Our Morning Offering – 12 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Within the Octave of Corpus Christi
Prayer in Adoration of the Sacred Heart in the Blessed Sacrament By St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) Visionary and Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God, Whom I believe to be really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, receive this most profound Act of Adoration to supply for the desire I have, to adore Thee unceasingly and in thanksgiving, for the sentiments of love which Thy Sacred Heart has for me in this Sacrament. I cannot better acknowledge them, than by offering Thee, all the Acts of Adoration, resignation, patience and love which this same Heart has made during its mortal life and which it makes still and which it shall make eternally in Heaven, in order that through it, I may love Thee, praise Thee and adore Thee worthily, as much as it is possible for me. I unite myself to this Divine Offering which Thou dost make to Thy Divine Father and I consecrate to Thee, my whole being, praying Thee, to destroy in me, all sin and not to permit that I should be separated from Thee, in time and eternally. Amen.
Our Morning Offering – 11 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – The Solemnity of Corpus Christi, The Most Holy Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ and Sunday within the Octave – The Second Sunday after Pentecost
Pange Lingua Gloriosi Corporis Mysterium Sing, My Tongue By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Eng trans – Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878) (Excerpt on the image – the 4 last stanzas)
Sing, my tongue, the Saviour’s glory, Of His Flesh, the Mystery sing; Of the Blood, all price exceeding, Shed by our Immortal King, Destined, for the world’s redemption, From a noble Womb to spring.
Of a pure and spotless Virgin Born for us on earth below, He, as Man, with man conversing, Stayed, the seeds of truth to sow; Then He closed in solemn order Wondrously His Life of woe.
On the night of that Last Supper, Seated with His chosen band, He, the Paschal Victim eating, First fulfils the Law’s command; Then as Food to all His brethren Gives Himself with His own Hand.
Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature By His Word to Flesh He turns; Wine into His Blood He changes, What though sense no change discerns. Only be the heart in earnest, Faith her lesson quickly learns.
Down in adoration falling, Lo, the Sacred Host we hail, Lo, o’er ancient forms departing Newer rites of grace prevail, Faith for all defects supplying, When the feeble senses fail.
To the Everlasting Father And the Son Who comes on high With the Holy Ghost proceeding Forth from each eternally, Be salvation, honour, blessing, Might and endless majesty. Amen. Alleluia.
Written by St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) the Angelic and Common Doctor of the Church, for the very first Solemnity of Corpus Christi, this Hymn is considered the most beautiful of Aquinas’ Hymns and one of the seven great Hymns of the Church.
The last two stanzas make up the Tantum Ergo (Down in Adoration Falling) which is used at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The Hymn is also used on Maundy Thursday during the procession from the Sanctuary to the Altar of Repose, where the Blessed Sacrament is kept until Good Friday.
PANGE, Lingua, Gloriosi Corporis Mysterium
Corporis mysterium, Sanguinisque pretiosi, quem in mundi pretium fructus ventris generosi Rex effudit Gentium.
Nobis datus, nobis natus ex intacta Virgine, et in mundo conversatus, sparso verbi semine, sui moras incolatus miro clausit ordine.
In supremae nocte cenae recumbens cum fratribus observata lege plene cibis in legalibus, cibum turbae duodenae se dat suis manibus.
Verbum caro, panem verum verbo carnem efficit: fitque sanguis Christi merum, et si sensus deficit, ad firmandum cor sincerum sola fides sufficit.
Tantum ergo Sacramentum veneremur cernui: et antiquum documentum novo cedat ritui: praestet fides supplementum sensuum defectui.
Genitori, Genitoque laus et iubilatio, salus, honor, virtus quoque sit et benedictio: procedenti ab utroque compar sit laudatio. Amen. Alleluia.
Our Morning Offering – 9 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”
Prayer in Adoration of the Sacred Heart By St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) Visionary and Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God, Whom I believe to be really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, receive this most profound Act of Adoration to supply for the desire I have, to adore Thee unceasingly and in thanksgiving, for the sentiments of love which Thy Sacred Heart has for me in this Sacrament. I cannot better acknowledge them, than by offering Thee, all the Acts of Adoration, resignation, patience and love which this same Heart has made during its mortal life and which it makes still and which it shall make eternally in Heaven, in order that through it, I may love Thee, praise Thee and adore Thee worthily, as much as it is possible for me. I unite myself to this Divine Offering which Thou dost make to Thy Divine Father and I consecrate to Thee, my whole being, praying Thee, to destroy in me, all sin and not to permit that I should be separated from Thee, in time and eternally. Amen.
Our Morning Offering – 7 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”
O Heart of Jesus! By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)
Sanctity of the Heart of Jesus, consecrate my heart; Providence of the Heart of Jesus, watch over my heart; Unchangeableness of the Heart of Jesus, strengthen my heart; Purity of the Heart of Jesus, purify my heart; Obedience of the Heart of Jesus, subjugate my heart; Amiability of the Heart of Jesus, make Thyself known to my heart; Divine attractions of the Heart of Jesus, captivate my heart; Riches of the Heart of Jesus, do ye suffice for my heart; Floods of grace and blessing which flow from the Heart of Jesus, inundate my heart. O Heart of Jesus! be Thou my joy, my peace, my repose in this world and in the next. O Heart of Jesus! adored in Heaven, Invoked on earth, feared in hell, Reign over all hearts, Reign throughout all ages, Reign forever in celestial glory. Amen
Our Morning Offering – 5 June – The Memorial of St Boniface (672-754) Martyr “The Apostle of Germany,” Confessor, Bishop
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
In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit By St Hilary of Poitiers (315-368) Father & Doctor of the Church
Father, keep us from vain strife of words. Grant to us constant profession of the Truth! Preserve us in a true and undefiled faith so that we may hold fast to that which we professed when we were Baptised in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that we may have You for our Father, that we may abide in Your Son and in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen
An Act of Oblation to the Holy Trinity By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of Charity
I vow and consecrate to God all that is in me, my memory and my actions, to God the Father; my understanding and my words, to God the Son; my will and my thoughts, to God the Holy Spirit. I consecrate my heart, my body, my tongue, my senses and all my sorrows to the Sacred Humanity of Jesus Christ, who consented to be betrayed into the hands of wicked men and to suffer the torment of the Cross for me. Amen
The Sign of the Cross In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
(50 Days. 100 Days if made with Holy Water Blessed Pope Pius IX, 1865.)
WHENE’ER across this sinful flesh of mine I draw the Holy Sign, All good thoughts stir within me and renew Their slumbering strength divine, Till there springs up a courage high and true To suffer and to do.
And who shall say but hateful spirits around, For their brief hour unbound, Shudder to see and wail their overthrow? While on far heathen ground Some lonely Saint hails the fresh odour, though Its source he cannot know.
John Henry Newman (1801-1890) Oxford – 25 November 1832
Our Morning Offering – 3 June – Ember Saturday of Pentecost – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and First Saturday
To the Two Loving Hearts By St John Eudes (1601-1680)
O Jesus, only Son of God, only Son of Mary, I offer You the most loving Heart of Your divine Mother which is more precious and pleasing to You than all hearts.
O Mary, Mother of Jesus, I offer you the most adorable Heart of your well-beloved Son, who is the life and love and joy of your Heart.
Blessed be the Most Loving Heart and Sweet Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the most glorious Virgin Mary, His Mother, in eternity and forever. Amen
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)
Our Morning Offering – 31 May – Pentecost Wednesday
Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Ghost By St Bonaventure (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church
We beg the All-Merciful Father through Thee, His Only-Begotten Son, made Man for our sake, Crucified and Glorified for us, to send upon us, from His treasure-house, the Spirit of Sevenfold Grace, Who rested upon Thee in all His fullness.
The Spirit of Wisdom, enabling us to relish the fruit of the tree of life, which is indeed Thyself. The Gift of Understanding, to enlighten our perceptions. The Gift of Prudence, enabling us to follow in Thine Footsteps. The Gift of Strength, to withstand our adversary’s onslaught. The Gift of Knowledge, to distinguish good from evil, by the light of Thine holy teaching. The Gift of Piety, to clothe ourselves with charity and mercy. The Gift of Fear, to withdraw from all ill-doing and live quietly in awe of Thy Eternal Majesty.
