fr edward caswell – AnaStpaul

ADVENT PRAYERS, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, PRAYERS to the DIVINE INFANT JESUS, QUOTES for CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR

Our Morning Offering – 16 December – Creator Alme Siderum – Creator of the Starry Frame

Posted on December 16, 2025December 14, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 16 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Resumed Mass of Sunday

Creator Alme Siderum
Creator of the Starry Frame
7th Century Advent Hymn

Creator of the starry frame;
Eternal Light of all who live;
Jesu, Redeemer of mankind,
An ear to Thy poor suppliants give.

When man was sunk in sin and death,
Lost in the depth of Satan’s snare,
Love brought Thee down to cure our ills,
By taking of those ills a share.

Thou for the sake of guilty men,
Causing Thine own pure blood to flow,
Didst issue from Thy Virgin-shrine,
And to the Cross a Victim go.

So great the glory of Thy might,
If we but chance Thy Name to sound,
At once all Heaven and Hell unite
In bending low with awe profound.

Great Judge of all, in that last day,
When friends shall fail and foes combine,
Be present then with us, we pray,
To guard us with Thy arm divine.

To God the Father and the Son,
All praise and power and glory be,
With Thee, O holy Comforter,
Henceforth through all eternity.

Also known as Advent Hymn, this translation of the Latin Hymn Creator Alme Siderum (Pope Urban VIII’s 1632 revision of the 7th Century Hymn Conditor alme siderum) was first published in Fr Edward Caswall’s Lyra Catholica,

CHRIST the KING, Gerard MANLEY HOPKINS SJ, GOD ALONE!, HYMNS, JESUIT SJ, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The PASSION, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – St Ignatius and his Brethren – Seeing God in all things

Posted on November 5, 2025November 2, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 5 November – All Saints and Blesseds of the Society of Jesus (SJ)

I Love Thee, O Thou Lord Most High!
Translation and Parphrase
of St Ignatius Loyola’s Latin Hymn
By Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

I love, I love Thee, Lord most high!
Because Thou first hast loved me;
I seek no other liberty
But that of being bound to Thee.

May memory no thought suggest,
But shall to Thy pure glory tend;
My understanding find no rest
Except in Thee, its only End.

My God, I here protest to Thee,
No other will have I than Thine;
Whatever Thou hast given me,
I here again to Thee resign.

All mine is Thine — say but the word,
Whate’er Thou wllest shall be done;
I know Thy Love, all-gracious Lord;
I know It seeks my good alone.

Apart from Thee, all things are naught;
Then grant, O my supremest bliss!
Grant me to love Thee as I ought;
Thou givest all in giving this!

“A precious crown is reserved in Heaven
for those who endow their actions with
all the diligence of which they are capable,
for, it is not enough to do good,
we must do it well!”

“God takes special care
to detach from the passing pleasures of this world,
those whom He Loves with special predilection,
by sending them desires after heavenly bliss
and, by the sorrows and bitterness
of the present life.”

St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

I Love Thee, God, I Love Thee
O Deus Ego Amo Te
By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)
Translated by Gerard Manley Hopkins SJ (1844-1889)

I love Thee, God, I love Thee—
Not out of hope for Heaven for me
Nor fearing not to love and be
in the everlasting burning.
Thou, my Jesus, after me
Didst reach Thine arms out dying,
For my sake suffered nails and lance,
Mocked and marred countenance,
Sorrows passing number,
Sweat and care and cumber,
Yea and death and this for me,
And Thou could see me sinning.
Then I, why should not I love Thee,
Jesu so much in love with me?
Not for Heaven’s sake, not to be
Out of hell by loving Thee,
Not for any gains I see,
But just the way that Thou didst me
I do love and will love Thee.
What must I love Thee, Lord, for then?
For being my King and God.
Amen

“We must make our way towards eternity,
never regarding what men think of us,
or of our actions,
studying only to please God.”

St Francis Borgia (1510-1572)

““Man’s salvation and perfection
consists in doing the Will of God
which he must have in view in all things
and, at every moment of his life.”

