Posted in DIVINE MERCY, FATHERS of the Church, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – Forgive and be forgiven

Quote/s of the Day – 2 June – Pentecost Friday – Joel 2:23-24; 26-27, Luke 5:17-26 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Thy sins are forgiven thee …
Arise and walk.”

Luke 5:23

Prayer for Mercy
and Forgiveness
By St Macarius of Egypt (c 300-390)

Lord, be merciful now
that my life is approaching its end
and the evening awaits me.
There is not enough time
for me to cleanse myself of my sins,
for they are so many.
Heal me while I am still on earth
and I shall be truly healthy.
In Thy mercy,
move me to repent,
so that I shall not be ashamed,
when I meet Thee in Heaven.
Amen

What evil can your enemy do to you
which would be comparable to that,
which you do to yourself? …
If you let yourself go, in indignation and anger,
you will be wounded, not because of the injury
your enemy inflicted upon you
but, from the resentment you feel because of it.
So do not say: “He insulted me, he slandered me,
he did a great number of wretched things to me.”
The more you say he did evil things to you,
the more you show that he did you good,
since he gave you an opportunity
to purify yourself of your sins.
Thus, the more he offends you,
the more he places you in a state
of obtaining the forgiveness of your faults from God.
For if we want, no-one can damage us;
even our enemies are thus doing us a great service…
So consider how many advantages
you draw from an injury that is suffered humbly
and gently!

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

Then the righteous shall shine like the sun
in the kingdom of their Father.

Matthew 13:43

So from now on, run well (cf. Gal 5:7)
and may the devil not bewitch you (cf Gal 3:1)
nor hinder you! …
May mercy, peace, charity,
freedom from envy,
from jealousy and ostentation
come upon you, docility, friendly speech,
solidarity, compassion
towards each other, humility.

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)

By sin, O Jesus,
I gave Thee Thy Death
but I do not despair of Thy Forgiveness.
Those Scourges call me,
those Arms extended invite me
that injured Heart offers me
a secure shelter.

St Gabriel Francis Possenti
of Our Lady of Sorrows (1838-1862)

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Posted in BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Our MORNING Offering, PENTECOST, PRAYERS, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on FAITH, The HOLY SPIRIT

Our Morning Offering – 28 May – Patris et Filii Concordia, Come Holy Spirit, Love of Father and Son.

Our Morning Offering – 28 May – Pentecost Sunday

Patris et Filii Concordia
Come Holy Spirit,
Love of Father and Son.

By St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O COME to me, my only Hope,
O Lord my God.
Come to me, true Light,
Father, Almighty God.
Come, Light from Light,
both Word and Son of God,
God Almighty.
Come Holy Spirit, Love of Father and Son,
One God Almighty.
Come One Almighty God,
Father and Son and Holy Spirit.

Teach faith, stir up hope, pour out love.
Thy will is present with me
(yet not from me but from Thee)
to leave the world and the earth
and to seek the Heavens.
But this will is a feeble feather, without Thy help.
Give wings of faith
that I might fly on high to Thee.
Amen

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, PARTIAL Indulgence, PATRONAGE - IMPOSSIBLE CAUSES, PLENARY Indulgences, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 22 May – 2 Prayers to St Rita of Cascia

Quote/s of the Day – 22 May – St Rita of Cascia (1386-1457) Mother, Widow, Stigmatist, Consecrated Religious, Mystic

Saint Rita (1381-1457) was born at Cascia in Umbria, Italy.
At the age of twelve she was forced to marry an ill-tempered nobleman, who was a heavy cross to her for many years.
After his death she joined the Augustinian nuns.
Our Lord sealed His love for her by piercing her brow with a thorn from His sacred Crown.
Saint Rita is almost without equal as the shining model of the unmarried, of wives and mothers and of religious.
Her Patronage extends to Impossible Causes and Wives in Abusive Marriages.

Indulgenced Prayer to St Rita

O God, who didst deign to communicate
so great grace to Saint Rita
that she imitated Thine example,
in the love of enemies and bore in her heart
and on her countenance,
the Sacred marks of Thy love and Passion;
grant, we beseech Thee,
by her merits and intercession,
that we may love our enemies
and ever contemplate,
with deep contrition,
the sorrows of Thy Passion,
Who livest and reignest world without end.
Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day.
Plenary Indulgence on the usual conditions,
if the daily recitation of this prayer is continued for a month.

A Prayer to St Rita
When in Special Need

O powerful St Rita,
rightly called Saint of the Impossible,
I come to you with confidence in my great need.
You know well my trials,
for you yourself were many times burdened in this life.
Come to my aid, speak for me,
pray with me, intercede on my behalf
before the Father.
I know that God has a most generous heart
and that He is a most loving Father.
Join your prayers to mine
and obtain for me the grace I desire
……………… (here mention your request).
You who were so very pleasing to God on earth
and are so much now in Heaven,
I promise to use this favour, when granted,
to better my life, to proclaim God’s Mercy
and to make you more widely known and loved.
Amen
.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 27 April – The Universal Prayer by St Peter Canisius

Our Morning Offering – 27 April – St Peter Canisius (1521-1597) – Confessor, Doctor of the Church, Dutch Priest of the Society of Jesus, Reformer, Teacher, Writer, Apostle of Charity.

The Universal Prayer
By St Peter Canisius (1521-1597)
Doctor of the Church

Almighty, Eternal God, Lord, heavenly Father,
look with Thine eyes of undeserved compassion
on our sorrow, misery and need.
Have mercy on all the Christian faithful,
for whom Thine Only-begotten Son,
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
was content to give Himself into the hand of sinners
and shed His Precious Blood on the wood of the Holy Cross.
For the sake of the Lord Jesus, most gracious Father,
avert our well-deserved punishments,
present danger and future threats, harm and outrage,
arms and warfare, dearth and misfortune,
sickness and sorrowful, miserable times.
Enlighten and strengthen, in all goodness,
our spiritual leaders and earthly rulers
that they may do everything to further Thine honour as God,
our salvation, the common peace,
and the welfare of all Thy people.
Grant us, O God of peace, a true unity in faith,
free of all division and separation.
Convert our hearts to true repentance
and amendment of life.
Kindle in us the fire of Thy love;
give us hunger and zeal for justice in all things,
so that we, as obedient children through life unto death,
may be pleasing to Thee and find favour in Thy sight.
We pray too, O God, as Thou willed that we should pray,
for our friends and enemies, for the healthy and the sick,
for all Christians in sadness and distress,
for the living and the dead.
To Thee, O Lord, be entrusted, whatever we do,
whatever our path, our work and our dealings,
our living and dying.
Let us delight in Thy grace, here in this world
and attain the next, with all Thy chosen ones,
to praise, honour and extol Thee,
in unending joy and blessedness.
Grant us this, O Lord, heavenly Father,
through Jesus Christ, Thy Beloved Son,
Who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Ghost,
One God, forever and ever.
Amen

The abrove prayer, with spaces for responses after each petition,
was a sixteenth Century form of the Prayer of the Faithful within the classic Latin Roman rite, (with Priestly orations and litanies in Latin), popular for 450 years in the French, English, Irish and German-speaking Church.

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE MERCY, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 April – Our Lady of Good Counsel

Quote/s of the Day – 26 April – Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel

This prayer to our Lady of Good Counsel, like many other Marian prayers, asks for Our Blessed Mother’s help in obtaining our salvation.
Note the reference to our earthly existence as being a “vale of tears,
an expression we find too in the Salve Regina, the Hail Holy Queen.

Prayer to Our Mother of Good Counsel

Most Glorious Virgin
chosen by the Eternal Counsel
to be the Mother
of the Eternal Word made flesh,
thou, who art the Treasurer of Divine Graces
and the Advocate of Sinners,
I, thy most unworthy servant,
have recourse to thee;
be thou pleased to be my Guide
and Counsellor in this vale of tears.
Obtain for me,
through the Most Precious Blood
of thy Divine Son,
the forgiveness of my sins,
the salvation of my soul
and the means necessary to obtain it.
In like manner,
obtain for Holy Mother the Church,
victory over her enemies
and the spread of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ
upon the whole earth.
Amen

Pope Paul II sent two Bishops to investigate the image of Our Lady of Good Counsel and the numerous miracles that took place, following its appearance at this Church (by one account 171 alone in the period from 27 April to 14 August 1467)!

The fresco is still there to this day, having survived earthquakes over the Centuries and even aerial bombardment during World War II which destroyed much of the Church.

Many Popes have been great champions of Our Lady of Good Counsel
and her image. Pope Paul II first approved devotion to her. Popes Urban VIII and Pius IX made visits to the Church in Genazzano to honour her.
In 1753 Pope Benedict XIV established the Pious Union of Our Lady of Good Counsel which has included, among its members, the Popes Pius VIII, Pius IX, Leo XIII and Pius XII,the last, who placed his Papacy under her maternal care. He later composed this prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel which can be used as a novena:

O Mother of Good Counsel
By Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)

O Holy Virgin, to whose feet we are led
by our anxious uncertainty in our search for
and attainment of, what is true and good,
invoking thee by the sweet title of Mother of Good Counsel,
we beseech thee to come to our assistance,
when, along the road of this life,
the darkness of error and of evil
conspire towards our ruin,
by leading our minds and our hearts astray.
O Seat of Wisdom and Star of the Sea,
enlighten the doubtful and the erring
that they, be not seduced,
by the false appearances of good;
render them steadfast in the face of the hostile
and corrupting influences, of passion and of sin.
O Mother of Good Counsel,
obtain for us from thy Divine Son,
a great love of virtue and,
in the hour of uncertainty and trial,
the strength to embrace the way
which leads to our salvation.
If thy hand sustains us,
we shall walk unmolested,
along the path indicated to us,
by the Life and Words of Jesus, our Redeemer
and, having followed freely and securely,
even in the midst of this world’s strife,
the Sun of Truth and Justice,
under thy maternal Star,
we shall come to the enjoyment of full
and eternal peace, with thee,
in the Haven of Salvation.
Amen

It is also worth noting, especially in these uncertain times for the Church as for the world (and in many ways, the two may be said to be linked together!) that Our Blessed Mother is ready, willing and more than able,
to help us i“in the midst of this world’s strife.
We need only to approach her for assistance, in drawing closer to Jesus with fervent, humble prayer and devotion.

Keep in mind too, regarding the line in the first of our prayers above about our Church’s “victory over her enemies” that, in 1571, St Pius V credited Our Lady of Good Counsel with having assisted the Holy League of forces from Catholic maritime states, to defeat the Muslim Ottoman Empire in the famous Battle of Lepanto. This was a decisive victory which kept Italy from being overrun by the Muslims. Let us also pray to Mary for help, as Pope Pius V did, in the midst of our own battles! Amen.

Our Lady of Genazzano (1467) / Our Lady of Good Counsel (Memorial) – 26 April:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/26/our-lady-of-genazzano-1467-our-lady-of-good-counsel-and-memorials-of-the-saints-26-april/

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SACRED HEART QUOTES, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 19 April – How Great is Your Goodness, Lord!

Our Morning Offering – 19 April – Feria Day, Wednesday in the Second Week of Easter

How Great is Your Goodness, Lord!
By Archbishop Baldwin
of Canterbury (c 1125-1190)

How great is Your goodness, Lord,
Who does not shrink from letting Your servant,
place You upon his heart!
How great my own worth,
since You have chosen me
to have part in Yours,
to have You abiding in me,
to love You as You deserve, above myself.
Lord, take from me this hard heart
and give me a new, clean heart
of flesh and blood.
You Who make my heart pure,
take possession of mine
and make it Your home.
Hold it and fill it,
You, Who are higher than my topmost height,
more inward than my inward being.
You, the Seal of Holiness,
Beauty of beauties,
engrave on my heart, Your Image
and the imprint of Your mercy.
Be, O God, my eternal love
and my inheritance.
Amen

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica / Our Lady of Lyons, France (1643), Memorials of the Saints and a Prayer to St Edepitus in Urgent Need – 19 April

Feria Day – Wednesday in the Second Week of Easter

Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica / Our Lady of Lyons, France (1643) – 19 April:
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/19/notre-dame-de-fourviere-basilica-our-lady-of-lyons-france-1643-and-memorials-of-the-saints-19-april/

St Alphege of Winchester (c 953–1012) ArchBishop and Martyr, Monk, Hermit, Abbot, Teacher, Apostle of charit, His body is incorrupt.
About St Alphege:

https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/04/19/saint-of-the-day-19-april-st-alphege/

St Apollonius the Priest
St Aristonicus of Melitene
Blessed Bernard of Sithiu (Died 1182) Penitent, Pilgrim, Hermit

Blessed Conrad of Ascoli OFM (1234-1289) Priest, Friar of the Friars Minor, Missionary, Evangeliser, Penitent, zealous Preacher, Cardinal-elect.
Biography:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/19/saint-of-the-day-19-april-blessed-conrad-of-ascoli-ofm-1234-1289/

St Crescentius of Florence

St Expeditus (Died 303) Roman Centurion, Martyr. Patron of emergencies – of “just and urgent causes” – hence his name.
His Life and Death:

https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/19/saint-of-the-day-19-april-st-expeditus-died-303-martyr/

Prayer to St Expeditus in Urgent Need

Our dear Martyr and protector, Saint Expeditus,
You who know what is necessary
and what is urgently needed.
I beg you to intercede
before the Blessed Trinity
that by your intercession,
my request will be granted.
……………………
(Clearly express your needs
and ask him to find a way to help you.
)
May I receive your blessings and favours.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
One God with the Almighty Father.
Amen.

If Saint Expeditus grants your request, place an advertisement in the local Catholic  newspaper  and/or your Parish Bulletin or Notice Board, thanking Saint Expeditus, so that his name and fame will grow.

St Gaius of Melitene
St Galata of Melitene
St George of Antioch
St Gerold of Saxony

Blessed James Duckett (Died 1602) Layman Martyr.
James Duckett was Beatified by Pope Pius XI on 15 December 1929.
His Life and Death:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/19/saint-of-the-day-19-april-blessed-james-duckett-died-1602-layman-martyr/

St Pope Leo IX (1002-1054) known as “Apostolic Pilgrim
When the German Pope Damasus II died in 1048, Bishop Bruno was selected by the Emperor, Henry III, to succeed him.   Bruno agreed to go to Rome and to accept the Papacy if freely elected thereto by the Roman people.   He wished, at least, to rescue the See of Peter from its servitude to the German Emperors.   When, in company with Hildebrand he reached Rome and presented himself to its people clad in pilgrim’s guise and barefooted but still tall and fair to look upon, they cried out with one voice that him and no other would they have as Pope.   Assuming the name of Leo, he was solemnly enthronedon 12 February, 1049.
Biography:

https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/04/19/saint-of-the-day-19-april-st-pope-leo-ix-1002-1954/

St Martha of Persia
St Rufus of Melitene
St Vincent of Collioure

Martyrs of Carthage – 17 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred in the persecutions of Decius. We know little more than the names – Aristo, Basso, Credula, Donato, Ereda, Eremio, Fermo, Fortunata, Fortunio, Frutto, Julia, Mappalicus, Martial, Paul, Venusto, Victorinus and Victor. Died in the year 250 in prison in Carthage, North Africa (modern Tunis, Tunisia).

Posted in HYMNS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, St JOSEPH

Our Morning Offering – 30 March – Ad Te, Beate Joseph, To Thee, O Blessed Joseph

Our Morning Offering – 30 March –“The Month of the St Joseph”- As tomorrow is the Lenten Friday of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin, let us bid St Joseph’s month goodbye today.

Ad Te, Beate Joseph
To Thee, O Blessed Joseph
By Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

O most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family,
defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ.
O most loving father,
ward off from us,
every contagion of error
and corrupting influence.
O our most mighty protector,
be propitious to us
and from heaven assist us
in our struggle with the power of darkness
and, as once you rescued the Child Jesus
from deadly peril,
so now protect God’s Holy Church
from the snares of the enemy
and from all adversity.
Shield, too, each one of us
by your constant protection,
so that, supported by your example
and your aid, we may be able
to live piously,
to die holy
and to obtain eternal happiness in Heaven.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, LENT 2023, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on REPARATION, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 29 March – A Lenten Offering By St Thérèse

Our Morning Offering – 29 March – Wednesday in Passion Week

A Lenten Offering
By St Thérèse of the Child Jesus
and the Holy Face of Lisieux (1873-1897)

O my God!
I offer Thee all my actions of this Lent
for the intentions and for the glory
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart,
my every thought,
my simplest works,
by uniting them to Its Infinite Merits
and I wish to make reparation for my sins,
by casting them into the furnace
of Its Merciful Love.
O my God!
I ask of Thee for myself
and for those whom I hold dear,
the grace to fulfil perfectly Thy Holy Will,
to accept for love of Thee,
the joys and sorrows of this passing life,
so that we may one day
be united together in Heaven,
for all eternity.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Quote of the Day – 27 March – The Night Prayers before Retiring, St John Damascene

Quote of the Day – 27 March – The Feast of St John Damascene (675-749) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

The Night Prayers before Retiring
The Examination of Conscience,
Act of Contrition and Resolutions
By St John Damascene (675-749)
Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church

“ (To be said pointing at the bed:)
O Lord, Lover of men, is this bed to be my coffin,
or wilt Thou enlighten my wretched soul with another day? Here the coffin lies before me
and here death confronts me.
I fear, O Lord, Thy Judgement and the endless torments,
yet I cease not to do evil.
My Lord God, I continually anger Thee
and Thy immaculate Mother,
and all the Heavenly Powers
and my holy Guardian Angel.
I know, O Lord, that I am unworthy of Thy love
but deserve condemnation and every torment.
But, whether I want it or not, save me, O Lord.
For to save a good man is no great thing
and to have mercy on the pure is nothing wonderful,
for they are worthy of Thy mercy.
But show the wonder of Thy mercy to me, a sinner.
In this, reveal Thy love for men,
lest my wickedness prevail over
Thy unutterable goodness and mercy.
And order my life as Thou wilt.
(As sleep is the image of death,
at night we pray for the departed)
With the Saints give rest, O Christ,
to the souls of Thy servants where there is no pain,
no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.

Kiss your Crucifix
and make the Sign of the Cross
from the head to the foot of the bed
and from two sides
and then say the Prayer
:

Hail, Most Precious
and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord!

Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered
and let those, who hate Him,
flee from His Presence.
As smoke vanishes, let them vanish
and as wax melts by the presence of fire,
so let the demons perish by the presence
of those who love God
and who sign themselves
with the Sign of the Cross
and say in gladness:
Hail, Most Precious
and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord,
for Thou drives away the demons
by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ
Crucified on thee, Who went down to hell
and trampled on the power of the devil
and gave us thee, His venerable Cross,
for driving away all enemies.
O Most Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord,
help me with our holy Lady,
the Virgin Mother of God
and with all the Saints throughout the ages.
Amen.

(When about to lie down in bed, say:)
Lighten my eyes, O Christ God, lest I sleep in death
and lest my enemy says: I have prevailed over him.

Glory be to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost.
Be my soul’s Defender, O God,
for I step over many snares.
Deliver me from them
and save me, O Good One,
in Thy love for men.
Now and ever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
Let us not silently hymn
the most glorious Mother of God,
holiest of holy Angels
but confess her with heart and mouth
to be the Mother of God, for she truly bore
God Incarnate for us
and prays without ceasing for our souls.
Amen.

(Just before closing your eyes, say:)
Into Thy hands, O Lord Jesus Christ, my God,
I surrender my spirit and body;
bless me, save me and grant me eternal life.
Amen.

Before retiring, The Examination of Conscience:
(or if one prefers, before beginning prayers)
go through all the points
suggested below in your mind and memory.

  1. Give thanks to Almighty God for granting you during the past day, by His grace, His gifts of life and health.
  2. Examine your conscience by going through each hour of the day, beginning from the time you rose from your bed and recall to memory – where you went, how you acted and reacted towards all persons and other creatures and what you talked about. Recall and consider with all care, your thoughts, words and deeds from morning until the evening.
  3. If you have done any good, do not ascribe it to yourself but to God Who gives us all the good things and thank Him.
    Pray that He may confirm you in this good and enable you to do other good works.
  4. But if you have done anything evil, admit that this comes from yourself and your own weakness, from bad habits or weak will. Repent and pray to the Lover of men that He may forgive you and promise Him firmly, never to do this evil again.
  5. Implore your Creator with tears, to grant you a quiet, undisturbed, pure and sinless night and to enable you, in the coming day, to devote yourself wholly to the glory of His holy Name.
  6. If you find a soft pillow, leave it and put a stone in its place, for Christ’s sake. If you sleep in winter, bear it, saying – Some did not sleep at all!”

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

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, St JOSEPH

Our Morning Offering – 23 March – Glorious St Joseph! By St Francis de Sales

Our Morning Offering – 23 March – Thursday of the Fourth Week in Lent – “The Month of the St Joseph”

Glorious St Joseph!
Prayer for the Intercession
of St Joseph in All Our Needs
By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

Glorious St Joseph, Spouse of Mary,
grant us thy paternal protection,
we beseech thee, by the Heart of Jesus Christ.
O thou, whose power extends
to all our necessities
and can render possible for us,
the most impossible things,
open thy fatherly eyes
to the needs of thy children.
In the trouble and distress
which afflicts us,
we confidently have recourse to thee.
Deign to take under thy charitable charge
this important and difficult matter,
cause of our worries.
Make its happy outcome
be for God’s glory
and for the good of His devoted servants.
Amen.

Posted in NOVENAS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR

NOVENA FOR THE INTERCESSION OF SAINT JOSEPH – DAY SEVEN – Patron of Workers – 17 March

NOVENA FOR THE INTERCESSION OF SAINT JOSEPH

DAY SEVEN

Patron of Workers

Dear Saint Joseph,
you were yourself once faced
with the responsibility
of providing the necessities of life,
for Jesus and Mary.
Look down with fatherly compassion upon us
in our anxiety over inabilities
to support our families.
Please help any insuch need, to find gainful employment very soon,
so that this heavy burden of concern,
will be lifted from their hearts
and that they soon may be able to provide for those
whom God has entrusted to their care.
Help them to guard against bitterness and discouragement,
so that they may emerge from this trial,
spiritually enriched with virtue
and with even greater blessings from God.
We raise our hearts to you
to implore your powerful intercession
in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus
all the graces necessary
for our spiritual and temporal welfare,
particularly the grace of a happy death,
and the special grace I now implore:
…………….. (Mention your request)
Guardian of the Word Incarnate,
We feel confident, that your prayers on our behalf,
will be graciously heard before the throne of God
St Joseph Most Holy Patron of Workers,
Pray for us!
Amen

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father 

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, LENT 2023, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 16 March – My God, Do Not Abandon Me By St Arsenius

Our Morning Offering – 16 March – Thursday of the Third Week in Lent

My God, Do Not Abandon Me
By St Arsenius the Great (c 354-c 449)

My God,
do not abandon me,,
although I have done nothing good
in Your sight
but because You are compassionate,
grant me the power
to make a start.
Amen

About St Arseniuse:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/19/saint-of-the-day-19-july-saint-arsenius-the-great-(c-354-c-449)

Posted in LENT 2023, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Our Morning Offering – 14 March – My Lord and My God

Our Morning Offering – 14 March – Tuesday in the Third Week of Lent

My Lord and My God
By St Nicholas of Flue (1417-1487)

My Lord and my God,
take from me everything
which distances me from Thee.
My Lord and my God,
give me everything
which brings me closer to Thee.
My Lord and my God,
detach me from myself,
to give my all to Thee.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, HOLY COMMUNION, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on PURITY, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Quote/s of the Day – 7 March – St Thomas Aquinas

Quote/s of the Day – 7 March – The Memorial of St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225-1274) Confessor, Doctor

The Cross is my sure salvation.
The Cross it is, which I worship evermore.
The Cross of our Lord is with me.
The Cross is my refuge
.”

O precious and wonderful Banquet
that brings us salvation
and contains all sweetness!
Could anything be of more intrinsic value?
Under the old law
it was the flesh of calves and goats,
which was offered but here,
Christ Himself, the True God,
is set before us as our food.
What could be more wonderful than this?
No other Sacrament has greater healing power;
through it, sins are purged away,
virtues are increased
and the soul is enriched
with an abundance of every spiritual gift.

Seek praises from God alone.

Prayer for Chastity and Purity
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Dear Jesus,
I know that every perfect gift
and especially that of chastity,
depends on the power of Thy Providence.
Without Thee, a mere creature can do nothing.
Therefore, I beg Thee, to defend, by Thy grace
the chastity and purity of my body and soul.
And if I have ever sensed or imagined anything
that could stain my chastity and purity,
blot it out, Supreme Lord of my powers
that I may advance with a pure heart
in Thy love and service,
offering myself
on the most pure altar of Thy Divinity,
all the days of my life.
Amen

Prayer to St Thomas Aquinas
for the Gifts of Chastity and Purity

Chosen lily of innocence,
pure St Thomas,
who kept chaste the Robe of Baptism
and became an angel in the flesh
after being girded by two Angels,
I implore thee to commend me to Jesus,
the Spotless Lamb
and to Mary,
the Queen of Virgins.
Gentle protector of my chastity,
ask them that I,
who wear the holy sign
of thy victory over the flesh,
may also share thy purity
and after imitating thee on earth,
may, at last, come to be crowned
with thee among the Angels.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/07/quotes-of-the-day-7-march-st-thomas-aquinas/

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The HEART, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Our Morning Offering – 5 March – How Great is Your Goodness, Lord!

Our Morning Offering – 5 March – The Second Sunday in Lent

How Great is Your Goodness, Lord!
By Archbishop Baldwin
of Canterbury (c 1125-1190)

How great is Your goodness, Lord,
Who does not shrink from letting Your servant,
place You upon his heart!
How great my own worth,
since You have chosen me
to have part in Yours,
to have You abiding in me,
to love You as You deserve, above myself.
Lord, take from me this hard heart
and give me a new, clean heart
of flesh and blood.
You Who make my heart pure,
take possession of mine
and make it Your home.
Hold it and fill it,
You, Who are higher than my topmost height,
more inward than my inward being.
You, the Seal of Holiness,
Beauty of beauties,
engrave on my heart, Your Image
and the imprint of Your mercy.
Be, O God, my eternal love
and my inheritance.
Amen

Posted in DIVINE MERCY, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, Quotes on SALVATION, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION

Our Morning Offering – 3 March – Rescue Me, Most Merciful God

Our Morning Offering – 3 March – Ember Friday in the First Week of Lent

Rescue Me, Most Merciful God
By Father Martin von Cochem OSFC (c 1630-1712)

Most merciful God,
remember at how great a price
Thou didst purchase me
and how much Thou didst suffer for me.
For the sake of that inestimable price,
do not permit me to be lost,
rescue me,
number me amongst the sheep
of Thy fold.
With them, I will then
praise and magnify Thy loving kindness,
to all eternity.
Amen

Fr Martin von Cochem was a German Capuchin theologian, preacher and prolific ascetic writer. Father Martin’s works embrace a great variety of subjects: a huge volume of apologetics against Protestantism, the life of Christ, lives of the Saints, edifying narratives, the setting forth of certain points in Christian asceticism, forms of prayer, methods to be followed for the worthy reception of the sacraments, etc.
The prayer above is from the renowned “The Four Last Things.”

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE MERCY, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE

Our Morning Offering – 23 February – Have Mercy, Lord By St Peter Damian

Our Morning Offering – 23 FebruaryAsh Thursday and The Memorial of St Peter Damian (1007-1072) Doctor of the Church

Have Mercy, Lord
By St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Doctor of the Church

Have mercy, Lord,
on all my friends and relatives,
on all my benefactors,
on all who pray to Thee for me
and on all who have asked me
to pray to Thee, for them.
Give them the spirit of fruitful penance,
mortify them in all vices
and make them flower
in all Thy virtues.
Amen

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DEVOTIO, GOD the FATHER, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on REPARATION, The HOLY FACE

Quote/s of the Day – 21 February – Devotion to The Holy Face

Quote/s of the Day – 21 February – Feast of the Holy Face

As part of the preparations for Lent, it is appropriate to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Face by spending some time before the Blessed Sacrament and reciting the prayers of reparation.
In addition, the repetition of this Devotion each Tuesday in Lent maybe a means of drawing closer to Our Lord during this time of more intense prayer and conversion.

TAKEN FROM THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF SR MARY OF ST PETER OCD (1816-1848).

Do you see how I suffer? Yet, very few understand Me. Those who say they love Me are very ungrateful! I have given My Heart as the sensible object of My great love to men and I give My Face as the sensible object of My sorrow for all the sins of men. I wish that it be venerated by a special Feast on Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. I wish that the Feast be preceded by a Novena in which the faithful make reparation with Me, joining together and sharing in My sorrow.

Offering of the Holy Face
of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
in Reparation to God the Father

Eternal Father,
turn away Thy angry gaze from Thou guilty people
whose face has become unsightly in Thy eyes.
Look instead upon the Face of Thy beloved Son,
in Whom Thou art well pleased.
We now offer Thee,
this Holy Face, covered with shame
and disfigured by bloody wounds,
in reparation for the crimes of our age,
in order to appease Thy anger,
justly provoked against us.
Because, Thy Divine Son, our Redeemer,
hast taken upon His Head
all the sins of His members
that they might be spared,
we now beg Thee, Eternal Father,
to grant us mercy.
Amen.

An Aspiration to the Eternal Father
to be Frequently Recited During the Day …

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Holy Face of Jesus,
covered with blood, sweat, dust and spittle,
in reparation for our sins
and the sins of the whole world.

The Eight Promises of Jesus
To Those Who Honour His Holy Face

  1. All those who honour My Face in a spirit of reparation, will by so doing, perform the office of the pious Veronica. According to the care they take in making reparation to My Face, disfigured by blasphemers, so will I take care of their souls which have been disfigured by sin. My Face is the seal of the Divinity, which has the virtue of reproducing in souls, the image of God.
  2. Those, who by words, prayers or writing, defend My cause in this Work of Reparation, I will defend before My Father and will give them My Kingdom.
  3. By offering My Face to My Eternal Father, nothing will be refused and the conversion of many sinners will be obtained.
  4. By My Holy Face, they will work wonders, appease the anger of God and draw down mercy on sinners.
  5. As in a kingdom, they can procure all that is desired with a coin stamped with the King’s effigy, so, in the Kingdom of Heaven, they will obtain all they desire, with the precious coin of My Holy Face.
  6. Those who, on earth, contemplate the wounds of My Face shall, in Heaven, behold it radiant with glory.
  7. They will receive in their souls, a bright and constant irradiation of My Divinity, that by their likeness to My Face, they shall shine with particular splendour in Heaven.
  8. I will defend them, I will preserve them and I assure them of Final Perseverance.
Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PATRONAGE - of PILGRIMS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 30 January – Steer the Ship of My Life, Lord

Our Morning Offering – 30 January – Memorial of St Martha (1st Century) Virgin Martyr

Steer the Ship of My Life, Lord
By St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Steer the ship of my life, Lord,
to Your quiet harbour,
where I can be safe from
the storms of sin and conflict.
Show me the course I should take.
Renew in me the gift of discernment,
so that I can see the right direction
in which I should go.
And give me the strength
and the courage
to choose the right course,
even when the sea is rough
and the waves are high,
knowing that through enduring
hardship and danger in Your name
we shall find comfort and peace.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, DOCTORS of the Church, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MERCY, Quotes on SALVATION, SAINT of the DAY

Our Prayers to the Saints – 29 January – Prayer to St Francis de Sales

Our Prayers to the Saints – 29 January – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop, Confessor – Doctor of the Church: Doctor Caritatis (Doctor of Charity) “The Gentle Christ of Geneva” and the “Gentleman Saint.”

O Glorious St Francis
Prayer to St Francis de Sales

O Glorious St Francis,
model of the interior life
and full of zeal for the salvation of souls!
Obtain for me the grace
to employ all my faculties,
not for my own sanctification alone
but for that of my neighbour too
that continually spreading abroad,
the sweet odour of Jesus Christ,
by my words and works,
I may attain, with thee, the blessedness
promised to the merciful:
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy

and that I may one day have a share
in the glory which thou dost enjoy
in Paradise with the Angels and Saints,
where those who edify
and instruct to justice,
shall shine as stars

for all eternity (Dan 12:3).
Amen

Posted in PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, St PAUL!

Our Prayers to the Saints – 25 January – Dear Saint Paul, My Patron

Our Prayers to the Saints – 25 January – Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, Apostle

Dear Saint Paul, My Patron

Dear Saint Paul, whom I have chosen
as my special Patron, pray for me that I, too,
may one day glorify the Blessed Trinity in Heaven.
Obtain for me your lively faith
that I may consider all persons, things and events,
in the light of Almighty God.
Pray that I may be generous
in making sacrifices of temporal things
to promote my eternal interests,
as you so wisely did.
Set me on fire with a love for Jesus
that I may thirst for His Sacraments
and burn with zeal for the spread of His Kingdom.
By your powerful intercession,
help me in the performance of my duties to God,
myself and all the world.
Win for me the virtue of purity
and a great confidence in the Blessed Virgin.
Protect me this day
and everyday of my life.
Keep me from mortal sin.
Obtain for me the grace of a happy death.
Amen

Posted in GOD ALONE!, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PATRONAGE - of PILGRIMS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 23 January – Lord, for Tomorrow and its Needs

Our Morning Offering – 23 January

Lord, for Tomorrow and its Needs
By Sister Mary Xavier (1877)

Lord, for tomorrow and its needs
I do not pray;
keep me, my God, from stain of sin,
just for today.

Let me both diligently work
and duly pray;
let me be kind in word and deed,
just for today.

Let me no wrong or idle word
unthinking say;
set Thou a seal upon my lips,
just for today.

And if today my tide of life
should ebb away,
give me Thy Sacraments Divine,
sweet Lord, today.

So, for tomorrow and its needs
I do not pray
but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord,
just for today.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, JESUIT SJ, OUR Cross, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 22 January – “Lord, I believe. Help thou mine unbelief,”

Quote/s of the Day – 22 January – The Third Sunday after the Epiphany – Romans 12:16-21, Matthew 8:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Amen I say to you,
I have not found
such great faith in Israel
.”

Matthew 8:10

And Jesus, seeing their faith,
said to the paralytic,
Take courage, son,
your sins are forgiven you.

Matthew 9:2

Perhaps, your own faith is feeble.
Nevertheless, the Lord, who is love
will stoop down to you,
provided only that you are penitent
and can say sincerely,
from the depths of your soul:
“Lord, I believe.
Help Thou mine unbelief,”
(Mark 9:23)……

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

If I only touch his garment,
I will be made well.”
Jesus turned and seeing her he said,
“Take heart, daughter,
your faith has made you well.”
And instantly the woman was made well.

Matthew 9:21-22

What determines that the gifts of God
dwells in us,
is the measure of each one’s faith.
Because it is to the extent that we believe,
that the enthusiasm to act is given us.
And so those who act,
reveal the measure of their faith
proportionate to their action,
they receive their measure of grace
according to what they have believed. …

St Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662)
Monk and Theologian

But whom do you say that I Am?”

Luke 9:20

… How can anyone put on Jesus Christ
and imitate His example,
if he does not study this Jesus,
who must inspire and perfect our faith?
He must run the race to which he is challenged,
the glorious race in which,
he overcomes the enemy of the human family
and follows the Way of the Cross.
Under the lordly banner of that Cross,
he will attain eternal life.

St Vincent Strambi CP (1745-1824)

Prayer for Unbelievers
By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

O God, the Everlasting Creator of all things,
remember that the souls of unbelievers
were made by Thee
and formed in Thine own image and likeness.
Remember that Jesus, Thy Son,
endured a most bitter Death for their salvation.
Permit not, I beseech Thee, O Lord
that Thy Son should be any longer despised by unbelievers
but do Thou graciously accept the prayers
of holy men and of the Church,
the Spouse of Thy Most Holy Son
and be mindful of Thy mercy.
Forget their idolatry and unbelief
and grant that they too,
may someday know Him,
Whom Thou hast sent…the Lord Jesus Christ,
Who is our Salvation, our Life and Resurrection,
by Whom we have been [redeemed] and delivered,
to Whom be glory for endless ages.
Amen.

St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 19 January – Eternal God, Our Refuge By St Boniface

Our Morning Offering – 19 January

Eternal God, Our Refuge
By St Boniface (672-754)
Martyr

Eternal God,
the refuge and help of all Thy children,
we praise Thee for all Thou hast given us,
for all Thou hast done for us,
for all that Thou art to us.
In our weakness, Thou art strength,
in our darkness, Thou art light,
in our sorrow, Thou art comfort and peace.
We cannot number Thy blessings,
we cannot declare Thy love –
for all Thy graces, we bless Thee.
May we live as in Thy presence,
and love the things that Thou loves
and serve Thee in our daily lives,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 5 January – Oh Jesus, My Love

Our Morning Offering – 5 January – The Vigil of the Epiphany of Our Lord

Oh Jesus, My Love
By St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775)

Oh Jesus, my Love,
may my heart be consumed
in loving Thee.
Make me humble and holy,
giving me childlike simplicity,
transform me into Thy holy Love.
O Jesus, Life of my life,
Joy of my soul,
God of my heart,
accept my heart as an altar,
on which I will sacrifice to Thee,
the gold of ardent charity,
the incense of continual,
humble and fervent prayer
and the myrrh
of constant sacrifices!
Amen

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, The DIVINE INFANT

Prayer of Fr Cyrillus, to the Beloved Infant Jesus of Prague – 2 January

Transport yourself “in spirit” to the Church in Prague
where the original Statue of the Infant still stands
and let Jesus help you with your intentions!

