Category: PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 7 March by Blessed Leonid Feodorov (1879-1935) Martyr

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Quote/s of the Day – 7 March – The Memorial of Blessed Leonid Feodorov (1879-1935) Martyr

“When I feel overwhelmed by misfortune,
the greatest joy that the Lord can give me,
is to go to the altar, to put my forehead against it
(as on the day of my ordination to the priesthood)
and to feel the presence of the only reality.
Not only does calm return
but my body seems to be annihilated,
the only true life begins,
the life of that which is intangible.”

(Fr Paul Mailleux, SJ “Exarch Leonid Feodorov, Bridgebuilder Between Rome and Moscow,” page 166)when i feel overwhelmed by misfortune - bl leonid feodorov - 7 march 2019.jpg

“If the Soviet Government orders me
to act against my conscience, I do not obey.
As for teaching the Catechism,
the Catholic Church holds that children
must be taught their religion,
no matter what the law says.
Conscience is above the law.
No law which is against the conscience can bind.”

(Adressing the court during his political ‘show trial’ in 1923)conscience is above the law - bl leonid feodorov 7 march 2019.jpg

“My whole life has been based on two principles –
the love of the Church to which I am united
and the love of my country, which I adore.
If I do not care, whether I am sentenced
to ten years imprisonment or to be shot,
it is not because I am a fanatic…
Since I joined the Catholic Church,
my sole object has been,
to reconcile my country to that Church
which I believe to be the One True Church.”since i joined the catholic church - bl leonid feodorov 7 march 2019.jpg

“Our hearts are full, not of hatred but of sadness.
You cannot understand us,
we are not allowed liberty of conscience.
That is the only conclusion,
we can draw from what we have heard here.”

(Addressing the court shortly before being sentenced to ten years in the GULAG)our hearts are full not of hatred but of sadness - bl leonid feodorov 7 march 2019.jpg

“The true messianism of the Russian (Catholic) Church
is not what the Slavophiles have imagined
but it is the example of suffering.
It is in this way that She shows,
that She is the continuation of Christ in this world.”

(Addressing a friend and confidant who was imprisoned with him at Solovki prison camp)the true messianism of the russian catholic church - bl leonid feodorov 7 march 2019.jpg

Prayer for Unity by Blessed Leonid

O Merciful Lord Jesus, Our Saviour,
hear the prayers and petitions
of Your unworthy, sinful servants,
who humbly call upon You
and make us all to be one
in Your One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Flood our souls with Your unquenchable light.
Put an end to religious disagreements
and grant that we Your disciples
and Your beloved children,
may all worship You,
with a single heart and voice.
Fulfill quickly, O grace-giving Lord,
Your promise,
that there shall be one flock
and one Divine Shepherd of Your Church
and may we be made worthy
to glorify Your Holy Name
now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Amen

Blessed Leonid Feodorov (1879-1935) Martyrprayer for unity by bl leonid feodorov - 7 march 2019.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 5 March – Shrove Tuesday 2019

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Our Morning Offering – 5 March – Tuesday of the Eighth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Shrove Tuesday 2019

The Grace of Thy Love
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

O My God,
strengthen me with Thy strength,
console me with Thy everlasting peace,
soothe me with the beauty of Thy countenance,
enlighten me with Thy uncreated holiness.
Bathe me in Thyself
and give me to drink,
as far as mortal man may ask,
of the rivers of grace
which flow from the Father and the Son,
the grace of Thy consubstantial,
co-eternal Love.
Amenthe-grace-of-they-love-bl-john-henry-newman-21-feb-2018.jpg

Posted in LENT 2019, NOVENAS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The LAST THINGS

Lenten Preparation Novena – Day Seven – 3 March 2019 “Come Back to Me With all your Heart”

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Lenten Preparation Novena – Day Seven – 3 March 2019
“Come Back to Me With all your Heart”

Lent 2019 will begin on
Wednesday, 6 March
The Holy Triduum is
Thursday 18 April – Holy Saturday 20 April
Easter Sunday 21 April 2019

Litany of Humility
Written by Servant of God Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930),
Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honoured, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me, O Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I, O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may increase and I may decrease, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, grant me the grace to desire it.litany of humility - card merry del val - 20 june 2018.jpg

A Meditation for this ‘Prelude to Lent’

REFLECTION – “LET US JUDGE OURSELVES, that we be not judged.
Let us afflict ourselves, that God may not afflict us.”

