Tag: st bonaventure

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 24 October – St Raphael!

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – The Feast of St Raphael the Archangel – Tobit 12:7-15, John 5:1-4 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For it is good to hide the secret of a king
but honourable to reveal and confess,
the works of God.

Prayer is good with fasting and alms,
more than to lay up treasures of gold.

For alms delivereth from death
and the same is that which purges away sins
and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting.

But they that commit sin and iniquity,
are enemies to their own soul.”

Tobit 12:7-10

“I am the Angel Raphael,
one of the seven,
who stand before the Lord.”

Tobit 12:15

“Raphael frees us from the wrath of God
which we incur by sinning against God.
He does this by inducing us to pray earnestly.
This is what Raphael the Archangel told Tobias
in the twelfth chapter:
“When thou didst pray with tears,
I offered thy prayer to the Lord”
the angels themselves, as far as they are able,
try to reconcile us with God.”

St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Doctor of the Church

O Raphael, Divinely Sent Guide
St Raphael Archangel, 24 October
From the Ambrosian Breviary

O Raphael, divinely sent guide,
graciously receive the hymn
we suppliants address to thee
with joyful voice.

Make straight for us the way of salvation
and forward our steps,
lest at any time, we wander astray
and turn from the path to heaven.

Look down upon us from on high;
reflect into our souls
the splendour shining from above,
from the holy Father of lights.

Give perfect health to the sick,
dispel the darkness of the blin
and while driving away diseases of the body,
give spiritual strength to our souls.

Thou who standest before the Sovereign Judge,
plead for the pardon of our crimes
and, as a trusty advocate,
appease the avenging wrath of the Most High.

Renewer of the great battle,
crush our proud enemy;
against the rebel spirits give us strength
and increase our grace.

To God the Father be glory,
and to His Only Son,
together with the Paraclete Spirit,
now and forevermore.
Amen

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on ENEMIES, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on UNITY/with GOD, SOLDIERS/ARMOUR of CHRIST

Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – St Francis of Assisi (

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Quote/s of the Day – 4 October – St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226) Confessor, Founder

“But I say to you, Love your enemies …”
Matthew 5:44

“Let us pay attention, all my brothers,
to what the Lord says:
“Love your enemies and do good
to those who hate you,”
for our Lord Jesus Christ,
Whose footprints we must follow (cf 1 Pt 2:21),
called His betrayer “friend” (Mt 26:50)
and gave Himself willingly to those
who crucified Him. Our friends, then,
are all those who, unjustly afflict upon us,
trials and ordeals, shame and injuries,
sorrows and torments, martyrdom and death!
We must love them greatly
for we will possess eternal life
because of what they bring upon us.”

“Alms are an inheritance
and a justice
which is due to the poor
and which Jesus has levied upon us!”

Be strengthened in Almighty God
and in the power of His might,
for with His help, nothing is difficult.
Throw off the heavy load of your own will,
cast aside the burden of sin
and gird yourselves as valiant warriors!
Forget what you are leaving behind;
strain forward to the great things before you.
I tell you that every place where you set foot,
shall be yours.
For the Spirit, Who goes before your face
is Christ the Lord.
He will carry you to the topmost peak
in the arms of His Love.”

“In beautiful things
St Francis saw Beauty itself
and through His vestiges
imprinted on creation,
he followed his Beloved everywhere,
making, from all things,
a ladder, by which he could climb up
and embrace Him, Who is utterly desirable.”

St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/10/04/quote-s-of-the-day-4-october-st-francis-of-assisi-2/

St Francis of Assisi (c1181–1226)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, Prayers to the SORROWFUL MOTHER, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 18 September – To Our Lady of Sorrows By St Bonaventure

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Our Morning Offering – 18 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”

To Our Lady of Sorrows
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

O most holy Virgin,
Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the overwhelming grief thou experienced
when thou witnessed the Martyrdom,
the Crucifixion and the Death,
of Thy Divine Son,
look upon me, with eyes of compassion
and awaken in my heart,
a tender commiseration for those sufferings
and a sincere detestation of my sins,
in order that,
being disengaged from all undue affection
for the passing joys of this earth,
I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem
and that, henceforward, all my thoughts
and all my actions may be directed
towards this one most desirable object,
the honour, glory and love
of our divine Lord Jesus,
and to thee,
the Holy and Immaculate
Mother of God.
Amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Prayers to the SORROWFUL MOTHER, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 4 September – To Our Lady of Sorrows By St Bonaventure

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Our Morning Offering – 4 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”

To Our Lady of Sorrows
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

O most holy Virgin,
Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the overwhelming grief thou experienced
when thou witnessed the Martyrdom,
the Crucifixion and the Death,
of Thy Divine Son,
look upon me, with eyes of compassion
and awaken in my heart,
a tender commiseration for those sufferings
and a sincere detestation of my sins,
in order that,
being disengaged from all undue affection
for the passing joys of this earth,
I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem
and that, henceforward, all my thoughts
and all my actions may be directed
towards this one most desirable object,
the honour, glory and love
of our divine Lord Jesus,
and to thee,
the Holy and Immaculate
Mother of God.
Amen.

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, MARIAN QUOTES, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on HELL, QUOTES on Lukewarmness, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 14 July – St Bonaventure

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 July – St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church

“Since happiness is nothing else
than the enjoyment of the Supreme Good
and the Supreme Good is above us,
no-one can enjoy happiness,
unless he rises above himself.”

“Men do not fear a powerful hostile army,
as the powers of hell fear the name
and protection of Mary.”

“Although you feel tepid,
approach with confidence,
for the greater your infirmity,
the more you stand in need
of a physician!”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/07/14/quote-s-of-the-day-14-july-st-bonaventure-3/

St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, JESUIT SJ, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on PRIESTS, the PRIESTHOOD and CONSECRATED LIFE, QUOTES on WATCHING, St PAUL!, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The GOOD SHEPHERD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 July – ‘… The dispensers of the Mysteries of God. …’

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One Minute Reflection – 14 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church – Pentecost VIII – 2 Timothy 4:1-8 –Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:14

REFLECTION – “I shall always love and reverence the Apostles sent by Christ and their successors, in sowing the seed of the Gospel, those zealous and tireless co-operators in propagating the Word, who may justly say of themselves: Let a man so account of us as the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the Mysteries of God. For Christ, like a most watchful and most faithful householder, wished that the Gospel lamp should be lit by such ministers and delegates, with fire sent down from Heaven and once lit, should not be put under a measure but set upon a candlestick, so that it may spread its brightness far and wide and put to flight, all darkness and error, rife among both Jews and Gentiles.

Now it is not enough for the Gospel teacher to be a brilliant speaker in the eyes of the people; he must also be as a voice crying in the desert and endeavour, by his eloquence, to help many to lead good lives, lest, if he omit his duty of speaking, he be called the dumb dog that is not able to bark, spoken of by the prophet. Yes, he should also burn, in such a way, that, equipped with good works and love, he may adorn his evangelical office and follow the leadership of Paul. He indeed was not satisfied with bidding the Bishop of the Ephesians: This command and teach: conduct thyself in work as a good soldier of Christ Jesus but he unflaggingly preached the Gospel to friend and foe alike and, said with a good conscience to the Bishops gathered at Ephesus: You know how I have kept back nothing that was for your good but have declared it to you and taught you in public and from house to house, urging Jews and Gentiles to turn to God in repentance and to believe in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Such should be the shepherd in the Church who, like Paul, becomes all things to all men, so that the sick may find healing in him; the sad, joy; the desperate, hope; the ignorant, instruction; those in doubt, advice; the penitent, forgiveness and comfort and finally, everyone, whatever is necessary for salvation. And so Christ, when He wished to appoint the chief teachers of the world and of the Church, did not limit Himself to saying to His disciples: You are the light of the world but also added these words: A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a measure but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all who are in the house. Those churchmen err, who imagine that it is by brilliant preaching, rather than by holiness of life and all-embracing love, they fulfil their office.” – St Peter Canisius SJ (1521-1597) Doctor of the Church (Sermon excerpt).