This wonderful prayer to the Infant Jesus of Prague
is known as the Prayer of Father Cyrillus, (c 1637)
truly one of the first champions of the loving little Infant!

Prayer of Fr Cyrillus,
to the Beloved and Miraculous
Infant Jesus of Prague

Jesus, unto Thee I flee,
Through Thy Mother praying Thee
In my need to succour me.
Truly, I believe of Thee
God Thou art with strength to shield me;
Full of trust, I hope of Thee
Thou, Thy grace wilt give to me.
All my heart I give to Thee,
Therefore, do my sins repent me;
From them breaking, I beseech Thee,
Jesus, from their bonds to free me.
Firm my purpose, is to mend me;
Never more will I offend Thee.
Wholly unto Thee I give me,
Patiently to suffer for Thee,
Thee to serve eternally.
And my neighbour like to me
I will love, for love of Thee.
Little Jesus, I beseech Thee,
In my need, to succour me,
That with Joseph and Mary
And the Angels, I may Thee
Once enjoy eternally.
Amen.

Posted in GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS

Our Morning Offering – 6 December – Jesu, be You my Life!

Our Morning Offering – 6 December – “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception”

Jesu, be You my Life!
Msgr Robert Hugh Benson (1871-1914)
Chamberlain to Pope St Pius X

I cannot live alone another hour,
Jesu, be You my Life!
I have not power to strive,
be You my Power
In every strife!
I can do nothing
– hope, nor love, nor fear.
But only fail and fall.
Be You my soul and self,
O Jesu dear.
My God and all!
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, I BELIEVE!, JESUIT SJ, MARIAN QUOTES, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, Quotes on SALVATION, The LAST THINGS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 3 December – St Francis Xavier

Quote/s of the Day – 3 December – The Memorial of St Francis Xavier SJ (1506-1552) Confessor

Leave your country, your people
and your father’s household
and go to the land I will show you.

Genesis 12:1

It is not the actual physical exertion
which counts towards a man’s progress,
nor the nature of the task
but by the spirit of faith
with which it is undertaken.

I am in a country
where all the niceties of life are lacking.
But I am filled with many inner consolations.
Indeed, I run the risk of crying my eyes out
because of my tears of joy

His Lord said to him:
Well done, good and faithful servant
because thou has been faithful over a few things,
I will place thee over many thing.
Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord
.”

Matthew 25:21

Ah! If only those who look for knowledge in study,
took as much trouble in looking
for the consolations of the apostolate,
as they give day and night to the pursuit of knowledge!
If only those joys, which the scholar seeks
in what he is learning, he were to seek
in making his neighbour feel, what he is in need of –
to know and serve God, how much more consoled
he would find himself to be and better prepared,
to give an account of himself, when Christ returns
and asks him: “Give me an account of your stewardship
” …

If you are in danger,
if your hearts are confused,
turn to Mary!

Prayer for Unbelievers
By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

O God, the Everlasting Creator of all things,
remember that the souls of unbelievers
were made by Thee
and formed in Thine own image and likeness.
Remember that Jesus, Thy Son,
endured a most bitter Death for their salvation.
Permit not, I beseech Thee, O Lord
that Thy Son should be any longer despised by unbelievers
but do Thou graciously accept the prayers
of holy men and of the Church,
the Spouse of Thy Most Holy Son
and be mindful of Thy mercy.
Forget their idolatry and unbelief
and grant that they too,
may someday know Him,
Whom Thou hast sent…the Lord Jesus Christ,
Who is our Salvation, our Life and Resurrection,
by Whom we have been [redeemed] and delivered,
to Whom be glory for endless ages.
Amen.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/03/quote-s-of-the-day-3-december-st-francis-xavier-3/

St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

Posted in I BELIEVE!, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Our Prayers to the Saints – 27 November – Prayer to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Our Prayers to the Saints – 27 November – Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal – Patronages – Special graces, miracles of healing, for conversions, for believers.

Our Blessed Lady and her Miraculous Medal are the solution to the difficulties we are facing. Now, more than ever, we need our Blessed Mother’s comfort and protection. Now, more than ever, we need to discover her peace. Now, more than ever, we need to know that our Mother is with us.

Prayer to Our Lady
of the Miraculous Medal

Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate,
we unite ourselves to thee
under thy title of Blessed Mother,
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
May this medal be, for each one of us,
a sure sign of thy motherly affection for us
and a constant reminder
of our filial duties towards thee.
While wearing it, may we be blessed
by thy loving protection
and preserved in the grace of thy Son.
Most powerful Virgin,
Mother of our Saviour,
keep us close to thee,
every moment of our lives
so that like thee, we may live and act
according to the teaching
and example of thy Son.
Obtain for us, thy children,
the grace of a happy death,
so that in union with thee
we may enjoy
the happiness of heaven forever.
Amen
O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.