Our Morning Offering – 23 September – “The Month of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Cross”
Prayer for a Holy Death By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
My beloved Jesus, I will not refuse the cross, as the Cyrenian did; I accept it, I embrace it. I accept, in particular, the death Thou hast destined for me, with all the pains which may accompany it; I unite it to Thy Death, I offer it to Thee Thou hast died for love of me; I will die for love of Thee and to please Thee. Help me by Thy grace. I love Thee, Jesus, my love; I repent of ever having offended Thee. Never permit me to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee always and then do with me what Thou will. Amen
Saint of the Day –23 September – Saint Sosius (275-305) Confessor, Deacon and Martyr. His holiness and wisdom drew many Prelates to his feet, seeking spiritual assistance. St Sosius was a Deacon of Misenum, an important naval base of the Roman Empire in the Bay of Naples. Born in 275 in Miseno, Italy and died by being beheaded on 19 September 305, along with St Januarius, at Pozzuoli, Campagna, Italy. Patronages – ailments of the bones, of Frattamaggiore, Italy, San Sossio Baronia, Italy. Also known as – Sosius of Misenum, of Miseno, Sosius of Puzzuoli, Sosier, Sosio, Sosius, Sossio, Sossius, Sosso.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Capo Miseno in Campania, St Sosius, Deacon and Martyr, who, as Pope St Symmachus reports, wishing to save his Bishop from death, instead found death together with him, obtaining equal glory at the same price.””
Sosius was born in Miseno in 275, as reported by the Martyrology of the Venerable Bede. He was one of the most ardent leaders of early Christian groups. Giovanni Diacono defined him as “a man in whom all the charisms of Grace were crowded.”
To demonstrate the fame of holiness which he enjoyed, while still alive, it is enough to remember that illustrious Prelates felt the need to come to Miseno to confer with the seraphic Deacon. Pope Symmachus shows him very zealous to the point of sacrifice and he was so full of the Holy Spirit that his advice was also requested by the great Neapolitan Bishop, St Januarius. During one of these visits, in 304, St Januarius,, celebrating the Holy Mass on the third Sunday of Easter, saw a flame similar to that descending on the forehead of the Apostles, on the day of Pentecost, appear on the head of Sosius, while he was reading the Gospel. St Januarius, evealed the vision to many there.
Sts Sosius and Januarius
The persecution started the year before by Diocletian had, in the meantime, reached its peak and Misenus, seat of the imperial praetorian fleet, was an extremely dangerous place for Christians. But not for this reason, not for any dangers, would Sosius limit his work, continuing with fervour in the preaching of the word of Christ against false idols.
Betrayed by informers, he was taken to prison in Pozzuoli and tortured to deny his faith. St Januarius himself, who was not unaware of the danger to which he was exposed, went to visit him in prison and on that occasion, he too was imprisoned, along with Sts Desiderius and Festus. All were destined to be fed to the beasts in the Amphitheater of Pozzuoli but, a series of miraculous events did not allow the condemnation to be carried out, “…when the animals came near the Saints, they fell affectionately at their feet and refused to harm them,” therefore, they were condemned to be beheaded.
Sosius’ body was transferred to Miseno on 23 September of the same year, which was set as his feast day. The destruction of Miseno by the Saracens caused the migration of the population towards the interior, with the subsequent foundation of Frattamaggiore. here the Misenati brought with them the cult of the Saint, making him the Patron Saint of the City.
The Benedictines, who, at the beginning of the 10th Century, found the remains in the ruins of the Church of Misenate, kept the body in Naples, at the Convent of St Severinus, preserving it from the raids of the Saracens. Thanks to them, the cult spread in Campania, in Lazio and even in Africa.
In 1807, following the suppression of the Convent by Napoleon, the remains of the Saint, together with those of the Apostle of Norico St Severinus, who for many centuries had rested next to the Benedictine Convent, were translated to the mother Church of Frattamaggiore, where still today, they are the object of the love and veneration of all.
St Sosius is also particularly venerated in Castro dei Volsci (Frosinone). The people effectively invoke him against the ailments of the bones.
Saint Sossius (right) with Saint Severinus, Altar painting from the eponymous Church of Saints Severinuaande Sossius in Naples, late 15th Century.
St Pope Linus (c 10 – c 76) Successor to St Peter. Papacy lasted from c 67 to his death. Among those to have held the position of pope, Peter, Linus and Clement are specifically mentioned in the New Testament. Linus is mentioned in the closing greeting of the Second Epistle to Timothy as being with Paul in Rome near the end of Paul’s life. About St Pope Linus: https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/23/saint-of-the-day-23-september-st-pope-linus-c-10-c-76-successor-to-st-peter/
St Cissa of Northumbria St Constantius of Ancona Bl Francisco de Paula Victor Bl Guy of Durnes Bl Helen Duglioli St Peter Acontanto St Polyxena St Sosius (275-305) Confessor, Deacon and Martyr Bl William Way St Xantippa
Martyrs of Syracuse – (4 Saints): Group of Christians deported from Syracuse, Sicily by invading Saracens and sent to North Africa where they were tortured and executed for their faith. Martyrs. The names that have survived are Andrew, Antony, John and Peter. c900
Thought for the Day – 22 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Following Jesus, the Divine Model
“Jesus is the Divine Model, Whom we ought to follow and imitate. In Him, the virtues possess both the infinite splendour of the Divinity and the gentle appeal of glorified Humanity. Jesus does not dazzle us with His brightness but kindly invites us to love and follow Him. “Learn from me” He says, “for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt 11:29). After He has indicated humility, meekness and interior peace, as the foundations of the spiritual life, He invites us to take up the yoke of His law and assures us, that we shall find it light (Mt 11).
If we follow Jesus, even though we are bowed with Him, beneath the weight of the Cross, we shall experience, even in this life, a reflection of the peace and joy which will be our reward in Heaven.”
Quote/s of the Day – 22 September – The Memorial of St Thomas of Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor
“Humility is the mother of many virtues because from it, obedience, fear, reverence, patience, modesty, meekness and peace are born. He who is humble easily obeys everyone, fears to offend anyone, is at peace with everyone, is kind with all.”
“What great profit you gain from God when you are generous! You give a coin and receive a kingdom; you give bread from wheat and receive the Bread of Life; you give a transitory good and receive an everlasting one. You will receive it back, a hundred times more than you offered.”
“If you want God to hear your prayers, hear the voice of the poor. If you wish God to anticipate your wants, provide for those of the need, without waiting for them to ask you. Especially, anticipate the needs of those, who are ashamed to beg. To make them ask for alms, is to make them buy it!”
“I am, notwithstanding, inexcusable, if I do not love Thee for Thou grant Thy love to all who desire or ask it. I cannot see without light – yet, if I shut my eyes in the midst of the noon-day light, the fault is in me, not in the sun.”
“Dismiss all anger and look into yourself a little. Remember that he, of whom, you are speaking, is your brother and as he is, in the way of salvation, God can make him a Saint, in spite of his present weakness.”
One Minute Reflection – 22 September – The Memorial of St Thomas of Villanueva OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor – Sirach 44:16-27; 45:3-20, Matthew 25:14-23
“To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one—to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately …” – Matthew 25:15
REFLECTION – “The man who is the landowner is actually the Creator and Lord of all. The Word compares the time the landowner spends away from home, in the parable, to either the Ascension of Christ into Heaven, or, at any rate, to the unseen and invisible character of the Divine Nature. Now, one must conceive of the property of God, as those in each country and city who believe in Him. He calls His servants, those who according to the times, Christ crowns with the glory of the Priesthood. For the holy Paul writes, “No-one takes this honoUr upon himself; he must be called by God.”
He hands over [His property] to those who are under Him, to each giving a spiritual gift, so that he might have character and aptitude. We think that this distribution of the talents, is not supplied to the household servants in equal measure because, each is quite different from the other, in their understanding. Immediately they head out for their labours, He says, directly, indicating to us here, that apart from the procrastination of one, they are fit to carry out the work of God.
Surely those who are bound by fear and laziness will evolve into the worst evils. For he buried, Jesus says, the talent given to him in the earth. He kept the gift hidden, making it unprofitable for others and useless for himself. For that very reason, the talent is taken away from him and will be given to the one who is already rich. The Spirit has departed from such as these and the gift of the divine gifts. But to those who are industrious, an even more lavish gift will be presented.” – St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) Archbishop of Alexandria, Father and Doctor of the Church (Fragment 283)
PRAYER – O God, Who endowed blessed Bishop Thomas with the virtue of special pity for the poor, we beseech Thee, through his intercession, generously to pour forth the riches of Thy mercy upon all those who pray to Thee. 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 – 22 September – “The Month of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Cross”
My Most Sorrowful Lady By St Anselm (1033-1109) Marian Doctor Magnificent Doctor
My most sorrowful Lady, what can I say about the fountains, that flowed from your most pure eyes, when you saw your only Son before you, bound, beaten and suffering? What do I know of the flood, that drenched your matchless face, when you beheld your Son, your Lord and your God, stretched on the Cross without guilt, when the flesh of your flesh, was cruelly butchered by wicked me? How can I judge what sobs troubled your most pure breast when you heard, “Woman, behold your son,” and the disciple, “Behold, your Mother,” when you received, as a son, the disciple, in place of the Master, the servant, for the Lord? Amen
Saint of the Day – 22 September – Saint Septimius of Jesi (Died c 307) the first Bishop of Jesi in Italy, Confessor, Martyr., Miracle-worker Born in Germany and died by being beheaded in Jesi, Italy. Patronages – the City and Diocese of Jesi. Also known as – Settimio.
St Septimius is venerated as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Jesi and is considered the builder of the first Cathedral,which, although dedicated to the Holy Saviour retained the name of Septimius as the name of the founder (as was the custom).
Fresco of St Septimius, by Biagio Bigatti, 1937. Iesi Cathedral.
Very ancient documents from Jesi, bear 461 as the date of the death of the holy Bishop and Martyr, however, this date seems to be in error when contrasted with the other historical events of the time. The office tells us that Septimius, born in Germany, devoted himself to liberal studies and a military life, then, in contrast to the opinion of his relatives, he converted to Christianity and came to Italy with some friends.
He began to preach the faith in Milan but was forced to leave that City, following the spread of Diocletian’s persecution. He travelled to Rome where he worked wonders and converted many to the True Faith. He was so successful in evangelising the pagans and became so renowned for the many miracles worked through his prayers, that Pope Marcellus I (308-309) Consecrates him as the Bishop of Jesi.
Septimius began immediately his pastoral mission and, at the same time, began the work of building a Cathedral. But in this City he found the Judge Florentius, who forbid him to continue his apostolate and gave him the ultimatum to sacrifice to the gods within five days, according to the imperial edict. Septimius, however, ignored Florentius’ demands and continues to preach the Gospel of Christ and convert pagans and perform miracles, At the end of the five days, Septimius was arrested and beheaded.
Although his place of burial was lost, by 1208 the Cathedral was named for him, His body was finally rediscovered in 1469 and translated to the Cathedral. In 1623 a new Altar was Consecrated to him where his body is now enshrined. His cult, however, had always been venerated because the Cathedral of Jesi was already dedicated to St Septimius.
Until 1623, St Septimius’ celebration was on 5 September and after that year, it was fixed at 22 September. St Septimius is the Patron Saint of the City of Jesi and of the Diocese, which he had established.
St Thomas of Villanueva/Villanova OSA (1488-1555) Archbishop, Confessor, Religious Priest of the Order of St Augustine,Writer, Preacher, Teacher, Apostle of Charity, Mystic, Miracle-Worker often called “the Almsgiver” and “the Father of the Poor“, Reformer. Canonised on 1 November 1658 by Pope Alexander VII. About St Thomas here: https://anastpaul.com/2017/09/22/saint-of-the-day-22-september-st-thomas-of-villanova-o-s-a/
St Irais St Jonas St Lauto of Coutances St Lindru of Partois Bl Otto of Freising St Sadalberga St Sanctinus of Meaux St Septimius of Jesi (Died c 307) Bishop, Confessor, Martyr St Sigfrid of Wearmouth St Silvanus of Levroux St Symphorian
Martyrs of the Theban Legion: + Martyrs (c 287) A Roman imperial legion of 6,600 soldiers, all of whom were Christians; they had been recruited from the area around Thebes in Upper Egypt, were led by Saint Maurice and served under Emperor Maximian Herculeus. Around the year 287, Maximian led the army across the Alps to Agaunum, an area in modern Switzerland, in order to suppress a revolt by the Bagandre in Gaul. In connection with battle, the army offered public sacrifices to the Roman gods; the Theban Legion refused to participate. For refusing orders, the Legion was decimated – one tenth of them were executed. When the remainder refused to sacrifice to the gods, they were decimated again. When the survivors still refused to sacrifice, Maximinian ordered them all killed. Martyrs. Known members of the Legion include: Alexander of Bergamo Candidus the Theban Chiaffredo of Saluzzo Exuperius Fortunato Innocent of Agaunum Maurice Secundus the Theban Ursus the Theban Victor of Agaunum Victor of Xanten Victor the Theban Vitalis of Agaunum Other profiled Saints associated with the Legion include: Antoninus of Piacenza (martyred soldier; associated by later story tellers) Adventor of Turin (not a member; associated by later story tellers) Cassius (may have been a member) Florentius the Martyr (may have been a member) George of San Giorio (not a member; associated by later story tellers) Gereon (not a member, but another soldier who was martyred for refusing to make a sacrifice to Roman gods) Octavius of Turin (not a member; associated by later story tellers) Pons of Pradleves (escaped the massacre to become an evangelists in northern Italy) Secundus of Asti (not a member but linked due to art work) Solutor of Turin (not a member; associated by later story tellers) Tiberio of Pinerolo (may have been a member) Verena (wife of a member of the Legion) They were Martyred c 287 in Agaunum (modern Saint-Maurice-en-Valais, Switzerland. A Basilica was built in Agaunum to enshrine the relics of the Legion. The full story: https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/22/saints-of-the-day-22-september-st-maurice-and-the-martyrs-of-the-theban-legion-martyrs-c
Thought for the Day – 21 September – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971) – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Martyr
Gospel Reading
“Finally, we should practice what we learn in the Gospel. If this were not the result of our reading, our efforts would be worth very little. When reading, we should apply to our lives the spirit and the precepts of Jesus. This was the practice of the Saints, whose lives were a continual implementation of the Gospel message. So, St Aloysius and others, understood and applied to their own lives, the maxim: “Blessed are pure of heart.” St Francis and his followers, applied another maxim: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” St Francis de Sales applied to himself, in a special way, the words: “Blessed are the meek.” As a result, he was noted for his gentleness of character, this man, known as “The Gentleman Saint” and “The Gentle Christ of Geneva!”
We should read the Gospel everyday. It should be for us, a school of practical spirituality, esspecially adapted to the needs of our own soul, which will finally lead us to sanctity.”
One Minute Reflection – 21 September – “The Month of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Cross” – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Martyr – Ezekiel 1:10-14, Matthew 9:9-13
“It is not the healthy who need a physician but they who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call sinners, not the just.”- Matthew 9:12-13
REFLECTION – “The Apostles, those who all as one and each in particular, possessed the Good News of God, went to the ends of the earth proclaiming the news of all the blessings God sends us and announcing Heaven’s peace towards men (Lk 2:14). Specifically, Matthew produced a written form of the gospel for the Hebrews in their own language, while Peter and Paul evangelised Rome and founded the Church there. After their deaths, Mark, who was Peter’s disciple and interpreter (1 Pt 5:13), also handed down Peter’s preaching to us in writing. Likewise, Luke, Paul’s companion, set down in a book, the Gospel preached by the latter. And then John, the disciple of the Lord, the one who leaned back on his breast (Jn 13:25), also published the Gospel during his stay at Ephesus.
In his Gospel,Matthew relates the genealogy of Christ as man: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: now this is how the birth of Christ came about” (Mt 1:1, 18). Thus, this Gospel, presents Christ in human form, which is why it always represents Christ as being moved by sentiments of humility and remaining a man of gentleness …The Apostle Matthew knows none but One and the same God, Who promised Abraham that He would multiply his descendants like the stars in the sky (Gen 15:5) and, Who, through His Son, Jesus Christ, has called us from the worship of stones to knowledge of Him, (Mt 3:9) in such a way, that “those who were no people have become His people and she who was unloved has become beloved” (cf. Hos 2:25; Rom 9:25).” – St Irenaeus (130-202) Father of the Church, Bishop of Lyons, Theologian, Martyr (Against the heresies, III, 11,8 ; 9,1 – One of the first historical testimonies to the Evangelists).
PRAYER – We thank You, heavenly Father, for the witness of Your Apostle and Evangelist, Matthew, to the Gospel of Your Son, our Saviour and we pray, that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts, obey the calling of our Lord, to follow Him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect).
Saint of the Day – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Martyr. Patronages – accountant, bookkeepers, bankers, customs officers, financial officers, money managers, guards, security forces, security guards, stock brokers, tax collectors, Diocese of Trier, Germany, Archdiocese of Washington, 5 cities.
St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist By Fr Leonard Goffiné O.Praem (1648-1719) (Excerpt from The Church’s Year)
Matthew, before his conversion called Levi, was a Galilean, a son of Alpheus (Mark 2:14) consequently a brother of St James the Less, another of the Apostles. (Mark 3:18). Matthew was a collector of the toll which the Jews were obliged to pay to the Roman Emperors and was called from his custom-house by our Lord to be an Apostle.
In his Gospel, which he wrote later, he calls himself from humility always by his early designation, Matthew the Publican. He followed Jesus faithfully and after the descent of the Holy Ghost remained, as the historical writers Eusebius and Epiphanus inform us, in Judea and its neighbourhood, until just before the destruction of Jerusalem, when the Apostles dispersed and went into foreign lands to preach the doctrine of Christ. When obliged to separate from the recent converts in Jerusalem, Matthew wrote his Gospel to leave with them in place of his presence among them and was the first to write concerning our Lord’s life upon earth.
The Calling of Matthew – van Hemessen
He led a rigorous life, prayed much, never touched meat and lived on herbs, roots and wild fruits. He was at last stabbed by the Ethiopian King Hirtakus, as the generality of writers inform us, while standing at the Altar and offering the Sacrifice of Mass because the Saint had refused consent to the King’s marriage with the virgin Eugenia, who was dedicated to God. His sacred remains were, in the tenth Century, brought to Salerno, Naples, where they are still highly venerated.
Matthew was the first to write a Gospel. How proper it is, that he, who after many sins, becomes converted, should be the first to announce the Infinite Mercy of the Redeemer, Who came into this world, not to call the just but sinners.
“Christ, the Saviour, looked with His mild eyes at St Matthew in his custom-house and called him. Matthew obeyed, instantly arose and followed Christ, becoming thus, from a publican, an Apostle of the Lord, a great Saint. How comforting an example of Divine Mercy, even towards the greatest sinner! How wholesome a lesson! The same kind, merciful Saviour, Who gazed so mildly upon Matthew and called him, turns His loving eyes on you also, even if you live in mortal sin. He calls you to repentance – He calls you to follow Him. Obey Him as St. Matthew did, without putting it off. Let neither the greatness, nor the number of your sins detain you. Your Saviour is ready to forgive them, to receive you into His favour and to make you a Saint. “If you are a publican or a sinner,” says St Chrysostom, “you may still become an Evangelist. If you are a blasphemer, you may still become an Apostle.” This means that you may obtain pardon and gain salvation, as St Matthew and St Paul did, the former of whom was a publican, a sinner;and the other, according to his own testimony, a blasphemer. St Augustine says the same in the following words: “Perhaps some may think that the sin they have committed, is so great that it cannot obtain pardon from God. Oh! may such thoughts be far from us. Why, O man, regard only the number of thy sins and not the Omnipotence of the Heavenly Physician? As God is merciful because He is gracious and, as He can be merciful because He is Omnipotent, he who believes that God will not or cannot forforgive him, closes the door of the Divine Mercy on himself, by denying that God is gracious or Omnipotent. Hence, let no-one doubt the Mercy of God, even if he has committed a hundred, nay a thousand crimes. But this belief should incite him, to reconcile himself immediately with the Almighty.” – Fr Francis Xavier Weninger SJ (1805-1888)
Prayer to St Matthew as your Patron Saint
Saint Matthew, whom I have chosen as my Special Patron, pray for me, that I, too, may one day glorify the Blessed Trinity in Heaven. Obtain for me your lively faith, that I may consider all persons, things and events, in the light of Almighty God. Pray, that I may be generous in making sacrifices of temporal things, to promote my eternal interests, as you, so wisely did. Set me on fire with a love for Jesus, that I may thirst for His sacraments and burn with zeal, for the spread of His kingdom. By your powerful intercession, help me in the performance of my duties to God, to myself and to all the world. Win for me the virtue of purity and a great confidence in the Blessed Virgin. Protect me this day and everyday of my life. Keep me from mortal sin. Obtain for me the grace of a happy death. Amen
St Alexander of the Via Claudia Bl Diego Hompanera París St Eusebius of Phoenicia St Francisco Pastor Garrido St Gerulph St Herminio García Pampliega St Iphigenia St Isaac of Cyprus Bl Jacinto Martínez Ayuela St Jonah the Prophet Bl José María Azurmendi Mugarza Bl Josep Vila Barri St Landelino of Ettenheim Bl Manuel Torró García
St Maura of Troyes St Meletius of Cyprus Bl Nicolás de Mier Francisco St Pamphilus of Rome Bl Vicente Galbis Gironés Bl Vicente Pelufo Orts
Martyrs of Gaza – 3 Saints: Three brothers, Eusebius, Nestulus and Zeno, who were seized, dragged through the street, beaten and murdered by a pagan mob celebrating the renunciation of Christianity by Julian the Apostate. They were burned to death in 362 on a village garbage heap in Gaza, Palestine.
The PC has been the source of great good in our lives but, as we so well know, of even greater evil. Many of you may recall that during the last week of June, I sustained an injury to my back. After a “not-long-enough” rest, I returned to Breathing Catholic but, sadly, now, the Repetitive Strain of the PC movements, posture and chair, have aggravated the injury to my previously dislocated shoulder blade.
So this Soldier of Christ has been temporarily “boarded.” Please pray with me for patience in the trials and sufferings of this life and for our Divine Physician to touch all those who are in pain and myself and grant us cures in body and soul.
Missing you already sweet and faithful friends. 🧡🙏 Ana
Thought for the Day – 29 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
More About Almsgiving
“The description of the Last Judgement in the twenty fifth chapter of St Matthew’s Gospel would shock many people, if they were to read it. The principles, in accordance with which, Christ will pronounce sentence are inescapably clear. Did you feed and clothe the poor for My sake, He will ask because you recognised Me in them? If, you have done so, you will certainly be saved. If, you have neglected to do so, you will be condemned for all eternity. Christ does not ask about anything else because, everything else is subordinate to the precept of charity. Where there is charity, everything else follows. Where charity is lacking, there is nothing else because, Christianity is synonymouse with charity. Charity, says St Paul, “is the bond of perfection” (Col 3:14).
“If I should speak with the tongue of men and of Angels,” St Paul says elsewhere, “but have not charity, I have become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal … and if I have all faith so as to move mountains, yet have not charity, I am nothing. And if I distribute all my goods to feed the poor … yet do not have charity, it profits me nothing” (Cf 1 Cor 13:1-3).
So, our eternal salvation depends on our charity. But it must be charity in action, not merely in words. “He who has the goods of this world,” says St John “and sees his brother in need and closes his heart to him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 Jn 3:17). Charity must be expressed in almsgiving and good works, for otherwise, it would be a matter of idle talk which would be powerless to save us.
Our almsgiving should not be dictated simply by natural feelings of compassion, however, nor by mere philanthropy. It should be pre-eminently a religious act, springing from supernatural motives. Because we see the person of Christ in the poor man, we should love and help him as we should our Diving Redeemer. This is real Christian charity.
A proud man may also be liberal in giving away money in order to draw attention to himself. But this is not Christian almsgiving which is never the product of self-love but of the love of God.
Let us be more generous in giving, therefore but, let us always give from the supernatural motive of Christian charity.”
Quote/s of the Day – 29 August – The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
“Amen I say to you, there hath not risen among them that are born of women, a greater than John the Baptist.”
Matthew 11:11
“The Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb He pronounced my name.”
Isaias 49:1
“I, for my part, think that the mystery of John is being fulfilled in the world until the present. The spirit and the power of John, must first fill the soul of whoever is destined to believe in Christ Jesus, “to prepare for the Lord a people well-disposed” (Lk 1:17) and to “make ready the way of the Lord, [to] clear Him a straight path” (Lk 3:5) in the roughness of their hearts. Not only at that time were “the winding paths … made straight and the rough ways smooth;” rather, the spirit and the power of John still go before the Lord and Saviour’s coming today. Oh greatness of the Lord’s Mystery and of His plan for the world! ”
Origen Adamantius (c 185-253) Priest, Theologian, Exegist, Writer, Apologist, Father
“Why was John allowed to die?” For what occurred was not a death but a crown, not an end but the beginning of a greater life. Learn to think and live like a Christian. You will not only remain unharmed by these events but will reap the greatest benefits.”
St John Chrysostom (347-407) Father & Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection –29 August – The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist – Jeremias 1:17-19, Mark 6:17-29
“He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother.” – Mark 6:28
REFLECTION – “In what way, then, was this just man harmed by this demise, this violent death, these chains, this imprisonment? Who are those he did not set back on their feet — provided they had a penitent disposition — because of what he spoke because of what he suffered,because of what he still proclaims in our own day — the same message he preached, while he was living. Therefore, do not say: “Why was John allowed to die?” For what occurred was not a death, but a crown, not an end, but the beginning of a greater life. Learn to think and live like a Christian. You will not only remain unharmed by these events, but will reap the greatest benefits.” St John Chrysostom (347-407) Archbishop of Constantinople, Father and Doctor of the Church (On the Providence of God 22).
PRAYER – May the great festival of St John the Baptist, ThyPrecursor and Martyr, we beseech Thee, O Lord, assure for us the results of Thy saving help. Who lives and reign with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Saint/s of the Day – 29 August – Blessed John of PerugiaOFM (Died 1231) Priest and Blessed Peter of Sassoferrato OFM (Died 1231) Lay Brother, Martyrs, Confessors, Friars of the Friars Minor. Both were beheaded in 1231 in Valencia, Spain. We have no artworks of the two Saints, those below are generic Franciscans.
A Franciscan Friar
The two Friars Minor, Blessed John of Perugia, a Priest, and Peter of Sassoferrato, a lay brother, were sent to Spain with a large number of Friars by St Francis himself. There, they were assigned to the kingdom of Aragon, where they built a small Convent in the little town of Teruel and reaped much fruit, by their holy lives, their prayers and their sermons on penance.
Their longing for the conversion of the infidels and the hope of obtaining the Palm of Martyrdom urged Friars John and Peter to go to the larger city of Valencia, which was governed, at that time, by the Moorish King Azotus. The Friars began to preach in public that Jesus Christ is the true Son of God and that only through Him, can we be saved. Azotus was a bitter enemy of the Christians.
Hearing of the activities of the Friars, he had them seized and cast into prison. He used every possible means to force them to apostatise. But when promises and threats alike, failed to shake their constancy, he condemned them to be beheaded. The Friars thanked the King,, praying fervently to God to enlighten their persecutor and in His mercy, to grant him the grace of conversion to the true Faith. Then, Blessed John of Perugia and Peter of Sassoferrato were beheaded. This occurred in the year 1231.
A few years later, James I, the Catholic King of Aragon, made war on Valencia. His army defeated the army of Azotus, who by this ill fortune and by the grace which the holy Martyrs had won for him from God, recognised Mohammed as a false prophet and Christ as the Saviour of the world. King James rejoiced exceedingly when Azotus asked to be Baptised. After his Baptism, Azotus offered the Friars Minor, his former palace for a Convent.
“When I was still an infidel,” he told them, “I caused your brethren to be executed at Teruel. I sincerely regret this crime and desire to make reparation for it. Accept my palace, in which the blood of many holy Martyrs has been shed and convert it into a convent.”
The palace was remodeled into a Convent and, next to it, a Church was erected in honour of the two Martyrs. On 11 September 1704, Pope Clement XI approved the public veneration which was paid to them and in 1783, Pope Pius VI again honoured them by confirming their cultus.
Blessed John of Perugia`OFM (Died 1231) Martyr, Friar of the Friars Minor AND Blessed Peter of Sassoferrato OFM (Died 1231) Martyr, Friar of the Friars Minor
St Adelphus St Adausia of Rome St Alberic of Bagno de Romagna St Basilia of Sirmium Bl Bronislava St Candida of Rome St Edwold the Hermit St Euthymius of Perugia St Maximian of Vercelli St Medericus St Nicaeus of Antioch St Paul of Antioch St Repositus of Velleianum Bl Richard Herst St Sabina of Troyes St Sator of Velleianum St Sebbe of Essex St Velleicus St Victor of La Chambon St Vitalis of Velleianum
Thought for the Day – 28 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Lord, That I May See!
“The restlessness and intensity of living, make us see things as differently from what they really are. But one day, the veil of the temple will be rent asunder before our frightened eyes and eternal Light will break upon us. Then, we shall be blind no longer but, we shall see everything in the Light of eternity.
Let us place ourselves now, in the state in which we should like to find ourselves at that moment. Let us consider ourselves and everything else, in the Light of eternity. Then our blindness will disappear. Since we shall see everything in God’s way, we shall direct all our thoughts and actions toward Him.alone!”
Quote/s of the Day – 28 August – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of Grace and Father–
St Jerome wrote to Augustine in 418: “You are known throughout the world; Catholics honour and esteem you as the one who has established anew the ancient Faith.”
“The sky and the earth and the waters and the things that are in them, the fishes and the birds and the trees are not evil. All these are good; it is evil men who make this evil world.”
“What is reprehensible, is that while leading good lives themselves and abhorring those of wicked men, some, fearing to offend, shut their eyes to evil deeds instead of condemning them and pointing out their malice.”
“People who associate the name of Christian with a dishonest life, injure Christ! … If God’s Name, is blasphemed by bad Christians, it is praised and honoured, on the other hand, by the good: “For in every place, we are the aroma of Christ” (2 Cor,14-15). And it is said in the Song of Songs: “Your name is oil poured out” (1,3).”
“You do not know when your last day may come. You are an ingrate! Why not use the day, today, that God has given you to repent?”
“If you believe what you like in the Gospels and reject what you don’t like, it is not the Gospel you believe but yourself.”
“Now is the time in this life of suffering, when we journey apart from Him. … So let us fast and pray now because, we are in the days of childbirth!”
“Give of your earthly goods and receive eternal ones; give earth and receive heaven!”
Breathe in Me, O Holy Spirit By St Augustine (354-420)
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen
Hear us, O Heavenly Father, For the Sake of Your Only Son By St Augustine (354-430)
Almighty Father, come into our hearts and so fill us with Your love that forsaking all evil desires, we may embrace You, our only good. Show us, O Lord our God, what You are to us. Say to our souls, I am your salvation, speak so, that we may hear. Our hearts are before You, open our ears, let us hasten after Your Voice. Hide not Your Face from us, we beseech You, O Lord. Open our hearts, so that You may enter in. Repair the ruined mansions, that You may dwell therein. Hear us, O Heavenly Father, for the sake of Your only Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 28 August – St Augustine (354-430) – Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of Grace and Father – 2 Corinthians 3:4-9, Luke 10:23-37
“The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’” – Luke 10:35
REFLECTION – “Who is my neighbour?” In answer the Word explained, in the form of a story, God’s entire economy of salvation.He told of man’s descent from heaven, the robbers’ ambush, the stripping of the garment of immortality, the wounds of sin, the progress of death over half of man’s nature while his soul remained immortal. Then came the passage of the Law that brought no help—neither the priest nor the Levite tended the wounds of the man who fell among robbers—for “it was impossible for the blood of goats and oxen to remove man’s sin” (Heb 10:4). And then He came, clothed in our human nature as the first-fruits of the mass in which there was a portion of every race, Jewish, Samaritan, Greek — all mankind. With His body (that is, the beast of the story) He proceeded to the place of man’s disaster, healed his wounds and set him upon His own beast. He created for him the inn of His loving providence, in which all those who labour and are burdened can find rest (Mt 11,28) (…)
“Whoever abides in me and I in him” (Jn 6:56) … Whoever finds shelter in Christ’s mercy accepts two denarii from Him, one of which signifies the love of God with one’s whole heart and the other the love of one’s neighbour as oneself, according to the lawyer’s reply (Mk 12:30f). But “not the hearers of the law are just before God but the doers of the law shall be justified” (Rm 2:13). Hence we must not merely accept these two coins … but we must, by our own good deeds, co-operate in the fulfilment of these two commandments. And so, the Lord says to the innkeeper, that whatever he does in caring for the wounded man will be made up to him at the Lord’s second coming according to the measure of his devotion.” … St Gregory of Nyssa (c 335–C 395) Father of the Church, Monk, Bishop – Sermons on the Song of Songs, no14 – [Brother of St Basil the Great (Father & Doctor)]
PRAYER – Give heed to our humble prayers, Almighty God and through the intercession of blessed Augustine, Thy Confessor and Bishop, kindly grant Thy oft-given mercy to those upon whom Thou bestows great hope in Thy forgiveness. 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 – 28 August – St Augustine (354-430) – Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of Grace and Father
O God, the House of My Soul is Narrow By St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of Grace
O God, the Light of the heart, which sees Thee, The Life of the soul, which loves Thee, The Strength of the mind, which seeks Thee, May I ever continue to be steadfast in Thy love. Be the Joy of my heart, Take all of me to Thyself and abide therein. The house of my soul is, I confess, too narrow for Thee. Enlarge it, that Thou may enter. It is ruinous but do repair it. It has within it what must offend Thine Eyes, I confess and know it, But whose help shall I seek in cleansing it but Thine alone? To Thee, O God, I cry urgently. Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep me from false pride and sensuality, that they may not get dominion over me. Amen
Saint of the Day – 28 August – Saint Moses the Black (330-405) Priest, Monk, Hermit, Penitent, Evangeliser. Born in 330 Ethiopian ancestry and died by being murdered 405 by Berbers at Petra, Skete, Egypt. Patronage – of Africa. Also known as – Moses the Ethiopian, Moses of Scete.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “St Moses, an Ethiopian, who gave up a life of robbery and became a renowned anchorite. He converted many robbers and led them to a Monastery.”
Moses the Black lived during the fourth century in Egypt. He was an Ethiopian and he was black of skin and, therefore, called “Murin” (meaning “like an Ethiopian”). In his youth he was the slave of an important man but after he committed a crime, his master banished him and he joined a band of robbers.
Moses and his band of brigands did many evil deedss. People were afraid at the mere mention of his name. He spent several years leading a sinful life but through the great mercy of God he repented, left his band of robbers and went to one of the desert Monasteries. Here he wept for a long time, begging to be admitted as one of the brethren. The Monks were not convinced of the sincerity of his repentance but the former robber would not be driven away nor silenced. He continued to ask that they accept him.
Moses was completely obedient to the Abbot and the brethren and he poured forth many tears of sorrow for his sinful life. After a certain while, Moses withdrew to a solitary cell, where he spent the time in prayer and the strictest fasting in a very austere lifestyle.
Once, four of the robbers of his former band descended upon his cell. He had lost none of his great physical strength, so he tied them all up. Throwing them over his shoulder, he brought them to the Monastery, where he asked his superiors what to do with them. The superiors ordered that they be set free. The robbers, learning that they had chanced upon their former ringleader and that he had dealt kindly with them, followed his example: they repented and became Monks. Later, when the rest of the band of robbers heard about the repentance of Moses, then they also gave up their thievery and became fervent Monks.
Moses was not quickly freed from the passions. He went often to the Confessor, seeking advice on how to be delivered from the passions of profligacy. Being experienced in the spiritual struggle, the his Confessor taught him never to eat too much food, to remain partly hungry while observing the strictest moderation. But the temptations did not cease to trouble Moses in his dreams.
Then he learnt of the all-night vigil. The Monk stood the whole night at prayer, so he would not fall asleep. From his prolonged struggles Moses fell into despondency and when there arose thoughts about leaving his solitary cell, his Confessor instead, strengthened the resolve of his disciple.
Moses undertook a new penance. Making the rounds by night of the wilderness cells, he carried water from the well to each brother. He did this especially for the superiors, who lived far from the well and who were not easily able to carry their own water. Once, kneeling over the well, Moses felt a powerful blow upon his back and he fell down at the well like one dead, lying there in that position until dawn. Thus did the devils take revenge upon the Monk for his victory over them. In the morning the Monks carried him to his cell and he lay there a whole year crippled.
Accounts about his conversion spread even beyond the bounds of the wilderness. The governor of the land wanted to see the Saint. When he heard of this, Moses decided to hide from any visitors and he departed his own cell. Along the way he met servants of the governor, who asked him how to get to the cell of the Hermit. Moses. The Monk answered them: “Go no farther to see this unworthy Monk.” The servants returned to the Monastery where the governor was waiting and they told him the words of the Monk they had chanced to meet. The brethren, hearing a description of his appearance, told them that they had encountered Moses himself.
After many years of monastic obedience, study and piety, Moses was Ordained Deacon. The Bishop clothed him in vestments and said, “Now Moses is entirely white!” The Saint replied, “Only outwardly, for God knows that I am still dark within.” Through humility, the Saint believed himself unworthy of the office of Deacon. Having put him to the test, the Bishop then Ordained Moses Priest . St Moses laboured for fifteen years in this rank and gathered around himself many disciples.
When the Saint reached age 75, he warned his Monks that soon brigands would descend upon the Monastery and murder all that were there. The Saint blessed his Monks to leave, in order to avoid violent death. His disciples began to beseech him to leave with them but he replied: “For many years already, I have awaited the time when the words which my Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, should be fulfilled: “All who take up the sword, shall perish by the sword” (Mt. 26: 52). After this, seven of the brethren remained with him and one of them hid nearby during the attack of the robbers. The robbers killed Moses and the six Monks who remained with him. Their death occurred in about the year 405.
St Facundinus of Taino St Felix of Venosa St Fortunatus of Salerno St Gaius of Salerno St Gorman of Schleswig St Hermes of Rome (Died 120) Martyr Bl Hugh More Bl James Claxton St Januarius of Venosa St Julian of Auvergne St Moses the Black (330-405) Priest, Monk, Hermit, Penitent. St Pelagius of Istria St Restitutus of Carthage St Rumwold the Prince St Septiminus of Venosa
Thought for the Day – 27 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Evening Prayer
“A page in the story of our lives is closed. For all we know, it may be our last. Sleep is a symbol of death. How can we be certain that this night will not be our last?
A large number of people die during their sleep. For this reason, our night prayers should include an Act of sincere and perfect Contrition for our sins, an Act of Love for God, our supreme benefactor and an Act of complete resignation to His Will.
When we are in bed, we should repeat the words of Jesus on the Cross, “Father, into Thy Hands, I commit my spirit” (Lk 23:46). If this prayer is on our lips and in our heart, we can sleep in peace.”
Quote/s of the Day – 27 August – St Joseph Calasanz/Calasantius (1557-1648) Spanish Confessor
“Like the saplings of plants, the young are easily influenced, as long as someone works to teach their souls. But if they are allowed to grow hard, we know well that the possibility of one day bending them, diminishes a great deal and is sometimes utterly lost.”
“Keep, O Lord, my heart at peace, always close to Thee. Thou Who calms the wild waves of the sea.”
AnaStpaul 
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