Our Morning Offering – 16 December – Friday of Ember Week in Advent
My Most Sweet Lord
Morning Offering
Of St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor
My most sweet Lord,
I offer and consecrate to Thee.
this morning
all that I am and have –
my senses,
my thoughts,
my affections,
my desires,
my pleasures,
my inclinations,
my liberty.
In a word,
I place my whole body and soul
in Thy Hands.
Amen.
Saint of the Day – 16 December – Saint Beanus (Died c 1012) the first Bishop of Murlach, Scotland this area being the forerunner of the Diocese of Aberdeen.. Born in Scotland and died in 1012 of natural causes. Also known as Bean, Beóán, Beoanus, Beyn, of Murlach, Beóán of Scotland. His name means “lively one.” Additional Memorial – 26 October in local Scottish calendars.
Various historical writers tell us that the Kishopric was founded by King Máel Coluim II of Scotland in the seventh year of his reign (1012) as thankgiving to God, for victories over the Scandinavians.
We learn too that “the first Bishop was Beyn, a saintly man, worthy of the Episcopal Office, elevated to this See by the Lord Pope Benedict VIII at the King’s request.”
The Aberdeen Registrum records a charter granted to Bishop Beóán by King Máel Coluim at Forfar, granting the Bishop the Churches and lands of Clova and the unidentified Dulmech.
The Aberdeen Breviary commemorated “Bishop Beóán” as a saint on 26 October. Another Beóán, perhaps the one mentioned in the Life of St. Cathróe of Metz, was commemorated on 16 December and the two were often confused. This latter Saint is the Irish St Bean, a hermit Saint of Wexford, Lough Derg or Galway. However, as the Roman Martyrology records our Saint Beanus today, we will too keep his Feast!
Ember Friday – Fasting and Abstinence
CHRISTMAS NOVENA TO THE DIVINE INFANT – DAY ONE
St Eusebius of Vercelli (c 283-371) Bishop, Confessor, Founder of monasticism in his region
His Feast Day is celebrated today but was moved after Vatican II to 2 August (General Roman Calendar 1729–1969).
St Eusebius Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/02/saint-of-the-day-2-august-saint-eusebius-of-vercelli-c-283-371/
St Adelaide of Burgundy (c 931-999) Holy Roman Empress, Widow, Foundress of monasteries and Apostle of Charity. St Adelaid was Canonised in 1097 by Pope Urban II.
About St Adelaide:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/12/16/saint-of-the-day-16-december-st-adelaide-of-italy-burgundy-c-931-999/
St Adelard of Cysoing
St Ado of Vienne (Died 875) Archbishop of Vienne from 850 until his death, Writer, Reformer.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/16/saint-of-the-day-16-december-saint-ado-of-vienne-died-875/
Bl Adolphus of Tunis
Bl Arnaldo of Tunis
St Albina of Caesarea
St Ananias
St Azarias
St Beanus (Died c 1012) Bishop
St Beoc
St Dominic Dosso
Bl Elizabeth of Saint Francis
St Everard of Friuli (c 815-867) Duke, Count, Soldier, Founder of Churches and a Monastery. In contrast to his soldiering life, St Everard was a peacemaker, a humble and loving Master with a social conscience, striving always to free serfs, wherever possible or at least to free them from their burdens and assisting the poor and needy in all their deprivations.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/16/saint-of-the-day-16-december-saint-everard-of-friuli-c-815-867/
Haggai the Prophet
St Irenion
Bl James of Tunis
St Jean Wauthier
St Macarius of Collesano
Blessed Mary of the Angels Fontanella OCD (1661-1717) “The Fragrant Rose of Turin,” Discalced Carmelite, Mystic, Stigmatist, Marian devotee and client of St Joseph, Prioress, Spiritual director. At the instigation of King Vittorio, the holy nun’s Cause for Canonisation was started just a few years after the death of Sr Maria. Pope Pius IX declared her a Blessed on 25 April 1865
Blessed Mary’s life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/16/saint-of-the-day-16-december-blessed-mary-of-the-angels-fontanella-ocd-1661-1717-the-fragrant-rose-of-turin/
St Misael
St Nicholas Chrysoberges
Bl Raynald de Bar
Blessed Sebastian Maggi OP (1414–1496) Priest of the Order of Preachers, Confessor. He was Beatified on 15 April 1760 by Pope Clement XIII. His body is incorrupt.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/16/saint-of-the-day-16-december-blessed-sebastian-maggi-op-1414-1496/
Martyred Women of North-West Africa: A large group of women Martyred in the persecutions of Hunneric, Arian King of the Vandals. 482 in North-West Africa.
Martyrs of Ravenna – 4 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together. Four names and no other information has survived – Agricola, Concordius, Navalis and Valentine. c 305 at Ravenna, Italy.
Christmas Novena to the Divine Infant Jesus
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Bishop of Sant’Agata de’ Goti, C.Ss.R (Founder)
Doctor zelantissimus (Most Zealous Doctor)
This Novena is translated from the Italian of Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori and was first published in 1758.
Although this Novena is intended, primarily as a preparation for the Feast of our Lord’s Nativity, it can be used with spiritual profit at any time of the year, as a devotion in honour of the Infant Jesus.
This translation by the Redemptorists of the UK.
Dear friends I took a tumble on Friday and have sprained my Mouse hand and wrist. I cannot do more than thumb type but it is healing well. I think another 2 days should do it with the help of your prayers which I beg. ♡ Ana
Thought for the Day – 10 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Since Mary excelled so much in this virtue and had so great a love for it, she will obtain for us from God, the grace necessary for us to preserve it, as long as we pray humbly to her, especially in times of temptation.
Let us remember, that at Baptism, we became members of the Mystical Body of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit (Cf 1 Cor 6:15-20).
We are obliged to avoid defiling this temple and making the Mystical Body of Christ a dwelling-place for the devil!
It is not true to say, that this is an impossible fight.
We know, from our own experience, that we can win.
We have often battled with, or fled from occasions of sin.
We have prayed and made sacrifices, in order to avoid sin and, with the help of God and the protection of the Blessed Virgin, we have won!
After our victory, we have felt elated and have experienced that peace, which only God’s grace can bestow.
If we have succeeded so many times, why cannot we do the same always?
There is no need to be afraid.
If we do all that we can, God’s grace will do the rest.
“I can do all things in Him, Who strengthens me,” Phil 4:12) says St Paul.
“God is faithful,” he writes elsewhere “and will not permit you to be tempted beyond your strength but, with the temptation, will also give you a way out, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor 10:13).