These are the things for which we petition. Grant them for the honour of Thy Holy Name, to which, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, thanksgiving, renown and Lordship, forever and ever. Amen
Come O Holy Spirit! By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
You made Mary full of grace and inflamed the hearts of the Apostles with a holy zeal, enflame our hearts with Your love. You are the Spirit of goodness, give us the courage to confront evil. You are Fire, set us ablaze with Your Love. You are Light, enlighten our minds, that we may see what is truly igood and true. You are the Dove, give us gentleness. You are a Soothing Breeze, bring calm to the storms which rage within us. You are the Tongue, may our lips ever sing God’s praises You are the Cloud, shelter us under the shadow of Your protection. O Holy Spirit, melt the frozen, warm the chilled and enkindle in us, an earnest desire to please You. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Breathe in Me, O Holy Spirit By St Augustine (354-420) Father and Doctor of the Church
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen
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
Quote/s of the Day – 27 May – The Feast of St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church
“Christ is the Morning Star, Who, when the night of this world is past, gives to His saints, the promise of the Light of Life and opens everlasting day.”
“We abide in God insofar as we do not sin.”
“All the ways of this world are as fickle and unstable as a sudden storm at sea.”
“If one of us has a conscience polluted by the stain of avarice, conceit, vain-glory, indignation, irascibility, or envy and the other vices, he has “a daughter badly troubled by a demon” like the Canaanite woman.”
“Those who refuse to be humble cannot be saved. They cannot say with the prophet: See, God comes to my aid; the Lord is the helper of my soul. But anyone who makes himself humble, like a little child, is greater in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
“And I pray Thee, loving Jesus that as Thou hast graciously given me to drink in with delight, the words of Thy knowledge, so Thou wouldst mercifully grant me to attain one day to Thee, the Fountain of all Wisdom and to appear forever before Thy Face.”
Our Morning Offering – 27 May – The Vigil of Pentecost and the Memorial of St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church
Almighty God, Open Thou My Heart A Prayer for Guidance By St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Father and Doctor of the Church
ALMIGHTY God, open Thou my heart and enlighten me with the grace of the Holy Spirit, to see those things which are well-pleasing to Thy will. Direct my thoughts and understanding to those things which it is proper to meditate upon and to take in hand; in such fashion, as by fitting character and deeds, I might be found worthy of the eternal joy of heavenly life. Direct my acts to Thy commandments, that I might, by labour so unbrokenly study to bring them to fulfilment, as to attain to an everlasting reward. Amen
Our Morning Offering – 26 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and the Memorial of St Philip Neri (1515-1595) Confessor
Immaculate Virgin By St Philip Neri (1515-1595)
Immaculate Virgin, thou hast to save me. Grant that I may always remember thee and thou, do thou never forget me. The happy day, when I shall go to behold thy beauty in paradise, seems a thousand years off. So much do I long to praise and love thee more than I can now do, my Mother, my Queen, my beloved, most beautiful, most sweet, most pure, Immaculate Mary. Amen
Our Morning Offering – 25 May – The Octave Day of the Ascension
Sing We Triumphant Hymns of Praise By St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Father and Doctor of the Church
Sing we triumphant hymns of praise, New hymns to Heaven exulting raise. Alleluia, alleluia. Christ, by a road before untrod, Ascendeth to the Throne of God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. The holy apostolic band Upon the Mount of Olives stand, Alleluia, alleluia. And with the Virgin Mother see Jesu’s resplendent Majesty. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
To whom the Angels, drawing nigh, “Why stand and gaze upon the sky?” Alleluia, alleluia. “This is the Saviour!” thus they say, “This is His noble triumph day!” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
“Again ye shall behold Him, so As ye today have seen Him go.” Alleluia, alleluia. In glorious pomp ascending high, “Up to the portals of the sky.” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
O grant us thitherward to tend, And with unwearied hearts ascend, Alleluia, alleluia. Toward Thy Kingdom’s Throne, where Thou, As is our faith, art seated now. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Be Thou our Joy and Strong Defence, Who art our Future Recompense. Alleluia, alleluia. So shall the Light that springs from Thee Be ours through all eternity. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
O Risen Christ, aAcended Lord, All praise to Thee, let earth accord, Alleluia, alleluia. Who art, while endless ages run, With Father and with Spirit One. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Our Morning Offering – 24 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and the Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians/Auxilium Christianorum
Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christians By St John Bosco (1815-1888)
Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christians, how sweet it is to come to thy feet imploring thy perpetual help. If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children, how can thou, the most loving of all mothers, forget me? Grant then to me, I implore thee thy perpetual help in all my necessities, in every sorrow and especially in all my temptations. I ask for thy unceasing help for all who are now suffering. Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners. Grant through thy intercession, many vocations to the religious life. Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians, that having invoked thee on earth we may love and eternally thank thee in Heaven. Amen
Our Morning Offering – 21 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”
St Robert Bellarmine’s Hymn to Mary the Virgin: Among St Robert’s extant writing, there is a short poem of twenty stanzas which he composed in the nature of a Litany to the Blessed Virgin. The text was first published in Italian some fifty years ago and to the best of the writer’s knowledge, has never been translated into English. Each verse-line begins with the name “Virgin,” joined to a title and petition to Our Lady, starting with the letter “A” and going down the Italian alphabet to “V.” Thus the first seven verses begin with the invocation: “Vergine adorna … Vergine Bella …Vergine casta … Vergine degna … Vergine eletta … Vergine felice … Vergine gradita …”
A translation to this tribute to the Virgin Mother reads as follows: – Servant of God Fr John A Hardon SJ (1914-2000).
