Category: OPEN HOUSE…Conversations with…

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD

Thought for the Day – 3 July – The Tabernacle Lamp

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Tabernacle Lamp

“The Tabernacle Lamp keeps Jesus company by night and by day.
We should keep Him company too.
We could not remain on our knees forever in front of the Tabernacle, neither could most of us spend as long as the Saints did in intimate conversation with Jesus.

But, our hearts can remain with Jesus and can burn with love for Him like the flame of the Lamp.
It is easy to remain in union with Jesus by doing everything, even the most unimportant actions, from the motive of love for Him.
We can offer Him all our sufferings and joys and, whatever sacrifices we make in order to remain good.
As the magnetic needle of the mariner’s compass is fixed in the direction of the north, so our thoughts and affections should be always turned towards Jesus.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/02/thought-for-the-day-2-july-the-tabernacle-lamp/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/14/thought-for-the-day-14-april-the-tabernacle-lamp/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TIME

Thought for the Day – 2 July – Moments of Silence

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

Moments of Silence

“Such is the speed of modern life that many people forget God and do not even pause to think about themselves.
Action is everything.
There is no time for reflection, no time for prayer.
Life has become mechanical and superficial, for nobody has the time, nor the inclination, to think about spiritual matters.

What is the result?
Since men are not machines but living beings, composed of soul and body and are capable of feeling and passion, their lower inclinations break loose and insist on being satisfied.
In the absence of prayer and of all effort to lead a good life, grace is lacking to inspire the mind, to strengthen the will and to keep the heart pure.
Rapid materialistic progress has accustomed men to accept, as inevitable, the most shameful falls.
The absence of any kind of contact with God, makes the soul the slave of sin.

Examine yourself.
Perhaps, you have not yet sunk to this low level of spirituality and are still capable of feeling remorse and the urge to do good.
But, you must listen for God’s voice and a certain amount of silence, is necessary, if His voice is not to be drowned in the tumult of the world.
We are in real need of solitude, recollection and prayer!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 1 July – The Passion of Our Lord

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Thought for the Day – 1 July – “The Feast and Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Passion of Our Lord

“Meditation on the Passion of Jesus” writes St Albert the Great, “is more profitable than fasting on bread and water or than scourging ourselves.”

This is because, when we meditate with love and gratitude on the Passion of our Redeemer, we have the experience of being transformed and set aglow with charity.
We realise the truth of St Paul’s words, “The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, that will be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18)).

Let us cast ourselves, therefore, into the merciful arms of God and be prepared to suffer everything, even death, for the love of Jesus.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/09/thought-for-the-day-9-april-the-passion-of-our-lord/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/01/thought-for-the-day-1-july-the-passion-of-our-lord/

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TIME, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, St Francis de Sales, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The LORD'S PRAYER, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Quote/s of the Day – 1 July – Most Precious Blood

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 July – “The Feast and Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus”

“Embrace, then, Jesus Crucified,
raising to Him the eyes of your desire!
Consider His burning love for you
which made Jesus pour out His Blood
from every part of His body!
Embrace Jesus Crucified,
loving and beloved and in Him,
you will find true life because He is God made Man.
Let your heart and your soul burn
with the fire of love drawn from Jesus on the Cross!
… You will have no other desire than to follow Jesus!
Run, … do not stay asleep
because time flies and does not wait one moment!
Dwell in God’s sweet love!”

St Catherine of Sienna (1347-1380)
Doctor of the Church

“If a man finds it very difficult to forgive injuries,
let him look at a Crucifix
and think that Christ shed all His Blood for him
and not only forgave His enemies
but, even prayed His Heavenly Father,
to forgive them too.
Let him remember,
that when he says the Pater Noster, everyday,
instead of asking pardon for his sins,
he is calling down VENGEANCE UPON HIMSELF!”

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

“The Saviour has instituted
the most glorious Sacrament
of the Eucharist,
which truly contains His Body and His Blood,
so that, whoever eats it will live forever.
Therefore, those who receive it frequently,
with devotion, strengthen their spiritual life
and well-being, to such an extent,
that it is almost impossible for them
to be poisoned by any kind of evil attachment.”

(Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II, Chapter 20)

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

Posted in JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, papal ENCYCLICALS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The INCARNATION

Thought for the Day – 30 June – Devotion to the Sacred Heart

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Thought for the Day – 30 June – “The Last Day of Month of the Sacred Heart” – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Devotion to the Sacred Heart

“When we consider it under it’s fundamental aspect as the cult of the love of God, rather than of the Incarnate Word, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is as old as Christianity, even though it is only in recent centuries, that it has assumed it’s present symbolism.
“He who does not love, does not know God,” says St John, “for God is love” (1 Jn 4:8).
“And we have come to know,” he continues “and have believed, the love that God has in our behalf.   God is love and he who abides in love, abides in God and God in him” (1 Jn 4:16).
This cult of the love of God, particularly of the love of God made man, vibrates throughout the pages of the Gospel and of the writings of the Apostles, especially of St John and of St Paul.

In the works of the Fathers, there are references to the Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, from which flowed all the infinite graces of the Church for our redemption.
We are reminded of this in the Encylical, Haurietis Aquas, published by Pope Pius XII in the year 1956.
But the specific cult of the love of God, as symbolised by the Heart of Jesus, was explicitly approved by the Church after Jesus Himself appeared in the year 1674 to St Margaret Mary Alacoque and showed her His Heart on fire with love for men.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/01/thought-for-the-day-1-june-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, St PAUL!, St PETER!, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Thought for the Day – 29 June – St Peter, Prince of the Apostles / St Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles

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

St Peter, Prince of the Apostles
St Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles

“It is good to admire the fidelity of St Peter and the designs of Divine Providence in making him the visible Head of the Church but, it is far better, to follow his example.
His love for Jesus, led him to leave his family and his fisherman’s trade, in order to follow Our Lord.
It led him to undertake long voyages, to endure imprisonment and to face martyrdom.
What can we do for the love of Jesus?
Remember that, if love is to be sincere, it must be generous and effective.

Secondly let us meditate on and imitate, the ardent and fearless faith of St Peter.
He was not afraid to preach the teaching of Christ before the Sanhedrin.
He was not afraid of Herod, who cast him into prison.

He was not afraid of the Roman Emperor, who caused him to be crucified.
Our faith should be steadfast and lively, like his!

Finally, let us imitate Peter in his repentance.
Although he loved Jesus very much and had such great faith in Him, in a moment of weakness and of imprudence, he denied Him three times.
All his life, however, be wept bitterly for this sin.
Whenever he heard a cock crowing, it was as if an arrow had pierced his heart.
He was not satisfied, until he was hanging upon the cross like his Divine Master and could prove his love for Jesus by a Martyr’s death.”

St Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles

We can learn many other virtues from St Paul, besides his zealous love for God and for his fellowmen.
We can also learn from him, the virtues of humility and of apostolic fervour.
The Apostle of the Gentiles reached such heights of sanctity, as to feel himself transformed into Christ Himself and to deserve to be taken up into the third Heaven, where he enjoyed a foretaste of eternal happiness.
Nevertheless, he considered himself unworthy to be called an Apostle and he realised, that all his gifts came to him from God.
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to think anything as from ourselves but our sufficiency, is from God” (2 Cor 3:5).
Whenever we succeed in any project, we should think on the same lines because, it is only when we are humble and depend on the grace of God, that the success of our actions will redound to the glory of our Creator.
If the cancer of ambition or of self-love, should corrupt our purity of intention, our work would not be blessed by God and would not make us worthy of everlasting life.
Let us repeat often: “All for You, with You and in You, my God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/29/thought-for-the-day-29-june-st-peter-prince-of-the-apostles-st-paul-the-apostle-to-the-gentiles-2/

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, St Francis de Sales, St PAUL!, St PETER!, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 29 June – ‘There are the gates of our true country … ‘

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Quote/s of the Day – 29 June – Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

“There are the gates of our true country,
the two lights of the immense world.
There Paul’s voice is heard like thunder;
there Peter withholds or hurls the bolt .
The former opens the hearts of men,
the latter opens Heaven.
Peter is the Foundation-stone,
Paul the Architect of the temple
where stands the Altar
by which God is propitiated.
Both together form a single Fountain,
which pours out its healing
and refreshing waters.”

