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Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on PEACE, Quotes on SALVATION

Thought for the Day – 29 August – Avarice and Ambition

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

Avarice and Ambition

“What is our attitude in regard to these matters?
We are not forbidden, naturally, to look after our own affairs and our work.
In fact, it is our duty to do so, to whatever degree is demanded by the circumstances in which we live.
Similarly, it is not forbidden to try to better our social position.
But, all this must be done, however, with a due sense of proportion and by the proper means.

The first concern in our life should be the service of God.
This is what we were created for; this is what we must wholeheartedly aim at doing.
Only in this way can we secure peace of mind and attain eternal salvation.
Everything else must be secondary to our ultimate purpose in life.
Otherwise, God would be in a position inferior to ourselves and this would be equivalent to robbing, for ourselves, the honour and glory due to our Creator and Redeemer!
Think earnestly about this truth.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DANTE ALIGHIERI!, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 28 August – The Creation

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

The Creation

“Dante describes the Creation beautifully as “Eternal Love expanded into new loves.”
Heaven and earth, Angels and men and all created beings, are nothing more than an expansion of this Eternal Love, into new loves.
Love unites and fills everything.
Everywhere in Heaven and on earth, there is love, there is need of love.
But whom shall we love?
The creatures who surround us?
Yes.
We may and should love them.
They are rays of the Light and Beauty of God.
We should love them because they reflect the Power and Glory of God.
But, we must not become attached to them.
We must not try to find, happiness and peace of mind in them.
They cannot give us contentment, for our hearts are made for something greater.
God made creatures for Himself, as St Augustine says and, therefore, our hearts will not rest until they rest in Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, St Francis de Sales, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 27 August – Intimacy with Jesus

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

Intimacy with Jesus

“The union of love which should exist between Jesus and ourselves, is modelled on the mysterious union between Jesus and His Heavenly Father.

(1) This intimacy between ourselves and Jesus should be, first of all, in the mind.
Our thoughts will be good when we think like God and with the mind of Jesus, “Who is the true Light Who enlightens every man who comes into the world” (Jn 1:9).
If we stray away from that Light, darkness overwhelms us, even as it pervaded the earth during the Agony of Jesus Christ.
Our intelligence is a ray of light which comes from God, we should take care not to allow this ray to be separated from its Divine source.
This heavenly ray always shone on the faces of the Saints because they were clean of heart and close to God.
That is how we should all be.

(2) In the second place, we should be united intimately with Jesus in our sentiments.
“Have this mind in you which was also in Jesus Christ” (Phil 2:5) says St Paul.
Our love must not be abstract or partial but must be all-absorbing.
Jesus calls us friends and friendship unites two hearts as one.
We must give ourselves completely to Jesus without reserving anything for ourselves.
True holiness is found when God and man are united like two faithful constant friends.

(3) In the third place, there must be intimacy in action.
It is not possible for a man who truly loves God to do anything which would offend Him.
Jesus compares the love which we should have for Him with the love which He has for His Heavenly Father, so we should model our lives continuously on the life of Jesus.
Jesus must work in us, as He did in St Paul and all the Saints.

St Francis de Sales writes, that Jesus should always be in our minds, in our hearts, in our eyes and on our tongue.
We should be living images of Jesus and we must, therefore, live and act for Him, with Him and in Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in ADVENT QUOTES, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CHILDREN, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY INFANCY, The NATIVITY of JESUS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 August – “And whoever receives one such little child for My sake, receives Me.” – Matthew 18:5

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One Minute Reflection – 27 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Joseph Calasanz (1557-1648) Confessor, Priest –Wisdom 10:10-14; Matthew 18:1-5 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And whoever receives one such little child for My sake, receives Me.” – Matthew 18:5

REFLECTION – “Could God not have made the human person perfect right from the beginning? For God, Who has always been identical with Himself and Who is not created, everything is possible. But because the existence of the created beings began after God’s, they are necessarily inferior to God, Who made them … Thus, since they are created, they are not perfect. When they have just been born, they are small children and as small children, they are neither accustomed to, nor have they had practice in, perfect conduct … Thus, God could give perfection to the human person right from the beginning but, the human person was incapable of receiving this perfection, for he was only a small child.

