THE HOLY FAMILY – FAMILIAE SANCTAE

JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on the FAMILY, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Thought for the Day – 23 March – St Joseph, Father of Jesus

Posted on March 23, 2025March 23, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 23 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

23rd Day – St Joseph, Father of Jesus

We need not fear to apply this name to the holy foster-father of the Son of God, since it was given to him by Our Lady herself, when she said to Him in the Temple, “Thy father and I have sought Thee, sorrowing.”

+1. He had the position of father of Jesus and was recognised as such, by the common consent. He had all the rights and the authority of a father, as far as any could have, over the Son of God. His Divine Foster-Son from His birth, depended on him, as the child naturally depends upon his father. He fulfilled the office of father. God delegated to him, the duties, the rights, the privileges, of a father and, therefore, he is truly called, the father of Jesus.

+2. We may also piously believe, his Divine Son was made like to him in outward form. In the natural order, Jesus would not be made after the likeness of His holy Mother alone. The Holy Ghost, in fashioning the features of the Son of God, would have taken St Joseph as in some sort, the model to be followed in form and face. What must have been St Joseph’s beauty, sweetness of expression, symmetry of form, perfect purity of body and soul!
What a contrast to my unsightliness and impurity!

+3. When God calls a man by any name, He, thereby, ascribes to him whatever that name implies. How often Jesus called St Joseph by the endearing name of father! By so doing, He showed that He was truly His father. His Words were no mere fiction. O happy St Joseph! it is no wonder thou hast such power in Heaven!

MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Thought for the Day – 22 March – St Joseph as Head of the Holy Family

Posted on March 22, 2025March 19, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 22 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

22nd Day – St Joseph as Head of the Holy Family

+1. The dignity of any Office of Authority, is in proportion to the excellence of those over whom such authority is exercised.
What then must have been the dignity and perfection of St Joseph? To rule over the Angels would be a small privilege compared with the privilege of ruling God Himself and His holy Mother!
What prudence, what discretion, what purity of intention, what perfect unselfishness, what intense love of God and of men, must have been found in St Joseph! How humble he must have been, how thoughtful, how kind, how considerate, how wise, how faithful to God’s holy inspirations! Next to Our Lady, it is impossible to suppose that any Saint could approach the dignity of St Joseph!

+2. Watch St Joseph as a superior.
Notice how he gives his orders, firmly and decidedly, without hesitation but yet, kindly and gently and considerately. St Joseph had to command others besides Jesus and Mary. To all he showed the same thoughtful, tender, watchful affection and respect.
Am I like St Joseph in dealing with those over whom I am placed?

+3. Our Lord obeyed St Joseph with the most perfect , unquestioning obedience. He, as Man, was St Joseph’s natural superior; He , in His Sacred Humanity, had Authority over all creation. He, therefore, the Lord of all, raised St Joseph to be lord over Himself. This, exalts still
more, the position of St Joseph, who derived his authority over Jesus by Our Lord’s own choice of him.
Thus Jesus teaches us the happiness of obedience. To be subject is no degradation but rather, a privilege, since Jesus Himself chose it!

JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Thought for the Day – 19 March – St Joseph’s Sixth Joy

Posted on March 19, 2025March 16, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 19 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

19th Day – St Joseph’s Sixth Joy
The Life with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth

+1. When St Joseph found, dangers still threatening the safety of Jesus in the south of Palestine, he at once continued the journey towards Galilee. He was fertile in resource and when one plan failed. another, with God’s assistance, was soon destined to take its place.
Here too he teaches me a lesson. If I meet with reverses I am discouraged and inclined to relinquish the task, instead of cheerfully looking out for some fresh means of serving God and accomplishing the work He has entrusted to me.

+2. St Joseph, under God’s direction, journeyed on, to the Town of Nazareth, where he had formerly lived and there, he re-enters the poor little cottage humble and lowly, where he and his holy spouse had formerly dwelt. This, a secret voice told him, is to be his home.
How joyfully he took possession of it! Now his wanderings were over and he was to spend the rest of his days in peace in the tranquil home God had prepared for him.

+3. Yet how poor it was! The Town of Nazareth was so despised, men did not think it possible that anything great or good, could come from thence. Was this to be the home of the Son of God? Yes! and St Joseph rejoiced in the low esteem of Nazareth because, it seemed to him, an arrangement quite according to God’s designs that Jesus, should dwell there and the name of Nazarene, should cling to Him, as a name of contempt.
Why have I not more of his spirit? I am too fond of show and display and all that the world thirks much of.

ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Holy Family PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, PARTIAL Indulgence, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – St Joseph

Posted on March 19, 2025March 16, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – “The Month and Feastday of Saint Joseph”

“Saint Joseph was the just man:
by his constant fidelity -an effect of justice;
by his perfect discretion – a sister to prudence;
by his upright conduct – a mark of strength
and by his inviolable chastity – a flower of temperance.”

St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Church

Indulgenced Holy Family Aspiration

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
I give Thee my heart and my soul;
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
assist me in my last agony;
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
may I breathe forth my soul in peace with Thee.”

(Indulgence of 300 days, Each Time.
Pope Pius VII, 26 August 1814)

“To all fathers of families,
Joseph is verily the best model
of paternal vigilance and care.
In the most holy Virgin Mother of God,
mothers may find an excellent example of love,
modesty, resignation of spirit
and the perfecting of faith.
And in Jesus, Who was subject to His parents,
the children of the family, have a Divine Pattern
of obedience which they can admire,
reverence and imitate.”

Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

Apostolic Letter,
“Breve Neminem Fugit” 1892

“It is impossible, that he could be denied
the favours for which he asks
and which we should request him
to obtain for us.
Let us go to him trustingly
but, let us remember,
that the surest way of being heard by him,
is to imitate his wonderful virtues,
especially his humility,
his spirit of prayer,
his purity and his calm desire always,
to do God’s Will.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Lady POVERTY, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on WISDOM, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 March – ‘… God gave him His most glorious Son to care for …’

Posted on March 19, 2025March 16, 2025 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 19 March – “The Month and the Feastday of Saint Joseph” – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6 – Matthew 1:18-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep …” – Matthew 1:20

REFLECTION – “How faithful in humility was the great Saint we are celebrating! That cannot be said in all its perfection for, in spite of what he was, in what poverty and lowliness he lived, all the days of his life – a poverty and lowliness beneath which. he kept hidden and concealed, his great virtues and dignity! … Truly, I am free of doubt that the Angels came, beside themselves with admiration, rank upon rank, to behold and wonder at his humility, while he sheltered that dearest Child in the poor workshop where he worked at his employment, so as to feed the little Boy and the mother entrusted to him.

There is no doubt at all that St Joseph was braver than David and wiser that Solomon [who were his ancestors]. Nevertheless, seeing him reduced to the exercise of carpentry, who could have discerned this, unless they were enlightened by a heavenly light, so hidden did he keep the remarkable gifts with which God had favoured him? And what wisdom did he not have? For God gave him his most glorious Son to care for … the universal Prince of Heaven and earth … Nevertheless, you can see how low and humbled he was brought, more than can be said or imagined … he went to his own Country and Town of Bethlehem and none but he was turned away from all those inns … Notice how the Angel turns him about with both hands. He tells him, he has to go to Egypt and he goes; he orders him to return and he returns. God wants him to be always poor … and he submits to it with love and, not only for a while, for he was poor his whole life long!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church (Conferences No 20)

PRAYER – May the merits of Thy most holy Mother’s Spouse help us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that through his intercession we may receive what we cannot obtain by our own efforts. 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).

JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, St JOSEPH, The FLIGHT into EQYPT, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The HOLY INFANCY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 22 January – “The Arrival in Palestine”

Posted on January 22, 2025January 18, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 22 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for AChristmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Arrival in Palestine”

+1. When Joseph with Mary and her Divine Son arrived in their own land, his first thought was to turn to Bethlehem and to dwell in peace where he had dwelt so peaceably before. But to his sorrow he learned that the son of the impious Herod was ruling in his father’s place.
He was not going to expose, to any risk, the treasure committed to him and at once, he determined to turn his steps elsewhere.
Notice his prudence and beware of running any risk with the treasures of grace which God has committed to you. One serious sin will lose them all.

+2. Whither should he go? It was all one to St Joseph, as long as he went where God sent him. He was quite as ready to go to Nazareth as anywhere else, if God directed his steps .
This should be my disposition, to be ready to go anywhere and live in any place, where God may send me.

+3. How did St Joseph decide where he was to dwell? By prayer and by good counsel. He asked of God to turn his steps whither He Willed and he also did not neglect the rules of human prudence.
This is St. Ignatius’ advice:
(1) Act with prudence but never forget to consult God.
(2) While you trust all to God, do not lose sight of the importance of using natural means.

JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, The FLIGHT into EQYPT, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 21 January – “The Return Home”

Posted on January 21, 2025January 17, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 21 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Return Home”

+1. At length , when it seemed as if God had almost forgotten His well-beloved Son, the summons came to return to the land of Israel An Angel appeared to Joseph with the welcome news – those who had sought the life of Jesus were dead and, therefore, they might go back in safety.
Those who are willing to wait, are sure to obtain their desires. It is impatience and the restless desire for immediate relief which leads to so many disappointments. In the things of God, as in all else, it is those who wait, who win.

+2. How full of joy were the hearts of Joseph and Mary as they neared, once more, their native land! Like all the Saints, they had an intense love for their Country , their people and their home.
Holy indifference does not mean that we have no natural affections for kindred and for fatherland,but that, those affections are entirely subordinate to the Will of God .

+3. If the people of Egypt knew not that their God was dwelling among them, they did know that they had, had amongst them, those who were the special friends of God. Mary and Joseph had endeared themselves to all around by their gentleness, charity, patience courtesy, humility, and thoughtful kindness to all.
To these then, how terrible a grief was the departure of the Holy Family.
Do I endear myself to those among whom I live?

JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The FLIGHT into EQYPT, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The HOLY INFANCY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 20 January – “The Long Waiting”

Posted on January 20, 2025January 16, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 20 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Long Waiting”

+I. For seven long years the Holy Family remained in the land of Egypt . From day-to-day, they knew not whether they were to spend all their days in banishment, far from the dear land of Israel, or to return thither it might be on the morrow; yet, no shade of impatience ever marred the perfection of their peace and resignation to the Will of God.
How different from myself, who am oftentimes so anxious and troubled about the future!

+2. During all this time, St Joseph supported his holy spouse and the Divine Infant Jesus, by working at his trade of a carpenter. They often felt the pinch of poverty but never wanted for bread.
God forsakes not His own, though He sometimes tries them to the very edge of their powers of endurance. He will not forsake me if I put my trust in Him.

+3. How little the people of Egypt knew Who it was Who dwelt ,for these long years, amongst them! If they had known it , they would eagerly have cast aside their idols , and thrown themselves at the feet of the King of Heaven and Earth.
So, if those outside the Catholic Church knew that on every Altar God Himself dwells in the Blessed Sacrament how they would come in crowds to make their humble submission to Him!
Hence teach the great charity to those outside the Church of Christ. It is often ignorance, not malice whicht stands in the way of their conversion.

HOLY COMMUNION, In the PRESENCE of GOD, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior), The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The HOLY INFANCY

Thought for the Day – 19 January – “The Arrival in Egypt”

Posted on January 19, 2025January 15, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 19 January – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Meditations for Christmastide
“The Holy Infancy”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Arrival in Egypt”

+1. At length they reached the spot which God designed for their sojourn in a land full of idols and idolaters. What uncongenial surroundings for the Holy Family, alone in the midst of those who worshipped a false god!
So many a Catholic has to dwell in a most uncongenial atmosphere – perhaps among heretics, or bad Catholics, or those whose words and looks and actions continually jar and cause pain. Patience! Jesus and Mary know, by experience, what such have to suffer!

+2. When the Holy Family arrived in Egypt, in the Town where they came to dwell, all the idols in the temples fell prostrate to the ground and were shattered into pieces. Thus, when Christ comes to dwell within the soul, all that opposes itself to God is destroyed by His Sacred Presence. If Jesus dwells with us , we shall no longer allow pride, envy, bitterness, self-will, discontent, to reign in our hearts.

+3. The presence of the Holy Family in Egypt hallowed the spot where they sojourned. In early Christian times it was covered with the cells of the Monks and Hermits. Thus Jesus always leaves a blessing behind Him.
When He comes to me in Holy Communion, if only I put no obstacle in the way my soul will flourish with virtues and good works, as the effect of His Presence.

AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Holy Family PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, PAPAL DECREE, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES on the POOR, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 12 January – Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Posted on January 12, 2025January 10, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 12 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – Within the Octave – Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:42-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And He went down with them
and came to Nazareth
and was subject to them.”

Luke 2:51

“EVERY FAMILY
should have a room where
CHRIST is welcome in the person
of the hungry and thirsty STRANGER.”

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

“So, taking Christ’s genealogy from Joseph –
a husband in chastity,
he was father in the same way. …
Are you saying that he did not conceive Jesus
through the operation of nature?
Well then, what the Holy Spirit operated,
He did for them both.
For Joseph was “a just man,” Matthew tells us (1:19).
Both husband and wife were just.
The Holy Spirit dwelt within their mutual justice
and gave each of them, a Son!”

“Peace in Society
depends on peace
in the Family.”

(Marriage and concupiscence 1,11; Sermon 51)

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

“God, to whom Angels submit themselves
and who principalities and powers obey,
was subject to Mary
and not only to Mary
but Joseph atoo, for Mary’s sake.
God obeyed a human creature –
this is humility without precedent.
A human creature commands God;
it is sublime beyond measure!”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

Apostolic Letter,
“Breve Neminem Fugit” 1892

CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, ONE Minute REFLECTION, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 12 January – “When Jesus was twelve years old …” – Luke 2:42

Posted on January 12, 2025January 8, 2025 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family” – Within the Octave – Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:42-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“When Jesus was twelve years old …” – Luke 2:42

REFLECTION – “The public teaching of the Lord, had as we read, its beginnings from His twelfth year, for herein should be foreshadowed the number of those announcing the faith that was to be preached. Nor was it that He was heedlessly unmindful of His parents according to the flesh, who in the flesh was filled with grace and wisdom, that He was found in the temple after three days but ,for a sign that was believed dead, would present Himself to our faith, risen in heavenly glory and divine honour, after the three days of that triumphal passion.

“How is it that you sought me. Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business.” (Lk 2:49) There are two generations in Christ: the one is Paternal, the other Maternal; that which is Paternal is more Divine, the Maternal, that whereby He has stooped to our need and benefit. And, therefore, what was accomplished in the manner above nature, above age, above what was usual, must not be ascribed to His human excellence but must be referred to the power of His Divinity.
Elsewhere, His Mother pleads with Him for a miracle, here she requires of Him a reason, since she still looks to the things that are human. But while here, He is described as being but twelve years old, there, He is spoken of as having disciples. See how the Mother has learnt to know her Son, so that she seeks a miracle from Him now, in His full strength, Who was astonished at this wonder in His Boyhood.” – St Ambrose (340-397) Great Latin Father and Doctor of the Church (Writings Octave of the Epiphany).

PRAYER – O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Who while subject to Mary and Joseph, hallowed family life with virtues beyond description, grant us by their combined intercession, that, having been taught by the example of the Holy Family, we may attain unto their everlasting companionship. Who lives and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen

CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, CHRISTMASTIDE!, Holy Family PRAYERS, HYMNS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Our Morning Offering – 12 January – O House of Nazareth The Blest

Posted on January 12, 2025January 8, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 12 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” and the Feast of the Holy Family

O Gente Felix
O House of Nazareth The Blest
Prayer In Honour of the Holy Family
By Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

O house of Nazareth the blest,
Fair hostess of the Lord,
The Church was nurtured at thy breast
And shared thy scanty hoard.

In all the spreading lands of earth.
The wandering sun may see
No dearer spot, no ampler worth
Than erst was found in thee!

We know thy humble tenement
Was heaven’s hermitage:
Celestial heralds came and went
In endless embassage.

There, whatsoever Joseph asks
Christ hastens to fulfil;
While Mary loves the household tasks
That wait her joyous will.

There, Joseph toileth at her side
Her joys and griefs to share,
With thousand ties knit to his bride,
Of love and work and prayer.

Yet how their bosoms constant burn
And deeper ardours prove
In love of Christ, whose eyes return
Tokens of mutual love.

O then, in all the homes of earth,
Be Love the bond of life:
May it enthrone at every hearth
The peace that husheth strife.

All praise to thee, O Jesus,
Who parents dost obey;
Praise to the sovereign Father
And Paraclete for aye.
Amen.