St Venantius Fortunatus (c 530 – c 609)
“The Troubadour of Christ”

“Yes, the Apostle chosen
to be His co-worker,
merited to share,
the same Name as Christ.
They built the same Building together –
Peter does the planting,
the Lord gives the increase
and it is the Lord, too,
Who sends those,
who will do the watering (cf 1 Cor 3:6f).”

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

“These falls were both very great
but there was this differ­ence.
One acknowledged his guilt; the other despaired.
Yet, our Saviour had inspired in the heart of both,
the same Peccavi [admission of guilt] (“I have sinned”)
… From this time on, St Peter never ceased weeping,
principally when he heard the cock crow
at night and morning, for he remembered
this crowing as the signal for his conversion.
… Why then was Judas not converted?
… Alas, did not this unhappy man know
that Our Lord alone could give it to him,
that He was the Saviour and held Redemption in His hands?
… Certainly, he knew it but he did not wish,
nor dare to ask pardon. ”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“He grieved for his three sins,
not only on that sad night but throughout his life.
St Clement (c35-c101 the third succeeding Pope
after St Peter) writes that he wept so often
that his tears wore two deep furrows in his cheeks
and that, whenever he heard the cock crowing,
the cry pierced his heart.
He loved Jesus sincerely and passionately.
If we really love Jesus as Peter did
and are prepared to face death for His sake,
as Peter was, then we may be sure
that we shall never offend God again.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“I have appeared to you for this purpose,
to appoint you as a servant and witness,
of what you have seen
and what you will be shown.
I shall deliver you from this people
and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,
to open their eyes, that they may turn
from darkness to light
and from the power of Satan to God,
so that they may obtain forgiveness of sins
and an inheritance among those,
who have been consecrated by faith in Me.”

Acts 26:16-18

“Yet I live, no longer I
but Christ lives in me;
insofar as I now live in the flesh,
I live by faith in the Son of God,
Who has loved me
and given himself up for me.”

Galatians 2:20

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

Thought for the Day – 28 June – Steadfastness in Suffering

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

Steadfastness in Suffering

“Christ has suffered for you, leaving you an example that you may follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/15/thought-for-the-day-15-june-steadfastness-in-suffering/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/03/thought-for-the-day-16-june-steadfastness-in-suffering-2/

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 27 June – External Mortification

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

External Mortification

“Principle:
So great is the happiness which is in store for me that it is a pleasure for me to suffer. (St Francis of Assisi).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/18/thought-for-the-day-18-january-external-mortification/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/25/thought-for-the-day-25-june-external-mortification/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, I BELIEVE!, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, PAPAL ENCYLICALS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, ROSARY QUOTES, St PAUL!, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 27 June – Our Mother

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 June – Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour (Help)

“O Mary,
you give assistance
to everyone endeavouring
to rise to God!”

St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303 – 1373)

“Wherefore, in the same holy bosom
of His most chaste Mother,
Christ took to Himself flesh
and united to Himself,
the spiritual Body formed
by those who were to believe in Him.
Hence Mary, carrying the Saviour
within her, may be said,
to have also carried, all those.
whose life was contained
in the life of the Saviour.
Therefore, all we,
who are united to Christ
and, as the Apostle says,
are members of His body,
of His flesh and of His bones (Eph 5:30),
have issued from the womb of Mary,
like a body united to it’s Head.”

St Pius X (1835-1914)
Pope from 1903 to 1914
Encyclical “Ad diem illum laetissimum” #10-11

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Prayer to Our Mother
of Perpetual Succour,
When In Urgent Need
By St Alphonsus’ Redemptorists

O Mother of Perpetual Succour,
numerous clients continually surround thy Holy picture,
all imploring thy mercy.
All bless thee as the assured help of the miserable,
all feel the benefit of thy motherly protection.
With confidence then, do we present ourselves before thee in our misery.
See, dear Mother, the many evils to which we are exposed,
see how numerous are our wants.
Trials and sorrows often depress us,
reverses of fortune and privations,
often grievous, bring misery into our lives,
everywhere we meet the Cross.
Have pity, compassionate Mother,
on us and on our dear ones,
especially in this our necessity
…………… (mention your need).
Help us, dear Mother in our distress,
deliver us from all our ills,
or, if it be the Will of God,
that we should suffer still longer,
grant that we may endure all,
with love and patience.
These Grace’s we expect of thee with confidence,
because thou art our Perpetual Succour,
amen.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL

Thought for the Day – 26 June – Interior Mortification

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

Interior Mortification

“In the process of mortifying self-love, we mortify our other passions too because, it is the origin of them all!
It is as well to bear in mind, however, that no matter how much we curb our passions, they never die.
We need to be always on our guard, for fear that they may reassert themselves too strongly.