And that is why, in the last times, when our Lord gathered up all things in Himself (Eph 1:10), He came to us, not in His power but, in such a way, we were able to see Him. For He could have come to us in His inexpressible glory but, we were not yet able to bear the greatness of His glory. … Although the Word of God was perfect, with humankind He became a small Child, not for Himself but because of the state of childhood, in which was humankind.” – St Irenaeus (c130-202) Bishop of Lyons, Martyr, Father of the Church (Against the Heresies IV 38, 1-2).

PRAYER – O God, Who through St Joseph, Thy Confessor, did graciously will to provide Thy Church with a new method for the training of youth, in the spirit of understanding and holiness grant, we beseech Thee, that, following his example and through his intercession, we may live and teach so as to acquire an everlasting reward. Through esus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 26 August – The Search for God

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

The Search for God

“All men are looking for God, whether they are aware of it or not.
They are discontented and cannot understand why.
They do not realise, that the real source of their discontent, is that they have not found God and God alone can make men happy.
The Blessed Virgin had to put up with many sorrows but, she never had to bear the pain which afflicts the rest of us, to a greater or a lesser degree, the pain of separation from God.
Even when she lost the Child Jesus, she still possessed God in her soul, for she had surrendered herself completely to Him.
Throughout her life, she remained united to God in joy and in sorrow.
God’s will was her will, His desires were her desires.

If we wish to be worthy sons of Mary, we must imitate her in this.
Let us consider the nature of our most intimate thoughts and desires.
How often we forget God!
How little we really think of Him.
We are absorbed in so many other affairs that we forget Him, Who should be the centre of our plans.
We are too fond of ourselves and of our own comfort and interests.
As a result, we forget Him, to Whom we owe everything and Who should be the final goal of our lives.
Our hearts are very small.
If we fill them with worldly desires, there is no room for God.
But God should be the absolute master of our souls.

Let us empty ourselves of useless worldly preoccupations and make room for spiritual aims.
Let us make room for God.
Like Mary, let God be our only preoccupation,
If we look for Him in everything, we shall find Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in ABOUT Antonio Bacci, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on VOCATIONS

Thought for the Day – 25 August – The Parable of the Talents

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

The Parable of the Talents

“As a general rule, God gives us three kinds of talents.
There are – (1) material, like health or riches; (2) intellectual and moral, such as intelligence, personality and ability and (3) supernatural, like Divine grace, a vocation, or extraordinary powers.
God lavishly distributes all these talens to whomsoever He pleases and in accordance with His own hidden dessigns.

We have no right, therefore, to envy the talents of others, nor, to be discontented with our own.
Rather, we should be grateful to God for whatever He has given us and remember that sufferings and deprivations may also be used as a means of self-sanctification.

If we cheerfully accept and offer to God, our lack of certain talents, we can gain great merit in His eyes.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS

Thought for the Day – 24 August – Mary’s Patience

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

Mary’s Patience

“We too, have our share of suffering and humiliation.
It is useless to try to escape from it, useless to rebel against it.
If we embrace the cross patiently and lovingly, a Jesus and Mary did, it will seem lighter, even welcome.
If we attempt to cast it from us, it will weigh more heavily on our shoulders.

There are two kinds of men, those who bear their cross, patiently and embrace it because they wish to be like Jesus and, those who do not want to suffer and rebel.
The former may stagger beneath their daily burden but, they have peace of soul because they are putting into practice, the great Gospel precept: “By your patience, you will win your souls” (Lk 21:19).
They know that they are on the path to Heaven and this thought is consolation, which cannot be taken from them.
The second group of men, rebel against the cross and, therefore, suffer doubly, in body and in soul.
“The senseless man,” the Holy Spirit says, “loves not to be reproved” (Prov 15:12).

