Thought for the Day – 21 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
CHARITY Meditations for a Month
The Charity of Jesus Christ “The Charity of Christ surpasseth all knowledge”
(Ephesians 3:19)
In what did the Charity of Christ consist? (1) In an Infinite self-abasement for our sakes. From the Throne of God, He humbled Himself to the form of sinful man. (2) In a sacrifice of Himself which passes all comprehension. He gave up the Infinite joy of Heaven, for the sufferings of this vale of tears. (3) In the endurance of mental and bodily agony, of desolation and dereliction. One moment of these would have crushed the life out of the strongest of men.
Try to realise those familiar truths and see what a contrast your life is to His. What are the chief points of contrast? (1) Christ humbled Himself for the good of others. I seek to exalt myself at their cost. (2) Christ gave up His life of perfect happiness that He might make others happy. I am willing to sacrifice little or nothing, my aim is to make myself happy, not others. (3) Christ endured unspeakable agony to save men from the agony they well deserved. I complain of the least discomfort. As to giving up my joys and pleasures for others and enduring misery for their sakes, I would not even think of it.
Yet, I consider myself a good Christian and speak glibly of treading in the Footsteps of Christ. I expect to be admitted to Heaven as one of His friends and followers. What will He say to me when I present myself? Will He recognise in me, any likeness to Himself or any vestige of His Divine Charity? O my God, I must be very different from what I have been, if I am to present myself with confidence before Thee, as one whose charity is like to the Charity of Christ!
Quote/s of the Day – 21 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Jane Frances de Chantal VHM (1572-1641) Widow
“With God there is no need for long speeches. In Heaven the Angels utter no other wor than this: “HOLY.” This is their entire prayer and in paradise they are occupied with this single word as an act of homage, to the single Word of God, Who lives eternally…. In prayer, more is accomplished by listening, than by speaking.”
“May we love and serve the Lord reverently with a loving, filial fear of offending our heavenly Father and of displeasing Jesus, our Divine Beloved. As long as we are in this life, we would do well to follow the well-travelled ways to holiness. Fear of God is the first step on this path. We cannot maintain a truly productive desire of serving God unless we have a holy fear of displeasing Our Saviour and, of being negligent in responding to grace and inspirations. ”
“She was full of faith and yet, all her life long, she had been tormented, by thoughts against it. Nor did she once relax, in the fidelity God asked of her. And so, I regard her, as one of the holiest souls I have ever met on this earth.”
St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)
(St Jane was a close friend of St Francis de Sales and St Vincent de Paul, both of whom guided and assisted her and her foundation, as Spiritual Advisors and Confessors.)
One Minute Reflection – 21 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Jane Frances de Chantal VHM (1572-1641) Widow – Proverbs 31:10-31′; Matthew 13:44-52 – – – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field; he who finds it, hides it and in his joy, goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” – Matthew 13:44
REFLECTION – “In my opinion, it would be unworthy of us to withdraw, even for a moment, from the contemplation of Christ. When we have lost sight of Him, even briefly, let us turn our mind’s regard back to Him, directing the eyes of our heart, as by a very straight line. For everything lies in the soul’s inner sanctuary. There, after the devil has been expelled and the vices no longer reign at all, the Kingdom of God can be established in us, as the Evangelist says: “For amen I say to you that the Kingdom of God is within you.”
But within us there can be nothing else than knowledge or ignorance of the truth and the love, of either the vices, or the virtues, by which we make ready a Kingdom in our hearts, either for the devil or for Christ.
The Apostle Paul also describes the characteristics of this Kingdom when he says: “For the Kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Thus, if the Kingdom of God is within us and the Kingdom of God is itself, righteousness and peace and joy, then, whoever abides in these things, is undoubtedly in the Kingdom of God … Let us lift up the eyes of our soul to that Kingdom which is endless joy!” – St John Cassian (c360-435) Monk, Theologian, Founder of Monasteries, Father of the Church, Disciple of St John Chrysostom (Conferences No 1).
PRAYER – Almighty and merciful God, Who endowed St Jane Frances, burning with love of Thee, with a wondrous strength of spirit through all the paths of life, in the way of perfection and willed through her, to ennoble Thy Church, by a new religious family, grant by her merits and prayers, that we who are aware of our weakness, may trust firmly in Thy power and, by the assistance of divine grace, overcome all obstacles in our way. 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 – 21 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Feast of St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
Prayer of Abandonment By St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
O sovereign goodness of the sovereign Providence of my God! I abandon myself forever to Thy arms. Whether gentle or severe, lead me henceforth whither Thou will. I will not regard the way through which Thou will have me pass but keep my eyes fixed upon Thee, my God, who guides me. My soul finds no rest without the arms and the bosom of this heavenly Providence, my true Mother, my strength and my rampart. Therefore I resolve with Thy Divine assistance, 0 my Saviour, to follow Thy desires and Thy ordinances, without regarding or examining why Thou does this rather than that but I will blindly follow Thee, according to Thy Divine will, without seeking my own inclinations. Hence I am determined to leave all to Thee, taking no part therein, save by keeping myself in peace in Thy arms, desiring nothing, except as Thou incites me to desire, to will, to wish. I offer Thee this desire, 0 my God, beseeching Thee to bless it. I undertake all it includes, relying on Thy goodness, liberality and mercy, with entire confidence in Thee, distrust of myself, and knowledge of my infinite misery and infirmity. Amen.
Saint of the Day – 21 August – Blessed Conrad Probus of Toul OFM (c1220-1297) Bishop of Toul, Papal Legate, Defender of the Church against secular interference. Born in c1220 in Tübingen, Wurttemberg (in modern Germany) and died on 2 May 1297 in onstanz, Germany of natural causes. Also known as – Konrad, Probus, … of Tübingen, Conrad Probus.
Conrad, later called Probus, was a Bishop of Toul in France, between 1269 AND 1279.
The central nave completed by Blessed Conrad
In 1245. although his qualities and his life of piety earned him the attention of his Bishop, he decided to become a Religious in the congregation of the Friars Minor.
We know that Pope Nicholas III, his fellow Friar of the Minors and friend, entrusted him with numerous missions, appointing him the Bishop of Toul in Lorraine, on 4 October 1279.
In the list of Bishops of Toul, his name is listed when the Diocese was vacant between the years 1269-1279. Conrad had to defend the rights of the Church against the City Officials. In 1285, having emerged victorious in various disputes, he built the central nave and the smaller ones of the Cathedral of Toul.
St Bonosus St Camerinus of Sardinia St Cameron St Cisellus of Sardinia St Cyriaca
Blessed Conrad Probus of Toul OFM (c1220-1297) Bishop St Euprepius of Verona St Fidelis of Edessa St Theogonius of Edessa St Gracia of Lérida St Hardulph St Joseph Nien Vien St Leontius the Elder St Luxorius of Sardinia St Maria of Lérida St Maximianus the Soldier St Maximilian of Antioch St Natale of Casale Monferrato St Paternus of Fondi St Privatus of Mende St Quadratus of Utica
Thought for the Day – 20 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
CHARITY Meditations for a Month
The Charity of God
Among all the Divine perfections, charity is the only one with which God our Lord absolutely identifies Himself. We do not read in the Word of God that God is power, or God is wisdom but, we do read and this not once only, that God is Charity (John 4:8, 26). God, therefore, desires that this aspect of His Divine Nature should be continually before our minds and that we should dwell on His Love for us, more than on any other of His attributes.
When God appeared on earth, it was but natural that the perfection, most characteristic of His Divine Nature, should manifest itself most clearly, through the veil of His Humanity, that, among the qualities acquired, by His Sacred Humanity, from the Hypostatic Union, the foremost should be that with which He most completely identifies Himself. Who can study our Lord’s Life on earth, without recognising, above all, His unbounded Charity and the intensity of His Love for us?
We notice another phase of this Love in Jesus Christ which helps us to acquire great confidence in the Love of God. His Charity was, above all, a Charity to sinners. He had a sort of preference for them; they were His friends and companions. He sought them out and His Charity to them knew no bounds. From this, we clearly learn, the true nature of God’s Charity to man. God Loves sinners now, He has always Loved them and He will always Love them as He Loved them when he was on earth. What confidence I should derive for myself from this thought and what charity and commiseration, should I derive for others!
Quote/s of the Day – 20 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Feast of St Bernard (1090-1153) Confessor, Father and Doctor
“ They are there at your side, then, not just with you but for you. They stand beside you to protect and help you. What return will you make to the Lord for all the good He has done for you? (Ps 115:31). It is to Him, alone, we should give thanks and honour for their aid; it is He, Who has commanded them. “Every perfect gift,” (Jas 1:17) comes from Him alone. But we are, on no account, to fail in thanksgiving regarding the Angels, in view of the great charity, with which they obey Him and the great need we have of their assistance!”
“Nevertheless, small though we be and long and dangerous though the road may be which remains for us to travel, what do we have to fear under so good a guardian?… The Angels are faithful, wise and powerful – what have we to fear? Let us only follow them and hold fast to them and we shall abide under the protection of the God of Heaven!”
“But what shall we offer, brothers, what shall we give Him for all the benefits He has given us? He offered the most precious Victim He possessed for our sake; in truth, He could not have had anything more precious. So let us, too, do what we can, let us offer Him the best we have, that is to say, ourselves! He offered Himself, so who are you, to hesitate to offer yourself?”
“God, to Whom Angels submit themselves and Who Principalities and Powers obey, was subject to Mary and not only to Mary but Joseph too, for Mary’s sake … God obeyed a human creature; this is humility without precedent. A human creature commands God! it is sublime beyond measure!
jesu Dulcis Memoria Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee! By St Bernard (1090-1153) Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church
Jesus, the very thought of Thee With sweetness fills the breast! Yet sweeter far Thy face to see And in Thy presence rest.
No voice can sing, no heart can frame, Nor can the memory find, A sweeter sound than Jesus’ Name, The Saviour of mankind.
O hope of every contrite heart! O joy of all the meek! To those who fall, how kind Thou art! How good to those who seek!
But what to those who find? Ah! this nor tongue, nor pen, can show The love of Jesus, what it is, None but His loved ones know.
Jesus! our only hope be Thou, As Thou our prize shall be; In Thee be all our glory now And through eternity. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 20 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Feast of St Bernard (1090-1153) Confessor, Father and Doctor – Ecclesiasticus 39:6-14; Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture
“You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:14
REFLECTION – “In his epistle, Saint John rightly states: ‘God is Light‘ and “whoever remains in God” is “in the Light, just as God Himself is in the Light” (1 Jn 1:5,7; 3:24). Because we have had the good fortune to be freed from the darkness of error, we should always “walk in the Light” like “children of the Light” (Eph 5:8)… And so the Apostle Paul says: “Among them you shine as Lights in the world, holding fast the Word of Life” (Phil 2:15-16). But if we do not do this, it will be clear that we are, so to speak, covering up and shading this essential Light by our lack of faith…
Therefore, that shining Light which has been lit, for our salvation must always shine in us. For we possess the lamp of the heavenly commandments and of the spirit of grace, of which David said: “Thy law is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps 118:105)… We must not, then, hide this lamp of the law and of faith but should always set it up on the Church, as on a lampstand, for the salvation of many. In this way, we too may enjoy the Light of Truth itself and all who believe. may be enlightened.” – St Chromatius of Aquilaea (Died c407) Bishop, Father of the Church (Homilies on Saint Matthew’s Gospel No 5).
PRAYER – O God, Who gave to Thy people, blessed Bernard, as a minister of salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who cherished him on earth as a teacher of life, may be found worthy to have him as an intercessor in Heaven. 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 – 20 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Feast of St Bernard (1090-1153) Confessor, Father and Doctor
O Blessed Lady, Mediatrix and Advocate By St Bernard (1090-1153) Father and Doctor of Light
Our Mediatrix and Advocate O blessed Lady, you found grace, brought forth the Life, and became the Mother of Salvation. May you obtain the grace for us to go to the Son. By your mediation, may we be received by the One Who through you, gave Himself to us. May your integrity compensate with Him for the fault of our corruption and may your humility, which is pleasing to God, implore pardon for our vanity. May your great charity cover the multitude of our sins and may your glorious fecundity confer on us, a fecundity of merits. Dear Lady, our Mediatrix and Advocate, reconcile us to your Son, recommend us to Him and present us to your Son. By the grace you found, by the privilege you merited, by the Mercy you brought forth, obtain for us the favour we ask of you, O blessed Lady. Amen
Saint of the Day – 20 August – St Maximus of Chinon (5th Century) Priest, Abbot, Confessor, Founder of a Monastery on the river Vienne, later dedicated to him, today the Collegiate Church of Saint-Mexme , Miracle-worker. He was buried in this Monastery.Maximus had been a disciple of Saint Martin of Tours (315-397), he would, therefore, have died in the first half of the 5th Century. Also known as – Massimo, Mexme.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Chinon, St Maximus, Confessor, disciple of the the blessed Bishop, Martin.”
The little we know of our Saint today comes from St Gregory of Tours(538-594) who, in his “De Gloria Confessorum” dedicated a Chapter to this disciple of St Martin of Tours, who, in order to keep his sanctity hidden, left Touraine, where he was born and lived, to go as a simple Monk to the Monastery of Ile-Barbe in Lyons.
But even here the sanctity and wisdom of his person attracted the attention of the inhabitants of the area, who did not leave him alone in his prayers and deliberately hidden and contemplative life, therefore, he decided to return to his own region.
Crossing the river his boat sank but Maximus was able to reach the shore without difficulty, also saving the book of the Gospels, the Chalice and the Paten which he had with him.
Returning to Touraine in Aquitaine (a historical region of central France, largely in the Loire basin), he founded a Monastery in Chinon on the Vienne which later took his name. It was destroyed by the Normans and rebuilt in the 10th Century.
St Gregory of Tours tells us that while the Castle of Chinon was besieged by the Visigoth enemies, around 446, the holy Abbot obtained, with his intense prayers, torrents of rain to fall, thus aiding the population of Chinon, who had been isolated from the main water supplies. The rain allowed cisterns and containers to be filled. Thus the siege of Chinon was lifted.
This episode is illustrated in the Saint-Etienne Church in Chinon by a stained glass window by master glassmaker Lobin, see below.
Saint Maximus, in this window, is covered with the famous Cope – the Cope called “of Saint Mexme ” – which was offered to the head of the Canons of the Collegiate Church of Saint-Maximus in the 12th Century by Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who is said to have brought it back from the second Crusade.
St Mexme liberator of Chinon in 446 Church of St. Stephen of Chinon
Kept at the Musée des Amis du Vieux Chinon, this Cope is made of silk and gold and dates from the end of the 11th Cr beginning of the 12th.
Chained cheetahs, trees of life stylised according to a Byzantine motif, falcons, jackals, representation of the sacred fire, it is surmounted by an inscription woven in the Kufic language indicating: “Happiness to its owner.”
Maximus is believed to have died shortly after the siege of Chinon at the age of over 85. His liturgical celebration on 20 August in the Roman Martyrology. In Chinon, where he was a tireless Abbot and shepherd he is especially venerated. He died in an unspecified year.
Maximus is also mentioned in the ‘Vita’ and the ‘Miracula’ written in the 9th Century but they add nothing historical to the that which St Gregory of Tours has given us.
Monastery of St Maximus now the Collegiate Church of Chinon
In the Church of Rivière, the legend of Saint Maximus is transcribed on three panels which are located at the Entrance to the Church, on the wall of the Pulpit, near the Confessional.
A legend dating from the 13th Century tells of an conversation between the great St Martin of Tours and our St Maximus which took place here in this “ancient Church of the Lady and Virgin Mary, in the middle of the meadow.” A site which the ‘old Gauls’ called the ‘Rives‘ (Rivière).
St Brogan St Burchard of Worms St Christopher of Cordoba St Cristòfol Baqués Almirall St Gobert of Apremont St Haduin of Le Mans St Heliodorus of Persia St Herbert Hoscam St Leovigild of Cordoba St Lucius of Cyprus St Maximus of Chinon (5th Century) Priest, Abbot, Confessor,
Thought for the Day – 19 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
CHARITY Meditations for a Month
Charity, Our Protection “Charity shall Cover a multitude of Sins”
One of the characteristics of charity is that it always looks to the bright side of things. It seeks to bring out all that is good in others while concealing their sins. It does not notice their sins. It does not allude to their sins unnecessarily, whether they are committed directly against man or against God. It has a happy knack of forgetting their sins or seeming to forget them. It covers their sins from the eyes of men and even seeks to obliterate them before God by the prayers it offers for the offender. Is this my spirit? Do I not rather cover the virtues of others and disclose their faults?!
In this respect, it is especially true that we shall be treated as we treat others. “With what judgement you judge, you shall be judged,” says our Lord. If we pass the severe sentence of harsh criticism onto others, our sentence will be severe. If we make little of their faults and much of their virtues, God will do the same to us. What utter folly to prepare for ourselves a harsh verdict at the tribunal of Christ, by our condemnation of others here below!
On the other hand, Charity shall cover a multitude of sins. If we have been always men of charity, it is wonderful how God will seem to have forgotten our many sins. The poor whom we have helped will pray for us, those whom we have comforted in sorrow, will say kind things on our behalf and our charitable judgeement of others, will find its counterpart in God’s judgement of us. Our sins will be concealed and disappear under the mantle of our charity. Is my charity such as this to cover my sins?
Quote/s of the Day – 19 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – the Feast St John Eudes (1601-1680) Confessor, “The Apostle of Two Hearts”
“Let us … give ourselves to God, … and beg Him to destroy in us, the life of the world of sin and to establish His Life within us.”
“Any innovation in matters of faith, is extremely harmful and injurious and utterly damnable!”
“A man is no true Christian if he has no devotion to the Mother of Jesus Christ.”
One Minute Reflection – 19 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St John Eudes (1601-1680) Confessor, “The Apostle of Two Hearts” – – Sirach 31:8-11; Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Blessed are those servants, whom the Master, on His return, shall find watching.” – Luke 12:37
REFLECTION – “It is now fitting we should consider the time of our Lord’s coming. He came, as you know, not in the beginning, nor in the midst of time but in the end of it. This was no unsuitable choice but a truly wise dispensation of Infinite Wisdom, Who, aware that the sons of Adam are inclined to ingratitude, ordained that He would not come to their aid, until they were in the greatest need.
Truly, “it was evening and the day was far spent” and the “Sun of Justice” had almost set (Lk 24:29; Mal 3:20); only a faint ray of its light and heat remained on earth. The Light of Divine knowledge was very small, and, as iniquity abounded, so the fervour of charity grew cold (Mt 24:12). No Angel appeared; no Prophet spoke. The angelic vision and the prophetic spirit alike, had passed away, both hopelessly baffled by the obduracy and obstinacy of humankind. Then, it was that the Son of God said: “Behold, I come” (Ps 39:8; Heb 10:7). And “while all things were in quiet silence and night was in the midst of its swift course, Thy Almighty Word leaped down from Heaven, from Thy Royal throne” (Wis 18:14-15). As the Apostle Paul says: “When the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son” (Gal 4:4).” – St Bernard (1090-1153) Cistercian Abbot, Father and Doctor of the Church (Sermon 1 of Advent).
PRAYER – O God, Who wondrously enkindled St John, Thy Confessor, to promote the religious veneration of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and through him, willed to found new religious families in the Church, grant, we beseech Thee that we may honour his holy merits and may learn from the example of his virtues. 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 – 19 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Feast of St John Eudes (1601-1680) Confessor, “The Apostle of Two Hearts”
A Magnificat By St John Eudes (1601-1680) A Hymn of Praise and Thanksgiving to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Holy Heart of Mary
My soul doth magnify the admirable Heart of Jesus and Mary And my spirit rejoices in Thou great Heart. Jesus and Mary have given me their Heart, This immense Heart, in order that all in me May be performed in its love.
Infinite praise to them, for their ineffable gift. This Heart infinitely merciful, has done great things for me. It has possessed me from the womb of my mother. Infinite thanksgiving for Thou ineffable gifts.
The abyss of my misery has called on the abyss of His Mercy. Infinite thanksgiving for His ineffable gifts. This Heart infinitely meek has presented me With blessings of its sweetness. Infinite thanksgiving for His ineffable gifts. Amen
Saint of the Day – 19 August – St Donatus of Sisteron (Died 535) Priest, Confessor, Hermit, Miracle-worker. Born in Orleans, France and died in c535 of natural causes in Provence at the foot of Mount Lure. Also known as – Donatus of Mount Lure, Donato of… Additional Memorial – 18 August on some calendars.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “In the neighbourhood of Sisteron in France, the blessed St Donatus, Priest and Confessor. Being from his very infancy endowed with the grace of God in an extraordinary manner, he lived the life of an Anchorite for many years and after having been renowned for glorious miracles, he went to Christ.”
Donatus was originally from Orléans in France. After completing his sacred studies, he was Ordained a Deacon and then he was raised to the sacred Priesthood.
After undertaking a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Martin of Tours, seeking a more perfect imitation of a life of sanctity, he decided to settle alone in the vicinity of Sisteron, at the foot of Mount Lure.
Wonderful miracles surround his life. One of these involves a pagan called Celsus, who had persecuted the holy Hermit, converted because his daughter was miraculously cured by our Saint.
Donatus died around 535, assisted by his friend Marius, the Abbot of Val Benoit. The anniversary falls on 19 August.
A Benedictine Monastery was erected in the 12th Century on Mount Lure, near the Tomb of Saint-Donatus.
St Andrew the Tribune St Badulf of Ainay St Bertulf of Luxeuil St Calminius St Credan of Evesham St Donatus of Sisteron (Died 535) Priest, Hermit St Elaphius of Châlons St Guenninus Bl Guerricus
Blessed Jordan of Pisa OP (c 1255–1311) Dominican Friar, Theologian, Professor, renowned Preacher, Founder of the Confraternity of the Holy Redeemer at Pisa, Visionary, Marian devotee, promoter and daring innovator of the vernacular Italian language as a ‘church’ language and a tool for evangelisation. On 23 August 1833, Blessed Jordan’s cultus was confirmed by Pope Gregory XVI and in 1838 he was Beatified by Pope Gregory XVI. His Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/19/saint-of-the-day-blessed-jordan-of-pisa-op-c-1255-1311/ St Julius of Rome
St Louis of Toulouse OFM (1274-1297) Prince and Bishop, Neapolitan Prince of the Capetian House of Anjou, Franciscan Friar and Priest, Apostle of Prayer, of Penance and of the poor and the sick. He had received the last sacraments on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady and on the 19th of August, 1297, while pronouncing the holy name of Mary, he yielded his soul to God. Because of the many miracles that were wrought at his tomb, he was Canonised as early as 1317, during the lifetime of his mother. Lovely St Louis: https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/19/saint-of-the-day-19-august-saint-louis-of-toulouse-ofm-1274-1297-prince-and-bishop/St
St Magnus of Anagni St Magnus of Avignon St Magnus of Cuneo St Marianus of Entreaigues St Marinus of Besalu St Magino of Tarragona St Mochta St Namadia of Marsat St Rufinus of Mantua St Sarah the Matriarch St Sebaldus St Thecla of Caesarea St Timothy of Gaza
Blessed Urban II (1042–1099) Bishop of Rome, Abbot, Confessor – after 1969 his Feast was moved to 29 July. The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, Blessed Urban II, Pope, who followed in the footsteps of St Gregory VII, in his zeal for learning and religion and fired the Crusaders with enthusiasm for the recovery of the holy places in Palestine, from the power of the infidels. The veneration paid to him from time immemorial Pope Leo XIII, approved and confirmed.” Biography: https://anastpaul.com/2019/07/29/saint-of-the-day-29-july-blessed-pope-urban-ii-c-1035-1099-bishop/
Martyrs of Nagasaki – 15 Beati: A group of missionaries and their laymen supporters who were executed for spreading Christianity in Japan. They are: Antonius Yamada, Bartholomaeus Mohyoe, Iacobus Matsuo Denji, Ioachim Díaz Hirayama, Ioannes Miyazaki Soemon, Ioannes Nagata Matashichi, Ioannes Yago, Laurentius Ikegami Rokusuke, Leo Sukeemon, Ludovic Frarijn, Marcus , kenoshita Shin’emon, Michaël Díaz Hori, Paulus Sankichi, Pedro de Zúñiga, Thomas Koyanag., They were beheaded on 19 August 1622 at Nagasaki, Japan and Beatified , 7 May 1867 by Pope Pius IX.
Thought for the Day – 18 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
CHARITY Meditations for a Month
The Gratitude of Charity “We love Him because He first Loved us”
Perfect charity loves God for His Own sake, independently of any thought of ourselves. However, perfect charity, is preceded and accompanied by, a charity which has, at least, an indirect reference to ourselves. The love of God, first springs up within our hearts because, of the Love which He has shown to us. We think of all He has done for us and we recognise therein, a clear proof of His Love. Love begets love and we cannot help being drawn towards One, Who has, thus gratuitously, manifested towards us, a charity to which we owe all which is really precious in our lives and all the good gifts we possess. How then can we fail to be attracted towards Him, Who has shown such Love for us?
This love of gratitude, is not the same, as the love of concupiscence and, not the same, as the pure love of friendship. It most resembles the latter and always enters into it. Without some sort of gratitude, friendship would be mere admiration; the personal element necessary to love, would be wanting. When a Saint dwells with rapture on the Divine perfections, there is always present to his mind, a remembrance of all God has done for him. Do I, with gratitude, ever recount to myself all God has done for me?
This element of charity is present in the charity of the Saints in Heaven. Their song will not only be, “We give Thee thanks because, Thou hast taken to Thyself, great glory and hast reigned” but also “because Thou hast redeemed us to God in Thine own Blood.” The song, I must seek to sing in my heart, here on earth says, “Thanks to God, first for His great glory and then for His goodness and love to me.”
Quote/s of the Day – 18 August – Pentecost XIII – Galatians 3:16-22; Luke 17:11-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Were not ten made clean? And where are the other nine?”
Luke 17:17
“While He is judged, Wisdom remains silent and the Word says nothing. His enemies despise and Crucify Him … Those, to whom yesterday, He gave His Body as food, watch from a distance as He dies. Peter, the first of the Apostles, is the first to flee. Andrew also took flight and John, who rested at His side, did not prevent the soldier from piercing that side with a lance. The Twelve fled – they did not say one word in His favour, they, for whom He is giving His Life. Lazarus is not there, he, whom He called back to life. The blind man did not weep for Him Who opened his eyes to the light and the crippled man, who could walk thanks to Him, did not run to Him. Only a bandit who was crucified next to Him confessed Him and called Him his King! O thief, precocious blossom from the tree of the Cross, first fruit of the wood from Golgotha!””
St Ephrem (306-373) Father and Doctor of the Church
“ For man’s lowliness, is his gratitude and, God’s greatness, is His Mercy.”
St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Grace
Daily Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Prayers to the Sacred Heart 1936 – 15th Edition, Dublin
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, filled with infinite love, broken by our ingratitude and pierced by our sins, yet loving us still, accept the Consecration we make to Thee, of all that we are and all that we have. Take every faculty of our souls and bodies, only day by day draw us, nearer and nearer to Thy Sacred Heart, and there, as we shall hear the lesson, teach us Thy Holy Way. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 18 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Pentecost XIII –Within the Octave of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin – Galatians 3:16-22; Luke 17:11-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Where are the other nine?” – Luke 17:17
REFLECTION – “In our own day we see many people at prayer but, unfortunately, we see none of them turning back to give thanks to God … “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?” As I think you will remember, it was in these words that our Saviour complained about the lack of gratitude of the other nine lepers. We read that they knew well how to make “supplications, prayers, petitions” since they lifted up their voices, crying out: “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” But they lacked the fourth thing required by the Apostle Paul: “thanksgiving” (1Tm 2:1) for they did not turn back nor give thanks to God.
We see still more in our own day ,people who implore God for what they lack but a mere handful who seem to be grateful for the blessings they have received. There is no harm in imploring Him but what causes God not to grant our prayers, is His finding us lacking in gratitude. After all, perhaps it is even an act of mercy on His part, to hold back from the ungrateful, what they are asking for, so that they may not be judged all the more rigorously, on account of their ingratitude! … For, it is sometimes out of mercy that God holds back His mercy! …
So you see, not all those who are healed of the leprosy of this world, I mean their manifest complaints, profit by their cures. Indeed, many are secretly afflicted with an ulcer worse than leprosy, all the more dangerous, in that it is more interior. That is why it was correct that the Saviour of the world should ask, where the other nine lepers were, since sinners avoid cures. So, too, after his sin, God questioned the first man: “Where are you?” (Gn 3:9).” – St Bernard (1090-1153) Cistercian Abbot, Father and Doctor of the Church (Various sermons No 27).
PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, forgive the transgressions of Thy servants and, forasmuch as by our own deeds, we cannot please Thee, may we find safety through the prayers of the Mother of Thy Son and 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 – 18 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Pentecost XIII
Soul of My Saviour, Sanctify My Breast Trans. Attri. to Fr John Hegarty (1752-1834)
Soul of my Saviour, sanctify my breast; Body of Christ, be Thou my saving Guest; Blood of my Saviour, bathe me in Thy tide; Wash me with water flowing from Thy side.
Strength and protection, may Thy Passion be; O Blessed Jesus, hear and answer me; Deep in Thy Wounds, Lord, hide and shelter me; So shall I never, never, part from Thee.
Hear me, Lord Jesus, listen as I pray; “Lead me from night, to never-ending day. Fill all the world, with love and grace Divine, And glory, laud and praise, be ever Thine.”
This Hymn is based on the original Latin text of the Anima Christi. Fr Hegarty is attributed with its translation and/or arrangement. He was born in County Derry, Ireland, educated at Dublin University and was Ordained in June 1890 and spent most of active apostolic years in Brisbane, Australia. He died aged 82 years.
Saint of the Day – 18 August – Saint Firminus of Metz (Died c496) Bishop and Conmfessor.
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Metz, Firminus, Bishop and Confessor.”
Firminus was the 11th Bishop of Metz. In the official chronology of the Bishops of the Diocese, he succeeds Adelphus and precedes Leontius. His position was assigned by the oldest catalogue of the Bishops of the City, compiled around 776 and which has come down to us in the “Sacramentary” of Drogo,the Bishop of Metz between the years 823 and 855.
We know very little about our Saint today. Firminus is presumed to have been Greek in origin and that he governed the Diocese at the end of the 4th and the beginning of the 5th Centuries.
He seems to have been the Bishop for fifteen years and to have died on 18 August, in an unspecified year. but is was probably just before the assent of the new Bishop, Leontius, hence we place his death in c496.
St Clements Church in Metz
His body was buried in the crypt of the Church of Saint Clement, the first Bishop of Metz. The stained glass window above resides in this Church too. His remains were transferred to the upper part of theChurch, where they were venerated until the end of the 18th Century. His Relics, after that time, as in many other cases, were destroyed by the satanic horrors and violent excesses of the French Revolutionaries.
The Feast of Saint Firminus, in the Proper of Metz is fixed on the 18 August.
St Crispus of Rome St Daig Maccairaill Bl Domenico de Molinar St Eonus of Arles St Ernan St Evan of Ayrshire St Firminus of Metz (Died c496) Bishop and Conmfessor. St Florus of Illyria Bl Francis of Francavilla Bl Gaspar di Salamanca St Hermas of Rome St John of Rome St Juliana of Myra St Juliana of Stobylum St Laurus of Illyria St Leo of Myra
St Maximus of Illyria Bl Milo of Fontenelle St Polyaenus of Rome St Proculus of Illyria
Blessed Rinaldo of Concorezzo (c1245 – 1321) Bishop of Vicenza from 1296 until his 1303 appointment as the Archbishop of Ravenna-Cervia holding that until his death, Doctor of Canon Law, Papal envoy, Arbitrator and Peace-maker. Archbishop Rinaldo was also a close friend of Dante Alighieri. His Courageous Life: https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/18/saint-of-the-day-18-august-blessed-rinaldo-of-concorezzo-c-1245-1321/
St Ronan of Iona St Serapion of Rome
Massa Candida: Also known as Martyrs of Utica and the White Company: Three hundred 3rd Century Christians at Carthage, who were ordered to burn incense to Jupiter or face death by fire. Martyrs. Saint Augustine of Hippo and the poet Prudentius wrote about them. They were forced to cast themselves into a pit of burning lime c 253 at Carthage, North Africa.
Thought for the Day – 17 August – Meditations with Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)
CHARITY Meditations for a Month
The Perseverance of Charity “Charity never falleth away”
We are all anxious to persevere to the end. We know, without perseverance, all else is of no avail. Of what use was it to the Israelites who perished in the desert for their sins, to have escaped from Egypt, safely crossed the Red Sea and toiled for years over the sandy plains? What use to Solomon to have been dear to God and endowed with supernatural wisdom, if, as some think, he did not persevere to the end? Therefore, all our graces are of no avail but rather, tend to our condemnation, if we, in the end, fall away and are lost.
Yet, who can be certain of perseverance? Who does not tremble at the thought of his own insecurity? We may have great gifts but they will not save us – talent, activity, zeal, courage, prudence, will be useless to us. Even faith will not save us – the devils believe and tremble! – and hope, may degenerate into presumption, or may disappear and leave us at the last, to an eternal despair.
How then are we to be safe? One thing alone never falleth away. One virtue alone will carry us unharmed through every danger. If we have in our hearts that supernatural gift of God which fears nothing as much as offending Him, then we are safe! Faith may grow dim and all sorts of doubts may present themselves to our minds. Hope may seem to have disappeared altogether. All may look black and dark but, if we can say from our hearts that with God’s aid, we would do, or suffer anything, rather than offend Him, then we have in our hearts that supernatural charity which unites us to God and ensures our entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven, “for Charity never falleth away.” Do I believe from my heart that, with God’s loving assistance, I would do, or suffer, anything, rather than offend Him? Do I tell Him?!
Quote/s of the Day – 17 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Hyacinth OP (1185-1257) ) Confessor – Sirach 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man…”
Luke 21:36
“Tell us when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy Coming and of the consummation of the world? ”
Matthew 24:3
“So that our minds might be free of these illusions, the Word invites us to shake this deep sleep from the eyes of our soul, so that we might not slip away from the true realities, by becoming attached to that which has no consistency. That is why He suggests that we be watchful when He says: “Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning …” (Lk 12:35) For when the light shines before our eyes, it chases sleep away and, when our loins are held tight by a belt, they prevent the body from succumbing to it… The person who has fastened on the belt of temperance lives in the light of a pure conscience; the trust of a child illuminates his life like a lamp… If we live in this way, we will enter a life like that of the Angels!”
St Gregory of Nyssa (c335–c395) Father of the Church (Brother of St Basil the Great)
“You also must be ready because at an hour which you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Luke 12:40
“We must always be on the lookout for Christ’s twofold coming, the one, when we shall have to give an account of everything we have done and the other, when He comes, day after day, to stir our consciences. He comes to us now, in order that His future coming may find us prepared. If my conscience is burdened with sin, what good, will it do me, to know when the Day of Judgement will be? Unless the Lord comes to my soul beforehand and makes His home with me, unless Christ lives in me and speaks His word in my heart, it is useless for me to know if and when His coming will take place. Only if Christ is already living in me and I in Him, will it go well with me when He comes in judgement. If I have already died to the world and am able to say, “The world is crucified to me and I to the world,” (Gal 6:14) then, in a sense, His final coming is already present to me.”
St Paschasius Radbertus (785–865) Abbot, Theologian, Father of the Church
One Minute Reflection – 17 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Hyacinth OP (1185-1257) ) Confessor – Sirach 31:8-11; Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/
“You also must be ready, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” – Luke 12:40
REFLECTION –“Watch, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” Like many other scriptural texts, this admonition is addressed to all of us, although it is formulated, in such a way that it would seem to concern only Christ’s immediate audience. We can all apply it to ourselves because the Last Day and the End of the World will come for each of us, on the day we depart this present life. This means, we must make sure we die in the state in which we wish to appear on the Day of Judgement. Bearing this in mind, each of us should guard against being led astray and failing to keep watch, otherwise the Day of the Lord’s return may take us unawares. If the last day of our life finds us unprepared, then we shall be unprepared on that Day too!” – St Paschasius Radbertus OSB (785–865) Abbot of Corbie, Theoplogian, Father of the Church (Commentary on Saint Matthew’s Gospel 11, 24) His Life here: https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/26/saint-of-the-day-26-april-saint-paschasius-radbertus-785-865/
PRAYER – God, Who gladden us with the annual feast of blessed Hyacinth, Thy Confessor, mercifully grant that, while honouring the anniversary of his death, we may also imitate his deeds. 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 – 17 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and Mary’s day
Mother of my God, Lady Mary, Queen of Mercy By St Alphonsus Ligouri (1696-1787) Most Zealous Doctor
Mother of my God and my Lady Mary, as a beggar, all wounded and sore, presents himself before a great Queen, so do I present myself before you, who are Queen of heaven and earth. From the lofty throne on which you sit, disdain not, I implore you, to cast your eyes on me, a poor sinner. God has made you so rich that you might assist the poor and has made you Queen of Mercy, that you might relieve the miserable. Behold me then and pity me. Behold me and abandon me not, until you see me changed from a sinner into a saint. Amen
Saint of the Day – 17 August – St Jeroen of Noordwijk (c800- 856) Priest Martyr, Missionary. Born around 800 in Scotland or Ireland and died on 17 August 856 in Noordwijk, Holland by being beheaded by pagan Vikings. Patronage – the finding of lost articles, of Noordwijk. Also known as – Gerone, Hiero, Hieron, Iero, Ieron, Jeroen van Noordwijk, Jéron Noordwijk. Additional Memorial – 3rd Sunday in August in Noordwijk a St Jeroen celebration known as the ‘St Jeroen Sleep Walk’ and on the 1st Sunday in September, his Patronage of Noordwijk (and of lost articles) is celebrated there.
Jeroen was born around 800 as the son of a prominent nobleman in Scotland (or Ireland). As a young man, however, he chose a life as a Priest and Monk. Together with other Benedictine Monks, he crossed the North Sea to preach Christianity on the mainland. In 851, Jeroen settled as a shephjerd of souls in Noordwijk, Holland.
St Jeroen (far right) included amongs the great Benedictine Saints, St Bonficafe, St Gregory the Great, St Adalbert and St Jeroen
In August 856, Noordwijk was attacked by the Norsemen during one of their raids. Jeroen was captured and tortured. The next day, a chieftain of the Norsemen demanded that Jeroen renounce his faith and sacrifice to the Germanic gods. When Jeroen refused, he was sentenced to death and beheaded.
The Martyrdom of St Jeroen
After the Normans had disappeared, his body was buried in the utmost secrecy by his followers.
St Jeroen’s Funeral
A Church was built above the spot where Jeroen’s decapitated body was found. Around 1300, a skull was found in this building during an excavation. The skull was immediately attributed to St Jeroen. The Church bells began to ring spontaneously at the moment of the discovery, what further proof was needed! A man who suffered from epilepsy was immediately cured after touching the skull.
The original Church since claimed by the protestants
Jeroen’s head was placed in the Church and became an object of great veneration. In 1429, the Bishop of Utrecht elevated the village of Noordwijk to a place of pilgrimage for those seeking the intercession of Saint Jeroen in all their troubles and ailments.
St window is in St Jeroen’s Catholic Church in Noordwijk (I cannot find an image of the Church itself)
As a result of the Reformation, Noordwijk’s existence as a place of pilgrimage for Saint Jerome came to an end in the 16th Century. The Saint’s skull – possibly brought to safety somewhere – has been missing since then.
In 1892, Pope Leo XIII elevated Noordwijk to a place of pilgrimage of Saint Jerome for the second time in its history. The Relics, originating from the Abbey of Egmond, were transferred from Haarlem to the Parish Church in Noordwijk. Since then, they have been kept in a Shrine in the Saint Jerome Altar. The Shrine also contains a silver arm Relic. From then on, pilgrims received special favours in the form of Indulgences when visiting this Church. A marble plaque on the wall of the central portal is a reminder of this.
The discovery of St Jeroen’s Relics
Since the 1960s, pilgrimages to Noordwijk have no longer been organised (surprised?!). However, every year on the 3rd Sunday in August, the St Jeroen Sleep Way’ (Jeroensommegang) is walked through the centre of Noordwijk-Binnen. On the same day, the annual Jeroenvespers are sung in the Church in the afternoon. The Patron Saint’s day of Saint Jerome is also celebrated every year on the first Sunday in September.
St Amor of Amorbach St Anastasius of Terni St Benedicta of Lorraine St Carloman St Cecilia of Lorraine
St Clare of the Cross of Montefalco (c1269-1308) Augustinian Nun and Abbess, before becoming a nun, St Clare was a member of the Third Order of St Francis (Secular), Mystic, Penitent, Spiritual adviser. Beatified by Pope Clement XII. On 8 December 1881, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Leo XIII Canonised Clare. Her Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/08/17/saint-of-the-day-17-august-saint-clare-of-the-cross-of-montefalco-c-1269-1308/
St Drithelm St Elias the Younger St Eusebius of Sicily St James the Deacon St Jeroen of Noordwijk (c800-856) Priest Martyr St Juliana of Ptolemais St Mamas St Myron of Cyzicus
St Nicolò Politi (1117-1167) Basilian Monk and Hermit. He was known for his miracles even during his childhood and was Venerated as a saint even before his death. St Nicolò was Canonised on 7SJune 1507, at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, by Pope Julius II. About St Nicolò: https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/17/saint-of-the-day-17-august-st-nicolo-politi-1117-1167/
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