Hymn to Mary the Virgin By St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Doctor of the Church.
Virgin adored and clothed with the sun, grant me thine aid. Virgin most beautiful, mystical rose, take abode in my heart. Virgin most chaste, all undefiled, grant me true peace. Virgin deserving of all honour and praise, give me thy love. Virgin elect and full of all grace, lead me to God. Virgin most blessed, star of the sea, dispel the storms besetting me. Virgin most virtuous, holy and sweet, show me the way. Virgin illustrious, with thy burning light, enlighten thou my mind. Virgin more precious than jewels or gold, make reparation for me. Virgin most worthy of all praise, mother, daughter and immaculate spouse. Virgin and Mother, make me more pleasing to Jesus thy Son. Virgin most innocent of any stain or fault, make me more worthy of God. Virgin enriched with every gift and grace, obtain the remission of my sins. Virgin most pure, grant me to enjoy the bliss of heavenly love. Virgin, thou lily among thorns, I pray thee for the grace of a happy death. Virgin more rare than the rarest dream, bring joy to my heart. Virgin so great, there is none like thee on earth, bring peace to my soul. Virgin most true, loving Mother too, Virgin Mary. Amen.
Our Morning Offering – 20 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” and the Feast of Our Lady Queen of the Apostles
Prayer to Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles By St Vincent Pallotti SAC (1795-1850)
Immaculate Mother of God, Queen of the Apostles, we know that God’s commandment of love and our vocation to follow Jesus Christ, impels us to co-operate in the mission of the Church. Realising our own weakness, we entrust the renewal of our personal lives and our Apostolate, to your intercession. We are confident, that through God’s mercy and the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, you, who are our Mother, will obtain the strength of the Holy Spirit, as you obtained it for the Apostles, gathered in the Upper Room. Therefore, relying on your maternal intercession, we resolve, from this moment, to devote our talents, learning, material resources, our health, sickness and trials and every gift of nature and grace, for the greater glory of God and the salvation of all. We wish to carry on those activities, (which especially promote the Catholic Apostolate,) for the revival of faith and love of the people of God and so, bring all men and women, into the faith of Jesus Christ. (And if a time should come when we have nothing more to offer, serviceable to this end,) we will never cease to pray, that there will be one fold and one Shepherd, Jesus Christ. (In this way, we hope to enjoy the results of the Apostolate of Jesus Christ) for all eternity. Amen.
Quote/s of the Day –19 May – The Memorial of St Alcuin of York (c735-804) “The Schoolmaster of Europe.” Deacon, Confessor
“You should not agree to have anything to do with weapons of war. Throw yourself upon Christ’s mercy, crying: ‘My Love and my Stronghold, my Protector and Liberator, in Whom my heart has put its hope.”
(St Alcuin, writing to the Monks in Mayo, Ireland).
“In the morning, at the height of my powers, I sowed the seed in Britain, now in the evening, when my blood is growing cold, I am still sowing in France, hoping both will grow, by the grace of God, giving some the honey of the Holy Scriptures, making others drunk, on the old wine, of ancient learning.”
“Be prudent in thought and cautious in speech. Always set your hope on God, for He never fails them whose hope is set on Him.”
(From a letter to King Charlemagne’s son).
Act of Contrition and Repentance
Almighty and merciful God, Fountain of all Goodness, Thou knows the thoughts of our hearts. We confess that we have sinned against Thee and done evil in Thy Sight. Wash us from the stains of our past sins and give us grace and power to put away all hurtful things. Deliver us from the bondage of sin that we may bring forth worthy fruits of repentance.
Our Morning Offering – 19 May – The Memorial of St Alcuin of York (c735-804) “The Schoolmaster of Europe.” Deacon, Confessor
Eternal Light, Shine into our Hearts By St Alcuin of York (c735-804)
Eternal Light, shine into our hearts, Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil, Eternal Power, be our support, Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance, Eternal Pity, have mercy on us that with all our heart and mind and soul and strength, we may seek Thy Face and be brought, by Thine Infinite Mercy to Thy Holy Presence; through Jesus Christ, our Lord Amen
Our Morning Offering – 18 May – The Ascension of the Lord
O Jesus, Redeemer of Mankind! By St Ambrose (340-397) Great Father & Doctor
O Jesus, Redeemer of mankind, joy of our hearts, Creator of the world redeemed and chaste Light of them who love Thee.
What mercy was it that led Thee to take upon Thee our sins? and suffer death, O Innocent Victim that Thou might free us from death?
Thou broke the gates of hell and the chains of them who were bound. A Conqueror, with noblest triumph, Thou now sittest at the Right Hand of the Father.
May Thy clemency lead Thee to repair our losses. Oh! give us to see Thy Face and enrich us with Thy blessed Light.
Be Thou our Guide and Path to Heaven; be Thou the object of our hearts desire; be Thou the joy of our tears and the sweet recompense of a life spent for Thee! Amen
Our Morning Offering – 17 May – The Vigil of the Ascension
Glory, Honour and Praise, To Our Lord Jesus Christ! A devout Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ, to be said both Morning and Evening By St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Doctor of the Church (From His “A Brief Christian Doctrine”)
GLory, Honour and Praise Be, May all the world adore Thee, blessed be Thy Holy Name, Who for us sinners, vouchsafest to be born of a humble Virgin and blessed be Thine infinite goodness, Who died upon the Cross for our Redemption. O Jesu, Son of God and Saviour of mankind, have mercy upon us and so dispose our lives here, by Thy Grace that we may, hereafter, rejoice with Thee forever in Thy Heavenly Kingdom, Amen.
It’s 1 May Let us Rejoice in our Mother Mary! The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“Bright Mother of our Maker, Hail! Thou Virgin ever blest, the Ocean’s Star by which we sail and gain the port of rest!” (Anonymous 8th Century Latin Hymn)
The May Magnificat By Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ (1844-1889)
May is Mary’s month and I Muse at that and wonder why: Her feasts follow reason, Dated due to season-
Candlemas, Lady Day: But the Lady Month, May, Why fasten that upon her, With a feasting in her honour? Ask of her, the mighty Mother: Her reply puts this other Question: What is Spring? Growth in everything- All things rising, all things sizing Mary sees, sympathising With that world of good, Nature’s motherhood.
Well but there was more than this: Spring’s universal bliss Much, had much to say To offering Mary May.
Visits to the Altar of Our Lady On the Love of Mary for Her Children (Imprimatur, 1867)
Mary loves us because we are her children. A loving and tender Mother is never wearied by the importunities of her little ones and Mary, who is the most loving and tender of all mothers, will never weary of hearing and answering our petitions. The one great thing that she desires, for all her children is that they should become like her Son Jesus. He is the only Child who never disobeyed her or grieved her. It is for His love that she loves us. How great must be His love for us, when He inspires Mary with such a love! The best return we can make Him is to have a perfect trust and confidence in His Blessed Mother. Those who are not devout to Mary cannot really understand the great Mystery of the Incarnation and do not love Jesus as they should – for, if they loved Him, they would love His Mother too, even a tiny bit as much as He loves her.
Let us try, then, during this Month of May, to become more like Jesus. Let us consider what spiritual grace we need most, in order to attain this great end and let us ask it with confidence everyday. Let us also try to induce others, to honour Mary, by special devotion to her during this most beautiful month.