To which of these two categories do we belong?
Do we love our cross, or do we carry it patiently, at least?
Anyone who does not want the cross, does not want Jesus.
Let the example of Mary and of the Saints inspire us.
They always bore their burden patiently, they even looked for suffering and humiliation.
If we cannot reach such heroic heights, let us at last, accept, from the hands of Our Lord, the cross which He offers us.
Let us accept the sufferings which we meet on the way of life.
If we are not heroic enough to seek to be unknown and mortified, let us resolve to accept, patiently, the inevitable sorrows of life.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in ACT of ADORATION, ACT of CONTRITION, ACT OF FAITH, HOPE & CHARITY, ACT of LOVE, ACT of PERFECT CONTRITION, ACT of REPARATION, EVENING and NIGHT Prayers, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH

Thought for the Day – 23 August – Evening Prayer

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

Evening Prayer

“A page in the story of our lives is closed.
For all we know, it may be our last.
Sleep is a symbol of death.
How can we be certain that this night will not be our last?

A large number of people die during their sleep.
For this reason, our night prayers should include an Act of sincere and perfect Contrition for our sins, an Act of Love for God, our supreme benefactor and an Act of complete resignation to His Will.

When we are in bed, we should repeat the words of Jesus on the Cross, “Father, into Thy Hands, I commit my spirit” (Lk 23:46).
If this prayer is on our lips and in our heart, we can sleep in peace.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in ABOUT Antonio Bacci, QUOTES on PATIENCE

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

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

Patience

“An outward show of patience, will hardly avail us much in God’s eyes, unless it is accompanied by interior patience which, consists in the possession of complete mastery over all our faculties.
We should be able to control our feelings, as well as our actions.
This is a difficult virtue but, it is the duty of every sincere Catholic, to try and acquire it.
Only the grace of God and constant effort, will enable us to succeed but when we have, at last, mastered our unruly and selfish impulses, we shall have arrived at a state of peace and perfection.

“By your patience, you will win your souls” (Lk 21:19).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Thought for the Day – 21 August – Perseverance

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

Perseverance

“Perseverance may be a difficult virtue but nothing is really difficult to a person of strong resolution.
When the sister of St Thomas Aquinas asked him how to become holy, he replied that it needed only one thing – a firm act of the will, for God will certainly supply the necessary grace.

Think of how much work and sacrifice is required to achieve worldly success.
Cicero wrote that it required constant and tireless labour in order to become a great orator (Cf De Oratore, 1:39).
St Paul cited the example of athletes who are prepared to make such great sacrifices, in order to train themselves to win.
If they are prepared to do so much to gain a perishable crown, he comments, we should be prepared to do much more to gain an imperishable one (Cf 1 Cor 9:25).

The grace of God is the principal weapon upon which we must depend in order to gain our victory.
We should pray for it humbly and perseveringly.
There will be victors and losers in the battle for Heaven as well as in earthly contests.
We must make sure that we are on the winning side!
For this purpose, we should combine fervent and constant prayer with generous co-operation with the grace of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 20 August – The Interior Life

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

The Interior Life

“Let us go to Jesus when we are worn out by conflict and have no strength left.
Let us go to Him when we feel that we can walk no further along the stony path to perfection.
He will help us and restore our courage; He will grant us an increase of grace which is the source of the spiritual life.

It is essential, however, that we should have a spirit of recollection.
If we are dissipated, we shall be unable to hear the Voice of God.
We must speak with God and open our hearts to Him; we must tell Him that we love Him and wish to learn to love Him more and to conform more completely to His designs for us.
Then, we shall find peace and contentment in the interior life, such as the world can neither know, nor communicate.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING

Thought for the Day – 19 August – The Awareness of the Presence of God

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

The Awareness of the Presence of God

the awareness of the presence of god - bacci 8 aug 2020

“The cultivation of a continual awareness of the presence of God is such a useful practice that many writers regard it as the fundamental principle of the spiritual life.
As St Alphonsus de’Liguori points out, it obliges us to do three thing:
(1) To preserve ourselves completely free from sin;
(2) To practise virtue, in every possible way and
(3) To seek a closer and more loving contact with God (Al Servizio Divino, III, 1,3).

