Quote/s of the Day – 18 October – The Feast of St Luke, the Evangelist
“Luke, the beloved Physician, sends greetings … ”
Colossians 4:14
“Demas has forsaken me and has left for Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me.”
2 Timothy 4:11
“And we have sent along with him (Titus), the brother (Luke) whose services to the Gospel are praised in all the Churches and what is more, who was also appointed by the Churches, to travel with us in this work of grace …”
2 Corinthians 8:18-19
The Salus Populi Romani Protectress and Health of the Roman People Painted By St Luke resides in St Mary Major Basilica, Rome
One Minute Reflection – 18 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – The Feast of St Luke, the Evangelist – 2 Corinthians 8:16-24, Luke 10:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“The harvest indeed is great but the labourers are few. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest that He send labourers into His harvest. ” – Luke 10:2
REFLECTION – “That Luke was inseparable from Paul and his fellow-labourer in the Gospel, he himself clearly evinces, not as a matter of boasting but as bound to do so by the truth itself. For when Barnabas and John Mark, had parted company from Paul and sailed to Cyprus, Luke writes: “We came to Troas” (Acts 16:8.11)… Then he carefully indicates all the rest of their journey as far as Philippi,and how they delivered their first address … And all the remaining details of his journey with Paul, he recounts with all possible diligence … As Luke was present at all these occurrences, he carefully noted them down in writing, so that he cannot be convicted of falsehood or boastfulness for all these details were well known …
That Luke was not merely a follower but also a fellow-labourer of the Apostles and especially of Paul, Paul himself declared too in his Epistles, saying: “Demas has forsaken me and has left for Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me” (2 Tim 4:11). From this Paul shows that Luke was always attached to and, inseparable from him. And again, in the Letter to the Colossians, he says: “Luke, the beloved Physician, greets you” (Col 4:14)…” – St Irenaeus (c130-c202) Bishop, Martyr, Theologian, Father of the Church (Against the Heresies III).
PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, that Luke, Thy holy Evangelist, who for the honour of Thy Name bore continuously in his body the suffering of the Cross, may intercede on our behalf. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Quote/s of the Day – 18 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Joseph of Cupertino OFM Conv (1603-1663) Confessor – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; Matthew 22:1-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?”
Matthew 22:12
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries and all knowledge and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains but have not charity, I am nothing!”
St Paul 1 Corinthians 13:1-2
“Love the Lord and so, learn to love yourselves that when, by loving the Lord, you shall have loved yourselves, you may securely love your neighbour as yourselves. … So then, have faith with love. This is the “wedding garment!”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“Love God, serve God. Everything is in that!”
St Clare of Assisi (1191-1253)
“It is an old custom with the servants of God, always to have some little prayers ready and to be darting them up to Heaven frequently during the day, lifting their minds to God out of the filth of this world. He who adopts this plan, will get great fruit, with little pains.”
St Philip Neri (1515-1595)
“He who most loves, will be most loved.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
“What is it to serve God and to go to Heaven? Nothing else but to love!”
Thought for the Day – 29 July – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
HUMILITY Meditations for a Month
Models of Humility: The Saints
Some Saints excelled in one virtue, some in another but all were pre-eminent in humility. The heroes of the Church of God, whether under the Old or the New Dispensation, were marked off from the heroes of paganism by their humility. Thus, Abraham described himself as dust and ashes. Job, in the presence of God, expressed his abhorrence of himself. David, when visited by the Hand of God, thanks Him for having humbled him. Daniel declares that to him belongs shame and confusion of face. If, even without the example of Jesus and Mary before them, these Saints were so humble, what ought you to be? !
The Saints of the New Testament are still more conspicuous for their humility. Saint Paul believed and declared himself to be the chief of sinners. Saint Bernard expressed his astonishment that God should work miracles by the hands of one so vile as he. Saint Dominic, before entering a City, used to pray that he might not bring down judgements upon it for his sins. Saint Philip Neri used to invent ingenious methods of drawing down ridicule upon himself! Saint Francis Borgia, when someone by accident, spat in his face, merely remarked that he could not have found a more suitable place to spit upon. Compare the humility of these saints with your pride and humble yourself before God.
The Saints were not exaggerated in their sentiments. They said, with truth that, if God had given to the greatest of sinners the graces given to them, they might perhaps have been far holier than they. Think of the graces given you. How often you have abused and rejected them! If the Saints could lament over graces lost, how ought you to humble yourself for your ingratitude?
Thought for the Day – 23 July – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
CHARITY Meditations for a Month
The Disinterestedness of Charity
Charity is a love of God for His Own sake. In its perfection, it banishes self altogether. It does not turn the mind to self or to that which self desires. It thinks only of God, His greatness and His goodness. It seeks to promote His honour and His glory, simply for the sake of promoting the honour and glory of One so infinitely worthy of our love and homage, quite independently of any reward or gain which is to accrue to ourselves thereby. Is this the nature of my love of God?
