Posted in franciscan OFM, SAINT of the DAY

St Cajetan (1480-1547) Confessor, Founder, St Donatus of Arezzo (Died 362) Bishop, Martyr, Day 2 Link to the Assumption Novena and all the Saints for 7 August

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption DAY TWO

St Cajetan (1480-1547) Known as the “Father of Providence” and the “Huntsman of Souls” – Confessor, Founder of the Theatine Order – Priest, Reformer, Doctor of Civil and Canon Law, Diplomat, Mystic, Miracle Worker, apostle of the sick and the poor. Patron of the unemployed, workers, bankers and more.
About St Cajetan:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/08/07/saint-of-the-day-7-august-st-cajetan-founder-of-the-theatine-order-the-father-of-providence/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/07/saint-of-the-day-7-august-st-cajetan-1480-1547-confessor/

St Donatus of Arezzo (Died 362) Bishop Martyr, Confessor, Miracle-worker.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/07/saint-of-the-day-7-august-saint-donatus-of-arezzo-died-362-bishop/


+Blessed Agathangelus Nourry OFM.Cap (1598-1638) Martyr

St Albert of Trapani O.Carm. (c1240-1307) Carmelite Priest, Confessor, Preacher, Evangeliser, apostle of prayer and a devout servant of the Blessed Virgin and the Passion of Christ. St Teresa of Jesus (1515-1582) and St Mary Magdalene de Pazzi (1566-1607) were especially devoted to him, the Bl Baptist Spagnoli (1447–1516) composed a sapphic ode in his honour.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/07/saint-of-the-day-7-august-saint-albert-of-trapani-o-carm-c-1240-1307/

+Blessed Cassian Vaz Lopez-Neto OFM Cap (1605-1638) Martyr
St Claudia of Rome
St Donat
St Donatian of Chalons-sur-Marne
St Donatus of Besancon
St Faustus of Milan
St Hyperechios
Bl Jordan Forzatei
St Julian of Rome
St Peter of Rome

Blessed Vincent de L’Aquila OFM (c 1435-1504) Lay Brother Friar of the Order of the Friars Minor of St Francis, gifted with the charism of prophecy, Mystic, known to levitate whilst in prayer, Miracle-worker. Pope Pius VI approved his cult by Beatification on 19 September 1787.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/07/saint-of-the-day-7-august-blessed-vincent-de-laquila-ofm-c-1435-1504/

St Victricius of Rouen (c339-407) Confessor, Bishop of Rouen from 393 until his death in 407, of natural causes by the will of God, Victricius narrowly escaped Martyrdom, Miracle-worker, friend of St Martin of Tours, St Ambrose and other great Father Saints.
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/08/07/saint-of-the-day-7-august-saint-victricius-c339-407-confessor-bishop/

Martyred Deacons of Rome – 6 Saints: A group of Deacons who were Martyred with Pope Saint Sixtus II. We know nothing about them but their names and their deaths – Agapitus, Felicissimus, Januarius, Magnus, Stephen and Vincent. They were beheaded on 6 August 258 in a cemetery on the Appian Way, Rome, Italy.

Martyrs of Como – 6 Saints: A group of Christian soldiers in the imperial Roman army. Martyred in the persecutions of Maximian. We know little else but the names – Carpophorus, Cassius, Exanthus, Licinius, Secundus and Severinus. c.295 on the north side of Lake Como, near Samolaco, Italy. Their relics in the church of San Carpoforo, Como, Italy.

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on Love of Self, QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior)

Thought for the Day – 6 August – The Reasonableness of Charity“ – Charity does not deal perversely”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 6 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Reasonableness of Charity
“Charity does not deal perversely”

Perversity generally results from an overwhelming self-love. We all dislike children who seem to take pleasure, in doing a thing, just because it is opposed to the wishes or orders of those set over them. Those who are perverse, may have clear motives set before them and may know that, a certain course of action is their duty and in their interest, yet, they set that course of action aside ,for some folly of their own. In their hearts, they perceive the folly more clearly and would see it to be folly, if they were not blinded by the deceptive mist of their own self-will.
Is perversity an element which enters into my actions, from time to time?

Opposed to perversity, is docility in those who obey and reasonable conduct, in those who have to act for themselves. How we love the docile! Even if we are not docile ourselves, others are dear to us, if they can be easily guided.
We also love reasonable men who take a common sense view of things and we renounce crotchety and misguided theories, invented by unreasonable people. Even in the natural order, such reasonable men win our regard and esteem. We esteem them even more, when they are influenced to it by the love of God.

Charity includes all possible reasonableness and docility. No-one can ever accuse charity of eccentric action, or of running counter to others, unnecessarily. On the contrary, its great aim is to yield to others and to carry out their will, as far as right reason will allow. Charity will relinquish what it thinks best, to please another, unless, serious harm seems likely to result therefrom. Such pliability and consideration for the opinion of others, is one of the marks of love of God, as opposed to the pertinacity and perversity resulting from self-will.
Am I perverse or run counter to others unnecessarily?

Posted in "Follow Me", CATECHESIS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD the FATHER, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, St Francis de Sales, The TRANSFIGURATION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 August – Listen to Him!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 6 August – The Transfiguration of the Lord – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“This is My beloved Son;
in Whom I Am well pleased,
listen to Him.”

Matthew 17:5

“I Am the Light of the world.
Whoever follows Me
will never walk in darkness
but will have the Light of Life.”

John 8:12

“Let us listen to the holy Voice of God
which summons us from on high,
from the holy mountain top.
There, we must hasten – I make bold to say –
like Jesus, Who is our leader
and has gone before us into Heaven.
There, with Him, may the eyes of our mind
shine with His light and the features of our soul
be made new; may we be transfigured with Him
and moulded to His image,
ever becoming divine,
being transformed in an ever greater degree of glory.”

St Anastasius Sinaita (Died 6th Century)
Priest and Abbot

“At His Transfiguration
Christ showed His disciples,
the splendour of His Beauty,
to which He will shape and colour,
those who are His :
‘He will reform our lowness
configured to the Body of His Glory.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor of the Church

“ It is necessary, therefore, to obey
the Eternal Father by following Our Lord
in order to hear His Word.
And behold, how we are taught that all
persons, whatever their condition may be,
must pray and meditate,
for it is there, principally,
where this Divine Master speaks to us.
… But, it will not do us any good to listen,
if we do not DO what He says to us,
observing His commandments
and His wishes faithfully,”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, St PETER!, The HOLY CROSS, The TRANSFIGURATION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 6 August – ‘… We will share in this honour … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 6 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Transfiguration of Our Lord – 2 Peter 1:16-19; Matthew 17:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“His Face shone like the sun and His garments became white as snow.” – Matthew 17:2

REFLECTION – “The Lord displays His glory before chosen witnesses and makes illustrious that bodily shape which He shared with others, with such splendour that His Countenance shone like the sun and His garments became as white as snow. In this Transfiguration, the chief object was to remove the scandal of the Cross from the hearts of the disciples and, to prevent their faith being disturbed, at the humiliation of His voluntary Passion, by revealing the excellence of His hidden dignity. But, with no less foresight, the foundation was laid, of the hope of holy Church, that the whole Body of Christ, might realise, with what a change it was to be endowed and that the members, might promise themselves, a share in that honour which had shone forth in their Head.

But to confirm the Apostles and to lead them onto all knowledge, still further, instruction was conveyed by this miracle. For Moses and Elias, that is, the law and the prophets, appeared talking with the Lord, so that, in the presence of these five men, might most truly be fulfilled, what was said – In two or three witnesses every word stands. What more stable, what more steadfast, than the Word, in the proclamation of which, the trumpet of the Old and of the New Testaments, sounds forth and the records of ancient witnesses, agree with the teaching of the Gospel? For the pages of both Covenants corroborate each other and He, Whom, under the veil of Mysteries, the types that went before, had promised, is displayed clearly and manifestly by the splendour of His present glory.

The Apostle Peter, therefore, being stirred by the revelation of these Mysteries, despising things worldly and scorning things earthly, was carried away by a certain excess of mind, to the desire of things eternal and, being filled with rapture at the whole vision, longed to make his abode with Jesus, in the place where he was gladdened by the sight of His glory. And so also he says: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if Thou wilt, let us set up here, three tents, one for Thee and one for Moses and one for Elias. But to this proposal the Lord made no reply, signifying that what he asked was not indeed wicked, but irregular, since the world could not be saved, except by Christ’s Death and by the Lord’s example in this, the faithful were called upon to believe that, although there ought not to be any doubt about the promises of happiness, yet, we should understand that, amid the trials of this life, we must ask for power to endure, rather than for glory.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope, Father and Doctor (Sermon on the Transfiguration – excerpt).

PRAYER – O God, Who in the glorious Transfiguration of Thy Only-begotten Son strengthened the Mysteries of faith, by the testimony of the fathers and, by the Voice coming down in a shining cloud, miraculously betokened the complete adoption of Thy children, mercifully grant that we, be made co-heirs with that King of glory and sharers in that same glory. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRIST the KING, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES for CHRIST, The TRANSFIGURATION

Our Morning Offering – 6 August – All Ye Who would the Christ Descry By Prudentius

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Our Morning Offering – 6 August – The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Quicumque Christum Quaeritis
All Ye Who would the Christ Descry
By Prudentius (c 348 – c 413)
(Aurelius Prudentius Clemens)
The Renowned Poet

All you who would the Christ descry,
Lift up your eyes to Him on high:
There mortal gaze hath strength to see
The token of His Majesty.

A wondrous sign we there behold,
That knows not death nor groweth old,
Sublime, most high, that cannot fade,
That was ere earth and Heaven were made.

Here is the King the Gentiles fear,
The Jews’ most mighty King is here,
Promised to Abraham of yore,
And to his seed forevermore.

‘Tis He the Prophets words foretold,
And by their signs shown forth of old.
The Father’s Witness hath ordained
That we should hear with faith unfeigned.

Jesu, to Thee our praise we pay,
To little ones revealed today,
With Father and Blest Spirit One
Until the ages’ course is done.

The Hymn Quicumque Christum quaeritis is the twelfth and last poem in the Cathemerino of Prudentius, originally written in honour of the Epiphany. Its 208 lines has furnished four hymns to the Roman Breviary, Latin below the image.
On the Feast of the Transfiguration the verses above are used.
There is a short biography of Prudentius here: https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/08/quote-s-of-the-day-8-january-take-courage-it-is-i-and-bl-titus-zeman/

Quicumque Christum quaeritis,
Uculos in altum tollite:
Illic licebit visere
Signum perennis glorias.

Illustre quiddam cernimus,
Quod nesciat finem pati,
Sublime, celsum, interminum,
Antiquius ccelo et chao.

Hic ille Rex est Gentium,
Populique Rex Judaici,
Promissus Abraha patri,
Ejusque in aevum semini.

Hunc et Prophetis testibus,
Iisdemque signatoribus
Testator et Pater jubet
Audire nos, et credere.

Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Qui te revelas parvulis,
Cum Patre et almo Spiritu
In sempiterna saecula.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 6 August – Saint Glisente (Died 796) Hermit, “The Warrior on the Mountain.”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 6 August – Saint Glisente (Died 796) Hermit, Soldier known in the region as “The Warrior on the Mountain.” Died on 7 August 796 on Mount Berzo near Berzo Inferiore, Italy of natural causes. Also known as – Glisente of Brescia, Glisento of Berzo, … of Valcamonica, … of Valle Comonica. Additional Memorial – 26 July (commemorates the theft and return of his Relics).

Glisente was a valiant Commander of Charlemagne’s Army, until, after the defeat of the Lombards in Val Camonica on the slopes of Mortirolo, he asked his Sovereign to be released from his military duties in order to dedicate himself to the service of the Almighty in a life of prayer, penance and solitude.

He settled in a underground cave dug in the hillside above Berzo Inferiore where he died on 7 August 796.

The next day some shepherds following a dove which was carrying twigs and leaves presumed to be building a nest, found the body of the holy Hermit. They then took some Relics and brought them to the Church of San Lorenzo in the Village of Berzo below.

Festivities on St Glisente’s Feast Day

But the inhabitants of Collio, led by the Knight of Christ, D Ardemagni (a well-known Templar of the time, as well as a Court musician of undoubted prestige), envious of the sacred remains, attempted to steal the body of Glisente and transfer it to their Town. But God punished them with blindness and only when they brought the body of the Saint back to his Tomb did they regain their sight.

Today, above the cave in lower Berzo, stands the Church of the St Glisente and the Hermit’s Cave can still be visited below the Church through a tunnel. St Charles Borromeo visited both during his pastoral visit to Valle Camonica in 1580.

The cult of Glisente has been attested since at least the 13th Century. In 1200, in fact, there was an Altar dedicated to him in the Church of Bovegno and a small Church was consecrated to him to the north-west of the same location.

Episodes from Glisente’s life are depicted in the frescoes of the Parish Church of San Lorenzo (16th Century), in the Parish Church of San Maria in Berzo and in the one dedicated to him on the mountain hich divides the territory of Berzo from Bovegno and Collio in Valle Trompia (15th Century).

In the current Parish Church of Berzo (17th Century) another Altar is dedicated to him. In the 17th Century St Gl;isente was included in the Calendar of Brescian Saints and his Feast day was established on 25 July because the inhabitants of Collio returned the Relics of the Saint which they had previously stolen, on that day. Today, however, they have disappeared again and it is not known where they are.

St Glisente’s Cave
Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

The Transfiguration of Our Lord, Nossa Senhora das Graças / Our Lady of Graces, Brazil (1936),Day One of the Assumption Novena, St Xystus II & Companions, Pope and Martyr and Memorials of the Saints – 6 August

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Transfiguration of Our Lord
https://anastpaul.com/2018/08/06/feast-of-the-transfiguration-of-the-lord-6-august-todays-gospel-mark-92-10/
AND:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/08/06/august-6-the-feast-of-the-transfiguration-of-the-lord/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/06/the-transfiguration-of-our-lord-6-august/

St Pope Sixtus II/ Xystus (Died 258) Pope and Martyr, Philosopher. 25th Pope from St Peter. Papal Ascension 30 August 257. He was Martyred along with seven deacons, (St Lawrence of Rome a few days later) during the persecutions of Christianity by Emperor Valerian. This is the St Sixtus who is commemorated in the Roman Canon Eucharistic Prayer.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/06/saint-of-the-day-6-august-saint-sixtus-ii-died-258-pope-and-martyr/

Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption – DAY ONE

Nossa Senhora das Graças / Our Lady of Graces, Pesqueira, Pernambuco, Northeast, Brazil (1936) – 6 August :
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/06/feast-of-the-transfiguration-of-our-lord-nossa-senhora-das-gracas-our-lady-of-graces-pesqueira-pernambuco-northeast-brazil-1936-and-memorials-of-the-saints-6-august/

St Gezelin of Schlebusch O.Cist. (Died 1149) known as “The Apostle of Hainaut” – Lay Brother of the Cistercian Order, Hermit.
A Miraculous Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/08/06/saint-of-the-day-6-august-saint-gezelin-of-schlebusch-o-cist-died-1149/


St Gislain of Luxemburg
St Glisente (Died 796) Hermit
Bl Goderanno
Bl Guillermo Sanz
St Hardulf of Breedon

St Pope Hormisdas (c 450-523) Bishop of Rome from 514 until his death in 523. A talented diplomat, arbitrator and negotiator.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/06/saint-of-the-day-6-august-saint-pope-hormisdas-c-450-523/

St James the Syrian

St Justus and St Pastor of Alcala – Holy Martyred Children (Died 304) Saints Justus and Pastor of Alcala were two brothers, who in their tender age overcame, with an heroic courage, the rage and power of Dacian, armed with all the instruments of cruelty.
The Martyred Children:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/06/saints-of-the-day-6-august-saints-justus-and-pastor-the-holy-martyred-children-of-alcala-de-henares-in-spain-died-304/

Bl Octavian of Savona
St Stephen of Cardeña
Bl William of Altavilla

Martyrs of Cardeña: Two hundred Benedictine Monks at the Saint Peter of Cardegna monastery, Burgos, Spain who were Martyred in the 8th century by invading Saracens. They were buried by local Christians in a nearby churchyard in Burgos, Spain and Beatified in 1603 by Pope Clement VIII (cultus confirmed).

Posted in MARIAN NOVENAS, NOTES to Followers

Reminder – The Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption – Begins tomorrow

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Novena to Our Lady of the Assumption
Begins 6 August in preparation
for the Feast on 15 August – a Holy Day.

“We never give more honour to Jesus
than when we honour His Mother,
and we honour her,
simply and solely,
to honour Him all the more perfectly.
We go to her only as a way
leading to the goal we seek – Jesus, her Son.” s

St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)

Please join us as we pray a Novena in reverence and filial devotion
to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Assumed into Heaven, our Queen and our Mother Mary.

We pray in preparation for the great Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, Body and Soul as defined and declared as Dogma on 1 November 1950, by Pope Pius XII.
Thus he solemnly proclaimed that the belief whereby, the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the close of her earthly life, was taken up, body and soul, into the Glory of Heaven, definitively forms part of the deposit of faith, received from the Apostles.

Our Novena will include a brief Meditation with practical reflection, a preparatory prayer by St Alphonsus Liguori and the daily prayer each morning for nine days. See you here!

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on ENVY, QUOTES on VICE, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 5 August – The Contentedness of Charity“ – Charity envieth not”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 5 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Contentedness of Charity
“Charity envieth not”

Envy is the vice which begrudges happiness, liberty, riches, success, or some other good. to another. Envy is pained at seeing another in possession of that which the envious man desires himself to have but cannot obtain. Envy is a mean and contemptible vice. What difference can it make to us that others should succeed and be happy? If they shared our misfortunes, we would be no better off.
Examine whether envy lurks in your heart?

Envy is a vice which utterly destroys the peace of he who harbours it. He is always uneasy and unites the longing for that which he cannot have, with a hatred of those who are enjoying it. This double worm gnaws unceasingly at his heart.
In our own interest, there is scarcely any vice which is such folly to harbour. Envy is also especially displeasing to God and hateful in His sight because, it challenges His goodness and rebels against, a state of things, which He has ordained or permitted.

How different is the spirit of charity!
It takes pleasure in the pleasure of others, it rejoices in their success and is happy in seeing them happy. It wishes for nothing which others have and which is out of its own reach, for it recognises the wise Providence of God in all happenings and, therefore, is perfectly satisfied with everything and has no wish to see itself exalted and others depressed, as envy does.
In view of the greater successes of others, is my spirit one of envy or one of charity?
Do I rejoice in them or do I feel vexed and annoyed?

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, St Francis de Sales, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 August – Obedience

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

“Rather blessed are those
who hear the Word of God
and keep it.’”

Luke 11:28

“Little children follow and obey their father.
They love their mother.
They know nothing of covetousness,
ill-will, bad temper, arrogance and lying.
This state of mind opens the road to Heaven.
To imitate our Lord’s own humility,
we must return to the simplicity
of God’s little ones.”

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

“If anyone comes to Me
without hating his father
and mother, wife and children,
brothers and sisters
and even his own life,
he cannot be My disciple.”

Luke 14:26

“ … For his brothers
His relatives according to the flesh
who did not
believe in Him,
of what advantage was that relationship?
… Even her maternal relationship
would have done Mary no good,
unless she had borne Christ
more happily in her heart,
than in her flesh.”

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

“Obedience is a short cut to perfection.”

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

“Let us then depart, let us depart from Egypt,
let us approach Our Lord,
let us make provision of good works;
let the feet of our affections be bare,
let us clothe ourselves with innocence,
let us not be satisfied with crying for mercy,
let us go forth from Egypt, let us delay no longer.
The hour is come to arise from sleep,
since we know that He receives sinners;
the Angels await our repentance,
the Saints pray for it!”

St Francis de Sales 91567-1622)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WORD

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

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

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

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

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

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

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

PRAYER – Grant us, Thy servants, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body and by the intercession of glorious and Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be delivered from present sorrow and partake of the fullness of eternal happiness. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 5 August – O Mary, Immaculate Virgin 

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 5 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Feast of the Dedication of Our Lady of the Snows

O Mary, Immaculate Virgin
Prayer for Health of Soul and Body

O Mary, Immaculate Virgin,
our salvation lies in thy hands.
Cleanse our souls,
we beseech thee,
from the leprosy of sin
and assist us in our corporal infirmities.
And, if it be the will of God
that we must be acquainted
with sickness and suffering,
obtain for us, at least,
perfect patience and resignation,
in whatsoever God may dispose.
Amen.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 5 August – St Abel of Rheims (Died c770) Bishop, Confessor

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Saint of the Day – 5 August – St Abel of Rheims (Died c770) Bishop, Confessor, Abbot, Defender and Protector of the rights and property of the Church. Born in the British Isles, most likely in Ireland and died in c770 at Lobbes, Belgium of natural causes. Also known as – Abel of Lobbes.

Abel was the Archbishop of Rheims, for only four years. In the official chronology of the Diocese, he was placed in twenty-eighth place, after Milon of Trier and before Turpin.

Abel was the Shepherd of the Diocese of Rheims from 744 to 748. Of Scottish or Irish origin, he was a Monk at the Abbey of Lobbes , Belgium, in the Diocese of Liège. He was chosen as the Bishop by Pépin the Short, to replace Milon of Trier. The dismissed Bishop, Milon, made Abel’s life impossible, especially since Pepin the Short was very busy waging war and was, therefore, absent and unable to rebuke Milon and protect Bishop Abel from abuse. All of this relates to the constant interference and seizing of Church property of the Lords, very often assisted by the so-called bishops in situ – one of these being Milon.

After four years of constant defence of his See, Abel, who sought only the glory of God in everything, gave way to his anger in accordance with the evangelical precept, renounced his Office and withdrew to the blessed solitude of his old Monastery, there offering his prayers and penances for the defence of the Holy Church of Christ. Later Abel may have been appointed as the Abbot of Lobbes Abbey.

St Abel ended his days with a reputation for holiness between 750 and 770. His body, along with the other holy bodies of this Monastery, was transferred from Lobbes to Binghan in the year 1400to protect the holy Relics from the ravages of war.

Lobbes Monastery as it was in 1794
Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major / Our Lady of the Snows, Nostra Signora della Neve / Our Lady of the Snow, Adro, Italy (1519) and Memorials of the Saints – 5 August

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Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major / Our Lady of the Snows
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/08/05/salus-populi-romani-santa-maria-maggiore-rome-5-august/
AND HERE:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/08/05/august-5-dedication-of-the-basilica-of-saint-mary-major-our-lady-of-the-snows/

Nostra Signora della Neve / Our Lady of the Snow, Adro, Italy (1519) – 5 August, 8 July:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/08/nostra-signora-della-neve-adro-italy-our-lady-of-the-snow-adro-brescia-italy-1519-and-memorials-of-the-saints-8-july/

St Abel of Rheims (Died c770 Bishop
St Addai
St Aggai of Edessa
Bl Arnaldo Pons
St Cantidianus
St Cantidius
St Cassian of Autun
St Casto of Teano
Bl Corrado of Laodicea

St Emygdius (Died c 303) Bishop Martyr Confessor, Miracle-worker.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/05/saint-of-the-day-5-august-saint-emygdius-c-272-c-303-bishop-martyr/

St Eusignius
St Gormeal of Ardoilen
Bl James Gerius
St Margaret the Barefooted (1335-1395) Married Laywoman
St Mari
St Memmius of Châlons-sur-Marne

St Nonna of Nazianzen (c305-c374) Widow. Mother – Widow. Mother – Widow of St Gregory Nazianzen the Elder, (c276-374) the saintly Bishop of Nazianzen and Mother of St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390) Doctor of the Church, his younger brother St Caesarius Nazianzen (c331-368) a Physician and St Gorgonia (Died c375) Married, Mother.
St Gregory Nazianzen’s Mother:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/08/05/saint-of-the-day-5-august-st-nonna-of-nazianzen-c305-374-widow/

St Oswald of Northumbria (604-642) Martyr and King.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/05/saint-of-the-day-5-august-saint-oswald-of-northumbria-c-604-642-martyr/

St Paris of Teano
Bl Pierre-Michel Noël

St Sobel
St Theodoric of Cambrai-Arras
St Venantius of Viviers
St Viator

Martyrs of the Salarian Way: Twenty-three Christians who were Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. Died in 303 on the Salarian Way in Rome, Italy.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 4 August – The Kindness of Charity, “Charity is kind”

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Thought for the Day – 4 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Kindness of Charity
“Charity is kind”

All appreciate kindness and are drawn towards those who are kind. Even natural kindness is very precious and beautiful. Kindness is one of the marks of a noble and generous character.
We feel the lack of kindness most keenly, when we believe others have not been kind to us. Yet, we overlook our own many acts of unkindness to others.
Should I not reproach myself for omitting many little acts of kindness which I might have done?
Should I not reproach myself for sometimes being positively unkind?

Natural kindness is a sort of foundation for supernatural kindness but the two are very distinct from each other.
Natural kindness has some natural motive – our own inclinations, love for the individual to whom we are kind, or a natural benevolence.
Supernatural kindness always has a supernatural motive and is directed to the glory of God. It is kindness to others for Christ’s sake and for the others’ sake, chiefly as they are His brethren and friends and, therefore, ours.
Do I seek to supernaturalise the kindnesses I do for others, to earn an eternal reward, by means of them?

If we are kind to others for God’s sake, He will be kind to us in our turn. Yet, our kindness must not have any advantage to ourselves, for, its chief motive, is to be the kindness of charity. We must not only have love of God in our hearts but, we also must have the thought of God present to us.
The kind action must be done because it is a happiness to please Him, Who is, in Himself, so kind and good. Does my kindness stand this test?

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, ROSARY QUOTES

Quote/s of the Day – 4 August – St Dominic

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 August – St Dominic (1170-1221) Confessor, Founder

“Speak only with God
or about God.”

“None who persevered in devotion
to the Holy Rosary, will be condemned.”

“I would tell them to kill me
slowly and painfully,
a little at a time, so that I might attain
a more glorious crown in Heaven.”

(After being asked what he would do
if captured by his enemies.)

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/08/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-august-st-dominic-2/

St Dominic (1170-1221)

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 4 August – St Augustine – ‘Your health is Christ!’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 4 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Pentecost XI – St Dominic de Guzman OP (1170-1221) Confessor, Founder –1 Corinthians 15:1-10; Mark 7:31-37 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears and, after spitting. touched his tongue.” – Mark 7:33

REFLECTION – “The Lord heals all your ills” (Ps 102:3). Never fear, all your ills will healed. You say they are big ones but the Doctor is even greater. For an all-powerful Doctor there is no such thing as an incurable sickness. Simply let yourself be cared for, do not push away His hand, He knows what to do. Do not be happy only when He acts with gentleness but bear with it, too, when He prunes. Accept the unpleasantness of the cure, by thinking of the healing it will bring you.
Notice all those things, brethren which people put up with in their physical ills, so as to prolong their lives a few days … You, at least, are not suffering for an uncertain result – He, Who has promised you your health,, cannot be mistaken. Why is it that doctors are sometimes mistaken? Because they have not created the body they are treating. But God has made your body, God has made your soul. He knows how to re-create that which He has created; He knows how to re-fashion that which He has formed. You have only to abandon yourself into His Doctor’s Hand! … Endure His Hands, then, O soul who “blesses Him and forgets not all His benefits – He heals all your ills” (P2 102:2-3).
He who had made you never to become sick, if you would keep His precepts, will He not heal you? He who made the Angels and, in re-creating you, will make you equal to the Angels – will He not heal you? He who made Heaven and earth, will He not heal you, after having made you, in His Image? (Gn 1:26) He will heal you but you must consent to be healed. He heals every sickness perfectly but He does not heal it, in spite of Himself … Your health is Christ!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church – Sermon on the Psalms, Ps 102[103]: 5-6; PL 37, 1319

PRAYER – O God, Who graciously enlightened Thy Church by the good works and teaching of St Dominic, Thy Confessor, grant by his intercession, that she may never be deprived of temporal helps and may ever advance in spiritual growth. 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 SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 4 August – Blessed William Horne O.Cart. (Died 1540) Martyr

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Saint of the Day – 4 August – Blessed William Horne O.Cart. (Died 1540) Martyr, Carthusian Lay Brother of the Charterhouse in London. William was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn Tree, London, for treason for refusing to accept King Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church. Additional Memorial – 4 May as one of the Carthusian Martyrs of London.

William was the last of the Carthusians who died for Christ and His Church. He was one of 18 Carthusian Monks murdered between May 1535 and August 1540. Some were hanged, drawn and quartered, some were hanged in chains and others were starved to death.

We have no personal information of Blessed William escept relating to his Martyrdom. He was arrested for opposing the religious policies of King Henry VIII (reign 1509-1547) which included the imprisonment of Catholics and the destruction of Monasteries. William was executed at Tyburn with two companions.

In the great persecution against Catholics decreed by Henry VIII, King of England, each religious Order of the time, together with the Diocesan Clergy, left a tribute of blood and Martyrdom for the defence of the Catholic Church.

He was Beatified on 29 December 1886 by Pope Leo XIII.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Pentecost XI, Madonna dell’Apparizione / Our Lady of the Apparition, Italy (1716), St Dominic and the Saints celebrated on 4 August

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Pentecost XI

St Dominic de Guzman OP (1170-1221) Confessor, Founder of the Dominicans – The Order of Preachers – Priest, Founder, Teacher, Preacher, Mystic, Miracle-Worker, Apostle of the Holy Rosary.
At Dominic’s Baptism, Blessed Joan, his Mother, saw a star shining from his chest, which became another of his symbols in art and led to his patronage of astronomy.
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/08/08/saint-of-the-day-8-august-st-dominic-de-guzman-founder-of-the-dominican-order-of-preachers/
A lovely personal description of St Dominic here:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/04/saint-of-the-day-4-august-st-dominic-confessor/
The Roman Martyrology states today: “At Bologna, St Dominic, Confessor, Founder of the Order of Friars Preachers, most renowned for sanctity and learning. He preserved his chastity unsullied to the end of his life and by his great merits, raised three persons from the dead. After having repressed heresies by his preaching and instructed many in the religious and Godly life, he rested in peace on the 6th of this month. His Feast, however, is celebrated on this day by decree of Pope Paul IV.”

Madonna dell’Apparizione / Our Lady of the Apparition, Pellestrina, Italy (1716) – 4 August:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/04/madonna-dellapparizione-our-lady-of-the-apparition-pellestrina-italy-1716-and-memorials-of-the-saints-4-august/

St Agabius of Verona (Died c350) the Ninth Bishop of Verona, Italy. His birth date and place are unknown but he died in c350 in Verona, of natural causes.
The Little we Know:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/08/04/saint-of-the-day-4-august-saint-agabius-of-verona-died-c350-bishop-confessor/


St Aristarchus of Thessalonica (1st Century)
St Crescentio of Rome
St Eleutherius of Bithynia
St Epiphanes of Besançon

St Euphronius of Tours (c530-573) Bishop of Tours (c 530-573) the 8th Bishop of Tours, France who served from 555 to 573 and was a near relative of St Gregory of Tours.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/04/saint-of-the-day-4-august-saint-euphronius-of-tours-c-530573/

St Ia of Persia
St Isidore of Besançon
St Lua of Limerick
St Onofrio of Panaia
St Perpetua of Rome

St Protasius of Cologne Martyr honoured in Cologne, Germany. His details have not survived.

St Rainerio of Split
St Sithney (Died c 529)
St Tertullinus of Rome
Blessed William Horne O.Cart. (Died 1540) Martyr, Carthusian Lay Brother

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE

Thought for the Day – 3 August – The Patience of Charity – “Charity is patient”

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Thought for the Day – 3 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

The Patience of Charity
“Charity is patient”

Patience consists in supporting (without murmuring or complaint), injuries hardships, ill-treatment, whether they are deserved or undeserved.
It is thus, a most difficult virtue and cannot be practiced in its perfection, except by those who have attained a high degree of charity.
We are naturally eager to defend ourselves, resentful when accused, angry when some wrong is done us and anxious to take revenge on our impugner. Yet, all this is forbidden by patience and is inconsistent with charity!
Can I stand this test?

Every form of patience is especially difficult for some people. Active, energetic, eager natures, cannot endure to be thwarted or contradicted. Even being kept waiting irritates them. For them, a careful practice of patience is necessary,, if they are to rise high in virtue. They must begin by suppressing the outward expressions. This will help them overcome the internal movement of impatience. They must school themselves carefully in little things with a persevering determination to conquer their natural inclination towards impatience, or they will offend continually against charity.

Patience, like all the virtues, brings its own reward. How much the impatient suffer when corrected!
The inward struggle and desire to be rid of the obstacle in their path, or the person who hinders and annoys them, is painful to them. How they chafe under the restraint which hampers their activity! On the contrary, how full of tranquil peace is one, who allows nothing to make him impatient and who, takes everything as coming from God.
Do I act that way?

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PRAYER, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 August – “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”

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Quote/s of the Day – 3August – The Finding of the Relics of St Stephen, Protomartyr: – Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Matthew 23:34-39 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them”

Acts 7:60

“Leave there thy offering before the Altar
and go first to be reconciled to thy brother
and then, coming, thou shalt offer thy gift.”

Matthew 5:24

“But I say to you,
love your enemies …”

Matthew 5:44

“Whoever says
he abides in Christ,
ought to walk,
even as Christ walked …”

1 John 2:6

“Behold I send you as sheep
in the midst of wolves.
Be, therefore, wise as serpents
and simple as doves. ”
Matthew – 10:16

“So that you might follow in His Footsteps,”
writes St Peter. The blessed Evangelist John
also says the same thing:
“Whoever claims to abide in Christ
ought to walk as He has walked,” (1 Jn 2:6).
And how has Christ walked?
He prayed for His enemies on the Cross, saying: “Father, forgive them, for they know not
what they do,” (Lk 23:34).
They have actually lost their senses
and are possessed by an evil spirit
and while they are persecuting us,
they themselves are undergoing
a far greater persecution from the devil.
Hence, we should be praying more for their deliverance, than for their condemnation.”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)
Father of the Church, Bishop

“To the extent that you pray, with all your soul,
for the person who slanders you,
God will make the truth known
to those who have been scandalised
by the slander.”

St Maximus the Confessor (c580–662)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 3 August – ‘Let us imitate our Lord and pray for our enemies …’

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One Minute Reflection – 3 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Finding of the Relics of St Stephen, Protomartyr: – Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Matthew 23:34-39 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them” – Acts 7:60

REFLECTION – “Let us imitate our Lord and pray for our enemies … He was Crucified yet, at the same time, prayed to His Father for the sake of those who were crucifying Him. But how could I possibly imitate our Lord, one might ask? If you wish to, you will be able to. If you were not able to do it, how could He have said: “Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart”? (Mt 11:29) …

If you have difficulty in imitating our Lord, at least imitate him who is also His servant, His Deacon – I would speak of Stephen. Just as Christ, in the midst of those crucifying Him, without considering the Cross, without considering His own predicament, pleaded with the Father on behalf of His tormentors (Lk 23:34), so His servant, surrounded by those who were stoning him, attacked by all, crushed beneath a hail of stones and, without taking any account of the suffering they were causing him, said: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Do you see how the Son spoke and how His servant prayed? The former said: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” and the latter said: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Moreover, to make us better realise, the fervour with which he was praying, he did not just pray, as he stood beneath the blows of the stones but, he spoke on his knees with sincerity and compassion …

Christ said: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Stephen cried out: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Paul, in his turn, said: “I offer up this sacrifice for my brethren, my kin according to race” (cf.Rm 9:3). Moses said: “If you would only forgive their sin! And if you will not, then strike me out of the book that you have written!” (Ex 32:32). David said: “May your hand fall on me and my kindred,” (2 Sam 24:17). … What kind of forgiveness do we think we shall receive if we ourselves do the opposite of what is asked of us and pray against our enemies, when the Lord Himself and His servants of both Old and New Testaments, direct us to pray on their behalf?” – St John Chrysostom (345-407) Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon for Good Friday “The Cross and the bandit”).

PRAYER – Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to imitate what we celebrate, so that we may learn to love even our enemies because we keep the anniversary of the death of him, who knew how to plead, even for his persecutors with our Lord, Jesus Christ, Thy Son. 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 Hail MARY!, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 3 August – Hail Mary! Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, By St John Eudes

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Our Morning Offering – 3 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and Mary’s Saturday

Hail Mary!
Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
By St John Eudes (1601-1680)
“The Apostle of Two Hearts”

Hail Mary! Mother of God the Son.
Hail Mary! Spouse of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary! Temple of the Most Blessed Trinity.
Hail Mary! Pure Lily of the Effulgent Trinity.
Hail Mary! Celestial Rose
of the Ineffable Love of God.
Hail Mary! Virgin pure and humble,
of whom the King of Heaven willed to be born
and, with thy milk to be nourished.
Hail Mary! Virgin of Virgins,
Hail Mary! Queen of Martyrs,
whose soul a sword transfixed.
Hail Mary! Lady most blessed!
unto whom all power in Heaven
and earth is given.
Hail Mary! My Queen and my Mother!
my Life, my Sweetness and my Hope,
Hail Mary! Mother Most Amiable,
Hail Mary! Mother of Divine Love,
Hail Mary! Immaculate!
Conceived Without Sin!
Hail Mary! Full of Grace!
The Lord is with Thee!
Blessed art thou among women!
And blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus!
Blessed be thy spouse, Saint Joseph,
Blessed be thy father, Saint Joachim,
Blessed be thy mother, Saint Anne,
Blessed be thy guardian, Saint John,
Blessed be thy holy Angel, Saint Gabriel,
Glory be to God the Father, Who chose thee,
Glory be to God the Son,
Who loved thee,
Glory be to God the Holy Spirit,
Who espoused thee. AMEN,

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 3 August – Saint Euphronius of Autun (Died after 472) Bishop and Confessor,

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 3 August – Saint Euphronius of Autun (Died after 472) Bishop and Confessor, Founder and builder of a Basilica and a Monastery. Also known as – Euphromius, Eufronio. Additional Memorial – 3 June in Autun.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Autun, the demise of St Euphromious, Bishop and Confessor.”

Autun Cathedral

Euphronius, Priest of the Church of Autun, while still young, built a Basilica on the Tomb of the Martyr Saint Symphorian (Died c180) which would later become a famous Monastery.

In 453, Euphronius composed a letter, now lost, to the Bishop of Angers, Talasius. Around 470, when Bishop Perpetuus of Tours was building a new Church to house the remains of St Martin of Tours, Euphronius sent the marble for the covering of the Saint’s Tomb.

The letters of St Sidonius Apollinaris the Bishop of Clermont, notes that around the year 470 our Saint Euphronius, accompanied his great friend, St Lupus of Troyes, whom we celebrated on 29 July, together with the Bishop of Lyons and other Prelates, to Chalon-sur-Saône to Consecrate a new Bishop there.

Also in 472, Sidonius wrote to Euphronius to invite him to attend the Consecration of the new Bishop of Bourges.

Euphronius’ name appears in the Martyrology of Hieronymus but his cult in Autun does not seem to date further backwards beyond the 11th Century. He was celebrated on 3 June in Saint Symphorian’s Basilica and Monastery of Autun where he was buried and in the Church Consecrated and dedicated to him (now disappeared) in the village of Saint-Euphròne (Còte d’Or) mentioned from 865.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

The Finding of the Relics of St Stephen, Protomartyr, Maria Santissima Scala del Paradiso / Holy Mary, Ladder to Paradise, Italy (1498) and Memorials of the Saints – 3 August

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Finding of the Relics of St Stephen, Protomartyr:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/03/saint-of-the-day-3-august-the-finding-of-the-relics-of-st-stephen-protomartyr/
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Jerusalem, the finding of the body of most blessed Saint Stephen, the first Martyr and of the Saints Gamaliel, Nicodemus and Abibo, through a Divine revelation made to the Priest Lucian, in the time of the Emperor Honorius.”

Maria Santissima Scala del Paradiso / Holy Mary, Ladder to Paradise, Noto, Siracusa, Sicily, Italy (1498) – 3 August:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/03/maria-santissima-scala-del-paradiso-holy-mary-ladder-to-paradise-noto-siracusa-sicily-italy-1498-and-memorials-of-the-saints/

St Abibas

St Aspren (1st Century) The First Bishop of Naples, Consecrated by St Peter as Bishop. Patronages – Archdiocese of Naples, Italy, against migraine.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/03/saint-of-the-day-3-august-st-aspren-1st-century/

Blessed Augustine Gazotich OP (1262-1323) Bishop of Lucera, Croatia, of the Order of Preachers. He was also noted for being the guide for Dante Alighieri as the poet travelled through Croatia. His reputation for personal holiness remained noted long after his death; this resulted in Pope Innocent XII confirming the late Bishop’s Beatification in 1700.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/08/03/saint-of-the-day-3-august-blessed-augustine-gazotich-o-p-1262-1323/

St Benno of Einsiedeln (Died 940) Bishop of Metz, Hermit, Monk, Co-founder of the renowned Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland.
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/08/03/saint-of-the-day-3-august-st-benno-of-einsiedeln-died-940-bishop/

St Dalmatius
St Euphronius of Autun (Died after 472) Bishop and Confessor
St Gamaliel
St Gaudentia
Bl Godfrey of Le Mans
Bl Gregory of Nonantula
St Hermellus
St Nicodemus

St Senach of Clonard (Died 6th Century) One of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland

St Trea of Ardtree

St Waltheof of Melrose O.Cist. (c 1095-1159) Monk, Abbot, Apostle of charity, Mystic.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/03/saint-of-the-day-3-august-saint-waltheof-of-melrose-o-cist-c-1095-1159/

Posted in CHARITY - Fr Richard Clarke SJ, GOD ALONE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The SIGN of the CROSS

Thought for the Day – 2 August – Charity in Our Actions

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Thought for the Day – 2 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

CHARITY
Meditations for a Month

Charity in Our Actions

We have seen that charity must influence all our actions if they are to be meritorious in the sight of God. However, this does not mean that the conscious motive of promoting God’s glory must be present in our every thought but, we should aim for this end. The Saints always had God before their eyes. Their every movement and every act, however trifling, was done with the intention to please Him. Ordinary Christians can attain this only after long years practicing a close union with God. They must begin by offering up their actions to Him from time to time and by renewing the offering as often as they can. Am I striving to do this? Am I advancing in this practice of charity?

One thing we must always remember. We must always offer our actions to God when we rise in the morning. We should make the Sign of the Cross, repeat some little ejaculation consecrating the day to God. Here is an example.
“O my God, I offer Thee all my actions, thoughts, words, deeds and sufferings of this day in union with those of Thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I say this little prayer intending that it will last throughout the day, even though I may forget it.
I will also pray that all I do may be influenced by it.

This single offering can scarcely continue to have any controlling power over our actions, unless it is renewed. Its influence fades away. We not only forget it but we also become so absorbed in our various occupations that we are in danger of ceasing to do them, in any sense, for God. It is necessary to renew the intention to do all for God and, to renew it frequently.
Do I renew my intentions at Holy Mass, when I say grace at meals, when the Angelus rings or the clock strikes, at mid-day and in the evening, and at other times?

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, ACT of REPARATION, CONFESSION/PENANCE, GOOD RESOLUTIONS, NOTES to Followers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The TRANSFIGURATION

Quote/s of the Day – 2 August – St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori with an Act of Reparation for the Blasphemies of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 August – St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

As you most probably are aware, the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games were marred by some degrading and horrible blasphemies. A parody of the Last Supper was enacted and broadcast with incredible obscenity.
Let us pray St Alphonsus Act of Reparation on our knees with tears and love to Our Saviour:

Act of Reparation
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
Indulgence of 3 Years – Once a Day

O Jesus, my Saviour and Redeemer,
Son of the living God,
behold we kneel before Thee
and offer Thee our reparation;
we would make amends,
for all the blasphemies uttered
against Thy Holy Name,
for all the injuries done to Thee
in the Blessed Sacrament,
for all the irreverence shown toward
Thine Immaculate Virgin Mother,
for all the calumnies and slanders,
spoken against Thy Spouse,
the Holy Catholic and Roman Church.
O Jesus, Who hast said:
“If you ask the Father anything in My Name,
He will give it you,”
we pray and beseech Thee,
for all our brethren who are in danger of sin;
shield them from every temptation
to fall away from the true faith;
save those who are even now
standing on the brink of the abyss;
to all of them, give light
and knowledge of the truth,
courage and strength, for the conflict with evil,
perseverance in faith and active charity!
For this do we pray, most merciful Jesus,
in Thy Name, unto God the Father,
with Whom Thou livest and reignest
in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
world without end.
Amen.

“Lord it is good for us to be here”
Matthew 17:4

“Lord, let us remain here;
let us never more depart from this place;
for, the sight of Thine Beauty consoles us
more than all the delights of the earth!
Let us, then, brethren,
courageously resolve to bear patiently
with all the sufferings which shall come upon us
during the remaining days of our lives:
to secure Heaven, they are all little
and nothing.
“Your sorrows shall be turned into joy.”
(John 16:20)
When, then, the crosses of this life afflict us,
let us raise our eyes to Heaven
and console ourselves with the hope of Paradise.
Have courage! Let us love God
and labour for Heaven.
There the Saints expect us, Mary expects us,
Jesus Christ expects us –
He holds in His Hand a Crown, to make
each of us a king in that eternal Kingdom!”

“Let us read the lives of the Saints;
let us consider the penances
which they performed
and blush to be so effeminate
and so fearful of mortifying our flesh.”

O Jesus, My Sweet Love!
(I too have kept Thee suffering)

Prayer of Contrition
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Jesus, my sweet Love!
I too have kept Thee suffering
through all Thy life.
Tell me, then, what I must do
in order to win Thy forgiveness.
I am ready to do all Thou askest of me.
I am sorry, O sovereign Good,
for all the offences I have committed against Thee.
I love Thee more than myself,
or at least, I feel a great desire to love Thee.
Since it is Thou Who hast given me this desire,
do Thou also give me the strength to love Thee exceedingly.

It is only right that I,
who have offended Thee so much,
should love Thee very much.
Always remind me of the love
Thou hast borne me,
in order that my soul may ever burn
with love of Thee and long to please Thee alone.
O God of love,
I, who was once a slave of hell,
now give myself all to Thee.
Graciously accept me and bind me to Thee
with the bonds of Thy love.
My Jesus, from this day and forever,
in loving Thee will I live
and in loving Thee will I die.

O Mary, my Mother and my hope,
help me to love Thy dear God and mine.
This is the only favour I ask of thee
and through thee, I hope to receive it.
Amen

Act of Spiritual Communion
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

I desire, good Jesus,
to receive Thee in Holy Communion
and since I cannot now receive Thee
in the Blessed Sacrament,
I beseech Thee to come to me spiritually
and to refresh my soul with Thy sweetness.
Come, my Lord, my God and my All!
Come to me
and never let me ever again
be separated from Thee by sin.
Teach me Thy blessed ways,
help me with Thy grace to imitate Thy example,
to practise meekness, humility,
charity and all the virtues of Thy Sacred Heart.
My divine Master, my one desire is to do Thy will
and to love Thee, more and more.
Help me, that I may be faithful to the end, in Thy service.
Bless me in life and in death,
that I may praise Thee, forever in heaven,
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/08/02/quote-s-of-the-day-2-august-st-alphonsus-maria-de-liguori/

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

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, The WORD

One Minute Reflection –2 August – Some knowledge of the seventy (two)

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One Minute Reflection –2 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Feast of St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church – – 2 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 10:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Lord appointed seventy two others and sent them forth, two-by-two before Him, into every town and place, where He, Himself was about to come.” – Luke 10:1

REFLECTION – “The names of the Apostles of the Saviour, are clear to everyone from the Gospels but no list of the seventy [two] disciples is in circulation anywhere. Some have said, to be sure, that Barnabas was one of them and the Acts of the Apostles and Paul writing to the Galatians, have made special mention of him. They say Sosthenes was of these too. Together with Paul, he wrote to the Corinthians. Tradition also holds that Matthias, who was listed among the Apostles in place of Judas and Joseph Justus, who was honoured with him at the same casting of lots, were considered worthy of the same calling among the seventy [two]. They say that Thaddaeus was also one of them, about whom I shall presently relate a story which has come down to us. On observation, you would find that the disciples of the Saviour appear to have been more than the seventy (two). Paul says that after the Resurrection from the dead, Cephas saw Him first, then the Twelve. After these saw Him, He was seen by more than five hundred brothers all at once, some of whom he says, had fallen asleep, although the majority were still alive at the time that this account was being composed by him.” – St Eusebius of Caesarea (c 260-339) Bishop of Caesarea, Historian, Theologian, Father (Ecclesiastical History 1.)”

PRAYER – O God, Who through blessed Alphonsus Maria, Thy Confessor and Bishop, fired with love for souls, enriched Thy Church with a new family; we beseech Thee that, taught by his saving counsels and strengthened by his example, we may be enabled, happily to come to Thee. 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 ACT of CONTRITION, CATHOLIC TIME, DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Our Morning Offering – 2 August – Act of Contrition by St Alphonsus

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Our Morning Offering – 2 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church and a Friday of the Passion

Act of Contrition
By St Alphonsus Maria Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

My Lord Jesus Christ,
Thou hast made this journey
to die for me, with love unutterable
and I have so many times
unworthily abandoned Thee
but now, I love Thee with my whole heart
and because I love Thee,,
I repent sincerely for having ever offended Thee.
Pardon me, my God
and permit me to accompany
Thee on this journey.
Thou goest to die for love of me,
I wish also, my beloved Redeemer,
to die for love of Thee.
My Jesus, I will live
and die always united to Thee.
Amen

Posted in franciscan OFM, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 2 August – Blessed Frederic Campisani OFM (c1255-1335) Hermit

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Saint of the Day – 2 August – Blessed Frederic Campisani OFM (c1255-1335) Religious of the Third Order of the Friars Minor and Hermit, Mystic, Miracle-worker, Exorcist. Born in c1255 in Syracuse, Sicily, Italy and died on 2 August 1335 of natural causes. Also known as – Frederico, Frederick.

Federic was born in Syracuse to the noble Campisani family, between 1250 and 1260. Since boyhood, he was attracted to listening to the Word of God and, as soon as he could, he wore the Franciscan Habit as a penitent.

He retired as a solitary hermit in the Maddalena Peninsula, so called by a small Church dedicated to the holy penitent St Mary Magdalene which later became the place where Blessed Federic lived.

With the view of the immense sea, he lived a life full of virtue and full of miracles which occurred through his intercession. It is said that various possessed people were freed from the devil, various illnesses were cured and a dead man was resurrected. Frederic had been granted the gift of prophecy too and many came to him seeking spiritual advice and assistance.

On 2 August 1335, the solitary of the Magdalene fell asleep in the Lord, full of merits and amid the mourning of those who turned to him for help for their body and spirit.

The first canonical process in 1336 was desired by the Bishop of Syracuse, Pietro De Montecateno and in 1761, Bishop Giuseppe Antonio De Requesens ordered the canonical recognition of the the blessed Fredric’s Relics.

The devotion and cult fof Blessed Federic has had ups and downs over the Centuries and has resurfaced in our times, almost as if to show us the path of perfection to be sought in silence, in the immense noise of modern life. But if we manage to create silence around us, the contemplation of nature will return and we will still be able to listen to the Word of God as our Blessed Frederic did from childhood until death..