The realisation of the presence of God is a particularly good way of subduing our passions and conquering temptation.
“If we were always aware of God’s presence within us,” writes St Thomas Aquinas, “we should never, or hardly ever, sin” (Opusc 58, c 2).

It is unlikely that a man who is committing sin adverts to the fact that God is watching him and could intervene to punish him at any moment.
He has forgotten the presence of God, his Creator and Redeemer, Who has been so good to him and Who will one day be his judge.
His mind has been darkened and his heart led astray by the deceptive pleasures of this world.

God is far from the sinner because the sinner ignores His inspirations and advice and has, in short, rejected Him.
The unhappy man will never find peace in this world and is doomed to eternal unhappiness in the next.

“If we remained always in the presence of God,” wrote St John Chrysostom, “we should neither conceive, nor do anything evil” (Homil 8, ad, Phil 2).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, REDEMPTIVE Suffering, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The HEART, To JESUS through MARY, To JESUS through MARY

Thought for the Day – 18 August – The Apostolate of Prayer

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

The Apostolate of Prayer

“Everybody cannot be an Apostle in the strict sense of the word.
Not everyone can dedicate his whole life to the expansion of God’s Kingdom upon earth and to the conversion of pagans, heretics and sinners.
Everyone can, however, do a little in this cause.
Perhaps you cannot leave your family as the missionaries do and travel to distant lands to extend the Kingdom of God.
Perhaps you cannot enter a Convent or dedicate yourself to God as a Priest or a Religious because you have not received this high vocation from God.
We know, however, that each one of us has some responsibility for his neighbour and must help him whenever possible.
“Go surety for your neighbour according to your means ” (Eccles 29:20).

Now, the ‘Apostleship of Prayer’ offers everybody a simple way of doing exactly this.
Its object is to promote the glory of God and the salvation of souls, especially by means of prayer in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Besides prayer, we must offer the actions and sufferings of each day.
Let us decide to become one, with all the faithful, in offering the prayers and actions and sufferings of each day to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of His Mother Mary.

We shall certainly receive showers of graces, both for ourselves and for the salvation of the souls of our neighbours.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The IMITATION of MARY

Thought for the Day – 17 August – Mary, the Source of Holiness

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

Mary, the Source of Holiness

“Since we are Mary’s children, we should try and reproduce her holiness in ourselves.
Although, it is higher than that of the Angels, her sanctity is easy to imitate.
There is no record that she ever had ecstasies or worked miracles.
Her’s was a perfect internal sanctity, consisting of total conformity with the Will of God and an intense love for Him.
We must aspire to this kind of holiness and model our lives upon it.
There is no point in arguing that it is sufficient to be good Catholics and, that it is not necessary to be holy.
A Catholic, to be truly such, MUST be holy!

St Paul referred to the early faithful as saints (Eph 1:1).
“You are a chosen race,” said St Peter, “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people,” (1 Peter 1:16, Lev 11:44)
“You are to be perfect,” Jesus Himself had commanded, “even as your heavenly Father is perfect,” (Mt 5:48),
This was the reason, He indicated why He had come into the world – “that they may have life and have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10).
This is the purpose of the Gospel and this must be the purpose of our lives.
Some day, we shall either be holy in Heaven, or we shall be damned.
We shall either be Saints in Heaven or condemned forever in Hell.
This truth merits careful though – everything else is passing but this is something which will never pass away.
This command to sanctify ourselves is a reality which is present at every moment of our lives.
Let us do our best to obey it, at any cost!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 August – Wisdom on Humility

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Quote/s of the Day – 17 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Hyacinth OP (1185-1257) ) Confessor – 1 Corinthians 12:2-11 – Luke 18:9-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled
and he who humbles himself, shall be exalted.”