It is necessary for us to increase our love for God because, as St Augustine points out,, it is Divine Charity which conquers our passions.
Constant prayer and union with God, help us to achieve interior mortification.
Prayer without mortification, is an illusion which does not last long, so that it is necessary to combine fervent prayer with self-denial.

We may not be capable of the extraordinary mortification which the Saints practised because, our health or the obligations of iyr state in life may make these impossible for us.
But, if we deny ourselves often in small matters, these will be so many steps up the ladder which will help us to reach Christian perfection.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/22/thought-for-the-day-22-june-interior-mortification/

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, St Francis de Sales, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 June – ‘Therefore, do not be afraid …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 26 June – Saint John and Saint Paul of Rome (Died c362) Martyrs – Ecclesiasticus 44:10-15, Luke 12:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings?
And yet not one of them is forgotten before God.
Yes, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Therefore, do not be afraid,
you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Luke 12:6-7

“Let the world turn upside down,
let everything be in darkness,
in smoke, in uproar – God is with us!”

(Letters to Persons in the World, VI, 12)

“The good Angels are around you,
like a company of Sentinels on guard!”

(Letters to Persons in Religion, IV, 14)

“Fear is a greater evil
than the evil itself.”

(Letters to Persons in the World, VI, 12)

“Have no fear – He Who has given you the will,
He will give you the accomplishing.”

(Letters to Persons in Religion, IV, 21)

“Why do you put yourself in trouble?
God is good; He sees very well what you are.”

(Letters to Persons in Religion, III, 16)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 June – Therefore, do not be afraid, you are of more value than many sparrows.

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One Minute Reflection – 26 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Saint John and Saint Paul of Rome (Died c362) Martyrs – Ecclesiasticus 44:10-15, Luke 12:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? And yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Yes, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore, do not be afraid, you are of more value than many sparrows.” – Luke 12:6-7

REFLECTION – “Do not look forward to the changes and chances
of this life in fear – rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, Whose you are, will deliver you out of them.
He is your keeper. He has kept you hitherto. Do you but hold fast to His dear Hand and He will lead you safely through all things and, when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms.
Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow.
Our Father will either shield you from suffering, or He will give you strength to bear it.” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church.

PRAYER – We beseech Thee, Almighty God that on this feast-day, we may have the double joy of celebrating blessed John and Paul, true brothers ,who obtained eternal glory through one Faith and one Martyrdom. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

All praise, honour and glory to the divine HEART of JESUS. – Indulgence 50 Days, Once a day. Raccolta 168 Pope Leo XIII, 14 June 1901.

Posted in CHRIST the KING, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, St Francis de Sales

Our Morning Offering – 26 June – May the Heart of Jesus be the King of My Heart! By St Francis de Sales

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Our Morning Offering – 26 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”

May the Heart of Jesus
be the King of My Heart!
By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

May Your Heart dwell
always, in our hearts!
May Your Blood ever flow,
in the veins
of our souls!
O Sun of our hearts,
You give life to all things,
by the rays of Your goodness!
I will not go,
until Your Heart
has strengthened me,
O Lord Jesus!
May the Heart of Jesus
be the King of my heart!
Blessed be God.
Amen

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD

Thought for the Day – 25 June – Purity of Intention

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

Purity of Intention

“Principles:

God alone is deserving of all our love.

We should do everything, which we should wish to have done, at the hour of death.

