Tag: antoniobacci

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The HEART, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 25 December – The Feast of the Nativity

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Feast of the Nativity

“The first people to pay homage to Jesus Christ, are not men of exalted rank but humble shepherds.
They come to offer their poor gifts but, above all else, they offer Him their simple and innocent hearts.

We also should approach the manger with humility and simplicity.
Foremost among the gifts which we offer, should be the renunciation of sin, a firm resolution to resist our lower inclinations and a great love for Him, Who has loved us so much.
There are no more pleasing gifts which we could offer Jesus Christ on His Birthday.
Let us go now to Him!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/25/thought-for-the-day-25-december-the-feast-of-the-nativity/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/25/thought-for-the-day-25-december-the-feast-of-the-nativity-2/

Posted in MARCH the month of ST JOSEPH, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, St JOSEPH, The HOLY FAMILY

Thought for the Day – 24 December – The Holy Family – Joseph

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Thought for the Day – 24 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

A Christmas Novena IX
The Holy Family – Joseph

“The third member of the Holy Family is St Joseph, the most just of men, faithful to his vocation as the foster-father of the Child Jesus and chaste spouse o the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Let us imitate his purity, his utter dedication to the service of God and his burning love for Jesus, Whom he was privileged to clasp to his breast before any other man.
Let us ask him to obtain for us the grace to be able to imitate him in his life so that we may also imitate him in his holy death.
May he, who died with Jesus and Mary by his side, obtain peace for us in our final agony, so that we may expire with the names of Jesus and Mary on our lips and in our hearts.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/24/thought-for-the-day-24-december-the-holy-family-jesus-2/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/24/thought-for-the-day-24-december-the-holy-family-mary/

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, The DIVINE INFANT

Thought for the Day – 23 December – What Jesus Wants From Us

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

A Christmas Novena VIII
What Jesus Wants From Us

“There is one last thing which the Infant Jesus requires of each of us.
No-one else can know what it is but we know well what He wants.
There is bound to be some resolution which we have formed many times in the past but, have never properly fulfilled because it cost us too much.
Let us not refuse Jesus this sacrifice, for He has loved us so much that he has sacrificed Himself entirely for us.
As a result of this meditation, let us, at last, put this resolution into effect, with generosity and firmness.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/23/thought-for-the-day-23-december-what-jesus-wants-from-us-2/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/23/thought-for-the-day-23-december-what-jesus-wants-from-us-3/

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on SILENCE, The DIVINE INFANT, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 21 December – The Silence of the Divine Infant

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

A Christmas Novena VI
The Silence of the Divine Infant

“Let us kneel in spirit before the Holy Infant.
He is silent but His heart beats with love for His heavenly Father and for the afflicted human race which He has come to redeem.
Let us adore God in the Mystery of His silence and let us ask Him to favour us with His inspirations and graces.
Let us ask Him to teach us to be like Him, so that our Hearts may be closed to the vain attractions of the world and open to the influence of the supernatural.
Let us ask Him to help us to employ the gifts of speech, in order to adore, praise and thank God and to draw down His blessings upon ourselves and oupon our fellowmen.

May the words which we utter exercise a prayerful and fruitful apostolate, for it was chiefly for this purpose that God endowed us with the gift of speech.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/21/thought-for-the-day-21-december-2/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/21/thought-for-the-day-21-december-the-silence-of-the-divine-infant-2/

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 18 December – The Cradle of the Divine Infant Jesus

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

A Christmas Novena III
The Cradle of the Divine Infant Jesus

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,” said Jesus Christ, “for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 5:3),
Before He spoke these words, however, He had taught us the same thing in deed.