PRAYER – O God, Who gave to Thy people, blessed Bonaventure, as a minister of salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we who cherished him on earth as a teacher of life, may be found worthy to have him as an intercessor in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in 7 GIFTS of the HOLY GHOST: Wisdom, Understanding, Prudence, Strength, Knowledge, Piety, Fear, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to THE HOLY GHOST, The HOLY GHOST

Our Morning Offering – 14 July – St Bonaventure’s Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Ghost

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Our Morning Offering – 14 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood”

Prayer for the Gifts
of the Holy Ghost
By St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

We beg the All-Merciful Father through Thee,
His Only-Begotten Son, made Man for our sake,
Crucified and Glorified for us,
to send upon us, from His treasure-house,
the Spirit of Sevenfold Grace,
Who rested upon Thee in all His fullness.

The Spirit of Wisdom,
enabling us to relish the fruit of the tree of life,
which is indeed Thyself.
The Gift of Understanding,
to enlighten our perceptions.
The Gift of Prudence,
enabling us to follow in Thine Footsteps.
The Gift of Strength,
to withstand our adversary’s onslaught.
The Gift of Knowledge,
to distinguish good from evil,
by the light of Thine holy teaching.
The Gift of Piety,
to clothe ourselves with charity and mercy.
The Gift of Fear,
to withdraw from all ill-doing
and live quietly in awe
of Thy Eternal Majesty.

These are the things for which we petition.
Grant them for the honour of Thy Holy Name,
to which, with the Father and the Holy Ghost,
be all honour and glory, thanksgiving, renown
and Lordship, forever and ever.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 June – ‘… This is the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price …’

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One Minute Reflection – 27 June – “The Month and the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Mother of Perpetual Succour – Within the Octave of St John the Baptist – Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19 – John 19:31-37 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… One of the soldiers opened His side with a lance and immediately there came forth blood and water. ” – John 19:34

REFLECTION – “Let us draw near to the Heart of our most sweet Lord Jesus and we shall be glad and rejoice in it. How good and how sweet it is to dwell in this Heart! This is the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price which we discover, O Jesus, when we dig in the field of Thy Body (cf Mt 13:44). Who, then, would cast aside this Pearl? Far from it! For It, I will give away all my goods and offer in exchange, all my concerns and affections. I will lay down all my cares in the Heart of Jesus, it is He Who will suffice for me and Who will, without fail, supply all I need to live on!

It is within this temple, this Holy of holies, this Ark of the Covenant, that I shall come to offer worship and praise to the Lord’s Name. “I have found a heart with which to pray to my God” said David (1 Ch 17:25). And I too have found the Heart of my Lord and King, my Brother and Friend. Shall I not pray to Him, then? Indeed I shall pray, for, I dare to say it – His Heart is all mine…

O Jesus, deign to receive and answer my prayer. Draw me wholly into Thine Heart. Although the deformity of my sins prevents me from entering in, yet, Thou can receive and purify me from my impurities since, through an incomprehensible Love, this Heart has expanded and opened wide. O most pure Jesus, wash me from my iniquities so that, purified by Thee, I may dwell in Thy Heart all the days of my life, to see and do Thy will. If Thine Side has been pierced, then it is so that our entrance there should be opened. If Thine Heart has been wounded, then it is so that, sheltered from outward distress, we can make our home within it. And, too, it is so that in this visible wound, we might see the invisible wound of Love.” – [Attrib] St Bonaventure (1221-1274) Franciscan, Doctor of the Church (editations on the Lord’s Passion 3).

PRAYER – God our Father, Thou opens the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven to those who are born again of water and the Holy Ghost. Increase the grace Thou hast given, so that the people who have been purified from all sin, may not forfeit the promised blessing of Thy love. Grant that we may ever keep Thy Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, before our eyes and do all in Him and through Him and for Him and may the prayers of our Mother of Perpetual Succour ever guide and bear us in her care! We make our pray through Christ, our Lord,who livest and reignest with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God forever, amen. (Collect).

Ejaculation:  My Lady and my Mother, remember, I am thine;
protect and defend me as thy property and possession.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, PENTECOST, PRAYERS to THE HOLY GHOST, QUOTES on PRAYER, The HOLY GHOST

Quote/s of the Day – 8 June – Pentecost Sunday

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Quote/s of the Day – 8 June – Pentecost Sunday

“He who abides in Me and I in Him,
the same bears much fruit”
John 5:5

“We are preserved in being, if we grow onto Him
and cling fast to the holy commandment,
which has been handed down to us
and, if we are eager to keep the blessing of nobility,
that is to say, if we never consent, in any way,
to “grieve the Holy Spirit” (Eph 4:30),
Who has come to dwell in us and, through Whom,
we believe, God has made His home in us. …
For just as the vine-stock supplies and distributes,
the virtue of its own inherent natural quality to the shoots,
so, too, the Only-Begotten Word of God,
implants, in His people, a sort of affinity
with His own nature and that of the Father.
By the gift of the Spirit, they are united with Him
by every kind of holiness.
He nourishes them, so that they become devout
and He moves them to knowledge of all virtue
and good works.”

“Virtues are formed by PRAYER.
PRAYER preserves temperance.
PRAYER suppresses anger.
PRAYER prevents emotions of pride and envy.
PRAYER draws the Holy Ghost, into the soul
and raises man to Heaven.”

Prayer for the Gifts
of the Holy Ghost
By St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

We beg the All-Merciful Father through Thee,
His Only-Begotten Son, made Man for our sake,
Crucified and Glorified for us,
to send upon us, from His treasure-house,
the Spirit of Sevenfold Grace,
Who rested upon Thee in all His fullness.

The Spirit of Wisdom,
enabling us to relish the fruit of the tree of life,
which is indeed Thyself.
The Gift of Understanding,
to enlighten our perceptions.
The Gift of Prudence,
enabling us to follow in Thine Footsteps.
The Gift of Strength,
to withstand our adversary’s onslaught.
The Gift of Knowledge,
to distinguish good from evil,
by the light of Thine holy teaching.
The Gift of Piety,
to clothe ourselves with charity and mercy.
The Gift of Fear,
to withdraw from all ill-doing
and live quietly in awe
of Thy Eternal Majesty.

These are the things for which we petition.
Grant them for the honour of Thy Holy Name,
to which, with the Father and the Holy Ghost,
be all honour and glory, thanksgiving, renown
and Lordship, forever and ever.
Amen

Posted in APRIL -MONTH of the RESURRECTION and the BLESSED SACAMENT, AUGUSTINIANS OSA, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, HOLY SATURDAY, HOLY WEEK, The PASSION, The RESURRECTION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 April – Lumen Christi – Deo Gratias!

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament – Holy Saturday – The Lord’s Vigil Mass of Easter – Matthew 28:1-7 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Today a great silence reigns on earth,
a great silence and a great stillness.
A great stillness because the King is asleep.
The earth trembled and is still
because God has fallen asleep in the flesh
and has raised up all who have slept,
since the world began…

I order you, O sleeper, to awake.
I did not create you to be a prisoner in hell.
Rise from the dead, for I am the Life of the dead.”

Ancient Christian Writer (ACW)

“He is not here.
For He is Risen, as He said.”
Matthew 28:6

“It was very necessary that Christ
should rise during the night because ,
His Resurrection has enlightened our darkness! …
Just as our faith,
strengthened by Christ’s Resurrection,
dispels all sleep, so this night,
lightened by our vigils, is filled with brightness.
He, Who has given us the glory of His Name (Ps 28:2)
has also illumined this night.
He to Whom we say “Thou lighten my darkness”
(Ps 18:28) sheds His brightness in our hearts.
Just as our dazzled eyes behold
these shining torches, so our enlightened spirits
enable us to see how luminous is this night,
this holy night in which our Lord
initiated, in His own flesh,
the Life which knows neither sleep nor death!”

“…He Slept,
so that We might be
Awakened,
He Died,
so that We might Live.”

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

“He enlightened our faith with proofs
and lifted up our hope with promises,
so as finally, to enkindle our love
with gifts from Heaven!”

St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, HOLY WEEK, HYMNS, LENT- 2025, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on DEATH

Our Morning Offering – 13 April – To Thee, O Jesus, Hosanna! By St Bonaventure

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Our Morning Offering – 13 April – Palm Sunday

To Thee, O Jesus, Hosanna!
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

To Thee, O Jesus,
do I turn, as my true and last end.
Thou art the River of Life
which alone can satisfy my thirst.
Without Thee, all else is barren and void.
Without all else, Thou alone art enough for me.
Thou art the Redeemer of those who are lost,
the sweet Consoler of the sorrowful,
the Crown of Glory of the victors,
the recompense of the Blessed.
One day I hope to receive of Thy Fullness
and to sing the song of praise, in my true home.
Give me only on earth, some few drops of consolation
and I will patiently await Thy Coming,
when I hope to enter into the joy of my Lord.
Hosanna!

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD is LOVE, HOLY WEEK, LENT- 2025, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for SEASONS, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of PETITION, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS on the CROSS of CHRIST, PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYERS, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Our Morning Offering – 10 April – O Holy Lord!

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Our Morning Offering – 10 April – Thursday in Passion Week

O Holy Lord!
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

O Holy Lord,
Father Almighty, Everlasting God,
for the sake of Thy bounty
and that of Thy Son,
Who for me,
endured suffering and death;
for the sake of the most excellent
holiness of His Mother
and the merits of all His Saints,
grant unto me, a sinner,
unworthy of Thy blessings,
that I may love Thee only,
may ever thirst for Thy love,
may have continually, in my heart,
the benefits of the Passion of Thy Beloved Son,
may acknowledge my own wretchedness
and, may desire to be trampled upon
and to be despised by all men.
Let nothing grieve me,
save my guilt!
Amen

Posted in CHRIST, the BRIDEGROOM, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 8 April – “The Jews sought to kill Him.” – John 7:1

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One Minute Reflection – 8 April – “The Month of the Resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament” – Tuesday in Passion Week – Ferial Day – Daniel 14:27-42 – John 7:1-13 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The Jews sought to kill Him.” – John 7:1

REFLECTION – “I am the true vine,” Jesus says (Jn 15:1)… People dig trenches around this vine; that is to say, cunningly dig traps. When they plot to make someone fall into a snare. it is as if they dug a pit in front of Him. That is why He mourns about it, saying: “They have dug a pit before Me” (Ps 56:7)…

However, they discovered that these traps caused no harm to the vine. To the contrary, in digging these pits, they themselves fell into them (Ps 56:7)… Then they kept on digging – not just His Hands and His Feet (Ps 21:17) but they pierced His Side with a lance (Jn 19:34) and uncovered the interior of that Sacred Heart, which had already been wounded by the spear of love. The Bridegroom says in the song of His love that: “You have wounded my heart, my sister, my spouse” (Sg 4:9 Vg.). O Lord Jesus, Thine Heart has been wounded with love by Thy spouse, Thy friend, Thy sister. Why, then, was it necessary for Thy enemies to wound Thee again?  O you enemies, what are You doing?… Do You not know that this Heart of our Lord Jesus, already pierced, is already dead, already open and cannot be touched by any other suffering? The Heart of the Bridegroom, our Lord Jesus, has already received the wound of love, the death of love. What other death could touch Him?… The martyrs also laugh when they are threatened, rejoice when they are struck, triumph, when they are killed. Why? Because they have already died through love in their hearts, “dead to sin” (Rm 6:2) and to the world!

Thus Jesus’ Heart has been wounded and put to death for our sake… Physical death triumphed for a moment but only to be conquered forever. It was blotted out when Christ rose from the dead because “death has no power over Him anymore” (Rm 6:9). – St Bonaventure (1221-1274) Doctor of the Church (The Mystical Vine, ch. 3, § 5-10).

PRAYER – O Lord, we beseech Thee, make holy our fasting and graciously lavish forgiveness upon us, for all our sins. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, LENT, LENT- 2025, QUOTES on MEDIOCRITY, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The SACRED PASSION - Meditations for LENT

Lenten Meditations – 5 March – Preface and Introduction by St Bonaventure

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Lenten Meditations – 5 March – With Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)

“The Sacred Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”
“Short Meditations for Lent”
From “The Devout Year”
By Fr Richard Frederick Clarke SJ (1839-1900)”

PREFACE

THERE is no subject of meditation more pleasing to God and more profitable to the soul, than the Passion of Jesus Christ. It containswithin itself, all sweetness It is the remedy for every evil; the food which nourishes the soul. It is continued still in the Blessed Eucharist and every Mass, is a representation and renewal of the Sacred Passion. It is a subject always in season but especially during the holy time of Lent.
These Meditations deal with some of the main incidents of Our Lord’s Sacred Passion. They are intended to be begun on Ash Wednesday and to end on Holy Saturday.
A few verses of Scripture are suggested to be read before each meditation, as furnishing the subject – matter of
which it treats.

Introduction – How to Meditate on the Passion

St Bonaventure tells us, if we desire to meditate with fruit on the Passion of Jesus Christ, three conditions are necessary. Our meditation must be
+1. HUMBLE – for the Passion is unlike anything else in the world, it is unfathomable to human reason; it is a bottomless ocean of mystery. Reason must bow its head and confess its inability to grasp the Mysteries which even Faith sees only darkly and through a glass. The story of Christ’s humiliation, is to the proud, a sealed book; they see nothing attractive in it. Christ suffering, has no beauty that they should admire Him. I must, therefore, begin by praying for
humility.

+2. FULL of CONFIDENCE – since the Passion is the source of all our confidence. It is the proof of the exceeding Love wherewith Christ loved us.
How can I fear, with the sight before me, of Christ suffering for love of me? It is, too , a medicine for every possible evil, for every temptation for every sin, whatever the malady of my soul –the Passion of Christ can cure it.
At the Foot of the Cross, each mortal wound will be made whole!

+3. PERSEVERANCE – the beauty of the Passion does not appear all at once.
The world considers it a degradation, the careless and the indifferent. pass it by unmoved; even the faithful Christian scarcely penetrates beneath the surface of that Divine Mystery, unless he prays earnestly and continually, to appreciate it. Only gradually and by degrees, are we drawn by the Sacred attractiveness of the Cross
Before I begin my meditations, I must ask God for this spirit of humility, confidence, persistence!

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 25 February – “The seed is the Word of God. ” – Luke 8:11

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One Minute Reflection – 25 February – “The Month of the Blessed Trinity” – Ferial Day – Sexagesima Week – 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9; – Luke 8:4-15 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“The seed is the Word of God. ” – Luke 8:11

REFLECTION – “The origins of Scripture are not to be found through human research but, in the Divine Revelation coming from the “Father of Lights” “from whom every family in Heaven and on earth, is named” (Jas 1:17; Eph 3:15). From Him, through His Son Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost is poured out upon us. Faith has been given to us through the Holy Ghost, sharing and distributing His gifts to each of us, according to His Will (Heb 2:4) and, “through faith, Christ dwells in our hearts” (Eph 3:17). From this, knowledge of Jesus Christ flows, as from its source, both strength and understanding of the whole of Sacred Scripture. It is impossible, therefore, to enter into a knowledge of Scripture without first of all, possessing an infused faith in Christ, as the Light, doorway and foundation of all Scripture …

The end, or fruit, of Sacred Scripture is not without purpose; it is the fullness of life eternal. For in Scripture are to be found “the Words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68). It has been written, therefore, not only that we might believe in but that, we might also possess the eternal life in which we shall see and love and our desires will be wholly satisfied. Then, when our desires have been satisfied, we shall truly know “the love which surpasses knowledge” and so, we shall be “filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:19). It is to this fullness, Scripture tries to introduce us and, it is to this end, with this intention, Scripture ought to be studied, taught and understood.” – St Bonaventure (1221-1274) Franciscan, Doctor of the Church (Breviloquium, Prologue 2-5).

PRAYER – O God, Thou Who sees how we are deprived of all strength, guard us inwardly and outwardly that in body, we may be protected against all misfortunes and in mind, cleansed of evil thoughts and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, be assisted on this earthly pilgrimage. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in CATECHESIS, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HAPPINESS, QUOTES on PURITY, QUOTES on THE WORLD, St PAUL!, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 February – Running the Race

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Quote/s of the Day – 19 February – – Ferial Day – Septuagesima – 1 Corinthians 9,24-27.10; 1-5 – Matthew 20,1-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Know you not that they,
who run in the race,
all run indeed but one receiveth the prize?
So run that you may obtain.”

St Paul – 1 Corinthians 9:24

“What determines that the gifts of God dwells in us,
is the measure of each one’s faith.
Because, it is to the extent that we believe
that the enthusiasm to act is given us.
And so, those who act,
reveal the measure of their faith
proportionate to their action,
they receive their measure of grace
according to what they have believed. …”

St Maximus the Confessor (c580-662)
Father of the Church

“Since happiness is nothing else
than the enjoyment of the Supreme Good
and the Supreme Good is above us,
no-one can enjoy happiness,
unless he rises above himself.”

St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Franciscan Seraphic Doctor of the Church

“Be brave and try to detach your heart
from worldly things.
Do your utmost to banish darkness
from your mind and come to understand
what true, selfless piety is.
Through confession, endeavour
to purify your heart of anything
which may still taint it.
Enliven your faith which is essential
to understand and achieve piety.”

St John Bosco (1815-1888)

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, OUR Cross, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, St Francis de Sales, The HOLY CROSS, The MOST HOLY REDEEMER, Our SAVIOUR, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 December – ‘ … Give your attention to true abandonment … ‘

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Quote/s of the Day – 16 December – 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; Matthew 16:24-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“For he who will save his life, will lose it
and he who will lose his life
for My sake, will find it. ”

Matthew 16:25

“He who findeth his life, shall lose it
and he, who shall lose his life for Me,
shall find it. ”
Matthew 10:39

“My dear child, accept this cross from God and bear it –
it will turn into a truly lovable cross,
if you would hand these trials over to God,
accept them from Him with true abandonment
and thank God for them:
“My soul magnifies the Lord”
in everything (cf Lk 1:46).
Whether God takes or gives, the Son of Man
must be raised up on the Cross …
Dear child, leave all that behind;
rather, give your attention to true abandonment …
and think about accepting to bear
the cross of temptation, rather than going
in search of spiritual sweetness …
Our Lord has said: “If anyone wishes to come after Me,
let him take up his cross and follow Me” (Lk 9:23).”

Fr JohannesTauler OP (c1300-1361)
Dominican Priest and Friar,
renowned Preacher and Theologian

“Since happiness is nothing else
than the enjoyment of the Supreme Good
and the Supreme Good is above us,
no-one can enjoy happiness,
unless he rises above himself.”

St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

“My soul, live henceforward
amid the scourges and the thorns
of thy Saviour and there,
as a nightingale in its bush, sing sweetly:
Live Jesus, Who didst die
that my soul might live!
Ah, Eternal Father!
What can the world return Thee
for the gift Thou hast made it of Thy only Son?
Alas! to redeem a thing so vile as I,
the Saviour delivered Himself to death
and, unhappy me!
I hesitate to surrender my nothingness to Him,
Who has given me everything!”