We should live on earth, as if nothing else existed but God and ourselves (Ibid).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/17/thought-for-the-day-16-june-purity-of-intention/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/14/thought-for-the-day-14-june-purity-of-intention/

Posted in JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS

Thought for the Day – 24 June – The Necessity of Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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

The Necessity of Devotion
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

“O my Jesus, Thou Who art Love itself, enkindle in my heart the divine fire which consumed and transformed the Saints!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/02/thought-for-the-day-1-june-the-necessity-of-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart-
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/24/thought-for-the-day-24-june-the-necessity-of-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/

Posted in Act of SPIRITUAL COMMUNION, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, HOLY COMMUNION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Thought for the Day – 23 June – Spiritual Communion

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

Spiritual Communion

“St Thomas Aquinas calls the Eucharist “the Sacrament of Love” (Opuse 38:25).
When love is ardent and sincere, it longs for constant contact with the beloved.
Spiritual Communion can be made in a single instant, for it requires only an Act of Faith and an Act of Love.
Jesus, come into my heart, for I have need of You.
I love You, my Jesus, keep me close to You always.

Aspiration: O Jesus, I cling to You, with all my heart!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/28/thought-for-the-day-28-june-spiritual-communion/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/12/thought-for-the-day-12-february-spiritual-communion/

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, HOLY COMMUNION, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Thought for the Day – 22 June – Frequent Communion

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

Frequent Communion

“Heart of Jesus, burning with love for us, inflame our hearts with love for Thee.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/21/thought-for-the-day-21-august-frequent-communion/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/22/thought-for-the-day-22-june-frequent-communion/

Posted in JESUIT SJ, MARIAN PRAYERS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PURITY

Thought for the Day – 21 June – St Aloysius Gonzaga

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

St Aloysius Gonzaga

“St Aloysius, obtain for me from God, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, purity of life, the spirit of penance and of prayer and great love for God and for my neighbour, now and in all my remaining days here below that I may join you in praising God for all eternity. Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/21/thought-for-the-day-21-june-st-aloysius-gonzaga/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/21/thought-for-the-day-21-june-st-aloysius-gonzaga-2/

Posted in EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, HOLY COMMUNION, JESUIT SJ, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Thought for the Day – 20 June – The Eucharistic Life

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Eucharistic Life

“May the Most Blessed Sacrament, be forever praised and adored!”

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from the side of Christ, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
Good Jesus, hear me
Within Your wounds, shelter me
from turning away, keep me
From the evil one, protect me
At the hour of my death, call me
Into Your presence lead me
to praise You with all Your saints
Forever and ever,
Amen

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/08/thought-for-the-day-8-august-the-eucharistic-life/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/20/thought-for-the-day-20-june-the-eucharistic-life/

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, NOTES to Followers, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY NAME

Update: Storms, Floods and Black-outs continue across the Cape

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Bless you all my dear Friends for your kind prayers and thoughts. After nearly 70 hours of darkness the power was restored overnight on Friday 16 June but sadly, as the storms continued, fallen tree branches, amongst other natural havoc, damaged many power lines and after about 10 hours of LIGHT, we were once again plunged into darkness. Another +-20 hours of darkness followed but is now once again restored. I pray that I will be back online tomorrow morning.

May God bless you all and shine his Face upon Cape Town! 🙏🙌💖🤗 Ana

“Most Holy Mary, may I follow your example here on earth.
Please lead us, together with your Divine Son, Jesus,
here in our earthly pilgrimage,
for you never once lost sight of God.
May the darkness of this world not encompass me,
for with you beside me and Christ around me,
I will be safe.
For the beauty of the created things
can be a snare of immense power.
May the Light of your Son,
be my beacon and Light my path
and intercede for me,
that I may ever radiate His Light.
Grant that I may see, in all things,
the Presence and Beauty of God alone,
so that I may always continue to advance,
nearer and nearer to Him.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Daily Prayer to the Most Holy Name
By St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)
Apostle of the Most Holy Name

Jesus,
Name full of glory, grace, love and strength!
Thou art the Refuge of those who repent,
our Banner of warfare in this life,
the Medicine of souls,
the Comfort of those who mourn,
the Delight of those who believe,
the Light of those who preach the true faith,
the Wages of those who toil,
the Cure of the sick.
To Thou, our devotion aspires;
by Thee, our prayers are received;
we delight in contemplating Thee.
O Name of Jesus,
Thou art the glory
of all the Saints for eternity.
Amen.

