Tag: antoniobacci

Posted in HOLY WEEK, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 10 October – The Third Sorrowful Mystery – The Crowning with Thorns

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Third Sorrowful Mystery
The Crowning with Thorns

“This new torture was a diabolical invention decreed by no law or authority.
Purely for their own savage entertainment, the soldiers procured a bundle of thorned reeds, which they wound into the shape of a crown and pressed into Jesus’ head.

Mary knew what was going on.
She was there with the holy women when Pilate brought her bloodstained Son before the people and, their blasphemous yells pierced her tender heart.
Her mother’s heart felt the sharp thorns too but, she accepted this affliction with resignation, silently protesting against the insults of the crowd by acts of adoration and of love.
We should behave in this way also.
We should participate in the passion of Jesus, by offering our own sufferings and we should make acts of love and of self-surrender, in reparation for these acts of blasphemy!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, ROSARY QUOTES, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 9 October – The Second Sorrowful Mystery, The Scourging

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Second Sorrowful Mystery
The Scourging

“Tradition holds that Mary followed Jesus through the various stages of His Passion.
It is impossible to believe that she would have abandoned Him in these tragic hours.
She must, at least, have known of the cruel flogging which He endured and, while His body was being torn by lashes, she was most probably not far away, participating, by her maternal sorrow, in her Son’s torment.
Here, then, was a double Martyrdom – the Martyrdom of Blood and the Martyrdom of tears.

Life demands the shedding of blood and the shedding of tears!
What are the motives which cause you sorrow in life?
Are yours the tears of unsated ambition, of frustrated caprice, or of discouragement in times of trouble?
Such tears are not worthy of a Christian.
His, should be tears of repentance for his sins and tears of love for Jesus and Mary.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/09/thought-for-the-day-9-october-the-second-sorrowful-mystery-the-scourging/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/10/09/thought-for-the-day-9-october-the-second-sorrowful-mystery-the-scourging-2/

Posted in HOLY WEEK, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, ROSARY QUOTES, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The PASSION

Thought for the Day – 8 October – The Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The First Sorrowful Mystery
The Agony of Jesus
in the Garden of Gethsemane

“Let us pay particular attention to the scene in Gethsemane.
Jesus is lying prostrate on the ground.
He has given everything for sinful humanity.
He has given His heavenly teaching, His miracles and His mercy.
Even more, He has given Himself in the Blessed Eucharist, which He has instituted in the form of food and drink, to sustain men on their earthly journey.

Now, He lies prostrate in prayer.
Near Him, are His Apostles who, already forgetful of the immense favours which they have received, are asleep!

Not far away, there is another Apostle, Judas, who has sold his Master for thirty pieces of silver, as a slave would be sold and is about to deliver Him to His executioners.
But Jesus can see across the centuries – many other Judases, so many traitors, who will be indifferent and sleep, never thinking of Him and neglecting to make any return for His infinite love.
His Passion is beginning now, here in Gethsemane and will be protracted throughout the centuries.
Before His Crucifixion, He drinks the bitter chalice of human ingratitude and, in His tremendous Agony, He perspires drops of Blood!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/08/thought-for-the-day-8-october-the-first-sorrowful-mystery-the-agony-of-jesus-in-the-garden-of-gethsemane/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI

Thought for the Day – 7 October – The Fifth Joyful Mystery – The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Fifth Joyful Mystery
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

“Mary and Joseph came, according to custom, to celebrate the feast of the Pasch in Jerusalem.
They took with them, Jesus, Who was now twelve years of age.
When the feast was over, the pilgrims came together to return to Nazareth.
As usual, they gathered in the temple to say a final prayer and then divided into two companies, one consisting of men, the other of women.
The children were assigned to either caravan.

At any rate, when the two groups came together for the night after a day’s journey, Mary and Joseph looked in vain for Jesus.
He could not be found in either caravan!
We can imagine how they suffered.
However, they returned without delay to Jerusalem to look for their Child.
They searched for three days.
At last, when they went into the Temple to pour out their troubles to God, they found Jesus, sitting among the doctors, who were amazed at the wisdom of His answers and of His questions.
There was joy and sorrow in Mary’s countenance as she regarded Him.
“Son,” she said gently. “why hast thou done so to us? Behold, in sorrow, thy father and I have been seeking thee.”
Jesus’ reply was also mild and at the same time, mysterious.
“How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?”

Then He returned with them to Nazareth, where He remained “subject to them.”
But His mother, we are told, “kept all these things carefully in her heart” (Cf Lk 2:41-51).

This Mystery of the Rosary is, at the same time, joyful and sorrowful.
We can learn a good deal by meditating on it.
We can admire the divine wisdom of Jesus, Who, even from childhood, desired to reveal a little of the truth and also His obedience to Mary and Joseph, until He reached thirty years of age.
We can admire, too, His hidden life in the workshop in Nazareth, interrupted only by this brief demonstration of His divinity and the anxiety of Mary and Joseph to find Jesus when they had lost Him, as well as their delight when He was restored to them.

If we should ever have the great misfortune of losing Jesus, let us have recourse at once, to Mary and Joseph, who lost Him without any fault on their part, searched anxiously for Him and did not rest, until they had found Him. Amen”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, ROSARY QUOTES, The NATIVITY of JESUS

Thought for the Day – 5 October – The Third Joyful Mystery, The Birth of Jesus

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Third Joyful Mystery
The Birth of Jesus

“Like the simple shepherds, let us prostrate ourselves with faith and with love before the Manger.
Let us offer, as our gifts, our good resolutions; let us offer our hearts and ask God to change them and make them entirely His forever.

Quite suddenly, the darkness of the night and the wretchedness of the cave was illuminated by a bright light from Heaven.
While men were unaware of, or indifferent to, the miraculous event which had taken place, bands of Angels descended from Heaven and sang: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace among men of goodwill” (Lk 2:13-14).
Joseph bent over the Divine Infant and silently adored Him, while the Blessed Virgin knelt at His Feet in loving contemplation.

Let us too, learn to adore and love Him, as His Mother and Foster-Father did.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/05/thought-for-the-day-5-october-the-third-joyful-mystery-the-birth-of-jesus/

Posted in MARIAN QUOTES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, ROSARY QUOTES

Thought for the Day – 4 October – The Second Joyful Mystery – Mary’s Visit to St Elizabeth

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

“Month of the Holy Rosary”
The Second Joyful Mystery
Mary’s Visit to St Elizabeth

“But are we as grateful to God as we ought to be!
Do we correspond with His graces?
Are we prepared to make any sacrifice in order to share with others the gifts with which He has enriched us?

Let us remember that gratitude is a virtue which is very pleasing to God and draws down on us other graces and gifts.

In his panegyric on Trajan, the younger Pliny observes that the best means of soliciting new favours, is to show gratitude for those which we have already received.
On the other hand, as St Bernard points out, ingratitude is like a scorching wind, which dries up the dew of Divine Mercy (Sermon 5 in Cant).
Let us be grateful to God, therefore and do our best to share with others the gifts which we have received.
“Because He Who is mighty has done great things for me and Holy is His Name!” (Lk 1:46-55).”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/04/thought-for-the-day-4-october-the-second-joyful-mystery-marys-visit-to-st-elizabeth/

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Thought for the Day – 2 October – Our Guardian Angels

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

Our Guardian Angels

“The realisation that our Guardian Angel is always close at hand, should be a warning to us.
It should prevent us from doing anything displeasing to God.
Would we venture to do anything unbecoming in the presence of our Father or Mother, or of anyone for whom we have any regard?
Definitely not and still less, should we dare to perform an evil action in the presence of our Angel, to whom we owe such gratitude and in the presence of God, our Creator, Lord and Redeemer, Who could, at any moment, snap the thread which binds us to life and plunge us into eternity.

Furthermore, when pride convinces us that we are of some importance, let us turn to our Angel and pray for the virtue of humility.
When we begin to seethe with anger and long to utter words which are harsh and injurious, let us ask our Angel to pray on our behalf, for the gift of Christian gentleness.
When the devil fills our minds with impure images and thoughts, let us ask our Angel to beseech God to give us the Christian fortitude to resist temptation and to imitate his angelic purity.

Finally, when tepidity is sapping the vigour of our interior life, let us pray to our Guardian Angel in the hope of obtaining a share in his intimate union with God.

Let us pray the Guardian Angel prayer or at least say:
“My Guardian Angel enlighten me.
My Guardian Angel help me.
My Guardian Angel, protect me.”
Amen.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/02/thought-for-the-day-2-october-our-guardian-angels/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, OCTOBER - The HOLY ROSARY and The HOLY ANGELS, QUOTES on the FAMILY, QUOTES on TIME, ROSARY QUOTES, ROSARY REFLECTIONS and QUOTES, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 1 October – The Month of the Holy Rosary

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

The Month of the Holy Rosary

“We should say the Rosary devoutly everyday.
This beautiful prayer is very pleasing to Our Lady and, the Church, is particularly anxious that we should recite it during the month of October.
Families which say the Holy Rosary together can hope for a special blessing from God and for the maternal protection of Mary.

If possible, every family should gather together in the evening and recite the Rosary before an image of our Blessed Mother.
If the parents set an example, their child will join them.
It is consoling to come together after the toil and trouble of the day, in order to confide our cares and hopes to Mary.

Do you say the Rosary everyday?
If you have neglected this pious practice, begin today!
Do not plead lack of time.
There is time for so many other things, so surely, there is time to pray and to entrust ourselves, in a special way, to the protection of our heavenly Mother!?
The practice of reciting the Holy Rosary, will win for you, the blessing of God and the patronage of the Blessed Virgin.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MODESTY, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Thought for the Day – 30 September – Christian Modesty

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

Christian Modesty

“The virtue of modesty is necessary, in that it regulates all our actions, internal and external and saves us from everything which threatens the purity of our souls.
It is also an inspiring example to the people around us.
The Saints often converted sinners and incited others to lead better lives, simply because their conduct proclaimed their purity and sanctity.

We should endeavour to do the same, without affectation, however but, in a simple and natural manner.
The continual mastery which we exercise over our interior and exterior faculties, should be reflected in our appearance, in our conversation and, in all our actions.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/30/thought-for-the-day-30-september-christian-modesty/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/30/thought-for-the-day-30-september-christian-modesty-2/

Posted in CHRIST the JUDGE, CONFESSION, HOLY COMMUNION, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on FEAR

Thought for the Day – 25 September – Frequent Confession and Communion

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

Frequent Confession and Communion

“Frequent Confession keeps us prepared for a good and holy death.
We do not know when our lives will end and, therefore, it is necessary to keep ourselves pure and free from sin in the sight of God.
We know that death will come to us when we least expect it, as the Gospel assures us and it will come like a thief.
It is necessary to be always ready for the great encounter with our Eternal Judge.

In this way, the natural fear of death will be diminished.
Being free from sin through the infinite mercy of God, we shall face, with greater courage, the journey into eternity and we shall realise that the good sister, Death, has come to release us from bondage and save us from the danger of ever offending God again!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/29/thought-for-the-day-29-september-frequent-confession-and-communion-part-one/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/04/20/thought-for-the-day-20-april-frequent-confession-and-communion/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on VIRTUE, St Francis de Sales

Thought for the Day – 24 September – Prudence and Simplicity

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

Prudence and Simplicity

“Apart from the Christian virtue of prudence, there is also the prudence of the world and of the flesh.
This, however, as St Francis de Sales explains, is really duplicity and craft – it does not avoid dissimulation and falsehood; it seeks its own profit only and is prepared to obtain its end by any means.
“I know nothing at all about the art of falsehood, dissimulation and pretence,” St Francis wrote to the Bishop of Belle, “which is the centre of political activity and the mainspring of human prudence.
That which I have on my lips, I have in my heart.
I hate duplicity like death” (Letters of St Francis de Sales [Spirito] Bk II C24, Letter 178).

Our prudence should, likewise, be inspired by rectitude, sincerity and simplicity.
We must speak the truth with charity and never lie or deceive.
“For we can do nothing against the truth,” says St Paul “but, only for the truth” (2 Cor 13:8).
He advises the Ephesians – “practice the truth in love” (Eph 4:15).
To the Romans he writes: “I would have you wise as to what is good and guileless as to what is evil” (Rom 16:19).

The virtue of Christian prudence then, consists in complete exactitude in all that is good, combined with a holy simplicity, free from any taint of duplicity or evil!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/28/thought-for-the-day-28-september-prudence-and-simplicity/

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on FEAR, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD

Thought for the Day – 22 September – Depending Always on Jesus

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

Depending Always on Jesus

“Virtue is difficult and life holds more trials than consolations.
Sometimes, we feel discouraged because virtue seems impossible and we fall so often, in spite of our best resolutions or because, our cross seems too heavy and we feel that we are overburdened.

Where will we find comfort in our sufferings and strength in our weakness?
“Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28).
Go to Jesus and depend always on Him.

Difficulties will be overcome, the cross will grow lighter, the pain will be less severe, if we rely always on Jesus.
Isaias, the Prophet, placed these words on the lips of God: “I have made you and I will bear-I will carry and I will save” (Is 46:3).
At that time, Jesus had not yet come; He was not yet present among us with His doctrine, with His consoling spirt and with His Divine Eucharist.
Now things are different; we have Emmanuel, God with us!
Why, therefore, do we not allow ourselves to be carried by Him?
It is necessary for us to allow ourselves to be “Carried by the grace of God,” (Bk II, Ch 9) as The Imitation of Christ puts it.

If God is with us, who or what can prevail against us?

We must, as St Francis de Sales writes, lean on the arm of Jesus, as the child leans securely on the arm of it’s mother.
“It matters little,” he adds, “where she walks, on a grassy plain or on a steep path surrounded by precipices.”
She, is his mother and she carries him; that is enough to make him happy and content.
We must trust Jesus in this way, relying always on His support in joy and in sorrow, in moments of trial and in moments of satisfaction, in life and in death.
Let us not be afraid; Jesus is better and stronger than our earthly mother.
If He guides and supports us, we can be sure of Heaven, no matter what happens!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DESPAIR, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 21 September – The Heart of Judas

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

The Heart of Judas

“Even after his betrayal, Judas still had time to make amends.
It would have sufficed if he had gone to Jesus and asked Him for forgiveness.
He would certainly have received the kiss of peace.
He was overcome by despair, however and decided that his sin was too great to be forgiven.
So, throwing away his money, the reward of his betrayal, he took a rope and “hanged himself with a halter” (Mt 27:5).

If we should ever have the misfortune to fall into sin, we should remember that the mercy of God is infinite.

It is enough to go to Him and to ask for pardon and for the grace not to offend Him any more under any circumstances.
We should then resolve to love Him with all the power of our poor hearts, to atone for our sins and to serve Him faithfully for the rest of our lives.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/08/thought-for-the-day-8-september-the-heart-of-judas/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/04/07/thought-for-the-day-7-april-the-heart-of-judas/

Posted in "Follow Me", JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, ON the SAINTS, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SLOTH, QUOTES on TIME, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

Thought for the Day – 20 September – CARELESSNESS

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

CARELESSNESS

“Reflect on the infinite generosity of God, Who created us, redeemed us from sin by shedding the Blood of His Divine Son and enriched our souls with grace and supernatural gifts.
How can we remain indifferent and fail to correspond willingly with such goodness?
Virtue cannot be achieved without diligence and we cannot be true Christians, without virtue.
Let us consider the example given us by the Saints.
They lived in a continual and prayerful union with God; they never refused any task or any sacrifice, in order to show their love for Jesus and their total dedication to His will; they made every effort to attract others towards holinesss and to bring about the triumph of the Kingdom of Christ in the world.

What are we doing?
What are we prepared to do in future?
Are we carelessly wiling away our days in indolence and pleasure?”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/09/23/thought-for-the-day-23-september-carelessness/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD

Thought for the Day – 19 September – Seeing God in All Things

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

Seeing God in All Things

“Are we in the habit of seeing all thing in God and God in all things?
Do we accept all things from His Holy Hands and do His Will cheerfully and lovingly?

Do we try to control ourselves when God sends us sorrows, in addition to joy?
If we find we are in need of reform in this matter, we should make good resolutions and fulfil them!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/27/thought-for-the-day-27-september-seeing-god-in-all-things/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/18/thought-for-the-day-18-september-seeing-god-in-all-things/

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, The HEART, The HOLY GHOST, The WILL of GOD, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 18 September – The Divine Counsellor

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

The Divine Counsellor

“Speak Lord, for Thy servant hears.
Give me understanding that I may know Thy testimonies.
Let not Moses, nor any of the Prophets, speak to me but speak Thou rather, O Lord God, the Inspirer and Enlightener of all the Prophets…
They may indeed sound forth words but they give not the Spirit.
Most beautifully do they speak but if Thou be silent, they inflame not the heart…
They declare the commandments but Thou enables us to fulfil them.
They show the way but Thou gives the strength to walk in it…
Speak to me that it may be some comfort to my soul and the amendment of my whole life and also, to Thy praise, glory and everlasting honour!” (Cf The Imitation of Christ Bk III, Ch 2).

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/10/thought-for-the-day-10-december-the-divine-counsellor/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/17/thought-for-the-day-17-september-the-divine-counsellor/

Posted in "Follow Me", MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 17 September – The Commandments and the Desires of Jesus Christ

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

The Commandments
and the Desires of Jesus Christ

“O my Saviour, I adore Thee, with the perfect submission which Thou displayed to the will of Thy Father.
I ask pardon for all the obstacles which I have placed in the way of Thy holy will.
In union with the perfect submission which Thou, Thy Mother and all Thy Saints displayed in regard to the will of God, I profess that neither in life, nor in death, do I desire anything other, than Thine adorable will. Amen [St John Eudes (1601-1680)]”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/17/thought-for-the-day-17-september-the-commandments-and-the-desires-of-jesus-christ/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/26/thought-for-the-day-26-january-the-commandments-and-the-desires-of-jesus-christ/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY WEEK, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on BLASPHEMY, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PEACE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, St Francis de Sales, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 15 September – Our Sorrowful Mother

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 15 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and The Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin – Our Lady of Sorrows – Judith 13:22; 13:25, John 19:25-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Woman, behold thy son. …
Behold thy mother”

John 19:26-27

“Whoever you are,
who love the Mother of God,
take note and reflect
with all your innermost feelings,
upon her, who wept for the Only-Begotten
as He died…
The grief she felt in the Passion of her Son,
goes beyond all understanding.”

St Amadeus of Lausanne (1108-1159)

“ Now it is that we are to show
an invincible courage towards our Saviour,
serving Him purely for the love of His will,
not only without pleasure
but amid this deluge of sorrows,
horrors, distresses and assaults,
as did his glorious Mother and St John,
upon the day of His Passion.
Amongst so many blasphemies,
sorrows and deadly distresses,
they remained constant in love …”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

“Holy Simeon foretold,
that the sword of sorrow would pierce her heart.
In fact, her life was altogether interwoven with hardship,
want and suffering until, eventually,
she knelt at the foot of the Cross
on which Jesus was dying for the love of mankind
and offered the divine Victim for our salvation.
At the last moment, however,
torn with sorrow though she was,
she did not depart in the slightest
from her spirit of perfect acceptance of God’s will.
Consequently, her peace of soul
was never diminished or extinguished.
Let us learn from her, to accept everything
from God’s hands, both the tiny pleasures
which brighten our lives, from time to time
and the humiliations, sufferings and death,
which it pleases God to keep in store for us.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

When Mary Weeps
By Father Frederick M Lynk (1881-unknown)

When Mary weeps, her mother’s heart
Is full to overflowing.
When Mary weeps, pain’s piercing dart
Stabs Him beyond all knowing,
Who is by sinners Crucified,
Blasphemed, forsaken and denied.

When Mary weeps, God’s holy wrath
Is kindling cruel fires.
When Mary weeps, poor mankind’s path
Leads through war’s blood-soaked mires
And makes all human mothers moan
In love and pity for their own.

When Mary weeps, it’s time to pray
To have our sins forgiven.
When Mary weeps, each night and day
By sorrow must be riven,
Until His and her children will
Once more seek peace on Calvary’s hill.
When Mary weeps, we all must try
To dry her tears of sorrow.
When Mary weeps, we too must cry
To glimpse a brighter morrow,
When her Son’s name is recognised
And all, in love adore the Christ.
Amen

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION

Thought for the Day – 14 September – The Redemption

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

The Redemption

“In conclusion, let us say this prayer of St Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787):
“My soul, look at this Crucified Man …
see how the arms extend to embrace you,
how the head bows forward
to give you the kiss of peace.
See how His side is open to receive you.
What have you to say?
Such a good and loving God deserves to be loved.
O my Jesus!
Adorable Jesus!
O Love of my soul!
How can I ever forget Thee?
How can I ever love anything
apart from Thee!
O suffering Jesus,
may the memory of Thee ever remain
in my heart!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/13/thought-for-the-day-13-september-the-redemption/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/03/31/thought-for-the-day-31-march-the-redemption/

Posted in CARMELITES, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, The INCARNATION

Thought for the Day – 11 September – The Incarnation

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

The Incarnation

“The Incarnation, which is the coming of God amongst men, in order that He might be loved more, requires that man, in return, love God and be obedient to His commandments.

Since the Infinite God could do no more for us than give us His entire Self, it is only right that we should be prepared to make any sacrifice, in order to prove our love for Him.
The Mystery of the Incarnation not only demands our love, it also requires that this love should induce us to lead better lives.
Jesus, God made Man, should be the model which will encourage us to obey His laws and to follow His example.
There is no other way to eternal joy.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/11/thought-for-the-day-11-september-the-incarnation/

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the LIGHT, DANTE ALIGHIERI!, GOD is LOVE, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on LOVE

Thought for the Day – 10 September – The Creation

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

The Creation

“Dante describes the Creation beautifully as “Eternal Love expanded into new loves.”
Heaven and earth, Angels and men and all created beings, are nothing more than an expansion of this Eternal Love, into new loves.
Love unites and fills everything.
Everywhere in Heaven and on earth, there is love, there is need of love.
But whom shall we love?
The creatures who surround us?
Yes.
We may and should love them.
They are rays of the Light and Beauty of God.
We should love them because they reflect the Power and Glory of God.
But, we must not become attached to them.
We must not try to find, happiness and peace of mind in them.
They cannot give us contentment, for our hearts are made for something greater.
God made creatures for Himself, as St Augustine says and, therefore, our hearts will not rest until they rest in Him.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/10/thought-for-the-day-10-september-the-creation/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on ZEAL, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Thought for the Day – 9 September – The Two Standards

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

The Two Standards

“The well-known meditation of St Ignatius in his Spiritual Exercies on the two standards, remains applicable to our times.
We need only glance at the world to see that it contains two different kinds of people – the good and the bad, the enemies of Christ and His faithful followers.
But, there is also a third group, those who are indifferent and apathetic, those who think of their own comfort and convenience and of nothing else!
When one considers it, it is plain that those people who think only of themselves – and their number seems to grow every year – belong to the rearguard of those, who fight beneath the banner of Satan.
That man is an enemy of Christ, who has no generosity, no spirit of sacrifice, no desire to combat the evil which threatens to submerge the world.
“He who is not with me, is against me,” (Mt 12:30) said Jesus.
He who thinks only of his own convenience and remains indifferent to the spread of evil, is not worthy of Jesus.
One cannot be indifferent when faced with the alternative between good and evil because, indifference is tantamount to a betrayal.
“The Christian,” writes Tertullian, “is another Christ!”

The fact that we are Christians imposes on us, the obligation to fight openly and courageously under the Standard of Christ.
The battle must be waged on two fronts.
On one side, the struggle is internal.
We must resist our rebellious inclinations and self-centred egoism.
At the same time, we must make a constant effort to advance in Christian perfection.
On the second front, the struggle is external.
It is not sufficient to sanctify ourselves but, we must try to sanctify others.
When we consider the sacrifices made in the cause of evil by the enemies of Christ, how can we remain indifferent?
We should work with zeal and with the help of God’s grace, to achieve our own sanctification and the reign of Christ in the universe.
We should examine what we have already done and resolve to be more determined in our future efforts!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, MOTHER of GOD, OUR Cross, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 8 September – Mary, Mother of God

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

Mary, the Mother of God

“St Matthew (Cf Mt 12:46-50) and St Mark (Cf Mk 3:31-35), relate how Jesus was preaching one day in Galilee, surrounded by His Apostles and by a large crowd, when a man approached and said: “Behold, thy mother and thy brethren are standing outside, seeking thee.”
“Who is my mother,” He answered, “and who are my brethren?”
Then He extended His hand towards His disciples and said: “Behold, my mother and my brethren! For whoever does the will of my Father in Heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

These words were directed at us, not at Our Lady.
Not only was she the Immaculate Mother of Jesus Christ but, she performed lovingly, on all occasions, the Will of the heavenly Father.
She did His Will, in poverty and obedience, in exile and on Mount Calvary.
Therefore, she was God’s Mother in the spiritual, as well as, in the physical sense of the word, insofar, as she was constantly united to Him by a bond of love and of conformity with His desires.

Christ’s words indicate, that Mary’s perfect and continuous acceptance of God’s Will, was even more pleasing to God, than the dignity of the divine Motherhood.

We cannot equal her in dignity but, we can imitate her in this other respect.
Jesus will look on us as His brothers and as worthy sons of Mary, if we carry out His Will in all things.
It is not always easy to do this.
It is not easy, when we are strongly tempted to commit sins of pride, anger or impurity.
It is not easy, when we are overcome by sorrow or by sickness, when we are let down or misunderstood by others, when we are in want and, when we feel that we are collapsing beneath the weight of our cross.
At times like these, we should pray for Mary’s spirit of complete acceptance of the Will of God.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/09/08/thought-for-the-day-8-september-mary-mother-of-god/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING

Thought for the Day – 7 September – “To be Silent, to Adore and to be Happy

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

“To be Silent, to Adore
and to be Happy”

“To Adore:
What are we in the sight of God but poor, weak creatures?
How can we rebel against those sufferings with which the Lord, in His Infinite Wisdom, allows us to be afflicted?
Since it is God Who sends them, it can only mean that He wishes us to profit spiritually from them, in the same way, as we benefit physically from unpleasant medicine.

We gladly recognise, therefore, the mysterious designs of Divine Providence in all the circumstances of our lives, happy and unhappy.
Like the Holy Patriarch, Job, we should say: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away – blessed be the Name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21).
We should repeat too, with Jesus in Gethsemane: “Not My will but Thine be done” (Lk 22:42).

Like the Saints, we should thank God for all His designs in all the ways and moments of our lives.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/06/thought-for-the-day-6-september-to-be-silent-to-adore-and-to-be-happy-part-one/

Posted in MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on GRACE

Thought for the Day – 6 September – The Parable of the Talents

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

The Parable of the Talents

“As a general rule, God gives us three kinds of talents.
There are – (1) material, like health or riches; (2) intellectual and moral, such as intelligence, personality and ability; and (3) supernatural, like Divine grace, a vocation, or extraordinary powers.
God lavishly distributes all these talens to whomsoever He pleases and in accordance with His own hidden dessigns.

We have no right,, therefore, to envy the talents of others, nor, to be discontented with our own.
Rather, we should be grateful to God for whatever He has given us and remember that sufferings and deprivations may also be used as a means of self-sanctification.

If we cheerfully accept and offer to God, our lack of certain talents, we can gain great merit in His eyes.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/08/09/thought-for-the-day-9-august-the-parsble-of-the-talents/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 5 September – I Am Not Able

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

I Am Not Able

“The last question which we must ask ourselves, is the most difficult.
Should we choose honour or humiliation?
It is very difficult in this case to say to God: “Thy will be done.”
Yet, say it we must!

If honour, high position and success redound t0 the glory of God and to our spiritual advantage, then, let us accept them with humble gratitude.
But, if Divine Providence ordains that it is better for us to be humiliated and forgotten, we must accept this with cheerful resignation.
“Do with me what Thou will, O Lord,” we should pray.

“Grant me whatever pleases Thee, sickness or health, poverty or riches, honour or disgrace.”
We must always accept the will of God simply because, we love Him and wish to serve Him more faithfully.
Let us perform all our actions for His glory, for our eternal salvation and for the salvation of all mankind!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/05/thought-for-the-day-5-september-i-am-not-able/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/16/thought-for-the-day-16-january-i-am-not-able/

Posted in GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on POVERTY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, QUOTES on WEALTH/RICHES, The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 4 September – Holy Indifference

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

Holy Indifference

“We may wonder whether we are to have a long or a short life.
Nature would choose the first alternative because, the will to live and the fear of death are among the strongest of our basic instincts.
To obtain a long life, we are prepared to promise God that we shall dedicate it to His glory and spend it in doing good works.
But, if God sees that a long life would prove to be an occasion of sin for us and, that we should become too deeply attached to this world and forgetful of Heaven, then we should be resigned to and indeed, content with, a short life.

How many young people like St Maria Goretti, St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, St Dominic Savio and others, have reached the peak of sanctity while still in the flower of their youth?!
If this were the will of God for us, surely we should welcome the advent of an early death?

There is another question which often bothers those who attempt to look into the future.
Shall I be rich or poor?
It is natural to desire wealth and to want to avoid poverty.
Yet, Jesus says: “Blessed are the poor … and woe to the rich!”
It is clear then that wealth is likely to be a greater spiritual danger than poverty, for it can cause us to become more attached to worldly possessions.
We can save our souls whether we are rich or poor, as long as we make right use of whatever we have/

So let the will of God be done!”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/04/thought-for-the-day-4-september-holy-indifference/

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on GREED, WEALTH, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on PURITY of INTENTION, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD, St Francis de Sales, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 4 September – ‘ … No more world, no more sins!’

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 September – Feria – Galatians 5:16-24, Matthew 6:24-33 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“No man can serve two masters.”

Matthew 6:24

“Penance is a needful thing to the sinner,
who desires to recover health of his soul.
And, in doing penance, there be three things
to be considered:
serious compunction of heart,
confession of mouth
and satisfaction by deed.”

St John Fisher (1469-1535)

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

“If you wish to rid yourself of self-love,
purify your intentions
and, in every action,
seek what is pure
and what alone, will give honour to God.”

St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502-1539)

“Lord, forgive this great sinner.
Give me time to do penance.
No more world, no more sins!”

St Camillus de Lellis MI (1550-1614)

“To advance well,
we must apply ourselves
to make good way
on the road nearest to us
and do, the first day’s journey.”

“We fight the monsters of Africa
in imagination
but, from lack of attention,
we allow ourselves, in reality,
to be killed by the little serpents
which lie in our way!”

(Intro to the Devout Life III:37)

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor of Charity 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 "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 3 September – The Annual Retreat

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

The Annual Retreat

“It is useful, one might say necesssary, to spend time, now and again with God in meditating on the eternal truths.
It is too easy to become dissipated by contact with the many worldly things which distract us from our final end which is God and, from the sanctification of our souls.
With dissipation comes carelessness, spiritual lethargy and tepidity and, we know that tepidity eventually leads us to commit sin.

A Retreat is one of the best ways of recollecting ourselves and of renewing our spiritual energies.
It should not be thought that Retreats are suitable only for Priests and Religious.
They are suitable and even vitally necessary for all of us because, we are all in need of recollection and of a new impetus towards holiness which should be our common goal.

An annual Retreat, therefore, should be the aim of all the faithful, even of the laity.
Sometimes, we are disgusted and frightened by the desolate spectacle which the world presents us with!
Faith has grown weak; religious indifference is invading all sections of society; the forces of evil and of progress have achieved an almost universal and soul-destroying corruption of morals.
How has this happened?
We get the answer from the Prophet Jeremias, who laments that in the supreme moment of trial, the chosen people abandoned God!
“With desolation is all the land made desolate because, there is none who considereth in the heart” (Jer 12:1).

Let us resolve not to neglect this great means of sanctification.
If possible, let us make a Retreat every year.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

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

Thought for the Day – 2 September – Intimacy with Jesus

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

Intimacy with Jesus

“In his memoirs written while in exile, Napoleon says: “Many have desired and endeavoured to be obeyed, revered and honoured by all; only Jesus Christ has demanded this because He is God.”

“As the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you,” we read in the Gospel of St John.
“Abide in My love” (Jn 15:9).

Jesus, therefore, asks each of us, not only to love Him but, to remain intimately united to Him in love.
He has a perfect right to demand this because, as God, He is our Creator and as God-Man, He is our Redeemer, Who out of love for us has given Himself entirely.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci