-month-of-the-holy-rosary-the-our-father/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SIN, THE ASSUMPTION

Thought for the Day – 17 October – The Fourth Glorious Mystery – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Fourth Glorious Mystery
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven

As a result of this meditation, let us make the following resolutions in the presence of Mary Assumed into Heaven.

(1) To offer to God, everyday, in expiation of our sins, whatever kind of death He will please to give us.

(2) To build up for ourselves, henceforth, a substantial credit account of good actions and generous sacrifices.

(3) To pray fervently to our Mother Mary, to obtain for us from her Divine Son, a death which will be peaceful like hers, with all our sins forgiven and our hearts filled with a loving desire to be with God.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/16/thought-for-the-day-16-october-the-fourth-glorious-mystery-the-assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin-into-heaven/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/17/thought-for-the-day-17-october-the-fourth-glorious-mystery-the-assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin-into-heaven/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, Quotes on SALVATION, The HOLY GHOST, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, To JESUS through MARY

Thought for the Day – 16 October – The Third Glorious Mystery, The Descent of the Holy Spirit

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Third Glorious Mystery
The Descent of the Holy Spirit

“Because of our weakness, we should seek the intercession of Mary and, like the Apostles, pesevere in prayer, with her.
Our prayers, however, should be more supernatural.

There is nothing to prevent us asking our good Mother to look after our temporal needs, such as our health, our business and our attachments.
The first miracle which Mary wrung from the Heart of Jesus, was at the wedding feast at Cana.
Nevertheless, we should not be too materialistic.
We should seek, first of all, from the Holy Spirit through Mary’s intercession, the greater glory of God and the eternal salvation of ourselves and of all our brethren in Jesus Christ.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/15/thought-for-the-day-15-october-the-third-glorious-mystery-the-descent-of-the-holy-spirit/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/16/thought-for-the-day-16-october-the-third-glorious-mystery-the-descent-of-the-holy-spirit/

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, The ASCENSION of the LORD, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 15 October – The Second Glorious Mystery, The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Second Glorious Mystery
The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven

“O God, what more must we do for You?
One thing only, He replies.
We must belong altogether to Him, love only Him and work only for Him.
Then, we shall have completed our ascent and shall be able to say with St Paul: “It is now, no longer I that live but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20).
This is that final goal which we must strive whole-heartedly to attain.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/14/thought-for-the-day-14-october-the-second-glorious-mystery-the-ascension-of-jesus-into-heaven/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/15/thought-for-the-day-14-october-the-second-glorious-mystery-the-ascension-of-jesus-into-heaven-2/

Posted in "Follow Me", APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The RESURRECTION

Thought for the Day – 14 October – The First Glorious Mystery, The Resurrection of Our Lord

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The First Glorious Mystery
The Resurrection of Our Lord

The Resurrection of Christ demands a resurrection on our part too.
If, we are in sin, we must rise again.
Or, it maybe, that we must rise from a state of torpor to one of fervour, or from a life of worldly pleasure to an interior life nourished by grace, or from a life of selfishness, to one of sacrifice.

In which state do we find ourselves?
In the presence of the risen Christ and of His Blessed Mother, happy in the contemplation of His glory, let us resolve to rise from sin and from spiritual tepidity, in order to set out on the way of Christ and of perfect sanctity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/13/thought-for-the-day-13-october-the-first-glorious-mystery-the-resurrection-of-our-lord/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/14/thought-for-the-day-14-october-the-first-glorious-mystery-the-resurrection-of-our-lord/

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 13 October – The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery, The Crucifixion

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery
The Crucifixion

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/12/thought-for-the-day-12-october-the-fifth-sorrowful-mystery-the-crucifixion/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/13/thought-for-the-day-13-october-the-fifth-sorrowful-mystery-the-crucifixion/

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MOTHER of GOD, OUR Cross, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 11 October – Mary, the Mother of God

Thought for the Day – 11 October – Feast of the Divine Maternity –Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Mary, the Mother of God

“St Matthew (Cf Mt 12:46-50) and St Mark (Cf Mk 3:31-35), relate how Jesus was preaching one day in Galilee, surrounded by His Apostles and by a large crowd, when a man approached and said: “Behold, thy mother and thy brethren are standing outside, seeking thee.”
“Who is my mother,” He answered, “and who are my brethren?”
Then He extended His hand towards His disciples and said: “Behold, my mother and my brethren! For whoever does the will of my Father in Heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

These words were directed at us, not at Our Lady.
Not only was she the Immaculate Mother of Jesus Christ but, she performed lovingly, on all occasions, the Will of the heavenly Father.
She did His Will, in poverty and obedience, in exile and on Mount Calvary.
Therefore, she was God’s Mother in the spiritual, as well as, in the physical sense of the word, insofar, as she was constantly united to Him by a bond of love and of conformity with His desires.

Christ’s words indicate, that Mary’s perfect and continuous acceptance of God’s Will, was even more pleasing to God, than the dignity of the divine Motherhood.

We cannot equal her in dignity but, we can imitate her in this other respect.
Jesus will look on us as His brothers and as worthy sons of Mary, if we carry out His Will in all things.
It is not always easy to do this.
It is not easy, when we are strongly tempted to commit sins of pride, anger or impurity.
It is not easy, when we are overcome by sorrow or by sickness, when we are let down or misunderstood by others, when we are in want and, when we feel that we are collapsing beneath the weight of our cross.
At times like these, we should pray for Mary’s spirit of complete acceptance of the Will of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/11/thought-for-the-day-11-october-mary-mother-of-god/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 9 October – The Second Sorrowful Mystery, The Scourging

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Second Sorrowful Mystery
The Scourging

Tradition holds that Mary followed Jesus through the various stages of His Passion.
It is impossible to believe that she would have abandoned Him in these tragic hours.
She must, at least, have known of the cruel flogging which He endured and, while His body was being torn by lashes, she was most probably not far away, participating, by her maternal sorrow in her Son’s torment.
Here, then, was a double Martyrdom – the Martyrdom of Blood and the Martyrdom of tears.

Life demands the shedding of blood and the shedding of tears!
What are the motives which cause you sorrow in life?
Are yours the tears of unsated ambition, of frustrated caprice, or of discouragement in times of trouble?
Such tears are not worthy of a Christian.
His, should be tears of repentance for his sins and tears of love for Jesus and Mary.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/09/thought-for-the-day-9-october-the-second-sorrowful-mystery-the-scourging/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/09/thought-for-the-day-9-october-the-second-sorrowful-mystery-the-scourging-2/

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on STRENGTH, ROSARY QUOTES, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 8 October – The First Sorrowful Mystery, The Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The First Sorrowful Mystery
The Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

To which group do you belong, you who claim to be a Catholic?
Are you among the traitors who, by their sins, Crucify Jesus anew?

Weep for your faults and ask your merciful Redeemer for forgiveness and for the strength never to fall again.

Perhaps you are ungrateful and asleep?
Awake from your torpor!

Pray to the Sorrowful Virgin to obtain for you the love of her Divine Son and the ardent desire of following Him in the path of sacrifice and of virtue.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/08/thought-for-the-day-8-october-the-first-sorrowful-mystery-the-agony-of-jesus-in-the-garden-of-gethsemane/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/08/thought-for-the-day-8-october-the-first-sorrowful-mystery-the-agony-of-jesus-in-the-garden-of-gethsemane-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, ROSARY QUOTES, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 7 October – The Fifth Joyful Mystery, The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Fifth Joyful Mystery
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

By mortal sins, we lose Jesus and we lose our peace of soul.
By venial sin, we put Jesus farther away from us.

For this reason, we should not only avoid mortal sin, which leads to spiritual misery and death but also, venial sin, which diminishes our charity and weakens our spiritual life.

We should, moreover, have compassion for poor sinners, who are out own brothers and sisters and are supremely unhappy, even if they may not realise it.
We should pray a great deal for them, so that they may soon return to Jesus, Whom they have lost.

We should ask the Blessed Virgin and St Joseph to intercede for sinners, so that they may return forever to the merciful embrace of their Divine Redeemer.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/07/thought-for-the-day-7-october-the-fifth-joyful-mystery-the-finding-of-jesus-in-the-temple/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/07/thought-for-the-day-7-october-the-fifth-joyful-mystery-the-finding-of-jesus-in-the-temple-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS

Thought for the Day – 6 October – The Fourth Joyful Mystery – The Purification of Our Lady and The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Fourth Joyful Mystery
The Purification of Our Lady and
The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple

“During the ceremony, a devout man, enlightened by God, entered the temple.
He asked and obtained, the privilege of holding the Divine Infant in his arms.
This was Simeon, a holy old man to whom the Holy Ghost had revealed that before he died, he would see the expected Messiah, the Redeemer of the sinful race.
Overjoyed as he held Jesus in his arms, he exclaimed: “Now Thou doet dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word, in peace” (Lk 2:29).

May God grant that when we come to the end of our mortal lives, we may too have the pleasure of clasping Jesus to our hearts.
Then we can say with confidence in God’s Mercy: Receive Thy servant in peace, O Lord. Forgive him and receive him into everlasting happiness.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/06/thought-for-the-day-6-october-the-fourth-joyful-mystery-the-purification-of-our-lady-and-the-presentation-of-the-child-jesus-in-the-temple/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/06/october-the-fourth-joyful-mystery-the-purification-of-our-lady-and-the-presentation-of-the-child-jesus-in-the-temple/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 5 October – The Third Joyful Mystery, The Birth of Jesus

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Third Joyful Mystery
The Birth of Jesus

“Let us too, learn to adore and love Him as His Mother and Foster-father did.

Let us love Him that is, with a contemplative love, not distracted by worldly affairs;
a humble love because, we owe everything to Him, without Whom, we are nothing but miserable sinners;
with a sympathetic love because, we know that He suffered for us and spent Himself for our eternal salvation and, lastly,
with a love which is entirely dedicated.
After all, if He loved us so much that He gave Himself entirely for us, it is only just that in our love for Him, we should sacrifice ourselves completely.
All our thoughts, affections and actions should be offered to Him, with purity of intention and with a firm resolve of living in accordance with His Holy Will.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/05/thought-for-the-day-5-october-the-third-joyful-mystery-the-birth-of-jesus/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/05/thought-for-the-day-5-october-the-third-joyful-mystery-the-birth-of-jesus-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 4 October – The Second Joyful Mystery – Mary’s Visit to St Elizabeth

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Second Joyful Mystery
Mary’s Visit to St Elizabeth

“As soon as Mary entered her cousin’s house, Elizabeth was inspired by the Holy Spirit and felt the infant in her womb, leaping with joy in the presence of Jesus and His Mother.
Blessed art thou amongst women,” she cried out, “and blessed is the fruit of thy wom! And how have I deserved that the Mother of my Lord, should come to me?” (Lk 1:42-43).
Then, the Blessed Virgin, in her joy and gratitude, gave utterance to the Magnificat.
This expression of her happiness, was interwoven, however, with sentiments of deep humility.

My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
For He has regarded the humility of His handmaid, for behold, henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed.
Because He Who is Mighty, has done great things for me and holy is His Name.
And His Mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him.
He has shown might with His Arm, He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, His servant, mindful of His Mercy – even as He spoke to our fathers – to Abraham and to his posterity forever.
” (Lk 1:46-55).

If, at that moment, they could have heard the words of this poor and unknown girl, what would the might Emperor Caesar Augustus, or the petty King, Herod, have said?
Yet history is there to demonstrate the astounding truth of these prophetic words.
Generations of yesterday and of today, have bowed in reverence before this simple maiden, while one after another rulers, have been tumbling from their thrones!

Let us honour the Blessed Virgin too and learn from her, to love humility and holiness.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/04/thought-for-the-day-4-october-the-second-joyful-mystery-marys-visit-to-st-elizabeth/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/04/thought-for-the-day-4-october-the-second-joyful-mystery-marys-visit-to-st-elizabeth-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, ROSARY QUOTES, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The ANNUNCIATION

Thought for the Day – 3 October – The First Joyful Mystery – The Annunciation

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The First Joyful Mystery
The Annunciation

“The Angel reassures Mary, “Do not be afraid Mary, for thou hast found grace with God …” (Lk 1:30).
Thou shall conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son … Jesus … the Son of the Most High … the Son of God” (Cf Lk 1:31-36).

The Virgin remains humble and thoughtful.
She asks frankly how she can become the Mother of God, when she has resolved to remain a virgin for the rest of her life.
The Angel reveals to her the tremendous Mystery by which, the Holy Ghost will descend upon her and the power of the Most High will overshadow her.

Only when Mary understood that this was the will of God and that the privilege of the Divine Motherhood would be compatible with the other privilege of virginal purity, did she utter the momentous words: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word” (Lk 1:38).

Let us bow our proud heads before the Virgin, the humblest and most exalted of creatures, (Dante, Paradiso XXXIII 2-3).
Let us learn from her, to love purity above all things and to be prepared to make any sacrifice, rather than lose this beautiful virtue.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/03/thought-for-the-day-2-october-the-first-joyful-mystery-the-annunciation/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/03/thought-for-the-day-3-october-the-first-joyful-mystery-the-annunciation/

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS

Thought for the Day – 2 October – Our Guardian Angels

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

Our Guardian Angels

“Let us form the habit of saying this prayer to our Guardian Angel, especially in the crises of life.

Angel of God, my Guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here,
ever this day (or night) be at my side,
to light and guard,
to rule and guide.
Amen.

When there is not enough time to say this prayer, let us at least turn to our Angel with an Act of Faith and Love and say:
“My Guardian Angel,
enlighten me.
My Guardian Angel,
help me.
My Guardian Angel,
protect me.

He will certainly come to our assistance and will implore, for us, from God, the grace which we need.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/02/thought-for-the-day-2-october-our-guardian-angels/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/02/thought-for-the-day-2-october-our-guardian-angels-2/

Posted in Hail MARY!, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, ROSARY QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 1 October – The Month of the Holy Rosary

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

The Month of the Holy Rosary

It is untrue to say that the Rosary is a monotomous prayer in that it neccessitates a constant repetition of the same formulae.
In the first place, recitation of these prayers should be accompanied by meditation on the principal Mysteries of our Religion.
Secondly, if we are inspired by love, the repetition of the same words can draw from them, each time, a new significance.

The Catholic who loves God and His Divine Mother, will be happy to call on his heavenly Father with filial confidence and to pray to the Blessed Virgin, with trust in her maternal protection.
An affectionate son does not find it boring to speak with his own Mother!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/01/thought-for-the-day-1-october-the-month-of-the-holy-rosary/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/01/thought-for-the-day-1-october-the-month-of-the-holy-rosary-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MODESTY, QUOTES on SANCTITY

Thought for the Day – 30 September – Christian Modesty

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

Christian Modesty

It follows from the doctrine of St Thomas Aquinas that modesty has two aspects – internal and external.

The former, which is the foundation of the latter, consists in a firm resolution, relying on divine grace, of preserving constant self-control, so that it will be impossible, to think or do, anything contrary to the law of God.
Since everything in us will be directed towards God, it will be impossible for us to be led astray, through the lower impulses of the flesh, or through the external appearances of persons and objects surrounding us.
Once the virtue of modesty has been perfectly developed, the control which we exercise over our interior faculties, will be reflected in our external behaviour.
The outward expression is the necessary complement of interior modesty.

Let us examine ourselves and see if we are really modest, both internally and externally, for this lovely virtue, is the most solid foundation and the best safeguard of sanctity.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/30/thought-for-the-day-30-september-christian-modesty/

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

Thought for the Day – 29 September – Goodness and Christian Courtesy

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

Goodness and Christian Courtesy

When Jesus wished to propose Himself as our Divine Model, He said: “Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29).
He was kind to all but especially to sinners.
He was strict and severe, only with hypocrites, whom He described as a race of vipers and as whitened sepulchres, from which we can see how much He detested duplicity.
If the hypocrites had only repented and resolved to mend their ways, however, Our Lord would have received them lovingly and pardoned them.

Let us learn, therefore, to be simple, meek and humble of heart and to display that courtesy of manner, which is the necessary adornment of true Catholic virtue”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/28/thought-for-the-day-28-september-goodness-and-christian-courtesy/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/28/thought-for-the-day-28-september-goodness-and-christian-courtesy-the-gentle-christ-of-geneva/