Category: The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

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

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

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

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

Matthew 1:16

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MOTHER of GOD, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, Quotes on SALVATION, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The INCARNATION, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 August –‘ … But it was from Christ’s marvellous sharing of our nature that the Mystery of Regeneration shone upon us.’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

“And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary and of her was born Jesus, Who is called Christ.” – Matthew 1:16

REFLECTION – “ It is of no avail to say that our Lord, the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was true and perfect Man, unless we believe that He is so in the way that the Gospel declares. For Matthew says: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” and follows the order of his human origin, so as to bring the lines of His ancestry down to Joseph, to whom the Lord’s Mother was espoused. Whereas Luke, going backwards step by step, traces His succession to the first of the human race, to show that the first Adam and the last Adam, were of the same nature (Lk 3:23).

No doubt, the Almighty Son of God, could have appeared for the purpose of teaching and justifying, in exactly the same way as He appeared, in the semblance of flesh, to the patriarchs and prophets, for instance, when He wrestled with Jacob (Gn 32:25) or engaged in a conversation with Abraham, not refusing His hospitality and even partaking of the food set before Him (Gn 18). But these appearances were indications of that Man Whose reality they manifested, assumed from the stock of those same ancestors.

But the fulfilment of the Mystery of our Redemption, ordained from all eternity, was not assisted by any images because, the Holy Ghost had not yet come down on the Virgin and, the power of the Most High, had not overshadowed her (Lk 1:35). Wisdom had not yet built herself a house within her undefiled body, so that the Word might there become flesh and, the Form of God and the Form of a Slave coming together in one person, the Creator of time, might be born in time and He Himself, through Whom all things were made, might be brought forth in the midst of all things. For, if the New Man had not been made in the likeness of sinful flesh and taken our old nature on Himself and, being consubstantial with the Father, had deigned to be consubstantial with His Mother also – yet, without sin – the whole human race would be held captive under the devil’s yoke and we should not be able to make use of the Conqueror’s victory because, it would have been won outside our nature! But it was from Christ’s marvellous sharing of our nature that the Mystery of regeneration shone upon us.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Letter 31).

PRAYER – O God, Who, willed St Joachim to be the father of Thy Son’s Mother; grant, we beseech Thee that we may ever enjoy the spiritual help of him whose feast we celebrate. 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).

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The HOLY NAME of MARY, The NATIVITY of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 16 August – Hymn to St Joachim

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Our Morning Offering – 16 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Feast of St Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Hymn to St Joachim,
Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary
From the Liturgical Year, 1907

O Joachim,
Father of the Sovereign Maiden,
who in all purity gave birth to God,
present to the Lord, our petitions
and our chaste desires.

Thou knowest, by what angry waves
we are here tossed,
whom the cruel sea of this world wearies so,
Thou knowest how many battles Satan
and the flesh, prepare for us.

Now that thou art united ,
to the holy companies in Heaven,
or rather art placed at their head,
thou canst do all if thou wilt;
for rightly, neither Jesus, thy Grandson,
nor Mary, thy daughter, can deny thee aught.

Obtain by thy prayer
that our Blessed God
may give us pardon and peace
that united with thee,
we may sweetly sing canticles to Him.
Amen

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

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

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

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven

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

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

If only our death could be the same!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, THE ASSUMPTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 August – ‘ … Mother of life, Source of mercy … ‘

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One Minute Reflection – 15 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven – Judith 13:22-25; 15:10 – Luke 1:41-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Most blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” – Luke 1:42

REFLECTION – “Let us honour the Queen of Heaven, Mother of life, Source of mercy, overflowing delights, leaning on her Beloved. Let us praise her, knowing full well that our praise will be insufficient.

Risen above the tallest trees of paradise and exalted above the highest peaks of mountains, she will penetrate Heaven with incredible majesty accompanied by the singing of the choirs of celestial Angels and surrounded by the dancing of Angels. Happy are those who dwell in Thy house, O Lord, they will praise Thee without end! In you we praise not Eve who introduced the poison but Mary who gave life, who is the Mother and nursemaid of all, the life of all the living. In you we praise even our own mother.