St Peter Claver (1581-1654)

“Can we think, the life of man,
better employed than in this good work?
What do I say? Would not all the labours
of a thousand men, be well rewarded,
in the conversion of a single soul
gained to Jesus Christ?
I have always felt a great love
for this kind of life
and for a profession so excellent
and so akin to that of the Apostles.”

St Isaac Jogues (1607-1646)
Martyr

“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 (1881-1971)

ArchAngels and Angels, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HELL, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, St Francis de Sales, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 October – Remember the Angels!

Posted on October 21, 2025October 18, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 21 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”

Remember the Angels especially during October

“See, I am sending My Angel before you,
to guard you on the way
and bring you to the place I have prepared.”

Exodus 23:20

“It was pride which changed Angels into devils;
it is humility which makes men as Angels!”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“We are like children,
who stand in need of masters,
to enlighten us and direct us
and God has provided for this,
by appointing His Angels,
to be our teachers and guides.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis

“The good Angels are around you,
like a company of Sentinels on guard!”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

“The powers of hell
will assail the dying Christian
but his Angel Guardian
will come to console him.
His Patrons and St Michael,
who has been appointed by God
to defend his faithful servants,
in their last combat with the devils,
will come to his aid.”

St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

“Nor then do thou leave me,
Angelical friend!
But at the tribunal
Of Judgement attend
And cease not to plead
For my soul, till, forgiven,
Thou bear it aloft
To the Palace of Heaven!”

From “Sweet Angel of Mercy!”
By Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)

BREVIARY Prayers, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, Prayers to the SORROWFUL MOTHER, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 15 September – What A Sea Of Tears And Sorrow

Posted on September 15, 2025September 12, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 15 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady

O Quot Undis Lacrimarum
What A Sea Of Tears And Sorrow
Breviary Hymn for the
Feast of the Seven Sorrow
Attrib. Bishop Callisto Palumbella OSM (1687-1749)
Trans. Fr Edward Caswell COrat (1814–1878)

What a sea of tears and sorrow
Did the soul of Mary toss
To and fro upon its billows,
While she wept her bitter loss;
In her arms her Jesus holding,
Torn so newly from the Cross.

Oh, that mournful Virgin-Mother!
See her tears how fast they flow
Down upon His mangled body,
Wounded side, and thorny brow;
While His hands and feet she kisses—
Picture of immortal woe.

Oft and oft, His arms and bosom
Fondly straining to her own;
Oft her pallid lips imprinting
On each wound of her dear Son;
Till at last, in swoons of anguish,
Sense and consciousness are gone.

Gentle Mother, we beseech thee
By thy tears and troubles sore;
By the death of thy dear Offspring,
By the bloody wounds He bore;
Touch our hearts with that true sorrow
Which afflicted thee of yore.

To the Father everlasting,
And the Son Who reigns on high,
With the Co-eternal Spirit,
Trinity in Unity,
Be salvation, honour, blessing
Now and through eternity.
Amen

Attrib. to the Servite Bishop Callisto Maria Vincenzo Antonio Palumbella OSM (1687-1749), who also composed the Office for the Feast inserted in the Breviary in 1720. He was the Bishop of Terracina, Priverno e Sezze, Italy.
This Translation by Fr Edward Caswell COrat (1814–1878)

BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, MARIAN HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 30 August – Virginis Proles for the Feast of St Rose of Lima

Posted on August 30, 2025August 27, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 30 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Rose of Lima OP (1586-1617) Virgin

Virginis Proles
Anonymous Latin, 8th Century
Trans. Fr Edward Caswall C.Orat. (1814-1878)

O Thou Thy Mother’s Maker, hail!
Hail, Virgin-born! to Thee;
Hear us, who on this day record
Thy Virgin’s memory.

Oh, through her prayers our sins forgive,
All good and gracious King !
So purified in heart may we
Thy praise eternal sing.

All glory to the Father be;
Praise to His only Son;
With Thee, who dost from both proceed.
While endless ages run.

This Hymn is used for Matins in the Common of Virgins in the Extraordinary form of the Roman Breviary. Verses 1, 4 and 5 above, are used for a Virgin who is not a Martyr.

BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PURITY, St JOHN the BAPTIST

Our Morning Offering – 29 August – O Blessed Saint of Snow-White Purity!

Posted on August 29, 2025August 26, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 29 August – The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist

O Blessed Saint of Snow-White Purity!
By Paul the Deacon (c720-796)
Transl. Fr Edward Caswall C.Orat. (1814-1878)
Breviary Hymn for Lauds

O blessed Saint, of snow-white purity!
Dweller in wastes forlorn!
O mightiest of the Martyr host on high!
Greatest of Prophets born!

Of all the diadems which on the brows
Of Saints in glory shine,
Not one with brighter, purer halo glows,
In Heav’n’s high Court, than thine!

Oh! upon us thy tender, pitying gaze
Cast down from thy dread throne;
Straighten our crooked, smooth our rugged ways,
And break our hearts of stone.

So may the world’s Redeemer find us meet
To offer Him a place,
Where He may set His ever-blessed feet,
Coming with gifts of grace.

Praise in the Heav’ns to Thee, O First and Last,
The Trine eternal God!
Spare, Jesu, spare Thy people,whom Thou hast
Redeem ‘d with Thine Own Precious Blood.

GOD ALONE!, HYMNS, JESUIT SJ, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 31 July – I Love Thee, O Thou Lord Most High!

Posted on July 31, 2025July 28, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 31 July – St Ignatius Loyola SJ (1491-1556) Priest, Confessor, Founder, Theologian, Spiritual Writer, Mystic

I Love Thee, O Thou Lord Most High!
Translation and Parphrase
of St Ignatius Loyola’s Latin Hymn
By Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

I love, I love Thee, Lord most high!
Because Thou first hast loved me;
I seek no other liberty
But that of being bound to Thee.

May memory no thought suggest,
But shall to Thy pure glory tend;
My understanding find no rest
Except in Thee, its only End.

My God, I here protest to Thee,
No other will have I than Thine;
Whatever Thou hast given me,
I here again to Thee resign.

All mine is Thine — say but the word,
Whate’er Thou wllest shall be done;
I know Thy Love, all-gracious Lord;
I know It seeks my good alone.

Apart from Thee, all things are naught;
Then grant, O my supremest bliss!
Grant me to love Thee as I ought;
Thou givest all in giving this!

HYMNS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS to the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 26 July – Holy Anne, Juda’s Glory

Posted on July 26, 2025July 23, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 26 July – St Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grandmother of Jesus.

Holy Anne, Juda’s Glory
Unknown Author
Transl. Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

Holy Anne, Juda’s glory,
⁠Through the Church from east to west
Every tongue proclaims thy praises,
⁠Holy Mary’s mother blest!

Saintly kings and priestly sires
⁠Blended in thy sacred line;
Thou in virtue all before thee
⁠Didst excel by grace divine.

Link’d in bonds of purest wedlock,
⁠Thine it was for us to bear,
By the favour of high Heaven,
⁠Our immortal Virgin star.

From thy stem in beauty budded
⁠Ancient Jesse’s mystic rod.
Earth from thee received the mother
⁠Of the eternal Son of God.

All the human race benighted
⁠In the depths of darkness lay,
“When in Anne it saw the dawning
⁠Of the long-expected day.”

GOD ALONE!, HYMNS, JESUIT SJ, POETRY, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 15 April – My God, I Love Thee

Posted on April 15, 2025April 12, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 15 April – Tuesday in Holy Week

My God, I Love Thee
By St Francis Xavier (1506-1552) (Attri)
Transr: Fr Edward Caswall CO (1814-1878)

My God, I love Thee, not because
I hope for heav’n thereby,
nor yet for fear, that loving not,
I might forever die
but for that Thou didst all mankind
upon the Cross embrace;
for us didst bear the nails and spear
and manifold disgrace.

And griefs and torments numberless
and sweat of agony;
e’en death itself and all for man,
who was Thine enemy.
Then why, most loving Jesus Christ,
should I not love Thee well?
Not for the sake of winning heav’n,
nor any fear of hell.