Luke 18:14

“The one who requests less than he deserves from God
will surely obtain more than he deserves.   
This is clearly shown by the tax-collector
who requested forgiveness but obtained justification.   
And the thief merely requested
to be remembered in His Kingdom
but he inherited Paradise!”

St John Climacus (c525-606)

te-one-who-requests-less-st-john-climacus-30march-2019 and 21 march 2020

“The most perfect degree of humility
is to take pleasure in contempt and humiliations.
Contempt suffered patiently,
is worth more before God,
for love of Him, than
a thousand fastings and disciplines.”

“Humility is a Descending Charity
and Charity is an Ascending Humility.”

“Humility helps us to serenely receive afflictions,
knowing that we deserve them
and to receive blessings with reverence,
knowing that they are undeserved.”

“Let us not lower our eyes
without humiliating the heart , at the same time;
let others not think
we want the last place,
without truly desiring it!”

“Humility makes our lives,
acceptable to God,
meekness, makes us
acceptable to men.”

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

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

Thought for the Day – 16 August – Prayer and Our Lady

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

Prayer and Our Lady

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN QUOTES, MOTHER of GOD, St Francis de Sales, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The INCARNATION, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 August – And of her was born Jesus, Who is called Christ.

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11, Matthew1:1-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And Jacob begot Joseph,
the husband of Mary
and of her was born Jesus,
Who is called Christ.”

Matthew 1:16

“O Mother blest!
And chosen Shrine
wherein the Architect Divine,
Whose Hand contains the earth and sky
vouchsafed in hidden guise to lie;
Blest in the message Gabriel brought;
blest in the work, the Spirit wrought;
Most blest, to bring to human birth,
the long desired of all the earth!”

St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609)
Bishop, Poet, Theologian, Father

“You are more to be valued than the entire creation,
for from you alone the Creator received
a share in the first-fruits of our humanity.
His Flesh was made of your flesh,
His Blood of your blood;
God was nourished by your milk
and your lips kissed the lips of God. …
In His foreknowledge of your dignity,
the God of all the world, has loved you
and, in accordance with His love for you,
He predestined you and called you into being ”

St John Damascene (675-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Our Lord is begotten virginally, from all eternity,
in the bosom of His Heavenly Father.
He shares in the One Divinity of His Eternal Father,
without dividing it or fracturing the Divine Simplicity.
He remains One same God with Him.
The most holy Virgin produced her Son,
Our Lord on earth, as He is produced
by His Father eternally in Heaven that is, virginally.
There is one important difference, however,
she brought Him forth from her womb
and not in her womb,
for once He left it He will no more return there
but His Heavenly Father begets Him
from His bosom and in His bosom
and He will remain there eternally!”

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

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, THE ASSUMPTION

Thought for the Day – 15 August – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven

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

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven

“The fourth Book of Kings tells us, that the Prophet Elias was taken up into Heaven in a fiery chariot without having first endured the pains and humiliations of death (Cf 4 Kings 2:11).
Why did God not do likewise in the case of the Blessed Virgin, commanding His Angels to bear her to Heaven before death struck her innocent body?
As St Paul says, it was sin which caused death to enter the world.
From the moment of her conception, Mary was free from the slightest taint of sin, for she was immaculate and full of grace.
Nevertheless, according to the most widely held tradition, Mary chose to die, even as her Divine Son had willed to die.
Jesus “was offered because it was His own will” (Isa 53:7).
The same is true in Mary’s case, with only this difference.
Jesus died a cruel death after the most hideous tortures in the midst of a blaspheming and hate-ridden mob.
Nothing like this happened to Mary, although she is called the Queen of Martyrs because of the sword which pierced her soul at the sight of her Divine Son, dying in such agony.

Jesus willed, however, that the immaculate body of His Mother would remain intact.
It was only her great love and intense desire of being reunited with her Son which gradually consumed her mortal life.
Her ever-increasing love for God, broke the bonds of her mortal frame until she went to sleep at last, in the Lord.

If only our death could be the same!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PAPAL DECREE, papal ENCYCLICALS, PAPAL ENCYLICALS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on VICE, THE ASSUMPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 15 August – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven

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Quote/s of the Day – 15 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” –The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven

“In their sermons and speeches
on the Feast day of the Assumption of the Mother of God,
the holy Fathers and the Great Doctors of the Church,
were speaking of something which the faithful already knew
and accepted – all they did, was to bring it out into the open,
to explain its meaning and substance in other terms.
Above all, they made it most clear,
that this Feast commemorated, not merely the fact
that the Blessed Virgin Mary did not experience bodily decay
but also, her triumph over death
and her heavenly glory,
following the example of her only Son, Jesus Christ.”

Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)
From the Apostolic Constitution
“Munificentissimus Deus”
Defining the DOGMA of the Assumption
1 November 1950

“Jesus willed, however, that the Immaculate body
of His Mother would remain intact.
It was only her great love
and intense desire of being reunited with her Son,
which gradually consumed her mortal life.
Her ever-increasing love for God,
broke the bonds of her mortal frame
until she went to sleep at last, in the Lord.
If only our death could be the same!”

“Humility is the Mother of all the virtues,
even as pride is the source of all the vices.
If we wish to share in Mary’s triumph,
we must, first of all, share in her humility.
The glorious Assumption of Mary
contains a lesson in humbility for all of us!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, THE ASSUMPTION

Our Morning Offering – 15 August – Mary, Virgin most Blessed Mother of Mercy

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Our Morning Offering – 15 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven

Mary, Virgin most Blessed
Mother of Mercy
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
(Prayer used as part of the Assumption Novena)

O Mary, Virgin most Blessed
and Mother of Our Lord
and Redeemer, Jesus Christ,
through thy mercy I beseech thee,
to come to my aid
and to inspire me
with such confidence in thy power
that I may have recourse to thee,
pray to thee
and implore thy aid,
in all needs of soul and body.
Amen

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 14 August – “Holy Mary”

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

“Holy Mary”

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

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, The ANNUNCIATION, THE ASSUMPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 14 August – Fly, My Soul, with Mary Fly!

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Vigil of the Assumption

“And Jacob begot Joseph,
the husband of Mary and of her
was born Jesus, Who is called Christ.”

Matthew 1:16

“Truly, “thou art blessed among women”
for without the seed of man
thou bore the Fruit Who gives a blessing
to the whole earth and frees it from being condemned
to produce only thorns.”

St Sophronius of Jerusalem (c560-638)
Bishop, Father of the Church

Fly, My Soul, with Mary Fly!
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor
(From “The Glories of Mary”)
Trans. Redemptoris Fathers, 1931)

Fly, my soul, with Mary fly!
Soar beyond the golden sky,
Mount to Mary’s throne on high.

Bright the queenly crown she won,
Sweet the reign she has begun,
As she stands beside her Son.
Fly, my soul, with Mary fly.

How endure this long delay?
Living here, how can I stay
From such beauty far away?
Fly, my soul, with Mary fly.

Sad my lot is here below;
Who can hope or life bestow?
Who will help or pity show?
Fly, my soul, with Mary fly.

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HOPE, Quotes on SALVATION

Thought for the Day – 13 August – “Mary, Our Hope”

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

“Mary, Our Hope”

“These expressions of confidence in Mary’s powerful intercession, should not lead us astray, however.
They hold good with absolute certainty, only for those who have true devotion to Mary.
Even if they are sinners, such clients of Mary, must have at least the good intention of changing their lives and never offending God again.
Sin and sincere devotion to Our Lady, cannot co-exist!
“Relinquish every intention of sinning.” St Gregory VII wrote to the Princess Matilde, “and you will find Mary more eager to help you than any earthly mother” (Lib 1, Ep 47).

We should ask, furthermore, for spiritual favours first of all.
Later we can ask for temporal favours, if they are to our spiritual advantage.

Finally, if we are to have a true devotion to Mary, we must love and imitate her. as well as pray to her.
Anyone who sincerely tries to do all this, is certain of salvation!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, St PAUL!

Thought for the Day – 12 August – Faith and Charity

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

Faith and Charity

“Faith is a wonderful thing.
As has been said, it is a supernatural gift from God which we should keep alive by prayer.
Faith alone is not enough, however.
It is the foundation, on which we must build the structure of our Christian life.
It is especially necessary for it to be united to the flame of charity.
“Without love,” says St Augustine, “there is only the faith which the devil has” (De Caritate 10) because, as St James explains, “the devil also believes and trembles” (Js 2:19).
We, however, should believe and love.
We must combine faith with charity towards God and towards our neighbour.
Our faith should be active.
As St Paul says, it should work under the influence of charity (Gal 5:6).
Without charity and good works, faith is a lifeless thing.

If we really believe, we should love God above all things, even more than we love ourselves and, we should be ready to make any sacrifice for Him, even the sacrifice of our lives.

Faith should induce us to think constantly of God and charity should urge us to do everytig for His sake, rather than for any lesser purpose.
If we lack this kind of charity, we cannot claim to be sincere Christians.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRATITUDE

Thought for the Day – 11 August – How to Remain Aware of the Presence of God

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

How to Remain Aware of the Presence of God

“It is useful to consider the ways in which we can develop a constant and effective awareness of the Presence of God.
The first way in which we can do this, is by cultivating a lively faith, which will help us to see God everywhere.
“Do not I fill heaven and earth, saith the Lord?” (Jer 23:24).

This kind of faith should deepen our sense of God’s Presence and inspire in us sentiments of love and gratitude, which will guide us in all our actions.
We cannot expect that we shall be able to remain in a state of constant contemplation of God, for this is the privilege enjoyed by the blessed in Heaven, for whom faith has been replaced by the Beatific Vision.
We must be satisfied with exciting in ourselves, as often as possible, the active awareness of God’s Presence.
This should be a quiet and peaceful process, not involving undue mental effort or anxiety.

We should be able to attend quite naturally to our work and other obligations and, we should be helped and consoled in this, by directing our thoughts to God from time to time, in order to offer ourselves to Him.
This can easily be done by means of frequent ejaculatory prayer, by renewing, at regular intervals, our intention of doing everything for the love of God and by being prepared to endure, in complete acceptance of the Divine Will, all the hardships and trials of the day.
Whenever it is possible, moreover, we should escape from the care and confusion of the world into a quiet Church.
Here we can kneel in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Eucharist and express, in intimate prayer, our love for Him and our desire to serve Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, St Francis de Sales, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 11 August – Why do you put yourself in trouble?God is good; He sees very well what you are.”

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Tiburtius (Died c286) Martyr, Layman, St Susanna of Rome (Died c 295) Virgin Martyr, St Philomena (Died 304) Virgin Martyr – Hebrews 11:33-39– 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

“[He] hath called you out of darkness
into His marvellous Light … ”

1 Peter 2:9

“In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart, I have conquered the world.”
John 16:33

“Who will be crowned without having fought?
Who will go to rest if he is not tired
(cf. 2 Tim 2:5-6)?
Who will gather the fruits of life
without having planted virtues in his soul?
Cultivate them, prepare the earth
with the greatest care,
take trouble over it, sweat over it, children,
God’s workers,
imitators of the Angels,
competitors with incorporeal beings,
lights for those who are in the world.
(cf. Phil 2:15)!”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)

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

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

“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

“We think not enough of this Truth –
that God is present with us
that He sees our thoughts,
even long before we have them.
That He knows what we think
and shall think, better than we ourselves
that He sees the folds and recesses,
of our heart
and of this other Truth –
that NOTHING HAPPENS to us
but by the order of Providence.
We should all be Saints,
if we well apprehended these Truths.
And truly, it is a great consolation,
to know that God sees
the bottom of our heart.”