May all hear and rejoice, the humble Virgin rises, crowned, to the throne of glory, may the humble rejoice.May those who exalt themselves in their presumption fall. Mary, who gives herself as a holocaust to the fullness of grace. May the Blessed Virgin, unique in her merits, stand in the presence of her Creator interceding always in our favour. She will be radiant in the fullness of glory, she who brought forth from her virginal womb, the King of glory.” – St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159) Bishop, Cistercian Monk (Marian Homily VIII).

PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, forgive the transgressions of Thy servants and, forasmuch as by our own deeds, we cannot please Thee, may we find safety through the prayers of the Mother of Thy Son and our Lord. 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).

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, SAINT of the DAY, THE ASSUMPTION

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, a Holy Day of Obligation and Memorials of the Saints – 15 August

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The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven
(Feast instituted by Pope Leo IV in 847) The Patronal Feast of South Africa
https://anastpaul.com/2018/08/19/the-solemnity-of-the-assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-19-august/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/15/solemnity-of-the-assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-and-memorials-of-the-saints-15-august-4/

St Alypius (Died 430) Bishop of the See of Thagaste (in what is now Algeria) in 394, Confessor, Reformer, Defender of the Faith against heresy, Lawyer, teacher, spiritual advisor. He was a lifelong disciple and friend of Saint Augustine and joined him in his conversion (in 386; Confessions 8.12.28) and life in Christianity. He is credited with helping establish Augustine’s Monastery in Africa. Most of what is known about him comes from Augustine’s autobiographical Confessions.
A Life of Holiness:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/15/saint-of-the-dy-saint-alypius-of-thagaste-died-430/

Blessed Alfred OSB (Died 874) Bishop of Hildesheim, Benedictine Monk, Confessor, Founder of Essen Abbey, Hildesheim Cathedral, many Convents, Schools and Seminaries, Royal Spiritual Adviser to the East Frankish King Louis the German, Diplomatic Peacemaker, he was know for his great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
His Life ot Grace:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-blessed-alfred-of-hildesheim-osb-died-874-bishop/

Blessed Aimo Taparelli OP (c 1395-1495) Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, widower and father, Reformer, spiritual writer. He served as an Inquisitor-General for his Order in the Lombard and Liguria regions of Italy and became a travelling preacher in Northern Italian Cities. His name means “defends the house with the sword.” Aimo was Beatified on 29 May 1856 by Pope Pius IX.
Blessed Aimo’s Zealous Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-blessed-aimo-taparelli-op-c-1395-1495/

Blessed Alberto Berdini OFM Conv. (1385– 1450) Priest and Friaer of the Friars Minor Conventual, known as the “King of Preachers – Rex Praedicatorum” Disciple and companion of St Bernardine of Siena in his Missionary work in Italy., often called upon to assist in peace discussions between warring Cities. Born in 1385 in Sarteano, Tuscany, Italy and died on 15 August 1450 in Milan, Italy of natural causes.
Blessed Holy Albert’s Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/08/15/saint-of-the-day-14august-blessed-alberto-berdini-ofm-conv-1385-1450/

St Arduinus (Died 1009) Priest, Hermit , Monk of Rimini in Italy, Apostle of the needy, a shining light of the imitation of his Lord. 
Ardent Arduinus:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-saint-arduinus-of-rimini-died-1009-priest/

St Arnulf (1040-1087) Bishop of Soissons, Confessor, Monk, Abbot
A Holy Shepherd:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/14/saint-of-the-day-14-august-saint-arnold-of-soissons-1040-1087/

St Napoleon o(Died c302) Martyr of Alexandria

St Simplician (c320-c401) Archbishop of Milan and Successor of St Ambrose (340-397) Doctor of the Church in the Archdiocese of Milan, Teacher, Catechist, Writer, Mystic.
St Ambrose used to call Simplician father, as a sign of spiritual relationship but they were also great friends. Simplician took also an active part in the conversions of both Alypius of Thagaste and Augustine of Hippo. The meeting between Augustine and Simplican occurred in Milan in 386 and it is recorded in Augustine’s Confessions. After his conversion, Augustine also called Simplician father and in 397 he dedicated to Simplician two books on the issue of predestination, known as De Diversis Quaestionibus ad Simplicianum. St Augustine, remembered and referred to him with deep gratitude, calling him the “spiritual father of my soul” and would submit his own writings to him to review and comment.
Details of the life of St Simplician here: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-st-simplician-of-milan/