Yet, if “charity begins at home” and we, necessarily as rational beings, seek that which is good for ourselves, how is this disinterested love possible? It is possible because, those who possess it, find their highest and purest happiness in this forgetfulness of self. In their very neglect of the interests of self, they are actually procuring, for themselves, the greatest of all rewards — the joy which comes of loving and serving God, simply and solely, for His Own sake.
Do those who have this charity in their hearts seek, at the same time, the eternal blessedness of Heaven? Some Saints (like Moses and Saint Paul), in an ecstasy of love, protested that they would willingly forfeit the prospect of their own eternal happiness, if by doing so, they could promote the glory and honour of God! They did not mean thereby, to relinquish the hope of Heaven but, that their Heaven was formed in this highest love and any happiness, save this, was as nothing in their eyes. The highest charity indeed, includes a longing after the Beatific Vision but this is secondary to the absorbing love of God simply for His Own sake and, as He alone is so, worthy of our love.
Quote of the Day – 6 July – The Octave Day of Sts Peter and Paul
“There are the Gates of our true country, the two lights of the immense world. There Paul’s voice is heard like thunder; there Peter withholds or hurls the bolt . The former opens the hearts of men, the latter opens Heaven. Peter is the Foundation-stone, Paul the Architect of the temple where stands the Altar by which God is propitiated. Both together form a single Fountain, which pours out its healing and refreshing waters.”
St Venantius Fortunatus (c 530 – c 609) “The Troubadour of Christ”
One Minute Reflection – 6 July– “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Octave Day of Sts Peter and Paul – Sirach 44:10-15, Matthew 14:22-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” … Matthew 14:31
REFLECTION – “Once again the disciples are a plaything of the waves and a storm, similar to the first one (Mt 8:4), hurls itself against them. The first time, however, they had Jesus with them, whereas this time, they are alone and left to themselves. … I think this was because our Saviour wanted to stir their sleeping hearts and, by throwing them into a panic, He inspired in them, a strong desire for His presence and kept the remembrance of Him constantly in their minds. Hence, He did not come to their help at once but “during the fourth watch of the night He came towards them, walking on the sea”. …
Peter, ever volatile, always getting in before the other disciples, said: “Lord, if it is Thee, command me to come to Thee on the water” … He did not say, “Command me to walk on the water” but “come to Thee” for there was none who loved Jesus as much as he. He did the same thing after the Resurrection – unable to bear moving as slowly as the others in the boat, he jumped into the water to get there before them and satisfy his love for Christ. … Getting out of the boat, then, Peter went towards Jesus, more delighted to be going towards Him than to be walking on the water. But after confronting the greatest danger, that of the sea, he was to give in to a lesser, that of the wind. Such is human nature! Often, having overcome serious dangers we are conquered by lesser ones … Peter had not yet been set free from all his fear … in spite of Christ’s presence beside him. For it is of no use to be beside Christ if one is not close to Him by faith. This is what emphasises the distance separating Master from the disciple …
“O man of little faith, why did you doubt?”So, if Peter’s faith had not faltered, he would have resisted the wind without difficulty. And the proof of this, is that Jesus grasped Peter while leaving the wind to continue blowing … Just as the mother bird supports with her wings, as it is about to fall, the fledgling that has prematurely left the nest and draws it back into the nest, so does Christ with regard to Peter.” … St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (Homilies on Saint Matthew’s Gospel, 50, 1-2).
PRAYER – O God, Who made this day holy by the Martyrdom of Your Apostles Peter and Paul, grant Thy Church to follow in all things, the teaching of those, from whom she first received the faith. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 6 July – The Octave Day of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Decora Luce Aeternitatis What Fairer Light? Attrib. to H Elphis (Died 493) Wife of BL Severinus Boethius c 477– 524) Trans. Msgr Ronald Knox (1888–1957)
What fairer light is this than time itself doth own, The golden day with beams more radiant brightening? The Princes of God’s Church this Feast day doth enthrone, To sinners heavenward bound their burden lightening.
One taught mankind its creed, one guards the Heavenly Gate, Founders of Rome, they bind the world in loyalty; One by the sword achieved, one by the cross his fate; With laurelled brows they hold eternal royalty.
Rejoice, O Rome, this day; thy walls they once did sign With princely blood, who now their glory share with thee. What city’s vesture glows with crimson deep as thine? What beauty else has earth that may compare with thee?
To God the Three in One eternal homage be, All honour, all renown, all songs victorious, Who rules both heaven and earth by one divine decree, To everlasting years in empire glorious. Amen
5th century Latin Hymn “Aurea Luce” attributed to H Elphis (Died 493), first wife of the Roman philosopher-poet Boethius (c475–c525). He would eventually be Martyred for his defence of the Faith against the Arian ruler: Theodoric. Msgr Knox, a convert from Anglicanism, was a noted Scholar, Author, Hymnist and Translator, becoming the Secretary to St Pius X. Under direction of his religious superiors, he re-translated the Latin Vulgate Bible into English from Hebrew and Greek sources. What Fairer Light is set to the tune, Decora Lux by the English Catholic Composer, Samuel Webbe (1740–1816).