“And be sure of this – that if He has any love for you,
if He sees aught of good in your soul, He will afflict you,
if you will not afflict yourselves.
He will not let you escape.
He has ten thousand ways of purging those whom He has chosen,
from the dross and alloy with which the fine gold is defaced.
He can bring diseases on you, or can visit you with misfortunes,
or take away your friends, or oppress your minds with darkness,
or refuse you strength to bear up against pain when it comes upon you.
He can inflict on you a lingering and painful death.
He can make “the bitterness of death pass” not.
We, indeed, cannot decide in the case of others,
when trouble is a punishment and when not;
yet this we know – that all sin brings affliction.
We have no means of judging others
but we may judge ourselves.
LET US JUDGE OURSELVES, that we be not judged.
Let us afflict ourselves, that God may not afflict us.
Let us come before Him with our best offerings,
that He may forgive us.”

Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)let us judge ourselves - bl john henry newman - 3 march 2019.jpg

“To be Christian means,
not starting from death
but rather, from God’s love for us
which has defeated our most bitter enemy.
God is greater than nothingness
and a lit candle is enough to overcome the darkest of nights.
Echoing the prophets, Paul cries,
“O death, where is thy victory?
O death, where is thy sting?”

Pope Francis – General Audience, 19 April 2017to be a christian means not starting from death - lent prep nov day 7 3 march 2019

Lenten Preparation Novena
DAY SEVEN

Today Lord I choose Your Light,
I choose Your love
and the challenge to live it and share it,
I choose hope, even in moments of darkness,
I choose faith, accepting You as Lord and God,
I choose to let go of some part of my burdens,
day by day handing them over to You,
I choose to take hold of Your strength and power
ever more deeply in my life.
I choose to judge and afflict myself.
I choose repentance and reparation and suffering,
for all my sins
and those of all the world.
Forgive me my Lord!
May this truly be for me a time of new life,
of change, challenge and growth.
May I come to Easter with a heart open to dying with You
and rising to Your new life, day by day.
Help me to repent of my sins now
and make reparation throughout
this Lenten season and each day thereafter.
United with Your Son,
who makes His way to Calvary,
I offer You my intentions
…………………………………………..
(Mention your special intention)
Amenlenten prep novena day 7 3 march 2019.jpg

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 24 February – Grant me, O my God

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Our Morning Offering – 24 February – Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Grant me, O my God
By St Vincent Ferrer OP (1350-1419)

Good Jesus,
let me be penetrated with love
to the very marrow of my bones,
with fear and respect toward You;
let me burn with zeal for Your honour,
so that I may resent terribly all the outrages
committed against You, especially those
of which I myself have been guilty.
Grant further, O my God,
that I may adore
and acknowledge You humbly, as my Creator
and that, penetrated with gratitude
for all Your benefits,
I may never cease to render You thanks.
Grant that I may bless You in all things,
praise and glorify You
with a heart full of joy and gladness
and that, obeying You with docility
in every respect, I may one day,
despite my ingratitude and unworthiness,
be seated at Your table
together with Your Holy Angels and Apostles
to enjoy ineffable delights.
Amengood-jesus-let-me-be-penetrated-with-love-st-vincent-ferrer no 2 -24 feb-2019.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 22 February – May the mystery of Your Passion, enlighten our life

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Our Morning Offering – 22 February – The Memorial of St Margaret of Cortona TOSF (1247–1297)

O St Margaret of Cortona
By St John Paul (1920-2005)

O Saint Margaret of Cortona,
I too come today as a pilgrim and I pause to pray with you
at the feet of the image of Christ Crucified and Risen,
whom, as a penitent, you contemplated at length.
Lord Jesus, crucified for us,
in offering yourself on Calvary for all humanity,
You have revealed to us, the wellsprings of everlasting life.
May the mystery of Your Passion, enlighten our life,
making us ready to follow You on the way of holiness and love.
Rekindle our faith, teach us to recognise and welcome
in our everyday life, the plans of Your mysterious Providence.
Give us the courage to confess our sins
and open our hearts to sorrow,
in order to receive the gift of Your mercy.
Empower us to forgive our brethren
following the example of Your love that knows no bounds.
Help us to be humbly disposed to repair the harm we have done
by actively and generously serving the poor, the sick
and all who are marginalised and without hope.
Give everyone the joy of persevering faithfully,
in full harmony with the Church,
along the way of the particular calling.
Above all others, show the young,
the splendid plan of love that You intend to bring about for them
and with them, in the new millennium.
Enable us to be peacemakers,
tenacious weavers of daily relationships of fraternal solidarity,
artisans of reconciliation,
witnesses and apostles of the civilisation of love.
O glorious Saint Margaret of Cortona,
present this request to your Crucified Lord and ours.
Guide us with the strength of your example,
support us with your constant protection,
be our companion, we beg you,
till we reach our Father’s house.
Amen

Pope John Paul II, 1999o st margaret of cortona by st john paul - 22 feb 2019.jpg

St Margaret of Cortona, Pray for Us!st margaret of cortona pray for us 22 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 21 February – Lord, Whatever You Will

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Our Morning Offering-21 February-Thursday of the Sixth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Lord, Whatever You Will
By Blessed Rupert Mayer SJ (1876-1945)
The Apostle of Munich

Lord, let happen whatever You will;
and as You will, so will I walk,
help me only to know Your will!
Lord, whenever You will,
then is the time,
today and always

Lord, whatever You will,
I wish to accept,
and whatever You will for me is gain,
enough that I belong to You.
Lord, because You will it, it is right,
and because You will it, I have courage.
My heart rests safely in Your hands!
Amenlord, whatever you will by bl rupert mayer sj- 5 nov 2018 his mem 3 nov.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Our Morning Offering – 20 February – Prayer for the Gift of Prayer

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Our Morning Offering – 20 February – Wednesday of the Sixth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Prayer for the Gift of Prayer
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Church

O Incarnate Word,
You have given Your Blood and Your Life
to confer on our prayers that power by which,
according to Your promise,
they obtain for us all that we ask.
And we, O God,
are so careless of our salvation,
that we will not even ask You for the graces
that we must have, if we should be saved!
In prayer You have given us the key
of all Your Divine treasures;
and we, rather than pray,
choose to remain in our misery.
Alas! O Lord, enlighten us,
and make us know the value of prayers,
offered in Your name and by Your merits,
in the eyes of Your Eternal Father.
Amenprayer for the gift of prayer - st alphonsus liguori 2nd time 20 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 16 February – O Mary, My Mother

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Our Morning Offering – 16 February – Saturday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Marian Saturdays

O Mary, My Mother
By St Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938)

O Mary, my Mother
and my Lady,
I offer You my soul, my body,
my life and my death
and all that will follow it.
I place everything in Your hands.
O my Mother,
cover my soul with Your virginal mantle
and grant me the grace
of purity of heart, soul and body.
Defend me with Your power against all enemies
and especially against those
who hide their malice
behind the mask of virtue.
O lovely lily!
You are for me a mirror,
O my Mother!
Amen

(Diary 79)o mary my mother - st faustina - 16 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on MERCY, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 15 February – Help Me, O Lord that I may be Merciful

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Our Morning Offering – 15 February – The Memorial of Blessed Michał Sopoćko (1888-1975) Apostle of Divine Mercy

Help Me, O Lord that I may be Merciful
St Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938)

“Help me, O Lord, …
that my eyes may be merciful,
so that I will never be suspicious
or judge by appearances
but always look for what is beautiful
in my neighbours’ souls
and be of help to them…
That my ears may be merciful,
so that I will be attentive to my neighbours’ needs
and not indifferent to their pains and complaints.…
That my tongue may be merciful,
so that I will never speak badly of others
but have a word of comfort and forgiveness for all.…
That my hands may be merciful and full of good deeds.…
That my feet may be merciful,
so that I will hasten to help my neighbour,
despite my own fatigue and weariness.…
That my heart may be merciful,
so that I myself will share
in all the sufferings of my neighbour.”

(Extract from Divine Mercy in My Soul, Diary of St Maria Faustina Kowalska, 163)
This prayer was used by Pope Francis for the Year of Mercy 2015 to be universally prayed by the Church.help me o lord that I may be merciful st faustina - 15 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 14 February -Prayer for Unbelievers

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Our Morning Offering – 14 February – Thursday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of Sts Cyril and Methodius “Apostles to the Slavs”- Patrons of Europe

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

Eternal God,
Creator of all things
remember that the souls of unbelievers
have been created by You,
in Your own image and likeness
and formed to become Your own People..
Behold, O Lord,
how, to Your dishonour,
hell is being filled with these very souls.
Remember that Jesus Christ, Your Son,
for their salvation, suffered a most cruel death.
Do not permit, O Lord, I beseech You,
that Your divine Son be any longer
despised by unbelievers
but rather, being appeased by the prayers
of Your saints and the Church,
the most holy spouse of Your Son,
deign to be mindful of Your mercy
and forgetting their idolatry
and their unbelief,
bring them to know Him,
Whom You did send,
Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord,
Who is our health, life and resurrection,
through Whom,
we have been redeemed and saved,
and to Whom,
be all glory forever.
Amenprayer for unbelievers by st francis xavier sj 14 feb 2019.jpg

Prayer on the Memorial of Sts Cyril & Methodius
“Patrons of Europe”

Almighty and everlasting God,
who by the power of the Holy Spirit
moved Your servant Cyril
and his brother Methodius,
to bring the light of the Gospel
to a hostile and divided people,
overcome all bitterness
and strife among us,
by the love of Christ.
May we take Your word
into our hearts
that we may share it with all
and be one in professing the true faith.
Make us one united family
under the banner of the Prince of Peace,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever,
amen.prayer - sts cyril and methodius memorial 14 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 13 February – Wednesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

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Our Morning Offering – 13 February – Wednesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Only For You, In You, By You.
By St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church

Lord Jesus,
let me know myself and know You
and desire nothing save only You.
Let me hate myself and love You.
Let me do everything, for the sake of You.
Let me humble myself and exalt You.
Let me think of nothing, except You.
Let me die to myself and live in You.
Let me accept whatever happens, as from You.
Let me banish self and follow You
and ever desire to follow You.
Let me fly from myself and take refuge in You,
That I may deserve, to be defended by You.
Let me fear for myself.
Let me fear You
and let me be among those, who are chosen by You.
Let me distrust myself and put my trust in You.
Let me be willing to obey, for the sake of You.
Let me cling to nothing, save only to You,
And let me be poor, because of You.
Look upon me, that I may love You.
Call me, that I may see You
and for ever enjoy You.
Amenonly fo you in you by you - st augustine 13 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 12 February – Remember Your Mercies, Lord

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Our Morning Offering – 12 February – Tuesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Remember Your Mercies, Lord
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O Lord, my God,
You are my all and every good.
And what am I,
that I should presume to address You?
I am the poorest of Your servants
and a wretched worm,
far more poor and worthless
than I can ever realise or express.
Yet, Lord, remember that I am nothing,
I have nothing and can do nothing.
You alone are good, just and holy,
You can do all things,
fill all things,
bestow all things,
leaving only the wicked empty-handed.
Remember Your mercies, Lord
and fill my heart with Your grace,
since it is Your will
that none of Your works should be worthless.
How can I endure this life of sorrows,
unless You strengthen me
with Your mercy and grace?
Do not turn Your face from me,
do not delay Your coming,
nor withdraw Your consolation from me,
lest my soul become like a waterless desert.
Teach me, O Lord, to do Your will,
teach me to live worthily and humbly in Your sight,
for You are my wisdom,
who know me truly
and who knew me before the world was made
and before I had my being.
Amenremember your mercies lord - by thomas a kmepis 12 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Thought for the Day – 11 February – Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes and the 27th World Day of Prayer for the Sick

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Thought for the Day – 11 February – Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes and the 27th World Day of Prayer for the Sick

Each year over 2 million people make their way through the mountainous country of southeastern France to Lourdes.   They come seeking cures, hoping to find answers, believing, and praying.   At Lourdes, people recall the Lady dressed in white, with a blue sash, yellow roses at her feet and a Rosary on her arm—the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On 11 February 1858, Mary appeared to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous.   This was the first of 18 visits, many of them with 20,000 people present.   When Bernadette asked the Lady’s identity, she replied, “I am the Immaculate Conception.”   Just four years earlier, the pope had proclaimed it a dogma that Mary was conceived immaculate without original sin.   The Blessed Virgin, through Bernadette, had come to call sinners to a change of heart.   Her message was a request for prayer and penance.   She also instructed Bernadette to tell the priests that a chapel was to be built on the site and processions held.

On 25 February 1858, the Lady told Bernadette to dig in the dirt and drink of the stream. Bernadette began to dig and after several attempts, she was able to find the water to drink.   The water continued to flow from where she had dug with her hands until it was producing over 32,000 gallons of water a day—as it still does.   There have been over 5,000 cures recorded but less than 100 of them have been declared miraculous by the Church.   Most of these have taken place during the blessing with the Blessed Sacrament.

Today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.   We may never travel to Lourdes and join in the processions but we can know always that we have a Mother to help us and lead us to her Son, Jesus.   And so we pray to her:

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes
By St Pope John Paul II (1920-2005)

To Mary, Mother of tender love,
we wish to entrust all those
who are ill in body and soul,
that she may sustain them in hope.
We ask her also to help us to be welcoming
to our sick brothers and sisters.

Hail Mary, poor and humble Woman,
Blessed by the Most High!
Virgin of hope, dawn of a new era,
We join in your song of praise,
to celebrate the Lord’s mercy,
to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom
and the full liberation of humanity.

Hail Mary, lowly handmaid of the Lord,
Glorious Mother of Christ!
Faithful Virgin, holy dwelling-place of the Word,
Teach us to persevere in listening to the Word,
and to be docile to the voice of the Spirit,
attentive to His promptings in the depths of our conscience
and to His manifestations in the events of history.

Hail Mary, Woman of sorrows,
Mother of the living!
Virgin spouse beneath the Cross, the new Eve,
Be our guide along the paths of the world.
Teach us to experience and to spread the love of Christ,
to stand with you before the innumerable crosses
on which your Son is still crucified.

Hail Mary, woman of faith,
First of the disciples!
Virgin Mother of the Church, help us always
to account for the hope that is in us,
with trust in human goodness and the Father’s love.
Teach us to build up the world beginning from within:
in the depths of silence and prayer,
in the joy of fraternal love,
in the unique fruitfulness of the Cross.

Holy Mary, Mother of believers,
Our Lady of Lourdes,
pray for us.
Amenprayer-to-our-lady-of-lourdes-by-st-john-paul-no-2-11-feb-2018 (1).jpg

Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for Us!ou lady of lourdes pray for us 11 feb 2019.jpg

St Bernadette, Pray for Us!st-bernadette-pray-for-us-11-feb-2018.jpg

Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 11 February

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 February – Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes and the 27th World Day of Prayer for the Sick and the Memorial of St Caedmon (Died c 680)

“I am the Immaculate Conception.”

Our Lady of Lourdes to St Bernadette
25 March 1858i am the imm conception 11 feb 2019.jpg

Let us now praise
the Guardian of the Kingdom of Heaven
and the might of the Creator
and the thought of His Mind,
glorious Father of men,
for He, Lord Eternal,
did frame the beginning
of every marvellous thing.
He first made the heavens
as a roof for the children of men,
God, the Creator!
Then the mid-earth did the eternal Lord,
the Guardian of men,
therewith provide and earth for men,
the Lord God Almighty!

Saint Caedmon

“Hymn of Creation” by St Caedmon, the hymn he learned in his visionhymn of creation by st caedmon 11 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 11 February – Monday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

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Our Morning Offering – 11 February – Monday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Help Us This Day, O Lord
By St Sulpicius Severus (c 363–c 425)
[St Supicius was a disciple of St Martin of Tours (c 316-307) and great friend of St Paulinus of Nola (c354- 431).   He was a writer and one of his most remembered works is his life of St Martin.]

Help us this day,
O Lord,
to serve You devoutly
and the world busily.
May we do our work wisely,
give help secretly,
go to our meal
with appetite
and dine moderately.
May we please
our friends duly,
go to bed merrily
and sleep soundly.
in the joy
of Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Amenhelp us this day o lord - 11 feb 2019 by st sulpicius severus

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 7 February – May I Love You More Dearly

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Our Morning Offering-7 February-Thursday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

May I Love You More Dearly
By St Richard of Chichester (1197-1253)

Thanks be to You,
my Lord Jesus Christ
For all the benefits
You have given me,
For all the pains and insults
You have borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer,
friend and brother,
May I know You
more clearly,
Love You
more dearly,
Follow You
more nearly.
Amenmay i love you more dearly - st richard of chichester no 5 7 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 6 February – “O Mary”

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Our Morning Offering – 6 February – Wednesday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

O Mary
By Ven Fulton J Sheen (1895-1979)

O Mary,
we have exiled your Divine Son
from our lives,
our councils,
our education
and our families!
Come with the light of the sun
as the symbol of His Power!
Heal our wars, our dark unrest,
cool the cannon’s lips so hot with war!
Take our minds off the atom
and our souls out of the muck of nature!
Give us rebirth in your Divine Son,
us, the poor children of the earth,
grown old with age!
Ameno mary no 2 - ven fulton sheen 6 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY NAME, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 5 February – Write Your Blessed Name, Upon My Heart

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Our Morning Offering – 5 February-Tuesday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Write Your Blessed Name, Upon My Heart
By Thomas à Kempis

Write Your blessed name,
O Lord,
upon my heart,
there to remain so indelibly engraved,
that no prosperity,
no adversity shall ever move me
from Your love.
Be to me a strong tower of defence,
a comforter in tribulation,
a deliverer in distress,
a very present help in trouble
and a guide to heaven
through the many temptations
and dangers of this life.
Amenwrite your blessed name o lord upon my heart - thomas a kempist - 5 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, franciscan OFM, JESUIT SJ, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 February – Bl Rabanus Maurus, St Joseph of Leonissa & St John de Britto

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 February – The Memorial of Blessed Rabanus Maurus OSB (776-856), St Joseph of Leonissa OFM CAP (1556-1612) and St John de Britto SJ (1647-1693) Martyr

Veni Creator Spiritus

Come, Creator, Spirit,
come from Your bright heavenly throne,
come take possession of our souls
and make them all Your own.
You who are called the Paraclete,
best gift of God above,
the living spring,
the vital fire,
sweet christ’ning and true love. . . .
O guide our minds with Your best light,
with love our hearts inflame
and with Your strength,
which ne’er decays,
confirm our mortal frame.
Far from us drive our deadly foe,
true peace unto us bring
and through all perils lead us safe
beneath Your sacred wing.
Through You may we the Father know,
through You th’eternal Son
and You the Spirit of them both,
thrice-blessed Three in One. . . .

By Blessed Rabanus Maurus (776-856)veni-creator-spiritus-bl-rabanus-maurus-4-feb-2018.jpg

“Every Christian must be a living book
wherein one can read the teaching of the gospel.
This is what St Paul says to the Corinthians.
Our heart is the parchment; through my ministry
the Holy Spirit is the writer because
‘my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe’
(Psalm 45:1).”

St Joseph of Leonissa OFM CAP (1556-1612)every-christian-must-be-a-living-book-st-joseph-of-leonissa-4-feb-2018.jpg

“God, Who called me
from the world into religious life,
now calls me from Portugal to India….
Not to answer the vocation as I ought,
would be to provoke the justice of God.”

St John de Britto SJ (1647-1693) Martyrgod who called me - st john de britto - 4 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 4 February – the Memorial of St John de Britto SJ (1647-1693) Martyr – “Suscipe”

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Our Morning Offering – 4 February – Monday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of St John de Britto SJ (1647-1693) Martyr

Suscipe
By St Ignatius Loyla SJ (1491-1556)

Take, Lord and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.
To You, Lord, I return it.

Everything is Yours,
do with it what You will.
Give me only Your love
and Your grace,
that is enough for me.suscipe - st ignatius loyola - 20 oct 2018.jpg

Posted in GOD the FATHER, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH

Second Thoughts for the Day – 3 February – Before you were born I consecrated you

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Second Thoughts for the Day – 3 February – Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – First Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you,
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”…Jeremiah 1:4–5

As linked with the Gospel episode of Jesus’ proclaiming the Word of God in Nazareth and the people’s response, it is fair to ponder, all gifts given by the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to build-up the Body of Christ, the Church.   Through Baptism, Confirmation and the Most Holy Eucharist, all have been “set apart” and “appointed” for particular missions throughout our lives, beginning with the call ‘to be holy.’

This quote by Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890), is written and speaks of you and me:

God has created me to do Him some definite service;
He has committed some work to me
which He has not committed to another.
I have my mission—
I may never know it in this life but I shall be told it in the next.
…I am a link in a chain,
a bond of connection between persons.

He has not created me for naught.
I shall do good,
I shall do His work,
I shall be an angel of peace,
a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it,
if I do but keep His Commandments.

…Therefore I will trust Him.
Whatever, wherever I am.
I can never be thrown away.

If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him;
in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him;
in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.

…He does nothing in vain.
…He knows what He is about.

god has created me - bl john henry newman 3 feb 2019.jpg

Blessed John Henry Newman, Pray for us!bl-john-henry-pray-for-us - 9 oct 2018.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Our Morning Offering – 3 February – The Bread of Angels

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Our Morning Offering – 3 February – Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

The Bread of Angels
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Doctor of the Church

Pierce, O most sweet Lord Jesus,
my inmost soul with the most joyous
and healthful wound of Your love,
and with true, calm and most holy apostolic charity,
that my soul may ever languish and melt
with entire love and longing for You,
may yearn for You and for Your courts,
may long to be dissolved and to be with You.
Grant that my soul may hunger after You,
the Bread of Angels, the refreshment of holy souls,
our daily and supersubstantial bread,
having all sweetness and savour
and every delightful taste.
May my heart ever hunger after and feed upon You,
Whom the angels desire to look upon,
and may my inmost soul
be filled with the sweetness of Your savour;
may it ever thirst for You,
the fountain of life,
the fountain of widsom and knowledge,
the fountain of eternal light,
the torrent of pleasure,
the fulness of the house of God;
may it ever compass You,
seek You, find You, run to You,
come up to You, meditate on You, speak of You
and do all for the praise and glory of Your name,
with humility and discretion,
with love and delight,
with ease and affection,
with perseverence to the end
and be You alone ever my hope,
my entire confidence, my riches, my delight,
my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility,
my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment,
my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion,
my possession, my treasure;
in Whom may my mind and my heart
be ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably.
Amenthe bread of angels - st bonaventure - 3 feb 2019.jpg

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

Thought for the Day – 1 February

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Thought for the Day – 1 February – the Memorial of St Brigid of Ireland (c 453-523)

St Brigid directly influenced several other future saints of Ireland and her many religious communities helped to secure the country’s conversion from paganism to the Catholic faith.

The Irish call on her in every need, for, as the ancient legends run, “everything that Brigid asked of the Lord, was granted her at once.   For this was her desire – to satisfy the poor, to expel every hardship, to spare every miserable man.”   And, she still carries on this mission today.

St Brigid took the whole of humanity into her heart and 1500 years after her death, the power of goodness and holiness reaches down through the centuries.   There was no limit to her charity and her love for all.   God thus graced her with great power to do good for all.   There should be no limit to ours – imagine a world such as this!

St Brigid’s Blessing

May Brigid bless the house wherein we dwell.
Bless every fireside, every wall and door.
Bless every heart that beats beneath its roof.
Bless every hand that toils to bring its joy.
Bless every foot that walks portals through.
May Brigid bless the house that shelters us.st brigid's blessing 1 feb 2019.jpg

St Brigid of Ireland, Pray for Us!st brigid of ireland pray for us 1 feb 2019 no 2.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 1 February – Let Your Will be Mine

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Our Morning Offering – 1 February – Friday of the Third week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Let Your Will be Mine
A Prayer for Fulfilling
the Will of God
Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O most merciful Jesus,
grant me Your grace,
that it may remain with me always
and persevere with me to the end.
Grant me always to will and desire,
what is more pleasing and acceptable to You.
Let Your will be mine
and let my will always follow Yours
in perfect conformity with it.
Let my will and desires, always be one with Yours
and let me be unable to will or not to will,
except as You will or do not will.
Grant that I may die to all worldly things
and that I may be despised and unknown
for love of You.
Grant, above all things to be desired,
that I may find rest in You
and that in Your Heart alone, may be my peace.
You, O Lord, give true peace to the heart
and perfect rest to body and soul.
Apart from You, all is difficult and never still.
In that peace, in You Who are the one,
supreme and eternal Good,
I will sleep and take my rest.
Amena prayer for fulfilling the will of god - thomas a kempis -1 feb 2019- corrected from 10 july 2018.jpg

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 31 January – The Memorial of St John Bosco (1815-1888)

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Our Morning Offering – 31 January – The Memorial of St John Bosco (1815-1888)

Most Holy Virgin Mary,
Help of Christians
By Saint John Bosco

Most Holy Virgin Mary,
Help of Christians,
how sweet it is to come to your feet
imploring your perpetual help.
If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children,
how can you, the most loving of all mothers forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore you,
your perpetual help in all my necessities,
in every sorrow
and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for your unceasing help
for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak,
cure the sick,
convert sinners.
Grant through your intercessions
many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked you on earth
we may love
and eternally thank you in heaven.
Amenmost holy virgin mary help of christians by st john bosco 31 jan 2019.jpg

Posted in franciscan OFM, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 29 January

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Our Morning Offering – 29 January – Tuesday of the Third week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Prayer Before a Crucifix
By St Francis of Assisi (c 1181-1226)

Most High glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart.
Give me right faith,
sure hope
and perfect charity.
Fill me with understanding
and knowledge
that I may fulfil
Your command.
Amenprayer before a crucifix - st francis - 29 jan 2019.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 28 January – The Memorial of St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

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Our Morning Offering – 28 January – The Memorial of St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Grant to me, O Merciful God
By St Thomas Aquinas

