Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to St Francis de Sales – Day Eight – 22 January

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Novena to St Francis de Sales

Day EIGHT

“One of the greatest proofs of love that Jesus displayed on the cross was putting up with the imperfections of His neighbour.   There He showed us that He has a heart that loves us tenderly and watches over us kindly.   He even showed His love for those who put Him to death.   In those dire moments the Saviour expressed thoughts of love even for his executioners, pardoning them in the very act of sinning!   How petty-minded we are when we cannot bring ourselves to forget some injury received, even after a long time!   Whoever sincerely pardons another calls down abundant blessings and perfectly imitates Christ.”   (St Francis de Sales Spiritual Treatises IV; O. VI, pp. 65-66)

O blessed Francis de Sales,
who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbour,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people, especially ……………………..
(names of those whom you wish to include)
may experience the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven
even as I walk each day with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble
in my attempt to follow Christ and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny: eternal life with God. Receive also this particular need or concern that I now lift up in prayer………………………………
(mention your particular need).
O God, for the salvation of all,
You desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many along the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we,
infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.

day-8-novena-st-francisdesales

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 22 January

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Thought for the Day – 22 January

There is a certain genius that comes from the faith and we saw it in our day in St Mother Teresa.   The saints tackle great and difficult things and accomplish wonders because they did NOT and do NOT depend on their OWN strength and effort.   They KNOW that all things are possible with and in God – they take Him at His word – they ask for miracles and receive them!   They are never disappointed – this is the genius of faith!

St Vincent Pallotti, pray for us!

st-v-de-pallotti-pray-for-us

Posted in MORNING Prayers

Quote of the Day – 22 January

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Quote of the Day – 22 January

“You must be holy in the way that God asks you to be holy.
God does not ask you to be a Trappist monk or a hermit.
He wills that you sanctify the world and your everyday life.”

~~~ Saint Vincent Pallotti (saint of the Day)

you-must-be-holy-st-vincent-pallotti

 

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD
Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 January

In him who is the source of my strength, I have strength for everything…………Phil 4:13

REFLECTION – “Remember that the Christian life is one of action; not of speech and daydreams. Let there be few words and many deeds and let them be done well ………….By myself I can do nothing but in union with God, I can do all things. Out of love for God, I want to do all things”
~~~ St Vincent Pallotti (Saint of the Day)

PRAYER – God of all might, grant that I may place myself in Your hands and never despair. Let me not shrink from even the hardest of tasks – for with Your help I can do anything. St Vincent Pallotti, you who accomplished so much for the Glory of the Kingdom of God, please pray for us, amen!

phil-4-13st-vincent-pallotti-remember-that-the-christian-lifest-vincent-pallotti-pray-for-us

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 22 January

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Our Morning Offering – 22 January

Not the intellect, but God
Not the will, but God
Not the heart, but God
Not taste, but God
Not touch, but God
Not food and drink, but God
Not clothing but God
Not tranquillity, but God
Not the worldly goods, but God.
Not riches, but God.
Not honours, but God.
Not distinction, but God.
Not dignities, but God.
Not advancement, but God.
God in all
God always.
– Saint Vincent Pallotti (written by him before his first Holy Mass)

st-vincent-pallotti-prayer-before-his-first-mass

 

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 22 January – St Vincent Pallotti

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Saint of the Day – 22 January – St Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850)  Missionary, Priest, Founder – Patron of the Pallottines and Catholic Action

St Vincent  was an Italian ecclesiastic, born in Rome of a noble family.   He was the founder of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate later to be known as the “Pious Society of Missions” (the Pallottines).   The original name was restored in 1947.   He is buried in the church of San Salvatore in Onda.   He is considered the forerunner of Catholic Action.

This unpretentious man, Saint Vincent Pallotti, who out of respect for God omnipresent always went bareheaded, is one of the glories of the Catholic clergy, the pillars of the Church in troublesome times and the successful apostles of the people.

From earliest childhood he evinced tender love for the Blessed Mother of God and the decree on the heroic nature of his virtues emphasizes the following facts: “He possessed an exceptional love for poverty and penance and was therefore especially devoted to St Francis of Assisi.   Because various obstacles were in the way of his entering the First Order, he desired at least to belong to the Third Order.   It was his constant endeavour to imitate and venerate St Francis.”

Vincent became a Tertiary in the Franciscan church of Aracoeli on November 29, 1816.   He distinguished himself not only by his piety but also by his brilliant intellect.   In time he received the degrees of doctor of philosophy and of theology.   He was overwhelmed with joy when on May 16, 1818, he was ordained to the holy priesthood.   Then his apostolate began.   With prayer and penance, with his labours in the pulpit and the confessional, with his efforts on behalf of the sick and the endangered and especially on behalf of young clerics in the Roman seminary, he did a measureless amount of good.   .During the cholera plague in 1837, Pallotti constantly endangered his life in ministering to the stricken.   In fact, it is well known that the saint often bi-located so as to be able to reach more souls when necessary.

To his apostolic zeal must be ascribed the foundation of the Pious Society of the Missions, also called the Pallottine Fathers.   The purpose of the society was to arouse faith and charity among Catholics and to propagate these virtues among heretics and infidels. Vincent placed his organization under the protection of the Immaculate Mother of God and under perfect submission to the Holy See.

During the Christmas Season, a nativity scene that Saint Vincent made himself is put on display at the Vatican, in the Basilica’s square, before the Christmas tree.   Vincent promoted the celebration of the Octave of the Epiphany as an act of unity with his Orthodox brethren who celebrated Christmas on that day.

God glorified His humble servant by the gift of miracles both during his lifetime and after his death in 1850.   There was a strange and marvelous scent, a heavenly perfume, that was noted about the saints body and in his room at the time of his death. That scent lingered in the room in which he had died for a month, even through the window to the room was left open.   St Vincent Pallotti was comparatively young when he was called to eternity, but in that short span he had accumulated a wealth of merits. He was beatified in 1950, and canonized in 1963.

The body of Saint Vincent Pallotti was exhumed in 1906 and 1950, and his body was found to be completely incorrupt.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saints for 22 January

Posted on by AnaStpaul

3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (2017)
St Vincent of Saragossa (Optional Memorial)
St Vincent Pallotti (Optional Memorial)
—
St Anastasius the Persian
St Antonio della Chiesa
Bl Bernard of Vienne
St Blaesilla of Rome
St Brithwald of Ramsbury
St Caterina Volpicelli
St Dominic of Sora
Bl Esteve Santacana Armengol
St Francis Gil de Frederich de Sans
Bl Giuseppe Nascimbeni
St Guadentius of Novara
Bl Ladislao Batthyany-Strattmann
Bl Laura Vicuna
Bl Maria Mancini
St Mateo Alonso de Leciñana
St Valerius of Saragossa
St Vincent Pallotti
Bl Walter of Himmerode
Bl William Joseph Chaminade
Bl William Patenson
—
Martyrs of Puigcerda
Orontius
Victor
Vincent

Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to St Paul – Day SIX – 21 January

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January 25 – The Conversion of St Paul

Novena to St Paul – 21 January

Day SIX

Various daily acts cause our conversion and ultimately our sanctification to grow:  examining our conscience and admitting our faults;  undertaking works of penance and reconciliation;  receiving the correction others give us with an open and humble heart;  reaching out to the poor;  standing up for what is right and just;  accepting the suffering and persecution that come our way;  desiring to better our life (see CCC1435).

LET US PRAY:

Glorious St Paul,
your conversion is a powerful witness to the world
that God loves us and does not give up on us,
no matter how far we stray.
Help me to live a life of ongoing conversion.
True conversion means converting my life to the
design of God, the plan He has for me right now.
Pray for me, that I may be filled with passion
for the evangelisation of all those around me,
that my life may be a beacon of the light of Christ.
May the witness of my life inspire other sinners to conversion.
May faith move me to believe that God can
and will change the things in me that seem impossible to rectify.
In this confidence, I entrust to you, St Paul,
these, my intentions ………………..
(mention your request)
I ask this through Christ, Our Lord, amen.
St Paul Pray for us!

day6stpaul

 

Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to St Francis de Sales – Day Seven – 21 January

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Novena to St Francis de Sales

Day SEVEN

“Our intellect is ordinarily full of ideas, opinions and considerations suggested by self-love.   This is the root of many conflicts within the soul, putting before us all sorts of reasons dictated by human prudence to justify our pretensions.   People who make use of this false prudence, instead of enlightening their intellect, obscure it.   They reject advice given to them and let those reasons prevail in their minds which support their own opinions, even wrong ones.   Make use of the virtue of prudence because it is good but make good use of it.   Employ it only rarely, with simplicity and solely for the glory of God.”  (St Francis de Sales – Sermons 30; O. IX, pp. 297-298)

O blessed Francis de Sales,
who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbour,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people, especially …………………..
(names of those whom you wish to include)
may experience the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven
even as I walk each day with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble
in my attempt to follow Christ and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny:
eternal life with God.
Receive also this particular need or concern that I now lift up in prayer.
(mention your particular need).
O God, for the salvation of all, You desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many along the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we,
infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.

day-7-stfrancisdesales

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 21 January

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Thought for the Day – 21 January

St. Agnes’s death was “a new kind of martyrdom!” (St Ambrose).   She taught us adults the meaning of valor while she was still a child.    Agnes hurried to the place of her execution more joyfully than a bride goes to her wedding.    And she was adorned not with plaited hair, but with Christ himself.   Agnes is a symbol that holiness does not depend on length of years, experience, or human effort.   It is a gift God offers to all.

St Agnes, Pray for us!

st-agnes-jan-21

st-agnes-pray

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 21 January

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Quote of the Day – 21 January

“You may stain your sword with
my blood but you will never profane
my body that I have consecrated to Christ.”

~~~ St Agnes (Saint of the Day)

st-agnes-in-prison-1641-jusepe-de-ribera-jpgquote

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 January

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One Minute Reflection – 21 January

After I have been with you all this time, you still do not know me?……….John 14:9

REFLECTION – Jesus Christ is very little known by those who claim to be His friends.
We observe them seeking in Him – not His sorrows – but their own consolation……St John of the Cross

PRAYER – Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know You. Grant me the grace to follow You in Your sorrows, accepting all the sorrows of my life for Your sake. Help me to learn from this child Martyr, Agnes, who understood so much more than I do, who joined her pain to Yours, accepting them for love of You. St Agnes, teach me and pray for us all, amen!

john-14-9

quote-st-john-of-the-cross-21-janbernardo-lorente-german-sevilla-1680-sevilla-1759-saint-agnes-jpg-pray-for-us

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 21 January

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Our Morning Offering – 21 January

O Sweetest Lord Jesus Christ,
source of all virtues, lover of virgins,
most powerful conqueror of demons,
deign to cast Your eyes upon my weakness
and through the intercession of Mary
most blessed, Mother and Virgin
and of Your beloved spouse St. Agnes,
glorious virgin and martyr,
grant me the aid of Your heavenly grace,
in order that I may learn to despise all earthly things
and to love what is heavenly;
to oppose vice and to be proof against temptation;
to walk firmly in the path of virtue,
not to seek honours,
to shun pleasures,
to bewail my past offenses,
to keep far from the occasions of evil,
to keep free from bad habits,
to seek the company of the good
and persevere in holiness,
so that, by the assistance of Your grace,
I may deserve the crown of eternal life,
together with St. Agnes and all the saints,
forever and ever, in Your kingdom. Amen.

(Traditional)

morning-prayer-st-agnes

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 21 January – St Agnes of Rome

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Saint of the Day – 21 January – St Agnes of Rome (c291-c304) VIRGIN and MARTYR – Patron of affianced couples, betrothed couples, bodily purity, chastity, Children of Mary, Colegio Capranica of Rome, crops, engaged couples, gardeners, Girl Scouts, girls, Manresa, Spain, rape victims, Rockville Centre, New York, diocese of, virgins

“A new kind of martyrdom!” exclaimed St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan. The assembly cheered and applauded.   He was celebrating St. Agnes because she was a virgin, a martyr—and a child.  She was executed at Rome in 304 during the Emperor Diocletian’s vicious persecution.   Here are Ambrose’s observations on her death:

“St. Agnes is said to have suffered martyrdom at age 12.   The cruelty that did not spare so young a child was hateful but the power of faith in the child was greater.   Was there room for a wound in that small body?   The sword could barely strike her, yet she had the inner strength to strike back. Girls of her age usually can’t even bear a parent’s angry glance.   They cry at needles’ pricks as though they were wounds.    Agnes, however, faced her persecutors fearlessly.   When they attempted to force her to worship at the pagan altars, she stretched out her hands and made the sign of the cross over the sacrificial fires.   She was not fazed by the heavy weight of the chains they wrapped around her. And she freely offered her body to the executioner’s sword.

Saint Agnes by Domenchino

The executioner used both threats and allurements to try to change her mind.   He encouraged young men to beg her to marry them.   But she answered, “I already have a spouse and I will not offend Him by pretending that another might please me.   I will give myself only to Him who first chose me.   So, executioner, what are you waiting for?   Destroy this body that unwanted eyes desire.”

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Agnes stood and prayed. Then she bent down her neck. The executioner trembled as though he himself had been condemned. His right hand shook and his face grew pale, but the virgin showed no fear at all.

So in one victim we have a twofold martyrdom of purity and faith, for Agnes both remained a virgin and also obtained martyrdom.   Historians say that legends have embroidered the few facts we know about Agnes.   But the stories are rooted in actual events and convey kernels of truth about her.   These legends tell that Agnes was a beautiful and soon-to-be-marriageable young woman.   Many eager young men pursued her but she rebuffed them because she had consecrated her virginity to Christ.

One spurned suitor took revenge by reporting to the authorities that Agnes was a Christian.   She was brought before a judge who tried to persuade her to recant. He threatened her with fire and torture, but she did not flinch.   Then he had her stripped at a brothel and urged young men to seduce her. “You may stain your sword with my blood,” she said, “but you will never profane my body that I have consecrated to Christ.”   All were so stunned by her presence that only one boy tried to touch her.   Legend says he was struck blind and that Agnes prayed that his sight be restored.

jacopo_tintoretto_-_the_miracle_of_st_agnes_detail_-_wga22467
Jacopo Tintoritto – The Miracle of St Agnes

Exasperated and egged on by her first accuser, the governor ordered her execution.   Agnes was taken to the Stadium of Domitian, where she courageously faced a nervous soldier who hacked her to death with his sword.   Over the centuries the little virgin martyr became one of the most popular saints in Christian history.

Francisco de Zurbarán460px-francisco_de_zurbaran_-_santa_ines

 

Posted in SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Saints and Memorials for 21 January

Posted on by AnaStpaul

St Agnes of Rome (Memorial)
Our Lady of Altagracia – Also known as: Our Lady of Grace – Our Lady of High Grace – Protector and Queen of the hearts of the Dominicans – Tatica from Higuey – Virgen de la Altagracia – Virgin of Altagracia
—
St Agnes of Aislinger
St Alban Bartholomew Roe
St Anastasius of Constantinople
St Aquila of Trebizond
St Brigid of Kilbride
St Candidus of Trebizond
Bl Edward Stransham
St Epiphanius of Pavia
St Eugenius of Trebizond
Bl Franciscus Bang
St Gunthildis of Biblisheim
Bl Ines de Beniganim
St John Yi Yun-on
St Lawdog
St Maccallin of Waulsort
St Meinrad of Einsiedeln
St Nicholas Woodfen
St Patroclus of Troyes
St Publius of Malta
Bl Thomas Reynolds
St Valerian of Trebizond
St Vimin of Holywood
St Zacharias the Angelic
—
Blessed Martyrs of Laval – 19 beati
Martyrs of Rome – 30 saints
Martyrs of Tarragona: Augurius, Eulogius, Fructuosus

Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to St Paul – Day FIVE – 20 January

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January 25 – The Conversion of St Paul

Novena to St Paul – 20 January

Day FIVE

“Conversion to Christ,” says Pope Benedict XVI, “ultimately means this:  to exit the illusion of self-sufficiency in order to discover and accept one’s own need – the need of others and of God, the need of His forgiveness and His friendship.”

LET US PRAY:

Glorious St Paul,
your conversion is a powerful witness to the world
that God loves us and does not give up on us,
no matter how far we stray.
May every circumstante of my life be an occasion
to change my way of thinking,
to renounce self-will and
to surrender myself to the wisdom and tenderness of Jesus Christ
who is acting to make me His saint.
Pray that I may love God’s will and providence for me.
In this confidence, I entrust to you, St Paul,
these, my intentions
(mention your request)
I ask this through Christ, Our Lord, amen.
St Paul Pray for us!

day5novenastpaul

Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to St Francis de Sales – Day Six – 20 January

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Novena to St Francis de Sales

Day SIX
“Do not pay any attention to the kind of work you do, but rather to the honour that it brings to God, even though it may seem quite trivial.   Desire only to do the Divine Will, following Divine Providence, which is the disposition of Divine Wisdom.   In a word, if your works are pleasing to God and recognized as such, that is all that matters.   Work hard every day at increasing your purity of heart, which consists in appraising things and weighing them in the balance of God’s will.”   (St Francis de Sales Letters 280; O. XIII, p. 53)

O blessed Francis de Sales,
who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbour,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people, especially …………….
(names of those whom you wish to include)
may experience the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven even as I walk each day
with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble in my attempt to follow Christ and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny:
eternal life with God.
Receive also this particular need or concern that I now lift up in prayer.
(mention your particular need)
O God, for the salvation of all, you desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many along the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we, infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.

day-6-novena-st-francisdesales

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 20 January

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Thought for the Day – 20 January

Many saints, like St Sebastian, are merely names in history and little is known of their lives and their deaths.   But something of their example remained aglow in the memories of their contemporaries, who passed on their stories to future Christians.   They are remembered for their heroic witness to Christ – that is what is treasured – they express the very substance of the faith, and their names are immortal.

St Sebastian Pray for us!

St Fabian Pray for us!

st-pope-fabian-jan-20st-sebastian-jan-20sebastian-2

 

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote of the Day – 20 January

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Quote of the Day – 20 January

“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others.
It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy.
It has eyes to see misery and want.
It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men.
That is what love looks like.”

~~~ St Augustine

what-does-love-look-like-st-augustine

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 January

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One Minute Reflection – 20 January

May the Lord….make you overflow with love for one another and for all……….1 Thes 3:12

REFLECTION – “The means for attaining perfect love is to accomplish frequent acts of love.
Fire is kindled by the wood that we cast into it and love is enkindled by acts of love.”……..St Alphonsus Liguori

PRAYER – Loving Father, grant me the grace to strive after perfect love. Help me to bring forth frequent acts of love so that I may grow in this greatest of virtues, even if, like St Sebastian, through my love for others, I should suffer and die for You. St Sebastian Pray for us, amen!
1-thes-3-12the-means-for-attaining-perfect-lovepray-for-us-st-sebastian

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 20 January

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 20 January
I love You, O my God
and my only desire is to love You
until the last breath of my life.
I love You, O my infinitely lovable God,
and I would rather die loving You,
than live for an instant without loving You.
I love you, O my God
and I desire only to go to heaven
to have the happiness of loving You perfectly.
I love You, O my God
and my only fear is to go to hell
because one will not have
the sweet solace of loving You there.
O my God,
if my tongue cannot say at all times that I love You,
at least I want my heart to repeat it to You as I breathe.
Ah! Do me the grace to suffer while loving You,
to love You while suffering.
And, that when I die, I not only will love You
but experience it in my heart.
I beg You that the closer I come to my final end,
You will increase and perfect my love for You, amen.

prayer-of-st-john-vianney-i-love-you-o-my-god

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint/s of the Day – 20 January – Fabian & Sebastian

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Saint/s of the Day – 20 January – Fabian & Sebastian

Fabian was a pope, and Sebastian was believed to be a soldier. Both were faithful to Christ until death. The traditional story told about Saint Sebastian is that he was an army officer who was condemned to death for his belief in Jesus. His fellow soldiers shot him with arrows. Surviving this, he was clubbed to death.

More is known about Saint Fabian (born c200-250) who was pope in 236 during unstable political times.   Philip, an ambitious and ruthless man, killed Emperor Maximus and made himself emperor.   Later, he regretted his behavior and changed the government policy from persecution of Christians to tolerance for them.   For the first time, being a Christian was legal but peace for the Christians did not last long.   Philip was killed by his lieutenant, Decius, who became the next emperor.   Decius believed that his empire could be saved only if the pagan customs of ancient Rome were restored.   He sent an edict that commanded the death penalty for all who would not give up their following of Christ.   Pope Fabian eagerly died for the faith.   Following his example, many Christians died as martyrs, though many others denied their faith in Christ.

220px-saint_fabian1

St Sebastian (c256-287) – Captain of the Praetorian Guard, Roman Soldier and Martyr – Patron of against cattle disease, against plague, diseased cattle, dying people, plague victims, against enemies of religion, of archers, rmourers, arrowsmiths, athletes,  bookbinders,  letchers, gardeners, gunsmiths, hardware stores, ironmongers, lace makers, lace workers, lead workers, masonary workers, police officers, racquet makers,
soldiers, stone masons, stonecutters, Pontifical Swiss Guards, World Youth Day 2013,
Bacolod, Philippines, diocese of  Tarlac, Philippines, 21 cities

St Sebastian is one of the great heroes of the early Church and has been venerated since his death during the Great Persecution of Diocletian.   According to St Ambrose, he was born in Narbonne, in France but was raised in Milan.   The persecution began under Decius continued under Diocletian and the days were difficult for Christians.  This was in the final throes of the Roman Empire to stamp out Christianity and it failed, in fact is strengthened.

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Andrea Boscoli

Little is known with certainty about Sebastian’s life except that he came from Milan, the fact that he was a soldier and some of the details of his martyrdom.   An early account of his martyrdom is that he was shot with arrows by his fellow soldiers but recovered through the ministrations of fellow Christians, in particular St Irene.   Once he regained health, Sebastian stood by a staircase where the emperor was to pass and harangued Diocletian for his cruelties against Christians.  This freedom of speech and from a person whom he supposed to have been dead, greatly astonished the emperor; but, recovering from his surprise, he gave orders for his being seized and beat to death with cudgels and his body thrown into the common sewer.   A pious lady, called Lucina, admonished by the martyr in a vision, got it privately removed and buried it in the catacombs at the entrance of the cemetery of Calixtus, where now stands the Basilica of St. Sebastian.  

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Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, by Il Sodoma, c. 1525

Sebastian was said to be a defense against the plague.  The Golden Legend transmits the episode of a great plague that afflicted the Lombards in the time of King Gumburt, which was stopped by the erection of an altar in honour of Sebastian in the Church of Saint Peter in the Province of Pavia.

An ancient window in the Cathedral of Strasbourg shows him as a knight with a sword and shield and he has long been invoked as the patron of soldiers, with St Martin of Tours.   Because of the legend of his being pierced with arrows, he is the patron of archers.

His name has always been linked with that of St Fabian, Pope and Martyr.

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Guido Reni
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Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saints for 20 January

Posted on by AnaStpaul

St Fabian, Pope (Optional Memorial)
St Sebastian (Optional Memorial)
—
St Ascla of Antinoe
Bl Basil Anthony Marie Moreau
St Basilides the Senator
St Bassus the Senator
Bl Benedict Ricasoli
Bl Bernardo of Poncelli
Bl Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi
St Daniel of Cambron
Bl Didier of Thérouanne
St Eusebius the Senator
St Eustochia Calafato
St Euthymius the Great
St Eutyches the Senator
Fechin of Fobhar
Bl Francesco Paoli
St Henry of Uppsalla
Bl Jeroni Fábregas Camí
St Maria Cristina dell’Immacolata Concezione
St Molagga of Fermoy
St Neophytus of Nicaea
St Stephen Min Kuk-ka
St Wulfsin

Posted in NOVENAS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, The WORD

Novena to St Paul – Day Four – 19 January

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January 25 – The Conversion of St Paul

Novena to St Paul – 19 January

Day FOUR

For St John Paul, conversion means returning to God “through evaluating earthly realities in the unfailing light of His truth.”   The proof of St Paul’s conversion is his profession:  “For me to live is Christ” (Phil 1:21).   Conversion is a conversion to the will and design of God:  It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20).

Let us Pray:

Glorious St Paul,
your conversion is a powerful witness to the world
that God loves us and does not give up on us,
no matter how far we stray.
Help me to live a life of ongoing conversion.
True conversion means converting my life to the
design of God, the plan He has for me right now.
Pray that I will love God’s will and providence for me.
May I learn to truly surrender myself to wisdom and tenderness of God.
Pray that I may love God’s will and providence for me.
In this confidence, I entrust to you, St Paul,
these, my intentions
(mention your request)
I ask this through Christ, Our Lord, amen.
St Paul Pray for us!

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Posted in NOVENAS

Novena to St Francis de Sales – Day Five – 19 January

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Novena to St Francis de Sales

Day FIVE

“This poor life is only a journey to the happy life to come.   We must not be angry with one another on the way but rather we must march on as a band of brothers and sisters united in meekness, peace and love.   I state absolutely and make no exception:  do not be angry at all if that is possible.   Do no accept any pretext whatever for opening your heart’s door to anger.   Saint James tells us positively and without reservation,” … a man’s anger does not fulfill God’s justice.” [St Francis de Sales Jas 1:20] (INT. Part III, Ch. 8; O. III, p. 162)

O blessed Francis de Sales, who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbour,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people, especially ……..
(names of those whom you wish to include)
may experience the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven
even as I walk each day with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble in my attempt
to follow Christ and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny:
eternal life with God.
Receive also this particular need or concern that I now lift up in prayer.
(mention your particular need).
O God, for the salvation of all,
You desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many along the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we,
infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord, amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.

 

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 19 January

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Thought for the Day – 19 January

A king or queen’s throne is not the best place to become a saint – since power and privilege can turn the head and heart of even the holiest of men.   But sanctity can flourish anywhere and those kings, queens and princesses who have become saints – Canute of Denmark, Louis of France and Edward the Confessor, yesterday we had Margaret of Hungary, there were also Margaret and Elisabeth of Scotland and Elizabeth of Portugal et al – are proof of this.   Nobility of birth can become nobility of soul which, by circumstance of birth, is undoubtedly a battle exceeding ours.  In the Providence of God, there is NO state of life which is exempt from His love and call to sainthood!

St Canute the Holy, Pray for us!

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Quote of the Day – 19 January

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 19 January

“Here the will of God is done, as God wills and as long as God wills.”

~~~Saint Gerard Majella

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 19 January

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One Minute Reflection – 19 January

Each one has his own gift from God……….1 Cor 7:7

REFLECTION – All the faithful of every state and condition are armed with a great deal of wondrous means of salvation. They are thus called by the Lord – each in his or her own way – to attain that perfection of holiness with which the heavenly Father is perfect….Vatican II Constituion on the Church No 11

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help me to be holy in the way that You have laid out for me. Let me carry out the duties of my state in life to the full and so attain the holiness proper to me. St Canute, as a King you offered your life to the King of Kings and died for love of Him, please pray for us, amen.

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Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 19 January

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 19 January

Hold dominion over my heart, O Lord:
keep it as Your inheritance.
Make Your dwelling in me,
along with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Widen in me the cords of Your tabernacle,
even the operations of your Most Holy Spirit.
For You are my God and I will praise You,
together with the Eternal Father
and your quickening Spirit,
now, henceforth and forever, amen.

by St John Damascene

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Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 19 January – St Canute

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Saint of the Day – 19 January – St Canute/Knud (IV) of Denmark (1042-1086) King of Denmark – known as “Canute the Holy” MARTYR (Knud IV den Hellige) – Patron of Denmark

Canute was an ambitious king (1080-1086) who sought to strengthen the Danish Monarchy was a devout Catholic and devotedly supported the Church and the Pope and had designs on the English throne.    Slain by rebels in 1086, he was the first Danish king to be canonised.    He was recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as patron saint of Denmark in 1101.

Canute was a strong, wise king of Denmark.    He was a great athlete, an expert horseman, and a marvelous general.   At the beginning of his reign, he led a war against the barbarians who were threatening to take over the civilized world.   King Canute and his army defeated them.   He loved the Christian faith so much that he introduced it to people who had never heard of Christianity.

St. Canute knelt in church at the foot of the altar and offered his crown to the King of kings, Jesus.   King Canute was very charitable and gentle with his people.   He tried to help them with their problems.   Most of all, he wanted to help them be true followers of Christ.

However, a rebellion broke out in his kingdom because of the laws he had made about supporting the Church.   On 10 July 1086, Canute and his men took refuge inside the wooden St. Alban’s Priory in Odense.    While his enemies were still outside, King Canute received the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion.   He felt compassion for those who were upset enough to kill him.   With all his heart he forgave his enemies.   The rebels stormed into the church and slew Canute, along with his brother Benedict and seventeen of their followers, before the altar. According to chronicler Ælnoth of Canterbury, Canute died following a lance thrust in the side.

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Murder of Canute the Holy by Christian Albrecht von Benzon, 1843

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He was succeeded by Olaf as Olaf I of Denmark.

Because of his martyrdom and advocacy of the Church, Canute quickly began to be considered a saint.   Under the reign of Olaf, Denmark suffered from crop failure, which was seen as divine retribution for the sacrilege killing of Canute.   Miracles were soon reported as taking place at his grave and his canonisation was already being sought during the reign of Olaf.   On 19 April 1101, persuaded by the envoys from Eric III of Denmark, Pope Paschal II confirmed the “cult of Canute” that had arisen and King Canute IV was canonised as a saint under the name San Canuto.   He was the first Dane to be canonised.