Quote/s of the Day – 19 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Feast St John Eudes (1601-1680) Confessor, “The Apostle of Two Hearts”
“He has written us on His Hands, so as to have us always under His Eyes; that whoever touches us, touches the apple of His Eye; that we should never be anxious, about what we need to live and to clothe ourselves, that He knows well, we need these things and takes care of them for us that He has numbered the hairs on our head and not one of them will perish that His Father loves us as He loves Him and that, He loves us as His Father loves Him that He Wills that we should be where He is that is to say, we should be at rest with Him, in the Breast and Heart of His Father.”
One Minute Reflection – 19 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St John Eudes (1601-1680) Confessor, “The Apostle of Two Hearts” – Within the Assumption Octave – Sirach 31:8-11 – Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Be you then also ready, for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.” – Luke 12:40
REFLECTION – “Let our “loins be girded and our lamps lit”; let us be like “servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast” (Lk 12:35). Do not let us be like those unbelievers who say: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor 15:32). The more unsure the day of our death is, the more painful are the trials of life and the more too, we should fast and pray since, to all intents and purposes, tomorrow we die. Our Lord said to His disciples: “Yet a little while and you will no longer see Me and again, a little while and you will see Me” (Jn 16:16). Now is the time of which He said: “You will grieve but the world will rejoice” (v. 20); now is the time in this life of suffering when we journey apart from Him. “But,” He adds, “I shall see you again and your hearts will be full of joy and no-one will take your joy away from you” (v. 22).
Even now, the hope we thus put in the One Who is faithful to His promise, will not leave us without some joy, until we are filled with overwhelming joy on the day when “we shall be like Him because we shall see Him as He is” (1Jn 3:2), when “no-one shall take our joy away from us”… “A woman in labour,” says our Lord, “is in anguish because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to a child, she feels immense joy because a child has been born into the world” (Jn 16:21). This is the joy no-one can take away from us and with which we will be filled when we pass from our present understanding of faith into eternal Light. So let us fast and pray now because we are in the days of childbirth.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace [Sermon 210, 5 (7)]
PRAYER – O God, Who wondrously enkindled St John, Thy Confessor, to promote the religious veneration of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and through him, willed to found new religious families in the Church, grant, we beseech Thee that we may honour his holy merits and may learn from the example of his virtues. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 19 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Feast of St John Eudes (1601-1680) Confessor, “The Apostle of Two Hearts”
A Magnificat By St John Eudes (1601-1680) A Hymn of Praise and Thanksgiving to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Holy Heart of Mary
My soul doth magnify the admirable Heart of Jesus and Mary And my spirit rejoices in Thou great Heart. Jesus and Mary have given me their Heart, This immense Heart, in order that all in me May be performed in its love.
Infinite praise to them, for their ineffable gift. This Heart infinitely merciful, has done great things for me. It has possessed me from the womb of my mother. Infinite thanksgiving for Thou ineffable gifts.
The abyss of my misery has called on the abyss of His Mercy. Infinite thanksgiving for His ineffable gifts. This Heart infinitely meek has presented me With blessings of its sweetness. Infinite thanksgiving for His ineffable gifts. Amen
Saint of the Day – 19 August – Saint Maginus (Died c306) Hermit Martyr of Brufaganya, Spain. Nobly born in Burgundy modern France and died by being beheaded with a sickle durinmg the persecutions of Diocletian in c3046 in Tarragona, Spain. Patronage of Tarragona. Also known as – Magi, Magin.
Maginus, being orphaned at a young age, and desiring to give himself to God, became a Hermit in a cave on Mount Brufaganya located at 760m above sea level, above the beginning of the Torrent de Sant Magí.
Upon the arrival of the Roman Prefect Dacian in Tarragona, persecuting Christians under the edict of Emperor Maximian, and Diocletian, Maginus tried to convert them to the Faith and was imprisoned.
Being miraculously freed, he left the City by a gate now called Sant Magí, where he dedicated a Chapel and returned to Mount Brufaganya.
Being captured once again in his cave, Maginus was taken to Tarragona, then transferred to Gaià, where he was beheaded.