Not with the hope of gaining aught,
nor seeking a reward
but as Thyself hast loved me,
O ever loving Lord!
E’en so I love Thee and will love
and in Thy praise will sing,
solely because Thou art my God
and my eternal King!
Amen

BREVIARY Prayers, GOOD FRIDAY, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The LAMB of GOD, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 14 April – Sing, My Tongue, The Saviour’s Glory By St Venantius Fortunatus

Posted on April 14, 2025April 11, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 14 April – Monday in Holy Week

Sing, My Tongue, The Saviour’s Glory
By St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609)
Bishop, Father o the Church
Trans. Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

Sing, my tongue, the Saviour’s glory;
Tell His triumph far and wide;
Tell aloud the famous story
Of His Body Crucified;
How upon the Cross a Victim,
Vanquishing in death, He Died.

Thus did Christ to perfect manhood
In our mortal flesh attain:
Then of His free choice He goeth
To a death of bitter pain;
And as a Lamb, upon the altar
Of the Cross, for us is slain.

Lo, with gall His thirst He quenches!
See the thorns upon His Brow!
Nails His tender Flesh are rending!
See, His Side is open’d now!
Whence, to cleanse the whole creation,
Streams of Blood and Water flow.

Faithful Cross, O Tree all beauteous!
Tree all peerless and Divine!
Not a grove on earth can shew us
Such a flower and leaf as thine.
Sweet the nails and sweet the wood,
Laden with so sweet a load!

Lofty Tree, bend down thy branches,
To embrace thy Sacred load;
Oh, relax the native tension
Of that all too rigid wood;
Gently, gently bear the Members
Of thy dying King and God.

Tree, which solely wast found worthy
The world’s great Victim to sustain;
Harbour from the raging tempest!
Ark, which sav’d the world again!
Tree, with sacred Blood anointed
Of the Lamb for sinners slain.

Blessing, honour everlasting,
To the immortal Deity;
To the Father, Son, and Spirit,
Equal praises ever be:
Glory through the earth and Heaven
To Trinity in Unity.

This Hymn is used for Passiontide and on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (14 Sept) in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Breviary.
This is the original text of this hymn as it appears in the Lyra Catholica (1849).
Part I is used for Matins and Part II is used for Lauds.
Tune (Church Hymns): “St Lawrence”

ADVENT PRAYERS, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES on FEAR, The LAMB of GOD, The SECOND COMING

Our Morning Offering – 23 December – Hark, a Herald Voice Is Sounding

Posted on December 23, 2024December 21, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 23 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Hark, a Herald Voice Is Sounding
Vox Clare
Unknown Author – 5th or 6th Century
Trans: Fr Edward Caswall C.Orat. (1814-1878)

Hark! A herald voice is sounding!
“Christ is near,” we hear it say.
Cast away the works of darkness,
all you children of the day!”

2 See, the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from Heav’n.
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
one and all, to be forgiv’n.

3 So, when next He Comes in glory
and the world is wrapped in fear,
He will shield us with His mercy
and with words of love draw near.

4 Honour, glory, might, dominion
to the Father and the Son
with the everlasting Spirit
while eternal ages run!
Amen

ADVENT PRAYERS, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, HYMNS, The DIVINE INFANT, The SECOND COMING

Our Morning Offering – 20 December – “Christ is Near!”

Posted on December 20, 2024December 18, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 20 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

“Christ is Near!”
Vox clara ecce intonas
Hear the Herald Voice Resounding
Unknown Sixth Century
Trans. Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)

Hear the herald voice resounding:
“Christ is near!” it seems to say,
“Cast away the dreams of darkness,
Welcome Christ, the Light of day!”

Wakened by this solemn warning,
Let the earthbound soul arise;
Christ her Sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.

See the Lamb so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from Heav’n;
Hasten now, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiv’n.

So when next He comes with glory,
Shrouding all the earth in fear,
May He then as our Defender
On the clouds of heav’n appear.

Honour, glory, virtue, merit,
To the Father and the Son,
With the co-eternal Spirit,
While eternal ages run.
Amen!

ArchAngels and Angels, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on WATCHING, The LAST THINGS

Quote/s of the Day – 21 October – Remember the Angels especially during October

Posted on October 21, 2024October 18, 2025 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 21 Octoberber – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”

Remember the Angels especially during October

“It was pride which changed Angels into devils;
it is humility which makes men as Angels!”