St Stanislaus Kostka SJ (1550-1568) Jesuit Novice. (His Feast was moved in 1969 to 13 November).
Loving St Stanislaus:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/11/13/saint-of-the-day-13-november-st-stanislaus-kostka-sj-1550-1568/

St Tarcisius (3rd century) Martyr of the Eucharist – Patronages – Altar boys, First Communicants.
About St Tarcisius:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-st-tarcisius-3rd-century-martyr-of-the-eucharist/

Martyrs of Nicomedia – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together. No details survive but the names – Eutychian, Philip and Straton. They were martyred in Nicomedia, Bithynia (in modern Turkey).

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

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

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

“Holy Mary”

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

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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

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

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

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

Matthew 1:16

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SILENCE, The ANNUNCIATION, THE ASSUMPTION, The DIVINE INFANT, The INCARNATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 August – “ … Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

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One Minute Reflection – 14 August – “The Month of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Vigil of the Assumption – Ecclesiasticus 24:23-31 – Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

REFLECTION – “Truly it is “a trustworthy word and deserving of every welcome” (1 Tm 1:15) your Almighty Word, Lord, which, in such deep Silence, made His way down from the Father’s royal throne (Wis 18:14f) into the mangers of animals and meanwhile, speaks to us better by His Silence. “Let him who has ears to hear, hear” what this loving and mysterious Silence of the eternal Word speaks to us …

For what recommends the discipline of silence with such weight and such authority, what checks the evil of restless tongues and the storms of words, as the Word of God, silent in the midst of men. “There is no word on My tongue” (Ps 138:4), the Almighty Word seems to confess while He is subject to His Mother. What madness then will prompt us to say: “With our tongues we can do great things; our lips are good friends to us; we own no master” (Ps 11:5). If I were allowed, I would gladly be dumb and be brought low and be silent, even of good things that I might be able, the more attentively and diligently, to apply my ear to the secret utterances and sacred meaning of this Divine Silence, learning in silence, in the school of the Word, if only for as long as the Word Himself was Silent under the instruction of His Mother …

“The Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us” (Jn 1:14). With complete devotion, then, let us think of Christ in the swaddling clothes with which His Mother wrapped Him, so that, with eternal happiness, we may see the glory and beauty with which His Father has clothed Him.” – Blessed Guerric of Igny O.Cist. (c1080-1157) Cistercian Abbot (The 5th sermon for Christmas).

PRAYER – O God, Who chose for Thy dwelling the virginal womb of the blessed Mary, grant, we beseech Thee that, with the help of her protection, we may with joy, take part in her festival.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).

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, THE ASSUMPTION

Our Morning Offering – 14 August – Prayer in Honour of the Assumption

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Our Morning Offering – 14 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” –The Vigil of the Assumption

Prayer in Honour of the Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)

O Immaculate Virgin,
Mother of God
and Mother of men,
we believe with all the fervour of our faith,
in thy triumphal Assumption,
both body and soul, into Heaven,
where thou art acclaimed as Queen
by all the Choirs of Angels
and all the legions of the Saints.
And we unite with them,
to praise and bless the Lord,
who has exalted thee
above all other pure creatures
and to offer thee,
the tribute of our devotion
and our love.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on PATIENCE

Thought for the Day – 7 August – Mary’s Patience

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Thought for the Day – 7 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Mary’s Patience

“Holy Mary, Mother of Sorrows, obtain for me the spirit of loving patience which made you the Queen of Martyrs.
Help me to carry, with resignation, the cross which God has given me.
Help me to walk like you in the footsteps of Jesus, until I reach my Calvary, so that I may join Him and you, in the glory of Heaven. Amen,”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/05/10/thought-for-the-day-10-may-marys-patience/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/05/10/thought-for-the-day-10-may-marys-patience-2/

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 7 August – Prayer for Peace to the Immaculate Virgin By Pope Paul IV

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Our Morning Offering – 7 August – “The Month of theI mmaculate Heart of Mary” – Feastday of St Cajetan (1480-1547) Known as the “Father of Providence” and the “Huntsman of Souls” – Confessor, Founder of the Theatine Order

(Pope Paul IV was a friend of St Cajetan and also a member
of his Order, the Theatines, named after Paul IV’s See as Bishop).