In the utter poverty of the stable in Bethlehem, He tells us that riches, honours and human grandeur cannot make us happy.
We are entitled to accept these things, if Providence bestows them upon us but, we should not become attached to them.
The human heart longs for God.
It was not made for the transient pleasures and goods of this life but only for God.
In the presence of the Crib, therefore, let us learn to surrender ourselves, heart and soul, to Jesus Christ.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/18/thought-for-the-day-18-december-a-christmas-novena-the-cradle-of-the-divine-infant-jesus/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/18/thought-for-the-day-18-december-the-cradle-of-the-divine-infant-jesus/

Posted in "Follow Me", ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The DIVINE INFANT, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 17 December – Preparation for the Nativity

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

A Christmas Novena II
Preparation for the Nativity

“Our preparation, finally, should also embrace the will.
In other words, we should make good resolutions during our Christmas Novena.
We should resolve to be more fervent in prayer, to be more mortified and, to make greater efforts to practise virtue.

Everyday and, if possible, every hour, let us think of and invoke the Divine Child.
Let us ask Him to help us to model our lives on His, so that they may be full of humility, of love for God and for our fellowmen, of perfect resignation to suffering and of voluntary mortification and penance, designed to prove our love for Jesus and to expiate our sins.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/17/thought-for-the-day-17-december-a-christmas-novena-ii-preparation-for-the-nativity/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/17/thought-for-the-day-17-december-preparation-for-the-nativity/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 16 December – A Christmas Novena – The Cave of Bethlehem

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

A Christmas Novena
The Cave of Bethlehem

“The main resolution which we should make, at the foot of the manger, is one of humility.
We should be humble in mind because we should remember that we are nothing without God and that, everything which we have, comes from Him.
In fact, we are less than nothing, for our physical and spiritual gifts have been given to us by God, whereas our sins belong entirely to ourselves!

We should also be humble of heart.
We should be innocent and simple, like children, as the Gospel commands, trusting and loving, so that we may be worthy of God’s favours and consolations.

Unless we acquire the innocence and humility of spiritual children, we cannot be pleasing to God!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/16/thought-for-the-day-16-december-the-cave-of-bethlehem-2/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/16/thought-for-the-day-16-december-the-cave-of-bethlehem-3/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTRINE, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on MOTHERHOOD, Quotes on SALVATION, The INCARNATION

Thought for the Day – 15 November– The Power of Mary

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Thought for the Day – 15 December– Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Power of Mary

“Virgin most powerful, pray for us.”
This is one of the invocations to Our Lady in her Litany.
Mary’s power derives from her Divine Motherhood.
The Eternal Word was made man in her most chaste womb.
By assuming our human nature in the Hypostatic Union, He became her Son.
In the same way as a mother can give instructions to her son, Mary can pray to Jesus with full confidence that she will be answered.
Not only has she the power of love, over Him but, also the power of a mother.
Her prayers have the force of a command and it is impossible for them to go unheeded.
When Mary seeks a favour from her Divine Son for us, who are her adopted sons, says St Peter Damian, she commands rather than prays, she is more like the mistress than the handmaid of the Lord (Serm 41 de Nativitate).
Some Ecclesiastical writers go as far as describing Mary as being omnipotent in grace and in intercession, even as God is omnipotent by reason of His nature.
“O Mother of God,” writes St Gregory of Nicomedia, “you have such invincible power, that the multitude of our sins can never exhaust your mercy.   Nothing can resist your power, for your Creator regards your glory as His own” (Orat de Exitu B Virg).
This doctrine should console even the most hopeless sinners.
It is enough to have loving recourse to Mary and we shall be sure of salvation.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MOTHER of GOD, ORIGINAL SIN, QUOTES on PURITY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 15 December – Octave of the Immaculate Conception

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Quote/s of the Day – 15 December – Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God – Proverbs 8:22-35, Luke 1:26-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Hail, full of grace!”
Luke 1:28

“Thou alone and Thy Mother,
are in all things fair,
there is no flaw in Thee
and no stain in Thy Mother.”

St Ephrem (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O Pure and Immaculate Blessed Virgin
By St Ephrem (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O Pure and Immaculate
and likewise Blessed Virgin,
who art the sinless Mother of thy Son,
the mighty Lord of the universe,
thou who art inviolate and altogether holy,
the hope of the hopeless and sinful,
we sing thy praises.
We bless thee, as full of every grace,
thou who didst bear the God-Man:
we bow low before thee;
we invoke thee and implore thine aid.
Rescue us, O holy and inviolate Virgin,
from every necessity that presses upon us
and from all the temptations of the devil.
Be our intercessor and advocate
at the hour of death and judgement,
deliver us from the fire
that is not extinguished
and from the outer darkness;
make us worthy of the glory of thy Son,
O dearest and most clement Virgin Mother.
Thou indeed art our only hope most sure
and sacred in God’s sight,
to Whom be honour and glory
and majesty and dominion
forever and ever,
world without end.
Amen

St Ephrem of Syria (306-373)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“The very fact
that God has elected her,
proves, that none was ever
holier than Mary;
if any stain had disfigured her soul,
if any other virgin
had been purer and holier,
God would have selected her
and rejected Mary.”

St Jacob of Sarug (c 451-521)
Bishop, Theologian, Poet, Writer

“He Who is Infinite, Limitless,
came to dwell in your womb;
God, the Child Jesus,
was nourished by your milk.
You are the ever virginal
Doorway of God;
your hands hold your God;
your lap is a throne raised up above the Cherubim…
You are the wedding chamber of the Spirit,
the “city of the living God,
gladdened by the runlets of the stream”
that is to say, the waves of the Spirit’s gifts.
You are “all fair, the Beloved” of God.”

St John Damascene (675-749)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Free from the concupiscence which has disturbed
our human nature, she was like a snow-white lily,
sparkling in the sunlight.
Her mortal life was a continuous ascent
towards the highest peak of holiness.
… her daily correspondence with God’s gifts
was as remarkable as her dignity.
… The most chaste Virgin Mary,
is a model for our imitation.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on The SOUL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VANITY, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 14 December – Consolation from God

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Thought for the Day – 14 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Consolation from God

“Even men and other creatures, have some power to comfort and console us.
The comfort which we receive from them, however, cannot completely satisfy our hearts which were made for God alone.
Such consolations, as they can give are short-lived and vanish like snow beneath the sun.

What can men or other worldly creatures give us?
They can give us material wealth but this often turns out to be troublesome and vexatious and is too much inferior to the greatness of the human soul, to be able to satisfy it.
Worldly honour can intoxicate our pride and self-conceit for a little while but this state of inebriation cannot last very long.
We know too well that we are what we are in the sight of God and nothing more.
The praise and flattery of other men adds nothing to our statue and only serves as an incentive to idle vanity.
Then, there are worldly pleasures, some of which are healthy and commendable but how long do thy last?
They are like flowers which open there petals to the morning air and fold them again in the evening.
There are unhealthy pleasures too; not only are these passing and perishable like all created things but, they leave behind a sense of nausea and remorse!

Let us seek, before all other joys, the consolation of God.
These do not decrease as life goes on but, last forever and are completed in the next life.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on SANCTITY

Thought for the Day – 13 December – The Desire for Perfection

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

The Desire for Perfection

“Make and keep yourselves holy,” God commands us, “because, I Am Holy.” (Lev 11:44; 19:2).
“You are to be perfect,” adds Jesus Christs, “even as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).

We are obliged, therefore, to make every possible effort, to advance in holiness.
Sad experience teaches us, however, that it is very dfifficult to reach the level of sanctity to which we are called by God and, that it is impossible to achieve the absolute perfection which God alone possesses.
Why then, does God place before us such an inacessible goal?
Simply because, although He knows that we cannot attain the perfect holiness which is to be found in our heavenly Father, He wants us to desire it with all our hearts and to do our best to approach as near to it as we can.

This desire for sanctity should dominate all our actions.
It may be impossible for us to achieve Christian perfection completely but, we should always strive towards it.
All our actions and affections should form a ladder which will enable us to climb nearer to this ideal.
If the desire for perfection dominates our entire lives, it will one day dominate and brighten the supreme moment of death.
If we lack this desire, we shall fall into a state of tepidity and of indifference to spiritual realities which will inevitably end in sin.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in "Follow Me", GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MERIT

Thought for the Day – 12 December – Merit and the Love of God

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

Merit and the Love of God

“It is necessary, therefore, to love God and to do everything for the love of Him and for His glory alone.
If we are to love God, however, we must know Him.
If only we knew God perfectly, not only should we love Him but, we should come near to expiring from excessive love!
We love God too little because, we know Him too little!
Let us endeavour, therefore, to know Him by meditating on His infinite goodness, beauty and perfection.
Any other goodness, beauty or perfection is a faint reflection of that of God, Who is the Source of all true goodness.
We should not allow ourselves to be distracted or disturbed by these fleeting and perishable reflections.

God alone is enough for us.
Let us learn to know Him and, in consequence, to love Him in the splendour of created things which reflect His beauty and power.
The stars and the flowers, the waves of the sea and the trees of the forest, all speak to us of God.
Let us come to know and to love Him, until we lament with St Augustine:
“Too late have I loved Thee!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/15/thought-for-the-day-15-december-merit-and-the-love-of-god/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, QUOTES on WORRY/ANXIETY, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 11 December – Leaving Our Worries in God’s Hands

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

Leaving Our Worries in God’s Hands

“We should try to behave with similar serenity.
We should remain close to God and live in complete conformity with His will.
We should perform our duties attentively and whole-heartedly but, we should never worry about them.
As a result, we shall do more and do it more effectively.
Most important of all, we shall be sure that God shall bless our work.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/?s=leaving+our+worries+in+god%27s+hands

Posted in "Follow Me", ADVENT QUOTES, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, OPEN HOUSE...Conversations with..., PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUTH, St PETER!, The DIVINE INFANT, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 11 December – ‘Let us become like Christ, …’

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Monday of the Second Week of Advent – 1 Peter 5:1-4, 10-11; Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“But the God of all grace,
Who hath called us into His eternal glory
in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little,
will Himself perfect you and confirm you
and establish you.
To Him be glory and empire
forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 5:10-11

“Then go and learn,
neither to be moved with injuries nor flatteries.
If you die to the world and to yourself,
you will begin to live to Christ.”

St Macarius of Egypt (c300-390)

“Let us become like Christ,
since Christ became like us.
He assumed the worse,
that He might give us the better;
He became poor,
that we through His poverty,
might be rich.”

St Gregory Nazianzen (330-390)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Let us always belong to God,
unreservedly and without interruption.
May He ever live and reign in our hearts.”

(Letter to Madame de Chantal)

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

“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.
God alone is the eternal beauty
which will satisfy our hearts.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in "Follow Me", ADVENT QUOTES, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN QUOTES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, St Francis de Sales, The HEART, The WILL of GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 10 December – Preparing for the Lord

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Quote/s of the Day – 10 December – The Second Sunday of Advent

“For this is He of Whom it is written:
Behold. I send My Angel before My face,
who shall prepare Thy way before Thee.”

Matthew 11:10

“For everyone who exalts himself,
will be humbled and he
who humbles himself,
will be exalted.”

Luke 14:11

“We must erect the mystical ladder of Jacob,
where Angels, ascending and descending,
appeared to him.
Ascent and descent means,
that we go downward when we exalt ourselves
and rise, when we are humbled.
The ladder represents our life in this world,
which our Lord erects to Heaven,
when our heart is humbled.
The sides of the ladder represent our soul and body,
sides between which,
God has placed several rungs of humility and, discipline,
whereby we are to ascend
if we would answer His call.”

(Rule of Benedict #7)

St Benedict (480-547)
Father of the Church

“There is no road to Heaven
but that of innocence or penance.”

St Cajetan (1480-1547)

“Worldly love aims at pleasing everyone
and saddening no-one.
Many call this politeness!
but, it is simply
self-praise and flattery!”

St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502-1539)

“What better penance
can a heart do
which commits faults,
than to submit
to a continual abnegation
of self-will?”

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

“Let us be humble like Mary.
Let us make God’s glory,
rather than our own satisfaction,
the object of our actions.
Only one thing should count with us
and that is, the testimony
of a good conscience before God.
Everything else is passing and futile.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DOGMA, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MOTHER of GOD, ORIGINAL SIN, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Thought for the Day – 8 December – THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

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

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

“Let us read the first chapter of St Luke’s Gospel in order to try and understand, as far as possible, the Immaculate Conception and the sublime holiness of Mary.
“The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin’s name was Mary. And when the angel had come to her, he said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women’” (Lk 1:26-28).
The Blessed Virgin was troubled when she heard these words but the Angel reassured her.
He told her that she had found favour with God and added, that she would become the Mother of God, for the Word would become flesh in her womb through the power of the Holy Spirit, in such a manner that in her nature, the privileges of virginity and of the divine motherhood, would be miraculously united.
Mary then gave her assent to the will of God and, her ‘fiat’ placed her on a pedestal, high above all the generations of humanity and all the choirs of the angelic kingdom.

It is on this passage of the Gospel, that the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, chiefly depends.
She was full of grace and the supremely beloved of God.
How then could she have been subject to the rule of sin which we inherited from Adam?
If her soul had been stained with sin at the first moment of her conception, she would not have enjoyed the special favour of God and the plenitude of grace.
She was, moreover, predestined to become the Mother of God.
Was it possible that the divine Word, Who was to become her Son, could have permitted her soul to have been sullied, even for a single instant, by sin, which deprives us of grace and makes us enemies of God?
It was on good grounds, therefore, that the Church defined, that from the first moment of her conception, Mary was free from all taint of sin, by a singular privilege conferred on her by God and through the merits of her divine Son, Jesus Christ.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on VANITY, QUOTES on WISDOM

Thought for the Day – 7 December –

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Thought for the Day – 7 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

TRUE WISDOM

“Today, unfortunately, there is too much emphasis set on material science considered in itself and apart from God.
Many people do not regard earthly things as steps which enable them to climb towards God but, as objects desirable in themselves which possess the power to satisfy them, both intellectually and sensibly.
In fact, they fail to appease their vanity for very long and, if they become attached to them, lead them towards spiritual ruin.

A century ago, the French writer de Maistre, prophesied incalculable evil, if men did not return to the ancient values and subordinate knowledge to goodness once more.
Because of science, he said, men would become more barbarous than the barbarians.
His words have come true in the past few decades.
Unbridled science has brought us two world wars and the weapons which threaten destruction of all!

Let us seek to avert catastrophe in our own individual lives, at least.
Knowledge is desirable but only after goodness and humility.
Let us remember the words of St Paul in his letter to the Corinthians:
“All things are yours and you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s” (1 Cor 3:22-23).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/04/30/thought-for-the-day-30-april-true-wisdom/

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on MERIT, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 6 December – The Word of God

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

The Word of God

“It is especially important for us to acquire the dispositions necessary to enable us to listen attentively to the Word of God and to put it into practice in our lives.
We are all acquainted with the parable of the sower.
The seed, of course, represents the Word of God.
Some of the seed fell by the wayside and was trampled into the earth or carried away by the birds.
Some fell on rocky ground and because of the lack of moisture, it withered away.
Some fell among thorns which choked it and prevented it from springing up.
Finally, the rest of the seed fell on good ground and yielded fruit more or less abundantly (Mt 13:3-8).

How do we receive the Word of God?
Perhaps we are constantly dissipated and distracted?
In that case, the Divine seed will not bear fruit but, will be trampled down or wither away.
It may be, however, that we hear the Word of God with pleasure and joy until our first enthusiasm is strangled by our fondness for money, ease and earthly pleasures which prevents us from laying up merit for everlasting life.

Let us remember that the Word of God is a very precious gift which ought not to be neglected or abused.
Our eternal salvation depends on the manner in which we receive it!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/13/thought-for-the-day-12-december-the-word-of-god/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/06/thought-for-the-day-6-december-the-word-of-god/

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on MERCY, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on SPIRITUAL WORKS of MERCY, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the POOR, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 6 December – What dost thou have that thou hast not received? – 1 Corinthians 4:7

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 6 December – Hebrews 13:7-17; Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“To one He gave five talents;
to another, two; to a third, one—
to each according to his ability. …”

Matthew 25:15

“What dost thou have that thou hast not received?”

1 Corinthians 4:7

“Are we going to neglect our own salvation?
Let us show great compassion
towards the poor
so as to be made worthy of possessing
good things to come for all eternity!”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“For the devil may tempt the good
but he cannot find rest in them;
for he is shaken violently
and upset and driven out –
now by their prayers,
now by their tears of repentance
and now. by their almsgiving
and similar good works.”

St Bruno (c1030-1101)

“What great profit you gain from God
when you are generous!
You give a coin
and receive a Kingdom;
you give bread from wheat
and receive the Bread of Life;
you give a transitory good
and receive an everlasting one.
You will receive it back,
a hundred times more
than you offered.”

St Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555)

“As well as the corporal works,
there are the spiritual works of mercy.
Everyone is not obliged to undertake the former,
that would be impossible, for instance,
for the desitute, the sick, the aged.
But, everyone is OBLIGED to undertake the latter.
Sometimes a kind word
is more valuable than money!”
… Remember, however, that the practice
of the spiritual works of mercy,
does not excuse us from the exercise
of material works of charity,
wherever that is possible for us (Cf Js 2:16).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in DEVOTIO, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on The SOUL, QUOTES on VIRTUE, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 5 December – Peace of Soul

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Thought for the Day – 5 December – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Peace of Soul

“After expounding this doctrine of interior peace, The Imitation of Christ goes onto saw:
“But never to feel any grief at all, nor to suffer any trouble of heart or body, is not the state of this present life but, of everlasting rest.
Think nor, therefore, that thou hast found true peace, if thou feel no burden;
nor that then all is well, if thou have no adversary, nor that thou hast attained to perfection, if all things be done according to thy inclination.
Neither do thou conceive a great notion of thyself, or imagine thyself to be especially beloved, if thou experiences great devotion and sweetness; for it is not in such things as these, that a true lover of virtue is known; nor doth the progress and perfection of man consist in these things!” (Bk III c25).

We can see from this that peace of soul in this life, is alway the product of strife and sacrifice.
We must pay the price, if we desire to acquire it.
Only when we have attained, at last, to everlasting happiness, shall we enjoy perfect peace, as the reward of our perseverance and fidelity on earth.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/12/thought-for-the-day-12-december-peace-of-soul/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/12/05/thought-for-the-day-5-december-peace-of-soul/

Posted in LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HERESY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SACRIFICE

Thought for the Day – 3 December – The Salvation of Souls

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Salvation of Souls

“Remember the countless conversions effected by the Saints as a result of their prayers, mortifications and heroic sacrifices.
No-one can call himself a Christian who does not love, in a practical manner, his fellowmen, especially unfortunate heretics and sinners.

Make up your mind, to offer your prayers and sacrifices for their conversion.
Include them in your daily offering, daily Mass and daily Rosary too.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/07/thought-for-the-day-7-july-the-salvation-of-souls/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/07/07/thought-for-the-day-7-july-the-salvation-of-souls-2/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The BEATITUDES, The FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES: JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, FORTITUDE

Thought for the Day – 1 December – The Blessedness of the Poor

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

The Blessedness of the Poor

“We have established the principle that wealth is, in itself, good and is a gift from God but that, “it is good, insofar, as it leads us towards virtue and evil, insofar, as it leads us towards vice” (Summa Contra Gentiles III 134).
We must now insist, once more, on the necessity of remaining detached from worldly goods and of concentrating our attention primarily on God.
It is an unfortunate fact that only too often, wealth is a spiritual obstacle, for it diverts our attention away from Heaven and towards worldly objects.
If this happens, some of its worse results can be the worship of money, the destruction of high ideals, indifference to the poverty of others, the vain and selfish search for happiness on this earth and complete spiritual blindness.
This is why it is more difficult for the rich man than for the poor man, to save his soul.

“If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell what thou hast and give to the poor” (Mt 19:21).
This is an evangelical counsel which we may have neither the courage, nor the vocation to pursue.
At least, however, let us seek to purify ourselves of all attachments to wealth.
If we have riches, moreover, let us do our best to use them as instruments of virtue.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/28/thought-for-the-day-28-november-the-blessedness-of-the-poor/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The BEATITUDES

Thought for the Day – 30 November – The Blessedness of the Meek

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Blessedness of the Meek

“St John Climacus notes that there are three levels of meekness (Dcala Paradist pp 296-298).
The first grade, he says, consists in enduring with difficulty, the injuries done to us.
The second, consists in enduring them without displeasure and the third, in regarding them as an honour.

Those who reach the first level are to be congratulated, those who reach the second are to be applauded but, those in the third and highest category, are really blessed by God.

“One day,” he says, “I saw three Monks receiving the same insult.
The first was offended but said nothing, the second was not displeased on his own account but regretted the offence against Almighty God and the third wept for the fault of his neighbour.”
The first Monk, the Saint comments, feared God, the second loved God and the third loved both God and his fellow-man.

At What stage of perfection in this virtue can we claim to have arrived?
If we desire to be sincere Christians, we must realise that we ought to have achieved, at least the first level and should hope to advance eventaully, as far as the third and most perfect grade.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/28/thought-for-the-day-28-november-the-blessedness-of-the-poor/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/22/thought-for-the-day-22-november-the-blessedness-of-the-poor/

Posted in JANUARY month of THE MOST HOLY NAME of JESUS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, The BEATITUDES, The HOLY NAME

Thought for the Day – 29 November – The Blessedness of Those Who Suffer Persecution

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Blessedness of Those
Who Suffer Persecution

“Let us implore the Holy Spirit to enlighten us and to grant us this serene joy which is a reflection of the happiness of Heaven.
Oh by Thy Name we shall live in peaceful and fearless anticipation!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/06/thought-for-the-day-6-december-the-blessedness-of-those-who-suffer-persecution/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/29/thought-for-the-day-29-november-the-blessedness-of-those-who-suffer-persecution/

Posted in GOD the FATHER, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on PEACE

Thought for the Day – 28 November – The Blessedness of the Peacemakers

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 28 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Blessedness of the Peacemakers

“Blessed are the peacemakers,” said Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, “for they shall be called children of God” (Mt 5:9).

True Christian peace which accompanies the perfect control of the passions and complete dedication to God’s cause, makes us like God and enables us, by His grace, to become His adopted children.
He is the God of peace, in Whom there is no conflict but only perfect order and harmony.
Since He is pure act, He understands Himself fully in all His beauty and perfection and, knowing Himself, He loves Himself.
He is peace, in an active and not in a passive sense.
For this reason, the peacemakers are singled out in a special way as the children of God.
In other words, they become like God, when they acquire that interior tranquility which is the fruit of virtue and of victory over the flesh.
With the help of Divine grace, we should do our utmost to gain this peace.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/05/thought-for-the-day-5-december-the-blessedness-of-the-peracemakers/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/28/thought-for-the-day-28-november-the-blessedness-of-the-peracemakers/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on WATCHING, The BEATITUDES, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 27 November – The Blessedness of the Pure of Heart

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

The Blessedness of the Pure of Heart

“Let us conclude this meditation with an appropriate prayer of St Thomas Aquinas.

“Make my heart watchful, O God,
so that no vain thoughts may distract it from Thee.
Make it noble,
so that it may never be seduced by any base affection.
Make it steadfast,
so that troubles may not dismay it.
Make it free,
so that it may not yield to the onslaughts of passion.
Grant me, my God,
the intelligence, to understand Thee,
the love, to seek Thee,
the wisdom, to find Thee,
words, to please Thee,
the perseverance, to wait faithfully for Thee
and, the hope of embracing Thee, at last.
Grant that I, a repentant sinner,
may bear Thy chastisements with resignation.
Poor pilgrim which I am,
may I draw on the treasury of Thine grace
and may I one day,
be eternally happy with Thee in Heavnely glory!
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/04/thought-for-the-day-4-december-the-blessedness-of-the-pure-of-heart/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/27/thought-for-the-day-27-november-the-blessedness-of-the-pure-of-heart/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on JUDGING, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SPIRITUAL WORKS of MERCY, The BEATITUDES, The LAST THINGS

Thought for the Day – 26 November – The Blessedness of the Merciful

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Blessedness of the Merciful

“Let us remember that we have often made ourselves God’s enemies, by our sins.
We were often in need, when we were deprived of Divine grace.
On these occasions, God was merciful to us, for He granted us His forgiveness and His friendship.
These gifts of God, place an obligation on us, to behave in the same way to those who are in need, by assisting them willingly and generously and, to those who are unhappy, by consoling them as far as possible.

Let us remember, the great principle which Jesus Christ has given us.
“Even as you wish men to do to you, so also, do you unto them … Do good to those who hate you … Do not judge and you shall not be judged; do not condemn and you shall not be condemned. Forgive and you shall be forgiven, give and it shall be given to you …” (Cf Lk 6:30-38).
“With what judgement you judge, you shall be judged and with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you” (Mt 7:1).
So it shall be on the day of death, when we shall appear before the Supreme Judge!

Let us be generous throughout life in giving help and consolation to others.
It is more blessed to give, than to receive, as the Gospel says.
By giving, we shall find a little happiness, even in this world and shall be certain that one day, the most merciful Judge will pardon and embrace us!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/03/thought-for-the-day-2-december-the-blessedness-of-the-merciful/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/26/thought-for-the-day-26-november-the-blessedness-of-the-merciful/

Posted in CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION

Thought for the Day – 25 November – The Thirst for Justice

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

The Thirst for Justice

“Let us think deeply about our own secret ambitions.
Let us examine our thoughts, affections, desires and actions, in order to make sure that their primary object is the glory of God and the triumph of His reign in the universe.
If we find blemishes, distortions, or tepidity, we must revive and purify our love of God, without delay and with grave intent! ”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/02/thought-for-the-day-2-december-the-thirst-for-justice/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/25/thought-for-the-day-25-november-the-thirst-for-justice/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE

Thought for the Day – 24 November – The Blessedness of Those who Hunger and Thirst for Justice

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 24 November – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Blessedness of Those
who Hunger and Thirst for Justice

“We must be just, finally, in our dealings with others.
This rules out theft, detraction, calumny, murder and hatred of our neighbour.
We can be unjust to our neighbour, not only in material things but also, in the moral order.

Christian justice, moreover, makes many demands on us which we do not sufficiently consider.
If our neighbour is hungry, we are obliged to assuage his hunger.
If he is ill-clad, homeless or out of work, the Gospel tells us that we are obliged to help him and to console him, by every means in our power, even if this necessitates sacrifice on our part.
This, is the Christian justice, without which neither faith, nor charity can survive.

The man who lacks this virtue, will one day be condem;ned by the Supreme Judge, with the terrifying words: “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the everlasting fire!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/12/01/thought-for-the-day-1-december-2/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/24/thought-for-the-day-24-november-the-blessedness-of-those-who-hunger-and-thirst-for-justice/

Posted in EUCHARISTIC Adoration, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on VANITY, The BEATITUDES, The HOLY CROSS

Thought for the Day – 23 November – The Blessedness of Those Who Mourn

Posted on by AnaStpaul

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

The Blessedness of Those Who Mourn

“Finally, the Christian will sometimes shed tears of joy.
There are some people who are not easily moved.
Rigid and inflexible, they proceed in all things, with mathematical precision and cannot be swayed by the promptings of the heart.
They are incapable of shedding a tear.

If we love God sincerely, however, we shall have what is called by the Fathers, ‘the gift of tears.’
It is because we know God so little that we love Him so little.
If we loved Him fervently, the contemplation of His infinite goodness and mercy, would move us to tears of love and of joy!
So it was with the Saints, especially in the presence of the Crucifix and of the Blessed Sacrament and in the presence of the marvels of creation.

We are incapable of shedding tears of love and of joy because we know and love God so little.
“Our love and knowledge of God are imperfect” (Summa Theologae I-II q 68 a2), writes St Thomas Aquinas.
We are too absorbed in worldly vanities to be capable of such heartfelt joy and love.

Let us meditate more often and love God more fervently and He will grant us ‘the gift of tears!‘”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/11/30/thought-for-the-day-30-november-the-blessedness-of-those-who-mourn/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/11/23/thought-for-the-day-23-november-the-blessedness-of-those-who-mourn/