Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 February – St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

Quote/s of the Day – 27 February – Monday of the First Week in Lent – The Memorial of St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows/Gabriel Possenti CP (1838-1862)

By sin, O Jesus,
I gave Thee Thy Death
but I do not despair of Thy Forgiveness.
Those Scourges call me,
those Arms extended invite me
that injured Heart offers me
a secure shelter.

I will attempt,
day by day,
to break my will into pieces.
I want to do God’s Holy Will,
not my own
.”

Do not bestow your love on the world!”

Love Mary!… She is loveable, faithful, constant.
She will never let herself be outdone in love
but will ever remain supreme.
If you are in danger, she will hasten to free you.
If you are troubled, she will console you.
If you are sick, she will bring you relief.
If you are in need, she will help you.
She does not look to see what kind of person you have been.
She simply comes to a heart that wants to love her.
She comes quickly and opens her merciful heart to you,
embraces you and consoles and serves you.
She will even be at hand,
to accompany you on the trip to eternity.

(From a letter to his brother).

St Gabriel Francis Possenti
of Our Lady of Sorrows (1838-1862)

Posted in "Follow Me", 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), The HOLY GHOST, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 9 February – St Cyril of Alexandria

Quote/s of the Day – 9 February – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) “The Pillar of Faith” “Doctor of the Incarnation,” Bishop,Confessor, Father and Doctor, of the Church

Indeed, the Mystery of Christ
runs the risk of being disbelieved,
precisely because, it is so incredibly wonderful!”

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.

“… [The Kingdom of God] … is within you.
That is, it depends on your own wills
and is in your own power,
whether or not you receive it.
Everyone, that has attained
to justification, by means of faith in Christ
and decorated by every virtue,
is counted worthy,
of the Kingdom of Heaven.

He says that these temptations must come.
Is this then because God, Who governs all,
forces people to their commission of sin?
Away with the thought!
Nothing that is evil comes from Him.
He is the fountain of all virtue.
Why then must this happen?
They clearly happen because of our infirmity,
for all of us stumble in many things,
as it is written.
Nevertheless, He says, that there will be woe
to the person who lays the stumbling blocks
in the way.
He does not leave indifference in these things
without rebuke but restrains it by fear of punishment.
He still commands us to bear with patience
“ those who cause sins to happen.

We must note, therefore,
that he who does things pleasing to God,
serves Christ but he who follows his own wishes,
is a follower, rather of himself and not of God
!”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/09/quote-s-of-the-day-9-february-st-cyril-of-alexandria/

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

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 4 February – “Ora et labora” – Work and Sanctity

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

“Ora et labora” – Work and Sanctity

“Everyone imagines that there are innumerable problems in the world to be solved.
As a matter of fact, there are but they can all be reduced to one in the end – the problem of sanctity.
If we were all saints, or at any rate sincerely trying to put into practice the maxims of the Gospel – all the other questions would be answered.

For a Christian, work should mean the employment of his bodily and spiritual energies for the glory of God, for his own benefit and for the common good.
He can work to earn his daily bread, for personal satisfaction, for the advancement of science, art, or society.
These are all good motives.
But the Christian must also have a higher motive.
Even as he is living for eternity, so must he work for eternity.

He must realise that God will admit us to Heaven if we have worked for love of Him and in union with Him.
Like everything else in our lives, work must be raised to a supernatural level.
We must work patiently because it is our duty and the will of God.
In this way, we shall make use of the talents which God has given us, not only for our own benefit but also, as a means of helping so many of our fellowmen, who are dependent on us.

Then work will be something other besides an expenditure of energy and an atonement for our sins.
It will be a pleasure because we shall know that God is counting every moment of sacrifice which we are willingly enduring for His sake.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/04/thought-for-the-day-4-february-ora-et-labora-work-and-sanctity/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/04/thought-for-the-day-4-february-ora-et-labora-work-and-sanctity-2/

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, GOD is LOVE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on VIRTUE, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 29 January – True Peace

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

True Peace

“This absolute and loving abandonment to the Will of God in all things, brings complete inner peace but, it does not exclude conflict.
Interior peace is the result of the practice of virtue and, therefore, of the struggle against evil.
When Our Lord had repeated several times that He had given us His peace, He said too: “Do not think that I have come to send upon upon the earth; I have come to bring a sword, not peace.” (Mt 10:34).

