Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

The Holy Innocents, Notre-Dame de Pontoise / Our Lady of Pontoise, France (13th Century) and Memorials of the Saints – 28 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Holy Innocents
About:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/12/28/saints-of-the-day-feast-of-the-holy-innocents-28-december-4th-day-of-the-christmas-octave/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/28/saints-of-the-day-feast-of-the-holy-innocents-martyrs-28-december-4th-day-of-the-christmas-octave/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/28/saint-of-the-day-28-december-the-holy-innocents/

Guido Reni: Massacre of the Innocents

Notre-Dame de Pontoise / Our Lady of Pontoise, France (13th Century) – 28 December:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/28/the-fourth-day-of-the-octave-of-christmas-feast-of-the-holy-innocents-notre-dame-de-pontoise-our-lady-of-pontoise-france-12th-century-and-memorials-of-the-saints-28-december/

St Anthony of Lérins (c428-c520) Monk, Hermit, Miracle-worker. The Roman Martyrology states: “Commemoration of Saint Anthony, a Monk, who, a man distinguished by grace and preparation, after having led a solitary life, retired, by now an old man in the Monastery of Lérins in Provence, where he piously fell asleep in the Lord.”
His Fervent Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/28/saint-of-the-day-28-december-saint-anthony-of-lerins-c-428-c-520/

BL Claudia Weinhardt
St Conindrus
St Domitian the Deacon
St Domnion (Died c395) Priest of Rome
St Eutychius
Bl Gregory of Cahors
St Iolande of Rome

Blessed Johannes Riedgasse O.Praem. (Died 1600) Abbot, Priest and Friar of the Premonstratensians or Norbertines.
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/28/saint-of-the-day-28-december-blessed-johannes-riedgasse-o-praem-died-1600-abbot/

Blessed Matthia de Nazzarei OSC (1253-1319) Virgin, Nun of the Poor Clares, Abbess, gifted with the charism of miracles and prophecy. Beatified on 27 July 1765 by Pope Clement XIII. Her body is incorrupt.
Her Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/28/saint-of-the-day-28-december-blessed-matthia-de-nazzarei-osc-1253-1319/

Bl Nicolas Mello
Bl Hermann of Heidelberg
Bl Otto of Heidelberg
St Romulus
St Simon the Myroblite
St Theonas of Alexandria
St Theodore of Tabenna
St Troadius of Pontus

Martyrs of Africa – 3 Saints: Three Christians murdered together in Africa for their faith. The only details to survive are their names – Castor, Rogatian and Victor.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Thought for the Day – 27 December – St John, the Apostle and Evangelist

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Thought for the Day – 27 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

St John, the Apostle and Evangelist

“Both in his Gospel and in his letters, St John continually emphasises the virtue of charity.
He stresses the need for love of God and love of our neighbour, “God is love,” he says, “and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him” (1 Jn 4:16).
According to St Jerome, when the Apostle John was almost a hundred years old and lacked the strength to speak for very long, he was accustomed to go, supported by his disciples, to gatherings of the faithful.
There he prepared, on every occasion, the same exhortation: “My children, love one another.”
His followers grew tired of this and finally asked him why he kept repeating the same phrase.
“Because that is God’s command,” he replied, “and if we do no more than obey it, that is sufficient!”

Let us meditate upon his words and let us remember, that our love for God is futile, unless it is accompanied by a practical love for our neighbour.
The love of God cannot be separated, from the love of our fellow-men.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the KING, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The O ANTIPHONS

Quote/s of the Day – 27 December – “O Emmanuel”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 27 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

“O Emmanuel”

“O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver,
the expectation of the nations and their Saviour,
Come to save us, O Lord our God!”

“Emmanuel, God with us, is a Name which in every way belongs to Christ Our Lord.
He is with His people in all their needs, ever ready to help and console them.
He is with us on every Altar, waiting for us to come and pour out our sorrow and our needs before Him.
He is with us, above all, in Holy Communion, when He Comes to dwell in our heart and to bring with Him every grace we need.
He is with us in the hour of death and He will be with us forever in Heaven.”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 December – “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow Me.” – John 21:22

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 27 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St John, the Apostle and Evangelist, the Beloved – St John the Apostle and Evangelist – Ecclesiasticus 15:1-6 – John 21:19-24 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow Me.” – John 21:22

REFLECTION – “The Church knows of two lives advocated and recommended by God . One in faith, the other in vision; one in our pilgrimage through time, the other in the abode of eternity; one in working, the other in repose; one on the way, the other in our homeland; one in the labour of action, the other in the reward of contemplation. … The first is represented by the Apostle Peter, the second, by John. The first wholly takes place here below, until the end of the world and then comes to an end. The second only reaches its fulfilment after the world’s end; in the world to come, it will never end.

“What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow Me” …. Let your action follow Me, perfect and modelled on the example of My Passion; let the contemplation which has begun, remain until My return: I will perfect it when I come again. For this persevering fervour which stands firm to the death, is a following of Christ and this knowledge, which will then be manifested in fullness, remains until the return of Christ. Here, in the country of mortal men, we must undergo the afflictions of this world; there, we shall contemplate the Lord’s blessings, in the land of the living (Ps 26:13). …

So let no-one divide one from the other of these two, glorious Apostles, for both are contained in what Peter symbolises and both, will be in what John represents.” – St Augustine (354-320) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermons on Saint John’s Gospel No 124: 5-7).