St Augustine (354-430)
Father and Doctor of Grace

“We should show our affection for the Angels,
for one day, they will be our co-heirs,
just as here below, they are
our Guardians and Trustees
appointed and set over us, by the Father.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Father & Doctor of Light

“I say to you, their Angels in Heaven,
always see the Face of My Father,
Who is in Heaven.”
Matthew 18:10

“With these words, Christ is saying
to us something like this:
“Be vigilant, take care that you do not
despise people who are simple, poor or weak.
As for Me, I esteem them greatly
to the extent that, to protect them from all evil,
I have placed My Angels at their service.
And what Angels! Do not think they are to
be compared to the scullery boys
working in My kitchen. No. They are equal
to the officers in My own palace, for:
‘they constantly see the Face of My heavenly Father.’”

St Albert the Great (1200-1280)
Universal Doctor of the Church

“We are like children,
who stand in need of masters,
to enlighten us and direct us
and God has provided for this,
by appointing His Angels,
to be our teachers and guides.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus / Doctor Communis

“Nor then do thou leave me,
Angelical friend!
But at the tribunal
Of Judgement attend
And cease not to plead
For my soul, till, forgiven,
Thou bear it aloft
To the Palace of Heaven!”

From “Sweet Angel of Mercy!”
By Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)

CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOOD FRIDAY, HOLY WEEK, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 14 September – Sing, My Tongue, The Saviour’s Glory

Posted on September 14, 2024September 12, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 14 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” and the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Sing, My Tongue, The Saviour’s Glory
By St Venantius Fortunatus (c530 – c609)
Bishop, Father o the Church
Trans. Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

Sing, my tongue, the Saviour’s glory;
Tell His triumph far and wide;
Tell aloud the famous story
Of his Body Crucified;
How upon the Cross a Victim,
Vanquishing in death, He died.

Thus did Christ to perfect manhood
In our mortal flesh attain:
Then of his free choice He goeth
To a death of bitter pain;
And as a lamb, upon the altar
Of the Cross, for us is slain.

Lo, with gall his thirst He quenches!
See the thorns upon his brow!
Nails his tender flesh are rending!
See, his side is open’d now!
Whence, to cleanse the whole creation,
Streams of blood and water flow.

Faithful Cross, O Tree all beauteous!
Tree all peerless and divine!
Not a grove on earth can shew us
Such a flower and leaf as thine.
Sweet the nails and sweet the wood,
Laden with so sweet a load!

Lofty Tree, bend down thy branches,
To embrace thy Sacred load;
Oh, relax the native tension
Of that all too rigid wood;
Gently, gently bear the members
Of thy dying King and God.

Tree, which solely wast found worthy
The world’s great Victim to sustain;
Harbour from the raging tempest!
Ark, that sav’d the world again!
Tree, with sacred Blood anointed
Of the Lamb for sinners slain.

Blessing, honour everlasting,
To the immortal Deity;
To the Father, Son, and Spirit,
Equal praises ever be:
Glory through the earth and Heaven
To Trinity in Unity.

FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MOTHER of GOD, The INCARNATION, The NATIVITY of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 8 September – The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

Posted on September 8, 2024September 6, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 8 September – The Feast of theNativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child
and bear a son … ”

Matthew 1:23

“Today, the Virgin is born,
tended and formed and prepared,
for her role as Mother of God,
Who is the universal King of the ages.
… Therefore, let all creation
sing and dance and unite
to make worthy contribution
to the celebration of this day.
… Let everything, mundane things
and those above, join in festive celebration.
Today, this created world is raised
to the dignity of a holy place
for Him, Who made all things.
The creature is newly prepared
to be a Divine dwelling place for the Creator!”

St Andrew of Crete (660-740)
Bishop, Father of the Church

Praeclara Custos Virginum!
Blest Guardian of All Virgin Souls!
By Anonymous Latin, 18th Century
Trans. Fr Edward Caswall C.Orat. (1814–1878)

Blest Guardian of all virgin souls!
Portal of bliss to man forgiven!
Pure Mother of Almighty God!
Thou hope of earth and joy of Heaven!