In 1632, in accord with changes called for by the Council of Trent, Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644) revised the original text of Aurea Luce and divided it into two new Hymns for Lauds and Vespers: Decora Lux and Beate Pastor Petre. In the Liturgy of the Hours, What Fairer Light is used on 29 June, the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul, Apostles. The above is the Older version.
One Minute Reflection – 4 July– “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Within the Octave of Sts Peter and Paul – Acts 5:12-16, Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And everyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29
REFLECTION – “WE MUST POSSESS a continual and imperturbable equanimity, amid the great variety of human occurrences and although, all things change around us, remain immovable, with our eyes fixed on God alone. And, although, all things, I will not merely say around us but even within us, should turn topsy-turvy; whether our souls be joyful or sorrowful, in peace or in trouble, in light or in darkness, in temptation or in repose, in happiness or in disgust, although the sun scorch, or the dew refresh – we should always keep our will fixed on the good pleasure of God, as its sole and supreme object.
It is true that we require great confidence to abandon ourselves, without any reserve, to Divine Providence but, when we do abandon all, Our Lord takes care of all and disposes of all. But, if we reserve anything which we are unwilling to confide to Him, He leaves us, as if He would say: “You think yourselves sufficiently wise to manage that affair without Me – you can do so and see what will come of it!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor Caritatis( Consoling Thoughts on God and Providence).
PRAYER – God, Who hast consecrated this day to the Martyrdom of Thy Apostles Peter and Paul, give Thy Church a precept to follow them in all things. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
One Minute Reflection – 30 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles – Pentecpst VI – Romans 6:3-11; Mark 8:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“… Giving thanks, He broke and gave to His disciples to set before them …” – Marl 8:6
REFLECTION – “Our Lord multiplied bread in the wilderness and changed water into wine at Cana. Thus, He accustomed His disciples’ mouths to His Bread and Wine, until the time when He would give them His Own Body and Blood. He gave them a taste of transitory bread and wine, to stir up in them, a desire for His Own life-giving Body and Blood. He gave them generously of those insignificant things that they might know that His more important gift would be free. He gave these things freely, even though, they might have bought them that they might know they would not be asked to pay for something beyond price – …. for, if they were able to pay the price of some bread and wine, yet they would not be able to pay for His Body and Blood.
Not only did He freely fill us with His gifts but He treated us yet more lovingly. For He gave us those little things freely, to draw us, so that we would come to Him and freely receive that great good of the Eucharist. Those fragments of bread and wine which He gave, were sweet to the mouth but the gift of His Body and Blood, is of value to the spirit. He attracted us by these tasty foods ,to draw us to that which gives life to our souls …
The Lord’s Work achieves all things – in the blink of an eye, He multiplied a morsel of bread! What people effect and transform after ten months of labour, His Ten Fingers carried out in an instant … From a handful of bread, a quantity of loaves comes to be – it was for them, as it was at the time of the first blessing – “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Gn 1:28).” – St Ephrem (306-373) Deacon in Syria, Father and Doctor of the Church added by Pope Benedict XV in 1920. (Commentary on the Diatessaron 12:1-4).
PRAYER – O God, Who made this day holy by the Martyrdom of Thy Apostles Peter and Paul, grant Thy Church to follow in all things the teaching of those from whom she first received the faith.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
EUCHARISTIC Heart of JESUS, model of the Priestly heart, have mercy on us. COR JESU Eucharisticum, cordis sacerdotalis exemplar, miserere nobis. – Indulgence 300 Days, Everytime – Raccolta 177St Pius X, 11 September 1907.
Quote/s of the Day – 29 June – Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles – Acts 12:1-11; Matthew 16:13-19 – – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:16
“… Now you must be, for a little time, made sorrowful in divers temptations. That the trial of your faith, (much more precious than gold which is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise and glory and honour at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 1:6-7
“And all who wish to live piously in Christ Jesus, will suffer persecution.”
2 Timothy 3:12
“What is the surest kind of witness? “Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ came among us in the flesh” (cf 1 Jn 4:2) and who keeps the commands of the Gospel… How many there are, each day, of these hidden martyrs of Christ who confess the Lord Jesus! … So be faithful and courageous in interior persecutions, so that you may also win the victory in exterior persecutions.”
St Ambrose (340-397) Father & Doctor of the Church
“It is an old custom with the servants of God, always to have some little prayers ready and to be darting them up to Heaven frequently during the day, lifting their minds to God out of the filth of this world. He who adopts this plan, will get great fruit, with little pains.”
St Philip Neri (1515-1595)
“He who most loves, will be most loved.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 29 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” –Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles – Acts 12:1-11; Matthew 16:13-19 – – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And I shall give to thee, the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.” – Matthew 16:19
REFLECTION – “They went forth, sowing their seeds.” But why? Shall they always weep? God forbid! “They shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves” (Ps 125:8). And so rightly do they shout for joy, since they bring back sheaves of glory. But you say – “that is for the resurrection on the last day; a long time to wait!”