If we remain pure, we shall see God.
We shall see Him in the work of His creation in this world and we shall see and enjoy Him forever in Heaven.
“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God” (Mt 5:8).”
Our Morning Offering – 10 December – Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception– “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception”
Tota Pulchra Es, Maria
You Are All Beautiful, Mary
Unknown Author – 4th Century
You are all beautiful, Mary,
and the original stain is not in you.
You are the glory of Jerusalem,
you are the joy of Israel,
you give honour to our people.
You are an advocate of sinners.
O Mary, O Mary,
Virgin most intelligent,
Mother most merciful.
Pray for us,
Plead for us,
To the Lord Jesus Christ.
Tota pulchra es, Maria.
Et macula originalis non est in Te.
Tu gloria Ierusalem.
Tu laetitia Israel.
Tu honorificentia populi nostri.
Tu advocata peccatorum.
O Maria, O Maria,
Virgo prudentissima.
Mater clementissima.
Ora pro nobis.
Intercede pro nobis.
Ad Dominum Iesum Christum.
This prayer used by the Church since the 4th Century for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Purity of the Blessed Virgin. It takes some text from the book of Judith and other text from Song of Songs, specifically 4:7. Many composers have set this prayer to music over the centuries.
Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God
Santissima Casa de Loreto / The Holy House of Loreto / Our Lady of Loreto (1291) – 10 December:
A complete background here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/12/10/the-feast-of-the-our-lady-of-loreto-and-the-holy-house-10-december/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/10/santissima-casa-de-loreto-the-holy-house-of-loreto-our-lady-of-loreto-1291-and-memorials-of-the-saints-10-december/
St Pope Melchiades (Died 314) Bishop of Rome from 2 July 311- 19 or 11 January 314)
St Abundius
St Albert of Sassovivo
St Angelina of Serbia
Bl Brian Lacey
BL Bruno of Rommersdorf
St Caesarius of Epidamnus
St Carpophorus
St Deusdedit of Brescia
St Eulalia of Mérida (Died 304) Virgin Martyr
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/10/saint-of-the-day-10-december-saint-eulalia-of-merida-died-304/
St Edmund Gennings
St Emérico Martín Rubio
St Florentius of Carracedo
St Fulgentius of Afflighem
St Gemellus of Ancyra
St Gonzalo Viñes Masip
Bl Guglielmo de Carraria
St Guitmarus
St Hildemar of Beauvais
Bl Jerome Ranuzzi
Bl John Mason
St John Roberts (1577-1610) Priest, Martyr, Monk, Missionary.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/10/saint-of-the-day-10-december-saint-john-roberts-1577-1610-priest-martyr/
St Julia of Merida
St Lucerius
St Maurus of Rome
St Mercury of Lentini
St Polydore Plasden
Bl Sebastian Montanol
Bl Sidney Hodgson
St Sindulf of Vienne
St Swithun Wells
St Thomas of Farfa
Bl Thomas Somers
St Valeria
Martyrs of Alexandria – 3 Saints – A group of Christians murdered for their faith in the persecutions of Galerius Maximian – c 312. The only details that have survived are three of the names – Eugraphus, Hermogenes and Mennas.
Thought for the Day – 9 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Our desires may be vain or culpable or meritorious.
It is useless to long for the impossible or to base our desires on motives contrary to Christian resignation.
Happiness cannot be found on earth, so it is futile to look for it here.
It is much better to suppress these vain desires and to convert them into a longing for God and for our own perfection.
Some desires are blameworthy, for they spring from an immoderate attachment to worldly things, such as wealth or honours or even sin.
These desires are always sinful and can be seriously so, when they are deliberately directed towards e3vil objects.
Finally, however, there are desires which are good and reasonable.
Even Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed earnestly to His heavenly Father, to take away from Him, if possible, the bitter chalice of the Passion.
But He added immediatel, “Yet not my will but Thine be done” (Lk 22:42).
When He was hanging from the Cross on Calvary, feeling crushed beneath the weight of our sins and utterly abandoned, He cried out in an agony of yearning: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Mt 27:46).
Nevertheless, He accepted with perfect self-surrender and obedience, all His sufferings, even His mysterious abandonment by His heavenly Father.
The Saints followed the example of Jesus.
Their lives were as full of longing, as they were of suffering.
But just as they offered their sufferings to God with generous hearts, so they offered Him their desires as prayer of supplication.
The Prophet David, yearned for mercy and forgiveness and his longing was expressed for all times, in the Psalm, “Miserere.”
St Teresa longed to suffer and to die for the love of Jesus.
When St Paul was labouring and praying for the salvation of his fellowmen, he desires “to depart ad to be with Christ, a lot by far the better” (Cf Phil 1:23).”
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/21/thought-for-the-day-21-april-our-desires/
Quote/s of the Day – 9 December – Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception
“Mary, having merited to give flesh
to the Divine Word
and thus, supply the price
of our redemption
that we might be delivered
from eternal death, therefore,
she is more powerful
than all others,
to help us gain eternal life.”
“Through a woman, [Eve]
a curse fell upon the earth;
through a woman, [Mary]
there returned to the earth,
a blessing!”
“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”
“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.”
MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/15/quote-s-of-the-day-15-december-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/08/quote-s-of-the-day-8-december-on-the-immaculate-conception/
One Minute Reflection – 9 December – Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception and “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception” – Proverbs 8:22-35, Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women” – Luke 1:28
REFLECTION – “Today the Creator of all things, the Word Who is God, has composed a new work sprung from the Father’s heart, to be written, as by a pen by the Spirit, Who is God’s tongue. … Most holy daughter of Joachim and Anne! you who have evaded the attention of the Principalities and Powers and the “flaming arrows of the Evil One” (Col 1:16; Eph 6:16), you dwelt within the bridal chamber of the Spirit and were preserved undefiled, so that you might become the bride of God and God’s Mother by nature. … God’s beloved daughter, the credit of your parents, generation after generation calls you Blessed, as you yourself so truthfully affirmed (Lk 1:48). Worthy daughter of God, our human nature’s beauty, restoration of Eve our first mother! For with your birth, she who fell was raised. … For if, through the first Eve, “death entered the world” (Wis 2:24; Rom 5:12) because she put herself at the service of the serpent, yet Mary, who made herself servant of the Divine Will, deceived the deceiving serpent and brought immortality into the world.
You are more to be valued than the entire creation, for from you alone the Creator received a share in the first-fruits of our humanity. His Flesh was made of your flesh, His Blood of your blood; God was nourished by your milk and your lips kissed the lips of God. … In His foreknowledge of your dignity, the God of all the world, has loved you and, in accordance with His love for you, He predestined you and called you into being “in the final time” (1 Pt 1:20; Heb 1:2) …
So let wise Solomon shut his mouth and say no more: “Nothing is new under the sun” (Eccl 1:9).” – St John Damascene (675-749) Father and Doctor of the Church (Homily for the Nativity of the Virgin, 7, 10 – “See, I make all things new” (Apoc 21:5).
PRAYER – O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Thy Son and Who, by Thy Son’s death, foreseen by Thee, preserved her from all taint, grant, we beseech Thee, through her intercession that we too may come to Thee unstained by sin.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 December – Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception and “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception”
O Mary, My Hope!
By St John Damascene (675-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church
I salute you, O Mary!
you are the hope of Christians.
Receive the prayer of a sinner,
who loves you tenderly,
honours you in a special manner
and places in you the whole hope
of his salvation.
From you I have my life.
You reinstate me in the grace of your Son:
you are the sure pledge of my salvation.
I beseech of you, therefore, to deliver me
from the burden of my sins,
dispel the darkness of my mind,
banish from my heart the love of the world,
repress the temptations of my enemies
and so rule my whole life, that by your means
and under your guidance,
I may obtain everlasting happiness in Heaven.
Amen
Saint of the Day – 9 December – Venerable Clara Isabella Fornari OSC (1697–1744) Virgin, Nun of the Poor Clares, Mystic, Stigmatist, Ecstatic, Born on 25 June 1697 at Rome, Italy as Ana Felícia Fornari and died on 9 December 1744. Also known as – Ana Felecia Fornari, Chiara Fornari.
Born in Rome on 25 June 1697, Ana Felícia Fornari entered the novitiate of the Poor Clares in Todi at the age of fifteen. Her religious life was guided by her Confessor, the Jesuit, Fr Crivelli. Taking the name Clara Isabella, she made her profession the following year, and since then her life became a series of the most extraordinary phenomena, recorded in the Beatification process and confirmed under oath by her companions, her Confessor and her doctor.
She had frequent and prolonged ecstasies; she received numerous visits from Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin, St Clare and St Catherine Siena. During one of them, Jesus put the ring which symbolised His spiritual consortium, on her finger. He took pleasure in calling her “His spouse of pain .”
Clara Isabella participated, in fact, in the sufferings of the Divine Crucified: her hands, feet and side were marked with visible Stigmata, from which blood sometimes flowed. On her head was a crown whose thorns grew inwards, coming out over her forehead, falling off and falling bloodied. The tortures and demonic persecutions she suffered are reminiscent of those suffered a hundred years later by the Holy Parish Priest of Ars. Since her novitiate, the devil had tempted her with despair and suicide; then he mistreated her, throwing her down the stairs and tried to take her faith.
In the last months of her life, she seemed abandoned by God, having lost even the memory of past consolations. She only regained her former joy shortly before her death, in the year 1744. A Beatification process for Mother Clara Isabella is underway.
Devotion to Our Lady of Confidence (Madonna della Confiança):
The invocation of Nossa Senhora da Confiança was introduced into the Church in the 18th century by Venerable Clara Isabella Fornari, who had a very special devotion to the Holy Mother of God and always carried a painting with her, an artwork of the Madonna with the Child Jesus in her arms.
Soon several copies began to circulate in Italy. Many graces and cures were attributed to this painting and in 1917 Pope Benedict XV Crowned Nossa Senhora da Confiança canonically confirming its Title and the day of its feast – 24 February.
The picture was painted by the great Italian artist Carlo Maratta (1625-1713). In 1704 he became Court Painter to Louis XIV. It is said that the renowned artist gave the painting to a young noblewoman who became Abbess of the Convent of the Poor Clares of St Francis in the City of Todi. She is today Venerable Mother Clara Isabella Fornari.
According to the Venerable’s own words, Our Lady made special promises to her regarding this painting: “My Celestial Lady, with the love of a true Mother, assured me that all souls who confidently present themselves before this image, will obtain true knowledge , sorrow and repentance for their sins and the Blessed Virgin will grant them a particular devotion and tenderness for Her.” (This promise applies not only to the original painting, but also to all copies of it.)
One of the copies was taken to the Major Seminary in Rome, of which she became Patroness. Every year, on the 24th of February, the Pontiff himself goes to venerate her.
Among the prodigious facts that prove Her protection of the Seminary are the two occurences (1837 and 1867), when a cholera epidemic hit the Eternal City but the Roman Seminary was miraculously spared by the powerful intercession of its Patroness.
In the 1st. World War, about a hundred seminarians were sent to the battlefront and placed themselves under the special protection of Our Lady of Confidence. They all returned alive, a grace they attributed to the protection of the Blessed Virgin. In gratitude, they enthroned the blessed painting in a new Chapel of marble and silver.
Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception
Nostra Signora dell’Immacolata Concezione / Our Lady of the Conception, Naples, Italy (1618) – 9 December:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/09/nostra-signora-dellimmacolata-concezione-our-lady-of-the-conception-naples-italy-1618-and-memorials-of-the-saints-9-december/
St Adam Scotus
Bl Agustín García Calvo *
St Auditor of Saint-Nectaire
St Balda of Jouarre
St Budoc of Brittany
Bl Carmen Rodríguez Banazal *
St Caesar of Korone
St Cephas
Ven Clara Isabella Fornari OSC (1697–1744) Virgin, Nun of the Poor Clares, Mystic, Stigmatist
St Cyprian of Perigueux
Bl Dolores Broseta Bonet *
Bl Estefanía Irisarri Irigaray *
St Ethelgiva of Shaftesbury
St Gorgonia
Bl Isidora Izquierdo García *
Bl José Ferrer Esteve *
Bl José Giménez López *
Bl Josefa Laborra Goyeneche *
Bl Josep Lluís Carrera Comas *
St Julian of Apamea
Bl Julián Rodríguez Sánchez *
St Leocadia of Toledo (Died c 304) Virgin Martyr. Hearing of the Martyrdom of St Eulalia, she prayed that God would not prolong her exile but unite her speedily with her beloved Lord in His glory.
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/09/saint-of-the-day-9-december-saint-leocadia-of-toledo-died-c-304-virgin-martyr/
Blessed Liborius Wagner (1593-1631) Priest and Martyr, Confessor, Teacher.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/09/saint-of-the-day-9-december-blessed-liborius-wagner-1593-1631-priest-and-martyr/
Bl María Pilar Nalda Franco *
St Michaela Andrusikiewicz
St Nectarius of Auvergne
St Peter Fourier CRSA (1565-1640) “The Good Father of Mattaincourt,” Priest, Founder, Reformer, Confessor, Ascetic, Theologian, Teacher, Preacher, Apostle of Prayer, Penance and Charity, Marian devotee. Together with the Blessed Alix Le Clerc, in 1597, Fourier founded the Congregation of Notre Dame of Canonesses Regular of St Augustine, who were committed to the free education of children, taking a fourth vow to that goal. St Peter was Beatified on 20 January 1730 by Pope Benedict XIII and Canonised on 27 May 1897 by Pope Leo XIII.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/09/saint-of-the-day-9-december-st-peter-fourier-c-r-s-a-1565-1640/
St Proculus of Verona
Bl Recaredo de Los Ríos Fabregat *
St Syrus of Pavia (1st Century) The First Bishop og Pavia, Italy, Confessor, Miracle-worker, Defender of the Faith, Evangeliser.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/09/saint-of-the-day-9-december-saint-syrus-of-pavia-1st-century/
St Valeria of Limoges
St Wulfric of Holme
Blessed Mercedarian Fathers – (10 Beati): The memorial of ten Mercedarian Friars who were especially celebrated for their holiness.
Martyred Salesians of Valencia – (5 Beati)
Martyrs of North Africa – (4 Saints): Twenty-four Christians murdered together in North Africa for their faith. The only details to survive are four of their names – Bassian, Peter, Primitivus and Successus.
Martyrs of Samosata – (7 Saints): Seven Martyrs crucified in 297 in Samosata (an area of modern Turkey) for refusing to perform a pagan rite in celebration of the victory of Emperor Maximian over the Persians. They are – Abibus, Hipparchus, James, Lollian, Paragnus, Philotheus and Romanus. They were crucified in 297 in Samosata (an area in modern Turkey).
Thought for the Day – 8 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Let us remember that Mary was not only preserved free from sin and endowed with every supernatural gift but, she never, in her whole life, committed the slightest fault and, she advanced daily in holiness.
It is true that we do not possess the privileges accorded to the Blessed Virgin but, we have, nevertheless, received many favours from God and continue daily to receive them!
Let us promise, therefore, that we shall not be unworthy children of so great a Mother.
Let us promise to remain free from the slightest taint of sin, in order to please God and our Blessed Mother.
Let us promise, finally, to make daily progress towards that level of sanctity which God requires of us, in the particular state in which He has placed us.”
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/08/thought-for-the-day-8-december-the-immaculate-conception/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/08/thought-for-the-day-8-december-the-immaculate-conception-2/
Quote/s of the Day – 8 December – Feast of the Immaculate Conception and “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception”
“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.”
(Marian hymn)
“The very fact
that God has elected her,
proves, that none was ever
holier than Mary;
if any stain had disfigured her soul,
if any other virgin
had been purer and holier,
God would have selected her
and rejected Mary.”
“Today humanity, in all the radiance
of her Immaculate nobility,
receives its ancient beauty.
The shame of sin
had darkened the splendour
and attraction of human nature
but when the Mother
of the Fair One par excellence,
is born, this nature again,
regains in her person,
its ancient privileges
and is fashioned according to a perfect model,
truly worthy of God….
The reform of our nature begins today
and the aged world,
subjected to a wholly divine transformation,
receives the first fruits of the second creation.”
“He Who is Infinite, Limitless,
came to dwell in your womb;
God, the Child Jesus,
was nourished by your milk.
You are the ever virginal
Doorway of God;
your hands hold your God;
your lap is a throne raised up above the Cherubim…
You are the wedding chamber of the Spirit,
the “city of the living God,
gladdened by the runlets of the stream”
that is to say, the waves of the Spirit’s gifts.
You are “all fair, the Beloved” of God.”
(Homily on the Nativity of the Virgin, # 9 ; SC 80
One Minute Reflection – 8 December on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception” – Proverbs 8:22-35, Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Hail, full of grace!” – Luke 1:28
REFLECTION – “The degeneration caused by sin had obscured the beauty of our original nobility. But when the mother of supreme Beauty is born, our nature finds its purity once more and sees itself moulded according to the perfect model, worthy of God (Gn 1,26)… We had all preferred the world below, to that above. There no longer remained any hope of salvation. The state of our nature cried aloud to Heaven to come to the rescue… Then at last, in His good pleasure, the world’s Divine Artificer determined to make a new world appear, a different world full of harmony and youth.
Now was it not fitting, that a most pure virgin without stain, should place herself at the service of this mysterious plan first of all?… And where was this virgin to be found, if not in this woman, alone of her kind, chosen by the world’s Creator before all generations? Yes, she indeed is Mother of God, divinely named Mary, whose womb gave birth to God Incarnate and whom, He Himself had supernaturally prepared, as His Temple…
In this way, then, the design of the Redeemer of our race was to bring about a birth and, as it were, a new creation to replace the one that went before. Therefore, just as in Paradise, He had taken a little clay out of the pure and spotless earth, to fashion the first Adam (Gn 2,7), so, at the moment of bringing about His Own Incarnation, He made use of another earth, so to speak, namely, this Pure and Immaculate Virgin, chosen from among all other beings He had created. It is in her that He, Adam’s Creator, has remade us in our very substance and become a new Adam (1Cor 15,45), that the old might be saved by the new and eternal.” – St Andrew of Crete (660-740) Bishop (Sermon 1 for the Nativity of the Mother of God ; PG 97, 812).
PRAYER – O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Thy Son, and Who, by Thy Son’s death, foreseen by Thee, preserved her from all taint, grant, we beseech Thee, through her intercession that we too, may come to Thee, unstained by sin. 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 – 8 December – Feast of the Immaculate Conecption and “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception”
I’ll Sing a Hymn to Mary
By Father John Wyse (1825-1898)
Irish Priest and Hymn writer
I’ll sing a hymn to Mary,
The Mother of my God,
The Virgin of all virgins,
Of David’s royal blood.
O teach me, Holy Mary,
A loving song to frame,
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
To love and bless thy name.
O Lily of the Valley,
O Mystic Rose, what tree,
Or flower, e’en the fairest,
Is half so fair as thee?
O let me, tho’ so lowly
Recite my Mother’s fame.
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.
O noble Tower of David,
Of gold and ivory.
The ark of God’s own promise,
The gate of Heav’n to me.
To live and not to love thee
Would fill my soul with shame.
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.
When troubles dark afflict me
In sorrow and in care,
Thy light doth ever guide me
O beauteous Morning Star.
Lo, I’ll be ever ready
Thy goodly help to claim,
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
To love and bless thy name.
The saints are high in glory,
With golden crowns so bright;
But brighter far is Mary,
Upon her throne of light.
Oh that which God did give thee,
Let mortal ne’er disclaim;
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.
But in the crown of Mary,
There lies a wonderous gem,
As Queen of all the Angels,
Which Mary shares with them;
No sin hath e’er defiled thee,
So doth our faith proclaim;
When wicked men blaspheme thee,
I’ll love and bless thy name.
And now O Virgin Mary
My mother and my Queen,
I’ve sung thy praise so bless me,
And keep my heart from sin.
When others jeer and mock thee,
I’ll often think how I
To shield my Mother, Mary,
Would lay me down and die.
Verses 4, 5 and 6 omitted on image.
Saint of the Day – 8 December – Saint Romaric (Died 653) Married French noble layman, Abbot, Founder of the renowned Remiremont double Monastery in north-eastern France. Died in 653 of natural causes. He was Canonised on 3 December 1049 by Pope Leo IX. Also known as – Romaricus, Romary or Remire.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In the Monastery of Luxeuil, St Romericus, Abbot, who left the highest station at the Court of King Theodebert, renounced the world and surpassed all others in the observance of monastic discipline.”
Romaric was a Count Palatine, that is a Count attached to the Royal Court, operating there as an official or administrator. He lived at the Court of King Theodebert II. His parents were killed by Queen Brunhilda,and because of the enmity of his family with this Queen, he wandered without a home. However, with the fall of the Queen, he was received at the Court of Chlothar II and his lands were restored to him.
Disenchanted with life as a Courtier, Romaric experienced a religious conversion through the missionary efforts of St Amatus of Grenoble (c 560-c 627), a Monk of Luxeuil Abbey.
Romaric entered Luxeuil and trained in the ways of monastic life. With the approval of Abbot Eustace, Romaric and Amatus founded a double Monastery for men and women, later given the name of Remiremont (Romariki Mons). The Monastery was built on land belonging to Romaric. St Amatus served as the first Abbot with Romaric as the Prior. One of the earlier Monks in Remiremont was St Romaric’s friend St Arnulf (c 580-640), later the Bishop of Metz. See here: https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/18/saint-of-the-day-18-july-saint-arnulf-of-metz-c-580-640/
In around 625, Romaric succeeded Amatus as Abbot, a position he would hold for 30 years.. Many people were attracted to the holy life he established there and many they came to join him, including several members of his family who embraced religious life . tTwo of his daughters, Ozeltruda and Zeberga, his granddaughter Gebetruda and his grandson Adelphus.
Romaric died in 653 while on a mission to the Frankish Court to petition for Dagobert to receive the crown. Romaric’s Relics were enshrined at the Altar of Remiremont in 1051but both Church and Relics were destroyed in the French Revolution.
The Immaculate Conception of the Glorious and Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God – 8 December.
Patronages – barrel makers, coopers, cloth makers, cloth workers, soldiers of the United States, Spanish infantry, tapestry workers, upholsterers, Argentina, Brazil, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Guam, Nicaragua, Panama, Portugal, Tanzania, Tunisia, United States, 68 Diocese, 8 Cities.
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/08/the-solemnity-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-8-december-2/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/12/08/the-feast-of-the-immaculate-conception-solemnity-8-december/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/08/8-december-the-solemnity-of-the-immaculate-conception/
St Anastasia of Pomerania
St Anthusa of Africa
St Antonio García Fernández
St Casari of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
St Eucharius of Trier
St Pope Eutychian (Died 283) The 27th Pope
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/08/saint-of-the-day-8-december-saint-pope-eutychian-died-283/
St Gunthildis of Ohrdruf
Bl Johanna of Cáceres
St Macarius of Alexandria
St Marin Shkurti
St Patapius
St Rafael Román Donaire
St Romaric (Died 653) Married Layman, Abbot
St Sofronius of Cyprus
A simple short Novena DAY NINE here (which also attracts Indulgences):
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/07/immaculate-conception-novena-day-nine-7-december/
NOTE on Indulgences HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/
PREPARATORY PRAYER:
In thy conception, O Virgin Mary,
thou wast immaculate;
pray for us to the Father, Whose Son Jesus,
conceived in thy womb by the Holy Ghost,
thou didst bring forth.
Indulgence. 200 days, every time. (Pius VI, 21 November
MEDITATION:
Early in the Christian era the Feast of Mary’s Immaculate Conception was observed in several countries. St Anselm (1033-1109) Bishop of Canterbury and Doctor of the Church, introduced it in England. A great number of Popes favoured the Doctrine of Mary’s absolute sinlessness and the adversaries of the Immaculate Conception, were bidden to be silent and not publicly assert or defend their view.
In 1477, Pope Sixtus IV prescribed the Feast of the Immaculate Conception to be observed in the whole Church and made it obligatory on Priests, to recite the special canonical Office and to use the Mass formula published for the purpose.
In 1846, the Bishops of the United States assembled in Plenary Council in Baltimore, elected the Blessed Virgin under the title of her Immaculate Conception, as Patroness of the Church in their country.
Finally, Pope Pius IX, after consulting with the Bishops throughout the world and having implored the Holy Ghost for His guidance, in prayer and fasting, promulgated, on 8 December, 1854, the Dogma which teaches that the Blessed Virgin Mary, was in her conception, by a special grace and through the merits of her Divine Son, preserved from the stain of Original Sin.
This Doctrine was received throughout the world, with ineffable joy and, indeed, no-one who loves the Blessed Virgin, can help rejoicing at this, her most glorious privilege.
The invocation, “Queen conceived without the stain of Original Sin,” was added to the Litany of Loreto.
In 1866, at the Second Plenary Council in Baltimore, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception was raised to the rank of a Holy Day of Obligation for the Church of the United States.
PRACTICE:
In the inscrutable designs of His Providence, God ordained that the Mystery of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary should be proclaimed an Article of Faith, as late as the middle of the nineteenth century.
But, then, its proclamation was attended by circumstances which. undeniably proved that the Holy Father. in pronouncing the Dogma, had been inspired and guided by the Holy Ghost.
Let us praise God and thank Him for bestowing this glorious privilege on our beloved Mother and, let us often invoke her under her favourite title, the Immaculate Conception.
St. Alphonsus Liguori tells us that the devotion to this Mystery, is especially efficacious in overcoming the temptations of impurity. Therefore, he was accustomed to recommend, to his penitents thus tempted, to recite three times, everyday, the Hail Mary in honour of our blessed Mother’s Immaculate Conception.
And the Venerable John of Avila (1500-1569) assures us that he had never found anyone, who practised a true devotion to the Immaculate Conception of Mary, who did not, in a short time, obtain the gift of that virtue of purity, which renders us so dear to her Immaculate Heart.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH:
O God, Who through the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling-place for Thy Divine Son,
grant that, as in view of Thy Son,
Thou didst preserve her from all taint,
so Thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us
that cleansed from all sin by her intercession,
we too may arrive at Thine eternal glory.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER:
O Living light of holiness,
model of purity,
Mary Immaculate, Virgin and Mother!
As soon as thou wast conceived,
thou didst profoundly adore thy God,
giving Him thanks that,
in thee, the ancient curse was revoked
and blessing came again,
upon the sinful sons of Adam.
O make this blessing,
kindle in my heart love for God
and do thou, fan this flame of love,
within me that I may love Him constantly
and one day, in Heaven,
eternally enjoy Him,
there to thank Him more and more fervently,
for all the wondrous privileges
conferred upon thee
and to rejoice with thee,
for thy high Crown of Glory.
LITANY of LORETO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/
Thought for the Day – 7 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Nowadays, fast and abstinence, takes the form of precepts of the Church which binds us under pain of mortal sin.
Before, they were commanded by the Church, however, they had been commanded by God.
God made the first law of this kind when He ordered Adam to obstain from the forbidden fruit.
Moses made particular laws of fast and abstinence for the Jewish people.
He also fasted himself, as did the Prophet Elias.
“My knees totter from my fasting, writes King David, “and my flesh is wasted of its substance.” (Ps 108:24).
“Prayer is good with fasting and alms,” (Tob 12:8) says Tobias.
Jesus fasted for forty days as an example to us and He waqrned us that the devil can be conquered only by prayer and fasting (Mt 17:20).
In a more general way, He warned us that: “Unless you repent, you will all perish” (Lk 13:5).
One of the means of doing penance most often recommended in Sacred Scripture, is fasting and abstinence.
Why, you may ask, should Our Lord and the Church, command us to mortify ourselves in regard to food?
There are powerful reasons.
It is an act of obedience to God, our absolute Master, Who does not demand anything of us, save for our own welfare.
Secondly, it is an act of reparation for our sins.
In the third place, it enables us to subdue our carnal impulses and in this way, makes us more obedient to the law of God.
A man who cannot mortify his appetite for food, will certainly not be able to resist the temptations of the flesh.
There is a connection between all these things.
If we cannot subordinate our bodily appetites to our spiritual faculties and to the Divine law, we shall not be able to raise ourselves from the level of an animal existence, to contact with God, through prayer and the practice of virtue.”
Quote/s of the Day – 7 December – St Ambrose (340-397) – Confessor, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church
“Take nothing for your journey …”
“This is a great vision.
But if you wish to see it,
remove the sandals from your feet.
Remove every chain of sin.
Remove the chains of the world.
Leave behind earthly sandals.
Jesus sent the Apostles without sandals,
without money, gold and silver,
so that they would not carry earthly things with them.
The one who seeks to do good is praised,
not for his sandals but for the swiftness
and grace of his feet. ”
“Let God alone be sought,
as the Judge of loveliness,
Who loves even, in less beautiful bodies,
the more beautiful souls.”
“And now, let the feet of our minds.
be stretched out.
The Lord Jesus wills also, to wash our feet,
For He says, not to Peter alone
but to each of the faithful:
If I wash not your feet
you will have no part with Me.
[ John 13: 8 ]”
Nunc, Sancte, nobis Spiritus
By St Ambrose (340-397)
Come, Holy Ghost, Who ever One
Trans John Henry Newman (1801-1890) Trans 1836
Come, Holy Ghost, Who ever One
Art with the Father and the Son.
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls possess
With Thy full flood of holiness.
In will and deed, by heart and tongue,
With all our powers, Thy praise be sung.
And love light up our mortal frame,
Till others catch the living flame.
Almighty Father, hear our cry
Through Jesus Christ our Lord most high,
Who with the Holy Ghost and Thee
Doth live and reign eternally.
Apostolorum Passio
By St Ambrose (c 340-397)
This happy day is sanctified
As Martyr’s glory we recall,
The cross bedewed with Peter’s blood,
The sword that won a crown for Paul.
The triumph of their Martyrdom
United these great souls in death,
Whose faith in Christ had crowned their lives
In service to their latest breath.
Saint Peter held the primacy,
Saint Paul would equal him in grace,
When once, as chosen instrument
The cause of Christ, he would embrace
Once, Simon, leaving Rome, turned back
To give, by death, full praise to God,
That by the cross he too should tread
The self-same path his Master trod.
Now Rome exults, as well she may
And strives to give devotion’s due
To one who sealed with his own blood
His work as Priest and Shepherd true.
And who can count the crowds that come
As loving children to her gate,
Where nations’ teacher, holy Paul
Once dwelt and gladly met his fate.
Grant us, O Lord, the final grace
Of sharing in their joy above,
That with such Princes we may praise
Your bounty and undying love.
Amen
Translation: The Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK
O Lord, Who has Mercy Upon All
By St Ambrose (340-397)
O Lord, who has mercy upon all,
take away from me my sins
and mercifully kindle in me
the fire of Your Holy Spirit.
Take away from me the heart of stone
and give me a heart of flesh,
a heart to love and adore You,
a heart to delight in You,
to follow and enjoy You,
for Christ’s sake.
Amen
MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/07/quote-s-of-the-day-7-december-st-ambrose-2/
One Minute Reflection – 7 December – “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception” – St Ambrose (340-397) – Confessor, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church – 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” – Matthew 5:13
REFLECTION – “It is as a matter of absolute necessity that He commands all this. Why must you be salt? Jesus says in effect: “You are accountable, not only for your own life but also, for that of the entire world. I am sending you not to one or two cities, nor to ten or twenty, nor even to one nation, as I sent the Prophets. Rather, I am sending you to the entire earth, across the seas, to the whole world, to a world fallen into an evil state.” For by saying, “You are the salt of the earth,” Jesus signifies, that all human nature itself has “lost its taste,” having become rotten through sin. For this reason, you see, He requires from His disciples, those character traits that are most necessary and useful for the benefit of all.” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Archbishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor (The Gospel of Matthew: Homily,15).
PRAYER – O God, Thou Who have given blessed Ambrose to Thy people as a help for eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee that we may be worthy to have him as our intercessor in Heaven, whom we have had as a teacher of life, on earth. ThroughJesus 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 – 7 December – “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception” – St Ambrose (340-397) – Confessor, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church
Veni Redemptor Gentium
Saviour of the Nations, Come!
St Ambrose’s Advent Hymn
Saviour of the nations, come!
Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home!
Marvel now, O Heaven and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.
Not by human flesh and blood;
By the Spirit of our God
Was the Word of God made flesh,
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.
Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child
Of the Virgin undefiled!
Though by all the world disowned,
Still to be in Heaven enthroned.
From the Father forth He came
And returneth to the same,
Captive leading death and hell
High the song of triumph swell!
Thou, the Father’s only Son,
Hast over sin the victory won.
Boundless shall Thy kingdom be;
When shall we its glories see?
Brightly doth Thy manger shine,
Glorious is its light divine.
Let not sin o’ercloud this Light;
Ever be our faith thus bright.
Praise to God the Father sing,
Praise to God the Son, our King,
Praise to God the Spirit be
Ever and eternally.
Amen!
Saint of the Day – 7 December – St Burgundofara / more commonly known as Fara (c 595-c 643) Virgin, Nun, Abbess, Founder of the famous Evoriacum Monastery, near Paris in France, which after her death was renamed in her honour, Faremoutiers Abbey (Fara’s Monastery). The surrounding town is also knamed in her honour as is the Cathedral. Born in c 595 in Burgundy, France and died of natural causes in 643 or 655 or 657 near Meaux, France (records vary). Also known as – Burgondophora, Fare. Patronage – of Faremoutiers, France.
Faremoutiers Abbey was the first “double” Monastery in France. These Celtic double Monasteries began in Ireland and they were places where both Monks and Nuns lived on the same monastic grounds, under the Rule of an Abbott or Abbess. The Nuns and Monks lived in separate quarters, but often worked and worshipped together.
Burgundofara’s family was knowns as the Faronids, named after her brother Saint Faro (Died c 675) the Bishop of Meaux in France. Her name may mean: ‘She who moves the Burgundians.’ When Burgundofara was a child, St Columbanus, the famous Irish Monk, visited in her home and blessed and dedicated her to God. This left such an indelible mark upon her soul that she resisted her parents’ attempts to force her to marry a few years later. Burgundofara spoke boldly to her father about becoming a Nun. She said to him: “To lose my life for the sake of virtue and fidelity to the promise I have made to God, would be a great happiness.”
As Founder and Abbess of Faremoutiers Abbey, Burgundofara grew into a strong leader who was not afraid to speak her mind. Those who lived on her monastic grounds discovered that she was both tough and tender.
Interestingly, it is recorded by the 7th Century Columbanian Monk and Hagiographer of the renowned Life of St Columbanus (he also wrote Burgundofara’s Vita), Jonas of Bobbio that a Monk named Agrestius from one of Columbanus’ Monasteries “felt called” to patronise Burgundofara concerning his thoughts, on how she was not being a good Abbess. He castigated her for using the Rule of Columbanus (of which he did not approve) in her Monastery.
This is how Jonas of Bobbio recorded that historical confrontation, “Agrestius then made his way to Burgundofara to try, if he might defile her with his insinuations. But the virgin of Christ confounded him, not in a feminine manner but with a virile response: “Why have you come here, you confuter of truth, inventor of new tales, pouring out your honey-sweetened poison, to change healthy food into deadly bitterness? You slander those whose virtues I have experienced. From them I received the doctrine of salvation. Their erudition has opened the way to the Kingdom of Heaven for many. Recall the words of Isaiah: ‘Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil.’ Hurry and turn wholly away from this insanity.”
She was known for not only her personal courage, strength and toughness but also for her tender care, counsel and devotion, for those at Faremoutiers. Jonas of Bobbio wrote that after serving as Abbess of Faremoutiers for thirty-seven years, Burgundofara had a fever and died. She was so tough that miraculously, she managed to come back to life to make restitution with three Nuns, whom she had hurt. She received their forgiveness, lived six more months and then prophesied of the date and time of her death. When she died, it was recorded that her body smelled of sweet balsam.
A solemn Mass was held thirty days after Abbess Burgundofara’s final death. Hopefully, it is not blasphemous to ponder that they waited this long, to ensure that she would not come back to life. Her Will (Testamentum) confirmed that all the servants she had freed in her lifetime, would continue to be free.
The Faremoutiers Monastic grounds still exist, 1400 years later. Sadly, the French Revolution destroyed her monastic buildings but in 1931, a group of Benedictine Nuns came to reoccupy a building on the very spot of the ruins of the old Abbey. A few Nuns still live and serve there.
Yes, Abbess Burgundofara was a strong, powerful, and deeply spiritual leader.
Vigil of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
– 7 December:
On this vigil day, Catholics stand in the remains of the night as the dawn makes its appearance. This resplendent dawn is that Singular Conception, the Immaculate Conception, who ushers in the Light of Christ.
A day of Fast and Abstinence following the Rubrics of Pope Pius X for the Universal Calendar of the Church.
“It is through the most Blessed Virgin Mary, that Jesus Christ came into the world and, it is also through her, that He will reign in the world.” – St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716)
Virgen del Castillo, Inmaculada Concepción / Virgin of the Castle, Yecla, Spain (1642) – 7 and 8 December:
St Ambrose (c 340-397) – Confessor, Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church, Theologian, Apostle of Charity, Writer, Musician, Preacher, Reformer and Protector – all-in-all a brilliant, charismatic, vibrant man.
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/07/saint-of-the-day-7-december-st-ambrose-c-340-397-father-and-doctor-of-the-church-2/
And More:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/12/07/more-on-todays-saint-st-ambrose-c340-397-father-and-doctor-of-the-church/
St Agatho of Alexandria
St Anianas of Chartres
St Athenodoros of Mesopotamia
St Buithe of Monasterboice
St Burgundofara / Fara (c 595-c 643) Nun, Abbess, Founder
St Charles Garnier SJ (1606-1649) Priest Martyr, Missionary. Charles Garnier was Canonised on 29 June 1930 by Pope Pius XI with the seven other Canadian Martyrs (also known as the North American Martyrs).
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/07/saint-of-the-day-7-december-st-charles-garnier-sj-1606-1649/
St Diuma
St Geretrannus of Bayeux
Bl Humbert of Clairvaux
St Martin of Saujon
St Maria Giuseppa Rosello FdM (1811-1880) Religious sister and Founder of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy. She was Canonised in 1949 by Pope Pius XII.
About St Maria Giuseppa:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/07/saint-of-the-day-7-december-st-maria-giuseppa-rosello-fdm-1811-1880/
St Nilus of Stolbensk
St Sabinus of Spoleto (Died c 303) Bishop of Assisi, Martyr, Miracle-worker.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/07/saint-of-the-day-7-december-saint-sabinus-of-spoleto-died-c-303/
St Servus the Martyr
St Theodore of Antioch
St Urban of Teano
St Victor of Piacenza
A simple short Novena DAY EIGHT here (which also attracts Indulgences):
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/06/immaculate-conception-novena-day-eight-6-december/
NOTE on Indulgences HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/
PREPARATORY PRAYER:
In thy conception, O Virgin Mary,
thou wast immaculate;
pray for us to the Father, Whose Son Jesus,
conceived in thy womb by the Holy Ghost,
thou didst bring forth.
MEDITATION:
Christian art often represents the Immaculate Conception as follows:
The Blessed Virgin appears standing on a globe, about which is coiled a serpent holding an apple in its mouth. One of Mary’s feet rests upon the serpent, the other is placed on the moon. Her eyes are raised toward heaven; her hands are either joined in prayer, or she holds a lily in her right and places the left on her breast. Her dress is white; her ample mantle is of blue colour. A crown of twelve stars encircles her head. These emblems typify, in a most striking manner, Mary’s power and glory. “And a great sign appeared in heaven. A woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Apoc. xii. 1).
PRACTICEL
The representation of the Immaculate Conception is very instructive.
(1) Mary appears standing on the globe. This signifies that being human, she belongs to the earth and yet, is exalted above the world and sin; also, that she trampled under foot earthly possessions, vanities and joys.
(2) A serpent is coiled about the globe, bearing an apple in its mouth. This reminds us of the fall of our first parents and of the consequences of their sin.
(3) Mary’s foot rests on the serpent, indicating that she never was under Satan’s dominion but was preserved from sin in the first moment of her existence.
(4) Mary stands on the moon. The moon, on account of its changes, is an emblem of inconstancy. We see it at Mary’s feet, to be reminded that we ought to be constant in faith and virtue.
(5) Mary wears a crown, to indicate that she is a Queen. The crown is composed of twelve stars – she is the Queen of Heaven.
(6) Mary’s dress is white, to denote her spotless purity and innocence.
(7) She folds her hands in prayer, reminding us to imitate her example.
(8) Or she holds a lily in her right hand, to indicate her virginity and chastity and the sweet odour of her virtues.
(9) Mary’s mantle is blue, which colour is emblematic of royalty. Its folds are ample, to remind us that all who have recourse to her find a secure refuge in all dangers and necessities.
Therefore let us invoke her intercession in the words of Holy Church:
“We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God.
Despise not our petitions but in thy mercy,
deliver us from all danger,
O glorious and Ever Virgin Mary!”
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH:
O God, Who through the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling-place for Thy Divine Son,
grant that, as in view of Thy Son,
Thou didst preserve her from all taint,
so Thou wouldst vouchsafe unto us
that cleansed from all sin by her intercession,
we too may arrive at Thine eternal glory.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER:
O Spotless sun! O Virgin Mary!
I congratulate thee.
I rejoice with thee because,
in thy conception,
God gave thee grace,
greater and more boundless,
than He ever shed on all His Angels
and all the Saints, together with all their merits.
I am thankful and I marvel
at the surpassing beneficence
of the Ever-Blessed Trinity,
Who conferred on thee this privilege.
O make me correspond with the grace of God
and never abuse it.
Change this heart of mine –
make me now begin to amend my life.
LITANY of LORETO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/novena-in-honour-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-day-one-29-november/
Thought for the Day – 6 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“We should hold the word of God in reverence and listen attentively to it.
“He who hears you, hears Me” Jesus told His Apostles, “and he who rejects you, rejects Me” (Lk 10:16).
The man who preaches the word of God, maybe imperfect and ill-trained but, we should not judge his message by his personal qualities, abilities and oratorical skills.
We should focus our attention on the word of God and treasure that.
God often employs weak and imperfect instruments and even unworthy ones, in order to accomplish His work, so that we may hear His word with humility and seek Him, rather than men.
If we seek men, we shall find men but, if we seek God, we shall find God and His eternal Truth and Goodness.
We should listen humbly to God’s word and should remember that we have great need of it.
Even if we are well instructed and feel that we are more learned than the preacher, it is still necessary for us to be attentive to the living word of God, so that it may transform us and make us holy.”
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/13/thought-for-the-day-12-december-the-word-of-god/
Quote/s of the Day – 6 December – St Nicholas (270-343) Confessor, Bishop – Hebrews 13:7-17, Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And he who had received the five talents
went and traded with them,
and gained five more.”
“I have chosen you
and have appointed you,
that you should go
and should bring forth fruit
and your fruit should remain,
says the Lord.”
“… Are you debating what you will do?
Worship Him as God.
Worship the Wonder-worker.
Worship One who worked good things
on behalf of another!”
“In those days he departed
to the mountain to pray
and he spent the night
in prayer to God.”
“It says,
“He passed the whole night in prayer.”
A model is given to you.
A form is prescribed
which you must imitate.”
“Whatever He receives on earth,
He returns in Heaven.”
“O God, grant that whatever good things I have,
I may share generously with those who have not
and whatever good things, I do not have,
I may request humbly, from those who do.”
“Rejoice and be happy!
Persevere to the end
and prefer to die
rather than abandon the post,
to which God has called you!”
“The meaning of this parable is clear.
We are all servants, to whom our heavenly Father
has entrusted various talents.
Some have been given more than others.
By our own labour and industry,
we must all make profitable use of the talents
which we have received.
The ungrateful and slothful servant,
who does not make good use of his talents,
will be severely punished.
But a happy reward awaits the good
and faithful servant,
who has worked zealously all his life,
for his Master’s interests until the talents
which he has received, have produced
an increase of sanctity in himself and in others.”
AnaStpaul 
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