These apparent contradictory words of Our Lord, are explained by the fact that the peace of Jesus does not consist in inactivity but demands action and strife and the conquest of evil.
It is a militant peace which Our Lord desires us to possess.
Only when we have controlled our passions, when we have made our wills entirely subject to the Will of God and have renounced ourselves, so that the Justice and Charity of Jesus Christ can triumph in us, only then shall we reach those serene heights, where storms from below cannot come near us and the peace of God reigns supreme!

We find examples of this true and perfect peace among the Saints, Martyrs and Apostles.
We read of the Apostles that “they departed … rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the Name of Jesus” (Acts 5:41).
This is an example of that genuine peace which is the result of victory in the combat against evil and of complete and loving submission to the Will of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/01/thought-for-the-day-1-february-true-peace/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/30/thought-for-the-day-30-january-true-peace/

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 January – For patience is necessary for you that, doing the Will of God, you may receive the promise.

Quote/s of the Day – 19 January – “The Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus” – St Marius and Family of Persia, (Died c 270) Martyrs – Hebrews 10:32-38, Matthew 24:3-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

For patience is necessary for you
that, doing the Will of God,
you may receive the promise.
For yet a little and a very little while
and He that is to come, will come
and will not delay.

Hebrews 10:36-37

Even so, when you see all these things,
know that it is near,
even at the door.

Matthew 24:33

Watch” over your life.
Do not let “your lamps” go out
and do not keep “your loins ungirded,”
but “be ready,” for
“you do not know the hour
when our Lord is coming.”
Meet together frequently,
in your search for what is good for your souls,
since “a lifetime of faith will be of no advantage”
to you, unless you prove perfect at the very end.

The Unknown Author of the Didache
(Didache, 16) .

Perfection consists in one thing alone,
which is doing the will of God.
For, according to Our Lord’s words,
it suffices for perfection to deny self,
to take up the cross and to follow Him.
Now who denies himself
and takes up his cross
and follows Christ better,
than he who seeks not to do his own will
but always that of God?
Behold, now, how little is needed
to become a Saint?
Nothing more than to acquire the habit of willing,
on every occasion,
what God wills.

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

“All a person’s holiness,
perfection and profit
lies in doing God’s will perfectly….
Happy are we, if we succeed
in pouring out our heart into God’s,
in uniting our desires
and our will to His,
to the point,
that one heart and one will are formed,
wanting, what God wants,
wanting, in the way,
in the time
and in the circumstances,
what He desires
and willing it all,
for no other reason,
than that God wills it.

St Joseph Cafasso (1811-1860)

Let us pray fervently to God for spiritual peace.
Let us surrender ourselves to His Will
and accept everything from His Hands,
remembering that everything,
joy and sorrow, sickness and health,
temptation and spiritual consolation,
should form a mystical ladder
which will gradually bring us nearer to Heaven
and finally unite us to God for evermore
.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, Our MORNING Offering, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 19 January – Eternal God, Our Refuge By St Boniface

Our Morning Offering – 19 January

Eternal God, Our Refuge
By St Boniface (672-754)
Martyr

Eternal God,
the refuge and help of all Thy children,
we praise Thee for all Thou hast given us,
for all Thou hast done for us,
for all that Thou art to us.
In our weakness, Thou art strength,
in our darkness, Thou art light,
in our sorrow, Thou art comfort and peace.
We cannot number Thy blessings,
we cannot declare Thy love –
for all Thy graces, we bless Thee.
May we live as in Thy presence,
and love the things that Thou loves
and serve Thee in our daily lives,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, Quotes on SALVATION, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 January – “Do whatever He tells you.”

Quote/s of the Day – 16 January – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Do whatever He tells you.

John 2:5

Not everyone who says to Me,
‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of Heaven
but only the one who does
the will of My Father in Heaven.”

Matthew 7:21

God is Good but He is also Just…
So do not underestimate God –
His love for men
should not become a pretext,
for negligence on our part.

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

If we fail to live in the Light,
we shall, to our condemnation
and that of others,
be veiling over and obscuring,
by our infidelity,
the Light men so desperately need.
As we know from Scripture,
the man who received the talent
should have made it produce a heavenly profit
but instead, he preferred to hide it away
rather than put it to work
and was punished as he deserved.
Consequently, that brilliant Lamp
which was lit for the sake of our salvation
should always shine in us.
For we have the lamp
of the heavenly commandments
and spiritual grace,
to which David referred:
Your law is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

St Chromatius of Aquileia (Died c 407)
Bishop of Aquileia,
Father of the Church

When he has begun to follow Me,
according to My teaching and precepts,
he will find many people contradicting him
and standing in his way,
many who not only deride but even persecute him.
Moreover, this is true,
not only of pagans who are outside the Church
but also of those, who seem to be in it visibly
but are outside of it because of the perversity of their deeds.
Although these glory,
in merely the title of Christian,
they continually persecute faithful Christians.

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)

Posted in "Follow Me", BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 16 January – Prayer to do the Will of God, By St Francis

Our Morning Offering – 16 January

Prayer to do the Will of God
By St Francis of Assisi (c 1181-1226)

Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God,
grant us in our misery,
the grace to do for You alone
what we know You want us to do
and always to desire, what pleases You.
Thus, inwardly cleansed,
interiorly enlightened
and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit,
may we be able to follow in the footprints of
Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
And, by Your grace alone,
may we make our way to You,
Most High, Who live and rule in perfect Trinity
and simple Unity
and are glorified God
all-powerful, forever and ever.
Amen

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, DOMINICAN OP, franciscan OFM, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, The HOLY NAME, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 2 January – Jesus!

Quote/s of the Day – 2 January – The Feast and the Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name
is the greatest spiritual force in the world today.
It is a source of joy and inspiration in our youth;
of strength in our manhood,
when only His Holy Name and His grace,
can enable us to overcome temptation;
of hope, consolation
and confidence at the hour of our death,
when more than ever before,
we realise, that the meaning of Jesus is
‘Lord, the Saviour.’
We should bow in reverence to His Name
and submission to His Holy Will.

Bl Henry Suso OP (1290-1365)

The Name of Jesus, is in fact,
the great foundation of the Faith
that turns people into children of God.
The Catholic Faith indeed,
consists in the news of Jesus Christ,
as Light of the soul,
Gate of Life
and Foundation
of Eternal Salvation.

“The Name of Jesus is the glory of preachers
because the shining splendour of that Name
causes His Word to be proclaimed and heard.
And how do you think such an immense,
sudden and dazzling Light of Faith came into the world,
if not because Jesus was preached?
Was it not through the brilliance
and sweet savour of this Name
that God called us into His marvelous Light?”

St Bernardine of Siena OFM (1380-1444)

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/01/02/quote-s-of-the-day-2-january-jesus/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The DIVINE INFANT, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 23 December – What Jesus Wants From Us

Thought for the Day – 23 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Christmas Novena VIII
What Jesus Wants From Us

Unless you turn and become like little children,” the Infant Jess says to us, “you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 18:2).
He wishes us to be humble, simple and innocent, like children.
As we grow older, unfortunately, many of us become proud, complicated and vain.
We lose the honest candour of childhood

Worldly pretentiousness cannot possibly appeal to Jesus, since He, Who is truly great, chose to become a tiny Infant.
He wishes us to renounce the self-important airs and the intricate methods which we employ, in order to conceal the truth, to disguise our lack of virtue and to assume the appearances of learning and of authority, regardless of the fact that the highest achievement of which we are capable, is to be humble, the most necessary knowledge of all, is to know Jesus Crucified and the best kind of authority, is the ability to control our passions and to subject ourselves to the will of God.

It is, in this sense, that we must become little children before God and before man.
Then Jesus Christ will love us and will grant us His favours.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/23/thought-for-the-day-23-december-what-jesus-wants-from-us-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 21 December – The Silence of the Divine Infant

Thought for the Day – 21 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Christmas Novena VI
The Silence of the Divine Infant

Evil always attracts a great deal of attention, whereas goodness operates in silence.
The reason why evil creates such a stir, is that it is the work of pride and of ambition.
It wants to be seen and to be applauded.
Goodness, good works, is done for God.
It does not seek the world’s applause but, only the approval of God.
When an enterprise sets out to look for publicity, there is reason to fear that it does not come from God but is prompted by human motives.
As a result, it will prove sterile!

If we sincerely desire to please God, we shall work in silence.

We shall not aim at our own worldly interests but, shall seek our own spiritual good and that of our fellowmen.
If it is God’s will. our good work may shine also before men but let us remember that this is for the glory of God and in order to give good example to our neighbour.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/21/thought-for-the-day-21-december-2/

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, ON the SAINTS, OUR Cross, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 December – ‘He who loses his life, for My sake will find it.’ – Matthew 16:25

Quote/s of the Day – 16 December – “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception” – Friday of Ember Week in Advent – 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Matthew 16:24-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

For he who would save his life
will lose it but he who loses his life,
for My sake will find it
.”

Matthew 16:25

Take nothing for your journey,
neither staff, nor bag,
nor bread, nor money;
neither have two tunics
.”

Luke 9:3

Since happiness is nothing else
than the enjoyment of the Supreme Good
and the Supreme Good is above us,
no-one can enjoy happiness,
unless he rises above himself.