O merciful God,
grant that I may ever perfectly
do Your Will in all things.
Let it be my ambition to work
only for Your honour and glory.
Let me rejoice in nothing
but that leads to You,
nor grieve for anything
that leads away from You.
May all passing things
be as nothing in my eyes,
and may all that is Yours
be dear to me,
and You, my God,
dear above them all.
May all joy be
meaningless without You
and may I desire
nothing apart from You.
May all labour and toil
delight me when it is for You.
Make me, O Lord,
obedient without complaint,
poor without regret,
patient without murmur,
humble without pretense,
joyous without frivolity,
and truthful without disguise.
Give me, O God,
an ever watchful heart
which nothing can ever
lure away from You;
a noble heart,
which no unworthy affection
can draw downwards to the earth;
an upright heart,
which no evil can warp,
an unconquerable heart,
which no tribulation can crush;
a free heart,
which no perverted affection
can claim for its own.
Bestow on me, O God,
understanding to know You,
diligence to seek You,
and wisdom to find You;
a life which may please You,
and a hope which may
embrace You at the last.
Amengrant to me o merciful god - st thomas aquinas 28 jan 2019.jpg

Posted in CONSECRATION Prayers, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Our Morning Offering – 27 January – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Our Morning Offering – 27 January – The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Consecration to the Most Holy Trinity
by Blessed James Alberione (1884-1971) (Founder of the Pauline Family)

Divine Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
present and active in the Church
and in the depths of my soul,
I adore You, I thank You, I love You!
And through the hands of Mary
most holy, my Mother,
I offer, give and consecrate myself
entirely to You
for life and for eternity.
To you, Heavenly Father, I offer,
give and consecrate myself
as Your son/daughter.
To you, Jesus Master, I offer,
give and consecrate myself
as Your brother/sister and disciple.
To you, Holy Spirit,
I offer, give and consecrate myself
as “a living temple”
to be consecrated and sanctified.
Mary, Mother of the Church and my Mother,
who dwells in the presence
of the Blessed Trinity,
teach me to live,
through the liturgy and the sacraments,
in ever more intimate union
with the three divine Persons,
so that my whole life may be
a “glory to the Father, to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.” Amen.prayer-to-the-holy-trinity-by-bl-james-alberione-reposted 27 jan 2019 2017.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 26 January – Saturday’s with Mary – A Prayer by St Bernard O.Cist

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Our Morning Offering – 26 January – The Memorial of the 3 Founders of the Cistercian Order

Run, Hasten, O Lady
By St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) Doctor of the Church

Run, hasten, O Lady
and in your mercy,
help your sinful servant,
who calls upon you
and deliver him
from the hands of the enemy.
Who will not sigh to you?
We sigh with love and grief,
for we are oppressed on every side.
How can we do otherwise than sigh to you,
O solace of the miserable,
refuge of outcasts,
ransom of captives?
We are certain that when you see our miseries,
your compassion will hasten to relieve us.
O our sovereign Lady and our Advocate,
commend us to your Son.
Grant, O blessed one,
by the grace which you have merited,
that He Who through you
was graciously pleased to become
a partaker of our infirmity and misery,
may also through your intercession,
make us partakers
of His happiness and glory.
Ameno lady i call upon you - st bernard, run hasten o lady - 30 may 2018

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, St PAUL!

Our Morning Offering – 25 January – The Feast of the Conversion of St Paul

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Our Morning Offering – 25 January – The Feast of the Conversion of St Paul

Lead, Kindly Light
By Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on;
The night is dark and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on.
Keep Thou my feet, I do not ask to see
The distant scene, one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Should lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path but now
Lead Thou me on.
I loved the garish day and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my wil, remember not past years.

So long Thy power has blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone
And with the morn those Angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since and lost awhile.

Lead, Kindly Light is a hymn with words written in 1833 by Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890) as a poem titled “the Pillar and the Cloud” – it consists of 3 verses, anything after that is not by John Henry.

As a young priest, Newman became sick while in Italy and was unable to travel for almost three weeks. In his own words:
“Before starting from my inn, I sat down on my bed and began to sob bitterly.   My servant, who had acted as my nurse, asked what ailed me.   I could only answer, “I have a work to do in England.”   I was aching to get home, yet for want of a vessel I was kept at Palermo for three weeks.   I began to visit the churches and they calmed my impatience, though I did not attend any services.   At last I got off in an orange boat, bound for Marseilles.   We were becalmed for whole week in the Straits of Bonifacio and it was there that I wrote the lines, Lead, Kindly Light, which have since become so well known.”

Why this for St Paul? – this time in Bl John Henry’s life was a time of internal “conversion’ – after, his well-known “Sicily providential illness”, he started to turn towards “Rome” – although first the Oxford Movement had to happen and then some more difficult years before his final conversion but once he had put his hand to the plough, there was no turning back in his journey towards Truth.

I am sure you will agree with me that the words of this most beautiful prayer/poem/hymn, fit the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul perfectly.Lead Kindly Light Bl john henry newman 25 jan2019 for the conv of st paul.jpg