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR

Thought for the Day – 14 June – The Divine Worker

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Divine Worker

“We should accept our daily work and sanctify it with prayer as Jesus did.
“To pray and to work” was the ancient motto of the Benedictines.

All work which is done with and for God, becomes, as it were, a sacrament which purifies and sanctifies us.
When we offer the sweat of our brow to God it becomes like holy water which washes away our faults, while our weariness is converted into prayer.

Aspiration: Jesus, Divine Worker, bless me, help me and makle me holy.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/15/thought-for-the-day-14-june-the-divine-worker/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/15/thought-for-the-day-15-june-the-divine-worker/

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, Fr Francis Xavier WENINGER SJ, JESUIT SJ, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Thought for the Day – 13 June – St Anthony of Padua and the Miracle of the Donkey which knelt before the Eucharist

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Thought for the Day – 13 June – Meditations with Father Francis Xavier Weninger SJ (1805-1888) (Austrian Jesuit Missionary and Author).

Practical Considerations
on the Life of St Anthony of Padua
The Miracle of the Donkey
which knelt before the Eucharist

“St Antony commands a senseless animal to fall down before the Blessed Eucharist and to honour it – the animal obeys and thus honours its Creator.
You have, in the Holy Sacrament, your Lord and God, your Redeemer and Judge before you.
You know the command of the Most High – “The Lord, thy God, thou shalt adore” (St Mark 4).
“For every knee shall be bowed to Thee ” (Isaiah 45).
The Church of Christ says to you … “Come, let us bow down and worship God; let us weep before God Who has created us because He is our God and we are His people.”

Are you not then ashamed, if, notwithstanding all this, you conduct yourself, in the Presence of the Holy Eucharist, with less reverence than an unreasonable animal?!
That those who are not Catholics should not manifest due honour to the Blessed Sacrament is wrong in them but they have, at least before man, the excuse that they do not believe in the Real Presence of Christ.
But how can you excuse yourself, either before God or man, you who believe in the Presence of Christ and yet, give no due honour to your God?
“If I believed,” said a Turkish Ambassador, one day, speaking of the little respect evinced by some Catholics in the Church, “that my God were substantially here, I would humble myself to the ground and if possible, even beneath it! ”

And what do you think, who believe it and are still too indolent to bend your knee before your God?
Do you not consider that your Divine Judge, Whom you honour so little, will one day punish your irreverence towards Him?
Reform, while you have time!”

Fr Francis Xavier Weninger

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, SACRAMENTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Thought for the Day – 12 June – The Four Ends of the Holy Mass

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Holy Mass
The Four Ends of the Holy Mass

“Let us meditate on the fact, that the Sacrifice of the Eucharist, was instituted for four ends, namely:

1. TO HONOUR GOD
All the Angels and Saints of Heaven and all the human beings upon earth, could not possibly honour God, as He ought to be honoured because, they are creatures who derive everything which they possess from God.
Only Jesus the God-Man, could offer the Eternal Father, the infinite honour due to Him, by offering Himself.

2. TO MAKE ADEQUATE SATISFACTION FOR ALL OUR SINS
Insofar, as they are a revolt against God, our sins are, in a certain way, infinite.
This is because they offend an Infinite Being.
Only Jesus, being at the same time man and God, could offer for us, His brothers, an infinite satisfaction to the Eternal Father.
Only He, could redeem us from the debt of crime and punishment, which we had contracted, by offering Himself, without reserve, in the Eucharistic Sacrifice.
It must be explained, however, that although the Mass is of infinite value in itself, God applies this value to us in a finite way only, according to His good pleasure and according to our dispositions.
For this reason, we should do well to attend Mass, as often as possible and with the maximum fervour.

3. TO GIVE THANKSGIVING TO GOD for all the benefits which we have received from Him.

4. Finally, TO OBTAIN ALL THE GRACES AND FAVOURS of which we and others stand in need.
The Mass is an extraordinary gift.
Let us attend at Mass with recollection and devotion.
It will be for us, the source of every grace and virtue!”
Amen

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/06/11/thought-for-the-day-11-june-the-holy-mass/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, St Francis de Sales, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 12 June – ‘ … You will become altogether beautiful, pure and good.’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 12 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Within the Octave of Corpus Christi

“As mountain hares become white in winter
because they neither see. nor eat
anything but snow,
so, by adoring and feeding on
beauty, purity and goodness itself
in the Eucharist,
you will become altogether
beautiful, pure and good.“”

“Nowhere do we find our Saviour
more tender or more loving,
than here [in Adoration]
where He, so to speak,
annihilates Himself and reduces Himself
to Food, in order to penetrate our souls
and to unite Himself
to the hearts of His friends.”

