Category: The HOLY SPIRIT

Posted in HOLY SPIRIT, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on TIME, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HOLY SPIRIT

Our Morning Offering – 4 September – Prayer for Union with the Holy Ghost by St Pius X

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 4 September – Monday is the day in which we begin the work week with extra devotion to the Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Most Blessed Trinity to Whom we pray for enlightenment, for wisdom, for the light of inspiration.
We ask the Holy Ghost to work through us over the course of the day and the week. To remind us that we are instruments and help us to seek only the Will of God.

Prayer for Union with the Holy Ghost
By St Pius X (1835-1914)
Supreme Pontiff from August 1903-August 1914

O Holy Spirit of Light and Love,
to Thee I consecrate my heart,
my mind and my will
for time and for eternity.
May I be ever docile
to Thy Divine inspirations
and to the teachings
of the Holy Catholic Church,
whose infallible guide Thy art.
May my heart be ever inflamed
with the love of God and love of neighbour.
May my will be ever in harmony
with Thy Divine Will.
May my life faithfully imitate
the life and virtues
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To Him, with the Father
and Thee, Divine Spirit,
be honour and glory forever.
Amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY SPIRIT, The KINGDOM of GOD, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 August – The Kingdom of Heaven

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 23 August – 1 Corinthians. 4:9-14, Luke 12:32-34 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Fear not, little flock,
for it hath pleased thy Father
to give thee a Kingdom. ”

Luke 12:32

“Whoever does not accept
the Kingdom of God,
like a little child,
shall not enter it.”

Mark 10:15

“He who loves his life, loses it
and he who hates his life
in this world,
keeps it unto life everlasting.
If anyone serves Me,
let him follow Me
and where I am,
there also shall My servant be.”

John 12:25-26

“Why then do we pray
for the Kingdom of Heaven to come,
if this earthly bondage pleases us?
WHAT IS THE POINT of praying so often
for its early arrival,
if we would rather serve the devil here
than reign with Christ!?”

St Cyprian of Carthage (200-258)
Bishop of Carthage, Martyr,
Father of the Church

“Through the Holy Spirit
comes our restoration to paradise,
our ascension into the Kingdom of Heaven,
our return to the adoption of sons,
our liberty to call God, Our Father,
our being made partakers of the grace of Christ,
our being called children of Light,
our sharing in eternal glory
and, in a word, our being brought
into a state of all “fulness of blessing,”
both in this world and in the world to come,
of all the good gifts that are in store for us,
by promise hereof, through faith,
beholding the reflection of their grace,
as though they were already present,
we await the full enjoyment.”

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“This life is short and it is only given us
to gain the other.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, NOVEMBER - Month of the SOULS in PURGATORY, Of a Holy DEATH & AGAINST A SUDDEN DEATH, of the DYING, FINAL PERSEVERANCE, DEATH of CHILDREN, DEATH of PARENTS, PARTIAL Indulgence, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PURGATORY, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY SPIRIT

Quote/s of the Day – 2 August – St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 2 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Feast of St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

The Glories of Mary (audio book)

Evening Prayer
By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor
(Indulgence of 3 Years, Once a Day)

Jesus Christ my God,
I adore Thee and thank Thee
for all the graces Thou hast given me this day.
I offer Thee my sleep
and all the moments of this night
and I beseech Thee
to keep me without sin.
Wherefore ,I put myself,
within Thy sacred side
and under the mantle of our Lady, my Mother.
Let Thy holy Angels stand about me
and keep me in peace
and let Thy blessing be upon me, O Lord my God.
Amen

“How pleasing to Him it will be,
if you sometimes forget yourself
and speak to Him of His own glory;
of the miseries of others,
especially those who mourn in sorrow;
of the souls in purgatory,
His spouses, who long to behold Him in Heaven
and, of poor sinners,
who live deprived of His grace.”

Come O Holy Spirit!
By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

You made Mary full of grace
and inflamed the hearts of the Apostles
with a holy zeal,
enflame our hearts with Your love.
You are the Spirit of goodness,
give us the courage to confront evil.
You are Fire,
set us ablaze with Your Love.
You are Light,
enlighten our minds,
that we may see what is truly igood and true.
You are the Dove,
give us gentleness.
You are a Soothing Breeze,
bring calm to the storms which rage within us.
You are the Tongue,
may our lips ever sing God’s praises
You are the Cloud,
shelter us under the shadow of Your protection.
O Holy Spirit, melt the frozen,
warm the chilled
and enkindle in us,
an earnest desire to please You.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

“The powers of hell
will assail the dying Christian
but his Angel Guardian
will come to console him.
His Patrons and St Michael,
who has been appointed by God
to defend his faithful servants,
in their last combat with the devils,
will come to his aid.”

“We should not forget,
that the devil has his martyrs
and that he infuses into them
a false constancy.
It is not the punishment
but the cause,
that makes the Martyr;
that is – the confession
of the True Faith.”

Prayer for a Holy Death
By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor
Patron of Final Perseverance

My beloved Jesus,
I will not refuse the cross,
as the Cyrenian did;
I accept it, I embrace it.
I accept, in particular,
the death Thou hast destined for me,
with all the pains which may accompany it;
I unite it to Thy Death,
I offer it to Thee
Thou hast died for love of me; I
will die for love of Thee
and to please Thee.
Help me by Thy grace.
I love Thee, Jesus, my love;
I repent of ever having offended Thee.
Never permit me to offend Thee again.
Grant that I may love Thee always
and then do with me what Thou will.
Amen

O Afflicted Virgin!
By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

O afflicted Virgin!
O soul, great in virtues
and great also in sorrows!
for both arise from that great fire of love
thou hast for God;
thou “whose heart can love nothing but God.”
O Mother, have pity on me,
for I have not loved God
and I have so much offended Him.
Thy sorrows give me great confidence
to hope for pardon.
But this is not enough;
I wish to love my Lord
and who can better obtain this for me
than thou,
thou who art the Mother of fair love?
O Mary, thou dost console all,
comfort me also.
Amen

MORE by St Alphonsus:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/02/quote-s-of-the-day-2-august/

St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, MARIAN TITLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HYPOCRISY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 16 July – The Narrow Way

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 16 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Pentecost VII – Romans 6:19-23, Matthew 7:15-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“By their fruits you will know them. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?”- Matthew 7:16

REFLECTION – “It does not seem to me that “false prophets” here refers to the heretics but rather to persons who live morally corrupt lives, while wearing a mask of virtue. They are usually called ‘frauds’ by most people. For this reason, Jesus continued by saying, “By their fruits you will know them.” For it is possible to find some virtuous persons, living among heretics. But among the corrupted of whom I speak, it is in not possible. “So what difference does it make,” Jesus says in effect, “if even among these false prophets some do put on a hypocritical show of virtue? Certainly, they will soon be detected.”

The nature of this road upon which He commanded us to walk, is toilsome and hard. The hypocrite would seldom choose to toil but would prefer only to make a show. For this very reason, the hypocrite is easily detected. When Jesus notes that “there are few who find it,” He distinguishes these, from those who do not find the way, yet pretend to find it. So do not look to the mask but to the behavioural fruits, of those who pursue the narrow way.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Archbishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (The Gospel of Matthew Homily 23).

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 CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FRANCISCAN OFM, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The HOLY SPIRIT

Quote/s of the Day – 7 July – St Lawrence of Brindisi

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 7 July – St Lawrence of Brindisi OFM Cap (1559-1619) Confessor, Priest, The “Franciscan Renaissance Man.”

“The Holy Spirit sweetens
the yoke of the divine law
and lightens its weight,
so that we may observe God’s commandments
with the greatest of ease
and even with pleasure.”

“The Word of the Lord
is a Light for the mind
and a Fire for the will,
so that man may know and love God.
For the inner man,
who lives through the living grace of God’s Spirit,
it is bread and water
but bread sweeter than honey
and water better than wine or milk….
It is a weapon against a heart
stubbornly entrenched in vice.
It is a sword against the flesh,
the world and the devil,
to destroy every sin.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-july-st-lawrence-of-brindisi/

St Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY SPIRIT, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The HOLY SPIRIT, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 July – Live to Christ … Grow onto Him

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 3 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Leo II (611–683) Pope, Confessor – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:16

“Then go and learn,
neither to be moved with injuries nor flatteries.
If you die to the world and to yourself,
you will begin to live to Christ.”

St Macarius of Egypt (c300-390)

“He who abides in Me and I in Him,
the same bears much fruit”

John 5:5

“We are preserved in being, if we grow onto Him
and cling fast to the holy commandment,
which has been handed down to us
and, if we are eager to keep the blessing of nobility,
that is to say, if we never consent, in any way,
to “grieve the Holy Spirit” (Eph 4:30),
Who has come to dwell in us and, through Whom,
we believe, God has made His home in us. …
For just as the vine-stock supplies and distributes,
the virtue of its own inherent natural quality to the shoots,
so, too, the Only-Begotten Word of God,
implants, in His people, a sort of affinity
with His own nature and that of the Father.
By the gift of the Spirit, they are united with Him
by every kind of holiness.
He nourishes them, so that they become devout
and He moves them to knowledge of all virtue
and good works.”

St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Christ said that the shepherd
enters through the gate
and that He is Himself the Gate,
as well as the Shepherd.
Then, it is necessary,
that He enter through Himself.
By so doing, He reveals Himself
and through Himself, He knows the Father.
But we enter through Him
because through Him. we find happiness.”

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

“Those with pride
are not Christ’s sheep
but the devil’s goats!”

St Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419)

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FRANCISCAN OFM, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, PATRONAGE - LOST KEYS/LOST ARTICLES, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on MERCY, THE ASSUMPTION, The HOLY SPIRIT

Quote/s of the Day – 13 June – Prayer to St Anthony for the Restoration of Things Lost or Stolen and Prayers by St Anthony

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 13 June – The Feast of St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Cpmfessor, Evangelical Doctor of the Church

Prayer to St Anthony of Padua
for the Restoration of Things Lost or Stolen

O Blessed St Anthony!
the grace of God has made thee
a powerful advocate in all necessities
and the Patron for the restoration
of things lost or stolen.
To thee I turn today, with childlike love
and heartfelt confidence.
Oh, how many thousands
hast thou miraculously aided
in the recovery of lost goods!
Thou wast the counsellor of the erring,
the comforter of the afflicted,
the healer of the sick,
the raiser of the dead,
the deliverer of the captive,
the refuge of the afflicted.
To thee do I hasten, O Blessed St Anthony.
Help me in my present affliction.
I recommend that which I have lost to thy care,
in the secure hope that thou wilt restore it to me,
if it be to the greater glory of God
and to the spiritual benefit of my soul.
I pray too that I may praise and thank thee,
in time and eternity,
for thy glorious intercession on my behalf.
Amen

The Praises of Mary
“Assumption”
Poem by Saint Anthony

O how wondrous is the dignity
of the glorious Virgin!
She merited to become the mother of Him
who is the strength and beauty of the Angels
and the grandeur of all the Saints.

Mary was the seat of our sanctification,
that is to say,
the dwelling place of the Son
Who sacrificed Himself for us.

“And I shall glorify the place
where my feet have stood.”
The feet of the Saviour signify His human nature.
The place where the feet of the Saviour stood
was the Blessed Mary,
who gave Him His human nature.

Today the Lord glorifies that place,
since He has exalted Mary
above the choirs of the Angels.
That is to say,
the Blessed Virgin,
who was the dwelling of the Saviour,
has been assumed bodily into Heaven.

Mary, our Queen and Mother of Mercy
By St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

Mary, our Queen!
Holy Mother of God,
we beg you to hear our prayer.
Make our hearts overflow with Divine grace
and resplendent with heavenly wisdom.
Render them strong with your might
and rich in virtue.
Pour down upon us the gift of mercy
so that we may obtain the pardon of our sins.
Help us to live in such a way
as to merit the glory and bliss of Heaven.
May this be granted us, by your Son Jesus
Who has exalted you above the Angels,
has crowned you as Queen
and has seated you with Himself
forever, on his refulgent throne.
Amen.

O God, Send Forth Your Holy Spirit
By St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)

O God,
send forth Your Holy Spirit
into my heart
that I may perceive,
into my mind,
that I may remember,
and into my soul,
that I may meditate.
Inspire me to speak with piety,
holiness, tenderness and mercy.
Teach, guide and direct my thoughts
and senses, from beginning to end.
May Your grace,
ever help and correct me,
and may I be strengthened now
with wisdom from on high,
for the sake of Your infinite mercy.
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/13/quote-s-of-the-day-13-june-st-anthony/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/13/quote-s-of-the-day-13-june-st-anthony-of-padua-2/

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY SPIRIT, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PARTIAL Indulgence, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, The HOLY MASS, The HOLY SPIRIT, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 June –  ‘ … They clothe themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 10 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Within the Octave of Corpus Christi and The Memorial of St Margaret Queen of Scotland (1045-1093) Widow – 1 Corinthians 23-29, John 6:56-59 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For as often as you shall eat this Bread and drink the Cup, you proclaim the Death of the Lord, until He comes.” – 1 Corinthians 11:26

REFLECTION – “In our offering of the Holy Sacrifice we fulfil the Command of our Saviour, as recorded by the Apostle Paul: The Lord Jesus, on the night in which He was betrayed, took bread and after He had given thanks, broke it and said: This is My Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me. The same way, after the supper, He took the Cup saying: This Cup is the New Covenant in My Blood. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this Bread and drink this Cup, you shall proclaim the Death of the Lord until He comes.

This Sacrifice is offered, then, to proclaim the Lord’s Death; it is offered in remembrance of Him, Who laid down His Life for our sake. As He says: Greater love than this no man has, that he lay down his life for his friends. Because Christ died for us out of love, we ask, when we make remembrance of His Death, at the time of Sacrifice, that we too may be granted love through the coming of the Holy Spirit. We pray, that by the Love which Christ had for us, when He braved the Cross, we may receive the grace of the Spirit and be crucified to the world and the world to us. The Death Christ died, He died to sin, once for all but the Life He lives, He lives to God. Let us imitate our Lord’s Death and also live a new life. Strengthened with the gift of His Love, let us die to sin and live for God.

For God’s Love has been poured out in our hearts, through the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to us. Indeed our sharing in the Lord’s Body and Blood, when we eat His Bread and drink His Cup, teaches us, that we should die to the world and that we should keep our life hidden with Christ in God, crucifying our flesh with its vices and evil desires.

That is why all the faithful who love God and their neighbour, truly drink the Cup of the Lord’s Love even though, they may not drink the cup of His Bodily Suffering. And becoming inebriated from it, they put to death, whatever in their nature is rooted in earth. They clothe themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not indulge fleshly desires. They do not fix their gaze on visible things but contemplate things, which the eye cannot see. Thus they drink the Lord’s Cup by preserving the holy bond of love – without it, even if a man should deliver his body to be burned, he gains nothing. But the gift of love enables us to become, in reality, what we celebrate as Mystery in the Sacrifice.” – St Fulgentius of Ruspe (c 462 – 533) Bishop, Father (An excerpt from Against Fabianus).

PRAYER – O God, Who made blessed Queen Margaret glorious by her remarkable charity toward the poor; grant, by her intercession and example that Thy charity may continually increase in our hearts. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

MAY the Heart of JESUS in the most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the Tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. – Indulgence 100 Days, Once a Day. Raccolta 161 Pius IX, 29 February 1868.

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), FRUITS of the SPIRIT, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, The HOLY SPIRIT, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY

Thought for the Day – 4 June – Our Relationship with the Most Holy Trinity

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 4 June – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Our Relationship with the Most Holy Trinity

“Finally, we are, or should be, the temples of the Holy Spirit.
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19) writes St Paul.
“Man,” writes St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Doctor of the Church, “is composed of body and soul. The Catholic is composed of body and soul AND the Holy Spirit.”
Before this can be said of us, however, it is necessary for Divine Grace to flourish and bear fruit within us.
Then the soul will really have become God’s dwelling-place.
It will be like a miniature Heaven, in which the Lord gloriously reigns!

Let us study the Saints carefully.
They live in this world but they are not immersed in it.
Their souls are already in Heaven through grace, even as they will one day reside there in glory.
Because of this, their personalities radiate peace and contentment.

Of them it can truly be said: “Our citizenship is in Heaven” (Phil 3:20).
We should never allow sin to deprive us of the Holy Spirit.
Let everything in us be clean and pure, as becomes Saints of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/02/thought-for-the-day-2-september-our-relationship-with-the-most-holy-trinity/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/12/thought-for-the-day-12-june-our-relationship-with-the-most-holy-trinity/

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HOLY FACE, The HOLY SPIRIT, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 June –

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 3 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Ember Saturday of Pentecost – Joel 2:28-32, Luke 4:38-44 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And when it was day, going out, He went into a desert place … ” – Luke 4:42

REFLECTION – “Lead me away, meanwhile, my Refuge and my Strength, into the heart of the desert as once Thou led Thy servant Moses; lead me where the bush burns, yet is not burnt away, where the holy soul which… is all aflame with the fullness of the fire of Thy Holy Spirit and, burning like the Seraphim, is not consumed but cleansed…

The soul attains to the holy place where none may stand or take another step, except he be bare-footed—having loosed the shoe-strings of all fleshly hindrances… This is the place where He, Who Is, Who cannot be seen as He Is, Is notwithstanding, heard to say, “I Am Who Am,” the place where, for the time, the soul must cover her face so that she does not see the Face of God and yet, in humble obedience must use her ears to hear what the Lord God will say concerning her.

Hide me then in the day of evil, O Lord, in the secret place of Thy tabernacle, in the hidden recesses of Thy Face, “far from the strife of tongues” (Ps 26:5; 30:21), for Thy yoke is easy and the burden Thou hast laid on me is light (Mt 11:30). And when Thou show me the difference between Thy service and the service of the world, gently and tenderly Thou asks me if it is not better to serve Thee, the living God, than to serve strange gods (Cf 2 Chron 12:8). And I, for my part, adore the hand that lays the load, I kiss the yoke and I embrace the burden and it is very sweet to me to sweat beneath its weight. For masters other than Thee, have long possessed me… I acknowledge Thy yoke and Thy light burden which lifts me up and does not crush me down. …” – William of St Thierry O.Cist (c1075 – c1148) Cistercian Monk, Mystic, Theologian, Writer (Meditations IV, 10-11).

PRAYER – Graciously pour into our minds, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the Holy Spirit, Whose wisdom created us and Whose providence governs us. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
All praise, honour and glory to the Divine Heart of JESUS. 50 Days Indulgence, Once a day, Raccolta, 168 Pope Leo XIII, 13 June 1901.

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, CHRIST the KING Prayers, CHRIST the LIGHT, Our MORNING Offering, PENTECOST

Our Morning Offering – 2 June – O Holy Spirit of God By Fr Erasmus Rotterdam

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 2 June – Pentecost Friday

O Holy Spirit of God
By Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus (1466-1536)
(Fr Erasmus of Rotterdam)

O Holy Spirit of God
with Your holy breath,
You purify the hearts and minds of humankind,
comforting them,
when they are in sorrow,
leading them,
aright when they have gone astray,
kindling them,
when their hearts are cold,
reconciling them,
when they are at variance
and enriching them,
with Your many gifts.
By Your working,
all things live.
We make our prayer to You,
maintain and day by day,
increase, the gifts which You
have granted us,
so that with Your Light
before us and within us,
we may pass through this world,
without stumbling
and without straying.
Who with the Father and the Son,
are One God,
now and forever.
Amen

Fr Erasmus of Rotterdam was a Dutch Philosopher and Theologian who is considered one of the greatest scholars of the northern Renaissance. As a Catholic Priest, he was an important figure in classical scholarship who wrote in a pure Latin style.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the FAMILY, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 1 June – St Angelica de Merici

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 1 June – The Memorial of St Angelica de Merici (1474-1540)

“As our Saviour says:
“A good tree is not able to produce bad fruit.”
He says: A good tree, that is, a good heart
and a soul on fire with charity,
can do nothing but good and holy works.
For this reason Saint Augustine said:
“Love and do what you will,” namely,
possess love and charity and then do what you will.
It is as if he had said: Charity is not able to sin.”

“We must give alms.
Charity wins souls
and draws them to virtue.”

“Disorder in society
is the result
of disorder
in the family.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/01/quote-s-of-the-day-1-june-st-angela-merici/

St Angelica de Merici (1474-1540)

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, CHRIST the KING Prayers, DOCTORS of the Church, FRANCISCAN OFM, Our MORNING Offering, PENTECOST, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY SPIRIT

Our Morning Offering – 31 May – Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Ghost by St Bonaventure

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 31 May – Pentecost Wednesday

Prayer for the Gifts
of the Holy Ghost
By St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

We beg the All-Merciful Father through Thee,
His Only-Begotten Son, made Man for our sake,
Crucified and Glorified for us,
to send upon us, from His treasure-house,
the Spirit of Sevenfold Grace,
Who rested upon Thee in all His fullness.

The Spirit of Wisdom,
enabling us to relish the fruit of the tree of life,
which is indeed Thyself.
The Gift of Understanding,
to enlighten our perceptions.
The Gift of Prudence,
enabling us to follow in Thine Footsteps.
The Gift of Strength,
to withstand our adversary’s onslaught.
The Gift of Knowledge,
to distinguish good from evil,
by the light of Thine holy teaching.
The Gift of Piety,
to clothe ourselves with charity and mercy.
The Gift of Fear,
to withdraw from all ill-doing
and live quietly in awe
of Thy Eternal Majesty.

These are the things for which we petition.
Grant them for the honour of Thy Holy Name,
to which, with the Father and the Holy Ghost,
be all honour and glory, thanksgiving, renown
and Lordship, forever and ever.
Amen

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PENTECOST, QUOTES on GRACE, Quotes on SALVATION, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HOLY SPIRIT

Thought for the Day – 30 May – Bearer of the Treasures of Grace

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

Bearer of the Treasures of Grace

“The Apostles were completely transformed after the Feast of Pentecost.
They had ben ignorant rustics, timid and vacillating.
They had hardly understood at all, the lofty teachings of Christ, for they were hoping still for an earthly kingdom in which they would occupy the highest posts.

When they received the Holy Spirit, however, their minds were flooded with supernatural light and they became heroic in their resolution.
Ignorant, though they had been, they became masters of Truth, far superior to the sages of Athens or the philosophers of Rome!
They were no longer timid and hesitating but, fearlessly encountered the power of the Sanhedrin, the whips of the soldiery, the dangers of long voyages and, Martyrdom itself.

We too have received the illumination and favours of the Holy Spirit.
Many times, when we have invoked Him, He has inspired and consoled us.
But we may not have responded with the same fervour and self-denial as the Apostles.
Let us remember that, to neglect God’s gifts, is to risk our eternal salvation!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/05/30/thought-for-the-day-30-may-bearer-of-the-treasures-of-grace/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOMINICAN OP, QUOTES on TRUTH, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The HOLY SPIRIT, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 May – ‘ … The Holy Ghost is the Doorkeeper… because all Truth. understood and expressed, comes from Him…’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 30 May – “Pentecost Tuesday – Acts 8:14-17, John 10:1-10 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“I am the Door. By Me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved and he shall go in and go out and shall find pastures.” – John 10:9

REFLECTION – “I am the Door of the sheep” our Lord says He is the Door of the sheepfold. Now what is this sheepfold, the pen into which Christ is the Door? It is the Father’s Heart, into which and of which, Christ, Who has unsealed and opened for us, the Heart hitherto closed to humankind, is indeed our most lovable Door. All the Saints are gathered inside this fold. The Shepherd is the eternal Word; the Door, the humanity of Christ – by the sheep in this house, we understand human souls. But Angels, too, belong to the sheepfold… the Holy Ghost is the Doorkeeper… because all Truth, understood and expressed, comes from Him…

O with what love and goodness He opens the Door of the Father’s Heart to us and grants us access, unceasingly, to the hidden treasure, the inmost dwelling places and all the wealth, of this house! No-one could imagine or comprehend, how welcoming God is, always ready to receive, yes, longing and thirsting to do so and how He precedes us at every moment and each hour… O my children, how obstinately deaf we remain, to this loving invitation… so often we refuse Him our acceptance of this invitation! How many of the Holy Ghost’s summons and appeals are repulsed; we refuse them on the grounds of all kinds of things here below. So often we want something else and not the place God where wants us!” – Fr Johnnes Tauler OP (c1300-1361) Dominican Friar, renowned Preacher and Theologian , leaving us more than 80 sermons. (Sermon 27, 3rd for Pentecost).

PRAYER – Let the power of the Holy Ghost be present within us, O Lord, graciously to cleanse our hearts and to guard us from all harm. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the KING Prayers, DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PENTECOST, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Our Morning Offering – 30 May – Come O Holy Spirit! By St Alphonsus

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 30 May – Pentecost Tuesday

Come O Holy Spirit!
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

You made Mary full of grace
and inflamed the hearts of the Apostles
with a holy zeal,
enflame our hearts with Your love.
You are the Spirit of goodness,
give us the courage to confront evil.
You are Fire,
set us ablaze with Your Love.
You are Light,
enlighten our minds,
that we may see what is truly igood and true.
You are the Dove,
give us gentleness.
You are a Soothing Breeze,
bring calm to the storms which rage within us.
You are the Tongue,
may our lips ever sing God’s praises
You are the Cloud,
shelter us under the shadow of Your protection.
O Holy Spirit, melt the frozen,
warm the chilled
and enkindle in us,
an earnest desire to please You.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REASON/INTELLECT, QUOTES on WISDOM, ST FRANCIS de SALES

Quote/s of the Day –29 May – The 7 Gifts

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day –29 May – Pentecost Monday

“These Gifts are not only inseparable from charity
but they are, the principal virtues,
properties and qualities of charity.

WISDOM
is nothing else, than the love
which relishes, tastes and experiences,
how sweet and gentle God is.

UNDERSTANDING
is nothing else, than love attentive to consider
and penetrate the beauty of the truths of faith.

KNOWLEDGE
is simply the same love
keeping us attentive to know ourselves
and creatures, to obtain a more perfect knowledge
of the service we owe to God.

COUNSEL
is also love, as it renders us careful,
attentive and skilled
in choosing the means proper
to serve God in a holy manner.

FORTITUDE
is love which encourages and animates the heart,
so as to carry out, that which Counsel
has determined must be done.

PIETY
is the love which sweetens labour
and makes us, with good heart,
gratitude and filial affection,
do works that please God our Father.

FEAR
is simply love as it causes us to fly
and shun what is displeasing to God’s majesty.”
(Treatise on the Love of God, Book 11, Chapter 15)

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

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PENTECOST, The HOLY SPIRIT, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 May – But he who does the truth comes to the light … John 3:21

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 29 May – Pentecost Monday – Acts 10:34, 42-48, John 3:16-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But he who does the truth comes to the light that his deeds may be made manifest, for they have been performed in God.” – John 3:21

REFLECTION – “Being Baptised, we are illuminated; illuminated, we become children; being made children, we are made perfect; being made perfect, we are made immortal. God says: “I have said you are gods and all children of the Most High” (Ps 81:6).

This work of Baptism is variously called grace, illumination, perfection and washing. Washing, by which we cleanse away our sins; grace, by which the punishment owing to our sins is remitted; illumination, by which the holy light of salvation is beheld, so that we see clearly the divine things; perfection, because nothing is lacking. For what is yet lacking to one who knows God? Or how could we call “God’s grace” something that is not perfect? Being perfect Himself, God only bestows perfect gifts…

Therefore, we have hardly been regenerated than, as the name suggests, we have been “illuminated” set free from darkness and, in the same instant, filled with light… We are relieved of the sins which concealed the divine Spirit like a cloud and, behold, the eye of the Spirit is set free, uncovered and full of light – that eye which alone enables us to contemplate divine things.” – St Clement of Alexandria (c150- c215) Theologian and Philosopher, Professor who taught at the Catechetical School of Alexandria. (The Instructor [Paedagogus] 1:6).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who gave the Holy Spirit to Thy Apostles, grant that the devout prayers of Your people may be effective and, as Thou hast given us faith, also grant us peace. Through Jesus Christ Thy Son, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PENTECOST, QUOTES on TRUTH, The HOLY SPIRIT

Thought for the Day – 28 May – The Feast of Pentecost

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 28 May – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Feast of Pentecost

“Let us pray fervently to the Holy Ghost.
Let us pray with the Church:
“Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.”

Let us recollect ourselves in prayer before the Spirit of God on this day of Pentecost.
Let us renew our resolutions and entrust them to Him so that He may help us to carry them out.

Aspiration: Come into our hearts, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/05/thought-for-the-day-5-june-the-feast-of-pentecost/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/06/23/thought-for-the-day-22-june-the-feast-of-pentecost/

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, PENTECOST, The HOLY SPIRIT

Quote/s of the Day – 28 May – ‘…As the soul is the life of the body,so the Holy Spirit is the life of our souls. …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 28 May – Pentecost Sunday

“His action is preceded
by the beaming rays of His Light and knowledge.
He comes with the truth of the real Protector;
for He comes to save, to lead, to teach, to counsel,
to strengthen, to console,
to illumine in the first place the mind of the person
who receives Him
and through that person‘s works,
the minds of others.”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (c 313-386)
Father and Doctor of theChurch

“Remember, then, that you received a spiritual seal,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence,
the spirit of holy fear.
Keep safe what you received.
God the Father sealed you,
Christ the Lord strengthened you
and sent the Spirit into your hearts
as the pledge of what is to come.”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“He pours light into our minds,
arouses our desire
and gives us strength…
As the soul is the life of the body,
so the Holy Spirit is the life of our souls.”

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

“May it please the Divine Majesty
to grant us, the Gift of Fear
that we may serve Him filially;
the Gift of Piety,
to revere Him as our most loving Father;
the Gift of Knowledge,
to know the good we ought to do
and the evil we ought to avoid;
the Gift of Fortitude,
to overcome, courageously,
all difficulties in the practice of virtue;
the Gift of Counsel,
to discern and to choose,
the true way of perfection;
the Gift of Understanding,
to realise the beauty and benefit,
of the Mysteries of faith
and of the Truths of the Gospel;
finally, the Gift of Wisdom,
to taste how good God is,
to savour and experience,
the sweetnesses of His incomprehensible benignity.

Oh! How happy shall we be,
if we receive these priceless Gifts,
for doubtless, they will lead us to the summit
of this Mystical Ladder, where we shall be received
by our Divine Saviour, Who awaits us there
with open arms, to make us participants
of His glory and felicity.”
(Sermon for the Feast of Pentecost)

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

“The Holy Spirit leads us along,
as a mother leads her two year old child by the hand,
as a sighted person leads a blind one.
We should say each morning:
“Oh my God, send me Your Holy Spirit
who will make me understand
what I am and what you are …”
A soul who possesses the Holy Spirit
enjoys an exquisite taste in prayer,
it never loses the holy presence of God.”

St John Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, PENTECOST, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection –28 May – Pentecost Sunday

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection –28 May – Pentecost Sunday – Acts 2:1-11. John 14:23-31. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you.” – John 14:26

REFLECTION – “The Apostles were sitting there in the Cenacle, the Upper Room, waiting for the Holy Ghost’s coming. Like torches, they were present there, ready and waiting to be set alight by the Holy Ghost so as to illumine the whole creation with their teaching… They were there like farm hands carrying seed in their coat pocket, waiting for the order to go out and sow. They were there like sailors whose boat is tied up in the harbour of the Son’s commandment and who are waiting for the gentle wind of the Spirit. They were there like shepherds who have just received their staff from the Chief Shepherd of the fold and who are waiting for the flock to be divided among them.

“And they began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” O Cenacle, kneading trough into which has been thrown the leaven, leavening the whole world! O Cenacle, mother of all the Churches, who have witnessed the miracle of the burning bush (Ex 3). O Cenacle, amazing Jerusalem with a wonder far greater than that of the burning furnace which astonished the inhabitants of Babylon (Dn 3). The fire of the furnace burned all those around it but protected those in its midst – the flames of the Cenacle gather together those outside who wish to see them, while bringing comfort to those who receive them. O fire, whose coming is word, whose silence is light! O fire, establishing hearts in thankfulness!…

Some people, who were opposed to the Holy Ghost, said: “These people have had too much new wine; they are drunk.” Indeed, you speak truly! However, it is not as you think it is. It is not wine from the vineyard they have drunk. It is a new wine that flows from Heaven – a wine newly pressed on Golgotha. The Apostles caused it to be drunk and thus they inebriated all creation. This is wine that was pressed on the Cross!” – St Ephrem (306-373) Deacon in Syria, Father and Doctor of the Church [Added by Pope Benedict XV in 1920] – (On the outpouring of the Holy Ghost).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who on this day have taught the hearts of the faithful by the Light of the Holy Spirit, grant us by that Holy Spirit Himself, to know what is right and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Veni Sancte Spiritus
The Golden Sequence

Come, Holy Spirit and bring from above
The splendour of Thy light.
Come, Father of the poor, come, Giver of graces,
Come, Light of our hearts.
Best of Consolers, sweet Guest of the soul,
And Comfort of the weary.
Thou rest in labour, relief in burning toil,
Consoling us in sorrow.
O blessed Light, fill the innermost hearts
Of those who trust in Thee.
Without Thy indwelling, there is nothing in man,
And nothing free of sin.
Cleanse what is sordid, give water in dryness,
And heal the bleeding wounds.
Bend what is proud, make warm what is cold,
Bring back the wayward soul.
Give to the faithful, who trustingly beg Thee
Thy seven Holy Gifts.
Grant virtue’s reward, salvation in death,
And everlasting joy.
Amen.
Alleluia!

“Veni Sancte Spiritus,” the “Golden Sequence”, is a sequence prescribed in the Roman Liturgy for the Masses of Pentecost and its Octave, exclusive of the following Trinity Sunday. It is usually attributed to either the Thirteenth-Century Pope Innocent III (c1160 – 1216) or to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal Stephen Langton (c1150 – 1228).

Posted in BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, CHRIST the KING Prayers, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Our MORNING Offering, PENTECOST, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on FAITH, The HOLY SPIRIT

Our Morning Offering – 28 May – Patris et Filii Concordia, Come Holy Spirit, Love of Father and Son.

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 28 May – Pentecost Sunday

Patris et Filii Concordia
Come Holy Spirit,
Love of Father and Son.
By St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O COME to me, my only Hope,
O Lord my God.
Come to me, true Light,
Father, Almighty God.
Come, Light from Light,
both Word and Son of God,
God Almighty.
Come Holy Spirit, Love of Father and Son,
One God Almighty.
Come One Almighty God,
Father and Son and Holy Spirit.

Teach faith, stir up hope, pour out love.
Thy will is present with me
(yet not from me but from Thee)
to leave the world and the earth
and to seek the Heavens.
But this will is a feeble feather, without Thy help.
Give wings of faith
that I might fly on high to Thee.
Amen

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, FRUITS of the SPIRIT, NOVENAS, PENTECOST, The HOLY SPIRIT

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts – NINTH DAY 

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts

NINTH DAY

Thou, on those who evermore
Thee confess and Thee adore
In Thy sevenfold Gifts, descend.
Give them comfort when they die,
Give them life with Thee on high,
Give them joys which never end.

THE FRUITS of the HOLY SPIRIT

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
perfect the supernatural virtues,
by enabling us to practice them
with greater docility to Divine inspiration.
As we grow in the knowledge and love of God,
under the direction of the Holy Spirit,
our service becomes more sincere and generous,
the practice of virtue becomes more perfect.
Such acts of virtue
leave the heart filled with joy and consolation
and are known as Fruits of the Holy Spirit.
These Fruits, in turn,
render the practice of virtue
more attractive and become
a powerful incentive for still greater efforts,
in the service of God,
to serve Whom is to reign!

Prayer

Come, O Divine Spirit,
fill my heart with Your heavenly fruits,
Your charity, joy,
peace, patience,
benignity, goodness,
faith, mildness and temperance,
that I may never weary
of the service of God
but by continued faithful submission,
to Your inspiration,
may merit to be united eternally with You,
in the love of the Father
and the Son.
Amen

Our Father and Hail Mary – ONCE.
Glory be to the Father – SEVEN TIMES.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees,
I, before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,
offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God.
I adore the brightness of Your purity,
the unerring keenness of Your justice
and the might of Your love.
You are the Strength and Light of my soul.
In You I live and move and am.
I desire never to grieve You
by unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept
from the smallest sin against You.
Mercifully guard my every thought
and grant that I may always watch for Your light,
listen to Your Voice
and follow Your gracious inspirations.
I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You,
by Your compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus,
looking at His Five Wounds
and trusting in His Precious Blood
and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart,
I implore You, Adorable Spirit,
Helper of my infirmity, t
o keep me in Your grace,
that I may never sin against You.
Give me grace O Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Father and the Son,
to say to You always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Your servant hears.”
Amen

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION, The HOLY SPIRIT, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 May – ‘ … Everything is cold without the Holy Spirit …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 27 May – The Vigil of Pentecost and the Feast of St Bede the Venerable (673-735) Confessor, Father and Doctor of the Church – Acts 19:1-8, John 14:15-21. – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you and will be in you.” – John 14:16-17

REFLECTION – “ We are nothing of ourselves but we are a great deal with the Holy Spirit. The human person is all earthly, wholly animal, only the Holy Spirit can raise the soul and elevate it on high.

Like those kinds of spectacles which magnify things, the Holy Spirit makes us see both the good and the bad enlarged. With the Holy Spirit one sees everything enlarged – the greatness of the least action done for God and the greatness of the least fault. As a clockmaker can distinguish with his spectacles the smallest parts of a watch, so, with the light of the Holy Spirit, we can see every detail of our poor lives.

Everything is cold without the Holy Spirit and so, whenever we feel our fervour fading, we should make a novena to the Holy Spirit to ask for faith and love!” – St Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)
Priest, Curé of Ars (The spirit of the Curé d’Ars in his Instructions, Sermons and Conversations).

PRAYER – O God, Who enlightened Your Church with the learning of blessed Bede, Your Confessor and Doctor, graciously grant that Your servants may ever be enlightened by his wisdom and helped by his merits. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, NOVENAS, PENTECOST, QUOTES on WISDOM, The HOLY SPIRIT

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts – EIGHTH DAY 

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts

EIGHTH DAY

Foreword and Indulgences CLICK HERE : Foreword

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps which go astray!

Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues,
Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts.
Of Wisdom it is written:
“all good things come to me with her
and innumerable riches through her hands.”
It is the gift of Wisdom which strengthens our faith,
fortifies hope, perfects charity and promotes the practice of virtue
in the highest degree.
Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things Divine,
in the appreciation of which, earthly joys lose their savour,
whilst the Cross of Christ, yields a Divine sweetness,
according to the words of the Saviour:
“Take up thy cross and follow Me,
for My Yoke is sweet and My Burden light.”

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Wisdom
and reveal to my soul,
the Mysteries of heavenly things,
their exceeding greatness,
power and beauty.
Teach me to love them above
and beyond all the passing joys
and satisfactions of earth.
Help me to attain them
and possess them forever.
Amen

Our Father and Hail Mary – ONCE.
Glory be to the Father – SEVEN TIMES.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees,
I, before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,
offer myself, soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God.
I adore the brightness of Thy Purity,
the unerring keenness of Thy Justice
and the might of Thy Love.
Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul.
In Thee, I live and move and am.
I desire never to grieve Thee
by unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept
from the smallest sin against Thee.
Mercifully guard my every thought
and grant that I may always watch for Thy Light,
listen to Thine Voice
and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus,
looking at His Five Wounds
and trusting in His Precious Blood
and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart,
I implore Thee, Adorable Spirit,
Helper of my infirmity,
to keep me in Thy grace
that I may never sin against Thee.
Give me grace O Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee, always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thine servant hears.”
Amen.

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, NOVENAS, PENTECOST, The HOLY SPIRIT

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts – SEVENTH DAY

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts

SEVENTH DAY

Foreword and Indulgences CLICK HERE : Foreword

Heal our wounds our strength renew;
On our dryness pour Thy dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away!

THE GIFT OF COUNSEL

The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence,
enabling it to judge promptly and rightly, that which must be done,
especially in difficult circumstances.
Counsel applies, the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding, to the innumerable concrete cases
which confront us, in the course of our daily duty,
as parents, teachers, public servants and Christian citizens.
Counsel is supernatural common-sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation.
“Above all things, pray to the Most High,
that He may direct thy way in truth.”

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Counsel,
help and guide me in all my ways,
that I may always fulfill Thine Holy Will.
Incline my heart to that which is good;
turn it away from all that is evil
and direct me,
by the straight path of Thy commandments,
to that goal of eternal life
for which I long.
Amen

Our Father and Hail Mary – ONCE.
Glory be to the Father – SEVEN TIMES.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees,
I, before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,
offer myself, soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God.
I adore the brightness of Thy Purity,
the unerring keenness of Thy Justice
and the might of Thy Love.
Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul.
In Thee, I live and move and am.
I desire never to grieve Thee
by unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept
from the smallest sin against Thee.
Mercifully guard my every thought
and grant that I may always watch for Thy Light,
listen to Thine Voice
and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus,
looking at His Five Wounds
and trusting in His Precious Blood
and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart,
I implore Thee, Adorable Spirit,
Helper of my infirmity,
to keep me in Thy grace
that I may never sin against Thee.
Give me grace O Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee, always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thine servant hears.”
Amen.

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, NOVENAS, PENTECOST, The HOLY SPIRIT

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts – SIXTH DAY

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts

SIXTH DAY

Foreword and Indulgences CLICK HERE : Foreword

If Thou take Thy grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay;
All his good is turned to ill.

THE GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING

Understanding, as a Gift of the Holy Ghost,
helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion.
By faith we know them but, by Understanding,
we learn to appreciate and relish them.
It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning, of revealed truths and through them, to be quickened to newness of life.
Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive but, inspires a mode of life,
which bears eloquent testimony, to the faith which is in us, we begin to:
“walk worthily of God in all things,
pleasing Him and increasing,
in the knowledge of God.”

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Understanding
and enlighten our minds,
that we may know and believe
all the Mysteries of salvation
and may merit, at last,
to see the eternal light of Thy Light
and in the light of glory,
to have a clear vision of Thee
and the Father and the Son.
Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary – ONCE.
Glory be to the Father – SEVEN TIMES.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees,
I, before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,
offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God.
I adore the brightness of Your purity,
the unerring keenness of Your justice
and the might of Your love.
You are the Strength and Light of my soul.
In You I live and move and am.
I desire never to grieve You
by unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept
from the smallest sin against You.
Mercifully guard my every thought
and grant that I may always watch for Your light,
listen to Your Voice
and follow Your gracious inspirations.
I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You,
by Your compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus,
looking at His Five Wounds
and trusting in His Precious Blood
and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart,
I implore You, Adorable Spirit,
Helper of my infirmity, t
o keep me in Your grace,
that I may never sin against You.
Give me grace O Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Father and the Son,
to say to You always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Your servant hears.”
Amen.

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, NOVENAS, PENTECOST, The HOLY SPIRIT

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts – FIFTH DAY

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts

FIFTH DAY

Foreword and Indulgences CLICK HERE : Foreword

Light immortal! Light Divine!
Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill!

THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE

The Gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things,
at their true worth, in their relationship to God.
Knowledge unmasks the pretence of creatures, reveals their emptiness
and points out their only true purpose, as instruments, in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God, even in adversity and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life.
Guided by its light, we put first things first
and prize the friendship of God, beyond all else.
“Knowledge is a fountain of life
to him who possesseth it.”

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge
and grant that I may perceive
the Will of the Father;
show me the nothingness of earthly things,
that I may realise their vanity
and use them, only for Thy glory
and my own salvation,
looking ever beyond them
to Thee and Thine Eternal Rewards.
Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary – ONCE.
Glory be to the Father – SEVEN TIMES.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees,
I, before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,
offer myself, soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God.
I adore the brightness of Thy Purity,
the unerring keenness of Thy Justice
and the might of Thy Love.
Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul.
In Thee, I live and move and am.
I desire never to grieve Thee
by unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept
from the smallest sin against Thee.
Mercifully guard my every thought
and grant that I may always watch for Thy Light,
listen to Thine Voice
and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus,
looking at His Five Wounds
and trusting in His Precious Blood
and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart,
I implore Thee, Adorable Spirit,
Helper of my infirmity,
to keep me in Thy grace
that I may never sin against Thee.
Give me grace O Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee, always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thine servant hears.”
Amen.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, PENTECOST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The ASCENSION of the LORD, The HEART, The HOLY SPIRIT, The KINGDOM of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 May – Ascension

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 23 May – Within the Octave of the Ascension

“Through the Holy Spirit
comes our restoration to paradise,
our ascension into the Kingdom of Heaven,
our return to the adoption of sons,
our liberty to call God, Our Father,
our being made partakers of the grace of Christ,
our being called children of Light,
our sharing in eternal glory
and, in a word, our being brought
into a state of all “fulness of blessing,”
both in this world and in the world to come,
of all the good gifts that are in store for us,
by promise hereof, through faith,
beholding the reflection of their grace,
as though they were already present,
we await the full enjoyment.”

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“And He departed from our sight
that we might return to our hearts
and find Him there.
For He left us
and behold,
He is here!”

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

“May your heart be an Altar,
from which the bright flame
of unending thanksgiving
ascends to Heaven.”

St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier RGS (1796-1868)

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, NOVENAS, PENTECOST, The HOLY SPIRIT

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts FOURTH DAY 

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts

FOURTH DAY

Thou in toil art comfort sweet,
Pleasant coolness in the heat,
Solace in the midst of woe.

The Gift of Fortitude

By the Gift of Fortitude, the soul is strengthened against natural fear
and supported to the end, in the performance of duty.
Fortitude imparts to the will, an impulse and energy
which move it to undertake, without hesitancy, the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample underfoot, human respect
and, to endure, without complaint, the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation.
“He who shall persevere unto the end,
he shall be saved.”

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude,
uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity,
sustain my efforts, after holiness,
strengthen my weakness,
give me courage against all the assaults
of my enemies
that I may never be overcome
and separated from Thee, my God
and greatest Good.
Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary – ONCE.
Glory be to the Father – SEVEN TIMES.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
To be recited daily during the Novena

On my knees,
I, before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses,
offer myself, soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God.
I adore the brightness of Thy Purity,
the unerring keenness of Thy Justice
and the might of Thy Love.
Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul.
In Thee, I live and move and am.
I desire never to grieve Thee
by unfaithfulness to grace
and I pray with all my heart to be kept
from the smallest sin against Thee.
Mercifully guard my every thought
and grant that I may always watch for Thy Light,
listen to Thine Voice
and follow Thy gracious inspirations.
I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee,
by Thy compassion, to watch over me in my weakness.
Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus,
looking at His Five Wounds
and trusting in His Precious Blood
and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart,
I implore Thee, Adorable Spirit,
Helper of my infirmity,
to keep me in Thy grace
that I may never sin against Thee.
Give me grace O Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Father and of the Son,
to say to Thee, always and everywhere,
“Speak Lord for Thine servant hears.”
Amen.