Saint of the Day – 27 November – St John of Pavia (Died c813) Bishop of Pavia between 801-813.
We know very little about John of Pavia except that which we have gleaned from the chronological records which claims that he was the Bishop of Pavia for 12 years.
John was highly regarded for his care of the poor, his insistence on clerical discipline and his work against vice in the general population of his Diocese.
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal / The Medal of the Immaculate Conception (1830) (the correct title is the latter):
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/27/memorial-of-our-lady-of-the-miraculous-medal-and-memorials-of-the-saints-27-november/
St Catherine Labouré DC (1806-1876) – Celebrated tomorrow:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/28/saint-of-the-day-28-november-st-catherine-laboure-dc-1806-1876/
AND:
The Miraculous Medal:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/28/thought-for-the-day-28-november-the-memorial-of-st-catherine-laboure-dc-1806-1876/
Two of the most famous conversions due to the Miraculous medal was that of Fr Alphonse Ratisbonne NDS (1814-1884), an anti-Catholic Jewish banker and Claude Newman (1923-1944).
Fr Alphonse Ratisbonne received a vision of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. After his conversion, he became a Priest and worked for the conversion of the Jewish people.
St Acacius of Sebaste
St Acharius of Noyon
St Apollinaris of Monte Cassino
St Barlaam
Blessed Bernardine of Fossa OFM (1420-1503) Priest, Friar of the Friars Minor, Missionary in Italy and a renowned Preacher, noted Historian, Lawyer, Ascetical Writer, rising within the Order to important positions. His cult was later confirmed by the Beatification of Pope Leo XII on 26 March 1828.
The Roman Martyrology states: “At L’Aquila, blessed Bernardino da Fossa (Giovanni) Amici, Priest of the Order of Minors, who preached the Catholic Faith in many Provinces of Italy.“
A Faithful Imitator of his Namesake, St Bernardine of Siena:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/27/saint-of-the-day-27-november-blessed-bernardine-of-fossa-ofm-1420-1503/
St Bilhild of Altmünster
St Eusician
St Facundus
St Fergus the Pict
St Gallgo of Wales
St Gregory of Sinai
St Gulstan
St Hirenarchus of Sebaste
St James Intercisus
St John Angeloptes
St John of Pavia (Died c813) Bishop
St Laverius
St Maximus of Riez (Died 460) Bishop, Confessor, Abbot, Hermit, zealous and highly efficient leader, Miracle-worker.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Riez, in France, St Maximus, Bishop and Confessor, who, from his tender years, was endowed with every grace and virtue. Being first the Superior of the Monastery of Lérins and afterwards, Bishop of the Church of Riez, he was celebrated for the working of miracles and prodigies.”
His Life of Love:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/27/saint-of-the-day-27-november-saint-maximus-of-riez-died-460-bishop-confessor/
St Primitivus of Sahagun
St Secundinus of Ireland (c373-448) Bishop, Missionary, Founder, first Bishop and Patron Saint of Domhnach Sechnaill, Co. Meath, who is traditionally believed to have been as a disciple of St Patrick and one of the first Bishops of Armagh, Poet and Hymnist.
A Zealous Shepherd:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/27/saint-of-the-day-27-november-st-secundinus-of-ireland-c-373-448-bishop/
St Severinus the Hermit
St Siffred of Carpentras
St Valerian of Aquileia
St Virgilius of Salzburg (c 00-784) Bishop, Abbot, early Astronomer, Architect, Writer, Poet, Patron of the Arts – he was called “the Apostle of Carinthia” and “the Geometer.”
His Multi-facetted Gifts:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/27/saint-of-the-day-27-november-saint-virgilius-of-salzburg-c-700-784/
Martyrs of Antioch – 3 Saints: A group of Christians Martyred together for their faith. Little information has survived except for their names – Auxilius, Basileus and Saturninus.
Martyrs of Nagasaki – 11 Beati: A group of eleven Christians Martyred together for their faith during a period of official persecution in Japan. They are:
Blessed Alexius Nakamura
Blessed Antonius Kimura
Blessed Bartholomaeus Seki
Blessed Ioannes Iwanaga
Blessed Ioannes Motoyama
Blessed Leo Nakanishi
Blessed Matthias Kozasa
Blessed Matthias Nakano
Blessed Michaël Takeshita
Blessed Romanus Motoyama Myotaro
Blessed Thomas Koteda Kyumi
They were Martyred on 27 November 1619 in Nagasaki, Japan and Beatified on 7 May 1867 by Pope Pius IX.
Thought for the Day – 26 November – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
III. CONCLUSION.
Three short fervent Acts:
(1) Thank God for the Light He has given you.
(2) Renew your resolution to abstain from some fault, or to do some good thing, during the day.
(3) Ask the Eternal Father, for the love of Jesus and Mary, to aid you to keep your resolutions.
At the end of meditation, always pray for poor sinners and for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
NB: – The acts and prayers of petition should occupy the most of the time. Thus, in a half-hour’s prayer, give three minutes to the preparation; reflect for five minutes and then pray for the balance of the time left to you.
Quote/s of the Day – 26 November – St Leonard of Port Maurice OFM (1676-1751) Confessor, Priest and Franciscan Friar
“Oh Most Sacred Name,
Name of peace,
Balsam of Life,
which is the centre of all the sighs,
of the most fervent lovers of Jesus.
The Sign of those who truly love Jesus
is to bear Jesus imprinted in the heart
and to Name often and with devotion,
the Most Holy Name of Jesus.”
“What graces, gifts and virtues
the Holy Mass calls down!”
“If you practice the holy exercise
of Spiritual Communion a good many times each day,
within a month you will see
yourself completely changed.”
A Short Act of Spiritual Communion
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Doctor of the Church
My Jesus,
I believe that Thou art present
in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love Thee above all things
and I desire Thee in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally,
come at least spiritually, into my heart.
As though Thou were already there,
I embrace Thee
and unite myself wholly to Thee,
permit not, that I should ever,
be separated from Thee.
Amen
“Avoid sloth, bad company,
dangerous conversations and games;
remembering that time passes and never returns
that you have a soul and, if you lose
your soul, you lose all.”
One Minute Reflection – 26 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – St Sylvester Gozzolini OSB Silv. (1177– 1267) Priest, Abbot – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6; Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“And everyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for My Name’s Sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess life everlasting.” – Matthew 19:29
REFLECTION – “You have heard, my brethren that Peter and Andrew abandoned their nets to follow the Redeemer at the first sound of His Voice (Mt 4:20) … Perhaps someone will say to himself, under his breath, “What have those two fisherman abandoned to answer the Lord’s call? They had practically nothing.” But, in this matter we should think of their disposition of heart, rather than their fortune. The person who has not kept hold of anything for himself, has left a good deal; the person who has forsaken everything, has left a good deal, even if it is but small.