PRAYER – O Lord, graciously shed light upon Thy Church, so that, enlightened by the teachings of blessed John, ThyApostle and Evangelist, she may gain YThy everlasting rewards.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 27 December – Oh Teach Me then, Dear Saint!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 27 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Oh Teach Me then, Dear Saint!
An Invocation of St John,
the Apostle and Evangelist
“Saint of the Sacred Heart”,
Unknown Author

Saint of the Sacred Heart,
Sweet teacher of the Word,
Partner of Mary’s woes
And favourite of thy Lord!
Refrain: Oh teach me then, dear Saint!
The Secrets Christ taught thee;
The Beatings of His Heart
And how it beat for me!

We know not all thy gifts
But this, Christ bids us see,
That He Who so loved all,
Found more to love in thee.
Refrain

When the last evening came,
Thy head was on His Breast,
Pillowed on earth, where now
In Heaven the Saints find rest.
Refrain

Dear Saint! I stand far off,
With vilest sins opprest,
Oh may I dare, like thee,
To lean upon His Breast?
Refrain

His Touch could heal the sick,
His Voice could raise the dead,
Oh that my soul might be
Where He allows thy head.
Refrain

The gifts He gave to thee
He gave thee to impart
And I, too, claim with thee
His Mother and His Heart!
Refrain

Posted in Uncategorized

St John the Apostle and Evangelist, the Beloved, Nossa Senhora do Rosário / Our Lady of the Rosary (Brazil) (1817) and Feasts of the Saints –

Posted on by AnaStpaul

St John the Apostle and Evangelist, the Beloved
St John the Beloved:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/12/27/saint-of-the-day-27-december-st-john-the-apostle-and-evangelist/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/27/saint-of-the-day-27-december-the-disciple-whom-jesus-loved-the-eagle-by-dom-prosper-gueranger/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/27/saint-of-the-day-27-december-st-john-the-apostle-and-evangelist-2/

Nossa Senhora do Rosário / Our Lady of the Rosary (Atibaia, São Paulo, Brazil) (1817) – 27 December:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/27/feast-of-st-john-the-apostle-and-evangelist-nossa-senhora-do-rosario-our-lady-of-the-rosar-atibaia-sao-paulo-brazil-1817-and-memorials-of-the-saints-27-december/

Bl Adelheidis of Tennenbach
Bl Christina Ebner

St Fabiola (Died 399) Physician, Foundress of the first known hospital and hospice, disciple of St Jerome, benefactress of the Church.
St Fabiola’s Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/27/saint-of-the-day-27-december-st-fabiola-died-399/

The famous portrait of St Fabiola, painted by Jean-Jacques Henner in a classical Roman profile in 1885.

Bl Hesso of Beinwil
St Maximus of Alexandria
St Nicarete of Constantinople

Blessed Roger of Verdun O.Praem. (Died 1138) Abbot, Priest or Regular Canon, Friar.
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/27/saint-of-the-day-27-december-blessed-roger-of-verdun-o-praem-died-1138-priest/

 Saints and Blesseds of the Premonstratensians

St Theodore of Apamea (c775-c831) Confessor, Martyr, Monk, Brother of Saint Theophanes of Nicaea.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/27/saint-of-the-day-27-december-st-theodore-of-apamea-c-775-c-831-confessor/

St Theophanes of Nicaea
Bl Walto of Wessobrünn

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM, QUOTES on SUFFERING, St PAUL!

Thought for the Day – 26 December – St Stephen, the First Martyr

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Thought for the Day – 26 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

St Stephen, the First Martyr

“Among the original seven Deacons nominated by the Apostles, there was one name Stephen, who was outstanding for his sanctity and extraordinary spiritual gifts.
Being enlightened by God, this young man dared to rebuke the Jews in public for their hardness of heart and openly defended the doctrine of Christ, Whom he proclaimed to be the Saviour and Redeemer of the world.
One day, when he was threatened by his foes, Stephen raised his eyes trustfully towards Heaven and said: “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
The Jews could no longer restrain their fury and proceeded to drag the young man outside the City.
There, they left their garments in the care of a youth named Saul, while they savagely stoned Stephen to death.
Stricken to his knees by the force of the missiles, the saintly young disciple continued to look towards Heaven.
“Lord Jesus,” he cried, “receive my spirit.”
Before he breathed his last, he forgave his enemies in the manner of his Divine Master.
“Lord,” he prayed, “do not lay this sin against them.”
And with these words he fell asleep (Cf Acts 7:51-60; 8:1-2).

Let us admire and imitate the courage of this Martyr.
We may never be called on, to endure a martyrdom of blood on behalf of our Faith but, we shall almost certainly be obliged to undergo the martyrdom of the assault of the passions on our purity of soul, or of severe physical or mental suffering…
If we accept these trials from God with perfect resignation and love, they will certainly prove as valuable to us, as real martyrdom.
If we endure them with the courage and fortitude of St Stephen, we shall be rewarded as he was, by seeing Jesus standing at the right hand of God and offering us the palm of victory!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the KING, The O ANTIPHONS

Quote/s of the Day – 26 December – “O Rex Gentium”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 26 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

“O Rex Gentium”

“O King of the nations and desired of them
and the Cornerstone which maketh both one,
Come and save man, whom Thou didst form of dust.”

“Christ was desired by all nations, long before they knew Him Whom they desired.
The heathen world felt a craving want which it could not define but which was the desire for the Saviour, Who should free them from the bondage of sin.
So now, men of goodwill, outside the Church, feel something of the same strange longing.
Nothing will satisfy it save submission to their King by union with His Mystical Body, the Church of God.
Oh, how happy am I, whose desires are fulfilled, in that I am no alien but a servant of that King, Whom to serve, is my own desire!”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on STRENGTH, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 26 December – ‘… Now Paul rejoices with Stephen, with Stephen he enjoys the brightness of Christ; he exults with Stephen, he reigns with Stephen! …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 26 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – St Stephen the ProtoMartyr (c05-c34) – The Second Day in the Christmas Octave – Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59 –Matthew 23:34-39 –Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” – Acts 7:59

REFLECTION – “Yesterday we celebrated the birth in time, of our eternal King; today we celebrate the triumphant death of a soldier… Our King, although He is most high, came for our sake, in great humility but He could not come empty-handed. He brought with Him, as it were, a great bonus for His soldiers which not only made them abundantly rich but also gave them, strength to fight and conquer. The gift He brought was love, which brings men into fellowship with the Godhead …

The love, then, which brought Christ down from Heaven to earth, lifted Stephen from earth to Heaven … And Stephen, so as to deserve to win the crown— which is what his name means — had love as his weapon and by it was everywhere victorious. Through love of God, he did not yield to the raging of his enemies and through love of his neighbour, he prayed for those who were stoning him. Through love, he accused those, who were in the wrong that they might be corrected. Through love, he prayed for those stoning him, to save them from punishment. Trusting in the strength of love, he overcame the cruel raging of Saul and so, won for himself, as a companion in men, the man who had been his persecutor on earth , This holy and untiring love, ardently desired to acquire as converts by his prayers, those whom he had been unable to convert by argument.

Now Paul rejoices with Stephen, with Stephen he enjoys the brightness of Christ; he exults with Stephen, he reigns with Stephen! There, where Stephen arose, the first, stoned under Paul’s very eyes, there too, Paul has risen with the help of Stephen’s prayers.” – St Fulgentius of Ruspe (c 462 – 533) Bishop in North Africa (Sermon 3, 1-3, 5-6).

PRAYER – Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to imitate what we celebrate, so that we may learn to love, even our enemies; because we keep the anniversary of the invention of Him, Who knew how to plead even for His persecutors with our Lord, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with |Thee. lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS

Our Morning Offering – 26 December – Sleep, Holy Babe

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 26 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Sleep, Holy Babe
By Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)

Sleep, holy Babe, Upon Thy Mother’s breast!
Great Lord of earth and sea and sky,
How sweet it is to see Thee lie
In such a place of rest!

Sleep, holy Babe, Thy Angels watch around,
All bending low with folded wings
Before th’incarnate King of kings
In rev’rent awe profound!

Sleep, holy Babe, While I with Mary gaze
In joy upon that Face awhile,
Upon the loving Infant smile
Which there divinely plays.

Sleep, holy Babe,
And take Thy brief repose;
Too quickly wilt Thy slumbers break
And Thou to lengthened pains awake,
That death alone shall close.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 26 December – Saint Theodore the Sacristan (Died c560)

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Saint of the Day – 26 December – Saint Theodore the Sacristan (Died c560).
Also known as – Theodorus.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, St Theodore, Sacristan of St Peter’s Church, who is mentioned by the blessed Pope, St Gregory.”

St Peter

That which is known of Theodore’s life comes from St Gregory the Great’s Dialogues, where he appears in Book III, Chapter 24. There, St Gregory records that Theodore once rose very early in the morning in order to tend the lamps which hung at the door of the Basilica. He was upon a ladder refilling the oil, when Saint Peter appeared to him vested in a white stole. The saint asked him, “Theodore, why have you risen so early?” a nd immediately disappeared. Theodore was struck by great anxiety and in his shock was unable to arise from his bed for the next several days.

St Gregory goes on, saying that the apparition was a sign of Saint Peter’s favour towards Theodore: “The blessed Apostle wished to show those who served him that whatever they did for his honour, he always and unceasingly observed it, for the recompense of their reward.”

When the interlocutor of the Dialogues, Peter the Deacon, questions why Theodore would have been shocked by having seen Saint Peter, St Gregory replies with a citation from Scripture in which the Prophet Daniel is likewise shocked into illness by a troubling vision: “And I Daniel languished, and was sick for some days: […] and I was astonished at the vision and there was none that could interpret it” (Daniel 8:27).

St Gregory mentions Theodore alongside another saintly Sacristan of St Peter’s, St Abundius.

Theodore died in c560. His body is believed to have been laid to rest in the Basilica where he served, although the precise location is not known.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

St Stephen the ProtoMartyr, Madonna della Acheropita / Our Lady of Rossano, Italy (1140) and Feasts of the Saints – 26 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Within the Octave of Christmas

St Stephen the ProtoMartyr (c 05-c 34) The Second Day in the Christmas Octave
St Stephen’s Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/12/26/saint-of-the-day-st-stephen-the-first-martyr-26-december-the-second-day-in-the-octave-of-christmas/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/26/saint-of-the-day-26-december-st-stephen-the-protomartyr-c-05-c-34-26-december/

Madonna della Acheropita, Maria Santissima Acheropita / Our Lady of Acheropita, Rossano, Italy (1140) – 26 December:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/26/st-stephen-the-protomartyr-c-05-c-34-feast-the-second-day-in-the-christmas-octave-madonna-della-acheropita-maria-santissima-acheropita-our-lady-of-acheropita-rossano-italy-1140-and-memoria/

St Abadiu of Antinoë
St Amaethlu of Anglesey
St Archelaus of Mesopotamia
Bl Daniel of Villiers

St Pope Dionysius (Died 268) Bishop of Rome from 22 July 259 to his death on 26 December 268. According to early Church records, Dionysius was the first Pope not Martyred for his Faith.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/26/saint-of-the-day-26-december-st-pope-dionysius-died-268/

St Euthymius of Sardis
St Evaristo

Blessed Giovanni Orsini (1333-1411) Cardinal Archbishop of Turin for forty-seven year! Reformer both socially and within the Church, Apostle of the poor and needy, carer of Monasteries Convents and the Religious who inhabited them. No images of this holy man have been found. The Shrine pictured below, is described in the last paragraph and resides at the Cathedral in Turin.
The Life of a True Shepherd:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/26/saint-of-the-day-26-december-blessed-giovanni-orsini-1333-1411-cardinal-archbishop/

Bl Jean of Hainaut
St Margaret of Hohenfels
Bl Marinus of Rome
Bl Paganus of Lecco
Bl Pierre Boffet
St Tathai of Wales
St Theodore the Sacristan (Died c560)
St Zeno of Gaza

St Pope Zosimus (Died 418) Bishop of Rome from 18 March 417 to his death on 26 December 418, Confessor. Greek by birth, his short Pontificate was characterised by serious conflicts with the Bishops of Gaul and those of Africa.
St Zosimus’ Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/26/saint-of-the-day-saint-pope-zosimus-died-418/

Posted in CHRISTMAS Quotes, CHRISTMASTIDE!, NOTES to Followers

CHRISTMAS WISHES

Posted on by AnaStpaul

May your hearts overflow
with love for our Divine Infant King!

With hearts truly grateful,
Come, all ye faithful,
To Jesus, to Jesus in Bethlehem;
See Christ your Saviour,
Heaven’s greatest favour.
Let us hasten to adore Him;
Our God and King!

My prayers of heartfelt thanksgiving
arise ,for the love you have all shown
for this little apostolate!
For my most generous and loving Benefactors,
who, in their generosity, have constantly contributed
to the upkeep of this Site.
For those who, in the midst of their manifold duties
during this very busy time,
have, nevertheless, found time
to send Christmas donations and prayers.
May the Divine Infant,
His Immaculate Mother and Holy St Joseph,
Bless you all.
Ana 🙏💖

Deo Gratias!

Posted in CHRISTMAS Quotes, CHRISTMASTIDE!, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIMPLICITY, The DIVINE INFANT, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 25 December – The Feast of the Nativity

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 25 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Feast of the Nativity

“The first people to pay homage to Jesus Christ, are not men of exalted rank but humble shepherds.
They come to offer their poor gifts but, above all else, they offer Him their simple and innocent hearts.

We also should approach the manger with humility and simplicity.
Foremost among the gifts which we offer, should be the renunciation of sin, a firm resolution to resist our lower inclinations and a great love for Him, Who has loved us so much.
There are no more pleasing gifts which we could offer Jesus Christ on His Birthday.
Let us go now to Him!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, The DIVINE INFANT, The O ANTIPHONS

Quote/s of the Day – 25 December – “O Oriens”

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Quote/s of the Day – 25 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day!

“O Oriens”

“O Orient, Splendour of Eternal Light and Sun of Justice;
Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death.”

“That rising Light is the Sun of Justice, Who shall exercise His Justice in delivering the captive and in recompensing His friends a hundred, nay, a thousandfold, for every little service done for Him. For His Justice is virtually identical with His Mercy and rejoices to employ itself in works of pity and of love.”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CHRISTMAS Quotes, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The INCARNATION, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The NATIVITY of JESUS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 December – ‘ … O Christian, be aware of your nobility!’ St Leo the Great

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 25 December “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day! – Titus 2:11-15 – Luke 2:1-14 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we saw His glory, the glory, as it were, of the Only-Begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.”- Luke 2:14

REFLECTION – “This is the day our Saviour was born – what a joy for us, my beloved! This is no season for sadness, this, the birthday of Life – the Life which annihilates the fear of death and engenders joy, promising, as it does, immortality! Nobody is an outsider to this happiness. The same cause for joy is common to all, for our Lord . . . came with redemption for all. Let the saint rejoice, for he hastens to his crown; let the sinner be filled with joy, for pardon is offered him; let the Gentile be emboldened, for he is called to life. When the designated time had come, which God, in His deep and impenetrable plan, had fixed upon, God’s Son took the nature of man upon Himself, in order to reconcile man to his Creator . . .

The Word, Who is God, the Son of God “Who was in the beginning with God; through Whom all things came to be and without Whom, nothing came to be” has become Man to deliver man from eternal death. He humbled Himself to assume our mortal condition, yet without diminishing His greatness. Remaining what He was and assuming what He was not, He united our condition of a slave, to His condition of equality with God the Father . . . Greatness was clothed with humility, strength with weakness, eternity with mortality – True God and True Man, in the unity of a single Lord, “the One Mediator between God and the human race” (1Tim 2,5). . .

My beloved, let us offer thanksgiving to God the Father, through His Son, in the Holy Ghost. In the great mercy with which He loved us, He had pity on us and “in giving life to Christ, gave life to us too, when we were dead through sin,” so that, in Him, we might be a new creation, a new work of His Hands (Eph 2:4-5; 2 Cor 5:17) . . . O Christian, be aware of your nobility!” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope , Father and Doctor of the Church (1st sermon for the Nativity of the Lord)

PRAYER – O God, Who hast brightened this most holy night with the splendour of the true Light, grant, we beseech Thee that we may know in Heaven the joy of that light which we have known mystically on earth. 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).

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CHRIST the KING, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, franciscan OFM, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, The DIVINE INFANT, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Our Morning Offering – 25 December – Nativity Song By Blessed Jacopone da Todi OFM (1230-1306)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 25 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day!

Nativity Song
By Blessed Jacopone da Todi OFM (1230-1306)
(Today is the Feast Day of Blessed Jacopone)

The beautiful Mother is bending
Low where her Baby lies
Helpless and frail, for her tending
But she knows the glorious eyes.

The Mother smiles and rejoices,
While the Baby laughs in the hay,
She listens to heavenly voices:
“This Child shall be King some day.”

O dear little Child in the manger,
Let me make merry with Thee,
O King, in my hour of danger,
Wilt Thou be strong for me?

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 25 December – Saint Eugenia (Died c258) Virgin Martyr of Rome.

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 25 December – Saint Eugenia (Died c258) Virgin Martyr of Rome. Born in Rome and died there by being martyred. Also known as – Eugenia of Alexandria.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, in the Cemetery of Apronian, St Eugenia, virgin. In the time of the Emperor Gallienus, after working many miracles and gathering to Christ, troops of sacred virgins and after long combats under Nicetius, Prefect of the City, she was finally put to the sword.”

Eugenia was the daughter of the Roman nobleman Philip, who, by order of the Emperor Commodus, was appointed as the Prefect of Alexandria in Egypt, a post he accepted and travelled to that City with his entire family.

In Alexandria, Eugenia refused marriage to Aquilius, the Consul’s son and, aided by the eunuchs Saints Protus and Hyacinthus, her guardians, she secretly entered a Monastery, then an all-male Monastery, dressed as a man.

Her family believed her missing and grieved her possible death. In the Monastery, disguised and under the name of Eugenius, she distinguished herself by exceptional virtues, for which the Monks elected her their Abbot.

A noble matron, Melanthia, attracted by Eugenia’s reputation for sanctity, wanted to meet the Abbot but fell in love with her, unaware that she was a woman.

Rejected, Melanthia, filled with hatred, denounced the Abbot for immoral advances. A trial began during which Eugenia’s true identity was revealed, to the great joy of the family, who immediately converted to Christianity.
Her father, Philip, distinguished himself for helping the poor, to the point that the Alexandrians appointed him as the Bishop of the City. The new Prefect had him killed because he was a Christian.

The rest of the family then returned to Rome, where Eugenia’s mother, Claudia, established a shelter for widows and Eugenia assisted her and by her great virtue and piety attraced many disciples. Among them, a certain Bassilla, a relative of the Emperor Gallienus, was entrusted to the Saints Protus and Hyacinthus for a Christian education. Bassilla then, disiring to consecrate her virginity to the Lord rejected marriage. But her betrothed, Pompeius, took reveng by denouncing everyone to the Emperor, who had Bassilla, Protus and Hyacinthus killed and then, on 25 December, Eugenia too. Her mother, Claudia followed shortly thereafter.

Eugenia is certainly a Roman Martyr and her Tomb is near that of Protus Hycianth and Bassilla. A Basilica was built over her Tomb and she is depicted in mosaics in Ravenna, Naples and in Greece.

Today, her Relics rest in the Roman Church of the Holy Apostles. Her name is of Greek origin and means ‘well-born.‘

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Christmas Day! The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ and Feasts of the Saints – 25 December

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Day! Naturally a Holy Day of Obligation.
Celebration of the Anniversary of the Birth of Our Lord. In the earliest days of the Church there was no such Feast, the Saviour’s Birth was commemorated with the Epiphany by the Greek and other Eastern Churches. First mention of the Feast, then kept on 20 May, was made by St Clement of Alexandria in c200. In c300, the Latin Church began to observe 25 December, although there is no certainty that Our Lord was born on that day.
Today, Priests have the privilege of saying three Masses, at midnight, daybreak and morning. This was originally reserved to the Holy Father alone – beginning about the 4th Century he celebrated a midnight Mass in the St Saviour’s Lateran Basilica (in which the Manger of Bethlehem is preserved), a second in the Church of Saint Anastasia, whose Feast comes on 25 December and a third at the St Peter’s Vatican Basilica.
Many peculiar customs of the day are the outcome of the pagan celebrations of the January calendar. The Christmas tree, of which the first known mention was made in 1605 at Strasbourg, was introduced into France and England in 1840.
The Feast is a Holy Day of Obligation, preceded by the preparatory season of Advent and by a special Vigil – should it fall on a Friday it abrogates the law of abstinence. Of course, Christmas attracts an Octave, when this wonderful Mystery and Miracle is celebrated for eight days. How glorious and grateful we are, Deo Gratias!
https://anastpaul.com/2019/12/25/the-solemnity-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-25-december-2/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/25/the-solemnity-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-25-december/
AND:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/12/25/25-december-the-solemnity-of-the-birth-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-2/

St Adalsindis of Hamay
St Alburga of Wilton

St Anastasia (Died 304) Widow, Martyr of Sirmium (modern Serbia). She is one of seven women who, along with Blessed Virgin Mary, are commemorated by name in the Roman Canon of the Mass.
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/12/25/saint-of-the-day-25-december-saint-anastasia-of-sirmium-died-304-widow-martyr/

Bl Artale
St Basilée of the Via Latina

Blessed Bentivoglio de Bonis OFM (1188-1232) Confessor, Priest and Friar of the Friars’ Minor of St Francis, Noted preachers, Miracle worker and visionary. One of Saint Francis of Assisi’s earliest disciples and one of first Franciscans.
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/25/saint-of-the-day-25-december-blessed-bentivoglio-de-bonis-ofm-1188-1232-confessor-priest/

Bl Diego de Aro
St Eugenia (Died c258) Virgin Martyr of Rome

St Fulk (c1155-1231) Bishop of Toulouse, France, a fierce and untiring Defender of the Faith against heresies, Musician, Composer and Lyricist, Poet, Born in c1155 at Genoa, Italy and died in 1231 in Toulouse of natural causes.
A Talented and Zealous Shepherd:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/25/saint-of-the-day-25-december-saint-fulk-of-toulouse-c1155-1231-bishop/

Blessed Jacopone da Todi OFM (1230-1306) Priest and Friar of the Order of the Friars Minor, Author of the “Stabat Mater,” Confessor, Hymnist, Poet, Musician, Mystic, Lawyer. He is the Author of the famous Latin Hymn, The Stabat Mater among others.
Wonderfully talented Blessed Jacopone:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/25/saint-of-the-day-25-december-blessed-jacopone-da-todi-ofm-1230-1306/

St Jovin of the Via Latina
Bl Matthew of Albano
Bl Michael Nakashima Saburoemon
Bl Nera

Blessed Peter the Venerable (c1092–1156) The Eighth Abbot of Cluny, Reformer, Scholar and Writer, Poet. He was Beatified in 1862 by Pope Pius IX.
About Blessed Peter:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/25/saint-of-the-day-25-december-blessed-peter-the-venerable-c%e2%80%891092-1156/

St Romulus of Berry

Posted in GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY FAMILY

Thought for the Day – 24 December – The Holy Family – Joseph

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Thought for the Day – 24 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Christmas Novena IX
The Holy Family – Joseph

“The third member of the Holy Family is St Joseph, the most just of men, faithful to his vocation as the foster-father of the Child Jesus and chaste spouse o the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Let us imitate his purity, his utter dedication to the service of God and his burning love for Jesus, Whom he was privileged to clasp to his breast before any other man.
Let us ask him to obtain for us the grace to be able to imitate him in his life so that we may also imitate him in his holy death.
May he, who died with Jesus and Mary by his side, obtain peace for us in our final agony, so that we may expire with the names of Jesus and Mary on our lips and in our hearts.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/24/thought-for-the-day-24-december-the-holy-family-jesus-2/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/24/thought-for-the-day-24-december-the-holy-family-mary/

Posted in ADVENT QUOTES, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, The DIVINE INFANT, The O ANTIPHONS, The REDEMPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 24 December – “O Adonai”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 24 December – The Vigil of the Nativity oL Our Lord Jesus Christ

“O Adonai”

“O Lord and Leader of the house of Israel,
Who didst appear to Moses in a flame of fire in the bush
and didst give to him the law on Mount Sinai,
Come to Redeem us with Thine outstretched Arm.”

“ The flame of fire in the burning bush, was a figure of Jesus in Mary’s Sacred womb.
Holy indeed was the place where God was present and whence He promised to His people their deliverance from Egypt. So He still speaks, as if concealed in Mary’s womb and reminds us that He has made her holy with a holiness second only to His own and, when we draw nigh to her, we hear His Voice announcing to us that He has heard our prayers offered through her and will come to deliver us from our enemies .”

Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on WISDOM, St Francis de Sales, St JOSEPH, The NATIVITY of JESUS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 24 December – ‘… God gave him His most glorious Son to care for …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 24 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 1:1-6 Matthew 1:18-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep …” – Matthew 1:20

REFLECTION – “How faithful in humility was the great Saint we are celebrating! That cannot be said in all its perfection for, in spite of what he was, in what poverty and lowliness he lived, all the days of his life – a poverty and lowliness beneath which. he kept hidden and concealed, his great virtues and dignity! … Truly, I am free of doubt that the Angels came, beside themselves with admiration, rank upon rank, to behold and wonder at his humility, while he sheltered that dearest Child in the poor workshop where he worked at his employment, so as to feed the little Boy and the mother entrusted to him.

There is no doubt at all that St Joseph was braver than David and wiser that Solomon [who were his ancestors]. Nevertheless, seeing him reduced to the exercise of carpentry, who could have discerned this, unless they were enlightened by a heavenly Light, so hidden did he keep the remarkable gifts with which God had favoured him? And what wisdom did he not have? For God gave him His most glorious Son to care for … the universal Prince of Heaven and earth … Nevertheless, you can see how low and humbled he was brought, more than can be said or imagined … he went to his own Country and Town of Bethlehem and none but he was turned away from all those inns … Notice how the Angel turns him about with both hands. He tells him he has to go to Egypt and he goes; he orders him to return and he returns. God wants him to be always poor … and he submits to it with love and, not only for a while, for he was poor his whole life long!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church (Conferences No 20)

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who gladden us, year after year, with the expectation of our redemption, grant that we, who now welcome with joy Thy Only-begotten Son as our Redeemer, may also gaze upon Him without fear when He comes as our Judge, our Lord Jesus Christ. 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).

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, BREVIARY Prayers, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The SECOND COMING

Our Morning Offering – 24 December – Magnis Prophetæ Vocibus, With Mighty Voice the Prophets Cry

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Our Morning Offering – 24 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Magnis Prophetæ Vocibus
With Mighty Voice the Prophets Cry
Unknown Author

With mighty voice the prophets cry
that Christ the Lord is drawing nigh;
rejoicing, they foresee the grace
by which He saves us and redeems.

And so our morning sun shines forth,
our hearts ablaze with radiant joy;
we hear the faithful voice resound,
precursor of God’s glorious gift.

At that first Advent, Christ our God
came forth not to condemn the world,
but came to cleanse our gaping wound,
to seek and save what had been lost.

Christ’s Second Coming warns us all
that He is standing at the gates,
to give to saints their glorious crowns
and open wide the heav’nly realm.

Eternal light is now foretold,
the saving star is shining forth,
its radiant splendour summons us
and calls us to the heav’nly court.

Christ Jesus, Thou alone we seek
to see Thee face-to-face as God;
may this unending vision be
an everlasting hymn of praise.
Amen.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 24 December – St Euthymius (Died c303) Martyr

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Saint of the Day – 24 December – St Euthymius (Died c303) Martyr of Nicomedia in Asia Minor.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Nicomedia, during the persecution of Diocletian, St Euthymius, Martyr, who encouraged and inspired many before him to hold firmly to their Faith during tortures. Being pierced with a sword, he followed them to share their Crowns.” [The image below is St Ste[hen the 1st Martyr].

During the verocious persecutions of Diocletian, Euthymius encouraged Christians to display firm and courageous witness to their faith in Christ and ensured their holy Christian burial to Martyrs.

For this he was in turn arrested and executed for his enduring and loving faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, The NATIVITY of JESUS

The Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, The final day of the Christmas Novenas and Feast Days of the Saints 

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Vigil of the Nativity oL Our Lord Jesus Christ
Midnight Mass is the first Liturgy of Christmastide which is celebrated on the night of Christmas Eve, traditionally beginning at midnight when Christmas Eve gives way to Christmas Day. This popular Christmas custom is a jubilant celebration of the Mass in honour of the Nativity of Jesus Christ.

Christmas Novena to the Divine Infant Jesus
By St Alphonsus,
THE NINTH DAY

The Miraculous Monthly Novena to the
Infant Jesus of Prague
The Ninth Day

All the Holy Ancestors of Christ – A commemoration of all the holy ancestors of Jesus Christ.
MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/24/24-december-vigil-of-the-nativity-of-the-lord-mass-at-midnight-and-memorials-of-the-saints-24-december/

St Caran of Scotland

St Delphinus (Died 403) the 2nd Bishop of Bordeaux, Defender of the True Faith, friend of St Ambrose and St Venerius of Milan. He was also instrumental in the conversion of the great St Paulinus of Nola, becoming his spiritual father and teacher.
Holy and Learned St Delphinus:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/12/24/saint-of-the-day-24-december-saint-delphinus-of-bordeaux-died-403-bishop/

St Euthymius (Died c303) Martyr of Nicomedia

St Gregory (Died c304) Priest Martyr. Died in Spoleto, Italy after many tortures.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Spoleto, the holy Priest, Gregory. In the time of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, he was first beaten with rough clubs and then, after being exposed on the gridiron and improised, was struck on the knees with iron carding instrucments, burned on the sides with firebrands and finally, beheaded.”
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/12/24/saint-of-the-day-24-december-saint-gregory-of-spoleto-died-c304-priest-martyr/

St Hanno OSB (Died 978) Bishop of Worms from 950 until his death.
St Hanno:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/24/saint-of-the-day-24-december-saint-hanno-of-worms-osb-died-978/

St Irmina (Died c716) Virgin Princess, Nun, Abbess, Founder and Co-founder of 2 Monasteries, benefactress of St Willibrord, the great Missionary Saint of Germany. The Roman Martyrology states: “In Trier in Austrasia, in Germany, Saint Irmina, Abbess of the Monastery of Öhren, who, a virgin consecrated to God, gave Saint Willibrord a small Monastery she founded in her villa in Echternach and was a generous giver of her goods.”
Her Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/24/saint-of-the-day-24-december-saint-irmina-of-oehren-died-c-716/

St Mochua of Timahoe

St Trasilla (6th Century) Virgin, Aunt of Saint Pope Gregory the Great (540-604)
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, the birthday of the holy Virgin, Trasilla, Aunt of St Gregory, Pope, who writs of her that at the hour of her death, she saw Jesus coming to her.”
St Trasilla’s Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/24/saint-of-the-day-24-december-st-trasilla-sixth-century-virgin/

Blessed Mercedarian Brother:
Blessed Dionysius Roneo
Blessed Philip Claro
Blessed Giulio Pons
Blessed Peter of Valladolid

Blessed Mercedarian Sisters:
Blessed Anna Maria Prieto
Blessed Anna de Arrano
Blessed Orsola de Larisgoizia
Blessed Maguna Mary
Blessed Margaret
Blessed Mary of the Assumption Sarria

Martyred Maidens of Antioch – 40 Saints: A group of forty Virgins Martyred in the persecutions of Decius. None of their names have come down to us. They were martyred in 250 in Antioch, Syria.

Martyrs of Tripoli – 6 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together, date unknown. The only details that have survived are six of the names – Drusus, Lucian, Metrobius, Paul, Theotimus and Zenobius. They were martyred in Tripoli, Libya.

Posted in "Follow Me", ADVENT QUOTES, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIMPLICITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The DIVINE INFANT, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 23 December – What Jesus Wants From Us

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 23 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Christmas Novena VIII
What Jesus Wants From Us

“Unless you turn and become like little children,” the Infant Jess says to us, “you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 18:2).
He wishes us to be humble, simple and innocent, like children.
As we grow older, unfortunately, many of us become proud, complicated and vain.
We lose the honest candour of childhood

Worldly pretentiousness cannot possibly appeal to Jesus, since He, Who is truly great, chose to become a tiny Infant.
He wishes us to renounce the self-important airs and the intricate methods which we employ, in order to conceal the truth, to disguise our lack of virtue and to assume the appearances of learning and of authority, regardless of the fact that the highest achievement of which we are capable, is to be humble, the most necessary knowledge of all, is to know Jesus Crucified and the best kind of authority, is the ability to control our passions and to subject ourselves to the will of God.

It is, in this sense, that we must become little children before God and before man.
Then Jesus Christ will love us and will grant us His favours.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, The DIVINE INFANT, The HOLY INFANCY, The O ANTIPHONS

Quote/s of the Day – 23 December – “O Radix Jesse”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 23 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

“O Radix Jesse”

“O Root of Jesse , Who standest for a Sign to the nations, before Whom kings shall close their mouth,
of Whom the Gentiles shall entreat mercy;
Come to set us free and no longer delay!”

 “O Root of Jesse O King and Saviour, Come and set us free; free from all which displeases Thee, free from the snares which entangle our feet, free from our perverse attachment to our own will , free from the power of the devil, free from our apathy in obeying Thy commands and holy inspirations, free from all which hinders us in Thy service; Come and say the Word and we shall be delivered!”

 Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 December – “Stewards of the Mysteries of God”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 23 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 – Luke 3:1-6 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Let a man so account of us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the Mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found trustworthy …” – 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

REFLECTION – “Wishing to emphasise the special office of the servants whom He has placed in charge of His people, the Lord says, “Who, do you think, is the faithful and wise steward, whom the Lord sets over His household, to give to them their measure of wheat at the proper time? Blessed is that servant, whom his Master will find so doing, when He comes.” Who is that Master, brethren? Without a doubt it is Christ, who says to His disciples: “You call me Teacher and Lord and you are right, for so I am” (Jn 13,13). What, too, is the Master’s Household? Doubtless it is the one which the Lord Himself ransomed… This Sacred Household is the Holy, Catholic Church, which is spread throughout the whole earth, with abundant fertility and glories, in the fact, that she has been redeemed by the Precious Blood of her Master.

As He Himself says: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10,45). He is, too, the Good Shepherd, Who laid down His life for His sheep” (Jn 10,11)…

As to who the steward is, who ought to be faithful, as well as wise, the Apostle Paul shows us, when, speaking of himself and his companions, he says: “This is how one should regard us, as the servants of Christ and stewards of the Mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found trustworthy” (1Cor 4:1-2). Now, lest anyone of us should think that it is only the Apostles who have been made stewards… the blessed Apostle Paul shows us that the Bishops also are stewards, when he says: “For a Bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless” (Tt 1,7)…We, therefore, who are the servants of the Master of the household, we are the stewards of the Lord, we have received the measure of wheat to disburse to you.” – St Fulgentius of Ruspe (c 462-533) Bishop, Father (Homily 1, on the Lord’s servants).

PRAYER – O God, Who, by the message of an Angel, willed to take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant that we, Thy suppliants, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with Thee. Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, St JOHN the BAPTIST

Our Morning Offering – 23 December – Prepare for Christ your Saviour!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 23 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Prepare for Christ your Saviour!
Stanbrook Abbey

Throughout a world in shadow,
John’s urgent voice we hear;
Prepare for Christ your Saviour!
The Son of God is near.

He gives a new beginning
To those who turn from sin,
Who answer love with loving
By turning back to Him.

His veiled but certain splendour
Begins to shine from far;
He comes, His Saints around Him,
The bright and Morning Star.

With all who wait in longing,
Give thanks that never cease,
For Him Whom God is sending
To visit us in peace.
Amen

Posted in INCORRUPTIBLES, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day –23 December – Saint Victoria (Died c250) Virgin Martyr

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day –23 December – Saint Victoria (Died c250) Virgin Martyr of Rome. Born in Rome and died there by being stabbed through the heart. Many believe her body is incorrupt but I can find no conclusive evidence.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, the holy virgin Victoria, a Martyr in the persecution of Emperor Decius. She had been promised in marriage to a pagan names Eugene but because she refused to marry him and to offer sacrifices to idols and because, by working many miracles, she brought many to the service of God, she was at the request of her betrothed, stabbed in the heart with a sword by the executioner.”

Victoria was a Christian noblewoman. She, was forced into an arranged betroyal to a pagan nobleman. Desiring to devote and consecrate herself entirely to God rather than marry, she refused all connections with any man.

Upon this refusal, her suitor denounced her as Christians to the authorities under the persecution of Roman Emperor Decius. Victoria was seized and put under house arrest in order to break her courageous resistance and faith and convince her to marry. Instead of weakening, her faith in Christ, by His grace, became more resolute.

While under house arrest she sold all of her belongings, gave the proceeds to the poor and inspired and converted many young virgins as well as the servants and guards to Christianity.

This so infuriated her rejected suitor, Eugene, he demanded immediate death by stabbing. She was stabbed through the heart. Below is her body in her Shrine in Rome.

St Victoria’s Shrine