Fair Lily, found amid the thorns!
Most beauteous Dove with wings of gold!
Rod from whose tender root there sprang
That healing Flow’r long since foretold!

Thou Tow’r, against the dragon proof!
Thou Star, to storm-toss’d voyagers dear!
Our course lies o’er a treacherous deep;
Thine be the light by which we steer.

Scatter the mists that round us hang;
Keep far the fatal shoals away
And while through darkling waves we sweep,
Open a path to life and day.

O Jesu, born of Virgin bright!
Immortal glory be to Thee!
Praise to the Father infinite
And Holy Ghost eternally.
Amen

This Hymn originated as the Hymn for Vespers in the Office of the Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is used for Matins on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Tune: “From High Heaven” Leipzig melody, 1539.

BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS to the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 26 July – Holy Anne, Juda’s Glory

Posted on July 26, 2024July 24, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 26 July – St Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grandmother of Jesus.

Holy Anne, Juda’s Glory
Unknown Author
Transl. Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)

Holy Anne, Juda’s glory,
⁠Through the Church from east to west
Every tongue proclaims thy praises,
⁠Holy Mary’s mother blest!

Saintly kings and priestly sires
⁠Blended in thy sacred line;
Thou in virtue all before thee
⁠Didst excel by grace divine.

Link’d in bonds of purest wedlock,
⁠Thine it was for us to bear,
By the favour of high Heaven,
⁠Our immortal Virgin star.

From thy stem in beauty budded
⁠Ancient Jesse’s mystic rod.
Earth from thee received the mother
⁠Of the eternal Son of God.

All the human race benighted
⁠In the depths of darkness lay,
“When in Anne it saw the dawning
⁠Of the long-expected day.

DOCTORS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Our Morning Offering – 1 July– Glory Be to Jesus, Who in Bitter Pains

Posted on July 1, 2024June 29, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 1 July– “The Feast and the Month of the Most Precious Blood” –

Glory Be to Jesus,
Who in Bitter Pains
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor
Trans. Fr Eward Caswell C.Orat. (1814–1878)

Glory be to Jesus!
Who in bitter pains
Poured for me the Life-Blood,
From His Sacred veins.

Grace and life eternal
In that Blood I find,
Blessed be His compassion,
Infinitely kind!

Blessed through endless ages
Be the precious stream!
Which from endless torment
Doth the world redeem.

There the fainting spirit
Drinks of life her fill.
There, as in a fountain,
Bathes herself at will.

O the Blood of Christ!
It soothes the Father’s ire,
Opens the Gate of Heaven,
Quells eternal fire.

Abel’s blood for vengeance
Pleaded to the skies
But the Blood of Jesus,
For our pardon cries.

Oft as it is sprinkled
On our guilty hearts,
Satan in confusion,
Terror-struck, departs.

Oft as earth exulting
Wafts its praise on high,
Hell with terror trembles,
Heaven is filled with joy.

Lift ye, then, your voices,
Swell the mighty flood,
Louder still and louder,
Praise the Precious Blood!

Tune: “Bemerton (Caswall)” Friedrich Filitz 1847

EASTER, franciscan OFM, HYMNS, I BELIEVE!, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Our Morning Offering – 31 March– Easter Sunday, O Filii et Filiae – Ye Sons and Daughters of the Lord

Posted on March 31, 2024March 29, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 31 March – Easter Sunday, Alleluia, He is Truly Risen, Alleluia!

