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Posted in Hail MARY!, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMITATION of MARY, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 6 May – SOLILOQUIES OF THE SOUL

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Thought for the Day – 6 May – Extracts fromThe Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Extracts from The Imitation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
Imprimatur 17 February 1947

SOLILOQUIES OF THE SOUL

—Thomas à Kempis

Read, O my son, or rather, chant while reading,
These sweet versicles in honour of Mary.
Take them as a viaticum for the soul;
Take them as one does a staff for a journey.
Read often and re-read with devotion while praying.
May Jesus and Mary be for you, in life,
At all times, in every place, your sole company,
For fear that you may wander alone or unguided,
Shedding without, the perfumes from within.
You will find here a treatise on Mary, brief,
But a treatise full of sweetness for meditation.
And a treatise full of strength, to protect you well.
Meditate on it often and often, pray too,
Saying with a full heart:
Hail, Mary!

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, The IMITATION of MARY

Thought for the Day – 5 May – The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Thought for the Day – 5 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Extracts from The Imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

I am thrilled to explore this little book with you during Our Lady’s Month of May.

Extracts from The Imitation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)
Imprimatur 17 February 1947

PREFACE TO THE FRENCH EDITION

The Imitation of Christ, the most beautiful of books coming from the hand of man, ought to have, as a counterpart, The Imi¬ tation of Mary. However, we do not have it in a completely finished form; we only possess it scattered throughout the works of Thomas à Kempis.
The century which brought forth The Imitation of Christ— the 15th—is the century which saw completed, the greater part of the Gothic Churches dedicated to the Virgin in France and the Low Countries, from Notre Dame of Paris to the Cathedral of Cologne.
This is the most flourishing epoch of the cult of the Virgin, the golden age of devotion to Mary. The name of Mary is found ever at the side of that of Jesus, as, for example, on the standard of Jeanne d’Arc.

Besides, we notice with sorrow that the Author of The Imitation of Christ, does not speak a single te time of devotion to the Virgin Mary in this divine book which treats of all the subjects of Christian Mysticism.

Was it forgetfulness or negligence? Neither one nor the other.
Thomas à Kempis, Canon of Cologne and Abbe of Mount St Agnes, whose Church is dedicated to the Virgin, has written entire chapters on devotion to Mary in his divers works.
But the copyists who transcribed the first Books of The Imitation, finished by Kempis, thus leaving the fourth incomplete, did not know how to arrange the passages treating of the devotion to the Virgin Mary in the immense production of the Author.

The present work which is only the work of an analyst, we
have undertaken. We have been able to extract from the different works of Kempis, whole chapters on the devotion to Mary written in the same poetic and rhythmic language as is The Imitation. Everything seems to indicate that they were destined to form a Fifth Book of the Treatise on the Interior Life, following that of the Eucharist. One finds in it, the same doctrine of elevated theology and the same grace of poetry in its forms.

We have arranged this work according to the Mysteries of the life of Mary; joyous mysteries, sorrowful mysteries, glorious mysteries.
The reading of it will thus be easier. It is especially fitting to recall the advice of the Author: “You must read, not only with the mind but, above all, with the heart.”
We have tried to enclose our heart in that of our Mother.
Likewise, may you do, all you who shall read this book!

Dr Albin de Cigala
Faculty of Paris, 1947
Doctor of Theology and Philosophy

NOTE: The sermons and meditations are the work of Dr de Cigala who comments on the Extract of Kempis in order to aid the reader to more fully derive its fruits.

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, HOLY SATURDAY, HOLY WEEK, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 19 April – The Death of our Saviour

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

The Death of our Saviour

In the midst of His sufferings, Jesus forgets Himself and pray for His executioners.
“Father,” He pleaded, “forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34).
Who were these people who crucified Him?
We know well that they were not only the Jews but all of us.
The Prophet Isaiah, had foretold this.  “He was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins … He was offered because it was his own will…” (Is 53:5-7).
We are all the crucifiers of Jesus.   Therefore, He willed to suffer and to die for all of us and when He was hanging on the Cross, He begged for forgiveness for us all.
This should incite us to trust in God and to do repentance for our sins.
We should be sorry for our sins because, they were the real cause of the voluntary death of Jesus.
We should have confidence in Him because, He forgave us when He was dying on the Cross and is ready to pardon us again, as long as we are sincerely repentant.

Let us consider how Jesus, even though He was derided and nailed to the Cross, prayed for and forgave His executioners.
How do we normally behave?
Perhaps we fly into anger at the first word of offence or act of misunderstanding, or perhaps we nourish secret feelings of hatred in our hearts for our brothers in Jesus Christ?
Let us kneel before the Cross and tell Our Lord, that we wish to be meek and humble of heart, like Him.
We wish to be quick to forgive and to live in peace and, even, if it is necessary, to do good to those who offend us, or at any rate, to pray fervently for them.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, HOLY COMMUNION, HOLY SATURDAY, HOLY WEEK, In the PRESENCE of GOD, LENT- 2025, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The PASSION, The RESURRECTION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 19 April – The Entombment

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Lenten Meditations – 19 April – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Easter Eve
The Entombment

Read St Luke xxiii:50-56

[50] And behold there was a man named Joseph, who was a counsellor, a good and just man, [51] (the same had not consented to their counsel and doings;) of Arimathea, a city of Judea; who also himself looked for the kingdom of God. [52] This man went to Pilate and begged the Body of Jesus. [53] And taking Him down, he wrapped Him in fine linen and laid Him in a sepulchre which was hewed in stone, wherein never yet any man had been laid. [54] And it was the day of the Pasch-eve and the sabbath drew on. [55] And the women who were come with him from Galilee, following after, saw the sepulchre and how hhs body was laid. [56] And returning, they prepared spices and ointments and, on the sabbath day, they rested, according to the commandment. [Luke 23:50-56]

+1. When Our Lady’s mournful task was finished, the Body of Jesus was laid in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, there to remain until the hour of its joyful Resurrection.
Let us contemplate It as it lies there – disfigured by countless wounds and scars so apparently helpless, yet, nonetheless, the joy of God and worthy of our highest adoration. Passive and cold and motionless – but soon to be radiant with the most dazzling beauty; dead – but living with a Divine Life.
Learn from this (a ) the glory of suffering; (b) the power of apparent helplessness when God is with us; (c) the beauty of passive obedience; (d) the true life of those who are dead to the world!

+2. What was Our Lord doing while thus apparently inactive in the silent tomb?
He was beginning His Work of triumph, delivering countless souls from purgatory and from limbo, consoling the Patriarchs and Prophets, fulfilling His promise of Paradise to the good thief, trampling upon Satan and changing the kingdoms of this world into the Kingdoms of God and of His Christ.
So it is with us. When we seem useless and doing nothing, we are often really doing the greatest things for God.

+3. The tomb where Christ is laid is to be the model of my soul when I receive Holy Communion, silent from all the din of earthly things, cleansed from all stain of sin by a good Confession and firm resolution to amend, dedicated to Him alone, His Sacred Body embalmed by my love and wrapped in the clean winding-sheet of purity of intention.
Thus will His Presence there be the pledge of my Resurrection with Him.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, REDEMPTIVE Suffering, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 18 April –The Crucifixion

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

The Crucifixion

“After a painful and exhausting journey, Jesus reaches Calvary, where He is to be Crucified.
Once again, He is stripped of His garments, which, by this time, have become glued to His swollen sores.
Then, He is stretched upon the wooden Cross, to which, one of the brutal executioners fastens His Hands and Feet, with blows from a hammer.
The sharp nails are driven through His flesh into the hard wood.
Jesus looks upwards and offers Himself in silence, as a Victim of Expiation, on behalf of His tormentors and of all of us.
His Mother Mary, is standing a few paces away in the company of the holy women and of the beloved Disciple.
The blows of the hammer pierce the maternal heart of the Blessed Virgin but,she remains silent also and prays.

When we have been afflicted by misfortune or sorrow and our hearts are racked with grief, how do we behave?
Have we the resignation, the trust in God and the spirit of prayer, which Jesus and Mary had on Calvary?
Let us remind ourselves, that we are members of the Mystical Body of Christ.
If Jesus our Head, has suffered, how much more, do miserable sinners like the rest of us deserve to suffer!?
Jesus wishes us to participate in the work of redemption by uniting our sufferings to His.
“I rejoice now,” says St Paul, “in the suffering I bear … and what is lacking of the suffering of Christ, I fill up in my flesh…” (Col 1:24).

Let us face adversity with courage, therefore and keep our eyes hopefully towards Heaven.
Let us remember, as St Paul also says, that even as we share in the sufferings of Christ, so we shall share in His triumph (Cf 2 Cor 1:7).
Jesus had to ascen Mount Calvary, before He could ascend to Heaven.
If we are to walk in His footsteps, we shall have to do the same!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOOD FRIDAY, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LENT- 2025, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 18 April – The Descent from the Cross

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Lenten Meditations – 18 April – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Good Friday
The Descent from the Cross

Read St Mark xv:38-46
(See below)

+I. No sooner is the sacrifice consummated and the last drop of the Precious Blood shed from Our Lord’s Sacred Heart, than all is changed.
That lifeless Body is now treated with the utmost respect and veneration. See how gently and carefully Joseph and Nicodemus wind linen bands around the Limbs and lower it to the ground reverently, adoring that Body which only a few hours before had been a laughing-stock and object of contempt. Henceforth, no more ignominy, no more contempt, no more ill-usage but the love and adoration of Saints and Angels for all eternity.

+2. Our Lady receives the Body of her Son.
What were her thoughts as she gazes into the Five Wounds and sees how, from Head to Foot, it is covered with gaping wounds, sores and bruises, battered out of all recognition by the cruelty of man!?
O Mother of Sorrows, great as an ocean, is thy sorrow! What must thy hatred of sin be, when thou seest what it has wrought in the Divine Beauty of thy spotless Son!
What a mixture of agonised compassion and mournful sorrow and hope and consolation and gratitude and triumph ant joy, fills thy sacred soul while thou lookest upon the Dead Body of thy Divine Son!

+3. The day on which Jesus died, is indeed well named, Good Friday.
It is the day when Jesus consummated His victory over sin and death.
While we mourn over His sufferings and our sins which caused them, we must also rejoice exceedingly, at the thought of Satan conquered and Heaven opened and millions of sinners cleansed from sin, in His Most Precious Blood!

St Mark 15:38-46
[38] And the veil of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom. [39] And the centurion who stood near Him, seeing that crying out in this manner, He had given up the ghost, said: Indeed this man was the Son of God. [40] And there were also women looking on afar off, among whom was Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joseph and Salome, [41] who also, when He was in Galilee followed Him and ministered to Him and many other women who came up to Jerusalem, with Him. [42] And when evening was now come (because it was the Pasch-eve, that is, the day before the sabbath).[43] Joseph of Arimathea, a noble counsellor, who was also himself looking for the Kingdom of God, came and went in boldly to Pilate and begged the Body of Jesus. [44] But Pilate wondered that he should be already dead. And sending for the centurion, he asked him if he were already dead. [45] And when he had understood it by the centurion, he gave the Body to Joseph.
[46] And Joseph buying fine linen and taking Him down, wrapped Him in the fine linen and laid Him in a sepulchre which was hewed out of a rock. And he rolled a stone to the door of the sepulchre. [Mark 15:38-46]

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 17 April – THE CRUCIFIX

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

THE CRUCIFIX

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

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY WEEK, MAUNDY THURSDAY, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on ENEMIES, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, St Francis de Sales, St PAUL!, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 April – Maundy Thursday

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Quote/s of the Day – 17 April – Maundy Thursday

“Be imitators of God, as very dear children
and walk in love, as Christ also loved us
and delivered Himself up for us …”

St Paul … Ephesians 5:1-2

“But I say to you,
Love your enemies …”

Matthew 5:44

“But the wise took oil
in their vessels”

Matthew 25:4

“The wise ones’ lamps were burning,
from the oil inside them,
from the assurance of their consciences,
from their inner boast,
from their deepest charity.”

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

“Father, forgive them.”
With this prayer, He wanted to make us understand
the love He bore us, undiminished
by any suffering and to teach us how
our heart should be toward our neighbour.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“He loves you as though He had
no-one else to love but you alone.
You, too, should love Him alone
and all others for His Sake.
Of Him you may say and, indeed, you should say:
My Beloved to me and I to Him (Cant, 2:16).
My God has given Himself all to me
and I give myself all to Him;
He has chosen me for His beloved
and I choose Him, above all others,
for my only Love.”

“How to Pray at All Times”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

Posted in LENT- 2025, MAUNDY THURSDAY, SACRAMENTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 17 April – Jesus’ Mystical Death In the Blessed Eucharist

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Lenten Meditations – 17 April – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Maundy Thursday
Jesus’ Mystical Death
In the Blessed Eucharist

Read St John xix:34-37

[34] But one of the soldiers with a spearm opened His Side and immediately there came forth Blood and Water. [35] And he who saw it, hath given testimony and his testimony is true. And he knoweth that he saith true; that you also may believe.
[36] For these things were done that the scripture might be fulfilled: You shall not break a bone of Him. [37] And again another scripture saith: They shall look on Him Whom they pierced [John 19:34-37]

+1. Each time the Holy Mass is celebrated, the Sacrifice of our Blessed Lord upon the Cross is represented, in the Sacrifice which takes place upon the Altar.
Thus, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, on the Divine Decree, continues to be mystically slain and will continue as long as the world shall last.
With such a sight before our eyes, how can we ever forget Him? How can we ever lose heart or become dejected, with this abiding proof of His tender Love before our eyes?

+2. In the Blood and Water which flowed from Our Lord’s Side when pierced by the centurion’s spear are represented the Sacraments of the Church, the Blood of Christ which extricates us in Holy Communion, the Water which cleanses our souls in Baptism and Penance.
His Sacred Heart which was opened then, is open still; the rich stream of graces still continues; it has flowed even unto me.
What countless graces I have received from the Love which has been poured upon me from the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

+3. The Sacred Host we receive in Holy Communion reminds us, of the Dead Body of Jesus as it hung upon the Cross, all the glory hidden, to all appearance no life there; within the power of all, to treat It as they choose; reduced to the lowest humiliation.
Yet, It is our God and our Lord, the object of the adoring love of Angels and of men, He Whom the Heaven of heavens cannot contain, Who condescends to be our Guest and the Food of our souls.
Meditate on the unspeakable Love of Jesus Sacrificed for us!

Posted in QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The PASSION, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 16 April – Another Method of Meditation 

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Thought for the Day – 16 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XLVII: … Another Method of Meditation

“There is another method of prayer and meditation besides
the one to which we have referred.

In this latter method, having considered the poignant sufferings of your Saviour and His patient endurance of them, you proceed to two other considerations of equal importance.
The one, is the consideration of Christ’s Infinite merits and, the other, of that satisfaction and glory which the eternal Father received from His obedience – an obedience unto death, even the Death of the Cross.
You must represent these two considerations to the Divine Majesty, as two powerful means of obtaining the grace you seek.

This method is applicable, not only to all the Mysteries of Our Lord’s Passion but, to every exterior or interior act He performed in the course of His Passion.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MIRACLES, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SACRILEGE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY NAME, The INCARNATION, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 16 April – “Jesus remember me” Luke 23:42

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 April – Spy Wednesday in Holy Week – Isaias 53:1-12, Luke 22:39-71; 23:1-53

“Jesus remember me”

Luke 23:42

“Blessed are those who have not seen
and have believed.”
John 20:29

“Blessed, therefore, is everyone
who believes the message
of the holy Apostles who, as Saint Luke says,
were eyewitnesses of Christ’s actions
and “ministers of the word” (Lk 1,2).”

St Cyril of Alexandria (380-444)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Because it is not by raising a dead man,
commanding the sea and wind,
or casting out demons that He is able
to change the thief’s sinful soul
but, by being Crucified,
pinned down by nails,
covered with insults, spitting, mockery and torture,
so that you might see the two sides
of His Sovereign Power.
He shook all creation,
split the rocks (Mt 27:51)
and drew to Himself the brigand’s soul,
hard as stone, to cover it with honour…”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“… 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

“Sacrilegious tongues blaspheme the God
Who preserves their existence!
… you should be damned forever
and, instead of thanking Him for His goodness,
you, at the very time
that He bestows His favours upon you,
YOU blaspheme His Holy Name!”

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Posted in HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES on SIN, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 16 April – Jesus Dies on the Cross

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Lenten Meditations – 16 April – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Wednesday in Holy Week
Jesus Dies on the Cross

Read St Luke xxiii:45-48

[45] And the sun was darkened and the veil of the temple was rent in the middle.
[46] And Jesus, crying with a loud Voice, said: Father, into Thy Hands I commend My Spirit. And saying this, He gave up the ghost. [47] Now the centurion, seeing what was done, glorified God, saying: Indeed this was a just man. [48] And all the multitude of them who were come together to that sight and saw the things which were done, returned, striking their breasts. [Luke 23:45-48]

+1. After Our Lord has hung in agony upon the Cross, for three hours, at last the time approach’s when His deliverance is at hand.
He has endured every possible form of suffering, bodily and mental. His Body has been subjected to a physical torture far worse than the accumulated sufferings of the Martyrs; His Sacred Soul has been rent asunder with an anguish and desolation more awful than any, save the eternal anguish of hell. He has sacrificed His honour, His reputation; He has been esteemed a fool and a madman. Now, there is only one sacrifice more He can make,for mankind, to His Eternal Father, – the sacrifice of His Life. He is determined to give up all for us, to be obedient, even tuno death.

+2. What was it, caused the Death of Our Lord?
Not the executioners, not the Jews, not the agony of the Cross – they were but instruments.
It was sin.
Sin contains a malice sufficient, even to rob God Our Lord and King, of Life!
What a strange mystery sin is! And how strange that we do not hate it more, when we see its power to destroy!

+3. Jesus’ Death was no transient occurrence.
He still mystically dies for us each day and each hour. When we receive Holy Communion, we exhibit the Death of the Lord until He Comes and, therefore, His Sacred Passion and Death, should be the chief subject of our thoughts whenever we approach the Holy Table and especially, on the eve of the solemn day when He instituted the Sacrament of His Love.

Posted in CONTEMPLATIVE Prayer, GOD the FATHER, GOOD RESOLUTIONS, HOLY WEEK, OUR Cross, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The PASSION, THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT - Fr Lorenzo Scupoli

Thought for the Day – 15 April – On Meditation

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Thought for the Day – 15 April – The Spiritual Combat (1589) – Dom Lorenzo Scupoli OSM (c1530-1610)

“None shall be crowned who has not fought well.” 2 Tim 2: 5

XLVI: … On Meditation

“When a considerable length of time [as a half-hour, hour, or an even longer period] is to be spent in prayer, it is advisable to make a meditation on some feature of our Saviour’s Life or Passion; the reflections naturally arising from such meditation, should then be applied to the particular virtue we are striving to attain.

If, for instance, you need patience, contemplate the Mystery of your Saviour Scourged at the Pillar.
Consider firstly, the blows and revilements hurled at Him by the soldiers as they brutally drag their innocent victim to the appointed place as ordered.
Secondly, consider Him stripped of His garments, exposed to the piercing cold.
Thirdly, picture those innocent hands, bound tightly to the pillar.
Fourthly, consider His Body, torn with whips until His Blood moistened the earth.
And finally, envision the frequency of the blows, creating new wounds, re-opening others on that Sacred Body.

Dwelling on these or similar details, calculated to inspire in yourself, a love of patience, you should try to feel within your very soul the inexpressible anguish so patiently borne by your Divine Master.
Then consider the excruciating agony of His spirit and the patience and mildness with which that agony was endured by Him, Who was ready to suffer even more for God’s glory and your welfare.

Behold, then, your Master, covered with Blood, desiring nothing more earnestly than your patient acceptance of affliction and, be assured, that He implores for you, the assistance of the Heavenly Father that you may bear, with resignation, not only the cross of the moment but the crosses to come.

Strengthen, therefore, by frequent acts, your resolution to suffer, with joy and, raising your mind to Heaven, give thanks to the Father of mercies, Who didst send His Only Son into this world to suffer indescribable torments and, to intercede for you in your necessities.

Conclude your meditation by beseeching Him to grant you the virtue of patience, through the merits and intercession of this beloved Son, in Whom He is well pleased.”

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, In the PRESENCE of GOD, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, St Francis de Sales, St PETER!

Quote/s of the Day – 15 April – Weep!

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Quote/s of the Day – 15 April – Tuesday of Holy Week – Jeremias 11:18-20 – Mark 14:32-72; 15, 1-46– – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Before the cock crows twice,
thou shalt thrice deny Me.
And he began to weep …”

Mark 14:72

“The first time Peter denied,
he did not weep because the Lord
had not looked at him.
He denied a second time and did not weep
because the Lord still did not look at him.
He denied a third time;
Jesus looked at him
and he wept very bitterly (Lk 22:62).
… Teach us what use your tears were to you.
But you taught it without delay for,
having fallen before you wept,
your tears caused you to be chosen to guide others,
you who, to begin with, did not know
how to guide yourself!”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father & Doctor

“ I am very certain,
it was our Lord’s Holy Look
which pierced his heart
and opened his eyes, to make him
recognise his sin (Lk 22:61)…
From that time on, he never stopped weeping,
above all when he heard the cock crow at night
and in the morning…
In this way, from being a great sinner,
he became a great Saint!”

“A person who is conscious of his misery,
can certainly have great confidence in God.
In fact, he cannot have true confidence in Him,
without this consciousness of his misery.
This knowledge and acknowledgement
of our misery, leads us to the presence of God.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, LENT- 2025, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 15 April – The Thirst upon the Cross

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 15 April – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Tuesday in Holy Week
The Thirst upon the Cross

Read St John xix:28, 29

[28] Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. [29] Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge soaked in vinegar upon a stalk of hyssop, put it to His Mouth. [John 19:28-29]

+1. There is nothing which causes such agonising thirst as loss of blood.
The prayer of the wounded soldier upon the battle-field is always for a drink of water; he forgets all other pain in his burning thirst.
What must have been the intolerable suffering of Our Lord, Whose Sacred Body had been gradually drained of every droop of Blood! All day long the Blood had been flowing – at the scourging, on the way to Calvary, as He was dragged hither and thither, with the sharp cords cutting His wrists. And now upon the Cross ,as from Hands and Feet a stream bedewed the ground, fiercer and fiercer grew the burning, parching Thirst which consumed Him.
O my Jesus, was there no-one to quench that Thirst endured for us?

+2. Our Lord’s Thirst was to atone especially for the sins of intemperance and self-indulgence in drink.
Every sin of drunkenness and excess or self-indulgence in our food and drink, added to that Thirst and made it still more intolerable.
My God, forgive me any such offences and help me to deny myself some lawful indulgence that by self-denial, I may atone for my sins and assuage, in some degree that Sacred Thirst Thou didst endure for me.

+3. There was, however, a deeper meaning in Our Lord’s cry: “I Thirst!” He was Thirsting for the souls of sinners, Thirsting for the love of ungrateful men, Thirsting for my love!
He Thirsts for it still that I may be more faithful to His
grace.
O my Jesus, help me to love Thee more and more!

Posted in "Follow Me", CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on JOY, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, REDEMPTIVE Suffering, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 14 April – The Sufferings of Charity

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Thought for the Day – 14 April – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Sufferings of Charity
“Charity beareth all things”

If anyone deserves to be exempt from suffering, it is someone who is full of the spirit of charity.
Suffering is indeed necessary to expiate sin, to humble our pride and to show us our own misery. Why should the charitable have to bear all kinds of trials simply because of their charity? Yet so it seems. Generally, the law seems to be – the more charity, the more suffering. Perhaps this is why I have comparatively little to suffer?

Yet, after all, it is reasonable that the charitable should suffer when we remember that the Lord and model of all charity, suffered all things simply because of His charity. What else caused His Agony in the Garden, His cruel Scourging at the Pillar, and His dereliction on the Cross? It was all the result of His Divine Charity.
We, therefore, if we are to follow in His steps, must expect to encounter the same results as a reward for any charity if it resembles His, however remotely. If we are wise, we shall rejoice in any sign that we are to be honoured by sharing our Master’s lot!

These sufferings are a source of joy to all who suffer for Jesus’ Sake.
He rejoiced to run the course of His Passion because of His longing to see those He loved delivered from bondage. For the joy which was set before Him, He endured the Cross. Thus, charity rejoices to suffer because charity knows those sufferings will obtain for it, in Heaven, the eternal joy of seeing others brought to God by its offering to Him, of all that it holds dear.
Even if I have heavy trials, can I flatter myself that my trials are a sign of a high degree of supernatural charity?

Posted in HOLY WEEK, LENT- 2025, OUR Cross, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 14 April – The Dereliction of Jesus on the Cross

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 14 April – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Monday in Holy Week
The Dereliction of Jesus on the Cross

Read St Mark xv:33-36

[33] And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole earth until the ninth hour. [34] And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud Voice, saying: Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabacthani? Which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? [35] And some of the standers by hearing, said: Behold He calleth Elias. [36] And one running and filling a sponge with vinegar and putting it upon a reed, gave Him to drink, saying: Stay, let us see if Elias come to take Mim down. [Mark 15:33-36]

+1. Our Lord had for a long time been silent. A thick darkness had gathered; most of the spectators had departed in fear. The mocking Pharisees had been awed to silence. Few were left save the soldiers, St John and a faithful group of holy women.
All of a sudden. a piercing cry from the Divine Sufferer breaks the silence:
“My God , My God , why hast Thou forsaken Me ?”
These words were an expression of the thick darkness which Our Lord had permitted to gather around His human soul and to hide from Him, as it were, the face of His Eternal Father.
This desolation was, by far, the greatest of all the unspeakable sufferings of the Son of God.

+2. What was its cause?
Nothing else but sin.
He was made sin for us and having thus identified Himself with the sins of men, as far as was possible for the sinless Lamb of God, He allowed Himself to experience, to the utmost degree which He could, the awful misery which is the consequence of sin – the black, dark hopelessness (if the word is a lawful one) which results to the sinner whom God forsakes! This consequence of sin, Jesus took upon Himself to save men from the eternal remorse and despair which otherwise would have been their lot.

+3. This cry of Jesus is a model prayer for us in times of darkness and desolation.
We sometimes feel as if God has forsaken us and cry out in our misery and deep distress.
We are always safe in echoing Jesus’ words and He, Who hears us use them, will remember His own dereliction and help us in ours.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI

Thought for the Day – 13 April – The Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem

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

The Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem

“Imagine the joyful and triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
The cheering crowds line the street along which He approaches, riding upon the foal of an ass.
Palm and olive branches are waved aloft, while groups of children cry out: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest” (Cf Mt 21:9).
In the midst of all this exultation, Jesus appears to be absorbed and detached.
In his representation of this scene, a famous artist painted a large cross in the distance, far beyond the cheering crowd.
Jesus’ Divine Vision, certainly saw this Cross.
He knew that in a few days, He would be arrested as a malefactor and Crucified between two thieves.
The ingratitude of men towards the Divine Redeemer was to go, even to this length.

We also shall have our moments of happiness and of victory in life.
But, like Jesus, we must not trust too much in the joys and conquests of this world.
The warning of the Holy Ghost, that “the end of joy may be sorrow” (Prov 14:13), is unfortunately, only too true.
Earthy happiness lasts for a short time and ends in grief.
So we must seek the true and lasting happiness which comes from Divine grace and from constant conformity with the Will of God.
This happiness will never pass away but, will become everlasting in Heaven.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in Hail MARY!, LENT- 2025, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARY, MATER ECCLESIAE, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT, To JESUS through MARY

Lenten Meditations – 13 April – Jesus Commends His Disciples to His Holy Mother’s Care

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 13 April – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

The Sixth Sunday in Lent
Jesus Commends His Disciples
to His Holy Mother’s Care

Read St.John xix:25-27

[25] Now there stood by the Cross of Jesus, His Mother, and His Mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas and Mary Magdalen.
[26] When Jesus, therefore, had seen His Mother and the disciple whom He loved, He saith to His Mother: Woman, behold thy son. [27] After that, He saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. [John 19:25-27]

+1. Our Divine Saviour did not depart from those He loved without providing them with a Mother, who should be their Consoler, their Protector, their Advocate with God.
In the person of St John, He entrusted them all to Mary’s care.
If He had simply been providing Mary with a home, He would first have addressed St John and commended to him, the pious task of sheltering the Mother of God. By speaking firstly to Mary, He showed that it was she, who was to shelter all those, who were desolate and in sorrow. St John was the representative of all who love Jesus, when Jesus said to Mary respecting him:
“ Woman, behold thy son.”

+2. This was the occasion when Our Lady, for a second time, became a mother.
The birth of her first-begotten Jesus, cost her no pains of travail; the birth of her spiritual children, the sinful sons of men, brought unspeakable anguish to her. The Queen of Heaven became the Queen of Dolors before she could earn the right, to exercise, a mother’s fostering care over each of us,.
How we ought to value the privilege of being her children, when it cost Mary such unspeakable suffering!

+3. When Jesus said to Mary: “Woman, behold thy son” He asked Our Lady to regard us with a mother’s love for His Sake.
Her love for Him was to be transferred to us, without, however, becoming one whit the lesser. She was to love us for Jesus’ Sake; to show her love for Him, by loving us.
With what perfect confidence can we go to Mary, who sees in each of us, in spite of our sins, the image of her Divine Son!
Hail Mary full of grace!

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, The LAMB of GOD, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 April – Palm Sunday – Behold the Lamb of God

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One Minute Reflection – 13 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Palm Sunday – St Hermenegild (Died 585) Martyr, Confessor – Philippians 2:5-11 – Matthew 26:36-75; 27:1-60 –Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold the hour is at hand and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners.” – Matthew 26:45

REFLECTION – “To the Lamb of God arise the Hosannas of the people, all those pressing round Him in the crowd, praise Him with one and the same confession of faith: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Mt 21:9). This praise already echoes the choir of Saints, singing: “Salvation comes from our God, Who is seated on the throne and from the Lamb!” (Apoc 7:10). He goes up to where, day-by-day, He will give His last teaching (Lk 20:47). It is there He will accomplish the sacrament of the Jewish Passover, faithfully observed hitherto. He Himself, will bestow a new Pasch of His Own, when, having left for the Mount of Olives, He will be put to the test by His enemies and, the following day, set on the Cross. Of such is the Paschal Lamb, see Him draw near today to the place of His Passion and fulfil the prophecy of Isaias: “Like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers” (53:7).

He desires to enter His City five days before His Passion; by this He proves that He is indeed the Lamb without blemish Who comes to take away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29). He is indeed the Paschal Lamb, Who, when sacrificed, will set the new Israel free from its slavery in Egypt (Ex 12). It is truly five days before His Passion when His enemies irrevocably agree on His death. Today He shows us, by this that He is going to redeem us all by His Blood (Apoc 5:9). As from today, He enters God’s Temple amongst the joyful jubilation of those who surround him (Mt 21:12).  The “Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus” (1Tm 2:5) will suffer for humankind’s salvation – that indeed is why He came down to earth from Heaven – and today, He wills to draw near to the place of His Passion. Thus it will be clear to all that He bears His Passion of His own free will and by no means by force.” (Sermon No 23). – St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – OGod, Who didst teach Thy blessed Martyr Hermenegild to choose a heavenly, rather than an earthly crown, grant, we beseech Thee, that we, like him, may so pass through temporal things that we finally miss not those which are eternal. Through esus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 12 April – The Redemption

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

The Redemption

“Do I ever think of all that I have cost Jesus?
Do I ever meditate on His Infinite Love for me?
If I could constantly bear in mind the work of Redemption and the Passion of Jesus Christ, I should certainly never offend God and I should be on fire with love for Him.
Moreover, if in time of temptation, I were to pray earnestly before the image of Christ Crucified, I should certainly succeed in my resistance, by asking the suffering Lord for His Divine assistance.

If by some misfortune, however, I should fall into sin, it should suffice to kiss the Crucifix in order to revive my confidence in Christ, to rouse myself to sorrow, to obtain pardon and to begin a new life.
That should be the fruit of the Redemption for me.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/13/thought-for-the-day-13-september-the-redemption/

Posted in "Follow Me", ACT of LOVE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, OUR Cross, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, St Francis de Sales, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 April – Imprint the Cross of faith …

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Quote/s of the Day – 12 April – Saturday in Passion Week – Jeremias18:18-23, John 12:10-36 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“He who loves his life, loses it
and he who hates his life
in this world,
keeps it unto life everlasting.
If anyone serves Me,
let him follow Me
and where I am,
there also shall My servant be.”

John 12:25-26

“For he who will save his life, will lose it
and he who will lose his life
for My sake, will find it. ”

Matthew 16:25

“Let us detach ourselves in spirit
from all that we see
and cling to that which we believe.
This is the Cross
which we must imprint
on all our daily actions and behaviour.”

St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church

O My God, I Thank Thee
An Act of Abandonment
to the Divine Will
By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

O my God, I thank Thee
and I praise Thee
for accomplishing Thy Holy and all-lovable Will
without any regard for mine.
With my whole heart,
in spite of my heart,
do I receive this cross I feared so much!
It is the cross of Thy choice,
the cross of Thy Love.
I venerate it;
nor for anything in the world
would I wish it had not come,
since Thou hast willed it.
I keep it with gratitude and with joy,
as I do everything which comes from Thy Hand
and I shall strive to carry it
without letting it drag,
with all the respect
and all the affection
which Thy works deserve.
Amen

“My soul, live henceforward
amid the scourges and the thorns
of thy Saviour and there,
as a nightingale in its bush, sing sweetly:
Live Jesus, Who didst die
that my soul might live!
Ah, Eternal Father!
What can the world return Thee
for the gift Thou hast made it of Thy only Son?
Alas! to redeem a thing so vile as I,
the Saviour delivered Himself to death
and, unhappy me!
I hesitate to surrender my nothingness to Him,
Who has given me everything!”“

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

Posted in QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on PHYSICAL SICKNESS, ILLNESS, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 12 April – The Good Thief

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Lenten Meditations – 12 April – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Saturday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent
The Good Thief

Read St Luke xxii:39-43

[39] And one of those robbers, who was hanged, blasphemed Him, saying: If thou be Christ, save Thyself and us. [40] But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: Neither dost thou fear God, seeing thou art condemned under the same condemnation?
[41] And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds but this Man hath done no evil. [42] And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when Thou shalt come into Thy Kingdom. [43] And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with Me in Paradise. [Luke 23:39-43]

+I. Among those who mocked and derided Jesus were the two thieves crucified with Him.
But very soon, His unspeakable gentleness and meekness, touched the heart of one of the two.
Firstly. he ceased his words of insult, then, he boldly reproved his companion and bore testimony to the innocence of Jesus and to His authority as King and Lord. What a Divine power there is in weakness!
The sight of the uncomplaining patience of Christ, convinced this robber that He was King of all the earth and, He, Who was now dying on the Cross, would soon reign forever and ever.
“Lord, remember me when Thou shalt come into Thy Kingdom.”

+2. Remember me! This was his simple prayer.
But we know that it was enough. If Christ remembers us, all will be well! That which we have to dread, is lest He forgets us by reason of our having forgotten Him!
This prayer should often be on our lips :
“O Lord , remember me! In the hour of temptation, remember me! When sorrow bears painfully upon me, remember me!
In sickness and in my last agony, O Lord, remember me!”

+3. Our Lord answers the gocd thief’s prayer with Divine generosity. All his sins are forgiven him and as soon as his agony is over, he is to be received into the company of the blest and to be with Christ in Paradise.
What a rich reward for his confession of Christ!
With what a glorious answer to his prayer, will Christ remember him!

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on SACRILEGE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 11 April – The Betrayal of Judas

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

The Betrayal of Judas

“It is quite certain, that Judas did not commit this sacrilegious act of betrayal on the spur of the moment.
Evil, like goodness, is arrived at step-by-step.
Perhaps it was some motive of self-interest, rather than of pure love,which led Judas to become one of Jesus; Apostles.
Covetousness, “the root of all evils,” (Cf 1 Tim 6:10) seems to have been his dominant passion.
As the Gospel tells us, he kept the money offerings which those who had been converted, gave to Jesus for His support and for that of His Apostles.
Judas did not know how to suppress his dominant passion at times.
On one occasion, he complained about Mary Magdalen, when she anointed the feet of Jesus with precious ointment.
The passion grew and he became a thief, “He was a thief and holding the purse used to take what was put in it” (Jn 12:6).
In spite of the extraordinary grace he had received, he fell into sin.
Finally, he was guilty of the betrayal, of the sacrilegious communion at the last supper and of the kiss of hypocrisy in Gethsemane.

The example of Judas is a lesson to us.
It is disastrous to begin to yield to our passions and to fall into evil habits.
The Holy Spirit warns us that anyone who makes little account of small things, will fall into bigger (Cf Ecclus 19:11).
Let us remember, that even a tiny spark can set off a conflagration.
Likewise, a single mortal sin can lead us to Hell!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/09/thought-for-the-day-9-april-the-betrayal-of-judas/

Posted in The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 11 April – Jesus is Derided

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 11 April – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Friday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent
Jesus is Derided

Read St Matthew xxvii:39-44

[39] And they that passed by, blasphemed Him, nodding their heads [40] and saying: Vah, Thou Who destroyest the temple of God and in three days dost rebuild it, save Thy Own Self, if Thou be the Son of God, come down from the Cross.
[41] In like manner too, the chief priests, with the scribes and ancients, mocking, said: [42] He saved others;imself, He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the Cross and we will believe Him. [43] He trusted in God; let Him now deliver Him if He will have Him, for He said: I Am the Son of God. [44] And the selfsame thing, the thieves too, who were crucified with Him, reproached Him with. [Matthew 27:39-44]

+1. The sight of Jesus hanging on the Cross, so far from melting the hearts of the Jews, only hardened them the more against Him. Instead of feeling pity, they rejoiced over their Victim and insulted Him in His misery.
When men deliberately refuse to listen to the Voice of Jesus, they become quite insensible, after a time, to His claim on them. They think evil good and good evil; they aresubmit to a reprobate mind.
Even in little matters. those who do not obey the impulses of grace, become deaf to its calls, or even feel a positive aversion for that which they once loved but have now rejected.

+2. How apparently impotent the King of Glory seems to save Himself! But that weakness is true strength.
It is by these outrages and insults, by this passive endurance of their jeers and gibes that Christ Our Lord, is doing the wondrous work of our Redemption and earning graces for all those who suffer insult for
Him, to rejoice in being counted worthy to suffer shame for His Sake.

+3. But He is doing more than this.
He is also preparing a glory corresponding to all this ignominy, for His Sacred Humanity. Of Him it is true, beyond all others that he who humbles himself shall be exalted.
Each taunt, each mocking word, was to earn the praise of the Angels and Saints for all eternity. Here is an encouragement for us! What matters it, if men despise and insult us, if God approves? The Just Judge on the day of account, will not forget, what we have suffered for Him!

Posted in LENT- 2025, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT, The STATIONS of the CROSS

Lenten Meditations – 10 April – Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 10 April – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Thursday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

Read St. Luke xxiii:32-34

[32] And there were also two other malefactors led with Him, to be put to death. [33] And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, they Crucified Him there and the robbers, one on the right hand and the other on the left. [34] And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they, cast lots, to dividing His garments. [Luke 23:32-34]

+I. Arriving at the summit of Calvary, our Divine Saviour is roughly stripped of His garments and exposed to the rude gaze of the scoffing multitude.
This shame He endured to atone for our most shameful deeds, for our desire for human respect, for our glorying in our shame, for our boasting and love of display before the eyes of men!
Yet, when we see the King of Glory thus exposed to shame, will not shame be far dearer to us than the empty honours which men bestow.

+2. The executioners then seize Jesus and lay Him upon the Cross.
Holes have been bored in the wood at the extremities of the
Cross-piece and in the lower part of the stem and Our Lord’s Sacred Limbs are almost dislocated by being stretched until the Hands and Feet reach the prepared pierced holes. Then ,the long, sharp nails are held by one of the soldiers, while another, with a hammer, drives
them in through Jesus’ Hands and Feet. The blows are struck, the Blood gushes forth, while the Divine Victim moans piteously under the intense pain.
O Jesus , grant me a heartfelt compassion for Thee in Thy sufferings.

+3. When Our Lord is nailed to the Cross, the soldiers raise it on high and let the base of it fall into a hole dug in the ground.
The shock renews afresh, Jesus’ extrene agony. No word is heard from His Mouth save those which He repeats again and again: “Father, forgive them!” Even then He was thinking of others, never of Himself. Was ever love like His?
Why do I not love Him more in return?

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

Thought for the Day – 9 April – The Presence of God

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

The Presence of God

“A man who lives always in the Presence of God. cannot sin.
When we find ourselves in the presence of a high-ranking worldly personality, do we dare to behave any other way but correctly and respectfuly?
How should we dare then to behave in any other fashion, in the Presence of the Infinite Majesty of God, our Creator and Redeemer, Who will one day also be our Judge?!
Could He not, in a single instant, snap the thread of our mortal life and call us before His judgement-seat, even while we are in the act of offending Him?!

Let us remember St Paul’s stern warning: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10-:31).
Let us remain always in the Presence of God and we shall be at peace and strong in His grace.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/30/thought-for-the-day-30-march-the-presence-of-god/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/27/thought-for-the-day-27-march-the-presence-of-god/

Posted in OUR Cross, QUOTES on JOY, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, STATIONS of the CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT, The STATIONS of the CROSS

Lenten Meditations – 9 April – Simon of Cyrene

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 9 April – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Wednesday after the Fifth Sunday in Lent
Simon of Cyrene

Read St Mark xv:21

[21] And they forced one Simon a Cyrenian coming out of the country, who passed by, the father of Alexander and of Rufus, to take up His Cross. [Mark 15:21]

+1. Our Blessed Lord falls again and again, beneath the weight of the Cross until it becomes evident to the soldiers that He will never be able to drag it to the place of execution.
They accordingly lay hold of a heathen passing by, Simon the Cyrenian and him they compel to carry the Cross. How little Simon knew the happiness in store for him when those rough soldiers seized him and force him, to the ignominious task, of carrying the instrument of His punishment. for a public criminal!
How often we too fail to recognise God’s wonderful designs of mercy, in the sudden disagreeable and contradictory events and circumstances we encounter!

+2. Simon at first, bore the Cross angrily and reluctantly, chafing under the hardship inflicted upon him. But, as he carries it, somehow an unaccountable change embraced him.
It has the power to change his heart and, to make of him, a devoted follower of the Crucified, one of the pillars of the Apostolic Church.
Thus, many a cross which we reluctantly carry, proves to be really the means of our sanctification and salvation!

+3. Before Simon arrives at the summit of Calvary, the Cross had endeared itself to him.
He has recognised that, to carry it for Jesus, was no hardship but a privilege and a joy. In fact the greatest of his life!
So too, the Saints learn to love their cross, to embrace it, to seek it, to carry it with all joy, to be almost discontented if they are without it. This is the very height of peace and felicity; for those who find their joy in the cross, find cause for rejoicing and happiness, everywhere around them.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, St Francis de Sales, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The SECOND COMING

Quote/s of the Day – 9 April – Christ, the Word, the Voice, the Message …

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 9 April – Wednesday in Passion Week – Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-19, 25; John 10:22-38 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“My sheep hear My Voice;
I know them and they follow Me.”

John 10:27

“And as for that in the good ground
they are those who, hearing the Word,
hold it fast in an honest and good heart
and bring forth fruit with patience.”

Luke 8:15

“… Blessed are they who hear
the Word of God and keep it.”

Luke 11:28

“For just as from the Heavens,
the rain and snow come down
and do not return there,
until they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
giving seed to him who sows
and bread to him who eats.”
Isaias 55:11

“So the Word that He shall send through His Christ,
Who is Himself, the Word and the Message,
shall return to Him with great power.
For when He shall come and bring it,
He shall come down like rain and snow
and through Him all that is sown shall spring up
and bear righteous fruit …
And this is the Voice through which
the dead shall live.”

St Aphraates “the Sage” (Died c 345)
Abbot, Father of the Church

“What a happy day they spent!
What a blessed night!
Who can say what it was they heard
from the Lord’s mouth?
Let us, too, build a dwelling in our hearts,
construct a house
where Christ can come
to teach and converse with us.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Always (read and) listen to it (the Scriptures)
with attention and reverence;
make good use of it;
do not let it fall to earth
but take it into your heart
like a precious balm.
Do all this after the example
of the most holy Virgin,
for she carefully kept in her heart
all the words spoken in praise of her Child.
Remember that our Lord gathers up
the words we speak to Him in prayer,
in measure with the way
we gather up those He speaks to us
by His preaching.”

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

(Introduction to the Devout Life
Part 2 Chapter 17)

Posted in GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, In the PRESENCE of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS to THE HOLY GHOST, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY GHOST, The HOLY NAME, The IMITATION of CHRIST, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 9 April – The Love of Thy Name

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 9 April – Wednesday in Passion Week

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

My God, Sweetness beyond words,
make bitter all the carnal comfort
which 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 Thy spirit,
rather than all the consolations of the world
and in place of carnal love,
infuse into me,
the love of Thy Name.
Amen