“I often speak with my Teacher, Jesus,
in the Blessed Sacrament
because I learn from Him.
Jesus is the Teacher of the science of holiness.
I go to Him because I would like to learn,
from Him, how to become a Saint.
Of what use to me is all knowledge
and education, if I do not become holy?”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in GOOD FRIDAY, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 11 June – The Holy Mass

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Holy Mass

“The Sacrifice of the Mass is the noblest act of our religion.
In it is renewed, in a real but unbloody manner, the Sacrifice of Calvary.

Jesus desired to remain with us throughout the centuries in the Blessed Eucharist as our friend, comforter and spiritual food.
Similarly, not being satisfied with having shed His Precious Blood on the Cross for our Redemption, it was His wish that this sacrificial action should be renewed daily in every corner of the world, in such a way, that everyone could participate in it and benefit from it.
When we are present at Holy Mass, therefore, we should imagine that we are on Calvary at the foot of the Cross on which our Divine Redeemer is voluntarily giving His Life, as an innocent Victim, for our sins.
Let us see Him hanging between earth and sky, a holocaust of propitiation between God and men.
Let us see Him imploring with His dying glance, forgiveness for His executioners and for us sinners.

Let us imagine, moreover, His most Holy Mother as she gazes sorrowfully upon her suffering Son.
With love far greater than that of any other human creature, she offers herself in union with Jesus, for our salvation.

We should make a similar offering when we assist at the Sacrifice of the Altar.
We should sacrifice ourselves along with Jesus.
If we are tormented by sufferings, let us offer them up along with those of Jesus.
If we are troubled by passionate inclinations to sin, let us sacrifice these bravely, along with Jesus and for love of Him.
If we are full of hatred and coldness towards others, let us sacrifice these feelings for love of Jesus, Who forgave everyone who asked and repented and prayed even for His executioners.

Let us remember, that the Sacrifice of the Mass should be our sacrifice too,
It is not only the Priest who offers it but we offer it along with the Priest and with Jesus.
“Receive, O Holy Trinity, this oblation which we make to Thee.”
Let us unite the offering of our entire selves to the Sacrifice of Jesus and we sgall obtain great spiritual benefits.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on PRIDE

Thought for the Day – 10 June – “Learn from Me, For I Am Meek and Humble of Heart”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

“Learn From Me, For I Am Meek
and Humble of Heart”

“Jesus is perfection itself.
In Him, therefore, every virtue is to be found.
He could truly claim that He fulfilled in Himself the precept: “You are to be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).
Throughout His life, He performed in a perfect manner, the will of His heavenly Father:  “I do always the things that are pleasing to Him” (Jn 8:29).

Jesus Christ provided us with an example of every virtue.
As the foundation of all the virtues, He insisted on the great precept of loving God above all things and our neighbour as ourselves.
In proposing Himself as a model, however, this is what He said: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart and ou will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:29).
The outstanding example which Jesus gave us for our imitation, was this meekness and humility of heart.
We shall have peace of soul only, if we are meek and humble.

In what did the humility of Jesus consist?
He was God and He became man.
He, Who possessed everything was born poor in a wretched stable and lived as a lowly workman for thirty years.
He allowed Himself to be betrayed by one of His Apostles, to be sentenced to death as an evildoer and, finally, to be executed on the Cross.

He combined humility with gentleness.
He was happy when He could receive back penitent sinners and grant them forgiveness and peace.
Let us recall the examples of Mary Magdalen, the adulteress, the lost sheep, the prodigal son and, finally, the repentant thief, to whom He promised the reward of Heaven.
What greater gentleness and mercy could we ever find?

To the present day, moreover, Jesus Christ is hidden in the Blessed Eucharist under the consecrated species and appeals to us to imitate and love Him.

