Posted in INDULGENCES, Our MORNING Offering, PAPAL PRAYERS, PRAYERS & NOVENA to St Joseph, PRAYERS TO St Joseph, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on PURITY

Our Morning Offering – 2 April – An Indulgenced Prayer to St Josephfor Holy Purity

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 2 April – On the First Wednesday of the Month, Wednesday being St Joseph’s day, we especially invoke his aid in all our needs

An Indulgenced Prayer to St Joseph
for Holy Purity
(Indulgence of 100 days, Once a Day –
Pope Pius IX,4 February 1877)

Guardian of virgins
holy virgin and father, Joseph,
to whose faithful custody
Christ Jesus, Innocence itself
and Mary, virgin of virgins,
were committed;
I pray and beseech thee,
by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary
that, being preserved from all uncleanness,
I may, with spotless mind, a pure heart
and chaste body, ever serve
Jesus and Mary, most chastely
all the days of my life.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 2 April – St Abundius (Died c489) Bishop and Confessor

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 2 April – St Abundius (Died c489) Bishop and Confessor of of Como, Italy., wonder Miracle-worker. Patronages – of the Diocese and City of Como. Born in Thessalonica, Greece and died in c489 of natural causes in his Diocese in Italy. The Name ‘Abundius’ from the Latin means ‘the rich one.’ Also known as – Abbondio, Abondius, Abundias, Abundus. St Abundius is sometimes referred to as the Author of the “Te Deum.”

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Como, St Abundius, Bishop and Confessor.”

Tommaso Rodari (attributed): Statue, 1490, in the Church of Sant’Abbondio in Como

Abundius became the Bishop of Como in 450, the fourth in line to hold the offic. The Episcopal See at that time was the present Church of Sant’Abbondio.

Abundius took part in a Synod in Constantinople – modern-day Istanbul – in 450 and acted as Papal Delegate of Pope Leo I to Emperor Theodosius II and, at the Council of Chalcedon in 451. He opposed Eutychius, who denied the human nature of Christ and Nestorianism.

Giovanni Paolo Recchi: St Abundius resurrects the Ruler’s son. A 17th Century Altarpiece, in the Diocesan Archives in Como

St Eusebius of Milan reported on Abundius’ appearance at the Synod in Milan in 451, at which the teachings of the Council of Chalcedonwere accepted by the Bishops.

Giovan Angelo de Maino 1509-1514: Statue above the St Abundius Altar, in the Cathedral in Como

Abundius was buried in the Cathedral Church of San Pietro e Paolo in Como which, in 818, was renamed Sant’Abbondio after our Saint. In 1587, his remains were translated to the new Cathedral.

Posted in franciscan OFM, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Lent – FAST. Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia / Our Lady of the Highest Grace, (1506), St Francis of Paola and the Saints for 2 April

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Lent – FAST

FIRST WEDNESDAY – Pray to St Joseph

Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia / Our Lady of the Highest Grace, Higuey, Dominican Republic (1506) Patron of Dominicans- 2 April:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/02/nuestra-senora-de-la-altagracia-our-lady-of-the-highest-grace-1506-and-memorials-of-the-saints-2-april/

St Francis of Paola O.M. (1416-1507) known as “Saint Francis the Fire Handler” – Confessor, Monk and Founder, inspired with the Gift of Prophecy and still called the “Miracle-Worker” Apostle of the poor, Peacemaker. He was an Italian mendicant Friar and the Founder of the Order of Minims. Unlike the majority of founders of men’s religious orders and like his Patron Saint, Francis was never ordained a priest. His Body was Incorrupt until destroyed in the French Revolution. He was Canonised in 1519 by Pope Leo X.
St Francis’s Life:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/04/02/saint-of-the-day-2-april-st-francis-of-paola-o-m-1416-1507/

St Abundius (Died c489) Bishop and Confessor of of Como, Italy
St Agnofleda of Maine
St Appian of Caesarea (c287-306) Martyr, Layman

Blessed Arnulf O.Cist. (c1200-1276) Abbot of the Cistercian Abbey in Villers-la-Ville, in Leuven, France, Poet, Writer. After serving in this office for ten years, he abdicated, hoping to pursue a life devoted to study and asceticism but he died within a year thereafter.
His Holy Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/04/02/saint-of-the-day-2-april-blessed-arnulf-of-leuven-o-cist-c1200-1276-abbot/

St Bronach of Glen-Seichis
St Constantine of Scotland
St Ebbe the Younger
St Eustace of Luxeuil
St Gregory of Nicomedia
St John Payne

Blessed Leopold of Gaiche OFM Cap (1732-1815) Priest and Friar of the Order of Friars Minor of the Capuchin branch, Missionary Preacher in Italy, called “The Apostle of Umbria.” He became renowned for wearing a crown of thorns. He served in a position of power in the Franciscan Order in the Umbrian region in which he supported strong adherence to the Rule of Saint Francis.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/02/saint-of-the-day-2-april-blessed-leopold-of-gaiche-ofm-cap-1732-1815/

St Lonochilus of Maine
St Musa of Rome

St Nizier (c513-573) Bishop of Lyon. Nizier was a man of ascetic lifestyle, his care for the poor and his promotion of Church music have since been remembered and praised.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Lyon, St Nizier, renowned for his saintly life and miracles.”
His Life of Grace:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/02/saint-of-the-day-2-april-saint-nizier-of-lyon-c513-573-archbishop-of-lyon/

St Rufus of Glendalough
St Theodora of Tiria

St Urban of Langres (c 327-c 390) Bishop, the sixth Bishop of Autun and Langres, in Burgundy, France from 374 until his death, Confessor.
About St Urban:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/02/saint-of-the-day-2-april-saint-urban-of-langres-c-327-c-390/

Martyrs of Africa – 10 Saints: A group of ten Christians Martyred together in Africa, date unknown. We have six of their names – Marcellinus, Procula, Quiriacus, Regina, Satullus and Saturnin but no other information has survived.

Martyrs of Thessalonica – 16 Saints: Sixteen Christians who were Martyred together in Thessalonica in Greece, date unknown. We know nothing else about them but 13 of their names – Agapitus, Agatophus, Cyriacus, Dionysius, Gagus, Julianus, Mastisius, Proculus, Publius, Theodoulus, Urbanus, Valerius and Zonisus.

Posted in "Follow Me", APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

1 April – Devotions for the Month of April – The Resurrection and The Blessed Sacrament – ‘I am the Resurrection and the Life’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Devotions for the Month of April

The Resurrection and The Blessed Sacrament

The Month of April is dedicated both to devotion to the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ and to the Holy Eucharist – the proof of the promise of the Love of God and of ETERNAL LIFE.

“My brethren, when was it that the Lord made Himself recognised? — When He broke the bread. — So, we ourselves are convinced too, that when we break the bread, we recognise the Lord. — If He had not wanted to be recognised until that moment, it was for our sakes, we, who were not to see Him in the flesh but who were yet to eat Him in the flesh. ” – St Augustine (354-430) Father, Doctor of Grace

“I am the Resurrection and the Life,
he who believes in Me,
although he be dead, shall live.”

John 11:25

“I am the Living Bread
Who came down from Heaven.
If any man eat of this Bread,
he shall live forever
and the Bread that I will give,
is My Flesh, for the Life of the world.”

John 6:51-52

“If we follow Christ closely we shall be allowed,
even on this earth,
to stand, as it were,
on the threshold of the heavenly Jerusalem
and enjoy the contemplation,
of that everlasting Feast,
like the blessed Apostles,
who, in following the Saviour as their leader,
showed and still show,
the way to obtain the same gift from God.
They said – See, we have left all things and followed Thee.
We too follow the Lord
and we keep His Feast
by deeds rather than by words.”

St Athanasius (297-373)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR

Thought for the Day – 1 April – Why God Created Us

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 1 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Why God Created Us

“If we are to reach God, Who is our goal, it is necessary for us to know, love and serve Him.
Everything speaks to us of God, from the blade of grass, to the cedar of Lebanon, from the insect which glows in the darkness of the night, to the highest stars of the firmanent.
In the hidden depths of our own being, we hear His Voice.
The more we grow in the knowledge of God, the more we feel the need to love Him.
We see how so much beauty, goodness and power is alone worthy of all our love.

As our Creator, Redeemer and Benefactor, God has the right to the undivided affection of our hearts.
This love should not be empty and sterile, however, it should be active and effective.
Knowing and loving God, we should feel the obligation of serving Him as our Master, in whatever He commands, even when this demands a heavy sacrifice on our part!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/26/thought-for-the-day-26-march-why-god-created-us/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/25/thought-for-the-day-25-march-why-god-created-us/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 1 April – Day by day follow God’s path …

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 1 April – Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Lent

“Day by day follow God’s path,
keeping Him closely attached to you by His promise.
In fact, He Himself said, through the mediation of His Apostles,
to all those who seek His will and His testimonies
that He would be with them
until the end of the world (Mt 28:20)
where paths and footsteps
will be unknown (cf Ps 76:20),
as the divine David said in his songs.
Yet, in an invisible way,
He is present to the eyes of the mind,
making Himself seen by those
who have a pure heart
and conversing with them.
So pursue your path …. ”

St Theodore the Studite (759-826)
Abbot, Confessor, Father of the Church

“May the God of love and peace,
set your hearts at rest
and speed you on your journey,
may He meanwhile,
shelter you from disturbance by others,
in the hidden recesses of His Love,
until He brings you, at last,
into that place of complete plenitude,
where you will repose forever,
in the vision of peace,
in the security of trust
and in the restful enjoyment of His riches.”

St Raymond of Peñafort
(1175-1275)

“If, then, you looking for the way by which you should go,
take Christ for He, Himself is the Way.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 1 April –Barabbas or Jesus?

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 1 April – 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 Fourth Sunday in Lent-
Barabbas or Jesus?

Read St.Matthew xxvii:15-22

[15] Now, upon the solemn day, the governor was accustomed to release, to the people, one prisoner, whom they would selecct.
[16] And he had then a notorious prisoner who was called Barabbas. [17] They, therefore, being gathered together, Pilate said: Whom will you, whom I release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus Who is called Christ? [18] For he knew that for envy, they had delivered Him. [19] And as he was sitting in the place of judgement, his wife sent to him, saying: Have thou nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him. [20] But the chief priests and ancients persuaded the people, that they should ask for Barabbas and take Jesus away.
[21] And the governor answering, said to them: Whom of the two, will you, to be released unto you? But they said, Barabbas. [22] Pilate saith to them: What shall I do then with Jesus that is called Christ? They say all: Let him be crucified. [Matthew 27:15-22]

+1. Before Pilate sent Our Lord to Herod, he had already sought to take occasion to release Him, using the custom, of setting free at the Pasch, some notable prisoner. In order to secure success in this regard, he had proposed, as an alternative, a noted murderer named Barabbas. To his astonishment, the name of Barabbas had at once been taken up by the multitude. It was not that they loved Barabbas but, they hated
Christ.
So wretched men now choose that which they know to be evil, simply because they hate God!
They cannot bear the idea of submission. They long to get God out of the way, as the Jews desired to be rid of Christ.

+2. The multitude shouted for Barabbas because the chief priests urged them to it. It was the rulers, the ancients, who were the real murderers of Christ; the ignorant mob did but follow their leaders.
What a responsibility it is to be in a position of authority! What an account those who rule will have to give of those subject to them!

+3. When Christ returned from the palace of Herod clad in the fool’s garment, Pilate made one more attempt to have Him released. It was a fresh compromise with his conscience and, like all such compromises, only brought fresh insults on the Son of God. Again the shout rose for Barabbas to be set free and Christ to be crucified.
O Pilate! why not listen to the whisper within you and set the just man free at any risk.
My God , save me from cowardly compromises and trifling with my conscience.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUTH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 1 April – ‘Take Christ … ‘

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 1 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Lent – Ferial Day – Exodus 32:7-14 – John 7:14-31– Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But of the people, many believed in him …” – John 7:31

REFLECTION – “If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ because He Himself is the Way: This is the Way; walk in it. And Augustine says: Make man your way and you shall arrive at God. It is better to limp along the Way, than stride along off the Way. For a man who limps along the Way, even if he only makes slow progress, comes to the end of the Way but one who is off the Way, the more quickly he runs, the further away is he from his goal.

If you are looking for a goal, hold fast to Christ because He Himself is the Truth, where we desire to be. My mouth shall reflect on the Truth. If you are looking for a resting place, hold fast to Christ because He Himself is the Life. Whoever finds Me finds life and receives salvation from the Lord.

Therefore, hold fast to Christ if you wish to be safe. You will not be able to go astray because He is the Way. He who remains with Him does not wander in trackless places; he is on the right Way. Moreover, he cannot be deceived because He is the Truth and He teaches every Truth. And He says: For this I was born and for this I have come, to bear witness to the Truth. Nor can he be disturbed because He is both lLfe and the giver of life. For He says: I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” – St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Priest, Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from: Exposition on John – Chapter 14).

PRAYER – May the sacred practice of fasting, we beseech You, O Lord, win for us increased holiness of life and the continuing help of Your mercy. 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 DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Holy Name PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, Quotes on SALVATION, The HOLY NAME, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The REDEMPTION

Our Morning Offering – 1 April – Complete Us, O Lord Jesus Christ, For the Glory of Thy Holy Name

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 1 April – Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Lent

Complete Us, O Lord Jesus Christ,
For the Glory of Thy Holy Name.
By St Anselm (1033-1109)
Magnificent and Marian
Doctor of the Church

O Lord Jesus Christ,
our Redemption and our Salvation,
we praise Thee and give Thee thanks.
Although we are unworthy of Thy benefits
and cannot offer to Thee,
the devotion Thou deserves,
let Thy loving-kindness complete,
whatever our weakness attempts.
Before Thee, O Lord,
we lay all our desires
and whatever our heart rightly wishes,
it is because of Thy gifts.
Help us to love Thee as Thou commands.
Do not let Thy gifts be unfruitful.
Complete what Thou hast begun,
give what Thou hast made us desire,
convert our lukewarmness
into fervent love of Thee,
for the glory of Thy Holy Name.
Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 1 April – Saint Tewdrig (5th-6th Century) Hermit, Martyr

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 1 April – Saint Tewdrig (5th-6th Century) Hermit, Martyr, King of Gwent and Glywysing. Born in Cardiff in Wales and died in the 6th Century in Mathern, Wales from the wounds received in battle against the pagan Saxons. Also known as – Tewdrig ap LLywarch, Tewdrig of Tintern, Tewdrig of Glamorgan, Theodoricus, Theodoric, Theoderick, Teudrig, Tewdric, Tudric.

Tewdrig was a Prince of Glywysing roughly corresponding to the present-day County of Glamorganshire in Wales – and married to Gowan. He initially defeated the invading Saxons at the Battle of Llandaff, now a district in Cardiff and later became Patron of this Church there.

He abdicated in favour of his son, Meurig (Maurice) and withdrew to live as a Hermit on a rocky spot by the river, on the site of the Monastery founded in 1131 in Tintern.

Drawing after a statue by J Evan Thomas: St Tewdrig’s Death,

However, his son called him back to service in order to lead the army against the invading Saxon troops who had previously devastated the area around Hereford. He won the battle but was mortally wounded near his hermitage. He asked to be taken to the Island of Flat Holm but died before reaching the destination, in Mathern, after three days’ travel.

Tradition tells us that the journey was made in a cart drawn by two stags. Wherever the deer rested, a miraculous spring sprang up.

Since the Saxons were pagans and Tewdrig was a Christian, he is considered a Martyr. His son, Meurig had a Church built on the site of his Grave in Mathern The story of Tewdrig is recorded in the Book of Llandaff which was written around 1125, to justify the rights of this Episcopate’s See against the rival Sees of St David’s and Hereford. In 1615, Bishop Godwin of Llandaff reported seeing a skull, with a hole through it in a coffin before the Altar of the Church in Mathern, presumably being St Tewdrig’s Relics. The image below is the Church in Mathern dedicated to our Saint.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

April Devotion, Nostra Signora delle Lacrime / Our Lady of Tears, Sicily (1953) and the Saints for 1 April

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Devotions for the Month of April
The Resurrection and The Blessed Sacrament
‘I am the Resurrection and the Life’

Nostra Signora delle Lacrime / Our Lady of Tears, Sicily (1953) – 1 April:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/01/maundy-thursday-2021-our-lady-of-tears-sicily-1953-and-memorials-of-the-saints-1-april/

Blessed Abraham of Bulgaria
Blessed Alexander of Sicily
Saint Anastasio
Blessed Antonius of Noto
Saint Berhard of Amiens
Blessed Bernhardin of Noto

Saint Celsus (c1080-1129) Archbishop of Armagh, Reformer. He was responsible for the change from lay control of the Church in Ireland, to a Clerical-Episcopal model. Himself a hereditary lay administrator, he decided to seek Priestly Ordination and be embraced celibacy in order that the reform introduced by Pope St Gregory VIII on the Continent, could take effect also in Ireland.
Holy and Brave St Celsus:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/04/01/saint-of-the-day-1-april-saint-celsus-of-armagh-c1080-1129-archbishop/

Saint Dodolinus of Vienne
Blessed Enrico Alfrieri OFM (1315-1405) Vicar General of the Friar’s Minor
Blessed Gerard of Sassoferrato
Saint Gilbert de Moray
Blessed Giuseppe Girott
Blessed Hugh of Bonnevaux

Saint Hugh (1053-1232) Bishop of Grenoble , Reformer, in the foundation of the Carthusian Order, founded a Monastery at Chalais.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Grenoble in Burgundia, in today’s France, St Hugh, Bishop, who worked for the reform of the customs of the clergy and the people and, during his Episcopate, ardently loving solitude, gave St Bruno at the time, his teacher and to his companions, the hermitage of Chartroux, of which he was also the first Abbot. He ruled his Church for about fifty years with the thoughtful example of his charity.”
This Wonderful Zealous St Hugh:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/01/saint-of-the-day-1-april-saint-hugh-of-grenoble-1053-1232/

Saint Jacoba of Rome
Blessed John Bretton
Saint Leucone of Troyes

Blessed Marcelle

Saint Mary (c344-c 421) Desert Mother in Egypt, Penitent, Recluse.
Her Devout Life of Solitude:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/01/saint-of-the-day-1-april-saint-mary-of-egypt-c-344-c-421/

Saint Melito (Died c 180) Early Church Father, Bishop of Sardis (Died c 180), ecclesiastical Writer, Confessor, Apologist, Defender of Christ’s dual nature. Saint Melito is believed to have been martyred around the time he wrote his apology to Marcus Aurelius circa 180.
Brilliant St Melito:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/01/saint-of-the-day-1-april-st-melito-died-c-180/

Blessed Nicolò of Noto
Saint Prudentius of Atina
Saint Tewdrig (5th-6th Century) Hermit, Martyr
Saint Theodora of Rome

Saint Valéry of Leucone (c565-c619) Priest, Abbot, Founder of the Abbey of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, a man of Miracles and Visions. Born around 565 in the Auvergne in France and died on 1 April c619 (?) in Leuconay, today St-Valéry-sur-Somme. Patronages – of horticulturists and gardeners, of Death Row Prisoners,fishermen and of of Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Amiens, the Abbot, St Valéry, whose Tomb is made illustrious by frequent miracles.”
Miraculous St Valéry:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/04/01/saint-of-the-day-1-april-saint-valery-of-leucone-c565-c619-priest-abbot/

Saint Venantius of Spalato
Blessed Vinebault

Apostles of Picardy – Martyrs:
Saint Caidoc
Saint Fricor

Martyrs of Thessalonica – 6 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred. We know nothing about them but the names Alexander, Dionysius, Ingenianus, Panterus, Parthenius and Saturninus. Martyred in Thessalonica, Greece, date unknown.

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on THE MYSTICAL BODY, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 31 March – St Joseph, Protector of the Faithful

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 31 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)

31st Day — St Joseph, Protector of the Faithful

+I. When God bade St Joseph arise and take the Child and His Mother and fly into Egypt, He was committing unto him, under the guise of Jesus and Mary, the care of the Universal Church. As to Mary were entrusted all Christians in the words, “Woman, behold thy son”
so to St Joseph, in the Angel’s message. He was to be our guardian and protector. He was to keep us safe on the dangerous journey of life! he was to console us and care for us in darkness and sorrow, while we wait in this land of exile for the summons to our true home. Joseph, too, is to bring us safely into the promised land at last.
O holy St Joseph, be my friend and my protector and my keeper, amid all difficulties and dangers and temptations.

+2. St Joseph has care of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, as he had care of the Mortal Body of Jesus. He has to watch over it and guard its temporal interests. He has to defend it against the bitter enemies who seek its destruction. How often he has driven them back!
How often, when all seemed lost, he has restored peace and prosperity, to the Church of God! No weapon aimed against it can harm it, for God has given to St Joseph, the privilege of keeping it ever safe.

+3. St Joseph is also the protector of all his clients. In their temporal affairs how trusty a friend, saving them in circumstances apparently hopeless!
In spiritual necessities how prompt to aid, how unfailing in resource! Oh, trust in St Joseph, wait patiently for him and he will obtain for thee the desires of thy heart

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Of a Holy DEATH & AGAINST A SUDDEN DEATH, of the DYING, FINAL PERSEVERANCE, DEATH of CHILDREN, DEATH of PARENTS, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on DEATH, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Francis de Sales, St JOSEPH

Quote/s of the Day – 31 March – St Joseph!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 31 March – Goodbye to “The Month of Saint Joseph”

“The Almighty has concentrated in St Joseph,
as in a sun of unrivalled lustre,
the combined light and splendour
of all the other Saints.”

St Gregory Nanzianzen (330-390)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Both Mary and Joseph had made a vow
to remain virgins all the days of their lives
and God, wished them to be united
in the bonds of marriage,
not because they repented of the vow already made
but, to be confirmed in it and,
to encourage each other to continue
in this holy relation.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctorof Charity of the Church

“Since we all must die,
we should cherish a special devotion to St. Joseph
that he may obtain for us a happy death.”

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“Go to Joseph!
Have recourse with special confidence to St Joseph,
for his protection is most powerful,
as he is the Patron of the Universal Church.”

Pope Pius IX (1792-1878)

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, LENT- 2025, MIRACLES, QUOTES on LUST, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 31 March – Jesus Before Herod

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 31 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)

Monday after the Fourth Sunday in Lent
Jesus Before Herod

Read St Luke xxiii:7-12

[7] And when he understood that He was of Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him away to Herod, who was also himself at Jerusalem, in those days. [8] And Herod, seeing Jesus, was very glad; for he was desirous to see Him, for a long time because, he had heard many things about Him and he hoped to see some sign wrought by Him. [9] And he questioned Him in many words. But He answered him nothing. [10] And the chief priests and the scribes stood by, earnestly accusing Him.
[11] And Herod with his army set Him at nought and mocked Him, putting on Him a white garment and sent Him back to Pilate. [12] And Herod and Pilate were made friends, that same day; for previously they had been enemies, one to another. [Luke 23:7-12]

+1. When Pilate found that the Jews were determined on the death of Jesus, he tried to eradicate the responsibility by sending Him to Herod. Herod rejoiced to see Him. In his vanity, he expected Our Lord would be glad to placate him by performing some miracle in his presence.
Vain expectation! It is only for the humble and pure of heart that Our Lord works miracles. Yet, I expect Him, proud and selfish as I am, to work, miracles of grace, to enable me to easily overcome long-rooted
faults, to attain a spirit of prayer and close union with Him?! How can I hope for this, while I am so full of the worldly spirit of Herod?

+2. Our Lord was ready enough to speak to Pilate and even to Caiphas but, for Herod, He had not a word. There is something terrible in this silence in the presence of the sensual, hardened reprobate. There is something in a sensual life which shuts the ears of men, so that the
whispers of grace never seem to reach them.
If I wish Our Lord to speak to me, the first thing is to see that I do not indulge my body inordinately.

+3. Herod was also the incarnation of self-satisfied worldliness. He was munificent, popular, successful but, he was hateful in God’s sight and rejected by Him, so that Our Lord showed an aversion to him which He showed to none else.
What a lesson for us! The reprobate Herod, surrounded by flatterers and admirers; the Eternal Wisdom of God dressed in a fool’s dress and treated as an idiot!

Posted in "Follow Me", AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on GRACE, Quotes on SALVATION, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The REDEMPTION, The RESURRECTION, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 31 March – ‘ … Sold beforehand to sin, we have now been set free by grace. …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 31 March – “The Month of Saint Joseph” –Monday of the Fourth Week in Lent –Ferial Day – 3 Kings 3:16-28 – John 2:13-25 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Destroy this temple and in three days, I will raise it up. ” – John 2:19

REFLECTION – “We are still God’s workmen who are building the temple of God. This temple’s dedication has already taken place in its Head, in that the Lord has Risen from the dead after His victory over death and, having destroyed in Himself what was mortal, He has Ascended to Heaven … But now, we are building this temple through faith, so that its dedication may also be made at the final resurrection. That is why … one of the Psalms has the title: “When the Temple was rebuilt after the captivity” (95:1). Call to mind our own former captivity, when the devil held the whole world in his power, like a flock of the unfaithful. It was due to this captivity that our Redeemer came. He shed His Blood for our ransoming and, by the Blood He poured out, He cancelled the debt which was holding us captive (Col 2:14) … Sold beforehand to sin, we have now been set free by grace.

Following this captivity, the temple is now being built and, to raise it up, the Good News is proclaimed. That is why this Psalm begins as follows: “Sing to the Lord a new song” And, lest you think this temple is being constructed in some insignificant corner, as the heretics who separate themselves from the Church build it, pay attention to what follows: “Sing to the Lord, all you lands” …

“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands.” Sing and clap your hands! Sing and “bless the Name of the Lord” (v. 2). Proclaim the Day born of the Day of Salvation, the Day born of the Day of Christ. For Who is the Salvation of God if not His Christ? This is the Salvation we pray for in the Psalm: “Show us, Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help.” Just men of old longed for this salvation, those of whom the Lord said to His disciples: “Many desired to see what you see, but did not see it” (Lk 10:24) … “Sing to the lord a new song; sing to the Lord”  See the fervour of the builders! “Sing to the Lord and bless His Name.” Proclaim the Good News! What good news is that? Day is born from Day … Light from Light; the Son from the Father, the Saving Power of God! This is how the temple is built after the captivity.” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace (Sermon 163:5).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who devoutly keep the sacred observances, year by year, may be pleasing to Thee, both in body and soul. 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 BREVIARY Prayers, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS & NOVENA to St Joseph, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS TO St Joseph, PRAYERS to the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 31 March – Joseph, the Praise and Glory of the Heavens

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 31 March – Goodbye to “The Month of Saint Joseph”

Caelitum, Ioseph, decus
Joseph, the Praise and Glory of the Heavens
By Fr Juan Escollar (Died 1700)

Joseph, the praise and glory of the heavens,
Sure pledge of life and safety of the wide world,
as in our joy we sing to thee, in kindness
listen to our praises.

Thou by the world’s Creator wert appointed
Spouse of the Virgin, thee He willed to honour.
Naming thee father of the Word and guardian
of our salvation.

Thou, thy Redeemer, lying in a stable,
whom long ago foretold the choir of Prophets,
sawest rejoicing and thy God adorest
Humble in childhood.

God, King of Kings and Governor of the ages,
He at Whose word the powers of hell do tremble,
He Whom the adoring heavens ever worship,
called thee protector.

Praise to the Triune Godhead everlasting,
Who with such honour mightily hath blest thee.
O may He grant us at thy blest petition
Joys everlasting.
Amen

This Hymn is used at Matins for the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary (19 March). It is also the Hymn for Lauds for the Feast of St Joseph the Worker on 1 May.
Translation by Alan G McDougall (1895-1964).

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 31 March – St Balbina (Died c130) Virgin and Martyr

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 31 March – St Balbina (Died c130) Virgin and Martyr of Rome. Patronage – against Throat Diseases, goitor diseases. Also known as – Balbina the Virgin, Balbine .

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At RFome, the holy virgin Balbina, daughter of the blessed Martyr Quirinus, who was Baptised by Pope St Alexander and after overcoming the world, was buried on the Appian Road at ther father’s side.”

Tradition tells us that Balbina was a Virgin Martyr found guilty of being a Christian and sentenced to death by Hadrian.

The legendary life of Balbina has come down to us through two Passios: the first is a passio St Alexandri, perhaps from the 6th Century which confuses Pope Alexander with the same-named Martyr from Nomentana. The second is a Vita of Sts Balbina and Hermetis, an appendix to the Passio Alexandri.

According to these two Vitae, Balbina was the daughter of the Martyr Quirinus, who, having converted to the Christian faith, was Baptised. with his daughter by Pope Alexander. When Balbina became seriously ill, her father took her to the Pope, who was then imprisoned and he cured her – this illness must relate to her Patronages.

St Balbina and her father St Quirinus

Because of her wealth and nobility, many young men wished to marry her but she wished to consecrate herself to God. Arrested together with her father by order of the Emperor Hadrian (117-135), after many torments, she was beheaded.

St Balbina on the St Peter’s Collonade

A Titulus Church was founded on the Aventine Hill in Rome which preserved her name for veneration. Her date is “ante 595” since that is the earliest documented reference to her Church.

St Balbina’s Church in Rome
Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Our Lady of the Holy Cross, Basilica di Santa Croce, Rome and the Saints for 31 March

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Monday in the Fourth Week of Lent – Ferial Day: FAST

Our Lady of the Holy Cross, Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Rome – 31 March:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/31/our-lady-of-the-holy-cross-basilica-di-santa-croce-in-gerusalemme-rome-and-memorials-of-the-saints-31-march/

St Abda
St Acacius Agathangelos of Melitene

St Agigulf (Died 751) Martyr, Monk, Abbot of Stavelot, Archbishop of Cologne, Died by being murdered in 751 in Cologne, Austrasia (in modern Germany).
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/31/saint-of-the-day-31-march-st-agigulf-died-751-martyr-bishop/

St Aldo of Hasnon
St Balbina (Died c130) Virgin and Martyr of Rome

St Benjamin the Deacon (Died c424) Deaco and Martyr. Benjamin was executed during a period of persecution of Christians that lasted forty years and through the reign of two Persian kings: Isdegerd I, who died in 421 and his son and successor, Varanes V. King Varanes carried on the persecution with such great fury, that Christians were submitted to the most cruel tortures.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/31/saint-of-the-day-31-march-st-benjamin-the-deacon-died-c-424-martyr/

Blessed Bonaventure Tornielli OSM (1411-1491) Priest of the Servite Order, called the “Apostolic Preacher”, Confessor, Biblical expert, Missionary Preacher. His cult was confirmed by Pope Pius X in 1911.
His Devoted Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/31/saint-of-the-day-31-march-blessed-bonaventure-tornielli-osm-1411-1491/

Blessed Daniel of Venice ECMC (1344-1411) Martyr, Layman, Husband, Father, Entrepreneur, Politician, Diplomat, Peace-maker, Apostle of the poor, part-time Monk and Hermit.
His Holy Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/31/saint-of-the-day-31-march-blessed-daniel-of-venice-ecmc-1344-1411-martyr/

St Guy (Died 1046) Monk, Abbot, Hermit, Spiritual Adviser, Ascetic in Pomposa, Italy.
His Life of Penance:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/31/saint-of-the-day-31-march-st-guy-of-pomposa-died-1046/

Bl Guy of Vicogne

Blessed Jane O.Carm. (Died 1286?) possibly the first Carmelite Tertiary or a fully professed Nun of Toulousand it is believed, that she received the Veil from the hands of St Simon Stock
Blessed Jane:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/31/saint-of-the-day-31-march-blessed-jane-of-toulouse-o-carm-died-1286/

St Machabeo of Armagh
Bl Mary Mamala
St Mella of Doire-Melle
St Renovatus of Merida

Martyrs of Africa – 4 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together for their faith. No details have survived except for of their names – Anesius, Cornelia, Felix and Theodulus. They were martyred in Roman pro-consular Africa.

Posted in Meditations on ST JOSEPH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 30 March – St Joseph’s Glory in Heaven

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 30 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)

30th Day – St Joseph’s Glory in Heaven

+1. It is an opinion held by many learned theologians that St Joseph, like Our Lady, enjoys the honour of having had his body raised from the grave, at the time of Our Lord’s Resurrection and, he is present in Heaven now, body and soul. There are no Relics of St Joseph, no tomb where his body is honoured. His assumption is, moreover, what we might expect in reward for such spotless purity as his. Our Lady Mary’s spouse, St Joseph, deserved this honour and one, who had tended Jesus with such loving care, had, to some extent, a claim to it.
We may, therefore, piously believe that St Joseph enjoys this wonderful privilege.

+2. We have already spoken of St Joseph as the most glorious of all the Saints.
What else does this mean but that, he has the highest place in Heaven after Our Lady? The Church calls him the glory of the inhabitants of Heaven (coelitum decus). How would this be possible unless, he surpassed them all?
Congratulate St Joseph on his great glory and thank God that you have a friend so near to His throne.

+3. St Joseph was, after Mary, more like to his Divine Son in form and feature, than anyone else ever was. This likeness extended, to his beautiful and stainless soul. In Heaven he still retains this intimate likeness to Jesus which grew and increased by reason of his close union with the Son of God and, familiar intercourse ,with Him.
Likeness to Christ! which is the increase of glory in Heaven. Pray that you too may become, through St Joseph’s help, more like unto Jesus.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on PRAYER, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 30 March – ‘ … We are all beggars of God. …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 30 March – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent – Galatians 4:22-31 – John 6:1-15 Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“When, therefore, Jesus had lifted up His eyes
and seen, that a very great crowd
had come to Him, He said to Philip,
“Whence shall we buy bread
that these may eat?”
John 6:5

“AND SO CHRIST shares the foodstuffs and,
there is no question, He wants to give it to all.
He withholds it from no-one,
for He provides for everyone.
Nevertheless, when He breaks the loaves
and gives them to the disciples,
unless you hold out your hands
to receive your portion,
you will collapse along the way…”

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“… Every man is both debtor and creditor…
A beggar asks you for alms but you, too,
are God’s beggar, for when we pray
we are all beggars of God.
We stand – or rather, prostrate ourselves –
at our Father’s door (cf Lk 11:5);
we beseech Him with groans,
anxious to receive a grace from Him
and this grace is God Himself!
What does the beggar ask of you?
Bread. And what is it that you are asking of God
but Christ, Who said:
“I am the Living Bread come down from Heaven”
(Jn 6:51).”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

Posted in LENT- 2025, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on the CHURCH, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 30 March – Jesus Before Pilate

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 30 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)

The Fourth Sunday in Lent
Jesus Before Pilate

Read St John xviii:28-40
(See below)

+I. Pilate was at first inclined to look with contempt on the charge brought against Christ of promoting Himself as the King of the Jews. But, he soon changed his mind. He was astonished at Our Lord’s silence and reserve. His calm dignity made a deep impression upon him.
How few there are, who imitate Christ in this! Our babbling tongues pour forth so many foolish and ill-considered words. Learn the dignity of timely silence from our Lord Jesus.

+2. Yet Jesus spoke when occasion required.
He said enough to Pilate to convince him, not only of His innocence but, of His claim to be King. Pilate was half-inclined to listen. He could not help recognising, to some degree, the Divine Beauty of the Son of God amid all His humiliations.
So the Catholic Church manifests herself to the world in a way which is sufficient to attract men of goodwill.
There are few who have not the chance of recognising her claims. Her beauty, even in her humiliations and amid the sins of men, shines forth, as did the beauty of her Divine Spouse.

+3. Pilate’s long experience, tells him plainly enough that the Jews are all mistaken and Christ is correct.
His practiced eye, detects the malice of the Jews,
their hatred of their Victim, their selfishness and unscrupulous cruelty. He longs to release Christ; he knows he ought to do so but, he fears the Jews, lest he be reported as favouring revolt.
Human fear overcomes his convictions and he has not the courage to set Jesus free.
How fatal is cowardice in things Divine!

John 18:28-40:
[28] Then they led Jesus from Caiphas to the governor’s hall. And it was morning and they went not into the hall, that they might not be defiled but that they might eat the pasch. [29] Pilate, therefore, went out to them and said: What accusation bring you against this man? [30] They answered and said to him: If He were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered Him to thee.
[31] Pilate, therefore, said to them: Take Him you and judge Him according to your law. The Jews, therefore, said to him: It is not lawful for us to put any man to death; [32] That the Word of Jesus might be fulfilled which He said, signifying what death He should die. [33] Pilate, therefore, went into the hall again and called Jesus and said to Him: Art Thou the King of the Jews? [34] Jesus answered: Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of Me? [35] Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Thy own nation and the chief priests, have delivered Thee to me, what hast Thou done?
[36] Jesus answered: My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews but now, My Kingdom is not from hence. [37] Pilate, therefore, said to Him: Art Thou a King then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a King. For this was I born and for this came I into the world that I should give testimony to the truth. Everyone that is of the truth, heareth My Voice. [38] Pilate saith to Him: What is truth? And when he said this, he went out again to the Jews and saith to them: I find no cause in Him. [39] But you have a custom that I should release one unto you at the pasch, will you, therefore, that I release unto you the King of the Jews? [40] Then cried they all again, saying: Not this Man but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. [John 18:28-40]

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, MIRACLES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on FAITH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 30 March – ‘ … We are preferred to them …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection –30 March – “The Month of Saint Joseph” – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent – Galatians 4:22-31 – John 6:1-15 Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“When the people, therefore, had seen the sign which Jesus had worked, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet Who is to come into the world..” – John 6:14

REFLECTION – “Governing the entire universe, is a greater miracle, than feeding five thousand people with five loaves of bread, yet no-one marvels at it. People marvel at the feeding of the five thousand, not because this miracle is greater but because, it is out of the ordinary. Who is even now providing nourishment for the whole world if not the God, Who creates a field of wheat from a few seeds?! Christ did what God does. Just as God multiplies a few seeds into a whole field of wheat, so Christ multiplied the five loaves in His Hands. For there was power in the Hands of Christ. Those five loaves were like seeds, not because they were cast on the earth but because, they were multiplied by the One Who made the earth!

This miracle was presented to our senses, in order to stimulate our minds … and so make us marvel at “the God we do not see because of His works, which we do see” (Rom 1:20). For then, when we have been raised to the level of faith and purified by faith, we shall long to behold, although not with our eyes, the invisible God Whom we recognise, through what is visible.  This miracle was performed for the multitude to see; it was recorded for us to hear. Faith does for us, what sight did for them. We behold with the mind, what our eyes cannot see and we are preferred to them because of us, it was said: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” (Jn 20:29).” – St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermons on Saint John’s gospel, 24).

PRAYER – Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who justly suffer for our sins may find relief in the help of Thy grace.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 "Follow Me", CHRIST the KING Prayers, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JEALOUSY, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Our Morning Offering – 30 March – Be Thou My Vision

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 30 March – Laetare Sunday / The Fourth Sunday in Lent

Be Thou My Vision
By St Dallan Forgaill (c530- 598)
Martyr

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy Presence my Light.

Be Thou my Wisdom and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my Battle-shield, Sword for my fight,
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.
Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower.
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and Thou only, First in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Son,
Heart of my heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

St Dallan here:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/01/29/saint-of-the-day-29-january-st-dallan-forgaill-c-530-598/

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 30 March – St Zosimus (c570-662) Bishop and Confessor of Syracuse, Sicily

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 30 March – St Zosimus (c570-662) Bishop and Confessor of Syracuse, Sicily, Abbot. Born in the region and died in Syracuse of natural causes in 662. A man of great wisdom and virtue. Also known as – Zosimo, Zozimus.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Syracuse, St Zosimus, Bishop and Confessor.”

Zosimo, was a young Monk who had been entrusted with the custody of the Tomb of Saint Lucy in Syracuse Monastery, due to his perceived ineptitude. One day, eager to see his parents again, he left the Monastery without notifying his Superiors. His parents, seeing him arrive with the air of a fugitive, scolded him and took him back to the Monastery. He was forgiven by the Abbot and returned to his role as “Guardian of the Tomb.”

This role he held for a long time because he was considered incapable of more demanding tasks. When the Abbot died, the Monks went to the Bishop to find out the name of their new Abbot. Zosimo was not among them, having remained behind as ‘useless.’ When the Bishop interviewed the Monks before him, he asked: “Are you all here?” “No” they replied, “’the Guardian of the Tomb of Saint Lucy’ is at home but he is of little importance.” “Bring him along” ordered the Bishop. And when Zosimo arrived: “Here is your Abbot” the Bishop solemnly affirmed.

Thus Zosimo, to everyone’s surprise, became the Abbot of the Monastery. In this role, he quickly emonstrated the richness of his wisdom and virtue, to the point that the people wanted him as their Bishop when that Office became vacant. Confirmed by Pope Theodore, he remained on the Episcopal Seat of Syracuse from 647 until his death in 662, leading the Diocese with kindness and wisdom.

Posted in MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Lent IV – LAETARE / Rejoice SUNDAY, Our Lady, Boulogne-sur-mer and the Saints for 30 March

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lent IV – LAETARE / Rejoice SUNDAY

Re-establishment of Chapel of Our Lady, Boulogne-sur-mer, by Bishop Dormy – Basilica of Notre-Dame de Boulogne-sur-mer: – 30 March:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/30/our-lady-boulogne-sur-mer-and-memorials-of-the-saints-30-march/

Blessed Amadeus of Savoy (1435-1472) IXth Duke of Savoy, nicknamed “the Happy” was the Duke of Savoy, from 1465 to 1472, Apostle of the poor and ill, a pious, humble and gentle ruler. Amadeus was a particular protector of Franciscan Friars and endowed other religious houses, as well as homes for the care of the poor and suffering.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/30/saint-of-the-day-30-march-blessed-amadeus-of-savoy-1435-1472/

St Clinius of Pontecorvo (Died c1030) Abbot
St Cronan Mochua
St Damiano
St Domnino of Thessalonica

Blessed Dodone of Haske O.Praem.(1231) Monk, Hermit, Stigmatist.
Blessed Dodone’s Devoted Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/03/30/saint-of-the-day-30-march-blessed-dodone-of-haske-o-praem-1231-hermit-stigmatist/


St Fergus of Downpatrick
St Irene of Rome

Blessed Joachim (c1130-1202) Abbot, Founder, Theologian, Mystic, Writer. Joachim was the Founder of the monastic Order of San Giovanni in Fiore. Later followers, inspired by his works in Eschatology and Historicism theories, are called Joachimites.
About Blessed Joachim:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/30/saint-of-the-day-30-march-blessed-joachim-of-fiore-c1130-1202-priest-abbot/

St John Climacus (c 525-606) Abbot, Anchorite Monk, Mystic, Poet, Writer, Ascetic, Father
St John of the Wonderful Words:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/30/saint-of-the-day-st-john-climacus-c-525-606/

St Leonard Murialdo
St Mamertinus of Auxerre
St Osburga of Coventry
St Pastor of Orléans
St Patto of Werden
St Quirinus the Jailer

St Peter Regalatus OFM (1320-1456) Priest, Friar of the Friars Minor, Superior, gifted with bi-location, prophecy and Miracle working. He was Canonised on 29 June 1746 by Pope Benedict XIV.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “In Aguilera in Castile in Spain, Saint Peter Regalado of Valladolid, Priest of the Order of Minors, who was distinguished for humility and rigour of penance and built two cells, in which only twelve Friars could live in solitude.”
About this zealous Saint:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/30/saint-of-the-day-30-march-saint-peter-regalatus-ofm-1320-1456/

St Regulus of Scotland
St Regulus of Senlis
St Secundus of Asti
St Tola
St Zosimus (c570-662) Bishop and Cpmnfessor of Syracuse

Martyrs of Constantinople: 4th Century Christians who were exiled, branded on the forehead, imprisoned, tortured, impoverished and murdered during the multi-year persecutions of the Arian Emperor Constantius. They were Martyred between 351 and 359 in Constantinople.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, Holy Family PRAYERS, In the PRESENCE of GOD, JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, Meditations on ST JOSEPH, PARTIAL Indulgence, QUOTES on DEATH, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 29 March – St Joseph’s Happy Death

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 29 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)

29th Day – St Joseph’s Happy Death

+1. Never, to any of the children of men, did death come so bereft of its terrors, as to St Joseph. One who had lived so continually in the Presence of his God, had no cause to fear it. One whose thoughts, aspirations, hopes affections, had always been in Heaven, regarded
death as a stepping-stone to his true home and to the presence of his God. One on whose breast Jesus had nestled lovingly, had already had a foretaste of Paradise and was absorbed by the longing desire to be there. Have I the same reasons to welcome death?

+2. Yet, if anyone ever had reason to dread the separation from earth, it was St Joseph. None ever left behind, wife or child, who were a thousandth part as dear as Mary and Jesus were to Joseph. Did it cost him nothing to say farewell? No , for from Jesus he could never be separated and, if the veil of flesh prevented him for a short time, from unity with his virgin spouse, yet they would soon meet in endless union before the throne of God. The pain of separation disappeared at the thought of eternal bliss.
If the company of Jesus and Mary was so sweet on earth, what would it be in Heaven where all is perfect!?

+3. What a beautiful death was St Joseph’s!
Nursed in the arms of Jesus and Mary, his last hours were one long ecstasy. No anxious, no distressing thought, was possible in that sweet company . For St Joseph death was only falling asleep to wake in Paradise. He is, therefore, the Patron of a good death . Pray earnestly to Jesus, Mary and Joseph that you may die in peace in their blessed company.

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)

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 29 March – From NOW on …

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 29 March – Saturday of the 3rd Week in Lent – Ferial Day – Daniel 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62 – John 8:1-11

“Go and from now on,
sin no more”

John 8:11

“The Lord did condemn, therefore
but He condemned the sin, not the sinner…
Let them be careful, then, those who love
the goodness in the Lord
but who fear His truthfulness …
The Lord is gracious, t
he Lord is slow to anger,
the Lord is merciful BUT the Lord is also JUST
and the Lord is abounding in TRUTH (Ps 85:15).
… This, then, is the meaning of the words
He addresses to this woman,
“Neither do I condemn you but, having been
made secure concerning the past,
be on your guard in the future.
I, for My part, will not condemn you,
I have blotted out what you have done;
keep what I have commanded
that you may gain what I have promised!”

“You do not know
when your last day may come.
You are an ingrate!
Why not use the day, today,
that God has given you
to repent?”

“The sky and the earth and the waters
and the things which are in them, the fishes
and the birds and the trees are not evil.
All these are good;
it is evil men who make this evil world.”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of Grace

“Our God, … being good and merciful,
wants us to confess [our sins] in this world,
so that we may not be ashamed
because of them in the next.
So if we confess them then,
He, on His part,
shows Himself to be merciful;
if we acknowledge them,
then He forgives … ”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)
Bishop and Monk

“Oh, what peril attaches to sin, wilfully committed!
For it is so difficult for man to bring himself to penance
and without penitence,
guilt remains and will ever remain,
so long as man retains unchanged,
the will to sin,
or is intent upon committing it.”

St Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510)

Posted in LENT- 2025, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 29 March – Judas’ Repentance

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Meditations – 29 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)

Saturday after the Third Sunday in Lent
Judas’ Repentance

Read St Matthew xxvii:3-16
(See below)

+1. When Judas heard the unanimous voice of the chief priests and ancients, declaring Jesus’ death sentence, his soul was filled with a black remorse which made his life intolerable. How he hated the miserable pieces of silver for which he had sold his Master! How he hated the chief priests who had bribed him! How he hated himself! The sweetness and gentleness of Christ came vividly before him and only added to his misery, as it will add to the misery of the lost at the day of judgrment. How bitterly he repented his folly! At least he would rid himself of the accursed money and declare his guilt. But he had gone too far. He had refused, so often, to listen to the Voice of
Jesus that now, his hardened heart refused to melt. What a warning to all who turn a deaf ear to the voice of conscience!

+2. Yet he might have been forgiven even now if he had thrown himself at Jesus’ Feet’ and begged for pardon. But this he would not do. His repentance was a hopeless, black remorse — no element of hope or love or humble sorrow. It was the repentance of the lost in hell, who cry, “Fools that we were!” but yet, will not, cannot, humble themselves to cry for mercy.

+3. How miserable Judas had been from the first! Had those pilfered gains in early days brought him solid satisfaction? Had he been happy when he sacrificed his Master’s interests to his own?
Are we happy when we knowingly prefer our own selfish interests to those of Christ? Sin and misery are twin sisters. My God, may I never wilfully betray Thy interests to my own pleasure or gain!

Matthew 27:3-16:
[3] Then Judas, who betrayed Him, seeing that He was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and ancients, [4] Saying: I have sinned in betraying innocent blood. But they said: What is that to us? look thou to it. [5] And casting down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed and went and hanged himself with an halter.
[6] But the chief priests, having taken the pieces of silver, said: It is not lawful to put them into the corbona (“sacrifice, gift”), because it is the price of blood. [7] And after they had consulted together, they bought with them the potter’s field, to be a burying place for strangers. [8] For this cause the field was called Haceldama, that is, The field of blood, even to this day. [9] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him Who was prized, whom they prized of the children of Israel. [10] And they gave them unto the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed to me.
[11] And Jesus stood before the governor and the governor asked him, saying: Art Thou the king of the Jews? Jesus saith to him: Thou sayest it. [12] And when He was accused by the chief priests and ancients, He answered nothing. [13] Then Pilate saith to Him: Dost Thou not hear how great testimonies they allege against Thee? [14] And He answered him never a word; so that the governor wondered exceedingly. [15] Now upon the solemn day the governor was accustomed to release, one prisoner to the people, whom they would select.
[16] And he had then a notorious prisoner, who was called Barabbas. [Matthew 27:3-16]

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on TRUTH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 March – “Go and from now on, sin no more” – John 8:11

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 29 March – “The Month of Saint Joseph” –Saturday of the 3rd Week in Lent – Ferial Day – Daniel 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62 – John 8:1-11 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Go and from now on, sin no more” – John 8:11

REFLECTION – “One after another all withdrew.”
The two were left alone, the woman in need of mercy and Mercy.
But the Lord, having struck them through with that dart of justice, deigned not to heed their fall but, turning His eyes away from them, “again He wrote with His Finger on the ground.”

But when that woman remained alone and all had gone, He raised His eyes to her. We have heard the Voice of Justice; let us listen too to the voice of clemency…
This woman expected to be punished by Him, in Whom sin could not be found.
But He, Who had driven back her adversaries, with the Voice of Justice, lifting the eyes of mercy to her, asked her: “Has no-one condemned you?” She answered, “No-one, Lord.”
And He said: “Neither do I condemn thee. I, by Whom, perhaps, thou wast afraid of being condemned because thou hast found no sin in Me; neither do I condemn thee.”

What is this, O Lord?
Do you favour sins, then?
Certainly not!
But take note of what follows: “Go, henceforth, sin no more.”
The Lord did condemn, therefore but He condemned the sin, not the sinner … Let them be careful, then, those who love the goodness in the Lord but who fear His truthfulness…
The Lord is gracious, the Lord is slow to anger, the Lord is merciful BUT the Lord is also just and the Lord is abounding in truth (Ps 85:15).
He gives you time for amendment but you prefer to take advantage of the delay, rather than to reform your ways.
Did you act wickedly yesterday? Be good today. Have you spent today in evil? At any rate change your behaviour tomorrow!

This, then, is the meaning of the words He addresses to this woman,  “Neither do I condemn you but, having been made secure concerning the past, be on your guard in the future. I, for My part, will not condemn you, I have blotted out what you have done; keep what I have commanded, that you may gain what I have promised.” – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop, Father, Doctor of Grace –Tractate 33 on the Gospel of John, 5-8

PRAYER – O Infinite Goodness – Act of Contrition
By St Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) – Doctor of the Church

O my God,
I am exceedingly grieved,
for having offended Thee
and with my whole heart,
I repent of the sins I have committed.
I hate and abhor them above every other evil,
not only because, by so sinning,
I have lost heaven and deserved hell
but still more because I have offended Thee,
O infinite Goodness,
who art worthy to be loved above all things.
I most firmly resolve,
by the assistance of Thy grace,
never more to offend Thee for the time to come
and to avoid those occasions
which might lead me into sin.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Our Morning Offering – 29 March – Shelter Me Under Thy Mantle, Refuge of Sinners By St Alphonsus

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 29 March – Saturday of the Third Week in Lent,

Shelter Me Under Thy Mantle,
Refuge of Sinners
By St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Most holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary,
to thee, who art the Mother of my Lord,
the Queen of the Universe, the Advocate,
the Hope, the Refuge of sinners,
I, who am the most miserable of all sinners,
have recourse this day.
I venerate thee, great Queen
and I thank thee for the many graces
thou hast bestowed upon me, even unto this day,
in particular, for having delivered me from the hell
which I have so often deserved by my sins.
I love thee, my dearest Lady
and because of that love,
I promise to serve thee willingly forever
and to do what I can to make thee loved by others.
I place in thee all my hopes for salvation,
accept me as thy servant
and shelter me under thy mantle,
thou, who art the Mother of Mercy.
And since thou are so powerful with God,
deliver me from all temptations,
or at least, obtain for me the strength
to overcome them until death.
From thee, I implore, a true love for Jesus Christ.
Through thee, I hope to die a holy death.
My dear Mother, by thy love for Almighty God,
I pray thee to assist me always
but most of all, at the last moment of my life.
Forsake me not then,
until thou shalt see me safely in Heaven,
there to bless thee and sing of thy mercies,
throughout all eternity.
Such is my hope.
Amen