St Andrew the Tribune St Badulf of Ainay St Bertulf of Luxeuil St Calminius St Credan of Evesham
St Donatus of Sisteron (Died 535) Priest, HermitMiracle-worker. The Roman Martyrology reads: “In the neighbourhood of Sisteron in France, the blessed St Donatus, Priest and Confessor. Being from his very infancy endowed with the grace of God in an extraordinary manner, he lived the life of an Anchorite for many years and after having been renowned for glorious miracles, he went to Christ.” St Donetus’ Life of Grace: https://anastpaul.com/2024/08/19/saint-of-the-day-19-august-st-donatus-of-sisteron-died-535-priest-confessor-hermit/
Blessed Jordan of Pisa OP (c1255–1311) Dominican Friar, Theologian, Professor, renowned Preacher, Founder of the Confraternity of the Holy Redeemer at Pisa, Visionary, Marian devotee, promoter and daring innovator of the vernacular Italian language as a ‘church’ language and a tool for evangelisation. On 23 August 1833, Blessed Jordan’s cultus was confirmed by Pope Gregory XVI and in 1838 he was Beatified by Pope Gregory XVI. His Ardent Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/19/saint-of-the-day-blessed-jordan-of-pisa-op-c-1255-1311/ St Julius of Rome
St Louis OFM (1274-1297) Prince and Bishop of Toulouse, Neapolitan Prince of the Capetian House of Anjou, Franciscan Friar and Priest, Apostle of Prayer, of Penance and of the poor and the sick. He had received the last sacraments on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady and on the 19th of August, 1297, while pronouncing the holy name of Mary, he yielded his soul to God. Because of the many miracles that were wrought at his tomb, he was Canonised as early as 1317, during the lifetime of his mother. Lovely St Louis: https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/19/saint-of-the-day-19-august-saint-louis-of-toulouse-ofm-1274-1297-prince-and-bishop/St
St Magnus of Anagni St Magnus of Avignon St Magnus of Cuneo St Marianus (Died c515) Hermit of Entreaigues, a forest in France. St Gregory of Tours wrote his Vita but we have no copy thereof. St Marinus of Besalu St Maginus (Died c306) Hermit Martyr of Tarragona, Spain St Mochta St Namadia of Marsat St Rufinus – Confessor. A Saint venerated for centuries in of Mantua, Italy but sadly all records of his life have been lost. St Sarah the Matriarch St Sebaldus St Thecla of Caesarea St Timothy of Gaza
Blessed Pope Urban II (1042–1099) Bishop of Rome, Abbot, Confessor – after 1969 his Feast was moved to 29 July. The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, Blessed Urban II, Pope, who followed in the footsteps of St Gregory VII, in his zeal for learning and religion and fired the Crusaders with enthusiasm for the recovery of the holy places in Palestine, from the power of the infidels. The veneration paid to him from time immemorial Pope Leo XIII, approved and confirmed.” Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2019/07/29/saint-of-the-day-29-july-blessed-pope-urban-ii-c-1035-1099-bishop/
Martyrs of Nagasaki – 15 Beati: A group of missionaries and their laymen supporters who were executed for spreading Christianity in Japan. They are: Antonius Yamada, Bartholomaeus Mohyoe, Iacobus Matsuo Denji, Ioachim Díaz Hirayama, Ioannes Miyazaki Soemon, Ioannes Nagata Matashichi, Ioannes Yago, Laurentius Ikegami Rokusuke, Leo Sukeemon, Ludovic Frarijn, Marcus , kenoshita Shin’emon, Michaël Díaz Hori, Paulus Sankichi, Pedro de Zúñiga, Thomas Koyanag., They were beheaded on 19 August 1622 at Nagasaki, Japan and Beatified , 7 May 1867 by Pope Pius IX.
Thought for the Day – 18 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Apostolate of Prayer
“Everybody cannot be an Apostle in the strict sense of the word. Not everyone can dedicate his whole life to the expansion of God’s Kingdom upon earth and to the conversion of pagans, heretics and sinners. Everyone can, however, do a little in this cause. Perhaps you cannot leave your family as the missionaries do and travel to distant lands to extend the Kingdom of God. Perhaps you cannot enter a Convent or dedicate yourself to God as a Priest or a Religious because you have not received this high vocation from God. We know, however, that each one of us has some responsibility for his neighbour and must help him whenever possible. “Go surety for your neighbour according to your means ” (Eccles 29:20).
Now, the ‘Apostleship of Prayer’ offers everybody a simple way of doing exactly this. Its object is to promote the glory of God and the salvation of souls, especially by means of prayer in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Besides prayer, we must offer the actions and sufferings of each day. Let us decide to become one, with all the faithful, in offering the prayers and actions and sufferings of each day to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of His Mother Mary.
We shall certainly receive showers of graces, both for ourselves and for the salvation of the souls of our neighbours.”
Quote/s of the Day – 18 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – 4th Day Within the Octave of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin – Judith 13:22-25; 13:15; 13:10 – Luke 1:41-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord … … my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” Luke 1:46-47
The Magnificat The Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary Luke 1:46-55 Indulgence 100 days
My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid, for behold, from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed. For He Who is mighty hath done great things unto me: and holy is His Name. And His mercy is from generation to generation unto thos who fear Him. He hath shown strength with His Arm, He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath upheld His servant Israel, being mindful of His Mercy. As He spoke unto our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end! Amen
One Minute Reflection – 18 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – 4th Day Within the Octave of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin – Judith 13:22-25; 13:15; 13:10 – Luke 1:41-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. ” – Luke 1:46-47
REFLECTION – “O Virgin! Temple of the Trinity! the God of all Goodness and Mercy … is declared to have been born of thee. The message is brought to thee by the Angel who hails thee full of grace … and thou art told. Thou consent and the King of Glory instantly becomes Incarnate in thy womb. By this joy, we pray, make us pleasing to this great King. …
Thy second Joy is that thou, the Star, gives birth to the Sun … This birth causes neither alteration nor pain in thee; thou remains a Virgin as before. As a flower loses not its beauty by sending forth its fragrance; so neither do thou lose the bloom of virginity by giving birth to thy Creator. O Mary, gracious Mother! be for us the way which leads to thy Son. …
A star tells thee of thy third Joy. Thou sees a star resting over thy Child, the Magi adoring Him and offering their varied gifts …. O Mary, the world’s Star! pray for us, that we may be cleansed from our sins. …
The fourth Joy, O holy Virgin! was given to thee when Jesus rose from the tomb … hope was restored and death was put to flight. And thou, O full of grace (Lk 1:28), had thy share in effecting these wonders. The enemy is conquered … we, who had been made captive are set free and raised up from earth to Heaven. O Mother of our Creator! pray for us earnestly, that by this Paschal Joy we may be joined with the heavenly choirs after this life’s labours are over.
Thou received thy fifth Joy, O Mary!, when thou were present at thy Son’s Ascension into Heaven. Then thou clearly saw that He, Whose Mother thou art, was thy Creator. His Ascension shows us the path whereby we are to ascend to Heaven … We beseech thee, by this Joy, may we also ascend to Heaven, where, with thee, together with thy Son, we may rejoice for all eternity …
The sixth Joy was when the Holy Paraclete descended from Heaven in the form of fiery tongues, strengthening … and inflaming the Apostles to heal those whose tongues had brought them to perdition and to purify their souls from sin. By this holy Joy, intercede for us we pray, O Virgin!, to thy Son that He may pardon us the stain of our sins lest there be found guilt upon us at the great Judgement.
Jesus invited thee to the seventh Joy when He called thee out of this world to Heaven, placed thee on thy throne and honoured thee with special favours. The honour given to thee is such, as none of the blessed in Heaven enjoy … O Virgin Mother of Mercy! may we feel the proofs of thy loving intercession … By this Joy, pray that we may be purified from our sins and, being made fruitful in good works, take us with thee, O fruitful Mother, into the blissful joys of Heaven. Amen. ” – Latin Liturgy – The Assumption Sequence from the XIVth – XVth Centuries.
PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, forgive the transgressions of Thy servants and, forasmuch as by our own deeds, we cannot please Thee, may we find safety through the prayers of the Mother of Thy Son and our Lord. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Saint of the Day – 18 August – Saint Eonus (Died c502) Bishop of Arles. Of French birth where he died in his Diocese of Arles in c502. Also known as – Eolnius, Aeonius.
Unknown Bishop
Eonus was related to the renowned Saint Caesarius (470-542) and a fellow citizen of Arles. Eonus succeeded Saint Leontius, as the Bishop of Arles, who was still alive in 475.
Pope Saint Gelasius I addressed a letter to our Saint to be shared with the Eiscopate of Gaul. Pope Anastasius II (496-498) had determined the respective rights of the Provinces of Vienne and Arles, in a way prejudicial to the latter and Eonus asserted his point of view. In 499, Pope Symmachus ordered him to send a representative to Rome, together with that of Vienne. In 500, the outcome of this meeting in Rome was successful for Eonus, as Arles recovered its rights.
Eonus corresponded with Saint Ruricius, the Bishop of Limoges, three of whose letters addressed to him have come down to us.
Eonus involved himself in monastic life and placed St Caesarius, who had left Lérins for health reasons, at the head of one of his Monasteries. He Ordained St Caesarius to the Priesthood and chose him as his successor. This choice Eonus expressed this to his Clergy, to the best of his faithful and to the King of Toulouse, Alaric.
He likely died in 502. The Diocese of Arles and Aix, celebrate the Feast of Saint Eonus with us all today.
St Florus of Illyria Bl Francis of Francavilla Bl Gaspar di Salamanca St Hermas of Rome St John of Rome St Juliana of Myra St Juliana of Stobylum St Laurus of Illyria St Leo of Myra
Massa Candida: Also known as Martyrs of Utica and the White Company: Three hundred 3rd Century Christians at Carthage, who were ordered to burn incense to Jupiter or face death by fire. Martyrs. Saint Augustine of Hippo and the poet Prudentius wrote about them. They were forced to cast themselves into a pit of burning lime c 253 at Carthage, North Africa.
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Our Morning Offering – 18 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Within the Octave of the Assumption
O Immaculate Heart of Mary By St Gertrude the Great (1256-1302)
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, I have nothing in myself to offer thee which is worthy of thee but what thanksgiving I ought I to pay thee, for all the favours which thou hast obtained for me from the Heart of Jesus! What reparation ought I to make thee for all my tepidity, in thy service! I desire to return thee love for love, the only good which I possess, is the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which thou, thyself hast given me. I offer thee this Treasure of Infinite Price, I cannot do more and thou dost not deserve less, at my hand but, receiving from me, this Gift most Precious in thy sight, be pleased, I beseech thee, to accept too, my poor heart which I here offer to thee and I shall be forever blessed. Amen.
Thought for the Day – 17 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Mary, the Source of Holiness
“Since we are Mary’s children, we should try and reproduce her holiness in ourselves. Although, it is higher than that of the Angels, her sanctity is easy to imitate. There is no record that she ever had ecstasies or worked miracles. Her’s was a perfect internal sanctity, consisting of total conformity with the Will of God and an intense love for Him. We must aspire to this kind of holiness and model our lives upon it. There is no point in arguing that it is sufficient to be good Catholics and, that it is not necessary to be holy. A Catholic, to be truly such, MUST be holy!
St Paul referred to the early faithful as saints (Eph 1:1). “You are a chosen race,” said St Peter, “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people,” (1 Peter 1:16, Lev 11:44) “You are to be perfect,” Jesus Himself had commanded, “even as your heavenly Father is perfect,” (Mt 5:48), This was the reason, He indicated why He had come into the world – “that they may have life and have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10). This is the purpose of the Gospel and this must be the purpose of our lives. Some day, we shall either be holy in Heaven, or we shall be damned. We shall either be Saints in Heaven or condemned forever in Hell. This truth merits careful though – everything else is passing but this is something which will never pass away. This command to sanctify ourselves is a reality which is present at every moment of our lives. Let us do our best to obey it, at any cost!”
Quote/s of the Day – 17 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Hyacinth OP (1185-1257) ) Confessor – 1 Corinthians 12:2-11 – Luke 18:9-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled and he who humbles himself, shall be exalted.”
Luke 18:14
“The one who requests less than he deserves from God will surely obtain more than he deserves. This is clearly shown by the tax-collector who requested forgiveness but obtained justification. And the thief merely requested to be remembered in His Kingdom but he inherited Paradise!”
St John Climacus (c525-606)
“The most perfect degree of humility is to take pleasure in contempt and humiliations. Contempt suffered patiently, is worth more before God, for love of Him, than a thousand fastings and disciplines.”
“Humility is a Descending Charity and Charity is an Ascending Humility.”
“Humility helps us to serenely receive afflictions, knowing that we deserve them and to receive blessings with reverence, knowing that they are undeserved.”
“Let us not lower our eyes without humiliating the heart , at the same time; let others not think we want the last place, without truly desiring it!”
“Humility makes our lives, acceptable to God, meekness, makes us acceptable to men.”
One Minute Reflection – 17 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Hyacinth OP (1185-1257) ) Confessor – 1 Corinthians 12:2-11 – Luke 18:9-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled and he who humbles himself, shall be exalted.” – Luke 18:14
REFLECTION – “Before the Lord Jesus’ coming, people drew all their glory from themselves. But He came as Man that the glory of man might grow less and the glory of God grow greater. For He came without sin and found us all to be sinners. If He came to lose our sins, it is because God is merciful, so let man take note of it. For man’s lowliness, is his gratitude and, God’s greatness, is His Mercy.
If He came to forgive us our sins, then let man take thought of his lowliness and God exercise His Mercy. “He must increase but I must decrease” (Jn 3:30). That is to say, He it is Who must give and it is for me to receive. He must have the glory and I must acknowledge it. Man should understand his place, let him acknowledge God and hear what the Apostle Paul says to the high-minded and proud man, who claims to be exalted: “What do you possess that you have not received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as though you have not received it?” (1 Cor 4:7). So, let the man who would call his own that which is not his own, understand that he has received it and make himself small, for it is good for him that God should be glorified in him. Therefore, let him grow less in himself that, in him, God may grow greater.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermons on Saint John’s Gospel 14:5)
PRAYER – God, Who gladden us with the annual feast of blessed Hyacinth, Thy Confessor, mercifully grant that, while honouring the anniversary of his death, we may also imitate his deeds. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 17 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Pentecost X
Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky, We Lift our Hearts to God on High By St Ambrose (340-397) Great Latin Father and Doctor of the Church Trans J M Neale (1818-1866)
Now that the daylight fills the sky, We lift our hearts to God on high That He, in all we do or say, Would keep us free from harm today,
Would guard our hearts and tongues from strife, From angry words, would shield our life, From evil sights, would turn our eyes And close our ears to vanities.
So we, when this new day is gone And night in turn is drawing on, With conscience by the world unstained, Shall praise His Name for vict’ry gained.
“All praise to You, Creator Lord! All praise to You, eternal Word! All praise to You, O Spirit wise!” We sing as daylight fills the skies. Amen
Saint of the Day – 17 August – St James the Deacon (7th Century). James was a Roman Deacon particularly proficient in Church music and Gregorian Chant, who accompanied St Paulinus of York (c584-644) the 1st Bishop of York, on his mission to Northumbria. He was a member of the second Gregorian mission in around 604. After Paulinus left Northumbria due to pagan violence, James stayed near Lincoln and continued his missionary efforts, dying sometime after 671, according to the Venerable St Bede.
James was presumably an Italian, like the other members of the Gregorian mission. His birth date is unknown but it is believed that he arrived in England in the 2nd mission in around 604. He accompanied St Paulinua to Northumbria together with the sister of King Eadbald of Kent, who went to Northumbria to marry King Edwin.
When King Edwin died in battle in 633, having been the principal supporter of St Paulinus’ mission, the pagans responded in aggression to the Christian missionaries. St Paulinus was forced to flee to Kent. James, however, remained in Northumbria and continued missionary evangelisation. James’ efforts were centred in Lincoln, at a Church which St Paulinus had built, the remains of which may lie under the Church of St Paul-in-the-Bail.
St Bede (673-735) writes that James lived in a village near Catterick which “bears his name to this day.” He reports that James, undertook missionary work in the area and lived to a great age. During the reign of King Oswiu of Northumbria, James attended the Royal Court, for he celebrated Easter with Oswiu’s Queen, Eanflæd, Edwin’s daughter. James and Eanflæd celebrated Easter on the date used by the Roman Church which led to conflicts with Oswiu, who celebrated Easter on the date calculated by the Irish Church. These dates did not always coincide and were one of the reasons that Oswiu called the Council of Whitby in 664 to decide which system of Easter calculation his Kingdom would use. We know, in our favoured position that the Council of Whitby settled the issue agreeing to following Rome.
According to St Bede’s account, James was present at the Council of Whitby. St Bede states that after the Council and the return of Roman customs, James, as a trained singing master in the Roman style, taught many Gregorian Chant.
James’ date of death is unknown but St Bede implies that he was still alive during St Bede’s lifetime, meaning he died after the latter’s birth, between 672. This would mean he was at least 70 years old at his death. It has been suggested that St James was St Bede’s informant for the life of St Edwin, the works of St Paulinus and perhaps, the Council of Whitby.
After his death, James was venerated as a Saint throughout the country.
St Amor of Amorbach St Anastasius of Terni St Benedicta of Lorraine St Carloman St Cecilia of Lorraine
St Clare of the Cross (c1269-1308) Augustinian Nun and Abbess of Montefalco ; before becoming a Nun, St Clare was a member of the Third Order of St Francis (Secular), Mystic, Penitent, Spiritual adviser. Beatified by Pope Clement XII. On 8 December 1881, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Leo XIII Canonised Clare. Her Sanctified Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/17/saint-of-the-day-17-august-saint-clare-of-the-cross-of-montefalco-c-1269-1308/
St Drithelm St Elias the Younger St Eusebius of Sicily St James the Deacon (7th Century)
St Jeroen of Noordwijk (c800-856) Priest Martyr, Missionary. Patronage – the finding of lost articles, of Noordwijk. Also known as – Gerone, Hiero, Hieron, Iero, Ieron, Jeroen van Noordwijk, Jéron Noordwijk. Additional Memorial – 3rd Sunday in August in Noordwijk a St Jeroen celebration known as the ‘St Jeroen Sleep Walk’ and on the 1st Sunday in September, his Patronage of Noordwijk (and of lost articles) is celebrated there. Holy Jeropen’s Life and Death: https://anastpaul.com/2024/08/17/saint-of-the-day-17-august-st-jeroen-of-noordwijk-c800-856-priest-martyr/
St Juliana of Ptolemais St Mamas St Myron of Cyzicus
St Nicolò Politi (1117-1167) Basilian Monk and Hermit. He was known for his miracles even during his childhood and was Venerated as a saint even before his death. St Nicolò was Canonised on 7SJune 1507, at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, by Pope Julius II. Miraculous St Nicolò: https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/17/saint-of-the-day-17-august-st-nicolo-politi-1117-1167/
Thought for the Day – 16 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Prayer and Our Lady
“O Mary, my Mother, obtain for me that spirit of prayer which will keep me always close to God. I know that sin can never conquer me if I remain united to God. I know if my heart is filled with the desire of Heavenly gifts, there will be no room in it for useless or sinful affections. I wish to follow your example and live a life of prayer and recollection. But, I am very weak and unstable. Please obtain for me the gift of constant and persevering prayer and grant that I may never lose it. Amen.”
Quote/s of the Day – 16 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11, Matthew1:1-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary and of her was born Jesus, Who is called Christ.”
Matthew 1:16
“O Mother blest! And chosen Shrine wherein the Architect Divine, Whose Hand contains the earth and sky vouchsafed in hidden guise to lie; Blest in the message Gabriel brought; blest in the work, the Spirit wrought; Most blest, to bring to human birth, the long desired of all the earth!”
St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609) Bishop, Poet, Theologian, Father
“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 ”
St John Damascene (675-749) Father and Doctor of the Church
“Our Lord is begotten virginally, from all eternity, in the bosom of His Heavenly Father. He shares in the One Divinity of His Eternal Father, without dividing it or fracturing the Divine Simplicity. He remains One same God with Him. The most holy Virgin produced her Son, Our Lord on earth, as He is produced by His Father eternally in Heaven that is, virginally. There is one important difference, however, she brought Him forth from her womb and not in her womb, for once He left it He will no more return there but His Heavenly Father begets Him from His bosom and in His bosom and He will remain there eternally!”
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Doctor of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 16 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11 – Matthew1:1-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary and of her was born Jesus, Who is called Christ.” – Matthew 1:16
REFLECTION – “ It is of no avail to say that our Lord, the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was true and perfect Man, unless we believe that He is so in the way that the Gospel declares. For Matthew says: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” and follows the order of his human origin, so as to bring the lines of His ancestry down to Joseph, to whom the Lord’s Mother was espoused. Whereas Luke, going backwards step by step, traces His succession to the first of the human race, to show that the first Adam and the last Adam, were of the same nature (Lk 3:23).
No doubt, the Almighty Son of God, could have appeared for the purpose of teaching and justifying, in exactly the same way as He appeared, in the semblance of flesh, to the patriarchs and prophets, for instance, when He wrestled with Jacob (Gn 32:25) or engaged in a conversation with Abraham, not refusing His hospitality and even partaking of the food set before Him (Gn 18). But these appearances were indications of that Man Whose reality they manifested, assumed from the stock of those same ancestors.
But the fulfilment of the Mystery of our Redemption, ordained from all eternity, was not assisted by any images because, the Holy Ghost had not yet come down on the Virgin and, the power of the Most High, had not overshadowed her (Lk 1:35). Wisdom had not yet built herself a house within her undefiled body, so that the Word might there become flesh and, the Form of God and the Form of a Slave coming together in one person, the Creator of time, might be born in time and He Himself, through Whom all things were made, might be brought forth in the midst of all things. For, if the New Man had not been made in the likeness of sinful flesh and taken our old nature on Himself and, being consubstantial with the Father, had deigned to be consubstantial with His Mother also – yet, without sin – the whole human race would be held captive under the devil’s yoke and we should not be able to make use of the Conqueror’s victory because, it would have been won outside our nature!But it was from Christ’s marvellous sharing of our nature that the Mystery of regeneration shone upon us.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Letter 31).
PRAYER – O God, Who, willed St Joachim to be the father of Thy Son’s Mother; grant, we beseech Thee that we may ever enjoy the spiritual help of him whose feast we celebrate. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 16 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Feast of St Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Hymn to St Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary From the Liturgical Year, 1907
O Joachim, Father of the Sovereign Maiden, who in all purity gave birth to God, present to the Lord, our petitions and our chaste desires.
Thou knowest, by what angry waves we are here tossed, whom the cruel sea of this world wearies so, Thou knowest how many battles Satan and the flesh, prepare for us.
Now that thou art united , to the holy companies in Heaven, or rather art placed at their head, thou canst do all if thou wilt; for rightly, neither Jesus, thy Grandson, nor Mary, thy daughter, can deny thee aught.
Obtain by thy prayer that our Blessed God may give us pardon and peace that united with thee, we may sweetly sing canticles to Him. Amen
Saint of the Day – 16 August – Saint Serena (4th Century) Wife of Emperor Diocletian and, therefore, the Empress of the Roman Empire and a clandestine Christian.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, St Serena, who had been the wife of the Emperor Diocletian.”
In the Acts of Saint Marcellus and Saint Susanna, whom we celebrated on 11 August, Empress Serena intervened to defend Christians from persecution. For this reason, tradition holds that Serena was repudiated and some sources say she was later Martyred by her husband.
In fact, Lactantius (Lucius Cecilius, 3rd-4th Century), a Latin Christian writer who lived at the time and Court of Diocletian, states in his “De Mortibus Persecutorem” that his wife and daughter were called Prisca and Valeria and that they were forced to perform pagan rites.
While the abovementioned “Acts” speak of an Empress named Serena, wife of Diocletian, who intervened to defend Christians from the persecution unleashed by her husband, the tenth and most violent.
Her intervention evidently helped bring the persecution to an end because in 305 Diocletian abdicated and retired to Split. Probably from antiquity, she was, therefore, considered a saintly figure to be venerated as a Saint and some sources regard her as a Martyr.
Blessed Angelo Agostini Mazzinghi O.Carm. (1385-1438) was an Italian Priest and a professed member of the Carmelite Order. He was a noted Preacher, Prior and Reformer, Teacher of theology and was known for his pious devotion to the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Carmelite Rule of Life and to the profession of the Gospel. Holy Angelus: https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/16/saint-of-the-day-16-august-blessed-angelo-agostini-mazzinghi-o-carm-1385-1438/
St Arsacius of Nicomedia St Frambaldo Bl Iacobus Bunzo Gengoro Bl Jean-Baptiste Menestrel Bl John of Saint Martha
Blessed Laurence Loricatus (Died 1243) Hermit, Pilgrim, Penitent, previously a Soldier. Laurence served as a Solider as a young man. After accidentally killing a man, perhaps in the course of duty, he was so overcome with remorse that he dedicated himself to a life of penance. The image below by Fra Angelico depicts St Benedict finding a new disciple in his ‘cave.’ His Life of Penitance: https://anastpaul.com/2024/08/16/saint-of-the-day-16-august-blessed-laurence-loricatus-died-1243-hermit-pilgrim-penitent/
Bl Magdalena Kiyota Bokusai Bl Maria Gengoro Bl Ralph de la Futaye St Serena (4th Century) Bl Simon Kiyota Bokusai
St Ugolina (c1239-c1300) Hermit, Penitent, Spiritual advisor. The very strange story that of this Blessed Ugolina who shut herself in a hermitage, representing herself as a man and remained there for forty-seven years! The aim of her subterfuge was to escape the aims of her father, who wished her to marry. In order not to reveal her secret, she called herself Ugo without revealing her identity to anyone. for nearly fifty years Her Holy Life: https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/16/saint-of-the-day-16-august-saint-ugolina-of-vercelli-c-1239-c-1300/
Martyrs of Palestine – 33 Saints: Thirty-three Christians Martyred in Palestine; they are commemorated in old martyrologies but the date and exact location have been lost.
Thought for the Day – 15 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven
“The fourth Book of Kings tells us, that the Prophet Elias was taken up into Heaven in a fiery chariot without having first endured the pains and humiliations of death (Cf 4 Kings 2:11). Why did God not do likewise in the case of the Blessed Virgin, commanding His Angels to bear her to Heaven before death struck her innocent body? As St Paul says, it was sin which caused death to enter the world. From the moment of her conception, Mary was free from the slightest taint of sin, for she was immaculate and full of grace. Nevertheless, according to the most widely held tradition, Mary chose to die, even as her Divine Son had willed to die. Jesus “was offered because it was His own will” (Isa 53:7). The same is true in Mary’s case, with only this difference. Jesus died a cruel death after the most hideous tortures in the midst of a blaspheming and hate-ridden mob. Nothing like this happened to Mary, although she is called the Queen of Martyrs because of the sword which pierced her soul at the sight of her Divine Son, dying in such agony.
Jesus willed, however, that the immaculate body of His Mother would remain intact. It was only her great love and intense desire of being reunited with her Son which gradually consumed her mortal life. Her ever-increasing love for God, broke the bonds of her mortal frame until she went to sleep at last, in the Lord.
Quote/s of the Day – 15 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” –The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven
“In their sermons and speeches on the Feast day of the Assumption of the Mother of God, the holy Fathers and the Great Doctors of the Church, were speaking of something which the faithful already knew and accepted – all they did, was to bring it out into the open, to explain its meaning and substance in other terms. Above all, they made it most clear, that this Feast commemorated, not merely the fact that the Blessed Virgin Mary did not experience bodily decay but also, her triumph over death and her heavenly glory, following the example of her only Son, Jesus Christ.”
Pope Pius XII (1876-1958) From the Apostolic Constitution “Munificentissimus Deus” Defining the DOGMA of the Assumption 1 November 1950
“Jesus willed, however, that the Immaculate body of His Mother would remain intact. It was only her great love and intense desire of being reunited with her Son, which gradually consumed her mortal life. Her ever-increasing love for God, broke the bonds of her mortal frame until she went to sleep at last, in the Lord. If only our death could be the same!”
“Humility is the Mother of all the virtues, even as pride is the source of all the vices. If we wish to share in Mary’s triumph, we must, first of all, share in her humility. The glorious Assumption of Mary contains a lesson in humbility for all of us!”
One Minute Reflection – 15 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven – Judith 13:22-25; 15:10 – Luke 1:41-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Most blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” – Luke 1:42
REFLECTION – “Let us honour the Queen of Heaven, Mother of life, Source of mercy, overflowing delights, leaning on her Beloved. Let us praise her, knowing full well that our praise will be insufficient.
Risen above the tallest trees of paradise and exalted above the highest peaks of mountains, she will penetrate Heaven with incredible majesty accompanied by the singing of the choirs of celestial Angels and surrounded by the dancing of Angels. Happy are those who dwell in Thy house, O Lord, they will praise Thee without end! In you we praise not Eve who introduced the poison but Mary who gave life, who is the Mother and nursemaid of all, the life of all the living. In you we praise even our own mother.
May all hear and rejoice, the humble Virgin rises, crowned, to the throne of glory, may the humble rejoice.May those who exalt themselves in their presumption fall. Mary, who gives herself as a holocaust to the fullness of grace. May the Blessed Virgin, unique in her merits, stand in the presence of her Creator interceding always in our favour. She will be radiant in the fullness of glory, she who brought forth from her virginal womb, the King of glory.” – St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159) Bishop, Cistercian Monk (Marian Homily VIII).
PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, forgive the transgressions of Thy servants and, forasmuch as by our own deeds, we cannot please Thee, may we find safety through the prayers of the Mother of Thy Son and our Lord. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 15 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven
Mary, Virgin most Blessed Mother of Mercy By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor of the Church (Prayer used as part of the Assumption Novena)
O Mary, Virgin most Blessed and Mother of Our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, through thy mercy I beseech thee, to come to my aid and to inspire me with such confidence in thy power that I may have recourse to thee, pray to thee and implore thy aid, in all needs of soul and body. Amen
Saint of the Day – 15 August – St Napoleon (Died c302) Martyr of Alexandria. Born in Egypt and was Martyred in Alexandria in the early 4th Century during the persecutions of Diocletian. Also known as – Neopulus, Neopolus, Neopolis or Neópolo.
He was seized during the persecutions under Emperor Diocletian and was brutally tortured in Alexandria. Neopoleon died from his injuries. Sadly we have no further information but it appears that he had been a soldier.
St Alypius (Died 430) Bishop of the See of Thagaste (in what is now Algeria) in 394, Confessor, Reformer, Defender of the Faith against heresy, Lawyer, teacher, spiritual advisor. He was a lifelong disciple and friend of Saint Augustine and joined him in his conversion (in 386; Confessions 8.12.28) and life in Christianity. He is credited with helping establish Augustine’s Monastery in Africa. Most of what is known about him comes from Augustine’s autobiographical Confessions. A Life of Holiness: https://anastpaul.com/2021/08/15/saint-of-the-dy-saint-alypius-of-thagaste-died-430/
Blessed Alfred OSB (Died 874) Bishop of Hildesheim, Benedictine Monk, Confessor, Founder of Essen Abbey, Hildesheim Cathedral, many Convents, Schools and Seminaries, Royal Spiritual Adviser to the East Frankish King Louis the German, Diplomatic Peacemaker, he was know for his great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His Lifeot Grace: https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-blessed-alfred-of-hildesheim-osb-died-874-bishop/
Blessed Aimo Taparelli OP (c 1395-1495) Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, widower and father, Reformer, spiritual writer. He served as an Inquisitor-General for his Order in the Lombard and Liguria regions of Italy and became a travelling preacher in Northern Italian Cities. His name means “defends the house with the sword.” Aimo was Beatified on 29 May 1856 by Pope Pius IX. Blessed Aimo’s Zealous Life: https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-blessed-aimo-taparelli-op-c-1395-1495/
Blessed Alberto Berdini OFM Conv. (1385– 1450) Priest and Friaer of the Friars Minor Conventual, known as the “King of Preachers – Rex Praedicatorum” Disciple and companion of St Bernardine of Siena in his Missionary work in Italy., often called upon to assist in peace discussions between warring Cities. Born in 1385 in Sarteano, Tuscany, Italy and died on 15 August 1450 in Milan, Italy of natural causes. Blessed Holy Albert’s Life: https://anastpaul.com/2023/08/15/saint-of-the-day-14august-blessed-alberto-berdini-ofm-conv-1385-1450/
St Simplician (c320-c401) Archbishop of Milan and Successor of St Ambrose (340-397) Doctor of the Church in the Archdiocese of Milan, Teacher, Catechist, Writer, Mystic. St Ambrose used to call Simplician father, as a sign of spiritual relationship but they were also great friends. Simplician took also an active part in the conversions of both Alypius of Thagaste and Augustine of Hippo. The meeting between Augustine and Simplican occurred in Milan in 386 and it is recorded in Augustine’s Confessions. After his conversion, Augustine also called Simplician father and in 397 he dedicated to Simplician two books on the issue of predestination, known as De Diversis Quaestionibus ad Simplicianum. St Augustine, remembered and referred to him with deep gratitude, calling him the “spiritual father of my soul” and would submit his own writings to him to review and comment. Details of the life of St Simplician here: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/08/15/saint-of-the-day-15-august-st-simplician-of-milan/
Martyrs of Nicomedia – 3 Saints: Three Christians Martyred together. No details survive but the names – Eutychian, Philip and Straton. They were martyred in Nicomedia, Bithynia (in modern Turkey).
Thought for the Day – 14 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
“Holy Mary”
“The Angel’s greeting was completed later by the salutation of St Elizabeth. As soon as Elizabeth saw the Blessed Virgin coming to visit her, she cried out in humble veneratin: “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb!” (Lk 1:42).
In the first part of the Hail Mary, then, we pay her the words of the Gospel, the highest tributes ever accorded to any human creature, proclaiming her to be full of grace, blessed among women and Mother of the Redeemer. The second part which was later added by the Church, (composed and proposed by St Peter Canisius 1521-1597) Doctor of the Church), is a heartfelt supplication addressed to Mary as the Mother of God and our Mother. “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen.” It would be difficult to find a more touching plea. We ask our heavenly Mother to intercede for us now – because we have such great need of her assistance in this vale of tears and temptations. May she be always by our side, to shelter us beneath her mantle!”
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