Prayer for Peace to the Immaculate Virgin
By Pope Paul IV CR (1476-1559)

Look down with maternal clemency,
most Blessed Virgin,
upon all your children.
Consider the anxiety of Bishops
who fear that their flocks will be tormented
by a terrible storm of evils.
Heed the anguish of so many people,
fathers and mothers of families
who are uncertain about their future
and beset by hardships and cares.
Soothe the minds of those at war
and inspire them with ‘thoughts of peace.’
Through your intercession,
may God, the avenger of injuries,
turn to mercy.
May He give back to nations
the tranquility they seek
and bring them to a lasting age
of genuine prosperity.
Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC Quotes, CHRIST the LIGHT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MARIAN QUOTES, Quotes on SALVATION, The HOLY NAME of MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 5 August – Holy Mother Mary, ‘the most responsive chord in the Sacred Heart of Christ … ‘

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Quote/s of the Day – 5 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Dedication of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Snows – Sirach 24:14-16: Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here:

“Blessed is the womb which bore thee”

Luke 11:27

“No matter how sinful
one may have been,
if he has devotion to Mary,
it is impossible that he be lost.”

St Hilary (315-368)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Mary signifies “Light-Giver”
or “Star of the Sea”
for she gave birth
to the Light of the World.
In the Syriac tongue, however,
Mary means “Lady” and beautifully so,
since she gave birth to the Lord.”

St Isidore of Seville (c560-636)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Being thy servant, O Mary,
is a surety of salvation
which God grants solely,
to those He will save!”

St Andrew of Crete (660-740)
Bishop, Father of the Church

“When we appeal to the throne of grace,
we do so through Mary,
honouring God by honouring His Mother,
imitating Him, by exalting her,
touching the most responsive chord
in the Sacred Heart of Christ,
with the sweet name of Mary!”

St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The REDEMPTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 5 August – ‘ … You are the bridge of life and the ladder to Heaven: you are a boat over the sea of death, reaching to immortality. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 5 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Dedication of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Snows – Sirach 24:14-16 – Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed is the womb that bore Thee ” – Luke 11:27

REFLECTION – “Once indeed, God ejected the mortals and first parents of the human race from the paradise of Eden, when they had drunk deeply from the wine of disobedience and had become so affected by the hangover of sin, through the intoxication of that transgression which led to the sleepiness of the mind’s eye. …

Then Adam and Eve, the founders of our race, exclaimed with a loud voice in great rejoicing: “Blessed are you, O daughter, who bore for us the penalties of the commands that had been broken. When you had gained a mortal body from us, you gave birth to a covering of immortality for us. You repaid us so that it might be well with us, since you received birth from our loins. From beyond the grave, you have called us back to our ancient seat: we closed paradise for ourselves but you made open the way of the Tree of Life. Through our actions, sadness came forth from happiness; through you, even more joyful things have returned, from sorrow. In what possible way could you be acceptable to death, O Immaculate one? You are the bridge of life and the ladder to Heaven: you are a boat over the sea of death, reaching to immortality.”

But the woman herself, as she did not shrink from the truth, said: “Into Thy hands, my Son, I commend my spirit. Receive this soul which is dear to Thee which Thou hast preserved free from any sin. I hand over my body, not to the earth but to Thee. Take me to Thyself, that where Thou art, Thou, the Child of my womb, so there I also may be Thy companion. I am hastening to Thee, Who hast often come to me on this side of that long distance.”

When she had said this, she heard in reply: “Come to My rest, My blessed Mother: arise, come, My Beloved, most blessed among all women. Behold, the winter is ended. You are all fair, My Beloved and there is no spot of stain found in you: the odour of your ointments are more precious than all other aromas.” – St John Damascene (675-749) Father and Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from his Homily 9: On the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

PRAYER – Grant us, Thy servants, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body and by the intercession of glorious and Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow and partake of the fullness of eternal happiness. 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).