St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
Disciple and Collaborator with
St Francis de Sales in Founding
the Sisters of the Visitation

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 11 August – Therefore, do not be afraid, you are of more value than many sparrows. – Luke 12:6-7

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One Minute Reflection – 11 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Tiburtius (Died c286) Martyr, Layman, St Susanna of Rome (Died c 295) Virgin Martyr, St Philomena (Died 304) Virgin Martyr – Hebrews 11:33-39– 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 – May the constant protection of Thy holy Martyrs, Tiburtius and Susanna and Philomena support us, O Lord, for Thou never fails to look mercifully upon those whom Thou, hast given the help, of such intercession. 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).

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, Lady POVERTY, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on the POOR, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 10 August– The Blessedness of the Poor

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

The Blessedness of the Poor

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

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/28/thought-for-the-day

Posted in "Follow Me", FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUTH, St Francis de Sales, The FLIGHT into EQYPT, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 August – If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me …

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Lawrence (Died 258) Martyr, “Keeper of the Treasures of he Church” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-10; John 12:24-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“If it dies, it produces much fruit.”

John 12:24

“If anyone serves Me,
he must follow Me
and where I Am,
there will My servant be too.”

John 12:26

“The present is nothing.
But eternity abides
for those on whom
all Truth, all Good, has shone,
in One Entire and Perfect Light. ”

St Paulinus of Nola (c354-431)

“Destroy yourself completely
and sit, like a chick,
content with the grace of God,
for unless its mother gives it something,
it tastes nothing and has nothing to eat.”

St Romuald (c951-1027)

“Our greatest fault is, that
we wish to serve God in our way,
not in His way — according to our will,
not according to His Will….
To be truly a Saint, it is necessary
to be one according to the Will of God.”

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

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, The LORD'S PRAYER

Thought for the Day – 9 August – “Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread”

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

“Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread”

“In the second part of the Lord’s Prayer, we ask the universal Father, on behalf of ourselves and of our brethren, for all things necessary for soul and body.
Since we have already paid homage to God, our Creator and our Redeemer and, have prayed for the triumph of His Kingdom and for the accomplishment of His Will in Heaven and on earth, Our Lord does not forbid us to think now of ourselves and to pray for our own needs.
“Give us this day our daily bread,” we ask, intending to pray, both for our spiritual and material requirements.

We should not delude ourselves into imagining that it is we who produce the fruits of the earth.
A grain of wheat dies beneath the soil but God has infused into it, a mysterious force as a result of which, in dying, it generates new life.

The moisture of the soil, the warmth of the air and the light of the sun combine to develop this mysterious life-force, which produces the green stalk and then the flaxen ear of corn which provides us with bread.
It is God Who has given this vital power to this tiny seed, as well as to all the other seeds of the soil.
It is He Who has endowed the soil with the nutritive elements from which the seeds draw life and it is He, Who sends the dew, the rain and the sunshine, which cause the flowers to blossom and the plants to bear fruit.

We should ask God humbly, therefore, to “give us this day our daily bread.”
Our own labours would be futile without the intervention of the all-powerful Creator.
We are capable, neither of producing, nor of destroying a single atom nor a single seedling.
Without God, we are incapable of achieving anything, either inthe natural or in the supernatural order.
Therefore, we must ask Him to provide us with what we need.
He is supremely good and loves us very much.
His Providence will not leave us in want, even if we are often obliged to work with all our energy, in co-operation with Him to procure the necessaries of life.
The birds have no granary, yet they manage to find enough seed to keep them alive because God is watching over them.
How could we suppose, that He will not look after us, if we turn to Him with trust and perseverance?”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci