Tag: St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on BAD CONVERSATION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on REPENTANCE

Thought for the Day – 17 September –CONSIDERATION VII, Third Point – ‘Death neither waits for, nor respects, anyone!’

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Thought for the Day – 17 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION VII
Sentiments of One Who has
Seldom Reflected Upon Death

“Set thine house in order,
for thou shall die and not live.”
(Isa xxxviii: i)

THIRD POINT:
To the dying man, who during life has been forgetful concerning his soul’s good, there will be thorns in everything which presents itself to him. There will be a thorn in the memory of pleasures past, a thorn in the remembrance of rivalries overcome and of pomps displayed, a thorn in the friends who will come to see him, with everything they bring back to his thoughts, a thorn in the spiritual fathers, who by turns will assist him, a thorn in the last Sacraments he will receive.
The poor sufferer will then exclaim: “O fool I have been! I ought to have become a saint, with all the lights and opportunities, which God granted me; I ought to have led a life of happiness, in the favour of God and now, what is remaining to me, of the many years past, except torments, distrust, fears, barbs of conscience and an account I shall have to render to God? And it is indeed doubtful whether my soul will be saved!”

And when will he say all this?
Not until the oil in his lamp is nearly consumed and the scene of this world is about to close upon him forever.
Not until he has both eternities in view – the one, an eternity of everlasting joy; the other, an eternity of everlasting woe.
Not until the time is approaching for that last gasp, upon which depends his everlasting blessedness, or his everlasting despair even as long as God is God.
What would he not then give, to have one more year, one more month, or at least, one more week, with a clear head? For suffering then, as he will do, with distraction of the head, oppression of the chest and failing breath, he will be able to do nothing he will not be able to reflect, nor to employ his mind in doing one good action; he finds himself shut up, as it were, in a dark pit of confusion, where he can imagine nothing else but that there is a great ruin hanging over him from which he feels himself unable to flee away. Therefore, he will long for time but it will be said to him,
“Proficiscere?” depart, make haste, put your accounts in order as best you can, during the short time which remains to you and depart; for dost thou not know that death neither waits for, nor respects, anyone?”
Oh what terror will it then be for him to think and to say:
“I am alive this morning, very likely this evening I shall be dead! To-day I am lying in this room. perhaps to-morrow I maybe in my grave! And where will my soul be?”

When he feels the cold sweat of death coming upon him, when he hears his relations go from the room, never more to return during his life, when his sight begins to grow dim and his eyes become darkened – but what will be the use of understanding these truths then, when the time for profiting … is past?

Affections and Prayers

Ah, my God, Thou dost not wish me to die but Thou desirest I should be converted and live.
I thank Thee for having waited for me until now and I thank Thee for the Light which Thou art now giving me. I know the error I have committed in neglecting Thy friendship, the vile and miserable pleasures through which I have accounted Thee of so little value.
I repent and I grieve with all my heart, for having done Thee so grievous a wrong. Ah, do not cease, in the life which may remain to me, to assist me with Thy Light and Thy Grace, so that I may know how to do that which I must do, in order to amend my life.

Of what use will it be for me to understand this truth, when the time for reparation will be taken from me?
“Deliver not up to beasts the souls who trust in Thee.”
When the devil shall tempt me again to offend Thee, I beseech Thee, my Jesus, through the merits of Thy Passion, to stretch forth Thy hand and to deliver me from falling into sin and from again remaining a slave of the enemy. Grant, that then, I may ever flee unto Thee and that I may never cease to entreat Thy protection, as long as the temptation may last. Thy Blood is my hope and Thy Goodness is my love.

I love Thee, my God.
Thou Who art worthy of infinite love, grant that I may ever love Thee. Let me know from what things I must separate myself so that I maybe Thine alone, for I would be Thine alone but do Thou give me the strength to fulfil the same.

Posted in ASPIRATIONS and EJACULATIONS, DOCTORS of the Church, GOOD RESOLUTIONS, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on REPARATION/EXPIATION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Thought for the Day – 16 September –CONSIDERATION VII, Second Point – Sentiments of One Who has Seldom Reflected Upon Death

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Thought for the Day – 16 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION VII

Sentiments of One Who has Seldom Reflected Upon Death
“Set thine house in order, for thou shall die and not live.” (Isa xxxviii: i)

SECOND POINT:
Oh, how clearly, when the hour of death arrives, do the truths of faith make themselves felt, only to add greater torment to that dying man, who has lived a wicked life and particularly, if he is one who has been consecrated to God and so has had much opportunity of serving Him, much time, many good examples and much inspiration.
O God, with what grief will he then reflect and say: “I once admonished others and afterwards, have committed more grievous sins than they. I once left the world and afterwards, have become more attached to its pleasures, vanities and love.”
With what remorse will he then reflect upon the light which he has received from God, such as would have changed a heathen into a saint!
With what remorse will he then recall to mind that he had despised the practices of piety in others, as weakness of mind and had praised certain worldly maxims of self-esteem and self-love; such as not liking other people to take” precedence of us, to avoid suffering and to enjoy every pleasure which may present itself.

“The desire of the ungodly shall perish.” (Ps cxii: 10). When the hour of death arrives, how much will the time which we waste now be coveted?
St Gregory tells us in his Dialogues, of a certain rich man, named Chrysantius,-who had led a very wicked life and who, when the hour of death came, cried out against the devils, who visibly appeared to him to seize him: “Give me time, give me until to-morrow.” And these answered him, saying: “O fool, dost thou now seek time? Thou hast had so much and wasted it and spent it in sin and now, dost thou ask for it? Now there is no more time for thee.”
The wretched man continued to cry and to implore help. A son of his, whose name was Massimo and who was a Monk, was with him, to whom the dying man said: “My son, help me Massimo, my son, help me.” And in the meantime, throwing himself from one side of the bed to the other and thus agitated and with cries of despair, he breathed forth his wretched soul.
Alas, that these foolish ones should so love their folly in life but should put off until the hour of death to open their eyes to their folly and then confess, they have been so unwise! For at that time it only serves to increase the difficulties which they feel in trying to atone for the sins … and dying in this frame of mind, the salvation of their souls is very doubtful.

My brother, perhaps whilst reading this you are saying to yourself: “Yes, it is very doubtful.” But if it is so doubtful, your folly and your misfortune is much greater still, if, as you know and understand, these truths in life, you do not try to make amends for past sins now.
These words, even, which you have just read, would be a sword of sorrow for you in death.
Arise, therefore, for as there is time to avoid a death so frightful, hasten to make amends for the past and wait not, until there will be no fit time for reparation.
Wait not for another month, another week. It may be that this light which God now grants to you in mercy, may be the last light and the last call for you.
It is foolish, indeed, not to wish to think upon death, which is absolutely certain and on which eternity depends but, it is greater folly, to think upon it and not to prepare for it.
Make those reflections and resolutions now, which you would make, if you were dying now with profit but, at that time, very uselessly; now is the hope of being saved but at that time in great fear, lest you should not be saved.

A gentleman of the Court of Charles XI. when leaving Court, being asked by the Emperor for what reason he was leaving, answered, that in order to be saved, it is necessary that some interval should elapse between the time of repentance from a sinful life and the hour of death, so that a period of penitence and reparation, may be passed through.

Affections andPrayers

No, my God, I will no longer abuse Thy Mercy.
I thank Thee for the Light which Thou art now giving me, and I promise Thee to change my life, to amend my life.
I can see plainly that Thou wilt not bear with me much longer.
And shall I wait until Thou wilt be constrained to condemn me to everlastingdeath? or until Thou wilt give me up to a life utterly lost which would be a greater punishment to me than death itself. Look upon me at Thy feet; receive me into Thy favour. I know I do not deserve it but Thou hast said that “the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness.“ (Ezek xxxiii: 12).

Therefore, my Jesus, in the time that is past, I have offended Thy Infinite Goodness, now I repent with all my heart and I hope for pardon from Thee.
With St Anselm, I will say to Thee: “Suffer not my soul to be lost through its sins, for Thou hast redeemed it with Thy Blood.”
Look not upon my ingratitude, look only upon that love which caused Thee to die for me. If I have lost Thy Grace, Thou hast not lost the power to give it back to me. Have pity, therefore, upon me, my dear Redeemer. Pardon me and give me the grace to love Thee; whilst I, from this day forward, promise to love none other than Thee. Thou hast chosen me from amongst so many of Thy creatures to love Thee, therefore, I choose Thee, O my Sovereign Good, to love Thee above all.
Thou dost go before me with Thy Cross I will not cease to follow Thee with that cross which Thou dost give me to carry. I embrace every mortification and every trouble which may come to me from Thee. It is enough that I am not deprived of Thy Grace, for with that, I am indeed content.

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on REPENTANCE

Thought for the Day – 15 September –CONSIDERATION VII – Sentiments of One Who has Seldom Reflected Upon Death

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Thought for the Day – 15 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION VII

Sentiments of One Who has Seldom Reflected Upon Death
“Set thine house in order, for thou shall die and not live.” (Isa xxxviii: i)

FIRST POINT:
IMAGINE yourself at the bedside of some sick person, to whom, a few hours of life alone remain. Poor creature, see how much he is overcome with pain, with fainting fits, … with want of breath, with cold perspirations, with weakness of the brain – he can scarcely hear, understand, or speak. But the greatest misery he endures is – he feels death is fast approaching and, instead of thinking about his soul and of making his reckoning sure, he thinks alone about his physicians and the remedies which can be applied to free him from the disease and from the pains which are killing him!

St Lawrence Justinian speaking of people who are thus dying, observes “Nothing, save themselves, suffices to occupy their thoughts.”
His relatives and friends should, at least, warn him of the dangerous state in which he is but no, there is not one amongst them who has the courage to tell him that he is dying and, instead of advising him to take the Holy Sacraments, all refuse to tell him, lest they should give him offence by so doing.
O my God from this moment, I indeed thank Thee that when I am dying Thou wilt allow me to be assisted by the dear brothers of my Congregation, whose only interest will then be my eternal salvation and, who will all endeavour, as far as they can, to make my death a glorious one!

But, although they do not warn him that death is approaching, nevertheless, the sick man, seeing the family in such confusion, the number of doctors who are so busily talking, the many and numberless remedies which are tried, is filled with terror and confusion and amidst the continued attacks of fear, remorse and distrust, says within himself: “Alas! perhaps the end of my days is already come! ” What then will be the feelings of the dying man when he is told that he is dying?
“Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die and not live.”
With what fear, will he not be told that his illness is mortal, he must make his peace with God and receive the Blessed Sacrament and bid farewell to the world?
What! he exclaims, must I leave the world and all I possess, this house, that villa, those relations, friends, conversations, games and amusements? He is told that he must, for already is the lawyer come and then he has to sign this document: “I bequeath, I bequeath.”
And what does he take away with him?
Nothing, except what he is covered with which, within a very short time, will decay with him in the grave.
Oh what grief and sadness will the dying man feel, when he sees the tears of his household and the silence of his friends, who keep silence, not having the heart to speak in his presence!

But the greatest punishment he will have to bear, will be the dreadful stings of conscience which, in that tempest, as it were, will be felt so much more because of the corrupt life which he has led, up to the hour of his death, notwithstanding the seasonable advice of his spiritual fathers and the many resolutions made which have been either never performed or else entirely neglected and forgotten.
He will then exclaim: “O wretched one who I am, God has granted me so many lights, I have had so much time to make my conscience clear in His Sight and yet, I have not
done it and at length, death has overtaken me! What would
it have cost me to fly from that occasion of sin, to keep myself from that friendship and to avail myself of Confession? And even though it should have cost me much, nevertheless, I ought to have done everything I could, to save my immortal soul which was and is, all-important.
Oh, that I had carried that good resolution into practice. Oh, that I had continued as I began.
Then indeed should I be happy now!
But I did not do it, and now there is no time!”

The feelings of dying men, such as I have described, who have been, during life, so forgetful of their conscience, resemble the feelings of those who are forever lost, who, when in hell, lament over their sins as being the cause of their punishment but they lament without finding any relief or remedy.

Affections and Prayers

O Lord, if at this moment the news of my approaching death were to be brought to me, such would be my sentiments of grief.
But I thank Thee for giving me this light and this time to
amend.
No, my God, I do not wish to fly again from Thee, it ,
is so many times that Thou hast sought me. Justly indeed
ought I now to fear, lest, if I do not return to Thee again and come to Thee, Thou wilt altogether abandon me. Thou didst give me a heart to love Thee but I have put it to so bad a use; I have loved the creature, but I have not loved Thee, Who art my Creator and my Redeemer and Who didst give Thy life for me!

Instead of loving Thee, Oh,how many times have I not displeased Thee and turned away from following Thee! I was fully aware that, in committing that sin, I should displease Thee and yet, I did commit it.
My Jesus, I am truly sorry for it; I mourn over it with all my heart – I would indeed be changed.
I renounce all the pleasures of the world, so that I may love, and please Thee, O God of my soul.
Thou hast given me so many proofs of Thy love, I should wish to give Thee some proofs of my love before I die.
From this time I will accept every infirmity and every cross, every scorn and every vexation, which I must receive from men, only give me strength to endure the same in peace, for I wish to endure them all, to gain Thy Love.

I love Thee, O Infinite Goodness, more than anything, only give me more love and holy perseverance.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Prayers to the SORROWFUL MOTHER, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Our Morning Offering – 15 September – O Afflicted Virgin!

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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 the Blessed Virgin

O Afflicted Virgin!
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

O afflicted Virgin!
O soul, great in virtues
and great also in sorrows!
for both arise from that great fire of love
thou hast for God;
thou “whose heart can love nothing but God.”
O Mother, have pity on me,
for I have not loved God
and I have so much offended Him.
Thy sorrows give me great confidence
to hope for pardon.
But this is not enough;
I wish to love my Lord
and who can better obtain this for me
than thou,
thou who art the Mother of fair love?
O Mary, thou dost console all,
comfort me also.
Amen

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 14 September – CONSIDERATION VI, Third Point: The Death of the Sinner, “God is not mocked.”

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Thought for the Day – 14 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION VI

The Death of the Sinner
“Destruction cometh and they shall seek peace and there shall be none. Mischief shall come upon mischief.”
(Ezek vii: 25, 26)

THIRD POINT:
IT IS a marvellous thing that God does nothing but threaten sinners with an unhappy death:
“Then will they call upon Me but I shall not answer.” (Prov i: 28).
“Will God hear his cry, when trouble cometh upon im?” (Job xxvii: 9)
”I also shall laugh at your calamity; I shall mock.” (Prov i: 26).
God laughs when He will not show mercy. “To Me belongeth vengeance and recompense; their foot willl slide in due time.” (Deut xxxii: 35).

In many other places God threatens the same and yet, sinners live in peace and are as secure, as if God had certainly promised to give them pardon when dying and after death, to give them Paradise.
It is quite true that, in whatever hour the sinner is converted, God has promised to pardon him but He has not said that the sinner shall be converted in death.
On the contrary, He has often declared that he who lives in sin shall die in sin: “Ye …. shall die in your sins.” (St John viii: 21). He has said in another place, he who seeks Him in death, will not find Him. “Ye will seek Me and shall not find Me.” (St John vii: 34).
Therefore, it is indeed necessary to seek God when He can be found. “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found. ” (Isa Iv: 6). Yes, there will be a time when He will no longer be found!.
Poor sinners poor blind ones who put off their conversion until the hour of their death, when there will be no more time to be converted!

Geronimo Oleaster OP (Died 1663) well says, “that the wicked will never have learned to do well, save when there is no time in which to do it.”
God wishes all men to be saved but He will punish those who are obstinate in their sins.
If some miserable sinner living in sin should be seized with an apoplectic fit and thus be deprived of his senses, what pity all those would feel, who would see him die thus, without the Sacraments and without any sign of repentance! and, on the contrary, what great joy would not everyone experience, if this poor sinner should recover from his fit, seek for absolution and become repentant? But is not he indeed mad, who, having time to repent, continues in a state of sin, or else returns to sin and so places himself in danger of being surprised by death, at the same time that he is perhaps committing sin?
It is very fearful to see anyone die suddenly and yet, so many put themselves in danger of dying thus and in danger of dying in sin.

“A just weight and balance are the Lord’s.” (Prov xvi: II).
We do not take any account of the favours which the Lord
bestows upon us but the Lord takes the account and measures them and when He sees them despised, up to a certain point, He allows the sinner to remain in his sin and in this state to die.
Miserable indeed is that one who defers his repentance until the day of his death.
St Augustine remarks “the repentance which is demanded of the infirm, is infirm.”
St Jerome says, amongst a hundred thousand sinners who remain in a state of sin until the day of their death, hardly one will be saved!
St Vincent Ferrer declares that it would be a greater miracle, for one who has lived in habitual sin, all his life, to be saved, than it would be to raise one, who is dead, to life!
What sorrow, or what repentance, could be felt at the hour of death, by him who, until that time, has loved sin? St Robert Bellarmine tells us that, having gone to assist a dying person and having exhorted him to make one act of contrition, the dying one answered, he did not understand what contrition meant. Bellarmine tried to explain to him but the sick one said: “I do not understand you, Father. I am not capable of these things.” And thus he died, “leaving clear signs of his condemnation.”
St Augustine observes that it will be a just punishment to that sinner who has been unmindful of God during his life, to be unmindful of himself in death.
The Apostle warns us, saying: “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap: for he who soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption.” (Gal vi: 7, 8).

It would indeed be mocking God for anyone to live, despising His Love and then, to reap a reward and everlasting glory but “God is not mocked.”
That which is sown in this life, shall be reaped in the next. He who loves the forbidden pleasures of this life, shall reap corruption, misery and eternal death in the life to come.

Christian brother, what is said for others is also said for you. Tell me, if you were now at the point of death, despaired of by the doctors and already in great pain, would you not pray to God to grant you one more month, one more week, in order to render your conscience clear in His sight? But God does give you that time now! Return thanks to Him and quickly try to atone for the evil you have done and use every means to be found in a state of grace whenever death shall come because then, there will be no time to atone for past evils.

Affections and Prayers

Ah, my God and who is there who would have had so much
patience with me as Thou hast!
If Thy goodness were not Infinite, I should cease to hope for pardon. But I have a God Who died to pardon me and to save me. Thou dost command me to hope and I will hope. If my sins affright and condemn me, Thy merits and Thy promises give me courage.
Thou hast promised the life of Thy grace to him ho returns to Thee: “Turn yourselves and live ye.” (Ezek xviii:2).
Thou hast promised to embrace him who turns to Thee. “Turn ye unto Me …. and I will turn unto you.” (Zee i: 3).
Thou hast said, Thou wilt not despise him who humbles himself and repents.
“A broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt Thou not despise.” (Ps ci: 17). Behold, O Lord, I return and come to Thee; I confess myself worthy of condemnation and I repent of having offended Thee. I sincerely promise never more to offend Thee willingly and I would wish to love Thee forevermore.

Ah, do not allow me to be anymore ungrateful towards such Goodness. Eternal Father, through the merits of the obedience of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, Who died in obedience to Thy will, let me obey Thee in all things until death. I love Thee, O Thou Highest Good and because of the love I bear for Thee, I would obey Thee in all things. Give me holy perseverance, Thy holy Love and I ask for nothing more.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, DOCTORS of the Church, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SIN

Thought for the Day – 13 September – CONSIDERATION VI, Second Point: The Death of the Sinner

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Thought for the Day – 13 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION VI

The Death of the Sinner
“Destruction cometh and they shall seek peace and there shall be none. Mischief shall come upon mischief.”
(Ezek vii: 25, 26)

SECOND POINT:
The agonies of the dying sinner will not be one agony only but they will be many.
It will be one agony to be tormented by the devil. When the hour of death comes that dreadful enemy uses all his strength to ruin the soul which is on the point of launching into eternity. The devil knows that at this hour, there is but little time to gain the soul and, if it is lost to him then, it will be lost forever.

“The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” (Apoc xii: 12). There will not only be one devil but many devils, who will surround the dying man, who will do all which lies in their power to gain his soul.
“Their houses shall be full of doleful creatures.” (Isa.xiii:21)
One will say: “Fear not, thou wilt soon be well.”
Another \vill say: “How is it that thou, who for so many years hast been deaf to the Voice of God, canst expect Him now to show thee mercy?”
And another: “How canst thou now remedy those evils which are done and the reputations thou hast ruined?” And another: “Dost thou not see, thy Confessions have been of no avail, without true grief; without any intention to do better for the future?. How then canst thou now repair the evil which is already done.”

Besides all this, the dying man will behold himself surrounded by his sins: “Evil shall hunt the wicked person to overthrow him.” (Ps cxl: ii).
St Bernard observes that these sins, like so many watchful guards, shall hold him in their grasp and shall say to him: “We are thy works; we will not leave thee; we will go with thy soul to the other world and with it present ourselves to the Eternal Judge. ”
Then the dying man will want to rid himself of these enemies but, to get rid of them, it would be necessary to hate them; it would be necessary for his heart to become converted to God. Whereas his mind is darkened and his heart is hardened.
“A hard heart shall fear evil at the last and he who loveth danger, shall perish in it.” (Ecclus iii: 27)
St Bernard again says, that, the heart which has been so obstinate in sin during life, will use every means to free itself when dying, from this state of condemnation but will be, unable to do so and being oppressed with its own wickedness, will pass from life in this state.

Until the hour of death arrived, the sinner always
loved sin; he has also loved the danger of his own damnation; very justly, therefore, .will the Lord allow him to perish in that peril in which he has loved to live!
St Augustine believes, that “he who is left, by sin, before he
himself leaves it, at the hour of death, will hardly dislike it as much as he ought because, whatever he does at that time, will be done through necessity.”
Miserable indeed is that sinner, who is so hardened, he resists the Voice of God when He calls him!
“His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.” (Job xli: 24).
Instead of yielding and being softened by the Voice of God, he becomes more hardened; even as the anvil is hardened by the strokes of the hammer.

As a punishment for all this, he will find himself in the same obstinate frame of mind at the hour of death, although he may be on the point of passing into eternity. “A hard heart shall fear evil at the last.”
Sinners, saith the Lord: “have turned their back unto Me and not their face but, in the time of their trouble, they will say, Arise and save us. But where are thy gods which thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee.” (Jer ii: 27, 28).
The miserable sinners when dying will fly unto God and God will say to them:
“Now you can come to Me. Call upon creatures to help you, for they have been your gods!”
Even thus will the Lord answer those who at that time seek Him because they will not seek Him with any sincere wish to become converted.
St Jerome has said, that he fully believes and has learnt from experience that he who has led a wicked life,until the hour of death, will never be happy when the hour of death arrives.

Affections and Prayers

My dear Saviour, help me and do not abandon me, for I see my soul all wounded with my sins; my passions do violence to me and my evil habits oppress me. I throw myself at Thy feet, have mercy upon me and deliver me from all my evil passions.

“ In Thee, O Lord, have I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.” (Ps Ixxi: i).
Do not permit a soul wjp trusts in Thee to be lost.
I repent of having offended Thee, O God of Infinite Goodness, I have done evil and I confess it.
I wish to amend, at any price.
But unless Thou dost assist me with Thy grace, I am lost. Receive, O my Jesus, this rebellious one, who has displeased Thee so much. Remember that Thou didst spend Thy Blood and Thy Life for me. Through the merits, therefore, of Thy Passion and of Thy Death, receive me into Thy arms and give me holy perseverance.
I was almost lost but Thou didst call me; behold, I will no longer resist; I consecrate myself to Thee; bind me to Thy Love and never more allow me to lose myself by again losing Thy grace.
Do not, my Jesus, allow it, please!

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Holy Name PRAYERS, HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, QUOTES on DEATH, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The HOLY NAME of MARY

Our Morning Offering – 13 September – Mother Mary, Queen Most Sweet!

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Our Morning Offering – 13 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Resumed Mass of Sunday

Mother Mary, Queen Most Sweet!
Attrib. to St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor
Italian Hymn
Trans. Fr Edmund Vaughan CSSR (1827-1908)

Mother Mary, Queen most sweet!
Joy and love my heart inflame;
Gladly shall my lips repeat
Every moment thy dear name.

Ah! that name, to God so dear,
Has my heart and soul enslaved;
Like a seal it shall appear
Deep on heart and soul engraved.

When the morning gilds the skies,
I will call on Mary’s name;
When at evening twilight dies,
Mary, still will I exclaim.

Sweetest Mary, bend thine ear:
Thou my own dear mother art;
Therefore, shall thy name so dear
Never from my lips depart.

If my soul is sore oppress’d
By a load of anxious care,
Peace once more will fill my breast
When thy name re-echoes there.

Waves of doubt disturb my peace,
And my heart is faint with fear;
At thy name the billows cease,
All my’terrors disappear.

When the demon hosts invade,—
When temptation rages high,
Crying, “Mary, Mother! aid!”
I will make the tempter fly.

This shall be my comfort sweet,
When the hand of death is nigh,
Mary! Mary! to repeat
Once again—and then, to die.

This Hymn is an Anonymous Hymn belonging to the Redemptorist tradition but Hymnary.org attributes it to St Alphonsus Liguori.
“Hymns and Verses on Spiritual Subjects” (1863) notes that this is one of two Hymns, translated in that book, mentioned above, which come from a Neapolitan published collection of Mission Hymns which are attributed to St Alphonsus.

Posted in AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the JUDGE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on SIN, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Thought for the Day – 12 September – CONSIDERATION VI, The Death of the Sinner

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Thought for the Day – 12 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION VI

The Death of the Sinner
“Destruction cometh and they shall seek peace and there shall be none. Mischief shall come upon mischief.”
(Ezek vii: 25, 26)

FIRST POINT.
IT is now that sinners try, as far as they can, to drive away the memory and the thought of death and thus, to find peace, although they never will do so, by leading a life of sin but when, in the agonies of death, they must enter into eternity when “destruction cometh, I and they shall seek peace and there shall be none” then they will try to fly from the stings of their troubled consciences, they will seek peace but what peace can a soul find which is laden with sin which bites it, like so many vipers?
What peace, knowing that in so short a time it will have to appear before Jesus Christ the Judge, whose law and friendship, until that moment, it has esteemed of so little worth?

“Mischief shall come upon mischief. ”
The intelligence which the sinner has just received – that he is dying, the thought that he must bid farewell to everything in this world, the stings of a troubled conscience, the time which is forever lost, the time which he is now in want of, the severity of the Divine Judge, the miserable eternity which awaits all sinners – the thought of all these
things will come upon him in terrible confusion which will greatly trouble his mind and increase his apprehensions, and, thus confused and being filled with fear, the soul of the dying man will pass into the other life.

Abraham, to whom great praise is due, hoped in God against all human hope, believing in the Divine Promise, “who against hope believed in hope.”
But shiners, with great de-merit and who are the cause of their own ruin, falsely hope, not only against hope but even against faith, whilst they pay no attention whatever, to the warning which God gives to those who are obstinate.
They dread an unhappy death but they have no fear in leading a wicked life. But who is able to assure them, that their death will not suddenly be caused by a thunderbolt, by an apoplectic fit, or by the bursting of a bloodvessel? And even should they have time, when they are dying, to be converted, who can assure them, their conversion will
then be a true one?
St Augustine had to strive against his evil habits for twelve years, in order to overcome them. How then will one, who is dying, who has ever had a conscience stained with sin, who will be tormented with pain, with dreadful feelings in the head and, who will be in the confusion of death, how will he, then, I repeat, be possibly able to be truly converted!?
I say truly because, at that time, the saying and promising will be of no use, it will be necessary to say and to promise from the depth of the heart.
O God, into what terror will not the miserable sufferer be thrown, whose conscience, when remorseful, has been blighted, when he finds himself oppressed by his sins and by the fears of the coming judgement, by the thought of hell and of eternity? Into what dreadful confusion will not these thoughts throw him, when he finds that his memory is failing him, his mind becoming darkened and his body overcome with the pains of death which is already fast approaching?
He will confess, he will promise, he will weep, he will cry to God for mercy but, without knowing what he is doing and in that tempest of agitation, of remorse, of anguish and of fear, his soul will pass into the other world.
“The people shall be troubled at midnight and pass away.” (Job xxxiv: 20).
It is well said by an author that the prayers, the tears and the promises, of a dying sinner, are like the tears and promises of a man who finds himself assailed by his enemy, who puts a dagger to his throat to take away his life.
He who lies down on his bed and whose soul passes from it to eternity, is indeed a wretched man.

Affections and Prayers

The Wounds of Jesus are my only hope.
I should despair of pardon for my sins, did I not look upon Thee, the fountains of pity and of mercy, through which my God has shed all His Blood to wash my soul from the many sins which it has committed.
I adore Thee, O ye holy Wounds and in Thee confide.
I detest and abhor those unworthy pleasures through which I have displeased my dear Redeemer and through which. I have lost His holy friendship.

Looking then upon Thee, my hopes are raised and, therefore, I turn my affections towards Thee.
My beloved Jesus, it is only right that all men should love Thee and they should love Thee with their whole heart.
But I have so often offended Thee and counted Thy holy Love of no moment and yet. notwithstanding all my shortcomings, Thou hast borne with me so long and hast so often offered me pardon.

Ah, my Saviour, never more let me offend Thee and by so doing lose my soul forever. O God ! what dreadful pain it would give me to see Thy dear Blood and to remember Thy many mercies which Thou hast shown to me, if I should ever be cast into everlasting punishment.

I love Thee now and I would love Thee forever.
Give me holy perseverance. Take away from my heart every love which is not Thine and establish in me, a real desire and resolution to love Thee alone. Thou Who art my Sovereign Good, may I do this from henceforth and forever.

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on DEATH

Thought for the Day – 11 September – CONSIDERATION V, Third Point – “Be you ready ”

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Thought for the Day – 11 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION V

The Uncertainty of the Hour of Death
“Be ye, therefore, ready also, for the Son of Man
cometh at an hour when ye think not.”
(St Luke xii: 40)

THIRD POINT
“Be you ready. ” The Lord does not say that we must prepare ourselves when death comes upon us but that death, when it comes, must find us prepared!

When death comes, as it will do, in as it were, a great tempest and confusion, it will be almost impossible to give ease to a troubled conscience. Even thus does reason argue. But God warns us, by saying, He will not then come to give pardon but to avenge the scorn which the wicked have shown concerning His favours.
“Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Rom xii: 19)
St Augustine observes that this will be a just punishment for one, who, when able, has not wished to be saved and who, when willing to be saved, will not be able!
But some will say: “Perhaps even then, it will be possible for me to be converted and live.” But would you throw yourself into a well, saying: “Perhaps even though I throw myself in, I may live and not die?”

O God! what a thing is this, that sin should so darken the mind. as to make it lose even reason! When men speak of the body, they speak like wise men but when they speak of the soul, they speak like fools.
My brother, perhaps this point which you are now reading maybe the last warning God may send you. Let us hasten to prepare for death, so that it may not overtake us unprepared.

St Augustine says that God keeps the last day of our lives secret from us, so .that, at any and everyday, we may be prepared to die. St Paul teaches us that, it is not only necessary to work out our salvation with fear but even with trembling.
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Phil ii: 12)

St Antoninus tells us of a certain King of Sicily who, in order to make one of his subjects understand the fear in which he occupied the throne, made him sit at table with a sword suspended by a slender thread over his head, so that being thus situated, he could hardly eat any food. We are all standing in the same danger, for at any moment the sword of death may fall upon us, upon which our eternal salvation depends.

It is indeed a question of eternity.
“If the tree fall toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.” (Eccles xi: 3). If when death comes, it should find us in the grace of God, oh, what joy will it be for the soul then to exclaim,
“I have secured all things, never again can I lose God; I shall be happy forever.” But, on the contrary, if when death comes it should find the soul in a state of sin, with what despair will it then cry out: “Thus have I sinned and my sin can never be reclaimed for all eternity.”
Oh, wherefore did I err and my sin will never be pardoned throughout all eternity!
This fear made the venerable Father Avila, when the announcement was brought to him that he was dying, cry out and say:
“Oh that I had a little more time to prepare myself for death!”
This fear also made the Abbot Agathe exclaim, although he died after many years of repentance: “ What will become of me, for who can understand the judgements of God?”
St Arsenius also trembled when the hour of death arrived and, being asked why, he was in such fear, answered:
“This fear is not new to me, I have felt it all my life.” Especially did holy Job tremble, saying: “What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when He visiteth, what shall I answer Him?” (Job xxxi: 14).

Affections andPrayers

Ah, my God, there is no-one who has ever loved me as Thou
hast loved me and yet, there is no-one whom I have ever displeased more than I have displeased Thee.
My only hope is in Thy Blood, O my Jesus.

Eternal Father, look not upon my sins but look upon the blessed Wounds of Jesus Christ; look upon Thy well-beloved Son, Who is grieving for me and beseeching Thee to pardon me.
I am very sorry, O my Creator, for having displeased Thee; it grieves me more than any other evil. Thou didst create me to love Thee and I have been living as if Thou hadst created me to offend Thee.
For the love of Jesus Christ, pardon me and give me grace to love Thee.

At one time I resisted Thy Will; now, I will no longer resist it; I will do all Thou dost command me.
Thou dost wish me to detest all the offences I have Committed against Thee. I do indeed detest them with all my heart. Thou dost command me to resolve never more to offend Thee; I do indeed resolve to lose my life rather than to lose Thy grace. Thou dost wish me to love Thee with my whole heart, then indeed I will love Thee with all my heart, and will love none other than Thee and Thou shalt be, from this day forth, my only loved One, my only Love. Thou dost command me to have holy perseverance but, it is from Thee alone that I can hope to obtain it.
For the love of Jesus Christ, let me ever be faithful to Thee and that I may always say to Thee with St Bonaventure:
“My beloved is One, my love is One.”
No, I do not want my life to be spent any longer in giving Thee, even the slightest offence. I would spend it only in weeping over the displeasure I have given Thee and in henceforth loving Thee alone.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on REPENTANCE

Thought for the Day – 10 September – CONSIDERATION V, Second Point – “Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish. ”

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Thought for the Day – 10 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION V

The Uncertainty of the Hour of Death
“Be ye, therefore, ready also, for the Son of Man
cometh at an hour when ye think not.”
(St Luke xii: 40)

SECOND POINT
The Lord does not wish us to be lost, therefore, He never ceases to warn us to change our habit of life, bv threatening to punish us.
“If a man will not turn, He will whet His sword,”
(Ps vii: 13)’
“Behold, ” He says in another place, “how many because, they would not leave sinning, when they were least expecting it and were living in peace, thinking to live for many long years, have been surprised by death which has suddenly come upon them.”
“For when they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them. ” (i Thess v: 3).
Likewise He says:
“Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish. ” (St Luke xiii: 3).
Why, therefore, does He give us so many warnings before He sends the punishment, if He does not wish that we should amend our lives and so avoid dying an unhappy death?
St Augustine well observes that he who says to thee:
“Take care,” wishes thee no ill.

It is, therefore, necessary to prepare our account before the day of reckoning may arrive. My Christian brother, if before this night arrives you should die and your eternal welfare should be decided, what do you think? Would your reckoning be in order, or would you not, indeed be rather willing to give anything to obtain from God, one year, one month, or at least one day more?!
And, wherefore, now that God does give you this time, do you not seek to make your conscience free from everything? Is it because you cannot think this day can be the last for you?
“Delay not to be converted to the Lord and defer it not, from day to day. For His wrath shall come on a sudden and in the time of vengeance, He will destroy thee.” (Ecclus v: 8, 9) .

If you wish to be saved, my brother, sin must be left behind, therefore, as a day will come when you must leave it, why do you not leave it now? inquires St Augustine. Perhaps you are expecting death but for those who are obstinate, death is not the time for pardon but for vengeance.
“In the time of vengeance He will destroy thee.”

When someone owes you a large sum of money, you immediately take the precaution to provide yourself with a written security, saying to yourself:
“Who knows what may happen?”
And why do you not use the same precaution concerning your immortal soul which is of much more importance than the large sum? Why do you not say of your soul:
“ Who knows what may happen?”
If you were to lose that money, you would not lose everything and even if in losing it, you should lose all your inheritance, still you would have the hope of regaining it.
But if in death, you should lose your soul, then indeed would you lose all and there would be no hope of ever again rescuing it.
You are so diligent in keeping an account of your money, lest by chance any should be lost. if a sudden death were to befall you and if death should come upon you unawares, while you are at enmity with God, what would become of your soul for all eternity?

Affections and Prayers

All, my Redeemer, Thou hast shed all Thy Blood. Thou hast given Thy Life to save my soul and I have so often lost it, hoping in Thy Mercy and, in this way, have I so often made use of Thy great Goodness, for what? to offend Thee more! For this, I deserved that Thou shouldst suddenly deprive me of life and then send me to everlasting punishment.
I have, as it were, been fighting with Thee but Thou hast fought, by showing Mercy towards me and I, by offending Thee; Thou by seeking me and I by flying from Thee; Thou by giving me time to implore pardon for all the offences committed against Thee and I, by using that time to add offence to offence. Gracious Lord, make me feel the great wrong I have done against Thee and make me feel it is my greatest duty to love Thee.

Ah, my Jesus, how couldst Thou love me so much, Thou who didst seek me so many times when I fought to drive Thee from myself? How couldst Thou show so many favours to one who has so often given Thee offence?
From all this I understand, how desirous Thou art that I should not be lost.
I repent with all my heart for having offended Thee,
O God of Infinite Goodness. Ah, receive this ungrateful sheep who returns repentant to Thy Feet, receive it and bind it to Thy shoulders, so that it may nevermore stray from Thee.
No, I will nevermore fly from Thee. I would love Thee, I would be Thine Own and if only I am Thine, I am content with every pain, for what greater pain can I feel, than to live without Thy grace, separated from Thee,Who art my God, Who hast created me and my God, Who has died for me?
Ah, hateful sins, what have you done? You have made me displease my dear Saviour, Who hast loved me so much.
Ah, my Jesus, as Thou hast died for me, even so, ought I to die for Thee. Thou didst die for love of me and I ought to die of grief for having so much displeased Thee.

I accept death when and in what manner it may please Thee to send it to me but until now I have not loved Thee, or I have not loved Thee enough; it is not thus that I would die. Oh grant me a little more time, so that I may indeed love Thee before I die. Therefore, change my heart, wound it, inflame it with Thy holy Love. Grant this, through that exceeding Love which made Thee die for me.
I love Thee with all my soul and l am indeed desirous to love Thee. Never let me lose Thee again. Give me holy perseverance and give me Thy most holy Love.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, OUR Cross, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Prayers to the SORROWFUL MOTHER, QUOTES on PATIENCE, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 10 September – My Sorrowful Mother, Help Me to Bear My Crosses

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Our Morning Offering – 10 September – “Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”

My Sorrowful Mother,
Help Me to Bear My Crosses
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

My sorrowful Mother,
by the merit of that grief
which you felt
at seeing your beloved Jesus
led to death,
obtain for me the grace
to bear with patience,
those crosses which God sends me.
I will be fortunate
if I also shall know how
to accompany you
with my cross until death.
You and Jesus,
both innocent,
have borne a heavy cross
and shall I,
a sinner who has merited hell,
refuse mine?
Immaculate Virgin,
I hope you will help me
to bear my crosses with patience.
Amen

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH

Thought for the Day – 8 September – CONSIDERATION IV, Third Point – The Certainty of Death: “Remember Death!”

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Thought for the Day – 8 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION IV

The Certainty of Death
“It is appointed unto men, once to die.”
(Heb ix: 27)

THIRD POINT:
Death is certain. But, God, many Christians already know
this; they believe it, they see it; how then can they live so
forgetful of death, as if they would never. have to die? If after this life, there were neither a Heaven nor a. hell, could they think less of it than they do now? And, it is on this account, they lead such wicked lives.

My brother, if you wish to lead a proper life, endeavour to live during the days which may remain to thee, keeping death ever in view.
“O death, thy judgement is good.” (Ecclus xli: 3).
Oh how well does he, who judges of things and regulates his actions, act; who judges and regulates them, with death ever in view.

The memory of death makes us lose all the affection which we feel for earthly things.
“Let the end of this life be thought upon and there will be nothing in this world, to be loved,” observes St Lawrence Justinian.
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. (St John ii: 16).
All the pleasures of the world may be reduced to the pleasures of sense, the pleasures of riches and honours but he who thinks that, within a short time he will be reduced to ashes and that, he will be food for worms under the earth, despises all the pleasures the world can give him.
And the Saints, indeed, who have kept death ever in view, have despised all the goods of this world.
To keep death ever in view, St Charles Borromeo kept a skull upon a little table, so that he might continually contemplate it.
Cardinal Baronius had these words inscribed upon his ring:
“Remember death !”
The Venerable Father Juvenal Ancina, Bishop of Saluzzo, had this motto written on a skull:
“What thou art I was once; what I am thou wilt be.” Another Saint, a Hermit, being asked when dying why he was so rejoiced, answered,
“I have kept death ever before my eyes and, therefore, now that it is come, I see nothing new in it.”

What folly would it not be for a traveller, if when travelling, he were only to think of making himself great in that country through which he only has to pass, without minding the being reduced to live miserably in that country where he will have to spend his whole life? And is he not foolish, who seeks his happiness in this world, where he has to remain but a few days,and who, by so doing, runs the risk of being unhappy in the world to come, where he will have to remain forever?

He who possesses anything which is borrowed, does not place his affections on it, knowing, as he does, within a short time, he will have to restore it. All the goods of this world are but given to us as a loan, it is indeed foolish to place our affections upon them, being obliged, within so short a time, to leave them. Death will come and deprive us of all. All the gains and the riches of this world will end in a dying gasp, a funeral and a descent into the grave. The house which you have built, within a short time you will have to give up to someone else. The tomb will be the place where your body will have to dwell until the day of judgement and, from the tomb, your body will have to pass either to Heaven or to hell, whither your soul will have gone before.

Affections andPrayers

Therefore, will all be finished for me in death?
I shall find nothing else, O my God, than that little which I have done through my love for Thee.
And what am I waiting for? Am I waiting until death shall come and find me miserable and defiled with sin, as I am now? If I were now to die, I should die restlessly and should be very dissatisfied with my past life. No, my Jesus, I do not wish to die so dissatisfied. I thank Thee that Thou hast given me time to mourn over my sins and to love Thee. I will begin from this moment. But, above all things, I grieve for having offended Thee, O my Sovereign Good but I love Thee more than anything, more than my life itself. I yield myself entirely to Thee my Jesus, from this hour I attach myself wholly to Thee. I would press Thee to my heart and from this moment, I deliver my soul into Thy keeping.

“Into Thy Hands I commend my spirit.”
I will not wait to give my soul into Thy keeping until the time shall come when it shall be commanded to leave this world with that summons:
“Go forth, Christian soul.”
I will not wait until that moment arrives to beg Thee to save me.
“O Jesus, be a Jesus to me.”
Save me now, O my Saviour, by giving me Thy pardon and by giving me the grace of Thy holy love. If this consideration which I have this day read, should be the last warning which Thou shouldst give me and the last mercy, Thou shouldst show me, then stretch forth Thy Hand and take from me all my indifference; give me fervour; grant that I may obey Thee with great love in all Thou mayst require of me.
Eternal Father, for the love of Jesus Christ, give me holy perseverance and the grace to love Thee and to love Thee and Thee alone during the life that may yet remain to me.

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, GOD is LOVE, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HOLY CROSS

Thought for the Day – 7 September – CONSIDERATION IV, Second Point – The Certainty of Death: “It is appointed”

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Thought for the Day – 7 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION IV

The Certainty of Death
“It is appointed unto men, once to die.”
(Heb ix: 27).

SECOND POINT:
“It is appointed”
It is, therefore, quite certain – we are all condemned to die. St Cyprian says that we are all born with the halter round our neck and, we approach nearer to death at every step we take. My brother, as your name has one day been entered into the Register of Baptism, so too, it will one day be entered into the Register of Deaths. … As you have often heard the death-bell toll for others, even so will others hear it toll for you.

But what would you say, if you were to see a condemned man going to the scaffold jesting, laughing, looking about him, thinking only of plays, festivities and amusements? And are not you advancing on the road to death?
And of what are you thinking?
Look into that grave and see your friends and your relations upon whom, justice has already been executed.
What fear do those feel, who are condemned to die, when they behold their companions suspended on the gallows and dead!
Behold, then, those corpses, each one of which repeats to you:
“Yesterday for me and to-day for thee.” (Ecclus xxxviii: 23).
The portraits of those of your friends even, say the same to you, as do their memoranda-books, their houses, their beds, and even the clothes they have left behind them.

What greater folly, therefore, can there be than to know we must die and, after death, an eternity of joy or an eternity of pain awaits us; to know upon that moment, our eternal happiness or our eternal unhappiness depends and yet, not to care to make our reckoning sure and to use all the means we can, to make our death a happy one.
We pity all these who die suddenly and who are not prepared for death and why, therefore, do we not strive to be ever prepared to die because, the same sudden death, may happen to us?
But sooner or later, either with warning or without it, whether we think it or whether we do not think it, we shall have to die and, at every hour, at every moment, we approach nearer to our gallows, even to that last illness which will be the cause of our death.

At every age, the houses, the streets and the cities, are again
inhabited by fresh people and, the old inhabitants are borne to the grave, their last resting-place.
As the days of life are for ever finished for these, so will the time come ,in which, neither I nor you, nor any of those who are now living, will be any more living upon this earth.
Our “memorial is perished with us.” (Ps ix: 6) .
We shall all then be living in eternity which will be for us ,either an eternity of endless joy, or an eternity of endless woe. There is no middle way; this is certain and is an Article of Faith that either one lot or the other, will be ours.

Affections and Prayers

My beloved Redeemer, I should not have the courage thus to appear before Thee, did I not behold Thee hanging upon that Cross, wounded, derided and dead, for me.
My ingratitude has been great but Thy Mercy has been still greater.
Thy wounds, Thy Blood, Thy Death, are my hope.
I deserved hell from the moment I committed my first sin; how many times afterwards have I not again offended Thee and not only hast

Thou preserved my life but with so much pity and so much love, Thou hast offered me pardon and peace; how, therefore, can I fear being driven from Thee, now that I love Thee and now I have no other desire, than Thy blessed favour.
Yes, I love Thee with all my heart, my dearest Lord and I desire nothing else than to love Thee. I love Thee, and am very sorry for having scorned Thee, not so much because I have rendered myself worthy of hell, as for having offended Thee, my God.
Who hast loved me so much. Take me to Thy bosom, O my Jesus and add Mercy to Mercy. Let me never more be ungrateful to Thee and change my heart entirely. Grant that my heart which at one time esteemed Thy Love of no account and which has so often exchanged it for the miserable gratifications of this world, may. be wholly Thine and grant that it may burn in continual flames of love for Thee.

I hope to come to Paradise, there to love Thee forever, I cannot hope for a place there, among the innocent; my place will be amongst the penitent but, amidst those, I will love Thee more than the innocent.
For the glory of Thy Name, let a sinner be seen by Heaven to burn with a great love for Thee, a sinner who has so often offended Thee. I resolve, from this day fonward, to be Thine only and to think of nothing but of loving Thee. Assist me with Thy Light and with Thy Grace that strength maybe given to me to fulfil this, my desire which Thou Thyself hast given me through Thine Love.

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH

Thought for the Day – 6 September – CONSIDERATION IV, The Certainty of Death

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 6 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION IV

The Certainty of Death
“It is appointed unto men, once to die.”
(Heb ix: 27).

FIRST POINT:
The sentence of death is written against all men; thou art man, thou hast to die.,
St Augustine observes “our good things and our evil things are uncertain, death alone is certain.”

It is uncertain, whether the new-born infant will be poor or rich, whether it will have good or bad health, whether it
will die young or old but, it is quite certain it will have to die.
Every noble, every Monarch, will be cut off by death.
And when death arrives, there is no strength able to resist it.
Fire may be resisted, water may be resisted, the sword may be resisted, the power of princes may be resisted but when death comes, there is no power able to resist.
Belluacensis relates that a certain King of France whose last moment was fast approaching, exclaimed,:
“Behold, that I, with all my power, am unable to make death wait one more hour for me!”
When the end of life is indeed come, not even for one moment can it be deferred!
“Thou hast appointed his bounds which he cannot pass.” (Job xiv: 5).

Should you, therefore, live, dear reader, for all the years which you hope still one day must come and one hour of that day which will be the last for you. For myself, who am now writing and for you, who will read this little book, there is a day and there is a moment decreed, in which I shall no longer write, neither will you read.
“What man is, he that liveth and shall not see death?” (Ps cxxxix: 47).
The sentence is passed. There has never been a man as foolish as to flatter himself he will not have to die. That which happened to your ancestors will also happen to you. Of all those, who, at the beginning of the last Century were living in your country, behold not one of them remains. Even the Princes, the Kings of the world, have passed
away; nothing remains of them but a marble mausoleum with a grand inscription which now serves to warn us that a little dust confined within the tomb is all which remains of the grand ones of this world.
St Bernard asks:
“Tell me where are the lovers of the world?” and he replies,
“Nothing remains of them, save ashes and worms.”

Therefore, we must endeavour to obtain, not that happiness
which has an end but that which is eternal, for our souls are eternal; for of what use would it be, to be happy, (even were it possible for true happiness to be felt by that soul which is at enmity with God), I repeat, to be happy in this life, if in the life to come, you must be unhappy for all eternity? You have built that house to your satisfaction but you must reflect and think, soon you will have to leave it, to remain corrupting in a tomb. You have obtained that dignity which renders you superior to others but death will soon come and will make you lower than the lowest peasant on the earth.

Affections and Prayers

Alas, wretched one who I am, who for so many years have
only offended Thee, O God of my soul.
Alas, that those years have already passed away and perchance, death is drawing nigh and I feel my conscience troubled and filled with remorse.
Oh, that I had ever served Thee my Lord!
How foolish have I not been, to have lived so many years and instead of trying to fit myself for the other world, I have laden myself with debts to the Divine Justice.

My dear Redeemer, give me light and strength now to make my reckoning sure with Thee.
Death for me, perhaps, now stands nigh at hand.
I should like to prepare myself for that great moment in which my everlasting happiness, or unhappiness depends. I thank Thee for having waited so long for me and since Thou dost give me time to atone for what I have done amiss, look upon me, O’my God and tell me what I must do for Thee.
Dost Thou wish me to grieve over the offences. I have committed against Thee?
I do grieve over them, they do displease me very much indeed.
Dost Thou wish me to spend the years and days which may
remain to me, in loving Thee?
Yes, then I will do so.

O God, during the years which are past, many times have I desired to do this but my desires have afterwards proved failures.
No, my Jesus, I will no longer be ungrateful for the many favours Thou hast bestowed upon me.
If now, at least, I do not try to love Thee, how shall I be able when the hour of death approaches to hope for pardon in Paradise?
Behold now I do really firmly resolve to place myself in Thy service. But Thou must give me strength, Thou must not abandon me. But Thou didst not abandon me when I offended Thee, therefore, do I indeed greatly hope for Thy gracious assistance, now that I have resolved to leave all, in order to please Thee. Accept me, therefore and love me, O God, Thou Who art worthy of infinite love. Accept the traitor, who being now repentant, embraces Thy feet and
loves Thee and asks Thee for mercy.
I love Thee, O my Jesus,
I love Thee with all my heart, I love Thee much more than I
love myself. Behold I am Thine alone. Dispose of me and
all that is mine, as it may please Thee; give me perseverance in obeying Thee give me Thy Love and then do with me as Thou wilt.

Posted in PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH

Thought for the Day – 5 September – CONSIDERATION III: Third Point “Who knows whether thou wilt be lost?”

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Thought for the Day – 5 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION III

“For what is your life?
It is even a vapour which appeareth for a little time.”
(St James iv: 14)

THIRD POINT:
Therefore, is it not folly for the short and paltry pleasures of this brief life to incur the risk of dying a miserable death? and, with that death, to begin a wretched eternity? Oh, of how much importance is that last moment, that last gasp, that last closing of the view!
It is an eternity, either of every joy, or of every pain which is at stake, a life forever happy, or forever miserable!
Let us think – Jesus Christ was willing to die a bitter and cruel death, in order to obtain for us a peaceful and happy
death. For this end, He calls us so many times; He gives us so many lights; He admonishes us with so many threats, in order that we may be induced to spend that last moment in the grace of God.
Even the Pagan Antisthenes, when he was asked what was
the greatest blessing in this world, answered:
“A happy death!”
And what ought a Christian to say, who knows by faith that, from the moment of death, eternity begins; so that in that moment, he lays hold of one of the two wheels which draws with it, either eternal happiness or eternal suffering?
If there were two tickets in a lottery, upon which Hell might
be written on one and Heaven on the other, with what care
would you not try to draw out that one, upon which Paradise was written?
O God, how must those unhappy wretches tremble who are condemned to throw the die upon which their life or death depends! What fear will be yours when you will find yourself near to that last moment; when you will say:
“Upon this moment, which is drawing so near, depends my eternal life or death!
Now, it is to be decided whether I shall be forever blessed, or forever miserable.”

Sr Bernardine of Sienna tells of a certain Prince who, when dying, in great terror, exclaimed:
“I have many lands and palaces in this world but if I should die during this night, I know not what lodging will be mine!”
My brother, if thou believest that thou hast to die and there is an eternity and, once only thou canst die, so if thou once makest a mistake, the mistake will be forever without any hope of remedy, why is it, thou dost not begin, from this moment, in which thou readest these words, to do all which liest in thy power, to secure for thyself, a happy death?

S Andrew Avellino said tremblingly:
“Who knows what will be my lot in the life to come?
Whether I shall be saved or condemned to eternal death?” St Louis Bertrand also trembled so much, he was unable to take rest because of this thought which would suggest itself to him:
“Who knows whether thou wilt be lost?”
And thou, who has committed so many sins, dost thou not tremble? Be quick and make amends in time; resolve to give thyself indeed to God and begin, at least from this time forward, a life, the remembrance of which, may not grieve but may fill thee with joy at the hour of death. Give thyself to prayer, frequent the Sacraments, quit dangerous occasions, and, if necessary, leave even the world, so that thou mayest secure to thyself an eternal salvation and understand, to secure this eternal life, no precaution can be too great!

Affections andPrayers

O my dear Saviour, how much am I not indebted to Thee!
How couldst Thou bestow so many favours upon one so ungrateful; upon such a traitor as I have been to Thee?
Thou hast created me and in creating me Thou didst foresee all the offences I should commit against Thee.
Thou didst redeem me by dying for me and even then, Thou didst know of all the ingratitude I should show towards Thee.
When I was placed in this world, I turned away from Thee and thus, was I dead indeed in sin, until Thou, with Thy grace didst restore me to life.
I was blind and Thou didst enlighten me.
I had lost Thee and Thou didst enable me to find Thee.
I was Thy enemy and Thou didst make me Thy friend.
O God of mercy, grant me to feel how deeply I am indebted to Thee and make me mourn over my offences against Thee. Avenge Thyself upon me by making me very sorry for my sins but do not punish me by depriving me of Thy grace and of Thy love.
O Eternal Father, I detest and abhor more than any other evil, the offences I have committed against Thee. Have mercy upon me, for the love of Jesus Christ. Behold Thy Son upon the Cross. “His Blood be upon me.”
May that Divine Blood flow down and wash my soul.
O King of my heart, “Thy Kingdom come!”

I am resolved to drive away every affection that is not
felt for Thee. I love Thee more than anything; come and
reign alone in my soul. Let me love Thee and let me love
Thee only! I would please Thee as much as it is possible and I would give Thee entire satisfaction during the life which remains to me. Bless, O my Father, this my desire and give me grace ever to be one with Thee.
I consecrate all my affections to Thee and, from this day forward, I would be Thine alone, Who art my Treasure, my Peace, my Hope, my Love, my All and, all this I hope for through the merits of Thy Dearly Beloved Son.

Posted in QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on THE WORLD, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Thought for the Day – 3 September – CONSIDERATION III: First Point “For what is your life?”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 3 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION III

“For what is your life?
It is even a vapour which appeareth for a little time.”
(St James iv: 14)

FIRST POINT:
WHAT is your life?
It is like unto a vapour which is dispersed by a breath of wind and is no more.
All know they must die but, the mistake so many make, is, they imagine that death is so far off, it will never overtake them.
But no! for Job warns us that the life of man is short:
“ Man is of few days. …. He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down.” (Job xiv: i, 2.)
The Lord commanded Isaiah to preach this same truth:
“Cry,” He said to him,
“All flesh is grass. ….
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth.” (Isa xl: 6, 7)
The life of man is like the life of a blade of grass; death comes, the blade is dried up and behold, life is finished and the flower of all grandeur and of all earthly possessions, is cut down.
“My days are swifter than a post.” (Job ix: 25).
Death comes to meet us more quickly than a messenger and we, at every moment, run towards death. At every step we take, at every breath we draw, we approach death.

“During the time I write,” observes St Jerome, “I am approaching death.”
“For we must needs die and are as water spilt on the ground which cannot be gathered up again.” (2 Sam xiv: 14).
Thou’seest how that stream flows to the sea and these running waters, they will never return again, thus, my brother, do thy days pass and thou drawest near to death, so do thy pleasures pass thy amusements, pomps, praises, acclamations and what remains?
“The graves are ready for me.” (Job xvii: I).
We shall be cast into a grave and there we shall have to lie deprived of everything. At the moment of death the remembrance of all the delights enjoyed in life, of all the honours we have acquired, will only serve to increase the grief and the mistrust which we shall feel as to obtaining eternal salvation. The miserable wordly one will then exclaim, ‘Alas! my house, my gardens, that furniture, those paintings, those garments, within a short time will no longer be mine!’
“The graves are ready for me.”

Alas! for at that time no earthly possession will be regarded, except with sorrow, by him who has loved it with such devotedness.
And this grief will only serve to place the salvation of the soul in greater danger; for we know that those who are so fond of the world, at the time of death, will only permit their infirmities, the physicians who are to be called in and the remedies which may relieve them, to be discussed and when the condition of their souls is spoken of, they immediately grow weary and desire that they maybe left to repose because they have a headache and they cannot bear the noise of conversation and when, sometimes they answer, they become confused, neither do they know what to say. Even so, do those die who think but little upon death.

Affections andPrayers

Ah, my God and Lord of Infinite greatness, I blush to appear before Thee. How often have I esteemed Thy friendship of less moment than a base pleasure, a passion of anger, a vain whim, a vapour?

I adore and kiss Thy holy Wounds which I, nevertheless, have inflicted on Thee by my sins but, through which, however, I hope for pardon and salvation.
Make me to feel, O my Jesus, the grievous wrong I have done Thee in leaving Thee, Thou Who art the Fountain of all good, to drink of waters which are putrid and poisonous. What do I now feel because of all my many offences against Thee, except remorse of conscience and fruits for hell?

“Father, …. lam unworthy to be called Thy son.” (St Luke xv: 21).
My Father, do not cast me from Thee. It is true I do not
deserve Thy Love, that I may become Thy son but Thou hast died to give me pardon. Thou hast said, “Turn ye unto Me, . . . and I will turn unto you.” (Zach i: 3) .
I leave every gratification, I renounce all the pleasures the world can give me and I turn to Thee.
Pardon me through that Blood which Thou hast shed for me, for I repent with all my heart, for all the offences which I have committed against Thee. I repent, for I love Thee beyond all other things. I am not worthy to love Thee but Thou art indeed worthy to be loved, let me love Thee, do
not turn from me, let this heart which once neglected Thee, now love Thee.
Thou didst not leave me to die, when I was living in sin, in order that I might come to love Thee yes, I do indeed desire to love Thee during the remainder of my life and, I would love none but Thee. Help me, give me holy perseverance and Thy most holy Love.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, JESUIT SJ, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on THE WORLD

Thought for the Day – 2 September –CONSIDERATION II, Third Point: “An end, the end is come.”

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Thought for the Day – 2 September – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION II

“An end, the end is come.”
(Ezek vii: 2)

THIRD POINT:
David likened the happiness of this present life to a dream,
-when one awakens: “Yea, even like as a dream, when one
awaketh.” (Ps Ixxiii: 19) .
A certain author observes:
“In a dream, the senses being at rest, great things appear and are not and quickly vanish away. ”
The goods of this world appear great but in truth, they are nothing, like sleep, they last but a short time and then they all vanish away.

This thought, namely, that all things end with death, made St Francis Borgia give himself up entirely to God. This Saint was obliged to accompany the body of the Empress Isabella to Granada. When the coffin was opened, all those present fled because of the dreadful sight and smell but St Francis, led by Divine Light, remained to contemplate, in that body, the vanity of the world and looking upon it, he said:
“Art thou then my empress?
Art thou that great one to whom so many great ones bowed the knee?
O my mistress, Isabella, where is now thy majesty and
thy beauty?
Even thus,” he concluded within himself,
“do the grandeurs and the crowns of this world end.
From this day forward, I will, therefore, serve a Master Who can never die!”
Therefore, from that time, he gave himself entirely to the love of Jesus Crucified and then, he formed this resolution, that if his wife should die, he would become a religious which resolution he afterwards fulfilled by entering the Society of Jesus.
Truly, then, did one disabused of the world write these words on a skull:
“It is impossible for him who thinks upon death, to love the world and. therefore. are there so many unhappy lovers of this world because they do not think upon death.”

“O ye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme mine honour and have such pleasure in vanity and seek after pleasing?” (Ps iv: 2) O miserable children of Adam, the Holy Ghost warns us. why, therefore, do you not drive away from your hearts, that affection for the world which causes you to love vanity and deceit? That which happened to your forefathers will one day happen to you, they, at one time were living in the same houses and many slept upon the same beds which you do now but now they are no more – the same will happen to you.

Therefore, my brother, give thyself now to God, before death shall come to Thee.
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might”(Eccles ix: 10) .
Whatsoever thou canst do to-day, do it and wait not until to-morrow because this day will pass away and will never return and to-morrow death might overtake you, so that you would then be able to do nothing at all.
Quickly remove yourself from all that separates, or that may separate you from God.
Let us now give up all our love for this world’s goods, before death takes them away from us by force!
“Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord.” (Rev xiv:13). Blessed are those, who, when dying, are found dead to the affection o fthis world.
By such as these, death is not feared, it is desired, it is joyfully embraced, for instead of separating them from all that they love, it then unites them to their Sovereign
Good, Who is alone loved by them and Who, will make them blessed for evermore.

Affections andPrayers

My dear Redeemer, I indeed thank Thee for having waited
for me. What would have become of me if I had died when I
was far from Thee? Forever blessed be Thy mercy and Thy
patience which Thou hast exercised towards me, during the
many years past.
I thank Thee for the light and grace with which Thou dost now assist me. At one time I did not love Thee and then, I cared little for being loved by Thee.

Now, I love Thee, with all my heart and now, I have no greater grief, than what I feel, for having once displeased a God so gracious. This grief torments me but the torment is sweet because, this grief gives me confidence that Thou hast indeed pardoned me.
My sweet Saviour, would that I had died over and over again, rather than once even, to have given Thee offence.
I tremble and fear, lest at any time, I should ever again displease Thee.
Ah, rather let me die a most painful death, than that I
should ever again lose Thy grace.
Once I was the slave of hell but now, I am Thy servant, O God of my soul.

Thou hast said that Thou wilt love those who love Thee.
I love them who love me.
I do love Thee, therefore, Thou art mine and I am Thine.
I might lose Thee at some time but this is the grace which I seek, namely, it would be better for me to die, than to lose Thee again. Thou hast given me so many graces that I have not asked Thee. for, therefore, I cannot fear that Thou wilt fail to grant me this grace, for which I am now asking Thee.

Never again let me lose Thee; give me Thy holy Love and nothing more can I desire!

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, DOCTORS of the Church, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 31 August –CONSIDERATION II, First Point: “An end, the end is come.”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 31 August – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION II

“An end, the end is come.”
(Ezek vii: 2)

FIRST POINT:
BY the worldly, those only are considered happy, who enjoy
the things of this world, its pleasures, its riches, its pomps
but death puts an end to all these joys of earth,
“For what is your life? it is even a vapour which appeareth for a little time.” (St James iv:14).
The vapours which arise from the earth, sometimes when raised in the air and clothed with the light of the sun, cause a beautiful appearance but how long does it last?
It vanishes with a little wind.
Behold that great man, who to-day is courted, feared and almost adored, to-morrow, when he is dead, he will be despised, reviled and scorned.

When death comes, all must be left. The brother of that great servant of God, Thomas à Kempis, boasted of having built a beautiful house but a friend told him one day that there was one great defect. What is it? he demanded. “The defect,” replied the other, “is, that you have had a door made in it.”
“ Indeed!” exclaimed he “is the door a defect?”
“Yes,” replied the friend, “because one day you will have to be carried out of that door dead and thus will you have to leave your house and all which is in it.”

Death, in short, despoils man of all the things in this world.
What a sad sight it is to see a Prince carried forth from his
palace, never more to enter it and to see others take possession of his furniture, his money and of all his other goods! He is left in the grave with a garment on which will scarcely cover his body. There is no-one now to prize and to flatter him, neither are there any who take account of his last commands.
Saladin, who acquired many Kingdoms in Asia, when dying, said, that when his body was taken to be buried, a man should go before it, with his shirt suspended to a pole, crying:
“This is all which Saladin carries to the grave!”
When the body of that Prince is shut up in the grave, the flesh will soon fall off and his skeleton will no longer be distinguished from other skeletons.
St Basil crys:
“Contemplate the sepulchre and see whether you can distinguish who was the servant and who was the lord!?”

Diogenes was one day observed by Alexander the Great to be anxiously seeking for something amidst certain skulls.
“What dost thou seek?” inquired Alexander, with curiosity.
“ I am seeking,” he replied, “the skull of thy father, King Philip and I cannot distinguish it, if thou canst find it, show it to me.”
In this world, men are born of unequal rank but after death all will be equal, observes Seneca. And Horace said, that death makes the spade equal to the sceptre.

Finally, when death comes: “the end comes” everything is ended and everything must be left and nothing is taken to the grave, of all the things of this world.

Affections and Prayers

Since, my dear Lord, Thou dost grant me understanding to know that all that the world esteems, is but vanity and foolishness, give me strength to leave all its allurements before death may come to snatch me from them.
Alas ! wretched me, how often because of the miserable pleasures and possessions of this world, have I not offended and lost Thee.

O Thou Infinite Good, O my Jesus, O my Heavenly Physician, look upon my poor miserable soul and upon the heavy wounds I have made with my sins and do Thou have mercy upon me.
“If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.”
I know Thou wilt make me clean but, in order to cleanse me, Thou desirest that I should repent of all the injuries I have done Thee. I do indeed repent!

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on GOOD WORKS, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on TIME

Thought for the Day – 28 August –CONSIDERATION I, Third Point: “Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 28 August – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION I

“Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.”
(Gen iii:19)

THIRD POINT:
My brother, in this description of death, thou seest thyself and that which one day thou wilt be,
“Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.”
Reflect, for in a few years, nay, perhaps in a few months and even days, thou wilt become a mass of corruption and worms. By thinking upon this, Job became a Saint:
“I have said to corruption, Thou art my father, to the orm, Thou art my brother and sister.” (Job xvii: 14).

Everything must have an end and if, when the hour of death arrives, thy soul is lost, everything will be lost for thee. St Lawrence Justinian says:
“Consider thyself as dead already, since thou knowest thou must die. If now the hour of thy death were approaching, what is there of good which thou wouldst not like to have done? Now, that thou art living, reflect that one day thou must die.”
Bonaventure observes, that in order to guide the vessel aright, the pilot must place himself at the helm, even so must a man, if he wishes to lead a holy life, reflect that death is ever nigh.
Therefore, St Bernard observes:
“Look upon the sins of youth and blush;
look on the sins of manhoodj and weep;
look upon the present evil habits of thy life and tremble
and hasten to make amends!”

When Camillus de Lellis beheld the graves of the dead, he said within himself:
“If all these dead bodies could come back again to life,
what would they not do to gain eternal life? and
I, who have now the opportunity,
what am I doing for my soul!?”
Yet, it was humility on the part of this Saint which caused him to say this.

But perhaps, my brother, thou might with reason, fear, lest thou shouldst be like that barren fig-tree, concerning which our blessed Lord said:
“Behold these three years I come, seeking fruit on this fig-tree and find none.” (St Luke xiii:7).
Thou, who for many more years than three hast been living in this world, what fruit hast thou yielded?
“Take care,” remarks St Bernard, “for the Lord does not require flowers only but seeks for fruit too, that is to say, not only good desires and resolutions but also good works.”

Therefore, take care to make good use of the time which God, in His mercy, grants to you; do not wait until “time shall be no longer,” to desire to do good when it shall be said unto you
“Time shah be no longer – depart!”
Make haste, it is now almost time to leave the world; make haste, what is done, is done.

Affections and Prayers

Look upon me, O my God, for I am that tree which, for so
many years deserved to hear these words:
“Cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground?” (St Luke xiii; 7) yes because, during the many years I have been in the world, I have yielded no ether fruit than the briars and thorns of sin.
But Thou, O Lord, dost not wish me to despair. Thou hast said to all those who seek Thee that they shall find Thee. “Seek and ye shall find.”
I do seek Thee, my God and I do desire Thy grace.
I am indeed sorry for all the sins I have committed against Thee. I would grieve even to death because of them. During the past years, I have often fled from Thee but now, I value Thy friendship more than all the kingdoms of the world.
I will no longer resist Thy calls.

Thou dost wish me to be Thine alone.
I yield myself wholly to Thee, without any reserve.
Thou didst give Thyself entirely for me, upon the Cross, now I give myself entirely to Thee.

Thou hast said:
“If ye shall ask anything in My Name, I will do it.” (St John xiv: 14).
My Jesus, I trust in this Thy great Promise and in Thy Name and through Thy Merits, I seek of Thee Thy grace and Thy Holy Love. Let Thy grace and Thy most Holy Love abound in my soul, where sin did once abound.
I thank Thee greatly, for having given me the Spirit to make
this prayer to Thee. Whilst Thou dost inspire me to pray, it
is a sign that Thou wilt graciously hear me.
Hear me, O my Jesus and give me a great love towards Thee and give me a great desire to please Thee and then, the strength to follow that desire!

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD

Thought for the Day – 27 August –CONSIDERATION I, Second Point: “Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.”

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Thought for the Day – 27 August – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION I

“Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.”
(Gen iii:19)

SECOND POINT:
In order more clearly to see what indeed thou art, my Christian soul, St John Chrysostom observes:
“Go to a sepulchre, contemplate
dust, ashes, worms and sigh.”
See how that corpse becomes, at first yellow and then black. Afterwards, there is seen upon the body, a white and unpleasant mould. Then there issues forth a foul and corrupt matter which sinks into the ground.
In that corruption many worms are generated which
feed upon the flesh. The rats then come to feast upon the body, some on the outside, others entering into the mouth and bowels.

The cheeks, the lips and the hair fall in pieces; the ribs are
the first to become bare of flesh, then the arms and the legs.
The worms after, having consumed the flesh eat each other, and, in the end, nothing remains of that body but a fetid skeleton which, in course of time, is divided, the bones being separated and the head falling from the body, they
“become like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors and the wind carried them away“ ” (Dan ii:35.)

Behold, then, what man is – a little dust upon a threshing-floor which is carried away by the wind!
Behold that nobleman, who was considered to be the life
and soul of society, where is he? Go into his room, he is not
there; if you look into his bed, it belongs to another; his clothes, his arms, others have already taken and divided them. If you wish to see him, you must seek for him in that grave where he is changed into all that is unpleasant and into fleshless bones.

O my God, that that body fed with so many delicacies, clothed with so much pomp, attended by so many servants, should be reduced to this !
O ye Saints, ye, who for the love of that God, Whom ye loved alone, upon this earth, knew how to mortify your
bodies and now, your bones are kept and prized as sacred relics in golden shrines and your souls which are beatified, rejoice in the presence of God, waiting for the final Day, when your bodies even, will again become the companions of your souls in glory, as they were once the companions of your souls, in bearing the cross of this world.
This is the true love of the body, so to burden it with mortifications here, that it may be happy in eternity and to deny it those pleasures here which would render it unhappy in eternity.

Affections andPrayers

Behold, therefore, O my God, to what my body will become reduced, through which I have so often offended Thee, it will be reduced even to worms and corruption.
But this does not grieve me, O my God, nay, it rather cheers me, for this my flesh to become putrid and consumed which made me lose Thee, O my Sovereign Good.
But it does grieve me very much, to think that I should have taken so much delight in those wretched pleasures which have so often displeased Thee.
But I will not distrust Thy Mercy.
Thou hast waited for me to give me pardon.
“Therefore will the Lord wait that He may be gracious unto thee.” (Isa xxx: 18)
And Thou wilt pardon me if I repent.
Yes, Thou wilt, for I do repent with all my heart for having despised Thee, O God of Infinite Goodness.
I will repeat to Thee as did St Catherine of Genoa,
“No more sins, my Jesus, no more sins.”
No, I will no longer abuse Thy patience, neither will I wait to embrace Thee until the hour of death.
O my Crucified Love, now will I embrace Thee, now will I commend my soul into Thy keeping.
“Into Thy Hands, I commend my spirit.”

My soul has been many years in this world without loving Thee, give me light and strength to love Thee during the life which remains to me.
I will not wait until the hour of death to love Thee, from this moment, 1 will love Thee and embrace Thee and unite myself to Thee and, I promise, never more to leave Thee.

Posted in GOD ALONE!, PREPARATION for DEATH, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), QUOTES on Will (Sensual or Inferior), The WILL of GOD

Thought for the Day – 24 August –Preparation for Death” Preface Part Two

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Thought for the Day – 24 August – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

PREFACE
Part Two

Regarded as a Manual of Mental Prayer, each of these, “Considerations” has a technical and special significance.
They treat of life and death, of the value of time, of the mercy of God, of the habit of sin, of the general and particular judgments, of the love of God, of the Holy Communion and of kindred subjects, equally important.

The “Consideration” as here used, implies far more, than a mere inquiry. Its equivalents, the Italian Considerazione,
and the Latin Consideration do not fully express its particular meaning in this Treatise, where it stands for a reflectional meditation. It calls into play the exercise of the memory which puts together all the circumstances of the subject under notice; it excites the imagination which represents, as in a picture, all such circumstances, bringing
~ them vividly before the mind’s eye and, lastly, it urges the will so to. fix and detain these things in the soul that, by its own effort, it may unite itself with the Will of God, so that God’s Will and the will of man, may become one.

St Thomas Aquinas defines “Consideration” to be “an act of the intellect andof the beholding the truth of a proposition,”(Sum. 22E Q liii. 4); to be, “moreover, principally related to the judgement.”
As one of the three divisions of prayer, properly so called, these Considerations must also be considered as reflections, as reasonings of the mind upon definite subjects, either for its perfect conviction of some vital truth, or for its persuasion to the formation of some holy resolution.
The chief end of all such reflection, must be the bringing the soul into communion with God but, this cannot be effected by the intellect alone. Man is not united to God through the mind only but chiefly through the heart; the “Consideration” must pass onwards into an “Affection” which forms another leading division of mental prayer, where the action of the former ends that of the latter begins.

Let us apply these “Consideration” to one or two of
the subjects which are treated of in the present Treatise.

At the first thought of Death, we are all naturally inclined to fear it but, the “Consideration” upon death (Chapter viii.) tends to remove this fear, since it brings death before us:
Firstly, as “the end of our labours” of that toil by which we are prepared for our eternal rest.
Secondly, as the “consummation of our victory” over sin and weakness; the struggle has been a sore one, the battle has been hardly fought but, it has been won at last! Thirdly, as the “gate of life” therefore, the death of the Saints is called, a birthday, a day in which they are born to that other and blessed life which can never end.
These are the three Points in the “Consideration” upon Death which disarms it of its terrors.

Again, are we sorely troubled by our struggles with self-will ? We find a “Consideration” on conformity to the Will of God (Chapter xxxiv, the “First Point” of which, indicates the connection between perfect resignation to God’s Will and perfect love towards His Person.
The “Second Point” shows that nothing comes amiss of earthly sorrow and humiliation, not even Martyrdom itself, if all things be submitted to His Divine Will.
The “Third Point” explains that peace of soul fills a heart whose every desire is in conformity to God’s Will. Let come what may, I wish for it because God Will’s it.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, PREPARATION for DEATH

Thought for the Day – 23 August – Preparation for Death by St Alphonsus de Liguori

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Thought for the Day – 23 August – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
Today we begin that which frightens us all but which is very necessary for our salvation. Some of our fellow pilgrims have requested help on this subject and I do not think we can do much better,than calling on St Alphonsus for assistance.
“Preparation for Death” was published in English in 1869. Here we will extract and abridge slightly where necessary, always indicating any such abridgements. To mention that there are 2 versions of this great Treatise available online – one is that which we are using taken from the original publication. Be warned, however, there is another which has been published with the inclusion of an Editor’s opinions, thus no longer retaining the truth of the words of St Alphonsus.
The Book contains 34 Chapters and we begin below with an Extract from St Alphonsus’ Preface.

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

PREFACE
Part One

The object of the present Treatise is expressed by a passage which is to be met with in one of the Epistles of St Fulgentius (c462 – 533), on the subject of prayer:
“Compunction of soul excites an affection for prayer; humble prayer obtains the Divine assistance.
Compunction of soul, leads it to regard its wounds but prayer, earnestly demands the medicine for its healing. And who is sufficient for these things?
For who can pray as he ought, unless the Divine Physician Himself, pours into the heart the beginning of spiritual desire.”

. It will be seen that the following Manual of Devotion
consists of a series of chapters or instructions, upon important points of Christian teaching which are called “Considerations”
These Considerations are written for the purpose of pricking or of wounding the conscience, it maybe in many points, that so, it may, be thoroughly aroused and awakened, of exciting, that is, compunction of the soul, real remorse of conscience for past, as well as, for present coldness and dryness. It must be a very hard heart, indeed, which is not moved by these “Considerations” so touchingly simple are they, so plain and so wholly true.
They deal with such doctrines and facts, as have an universal application which admit of no dispute and which are always confirmed by some passage from Holy Scripture. It must be allowed, on all hands that it is necessary for the soul to be aroused, to feel its own needs, to regard its own wounds that so it may be directed to a source whence these needscan be supplied and these wounds be healed.

One great aim of this Treatise, is to arouse, as well as to direct the mind, to lead it to consider its own wants and to see, by prayer, to have those wants supplied.
The book is essentially a guide to prayer.
It represents, from its beginning to its end, the continual outpouring of heart before God –an outpouring which is ofttimes expressed in the very same words which imply, at the same time, a new phase of thought.

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUEENSHIP of MARY, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Our Morning Offering – 17 August – Mother of my God

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Our Morning Offering – 17 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and Mary’s day

Mother of my God,
Lady Mary, Queen of Mercy
By St Alphonsus Ligouri (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Mother of my God and my Lady Mary,
as a beggar, all wounded and sore,
presents himself before a great Queen,
so do I present myself before you,
who are Queen of heaven and earth.
From the lofty throne on which you sit,
disdain not, I implore you,
to cast your eyes on me,
a poor sinner.
God has made you so rich
that you might assist the poor
and has made you Queen of Mercy,
that you might relieve the miserable.
Behold me then and pity me.
Behold me and abandon me not,
until you see me changed
from a sinner into a saint.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, QUEENSHIP of MARY, THE ASSUMPTION

Quote/s of the Day – 15 August – The Praises of Mary “Assumption”

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Quote/s of the Day – 15 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven – Judith 13:22-25; 15:10, Luke 1:41-50 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

The Praises of Mary
“Assumption”
Poem by Saint Anthony

O how wondrous is the dignity
of the glorious Virgin!
She merited to become the mother of Him
who is the strength and beauty of the Angels
and the grandeur of all the Saints.

Mary was the seat of our sanctification,
that is to say,
the dwelling place of the Son
Who sacrificed Himself for us.

“And I shall glorify the place
where my feet have stood.”
The feet of the Saviour signify His human nature.
The place where the feet of the Saviour stood
was the Blessed Mary,
who gave Him His human nature.

Today the Lord glorifies that place,
since He has exalted Mary
above the choirs of the Angels.
That is to say,
the Blessed Virgin,
who was the dwelling of the Saviour,
has been assumed bodily into Heaven.

Mary, our Queen and Mother of Mercy
By St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Evangelical Doctor of the Church

Mary, our Queen!
Holy Mother of God,
we beg you to hear our prayer.
Make our hearts overflow with Divine grace
and resplendent with heavenly wisdom.
Render them strong with your might
and rich in virtue.
Pour down upon us the gift of mercy
so that we may obtain the pardon of our sins.
Help us to live in such a way
as to merit the glory and bliss of Heaven.
May this be granted us, by your Son Jesus
Who has exalted you above the Angels,
has crowned you as Queen
and has seated you with Himself
forever, on his refulgent throne.
Amen.

Mary, Virgin most Blessed
Mother of Mercy
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
(Prayer used as part of the Assumption Novena)

O Mary, Virgin most Blessed
and Mother of Our Lord
and Redeemer, Jesus Christ,
through thy mercy I beseech thee,
to come to my aid
and to inspire me
with such confidence in thy power
that I may have recourse to thee,
pray to thee
and implore thy aid,
in all needs of soul and body.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, THE ASSUMPTION

Our Morning Offering – 15 August – Fly, My Soul, with Mary Fly! By St Alphonsus

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Our Morning Offering – 15 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven

Fly, My Soul, with Mary Fly!
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor
(From “The Glories of Mary”)
Trans. Redemptoris Fathers, 1931)

Fly, my soul, with Mary fly!
Soar beyond the golden sky,
Mount to Mary’s throne on high.

Bright the queenly crown she won,
Sweet the reign she has begun,
As she stands beside her Son.
Fly, my soul, with Mary fly.

How endure this long delay?
Living here, how can I stay
From such beauty far away?
Fly, my soul, with Mary fly.

Sad my lot is here below;
Who can hope or life bestow?
Who will help or pity show?
Fly, my soul, with Mary fly.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Quote of the Day – 13 August – O Mother Blest (The Feast of Our Lady Refuge of Sinners)

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Quote of the Day – 13 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Feast of Our Lady Refuge of Sinners

O Mother Blest
By St Alphonsus Maira Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
Trans. Fr Edmund Vaughn C.SS.R. (1827 – 1908 )

O Mother blest, whom God bestows
On sinners and on just,
What joy, what hope thou givest those
Who in thy mercy trust.
Thou are clement, thou are chaste,
Mary thou art fair,
Of all mothers, sweetest best,
none with thee compare.

O heavenly Mother, mistress sweet!
it never yet was told
that suppliant sinner left thy feet,
unpitied, unconsoloed.
Thou are clement, thou are chaste, …

O Mother, pitiful and mild,
Cease not to pray for me;
For I do love thee as a child,
And sigh for love of thee.
Thou art clement, thou art chaste, …

Most powerful Mother, all men know
Thy Son denies thee nought;
Thou askest, wishest it, and lo!
His power thy will hath wrought.
Thou art clement, thou art chaste, …

O Mother blest, for me obtain,
Ungrateful though I be,
To love that God who first could deign
To show such love for me.
Thou art clement, thou art chaste,
Mary, thou art fair.
Of all mothers, sweetest, best,
None with thee compare.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TEMPTATION

Our Morning Offering – 8 August – Prayer to the Fourteen Holy Helpers By St Alphonsus

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Our Morning Offering – 8 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – The Feast of the 14 Holy Helpers

Prayer to the Fourteen Holy Helpers
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Church

Great princes of Heaven, Holy Helpers,
who sacrificed to God all your earthly possessions,
wealth, preferment and even life
and who now are crowned in Heaven
in the secure enjoyment of eternal bliss and glory;
have compassion on me,
a poor sinner in this vale of tears
and obtain for me from God,
for Whom you gave up all things
and Who loves you as His servants,
the strength to bear patiently all the trials of this life,
to overcome all temptations
and to persevere in God’s service to the end,
that one day I too may be received into your company,
to praise and glorify Him, the supreme Lord,
Whose Beatific Vision you enjoy
and Whom you praise and glorify forever.
Amen

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, ACT of REPARATION, CONFESSION/PENANCE, GOOD RESOLUTIONS, NOTES to Followers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on MORTIFICATION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The TRANSFIGURATION

Quote/s of the Day – 2 August – St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori with an Act of Reparation for the Blasphemies of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 August – St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

As you most probably are aware, the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games were marred by some degrading and horrible blasphemies. A parody of the Last Supper was enacted and broadcast with incredible obscenity.
Let us pray St Alphonsus Act of Reparation on our knees with tears and love to Our Saviour:

Act of Reparation
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church
Indulgence of 3 Years – Once a Day

O Jesus, my Saviour and Redeemer,
Son of the living God,
behold we kneel before Thee
and offer Thee our reparation;
we would make amends,
for all the blasphemies uttered
against Thy Holy Name,
for all the injuries done to Thee
in the Blessed Sacrament,
for all the irreverence shown toward
Thine Immaculate Virgin Mother,
for all the calumnies and slanders,
spoken against Thy Spouse,
the Holy Catholic and Roman Church.
O Jesus, Who hast said:
“If you ask the Father anything in My Name,
He will give it you,”
we pray and beseech Thee,
for all our brethren who are in danger of sin;
shield them from every temptation
to fall away from the true faith;
save those who are even now
standing on the brink of the abyss;
to all of them, give light
and knowledge of the truth,
courage and strength, for the conflict with evil,
perseverance in faith and active charity!
For this do we pray, most merciful Jesus,
in Thy Name, unto God the Father,
with Whom Thou livest and reignest
in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
world without end.
Amen.

“Lord it is good for us to be here”
Matthew 17:4

“Lord, let us remain here;
let us never more depart from this place;
for, the sight of Thine Beauty consoles us
more than all the delights of the earth!
Let us, then, brethren,
courageously resolve to bear patiently
with all the sufferings which shall come upon us
during the remaining days of our lives:
to secure Heaven, they are all little
and nothing.
“Your sorrows shall be turned into joy.”
(John 16:20)
When, then, the crosses of this life afflict us,
let us raise our eyes to Heaven
and console ourselves with the hope of Paradise.
Have courage! Let us love God
and labour for Heaven.
There the Saints expect us, Mary expects us,
Jesus Christ expects us –
He holds in His Hand a Crown, to make
each of us a king in that eternal Kingdom!”

“Let us read the lives of the Saints;
let us consider the penances
which they performed
and blush to be so effeminate
and so fearful of mortifying our flesh.”

O Jesus, My Sweet Love!
(I too have kept Thee suffering)

Prayer of Contrition
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

O Jesus, my sweet Love!
I too have kept Thee suffering
through all Thy life.
Tell me, then, what I must do
in order to win Thy forgiveness.
I am ready to do all Thou askest of me.
I am sorry, O sovereign Good,
for all the offences I have committed against Thee.
I love Thee more than myself,
or at least, I feel a great desire to love Thee.
Since it is Thou Who hast given me this desire,
do Thou also give me the strength to love Thee exceedingly.

It is only right that I,
who have offended Thee so much,
should love Thee very much.
Always remind me of the love
Thou hast borne me,
in order that my soul may ever burn
with love of Thee and long to please Thee alone.
O God of love,
I, who was once a slave of hell,
now give myself all to Thee.
Graciously accept me and bind me to Thee
with the bonds of Thy love.
My Jesus, from this day and forever,
in loving Thee will I live
and in loving Thee will I die.

O Mary, my Mother and my hope,
help me to love Thy dear God and mine.
This is the only favour I ask of thee
and through thee, I hope to receive it.
Amen

Act of Spiritual Communion
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

I desire, good Jesus,
to receive Thee in Holy Communion
and since I cannot now receive Thee
in the Blessed Sacrament,
I beseech Thee to come to me spiritually
and to refresh my soul with Thy sweetness.
Come, my Lord, my God and my All!
Come to me
and never let me ever again
be separated from Thee by sin.
Teach me Thy blessed ways,
help me with Thy grace to imitate Thy example,
to practise meekness, humility,
charity and all the virtues of Thy Sacred Heart.
My divine Master, my one desire is to do Thy will
and to love Thee, more and more.
Help me, that I may be faithful to the end, in Thy service.
Bless me in life and in death,
that I may praise Thee, forever in heaven,
Amen

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/08/02/quote-s-of-the-day-2-august-st-alphonsus-maria-de-liguori/

St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

Posted in ACT of CONTRITION, CATHOLIC TIME, DOCTORS of the Church, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR

Our Morning Offering – 2 August – Act of Contrition by St Alphonsus

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Our Morning Offering – 2 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church and a Friday of the Passion

Act of Contrition
By St Alphonsus Maria Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

My Lord Jesus Christ,
Thou hast made this journey
to die for me, with love unutterable
and I have so many times
unworthily abandoned Thee
but now, I love Thee with my whole heart
and because I love Thee,,
I repent sincerely for having ever offended Thee.
Pardon me, my God
and permit me to accompany
Thee on this journey.
Thou goest to die for love of me,
I wish also, my beloved Redeemer,
to die for love of Thee.
My Jesus, I will live
and die always united to Thee.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Alphonsus de Liguori,

Our Morning Offering – 23 July – O God of Love,

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Our Morning Offering – 23 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” –

O God of Love,
Give Me Thy Love and Thy Grace
By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
Most Zealous Doctor

O God of Love,
Thou art and shall be forever,
the only delight of my heart
and the sole object of my affections.
Since Jesus said:
‘Ask and you shall receive,’
I do not hesitate to say:
‘Give me Thy Love and Thy Grace.’
Grant that I may love Thee
and be loved by Thee.
I want for nothing else.
Amen