Do not permit your will to be broken, do not yield to pusillanimity; you have, in the meantime “the first-fruits of the Spirit” (2 Cor 1:22) which, even now, you may reap with joy. Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the hope of life. These words do not postpone your triumph until the last day, when the object of your desire will be possessed, not hoped for; they refer to the time now, at your disposal. But when eternal life does come, what great gladness there will be, what joy beyond imagining! And can the hope of this great happiness be without happiness, even now?!” – St Bernard (1090-1153) Father and Mellifluous Doctor of the Church (Sermons on the Song of Songs No 37).
PRAYER – O God, Who made this day holy by the Martyrdom of Thy Apostles Peter and Paul, grant Thy Church to follow in all things the teaching of those from whom she first received the faith. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
ALL PRAISE, honour and glory to the Divine Heart of JESUS.Indulgenced– 50 Days, once a day. 168 Pope Leo XIII, 14 June 1901.
Our Morning Offering – 29 June – Sts Peter and Paul, Apostles
Apostolorum Passio By St Ambrose (c 340-397) Father and Doctor of the Church
This happy day is sanctified As Martyr’s glory we recall, The cross bedewed with Peter’s blood, The sword that won a crown for Paul.
The triumph of their Martyrdom United these great souls in death, Whose faith in Christ had crowned their lives In service to their latest breath.
Saint Peter held the primacy, Saint Paul would equal him in grace, When once, as chosen instrument The cause of Christ, he would embrace
Once, Simon, leaving Rome, turned back To give, by death, full praise to God, That by the cross he too should tread The self-same path his Master trod.
Now Rome exults, as well she may And strives to give devotion’s due To one who sealed with his own blood His work as Priest and Shepherd true.
And who can count the crowds that come As loving children to her gate, Where nations’ teacher, holy Paul Once dwelt and gladly met his fate.
Grant us, O Lord, the final grace Of sharing in their joy above, That with such Princes we may praise Your bounty and undying love. Amen
Translation: The Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK
Sts Peter and Paul, Apostles: The joint commemoration of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, is one of the most ancient customs of the Roman Church, attested already in the oldest surviving Roman Liturgical Calendar, the Depositio Martyrum, written in 336. A verse of the Hymn, Apostolorum Passio, an authentic work of St Ambrose († 397) and still used in the Ambrosian liturgy, says that “the thick crowds make their way through the circuit of so great a city; the feast of the sacred Martyrs is celebrated on three streets.” These “three streets” are the via Cornelia, the main street running up to and over the Vatican hill; the via Ostiensis, where the burial and Church of St Paul are and the via Appia, on which resides the Cemetery “in Catacumbas.”
St Anastasius of Bourges (Died c274) Soldier. Martyr. Scourged to death in c274, no other information has survived.
St Benedicta of Sens
St Cassius (Died 558) Bishop of Narni, Italy from 537 to 558, the date of his deat, Miracle-worker. He was praised by St Gregory the Great and was noted for his charity. Died on 30 June 558 in Narni, Italy of natural causes. Relics enshrined in the Cathedral of Narni, Italy. The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Narni, St Cassius, Bishop of that City of whom St Gregory the Great relates, in writing and in sermons, that Cassius permitted scarely any day of his life to pass without offering the Victim of propitiation to Almight God and he was well worthy to do so, for he distributed in alms, all he possessed and his devotion was such that abundant tears flowed from his eyes during the Holy Sacrifice.At Last, he came to Rome on the birthday of the Apostles, as was his yearly custom and after having solemnly celebrated Mass and given the Lord’s Body and the Kiss of Peace to all, he departed for Heaven, the next day at Narni” This Holy man of God: https://anastpaul.com/2023/06/29/saint-of-the-day-29-june-st-cassius-died-558-bishop-of-narni/
St Ciwg ap Arawn St Cocha St Ilud Ferch Brychan St Judith of Niederaltaich
St Marcellus of Bourges (Died c274) Soldier. Martyr. Beheaded in c274, no other information has survived.
St Mary, the Mother of John Mark St Salome of Niederaltaich St Syrus of Genoa (Died c380) Bishop Bl William of Sann
One Minute Reflection – 25 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – St William (1085-1142) Abbot – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6; Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“… Shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29
REFLECTION – “The possessions which we have, are not our own: God has given them to us to cultivate and He wishes us to render them fruitful and profitable … Always deprive yourself, therefore, of some part of your means, giving them to the poor with a willing heart … It is true that God will return it to you, not only in the next world but also in this, for there is nothing which makes a person prosper, in temporal matters, so much, as almsgiving. But until such time as God shall repay it, you will always be impoverished to that extent. Oh! how holy and rich is the impoverishment which is caused by almsgiving.
Love the poor and poverty, for by this love you will become truly poor, since, as Scripture says: “We become like the things that we love” (cf Hos 9:10). Love makes those who love, equal to one another: “Who is weak and I am not weak?” says St Paul (2 Cor 11:29). He might have said: “Who is poor, with whom I am not poor?” For love made him become, such as those whom he loved. If, then, you love the poor, you will be truly participating in their poverty and poor like them. Now, if you love the poor, be often among them; be pleased to see them in your house and to visit them in theirs; associate willingly with them; be glad that they are near you in the Churches, in the streets and elsewhere. Be poor in speech with them, speaking to them as their equal but be rich in deed, giving them of your goods, as one who possesses more abundantly.
Will you do even more? … Become a servant of the poor; go to serve them … with your own hands … and at your own expense. This service has more glory in it than a throne!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church (Introduction to the devout life, Part three Ch 15).
PRAYER – O God, Who made Thy Saints an example and a help for our weakness, grant us, as we walk the path of salvation, so to venerate the virtues of the blessed Abbot William that we may obtain his intercession and follow in his footsteps. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
“JESUS, meek and humble of HEART, make my heart like unto Thine.” – 300 Days, EVERYTIME. (Unless otherwise stated, e.g., “once a day,” a partial Indulgence may be gained any number of times in succession.) St Pope Pius X, 15 September 1905.
Thought for the Day – 20 June – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
HUMILITY Meditations for a Month
Humility in Our Estimation of Ourselves
There is no better test of humility than the opinion we form about others as compared to ourselves. If we had to make a list of the virtuous, in what position should we place ourselves? A man who is truly humble will place himself,not only last but least, with a great interval between himself and the rest of mankind! Saint Dominic used to place himself, in spirit, beneath the feet of the very demons, as being far worse than them. Saint Paul declared himself the very worst of sinners. Can I honestly speak of myself thus? Do I regard myself as the worst of all men in the sight of God?
What should be the ground of this humility? We must not attempt impossibilities. I ought not to think myself worst of all, unless I really am so. It may be that I cannot truthfully say that I am in the habit of committing mortal sins. How, then, can I be worse than the notorious sinner? Yet, when I think of all the graces God has given me, I must confess that, if He had given them to those who sin most deeply, they would be far better than I am. My only superiority is in greater graces! Humble yourself at the thought of all the graces you have received and of your frequent failures to co-operate with them.
Even if we had never sinned, this would not free us from the obligation of putting ourselves below all and beneath all. Our exemption would be no credit to ourselves. It would simply be a fresh gift of God which ought to make us more vividly conscious, of our vileness and nothingness, in His sight. We must always be as nothing in His sight but sin makes us worse than nothing. It makes us a blot upon creation, inferior to the dumb creatures which have never sinned!
Quote/s of the Day – 17 June – Ferial Day – Visiting St Augustine
“Our hearts were made for Thee, O God And restless must they be Until, O God, this grace accord, Until they rest in Thee!”
“So Saul was led to Ananias – the ravaging wolf is led to the sheep. But the Shepherd, Who guides everything from Heaven above, reassures him… “Do not fear, I will show him what he will have to suffer, for My Name’s sake” (Acts 9:16). What wonder is this! The wolf is led, a captive, to the sheep… The Lamb who died for the sheep, teaches it not to be afraid anymore!”
“He asks for our faith and offers us salvation. What He offers us, is so precious that what He asks of us, is as nothing!”
Breathe in Me, O Holy Ghost By St Augustine (354-420) Father and Doctor of the Church
Breathe in me, O Holy Ghost, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Ghost, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Ghost, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Ghost, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Ghost, that I always may be holy. Amen
“Then they tried to seize Him.” If only they had seized Him! But by faith and intellect, not so as to mock and put Him to death! At this very moment, as I speak to you … all of us, both you and I, are wanting to seize Christ. To ‘seize’ what does that mean? You have ‘seized’ when you have understood. But Christ’s enemies were looking for something different. You have seized in order to possess but they wanted to seize Him in order to get rid of Him! And because, this was how they wanted to seize Him, what does Jesus do? “He escaped from their power.” They were unable to seize Him because they did not have the hands of faith. … We truly seize Christ, if our minds grasp the Word!”
“Let Us Hate Our Sins and Love Him Who Will Exact Punishment for Them. What then should the Christian do? He ought to use the world, not become its slave. And what does this mean? It means having, as though not having. … Are we really certain that we love Him? Or do we love our sins more? Therefore, let us hate our sins and love Him Who, will exact punishment for them. He will come whether we wish it or not. Do not think that because He is not coming just now, He will not come at all. He will come, you know not when and provided He finds you prepared, your ignorance of the time of His coming, will not be held against you.”
Watch, O Lord! With Those Who Wake, or Watch, or Weep Tonight By St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight and give Thy Angels and Saints, charge over those who sleep. Tend Thy sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest Thy weary ones. Bless Thy dying ones. Soothe Thy suffering ones. Pity Thy afflicted ones. Shield Thy joyous ones. And all, for Thine Love’s sake. Amen
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 26 April – St Pope Cletus (c25-c89) The 3rd Bishop of Rome and Martyr and St Pope Marcellinus (Died 304) Martyr and the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel –1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11; Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And I say to thee that thou art Peter and upon this rock I sgall build My Church …” – Matthew 16:18
REFLECTION – “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I shall build My Church.” He was given this name of ‘Peter’ because he was the first to set the foundations of the faith among the nations and because, he is the indestructible rock on which rests the judgement seat and the whole edifice, belonging to Christ Jesus. It was on account of his faithfulness that he was called Peter, whereas our Lord receives the same name on account of his power according to Saint Paul’s words: “They drank from a spiritual rock which followed them and that rock ,was the Christ” (1 Cor 10:4). Yes, the Apostle chosen to be his co-worker merited to share the same Name as Christ. They built the same building together – Peter does the planting, the Lord gives the increase and it is the Lord, too, Who sends those who will do the watering (cf 1 Cor 3:6).
As you know, my beloved, it was following on from his own failure, when our Saviour suffered that blessed Peter was raised up. It was after he had denied the Lord that he became the first next to Him. Rendered more faithful when he wept over the faith he had betrayed, he received a still greater grace than the one he had lost. To him, Christ confided his flock, so that he might guide it like a good shepherd and he, who had been so weak, would now become the support of all. He, who had fallen, when questioned about his faith, must now establish the others on the unshakeable foundations of faith. Hence, he is called the foundation-stone of the piety of the Church.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon attributed to Saint Augustine).
PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, unto all Thy servants that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness, both of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness and enter into the joy of thine eternal gladness. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Quote/s of the Day – 15 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Ferial Day – 1 Peter 2:21-25; John 10:11-16– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“I am the Good Shepherd, I know My Own and My Own know Me.”
John 10:14
“He cries out, saying: See, I am with you all the days of this age. He is Himself the Shepherd, the High Priest, the Way and the Door and has become all things at once for us.”
St Athanasius (297-373) Father & Doctor of the Church
“So Saul was led to Ananias – the ravaging wolf is led to the sheep. But the Shepherd, Who guides everything from Heaven above, reassures him… “Do not fear, I will show him what he will have to suffer, for My Name’s sake” (Acts 9:16). What wonder is this! The wolf is led, a captive, to the sheep… The Lamb who died for the sheep, teaches it not to be afraid any more!”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church
“With good reason Christ declares: I am the Good Shepherd, I seek out the lost sheep, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal (Ez 34:16). I have seen the flock of mankind struck down by sickness; I have witnessed my lambs wander about where demons dwell; I have seen my flock ravaged by wolves. All this I have seen and have not witnessed it from on high. That is why I took hold of the withered hand, gripped by pain, as if by a wolf; I have unbound those whom fever had bound; I taught him to see, whose eyes had been shut from his mother’s womb; I brought Lazarus out from the tomb where he had lain for four days (Mk 3:5; 1:31; Jn 9; 11). For I am the Good Shepherd and the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”
Basil of Seleucia (Died 448) Bishop of Seleucia
(Oratio 26)
“The measure of love, is to love without measure.”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 12 March – “Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Lent – St Gregory the Great (540-604), Pope, Confessor, Father & Doctor of the Church, “Father of the Fathers” – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11; Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And I say to thee: That thou art Peter and upon this rock, I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18
REFLECTION – “When the twelve holy Apostles had received from the Holy Ghost the power to speak all languages, they divided the regions of the earth amongst themselves, as fields for their Gospel labours. Then was Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, sent to the Capital City of the Roman Empire that he might make the Light to shine, from the head, to the whole body of the civilised nations. At that time, what nation was there which had no representative in Rome? What nations would be ignorant of what Rome had learned?
Here were to be refuted the theories of philosophers, here dissolved the vanities of earthly wisdom, here overthrown the worship of devils, here destroyed the impiety of every sacrilege; here, where superstitious zeal had collected all the error and vanity of the world. Therefore, to this City, O most blessed Peter, thou dost not fear to come and, while thy companion in glory, the Apostle Paul, is still occupied with the government of other Churches, thou dost enter this forest of savage beasts, this deep and turbulent ocean, with more boldness than when thou didst walk upon the water!
Thou hadst already taught those, of the circumcision who had been converted, thou hadst founded the Church of Antioch, the first that bore the noble name of Christian; thou hadst published the law of the Gospel throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia and, thou didst not fear for the difficulty of thy work, nor turn back because of thine old age but didst boldly set up the trophy of the Cross of Christ, upon those Roman walls, where the Providence of God had appointed the throne of thine honour and the glorious scene of thy passion.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon on the Feast of St Peter’s Chair at Rome).
PRAYER – O God, Who granted the rewards of everlasting happiness to the soul of Thy servant Gregory, mercifully grant that we, who are weighed down with the burden of our sins, may be raised up by his prayers to Thee. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Quote/s of the Day – 23 February – St Peter Damian (1007-1072) Cardinal Bishop, Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church
“He who does not attack a vice but rather, coddles it, is justly judged guilty of the death, together with those who die by that vice!”
“Receive the Body and Blood of Christ very frequently. The sight of a Christian’s lips red with the Blood of Christ terrifies the enemy. He immediately recognises the sign of his own ruin. He cannot stand the Instrument of Divine Victory, by which he was taken captive and cast down.”
“Truly, this vice is never to be compared with any other vice because it surpasses the enormity of all vices…. It defiles everything, stains everything, pollutes everything. And as for itself, it permits nothing pure, nothing clean, nothing other than filth!”
“No-one can fight properly and boldly for the faith, if he clings to a fear of being stripped of earthly possessions.”
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
Paule Doctor Egregie Let Gentiles Raise the Thankful Lay By St Peter Damian (1007-1072) Father and Doctor of the Church Trans. John Mason Neale, 1854
Let Gentiles raise the thankful lay Upon their great Apostle’s Day, Whose doctrine, like the thunder, sounds To the wide world’s remotest bounds.
O bliss of Paul beyond all thought! To Paradise, yet living, caught, He hears the heav’nly myst’ries there, Which mortal tongue can not declare.
The Word’s blest seed around he flings And straight a mighty harvest springs And fruits of holy deeds supply, God’s everlasting granary.
The lamp his holy lore displays Hath fill’d the world with glorious rays And doubt and error are o’erthrown, That Truth may reign, and reign alone.
Long as unending ages run, To God the Father laud be done, To God the Son our equal praise And God the Holy Ghost, we raise. Amen.
One Minute Reflection – 25 January – Feast of the Conversion of St Paul , Apostle, Acts 9:1-22, Matthew 19,27-29.
“He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” – Acts 9:4.
REFLECTION – “How can we show that He is there and that He is also here? Let Paul answer for us, who was previously Saul. First of all, the Lord’s own Voice from Heaven shows this: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Had Paul climbed up to Heaven then? Had Paul even thrown a stone at Heaven? It was Christians he was persecuting, them he was tying up, them he was dragging off to be put to death, them he was everywhere hunting out of their hiding places and never sparing, when he found them. To him the Lord said, “Saul, Saul.” Where is He crying out from? Heaven. So He’s up above. “Why are you persecuting Me?” So He’s down below.” – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop of Hippo, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 122).
PRAYER – O God, Who taught the whole world by the preaching of Thy blessed Apostle Paul, grant, we beseech Thee that we, who today celebrate his conversion, may draw closer to Thee, by way of hia example.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 25 January – Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul
Great Convert Teacher of the Faith Doctor Egregie Paule Attri. to Elpis (Died c493) Trans. The Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK
Great Convert Teacher of the Faith Who never ceased from preaching Christ, Saint Paul impart to us your zeal, That we may reach the joys unseen.
All glory to the Trinity, Forever honour, sov’reignty; To God Almighty be all praise, Beginning and the End of all. Amen.
Elpis, first wife of the celebrated Philosopher Boethius, was the daughter of Festus, Consul at Rome, 472 and aunt of St Placidus, a disciple of St.Benedict. The above hymn, as well as, “Aurea luce et decore roseo” are attributed to her. Others also bear her name. She died at an early age, at Padua.
St Apollo of Heliopolis St Artemas of Pozzuoli St Auxentius of Epirus St Bretannion of Tomi (Died c380) Bisho, Confessor St Donatus the Martyr St Dwynwen (Died c460) Virgin Princess, Nun. St Eochod of Galloway St Joel of Pulsano St Juventinus of Antioch St Maximinus of Antioch St Palaemon
Quote/s of the Day – 20 January – St Fabian, Pope and St Sebastian, Martyrs – Hebrews 11:33-39, Luke 6:17-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“They were stoned, they were sawed asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, distressed, afflicted – of whom the world was not worthy – wandering in deserts, mountains, caves and holes in the earth. And all these, approved by the testimony of faith, were found in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Hebrews 11:37-39
“And all who wish to live piously in Christ Jesus, will suffer persecution.”
2 Timothy 3:12
“What is the surest kind of witness? “Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ came among us in the flesh” (cf 1 Jn 4:2) and who keeps the commands of the Gospel… How many there are, each day, of these hidden martyrs of Christ who confess the Lord Jesus! … So be faithful and courageous in interior persecutions, so that you may also win the victory in exterior persecutions.”
St Ambrose (340-397) Father & Doctor of the Church
“Do not love your life in this world! If you truly love yourselves, do not thus love your life and then, you will save your life!”…
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 18 January – Feast of the Chair of the Apostle, St Peter at Rome – 1 Peter 1:1-7, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And I say to thee: That thou art Peter and upon this rock, I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18
REFLECTION – “When the twelve holy Apostles had received from the Holy Ghost the power to speak all languages, they divided the regions of the earth amongst themselves, as fields for their Gospel labours. Then was Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, sent to the Capital City of the Roman Empire that he might make the Light to shine, from the head, to the whole body of the civilised nations. At that time, what nation was there which had no representative in Rome? What nations would be ignorant of what Rome had learned?
Here were to be refuted the theories of philosophers, here dissolved the vanities of earthly wisdom, here overthrown the worship of devils, here destroyed the impiety of every sacrilege; here, where superstitious zeal had collected all the error and vanity of the world. Therefore, to this City, O most blessed Peter, thou dost not fear to come and, while thy companion in glory, the Apostle Paul, is still occupied with the government of other Churches, thou dost enter this forest of savage beasts, this deep and turbulent ocean, with more boldness than when thou didst walk upon the water!
Thou hadst already taught those, of the circumcision who had been converted, thou hadst founded the Church of Antioch, the first that bore the noble name of Christian; thou hadst published the law of the Gospel throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia and, thou didst not fear for the difficulty of thy work, nor turn back because of thine old age but didst boldly set up the trophy of the Cross of Christ, upon those Roman walls, where the Providence of God had appointed the throne of thine honour and the glorious scene of thy passion.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon on the Feast of St Peter’s Chair at Rome).
PRAYER – O God, Who together with the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven didst bestow on thy blessed Apostle Peter the pontifical power of binding and loosing, grant that by the aid of his intercession, we may be released from the bonds of our sins. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
One Minute Reflection – 8 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family”– Within the Octave of The Epiphany –Isaias 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Falling down they adored Him” – Matthew 2:11
REFLECTION – “God’s intention was not only to come down to earth but to become known there; not only to be born but to be recognised. In fact, it is with this recognition in mind that we hold this celebration of the Epiphany, the great day of His manifestation. For it was today that the Magi came from the East in search of the Sun of Justice at its rising (Mal 3:20), He of Whom we read: “Behold a Man Whose name is the Orient,” (Zec 6:12 Vul.). Today they have adored the Virgin’s newborn Child, following the guidance of a New Star. What great cause for joy do we not find here, my brethren, as also in those words of the Apostle Paul: “The kindness and generous love of God our Saviour have appeared,” (Tit 3:4)…
What is this you are doing, you Magi? What is this you are doing? Are you adoring an Infant at the breast in a wretched hovel, wrapped in miserable rags? Can a Child such as this really be God? Yet, “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in Heaven.” (Ps 11:4) while you are looking for Him in a common stable, held in His Mother’s arms! Whatever are you doing? Why are you offering Him gold? Could such a One as this be King? Where, then, is His Royal Court, His Throne, His crowd of courtiers? Can a stable be a palace, a crib a throne, Mary and Joseph members of His Court? How on earth could wise men be so foolish as to adore a Baby, as contemptible by reason of His age, as for the poverty of His Family?
Mad? Yes, they have become so in order to be wise. The Holy Spirit has taught them already what the Apostle Paul would later proclaim: “Whoever would be wise, let him become a fool. For since the world, in all its wisdom, did not come to know God in His Wisdom, it has pleased God to save those who believe, through the foolishness of the Gospel we proclaim, (Cf 1 Cor 1:21)… And so, they prostrate themselves before this poor Child; they do Him homage as to a King; they adore Him as a God. He Who outwardly guided them by a Star, has cast His Light into the interior of their hearts!” – St Bernard (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, Father and Doctor of the Church (1st Sermon for the Epiphany).
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who by the guidance of a star this day revealed Thy Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; mercifully grant that we, who know Thee now by faith, may come to behold Thee in glory. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Thought for the Day – 28 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Value of An Hour
“Let us now contemplate the fact that our eternity can and may depend on a single hour! Within an hour, the repentant thief was converted and gained Heaven. In one hour, Mary Magdalene, St Paul and many other Saints, finally yielded to the grace of God and set out on the road to sanctity.
There are vital hours in our lives too. It will be disastrous for us if we ever let the hour of grace slip away neglected! Let us listen when God calls us and let us be generous with Hinn, as He has been infinitely generous towards us. If we behave in this manner, we need never fear the hour of death. It will still be the hour on which our eternity depends but, it will be an eternity of everlasting happiness.”
Quote/s of the Day – 17 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Gaudete Sunday, The Third Sunday of Advent – Philippians 4:4-7; John 1:19-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Gaudéte in Dómino semper”
“Rejoice in the Lord always”
Philippians 4:4
“ Rejoice, O star which goes before the Sun. Rejoice, O womb of the Incarnate God. Rejoice, for through you, all creation is renewed, Rejoice, for through you, the Creator became a Baby. Rejoice, O Virgin and Bride!”
Hymn to Mary (c Fifth Century)
“O infinite God and only love of my soul, I thank Thee for having given me Thy Son. For the sake of this same Son, accept me and bind me with chains of love to my Redeemer. Amen ”
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
Quote/s of the Day – 2 December – St Bibiana (Died c 361) Virgin Martyr – Sirach 51:13-17; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure, hidden in a field.”
Matthew 13:44
“I press on, hoping that I may lay hold of that, for which Christ Jesus, has laid hold of me.”
Philippians 3:12
“He has written us on His Hands, so as to have us always under His Eyes; that whoever touches us, touches the apple of His Eye; that we should never be anxious, about what we need to live and to clothe ourselves, that He knows well, we need these things and takes care of them for us that He has numbered the hairs on our head and not one of them will perish that His Father loves us as He loves Him and that, He loves us as His Father loves Him that He Wills that we should be where He is that is to say, we should be at rest with Him, in the Breast and Heart of His Father.”
St John Eudes (1601-1680) The Apostle of the Two Holy Hearts
“Where is the heart which loves? On the thing it loves. Therefore, where our love is, there our heart is held captive. It cannot leave it; it cannot be lifted higher, it cannot go either to the right or the left; see, it is fixed. Where the miser’s treasure is, there is his heart and where our heart is, there is our treasure. And what is so deplorable is that the things which hold us in servitude, are, for the most part, such unworthy things!”
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