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Thought for the Day – 1 August – The Virginal Purity of Mary

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Thought for the Day – 1 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Virginal Purity of Mary

“Purity is the most beautiful of virtues.

It is a virtue which is admired by God and by men, even by the most corrupt.
It is often said, that it makes us like the Angels but in fact, looking at it in a particular way, it makes us superior to the Angels.
Since they have no bodies, the angels cannot sin against purity, while we have to fight many battles and overcome many temptations, in order to preserve our chastity.
Jesus had a very special love for this virtue.
He chose to be born of a Virgin and, He showed a particular affection for St John, who was a dedicated celibate.
On one occasion, He placed His Hands on the head of a little child and said: “Unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter into the kingdom of Heaven “(Mt:18.3)

Unfortunately, the virtue of purity is as fragile as it is beautiful.
It can be lost in a single moment of weakness.
We must love this virtue as Mary loved it.
We must be prepared to make any sacrifice, even the most heroic, rather than lose it.
Worldly charm and beauty attract us and the devil works hard to control our imagination and our affections.
On account of the disturbance of original sin, the flesh is like a terrible weight retarding our spiritual advancement.
Sometimes it seems as if it is irresistibly drawing us towards the abyss of impurity.
But we need not be dragged down, if we are prepared to fly from the occasions of sin and to pray to God and to our heavenly Mother for her intercession.
We must always act at once, for there is no time to dally.
It is fatal to remain inactive and to allow temptation to make its way into our soul.
This kind of battle, said St Francis de Sales, is won only by soldiers who flee.
We must fly from the occasions of sin, no matter what sacrifice this entails.
Jesus has warned us, that it is better to enter Heaven without a hand or a foot, than to be cast into hell.

We know the remedies – instant flight, heroic sacrifice and constant prayer.
We can leave the rest to the grace of God and to the maternal protection of Mary.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, FATHERS of the Church, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, INDULGENCES, MARIAN Aspirations and Ejaculations, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, PARTIAL Indulgence, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, Quotes on SALVATION, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, St Francis de Sales, The ANNUNCIATION, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, To JESUS through MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 1 August – Sweet Heart of Mary

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Quote/s of the Day – 1 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary”

Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

(1943 Raccolta – Indulgence 300 days)

“May the Blessed Virgin,
unique in her merits,
stand in the presence of her Creator
interceding always in our favour.
She will be radiant in the fullness of glory,
she who brought forth,
from her virginal womb,
the King of glory.”

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159) 

“The Blessed Virgin was chosen
to be the Mother of God
and, therefore, it is not to be doubted,
but that God fitted her for it
by His graces.”

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

“To ask favours without interposing Mary
is to attempt to fly without wings!”

“The prayers of Mary,
have the force of command with Jesus Christ.
Hence, it is impossible for the Son
not to grant a grace
for which the Mother asks.”

St Antoninus (1389-1459)

Posted in HYMNS, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Our Morning Offering – 1 August – I’ll Sing a Hymn to Mary

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Our Morning Offering – 1 August – “The Month of the Immqculate Heart of Mary”

I’ll Sing a Hymn to Mary
By Father John Wyse (1825-1898)
Irish Priest and Hymn writer

I’ll sing a hymn to Mary,
The Mother of my God,
The Virgin of all virgins,
Of David’s royal blood.
O teach me, Holy Mary,
A loving song to frame,
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
To love and bless thy name.

O Lily of the Valley,
O Mystic Rose, what tree,
Or flower, e’en the fairest,
Is half so fair as thee?
O let me, tho’ so lowly
Recite my Mother’s fame.
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.

O noble Tower of David,
Of gold and ivory.
The ark of God’s own promise,
The gate of Heav’n to me.
To live and not to love thee
Would fill my soul with shame.
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.

When troubles dark afflict me
In sorrow and in care,
Thy light doth ever guide me
O beauteous Morning Star.
Lo, I’ll be ever ready
Thy goodly help to claim,
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
To love and bless thy name.

The saints are high in glory,
With golden crowns so bright;
But brighter far is Mary,
Upon her throne of light.
Oh that which God did give thee,
Let mortal ne’er disclaim;
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.

But in the crown of Mary,
There lies a wonderous gem,
As Queen of all the Angels,
Which Mary shares with them;
No sin hath e’er defiled thee,
So doth our faith proclaim;
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.

And now O Virgin Mary
My mother and my Queen,
I’ve sung thy praise so bless me,
And keep my heart from sin.
When others jeer and mock thee,
I’ll often think how I
To shield my Mother, Mary,
Would lay me down and die.

Verses 4, 5 and 6 omitted on image.

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 20 July – O Mary, Twic Mother of Mercy By St Jerome Emiliani

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Our Morning Offering – 20 July – The Feastday of St Jerome Emiliani (1486–1537) Confessor, Founder of the Somascan Fathers

O Mary, Twice Mother of Mercy
By St Jerome Emiliani (1486–1537)

O Mary,
thou art twice Mother of Mercy
because thou hast been made
Mother of our most merciful Saviour,
and, furthermore because,
thou hast given to us
so many signs
of thy maternal care and love.
Turn upon us, we beseech thee,
thy glance of compassion
and grant, that we may always
live free from sin,
which is the only impediment
to receiving the fruits
of the Divine Mercies.
Amen

Posted in GOD the FATHER, INDULGENCES, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 18 July – By the Merits  of the Precious Blood of Jesus (Indulgenced)

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Our Morning Offering – 18 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood”

By the Merits of the
Precious Blood of Jesus
By Servant of God Pope Pius VII (1742-1823)
Papacy from 1800 to 1823
Indulgenced Act of Oblation to Our Father

Eternal Father!
I offer Thee the merits
of the Precious Blood of Jesus,
Thy well-beloved Son,
my Saviour and my God,
for all my wants,
spiritual and temporal,
in aid of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
and chiefly for those
who most loved this Precious Blood,
the price of our redemption
and who were most devout
to the sorrows and pains
of most Holy Mary,
our dear Mother.

Glory be to the Blood of Jesus,
now and forever
and throughout all ages.
Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, each time this prayed is offered,
22 September 1817 with a Plenary Indulgence, once a month,
under the usual conditions.

Note of Interest: On 15 August 1811 – the Feast of the Assumption – it is recorded that the Pope celebrated Mass and was said to have entered a trance and began to levitate in a manner that drew him to the Altar. This particular episode aroused great wonder and awe among attendants, which included the French soldiers guarding him, who were awestruck at what had occurred and left records of it.

Posted in MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MOTHER of GOD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 16 July – The Intercession of Our Lady

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

The Intercession of Our Lady

“Our Lady’s intercession is very powerful with God.
St Bernard tells us that it is the Will of God, that everything comes to us through her holy hands (Sermo in Nativ BMV no 7).
He assures us, that Mary is the Mediatrix through whom we receive all favours from God (In Assump. BMV sermo 2, no 2).
Her power of intercession is the result of her divine and human Motherhood.
Because she is the Mother of God, Jesus refuses her nothing;  because she is our mother, she loves us dearly and is eager to obtain from God, the spiritual favours, for which we ask.
For this reason, we should approach her with complete confidence.
St Bernard also writes:  “If anyone feels that he is overwhelmed by the tempests of this world and cannot keep an even course, let him raise his eyes towards Mary, let him remember Mary and call upon her…. In danger and in doubt, let him remember and call upon her.   Let the thought of Mary never leave his mind;  let her name never be far from his lips and from his heart …” (Super Miss. Homil 2, no 17).
In all our necessities, we should have confident recourse to our heavenly Mother.
Let us remember, however, that if we wish to be true sons of Mary and to be sure of being heard by her, we should ask especially, for spiritual graces.
Afterwards, we may ask, with equal confidence but, with resignation to God’s Will, for temporal favours, provided they will not stand in the way of our eternal salvation.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 July – The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 July – The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 24:23 – Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/ –

… Rather blessed are those, who hear the Word of God
and keep it.”

Luke 11:28

“We too are blessed when we are mindful
of carrying Him constantly in our heart.
Certainly, Christ’s Conception in Mary’s womb
was a great marvel but it is no less of a marvel
to see Him become the guest of our heart.”

