Our Morning Offering – 13 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” and The Holy Angels” and Our Lady of Fatima: The Sixth & Final Apparition – Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (the name she gave herself when Lucia asked her name).
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 – 13 October – Saint Venantius (5th Century) Confessor, Priest and Abbot of the Monastery later dedicated to him, St Venantius’ Monastery in Tours, France, Miracle-worker. Patronage – against Fever. Also known as – Venancio, Venancius, St Venantius of Tours, Wigand.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Tours, St Venantius, Abbot and Confessor.”
Venantius, renouncing marriage with the consent of his wife and left Bourges. In Tours,he was admitted to the Monastery of the Abbot Silvius. On the death of Silvius, Venantius was elected as the new Abbot and led the Monks in a life of discipline and prayer.
He is credited with miracles during his life and after his death. His Tomb is in the Church of the Monastery of St. Venantius near the Basilica of St Martin of Tours.
St Benedict of Cupra St Berthoald of Cambrai St Carpus of Troas St Chelidonia St Comgan the Monk St Florence of Thessalonica St Fyncana St Fyndoca Bl Gebrand of Klaarkamp
St Theophilus (Died c184) Bonfessor, Bishop of Antiochfrom 169 until 182, Scolar and Writer, Theologian, Apologist, Defender of the Faith against heresy The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Antioch, the holy Bishop, Theophilus, who held the pontificate in that Church and City, the sixth after the blessed Apostle, Peter.” His Virtuous Dedicated Life: https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/13/saint-of-the-day-13-october-saint-theophilus-of-antioch-died-c184-confessor-bishop/
St Venantius (5th Century) Confessor, Priest Abbot in Tours
Three Crowns of Cordoba – (3 Saints): Three Christian men Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian – Faustus, Januarius and Martial. They were burned to death in 304 in Cordoba, Spain.
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Thought for the Day – 12 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Month of the Holy Rosary” The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery The Road to Calvary
“Scourged, crowned with thorns and derided, Jesus is finally condemned to death. Burdened with the Cross, He sets out for the place of execution in the midst of a crowd of enemies, blasphemers and idle speculators. Among them , there is only a tiny group which sympathises with Jesus, namely, Mary His Mother, the devout women and the beloved Apostle, St John.
The divine Redeemer goes forward laboriously beneath the heavy weight of the Cross. He has already lost a large quantity of blood in Gethsemane and during the scourging and crowning with thorns. His strength seems to be failing but love sustains Him. Looking feebly around Him, He sees the mocking Jews, the indifferent and disrespectful Roman soldiers and a throng of curious spectators looking for something to amuse them. Is there nobody else? Where are those whom He cured miraculously and those whom He comforted and forgave? Has nobody any pity for Him? Suddenly the crowd falls silent. A woman, pale and tearful, is approaching Him, supported by her friends. She defies the commands of soldiers and the scowls of the executions and comes close to Him.
Here and there, a murmur is heard – It must be His Mother, poor woman! Jesus and Mary gaze at one another. It would be impossible for us to guess at the immense depths of love contained in that loving exchange of glances. Neither utters a word, for no words could express their anguish, nor manifest their love. They look and understand one another, offering themselves as a holocaust for the redemption of wayward humanity.
Nevertheless, in this silent meeting, there was great consolation for the Heart of Jesus, for He had found someone who loved and understood Him, amongst those malicious throngs. Why do we not sympathise with Him too and love Him with all our hearts?”
Quote/s of the Day – 12 October – 1 Corinthians 1:4-8 – Matthew 9:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, Take courage, son, your sins are forgiven you.”
Matthew 9:2
“This is the order of our faith, the foundation of the edifice and the support of our conduct – God, the Father, uncreated, uncontainable, invisible, One God, the Creator of all – this is the first article of our faith. And the second article – the Word of God, the Son of God, Christ Jesus our Lord, Who was revealed by the Prophets according to the character of their prophecy and according to the nature of the economies of the Father, by Whom all things were made and Who, in the last times, to recapitulate all things, became a Man amongst men, visible and palpable, in order to abolish death, to demonstrate life and to effect communion between God and man. And the third article – the Holy Ghost, through Whom the Prophets prophesied and the Patriarchs learnt the things of God and the righteous, were led in the path of righteousness and Who, in the last times, was poured out in a new fashion upon the human race, renewing man, throughout the world, to God.”
St Irenaeus (130-202) Martyr, Father of the Church
“Grace is given, not to those who speak [their faith] but to those, who live their faith!”
St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390) Father and Doctor of the Church
“… He effected a wonderful exchange with us, through mutual sharing – we gave Him the power to die, He will give us the power to Live!”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“He pours light into our minds, arouses our desire and gives us strength… As the soul is the life of the body, so the Holy Ghost is the life of our souls.”
St Peter Damian (1007-1072) Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 12 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Pentecost XVIII – Nuestra Señora del Pilar / Our Lady of the Pillar – 1 Corinthians 1:4-8 – Matthew 9:1-8 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, Take courage, son, thy sins are forgiven thee.” – Matthew 9:2
REFLECTION – “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic: ‘Thy sins are forgiven thee,‘” The Lord is great! for the sake of the former he forgives the latter! He answers the prayer of the first and pardons the sins of the second. O men, why is it that today your fellow traveller is unable to do anything for you, when, with the Lord, His servant has the right to intervene and to receive?
You who judge, learn to pardon and you who are ill, learn to beseech. If you have no hope of immediate pardon for grave sins, turn to intercessors, turn to the Church who will pray for you. Then, for her sake, the Lord will grant you the pardon He might have denied you. We do not ignore the historical truth of the paralytic’s cure but, above all, we acknowledge the healing of his interior self, whose sins are forgiven. …
The Lord wants to save sinners; He demonstrates His Divinity by His knowledge of what is secret and, by the wonders of His deeds. “Which is easier to say,” he asks: “’Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Rise and walk’?” Here He gives us a complete image of the Resurrection since, in curing the wounds of soul and body … the whole man is healed!” – St Ambrose (340-397) ArchBishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church (Commentary on Saint Luke’s Gospel V, 11-13).
PRAYER – Grant us, Thy servants, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, to enjoy lasting health of mind and bod y and by the intercession of the glorious and blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake to the full, 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).
Our Morning Offering – 12 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – Pentecost XVIII
Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky, We Lift our Hearts to God on High By St Ambrose (340-397) Great Latin Father and Doctor of the Church Trans J M Neale (1818-1866)
Now that the daylight fills the sky, We lift our hearts to God on high That He, in all we do or say, Would keep us free from harm today,
Would guard our hearts and tongues from strife, From angry words, would shield our life, From evil sights, would turn our eyes And close our ears to vanities.
So we, when this new day is gone And night in turn is drawing on, With conscience by the world unstained, Shall praise His Name for vict’ry gained.
“All praise to You, Creator Lord! All praise to You, eternal Word! All praise to You, O Spirit wise!” We sing as daylight fills the skies. Amen
Saint of the Day – 12 October – Saint Maximilian (Died c284) Missionary Bishop and Martyr of Celecia, Slovenia. Born in Celeia (modern Celje, Slovenia) and died there by being beheaded on 12 October c284. Patronages – of the Habsburg family (chosen in the 15th Century), Celje, Slovenia, of the Diocese if Linz, Austria, of the Diocese of Passau, Germany, (earliest mention in writing on 30 September 985). Also known as – Maximilian of Celaja, Maximilian of Celje, Maximilian of Cilli, Maximilian of Lauriacum, Maximilian of Lorch, Maximilian of Pongau, Massimiliano… Maksimilijan Celjski.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Cilly, in Styria, St Maximilian, Bishop of Lorch.”
St Maximilian stained glass in the Parish Church in Aigen, Upper Austria
Maximilian was born in Celeia in the Roman Province of Noricum (in present-day Slovenia). He was the only child of rich and pious parents. After their death, Maximilian freed the family slaves and gave away his fortune to the poor.
He then made a pilgrimage to Rome, where St Pope Sixtus II sent him to Lauriacum (Lorch) in the Roman Province of Noricum, where he worked as a missionary during the latter half of the 3rd Century. He founded the Church of Lorch and became its 1st Bishop. After 20 years of work as the missionary Bishop, he returned to Celeia where he became a noted preacher.
Maximilian was beheaded by the Roman Prefect of Emperor Numerian after refusing to abandon Christianity and sacrifice to the pagan gods. He is remembered on 12 October (and in some locations on 29 October).
3 Martyrs – St Maximilian, St Stephen, St Valentine
His cult dates at least from the 8th Century. In that century, Saint Rupert built a Church in his honour at Bischofshofen in the Salzach valley and brought his rRlics there. In 985, some of his Relics were translated to Passau, Germany. In 1634, St Maximilian protected Passau from the Plague and his Relics were processed through Passau in beseeching his intercession.
St Eustachius The Syrian Priest and Confessor St Evagrius the Martyr St Felix St Herlindis St Juan Osiense St Maximilian (Died c284) Bishop Martyr of Celeia, Slovenia St Meinards
St Serafino OFM Cap (1540-1604) Confessor, Franciscan Capuchin Lay Friar, gifted with the Charism of prophecy, Mystic, Apostle of the poor, Spiritual Advisor, devoted to the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Rosary and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Miracle-worker. The Roman Martyrology states: “At Ascoli, St Seraphinus, Confessor, of the Order of Minorite Capuchins, distinguished by holiness of life and humility. He was enrolled among the Saints by the Sovereign Pontiff Clement XIII.” Holy St Serafino: https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/12/saint-of-the-day-12-october-st-serafino-of-montegranaro-ofm-cap-1540-1604/
St Wilfrid (c 633-709) Bishop of York in England, Abbot, Founder of Monasteries and Churches. Patronages – Diocese of Middlesbrough, Ripon “A quick walker, expert at all good works, with never a sour face” – such was the great St Wilfrid, whose glory it was to secure the happy links which bound England to Rome.” His Zealous Life: https://anastpaul.com/2018/10/12/saint-of-the-day-12-october-st-wilfrid-c-633-709/
Martyrs of Arian North Africa: Commemoration of the 4,996 Martyrs who died in the persecutions of the Vandals in Africa mandated by the Arian King Huneric. The persecuted Christians include Bishops, Priests, Deacons and thousands of the lay faithful. They died in 483 at various locations in North Africa. (Would we follow Christ and stand true to the Faith today?)
Thought for the Day – 11 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Mary, the Mother of God
“Most Holy Mary, not only were you raised to the dignity of Mother of God but, you carried out His holy Will, heroically on all occasions. Obtain for me, from your divine Son, Jesus, the grace to co-operate always and at all costs, with His designs for me, both in life and in death, amen.”
Quote/s of the Day – 11 October – The Feast of the Divine Maternity
“Gracious Lady, thou art a Mother and Virgin, thou art the Mother of the body and soul of our Head and Redeemer, thou art too, truly Mother of all the members of Christ’s Mystical Body. For through thy love, thou hast co-operated in the begetting of the faithful in the Church. Unique among women, thou art Mother and Virgin, Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ. Thou art the beauty and charm of earth, O Virgin. Thou art, forever, the image of the holy Church. Through a woman came death, through a woman came Life, yes, through thee, O Mother of God.“
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
“You have guarded the integrity of the temple [of your body]; you have kept your tabernacle free from all sin, so that the Father becomes your guest, the Holy Ghost overshadows you and the Only-begotten Son Incarnate is born of you.”
St Hesychius of Jerusalem (Died c450) Priest, Exegete, Father
“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 prayers of Mary, have the force of command with Jesus Christ. Hence, it is impossible for the Son not to grant a grace for which the Mother asks.”
St Antoninus (1389-1459)
O Mary, Mother of God By St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
O Virgin most pure, wholly unspotted, O Mary, Mother of God, Queen of the universe, thou art above all the saints, the hope of the elect and the joy of all the blessed. It is thou who hast reconciled us with God; thou art the only refuge of sinners and the safe harbour of those who are shipwrecked; thou art the consolation of the world, the ransom of captives, the health of the weak, the joy of the afflicted and the salvation of all. We have recourse to thee and we beseech thee to have pity on us. Amen.
One Minute Reflection – 11 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – The Feast of the Divine Maternity –Ecclesiasticus Sirach 24:23-31 – Luke 2:43-51 –
“He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them and His mother kept all these things in her heart.” – Luke 2:51
REFLECTION – “Consider the most prudent woman Mary, Mother of true Wisdom, as the pupil of her Son. For she learned from Him, not as from a child or man but, as from God. Yes, she dwelt in meditation on His words and actions. Nothing of what was said or done by Him, fell idly on her mind. As before, when she conceived the Word itself, in her womb, so now, does she hold within her, His ways and words, cherishing them, as it were, in her heart. That which she now beholds in the present, she waits to have revealed with greater clarity, in the future. This practice she followed as a rule and law through all her life.” – St Bede the Venerable(673-735) Father and Doctor of the Church (Exposition of the Gospel of Luke).
PRAYER – O God, Who, by the message of an Angel, willed to take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant that we, Thy suppliants, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, maybe assisted by her intercession with 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).
Saint of the Day – 11 October – Saint Firminus (c480-568) Bishop and Confessor of Uzes, Narbonne, France. Born in Narbonne, France and died Also known as – Fermin.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Uzes, Narbonne, France, St Firminus, Bishop and Confessor.”
Firminus was born to the Senator and aristocrat Tonance Ferréol II and his wife Industria.
Firminus was well-educated by his Uncle, Roricius (Ruricius or Rorice), who was a patrician. His Uncle served as the 3rd Bishop of Uzès from 533 to 538. Firminus thereafter succeeded his Uncle as the Bishop of Uzès.
Firminus signed the Decrees of the 4th and 5th Councils of Orléans in 541 and 549, respectively. In 551, he assisted at the 2nd Council of Paris.
At the time, the Bishop of Uzès fell under the authority of the Archdiocese of Arles, for our Saint a great blessing as he was a spiritual student of the learned and most veneragble Saint Cæsarius of Arles.
Firminus died 15 years after he becamethe Bbishop, in 553 thus taking us to 568 as the date of his death.
Saint Firminus is locally venerated as Saint Firmin and his Relics are located in the Uzès Cathedral.
The Feast of the Divine Maternity – Second Sunday in October or 11 October: The object of this Feast is to commemorate the dignity of the Mary as Mother of God. Mary is truly the Mother of Christ, who in One Person unites the Human and Divine Nature. This title was solemnly ratified by the Council of Ephesus on 22 June 431. It was first granted to Portugal, Brazil and Algeria in 1751; it is now of almost universal observance. Under this title Poland celebrates the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland. At present the Feast is not found in the Universal Calendar of the Church but nearly all Diocesan calendars have adopted it. Patronage – Trinitarian. HERE: https://anastpaul.com/2022/10/11/feast-of-the-divine-maternity-and-memorials-of-the-saints-11-october/
St Agilbert of Paris
St Alexander Sauli CRSP (1534-1592) Bishop, Confessor, “The Apostle of Corsica,” Clerk Regular of the Congregation of Saint Paul (The Barnabites) – St Alexander is referred to as “The Second Founder,” Missionary, Writer, Teacher of philosophy and theology at the University of Pavia, Reformer, Evangeliser, Superior-General of the Barnabites in 1565. In addition, St Alexander Sauli was both friend, advisor and spiritual comfort to St Charles Borromeo, who held him in very high esteem. His Amazing Saintly Life: https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/11/saint-of-the-day-11-october-saint-alexander-sauli-crsp-1534-1592/
St Anastasius V St Anastasius the Apocrisarius St Andronicus of Ephesus St Andronicus the Soldier St Ansilio St Canice St Digna of Sicily St Dionisio de Santarem St Emilian of Rennes
St Eufridus St Firminus (c480-568) Bishop and Confessor of Uzes, Narbonne, France. St Germanus of Besancon St Gratus of Oloron St Guiadenzio of Gniezno
St Juliana of Pavilly St Nectarius of Constantinople St Philip the Deacon St Philonilla St Placidia St Probus of Side St Santino of Verdun St Sarmata St Taracus of Cladiopolis St Zenaides
Martyrs of Vilcassin – 4 Saints: Four Christians who were Martyred together. We know little more than the names – Nicasius, Pienza, Quirinus and Scubicolus. Their martyrdom occurred in Vexin Lugdunense territory of Gaul (modern Vilcassin, France), date unknown.
Martyrs of Sicily: A group of eight Christians who were Martyred together. We know little more than the names – • Ampodus, • Anastasius, • Faustus, • Januarius, • Jovinian, • Marcellus, • Martialis and • Placidus. They died in Sicily, Italy,
Martyrs of Vilcassin: Four Christians who were Martyred together. We know little more than the names – Nicasius, Pienza, Quirinus and Scubicolus. They died in the Vexin Lugdunense territory of Gaul (modern Vilcassin, France).
Thought for the Day – 10 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Month of the Holy Rosary” The Third Sorrowful Mystery The Crowning with Thorns
“This new torture was a diabolical invention decreed by no law or authority. Purely for their own savage entertainment, the soldiers procured a bundle of thorned reeds, which they wound into the shape of a crown and pressed into Jesus’ head.
Mary knew what was going on. She was there with the holy women when Pilate brought her bloodstained Son before the people and, their blasphemous yells pierced her tender heart. Her mother’s heart felt the sharp thorns too but, she accepted this affliction with resignation, silently protesting against the insults of the crowd by acts of adoration and of love. We should behave in this way also. We should participate in the passion of Jesus, by offering our own sufferings and we should make acts of love and of self-surrender, in reparation for these acts of blasphemy!”
One Minute Reflection – 10 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572) Confessor, Priest of the Society of Jesus, – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6 – Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And everyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29
REFLECTION – “No-one should say to himself, even when he regards others who have left a great deal behind: “I want to imitate those who despise this world but I have nothing to leave behind.” You leave a great deal behind, my friends, if you renounce your desires. Our external possessions, no matter how small, are enough for the Lord, He weighs the heart and not the substance and does not measure the amount we sacrifice for Him but the effort with which we bring it…. The Kingdom of God has no assessment value put on it but it is worth everything you have… To Peter and Andrew it was worth the nets and boat they gave up; to the widow it was worth two small coins (Lk 21:2); to another person it was worth a cup of cold water (Mt 10:42). The Kingdom of God, as I said, is worth everything you have. Think about it, my friends, what has less value when you purchase it, what is more precious when you possess it?
But perhaps a cup of cold water offered to someone who needs it, is not enough, even then the Word of God gives us assurance…: “Peace on earth to men of goodwill!” (Lk 2:4). In the sight of God, no hand is ever empty of a gift, if the deep places of the heart are filled with goodwill… Although I have no gifts to offer outwardly, yet I find within myself something to place on the Altar of Thou praise… Thou art better pleased with an offering of our heart! (cf. Ps 55:13).” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on the Gospel no 5).
PRAYER – O Lord Jesus Christ, model of true humility and its reward, we beseech Thee, that as Thou made blessed Francis one of Thy glorious imitators, by his contempt for earthly honours, grant us to follow his example and to share in his 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).
Our Morning Offering – 10 October – Friday Devotion: The Passion – This day should always be a day of repentance and a day in which we recall Christ’s complete self-sacrifice to save us from our sins.
Act of Consecration and Reparation to the Sacred Heart By Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)
Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thine Altar. We are Thine and Thine we wish to be but, to be more surely united with Thee, behold each one of us, freely consecrates himself today to Thy Most Sacred Heart. Many indeed have never known Thee, many too, despising Thy precepts, have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus and draw them to Thine Sacred Heart. Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful, who have never forsaken Thee but also of the prodigal children, who have abandoned Thee, grant that they, may quickly return to Thy Father’s House lest they die of wretchedness and hunger. Be Thou King of those who are deceived by erroneous opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof and call them back to the harbour of truth and unity of faith, so that there may be but one flock and one Shepherd. Be Thou, King of all those. who are still involved in the darkness of idolatry or of Islamism and refuse not, to draw them into the Light and Kingdom of God. Turn Thine Eyes of Mercy towards the children of the race, once Thy chosen people – of old they called down upon themselves the Blood of the Saviour; may it now descend upon them, a laver of redemption and of life. Grant, O Lord, to Thy Church, assurance of freedom and immunity from harm; give peace and order to all nations and make the earth resound from pole to pole, with one cry: “Praise be to the Divine Heart which wrought our salvation; to It be glory and honour forever!” Amen
The above prayer, composed by Pope Leo XIII was included in the 1899 Encyclical, Annum Sacrum, issued by Leo XIII as he Consecrated the entire world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Consecration was influenced by two letters written to the Holy Father by Blessed Sister Mary of the Divine Heart, who stated that in visions of Jesus Christ, she had been told to request the Consecration.
Saint of the Day – 10 October – St Cerbonius (c493-575) Bishop and Confessor of Populonia, Miracle-worker. He was the Bishop during the Barbarian invasions. St Pope Gregory I the Great, praises him in Book XI of his Dialogues. Born in c493 in North Africa and died in 575 in Elba, Italy. Patronages – of Baratti, Piombino, Massa Marittima, the Diocese of Massa Marittima-Piombino, the Diocese of Piombino. Also known as – Cerbonius of Piombino, … of Populonia, Cerbonius of Massa Marittima, Cerbo…Cerbone…Cerbonio…
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Piombino in Tiscany, St Cerbonius, Bishop and Confessor, who, as St Gregory relates, was renowned for miracles, both during life and after death.”
Stained glass – Saint Cerbonius of Populonia
Cerboneius was born in North Africa to a Christian family. When he became a Priest, to escape the persecution of Christians by the Vandals, he fled to Italy. The ship landed on the Maremma coast, in Tuscany, in the Gulf of Baratti.
In Populonia, Cerbonius was proclaimed as the Bishop. The locals were unhappy with him because he had the habit of saying Mass at dawn—too early for those who lived in the countryside far from Town. Their complaints reached the Pope.
Two Clerics were sent to Populonia to accompany the Bishop to the Pontiff. During the journey, Cerbonius performed miracles – the companions were thirsty and exhausted from the journey and Cerbonius approached two doe, who tamely let themselves be milked for good milk. When the bBshop then encountered a flock of geese, he invited them to follow him to Rome. And so it happened. The geese, docile and obedient, follow Cerbonius and only took flight when he arrives before the Pope.
Saint Cerbonius of Populonia – Raffaello Vanni
The Pope, for his part, wishes to personally attend Cerboniud’ famous Dawn Mass. The Pontiff thus realises that he was in the company of a Saint. Indeed, during the Mass, a sublime melody was heard emanating from a Choir of Angels. From that day on, Cerbonois was happily supported by the people in celebrating his Dawn Mass.
Upon their return to Maremma, the battle between the Goths and the Byzantines rages. Cerbonius was imprisoned by the cruel Gothic King, Totila, accused of having favoured the enemy. The punishment must demonstrate an example – to be torn to pieces by a ferocious bear but the beast, instead of attacking Cerboneius, crouches beside him like a lamb, licking his feet. The King was astonished and decides to release the prisoner.
Saint Cerbonius of Populonia – Raffaello Vanni
During the Lombard invasion, Cerbonius escapes to the Island of Elba, defended by the Byzantines. There the Bishop lived a Hermit’s life and, when in 575, he felt his death approaching, he asked to be buried on dry land.
Thanks to a miraculous storm which kept the Lombards at bay, the ship carried the Bishop’s body to the Town of Baratti (Piombino), where he was buried in a small Church. In this spot, the famous San Cerbonius Spring still flows today, giving rise to the saying: “He who does not drink at San Cerbonius is a thief or a scoundrel.” Today, San Cerbonius rests in the Cathedral of Massa Marittima (Grosseto).
Sarcofago San Cerbone Duomo di Massa
St Cerbonius Statue in the Cathedral in Massa Marittima
St Aldericus St Cassius St Cerbonius (c493-575) Bishop and Confessor of Populonia in Tuscany, Italy St Cerbonius of Verona St Clarus of Nantes Bl Demestrius of Albania Bl Edward Detkens St Eulampia St Eulampius St Florentius the Martyr St Fulk of Fontenelle St Gereon St Gundisalvus Bl Hugh of Macon
Bl Pedro de Alcantara de Forton de Cascajares St Pinytus of Crete Bl Pontius de Barellis St Tanca St Teodechilde St Victor of Xanten
Martyrs of Ceuta – 7 Beati: A group of seven Franciscan Friars Minor missionaries to Muslims in the Ceuta area of modern Morocco. Initially treated as madmen, within three weeks they were ordered to convert to Islam and when they would not they were first abused in the streets, then arrested, tortured and executed. Angelo, Daniele di Calabria, Donnolo, Hugolinus, Leone, Nicola, Samuele. They were beheaded in 1227 in Mauritania Tingitana (Ceuta, Morocco). Local Christians secreted the bodies away and gave them proper burial in Ceuta. They were Beatified in 1516 by Pope Leo X.
Thought for the Day – 9 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Month of the Holy Rosary” The Second Sorrowful Mystery The Scourging
“Tradition holds that Mary followed Jesus through the various stages of His Passion. It is impossible to believe that she would have abandoned Him in these tragic hours. She must, at least, have known of the cruel flogging which He endured and, while His body was being torn by lashes, she was most probably not far away, participating, by her maternal sorrow, in her Son’s torment. Here, then, was a double Martyrdom – the Martyrdom of Blood and the Martyrdom of tears.
Life demands the shedding of blood and the shedding of tears! What are the motives which cause you sorrow in life? Are yours the tears of unsated ambition, of frustrated caprice, or of discouragement in times of trouble? Such tears are not worthy of a Christian. His, should be tears of repentance for his sins and tears of love for Jesus and Mary.”
Quote/s of the Day – 9 October – St John Leonardi (1541-1609) Confessor, Priest, Founder and St Louis Bertrand (1526-1581) Confessor, Missionary, “Apostle of South America”
“The medicine of God is Jesus Christ, Crucified and Risen.”
One Minute Reflection – 9 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St John Leonardi (1541-1609) Confessor, Priest, Founder – 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; 4:15-18 –,Luke 10:1-9 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Into whatever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house. And, if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him but if not, it shall return to you.” – Luke 10:5-7
REFLECTION – “As you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house,‘” (Lk 10:5) so that the Lord Himself might enter and remain there, as with Mary. … This greeting is the Mystery of Faith which shines forth in the world. Through it, enmity is stifled, war is ended and people acknowledge one another. The effect of that greeting was hidden by a veil in spite of the fact that it prefigures the Mystery of the Resurrection … when the light rises and dawn chases night away. From the moment Christ sent out His disciples, people began to give and receive this greeting, a source of healing and blessing. …
This greeting with its hidden power … is amply sufficient for us all. That is why Our Lord sent it out, together with His disciples, as forerunner, so that it might bring about peace and, carried by the voice of the Apostles whom He sent, prepare the way before them. It was sown in every dwelling … it entered into all who heard it, so as to separate and set apart, the children it recognised as its own. It remained in them but it denounced those who were alien to it, for they did not welcome it.
This greeting of peace did not dry up; it began in the Apostles and then sprang up in their brethren, revealing the Lord’s inexhaustible treasures. … Present in those who offered greetings in this way and in those who welcomed the greeting, this announcement of peace was neither diminished nor divided. It announced that the Father is near and is in everyone; it revealed that the Son’s mission is bound up with all, even if its object is to be with His Father. It will not cease to proclaim that images are now brought to completion and Truth will cast all shadows away at last.” – St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church (Diatessaron 8: 3-4).
PRAYER – O God, Who in a wondrous way graciously urged blessed John, Thy Confessor, to propagate Thy faith among the pagans and through him brought together a new religious family in Thy Church for the education of the faithful, grant Thy servants, so to profit by his teaching that we may reach everlasting rewards.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 – 9 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels”
Through Thee, to Us, Our Saviour Came Sweet Lady of the Rosary By St Amadeus of Lausanne O.Cist (1108-1159)
Through thee, to us, our Saviour came, Through thee, to Him, we fain would go. Our lives are marred by wrong and shame, Yet, confidence in thee we know. The friendship thou dost give to all Who love thy name, shall ever be Assurance thou wilt hear our call, Sweet Lady of the Rosary!
Thou art our Strength upon the way, Our Morning Star, to cheer and guide; Our Beacon Light to show the day, And lead us to the Saviour’s Side; A Comforter in ev’ry pain We find, O Mother blest, in thee, And seek we, never, thee in vain, Fair Lady of the Rosary!
Thy praises, Mary, we would sing, And all our faculties employ, That unto thee our hearts might bring A glory-crown of love and joy. Bless thou each humble effort made In thy regard and grant that we, May by thy influence be swayed, Our Lady of the Rosary!
Saint of the Day – 9 October – Saint Publia (4th Century) Widow, Abbess in Antioch.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Antioch, St Publia, Abbess, who while Julian the Apostate was passing by, sang with her Religious, these words of David: “The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold” and: “Let them who make them, become like unto them.” By the command of the Emperor, she was struck on the face and severely rebuked.”
Theodoret, (393-457) Bishop, Theologian, Historian, Schriptural Exegesist, in his Ecclesiastical History, reports an act of Christian resistance in Antioch, during the coercive measures exercised there by Julian the Apostate (361-363), who resided In Antioch from June 362 to March 363, to direct military operations against the Persians.
Publia was a pious woman of Antioch, widowed at an early age with only one son, named John, who became a Priest. Some have tried to identify him as John Chrysostom, for no apparent reason, especially since the text which speaks of him explicitly states that Publia’s son refused to be elevated to the Episcopate.
Publia had entered a Nunnery in the City, of which she became Abbess and Deaconess. As the Emperor passed by, she had her Nuns sing specially chosen Psalms condemning idolatry (Psalm 108) and shaming God’s enemies (Psalm 67). Julian could not silence the choir, for every time he intervened, Publia encouraged her Nuns to continue their singing. Once, Julian, more irritated than usual by the Nuns’ rebellious attitude, summoned Publia and had her severely slapped. This humiliating measure had no effect and everything continued as before.
Publia did not die a Martyr but ended her days in peace at an unspecified time.
St Aron of Kracow St Abraham the Patriarch St Alfanus of Salerno St Andronicus of Antioch St Athanasia of Antioch Bl Bernard of Rodez St Demetrius of Alexandria St Deusdedit of Montecassino St Domninus St Dorotheus of Alexandria
St Goswin Bl Gunther St Lambert St Publia (4th Century) Widow, Abbess St Sabinus of the Lavedan St Valerius
Martyrs of Laodicea – Three Christians Martyred together in Laodicea but no other information about them has survived but their names – Didymus, Diodorus and Diomedes. They Died in Laodicea, Syria.
Thought for the Day – 8 October – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Month of the Holy Rosary” The First Sorrowful Mystery The Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
“Let us pay particular attention to the scene in Gethsemane. Jesus is lying prostrate on the ground. He has given everything for sinful humanity. He has given His heavenly teaching, His miracles and His mercy. Even more, He has given Himself in the Blessed Eucharist which He has instituted in the form of food and drink, to sustain men on their earthly journey.
Now, He lies prostrate in prayer. Near Him, are His Apostles who, already forgetful of the immense favours which they have received, are asleep!
Not far away, there is another Apostle, Judas, who has sold his Master for thirty pieces of silver, as a slave would be sold and is about to deliver Him to His executioners. But Jesus can see across the centuries – many other Judases, so many traitors, who will be indifferent and sleep, never thinking of Him and neglecting to make any return for His Infinite Love. His Passion is beginning now, here in Gethsemaneand will be protracted throughout the centuries. Before His Crucifixion, He drinks the bitter chalice of human ingratitude and, in His tremendous Agony, He perspires drops of Blood!”
Quote/s of the Day – 8 October – St Bridget of Sweden (c1303-1373) Widow
“My Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Blessed, Royal and magnificent Heart could never, by torments or terrors or persuasions, be swayed from the defence of Thy Kingdom of Truth and Justice.”
Supplication to St Bridget For Those Separated from the True Church (Can be used as a Novena)
With trusting hearts we turn to thee, blessed Bridget, in these hostile and unbelieving days, to implore thine intercession on behalf of those who are separated from the True Church of Jesus Christ. By that clear knowledge thou didst have of the bitter sufferings of our Crucified Redeemer, the price of our salvation, we offer thee our supplications to obtain the grace of faith for those who are outside the One True fold, so that the sheep who are scattered, may return to the One Trrue Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Saint Bridget, fearless in thy service of God, pray for us. Saint Bridget, patient in the midst of suffering and humiliation, pray for us. Saint Bridget, wonderful in thy love for Jesus and Mary, pray for us.
One Minute Reflection – 8 October – “The Month of The Most Holy Rosary and The Holy Angels” – St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303-1373) Widow – 1 Timothy 5:3-10 – Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field; he who finds it, hides it and in his joy, goes and sells all he has and buys that field.” – Matthew 13:44
REFLECTION – “Never be obsessed about appearing to be superior or in control. I do npt share the opinion of someone who said to me a few days ago that, to keep a firm hold on one’s authority, one should let one’s superiority be seen. My God! Our Lord Jesus Christ, never spoke like that! In both Word and Example, He taught us quite the contrary, telling us that He hHmself, had come, not to be served but to serve and, whoever wishes to be first among you, must become the slave of all (Mk 10:44-45)…
For this reason, give yourself to God, so that you can speak in the lowly spirit of Jesus Christ, confessing that your teaching, is not your own, nor does it come from you but is the Gospel’s. Above all, imitate the simple Words and comparisons made by Our Lord in Holy Scripture when speaking to the people. Alas! What wonderful things might He not have taught the people! What secrets might He not have disclosed about the Divinity and Its marvellous perfections, He Who was His Father’s Eternal Wisdom! But yet, you see how He speaks intelligibly and makes use of familiar comparisons of labourer, vinedresser, field, vine, mustard seed. This is how you ought to speak, if you would make yourself understood by the people to whom you are proclaiming the Word of God.
Something else, to which you ought to give special attention, is to rely heavily on the Son of God’s method of acting. In other words, when you have to do something, you should ask yourself: “Does this conform to the Sayings of the Son of God?” If you find that it does so, then say: “Let us do it when the opportunity arises” but, if not, say: “I’ll have nothing to do with it.” In addition, when there is some question of carrying out a good work, say to the Son of God: “Lord, if Thou were in my place, what would Thou have done in this instance? How would Thou have taught this people? How would Thou have consoled this sick person in body or soul?”… Let us aim to make Jesus Christ reign in us!” – St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) Priest, Confessor, Founder of religious communities (Conversations; Counsels to Antoine Durand 1656)
PRAYER – O Lord, our God, Who through Thy Only-begotten Son revealed secrets to blessed Bridget, grant that through her kind intercession, we, Thy servants, may rejoice and be glad in the revelation of Thy eternal 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).
AnaStpaul 
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