Quote of the Day – 19 April – Low Sunday the Octave Day of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday
“We, Christians, are the true Israel which springs from Christ, for we are carved out of His Heart, as from a Rock!”
St Justin Martyr (100-165)
Father of the Church and Martyr
“If the Jewish High priest carried the names of the twelve tribes of Israel written on his shoulders and on his breast, how much more Christ, our High Priest, carries our names written on His Heart”
St John of Avila (1500-1569)
Doctor of the Church
Divine Mercy 3 O’Clock Prayer St Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938)
You expired, O Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls and an ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You. Amen
“Jesus, I trust in You” these words summarise the faith of the Christian, which is faith in the omnipotence of God’s merciful Love.”
Pope Benedict XVI
REGINA CÆLI
Second Sunday of Easter, 15 April 2007
One Minute Reflection – 19 April – Low Sunday the Octave Day of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, Readings: Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31
“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” … John 20:23
REFLECTION – “Jesus entrusted to [the fearful, astounded disciples] the gift of “forgiving sins”, a gift that flows from the wounds in His hands, His feet, and especially from His pierced side. From there a wave of mercy is poured out over all humanity.
Let us relive this moment with great spiritual intensity. Today the Lord also shows us His glorious wounds and His Heart, an inexhaustible source of light and truth, of love and forgiveness. The Heart of Christ! His “Sacred Heart” has given men everything- redemption, salvation, sanctification.…
Through the mystery of this wounded heart, the restorative tide of God’s merciful love continues to spread over the men and women of our time. Here alone, can those who long for true and lasting happiness, find its secret. “Jesus, I trust in You.” This prayer, dear to so many of the faithful, clearly expresses the attitude with which we too would like to abandon ourselves trustfully into your hands, O Lord, our only Saviour.
You are burning with the desire to be loved, O Jesus and those in tune with the sentiments of your Heart learn how to build the new civilisation of love. A simple act of abandonment is enough to overcome the barriers of darkness and sorrow, of doubt and desperation. The rays of Your divine mercy restore hope, in a special way, to those who feel overwhelmed by the burden of sin.” … St John Paul II (1920-2005) Homily for Divine Mercy Sunday, 22 April 2001
PRAYER – Almighty Father, grant we pray that with Mary’s help, Mater Misericordiae, Mother of Jesus who is the incarnation of Divine Mercy, that we become renewed in the Spirit, in order to co-operate in the work of peace which You are accomplishing in the world and which is not just talk but which is actualised, in the countless gestures of charity by all his sons and daughters. Grant we pray, that we taste the beauty of the encounter with the Risen Lord and draw from the source of His merciful love, to be apostles of His peace. Through Christ, Redeemer and Merciful Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.
Our Morning Offering – 19 April – Low Sunday the Octave Day of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday
O Spirit of God, Spirit of Love and of Mercy By St Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938)
O Spirit of God, Spirit of love and of mercy,
Who pours into my heart the balm of trust,
Your grace confirms my soul in what is good,
Giving it an invincible strength – constancy!
O Spirit of God, Spirit of peace and of joy,
Who comforts my thirsting heart,
Pour into it the living spring of divine love
And make it dauntless in battle.
O Spirit of God, my soul’s most lovable guest,
I, for my part, desire to be faithful to You
In days of joy, as much as in days of suffering.
Spirit of God, I desire to live always in Your presence.
O Spirit of God who penetrates my being
And lets me know Your divine and Trinitarian life,
You initiate me to Your divine Being;
Thus united with You, I have eternal life.
Amen
Saint of the Day – 19 April – Blessed James Duckett (Died 1602) Layman Martyr, Bookseller and Publisher – born at Gilfortrigs, Skelsmergh, Westmorland, England and died by hanging on 19 April 1602 at Tyburn, London, England. Patronages – booksellers and publishers. Blessed James is also celebrated with the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales on 4 May.
James became a bookseller and publisher in London. Brought up a Protestant, he was converted by a book, a friend of his, Peter Mauson lent him The Foundation of the Catholic Religion while Duckett was serving his apprenticeship in London. After reading it he became convinced of the truths of the faith and he decided to become a Catholic. Earlier he had twice been imprisoned in Bridewell for not attending the Protestant services. Both times, his employer interceded arranged for him to be freed, presumably paying the required bail. However, it seems his employer was concerned for his own safety and requested James to find a job elsewhere.
He was received into the Catholic Church by an old priest named Weekes who was imprisoned in the Gatehouse at Westminster. Two or three years later, about 1590, he married a Catholic widow but out of his twelve years of married life, nine were spent in prison for his new faith. Their son later became a Carthusian monk and recorded much of what we know about his father.
Tyburn – Martyrs of England and Wales including three Carthusians
He was active in propagating Catholic literature. He was finally betrayed by Peter Bullock, a bookbinder, who in order to obtain his own release from prison, betrayed James. Duckett’s house was searched on 4 March 1601 and he was arrested on a charge of having 25 copies of Fr Southwell’s [the Martyr St Robert Southwell (1561-1595)] books on his premises. For this he was at once thrown into Newgate.
At the trial, Bullock testified that he had bound various Catholic books for Duckett, who admitted this but denied other false accusations in a self-possessed manner. The jury found him not guilty but the judge, Sir John Popham, the Lord Chief Justice, browbeat the jury, which reversed its verdict and Duckett was found guilty of felony. Despite the betrayal of Duckett, Bullock was taken to his death at Tyburn in the same cart as Duckett on 19 April 1601.
James Duckett’s son was the John Duckett who later became Prior of the English Carthusians at Nieuwpoort in Flanders. He related that on the way to Tyburn his father was handed a cup of wine, which he drank and told his wife to drink to Peter Bullock and to forgive him. When she declined, he chided her gently until she did. On arrival at Tyburn Tree, James kissed and embraced Bullock, beseeching him to die in the Catholic faith, without success.
At the same trial, three priests, Thomas Tichborne, Robert Watkinson, and Francis Page, were condemned to death. For some reason their execution was remanded to the following day.
James Duckett was Beatified by Pope Pius XI on 15 December 1929.
The Triptych above, with the following quote is from Fr Lawrence Lew OP:
“A tryptich in St James’ church, Spanish Place in London showing some of the martyrs who died for the Catholic faith from 1535 – 1680 and whose memory is kept collectively on 4 May. In the centre is the triple gallows known as the ‘Tyburn Tree’.
Below is a citation from the Tudor Stuff blog.
From 1535 to 1681 Tyburn was transformed into a place of cruelty, torture and execution for men and women because of their religious belief. It had become an act of high treason to be a Catholic priest, or to associate with Catholic priests . It was also legal treason to refuse to accept the monarch as “the only Supreme Head on earth of the Church of England”, in the reign of King Henry VIII, from 1534 onwards under Elizabeth I, Charles I and Charles II.
Tyburn had been a place of public spectacle where crowds gathered for entertainment. The martyrs, however, brought a new spirit into the barbarities and butchery of Tyburn. This new spirit was one of joy, spontaneous humour and wholehearted forgiveness of those who had brought them to their life’s end at Tyburn. This spirit flowed over into the crowds around the Tyburn Gallows.
“Thus”, write the nuns at Tyburn Convent, dedicated to those who died, “the holy Martyrs transformed Tyburn’s Deadly Nevergreen Tree into the Tree of Life and the Gate of Heaven, which it remains to this very day”.”
St Martha of Persia
Bl Ramon Llach-Candell
St Rufus of Melitene
St Vincent of Collioure
—
Martyrs of Carthage – 17 saints: A group of Christians martyred in the persecutions of Decius. We know little more than the names – Aristo, Basso, Credula, Donato, Ereda, Eremio, Fermo, Fortunata, Fortunio, Frutto, Julia, Mappalicus, Martial, Paul, Venusto, Victorinus and Victor. Died in the year 250 in prison in Carthage, North Africa (modern Tunis, Tunisia).
Thought for the Day – 18 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Putting Christianity into Practice
“Imagine what the world would be like, if the Gospel of Christ, were practised in it’s entirety, everywhere and by everybody.
It would not, of course, become another earthly Paradise, because suffering and death are the legacy of sin and Our Lord, did not remove these when He redeemed us but made them a necessary element, in our purification and spiritual elevation.
Nevertheless, the full practice of Christianity would transform the world.
A little reflection will convince us of this.
Men would love God above all things and their neighbours as themselves.
The sincere and ardent love of God, would cause wickedness, brutality and every kind of immorality to disappear.
Love of their neighbour, would make men brothers in reality, so that there would be no more wars nor threats of conflict.
The enormous wealth which is squandered on weapons of destruction, could then be diverted to good works.
There would be no more poverty, because, if men loved one another, those who had more than enough, would give to those in want.
There would be no more prisons, because, there would be no more criminals.
There would be no need for a police force, because, everyone would do his duty of his own accord.
The reign of love, which is the reign of Jesus Christ, would triumph upon earth.
Excessive wealth and the selfish love of ease and pleasure, would disappear on one hand, while, on the other, the extreme need of those who can never be sure of a meal, nor of a roof over their heads, would be palliated, until they had been raised to a standard of living, consistent with the laws of God and with the dignity of men.
The love of our neighbour as ourselves, would solve every individual and social problem in this life.
Men would grow into a vast community of brothers devoid of all barriers of hate, selfishness and greed.
This is not a Utopian dream, because it is the clear teaching of the Gospel.
Jesus did not preach the impossible.
He taught us the standards of the perfect life, which we are all obliged to try and lead.”
“I preached myself, the scholars came and praised me. I preached Christ, the sinners came and thanked me.”
St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Doctor of the Church
“There is a difference between renouncing all things and leaving all things. For it is the way of few perfect men, to leave all things, that is, to cast behind them the cares of the world but, it is the part of all the faithful, to renounce all things, that is, so to hold the things of the world, instead of by them, being held in the world.”
St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church
“Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.”
St Francis of Assisi (c 1181-1226)
“Here lies the test of truth, the touchstone of evangelisation – it is unthinkable, that a person, should accept the Word and give himself to the kingdom, without becoming a person who bears witness to it and proclaims it in his turn.”
St Pope Paul VI (1897-1978)
“Tell others about the truth that sets you free.”
Pope Benedict XVI
“Our solid conviction, is that Jesus is, who He said He is and He can do, what He says He can do. Not only that but if Jesus is, who He says He is, then you are, who He says you are. And if He is who He says He is, then you can do, what He says you can do.”
“You are a billboard for Christ!”
Father Mike Schmitz
“God will put someone in your path today who doesn’t necessarily need you… but who desperately needs Christ in you.”
“Oh, how thunderous the applause must be in Heaven, all those times we are mocked on earth for the sake of His name.”
Mark Hart
Mark Hart serves as Executive Vice President for Life Teen International. A graduate from the University of Notre Dame, Mark is a best-selling and award-winning author (or co-author) of over a dozen books. His wildly popular DVD Bible Study Series,”T3″ is revolutionizing Catholic youth/young adult Scripture Study. He is the “Bible Geek.”
“Withholding the truth of Christianity would be even more uncharitable, than withholding a cure for cancer.”
One Minute Reflection – 18 April – Easter Saturday, Readings: Acts 4:13-21, Psalm 118:1, 14-21, Mark 16:9-15
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” … Mark 16:15
REFLECTION – “Duc in altum! “let us cast out into deep waters!” (Lk 5:4). Let us go forward in hope! …. The Son of God, who became incarnate two thousand years ago out of love for humanity, is at work even toda -: we need discerning eyes to see this and, above all, a generous heart to become the instruments of His work. (…) “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19). The missionary mandate accompanies us into the Third Millennium and urges us to share the enthusiasm of the very first Christians – we can count on the power of the same Spirit who was poured out at Pentecost and who impels us still today to start out anew, sustained by the hope “which does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5).
At the beginning of this new century, our steps must quicken as we travel the highways of the world. Many are the paths on which each one of us and each of our Churches must travel but there is no distance between those who are united in the same communion, the communion which is daily nourished at the table of the Eucharistic Bread and the Word of Life. Every Sunday, the Risen Christ asks us to meet Him as it were once more in the Upper Room where, on the evening of “the first day of the week” (Jn 20:19) He appeared to His disciples in order to “breathe” on them His life-giving Spirit and launch them on the great adventure of proclaiming the Gospel.” … St Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) Apostolic Letter “ Novo millennio ineunte ”, # 58
PRAYER – Lord our God, You increase and multiply Your faithful by Your abundant gift of grace. Look now on Your chosen people and clothe them forever in the garment of eternal life. May we, in confident love of You, go forth and live our lives in witness and speak with joy of the ways of truth. Grant that the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, the saints and angels, may accompany us on our journey. Through our Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.
Remember to exchange your Angelus prayer for the Regina Coeli as from Easter Sunday for the next 50 days of Eastertide.
According to Catholic tradition, St Gregory the Great (540-604) heard angels chanting the first three lines one Easter morning in Rome, while following barefoot in a great religious procession of the icon of the Virgin painted by St Luke the Evangelist. He was thereupon inspired to add the fourth line.
The Regina Coeli
Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
For He whom thou did merit to bear, alleluia.
Has risen, as He said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad, O virgin Mary, alleluia.
For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.
Let us pray.
O God, who gave joy to the world
through the resurrection of Thy son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
grant we beseech Thee,
that through the intercession
of the virgin Mary,
His mother, we may obtain
the joys of everlasting life.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen
Saint of the Day – 18 April – Blessed Luca Passi (1789-1866) Priest, Founder of the Teaching Sisters of Saint Dorothy, Apostle of the poor and of education of the young unde the Papal title of “Apostolic Missionary” – born on 22 January 1789 in Bergamo, Italy and died on 18 April 1866 in Venice, Italy of natural causes, aged 77. Patronage – the Teaching Sisters of Saint Dorothy. Following the example of their paternal uncle, two of his brothers became Priests and Passi himself, moved to Venice in order to dedicate himself to both his preaching and educational missions.
Luca was born in 1789 in Bergamo as the first of eleven children to the nobles Enrico Passi (a teacher) and Caterina Corner. Two brothers were the priests Giuseppe Celio and Marco. His paternal uncle was the priest Marco Celio Passi. During his childhood, the volatile political circumstances, forced the family to relocate to a villa in Calcinate.
In 1810 he became the Director of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament at Calcinate and in 1811 became the Director of the Confraternity of the Christian Doctrine.
He began his studies for the priesthood in 1811 and was ordained as such on 13 March 1813.
His brother Marco aided him in founding the Pious Society of Saint Dorothy in 1815 for the education of both children and adolescents. This was an establishment that Pope Pius VII praised and who also encouraged that the organisation expand and spread to other towns in the region. In 1838 he founded the Teaching Sisters of Saint Dorothy. Pope Gregory XVI granted him the title of “Apostolic Missionary.”
Blessed Luca died on 18 April 1866. He is buried at the Motherhouse of the Institute of the Teaching Sisters of Saint Dorothy in Venice.
Pope Benedict XVI approved a miracle on 28 June 2012 and confirmed that Fr Luca could now be Beatified. Cardinal Angelo Amato Beatified him on 13 April 2013 on behalf of Pope Francis at the Basilica of San Marco, Venice.
During the homily of the Beatification Mass of Fr Luca Passi, Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect for the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, described the now Blessed Passi, as “a great witness to God for the young and the poor.”
St Agia of Hainault
St Anthia of Illyria
St Athanasia of Aegina
St Bitheus
St Calocerus of Brescia
St Cogitosus
St Corebus
St Eleuterius of Illyria
St Elpidius of Melitene
St Eusebius of Fano
St Galdinus of Milan
St Gebuinus of Lyons
St Genocus
St Hermogenes of Melitene
Bl Idesbald of Dunes Bl James Oldo OFS (1364-1404) Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/18/saint-of-the-day-18-april-blessed-james-oldo-ofs-1364-1404/
Bl Joseph Moreau
St Laserian of Leighlin
Bl Louis Leroy Blessed Luca Passi (1789-1866)
St Perfecto of Córdoba
St Pusicio
Bl Roman Archutowski
Bl Savina Petrilli
St Ursmar of Lobbes
St Wigbert of Augsburg
Thought for the Day – 17 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Peter Denies Jesus
“Peter was by nature impetuous and generous. He loved Jesus sincerely. Even after the other Apostles had run away when Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane (Cf Mt 26:56), he followed Him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the High Priest’s house. “Peter was following at a distance” (Lk 22:54). In his generous enthusiasm, however, he depended too much on himself. During the last supper, Jesus had foretold to His Apostles, His approaching passion and death and their desertion. Immediately, Peter had solemnly declared that, even if all the others would scandalised on the night of the passion, he would never be scandalised. He would, he said, be ready to go with Jesus to prison and to death (Cf Mt 24:33, Lk 22:33). But Jesus, tried to put him on his guard against presumption. “I tell thee, Peter, a cock will not crow this day, until thou hast denied three times, that thou knowest me” (Cf Lk 22:34). In spite of this prophecy, the impetuous Apostle went as far as the courtyard of the High Priest. While the divine Redeemer was brought in chains before the judgement seat of the High Priest, where He was calumniated, struck and condemned to death, Peter was asked if he was a follower of the Galilean. Three times, He denied his Master with oaths and protests. Unfortunately, this is what happens to anyone who trusts presumptuously in his own strength. This is what happens when we forget that we can do nothing, as St Paul points out, without the help and the grace of God. “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything, as from ourselves but our sufficiency is from God” (2 Cor 3:5). Anyone is courting disaster if he foolishly places all his confidence in himself and neglects to seek the help of God, when he is danger. He is certain to fall!“
Quote/s of the Day – 17 April – Easter Friday, Readings: Acts 4:1-12, Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27, John 21:1-14
Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore ..
John 21:4
“In her voyage across the ocean of this world, the Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship but to keep her on her course.”
St Boniface (672-754)
“Jesus is with me. I have nothing to fear.”
Bl Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925)
“Enemy-occupied territory – that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise and is calling us all, to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.”
C S Lewis (1898-1963)
Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream.
Malcolm Muggeridge (1903-1990)
Thomas Malcolm Muggeridge (24 March 1903 – 14 November 1990) was an English journalist and satirist. His father was a prominent socialist politician and one of the early Labour Party Members of Parliament. In his twenties, Muggeridge was attracted to communism but after living in the Soviet Union in the 1930s, he became a forceful anti-communist. In 1982, aged 79, Muggeridge was received into the Catholic Church along with his wife, Kitty. This was largely under the influence of Mother Teresa, about whom he had written a book, ‘Something Beautiful for God,’ setting out and interpreting her life.
One Minute Reflection – 17 April – Easter Friday, Readings: Acts 4:1-12, Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27, John 21:1-14
“It is the Lord!” … John 21:7
REFLECTION – “The Lord says to those tired and disappointed fishermen: “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some” (v. 6). The disciples trust in Jesus and the result is an incredibly abundant catch. In that exclamation: “It is the Lord!” there is all the enthusiasm of the Paschal faith, full of joy and wonder, which sharply contrasts with the disappearance, the dejection, the sense of powerlessness that had accumulated in the disciples’ hearts.
The presence of the Risen Jesus transforms everything – darkness has become light, futile work has again become fruitful and promising, the sense of weariness and abandonment, give way to a new impetus and to the certainty that He is with us. From that time, these same sentiments enliven the Church, the Community of the Risen One. All of us are the community of the Risen One!” … Pope Francis – Regina Coeli, 10 April 2016
PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, You offer the covenant of reconciliation to mankind in the mystery of Easter. Cleanse our hearts by Your truth and guide our lives by Your holiness, may we do what is right and pleasing to You. Open our eyes to see You and our ears to Hear You, that we may follow your commandments and Your Way. Grant that what we celebrate in worship, we may carry out in our lives. May our Holy Mother, ever keep us in her prayers and care. Through Christ, our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour to You, forever, amen
To Jesus, the Way By Bl James Alberione (1884-1971)
O Jesus,
You are the Way secure,
You guide us on life’s troubled ways,
amid the errors of each age,
while we gaze toward our fatherland.
taking to Yourself our nature,
You came to us in flesh and blood
and as our model and our mould,
You call us to tread the way You trod.
A stable You chose at birth,
long years You laboured tirelessly,
the bitter Cross You did embrace
and so You tell us,
“Learn of me.”
Jesus, our everlasting Way, Truth and Life,
by You we are led,
by You we live,
to Father, You and the Spirit,
may all peoples praise and glory give.
Amen.
Blessed Fr James Alberione (1884-1971) the Founder of the Pauline Family, composed various Prayers to Jesus Master, The Way, the Truth and the Life, specifically directed to honour Jesus, the Master – to sanctify the whole person, mind, will and heart. These prayers are prayed by his Orders everyday.
Saint of the Day – 17 April – Saint Donan of Eigg (Died 617) Priest and Martyr, Monk, Missionary – Patronages – the Island of Eigg, an island in the Inner Hebrides where he was Martyred. He is also known as Dounan, Donnan and Donnanus.
Saint Donan, also known as Saint Donnán of Eigg, lived from about 550 to 17 April 617. He was probably Irish in origin and probably of noble birth. He is known for his efforts to introduce Christianity to the Picts of north west Scotland. Very little remains of him in the written record but, he is remembered in the quite remarkable number of places named after him, across large parts of modern Scotland. The only part of his life to have made it into the annals in any detail was his death, when he and 52 of his monks were murdered at their Monastery on the Isle of Eigg.
The Isle of Eigg
Donan’s birth date of 550 is a supposition, deriving largely from a comment in a document that he was contemporary of but younger than, St Columba. He seems to have crossed to south western Scotland early in his adult life, possibly in company with a number of followers. His progress can then be traced by a series of places named “Kildonan”, “Kildonnan”, “Chapel Donan” and “Eilean Donan” stretching up the western seaboard of Scotland from Ayrshire and the Isle of Arran via the Western Isles to Sutherland. Additionally, it is said, that at least eleven churches in Scotland are dedicated to St Donan.
It is said that Donan went to visit St Columbanus, asking him to be his anamchara or soul-friend, a spiritual director and that Columbanus refused. This may have been because Donan was welcomed by the Picts while Columba may have had his difficulties with them. But another story records that Columba said: “I will not be anamchara to one, who will inherit red martyrdom along with your people.”
It is interesting, that in the centuries during which Celtic missionaries were spreading the Christian faith across Scotland, there are very few examples of any of them coming to any harm, from those whose faiths they were trying to replace. St Donan is the most notable exception. He and his followers had established a Monastery on the east side of the Isle of Eigg, facing the Scottish mainland. It is said that Donan got into a dispute with a local noblewoman over the grazing of sheep on the island. It seems she chose to resolve the dispute by commissioning a raiding party to remove the Monks from the island in the most permanent and brutal way possible. On 17 April 617 the raiding party arrived. They allowed Donan to complete the liturgy before herding him and all his fifty two monks into the refectory and setting it on fire, or beheaded, depending on the source.
St Donan was Canonised on 11 July 1898 by Pope Leo XIII (cultus confirmed).
St Agia of Hainault
St Anthia of Illyria
St Athanasia of Aegina
St Bitheus
St Calocerus of Brescia
St Cogitosus
St Corebus St Donan of Eigg (Died 617) Priest and Martyr
St Eleuterius of Illyria
St Elpidius of Melitene
St Eusebius of Fano
St Galdinus of Milan
St Gebuinus of Lyons
St Genocus
St Hermogenes of Melitene
Bl Idesbald of Dunes
Bl James Oldo
Bl Joseph Moreau
St Laserian of Leighlin
Bl Louis Leroy
Bl Luca Passi
St Perfecto of Córdoba
St Pusicio St Robert de Turlande/Chaise-Dieu OSB (c 1000-1067) His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/17/saint-of-the-day-17-april-st-robert-de-chaise-dieu-osb-c-1000-1067/
Bl Roman Archutowski
Bl Savina Petrilli St Stephen Harding O.Cist. (1050-1104) Co-Founder of the Cistercian Order
About St Stephen: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/04/17/saint-of-the-day-17-april-st-stephen-harding/
St Ursmar of Lobbes
St Wigbert of Augsburg
Please join me in wishing our beloved Pope Emeritus on his Birthday.
On Holy Saturday, 93 years ago today, Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was born and Baptised. This baby was destined to be our Holy Father from 19 April 2005 to 26 February 2013.
This year’s birthday will be different given the restrictions and lockdowns in place, across Italy, Europe and the world, which will not permit his brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, to join him this year.
Yet, “we are doing well,” Benedict’s personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Ganswein says.
Let us all pray a Rosary for beloved Pope Benedict today!
Thought for the Day – 16 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Road to Calvary
After having been condemned to death, Jesus is delivered into the hands of the Jews to be crucified as a malefactor.
Two rough beams of wood are fixed together, in the form of a cross and placed upon His shoulders.
He is already worn out with suffering and has lost large quantities of blood as a result of the scourging and of the crowing with thorns.
Jesus does not reject the Cross, but embraces it.
He has come into this world to show forth His infinite love and to redeem us from our sins by His suffering and death.
In the garden of Gethsemane, He has said with sublime resignation to the Heavenly Father: “Not my will but thine be done” (Lk 22:42).
The Cross is too heavy for His human strength but what does that matter?
He embraces it, takes it upon His weary shoulders and sets out for Calvary.
Perhaps we have often kissed the Crucifix with reverence and affection.
Let us keep it hanging upon the walls of our home where we can gaze on it, with love and hope.
Let us pray before it in our moments of need.
But what about our own cross?
Do we love our cross as Jesus loved His?
Do we embrace it as Jesus did?
Do we bow willingly beneath the load as He did and, do we carry it, with resignation and without useless complaints?
It is not enough to love the Crucifix.
We must love our own cross as well, in silence and in prayer, knowing, that only in this way, can we imitate Jesus, Who has said to us: “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23).
Quote/s of the Day – 16 April – Easter Thursday, Readings: Acts 3:11-26, Psalm 8:2, 5-9, Luke 24:35-48 and the Memorial of St Benedict Joseph Labre (1748-1783)
“… And said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead and repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations…”
Luke 24:46-47
“Repentance lifts a man up. Mourning knocks at heaven’s gate. Holy humility opens it.”
St John Climacus (579-649)
“The Ladder of Divine Ascent” (Step 25)
“Meditate on the horrors of Hell, which will last for eternity because of one easily-committed mortal sin. Try hard to be among the few who are chosen. Think of the eternal flames of Hell and how few there are that are saved.”
“The want of proper examination, true contrition and a firm purpose of amendment, is the cause of bad confessions and of the ruin of souls.”
St Benedict Joseph Labre (1748-1783)
“The Beggar of Perpetual Adoration”
“The saints understood how great an outrage sin is against God. Some of them passed their lives in weeping for their sins. St Peter wept all his life; he was still weeping at his death. St Bernard used to say, ‘Lord! Lord! it is I who fastened You to the Cross!’”
One Minute Reflection -– 16 April – Easter Thursday, Readings: Acts 3:11-26, Psalm 8:2, 5-9, Luke 24:35-48
“You are witnesses of these things” ... Luke 24:48
REFLECTION – “After His Resurrection, the Lord appeared to His disciples and greeted them, saying: “Peace be with you!” Peace is what this saving salutation truly is, since the word “salutation” derives from the word for “salvation.” What more could one hope for? Man receives greetings of salvation in person, for our salvation is Christ. Yes, He is our salvation, He who was wounded for our sake and nailed to the tree, then descended from the tree and placed in a tomb. But He is risen from the tomb and His wounds are healed, although still keeping their scars. That His scars remain, is a help to His disciples, so that the wounds in their hearts, might be healed. What wounds are these? The wounds of their unbelief. He appeared before their eyes in a genuine bodily form and “they thought they were seeing a ghost.” This is no light wound to their heart. (…)
But what does the Lord Jesus say? “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?” It is good for man, not that thoughts should arise in his heart but that his heart should arise – arise, that is to say, to where the apostle Paul wanted to set the hearts of the faithful, when he said to them: “If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory” (Col 3:1-4). What glory is this? The glory of the resurrection. (…)
As for us, we believe in the word of these disciples without their having shown us the Saviour’s risen body. (…) But at that time, such an event seemed unbelievable. And so, our Saviour led them to believe, not by sight alone but by touch, so that by means of the senses, faith might enter their hearts and be preached throughout the world, to those who had neither seen nor touched but who, nevertheless, would believe unhesitatingly (cf. Jn 20:29).” … St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church – Sermon 116; PL 38, 657
PRAYER – Lord God, let there be one faith in our hearts, one love for You, one Way in You, for You are the One Truth and the only Way. We linger in Your light and beg Your unending kindness. Grant that by the prayers of Your saints we may obtain Your strength and may Your Mother and ours, walk by our side and hold fast to our hand. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for always and forever, amen.
Our Morning Offering – 15 April – Thursday of Easter week
Grant us Your Light, O Lord By St Bede (673-735) Father and Doctor of the Church
Grant us Your light, O Lord,
so that the darkness of our hearts,
may wholly pass away
and we may come at last,
to the light of Christ.
For Christ is that morning star,
who, when the night of this world has passed,
brings to His saints,
the promised light of life
and opens to them,
everlasting day.
Amen
Saint of the Day – 16 April – Saint Fructuosus of Braga (Died 665) Archbishop of Braga, Spain, Hermit, Confessor, Monk, Abbot, a great Founder of Monasteries – born in the early 7th century in Spain and died on 16 April 665 of natural causes. Patronage – Braga.
He was the son of a Duke in the region of Bierzo and at a young age accompanied his father on official trips over his estates. After the death of his parents, Fructuosus first sought instruction from the Bishop of Palencia, studying theology in the Seminary. Fructuosus then sold his estates and distributed most of the proceeds among the poor but saved a portion to establish Monasteries. He initially retired as a hermit to a desert in Galicia. Many pupils gathered around him and thus originated the Monastery of Complutum in the El Bierzo region, over which he himself at first presided, later, he appointed an Abbot and again retired into the desert. In the course of time, he founded nine other Monasteries, including one for women under the Abbess Benedicta.
We have two extant rules composed by Fructuosus – one called Complutum, the other the common rule. Whole families embraced his rule in community refuges, which he established based on the Rule of Saint Benedict.
His relationship with the kings of his time was not always happy one. In 652, he wrote,what was apparently a second letter, to King Recceswinth asking for the release of political prisoners held from the reign of King Chintila, some of whom had languished in prison until the reign of King Erwig. (I can’t resist posting this image I found of King Chintila, at least it is helpful to establish the times in your minds.)
King Chintila
He was later present at the Eighth Council of Toledo in 653, in place of Bishop Riccimer of Dumio. It was at this Council that Fructuosus raised the issue of political prisoners once again. After the death of Bishop Riccimer, Fructuosus succeeded him in the See of Dumio in 654. In 656, he undertook to plan for a voyage to the Levant. However, according to the new laws enacted by King Chindasvinth, it was illegal to leave the kingdom without royal permission. One of the few disciples privy to his plans had given him up to authorities and Fructuosus was subsequently arrested and imprisoned but soon released.
Bishop Fructuosus attended the Tenth Council of Toledo in December 656. The last will and testament of the recently deceased bishop Riccimer, was disputed by those who saw his freeing of slaves and distribution of church rents to the poor was responsible for the subsequent impoverishment of that see. The Council agreed that, by not providing compensation, Bishop Riccimer had obviated his duty and the acts of his will were rendered invalid. They gave the job of correcting the problem to Fructuosus and commanded him to take moderation in the case of the slaves. At the same Council, Archbishop Potamius of Braga was remanded to a monastery for licentiousness and his archdiocese was given to St Fructuosus on 1 December 656, thus he became an Archbishop.
Fructuosus dressed so poorly as to be mistaken for a slave and he even received a beating from a peasant, from which he was only saved by a miracle (according to the monastic chroniclers). His Vita is one of the chief sources for writing the history of his age.
His innocence and virtue were no security from the shafts of envy but he overcame injuries by meekness and patience and died, laid on ashes before the altar, as he desired, on the 16th of April, 665. His relics, which for a time were in the Cathedral of Braga, were later transferred to the Shrine of Santiago de Compostela in the year 1102. They were returned to their original location in 1966. Fructuosus is depicted with a stag, which was devoted to him, because he had been saved it from hunters. Below is the story from “The Little Bollandists” by Monsignor Paul Guérin, 1882:
One day he was going through a forest, when a roe, pursued by hunters, took refuge under his cloak. The Saint took the animal under his protection and brought it to the monastery, the grateful beast never left it’s liberator, it followed him about all day, slept at his feet at night and never ceased to cry when he was absent. More than once, he had it taken back to the forest but it always found the track of its deliverer’s footprints. At last it was one day killed by a young man who disliked monks. Fructuosus was absent for a few days and, on his return, he was surprised not to see his roe run to meet him and when he heard that it was dead, he was overcome with grief, his knees trembled and he prostrated himself on the floor of the church. It is not related whether this was to ask God to punish the cruel man but the latter soon fell ill and sent for the Father to come to his assistance. Fructuosus took the revenge of a noble Visigoth and Christian. He cured the murderer of his roe and restored him to health both of soul and body. It is related of him that, wishing to escape the homage of the people, he retired into the depth of the forest and that the jays which he had brought up in the Monastery, sought him out and betrayed the place of his retreat by the joyous chattering with which they greeted him. Fructuosus is painted with a roe and jays as his emblems.
St Herveus of Tours
Bl Joachim Piccolomini
St Lambert of Saragossa
St Lambert of Saragossa
St Magnus of Orkney
St Turibius of Astorga
St Vaise
St William Gnoffi
—
Martyrs of Avrillé – 26 beati: – A group of lay people who were executed together for their faith during the anti-Christian persecutions of the French Revolution. They were martyred on 16 April 1794 at Avrillé, Maine-et-Loire, France.
• Blessed Anne Maugrain
• Blessed François Micheneau veuve Gillot
• Blessed François Suhard veuve Ménard
• Blessed Jean Ménard
• Blessed Jeanne Gourdon veuve Moreau
• Blessed Jeanne Leduc épouse Paquier
• Blessed Jeanne Onillon veuve Onillon
• Blessed Jeanne Thomas veuve Delaunay
• Blessed Madeleine Cady épouse Desvignes
• Blessed Madeleine Sallé épouse Havard
• Blessed Marguerite Robin
• Blessed Marie Forestier
• Blessed Marie Gingueneau veuve Coiffard
• Blessed Marie Lardeux
• Blessed Marie Piou épouse Supiot
• Blessed Marie Rechard
• Blessed Marie Roger veuve Chartier
• Blessed Marie-Genevieve Poulain de la Forestrie
• Blessed Marthe Poulain de la Forestrie
• Blessed Perrine Bourigault
• Blessed Perrine Laurent
• Blessed Perrine Pottier épouse Turpault
• Blessed Pierre Delépine
• Blessed Renée Bourgeais veuve Juret
• Blessed Renée Rigault épouse Papin
• Blessed Renée Sechet veuve Davy
16 April 1794 at Avrillé, Maine-et-Loire, France – Beatified: 19 February 1984 by Pope John Paul II at Rome, Italy
Martyrs of Corinth – 9 saints: A group of nine Christians who were tortured and martyred together in the persecutions of Decius. We know little more than three of their names – Callistus, Charisius and Leonide. They were thrown into the sea at Corinth, Greece c250
Martyrs of Saragossa: Group of eighteen martyrs murdered in 304 in Saragossa, Spain in the persecutions of Diocletian and the prefect Dacean. We know little more than the names – Apodemus, Caecilian, Caius, Crementius, Engratia, Eventius, Felix, Fronto, Gaius, Julia, Lambert, Lupercus, Martial, Optatus, Primitivus, Publius, Quintilian, Saturnius (4 men of this name), Succesus and Urban. Their graves re-discovered in 1389 in the crypt under the church of San Encrazia in Saragossa.
Thought for the Day – 15 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
The Resurrection
“The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, is a fundamental truth of our faith. Jesus intended it to take place, in such a way, that nobody could reasonably deny it. There is no historical fact which can be upheld by such clear and ample evidence, as the Resurrection of Our Lord. It emerges, most of all, from the absolute certainty of Jesus’ death. After the fearful scourging, crowning with thorns and crucifixion, His blood had poured forth for three hours from His nailed Hands and Feet. Moreover, even though he saw that Christ was dead, the Roman soldier pierced His heart with a lance. His body was taken down from the Cross and enclosed in the Tomb until the third day. Jesus, therefore, was dead and buried. But, there is still further proof. The Jews remembered that Jesus had prophesied that He would rise on the third day. For this reason, they had the sepulchre sealed and they placed a guard of soldiers beside it, so that the body could not be stolen. In spite of the enormous stone at the mouth of the Tomb, however, Our Lord rose in glory, flinging the sentries into a state of terror and confusion. The frightened guards ran to the leaders of the Sanhedrin and related what had happened. If the Jewish authorities had believed that the soldiers were responsible, they would have punished them and, if they had believed that the body of Our Lord had been stolen, they would have searched for it. Instead, they bribed the soldiers to say that the body of Jesus had been stolen while they were asleep (Mt 28:12). St Augustine comments on the stupidity of the Jews, in calling on the testimony of sleeping witnesses! Jesus, moreover, saw to it that St Thomas would not be present when He appeared to the other Apostles and, that he would believe only when he had seen the wounds in His hands and feet and had placed his finger in the gash made by the lance, in Our Lord’s side. What further evidence could anyone expect? There is a still stronger proof, however. After the death of Jesus, the Apostles were an insignificant group of discouraged and disillusioned men, without the daring or the ability, to accomplish anything. It was only the Resurrection of Jesus which could have given them the supreme courage to stand up to the Jews and to convert the world. Let us fall in adoration before the risen Christ and say with St Thomas, the Apostle: “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28).“
One Minute Reflection – 15 April – Easter Wednesday, Readings: Acts 3:1-10, Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9, Luke 24:13-35
“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” … Luke 24:32
REFLECTION – “Brethren, let us turn to the account of Christ’s appearances to His disciples after the Resurrection, which are most important, first, as showing that such an unconscious communion with Him is possible; next, that it is likely to be the sort of communion now granted to us, from the circumstance that in that period of forty days after the Resurrection, He began to be, in that relation towards His Church, in which He is still and probably intended, to intimate to us thereby, what His presence with us is now.
Now observe what was the nature of His presence in the Church after His Resurrection. It was this, that He came and went as He pleased, that material substances, such as the fastened doors, were no impediments to His coming and that, when He was present His disciples did not, as a matter of course, know Him. … The two disciples on the way to Emmaus do not seem to have been conscious of this at the time but on looking back, they recollected that, as having been, which did not strike them while it was. “Did not,” they say, “did not our heart burn within us?” …
Let us observe, too, when it was that their eyes were opened… when He consecrated and broke the Bread. There is evidently a stress laid on this in the gospel… for so it was ordained, that Christ should not be both seen and known at once, first He was seen, then He was known. Only by faith is He known to be present… He removed His visible presence and left but a memorial of Himself. He vanished from sight that He might be present in a Sacrament and in order to connect His visible presence with His presence invisible, He for one instant, manifest Himself to their open eyes; manifested Himself, if I may so speak, while He passed from His hiding-place of sight without knowledge, to that of knowledge without sight.” … St John Henry Newman (1801-1890) – Cardinal, Founder of the Oratory in England, Theologian, Poet, Writer, Hymnest – PPS 6, 10
PRAYER – Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You.
Stay with me Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, so that I may not fall so often.
Stay with me Lord, for You are my life and without You, I am without fervour.
Stay with me Lord, for You are my light and without you, I am in darkness.
Stay with me Lord, to show me Your will.
Stay with me Lord, so that I may hear Your voice and follow You…. St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968) (Stay with Me, Lord – Excerpt)
And grant holy Father, that the prayers of Our Lord’s Mother and ours, the Blessed Virgin, may assist us on our way. Through Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You, forever, amen.
Saint of the Day – 15 April – St Paternus of Wales (c 482-c 568) Bishop, Monk, Hermit, renowned Preacher – he built a Monastery of Llanbadarn Fawr in Wales. He died in c 568 of natural causes. He is also known as Padern.
Paternus, was born in Brittany to devout parents named Patran and Gwen. His father received Gwen’s permission to live as a hermit in Ireland and she brought up their son to be pious and godly. The boy cherished the memory of his father and followed his father’s footsteps, becoming a monk and moving to Wales to become a hermit himself.
He met the great Welsh saints and humbly learned from them. Instead of leading a solitary life, Paternus was called to found a great Monastery. He built a Monastey in Cardiganshire that was later known as Llanabarn (Llanbadarn) Fawr, which means, “the church of the great Paternus.” Over 120 monks joined Paternus and he became Bishop of the area.
Paternus was a bold opponent of the pagan kings of the region, never tiring of preaching in the hope of their conversion. King Maelgun accused the saint of stealing royal treasure and Paternus proved his innocence by plunging his hand into boiling water and taking it out completely unharmed. He was known for his preaching, charity and mortifications.
Bl Laurentinus Sossius
St Maro of Rome
St Maximus of Persia
St Mundus
St Nidger of Augsburg
St Olympiades of Persia
St Ortario of Landelles St Paternus/Padarn of Wales (c 482-c 568)
St Pausilopo of Thrace St Ruadhan of Lorrha (died 584) About St Ruadhan: https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/15/saint-of-the-day-15-april-st-ruadan-died-584/
St Sylvester of Réome
St Theodore of Thrace
St Victorinus of Rome
St Waltmann of Cambrai
Mercedarian Martyrs of Africa: A group of Mercedarian monks sailing to Africa as on a mission to redeem capture Christians. Captured by Moors, they were tortured and executed for their faith. Martyrs. 1393
AnaStpaul 
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