Category: OPEN HOUSE…Conversations with…

Posted in ACT OF FAITH, HOPE & CHARITY, ACT of LOVE, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, OUR Cross, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, St Francis de Sales, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 20 January – O My God, I Thank Thee

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Our Morning Offering – 20 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family”

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.

Posted in HOLY COMMUNION, In the PRESENCE of GOD, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior), The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 19 January – “The Arrival in Egypt”

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Thought for the Day – 19 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Arrival in Egypt”

+1. At length they reached the spot which God designed for their sojourn in a land full of idols and idolaters. What uncongenial surroundings for the Holy Family, alone in the midst of those who worshipped a false god!
So many a Catholic has to dwell in a most uncongenial atmosphere – perhaps among heretics, or bad Catholics, or those whose words and looks and actions continually jar and cause pain. Patience! Jesus and Mary know, by experience, what such have to suffer!

+2. When the Holy Family arrived in Egypt, in the Town where they came to dwell, all the idols in the temples fell prostrate to the ground and were shattered into pieces. Thus, when Christ comes to dwell within the soul, all that opposes itself to God is destroyed by His Sacred Presence. If Jesus dwells with us , we shall no longer allow pride, envy, bitterness, self-will, discontent, to reign in our hearts.

+3. The presence of the Holy Family in Egypt hallowed the spot where they sojourned. In early Christian times it was covered with the cells of the Monks and Hermits. Thus Jesus always leaves a blessing behind Him.
When He comes to me in Holy Communion, if only I put no obstacle in the way my soul will flourish with virtues and good works, as the effect of His Presence.

Posted in "Follow Me", CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, St Francis de Sales, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 January – ‘… Confess the Lord Jesus! …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 January – Romans 12:6-16; John 2:1-11 -13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Do whatever He tells you.”

John 2:5

“Whosoever shall do the Will of My Father, …
he is My brother and sister and mother.”

Matthew 12:50

“What is the surest kind of witness?
“Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ
came among us in the flesh” (cf 1 Jn 4:2)
and who keeps the commands of the Gospel…
How many there are, each day,
of these hidden martyrs of Christ
who confess the Lord Jesus!
… So be faithful and courageous
in interior persecutions,
so that you may also win
the victory in exterior persecutions.”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Obedience is a short cut to perfection.”

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

“ It is necessary, therefore, to obey
the Eternal Father by following Our Lord
in order to hear His Word.
And behold, how we are taught that all
persons, whatever their condition may be,
must pray and meditate,
for it is there, principally,
where this Divine Master speaks to us.
… But, it will not do us any good to listen,
if we do not DO what He says to us,
observing His commandments
and His wishes faithfully,”

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

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on WATCHING, The FLIGHT into EQYPT, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 18 January – “The Perils of the Way”

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Thought for the Day – 18 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Perils of the Way”

+1. Out into the darkness of the night went Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Can these homeless wanderers really be the three whose value in the eyes of Heaven, made all the rest of the world insignificant as a grain of sand, compared with a Cntinent? Yes, this is God’s way of treating those whom He loves best!
Herod , in his luxurious palace, is feasting and revelling in luxury and ease whilst Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are outcasts from their home, shivering in the cold and stormy night.
How foolish then,, to desire ease and comfort or to regret the hardships and disagreeable event which befall me!

+2. Whither were they going To Egypt, along an unknown road to a distant and idolatrous Country; not knowing the way, not knowing how they should find subsistence from day to day.
What was the trial of Abraham compared with this? He went forth with an escort of servants and camels and with tents and a store of good things for the way; the Divine Son of God and His Parents, empty -handed and alone. Compassionate the Holy Family in their sufferings along the way.

+3. What were those sufferings?
Often, they knew not where to lay their heads and had to sleep under the starry sky. Often, they had to beg their bread. Sometimes, they were in danger from the rough bandits who infested the road. Sometimes, the wild beasts howled around them.
This is a model of the life of the Christian – sometimes, deprived of all spiritual sustenance and of all human consolation; sometimes, fiercely attacked by men, sometimes, by evil passions and the rage of Satan; yet, always safe under the watchful care of God!
[Amen – thank be to Thee my God!]

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, St JOSEPH, The DIVINE INFANT, The FLIGHT into EQYPT, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 17 January – “Joseph’s Obedience”

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Thought for the Day – 17 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Joseph’s Obedience”

+1. No such questioning as we have supposed in our previous meditation ever occurred to St Joseph’s mind. His duty, his pleasure, was to hear and to obey. Not a moment did he lose. He roused his virgin-spouse and told her what they had to do and ere morning dawned, they had left Bethlehem far behind.

+2. Yet there was no hurry or bustle or undue haste in the preparations they made; no rushing to and fro, no impatience, not a movement but such as was calm and deliberate, modest and dignified. It is one of the marks of sanctity to have thus, under control, every look and every
action.
How can I stand this test When time presses, or my indignation is aroused, or my patience tried, am I gentle and peaceful and calm?

+3. Observe, moreover, how there is not a single word of complaint or of grumbling, no expression of annoyance or word of mutual commiseration. Each seeks to lighten the work of the other. How cheerful both Mary and Joseph
are Almost joyous. It is a trial; yes but, more for the sake of the Divine Child than for their own. Even the thought of what Jesus may have to suffer never destroys their peace.
O happy Joseph! O blessed Mary! make me more like
youselves!

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, The DIVINE INFANT, The FLIGHT into EQYPT, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 16 January – “The Angel’s Warning”

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Thought for the Day – 16 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Angel’s Warning”

One night when Joseph was peacefully sleeping in Bethlehem, an Angel’s voice aroused him from his slumbers and he saw before him ,one of the Messengers of the Most High, who said : “Arise and take the young Child and His Mother and fly into the land of Egypt, for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
Hence observe:

+1. That God’s ways are so different from ours.
We should have expected that He would exert His Divine Power on behalf of His Only- Begotten Son and that Herod’s soldiers would be struck with blindness on the road, or would somehow fail to discover where Jesus was, or perhaps would come and fall prostrate at the Feet of the newborn King.
How different the course enjoined by the Angel! Apparently so clumsy a way of saving Jesus from His enemies!
Yet such are God’s ways – clumsy in the eyes of men. What strange presumption it is that I should criticise the Divine arrangements as I sometimes do – even now!

+2. That the conditions of safety seemed so unnecessarily difficult.
Why to Egypt – a pagan land, the very name of which was a synonym for bondage and misery. Was this the only way to preserve the Life of the Son of God?
To all this one answer – it was God’s Will and that was enough.

+3. But after all. it was but a vision of the night, perhaps a dream or a mere subjective fancy.
Could anything so wild and imprudent come from God To all this one answer again – I know the message came from God and I cannot and will not, evade the Divine command.

Posted in CATECHESIS, CONFESSION, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, St Francis de Sales, VENIAL SIN

Quote/s of the Day – 16 January – It shall be loosed also in Heaven …

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 January – 1 Peter 5:1-4, 10-11; Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth,
it shall be bound also in Heaven
and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth,
it shall be loosed also in Heaven.”

Matthew 16:19

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

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

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

(Intro to the Devout Life III:37)

“Do not content yourself
with confessing your venial sins
merely as to the fact
but accuse yourself too,
of the motive which induced you
to commit them.”

(Introduction to the Devout Life,
Part II, Chapter 19).

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

“Yet, after all it is the natural
and most suitable means of preparation.
It helps us to bring into subjection,
that lower nature which rebels against
the sovereignty of our King.
It detaches us from finding our satisfaction
in earthly things.
It is, in itself, an act of obedience to our King.
It renders us humble and teaches us
to put our necks under the yoke.
It saves us from being separated
from the Kingdom we are to share
by the long prison of Purgatory.
Learn from all this, to love penance!”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 15 January – “Herod’s Vengeance”

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Thought for the Day – 15 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Herod’s Vengeance”

+1. When Herod found that the Magi did not return with the information respecting the King Whom they were seeking, he became uneasy.
The plan he had cunningly devised had come to naught; the rival Monarch seemed likely to escape his hands.
One day perhaps he or his children, would be dethroned by Him. O empty fears! That little Child seeks no worldly honour; He will not interfere with any earthly monarch.
The secret fear which destroys the peace of unscrupulous men is often as empty as Herod’s. The terrors they suffer are the just rewards of their evil deeds. How often I have been anxious and troubled because my pride could not brook being humbled!

+2. But Herod was utterly unscrupulous, as well as ambitious. There was one way in which he could secure his end. By putting to death all the young children in the country around Bethlehem, he would compass the death of this Royal Child Who threatened his safety.
Pride and ambition not only blind men but make them utterly indifferent to the sufferings of others and the laws of right and wrong.
I, too, have often recklessly made others suffer to gratify myself and carry out my own selfish ends!

+3. When Herod came to die, how awful must have been the terrors of his guilty conscience!
The blood of those children slaughtered at his command had long cried out to Heaven for vengeance. Each one of them added to his remorse and eternal misery in hell.
If evil men could foresee the consequences to themselves of the sins they commit, they would dread sin, even venial sin, far more than any earthly misery they could suffer.

P.S: This King Herod I died in a most awful manner. Modern research believes he suffered from chronic kidney disease complicated by a very gruesome and uncomfortable case of maggot-infested gangrene of the genitals.

“[21] And upon a day appointed, Herod being arrayed in kingly apparel, sat in the judgement seat and made an oration to them. [22] And the people made acclamation, saying: It is the voice of a god and not of a man. [23] And forthwith an Angel of the Lord struck him because he had not given the honour to God and being eaten up by worms, he gave up the ghost.”

In Acts 12:1-7 we read of this same Herod killing St James, the brother of St John and the first of the Apostles to be Martyred and then he, Herod, wishing to impress the Jews, went on to arrest St Peter. But the Lord released St Peter from his chains – which chains may now be venerated at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The DIVINE INFANT, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 14 January –“The Magi Return Home”

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

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Magi Return Home”

+1. Before the Magi left Jerusalem for Bethlehem, Herod had enjoined them that they should return and tell him where the newborn King of the Jews was to be found , declaring that he, too, desired to come and adore Him.
Hypocrite and treacherous liar he was, his real object was to destroy his supposed rival. He made no scruple of planning the murder of One Who might possibly supplant him.
Those who love worldly honour are always unscrupulous. It has the power of blinding the eyes and deadening the conscience and making men esteem evil as good and good as evil!

+2. The Magi seem to have been deceived by Herod’s fair, words and to have promised to return with the information he desired.
Good men are always trustful and lacking in suspicion of evil. We all judge others by ourselves. If you want to know your own characte, ask yourself whether your judgement of others is a charitable or uncharitable one.

+3. When the Magi had completed their visit to Bethlehem, they prepared to return to Herod.
But an Angel warned them to avoid the City where he dwelt and to go back to their own Country by some other way.
We need never fear lest our charitable judgements should do harm. God will provide against this. It is our harsh and severe judgements which are productive of so much evil to ourselves and others .

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The DIVINE INFANT, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY, The INCARNATION

Thought for the Day – 13 January – “Their Gifts (3) Myrrh”

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Thought for the Day – 13 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Their Gifts (3) Myrrh”

+1. Myrrh is the herb used most often for embalming. It has the power to prevent corruption and preserve the purity and freshness of the body with which it is in contact. It was offered to Our Lord as a testimony, not only of the perfect and unsullied purity of those to whom He is united, by the bonds of charity but too, in evidence of the power of His Sacred Body, to save from corruption, those who partake of it in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.

+2. Thus Myrrh was offered to Our Lord as possessing a truly Human Body, as truly Man and too, truly God.
We must never lose sight of this fact of Christ’s Humanity, in which, He has all the sympathy and interest, in all concerning us, all His desire to help us, all His wisdom, prudence, patience, appreciation of our griefs and sorrows and all this, to a degree, compared with which, our best friend on earth does not deserve the name.
Why do I not have recourse to Him more frequently?

+3. Myrrh is too, the symbol of mortification.
If our bodies are to be pure, we must mortify our evil desires and give up that which is very attractive to our lower nature.
If we desire great purity of heart, we must mortify ourselves in things lawful and deny ourselves even that which we might enjoy without sin. Do I do this?

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on PRAYER, The DIVINE INFANT, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 12 January – “Their Gifts (2) Frankincense”

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Thought for the Day – 12 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Their Gifts (2) Frankincense”

+1. The offering of Frankincense to anyone has always been regarded, by the common consent of mankind, as an acknowledgment of inherent Deity. When the Christians were commanded to throw a grain of incense on the altar of Jupiter or Minerva, it was in acknowledgment of their divinity. The Magi, then, by this offering to Christ of Incense, were the first Gentile witnesses to His Divinity. They made thereby, an implicit Act of Faith in His Godhead and proved the honour they paid Him to be that highest honour which belongs to God alone.

+2. Frankincense is, moreover, a symbol of all which is sweetest and most fragrant.
What is so sweet to Jesus, as the complete offering of ourselves to Him, implied in the homage paid to Him as God! Jesus, my God, my all, I offer Thee my heart, my soul, myself!

+3. Frankincense is the material symbol under which prayer is indicated in Holy Scripture.
In the Apocalypse, the Angel offers the prayers of the Saints in a golden censer and there continually appears, from earth, the cloud of prayers as a cloud of Incense. Among them, my prayers arise. Are they such as will be fragrant and pleasing to God?

Posted in QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 11 January – “Their Gifts (1) Gold”

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Thought for the Day – 11 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Their Gifts (1) Gold”

+1. Why did the Magi offer gold to the Babe in Mary’s arms? It was in recognition of Him as their King. It was the tribute by which they declared themselves His vassals professed their loyal submission to His sway. This is the very foundation of all supernatural virtue, not only to acknowledge Christ as our King but, to pay Him the homage which is His due as the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and earth.

+2. The Magi too, by their offering of gold, gave to Him, the most precious gift they had to give.
They were the first Christian almsgivers and their almsgiving was a pattern to all who should follow them. They gave liberally; they gave royally; they gave gifts which cost them something.
Is this the character of my almsgiving, or do I give sparingly and grudgingly?
I must not forget that Christ sees and remembers, not only the amount of the gifts I give to Him but too, the spirit in which they are given.

+3. The gold of the Magi also signifies the virtue of charity, without which we can do nothing to please God. Charity is the gold, fire tried, which He counsels the tepid to buy of Him. It is the virtue which is the standard, by which the value of all other virtues is tested. It is the virtue which caused Jesus Christ to Come and dwell upon earth. Oh, that I had more self-denying charity to others, more of the gold wherewith Heaven is bought!

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FEAR, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 10 January – “The Arrival in Bethlehem”

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Thought for the Day – 10 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Arrival in Bethlehem”

+1. When the Wise Men had obtained the information they needed, they wasted no further time in Jerusalem but turned their steps towards the Village of Bethlehem. Their faith was being very sorely tried. The Star had disappeared and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, instead of sharing their eagerness to find the Newborn King, seemed
to be either indifferent or. positively hostile to the idea of His Presence in their midst.
So Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament, lies waiting in the Tabernacle for a visit from those whom He loves. They have no longing for Him, no desire for His Company. Only a few faithful souls go to pay their court to Him. Am I one of them?

+2. Scarcely had they left the City, when the Star reappeared to their joyful eyes. There it is; there is no mistaking it. God has not deserted us. He is still guiding us and we shall find Him Whom we seek. No wonder that they rejoiced with great joy!
So to those who have persevered amid doubt and darkness, God soon restores the Light of His Presence. Courage, faintheart! the Star will soon reappear before you!

+3. At length, the Star, instead of moving above them in the heavens, came nearer to earth and settled on the humble dwelling-place where Jesus and His Mother abode. What! the King of the Jews in that poverty-stricken shed? Yes, so it is; Christ scorns the gilded palace and loves the humble hut. There He is at home; thither
He invites His friends to come and see how He dwells with the poor and humble of heart.

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on TRUTH, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, St Louis-Marie Grignion de MONTFORT, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY NAME

Quote/s of the Day – 9 January – In the Name of the Lord Jesus

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Quote/s of the Day – 9 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family”

“In the Name of the Lord Jesus
and protected only
by the Sign of the Cross,
without shield or helmet,
I shall penetrate the enemy’s ranks
and not be afraid.”

St Martin of Tours (c 316-397)

“Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name
is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.
It is a source of joy and inspiration in our youth;
of strength in our manhood,
when only His Holy Name and His grace,
can enable us to overcome temptation;
of hope, consolation
and confidence at the hour of our death,
when more than ever before,
we realise, that the meaning of Jesus is
‘Lord, the Saviour.’
We should bow in reverence to His Name
and submission to His Holy Will.”

Bl Henry Suso OP (1290-1365)

“[Jesus] is our only Master, Who must teach us;
our only Lord, on Whom we must depend;
our only Head, to Whom alone we should belong;
our only Model, Whom we should imitate;
our only Physician, Who must heal us;
our only Shepherd, Who must feed us;
our only Way, Who must lead us;
our only Truth, Whom we must believe;
our only Life, Who must be our life
and our sole sufficiency in all things
that, in Him, we may have all in All.
Except the Name of Jesus,
there is no other name given under Heaven,
whereby we must be saved
and apart from Jesus Christ,
God has given us no other foundation of our salvation,
our perfection and our glory! ”

St Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)

“The Holy Name of Jesus is,
first of all,
an all-powerful prayer.
Our Lord, Himself, solemnly promises,
that whatever we ask the Father in His Name,
we shall receive.
God never fails to keep His Word.
Each time we say “Jesus,”
it is an act of perfect love,
for, we offer to God,
the Infinite love of Jesus.”

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in Holy Name PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, The HOLY NAME, Thomas a Kempis

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

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Our Morning Offering – 9 January – Within the Octave of Epiphany – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus”

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

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 8 January –“Their Journey”

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Thought for the Day – 8 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Their Journey”

+1. The journey of the Magi from their own Country to Palestine, just because a Star appeared in a certain quarter of the heavens, was very like a fool’s errand. Was a mere floating tradition a sufficient ground for undertaking a long, arduous and costly journey? Were not their duties at home of more importance and had they not a greater claim than this strange apparition which tempted them away? What is folly to man is often wisdom to God.
How often have similar arguments been used to deter Protestants from making their submission to the Church and, to dissuade Catholics, from Consecrating themselves to God! Perhaps I may sometimes have followed the dictates of mere worldly wisdom, neglecting supernatural grace?

+2. The Star led the Magi on until they arrived in Jerusalem and then, it disappeared. In the bustle of the City, no Star. In the Palace of Herod, no Star. The busy hum of the crowd seems to be a hindrance to God’s holy inspirations.

+3. Did the Magi , under these circumstances, accept the situation and devote their time to the sights and wonders of the Holy City? No! nothing would satisfy them, except the fulfilment of their mission.
What a lesson to us who are so easily diverted by worldly things from seeking after God!

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MODESTY, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, St Francis de Sales, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 January – Obedience

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 January – Within the Octave of the Epiphany

“Rather blessed are those
who hear the Word of God
and keep it.’”

Luke 11:28

“I Am the Light of the world.
Whoever follows Me
will never walk in darkness
but will have the Light of Life.”

John 8:12

“Our hearts were made for Thee, O God
And restless must they be
Until, O God, this grace accord,
Until they rest in Thee!”

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

“The obedience of the Star
calls us to imitate its humble service:
to be servants, as best we can,
of the grace which invites all men
to find Christ.”

St Pope Leo the Great (400-461)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Humility is the mother of many virtues
because, from it are born:
obedience, fear, reverence, patience,
modesty, meekness and peace.
He who is humble easily obeys everyone,
fears to offend anyone,
is at peace with everyone,
is kind to all!”

St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555)

“When God puts inspirations into a heart,
the first He gives, is obedience. ”

“To find the Saviour outside obedience,
is to lose Him altogether.”

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

Posted in QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 7 January – “The Magi”

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Thought for the Day – 7 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Magi”

+1. The three Kings who came to do honour to Jesus on the Feast of the Epiphany are also called the three Magi , or three Wise Men They were the rulers of an eastern tribe at some distance from Bethlehem. Like Abraham, they left home and country at God’s command. If Abraham thus deserved to be called the Friend of God and Father of the faithful, so these Wise Men were not only the subjects but also, the friends of Christ and the spiritual fathers of all faithful Catholics. We are their spiritual offspring; the innumerable company of Christians in Heaven willall have to thank them for having led the way to Jesus.

+2. What led them to this long and apparently aimless journey? In their tribe there had long existed a tradition that one day a Star would appear which the Princes of the tribe were to follow and following it, to find the King of Heaven Incarnate upon earth. How many
generations had looked and longed for the promised sign ! Yet it came at last.
God always grants, sooner or later, the desires of those who long for Him.

+3. When the Star appeared, the Magi lost no time in setting out to follow it. Prompt obedience was their watchword; prompt obedience brought them to Jesus. Prompt obedience made them the earliest converts and the most earnest of God’s Saints.
Prompt obedience to God’s Holy Will, is the secret of all sanctity.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MARIAN QUOTES, Of a Holy DEATH & AGAINST A SUDDEN DEATH, of the DYING, FINAL PERSEVERANCE, DEATH of CHILDREN, DEATH of PARENTS, PARTIAL Indulgence, QUOTES on MARRIAGE, MARRIED LOVE, St Francis de Sales, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Quote/s of the Day – 7 January – The Holy Family

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Quote/s of the Day – 7 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family”and the Feast of the Holy Family

Indulgenced Holy Family Aspiration

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
I give Thee my heart and my soul;
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
assist me in my last agony;
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
may I breathe forth my soul in peace with Thee.”

(Indulgence of 300 days, Each Time.
Pope Pius VII, 26 August 1814)

“When husband and wife
are united in marriage
they no longer seem like something earthly
but rather, like the image of God Himself!”

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

“The One Who is the Wisdom of the Father,
put His arms around her neck,
the One Who is the strength,
that gives movement to everything,
sat in her arms. He Who is the rest of souls, (Mt 11:29)
rested on her motherly breast.
… Filled with the Holy Spirit,
she held Him close to her heart …
She never had enough of seeing Him
or of hearing Him,
,,, Thus Mary grew evermore in love and her mind
was unceasingly attached to Divine contemplation.”

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)

“Since God could choose for the Guardian of His Son,
the man in the world, the most accomplished
in all sorts of perfections,
according to the dignity
and excellence of his Charge,
Who was His most Glorious Son,
the universal Prince of Heaven and earth,
how could it be that being able,
He did not will it and did not do it?
There is, then, NO DOUBT that St Joseph
was endowed with all the graces
and all the gifts that were required
for the care which the Eternal Father
willed to give him,
of the temporal and domestic economy
of our Lord and of the guidance of his family … ”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/01/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-january-the-holy-family/

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The DIVINE INFANT, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 6 January – “The Epiphany”

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Thought for the Day – 6 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide –
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Epiphany”

+1. The Sun of Justice Who rose on Christmas morn did not shine on the Jews only. The Light Who shone upon the rejoicing earth was a Light Who was to enlighten the Gentiles as well as to be the glory of the people of Israel. The Feast of the Epiphany was the declaration of the
world-wide dominion of the new-born King. It
proclaimed that the kingdoms of this world were
to be the Kingdoms of the Lord and of His Christ.
Rejoice with the Infant King in His universal Sovereignty , and pray that His Kingdom may speedily be acknowledged by all His subjects.

+2. Those who came to visit Jesus on the Epiphany were three Kings. They came as the representatives of all earthly monarchies. They came to do homage and to adore the universal King of the whole earth. What a shadow of a shade is all temporal dominion, compared with the dominion of Jesus! What unlimited homage we all owe Him! How we should rejoice to acknowledge Him our King and Lord, by our loyal obedience to Him!

+3. This festival is especially the festival of converts. Our ancestors were once pagans until the Vicar of Christ sent to our beloved country, the apostle who proclaimed to us the Faith of Christ This Faith in many lands, has faded now and mockery sits on Juda’s throne.
Alas, to think that those who had the inheritance of the
Faith have lost it
How can I ever be grateful enough for the Light Who shines on me!

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The HOLY INFANCY, The HOLY NAME, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Thought for the Day – 5 January – “The Name of Jesus”

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Thought for the Day – 5 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Name of Jesus”

+1. At the circumcision, Jewish children receive their name as Catholic children do at their Baptism. Mary’s little Son received the Name of Jesus or Saviour because He was to save men from the slavery to sin. This was His appointed office by the Divine Command – to put an end to the slavery in which men were held by the devil. He was sent to deliver me from the bondage under which I have long laboured, the bondage to the opinion of men, the bondage to ill-temper, the bondage to passion, the bondage to selfishness, the bondage to self-will, the bondage to riches or comforts.
O Jesus, Saviour of those in bondage, by Thy Sacred Blood deliver me!

+2. Jesus is our Saviour from the terrible consequences of sin. Our sins were remitted by the shedding of His Precious Blood. Without the shedding of blood, says St Paul, there is no remission. What reason
I have to dread the consequences due to my sins! Yet Jesus can and will save me from them, if I love Him as
I ought.

+3. Jesus too, is the Saviour of all creation from the curse which came upon the whole earth at the Fall. He has sanctified it by the drops of His Precious Blood which fell upon it. Henceforward, it became a new earth and one day He will cleanse it from all its impurities and renew it to the heavenly beauty and make it worthy to be the home of His elect.

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, St JOSEPH, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 4 January – “The Foster-father”

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Thought for the Day – 4 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Foster-father”

At no great distance from the Mother of God stands His holy Foster-father St Joseph, the third person of that earthly trinity. What can we learn from him?

+1. He is the true husband of Mary, united to her by a closer bond than any on earth save that which exists between the Mother and the Son.
He is, moreover, the true earthly father of Jesus in everything except the fact of carnal generation. He has committed to him, the care of God Himself and of her, who is dearer to God than all the world beside. He is, therefore, next to Mary, of all mankind, the most privileged and the most exalted.
How then, can we honour him enough?

+2. When God gives to anyone an office, He gives him the virtues and the qualities which are required for its perfect exercise. What then, must have been the virtues of St Joseph?!
He must have had every virtue, not only in an eminent degree but ,in a degree, to which none other of the sons of men ever attained. In prudence, justice, humility, charity, he was far above all others.
I, therefore, must ask of him every grace which I need.

+3. Above all, St Joseph was eminent for his unspotted purity. Many theologians assert that he was sanctified in his mother’s womb. None save Mary was ever so pure as he This it was which qualified him for his intimate union with Jesus and Mary.
If I desire to be united to them, I too must be pure of heart. St Joseph, please obtain for me this grace of purity!

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MOTHER of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 3 January – “The Holy Mother”

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Thought for the Day – 3 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Holy Mother”

By the side of the manger where the Infant lies, His Mother is watching. Who is she?

+I. A poor and humble maiden but, nevertheless, the Mother of God. The Mother of God!
How can this be? How can the Eternal, Infinite God have a human mother Yet so it is.
Mary has a privilege which raises her immeasurably above the highest of the Seraphim, makes her more perfect in her likeness to God than is possible to any other creature. If, then, we honour the Saints and Angels, how much more should we honour God’s Own Mother!

+2. Yet Mary has a still greater claim to our homage, a more fruitful source of blessedness, even than the Divine Maternity. Her unswerving obedience to the inspirations of God is declared by Our Lord Himself, to be a still higher privilege. “Yea, rather blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.”
If only we realised the blessedness of unswerving obedience, how different our lot would be!

+3. What are Mary’s thoughts as she sits watching there? She has no thought save of God. She is absorbed in Him . The hours pass like minutes, they are a sort of anticipation of Paradise. She sees her God face-to-face and although His glory is veiled under the robe of flesh, yet Mary can pierce through it as none other ever could and can bask in the Divinity which it conceals.
O God help me to realise now, Thy Presence when Thou art veiled under the Sacramental Species.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRISTMASTIDE!, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY INFANCY, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 2 January – “The New-born Child”

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Thought for the Day – 2 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

I love the fact that Fr Clarke keeps us with the Divine Infant and His beloved Holy Family and oriantates our entire New Year to where it should be and too, still in Christmastide unlike the rest of the world around us. Alleluia. P.S. I will be back in full swing, on Monday, God willing.

Meditations for Christmastide –
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The New-born Child”

In the cradle before us lies the new -born Infant wrapped in swaddling-clothes and laid in the manger. Let us contemplate Him for a few moments and see what lessons He teaches us.

+I. He teaches us the unspeakable force of Divine charity. How was it possible for the Eternal Word, the co-equal Son of God, to leave the bosom of His Father to clothe Himself with the flesh of sinful man?
It seems an almost extravagant act of love, one unworthy of the dignity of God. Yet, love puts everything aside, except the burning desire to promote the welfare of the loved. The Son of God forgot all else in His Divine compassion for us.
How dearly He must love us
How great should be our confidence in His Love!

+2. He teaches us never to judge by appearances. If we had been told that God had Come to dwell on earth, would not the stable of Bethlehem have been the last place where we should have sought Him In how many a humble cottage there may still be found saints more dear to God than even those who have a worldwide repute for their holiness and virtue!

+3. He teaches us the true dignity of self-abasement. God could not do anything unworthy of Himself when clad in human flesh. It, therefore, was no disparagement to the Divine honour that He should thus infinitely condescend. Nay, it proved that the greatest possible likeness to God is attained by the most complete humiliation of self.
How little I have learned to practice this lesson!

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOOD RESOLUTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOTES to Followers, QUOTES for the NEW YEAR, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SILENCE, The HEART

A New Life is Beginning … May 2025 be the ONE which Makes Us All Saints!

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May 2025 be the ONE which Makes Us All Saints!

A RESOLVE
For Every Morning of the New Year

I will this day, try to live a simple,
sincere and serene life, repelling
promptly, every thought of
discontent, anxiety, discouragement,
impurity and self-seeking;
cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity,
charity and the habit of holy silence,
exercising economy in expenditure,
carefulness in conversation,
diligence in appointed service,
fidelity in every trust
and a child-like trust in God.

Bishop John H Vincent 1900

“What we need most,
in order to make progress,
is to be silent before this great God
with our appetite and with our tongue,
for the language He best hears
is silent love.”

“Strive to preserve your heart in peace;
let no event of this world, disturb it.”

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Mystical Doctor of the Church

“Anyone who takes life seriously
in the Christian sense,
will regard it as a difficult journey
towards perfection and towards God.
This journey will be, at the same time,
painful and joyful.
… It is our own loss if we sit down lazily
on the side of the road,
which should lead us to Heaven.
It is even more disastrous,
if we acknowledge defeat
and lay down the spiritual weapons
of prayer and renunciation,
in order to surrender ourselves to sin or to indifference.
Everyday we should say to ourselves,
in the presence of God –
A new life is beginning …
in You, by Your grac and for You!
Amen”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY INFANCY, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The NATIVITY of JESUS, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 1 January – “The Holy Infancy – The Nativity”

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Thought for the Day – 1 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

I love the fact that Fr Clarke keeps us with the Divine Infant and His beloved Holy Family and oriantates our entire New Year to where it should be and too, still in Christmastide unlike the rest of the world around us. Alleluia. P.S. I will be back in full swing, on Monday, God willing.

Meditations for Christmastide –
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Nativity”

+1. Four thousand years had passed since God promised to our first parents that a Redeemer should come to free the world from the curse which had fallen upon it, when Adam was disobedient to the Divine Command. Prophets and kings had desired to see the day when that promise should be fulfilled but had not seen it.
The whole world had long expected the day of redemption.
God is always slow, in His best Gifts. Hence learn to be patient. “”He will surely Come, He will not tarry.”

+2. All the world was at peace at the moment when Christ was born. The angry passions of men were hushed, as if in compliment to the Prince of Peace. He never Comes where strife and confusion prevail. If I desire that He should Come into my heart today, I must resolve to keep, in total submission and denial, my evil passions and, the self -will which dares to do battle against the Will of God!

+3. But when the Gift came at last, it was a Gift worthy of the Divine generosity . It was a Gift of Infinite value, given to all and each of the sons of men. It was a Gift in which God gave Himself to be wholly ours. That little Infant in the cradle before Whom I kneel to-day, is the Omnipotent God, loving me with an immeasurable Love; my King, my Lord, my Redeemer, my best Friend, the Divine Lover of my soul.
Oh, would that I loved Him more!

Posted in GOOD RESOLUTIONS, INGRATITUDE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for the NEW YEAR, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on MEDIOCRITY, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 31 December – The Last Day of the Year

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

The Last Day of the Year

“Now that the year is almost over, cast your mind back to the good resolutions which you made at the beginning of it.
Have you put these resolutions into effect?
Has there been any improvement in your spiritual life during these twelve months, or must you confess, that it has deteriorated?
How often have you committed sin, perhaps even grave sin, during the year?
When God appealed to you to perform some good action, how often did you refuse Him?

Your future outlook is very dark if your life has developed into a gradual descent towards evil.
Anyday, God could grow tired of your ingratitude and obstinacy and send death to end your infidelity.
Then you would almost certainly, be damned forever.
If you have surrendered to spiritual languor and mediocrity, therefore, it is time for you to stir yourself.
It is time to become more generous with God, to display a greater spirit of self-sacrifice in responding to His appeals and to form further resolutions.

Virtue cannot co-exist with spiritual tepidity, which leads inevitably, towards sin.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/31/thought-for-the-day-31-december-the-last-day-of-the-year/
ABOVE IS PART TWO
PART THREE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/31/thought-for-the-day-31-december-the-last-day-of-the-year-3/

Posted in JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on PEACE, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Thought for the Day – 30 December – The Holy Family – Mary and Joseph

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

As Fr Clarke has left us in the lurch for the last 3 days of December, I am revisiting dear Cardinal Bacci to come to our aid. I pray you, like myself, never tire of his wisdom.

The Holy Family – Mary

“The Blessed Virgin Mary, is the second model proposed for our imitation in the Holy Family.
… We do not read that Mary worked miracles, had ecstasies, or possessed any extraordinary external gifts.
Her sanctity was completely internal.
She trod the ordinary way of perfection, therefore, the way most easily imitated by us and, nevertheless, reached the highest peak of holiness.
Since we are her devoted and affectionate children, let us ask her for the grace to follow her in the way of perfection and of complete resignation to the will of God.
Although we may have to follow her from afar, let us follow with enthusiasm and love..”

The Holy Family – Joseph

“The third member of the Holy Family is St Joseph, the most just of men, faithful to his vocation as the foster-father of the Child Jesus and chaste spouse o the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Let us imitate his purity, his utter dedication to the service of God and his burning love for Jesus, Whom he was privileged to clasp to his breast before any other man.
Let us ask him to obtain for us the grace to be able to imitate him in his life so that we may also imitate him in his holy death.
May he, who died with Jesus and Mary by his side, obtain peace for us in our final agony, so that we may expire with the names of Jesus and Mary on our lips and in our hearts.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Thought for the Day – 29 December – The Holy Family – Jesus

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

As Fr Clarke has left us in the lurch for the last 3 days of December, I am revisiting dear Cardinal Bacci to come to our aid. I pray you, like myself, never tire of his wisdom.

The Holy Family – Jesus

“We have in the Holy Family, the highest possible models of perfection – Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
As God, Jesus is essentially holy.
By means of the Hypostatic Union, this sanctity is transmitted also to His human nature.
The holiness of Jesus was only gradually revealed as He grew older because He wished to be like us in everything, save in sin.
As the Gospel says, He “advanced in wisdom and age and grace before God and men” (Lk 2:52).
Jesus gave us an example of holiness which we should find easier to imitate because it was eternally increasing all the time.
He offered us, as an example, the kind of sanctity which has its beginning and foundation in utter humility and detachment from worldly goods.
“Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29).

Socrates advised his followers to have few desires and to desire these as little as possible, in order to remain content, for the man who is full of desires is always uneasy and restless.
This human counsel is very true but, it is incomplete.
It recommends detachment from earthly things but fails to teach the ardent and practical desire for supernatural things.
Jesus Christ teaches us both.
After He has urged us to become gentle and humble like Himself, after He has told us not to worry about the future and not to fret about what to wear and what to eat, He points out the way in which Providence clothes the lilies of the filed and feeds the birds of the air.
Then He adds: “Seek the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be given you besides” (Cf Lk.12:22-31).

We must limit and moderate our desire for earthly goods, therefore but, should ardently yearn to love God, to serve and obey Him in this life and to enjoy Him forever in Heaven.
This is what the Infant Jesus wishes to teach us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in ADVENT, ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CHRISTMASTIDE!, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, HOLY COMMUNION, Meditations for ADVENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The O ANTIPHONS

Thought for the Day – 27 December – “O Emmanuel”

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Thought for the Day – 27 December – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Advent
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“O Emmanuel”

“O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver,
the expectation of the nations and their Saviour,
Come to save us, O Lord our God!”

+1. Emmanuel, God with us, is a Name which in every way belongs to Christ Our Lord. He is with His people in all their needs, ever ready to help and console them. He is with us on every Altar, waiting for us to come and pour out our sorrow and our needs before Him. He is with us, above all, in Holy Communion, when He Comes to dwell in our heart and to bring with Him every grace we need. He is with us in the hour of death and He will be with us forever in Heaven.

+2. He Who thus Comes to dwell with us in familiar friendship is our King; He Who thus condescends to be our companion, is the God Who has an absolute right to our obedience. He is our Lawgiver and the statutes He enacts for us have but one end and aim and object, to lead His subjects into the ways of happiness and the paths of peace .

+3. Come then, O God, our Lord and our Saviour. Come and save us from all the perils of the Evil One and from our own weakness and frailty.
Come and save us in the hour of temptation, for Thou alone art our King and none save Thee shalt rule over us.
Come and bring us safely through this vale of tears to Thy Eternal Kingdom, where we shall dwell forever, O sweet Jesus, in the everlasting delights of Thy blissful Company.