O Filii et Filiae
Ye Sons and Daughters of the Lord
By Jean Tisserand OFM (Died 1497)
(The original Hymn comprises the nine stanzas below).
Trans. Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)

Ye sons and daughters of the Lord,
The King of Heaven, the King adored,
From death this day Himself restored.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

On Sunday morn at break of day
The holy women went their way,
To see the tomb where Jesus lay.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

An Angel clad in white they see,
Who sat,and spake unto the three:
“Your Lord hath gone to Galilee.”
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

That night the’ Apostle met in fear,
But Christ didst in the midst appear:
“My peace,” He saith, “be on thee!”
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

But Thomas, when of this he heard,
Was doubtful of his brethren’s word;
Wherefore, again there came the Lord.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

“Behold My side, O Thomas, see;
My hands, My feet, I show to thee;
Not faithless but believing be.”
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

When Thomas say that wounded side,
The truth no longer he denied,
“Thou art my Lord and God,” he cried.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Oh, blest are they who have not seen
Their Lord and yet believe in Him;
Eternal life awaiteth them.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

On this Most Holy Day of days,
To God your hearts and voices raise
In laud and jubilee and praise.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Amen!

ArchAngels and Angels, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, GOD ALONE!, GUARDIAN ANGELS - Prayers etc, HYMNS, LENT 2024, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SIN, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The LAST THINGS, The WORD

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 6 March – Sweet Angel of Mercy!

Posted on March 6, 2024March 4, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Our Lenten Journey with the Angels and the Saints – 6 March – Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent – Ecclesiasticus Sirach 51:13-17; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Nor then do thou leave me,
Angelical friend!
But at the tribunal
Of Judgement attend
And cease not to plead
For my soul, till, forgiven,
Thou bear it aloft
To the Palace of Heaven!”

“The Kingdom of Heaven
is like a treasure hidden in a field.”
Matthew 13:44

Sweet Angel of Mercy!
By Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)

Sweet Angel of mercy!
By Heaven’s decree
Benignly appointed
To watch over me!
Without thy protection,
So constant and nigh,
I could not well live;
I should tremble to die.

All thanks for thy love,
Dear companion and friend!
Oh may it continue
With me to the end!
Oh cease not to keep me,
Blest guide of my youth,
In the ways of religion
And virtue and truth.

Support me in weakness,
My spirit inflame;
Defend me in danger,
Secure me from shame,
That safe from temptation,
Or sudden surprise,
I may mount the straight path
That ascends to the skies.

When Satan his snares
For my ruin shall lay,
Be thou, gentle comrade,
My comfort and stay
And in every event
Which may happen to me,
Make all my desires
With thine to agree.

When I wander in error,
My footsteps recall,
Remove from my path
What might cause me to fall.
Preserve me from sin
And in all that I do,
May God and His glory
Be ever in view.

O thou who didst witness
My earliest breath,
Be with me, I pray,
In the hour of death.
Console me in sadness,
Refresh me in pain
And teach me how best
I may mercy obtain.

That, cleansed by confession
Complete and sincere,
From every defilement
Afflicting me here,
All glowing with love,
I may gladly depart.
With faith on my lips
And with hope in my heart.

Nor then do thou leave me,
Angelical friend!
But at the tribunal
Of Judgement attend
And cease not to plead
For my soul, till, forgiven,
Thou bear it aloft
To the Palace of Heaven!

BREVIARY Prayers, HYMNS, LENT, LENT 2024, Our MORNING Offering, The SEVEN PASSION Feasts

Our Morning Offering – 16 February – Christ’s Peerless Crown

Posted on February 16, 2024February 14, 2024 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 16 February – Friday after Ash Wednesday – The Feast of the Sacred Crown of Thorns of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Christ’s Peerless Crown
Unknown Latin Author
Trans. Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814–1878)

Christ’s peerless crown is pictured in
The figures of the Law.
The Ram entangled in the Thorns;
The Bush which Moses saw.

The rainbow girding round the ark,
The table’s crown of gold;
The incense that in waving wreaths
Around the Altar rolled.

Hail! Circlet dear! that did’st the pangs
Of dying Jesus feel,
Thou dost the brightest gems outshine.
And all the stars excel.

Praise honour, to the Father be
And sole begotten Son;
Praise to the Spirit Paraclete
While endless ages run.
Amen

CHRISTMAS Prayers & Hymns, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, HYMNS, The DIVINE INFANT

Our Morning Offering – 26 December – Sleep, Holy Babe

Posted on December 26, 2023December 24, 2023 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 26 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Within the Octave

Sleep, Holy Babe
By Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)

Sleep, holy Babe, Upon Thy Mother’s breast!
Great Lord of earth and sea and sky,
How sweet it is to see Thee lie
In such a place of rest!

Sleep, holy Babe, Thy Angels watch around,
All bending low with folded wings
Before th’incarnate King of kings
In rev’rent awe profound!

Sleep, holy Babe, While I with Mary gaze
In joy upon that Face awhile,
Upon the loving Infant smile
Which there divinely plays.

Sleep, holy Babe,
And take Thy brief repose;
Too quickly wilt Thy slumbers break
And Thou to lengthened pains awake,
That death alone shall close.
Amen

ADVENT PRAYERS, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 22 December – Hark, a Herald Voice Is Sounding

Posted on December 22, 2023December 20, 2023 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 22 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Third Week of Advent

Hark, a Herald Voice Is Sounding
Vox Clare
Unknown Author – 5th or 6th Century
Trans: Fr Edward Caswall C.Orat. (1814-1878)

Hark! A herald voice is sounding!
“Christ is near,” we hear it say.
Cast away the works of darkness,
all you children of the day!”

2 See, the Lamb, so long expected,
comes with pardon down from Heav’n.
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
one and all, to be forgiv’n.

3 So, when next He comes in glory
and the world is wrapped in fear,
He will shield us with His mercy
and with words of love draw near.

4 Honour, glory, might, dominion
to the Father and the Son
with the everlasting Spirit
while eternal ages run!
Amen

ADVENT, ADVENT PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 10 December – Creator Alme Siderum, Creator of the Starry Frame

Posted on December 10, 2023December 8, 2023 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 10 December – The Second Sunday of Advent, Within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”

Creator Alme Siderum
Creator of the Starry Frame
7th Century Advent Hymn

Creator of the starry frame;
Eternal Light of all who live;
Jesu, Redeemer of mankind,
An ear to Thy poor suppliants give.

When man was sunk in sin and death,
Lost in the depth of Satan’s snare,
Love brought Thee down to cure our ills,
By taking of those ills a share.

Thou for the sake of guilty men,
Causing Thine own pure blood to flow,
Didst issue from Thy Virgin-shrine,
And to the Cross a Victim go.

So great the glory of Thy might,
If we but chance Thy Name to sound,
At once all Heaven and Hell unite
In bending low with awe profound.

Great Judge of all, in that last day,
When friends shall fail and foes combine,
Be present then with us, we pray,
To guard us with Thy arm divine.

To God the Father and the Son,
All praise and power and glory be,
With Thee, O holy Comforter,
Henceforth through all eternity.

Also known as Advent Hymn, this translation of the Latin hymn Creator Alme Siderum (Pope Urban VIII’s 1632 revision of the 7th Century Hymn Conditor alme siderum) was first published in Fr Edward Caswall’s Lyra Catholica,

DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on PURITY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The LITTLE OFFICE of MARY, The NATIVITY of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 16 October – Praeclara Custos Virginum! Blest Guardian of All Virgin Souls!

Posted on October 16, 2023October 15, 2023 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 16 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of the Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Praeclara Custos Virginum!
Blest Guardian of All Virgin Souls!
By Anonymous Latin, 18th Century
Trans. Fr Edward Caswall C.Orat. (1814–1878)

Blest Guardian of all virgin souls!
Portal of bliss to man forgiven!
Pure Mother of Almighty God!
Thou hope of earth and joy of Heaven!

Fair Lily, found amid the thorns!
Most beauteous Dove with wings of gold!
Rod from whose tender root there sprang
That healing Flow’r long since foretold!

Thou Tow’r, against the dragon proof!
Thou Star, to storm-toss’d voyagers dear!
Our course lies o’er a treacherous deep;
Thine be the light by which we steer.

Scatter the mists that round us hang;
Keep far the fatal shoals away
And while through darkling waves we sweep,
Open a path to life and day.

O Jesu, born of Virgin bright!
Immortal glory be to Thee!
Praise to the Father infinite
And Holy Ghost eternally.
Amen

ArchAngels and Angels, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on MERCY, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Our Morning Offering – 12 October – Sweet Angel of Mercy!

Posted on October 12, 2023October 11, 2023 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 12 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels”