Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 21 March – St Joseph’s Seventh Joy

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 21 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

21st Day – St Joseph’s Seventh Joy
The Finding of Jesus Amongst
the Doctors in the Temple

+1. For three days Joseph had sought Jesus and, at length, wearied with the fruitless search, he and Cur Lady betook themselves to the Temple, that there, before the mercy-seat, they might beg God to have mercy upon them. Here was true wisdom.
Why do we not imitate them in desolation? In our temples we have not the symbolic presence of God but God Himself, God Incarnate, waiting to listen to us! Why do I not have recourse to Him more frequently, in all my trials and troubles?

+2. In one of the halls of the Temple, they espied a group of old men gathered around a Boy and absorbed in their conversation with Him.
In an instant, Joseph recognised Him Whom they sought. Now all his anxiety was at an end; the darkness of night was turned into the dazzling brightness of the glorious day.
So in an instant, Jesus can work the same merciful change for us and, by His Presence, can turn all our darkness into Light.

+3. What was Jesus doing?
He was listening to what the rabbis had to say about the Messias, putting questions to them which set them a-thinking – whether the time had come for His appearance, answering their questions with such supernatural Wisdom, the old men sat there astonished and, as it were in a trance Jesus was anticipating His public ministry, beginning the Work which He had Come to accomplish, at that early age. So, from the first, He began His Work within my soul, suggesting holy thoughts, pouring heavenly wisdom into me. Alas, how little have I learned His Divine lessons!?

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE

Quote/s of the Day – 21 March – St Benedict

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Quote/s of the Day – 21 March – St Benedict OSB (c 480-547) Abbot, Patron of Europe and Founder of Western Monasticism.

“The first degree of humility
is prompt obedience.”

“Run, while you have the light of life,
lest the darkness of death, overtake you.”

“Girded with faith
and the performance of good works,
let us follow in His Paths,
by the guidance of the Gospel.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/21/quote-s-of-the-day-21-march-st-benedict-3/

St Benedict (c480-547)

Posted in ABOUT - Meditations with Fr RICHARD F CLARKE SJ, LENT- 2025, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 21 March – Jesus Led Away Captive

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 21 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Friday after the Second Sunday in Lent
Jesus Led Away Captive

Read St John xviii:12-13

[12] Then the band and the tribune and the servants of the Jews, took Jesus and bound Him[13] and they led him away to Annas firstly, for he was father in law to Caiphas, who was the high priest of that year. [John 18:12-13]

+1. The chief priests and Pharisees had brought with them. a coil of rope with which they tightly bound Jesus’ Sacred Hands and He was led away like a lamb going to the slaughter. This is the beginning of His apparent powerlessness. He, Who before bid defiance to His enemies, put them to the rout by Word and Work, now seems unable to resist them, feeble and helpless in their hands. Yet, under this apparent weakness, was hidden a Divine force; nay , it was this very weakness which was the means of conquering the whole world!

+2. The officers tied Jesus’ Hands, thus, He could no longer lay them upon the sick and the afflicted, to heal their diseases and their miseries.
So we too tie the Jesus’ Hands by bands far more fatal, in hindering His power to heal the sickness of our soul. When we reject His graces and turn a deaf ear to His counsel, we render Him powerless to assist us. He cannot bestow the blessings He delights to impart upon us – our obstinacy has tied His Hands so that He cannot help us as He wishes.

+3. Often in our desire to work for others, we find our hands tied. Something hinders our charitable designs; some hostile influence renders us apparently powerless. Our prayers seem to avail nothing; our kind acts are rejected; we seem to do the incorrect thing when trying our best to do what is correct. Yet, we must not repine; we are only treading in our Master’s Steps.
The very suffering entailed in this, is a sure means of earning the graces we desire.

Posted in Lady POVERTY, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 March – ‘ … Oh! how holy and rich is the impoverishment which is caused by almsgiving! …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 21 March – “The Month of Saint Joseph” – Feast of the Holy Shroud – St Benedict OSB (c 480-547) Abbot, Patron of Europe and Founder of Western Monasticism.–Friday of the Second Week in Lent – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6 – Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… Shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29

REFLECTION – “The possessions which we have, are not our own –God has given them to us to cultivate and He wishes us to render them fruitful and profitable … Always deprive yourself, therefore, of some part of your means, giving them to the poor with a willing heart … It is true that God will return it to you, not only in the next world but also in this, for there is nothing which makes a person prosper, in temporal matters, so much, as almsgiving. But until such time as God shall repay it, you will always be impoverished to that extent. Oh! how holy and rich is the impoverishment which is caused by almsgiving!

Love the poor and poverty, for by this love you will become truly poor, since, as Scripture says: “We become like the things which we love” (cf Hos 9:10). Love makes those who love, equal to one another: “Who is weak and I am not weak?” says St Paul (2 Cor 11:29). He might have said: “Who is poor, with whom I am not poor?” For love made him become, such as those whom he loved. If, then, you love the poor, you will be truly participating in their poverty and poor like them. Now, if you love the poor, be often among them; be pleased to see them in your house and to visit them in theirs; associate willingly with them; be glad that they are near you in the Churches, in the streets and elsewhere. Be poor in speech with them, speaking to them as their equal but be rich in deed, giving them of your goods, as one who possesses more abundantly.

Will you do even more? … Become a servant of the poor; go to serve them … with your own hands … and at your own expense. This service has more glory in it than a throne!” – St Francis de Sales (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church (Introduction to the devout life, Part three Ch 15).

PRAYER – May the intercession of the blessed Abbot Benedict, commend us to Thee, O Lord, so that through his merits we may obtain that which we cannot accomplish by our own. T hrough 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 FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, POETRY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 21 March – Faithful Cross! Above All Other

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Our Morning Offering – 21 March – The Feast of the Holy Shroud of Jesus

Faithful Cross! Above All Other
By St Venantius Fortunatus (c 530 – c 609)

Faithful Cross! above all other,
one and only noble tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom,
none in fruit thy peer may be;
sweetest wood and sweetest iron,
sweetest weight is hung on thee.

Bend thy boughs, O tree of glory!
Thy relaxing sinews bend;
for awhile the ancient rigour
that thy birth bestowed, suspend
and the King of heavenly beauty
gently on thine arms extend.

Praise and honour to the Father,
praise and honour to the Son,
praise and honour to the Spirit,
ever Three and ever One:
One in might and One in glory
while eternal ages run.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 21 March – Saint Birillus (Died c90) Bishop

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Saint of the Day – 21 March – Saint Birillus (Died c90) the 1st Bishop of Catania, Consecrated by St Peter, Missionary. Born in Antioch (in modern Turkey) and died in c90 in Catania, Italy of natural causes . Patronage – of the Archdiocese of Catania, Italy. Also known as – Berillo, Beryl, Beryllus, Brillus.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Catania, St Brillus, who was Consecrated Bishop by St Peter. After converting many Gentiles to the Faith, he rested in peace in extremely old age.”

St Peter Consecrates St Birillus Bishop, 1693, in the Cathedral in Catania by Andrea Suppa

Birillus was Consecrated Bishop by St Peter in Antioch in 42 and sent to Catania as a Missionary. After a long service as the City’s 1st Bishop, he died at an advanced age.

St Peter sends St Birillus to preach the Gospel

Birillus was first mentioned in the 8th Century in the biography of Leo of Catania, then in that of Pancras of Taormina and in two liturgical texts of the 9th Century.

In fact, the City’s first Cathedral, from 380 onward, was the Church of Sant’Agata la Vetere —probably only appeared in the 3rd/4th Century.

The tradition concerning Birillus is, therefore, uncertain, nevertheless, he is highly revered in his City of Catania.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY, The PASSION, The SEVEN PASSION Feasts

The Feast of the Holy Shroud of Jesus, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Bruges / Our Lady of Bruges, Flanders (1150), where a lock of Our Lady’s hair is preserved, St Benedict OSB (c480-547) Abbot, Patron of Europe and Founder of Western Monasticism and the Saints for 21 March

Posted on by AnaStpaul

The Feast of the Holy Shroud of Jesus
Today’s Feast which, since 1831, is contained in the appendix of the Breviary, on the Friday after the Second Sunday in Lent, is independent of any particular Relic but, before 1831 it was rarely found on the Diocesan Calendars.
The Office is taken from the Proprium of Turin.”
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/01/the-feast-of-the-holy-shroud-of-jesus-celebrated-on-friday-after-the-second-sunday-of-lent-1-march/

Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Bruges / Our Lady of Bruges, Flanders (1150), where a lock of Our Lady’s hair is preserved – 21 March:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/21/passion-sunday-or-the-fifth-suday-of-lent-2021-our-lady-of-bruges-flanders-1150-and-memorials-of-the-saints-21-march/

Michelangelo Buonarroti; Bruges

St Benedict OSB (c480-547) Abbot, Patron of Europe and Founder of Western Monasticism.
His Feast Day was moved in 1969.
The Twin Brother of St Scholastica:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/07/11/saint-of-the-day-11-july-st-benedict-of-nursia-osb-c-480-547-patron-of-europe-and-founder-of-western-monasticism/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/07/11/saint-of-the-day-11-july-st-benedict-of-nursia-o-s-b-abbot-patron-of-europe-patronus-europae/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/21/saint-of-the-day-21-march-st-benedict-dom-prosper-gueranger-on-the-medal/

Bl Alfonso de Rojas
St Birillus (Died c90) Bishop of Catania
St Christian of Cologne
St Domninus of Rome

St Enda (c450 – c530) Monk, Abbot of Aran “Father of Irish Monasticism” and Aran is known as “Aran of the Saints.”
“Father of Irish Monasticism” :
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/21/saint-of-the-day-21-march-st-enda-of-aran-c-450-c-530-patriarch-of-irish-monasticism/

St Isenger of Verdun
St James the Confessor

St John (Died 1146) Bishop of Valence , Founder of the Abbey of Bonnevaux, Monk, Abbot, Apostle of the poor, Social Reformer.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Valence in the territory of Vienne in France, St John, Bishop, who, at first Abbot of Bonnevaux, suffered many adversities for the defence of justice and with charity took care of the peasants, the poor and the merchants ruined by debts.”
Imitating the Lord:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/21/saint-of-the-day-21-march-saint-john-of-valence-died-1146/

Bl Lucia of Verona (1514-1574) Laywoman, Apostle of the Sick

St Lupicinus (Died c480) brother of St Romanus (Died c460)both Abbots at Condat Monastery. St Romanus is venerated on 28 February.
St Lupinus’ Body was certainly incorrupt until the 1700s. I am not sure whether it was protected from the evils destruction of the French Revolution.
His Life of Love:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/21/saint-of-the-day-21-march-saint-lupicinus-of-condat-died-c480-abbot/

St Nicholas of Flue (1417-1487) Swiss Hermit and Ascetic who is the Patron Saint of Switzerland. He is sometimes invoked as Brother Klaus. A husband and father, a Mystic, a Writer, farmer, military leader, Member of the assembly, Councillor, Judge, he was respected as a man of complete moral integrity. He was Canonised on 15 May 1947 by Pope Pius XII.
Holy St Nicholas:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/03/21/saint-of-the-day-21-march-st-nicholas-of-flue-1417-1487/St Nicholas of Flue (1417-1487)

St Serapion the Scolastic (Died c354-370) Bishop of Thmuis, near Diospolis in the Nile delta of Egypt, Monk and Hermit, Confessor, brilliant Scholar of great learning, Theologian, Writer, a companion to St Anthony, the Desert and a close friend of St Athanasius and gave support to him against the heretic Arians in Egypt, for which action he was exiled.
St Serapion’s Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/21/saint-of-the-day-21-march-saint-serapion-the-scolastic-died-c-354-370-bishop/

St Philemon of Rome
Bl Santuccia Terrebotti

Martyrs of Alexandria: A large but unknown number of Catholics massacred in several Churches during Good Friday services in Alexandria, Egypt by Arian heretics during the persecutions of Constantius and Philagrio. They were Martyred on Good Friday in 342 in Alexandria, Egypt.

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 20 March – St Joseph’s Seventh_Sorrow

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Thought for the Day – 20 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

20th Day – St Joseph’s Seventh_Sorrow
The Loss of Jesus for Three Days

+1. It was obligatory on all Jews who were within a moderate distance of Jerusalem, to pay a visit to the Temple once every year.
In accordance with this law, Joseph went each year from Nazareth and Mary accompanied him. As soon as He was old enough, Jesus too, travelled with His parents. When He was twelve years old, He journeyed thither but, on their return, they suddenly missed Him amongst their fellow pilgrims. Vainly they sought Him everywhere and, with heavy hearts, they asked each member of their company, if they had seen Him. No, He was not there. Oh, what a bitter grief for St Joseph! How terrible were those three days without Jesus!

+2. Could it be through any negligence on his part?
Joseph’s motive for separating himself from Jesus had been a most unselfish one – that Mary might have the joy of His company.
Men and women travelled in separate caravans and children would travel with either. But perhaps. he might have been more vigilant. Anyway, he had lost Jesus and what could be worse than that!?
How different from us, who too often remain content with earthly things, with scarce a thought of Jesus!

+3. Joseph’s grief was increased by witnessing Mary’s sorrow. Together, they returned to Jerusalem, asking, like the spouse in the Canticles:
“Have you seen Him Whom my soul loveth?”
All in vain – for three days and three nights, no trace of Jesus! Those days seemed like centuries.
Joseph then, can sympathise with my desolation. He knows the terrible void, the joyless days, the weary nights, when Jesus is absent from the soul.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, QUOTES on WISDOM, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, REDEMPTIVE Suffering, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day –20 March – ‘ … Give earth and receive Heaven! …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day –20 March – Ferial Day – Thursday in the Second Week in Lent – Jeremias 17:5-10 – Luke 16:19-31 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“There was a rich man,
who was clothed in purple
and fine linen
and who feasted sumptuously everyday.
And at his gate lay a poor man,
named Lazarus…”

Luke 16:19–20

“Amen I say to you,
as long as you did NOT do it
for one of these least ones,
you did NOT do it for Me.”

Matthew 25:45

“Give of your earthly goods
and receive eternal ones;
give earth and receive Heaven!”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“What is a man’s treasure
but the heaping up of profits
and the fruit of his toil?
For, whatever a man sows,
this too will he reap and each man’s gain,
matches his toil and where delight
and enjoyment are found,
there the heart’s desire is attached.
Now, there are many kinds of wealth
and a variety of grounds for rejoicing –
every man’s treasure is that, which he desires.
If it is based on earthly ambitions,
its acquisition makes men not blessed but wretched.
… By distributing what might be superfluous
to support the poor, they are amassing
imperishable riches, so that what they have
discreetly given, cannot be subject to loss.
They have properly placed those riches,
where their heart is – it is a most blessed thing,
to work to increase such riches,
rather than to fear that they may pass away.”

St Pope Leo the Great (400-461)
ather and Doctor of the Church

“If thou wouldst see well, pluck out thine eyes and be blind;
if thou wouldst hear well, be deaf
and if thou wouldst speak well, become dumb;
if thou wouldst advance, stand still
and advance with thy mind;
if thou wouldst work well, cut off thy hands
and work with thy heart;
if thou wouldst love much, hate thyself;
if thou wouldst live well, mortify thyself;
if thou wouldst gain much and be rich,
first lose all and become poor
and if thou wouldst enjoy peace, afflict thyself
and be ever in fear and suspect thine own self;
if thou wouldst be exalted and have great honour,
humble and abase thyself;
if thou wouldst be held in great reverence, despise thyself
and do reverence to him who reviles thee;
if thou wouldst that it should be well with thee,
suffer all evil things and if thou wouldst be blessed,
desire that all should speak ill of thee
and if thou wouldst have true and eternal rest,
then toil and suffer and desire to have every temporal affliction.
O what great wisdom it is to know how to do
and to work out these things.”

Blessed Giles of Assisi (c1190-1262)

Posted in The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 20 March – The Apprehension of Jesus

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 20 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Thursday after the Second Sunday in Lent
The Apprehension of Jesus

Read St John xviii:2-11
(Posted at the end)

+1. When Judas had given to his Master the traitor’s kiss, Our Lord, knowing that His hour was come, boldly advanced to meet His enemies and told them that He was Jesus of Nazareth. At this word, they recoiled backward and fell to the ground. If this was the result of Our Lord’s presenting Himself to them in His humiliation and abasement, what will be the terror and the dread of sinners, when He comes again in all His glory?
O my God, grant that I may have no sin upon my soul no debt still to pay when I appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ!

+2. The soldiers then advanced to seize Jesus. St Peter, with impetuous courage and loyalty, draws his sword and attackrf the servants of the high -priest and in the affray, cuts off the ear of one of them. But Our Lord rebukes him and bids him put his sword back into the scabbard. His loyalty was natural, not supernatural and it did not endure long in the face of danger.
Natural motives, however good, will not serve the cause of God.

+3. When Our Lord was in the hands of His enemies, all the Apostles forsook Him and fled. Not one was found to remain by His side in His abandonment. It was the Will of God that He should suffer alone.
“I looked about and there was none to help; I sought and there was none to give aid.”
Christ then suffered alone and He can sympathise with that loneliness in suffering which adds so much to its bitterness.

[2]There were together Simon Peter and Thomas, who is called Didymus, and Nathanael, who was of Cana of Galilee, nd the sons of Zebedee and two others disciples. [3] Simon Peter saith to them: I go fishing. They say to him: We also come with thee. And they went forth and entered into the ship and that night. they caught nothing. [4] But when the morning was come, Jesus stood on the shore, yet, the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. [5] Jesus ,therefore, said to them: Children, have you any meat? They answered him: No.

[6] He saith to them: Cast the net on the right side of the ship and you shall find. They cast, therefore and now, they were not able to draw it, for the multitude of fishes. [7] That disciple, therefore, whom Jesus loved, said to Peter: It is the Lord. Simon Peter, when he heard that it was the Lord, girt his coat about him, (for he was naked) and cast himself into the sea. [8] But the other disciples came in the ship, (for they were not far from the land but, as it were two hundred cubits) dragging the net with fishes. [9] As soon then, as they came to land, they saw hot coals lying and a fish laid thereon and bread. [10] Jesus saith to them: Bring hither of the fishes which you have now caught.
[11] Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, one hundred and fifty-three. And although there were so many, the net was not broken. [John 21:2-11]

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Lady POVERTY, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 March –True Wealth, True Poverty

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 20 March – “The Month of Saint Joseph” – Ferial Day – Thursday in the Second Week in Lent – Jeremias 17:5-10 – Luke 16:19-31 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The poor man died and was carried by the Angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham, far off and Lazarus in his bosom. …” – Luke 16:22-23

REFLECTION – “When I say that God does not incline His ear to the rich man, do not go so far as to think, my friends that God fails to answer those who have gold and silver, servants and lands.
If they were born in that state and occupy that class of society, let them call to mind the saying of the Apostle Paul:
“Tell the rich in the present world, not to yield to pride” (1Tm 6:17).
People who do not yield to pride are poor before God, Who inclines His ear to the poor and needy (Ps 85:1).
Indeed, they know their hope does not lie in gold or silver, or in those things, of which they have an abundance, for a time.
It suffices that possessions are not causing their loss and that, if they do nothing for their salvation, at least they are not an obstacle to it … Therefore, when someone despises those things which feed one’s pride, he is one of God’s poor and God inclines His ear towards him, for He knows the troubles of his heart.

It is true, my brethren that the poor man Lazarus, covered with sores, who lay at the rich man’s door, was carried by Angels into the bosom of Abraham.
This is what we read and believe.
Whereas ,the rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and feasted splendidly everyday, was thrown down to the torments of hell.

But was it really the merit of his destitution which won for the poor man, his being carried away by Angels?
And was the rich man delivered up to torment because of his lavish lifestyle?
We need to acknowledge that it was humility which was honoured in that poor man and pride which was punished in the rich man!” – St Augustine (354-430) Father & Doctor of the Church(Discourses on the Psalms 85,3).

PRAYER – In Thy mercy, O Lord, may this hallowing fast enlighten the hearts of Thy faithful people and since Thou have given them the desire to serve Thee, lend a gracious ear to their prayers.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 DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, INDULGENCES, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PARTIAL Indulgence, PLENARY Indulgences, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Our Morning Offering – 20 March – Look Down, O Lord By St Cajetan (Indulgenced)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 20 March – Thursday after the Second Sunday in Lent

Look Down, O Lord
By St Cajetan (1480-1547)

Look down, O Lord, from Thy sanctuary
and from the high habitation of Heaven
and behold this Sacred Oblation
which our great High Priest,
Thy Holy Servant, the Lord Jesus,
immolates unto Thee, for the sins of His brethren
and be propitious to the multitude of our iniquities.
Behold, the Voice
of the Blood of Jesus, our Brother,
cries to Thee from the Cross.
Graciously hear, O Lord,
be appeased, O Lord, hearken and do.
Delay not for Thy own sake, my God
because Thy Name is invoked upon this city
and upon Thy people
and do with us,
according to Thy mercy.
Amen

Plenary Indulgence on the First Thursday of each month for Communicants visiting the Blessed Sacrament
and reciting this prayer.
Partial Indulgence of seven years and seven Quarantines,
on all other Thursdays. –Pope Pius VII.
“Quarantines” signifies a strict Ecclesiastical penance of forty days, performed according to the practice of the early Church. Hence an Indulgence of “Seven Quarantines,” for instance, implies. the remission of as much temporal punishment, as would be blotted out by the corresponding amount of Ecclesiastical Penance i.e. 7 x 40 = 280 days.

Posted in Against ICONOCLASM, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 20 March – Saint Nicetas (Died c733) Bishop of Apollonias

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Saint of the Day – 20 March – Saint Nicetas (Died c733) Bishop of Apollonias in Bithynia, a region of Asia Minor, Defender of the veneration of holy images. We have no history of his birthplace but he died in exile in c733, presumably of natural causes, although some refer to him as a Martyr. Also known as – Nicetas of Apollonias, … of Bithynia, Niceta.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Apollonia, the Bishop, St Nicetas, who breathed his last in exile, where he had been sent for upholding the veneration of holy images.”

Am unknown Saintly Bishop’s Benediction

The history of the Church preserves the memories of countless figures who, by their courage and dedication, have helped shape Christian doctrine and tradition. Among these, the figure of Saint Nicetas, Bishop of Apollonias, (in modern Turkey) is distinguished as a silent hero of the Faith whose tale, although fragmentary, offers us food for thought and admiration.

Unfortunately, information regarding St Nicetas is limited. The records of Constantinople describes him as a “Most Orthodox” Bishop of Apollonias, who lived during the era of denying the benefits of the veneration of holy images, a turbulent period in which sacred images were the subject of heated controversy and destruction.

Nicetas not only remained faithful to the cult of images but too, suffered harsh persecution for his unshakable faith. His resistance eventually led him to exile, where he died in circumstances which remain unknown.

The precise identification of Apollonias, the City of which Nicetas was the Bishop, presents several difficulties. In fact, there are several Cities with this name in the ancient Christian world. The most widespread tradition places him in Bithynia, a region of Asia Minor. However, some scholars hypothesise that Nicetas may have been the Bishop of another Apolloniad, located in Thrace or Illyria.

The date and circumstances of the death of Saint Nicetas is also uncertain. Some hypothese associate him with the persecution of Leo the Isaurian (717-741), while others place him at the time of Leo the Armenian (813-820), both anti-veneration of holy images.

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Our Lady of Calevourt, Belgium (1454), St Photina & Companions, St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne and the Saints for 20 March

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Ferial Day, Thursday after the Second Sunday in Lent

Our Lady of Calevourt, near Brussels, Belgium (1454) – 20 March:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/20/our-lady-of-calevourt-near-brussels-belgium-1454-and-memorials-of-the-saints-20-march/

St Photina & Companions / Martyrs of Rome – 9+ Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together in the persecutions of Nero. We know nothing else about them but the names Photina, Sebastian and Victor, Anatolius, Cyriaca, Joseph, Parasceve, Photis.

St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne (c634-687) “The Wonder-Worker of England,” Bishop of Lindisfarne, Monk, Hermit, Miracle-worker.
St Cuthbert’s Zealous Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/20/saint-of-the-day-20-march-saint-cuthbert-of-lindisfarne-c-634-687-the-wonder-worker-of-england/

Blessed Ambrose Sansedoni OP (1220-1287) Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, Preachers, Confessor, Mystic, a powerful and convincing Preacher employed by various Popes as a Diplomatic Peacemaker and that which seems opposed, as a Preacher of the Crusades, Peacemaker. A fellow student with St Thomas Aquinas under St Albert Magnus.
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/20/saint-of-the-day-19march-blessed-ambrose-sansedoni-of-siena-op-1220-1287-priest/

Anastasius XVI
Archippus of Colossi
St Benignus of Flay
St Cathcan of Rath-derthaighe
St Clement of Ireland

St Guillermo de Peñacorada (Died c1042) Abbot, Miracle-worker. Patronage – Cistierna, Spain and he is invoked for rain in times of drought and he regularly proves his worth, bringing rain whenever needed.
The Rain-Maker:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/20/saint-of-the-day-20-march-st-guillermo-de-penacorada-died-c1042-abbot/

St Herbert of Derwenwater
Bl Hippolytus Galantini
Bl Jeanne Veron
Bl John Baptist Spagnuolo
St John Nepomucene
St John Sergius

St Martin (c520–580) Archbishop of Braga, Monk, Missionary, Monastic Founder, prolific Ecclesiastical Writer.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/03/20/saint-of-the-day-20-march-st-martin-of-braga-c-520-580/

St Nicetas (Died c733) Bishop of Apollonias
St Remigius of Strasbourg
St Tertricus of Langres
St Urbitius of Metz

St Wulfram (c640-c 703) Archbishop of Sens, France and Confessor, Missionary, Miracle-worker.
Patronages – Abbeville, France, against the dangers of the sea/of sailors, childbirth and young children.
His Life of Love:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/20/saint-of-the-day-20-march-saint-wulfram-of-sens-c-640-c-703/

Martyrs of Amisus – 8 Saints: A group of Christian women Martyred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. The only details we have are eight of their names – Alexandra, Caldia, Derphuta, Euphemia, Euphrasia, Juliana, Matrona and Theodosia. They were burned to death c 300 in Amisus, Paphlagonia (modern Samsun, Turkey).

Martyrs of San Saba – 20 Saints: Twenty monks who were Martyred together in their monastery by invading Saracens. They were Martyred in 797 when they were burned inside the San Sabas monastery in Palestine.

Martyrs of Syria – 3+ Saints: A group of Christians who were Martyred together in Syria. We know nothing else about them but the names Cyril, Eugene and Paul.

Posted in JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE

Thought for the Day – 19 March – St Joseph’s Sixth Joy

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Thought for the Day – 19 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

19th Day – St Joseph’s Sixth Joy
The Life with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth

+1. When St Joseph found, dangers still threatening the safety of Jesus in the south of Palestine, he at once continued the journey towards Galilee. He was fertile in resource and when one plan failed. another, with God’s assistance, was soon destined to take its place.
Here too he teaches me a lesson. If I meet with reverses I am discouraged and inclined to relinquish the task, instead of cheerfully looking out for some fresh means of serving God and accomplishing the work He has entrusted to me.

+2. St Joseph, under God’s direction, journeyed on, to the Town of Nazareth, where he had formerly lived and there, he re-enters the poor little cottage humble and lowly, where he and his holy spouse had formerly dwelt. This, a secret voice told him, is to be his home.
How joyfully he took possession of it! Now his wanderings were over and he was to spend the rest of his days in peace in the tranquil home God had prepared for him.

+3. Yet how poor it was! The Town of Nazareth was so despised, men did not think it possible that anything great or good, could come from thence. Was this to be the home of the Son of God? Yes! and St Joseph rejoiced in the low esteem of Nazareth because, it seemed to him, an arrangement quite according to God’s designs that Jesus, should dwell there and the name of Nazarene, should cling to Him, as a name of contempt.
Why have I not more of his spirit? I am too fond of show and display and all that the world thirks much of.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Holy Family PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, PARTIAL Indulgence, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES/PRAYERS on THE FAMILY, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – St Joseph

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 March – “The Month and Feastday of Saint Joseph”

“Saint Joseph was the just man:
by his constant fidelity -an effect of justice;
by his perfect discretion – a sister to prudence;
by his upright conduct – a mark of strength
and by his inviolable chastity – a flower of temperance.”

St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Doctor of the Church

Indulgenced Holy Family Aspiration

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
I give Thee my heart and my soul;
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
assist me in my last agony;
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
may I breathe forth my soul in peace with Thee.”

(Indulgence of 300 days, Each Time.
Pope Pius VII, 26 August 1814)

“To all fathers of families,
Joseph is verily the best model
of paternal vigilance and care.
In the most holy Virgin Mother of God,
mothers may find an excellent example of love,
modesty, resignation of spirit
and the perfecting of faith.
And in Jesus, Who was subject to His parents,
the children of the family, have a Divine Pattern
of obedience which they can admire,
reverence and imitate.”

Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)

Apostolic Letter,
“Breve Neminem Fugit” 1892

“It is impossible, that he could be denied
the favours for which he asks
and which we should request him
to obtain for us.
Let us go to him trustingly
but, let us remember,
that the surest way of being heard by him,
is to imitate his wonderful virtues,
especially his humility,
his spirit of prayer,
his purity and his calm desire always,
to do God’s Will.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in LENT- 2025, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 19 March – The Betrayal

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Lenten Meditations – 19 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Wednesday after the Second Sunday in Lent
The Betrayal

Read St Matthew xxvi:47-50

[47] As He yet spoke, behold Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him, a great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the ancients of the people. [48] And he, whobetrayed Him, gave them a sign, saying: ‘Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is He, hold Him fast.’ [49] And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said: ‘Hail, Rabbi.’ And he kissed Him. [50] And Jesus said to him: ‘Friend, whereto art thou come?’ Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and held Him. [Matthew 26:47-50]

+1. As soon as Jesus had, for the third time, roused the Apostles from their slumber, the tramp of approaching soldiery is heard and presently, a band is seen escorted by the Pharisees and ancients and headed by one, who acts as their guide. Who is it who has pointed out Christ to His foes. Alas! it is none other than the traitor Judas, one of the chosen twelve, who had lived for three years in familiar intercourse with Jesus, listened to His Words of grace, seen His acts of love and mercy.
If Judas fell so low, I too am in continual danger. How
awful a thing it would be if I too were to turn traitor to Jesus!

+2. Our Lord does not shrink away from Judas as we do from those who we think have treated us ill. On the contrary, He advances to meet him with words of friendship, in spite of the deadly wrong He received.
How is it we are so unforgiving, so slow to make friendly advances, so ready to wrap ourselves in our offended dignity? It is because we are so unkind and selfish, so petty, so mean and stingy, so unlike Jesus!

+3. Jesus still loved Judas, sought to win Judas, strove by words of gentle remonstrance to bring him to a sense of his wickedness before it was too late.
“Friend , whereto art thou come?”
He calls this miserable wretch His friend. Jesus meant what He said; for He is the friend of sinners, even the greatest . He then is my Friend, so why should I ever fear!?

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Lady POVERTY, MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on WISDOM, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY, THE HOLY FAMILY - FAMILIAE SANCTAE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 March – ‘… God gave him His most glorious Son to care for …’

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One Minute Reflection – 19 March – “The Month and the Feastday of Saint Joseph” – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6 – 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 – May the merits of Thy most holy Mother’s Spouse help us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that through his intercession we may receive what we cannot obtain by our own efforts. 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 MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS & NOVENA to St Joseph, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS TO St Joseph, PRAYERS to the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 19 March – Glorious St Joseph!

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Our Morning Offering – 19 March – “The Month and the Feastday of Saint Joseph”

Glorious St Joseph!
Prayer for the Intercession
of St Joseph in All Our Needs
By St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Glorious St Joseph, Spouse of Mary,
grant us thy paternal protection,
we beseech thee, by the Heart of Jesus Christ.
O thou, whose power extends
to all our necessities
and can render possible for us,
the most impossible things.
Open thy fatherly eyes
to the needs of thy children.
In the trouble and distress
which afflicts us,
we confidently have recourse to thee.
Deign to take under thy charitable charge
this important and difficult matter,
cause of our worries.
Make its happy outcome
be for God’s glory
and for the good of His devoted servants.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 19 March – Saint John (6th Century) Abbot

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Saint of the Day – 19 March – Saint John (6th Century) Founder Abbot in Civita-di-Penna, Umbria, Italy, Miracle-worker. Accounts of John’s birthplace differ but he certainly died at his Monastery, dedicated to St Stephen, in Penna, Umbria of natural causes. Also known as – Giovanni/John di Penna, of Panaca, of Parran, the Abbot, the Syrian.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Civita-di-Penna, the birthday of the blessed St Joh, a man of great holiness, who came from Syria into Italy, where he constructed a Monastery and, after having been the spiritual guide of many servants of God for forty-four years, rested in peace, renowned for great virtue.”

Unknown Monk

There is an ancient legendary Vita which states that he was born in Syria in the 6th Century and being persecuted by the heretical monophysites, he fled to Italy. He arrived in the dead of winter, when the trees were bare of leaves and fruit. Some hunters witnessed John sit beside a bare, leafless pear tree which suddenly burst into full bloom due to the holy man’s proximity, supplying him and all who passed by with delicious fruit.

He settled in the locality of Nocera in the Diocese of Spoleto.
In this pleasant locality, he founded his own Monastery which he then led as the Abbot for for 44 years.

As the Abbot, he instructed and assisted numerous young Monks to increase in virtue and sanctity, ever ascending the ladder of perfection. John used the instruments of silence and prayer as the greatest means of achieving perfection.

In the Roman Martyrology it is stated that he was the father of numerous servants of God. In the volume of the Biblioteca Sanctorum, under the entry Giovanni di Penna, it is reported that even if the Roman Martyrology indicates him as being from Penna, it seems that this transcription is incorrect, while on various other Italian platforms, he is described as being from Spoleto in Umbria.

Saint John the Abbot is also remembered both in the Martyrology of Adone and in that of Usuardo.

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, franciscan OFM, INCORRUPTIBLES, SAINT of the DAY

St Joseph! and the Saints for 19 March

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Feast of St Joseph – FAST

St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 19 March (trasferred to today due to yesterday being Laetare Sunbday).:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/19/solemnity-of-st-joseph-spouse-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-and-memorials-of-the-saints-1-9-march/
St Joseph!
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/03/19/saint-of-the-day-19-march-the-solemnity-of-st-joseph-spouse-of-the-most-blessed-virgin-mary-mother-of-god-and-patron-of-the-universal-church/
AND – Do Not Forget St Joseph! – The Story of a Miracle in South Africa:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/19/second-thought-for-the-day-19-march-do-not-forget-st-joseph/

St Adrian of Maastricht
St Alkmund of Northumbria
St Amantius of Wintershoven

Blessed Andrea Gallerani (Died 1251) Layman, Penitent, Founder of a Lay Apostolate known as “The Friars of Mercy” (Frati della Misericordia). Andrea was Beatified on 13 May 1798 by Pope Pius VI (cultus confirmation).
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/19/saint-of-the-day-19-march-blessed-andrea-gallerani-died-1251/

St Apollonius of Braga
St Auxilius of Ireland

Blessed Clement of Dunblane (1200-1258) Bishop of Dunblane in Scotland, , Priest and Friar of the Order of Preachers, a great and humble carer of the poor and needy, a zealous Administrator but just as much, a shepherd of souls, Reformer, Writer, a highly renowned Preacher and Linguist, a very learned man indeed. Clement was the first member of the Dominican Order in Britain and Ireland to become a Bishop. Born in Scotland in 1200 and died in 1258 in Dunblane, Scotland of natural causes.
An Inspiring Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/19/saint-of-the-day-19-march-blessed-clement-of-dunblane-op-1200-1258-bishop/

St Colocer of Saint-Brieuc
St Corbasius of Quimperlé
St Cuthbert of Brittany
St Gemus

Blessed Isnard de Chiampo OP (Died 1244) Priest of the Order of Preachers, known as the “Apostle of Pavia,” Confessor, Miracle-worker,
His Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/19/saint-of-the-day-19-march-blessed-isnard-de-chiampo-op-died-1244-priest-the-apostle-of-pavia/

Blessed John of Parma OFM (c1209-1289) Priest, 7th Minister General of the Friars Minor from (1247–1257) and a noted Theologian. He was known for his attempts to bring back the earlier spirit of the Order after the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. Patronage – of his birthplace, Parma, Italy. His cult was confirmed in 1777 by his Beatification by Pope Pius VI.
Blessed John’s Zealous Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/19/saint-of-the-day-19-march-blessed-john-of-parma-ofm-c1209-1289-priest/

St John (6th Century) Abbot in Umbria, Italy
St Lactali of Freshford
St Landoald of Maastricht
St Leontinus of Braga
St Leontinus of Saintes
Bl Mark of Montegallo
St Pancharius of Nicomedia

Blessed Sibyllina Biscossi OP (1287-1367) Blind Dominican Virgin and Recluse, Penitent, Miracle-worker. She was Beatified on 17 August 1854 by Pope Pius IX. Her body is incorrupt.
Her Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/19/saint-of-the-day-19-march-blessed-sibyllina-biscossi-op-1287-1367/

Martyrs of Sorrento: A group of Three sisters and a brother who were Martyred together. We have little more than their names – Mark, Quartilla, Quintilla and Quintius. They were Martyred in Sorrento, Italy, date unknown.

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, St JOSEPH, The FLIGHT into EQYPT

Thought for the Day – 18 March – St Joseph’s Sixth Sorrow

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Thought for the Day – 18 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

18th Day – St Joseph’s Sixth Sorrow
Finding that Archelaus reigned in Judæa

+1. When the appointed time was come , St Joseph received the joyful news – the Holy Family could at length return from their place of exile. An Angel appeared to him by night and informed him that Herod was dead and he might safely return into the land of Israel. But when he arrived there, he found the tyrant had been succeeded by his son,
Archelaus and that Judæa, over which he held sway, was, therefore, no safe abode for Jesus and Mary. What a bitter disappointment it must have been!

+2. It seems as if St Joseph had been deceived by Almighty God. He was encouraged to return and now, he found the place of the dead king was occupied by a son, who was not much better than his father Yet, no thought of discontent was harboured in St Joseph’s heart, not the faintest murmur of complaint escaped his lips. His was the true obedience – blind, confiding, unreasoning, uncomplaining obedience
to the Will of God.
Can I say the same of myself?

+3. Observe St Joseph’s prudence. He might have said that the command to return was a guarantee of safety, from Almighty God.
In spite of this, he took the most extreme natural precautions, going far away from the place of danger. He knew that God requires us to use all natural means to gain our ends and, if we neglect them, we cannot reasonably trust to the supernatural intervention of God on our behalf.

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

Quote/s of the Day – 18 March – St Cyril of Jerusalem

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Quote/s of the Day – 18 March – St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387) Bishop of Jerusalem, Confessor Father & Doctor of the Church

“Your accumulated offences
do not surpass the multitude of God’s mercies!
Your wounds do not surpass
the great Physician’s skill!”

“Make ready then the vessel of your soul
that you may become a son of God
and an heir of God
and joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17);
if, indeed, you are preparing yourself
that you may receive;
if you are drawing near in faith
that you may be made faithful;
if of set purpose,
you are putting off the old man!”

“I Am the Bread of Life”
John 6:35

“For His Body, has been given to you
under the appearance of bread
and His Blood, under the appearance of wine,
so that, when you have partaken
of the Body and Blood of Christ,
you might be One Body and One Blood with Him.
So shall we become Christ-bearers [“Christophers”].
His Body and Blood are diffused through all our members – see, then,
how we become participants
in the Divine Nature!”

“A man may even be justified by money.
“I was hungry and you gave Me to eat”
that certainly was from money.
“I was naked and you clothed Me”
that too was certainly from money.
Do you want to learn how money
can become a door to the Kingdom of Heaven?
“Go,” Jesus says, “sell what you possess
and give to the poor and you will have treasure in Heaven.”

“Now, I have made these remarks
because of those heretics who say
that our possessions and our money
and our bodies, are cursed.
I do not want you to be a slave to money
but neither do I want you to treat,
s your enemies do,
the good things, to be used for good
which God has given you!”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/18/quote-s-of-the-day-18-march-st-cyril-of-jerusalem-3/

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 18 March – The Sequel to the Sacred Agony

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Lenten Meditations – 18 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900) Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

Tuesday after the Second Sunday in Lert
The Sequel to the Sacred Agony

Read St Mark xiv:41-42

[41] And He cometh the third time and saith to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest. It is enough – the hour is come, behold, the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners. [42] Rise, let us go. Behold, he who wilt betray Me is at hand. [Mark 14:41-42]

+1. At length, Our Lord’s mental agony in the Garden was over. He had accepted the Chalice which His heavenly Father had given Him to drink. Now ,He is no longer sad and downcast but, He returns to His Apostles full of vigour and courage. He encounters His Passion almost with eagerness. This is always the result of a perfect submission to the Will of God and absolute confidence in Him!
God will always give us the courage to meet every trial and when the time comes, He will impart the strength and energy and light-heartedness which make it easy to face the suffering.

+2. Yet this change had another cause.
It was won by prayer, or, rather, Our Lord, as our Divine
Example, imparted for our sakes to His human nature, grace, such as earnest prayer alone can obtain from God. This is the secret of all spiritual victories; all are won by persevering prayer! Prayer changes the poor, timid, frightened, shrinking soul, into one brave and strong and ready to do great things for God.
Without prayer,we are sure to fail. Am I earnest in prayer?

+3. We observe too, it was not merely prayer but repeated prayer – the same words over and over again, the same entreaty to be spared, joined to the same act of resignation. We sometimes say we cannot pray but at least, we can repeat over and over again, some prayer for mercy and for aid. Our repetitions will be not vain repetitions but will bring certain relief from Him Who encourages us to importunity in prayer.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on FAITH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 March – ‘ … The whole world is divided against itself, for the sake of faith in Christ. …’St Jerome

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One Minute Reflection – 18 March – “The Month of Saint Joseph” – St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387) Bishop of Jerusalem, Confessor Father & Doctor of the Church – Ecclesiasticus 39:6-14 – Matthew 10:23-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“What you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.” … Matthew 10:27

REFLECTION – “He had said previously, “What I tell you in the dark, declare in the light and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops.” He now explains what follows after this proclamation.  The whole world is divided against itself, for the sake of faith in Christ. Every house contains both unbelievers and believers. And a necessary conflict has been sent to break an evil peace.  It is written in Genesis, God did a similar thing to the rebellious people who streamed out of the east and rushed to build a tower, by which they meant to reach the heights of Heaven. God divided their languages. For this same reason, David prays in the Psalm, “O God, scatter the peoples who delight in war.” – St Jerome (343-420) Priest, Monk, Translator of the Sacred Scriptures into Latin, Father and one of the original 4 Doctors of the Latin Church (Commentary on Matthew 1)

PRAYER – Grant us, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, through the intercession of the blessed Bishop Cyril, so to acknowledge Thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ Whom Thou have sent, that we may be found worthy to be forever numbered among the sheep who hear His Voice.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 DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Holy Name PRAYERS, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, The HOLY NAME

Our Morning Offering – 18 March – In Thy Name By St John Chrysostom

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Our Morning Offering – 18 March – Tuesday after the Second Sunday in Lent

In Thy Name
By St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Oh Almighty God,
Who hast given us grace
at this time, with one accord,
to make our common
supplications unto Thee
and hast promised that,
when two or three are gathered together
in Thy Name,
Thou wilt grant their requests,
fulfil now, O Lord,
the desires and petitions of Thy servants,
as may be most expedient for them;
granting us, in this world,
knowledge of Thy Truth
and in the world to come,
life everlasting.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 18 March – Blessed Christian O’Conarchy (c1100-1186) O.Cist. Abbot

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Saint of the Day – 18 March – Blessed Christian O’Conarchy (c1100-1186) O.Cist. Abbot, a disciple and then the Archdeacon of the renowned St Malacy O’More (1094 – 1148) , the Bishop and Confessor of Armagh, possibly also the Bishop of Lismore and the Papal Legate of all Ireland, although these latter Offices are unconfirmed. Born in c1100 at Bangor, County Down, Ireland and died in 1186 at Odorney Abbey, Ireland of natural causes. Also known as – Christianus, Giolla Criost Ua Condoirche.

Beyond the fact that Christian was the Abbot of the first Cistercian Monastery established in Ireland, practically nothing at all can be stated with certainty about his life.

The various traditions and legends are confused and conflicting. According to some accounts, he was born at Bangor in Ulster,and some reports say he was the disciple and then, the Archdeacon of St.Malachy the Bishop of Armagh. Christian probably accompanied the Prelate on a visit to Rome, visiting at Clairvaux on their way there.

It is believed that Christian was one of the four disciples of St Malachy, who remained behind at Clairvaux on the homeward journey and who received the Habit from St Bernard himself.

St Bernard

Upon Christian’s return to Ireland, St Malachy was anxious to introduce the Cistercian Order into Ireland and, at his prompting, Christian set about building Mellifont Monastery. In 1142, St Malachy applied to St Bermard to appoint a Superior and to send Monks to fill the new Monastery and St Bernard appointed Christian as the Abbot and sent several French brothers.

The ruins of the Mellifont Monastery built by Blessed Christian under instruction from St Malachy

Christian is said, by some writers, to have become the Bishop of Lismore andthe Papal Legate for Ireland. An ancient anonymous Irish analyst notes the year 1186 as the date of the death of Christian, the illustrious Prelate of Lismore, “formally Legate of Ireland, emulator of the virtues which he saw and heard from his holy father, St Bernard and from the Supreme Pontiff, the venerable man Eugenius, with whom he was in the novitiate at Clairvaux.”

The new Mellifont Monastery built after the reformation
Posted in franciscan OFM, INCORRUPTIBLES, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

 Nostra Signora della Misericordia / Our Lady of Mercy, Italy (1536), St Cyril of Jerusalem and the Saints for 18 March

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Nostra Signora della Misericordia / Our Lady of Mercy, Patron of Savona, Italy (1536) – 18 March:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/18/nostra-signora-della-misericordia-our-lady-of-mercy-patron-of-savona-italy-1536-and-memorials-of-the-saints-19-march/

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387) Bishop of Jerusalem, Confessor Father & Doctor of the Church, Theologian, Writer.
Marvellous St Cyril
https://anastpaul.com/2017/03/18/saint-of-the-day-18-march-st-cyril-of-jerusalem/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/18/saint-of-the-day-18-march-st-cyril-of-jerusalem-315-387-bishop-confessor-doctor/

NOVENA for the INTERCESSION of ST JOSEPJ
DAY NINE: Click Link HERE: DAY NINE

St Alexander of Jerusalem (Died 251) Bishop and Martyr
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/18/saint-of-the-day-18-march-saint-alexander-of-jerusalem-died-251-bishop-and-martyr/

St Anselm of Lucca the Younger (1036-1086) Italian Bishop and Confessor.
About this St Anselm:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/18/saint-of-the-day-18-march-saint-anselm-of-lucca-the-younger-1036-1086/

St Braulio (c590-c651) Bishop of Zaragoza
Blessed Christian O’Conarchy (c1100-1186) O.Cist. Abbot

St Edward the Martyr (962-978) Child King of England.
The Roman Martyrology states today: “In England, the holy King Edward, who was assasinated by order of his treacherous stepmother and became celebrated for many miracles.”
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/18/saint-of-the-day-18-march-saint-edward-the-martyr-c-962-978/


St Eucarpius of Nicomedia
St Felix Deacond and Martyr at Gerona, Catalonia, Spain
St Finan of Aberdeen
St Leobard of Tours
St Narcissus of Gerona

St Salvator of Horta OFM (1520-1567) Lay Brother of Friars Minor, Cook, Porter and Quester of alms, Miracle-worker. Canonised on 17 April 1938 by Pope Pius XI. His body is incorrupt.
Holy St Salvator:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/18/saint-of-the-day-18-march-saint-salvator-of-horta-ofm-1520-1567-lay-brother/

St Trophimus of Nicomedia

Martyrs of Nicomedia – Commemorates the Christians who were Martyred anonymously, either singly and in small groups, by local pagans in the area of Nicomedia prior to the year 300 and who may have been over-looked in the waves of Diocletian persecutions that resulted in the deaths of thousands.

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 17 March – St Joseph’s Fifth Joy.

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Thought for the Day – 17 March – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“Short Meditations for March, St Joseph”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

17th Day – St Joseph’s Fifth Joy.
Seeing the Idols of Egypt Fall to the Ground

+1. When the Holy Family had crossed the desert and arrived at the place of their abode in Egypt, tradition records a miracle. The idols in the temples are said to have fallen prostrate on the very night of their arrival.
The news filled Joseph’s heart with joy. The one thought of Joseph’s life was to further the influence of Jesus. His one joy was to see Jesus vanquish His enemies and gather to Himself men of goodwill.

+2. This joy in the power of the Son of God, was a recompense for the sorrow he felt, at His apparent helplessness when he was commanded to carry the God-Child to Egypt. Then it seemed as if He were utterly feeble against His enemies but now, the Omnipotence of His Divinity manifests itself by unmistakable signs.
So it is with those who trust in God under difficult circumstances. It seems as if He were unable or unwilling to save them but He will reward their patient confidence, by some glorious surprise they had not even ventured to hope for.

+3. Christ’s task is always to destroy idols.
In my heart there are many idols – sloth, sensuality, selfishness, impatience, anger, neglect of religious duties, unkindness to others, self-love, disobedience and worst of all, pride! If Jesus is to dwell within me, these idols must be overthrown and pride above all. It is a difficult task, as long as they hold sway within my heart.
O good St Joseph, bring Jesus and His love and cast these hateful itruders which Jesus hates, out of my heart.

Posted in FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The RESURRECTION

Quote/s of the Day – 17 March – St Patrick

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Quote/s of the Day – 17 March – St Patrick (c386-461) “The Apostle of Ireland,” Bishop, Confessor

“The man of God, Patrick, was
marvellously favoured with heavenly visions
and revelations in prayer.
‘When,’ says his biographer, ‘he everyday,
in the Mass, sacrificed the Son to the Father,
or devoutly recited the Apocalypse of St John,
it was granted to him to see the heavens opened
and Jesus standing there,
surrounded by a multitude of Angels
and whilst he meditated on these great visions,
his soul was altogether lost in God.’
Three times in the week the Angel Victor,
visited and conversed with him,
filling his soul with celestial consolations.
The labours of the day, amongst men,
seem to have been less arduous
than those of the night with God.”
(The Life of St Patrick, Apostle of Ireland)

Prayer of St Patrick

I bind unto myself today
the power in the love of the Seraphim,
in the obedience of the Angels,
in the ministration of the Archangels,
in the hope of Resurrection unto reward,
in the prayers of the Patriarchs,
in the predictions of the Prophets,
in the preaching of the Apostles,
in the faith of the Confessors,
in the purity of the holy Virgins,
in the deeds of Righteous men.
Amen

St Patrick (c386-461)
“The Apostle of Ireland”