As for ourselves, we passionately hold onto what we possess and what we do not have, we pursue with all our desire. Indeed, Peter and Andrew left a great deal, since both forsook even the desire to possess. They forsook a great deal because, in giving up their goods, they also gave up their covetousness. In following the Lord, they gave up everything they might have desired, if they had not followed Him.” – St Gregory the Great (540-604) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 5 on the Gospel).
PRAYER – Most merciful God, Who when the holy Abbot Sylvester was devoutly meditating upon the vanity of this world beside an open grave, graciously willed to call him into the desert and enrich him with unusual merits, we humbly pray that, following his example, despising the things of earth, we may thoroughly enjoy Thy everlasting presence. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 26 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory”
Traditional Tuesday Prayer
for the Poor Souls
(By the Crowing with Thorns)
Lord God Almighty,
I beseech Thee,
By the Precious Blood
which Thy Divine Son Jesus
shed in His bitter
Crowning with Thorns,
deliver the Souls in Purgatory
and, in particular, amongst them all,
deliver that one who would be the last
to issue from those pains
that it tarry not so long a time
before it comes to praise Thee,
in Thy glory
and bless Thee forever.
Amen
Our Father, Hail Mary, De Profundis
Saint of the Day – 26 November – Blessed Pontius of Faucigny (c1100-c1178) Abbot, Founder and the 1st Abbot of the Monastery of Faucigny. Born in c1100 in Faucigny, Savoy (in modern France) and died on 26 November 1178 or 1179 in Sixt, Savoy, also in modern France, of natural causes.
Pontius was born around the year 1100 to the noble family of Faucigny, lords of the region of Savoy. At a very young age he entered the Abbey of the Canons Regular of Abondance, of which he revised the Constitutions, harmonising them with the original Augustinian Rule.
In 1144 he was commissioned to found a religious house in Sixt region, also in Savoy which was ten year later, in 1155, promoted to an Abbey by Pope Adrian IV. Pontius became its first Abbot, while remaining in constant contact with Abondance.
In 1172 he was called to succeed Burcardius as the Abbot of Abondance and the following year he obtained the dignity of Abbey for the Monastery of Grandval.
However, wishing to be able to prepare himself more effectively for death, he abandoned all his duties to retire to Abondance as a simple Monk He died there on 26 November 1178 or 1179 and was buried in the Abbey Church.
His mortal remains, a few years later, were the object of an elevation and from then on he received a regular cult. On 14 November 1620, Saint Francis de Sales, a great devotee of the holy Abbot, his compatriot from Savoy, opened his tomb to take some of his Relics. Francis’s successor, Charles Augustus de Sales, also had great respect for Pontius.
The “Bollandists” observe that seven centuries passed between Pontius’s death and the appearance of his first biography, a factor which led to great caution regarding the veracity of certain data. Only in 1866, the cause for the official recognition of the cult paid to him from time immemorial was initiated by the Bishop of Annecy, Claude Magnin and was subsequently resumed in 1890 by Monsignor Ernest Isoard. Pope Leo XIII confirmed the cult “ab immemorabili” of Blessed Pontius of Faucigny, with a decree dated 15 December 1896. His Feast is still celebrated today on the anniversary of his death most especially by the Canons of the Lateran and by the Diocese of Annecy.
Reminder: The Novena in Honour of the Immaculate Conception begins on 29 November: Novena in honour of the Immaculate Conception
Begins 29 November
Feast 8 December
Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Westrozebeke / Our Lady of Westrozebeke, Staden, West Flanders, Belgium (1482) – 26 November, Third Sunday of June:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/26/onze-lieve-vrouw-van-westrozebeke-our-lady-of-westrozebeke-staden-west-flanders-belgium-1482-and-memorials-of-the-saints-26-november/
St Leonard of Port Maurice OFM (1676-1751) Confessor, Priest and Friar of the Friars Minor, Preacher – in particular Parish Mission, Ascetic Writer, Spiritual Director. St Leonard founded many pious apostolates, societies and confraternities and exerted himself to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Passion of Christ. He was among the few to insist that the concept of the Immaculate Conception of Mary be defined as a Dogma of the Faith. He was Beatified on 19 June 1796 by Pope Pius VI and Canonised on 29 June 1867 by Pope Pius IX.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/27/saint-of-the-day-27-november-st-leonard-of-port-maurice-ofm-1676-1751/
St Sylvester Gozzolini OSB Silv. (1177– 1267) Priest, Abbot, Founder of the Silvestrini Congration, Mystic, gifted with the charism of prophecy and miracles, but also subject to violent attacks by the devil.
St Sylvester’s Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/26/saint-of-the-day-26-november-saint-sylvester-gozzolini-osb-silv-1177-1267/
St Peter of Alexandria (Died 311) Martyr, “The Seal of the Martyrs” Bishop of Alexandria. Tradition attests that the Egyptian Bishop, St Peter, was the last believer to suffer death at the hands of Roman imperial authorities for his faith in Christ. Hence the title “The Seal of the Martyrs.”
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/26/saint-of-the-day-26-november-st-peter-of-alexandria-died-311-martyr-the-seal-of-the-martyrs/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/26/saint-of-the-day-25-november-saint-peter-of-alexandria-died-311-bishop-martyr-the-seal-of-the-martyrs/
Bl Albert of Haigerloch
St Alypius Stylites
St Amator of Autun
St Basolus of Verzy
St Bellinus of Padua (Died 1151) Bishop of Padua and Martyr, Reformer (he led a reform of the spiritual lives of the Clergy in his Diocese) he rebuilt the Cathedral and opened schools, Miracle-worker.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/26/saint-of-the-day-26-november-saint-bellinus-of-padua-died-1151-bishop-of-padua-and-martyr/
St Conrad of Constance
Bl essed Delphina of Glandèves TOSF (1283-1360) Virgin, Virgin Laywoman, Married in Chastity to St Elzear (below) Widow, Recluse, Apostle of the Poor and needy.
Sometimes regarded as ‘Saint’ – the anniversary of her death and birthday into Heaven is today, 28 November. After the Vatican II Council, her Feast day was moved to 27 September:
Blessed Delphina’s Chaste Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/27/saint-of-the-day-27-september-saint-delphina-tosf-1283-1360-virgin/
St Egelwine of Athelney
St Ida of Cologne
St James the Hermit
St Magnance of Ste-Magnance
St Marcellus of Nicomedia
St Martin of Arades
St Nicon of Sparta
Blessed Pontius of Faucigny (c1100-c1178) Abbot
St Sabaudus of Trier
St Siricius, Pope (c334-399) Confessor, Bishop of Rome from December 384, Confessor, Defender of the Faith against heresies, Reformer of clerical discipline, Born in Rome and died there of natural causes aged around 64. In response to inquiries from Bishop Himerius of Tarragona, Siricius issued the Directa Decretal, containing Decrees of Baptism, Church discipline and other matters. His are the oldest completely preserved Papal Decrees. He is sometimes said to have been the first Bishop of Rome to call himself “Pope or Papa” – the word derived from the Greek, Papa, meaning Father.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, St Siricius, Pope and Confessor, celebrated for his learning, piety and zeal for religion, who condemned various heretics and published salutary laws concerning Ecclesiastical discipline.”
A True Shepherd.:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/26/saint-of-the-day-26-november-st-pope-siricius-c334-399-confessor/
St Stylinus
St Vacz – 11th Century Hermit in Visegrád, Hungary. No further information is available.
Martyrs of Alexandria – 650+- Saints: A group of approximately 650 Christian Priests, Bishops and Laity Martyred together in the persecution of Maximian Galerius. We have the names and a few details only seven of them – Ammonius, Didius, Faustus, Hesychius, Pachomius, Phileas and Theodore. The were born in Egypt and were martyred there in c 311 in Alexandria, Egypt.
Martyrs of Capua – 7 Saints: A group of seven Christians Martyred together. The only details about them to survive are the names – Ammonius, Cassianus, Felicissimus, Nicander, Romana, Saturnin and Serenus. They were martyred in Capua, Campania, Italy, date unknown.
Martyrs of Nicomedia – 6 Saints: A group of six Christians Martyred by Arians. Few details have survived except their names – Marcellus, Melisus, Numerius, Peter, Serenusa and Victorinus. Martyred in 349 in Nicomedia, Bithynia, Asia Minor (modern Izmit, Turkey).
Thought for the Day – 25 November – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
II. THE BODY OF THE PRAYER.
Use the mind in thinking on some subject as much as is necessary in order to pray fervently. But do not imagine that very much is necessary in order to pray. Do not wait for a great fire to burn up in your soul but cherish any little spark you may feel.
To help your mind, read a text of Scripture or a short Meditation in a book.
St Teresa used a book in her Meditations for seventeen years.
Meditate for a few minutes on any thought which has struck you, that is, think for a short time on the meaning, the lessons it teaches and ask yourself: What have I done about this hitherto? What shall I now do?
But remember, you think only in order that you may pray.
The great benefit of Mental Prayer consists. less in meditation or thinking, than in acts, prayers and resolutions – the fruits of Meditation. The thinking is the needle which draws after it the golden thread of the fruits (the acts, prayers and resolutions)..
The thread is more important than the needle.
The chief part of the time of Meditation should, then, be spent in making:
Quote/s of the Day – 25 November – Sirach 51:1-8; 5:12, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Our lamps are going out.”
“I have not become as wise
as those five wise Virgins.
… But I have become the most wretched of the foolish ones
by failing to keep some oil for my lamp,
namely, mercy together with virginity
or, still more, the anointing from Baptism’s Sacred fount…
Therefore, the doors of the wedding hall
are closed to me too, in my negligence.
But, O my Bridegroom,
while I am still in my body here below,
listen to my soul, Your Bride…
From now on, I will cry aloud piteously,
“Oh, open to me Your Heavenly Door,
bring me into Your Wedding Chamber on high,
make me worthy of Your Holy Kiss,
Your pure and spotless Embrace.
Oh let me not hear the Voice saying
it does not know me!
I am blind; set alight with Your own Light
my spirit’s extinguished flame!”
“Remove from your lives
the filth and uncleanness of vice.
Your upright lives must make you
the salt of the earth for yourselves
and for the rest of humankind…”
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
One Minute Reflection – 25 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – St Catherine of Alexandria (Died c305) Virgin Martyr – Sirach 51:1-8; 5:12, Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“But at last came also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not.” – Matthew 25:11-12
REFLECTION – “Well, let us imagine that within u, is an extremely rich palace, built entirely of gold and precious stones; in sum, built for a Lord such as this. Imagine, too, as is indeed so, you have a part to play, in order for the palace to be so beautiful; for there is no edifice as beautiful, as is a soul pure and full of virtues. The greater the virtues the more resplendent the jewels. Imagine, also, that in this palace dwells this mighty King, Who has been gracious enough to become your Father and that, He is seated upon an extremely valuable throne which is your heart. …
You will laugh at me, perhaps and say, that which I am explaining, is very clear and you will be correct; for me, although, it was obscure for some time. I understood well that I had a soul. But what this soul deserved and Who dwelt within it, I did not understand because, I had covered my eyes with the vanities of the world. For, in my opinion, if I had understood, as I do now that, in this little palace of my soul, dwelt so great a King, I would not have left Him alone so often! I would have remained with Him at times and striven more, so as not to be so unclean. But what a marvellous thing, that He, Who would fill a thousand worlds and many more with His Grandeur, would enclose Himself in something so small!” – St Teresa of Jesus OCD (1515-1582) Virgin, Carmelite Founder, Mystic, Writer (The Way of Perfection Chapter 28: 9-11).
PRAYER – O God, Who gave the law to Moses on Sinai’s height and through Thy holy Angels, miraculously placed there, the body of blessed Catherine, Thy Virgin and Martyr, grant, we beseech Thee that by her merits and intercession, we may reach that towering eminence which is Christ our Lord.Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).
Our Morning Offering – 25 November
Eternal Light, Shine into our Hearts
By St Alcuin of York (735-804)
Eternal Light, shine into our hearts,
Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil,
Eternal Power, be our support,
Eternal Wisdom, scatter the
darkness of our ignorance,
Eternal Pity, have mercy on us
that with all our heart
and mind
and soul
and strength,
we may seek Thy Face
and be brought,
by Thine Infinite Mercy
to Thy Holy Presence;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord
Amen
Saint of the Day – 25 November – Saint Mercurius (3rd Century) Martyr, Soldier. Born in the City of Eskentos in Cappadocia, in Eastern Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) and died by beheading bin c250 in Caesarea, Cappadocia. According to tradition, he was the soldier who killed Julian the Apostate during his campaign in Persia. Also known as – Mercury.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Caesarea in Cappadocia, St Mercury, soldier, who vanquished the barbarians and triumphed over the cruelty of Decius, through the protection of his Guardian Angel. Finally, having acquired great glory from his sufferings, he was crowned with Martyrdom and went toi reigh forever in Heaven.”
Mercury was, for the pagans, the god of commerce and ingenious activities, the winged messenger of the other gods.
The corresponding divinity of the Greek Olympus, had the name of Hermes. And this name had and still has, greater fortune among the Baptised. Probably, this is due to the fact that the name had, as intermediaries, seven or eight Saints named Hermes. But not even the name of Mercury remained confined to the pagan world. In the Christian Calendar, in fact, there are two Saints of this name: both Martyrs and both soldiers. Today’s Saint, our Mercurius, then, also had a certain popularity, at least in the East, where his legendary Passion was formed and spread.
According to this Passio, Mercurius would have served with honour under Decius and Valerian, when these two Emperors published their edict of persecution. Mercurius, who had become the Commander-in-Chief of the army, remembered at a good moment that he was the son of a Christian and that he had been Baptised with the symbolic name of Philopatros, that is, “who loves the father.”
Out of love for his father and not only for his earthly father, the one whom his soldiers called Mercurius, thus presented himself to confess his Faith before his friend, the Emperor.
There followed the well-known tortures and bloody wounds which were healed three times by an Angel, until Mercurius was taken on the back of a donkey to Cappadocia that is, to his homeland, to be beheaded.
His Relics favoured prodigious cures and sudden conversions. But even greater fame came to the warrior Martyr from the miracle, according to which, he was, more than a hundred years later, the killer of the renegade Emperor, Julian the Apostate.
It is known from history that Julian fought against the Persians, on the eastern borders of the Empire and died during those battles. His death was welcomed as a liberation by the countless persecuted Christians, who saw in that tragic event, the just punishment of Heaven.
According to the faithful of Cappadocia, it was Saint Mercurius himself, who in the appeared in the guise of a soldier, who used his spear, by Divine order, against the chest of the Apostate Emperor! In reality, nothing historically certain is known about this event. But, what is certain, is the antiquity of Mercarius’ cult, in Caesarea of Cappadocia, on 25 November.
To the above I would like to add the following:
“God punishes men, for the most part, in kind, i.e. in the same way in which they have sinned.
“By what things a man sinneth,” says the Wise Man, “by the same he also is tormented.”
Absalom prided himself on his long hair and it caused his death.
The rich glutton sinned with his palate and it was his tongue and palate which were tormented in the fire of hell.
Antiochus tormented the seven Machabean brethren by tearing and maiming their flesh and his own flesh was eaten by worms (2 Mach ix 6).
Aman wished to hang Mardochai and prepared a gallows for him and on the same gallows he was himself hanged.
The women of Bethlehem would not shelter the Mother of God and the Divine Son and their children perished at the revengeful and cruel hand of Herod.
Napoleon I imprisoned the Holy Father and in his turn was imprisoned first in Elba and then in St Helena.
In these and many similar events, the Christian sees the Finger of God.” (The Catechism Explained By Fr Francis Spirago 1899).
And so we will add our St Macurius and God’s punishement of Julian the Apostate!
Madonna del Sasso / Our Lady of the Rock, Fiesole, Tuscany, Italy (1028) – 25 November:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/25/madonna-del-sasso-our-lady-of-the-rock-fiesole-tuscany-italy-1028-and-memorials-of-the-saints-25-november/
St Catherine of Alexandria (Died c305) Virgin Martyr, Philosopher, One of the Fourteen Holy Helpers –
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/08/saint-s-of-the-day-8-august-the-fourteen-holy-helpers/
St Catherine’s Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/25/saint-of-the-day-25-november-st-catherine-of-alexandria-died-c-305/
Bl Adalbert of Caramaico
St Alanus of Lavaur
St Audentius of Milan
Blessed Beatrice d’Ornacieux O.Cart (c 1260–1303) Virgin, Carthusian Nun, Mystic, Founded a Monastery at Eymeu on France. The Roman Martyrology states: “In the territory of Valence in France, Blessed Beatrice d’Ornacieux, Virgin of the Carthusian Order, who, famous for her love for the Cross, lived and died in extreme poverty in the Monastery of Eymeu which she founded.”
A Lover of the Cross:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/25/saint-of-the-day-25-november-blessed-beatrice-dornacieux-o-cart-c-1260-1303/
St Bernold of Ottobeuren
Bl Conrad of Heisterbach
Blessed Egbert (c1010-1075) Abbot
Blessed Elisabeth Achler TOR (1386-1420) “Blessed Elisabeth the Good,” Franciscan Tertiary Sister, Mystic, Stigmatist, Apostle of the Holy Eucharist, prayer and charity, gifted with the charism of prophecy.
Her Mystical Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/25/saint-of-the-day-25-november-blessed-elisabeth-achler-tor-1386-1420/
St Erasmus of Antioch
Bl Garcia of Arlanza
Bl Guido of Casauria
St Imma of Wurzburg
St Jucunda of Reggio Aemilia
St Mercurius (3rd Century) Martyr
St Moses of Rome (Died c251) Priest Martyr Confessor.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, St Moses, Priest and Martyr, who, with others detained in prison, was often consoled by the letters of St Cyprian (Martyr). After he had withstood, with unbending courage, not only the pagans but, also the Novatian schismatics and heretics, he was finally, in the persecutions of Decius, crowned with a Martyrdom which fills the mind with adminration, according to the words of Pope St Cornelius (Martyr).”
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/25/saint-of-the-day-25-november-saint-moses-of-rome-died-c251-priest-martyr-confessor/
Martyrs of Africa – 13 Saints: A group of 13 Christians murdered together for their faith in Africa, date unknown. The only details to have survived are their names – Claudian, Cyprian, Donatus, Felix, Januarius, Julian, Lucian, Marcian, Martialis, Peter, Quirianus, Victor and Vitalis.
Thought for the Day – 24 November – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
I. PREPARATION.
A recollected life and regular Spiritual Reading are the best remote preparation.
For the immediate preparation, make three short but fervent Acts of Devotion:
(I) An Act of Adoration of God, present to the soul:
Example: O my God, I believe Thou art really here present;
I bow down and adore Thee. Thou art so good, I am so
sinful; Thou art so great, I am only nothingness … etc.
(2) An Act of Sorrow for Sin:
Example: O my God, I am heartily sorry for all my sins of thought, word, deed and omission and by the help of Thy
holy Grace I will never sin again.
(3) A Petition for Light and Strength:
Example: O my God, give me light to see Thy holy Will, give me Grace to do Thy holy Will. O .Wisdom of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus, direct me in all my ways. O Love of the Sacred Heart, consume me in Thy fire.
Add a Hail Mary to the Blessed Virgin, an Aspiration to St Joseph, your Patron Saints and Angel Guardian.
Quote/s of the Day – 24 November – St John of the Cross OCD (1542-1591) Confessor, Doctor of the Church
“Whenever anything disagreeable
or displeasing happens to you,
remember Christ Crucified and be silent!”
“Where there is no love,
it is for you to bring love.”
“Always seek, for preference,
not the easierst but, the most difficult,
not the most charming but, the most boring,
not that which pleases but, that which repels,
not that which consoles but rather, that which afflicts,
not that which saves us trouble
but, that which gives us trouble,
not the most but, the least,
not the highest and most precious
but, the lowest and most despised,
not the desire of something
but, the non-desire,
do not seek that which is better in things
but,that which is the worst
and, for Jesus Christ Sake,
put youtself in denudation,
in emptiness and renunciation,
of all which exists in this world.”
“The one who walks in the love of God
seeks neither gain nor reward
but seeks only, with the will,
to lose self and all things, for God
and this loss, the lover judges to be a gain!
Thus it is, as St Paul asserts:
“For me death is gain” [Phil 1:21],
that is, my death to all things and to myself,
for Christ, is my spiritual gain.
Consequently, the soul declares:
“I was found.”
The soul who does not know how to lose himself,
does not find himself but rather, loses himself,
as Our Lord teaches in the Gospel:
“For he who will save his life, shall lose it
and he who will lose his life for My Sake, will find it.”
(Mt 16:25).”
“Take God for your Spouse and Friend
and walk with Him continually
and you will not sin and will learn to love
and the things you must do
will work out prosperously for you.”
Lord God, Lift Me Up!
By St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Lord God, my Beloved,
if Thou art still mindful of my sins
and wilt not grant my petitions,
let Thy Will be done,
for this is my main desire.
Show Thy goodness and mercy
and Thou shalt be known for them.
If Thou art waiting for me
to do good works
and upon their performance,
Thou wilt grant my petitions,
cause them to be accomplished in me, O Lord!
Send also, the punishment for my sins,
which is acceptable to Thee.
For how will I raise myself up to Thee,
born and bred as I am, in misery,
unless Thou, O Lord,
wilt lift me up
with the Hand which made me?!
MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/24/quote-s-of-the-day-24-november-st-john-of-the-cross-3/
One Minute Reflection – 24 November – The Last Sunday after Pentecost – St John of the Cross OCD (1542-1591) Confessor, Doctor of the Church – Colossians 1:9-14; Matthew 24:15-35 – Scripture search here:
“Then the Sign of the Son of Man will appear in Heaven” – Matthew 24:30
REFLECTION – “Would you like to learn that the Cross can be a Sign of the Kingdom? This is the Sign with which the Lord is to come at His Second, glorious Coming! That you might learn just how worthy of veneration the Cross is, He has made it His Title of Glory …
As we know, His First Coming was effected secretly and, that discretion was justified, for He came to seek out what was dead. But this Second Coming is not to happen like that … He will appear suddenly to all and no-one will need to ask if Christ is here or there (Mt 24:26) … we shall not need to investigate, whether Christ is indeed present. What we shall need to discover, is whether He comes with His Cross!
When the Son of Man comes “the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light” (Mt 24:29). The splendour of His Light will be so great that the most brilliant of the stars must dim before it. “Then the stars will fall from the sky … and the Sign of the Son of Man will appear in Heaven.” Do you see the power of this Sign of the Cross? “The sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light” but the Cross will shine, clearly visible, so that you might know that its splendour is greater than that of the sun and the moon. Just as soldiers heave the royal standards to their shoulders at the king’s coming and bear them before him, to announce his arrival, so the cohort of Angels and Archangels, bearing this Sign on their shoulders, will warn us of the arrival of that King, Who is Christ at the Lord’s descent from Heaven! Alleluia!” – St John Chrysostom (347-407) Bishop of Constantinople, Great Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon on the Cross and the thief).
PRAYER – O God, Who made blessed John, Thy Confessor and Teacher, an extraordinary lover of perfect self-denial and the Cross, grant that, by continually striving to imitate him, we may reach everlasting glory. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 24 November – The Last Sunday after Pentecost
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
By Fr Ignaz Franz Poland (1719-1790) (Attri)
Archbishop of Schlawa, Germany
Holy God, we praise Thy Name.
Lord of all, we bow before Thee.
All on earth Thy sceptre claim;
all in heav’n above adore Thee.
Infinite Thy vast domain,
everlasting is Thy reign.
Hark, the loud celestial hymn,
Angel choirs above are raising.
Cherubim and seraphim,
in unceasing chorus praising,
fill the heav’ns with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy Lord.
Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Ghost, three we name Thee
While in essence only One,
Undivided God, we claim Thee
and adoring, bend the knee,
while we own the Mystery.
Spare Thy people Lord, we pray,
By a thousand snares surrounded.
Keep us without sin today,
Never let us be confounded.
Lo, I put my trust in Thee,
Never Lord, abandon me.
Fr Ignaz Franz Poland (1719-1790)
Archbishop of Schlawa, Germany, Hymnist, Musician
He also functioned as the Assessor for Theological Affairs at the Apostolic Vicariate. He wrote hymn lyrics and compiled religious music.
Trans. by Fr Clarence A Walworth (1820-1900)
Convert, writer. He was one of the Founders
of the Order of the Paulists in the U.S.A.
Saint of the Day – 24 November – Saint Protasius (Died c352) Bishop of Milan, Defender of St Athanasius against the Arians. Also known as – Protasius Algisi, Protasio…
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Milan, St Protasius, the Bishop, who defended the cause of Athanasius before the Emperor Constans, in the Council of Sardica. Having sustained many labours for the Church entrusted to him and for religion, he departed this life to go to the Lord.”
Protasius was the 8th Bshop of Milan. He is attributed with twenty-five years of Episcopal service to the Diocese of Milan which however, should be reduced to approximately ten, since the 7th Bishop, Mirocle, was present at the Council of Arles in 314 and the 10th, Dionigi, was deposed in 355.
St Athanasius states that he was received in Milan by the Emperor Constans in the company of the Bishop, Protasius (Apologia ad Constantium): this event would have occurred in 342-343; furthermore, St Athanasius also remembers our Protasius as a participant in the Council of Sardica (343-344; Apologia).
According to the ancient catalogues, Protasius died on 24 November (some records believe he died on 27 November) and was buried in the Milanese Basilica of St Vittore. We are unable to ascertain, with certainty, whether it was during his Episcopate or that of his successor, Eustorgio I, that the two Councils of 345 and 347-348 were held in Milan, which culminated in the condemnation of Photinus, the Bishop of Sirmium, a supporter of Arianism.
The Last Sunday after Pentecost
Vierge Noire de Myans / The Black Madonna of Myans, Montmélian, Chambéry, France (1248) 24 November:, 8 September:
HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/24/vierge-noire-de-myans-the-black-madonna-of-myans-montmelian-chambery-france-1248-24-november/
St John of the Cross OCD (1542-1591) Confessor, Carmelite Priest, Doctor of the Church, Mystic, Poet, Reformer, Writer, Commonly known as the “Mystical Doctor.”
Feast Day 24 November (General Roman Calendar, 1738–1969).
St John!
https://anastpaul.com/2018/12/14/saint-of-the-day-14-december-st-john-of-the-cross-ocd-1542-1591/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/24/saint-of-the-day-24-november-saint-john-of-the-cross-ocd-1542-1591-doctor-of-the-church-confessor/
St Chrysogonus (Died 304) Priest Martyr.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “The birthday of St Chrysogonus, Priest Martyr. After a long imprisonment in chains for the constant confession of Christ, he was, by order of Diocletian, taken to Aquileia, where he terminated his Martyrdom by being beheaded and thrown into the sea.”
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/24/saint-of-the-day-24-november-saint-chrysogonus-died-304-priest-martyr/
St Cardinal Albert of Louvain (1166-1192) Bishop and Martyr, Prince and Cardinal. St Albert was Canonised in 1621 by Pope Paul V.
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/11/24/saint-of-the-day-24-november-st-albert-of-louvain-1166-1192-bishop-and-martyr/
St Alexander of Corinth
St Balsamus of Cava
St Bieuzy of Brittany
St Colman of Cloyne (530 – 606) Bishop, Monk, Founder and Patron of Cloyne Monastery from which the area took its name, converted by St Brendan the Navigator, Poet (one of the earliest known Irish Poets to compose his works in the vernacular).
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/24/saint-of-the-day-24-november-saint-colman-of-cloyne-c-530-c-600/
Bl Conrad of Frisach
St Crescentian of Rome
St Eanfleda of Whitby
St Felicissimus of Perugia
St Firmina of Amelia
St Flora of Cordoba
St Hitto of Saint-Gall
St Kenan of Damleag
St Leopardinus of Vivaris
St Marinus of Maurienne
St Mary of Cordoba
St Portianus
St Protasius (Died c352) Bishop
St Romanus (Died 385) Priest
Thought for the Day – 23 November – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
“When you need to arrive at some decision, or to give some important advice, ask God’s assistance before you do so. Repeat as often as you reasonably are able during the day: ‘Incline unto mine aid, O God,’ as St Rose of Lima was accustomed to do.
To obtain this assistance from God turn frequently to the Crucifix or to the image of our Blessed Lady (which, of course, you will have in your room) and do not fail to often invoke the Names of Jesus and Mary …
God, being infinitely kind, has the greatest desire to communicate His Graces to us.
The Venerable Father Alphonsus Alvarez saw our Lord, on one occasion, with His Hands filled with Graces, going about seeking souls to whom He might dispense them.
But He will have us ask Him for them: ‘Ask and you shall receive‘ otherwise He will withdraw His Hands.
He will, on the contrary, stretch them out to us and willingly open them, if we invoke Him.
… David declares, God shows, not only Mercy but Great Mercy, to those who beseech Him: For Thou, O Lord, art sweet and mild and plenteous in mercy to all who call upon Thee (Ps 85:5).”
Quote/s of the Day – 23 November – St Clement I – Papacy (c88–c101) Pope Martyr, Apostolic Father.
“Who can describe the bond of God’s Love?
Who is able to explain the majesty of its beauty?
The height to which love leads is indescribable.
… In Love the Master received us,
Jesus Christ our Lord, in accordance
with God’s Will, gave His Blood for us
and His Flesh for our flesh
and His Life for our lives.”
“How blessed and amazing are God’s Gifts, dear friends!
Life with immortality,
splendour with righteousness,
truth with confidence,
faith with assurance,
self-control with holiness!
And all these things are
within our comprehension.”
“God hates those
who praise themselves.”
In The Name Of The Whole
Christian People
The Universal Prayer of St Clement I (c88–c101)
Pope and Martyr,
Apostolic Father of the Church
We beg Thee, Master,
be our help and strength.
Save those among us who are oppressed,
have pity on the lowly
and lift up the fallen.
Heal the sick,
bring back the straying
and feed the hungry.
Release those in prison,
steady those who falter
and strengthen the fainthearted.
Let all nations come to know Thee,
the One God, with Thy Son Jesus Christ
and ourselves, Thy people
and the sheep of Thy pasture.
Do not keep count of the sins of Thy servants
but purify them, through the bath of Thine Truth
and direct our steps.
Help us to walk in holiness of heart
and to do what is good and pleasing in Thine eyes
and in the eyes of our rulers.
Master, let Thine face shine on us
to grant us every good in peace,
protect us by Thine powerful Hand,
deliver us from every evil, by the might of Thine Arm.
Grant us and all who dwell on this earth,
peace and harmony, O Lord.
Amen
MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/23/quote-s-of-the-day-23-november-st-pope-clement-i-2/
One Minute Reflection – 23 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – St Clement I – Papacy (c88–c101) Pope Martyr, Apostolic Father. – Philippians 3:17-21; 4:1-3; Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Upon this rock I will build My Church” – Matthew 16:18
REFLECTION – “Brothers, when it comes to fulfilling my duties as Bishop, I discover that I am weak and slack, weighed down by the weakness of my own condition, while at the same time, I want to act generously and courageously. However, I draw my strength from the untiring intercession of the almighty and eternal Priest, Who, like us but equal to the Father, lowered His Divinity to the level of man and raised humankind to the level of God. The decisions He made, give me a just and holy joy. For, when He delegated many shepherds to care for His flock, He did not abandon watching over His beloved sheep. Thanks to that fundamental and eternal assistance, I in turn, have received the protection and support of the Apostle Peter, who also does not abandon his function. This solid foundation, on which the whole of the Church is built, never grows tired of carrying the whole weight, of the building which rests on it.
The firmness of faith, for which the first of the Apostles was praised, never fails. Just as everything which Peter professed in Christ remains, so that which Christ established in Peter, remains … The order willed by God’s Truth remains. Saint Peter perseveres in the solidity which he received; he has not abandoned the governance of the Church which was placed in his hands. That, my brothers, is what that profession of faith, inspired by God the Father, obtained in the heart of the Apostle. He received the solidity of a rock which no assault can shake. In the entire Church, Peter says everyday: “Thou art the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” – St Leo the Great (400-461) Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon on the anniversary of his Consecration as Bishop).
PRAYER – Look forgivingly on Thy flock, Eternal Shepherd and keep it in Thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Clement Thy Martyr and Sovereign Pontiff, whom Thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 23 November – St Columban (543-615) Abbot, Confessor,
Alone With None but Thee, My God
Attri. St Columban (543-615)
Alone with none but Thee, my God
I journey on my way,
what need I fear when Thou art near,
O King of night and day?
More safe am I within Thy Hand
than if a host should round me stand.
My destined time is known to Thee,
and death will keep his hour;
did warriors strong around me throng,
they could not stay his power.
No walls of stone can man defend
when Thou Thy messenger dost send.
My life I yield to Thy decree
and bow to Thy control
in peaceful calm, for from Thine arm
no power can wrest my soul,
could earthly omens e’er appal
a man that heeds the heavenly call?
The child of God can fear no ill,
His chosen, dread no foe;
we leave our fate with Thee and wait
Thy bidding when to go,
’tis not from chance our comfort springs,
Thou art our Trust, O King of kings.
Saint of the Day – 23 November – St Clement of Metz (3rd-4th Centuries) The 1st Bishop of Metz, now in France, Miracle-worker. Also known as Clemens and The Dragon Slayer.
Born around the 3rd or 4th Century, Clement of Metz was the 1st Bishop of Metz, now in France. Medieval accounts tell the fascinating tale of Titus Flavius Clemens, a Roman Senator initially tasked with persecuting Christians under the orders of Emperor Nero. However, he converted to the Christian Faith and was Baptised.
At that time, the Apostle Peter, already established as the Bishop of Rome, encouraged his disciples to spread the Gospel in Gaul. Clement, having been Consecrated Bishop, received the mission of evangelising the City of Metz. owever,, his journey was marked by a tragic event – the death of St Materne of Cologne, his companion, in Alsace.
Returning to Rome, Clement received from the St Peter, a staff with miraculous powers. With this object, he managed to resurrect St Materne, a prodigious act which greatly contributed to the conversion of the local inhabitants.
Clement arrived in Metz accompanied by Celeste, a Priest and Felix, a Deacon, who would later become his successors. During the reign of Orius, the King of Metz, Clement took up residence on the hill of Sainte-Croix, where he preached to the population.
The culmination of his apostolate came, when he resurrected the recently deceased daughter of King Orius. This spectacular miracle led to the Royal couple being Baptised, followed by a mass conversion of the local population.
Graoully is a legendary animal which was born in the middle of the Metz amphitheatre. According to legend, this giant dragon spat flames with the smell of sulfur and devastated everything in its path. The residents consequently never dared to venture into the neighbourhood and some even considered leaving the City.
Faced with the distress of the City, Clement prayed for the aid of God in assisting the frightened people. If the people of Metz agreed to be Baptised, the Christian Bishop would find a way to get rid of this hideous animal.
Clement then went to the Graoully habitat (at the amphitheater) passing by the hill of Sainte-Croix and continuing his route in the middle of a crowd whom he silenced with a firm ‘keep quiet’ in a street, named since that day, ‘the Quiet Street’
When he arrived, the brave man put his shawl around the beast’s neck to drag it to the Seille (the river which crosses the City) into which he threw himself with seven little Graoullys. From that day on, the people of Metz never heard of the Graoully again. On the other hand, the Graoully has become a strong symbol of the City and has been found in several events in the City since the 10th Century. To celebrate its disappearance, a monument was built on the site where the monstrous creature once stood – this is a Monument to the Christian Faith, Metz Cathedral, dedicated to our Saint, (listed as a historic monument). and to its courageous Bishop Clement whoc vanquished the enemy of them all.
This dragon is mainly represented in the crypt of the Cathedral. A semi-permanent sculpture of Graoully is also suspended in the air of the Rue Taison.
Today, a Statue of Saint Clement holding a chained dragon is also visible on the portal of the Virgin of the Saint-Etienne Cathedral of Metz. Finally, this mythical animal also appears on the coat of arms of Metz City.
St Clement I – Papacy (c88–c101) Pope Martyr, Miracle-worker. St Clement is considered to be the first Apostolic Father of the Church, one of the three chief ones together with St Polycarp and St Ignatius of Antioch. Papal Ascensi,on c 88. Born in Rome, Italy and died by drowning at Chersonesus, Taurica, Bosporan Kingdom (modern Greece).
His Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/23/saint-of-the-day-23-november-st-clement-i-c-88-c-101-pope-martyr/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/23/saint-of-the-day-23-november-st-pope-clement-i-died-c-101-martyr/
St Felicity (Died c165) Martyr
Her Life and Death:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/07/10/saints-of-the-day-st-felicitas-c-101-c-165-and-her-seven-holy-sons-died-c-165-martyrs/
St Columban (543-615) Monk, Irish Missionary, Abbot, Writer, Reformer, Teacher, Miracle-worker, Founder of numerous Monateries in present-day France and Italy. Also known as Columbanus.
The Great Columban:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/11/23/saint-of-the-day-23-november-st-columban-543-615/
St Adalbert of Casauria
St Amphilochius of Iconium (c339-400) Bishop, Lawyer and Rhetorician, Poet, Writer and Theologian, Defender of Orthodoxy against heretics, Miracle-worker. , First Cousin of St Gregory of Nazianzen and his great friend and so too, a close friend and confidante of St Basil the Great.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Iconium, in Lycaonia, the holy Bishop, Amphilochius, who was the companion of St Basil the Great and of St Gregory Nazianzen in the desert and their colleague in the Episcopate. After many combats for the Catholic Faith, he rested in peace, with the reputation of a holy and learned Prelate.”
The Holy and Learned Amphilovhiud:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/11/23/saint-of-the-day-23-november-saint-amphilochius-of-iconium-c339-400-bishop/
St Augusta of Alexandria
St Clement of Metz (3rd-4th Centuries) Bishop
Bl Detlev of Ratzeburg
St Falitrus of Chabris
St Faustina of Alexandria
St Gregory of Girgenti
Bl Guy of Casauria
St Loëvan of Brittany
St Lucretia of Mérida
Bl Margaret of Savoy
St Mustiola of Chiusi
St Paternian of Fano
St Paulinus of Whitland
St Rachildis of Saint-Gall
St Severin of Paris
St Sisinius of Cyzicus
St Trudo of Hesbaye
St Wilfetrudis of Nivelless
Thought for the Day – 22 November – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
“Following the example of St Teresa, often offer yourself to God during the day and say:
‘Behold me, O Lord, ready to do what Thou wilt.
Make known Thy holy Will to me; I am eager to do all which Thou askest of me.‘
As the hours go by, make repeated Acts of Divine Love, for, to quote St Teresa again, these Acts of Love are the fuel by which divine love is kept burning within the heart.
One day, when the Venerable Sister Seraphine of Capri happened to see the Convent mule, the thought occurred to her that the poor animal could not love God. She expressed her compassion in these words:
‘Poor brute you can neither know, nor love God.‘
Then a wonderful thing happened – tears welled into the animal’s eyes and forthwith began to flow abundantly.
Do you imitate the saintly sister’s example. When you see, creatures incapable of knowing or loving God, use the intelligence, He has given you, to repeat many Acts of Love.”
Quote/s of the Day – 22 November – St Cecilia (Died 3rd Century) Virgin Martyr – Ecclesiasticus 51:13-17; Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Our Lord Jesus Christ
Has appeared to us from the bosom of the Father.
He has come and drawn us out of the shadows
And enlightened us with His joyful Light.
Day has dawned for humankind,
Cast out the power of darkness.
For us, a Light from His Light has arisen
That has enlightened our darkened eyes.
Over the world He has made His glory arise
And has lit up the deepest depths.
Death is no more, darkness has ended,
The gates of hell are shattered.
He has illumined every creature,
All the shades from times long past.
He has brought about salvation and given us Life;
Next He will come in glory.
Our King is coming in His great glory:
Let us light our lamps
and go out to meet Him (Mt 25,6);
Let us be glad in Him, as He has been glad in us
And gives us gladness, with His glorious Light.
My friends, arise! make yourselves ready
To give thanks to our Saviour King,
Who will come in His glory and make us joyful
With His joyous Light in the Kingdom.”
(Hymn I on the Resurrection)
“And He said to them:
Why are you troubled and why
do thoughts arise in your hearts?”
Luke 24:38
“Christ is truly the Word,
the Only-begotten Son equal to the Father,
united to a truly human soul
and a real body, clean of all sin.
This is the Body which died,
the Body which rose again,
this Body was fastened to the Cross,
this Body laid in the tomb,
this Body is seated in the Heavens.
Our Lord wished to persuade His disciples
that what they were seeing was truly bone and flesh…
Why did He want to convince me of this truth?
Because He knew, just how much it was to my own good,
to have faith in it and how much
I had to lose, if I did not.
You too, then, have faith – it is He, the Bridegroom!”
“Behold, the Bridegroom is coming,
go forth to meet Him!”
Matthew 25:6
“He worked and struggled as our Champion
against our enemies,
broke open the bars of our prison,
won the struggle,
vanquished our death through His Own,
redeemed us through His Blood,
freed us through His water in Baptism
and made us rich,
through His Sacraments and His gifts,
so that, as He says in the Gospel (Mt 25:6),
we might “go out” with all virtues to,
“meet Him” in the palace of His glory
and enjoy Him forever in eternity.”
One Minute Reflection – 22 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – St Cecilia (Died 3rd Century) Virgin Martyr – Ecclesiasticus 51:13-17; Matthew 25:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“… At midnight, there was a cry made: Behold the Bridegroom cometh. Go ye forth to meet Him.” – Matthew 25:6
REFLECTION – “Up with us then, at last, for Scripture arouses us saying: “Now is the hour for us to rise from sleep” (Rm 13:11). Let us open our eyes to the Divine Light and let us hear, with attentive ears, the warning which the Divine Voice cries daily to us – “Today, if you will hear His Voice, harden not your hearts” (Ps 94:8). And again: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches” (Apoc 2:7). And what does He say? “Come, children, hear Me and I will teach you the fear of the Lord” (Ps 33:12). “Run while you have the light of life , lest the darkness of death overtake you” (Jn 12:35).
And the Lord, seeking His worker among the multitudes to whom He thus cries, says again: “Which of you desires life and would like to see prosperous days? (Ps 33:13) And if, hearing Him you answer, “I am he,” God says to you: if you would have true and everlasting life, “keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek after peace and pursue it” (Ps 33:14-15). And when you have done these things, My Eyes will be upon you and My Ears open unto your prayers. And before you call Me, I shall say to you, “Lo, here I Am” (Is 58:9).
What can be sweeter to us, dearest brethren, than this Voice of our Lord inviting us? Behold in His loving Mercy, the Lord show us the way of life. Let us, therefore, gird our loins with faith and the performance of good deeds and following the guidance of the Gospel, walk in His paths, so that we may merit to see Him Who has called us into His Kingdom (1Thes 2:12). For if we wish to live in the dwellings of His Kingdom, unless we run there with good deeds, we shall not arrive. ” – St Benedict (480-547) Abbot, Founder, Father of Western Monaticism (From the Prologue to the Rule 8-22).
PRAYER – O God, Who gladden us by the annual feast of blessed Cecilia, Thy Virgin and Martyr, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may by virtuous conduct follow her, whom we venerate in this sacred rite. 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).
Our Morning Offering – 22 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” and a Friday of the Passion
By the Merit of the
Precious Blood of Jesus
By Servant of God Pope Pius VII (1742-1823)
Papacy from 1800 to 1823
Indulgenced Act of Oblation to Our Father
Eternal Father!
I offer Thee the merit
of the Precious Blood of Jesus,
Thy well-beloved Son,
my Saviour and my God,
for all my wants,
spiritual and temporal,
in aid of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
and chiefly for those
who most loved this Precious Blood,
the price of our redemption
and who were most devout
to the sorrows and pains
of most Holy Mary,
our dear Mother.
Glory be to the Blood of Jesus,
now and forever
and throughout all ages.
Amen
Indulgence of 300 days, each time this prayed is offered
22 September 1817 with a Plenary Indulgence, once a month,
under the usual conditions.
Note of Interest: On 15 August 1811 – the Feast of the Assumption – it is recorded that the Pope celebrated Mass and was said to have entered a trance and began to levitate in a manner that drew him to the Altar. This particular episode aroused great wonder and awe among attendants, which included the French soldiers guarding him, who were awestruck at what had occurred and left records of it.
AnaStpaul 
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