St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

O you souls who wish to go on
with so much safety and consolation,
if you knew how pleasing to God, is suffering
and how much it helps,
in acquiring other good things,
you would never seek consolation in anything;
but. you would rather look upon it,
as a great happiness, to bear the Cross of the Lord.

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Doctor of the Church

Perfection consists in one thing alone,
which is doing the will of God.
For, according to Our Lord’s words,
it suffices for perfection to deny self,
to take up the cross and to follow Him.
Now who denies himself
and takes up his cross
and follows Christ better,
than he who seeks not to do his own will
but always that of God?
Behold, now, how little is needed
to become a Saint?
Nothing more than to acquire the habit of willing,
on every occasion,
what God wills.

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Entrust yourself entirely to God.
He is a Father
and a most loving Father at that,
Who would rather let Heaven
and earth collapse,
than abandon anyone
who trusted in Him.

St Paul of the Cross (1604-1775)

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VANITY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 9 December – Our Desires

Thought for the Day – 9 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Our Desires

Our desires may be vain or culpable or meritorious.
It is useless to long for the impossible or to base our desires on motives contrary to Christian resignation.
Happiness cannot be found on earth, so it is futile to look for it here.
It is much better to suppress these vain desires and to convert them into a longing for God and for our own perfection.

Some desires are blameworthy, for they spring from an immoderate attachment to worldly things, such as wealth or honours or even sin.
These desires are always sinful and can be seriously so, when they are deliberately directed towards e3vil objects.

Finally, however, there are desires which are good and reasonable.
Even Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed earnestly to His heavenly Father, to take away from Him, if possible, the bitter chalice of the Passion.
But He added immediatel, “Yet not my will but Thine be done” (Lk 22:42).
When He was hanging from the Cross on Calvary, feeling crushed beneath the weight of our sins and utterly abandoned, He cried out in an agony of yearning: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Mt 27:46).
Nevertheless, He accepted with perfect self-surrender and obedience, all His sufferings, even His mysterious abandonment by His heavenly Father.

The Saints followed the example of Jesus.
Their lives were as full of longing, as they were of suffering.
But just as they offered their sufferings to God with generous hearts, so they offered Him their desires as prayer of supplication.

The Prophet David, yearned for mercy and forgiveness and his longing was expressed for all times, in the Psalm, “Miserere.”
St Teresa longed to suffer and to die for the love of Jesus.
When St Paul was labouring and praying for the salvation of his fellowmen, he desires “to depart ad to be with Christ, a lot by far the better” (Cf Phil 1:23).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/21/thought-for-the-day-21-april-our-desires/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 5 December – Peace of Soul

Thought for the Day – 5 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Peace of Soul

True peace consists in doing the will of God constantly and, with love.
When God gives us consolation and joy, we thank Him for His Infinite Goodness towards us.
When He sends us suffering and privation, we bless and thank Him nonetheles
s.
Let us recall the example of Job.
When he had lost his children, his health and all his possessions and, was derided by his wife and distrusted by his friends, he exclaimed in a spirit of resignation: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21).

All this may seem too difficult to us but, it is only on these conditions that we can obtain interior peace.
By surrendering our will entirely to God, in all the circumstances of our lives, we can raise ourselves above all the sorrows and vain desires of this earthly existence and, we will find in God, a lasting peace and tranquillity.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/12/thought-for-the-day-12-december-peace-of-soul/

Posted in "Follow Me", 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The HOLY GHOST, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 29 November – The Blessedness of Those Who Suffer Persecution

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

The Blessedness of Those Who Suffer Persecution

Why did God will to grant us happiness, only on this condition – that we deny ourselves and carry the cross with resignation?
The reason is that we should no longer be ourselves but, should belong entirely to God and, should no longer live our own lives, as St Paul expresses it but, should live the life of Jesus Christ.
We ought to become like Him, the Man of Sorrows, Who redeemed us at the price of His Precious Blood and forgave His executioners from the Cross.

We must suffer, moreover, so that, by our suffering, we may expiate our sins, purify our souls, detach ourselves from the world and begin to lead a heavenly life, even on this earth.

We should not imagine that this will make our lives sad and dreary.
On the contrary, it will fill them with the lasting joy which God sends from on high.
Let us acquire the peace which is founded on complete control of the passions, on absolute dedication to God and on the power of charity which can overcome all obstacles.
Before we can acquire it, of course, we must be enlightened and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
It was not until after Pentecost that the Apostles achieved this happiness, so that, “they departed from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer disgrace, for the Name of Jesus” (Acts 5:41).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/06/thought-for-the-day-6-december-the-blessedness-of-those-who-suffer-persecution/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MODESTY, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on WATCHING, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The LAST THINGS, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 November – “Consider now the Way of Light … St Barnabas

One Minute Reflection – 25 November – St Catherine of Alexandria (Died c 305) Virgin Martyr – Sirach 51:1-8; 5:12, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” – Matthew 25:13

REFLECTION – “Consider now the Way of Light – any man who is bent on reaching his appointed goal, must be very careful in all he does. Now these are the directions that have been given to us for this journey,- love your Creator, reverence your Maker; give glory to Him Who redeemed you when you were dead; be single-minded but rich in spiritual treasure; avoid those who travel down death’s highway; hate whatever is displeasing to God; detest all hypocritical pretence; do not abandon God’s commandments. Do not put on airs but be modest in whatever you do; claim no credit for yourself. Plot no evil against your neighbour and do not give pride an entrance into your heart.

Love your neighbour more than your own life. Do not kill an unborn child through abortion, nor destroy it after birth. Do not refrain from chastising son or daughter,but bring them up from childhood in the fear of the Lord. Do not set your heart on what belongs to your neighbour and do not give in to greed. Do not associate with the arrogant but cultivate those who are humble and virtuous.

Accept as a blessing whatever comes your way, in the knowledge, that nothing ever happens without God’s concurrence. Avoid duplicity in thought or in word, for such deception is a deadly snare. Share with your neighbor whatever you have and do not say of anything, this is mine. If you both share an imperishable treasure, how much more must you share what is perishable. Do not be hasty in speech – the mouth is a deadly snare. For your soul’s good, make every effort to live chastely. Do not hold out your hand for what you can get, only to withdraw it when it comes to giving. Cherish as the apple of your eye anyone who speaks to you of the word of the Lord.

Night and day you will bear in mind the hour of judgement; everyday you will seek out the company of God’s faithful, either by preaching the word, earnestly exhorting them, ever considering how you can save souls, by your eloquence, or else by working with your hands, to make reparation for your past sins.

Never hesitate to give and when you do give, never grumble; then you will know the One Who will repay you. Preserve the traditions you have received, adding nothing and taking nothing away. The evildoer will ever be hateful to you. Be fair in your judgments. Never stir dissension but act as peacemaker and reconcile the quarrelsome. Confess your sins and do not begin to pray with a guilty conscience. Such the,n is the Way of Light.” – An excerpt from The Letter of Saint Barnabas (Chapter 19).

PRAYER – O God, Who gave the law to Moses on Sinai’s height and through Thy holy Angels, miraculously placed there, the body of blessed Catherine, Thy Virgin and Martyr, grant, we beseech Thee that by her merits and intercession, we may reach that towering eminence which is Christ our Lord. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 7 November – Eternal God, Our Refuge By St Boniface

Our Morning Offering – 7 November – Within the All Saints Octave

Eternal God, Our Refuge
By St Boniface (672-754)
Marty
r

Eternal God,
the refuge and help of all Thy children,
we praise Thee for all Thou hast given us,
for all Thou hast done for us,
for all that Thou art to us.
In our weakness, Thou art strength,
in our darkness, Thou art light,
in our sorrow, Thou art comfort and peace.
We cannot number Thy blessings,
we cannot declare Thy love –
for all Thy graces, we bless Thee.
May we live as in Thy presence,
and love the things that Thou loves
and serve Thee in our daily lives,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the KING, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY WEEK, JESUIT SJ, QUOTES on ANGELS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HERESY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – Jesuits

Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – All Saints and Blesseds of the Society of Jesus (SJ)

God’s love calls us to move beyond fear.
We ask God for the courage
to abandon ourselves unreservedly,
so that we might be moulded
by God’s grace,
even as we cannot see
where that path may lead us.

Hate what the world seeks
and seek, what it avoids.

He who carries God in his heart
bears heaven with him,
wherever he goes.

St Ignatius Loyola SJ (1491-1556)

We must make our way towards eternity,
never regarding what men think of us,
or of our actions,
studying only to please God.

St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572)

Better that only a few Catholics
should be left,
staunch and sincere in their religion,
than that they should,
remaining many,
desire as it were,
to be in collusion
with the Church’s enemies
and in conformity with the open foes
of our faith.

St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1597)
Doctor of the Church

The path to Heaven is narrow,
rough and full of wearisome
and trying ascents,
nor can it be trodden without great toil
and, therefore, wrong is their way,
gross their error
and assured their ruin,
who, after the testimony
of so many thousands of Saints,
will not learn where to settle their footing!

St Robert Southwell SJ (1561-1595)
Priest and Martyr

Recommend yourself to your Angel Guardian
three times a day –
in the morning. by the prayer “Angele Dei”
in the evening, by the same prayer
and during the day,
when you visit the Altars in Churches.
Remember that you are to be guided
by your Angel, like a blind man
who cannot see the dangers of the streets
and trusts entirely.
to the person who leads him.

St Aloysius de Gonzaga (SJ 1568-1591)

My child, it is indeed
the Voice of God you have heard.
He has given you a great grace
in thus calling you into His one true Church.
While you live,
never cease to thank Him
and bless Him for it.

St John Francis Régis SJ (1597-1640)

“Teach Us Good Lord”
By St Ignatius Loyola SJ (1491-1556)

Teach us, good Lord,
to serve You as You deserve;
to give
and not to count the cost,
to fight
and not to heed the wounds,
to toil
and not to seek for rest,
to labour
and not to ask for reward,
except that of knowing
that we are doing Your will.
Amen

My God, I Love Thee
By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552) (Attri)

Transr: Fr Edward Caswall CO (1814-1878)

My God, I love Thee, not because
I hope for heav’n thereby,
nor yet for fear, that loving not,
I might forever die
but for that Thou didst all mankind
upon the Cross embrace;
for us didst bear the nails and spear
and manifold disgrace.

And griefs and torments numberless
and sweat of agony;
e’en death itself and all for man,
who was Thine enemy.
Then why, most loving Jesus Christ,
should I not love Thee well?
Not for the sake of winning heav’n,
nor any fear of hell.

Not with the hope of gaining aught,
nor seeking a reward
but as Thyself hast loved me,
O ever loving Lord!
E’en so I love Thee and will love
and in Thy praise will sing,
solely because Thou art my God
and my eternal King!
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 November – St Charles Borromeo

Quote/s of the Day – 4 November – St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

We have only one life
and we should spend it
for Jesus Christ and souls,
not as we wish
but, at the time and in the way, God wishes.
It would show presumption
and neglect of our duty and God’s service,
to fail to do this.

If a tiny spark of God’s love
already burns within you,
do not expose it to the wind,
for it may get blown out…
Stay quiet with God.
Do not spend your time in useless chatter…
Do not give yourself to others, so completely,
that you have nothing left for yourself.

Behold Jesus Christ Crucified,
Who is the only foundation of our hope;
He is our Mediator and Advocate;
the Victim and Sacrifice for our sins.
He is goodness and patience itself;
His mercy is moved
by the tears of sinners
and He never refuses pardon and grace,
to those who ask it,
with a truly contrite and humbled heart
.”

The best way not to find the bed too cold,
is to go to bed colder, than the bed already is.

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-november-st-charles-borromeo/

St Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WILL of GOD, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 3 November –  I Will Love and Follow You

Our Morning Offering – 3 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”

 I Will Love and Follow You
By Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

Oh my Lord,
Let my heart expand in Your love.
Let me learn to know
how sweet it is, to serve You,
how joyful it is, to praise You
and to be absorbed in Your love.
Oh, I am possessed by love
and rise above myself
because of the great fervour I feel,
through Your infinite goodness.
I will sing the canticle of love to You
and I will follow You, my Beloved,
wherever You go
and may my soul never weary of praising You,
rejoicing in Your love.
I will love You more than myself
and myself, only for Your sake.
I will love all others in You
and for You,
as Your law of love commands.
Amen

(Book 3 Ch 5:6)

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PEACE, The LORD'S PRAYER, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 20 October – The First Part of the “Our Father”

Thought for the Day – 20 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The First Part of the “Our Father”

Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
There is infinite and everlasting happiness in Heaven because all the blessed do God’s will in a spirit of love and find perfect peace in Him.

We have a strict obligation to do God’s will because we all owe prompt and generous obedience to our Creator and Redeemer.
Furthermore, this is the only way in which we can acquire peace of soul, which is the beginning of true happiness.

There is no peace to the wicked” (Isa 48:22).
The sinner can never be at peace.

Therefore, when we say, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,” let us resolve to do God’s will in all things in the manner of the blessed in Heaven.
Our reward will be spiritual peace, even in the midst of trials and sorrows!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/19/thought-for-the-day-19-october-the-first-part-of-the-our-father/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/20/thought-for-the-day-20-october-the-first-part-of-the-our-father/

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HEART, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 19 October – Hear Me, O Lord By St Peter of Alcantara

Our Morning Offering – 19 October – St Peter of Alcantara OFM (1499-1562) Confessor

Hear Me, O Lord
By St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562)

Hear me, O Lord,
my soul’s delight,
joy of my heart,
not because of my merits
but because of Thy boundless goodness.
Teach me, enlighten me, direct me,
help me in all things
that I may never say
or do anything
but that which I know
to be pleasing in Thou sight.
Guide me, O God,
my Love, my Light and my Life!
Amen.

Posted in "Follow Me", CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 15 October – St Teresa of Jesus

Quote/s of the Day – 15 October – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila OCD (1515-1582) Virgin and Doctor of the Church

“Prayer is an act of love,
words are not needed.
Even if sickness distracts from thoughts,
all that is needed, is the will to love.

The surest way to determine
whether one possesses the love of God,
is to see whether he or she,
loves his or her neighbour.
These two loves are never separated.
Rest assured, the more you progress
in love of neighbour,
the more your love of God will increase.

When we accept what happens to us
and make the best of it,
we are praising God.

Know that,
even when you are
in the kitchen,
our Lord moves
amidst the pots
.”

We always find that those
who walked closest to Christ,
were those, who had to bear
the greatest trials.

Those who risk all for God
will find that they have
both lost all
and gained all.

It seems to me, my daughters,
that everything passes so quickly
that we should be thinking more,
about how to die,
than how to live!

MORE AND MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/15/87677/

St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in CARMELITES, DOCTORS of the Church, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 15 October – Thy Holy Will by St Teresa

Our Morning Offering – 15 October – St Teresa of Jesus of Avila OCD (1515-1582) Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Thy Holy Will
By St Teresa of Jesus of Avila (1515-1582)
Doctor of the Church

Lord,
grant that I may always
allow myself to be guided by Thee,
always follow Thy plans
and perfectly accomplish Thy Holy Will.
Grant that in all things,
great and small,
today and all the days of my life,
I may do,
whatever Thou may require of me.
Help me to respond
to the slightest prompting
of Thy grace,
so that I may be Thy trustworthy instrument,
for Thy honour.
May Thy Will be done in time
and eternity –
by me, in me and through me.
Amen

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MOTHER of GOD, OUR Cross, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 11 October – Mary, the Mother of God

Thought for the Day – 11 October – Feast of the Divine Maternity –Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Mary, the Mother of God

“St Matthew (Cf Mt 12:46-50) and St Mark (Cf Mk 3:31-35), relate how Jesus was preaching one day in Galilee, surrounded by His Apostles and by a large crowd, when a man approached and said: “Behold, thy mother and thy brethren are standing outside, seeking thee.”
“Who is my mother,” He answered, “and who are my brethren?”
Then He extended His hand towards His disciples and said: “Behold, my mother and my brethren! For whoever does the will of my Father in Heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

These words were directed at us, not at Our Lady.
Not only was she the Immaculate Mother of Jesus Christ but, she performed lovingly, on all occasions, the Will of the heavenly Father.
She did His Will, in poverty and obedience, in exile and on Mount Calvary.
Therefore, she was God’s Mother in the spiritual, as well as, in the physical sense of the word, insofar, as she was constantly united to Him by a bond of love and of conformity with His desires.

Christ’s words indicate, that Mary’s perfect and continuous acceptance of God’s Will, was even more pleasing to God, than the dignity of the divine Motherhood.

We cannot equal her in dignity but, we can imitate her in this other respect.
Jesus will look on us as His brothers and as worthy sons of Mary, if we carry out His Will in all things.
It is not always easy to do this.
It is not easy, when we are strongly tempted to commit sins of pride, anger or impurity.
It is not easy, when we are overcome by sorrow or by sickness, when we are let down or misunderstood by others, when we are in want and, when we feel that we are collapsing beneath the weight of our cross.
At times like these, we should pray for Mary’s spirit of complete acceptance of the Will of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/11/thought-for-the-day-11-october-mary-mother-of-god/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GOSSIP, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 25 August – O God, We Love Thee

Our Morning Offering – 25 August – St Louis IX (1214-1270) Confessor, King of France

O God, We Love Thee
Prayer inspired by St Louis’ Last Instructions
to his Eldest Son, Philip

(Perhaps Philip prayed thus)

O God, we love Thee.
We wish to do nothing to displease Thee.
If we have troubles, let us thank Thee.
If we do not, we also humbly thank Thee.
Let us pray diligently
and be compassionate and generous to the poor.
May we hold fast all that is good
and all that is bad, discard.
We thank Thee for friends,
who help us bear our burdens
and help us grow in holiness.
Let us turn away from calumniators and slanderers
and lend a willing ear to those who speak of God.
Let us always do what is right and just for those we serve
and promote peace among our neighbours.
Let us be quick to defend our Faith.
O Holy Lord, all Thy holy Saints,
defend us from all evils.
Grant us Thy grace to fulfil always,
Thy Holy Will,
so that Thou may be glorified and honoured
and so we may be with Thee forever.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 21 August – Prayer of Abandonment By St Jane Frances de Chantal

Our Morning Offering – 21 August – The Memorial of St Jane Frances de Chantal VHM (1572-1641)

Prayer of Abandonment
By St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)

O sovereign goodness
of the sovereign Providence of my God!
I abandon myself forever to Thy arms.
Whether gentle or severe,
lead me henceforth whither Thou will.
I will not regard the way
through which Thou will have me pass
but keep my eyes fixed upon Thee,
my God, who guides me.
My soul finds no rest without the arms
and the bosom of this heavenly Providence,
my true Mother, my strength and my rampart.
Therefore I resolve with Thy Divine assistance,
0 my Saviour,
to follow Thy desires and Thy ordinances,
without regarding or examining
why Thou does this rather than that
but I will blindly follow Thee,
according to Thy Divine will,
without seeking my own inclinations.
Hence I am determined to leave all to Thee,
taking no part therein,
save by keeping myself in peace in Thy arms,
desiring nothing, except as Thou incites me to desire,
to will, to wish.
I offer Thee this desire, 0 my God,
beseeching Thee to bless it.
I undertake all it includes,
relying on Thy goodness,
liberality and mercy,
with entire confidence in Thee,
distrust of myself,
and knowledge of my infinite misery and infirmity.
Amen.

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 13 August – Work and Worry

Thought for the Day – 13 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Work and Worry

There are many people who claim that they are working for God and for souls.
In fact, they do work hard and make great sacrifices but, at the first sign of failyre, they are disappointed and discouraged.

Why is that?
It is because, they only believed that they were working for God and for His Church, whereas, in their heart and soul, they were more influenced by self-love and by a desire fore the praise and approval of others.
Their motives were not completely disinterested and their sacrifices were not made entirely for God.
Therefore, they were disturbed by visions of success in human terms and were agitated at the prospect of failure.

The Saints worked hard too but they never worried.
They were always calm because, their attention was focused on Heaven, rather than on themselves.

As long as we work entirely for God and accept, as His Will, the outcome of our efforts, everything will go well for us, even when it seems to be going badly!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/16/thought-for-the-day-16-august-work-and-worry/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, The DIVINE INFANT, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 10 August – Confidence in the Providence of God

Thought for the Day – 10 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Confidence in the
Providence of God

God does not forbid us, naturally, to work and to provide for the future.
But, He condemns such immoderate anxiety as would tend to distract our attention from our spiritual obligations.

We should be occupied certainly but never preoccupied.
We should always have perfect confidence in God and resignation to His Will.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/20/thought-for-the-day-20-august-confidence-in-the-providence-of-god/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/06/19/thought-for-the-day-19-june-confidence-in-the-providence-of-god/

Posted in "Follow Me", DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ON the SAINTS, OUR Cross, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, QUOTES on WISDOM, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 August – Let us become Saints!

Quote/s of the Day – 8 August – The Memorial of the Fourteen Holy Helpers – On the Saints

Let listening to worldly news
be BITTER FOOD for you
and let the words of
Saintly men
be as combs
filled with honey.

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

Instead of speaking saintly words,
we must act them.

St Jerome (343-420)
“The Man of the Sacred Scripture
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Perfection consists in one thing alone,
which is doing the will of God.
For, according to Our Lord’s words,
it suffices for perfection to deny self,
to take up the cross and to follow Him.
Now who denies himself
and takes up his cross
and follows Christ better,
than he who seeks not to do his own will
but always that of God?
Behold, now, how little is needed
to become as Saint?
Nothing more than to acquire the habit of willing,
on every occasion,
what God wills.”

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

All a person’s holiness,
perfection and profit
lies in doing God’s will perfectly….
Happy are we, if we succeed
in pouring out our heart into God’s,
in uniting our desires
and our will to His,
to the point,
that one heart and one will are formed,
wanting, what God wants,
wanting, in the way,
in the time
and in the circumstances,
what He desires
and willing it all,
for no other reason,
than that God wills it.

St Joseph Cafasso (1811-1860)