Let Me Love Your Jesus By St Ildephonsus (c 607-670)
Virgin Mary, hear my prayer, through the Holy Spirit, you became the Mother of Jesus, from the Holy Spirit, may I too have Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, your flesh conceived Jesus, through the same Spirit, may my soul receive Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, you were able to know Jesus, to possess Jesus and to bring Him into the world. Through the Holy Spirit, may I too come to know your Jesus. Imbued with the Spirit, Mary, you could say “I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your word,” in the Holy Spirit, lowly as I am, let me proclaim the great truths about Jesus. In the Spirit, you now adore Jesus as Lord and look on Him as Son, in the same Spirit, Mary, let me love your Jesus. Amen
Quote/s of the Day –30 April – Prayers by St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
O God of Truth and Love
O omnipotent Father, God of truth, God of love permit me to enter into the cell of self-knowledge. I admit, that of myself, I am nothing but that all being and goodness in me comes solely from You. Show me my faults, that I may detest them, and thus I shall flee from self-love and find myself clothed again in the nuptial robe of divine charity, which I must have, in order to be admitted to the nuptials of life eternal. Amen
Holy Trinity, Holy Love
Holy Spirit, come into my heart; draw it to Thee by Thy power, O my God, and grant me charity with filial fear. Preserve me, O beautiful love, from every evil thought, warm me, inflame me with Thy dear love and every pain will seem light to me. My Father, my sweet Lord, help me in all my actions. Jesus, love, Jesus, love. Amen.
Your Blood, The Fire of Love!
O sweet Jesus, my Love, to strengthen my soul and to rescue it from the weakness into which it has fallen, You have built a wall around it and have mixed the mortar with Your Blood, confirming my soul and uniting it to the sweet will and charity of God! Just as lime mixed with water is placed between stones, to cement them together, so You, O God, have placed between Your creature and Yourself, the Blood of Your Only-begotten Son, cemented with the Divine lime of the fire of ardent charity, in such a way that there is no Blood without fire, nor fire without Blood. Your Blood was shed, O Christ, by the fire of love! Amen
Constant Prayer to the Precious Blood of Jesus
Precious Blood, Ocean of Divine Mercy, Flow upon us! Precious Blood, Most Pure Offering, Procure us every grace! Precious Blood, Hope and Refuge of sinners, Atone for us! Precious Blood, Delight of holy souls, Draw us! Amen
Alone With None but Thee, My God Attri. St Columban (543-615)
Alone with none but Thee, my God I journey on my way, what need I fear when Thou art near, O King of night and day? More safe am I within Thy hand than if a host should round me stand.
My destined time is known to Thee, and death will keep his hour; did warriors strong around me throng, they could not stay his power. No walls of stone can man defend when Thou Thy messenger dost send.
My life I yield to Thy decree and bow to Thy control in peaceful calm, for from Thine arm no power can wrest my soul, could earthly omens e’er appal a man that heeds the heavenly call?
The child of God can fear no ill, His chosen, dread no foe; we leave our fate with Thee and wait Thy bidding when to go, ’tis not from chance our comfort springs, Thou art our Trust, O King of kings.
Hail Mary, Queen of Our Hearts, Our Mother Prayer in Honour of Mary By St Louis Marie de Montfort (1673-1716)
Hail Mary, Daughter of God the Father! Hail Mary, Mother of God the Son! Hail Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit! Hail Mary, Temple of the Most Holy Trinity! Hail Mary, our mistress, our wealth, our mystic rose. Queen of our hearts, our Mother, our life, our sweetness and our dearest hope! We are all Thine and all we have is thine. O Virgin, blessed above all things, may thy soul be in us, to magnify the Lord, may thy spirit be in us, to rejoice in God. Place thyself, O faithful Virgin, as a seal upon our hearts, that in thee and through thee, we may be found faithful to God. Grant, most gracious Virgin, that we may be numbered among those, whom thou art pleased to love, to teach and to guide, to favour and to protect, as thy children. Grant that with the help of thy love, we may despise all earthly consolations and cling to heavenly things, until through the Holy Spirit, thy faithful Spouse and through thee, His faithful Spouse, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, be formed within us for the glory of the Father. Amen
Our Morning Offering – 28 April – The Memorial of St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775) Confessor, Priest, Founder
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
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.
AnaStpaul 
You must be logged in to post a comment.