INCORRUPTIBLES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Feast of the Holy Family, Within the Octave of The Epiphany, Nuestra Señora La Conquistadora / Our Lady the Conqueror, Santa Fe, New Mexico, St Benedict Biscop and the Saints for 12 January

Posted on January 12, 2025January 8, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Within the Octave of The Epiphany

Feast of the Holy Family: In 1921, Pope Benedict XV added this Feast to the General Roman Calendar and appointed it on the Sunday within the Octave of the Epiphany, that is to say, on the Sunday between 7 January through 13 January , all inclusive.
https://anastpaul.com/2017/12/31/31-december-feast-of-the-holy-family-and-the-seventh-day-of-the-octave/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/30/feast-of-the-holy-family-of-jesus-mary-and-joseph-30-decembe/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/29/feast-of-the-holy-family-of-jesus-mary-and-joseph-fifth-day-of-the-christmas-octave/

Nuestra Señora La Conquistadora / Our Lady the Conqueror, Santa Fe, New Mexico – 12 January:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/12/our-lady-of-conquest-santa-fe-new-mexico-and-memorials-of-the-saints-12-january/

St Benedict Biscop OSB (c 628-690) – Confessor, Bishop and Abbot of Wearmouth, who introduced Stained Glass windows to England and raised the child, the Venerable Saint Bede.
This wonderful Saint:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/12/saint-of-the-day-12-january-st-benedict-biscop-osb-c-628-690/

St Arcadius of Mauretania (Died c302) Martyr, Hermit.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/12/saint-of-the-day-12-january-saint-arcadius-of-mauretania-died-c-302-martyr/

Bl Bartholomew Alvarez
Bl Bernardo de Plano
St Biccianus

^{Blessed Bernard of Corleone OFM Cap (1605-1667) Lay Brother of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin}.
Blessed Bernard’s Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/01/12/saint-of-the-day-12-january-blessed-bernard-of-corleone-ofm-cap-1605-1667/

St Caesaria of Arles
St Caroticus
Bl Emmanuel d’Abreu
St Eutropius
St Ferreolus of Grenoble Bishop Martyr
Bl John Gaspard Cratz
St John of Ravenna
Blessed Lucia (1370-1430) Virgin. Her Body is Incorrupt.
St Martinian of Belozersk
St Peter of Abessala
St Probus of Verona
St Quinctus the Soldier
St Satyrus

St Tatiana of Rome (Died c 226) Virgin, Martyr. Patronage – students, school children.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome in the time of the Emperor Alexander, St Tatiana, Martyr who was torn with iron hooks and combs, thrown to the beasts and cast into the fire but, having received no injury, was beheaded and thus, went to Heaven.”
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/12/saint-of-the-day-12-january-saint-tatiana-of-rome-died-c-226-virgin-martyr/

St Tigrius
St Victorian of Asana
Bl Vincent da Cunha

Martyrs of Africa – 44 Saints: A group of 44 Christian soldiers murdered together for their faith in Africa. The only details that survive are four of their names – Castulus, Modestus, Rogatus and Zoticus.

Martyrs of Ephesus – 42 Saints: Forty-two Monks Martyred at a Monastery in Ephesus (modern Turkey) during the persecutions of the Iconoclast Byzantine Emperor Constantine V. Their names have not come down to us. Martyred c 762.

Martyrs of Iona – 38 Saints: Thirty-eight Monks Martyred in Iona, Ireland. Their names have not come down to us. They were Martyred in 750 at Iona, Ireland.

CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CONSECRATION Prayers, Holy Family PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Our Morning Offering – 11 January – Consecration to the Holy Family

Posted on January 11, 2025January 7, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 11 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family”

Consecration to the Holy Family
Approved by Pope Leo XIII
20 June 1892

O Most Loving Jesus,
Who by Thy ineffable virtues
and by the example of Thy domestic life,
didst Consecrate the family
which Thou didst choose on earth.
In Thy clemency, look down upon this household,
humbly prostrate before Thee
and imploring Thy mercy.
Remember that this family belongs to Thee,
for to Thee we have, in a special way,
dedicated and devoted ourselves.
Look upon us in Thy loving kindness,
preserve us from every danger,
give us help in the time of need
and grant us the grace to persevere
to the end, in the imitation of Thy Holy Family
that having revered Thee
and loved Thee faithfully upon earth,
we may bless and praise Thee eternally in Heaven.

O Mary, most sweet Mother,
to thy intercession we have recourse,
knowing that thy Divine Son will hear thy prayers.

And do thee,
O glorious Patriarch, Saint Joseph,
assist us by thy powerful mediation
and offer, by the hands of Mary,
our prayers to Jesus.
Amen

ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MARIAN QUOTES, Of a Holy DEATH & AGAINST A SUDDEN DEATH, of the DYING, FINAL PERSEVERANCE, DEATH of CHILDREN, DEATH of PARENTS, PARTIAL Indulgence, QUOTES on MARRIAGE, MARRIED LOVE, St Francis de Sales, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Quote/s of the Day – 7 January – The Holy Family

Posted on January 7, 2025January 4, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 7 January – “The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family”and the Feast of the Holy Family

Indulgenced Holy Family Aspiration

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
I give Thee my heart and my soul;
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
assist me in my last agony;
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
may I breathe forth my soul in peace with Thee.”

(Indulgence of 300 days, Each Time.
Pope Pius VII, 26 August 1814)

“When husband and wife
are united in marriage
they no longer seem like something earthly
but rather, like the image of God Himself!”

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

“The One Who is the Wisdom of the Father,
put His arms around her neck,
the One Who is the strength,
that gives movement to everything,
sat in her arms. He Who is the rest of souls, (Mt 11:29)
rested on her motherly breast.
… Filled with the Holy Spirit,
she held Him close to her heart …
She never had enough of seeing Him
or of hearing Him,
,,, Thus Mary grew evermore in love and her mind
was unceasingly attached to Divine contemplation.”

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)

“Since God could choose for the Guardian of His Son,
the man in the world, the most accomplished
in all sorts of perfections,
according to the dignity
and excellence of his Charge,
Who was His most Glorious Son,
the universal Prince of Heaven and earth,
how could it be that being able,
He did not will it and did not do it?
There is, then, NO DOUBT that St Joseph
was endowed with all the graces
and all the gifts that were required
for the care which the Eternal Father
willed to give him,
of the temporal and domestic economy
of our Lord and of the guidance of his family … ”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/01/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-january-the-holy-family/

GOD ALONE!, In the PRESENCE of GOD, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on the FAMILY, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The HOLY NAME

JANUARY 2025 – The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family

Posted on January 1, 2025January 1, 2025 by AnaStpaul

JANUARY – The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus
and the Holy Family

The Second Council of Lyons in 1274 decreed that “at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow; whenever that glorious Name is recalled, especially during the Sacred Mysteries of the Mass, everyone should bow the knees of his heart, which he can do even by a bow of his head.”

It may very well be that the custom of bowing the head at the Name of Jesus has passed out of general use, as have other laudable customs, in recent times but, that does not prevent us personally, from continuing to live it and passing on to our children this ancient custom.

The Holy Family – The Hidden Life

The life of each member of the Holy Family was, from the first, a hidden life, for it was a life hidden with God and concealed from the busy world. The life of Jesus in Mary’s womb, was thus the model of the lives of all, who desire to give themselves entirely to God; a life completely withdrawn from all which could interfere with a continual thought of God and, a continual union with Him, by acts of adoration and of love. This should be my aim, at least during such portions of the day as I am able to give to prayer and to spiritual things.

But a life of complete removal from external things, is not possible on earth. It is reserved for the Blessed in Heaven. Even Joseph and Mary had sometimes to turn their thoughts to earthly things and to the cares of life. Yet, they never lost sight of God and, amid the most distracting occupations, the remembrance of Him, was ever in their hearts. This should be my constant endeavour; thus, to lead a hidden life, by having ever hidden in my heart, the precious treasure of the love of God.

But the hidden life of Mary and Joseph, was from the very beginning, much more than this; they, in the midst of the most distracting cares, had the gift of always having the thought of God, actually present to them. Their conscious intercourse with Him, never ceased. This is the nearest approach to the life of the Angels possible for mortal man on earth. What a contrast to my life, so often absorbed in worldly trifles!

JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on PEACE, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Thought for the Day – 30 December – The Holy Family – Mary and Joseph

Posted on December 30, 2024December 28, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 30 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

As Fr Clarke has left us in the lurch for the last 3 days of December, I am revisiting dear Cardinal Bacci to come to our aid. I pray you, like myself, never tire of his wisdom.

The Holy Family – Mary

“The Blessed Virgin Mary, is the second model proposed for our imitation in the Holy Family.
… We do not read that Mary worked miracles, had ecstasies, or possessed any extraordinary external gifts.
Her sanctity was completely internal.
She trod the ordinary way of perfection, therefore, the way most easily imitated by us and, nevertheless, reached the highest peak of holiness.
Since we are her devoted and affectionate children, let us ask her for the grace to follow her in the way of perfection and of complete resignation to the will of God.
Although we may have to follow her from afar, let us follow with enthusiasm and love..”

The Holy Family – Joseph

“The third member of the Holy Family is St Joseph, the most just of men, faithful to his vocation as the foster-father of the Child Jesus and chaste spouse o the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Let us imitate his purity, his utter dedication to the service of God and his burning love for Jesus, Whom he was privileged to clasp to his breast before any other man.
Let us ask him to obtain for us the grace to be able to imitate him in his life so that we may also imitate him in his holy death.
May he, who died with Jesus and Mary by his side, obtain peace for us in our final agony, so that we may expire with the names of Jesus and Mary on our lips and in our hearts.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MEEKNESS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Thought for the Day – 29 December – The Holy Family – Jesus

Posted on December 29, 2024December 27, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 29 D ecember – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

As Fr Clarke has left us in the lurch for the last 3 days of December, I am revisiting dear Cardinal Bacci to come to our aid. I pray you, like myself, never tire of his wisdom.

The Holy Family – Jesus

“We have in the Holy Family, the highest possible models of perfection – Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
As God, Jesus is essentially holy.
By means of the Hypostatic Union, this sanctity is transmitted also to His human nature.
The holiness of Jesus was only gradually revealed as He grew older because He wished to be like us in everything, save in sin.
As the Gospel says, He “advanced in wisdom and age and grace before God and men” (Lk 2:52).
Jesus gave us an example of holiness which we should find easier to imitate because it was eternally increasing all the time.
He offered us, as an example, the kind of sanctity which has its beginning and foundation in utter humility and detachment from worldly goods.
“Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29).

Socrates advised his followers to have few desires and to desire these as little as possible, in order to remain content, for the man who is full of desires is always uneasy and restless.
This human counsel is very true but, it is incomplete.
It recommends detachment from earthly things but fails to teach the ardent and practical desire for supernatural things.
Jesus Christ teaches us both.
After He has urged us to become gentle and humble like Himself, after He has told us not to worry about the future and not to fret about what to wear and what to eat, He points out the way in which Providence clothes the lilies of the filed and feeds the birds of the air.
Then He adds: “Seek the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be given you besides” (Cf Lk.12:22-31).

We must limit and moderate our desire for earthly goods, therefore but, should ardently yearn to love God, to serve and obey Him in this life and to enjoy Him forever in Heaven.
This is what the Infant Jesus wishes to teach us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Lady POVERTY, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on WISDOM, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, St Francis de Sales, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 April– ‘… God gave him his most glorious Son to care for …’

Posted on April 19, 2024April 17, 2024 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 19 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Within the Octave of the Solemnity of the Patronage of St Joseph – Genesis 49:22-26; Luke 3:21-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And Jesus, Himself, was beginning about the age of thirty years, being – (as it was supposed) – the son of Joseph … ” – Luke 3:23

There is no doubt at all that St Joseph was braver than David and wiser that Solomon [who were his ancestors]. Nevertheless, seeing him reduced to the exercise of carpentry, who could have discerned this, unless they were enlightened by a heavenly light, so hidden did he keep the remarkable gifts with which God had favoured him? And what wisdom did he not have? For God gave him his most glorious Son to care for … the universal Prince of Heaven and earth … Nevertheless, you can see how low and humbled he was brought, more than can be said or imagined … he went to his own Country and Town of Bethlehem and none but he was turned away from all those inns … Notice how the Angel turns him about with both hands. He tells him he has to go to Egypt and he goes; he orders him to return and he returns. God wants him to be always poor … and he submits to it with love and, not only for a while, for he was poor his whole life long!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church (Conferences No 20)

PRAYER – O God, Who in Thine unspeakable foreknowledge didst choose Thy blessed servant Joseph to be the husband of Thine Own most holy Mother; mercifully grant that now that he is in heaven with Thee, we ,who on earth, do reverence him for our Defender, may worthily be assisted by the succour of his prayers to Thee on our behalf. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect)

AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATECHESIS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on CHASTITY, St Francis de Sales, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Quote/s of the Day – 18 April – St Joseph

Posted on April 18, 2024April 16, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 18 April – Within the Octave of the Patronage of St Joseph

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

“God, to Whom Angels submit themselves
and Who Principalities and Powers obey,
was subject to Mary
and not only to Mary
but Joseph too, for Mary’s sake …
God obeyed a human creature;
this is humility without precedent.
A human creature commands God!
it is sublime beyond measure!

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father & Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 April – The Patronage of St Joseph

Posted on April 17, 2024April 15, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 17 April – Solemnity of the Patronage of St Joseph Confessoris

“We also should have recourse to St Joseph
in our spiritual and bodily necessities.
St Joseph had to endure a great deal
in order to provide for the wants of the Holy Family
and to protect them from the many dangers
which threatened them.
For this reason, he is especially attentive
to requests of any kind, as long as they are made
with a lively faith and submission to the Will of God.”

“St Joseph is the Universal Patron of the Church.
We, who are loved children of the Church
should invoke his special intercession,
therefore, for the triumph and expansion
of the Kingdom of God upon earth.
… If we are loyal sons of the Church,
we should pray that She may triumph.
We should ask for the special intercession
of St Joseph, Her Heavenly Patron.”

“We shall come to the end of our lives too,
perhaps sooner than we imagine.
Let us ask the Holy Patriarch
for the favour of a happy death.
Let us ask him to ensure that Jesus and Mary
will help us too, when we are leaving this world.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/20/thought-for-the-day-20-march-the-patronage-of-st-joseph/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/20/thought-for-the-day-20-march-the-patronage-of-saint-joseph/
PART THREE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/19/thought-for-the-day-19-march-the-patronage-of-st-joseph/

ArchAngels and Angels, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 7 January – The Holy Family

Posted on January 7, 2024January 7, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 7 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and of the Holy Family” and tbe Feast of the Holy Family

“He went down with them
and came to Nazareth
and was obedient to them”

Luke 2:51

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

“God, to Whom Angels submit themselves
and Who Principalities and Powers obey,
was subject to Mary;
and not only to Mary but Joseph too, for Mary’s sake [….].
God obeyed a human creature;
this is humility without precedent.
A human creature commands God!
it is sublime beyond measure.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father & Mellifluous Doctor of the Church

A pious practice among Catholics, is to write “✝ J M J ✝” often flanked by two Crosses at the top of letters, cards, documents and personal notes as a reference to Jesus, Mary and Joseph as the Holy Family.
Where it is written, “✝ J M J ✝” the writer appeals for the blessing and protection of the Holy Family.

MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Feast of the Holy Family, Within The Octave of The Epiphany, Our Lady of Egypt and the Return of the Child Jesus from Egypt, Madonna delle Grazie / Our Lady of Grace, Italy (1588) and the Saints for 7 January

Posted on January 7, 2024January 5, 2024 by AnaStpaul

The Second day Within The Octave of The Epiphany

Feast of the Holy Family:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/12/31/31-december-feast-of-the-holy-family-and-the-seventh-day-of-the-octave/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/30/feast-of-the-holy-family-of-jesus-mary-and-joseph-30-decembe/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/29/feast-of-the-holy-family-of-jesus-mary-and-joseph-fifth-day-of-the-christmas-octave/

Our Lady of Egypt and the Return of the Child Jesus from Egypt — 7 January:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/07/our-lady-of-egypt-and-memorials-of-the-saints-7-january/

Madonna delle Grazie / Our Lady of Grace, Costa Folgaria, Italy (1588) – 7 January, 8 September:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/07/our-lady-of-egypt-madonna-delle-grazie-our-lady-of-grace-costa-folgaria-italy-1588-and-memorials-of-the-saints-7-january/

Bl Albert of Siena
St Aldric of Le Mans
Bl Ambrose Fernandez
St Anastasius of Sens
St Brannock of Braunton
St Candida of Greece
St Cedd
St Clerus of Antioch
St Crispin I of Pavia
St Cronan Beg
St Emilian of Saujon
St Felix of Heraclea
St Giuliano of Gozzano (c350-c391) Deacon, Missionary
St Januarius of Heraclea
St Julian of Cagliari
St Kentigerna
St Lucian of Antioch (Died 312) Confessor, Priest, Martyr

Blessed Matthew of Agrigento OFM (1377-1450) Bishop, “Apostle of the Holy Name of Jesus,” Franciscan Priest and Friar, Missionary Preacher often with St Bernardine of Siena, Provincial Vicar and General Commissioner of the Order, founder of many Convents. He was Beatified on 21 February 1767 by Pope Clement XII.
His Zealous Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/07/saint-of-the-day-7-january-blessed-matthew-of-agrigento-ofm-c-1377-1450-apostle-of-the-holy-name-of-jesus/

St Pallada of Greece
St Polyeuctus of Melitene
St Reinhold of Cologne
St Spolicostus of Greece
St Theodore of Egypt
St Tillo of Solignac

St Valentine of Passau (Died 475) Bishop in Passau in the Rhaetia region, Switzerland, an area in the border region of modern Italy, Austria and Switzerland, Monk, Abbot, Missionary, Hermit, Miracle-worker. Died on 7 January 475 at Mais, Tyrol, Austria of natural causes. Patronages – against convulsions, against cramps/stomach pain, against epilepsy, against gout, against plague/epidemics, against demonic possession, of cattle diseases, of pilgrims, poor people, City and Diocese of Passau.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/07/saint-of-the-day-7january-st-valentine-of-passau-died-475-bishop/

St Virginia of Ste-Verge
Bl Wittikund of Westphalia

GOOD RESOLUTIONS, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES for the NEW YEAR, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The HOLY NAME

JANUARY – The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Holy Family

Posted on January 1, 2024December 31, 2023 by AnaStpaul

JANUARY – The Month of the Holy Name of Jesus
and the Holy Family

The Second Council of Lyons in 1274 decreed that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow; whenever that glorious name is recalled, especially during the Sacred Mysteries of the Mass, everyone should bow the knees of his heart, which he can do even by a bow of his head.”

It may very well be that the custom of bowing the head at the name of Jesus has passed out of general use, as have other laudable customs, in recent times but, that does not prevent us personally, from continuing to live it and passing on to our children this ancient custom.

The ideal of the Catholic family has been once fully realised.
There have been many good examples, all more or less approaching the ideal.
But all except one must be regarded as having failed, at least in some respects, to achieve the perfection of family life.
That one, of course, is the Holy Family of Nazareth.
Since, therefore, God has given us the ideal fully realised, in the concrete, it is to that rather than the more remote symbols that we must go for our lessons, as to what the Catholic family should be.
The Word was made flesh, to reveal to us, the mind of the Eternal Father. In order, then, to learn the mind of the Eternal Father concerning the nature and end of the Catholic family life, we cannot do better than turn our thoughts to the little home at Nazareth.

… The purpose of the Incarnation, is the salvation of souls.
The purpose of the Church, is the salvation of souls.
The purpose of the first Catholic Family, is the salvation of souls.
The first and foremost purpose, then, of every Catholic family, is to obtain for its members, the possession of everlasting life.
The family does not exist merely for the sake of the love of husband and wife; nor for the love of parent and children; nor for the acquisition of worldly fortunes; nor for the promotion of the children in business; nor for the material prosperity of nations.
All these are lawful and subordinate aims, subordinate to the final aim of all human life — to help immortal souls to reach Heaven.
This is the first and, in a sense, the only lesson to be learned from the Holy Family of Nazareth — the purpose of the Catholic family is the undoing of sin, the hindrance of sin, the propagation of those truths and virtues which lead to Eternal Life!

CHRIST the KING, CHRISTMASTIDE!, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Holy Family PRAYERS, HYMNS, POETRY, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The HOLY GHOST, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Quote/s of the Day – 6 September – Seek the Kingdom

Posted on September 6, 2023 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 6 September – Feria Day – Galatians 5:16-24, Matthew 6:24-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But seek first the Kingdom of God
and His righteousness and all these things
shall be added to you.”

Matthew 6:33

“And the Lord God shall give unto Him
the throne of David, His father
and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever.
And of His Kingdom there shall be no end.”
Luke 1:32-33

“During this present life, Christ rules in the Church.
By faith and love, He dwells
in the hearts of His elect and guides them,
by His unceasing care, toward their heavenly reward.
In the life to come, when their period of exile on earth is ended,
He will exercise His Kingship,
by leading the faithful to their heavenly country.
There, forever inspired by the vision of His Presence,
their one delight will be to praise and glorify Him.”

The Venerable St Bede (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“The only true riches are those
that make us rich in virtue.
Therefore, if you want to be rich, beloved,
love true riches.
If you aspire to the heights of real honour,
strive to reach the Kingdom of Heaven.
If you value rank and renown,
hasten to be enrolled
in the heavenly court of the Angels.”

St Pope Gregory III (Died 741)

Adveniat Regnum Tuum!
Thy Kingdom Come!
By Katharine Tynan (1861-1931)

Thy Kingdom come ! Yea, bid it come!
But when Thy Kingdom first began
On earth, Thy Kingdom was a home,
A Child, a woman and a man.

The Child was in the midst thereof,
O, Blessed Jesus, holiest One!
The Centre and the Fount of Love
Mary and Joseph’s little Son.

Wherever on the earth shall be
A child, a woman and a man,
Imaging that sweet trinity
Wherewith Thy Kingdom first began,

Establish there Thy kingdom! Yea,
And o’er that trinity of love
Send down, as in Thy appointed day,
The brooding Spirit of Thy Dove!

Katharine Tynan (1861-1931) was an Irish born Poet and Writer and a friend of the Jesuit Poet, Fr Gerard Manley Hopkins. She contributed to many periodicals and magazines such as the Jesuit published Studies, the Dominican published Irish Rosary, Irish Monthly, Hibernia and Dublin University Review, besides her own private publications.
After her marriage, the addition of her husband’s name, “Hinkson” is often appended to her publications.

DOCTORS of the Church, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Quote of the Day – 20 March – St Joseph

Posted on March 20, 2023March 19, 2023 by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 20 March – “The Month of the St Joseph” and his Feast transferred from Sunday 19 March

“Since God could choose for the Guardian of His Son,
the man in the world, the most accomplished
in all sorts of perfections,
according to the dignity
and excellence of his Charge,
Who was His most Glorious Son,
the universal Prince of Heaven and earth,
how could it be that being able,
He did not will it and did not do it?
There is, then, NO DOUBT that St Joseph
was endowed with all the graces
and all the gifts that were required
for the care which the Eternal Father
willed to give him,
of the temporal and domestic economy
of our Lord and of the guidance of his family … ”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/19/quote-s-of-the-day-19-march-st-joseph-2/

DOCTORS of the Church, LENT 2023, LENTEN THOUGHTS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the FAMILY, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 20 March – ST JOSEPH, HEAD OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Posted on March 20, 2023April 17, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Our Lenten Journey with St Francis de Sales – 20 March – St Joseph, Feast transferred from Sunday 19 March – Monday of the Fourth Week in Lent – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6, Matthew 1:18-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who greatly delights in His commands.”
Psalm 111:1

“And she shall bring forth a son
and thou shalt call His Name Jesus …”
Matthew 1:21

SAINT JOSEPH,
HEAD OF THE HOLY FAMILY
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

“OH, WHAT A DIVINE UNION between our Lady and the glorious St Joseph!
A union which made that Good of eternal goods which is our Lord, belong to St Joseph, as he belonged to our Lady, (not by the nature that He had taken in the womb of our glorious Mistress, a nature that had been formed by the Holy Spirit of the most pure blood of our Lady) but, according to grace, which made him a partaker of all the goods of his dear Spouse and, which made him go on growing wonderfully in perfection and this was by his continual communication with our Lady, who possessed all virtues, in so high a degree, that no other pure creature can attain to it.
Still the glorious St Joseph was the one who approached nearest to it. …

Observe the order which is kept in this holy family. …
Who can doubt that our Lady was greater than St Joseph and that she had more discretion and qualities proper for governing, than her spouse?
Yet the Angel does not address himself to her, for what is required to be done, whether it be going or coming, or anything else.
Does it not seem to you that the Angel commits a great indiscretion, in addressing himself rather, to St Joseph than to our Lady, who is the head of the house, carrying with her the Treasure of the Eternal Father?
Had she not reason to be offended at this proceeding and way of acting? Doubtless she might have said to her husband: “Why should I go into Egypt, since my Son has not revealed to me that I ought to do so, nor has the Angel spoken to me of it?” Now our Lady says nothing of this sort. She is not offended because the Angel addresses himself to St Joseph but she obey,s quite simply because she knows that God has so ordered it …”

O God! how beautiful it was to see the respect and reverence with which he treated both the Mother and the Son!
If he had wished to leave the Mother when he was not quite aware of the greatness of her dignity, into what admiration and profound abasement was he not afterwards plunged, when he saw himself so honoured that our Lord and our Lady became obedient to his will and did nothing but by his command?!” (Sermons).

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One Minute Reflection – 9 January – ‘ … She, who carried Him, Who carries the universe … ‘

Posted on January 9, 2023January 8, 2023 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 9 January – The Holy Family – Within the Octave of Epiphany – Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:42-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And His Mother kept all these words in her heart.” – Luke 2:51

REFLECTION – “Often, it seems to us, Mary forgot to eat and to drink, keeping vigil in order to think about Christ, to see Christ in His flesh. She burned with love of Him and passionately loved to serve Him. She often did what the Song of Songs sings about: “I was sleeping but my heart kept vigil.” (Song 5:2) Even when she was resting, she continued to dream of Him Who filled her thoughts throughout the day. Whether she was keeping vigil or resting in peace, she always lived in Him, was always occupied with Him.

Where her treasure was, there also was her heart (Mt 6:21); where her glory was, there also was her mind. She loved her Lord and her Son with all her heart, with all her mind, with all her strength (Mt 22:37). She saw with her eyes, touched with her hands, the Word of Life (1 Jn 1:1). How blessed was Mary, to whom it was given to embrace Him who embraces and nourishes everything! How happy was she, who carried Him, Who carries the universe (Heb 1:3), she, who nursed a Son, Who gives her life, a Son Who nourishes her and all beings on earth (Ps 145:15).

The One Who is the Wisdom of the Father, put His arms around her neck, the One Who is the strength, that gives movement to everything, sat in her arms. He Who is the rest of souls, (Mt 11:29) rested on her motherly breast. How gently He held her in His hands, peacefully looked at her, He Whom the angels wish to contemplate (1 Pet 1:12) and He gently called her, He Whom every being calls upon when in need. Filled with the Holy Spirit, she held Him close to her heart … She never had enough of seeing Him or of hearing Him, Whom “many prophets and kings wished to see … but did not see.” (Lk 10:24) Thus Mary grew evermore in love and her mind was unceasingly attached to Divine contemplation.” – St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159) Bishop (Homily on the Motherhood of Mary, 4).

PRAYER – O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Who while subject to Mary and Joseph, hallowed family life with virtues beyond description, grant us by their combined intercession, that, having been taught by the example of the Holy Family, we may attain unto their everlasting companionship. 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).

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Our Morning Offering – 9 January – Adveniat Regnum Tuum! Thy Kingdom Come!

Posted on January 9, 2023January 8, 2023 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 9 January – The Holy Family – Within the Octave of Epiphany

Adveniat Regnum Tuum!
Thy Kingdom Come!
By Katharine Tynan (1861-1931)

Thy Kingdom come ! Yea, bid it come!
But when Thy Kingdom first began
On earth, Thy Kingdom was a home,
A Child, a woman and a man.

The Child was in the midst thereof,
O, Blessed Jesus, holiest One!
The Centre and the Fount of Love
Mary and Joseph’s little Son.

Wherever on the earth shall be
A child, a woman and a man,
Imaging that sweet trinity
Wherewith Thy Kingdom first began,

Establish there Thy kingdom! Yea,
And o’er that trinity of love
Send down, as in Thy appointed day,
The brooding Spirit of Thy Dove!

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 January – The Holy Family –

Posted on January 8, 2023January 7, 2023 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 8 January – The Holy Family – Sunday within the Octave of Epiphany – Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:42-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And He went down with them
and came to Nazareth
and was subject to them.”

Luke 2:51

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

(Marriage and concupiscence 1,11; Sermon 51)

“God, to whom angels submit themselves
and who principalities and powers obey,
was subject to Mary
and not only to Mary
but Joseph atoo, for Mary’s sake [….].
God obeyed a human creature –
this is humility without precedent.
A human creature commands God;
it is sublime beyond measure!”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O Gente Felix
O House of Nazareth The Blest
By Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)