Category: The HOLY EUCHARIST

Posted in Act of SPIRITUAL COMMUNION, CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, IGNATIAN/JESUIT SJ- Reflections, Jesuit Saints and more, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Devotion for the Month of April – The Blessed Sacrament

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Devotion for the Month of April – The Blessed Sacrament

DEVOTION for april the BLessed SACRAMENT

Holy Thursday, the day on which Catholics celebrate the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the Last Supper, falls most often in April and so it is no surprise that the Catholic Church dedicates this month to devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
In these very sad times when we cannot attend the Passion week ceremonies, we need to focus our hearts and minds, much, much more on the Passion of Our Lord, on the Holy Eucharist and on our Communion with our Lord and Saviour.
Neither are we able to attend Eucharistic Adoration, live, though there are many ‘live’ opportunities online for both Holy Mass and Adoration.

This beautiful prayer by St John Damascene, with a slight adaptation, may be used as our Spiritual Communion.

God, my God, inextinguishable and invisible fire,
You make Your angels flaming fire.
Out of Your inexpressible love,
You have given me Your divine Flesh as food
and through this communion
of Your immaculate Body and precious Blood,
You receive me as a partaker of Your divinity.
Permeate all my body and soul, all my bones and sinews.
Consume my sins in fire.
Enlighten my soul and illumine my mind.
Sanctify my body and make Your abode in me,
together with Your blessed Father and all-holy Spirit,
that I may always abide in You,
through the intercession of Your immaculate Mother and all Your saints.
Amen
Prayer of St John Damascene (675-749)
Father and Doctor of the Churchconsume-my-sins-in-fire-...-and-make-your-abode-in-me-st-john-damascene-9-feb-2020 and 1 april 2020

Now, at least, in this great depredation we suffer, we might truly understand and agree with the words of St Claude:

If we only knew the treasure we hold in our hands!
St Claude de la Colombiere SJ (1641-1682)

“God is more honoured by a single Mass
than He could be by all the actions of angels and men together,
however fervent and heroic they might be.
Yet, how FEW, hear Mass
with the intention of giving God
this sublime honour!
How FEW think,
with joy on the glory, a Mass gives to God.
How FEW rejoice,
to possess the means of honouring Him
as He deserves! . . .
If we only knew the treasure we hold in our hands!”

Let us pray, all day, for the restoration of the Holy Mass!

god is more honoured by a single mass - st claude de la colombiere 1 april 2020

Posted in A SPIRITUAL COMMUNION SERVICE, Act of SPIRITUAL COMMUNION, IGNATIAN/JESUIT SJ- Reflections, Jesuit Saints and more, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Our Morning Offering – 22 March – Act of Spiritual Communion and A SPIRITUAL COMMUNION SERVICE Celebrated in the home

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 22 March – Act of Spiritual Communion and A SPIRITUAL COMMUNION SERVICE Celebrated in the home

For those across the world who cannot attend Holy Mass today:

a spiritual communion service celebrated in the home - 22 march 2020

A SPIRITUAL COMMUNION SERVICE
Celebrated in the home

“If you practice the holy exercise
of Spiritual Communion,
a good many times each day,
within a month,
you will see yourself completely changed.”

St Leonard of Port Maurice OFM (1676-1751)

Act of Spiritual Communion
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Church

My Jesus,
I believe that You art present
in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things
and I desire You in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
come at least, spiritually, into my heart.
As though You were already there,
I embrace You
and unite myself wholly to You,
permit not, that I should ever,
be separated from You.
Amenif-you-practice-the-holy-exercise-stleonardportmaurice-actofspiritualcomm-stalphonsus-27nov2018 and 22 march 2020 cornavirus

Guidelines / Reminders while participating in Spiritual Communion
– Prepare a table with appropriate cover, candles and crucifix or images of saints.
– Dress up appropriately as if you are physically participating in the Holy Eucharist.
– Turn off your cell phone and other devices.
– Refrain from doing household chores.
– Put yourself in the presence of God and focus on the celebration.

Introduction:
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Leader: We are gathered here to love, honour and worship our heavenly Father.  Bearing in mind that the Word of the Lord is a lamp for our steps and a light for our
path, let us unite in listening to the message of eternal life.   Then with hearts
gladdened and filled with hope by his holy word, we pray that the Lord in his
merciful love will spiritually nourish us.
But first, let us spend a few moments in silence to repent of our sins and also
think of those with whom we should make our peace, those, whom we should
forgive.

After a few moments of silence, all say the I confess

Liturgy of the Word:
– The readings of the given Sunday, are now proclaimed.

An appropriate Homily or Reflection can then be shared.

We then make a profession of faith by reciting the Apostles’ Creed.

– Next follows Prayers of Intercession where we pray for
– the needs of the Church
– needs of the world
– those burdened in one way or another
– our local community
– the dead.
Conclude by saying the Our Father.

Now recite the Act of Spiritual Communion

– After a brief pause, together say:

The Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from You.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death,
call me and bid me
come to You
that with Your saints
I may praise You forever and ever.
Amenanima christi st ignatius loyola - 29 september 2019

Concluding Prayer

All:  As we contemplate Your presence
in our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
we pray, O God,
that You will protect us in these uncertain times
and keep us close to You
and be strengthened in the faith we share.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Leader:  May Almighty God bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen

(all make the sign of the cross while saying together)

All:  May we remain in the peace of Christ – In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

NOTE:   If so desired, families may sing appropriate hymns /chants.

Prayer to St Michael

St Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our safeguard against the
wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray
and do Thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
cast into hell, Satan
and all the evil spirits who prowl throughout the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

st michael the archangel defend us in battle 22 march 2020

Pope Francis’s Prayer to Mary during Coronavirus Pandemic

https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/21/our-morning-offering-21-march-prayer-to-mary-health-of-the-sick/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNITY, QUOTES on FAITH, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST, Uncategorized

Quote/s of the Day – 18 March – St Cyril of Jerusalem

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 18 March – The Memorial of St Cyril of Jerusalem (c 313-386) Father and Doctor of the Church

“After all, He saved the thief
on the holy hill of Golgotha
because of one hour’s faith,
will He not save you too,
since you have believed? “

after all he save the good thief st cyril of jerusalem - 18 march 2020 no 2

“Since Christ Himself has said,
“This is My Body”
who shall dare to doubt
that It is His Body?”

since christ himself has said - st cyril of jerusalem 18 march 2020

On how to receive Holy Communion in the hand in the Fourth Century:

“Approaching,
do not come with thy palms stretched flat
nor with fingers separated.
But making thy left hand a seat for thy right
and hollowing thy palm,
receive the Body of Christ,
responding Amen.”

St Cyril of Jersualem (315-386)
Father and Doctor of the Church

st cyril of jerusalem on how to receive holy communion in the hand in the 4th century 18 march 2020

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES on PRAYER, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Thought for the Day – 17 March – The Consolation of Prayer

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Thought for the Day – 17 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Consolation of Prayer

if we look for consolation let us look for it before the altar bacci 17 march 2020

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!   My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord.   My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.   Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young – your altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God! Happy they who dwell in your house!   Continually, they praise you” (Psalm 83:1-5).

It is in these colourful words that the Psalmist expresses his longing for the house of God, where he can retire to pray and find comfort for his soul.
The Saints also found happiness in long hours of prayer before their Creator.
Any consolation which the world can give us is shadowy and elusive compared with the peace which God gives those, who, in the greatness of their faith and love, shut out all thought of earthly things in order to kneel before His Tabernacle and converse with Him.
If we need consolation, let us look for it before the Altar.
Only there, will our unlimited desire for true and lasting peace find satisfaction.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SPEAKING of ....., The HOLY EUCHARIST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 15 March – Speaking of:   Receiving Holy Communion Worthily

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 15 March – The Third Sunday of Lent

Speaking of:   Receiving Holy Communion Worthily

“Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily,
will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord.
A person should examine himself and so,
eat the bread and drink the cup.
For anyone, who eats and drinks without discerning the body,
eats and drinks judgement on himself.”

1 Corinthians 11:27-29

+++BLACK SMALLER STD

“I beseech, beg and implore,
that no-one draw near to this Sacred Table,
with a sullied and corrupt conscience.
Such an act, in fact, can never be called
“Communion,” not even were we to touch
the Lord’s body a thousand times over
but, “CONDEMNATION,” ‘TORMENT”
and ‘INCREASE OF PUNISHMENT.”

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

I beseech beg and implore - st john chrysostom 15 march 2020

“As Christ’s Passion does not produce it’s effect
on those who do not hold Him as they should,
so also, those do not attain heaven
through this Sacrament, who receive Him unworthily.
Accordingly, Augustine writes:
“The Sacrament is one thing, it’s virtue another.
Many receive from the altar and, receiving it, are dead.
Eat, therefore, heavenly bread, carry innocence to the altar.”
So it is not surprising, that those who do not keep a pure heart,
fail to gain the effect of the Sacrament.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor angelicus

as christ's passion - st thomas angelicus 15 march 2020

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Our Morning Offering – 15 March – Engrave on my heart, Your image

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Our Morning Offering – 15 March – The Third Sunday of Lent, Year C

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

How great is Your goodness, Lord,
who does not shrink from letting
Your servant, place You upon his heart!
How great my own worth,
since You have chosen me
to have part in Yours,
to have You abiding in me,
to love You, as You deserve, above myself.
Lord, take from me this hard heart
and give me a new, clean heart
of flesh and blood.
You who make my heart pure,
take possession of mine
and make it Your home.
Hold it and fill it,
You who are higher than my topmost height,
more inward than my inward being.
You, the seal of holiness,
beauty of beauties,
engrave on my heart, Your image
and the imprint of Your mercy.
Be, O God, my eternal love
and my inheritance.
Amenhow great is your goodness lord archbishop baldwin of canterbury 24 march 2019 prayer before holy communion

Posted in QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, St JOHN HENRY Cardinal NEWMAN!, SUNDAY REFLECTIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST, The INCARNATION, The PASSION

Sunday Reflection – 23 February – “Take and divide it among yourselves.”

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Sunday Reflection – 23 February – Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

“Take and divide it among yourselves.”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

“Christ then took on our nature, when He would redeem it;
He redeemed it by making it suffer in His own Person;
He purified it, by making it pure in His own Person.
He first sanctified it in Himself, made it righteous, made it acceptable to God, submitted it to an expiatory passion and then He imparted it to us.   He took it, consecrated it, broke it and said, “Take and divide it among yourselves.”

Newman was convinced that no one “realises the mystery of the Incarnation but must feel disposed towards that of the Holy Communion.”   Both are mysteries of the coming of Christ, longed for as the hope of mankind for salvation.   If we accept that God unites Himself, His divinity and His spirit, to humanity, nature and matter in His birth as man, then we can also accept that He binds His presence to the species of bread and wine. When Jesus says, “This is my body, this is my blood,” this remains a mystery but our faith in it, is not against our reason.

Years later this Catholic priest wrote:

“O wisest love! That flesh and blood
Which did in Adam fail,
Should strive afresh against the foe,
Should strive and should prevail.”
“And that a higher gift than grace
Should flesh and blood refine,
God’s presence and His very Self,
And Essence all-divine.”

christ-then-took-on-our-nature-bl-john-henry-newman-no-2-25-feb-2018-sunday-reflection and 23 feb 2020