When we are disturbed by pride, ambition, or worldly desires, let us go to Jesus and kneel in silence before the Tabernacle.
“Learn from me,” He will say to us once more, “for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on The SOUL, ROSARY QUOTES, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 June – ‘… Let us ask for the life-giving Bread …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 10 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Within the Octave of Corpus Christi – 1 Corinthians 23-29, John 6:56-59 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“He who eats My Flesh
and drinks My Blood,
abides in Me and I in him.”

John 6:57

“This bread you see on the Altar,
consecrated by the Word of God,
is the Body of Christ.
This cup consecrated by the Word of God,
or rather its contents, is the Blood of Christ.
In these two elements our Lord desired to hand over,
for our veneration and love,
His Body and Blood,
shed for the remission of our sins.
If you have received them with a good disposition,
then you are what you have received.
As the Apostle Paul declares:
“We are, all of us, one bread, one body”
(1 Cor 10,17)…”

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

“Enrich your soul in the great goodness of God –
The Father is your Table,
the Son is your Food
and the Holy Spirit waits on you
and then makes His Dwelling in you.”

St Catherine of Siena OP (1347-1380)
Doctor of the Church

“The soul must be nourished, as well as the body,
for it has its own life which is worn away
by the daily conflict against sinful inclinations
and by the constant struggle to achieve sanctity.
It needs to be nourished by the word of God,
by His grace and especially,
by receiving the Author of grace frequently
in Holy Communion. …
“Whoever eats this Bread shall live forever.”
Let us ask for the life-giving Bread,
for ourselves and for our unfortunate brothers
who are living apart from Jesus,
in a state of spiritual death.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS

Thought for the Day – 9 June – The Sacred Heart of Jesus Surmounted by a Flaming Cross

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Surmounted by a Flaming Cross

“St Margaret Mary saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus, surmounted by flames in the midst of which, a Cross was raised on high.
These flames and this Cross, were the symbol of the infinite love of Jesus.
Let us reflect a little.
God, immeasurably happy in Himself, wished to communicate a share in His happiness to men, whom He created in a state of earthly happiness.
He was offended by men and, when He saw that they were heading for destruction, He sent His Eternal Word to them.
The Word took a human nature and became our Brother;  He preached the way to Heaven and gave us the means to achieve it.
More than this, He offered Himself as a divine victim of expiation for our sins.
Having been condemned by those whom He had come to show the way, He died on the Cross and shed all His Blood, for our salvation.

Pagans of all times have called this “the folly of the Cross.”
In fact, it is the miracle of the infinite love of God for humanity.
Let us remember, however, that, although His love and goodness are infinite, so also is His justice!
It is an overwhelming miracle of love on the part of God, that He became man and died for us.
It will be our own downfall if we fail to co-operate with this miracle of love!

The same Jesus, Who died on the Cross for us and revealed His Heart, pierced and flaming with love, will one day appear with the same glorious Sign of the Cross, as our Supreme Judge.
Then, He will say to the wicked: “Depart from me, accursed ones, into everlasting fire!”

God’s justice is, as infinite as His charity!
We must choose either the way of the Cross, the way of love and goodness to which the Sacred Heart of Jesus invites us, or the way of sin, which leads to the gulf of ruin and the final condemnation of the Supreme Judge.
This is the tremendous choice we have to make!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, St Francis de Sales, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 9 June – “He had made a memory of His wonderful works.”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 9 June – Within the Octave if Corpus Christi – 1 Corinthians 23-29, John 6:56-59 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Love.
It signifies Love,
It produces love.
The Eucharist is the consummation
of the whole spiritual life.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor angelicus/Doctor communis

“The Holy Eucharist
is the perfect Communion of Saints,
for it is the food common to Angels
and sainted souls in Paradise
and ourselves – it is the true Bread
of which all Christians participate.
The forgiveness of sins,
the Author of forgiveness being there, is confirmed;
the seed of our resurrection sown,
life everlasting bestowed. …
This very belief in the Most Holy Sacrament,
which, in truth, reality and substance,
contains the true and natural
Body of Our Lord,
is actually the abridgment of our Faith,
according to that of the Psalmist:
“He had made a memory of His wonderful works.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis