Thought for the Day – 19 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Sons of God
“We are, or ought to be, sons of God. We are His adopted sons by means of the grace which gives us a share in His Divine Life. This idea is contained, even in the Old Testament, “You are gods, all of you, sons of the Most High (Ps 81:6)” “The Spirit Himself,” explains St Paul, “gives testimony to our spirit that we are sons of God. But, if we are sons, we are heirs also, heirs indeed of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Rom 8:16-17).
In other words, the grace of God transforms us and makes us His adopted sons. The supernatural life is grafted onto the soul, bringing forth a new man who is capable of actions which will deserve an everlasting reward. We must not allow the old tree, with its dead branches and barren fruit, to spring up again within us, the old man with his defects and evil inclinations must remain dead.
If God’s life is extinguished in us,. we shall cease to be His heirs and co-heirs with Christ. We shall be incapable of doing anything good and shall be destined to eternal damnation.”
Quote/s of the Day – 19August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St John Eudes (1601-1680) Confessor, “The Apostle of Two Hearts”
“Our wish, our object, our chief preoccupation, must be, to form Jesus in ourselves, to make His spirit, His devotion, His affections, His desires and His disposition, live and reign there!”
“Faith is a beam, radiating from the face of God.”
A Magnificat By St John Eudes (1601-1680) A Hymn of Praise and Thanksgiving to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Holy Heart of Mary
My soul doth magnify the admirable Heart of Jesus and Mary And my spirit rejoices in Thou great Heart. Jesus and Mary have given me their Heart, This immense Heart, in order that all in me May be performed in its love.
Infinite praise to them, for their ineffable gift. This Heart infinitely merciful, has done great things for me. It has possessed me from the womb of my mother. Infinite thanksgiving for Thou ineffable gifts.
The abyss of my misery has called on the abyss of His Mercy. Infinite thanksgiving for His ineffable gifts. This Heart infinitely meek has presented me With blessings of its sweetness. Infinite thanksgiving for His ineffable gifts. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 19August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St John Eudes (1601-1680) Confessor, “The Apostle of Two Hearts”– Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning …” – Luke 12:35
REFLECTION – “It is so that our spirit may be detached from its fantasies that the Word invites us, to shake off this heavy sleep, from the eyes of our souls, so that we may not slide away from the true reality, by clinging to what lacks substance. That is why He sets before us an image of vigilance when He says: “Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning”… The meaning of these symbols is clear enough. Someone who is girded with temperance, lives in the light of a pure conscience because, filial trust enlightens his life, like a lamp. Lit up by the truth that person’s soul is detached from the sleep of illusion because, no empty dreams are leading it astray. As the Word says – if we do this, we shall enter into a life like that of the Angels…
Indeed, these are they who wait for the Lord at His return from the wedding and who are seated by the heavenly gates, with watchful eyes, so that the King of Glory (Ps 23:7) might once more pass through, when he returns from the marriage feast and enters again into the beatitude above the heavens. “Coming forth like the groom from his bridal chamber” (Ps 18:6)…, He united to Himself like a virgin, the nature we had prostituted to idols, once He had restored its virginal integrity, through sacramental regeneration. The nuptials, having now been accomplished, since the Church has been espoused by the Word… and brought into the chamber of His Mysteries, the Angels awaited the return of the King of Glory to the blessedness which matches His nature.
Hence, the text says that our lives ought to be like those of the Angels. Just as they live far from vice and self-deception, ready to welcome the second coming of the Lord, so we too ought to remain awake at the doors of our dwellings and stand ready to obey, when He comes and knocks at the door.” – St Gregory of Nyssa(335-395) Bishop, Father of the Church, Brother of St Basil the Great (Sermons on the Song of Songs No 11).
PRAYER – O God, Who wondrously enkindled St John, Thy Confessor, to promote the religious veneration of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and through him, willed to found new religious families in the Church, grant, we beseech Thee that we may honour his holy merits and may learn from the example of his virtues. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 19 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St John Eudes (1601-1680) Confessor, “The Apostle of Two Hearts”
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.
O Glorious Virgin Mary, may all people love and praise the Amen!
Saint of the Day – 19 August – Blessed Hugh Green (c1584-1642) Priest, Martyr. Born in c1584 in London and died by a botched hanging and finally beheaded on 19 August 1642, at Dorchester, Dorset, England during the reign and persecutions of Charles I. Also known as – Ferdinand Brook/s or Ferdinand Brown. Additional Memorila on 29 October as one of the Martyrs of Douai. Hugh was Beatified on 15 December 1929 by Pope Pius XI.
Hugh Green was born in c1584 of Protestant parents. He took a Degree at Cambridge in 1605 but, in 1610, after converting to Catholicism Hugh travelled to Douai to study for the Priesthood.
He tried his vocation as a Capuchin Friar but left that Friars Minor in 1612, whereafter he was and was Ordained to the Priesthood and left to return to England as a Missionary to the persecuted Church.
Hugh returned to England and as a Chaplain at Chideock Castle, Dorset. Here Hugh served the Catholics of Dorset under the protection of Lady Blanche Arundell of Lanherne.
Just before the beginning of the Civil War, on 8 March 1641, Charles I, to placate the Puritan Parliament of England, issued a proclamation making the presence of Catholic Priests in England a crime punishable by death. Although Hugh intended to lpossibly eave England under this ban, he was too tardy in his exercise of this intention, probably because he could not desert his fellow Catholics, so much in need of their Priests.
He was captured near Lyme Regis, imprisoned and then executed on 19 August 1642. In prison his constancy so affected his fellow-captives that two or three women sentenced to die with him, sent him word that they would ask his absolution before death. They did so after confessing their sins on the scaffold to all the people watching the gruesome spectacle and were absolved by the Martyr, Fr Hugh.
The story of his execution is more appallingly cruel and barbaric than usual – there was no experienced executioner available, so a barber-cum-part-time-executioner spent almost half an hour trying to locate his heart while he was hanging by his neck on the scaffold. Finally, a soldier mercifully ended this torture by beheading him. When his head was severed, the Puritan mob used it as a football! As Archbishop Challoner noted, this was thankfully, not an event repeated in the annals of the English Martyrs.
Blessed Hugh Green is honoured at the Church of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs and St Ignatius, Chideock, Dorset.
St Andrew the Tribune St Badulf of Ainay St Bertulf of Luxeuil St Calminius St Credan of Evesham St Donatus of Mount Jura St Elaphius of Châlons St Guenninus Bl Guerricus Blessed Hugh Green (c1584-1642) Priest Martyr
Blessed Jordan of Pisa OP (c 1255–1311) Dominican Friar, Theologian, Professor, renowned Preacher, Founder of the Confraternity of the Holy Redeemer at Pisa, Visionary, Marian devotee, promoter and daring innovator of the vernacular Italian language as a ‘church’ language and a tool for evangelisation. On 23 August 1833, Blessed Jordan’s cultus was confirmed by Pope Gregory XVI and in 1838 he was Beatified by Pope Gregory XVI. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/19/saint-of-the-day-blessed-jordan-of-pisa-op-c-1255-1311/ St Julius of Rome
St Louis of Toulouse OFM (1274-1297) Prince and Bishop, Neapolitan Prince of the Capetian House of Anjou, Franciscan Friar and Priest, Apostle of Prayer, of Penance and of the poor and the sick. He had received the last sacraments on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady and on the 19th of August, 1297, while pronouncing the holy name of Mary, he yielded his soul to God. Because of the many miracles that were wrought at his tomb, he was Canonised as early as 1317, during the lifetime of his mother. Lovely St Louis: https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/19/saint-of-the-day-19-august-saint-louis-of-toulouse-ofm-1274-1297-prince-and-bishop/St Louis of Toulouse OFM (1274-1297) Prince and Bishop, Neapolitan Prince of the Capetian House of Anjou, Franciscan Friar and Priest, Apostle of Prayer, of Penance and of the poor and the sick. He had received the last sacraments on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady and on the 19th of August, 1297, while pronouncing the holy name of Mary, he yielded his soul to God. Because of the many miracles that were wrought at his tomb, he was Canonised as early as 1317, during the lifetime of his mother. Lovely St Louis: https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/19/saint-of-the-day-19-august-saint-louis-of-toulouse-ofm-1274-1297-prince-and-bishop/
St Magnus of Anagni St Magnus of Avignon St Magnus of Cuneo St Marianus of Entreaigues St Marinus of Besalu St Magino of Tarragona St Mochta St Namadia of Marsat St Rufinus of Mantua St Sarah the Matriarch St Sebaldus St Thecla of Caesarea St Timothy of Gaza
Martyrs of Nagasaki – 15 Beati: A group of missionaries and their laymen supporters who were executed for spreading Christianity in Japan. They are: Antonius Yamada, Bartholomaeus Mohyoe, Iacobus Matsuo Denji, Ioachim Díaz Hirayama, Ioannes Miyazaki Soemon, Ioannes Nagata Matashichi, Ioannes Yago, Laurentius Ikegami Rokusuke, Leo Sukeemon, Ludovic Frarijn, Marcus , kenoshita Shin’emon, Michaël Díaz Hori, Paulus Sankichi, Pedro de Zúñiga, Thomas Koyanag., They were beheaded on 19 August 1622 at Nagasaki, Japan and Beatified , 7 May 1867 by Pope Pius IX.
Thought for the Day – 18 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Two Paths to Heaven
“The second path to Heaven, however, demands sacrifice on our part. Our repentance must be practical and supernatural. It should lead us to confess our sins in the Sacrament of Penance and to regain God’s friendship in Holy Communion. After that, our way must be one of self-mortification: “Unless you repent,” Jesus warns us, “you will all perish” (Lk 13:51).
The first penance which we must perform, is to offer to God, all the physical and moral sufferings which are in store for us during life and at the hour of death. Then, we must add our own voluntary acts of self-denial. The generosity of the Saints, in this regard, was rewarded by the lasting friendship of God. As for ourselves, we should remember that Jesus, Himself, has warned us that we shall be lost if we neglect to do penance (Ibid).”
Quote/s of the Day – 18 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Within the Octave of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven
“Mary is the new Tree of Life, who, instead of the bitter fruit picked by Eve, gives to mankind that Sweet Fruit on which the whole world is fed.”
St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Mary was placed by God in the centre of history and we can say that everything was made through her and with her and in her.”
“In the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I trust. Look to the Star, call upon Mary! In danger, in difficulty or in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Keep her name on your lips, never let it pass out of your heart.”
St Bernard (1090-1153) Mellifluous Doctor of the Church
“Mary is the divine Page on which God the Father wrote the Word of God, His Son. Let us draw near to her and read her!”
St Albert the Great OP (1200-1280) Doctor of the Church
“The most efficacious means to foster devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”
St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690 Visionary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
One Minute Reflection – 18 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Within the Octave of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin – Judith 13:22-25; 13:15; 13:10, Luke 1:41-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Most blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” – Luke 1:42
REFLECTION – “Let us honour the Queen of Heaven, Mother of life, Source of mercy, overflowing delights, leaning on her Beloved. Let us praise her, knowing full well that our praise will be insufficient.
Risen above the tallest trees of paradise and exalted above the highest peaks of mountains, she will penetrate Heaven with incredible majesty accompanied by the singing of the choirs of celestial Angels and surrounded by the dancing of Angels. Happy are those who dwell in Thy house, O Lord, they will praise Thee without end! In you we praise not Eve who introduced the poison but Mary who gave life, who is the Mother and nursemaid of all, the life of all the living. In you we praise even our own mother.
May all hear and rejoice, the humble Virgin rises, crowned, to the throne of glory, may the humble rejoice.May those who exalt themselves in their presumption fall. Mary, who gives herself as a holocaust to the fullness of grace. May the Blessed Virgin, unique in her merits, stand in the presence of her Creator interceding always in our favour. She will be radiant in the fullness of glory, she who brought forth from her virginal womb, the King of glory.” – St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159) Bishop, Cistercian Monk (Marian Homily VIII).
PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, forgive the transgressions of Thy servants and, forasmuch as by our own deeds, we cannot please Thee, may we find safety through the prayers of the Mother of Thy Son and 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).
Our Morning Offering – 18 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Memorial of St Macarius the Wonder-Worker (Died 850)
To Thee, O Master Morning Offering By St Macarius the Wonder-Worker (Died 850)
To Thee, O Master, who loves all mankind I hasten on rising from sleep. By Thy mercy, I go out to do Thy work and I make my prayer to Thee. Help me at all times and in all things. Deliver me from every evil thing of this world and from pursuit by the devil. Save me and bring me to Thy eternal Kingdom, For Thou art my Creator, Thou inspire all good thoughts in me. In Thee is all my hope and to Thee I give glory, now and forever. Amen
Saint of the Day – 18 August – Blessed Leonard of Cava (1232-1255) Abbot, an Administrator par excellence, a Peace-maker, a Monk devoted to the Rule of St Benedictine. He was known as a man of extraordinary gentleness and peace.
Portrait of a Benedictine Monk by Sir Anthony van Dijk
Successor of Blessed Balsamus, at the helm of the Benedictine Abbey of Trinità di Cava, he was elected on 13 December 1232, governing the Monastery for 23 years.
He was a sweet and peaceful man, wise and a skilled administrator. During the struggle between the Pope and the Emperor Frederick II which characterised the whole period, Leonard was able to manage all issues intelligently and highly effectively, without antagonising anyone, thus saving the Abbey from the prospect of closure and protecting its financial resources and treasures too.
In fact, Leonard was elected, by the Emperor in 1245, together with other Ecclesiastics, to plead his cause before the Council of Lyons – the Emperor himself and the Popes, Innocent IV and Alexander IV, multiplied the concessions and privileges to the Abbey, which assumed a notable role and importance throughout the Middle Ages.
A beautiful artwork of Trinità di Cava
He led by example and his brother Monks became known for their devotion to the Benedictine Rule. The Monks also generously assisted the people affected by the war. In 1249, the City of Benevento destroyed by the Germans, entrusted the Abbey with the custody of the Relics of St Bartolomew and the Diocesan treasury. When the Relics were returned to their rightful home, a portion of the head was donated and enshrined in the Abbey as a gift of appreciation.
The worthy and holy Abbot died on 18 August 1255 and was buried in the ‘Arsicia’ cave, the place incorporated into the Abbey Church, which was used by the Founder, St Alferius, as his initial hermitage.
In 1641 he was given a different burial in front of the choir door; currently his Relics are kept in a side Altar of the Abbey Church. His cult was confirmed by Pope Pius XI on 16 May 1928 – his liturgical Feast is celebrated on the date of his entrance into eternal life, 18 August.
St Crispus of Rome St Daig Maccairaill Bl Domenico de Molinar St Eonus of Arles St Ernan St Evan of Ayrshire St Firminus of Metz St Florus of Illyria Bl Francis of Francavilla Bl Gaspar di Salamanca St Hermas of Rome St John of Rome St Juliana of Myra St Juliana of Stobylum St Laurus of Illyria St Leo of Myra Blessed Leonard of Cava (1232-1255) Abbot St Maximus of Illyria Bl Milo of Fontenelle St Polyaenus of Rome St Proculus of Illyria
Blessed Rinaldo of Concorezzo (c 1245 – 1321) Bishop of Vicenza from 1296 until his 1303 appointment as the Archbishop of Ravenna-Cervia holding that until his death, Doctor of Canon Law, Papal envoy, Arbitrator and Peace-maker. Archbishop Rinaldo was also a close friend of Dante Alighieri. His Courageous Life: https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/18/saint-of-the-day-18-august-blessed-rinaldo-of-concorezzo-c-1245-1321/
St Ronan of Iona St Serapion of Rome
Massa Candida: Also known as Martyrs of Utica and the White Company: Three hundred 3rd Century Christians at Carthage, who were ordered to burn incense to Jupiter or face death by fire. Martyrs. Saint Augustine of Hippo and the poet Prudentius wrote about them. They were forced to cast themselves into a pit of burning lime c 253 at Carthage, North Africa.
Thought for the Day – 17 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Pride is Robbery!
“In order to combat human pride, God humbled Himself (Ps 18:15). Not only did He assume a human nature like ours but, He was born poor and lowly and willed to die upon the Cross, as a condemned criminal!
What a tremendous lesson for human pride! God gave us Himself as an example to be imitated: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29).
If we do not learn from this great lesson in humility, we shall never make any progress in the way of Christian perfection. Nothing, says St Augustine, is a greater barrier to perfection than pride (In Ps 18:15).
We must take care to lay the foundation stone of humility, therefore, before we can begin to build the edifice of Christian perfection.”
Quote/s of the Day – 17 August – St Hyacinth OP (1185-1257) ) Confessor – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Be vigilant at all times and pray, that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man…” Luke 21:36
“Watch” over your life. … Sheep will turn into wolves and love into hatred. With the increase of iniquity, people will hate, persecute and betray each other. Then the world deceiver will appear in the disguise of God’s Son. He will work “signs and wonders” and the earth will fall into his hands. He will commit outrages such as have never occurred before. Then humankind will come to the “fiery trial“ and many will fall away” and perish.”
Unknown 1st Century Author (ACW) of this early Treatise (Didache, 16)
“Be you then also ready …” Luke 12:40
“Wretch! using the excuse that your Master is late, do you imagine He will not come at all? His coming is certain! Then why do you not stay on your guard? No, the Lord is not slow in coming – this lateness is purely in the imagination of the wicked servant!”
St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father and Doctor of the Church
“It is time now for us to rise from sleep!”
St Benedict (c 480-547)
“But vigilant faith not only performs good works, like living faith, it also penetrates and understands revealed Truths quickly and with great depth and subtlety of perception. It is active and diligent, in seeking and embracing those things which can increase and strengthen it. It watches and perceives from afar, all its enemies. It is always on the alert to discover the good and to avoid evil. It guards itself against anything which could ruin it. Vigilant, it walks firmly and easily keeps from falling over precipices.
This vigilant faith is accompanied by the Four Cardinal Virtues: Fortitude, Prudence, Justice and Temperance. It uses them as an Armoured Breastplate to put its enemies to flight, or to remain among them firm, invincible and unshaken. So great is its strength that it fears nothing because, not only is it strong but also, it is aware of its strength and by Whom it is supported— Truth itself!”
(Sermon for Thursday after the First Sunday of Lent, 17 February 1622).
One Minute Reflection – 17 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary”– St Hyacinth OP (1185-1257) ) Confessor – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” – Luke 12:40
REFLECTION – “The Lord was looking to our days when He said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Lk 18:8) We see that what He foretold has come to pass. There is no faith in the fear of God, in the law of righteousness, in love, in good works …. That which our conscience would fear if it believed, it does not fear because it does not believe at all. If it believed, it would also take heed and if it took heed, it would be saved.
Therefore, beloved brothers, let us arouse ourselves as much as we can and break the slumber of our listlessness. Let us be watchful to observe and to do the Lord’s precepts. Let us be like He Himself, has bidden us to be, saying, “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately, when He comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants, whom the Master finds vigilant on His arrival“.
We ought to be dressed for work, lest, when the day of setting forth comes, it should find us burdened and entangled. Let our light shine, in good works and glow, in such a way, as to lead us from the night of this world, to the daylight of eternal brightness. Let us always wait with solicitude and caution for the sudden coming of the Lord, so that when he knocks, our faith may be on the watch and receive from the Lord, the reward of our vigilance. If these commands be observed, if these warnings and precepts be kept, we will not be overtaken in slumber, by the deceit of the devil. But we shall reign with Christ in His Kingdom, as servants on the watch.” – St Cyprian (c 200-258) Bishop of Carthage and Martyr, Father of the Church (Treatise on the unity of the Church, 26-27).
PRAYER – God, Who gladden us with the annual feast of blessed Hyacinth, Thy Confessor, mercifully grant that, while honouring the anniversary of his death, we may also imitate his deeds. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 17 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary”
Save Us, O Mary! By Pope Pius XII (1876-1958) (Pontiff 1939-1958)
O Virgin, fair as the moon, delight of the Angels and Saints in Heaven, grant that we may become like thee and that our souls may receive a ray of thou beauty, which does not decline with the years but shines forth into eternity. O Mary, sun of Heaven, restore life where there is death and enlighten spirits, where there is darkness. Turn thy countenance to thy children and radiate upon us thy light and thy fervour. O Mary, powerful as an army, grant victory to our ranks. We are very weak and our enemy rages with uttermost conceit. But under thy banner we are confident of overcoming him. …. Save us, O Mary, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, awe-inspiring as an army set in battle array and sustained, not by hatred but by the ardour of love. Amen
Saint of the Day – 17 August – St Donatus of Ripacandida OSB (1179-1198) Monk Born in 1179 at Ripacandida, Diocese of Rapallo, Italy and died on 17 August 1198 at the Onuphrios Monastery, near Petinand Salerno in Italy, of natural causes, aged just 19 years. Patronages – Auletta, Basilicata, Melfi, Montevergine, Rapolla, Ripacandida, Ruoti – all in Italy. Also known as – Donatello, Donato. The name of Donatus means “the gifted one” (Latin).
Mural next to the Church of San Donatus in Ripacandida
Donatus, son of a humble family, wanted to enter the Benedictine Monastery of Onuphrios near Petina, which is now in ruins, at the age of 14 but was rejected as too young. The following year Donatus was accepted into the Congregation founded by St William of Vercelli in the Monastery of Monte Vergine near Avellino. In 1195, Donatus returned, to the Onuphrios Monastery.
Ruins of Onuphrios Monastery at Petina
He strictly observed the Rules of the Order and practised obedience and self-denial. After a serious illness he died at the age of only 19 and the confreres saw a bright ray emanating from his dead body.
In 1202, at the request of his parents, Donatus’ bones were brought to Ripacandida. An arm Relic remained in the Donatus Chapel in Auletta near Salerno.
Donatus Church in Auletta with a relief of her Patron
The Church of San Donato in Ripacandida, which can be traced to 1054 and, at which a Monastery of Franciscan Observers was founded in 1605. This Church is is not dedicated to our Saint Donatus but to St Donatus of Arezzo, the Bishop and Martyr, whose Feast day occurs on 7 August. To distinguishthe two, our Saint today, St Donatus is ,therefore, referred to there as Donatello. Some researchers, therefore, regard the veneration of Donatus of Ripacandida, as a variant of the devotion to the once very popular St Donatus of Arezzo, which was widespread throughout Italy at that time.
St Amor of Amorbach St Anastasius of Terni St Benedicta of Lorraine St Carloman St Cecilia of Lorraine
St Clare of the Cross of Montefalco (c 1269-1308) Augustinian Nun and Abbess, before becoming a nun, St Clare was a member of the Third Order of St Francis (Secular), Mystic, Penitent, Spiritual adviser. Beatified by Pope Clement XII. On 8 December 1881, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Leo XIII Canonised Clare. Her Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/17/saint-of-the-day-17-august-saint-clare-of-the-cross-of-montefalco-c-1269-1308/
St Donatus of Ripacandida OSB (1179-1198) Monk St Drithelm St Elias the Younger St Eusebius of Sicily St James the Deacon St Jeroen of Noordwijk St Juliana of Ptolemais St Mamas St Myron of Cyzicus
St Nicolò Politi (1117-1167) Basilian Monk and Hermit. He was known for his miracles even during his childhood and was Venerated as a saint even before his death. St Nicolò was Canonised on 7SJune 1507, at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, by Pope Julius II. About St Nicolò: https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/17/saint-of-the-day-17-august-st-nicolo-politi-1117-1167/
Thought for the Day – 16 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Surest Way to Avoid Sin
“The third defence against sin is a spirit of prayer. A man who is constantly close to God cannot offend Him. The spirit of prayer keeps a man in supernatural contact with God. As in an electric current, when the contact is interrupted, the light goes out. If we wish to receive light from God, we must remain in contact with Him.
Christ told His disciples that “they must always pray and not lose heart” (Lk 18:1) and, St Paul explains how we can always pray. “Whatever you do in word or in work,” he says, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col 3:17). In this sense, therefore, all work becomes prayer and since we are constantly praying, we cannot offend God!”
Quote/s of the Day – 16 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11, Matthew1:1-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary and of her was born Jesus, Who is called Christ.”
Matthew 1:16
“O daughter of King David and Mother of God, the universal King. O Divine and living object whose beauty has charmed God the Creator; your whole soul is completely open to God’s action and attentive to God alone. … Your womb will be the abode of the one whom no place can contain. Your milk will provide nourishment for God, in the little Infant Jesus. Your hands will carry God and your knees will serve as a throne for Him that is more noble than the throne of the Cherubim. … You are the temple of the Holy Spirit, the city of the living God, made joyous by abundant flowers, the sacred flowers of Divine grace. You are all-beautiful and very close to God, above the Cherubim and higher than the Seraphim, right near God Himself! Amen”
St John Damascene (675-749) Father and Doctor of the Church
“The One Who is the Wisdom of the Father, put His arms around her neck, the One Who is the strength, which gives movement to everything, sat in her arms. He, Who is the rest of souls, (Mt 11:29) rested on her motherly breast. … Filled with the Holy Spirit, she held Him close to her heart … She never had enough of seeing Him or of hearing Him … Thus Mary, grew evermore in love and her mind was unceasingly attached, to Divine contemplation.”
St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)
“She saw herself raised to the highest dignity that ever was or will be, for although it should please God to create anew many worlds, He could never make a pure creature be greater than the Mother of God.
Our Lady humbled herself and acknowledged herself unworthy of being raised to the high dignity of Mother of God, therefore, she was made to be His Mother, for she had no sooner uttered the protestation of her littleness, than, having abandoned herself to Him, by an act of incomparable charity, she became the Mother of the Most High, Who is the Saviour of our souls!”
One Minute Reflection – 16 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11, Matthew1:1-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary and of her was born Jesus, Who is called Christ.” – Matthew 1:16
REFLECTION – “ It is of no avail to say that our Lord, the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was true and perfect Man, unless we believe that He is so in the way that the Gospel declares. For Matthew says: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” and follows the order of his human origin, so as to bring the lines of His ancestry down to Joseph, to whom the Lord’s Mother was espoused. Whereas Luke, going backwards step by step, traces His succession to the first of the human race, to show that the first Adam and the last Adam, were of the same nature (Lk 3:23).
No doubt, the Almighty Son of God, could have appeared for the purpose of teaching and justifying, in exactly the same way as He appeared, in the semblance of flesh, to the patriarchs and prophets, for instance, when He wrestled with Jacob (Gn 32:25) or engaged in a conversation with Abraham, not refusing His hospitality and even partaking of the food set before Him (Gn 18). But these appearances were indications of that Man Whose reality they manifested, assumed from the stock of those same ancestors.
But the fulfilment of the Mystery of our Redemption, ordained from all eternity, was not assisted by any images because, the Holy Spirit had not yet come down on the Virgin and, the power of the Most High, had not overshadowed her (Lk 1:35). Wisdom had not yet built herself a house within her undefiled body, so that the Word might there become flesh and, the Form of God and the Form of a Slave coming together in one person, the Creator of time, might be born in time and He Himself, through Whom all things were made, might be brought forth in the midst of all things. For, if the New Man had not been made in the likeness of sinful flesh and taken our old nature on Himself and, being consubstantial with the Father, had deigned to be consubstantial with His Mother also – yet, without sin – the whole human race would be held captive under the devil’s yoke and we should not be able to make use of the Conqueror’s victory because, it would have been won outside our nature!But it was from Christ’s marvellous sharing of our nature that the Mystery of regeneration shone upon us.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Letter 31).
PRAYER – O God, Who, willed St Joachim to be the father of Thy Son’s Mother; grant, we beseech Thee that we may ever enjoy the spiritual help of him whose feast we celebrate. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 16 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary”
Act of Consecration and Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth and tender Mother of men, in accordance with thy ardent wish made known at Fatima, I consecrate to thee, myself, my brethren, my country and the whole human race. Reign over us and teach us how to make the Heart of Jesus reign and triumph in us and around us, as It has reigned and triumphed in thee. We wish to atone for the many crimes committed against Jesus and thee. We wish to call down upon our country and the whole world, the peace of God in justice and charity. We promise to imitate thy virtues, by the practice of a Christian life without regard to human respect. We resolve to receive Holy Communion on the first Saturday of every month and to offer thee five decades of the Rosary on this day, together with our sacrifices in the spirit of reparation and penance. Amen.
Saint of the Day – 16 August – St Theodulus (4th Century) Confessor, Bishop, considered the First Bishop of the Swiss City of Valais and of the Walser people, Miracle-worker. Patronages – against storms and bad weather, of vintners, of Valais, Switzerland. Additional Memorial – 26 August on certain calenders. Also known as – Theodule of Octodur, Theodule of Grammont, Theodulus… Theodore… Teodoro…
The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Sion, in Valais in present-day Switzerland, Saint Theodule, the First Bishop of the City, who, following the example of Saint Ambrose, defended the Catholic faith against Arianism and venerated the Relics of the Martyrs of Agaunus.”
The Saint in question, sometimes called Theodore, is absolutely not to be confused with another Theodule, belonging to the group of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. These names, by which he is known, certainly suggest an oriental origin. In fact, absolutely nothing certain is known about his birthplace. It seems that he was sent by the Milanese Bishop St Protasius to evangelise Valais, today’s Swiss Province.
There is a document dated in 381, attesting that Theodulus was the Bishop of Octodurum, the current Valais – it is his signature at the Council of Aquileia. In this Council, in which the Arian Bishops Palladius and Secundus were condemned. Theodulus declared: “We believe that Palladius, denying that Christ is God and onr with the Father, is in no way a Christian or a Bishop!”
St Thedulus and St Peter Martyr of Verona with donor
In early 390, St Ambrose also convened the Synod of Milan in 393 where the Priest Jovinian was condemned, who did not believe in theperpetual virginity of Mary. Our Saint was one of the signatories of a letter, addressed by this Synod to Pope Siricius, informing him of their condemnation of the Jovinian and his followers.
Theodulus’ fame is particularly linked to the discovery of bones of Martyrs of the Theban Legion and their translation to a Basilica the construction of which, Thodulus was himself the first promoter of, to be fuilt at the foot of a rock surmounting the Town of Agaunum, today’s Sain- Maurice.
Unfortunately, other precise dates on his life are missing. Instead, there are two legends about a Theodulus, perhaps not really related to the bishop in question but still very popular and worthy of being mentioned.
St James the Greater left and St Theodulus right
A miracle attributed to St Theodulus and giving rise to his patronage of vintners, tells that winegrowers went to Theodulus in tears because, after a bad year, the harvest had yielded almost nothing. The Saint then withdrew in prayer and later ordered to bring him some empty barrels and the few bunches that they had been able to gather. Taking these grapes in his hands,Theodulus filled all the containers with the best wine ever tasted by those present. There are many more legends of his miracles which are known, loved and venerated in his See and the surrounding areas.
The most certain thing about St Theodulus remains the unchanged popular veneration towards him, which has now lasted for seventeen Centuries! Even today, numerous Churches and Chapels are dedicated and the faithful are devoted to him.
Blessed Angelo Agostini Mazzinghi O.Carm. (1385-1438) was an Italian Priest and a professed member of the Carmelite Order. He was a noted Preacher, Prior and Reformer, Teacher of theology and was known for his pious devotion to the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Carmelite Rule of Life and to the profession of the Gospel. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/16/saint-of-the-day-16-august-blessed-angelo-agostini-mazzinghi-o-carm-1385-1438/
St Arsacius of Nicomedia St Frambaldo Bl Iacobus Bunzo Gengoro Bl Jean-Baptiste Menestrel Bl John of Saint Martha Bl Laurence Loricatus Bl Magdalena Kiyota Bokusai Bl Maria Gengoro Bl Ralph de la Futaye St Serena Bl Simon Kiyota Bokusai St Theodulus of Valais (4th Century) Bishop Bl Thomas Gengoro St Titus the Deacon
St Ugolina of Vercelli (c 1239-c 1300) Anchorite, Recluse, Penitent, Spiritual advisor. The very strange story that of this Blessed Ugolina who shut herself in a hermitage, representing herself as a man and remained there for forty-seven years! The aim of her subterfuge was to escape the aims of her father, who wished her to marry. In order not to reveal her secret, she called herself Ugo without revealing her identity to anyone. for nearly fifty years Her Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/16/saint-of-the-day-16-august-saint-ugolina-of-vercelli-c-1239-c-1300/
Martyrs of Palestine – 33 Saints: Thirty-three Christians Martyred in Palestine; they are commemorated in old martyrologies but the date and exact location have been lost.
Thought for the Day – 15 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“After she had risen, Mary was gloriously taken up into Heaven. Jesus has ascended into Heaven by His own power but Mary was borne aloft by the Angels, whose Queen she was soon to be proclaimed. She reigns in Heaven with her Divine Son and looks down in love and mercy on her exiled children, whom she is ever ready to assist.
She was the humblest and most exalted of creatures (Dante, Paradiso XXXIII 2), for, when told that she was to be the Mother of God, she desired to be called His handmaid.
Humility is the Mother of all the virtues, even as pride is the source of all the vices. If we wish to share in Mary’s triumph, we must first of all share in her humility.
“Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled” Jesus has said “and he who humbles himself shall be exalted” (Lk 14:11). “God resists the proud,” we are reminded by the Apostle James “but gives grace to the humble” (Js 4:6).
The glorious Assumption of Mary contains a lesson in humbility for all of us!”
Quote/s of the Day – 15 August – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven
“May the Blessed Virgin, unique in her merits, stand in the presence of her Creator, interceding always in our favour. She will be radiant in the fullness of glory, she, who brought forth from her virginal womb. the King of glory.”
St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)
The Praises of Mary “Assumption” Poem by Saint Anthony (1195-1231) Evangelical Doctor of the Church
O how wondrous is the dignity of the glorious Virgin! She merited to become the mother of Him who is the strength and beauty of the Angels and the grandeur of all the Saints.
Mary was the seat of our sanctification, that is to say, the dwelling place of the Son Who sacrificed Himself for us.
“And I shall glorify the place where my feet have stood.” The feet of the Saviour signify His human nature. The place where the feet of the Saviour stood was the Blessed Mary, who gave Him His human nature.
Today the Lord glorifies that place, since He has exalted Mary above the choirs of the Angels. That is to say, the Blessed Virgin, who was the dwelling of the Saviour, has been assumed bodily into Heaven.
“In their sermons and speeches on the Feast day of the Assumption of the Mother of God, the holy Fathers and the Great Doctors of the Church, were speaking of something which the faithful already knew and accepted – all they did, was to bring it out into the open, to explain its meaning and substance in other terms. Above all, they made it most clear, that this Feast commemorated, not merely the fact that the Blessed Virgin Mary did not experience bodily decay but also, her triumph over death and her heavenly glory, following the example of her only Son, Jesus Christ.”
Pope Pius XII (1876-1958) From the Apostolic Constitution “Munificentissimus Deus” Defining the DOGMA of the Assumption 1 November 1950
“Jesus willed, however, that the Immaculate body of His Mother would remain intact. It was only her great love and intense desire of being reunited with her Son, which gradually consumed her mortal life. Her ever-increasing love for God, broke the bonds of her mortal frame until she went to sleep at last, in the Lord. If only our death could be the same!”
One Minute Reflection – 15 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven – Judith 13:22-25; 15:10, Luke 1:41-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord … … my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” – Luke 1:46-47
REFLECTION – “O Mother of God, ever Virgin, your holy departure from this world, is in truth, a way and an entry into the dwelling place of God. Leaving this material world, you enter into “a better country” (Heb 11:16) where the heavenly powers greet you with sacred canticles and joyous praise, saying: “Who is this most pure creature who rises up, shining like the dawn, beautiful as the moon, radiant as the sun?” (Sg 8:5; 6:10)… “The King has brought you into His chambers” (Sg 1:4) and Angels magnify her who, according to God’s design, is their true Mother, by nature and grace, of their very Lord…
The Apostles bore your stainless body, the true Ark of the Covenant,and laid it in its holy tomb. And there, as though across another Jordan, you came to the real Land of promise, I might even say, to the “Jerusalem above,” mother of believers, (Gal 4:26) of which God is the architect and builder. Your soul most certainly “did not go down into the netherworld, nor has your flesh itself experienced corruption” (Ps 15:10; Acts 2:31). Your pure and spotless body was not left within the earth but you, Queen, Sovereign, Lady, Mother of God, true Godbearer, have been lifted to the dwellings of the heavenly Kingdom…
We approach you, O our Queen, Mother of God and Virgin, on this day, we turn our souls towards the hope you represent for us … We wish to honour you with “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Eph 5:19). In thus honouring the servant, we express our dedication to our common Lord … Cast your eyes upon us, O Queen, Mother of our kind Sovereign; guide our way into the calm harbour of God’s good will.” – St John Damascene (675-749) Monk, Theologian, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon I on the Dormition 11-14).
PRAYER – Almighty, everlasting God, Who took up, body and soul, the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Thy Son, into heavenly glory, grant, we beseech Thee, that, always devoting ourselves to heavenly things, we may be found worthy to share in her glory. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect)
“The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Prayer in Honour of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary By Pope Pius XII (1876-1958)
O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God and Mother of men, we believe with all the fervour of our faith, in thy triumphal Assumption, both body and soul, into Heaven, where thou art acclaimed as Queen by all the Choirs of Angels and all the legions of the Saints. And we unite with them, to praise and bless the Lord, who has exalted thee above all other pure creatures and to offer thee, the tribute of our devotion and our love. Amen
Saint of the Day – 15 August – Blessed Alberto Berdini OFM Conv. (1385– 1450) Priest and Friar of the Friars Minor Conventual, known as the “King of Preachers – Rex Praedicatorum” Disciple and companion of St Bernardine of Siena in his Missionary work in Italy., often called upon to assist in peace discussions between warring Cities. Born in 1385 in Sarteano, Tuscany, Italy and died on 15 August 1450 in Milan, Italy of natural causes. Also known as – Alberto Berdini, Alberto of Sarteano.
Alberto entered the Order of Friars Minor Conventuals in 1405 and took up studies as a Novice in Florence. In 1422, he went to Verona to continue his studies in the classics. In July 1423, he met St Bernardine of Siena, who was preaching in Treviso. Alberto became desirous of following a stricter Rule of St Francis, closer to the original which St Bernardine was promoting and he transferred to the Observant Friars, becoming one of the companions of the Apostle of the Holy Name of Jesus, St Bernardine.
Alberto was a speaker of learned eloquence and under the guidance of St Bernardine, his fame as an orator became so renowned that he was commonly known as the “King of Preachers” (Rex Praedicatorum). Upon hearing him preach, Blessed Caterina Moriggi was moved to take up the ascetic life. One of his main themes was peace and he would become personally involved in peace-making in Modena, Perugia, Arezzo, Brescia and Ferrara.
Pope Eugene IV commissioned him as Apostolic Delegate for the Middle East and parts of Africa – Ethiopia, India, Egypt and Jerusalem. Alberto was accompanied on his missions by Tommaso Bellacci.
In 1439 he was sent by the Pope to deliver a letter to the Coptic Church in Egypt, an invitation to participate in the Council of Florence and thus take part in the ongoing efforts to unite all Christian Churches. He returned to Italy on 26 August 1441 with four Coptic Bishops, although eventually the efforts at reunion proved fruitless.
The panel of the bronze Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica, in Rome, in which Filarete sculpted the scene of the presentation of the Copts and Ethiopians, also handed down the image of Alberto alongside the Papal throne – perhaps this is Panel 8 – SEE HERE – (https://stpetersbasilica.info/Interior/DoorFilarete/DoorFilarete.htm. The entire door was then inserted in the new Vatican Basilica, during the pontificate of Paul V.
Alberto was elected as Acting General of the Order of Friars Minor, due to the sudden death of the incumbent of the Office. Alberto served for a year, from 1442-1443 until a new Minister General was elected.
Alberto died in Milan, Italy, on 15 August 1450.
Alberto, along with his teacher, St Bernardine, is considered among the four great pillars of the Observant reform within the Order of Friars Minor.
St Alypius of Thagaste (Died 430) Bishop Bishop of the See of Thagaste (in what is now Algeria) in 394, Confessor, Reformer, Defender of the Faith against heresy, Lawyer, teacher, spiritual advisor. He was a lifelong disciple and friend of Saint Augustine of Hippo and joined him in his conversion (in 386; Confessions 8.12.28) and life in Christianity. He is credited with helping establish Augustine’s Monastery in Africa. Most of what is known about him comes from Augustine’s autobiographical Confessions. Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/15/saint-of-the-dy-saint-alypius-of-thagaste-died-430/
Blessed Alfred of Hildesheim OSB (Died 874) Bishop, Benedictine Monk, Confessor, Founder of Essen Abbey, Hildesheim Cathedral, many Convents, Schools and Seminaries, Royal Spiritual Adviser to the East Frankish King Louis the German, Diplomatic Peacemaker, he was know for his great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His Lifestory: https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-blessed-alfred-of-hildesheim-osb-died-874-bishop/
Blessed Aimo Taparelli OP (c 1395-1495) Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, widower and father, Reformer, spiritual writer. He served as an Inquisitor-General for his Order in the Lombard and Liguria regions of Italy and became a travelling preacher in Northern Italian Cities. His name means “defends the house with the sword.” Aimo was Beatified on 29 May 1856 by Pope Pius IX. Blessed Aimo’s zealous Life: https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-blessed-aimo-taparelli-op-c-1395-1495/
Blessed Alberto Berdini OFM Conv. (1385– 1450) Priest and Friaer of the Friars Minor Conventual, known as the “King of Preachers.” St Arduinus of Rimini St Napoleon of Alexandria
St Simplician (c 320-c 401) Archbishop of Milan and Successor of St Ambrose (340-397) Doctor of the Church in the Archdiocese of Milan, Teacher, Catechist, Writer, Mystic. St Ambrose used to call Simplician father, as a sign of spiritual relationship but they were also great friends. Simplician took also an active part in the conversions of both Alypius of Thagaste and Augustine of Hippo. The meeting between Augustine and Simplican occurred in Milan in 386 and it is recorded in Augustine’s Confessions. After his conversion, Augustine also called Simplician father and in 397 he dedicated to Simplician two books on the issue of predestination, known as De Diversis Quaestionibus ad Simplicianum. St Augustine, remembered and referred to him with deep gratitude, calling him the “spiritual father of my soul” and would submit his own writings to him to review and comment. Details of the life of St Simplician here: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-st-simplician-of-milan/
Martyrs of Nicomedia – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together. No details survive but the names – Eutychian, Philip and Straton. They were martyred in Nicomedia, Bithynia (in modern Turkey).
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