Tag: antoniobacci

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 11 April – Jesus in Gethsemane

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Thought for the Day – 11 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Jesus in Gethsemane

“What was the prayer of Jesus in the moment of anguish when He saw Himself abandoned or betrayed by everyone on this earth and foresaw the terrible sufferings of His Passion and Death, which, despite His infinite love, would prove to be in vain for so many men?
Face downwards upon the earth, He implored His Heavenly Father to take away, if possible, the bitter chalice.
But, He added immediately, “Yet not My will but Thine be done” (Lk 22:42).

We should pray like Jesus, especially when we are suffering in body and tormented in mind.
We should prostrate ourselves before God, with an act of deep humility and of perfect confidence in His infinite goodness.
We should pray first of all, that His Name may be glorified throughout the world, as it is in Heaven.
We should pray that His Kingdom may be established and may triumph over evil and that our own souls may be saved, along with those of our brothers in Christ.
Only then, can we ask for the favours which we need in the present life and for freedom from physical and moral suffering.
We can ask for all these things, certainly but, we should add with Jesus, “Yet not my will but Thine be done!”
In other words, we should be ready to offer up our sufferings, as a proof of our love for Him. Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/10/thought-for-the-day-10-april-jesus-in-gethsemane/

Posted in HOLY WEEK, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 10 April – The Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem

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Thought for the Day – 10 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem

“Imagine the joyful and triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
The cheering crowds line the street along which He approaches, riding upon the foal of an ass.
Palm and olive branches are waved aloft, while groups of children cry out: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest” (Cf Mt 21:9).
In the midst of all this exultation, Jesus appears to be absorbed and detached.
In his representation of this scene, a famous artist painted a large cross in the distance, far beyond the cheering crowd.
The divine vision of Jesus, certainly saw this cross.
He knew that in a few days, He would be arrested as a malefactor and Crucified between two thieves.
The ingratitude of men towards the Divine Redeemer was to go, even to this length.

We also shall have our moments of happiness and of victory in life.
But, like Jesus, we must not trust too much in the joys and conquests of this world.
The warning of the Holy Spirit, that “the end of joy may be sorrow” (Prov 14:13), is unfortunately, only too true.
Earthy happiness lasts for a short time and ends in grief.
So we must seek the true and lasting happiness which comes from Divine grace and from constant conformity with the will of God.
This happiness will never pass away but, will become everlasting in Heaven.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD is LOVE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The INCARNATION, The LAMB of GOD, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 9 April – The Passion of Our Lord

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Thought for the Day – 9 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Passion of Our Lord

“The Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the most profound mysteries of our religion.
It is a mystery of infinite goodness and mercy, that, out of love for fallen humanity, the Eternal Word of God, should have assumed a human form and become man, in order to show us the way to Heaven and to enable us, to reach it.
Jesus came amongst us, to instruct us, to call us, to perfection and to give us, an example and the necessary help.
But He did much more than this.
He came also to bear the weight of our offences and to offer Himself, as a spotless victim of love and suffering in expiation of our sins.
All this, seems too great a mystery, almost inconceivable, in fact, until we consider that the charity of God is as infinite as His nature.
This is why, the Saints experienced hours of ecstasy contemplating the Passion and Death of our Divine Redeemer.
Whenever St Gertrude looked upon the figure of Jesus nailed to the Cross, she could not restrain her tears.
She was accustomed to say, that God was specially merciful towards those who meditated on the Passion and Death of Jesus.
St Bernard writes, that even as the rocks were rent asunder at the Death of Our Redeemer, so, our sin-hardened hearts, should feel as if they were breaking, when we meditate on His Sufferings.
Let us meditate, therefore, on the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
If we are sinners, as unfortunately, we all are, we shall we moved to weep for our sins.
If we are imperfect and lukewarm, we shall be set on fire with love and a determination, to requite, as far as possible, the infinite charity of Jesus Christ.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Thought for the Day – 8 April – The Betrayal of Judas

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Thought for the Day – 8 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Betrayal of Judas

“It is quite certain, that Judas did not commit this sacrilegious act of betrayal on the spur of the moment.
Evil, like goodness, is arrived at step-by-step.
Perhaps it was some motive of self-interest, rather than of pure love, which led Judas to become one of Jesus; Apostles.
Covetousness, “the root of all evils,” (Cf 1 Tim 6:10) seems to have been his dominant passion.
As the Gospel tells us, he kep the money offerings which those who had been converted, gave to Jesus for His support and for that of His Apostles.
Judas did not know how to suppress his dominant passion at times.
On one occasion, he complained about Mary Magdalen, when she anointed the feet of Jesus with precious ointment.
The passion grew and he became a thief, “He was a thief and holding the purse used to take what was put in it” (Jn 12:6).
In spite of the extraordinary grace he had received, he fell into sin.
Finally, he was guilty of the betrayal, of the sacrilegious communion at the last supper and of the kiss of hypocrisy in Gethsemane.

The example of Judas is a lesson to us.
It is disastrous to begin to yield to our passions and to fall into evil habits.
The Holy Spirit warns us that anyone who makes little account of small things, will fall into bigger (Cf Ecclus 19:11).
Let us remember, that even a tiny spark can set off a conflagration.
Likewise, a single mortal sin can lead us to Hell!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/04/09/thought-for-the-day-9-april-the-betrayal-of-judas/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE

Thought for the Day – 6 April – OBEDIENCE

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Thought for the Day – 6 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

OBEDIENCE

“It is easier to practice the virtue of obedience when we remember, that all power omes from God,
Then we can see Him in those who have authority over us.
This will prevent us obeying orders from secondary motives, such as the desire to please men or to avoid punishment.
We shall be able to obey solely for the purpose of doing our duty and pleasing God.

Many think that it is easier to command than to obey.
They are mistaken.
Anyone in authority has grave responsibility before God and men and can sin seriously, as well!

The man who is obedient to his lawful superiors in the name of God, however, can never go wrong.
Reflect on the following exhortation from St Paul, which still holds good in our times:

“Servants, be obedient to them that are your lords according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to Christ. [6] Not serving to the eye, as it were pleasing men but, as the servants of Christ doing the will of God, from the heart, [7] With a good will serving, as to the Lord and not to men. [8] Knowing that, whatsoever good thing any man shall do, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be bond or free. [9] And you, masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatenings, knowing that the Lord, both of them and you, is in heaven and there is no respect of persons with him.” [Ephesians 6:5-9]”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUTH, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Thought for the Day – 4 April – Putting Christianity into Practice

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Thought for the Day – 4 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Putting Christianity into Practice

“Imagine what the world would be like, if the Gospel of Christ, were practised in it’s entirety, everywhere and by everybody.
It would not, of course, become another earthly Paradise, because suffering and death are the legacy of sin and Our Lord, did not remove these when He redeemed us but made them a necessary element, in our purification and spiritual elevation.
Nevertheless, the full practice of Christianity would transform the world.
A little reflection will convince us of this.
Men would love God above all things and their neighbours as themselves.
The sincere and ardent love of God, would cause wickedness, brutality and every kind of immorality to disappear.
Love of their neighbour, would make men brothers in reality, so that there would be no more wars nor threats of conflict.
The enormous wealth which is squandered on weapons of destruction, could then be diverted to good works.
There would be no more poverty, because, if men loved one another, those who had more than enough, would give to those in want.
There would be no more prisons, because, there would be no more criminals.
There would be no need for a police force, because, everyone would do his duty of his own accord.
The reign of love, which is the reign of Jesus Christ, would triumph upon earth.
Excessive wealth and the selfish love of ease and pleasure, would disappear on one hand, while, on the other, the extreme need of those who can never be sure of a meal, nor of a roof over their heads, would be palliated, until they had been raised to a standard of living, consistent with the laws of God and with the dignity of men.
The love of our neighbour as ourselves, would solve every individual and social problem in this life.
Men would grow into a vast community of brothers devoid of all barriers of hate, selfishness and greed.
This is not a Utopian dream, because it is the clear teaching of the Gospel.
Jesus did not preach the impossible.
He taught us the standards of the perfect life, which we are all obliged to try and lead.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OUR Cross, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE

Thought for the Day – 3 April – THE CRUCIFIX

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Thought for the Day – 3 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

THE CRUCIFIX

“Let us weep for our sins and increase in love for our Divine Redeemer.
When we are oppressed by the weight of our own cross, we shall look at the Crucifix and find comfort.
When we are tempted, we shall grasp the Crucifix and turn away with horror from thoughts of sin and ingratitude.

The Crucifix will teach us, as it taught the Saints, the lesson of charity towards God and towards our neighbour.
It will teach us to hate sin and to love virtue.
If we cherish it during life, it will be our consolation to kiss the Crucifix at the moment of death.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/04/thought-for-the-day-4-august-the-crucifix/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/25/thought-for-the-day-25-september-the-crucifix/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 2 April – Other Ways of Resisting Temptation

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Thought for the Day – 2 April – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Other Ways of Resisting Temptation

“After prayer, humility is the best weapon in our struggle against temptation.

God wishes us to realise, that we are incapable of a single good thought or action without His assistance.
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything, as from ourselves but our sufficiency, is from God” (2 Cor 3:5).
“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Is 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5).
We cannot conquer temptation without the grace of God and God only gives His grace to the humble.
He allows us to be troubled by temptation, in order to humble us and if He perceives that we are still proud, He allows us to fall by denying us His grace.
Many of our falls, especially sins of impurity, are the result of pride.

Let us be humble, therefore and recognise our own nothingness.
At the same time, let us have complete confidence in God.
“I can do all things in Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).
We must be humble, not only in the sight of God but, also in the presence of men.
“What hast thou that thou hast not received? And if thou hast received, why do thou boast as if thou hast not received it?” (1 Cor 4;7),

Pride and ambition are links in a chain which secures us in the bondage of sin! ”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD is LOVE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 1 April – The Main Ways to Conquer Temptation

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

The Main Ways to Conquer Temptation

“God never allows us to be tempted beyond our strength but will always give us the grace ,which we need, in order to resist, “God is faithful,” St Paul writes, “and will not permit you to be tempted beyond your strength but with the temptation, will always give you a way out that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor 10-13).

The man who is so discouraged by frequent falls that he surrenders to temptation and resigns himself to the slavery of sin, as if there were no other way out, is making a fatal mistake.
God is infinitely good and merciful and loves us all, even those who are sinners.
Remember the parable of the Prodigal Son and of the lost sheep,
How could our Heavenly Father abandon us and not give us the strength to resist evi?

If we are discouraged, let us ask God’s help for He loves us and knows how weak we are.
“He knows how we are formed” (Ps 102:14).
It is a favourite trick of the devil, to persuade us that nothing can help us.

Let us cast aside all thoughts of discouragement, therefore and arm ourselves with the necessary spiritual weapons.
With humble perseverance and the grace of God, we are sure to triumph.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Thought for the Day – 30 March – The Hour of Trial

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Thought for the Day – 30 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Hour of Trial

“We should meditate on the following passage from The Imitation of Christ.

“Just Father, ever to be praised, the hour is come for Your servant to be tried. Beloved Father, it is right that in this hour Your servant should suffer something for You. O Father, forever to be honoured, the hour which You knew from all eternity is at hand, when, for a short time, Your servant should be outwardly oppressed but inwardly, should ever live with You.

Let him be a little slighted, let him be humbled, let him fail in the sight of men, let him be afflicted with sufferings and pains, so that he may rise again with You in the dawn of the New Light and be glorified in Heaven.”

“Holy Father, You have so appointed and wished it. What has happened is what You commanded. For this is a favour to Your friend, to suffer and be troubled in the world for Your love, no matter how often and by whom, You permit it to happen to him.”

“Grant me, O Lord, the grace to know what should be known, to praise what is most pleasing to You, to esteem that, which appears most precious to You and to abhor what is unclean in Your sight.” (Bk III c 50).

In the light of these reflections, every trial will be bearable and, by the grace of God, even welcome!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/18/thought-for-the-day-18-february-the-hour-of-trial/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/30/thought-for-the-day-30-march-the-hour-of-trial/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 29 March – Holiness

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Thought for the Day – 29 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Holiness

“We need Saints to recall our wayward and corrupt society to the path of truth, justice and charity.
We should pray to God to send us Saints who will reform the world by living the Gospel and making it live for others.
Above all, we should endeavour to become holy ourselves.
To achieve this, we do not have to put on sack-cloth, go into the de4sert, or shut ourselves up in a Monastery.
Each of us can become a saint in his own home and in whatever position God has allotted him.
All we have to do is obey God’s Will in everything, love Him above everything, love our neighbour as ourselves, avoid sin and aim at what is good.
We can and should, do all this with the help of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/07/19/thought-for-the-day-19-july-holiness/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/29/thought-for-the-day-29-march-holiness/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Thought for the Day – 27 March – The Presence of God

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Thought for the Day – 27 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Presence of God

“In times of temptation, it is especially necessary for us to place ourselves in the presence of God.
We are courting disaster, if we do not raise our minds and hearts to God to implore His help, when temptation assails us.
Like the Apostles on the lake of Genesareth, when their frail boat was battered by the storm tossed waves and was in danger of being wrecked, let us cry out with the same faith and confidence, when we are assaulted by the devil: “Lord save us! We are perishing!” (Mt 8:25).
God knows our weakness and will certainly have mercy on us.

Let us not lose courage if He seems to be slow in granting His enlightenment and His grace and leaves us prey to the onslaughts of our passions.
Like the Canaanite woman in tbe Gospel, let us continue to pray with constancy and with faith and the merciful God will take pity on us at last.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/30/thought-for-the-day-30-march-the-presence-of-god/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on The SOUL

Thought for the Day – 26 March – The Human Soul

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Thought for the Day –26 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Human Soul

“Remember that every mortal sin means death to the soul, for it robs it of the supernatural life of grace, making it incapable of every good action and deserving of hell.
If you committed one mortal sin, God could tire of you, as if you were an unproductive tree and put an end to your life, without giving you time to repent!
Then, you would be lost for all eternity.
This thought should never leave your mind, particularly in time of temptation.
At such a time, turn to God with confidence, tell Him that you love Him and do not wish to offend Him at any price.
Face death rather than sin.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/27/thought-for-the-day-27-march-the-human-soul/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/10/thought-for-the-day-27-march-the-human-soul-2/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 25 March – Why God Created Us

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Thought for the Day – 25 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Why God Created Us

“We should ask the reason for everything which comes from the Hand of God.
Have you ever seriously considered WHY you are in this world?
It is certainly not for the sake of this passing earthly existence, for the sake of earning your living, or enjoying yourself.
You know well, that the passing pleasures of this life do not satisfy the human heart and cannot be the final goal of life.
Each one of us has a thirst for all that is infinite, eternal and perfect.
God alone can satisfy this thirst.
Just as we are created by God, so we are created for Him.
Just as we came from God, so we are gradually travelling back towards Him, for He is the final goal of our earthly journey.
We should meditate on this great truth which we were first taught in the Catechism, namely, that we were created to know, love and serve God on this earth and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven.
Let us not allow ourselves to be dazzled by earthly beauty.
God alone is the eternal beauty which will satisfy our hearts.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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

Apologies – the Dear Cardinal went missing yesterday , without leave- due to an Operator error, ‘Moi‘ 🙄

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 23 March – The Christian Formation of Character

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Thought for the Day – 23 March – Meditations with
Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Christian Formation of Character

“When Jesus offered Himself as our Divine Model, He used these words, “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29).
Humility and gentleness are essential attributes of the Christian character.
Whoever does not succeed in acquiring them is bulding upon sand!
He will be a torment to others as well as to himself.
Jesus indicates this also, for after He has said: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart,” He adds, “and you will find rest for your souls” (Ibid).
In other words, He tells us, that it is only on this condition that we shall find spiritual peace.
When we have modelled our character on His humility and gentleness, we shall be inflamed with the love of God and of our neighbour.
Only then shall we have succeeded in acquiring a character which is genuinely and deeply Christian.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/23/thought-for-the-day-23-march-the-christian-formation-of-character/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/02/thought-for-the-day-23-march-the-christian-formation-of-character-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE

Thought for the Day – 22 March – Our Temperament

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Thought for the Day – 22 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Our Temperament

“There is a theory that it is impossible to form character because, our character is and always will be, what nature has given us.
“Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret” ( “You cast out nature with a pitchfork but only until such time, as it comes back again”) (Horace, Epistles 1 10:24).
Montaigne and Rousseau extended this idea of Horace, to the extent of holding, that it would be evil as well as superfluous, to attempt to shape character, which should be what nature intended it to be.
Although there is some little truth in this opinion, fundamentally, it is false.
It is true that nature cannot be suppressed but, it can be shaped and improved by a sound and well-directed education.
Our natural temperament can be compared to an uncultivated field, covered with weeds and bushes, or to a horse which is still untamed and unaccustomed to labour.
It abounds in hidden energies and unregulated instincts; it is dangerous to leave it to itself.
It would become as Dante puts it, “a large forest, wild and rough” (Inferno 1:5).

So, it is necessary for character to be formed under the guidance of a good teacher and subject to the wisdom and grace of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/22/thought-for-the-day-22-march-our-temperament/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 21 March – The Power of God’s Love in the Christian Life

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Thought for the Day – 21 March – Meditations with
Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Power of God’s Love in the Christian Life

“As has been said, love must be active and effective, as well as coming from the heart.
This is still not sufficient, however.
Love tends towards an intimate union with the person loved and does not rest, until this union is achieved.
This is the unity of love.
The Saints reached this high level of charity.
They lived in God and were permanently united to God, as if theyt formed part of His Being.
“It is now, no longer I that live,” exclaimed St Paul, “but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20).

If only we could succeed in achieving such a complete and lasting union with God, any sacrifice would seem easy and we should certainly grow in sanctity.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/24/thought-for-the-day-24-march-the-power-of-gods-love-in-the-christian-life/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/21/thought-for-the-day-24-march/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Thought for the Day – 20 March – Charitable Works

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Thought for the Day – 20 March – Meditations with
Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Charitable Works

“When Jesus was asked, what was the first commandment, He replied: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind and with thy whole strength. This is the first commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than this” (Mk 12:30-31).
As St Augustine says, the love of God and the love of neighbour are two branches of the same tree, the tree of charity.
“If anyone says, ‘I love God’ and hates his brother,” St John warns us, “he is a liar” (1 Jn 4:20).

We must prove our love for God by showing charity towards our neighbour.
All men are our brothers in Jesus Christ, Who has redeemed us by His Precious Blood.
Our Lord has said that He will regard as done for Himself, anything which we do for the least of our brethren (Mt 25:10).

Like the Saints, we should see Jesus Himself living in the poor and the suffering.
The Saints gave Him everything they had, not only their possessions but also their toil and their love.

Think how much those missionaries do who leave everything in order to go to foreign lands and win souls for Christ.
Think of the charitable work of the sisters and nurses in the hospitals, asylums and orphanages.
What are we doing?”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/21/thought-for-the-day-21-march-charitable-works/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, St JOSEPH

Thought for the Day – 19 March – St Joseph

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Thought for the Day – 19 March – Meditations with
Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

St Joseph

“Let us turn to St Joseph in times of necessity.
He is very powerful because his blessed Spouse will refuse him nothing and the Son of God loves him with the love which a son has for a father.
He worked for Jesus and Mary all his life and endured hardship, danger and exile for their sake.
He loved them as nobody else in the world ever loved them.

It is impossible, that he could be denied the favours for which he asks and which we should request him to obtain for us.

Let us go to him trustingly but, let us remember, that the surest way of being heard by him, is to imitate his wonderful virtues, especially his humility, his spirit of prayer, his purity and his calm desire always, to do God’s will.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/19/thought-for-the-day-19-march-st-joseph/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/19/thought-for-the-day-19-march-st-joseph-2/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FASTING, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 18 March – Privation

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 18 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Privation

“Not only did the Saints accept necessary privation with loving submission to God’s will but they imposed voluntary mortifications on themselves.
Some of them were rich and gave everything they had to the poor.
Some were in positions of esteem and honour and went away to look for humiliation and obscurity.
Many scourged themselves, slept on hard boards or upon the bare ground, wore chains or hairshirts upon their bodies and did without food, in order to give it to the poor.

They imitated Jesus in these things.
He also chose to be poor and fasted for forty days in the desert.
He was mocked, scourged, crowned with thorns and burdened with a heavy cross.
When He was dying for us upon that cross, He asked for a drop of water to slake His thirst and was given vinegar and gall instead.
We have great lessons to learn from the privations and sufferings of Jesus and of the Saints.

If,we are not heroic enough to go in search of voluntary want and suffering, we should at least accept fully, the necessary privations and sorrows of this life.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/18/thought-for-the-day-18-march-privation/

Posted in QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Thought for the Day – 17 March – The Consolation of Prayer

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Thought for the Day – 17 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Consolation of Prayer

“We can gain strength and comfort from prayer, especially when we are tempted and in danger of yielding to sin.
God may not answer us immediately because He may wish to try our faith and love.
But, if we persist and tell Jesus that we would die rather than offend Him, He will take pity on us.
He will stretch out His Hand as He did in the storm tossed boat with the Apostles and over us also, there will come “a great calm” (Mt 8:26, Mk 4:39, Lk 8:24).
Any sacrifice on our part is amply repaid by the peace which follows victory over temptation.

Let us not be afraid!
Let us pray and God will console us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/17/thought-for-the-day-17-march-the-consolation-of-prayer/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 16 March – The Spirit of Prayer

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Thought for the Day – 16 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Spirit of Prayer

“The spirit of prayer is the spirit of the love of God and this should inspire all our vocal prayers.
Flowery petitions are no use if our minds and hearts are turned away from God.
God wants our hearts.
This is why He complained that “this people honours Me with their lips but their heart is far from Me” (Nt 15:8, Mk 7:6).

Remember the apt expression of St Augustine: “To pray is to love. Whoever loves God well, prays a great deal. A man who is lacking in love, prays very little. A man who does not love God at all, never prays, or if he does, he recites coldly, the usual formulae and disregards Christ’s warning: “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God! (Mt 4:7).”

Let us pray often but let our prayers be sincere acts of the love of God, coming from the heart.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/14/thought-for-the-day-14-march-the-spirit-of-prayer/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/02/15/thought-for-the-day-15-february-the-spirit-of-prayer/

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on STRENGTH

Thought for the Day – 13 March – PRAYER

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Thought for the Day – 13 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

PRAYER

“The Saints loved to pray.
Prayer was the source of their strength and consolation.
They prayed with enthusiasm and for as long as they were able.
They would have liked to spend their lives in intimate conversation with Jesus.
They loved God so much, that they lived and worked only for Him.
For this reason, they regarded prayer as a pleasure.
The hours of prayer passed like seconds because love does not feel the passing of time, nor does it notice discomfort.

Our Lord gave us an example of this in His own life.
When He prayed to His Heavenly Father, “He continued all night in prayer to God” (Lk 6:12).
In spite of the fact that He was God, He gave Himself in prayer to His Heavenly Father before He worked any of His miracles and in Gethsemane, before He went to His Passion.

It must be the same with us.
A man who does not love prayer, does not love God.
If anyone works without praying, his work is useless.
We should feel the need to pray, just as much as we feel the need of God’s assistance.
The happiest hours of our lives, should be those which we spend in prayer.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/13/thought-for-the-day-13-march-prayer/

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, OUR Cross, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The HEART, The HOLY CROSS

Quote/s of the Day – 13 March – The Second Sunday of Lent – Let us be Transfigured!

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 March – The Second Sunday of Lent – Let us be Transfigured!

“And when I hear it said,
that God is good and He will pardon us
and then see, that men cease not from evil-doing,
oh, how it grieves me!
The infinite goodness
with which God communicates with us,
sinners as we are,
should constantly make us love and serve Him better
but we, on the contrary,
instead of seeing in His goodness
an obligation to please Him,
convert it into an excuse for sin,
which will, of a certainty,
lead in the end,
to our deeper condemnation.”

St Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510)

“Aspire to God with short
but frequent outpourings of the heart,
admire His bounty,
invoke His aid,
cast yourself in spirit at the foot of His Cross,
adore His goodness,
treat with Him of your salvation,
give Him your whole soul –
a thousand times in the day.”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity

“Mortification and suffering
are necessary for two reasons.
They are particularly necessary
because, we are all sinners
and must expiate our sins.
Secondly, they are necessary
because, without penance
and suffering, we become attached
to the world and forget all about Heaven,
which is our real home.
In His love for us, therefore,
God commands us to do penance.
What are we doing in the way of penance?
Let us remember the command of Jesus
and His precursor, St John the Baptist:
“Unless you repent, you will all perish!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 12 March – Detachment from the World

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Thought for the Day – 12 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Detachment from the World

“This is not the same as saying that we should have no interest in worldly affairs.
Far from it.
It is our duty to think about them and make provision for the future.
We cannot and should not, look for miracles from God.
We may have obligations to ourselves or to our family, or to our position in life.
We are in this world to work, not to surrender to apathy or inactivity.
We must engage in worldly activity insofar as our circumstances demand it.
Nevertheless, our hearts should not be engrossed in earthly things, for they belong to God.
In the midst of our other preoccupations, we should adore, love and thank God, the Giver of every good, our Creator and Redeemer.
St John Bosco said, that we should work as if we never had to die.
But, we should also be as detached from worldly things, as if we had to die in one hour.
A man who works like this, can accomplish wonders because, he is not working for himself but, for God.
We should work and pray with our feet on the earth and our minds in Heaven.
We should seek God, not ourselves, in everything which we do.
Let us remember, that one moment in Heaven, is worth infinitely more than all the pleasure, love and vanity of this world!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/12/thought-for-the-day-12-march-detachment-from-the-world/

Posted in BAPTISM, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, Quotes on SALVATION, SACRAMENTS

Thought for the Day – 11 March – The Growth of Jesus

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Thought for the Day – 11 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Growth of Jesus

“It is impossible to stand still in life.
This is true, whether we are speaking of the natural or of the supernatural order of life..
Life is motion and activity; there can be no cessation.
In the natural order, life begins in the womb and passes through the various stages of infancy, adolescence, maturity and old age.

The supernatural life begins in Baptism, matures in Confirmation and is made entirely holy in the Eucharistic union with Jesus
But, if this life begins to fail, the result can be everlasting ruin.
It is true that in His infrinite goodness, Jesus has provided the Sacrament of Penance for those who fall and extinguish in themselves, the supernatural life of grace.
The Sacrament of Penance, has been instituted for their salvation.

At the hour of death moreover, the Sacrament of Extreme Unction heals the soul of sin and soothes the worn-out body with a refreshing ray of the spiritual life.

But woe betide those who abuse God’s gifts!
If anyone repeatedly rejects His favours and appears, instead of advancing in goodness, to be sliding backwards into ruin, he will be engulfed in the languor of spiritual death!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/11/thought-for-the-day-11-march-the-growth-of-jesus/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR

Thought for the Day – 10 March – The Hidden Life of Jesus

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Thought for the Day – 10 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Hidden Life of Jesus

“Jesus chose to be an ordinary workman.
He had power over the Angels of Heaven, over the sun and stars of the firmament, over the waves of the ocean and over all the elements,
By a single act of His Divine Will , He could multiply loaves and change water into wine.
Yet, He elected to earn His living by the sweat of His brow.
In His times, the artisan was held in low esteem and was very often a slave.
Manual labour was regarded as sordid and undignified.
Christ wished to sanctify manual work by His own toil.
He wished to teach men that, in the eyes of God, the hoe is as valuable as the pen.
There is no difference between driving a plough and wielding a sceptre, as long as a man is fulfilling his duty for the love of God.
The only thing in this regard which is displeasing to God, is laziness and inactivity.
Anyone who leads an idle life at the expense of others, is breaking God’s law, which commands everyone to work.

Let us follow the example of Jesus the Worker.
Let us avoid idleness, which is the father of vices and is opposed to the command of God (Cf Gen 3:19; 2 Thess 3:10).
Let no-one claim that there is no need for him to work because he has enough money to last him all his life.
There was far less need for Jesus to work in order to live, yet He chose to work as an ordinary labourer.
If we do not have to work for our own sakes, let us reflect on how much need there is to work for others and for the glory of God.
If justice does not compel us, charity does.
It makes very little difference whether a man goes to hell for lack of justice or for lack of charity!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/10/thought-for-the-day-10-march-the-hidden-life-of-jesus/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, POETRY, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 March – Persevere

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 March –Thursday of the First Week of Lent – Ezechiel 18:1-9, Matthew 15:21-28

“You are rewarded,
not according to your work,
or your time
but according to the measure
of your love.”

St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Doctor of the Church

“Then steer your ship with steady arm,
Trust Me and rest your soul.
Your little boat I’ll keep from harm,
I’ll guide it toward its goal. …
Be therefore, steadfast, calm and true,
Your God is at your side.
Through storm and night
He’ll see you through
With conscience as your guide.”

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross OCD.(1891-1942
Edith Stein
“At the Helm”

“I think He intends to try you
like gold in the crucible,
so as to number you
amongst His most faithful servants.
Therefore, you must lovingly embrace
all occasions of suffering,
considering them
as precious tokens of His love.
To suffer in silence
and without complaint,
is what He asks of you.”

“Go courageously to God,
along the way He has traced out for you,
steadfastly embracing the means
He offers you.”

St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)

“When the sister of St Thomas Aquinas
asked him how to become holy,
he replied that it needed only one thing –
a firm act of the will,
for God will certainly supply
the necessary grace.
The grace of God is the principal weapon
upon which we must depend
in order to gain our victory.
We should pray for it humbly and perseveringly.
There will be victors and losers
in the battle for Heaven,
as well as in earthly contests.
We must make sure,
that we are on the winning side!
For this purpose, we should combine
fervent and constant prayer
with generous co-operation
with the grace of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in GOD ALONE!, GOD the FATHER, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMAN DIGNITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior)

Thought for the Day – 9 March – The Human Soul

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Thought for the Day – 9 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Human Soul

“Consider that you have only one soul, which belongs entirely to God and has Heaven for its true home.
God has given you two hands, two feet, two ears and two eyes but, He has given you only one soul.
What a disaster, if you should lose it, for you would then be damned forever!
When God made you to be free, He placed your fate in your own hands.
“When God, in the beginning, created man, He made him subject to his own free choice” (Ecclus 15:14).
Remember that the salvation of your soul is the most necessary work which you have to do!
It is more precious to you than gold or silver.
“More precious than gold is health and well-being, contentment of spirit, than coral” (Ecclus 30:15).
All our attention should be devoted to keeping our soul free from sin and endowing it with every virtue.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One Here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/27/thought-for-the-day-27-march-the-human-soul/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on WISDOM

Thought for the Day – 8 March – Knowledge and Goodness

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Thought for the Day – 8 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Knowledge and Goodness

“The supremacy of goodness over knowledge, has to be admitted in practice, as well as in theory.
It is useless and even harmful, for us to be courageous, if we not also good.
Very often, knowledge is like a weapon in the hands of a child.
If the child is naughty or careless, he can do a great deal of damage with his weapon.
Before everything else, we must be good.
We must have that Christian goodness which embraces all the virtues and culminates in the love of God and of our neighbour.
Once we have acquired this goodness, science will benefit by it.
It will become a powerful means of enlightenment, rather than of destruction.
It will no longer be mere knowledge; it will be wisdom.
In will teach us how to live and show us our proper destination.
In short, it will become an instrument of virtue, which will contribute enormously to the welfare of the human race.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/14/thought-for-the-day-14-july-knowledge-and-goodness/