St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Doctor of the Church

Mother of Salvation,
Blessed Lady
By St Anselm (1033-1109)
Magnificent Doctor
Marian Doctor

Mother of Salvation,
Blessed Lady,
you are the Mother of Justification
and those who are justified;
the Mother of Reconciliation
and those who are reconciled;
the Mother of Salvation
and those who are saved.
What a blessed trust
and what a secure refuge!
The Mother of God is our Mother.
The Mother of the One
in Whom alone, we hope
and Whom alone, we fear,
is our Mother! …
The One Who partook of our nature
and by restoring us to life,
made us children of His Mother,
invites us by this grace, to proclaim
that we are His brothers and sisters.
Therefore, our Judge, is also our Brother.
The Saviour of the world, is our Brother.
Our God has become –
through Mary – our Brother!
Anen

“Be our Mother, O Mary,
for you have borne us spiritually on Mount Calvary,
at the foot of the Cross.
Deign to obtain for us, through your intercession
that we may love Jesus as you loved Him
and follow Him faithfully, as you followed Him,
unto Death.
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUEENSHIP of MARY, THE ASSUMPTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 July – “Blessed is the womb which bore Thee ” – Luke 11:27

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One Minute Reflection – 16 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 24:23-31 – Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Blessed is the womb which bore Thee ” – Luke 11:27”

REFLECTION – “Hail, O favoured one, the Lord is with thee” (Lk 1:28). Could anything transcend the joy which is thine, O Virgin Mary? Could anything surpass this grace?… Truly, thou art “blessed among women” (Lk 1:42), for thou hast changed the condemnation of Eve into a blessing. Because of thee and through thee, Adam, who was hitherto cast down and condemned, received a blessing.

Truly, “thou art blessed among women” for through thee, the blessing of the Father came to mankind and reprieved them from the age-old sentence.
Truly, “thou art blessed among women” because through thee, thy ancestors found salvation. Thou were to give birth to the Saviour, Who would win for them, God’s salvation.

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

Truly, “thou art blessed among women” for although thou art a woman like any other woman, thou will, in actual fact, become the Mother of God. If the One to be born of thee is, in truth God Incarnate, thou rightly deserve to be called ‘she who gave birth to God’ inasmuch as thou truly do give birth to God.” – St Sophronius of Jerusalem (c560-638) Bishop, Father of the Church (Sermon for the Annunciation 2).

PRAYER – O God, Who honoured the Order of Carmel with the special title of the most blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Thy Mother, graciously grant, that we, who this day honour her commemoration with solemn rites, defended by her care, may be found worthy to attain everlasting happiness.Through the same Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The HOLY NAME of MARY

Thought for the Day – 15 July – Carrying our Cross

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

Carrying our Cross

“We also read in the Imitation of Christ: “No man has so heartfelt a sense of the Passion of Christ, as he whose lot it has been, to suffer like things.” (Imitation of Christ, Bk II, Ch 12)
If you carry your cross willingly, it will lead you to your longed for destination, where suffering ends and everlasting joy begins.
If you carry it unwillingly, the weight will become unbearable and you will have to bear it in any case!
If you fling away the cross which you are carrying, immediately, an even heavier one will be laid upon you!
Look upon them as wonderful consolations because, the sufferings of this life cannot be regarded as the measure of that glory which will be ours in Heaven … (Rom 8:18).
We are fortunate and greatly blessed, if we deserve to suffer a little, for the Name of Jesus …
Only when we begin to die ourselves, can we begin to live in God.
Nothing is more acceptable to God and more helpful for us in this world, than to suffer willingly for love of Christ.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, OUR Cross, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 15 July – My Sorrowful Mother, Help Me to Bear My Crosses

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Our Morning Offering – 15 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” –

My Sorrowful Mother,
Help Me to Bear My Crosses
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

My sorrowful Mother,
by the merit of that grief
which you felt
at seeing your beloved Jesus
led to death,
obtain for me the grace
to bear with patience,
those crosses which God sends me.
I will be fortunate
if I also shall know how
to accompany you
with my cross until death.
You and Jesus,
both innocent,
have borne a heavy cross
and shall I,
a sinner who has merited hell,
refuse mine?
Immaculate Virgin,
I hope you will help me
to bear my crosses with patience.
Amen

Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, MOTHER of GOD, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, THE FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTION

Our Morning Offering – 5 July – Mother of Love, of Sorrow and of Mercy

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Our Morning Offering – 5 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – First Saturday

Mother of Love, of Sorrow and of Mercy
By St Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373)

O Blessed Virgin Mary,
Immaculate Mother of God,
who endured a martyrdom of love and grief,
beholding the sufferings and sorrows of Jesus!
Thou didst co-operate in the benefit of my redemption
by thy innumerable afflictions
and by offering to the Eternal Father,
His only-begotten Son, as a holocaust
and victim of propitiation for my sins.
I thank thee for the unspeakable love
which led thee to deprive thyself
of the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus,
true God and true Man, to save me, a sinner.
Oh! make use of the unfailing intercession
of thy sorrows with the Father and the Son,
that I may steadfastly amend my life
and never again crucify
my loving Redeemer by my sins
and that, persevering till death in His grace,
I may obtain eternal life
through the merits of His Cross and Passion.
Amen

Mother of love, of sorrow and of mercy, pray for us!

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the KING, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, Hail MARY!, JESUIT SJ, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE

Quote/s of the Day – 2 July – The Visitation

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 July – The Feast of the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

“Mary, having merited to give flesh
to the Divine Word
and thus, supply the price
of our redemption
that we might be delivered
from eternal death, therefore,
she is more powerful
than all others,
to help us gain eternal life.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“She is the eldest daughter of the Great King.
If you enjoy her favour,
she will introduce you
to the Monarch of the Universe.
No-one has so great an interest with Him than Mary,
who was the occasion of His coming down from Heaven
to become man, for the redemption of mankind.”

St John the Merciful (c552-c 616)

“You must know that when you
‘hail’ Mary, she immediately greets you!
Do not think that she is one of those rude women
of whom there are so many, on the contrary,
she is utterly courteous and pleasant.
If you greet her, she will answer you right away
and converse with you!”

St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)

“It seems unbelievable
that a man should perish
in whose favour Christ said to His Mother:
‘Behold thy son’,
provided that he has not turned a deaf ear
to the words, which Christ addressed to him:
‘Behold thy Mother!’”

St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, NOTES to Followers, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUEENSHIP of MARY

Wishing you a Blessed and Holy Feast of our Great Queen

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Our Morning Offering – 11 February – Apparition of the Immaculate Conception at Lourdes

Hail! all Hail! Great Queen of Heaven,
Notre Dame de Lourdes
Unknown Author
First Published in 1905

Hail! all Hail! great Queen of Heaven,
Hail sweet Notre Dame de Lourdes,
‘Neath whose care our weary exile,
Is from countless ills secured.

Refrain:
Then let men and angels praise thee,
Fount of grace to all assured,
While in gladsome strains we are singing,
Hail! sweet Notre Dame de Lourdes
Hail! sweet Notre Dame de Lourdes.

Blessed thou above all others,
Mary Mistress of the spheres,
Star of hope, serenely beaming
Through this darksome vale of tears.
Refrain

Happy angels joy to own thee,
O’er their choirs exalted high,
Throned in blissful light and beauty,
Empress of the starry sky.
Refrain

As the fount is still unsealing
Its pure treasures softly fair,
May each drop be fraught with healing,
Dearest Mother, at thy prayer.
Refrain

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The LITTLE OFFICE of MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 21 May – Hail full of grace!

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

“Hail full of grace!”

Luke 1:28

“By a woman came the flood of our ills
and, by a woman too,
our blessings have their spring.”

St Gregory Thaumaturgus (c213-c270)
“the Wonder-Worker” Bishop, Confessor, Father

“Through a woman, [Eve]
a curse fell upon the earth;
through a woman, [Mary]
there returned to the earth,
a blessing!”

St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church

“The Blessed Virgin was chosen
to be the Mother of God
and, therefore, it is not to be doubted,
but that God fitted her for it
by His graces.”

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

“Give thanks to Almighty God
Who resists the proud
and gives grace to the humble
and offer Him all the glory
that this Maiden accorded to His Majesty
by her practice of the richest humility
during her childhood
and throughout the rest of her life.”

St John Eudes CO (1601-1680)