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritas

Posted in CARMELITES, franciscan OFM, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, QUOTES on MYSTERIES of our FAITH, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, SACRED HEART PRAYERS, SACRED HEART QUOTES, SACRED HEART REFLECTIONS, The HEART, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN

Quote/s of the Day – 2 December –That precious pearl, that treasure …

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 December – St Bibiana (Died c 361) Virgin Martyr – Sirach 51:13-17; Matthew 13:44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Jesus said in parables:
The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure,
hidden in a field. … Again, the Kingdom of Heaven
is like unto a merchant seeking good pearls. ”

Matthew 13:44, 45

“Do you possess a pearl?
Then you know your wealth, it is clenched
in the palm of your hand,
no-one is aware of your fortune.
So it is with the Gospel, if you embrace it with faith,
if it remains enclosed in your heart,
what a treasure you have
You alone know it is there.
Unbelievers, who know neither what it is,
nor what value it has, have no idea
of your incredible wealth!”

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

“Let us draw near to the Heart
of our most sweet Lord Jesus
and we shall be glad and rejoice in it.
How good and how sweet it is to dwell in this Heart!
This is the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price
which we discover, O Jesus, when we dig
in the field of Thy Body (cf Mt 13:44).
Who, then, would cast aside this Pearl?
Far from it! For It, I will give away all my goods
and offer in exchange, all my concerns and affections.
I will lay down all my cares in the Heart of Jesus,
it is He Who will suffice for me and Who will,
without fail, supply all I need to live on!”

St Bonaventure (1221-1274) [Attrib]
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

“It is above all, the Gospel
which supports me during my prayer.
There, I find all which
my poor little soul needs.
There, I always discover new lights,
hidden and mysterious meaning.
… Just when I need it, I discover lights
which I had not seen before.”

St Thérèse of the Child Jesus (1873-1897)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the SUN of JUSTICE, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, franciscan OFM, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on ALMS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on STRENGTH, QUOTES on the POOR, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, SELF-DISTRUST, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WILL of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 17 September – St Francis of Assisi

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Quote/s of the Day – 17 September – The Commutation of the Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi

“Alms are an inheritance
and a justice
which is due to the poor
and which Jesus has levied upon us!”

“Lord, help me to live this day,
quietly, easily.
To lean upon Thy great strength,
trustfully, restfully.
To wait for the unfolding of Thy will,
patiently, serenely.
To meet others,
peacefully, joyously.
To face tomorrow,
confidently, courageously.”

St Frances of Assisi (c1181-1226)

“In beautiful things
St Francis saw Beauty itself
and through His vestiges
imprinted on creation,
he followed his Beloved everywhere,
making, from all things,
a ladder, by which he could climb up
and embrace Him, Who is utterly desirable.”

St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

“All the brothers should strive to follow
the humility and the poverty of our Lord Jesus Christ …
And they must rejoice when they live among people
who are considered to be of little worth
and who are looked down upon,
among the poor and the powerless,
the sick and the lepers and the beggars by the wayside.
And when it may be necessary,
let them go to seek alms.
And they should not be ashamed
but rather recall that our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Son of the living and all-powerful God …
was a poor man and a transient and lived on alms,
He and the Blessed Virgin and His disciples.”

(Earlier Rule, #8-9).

“Be strengthened in Almighty God
and in the power of His might,
for with His help, nothing is difficult.
Throw off the heavy load of your own will,
cast aside the burden of sin
and gird yourselves as valiant warriors!
Forget what you are leaving behind;
strain forward to the great things before you.
I tell you that every place where you set foot,
shall be yours.
For the Spirit, Who goes before your face
is Christ the Lord.
He will carry you to the topmost peak
in the arms of His Love.”

Prayer in Praise of God
By St Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226)

Thou art Holy, Lord, the only God
and Thine Deeds art wonderful.
Thou art Strong.
Thou art Great.
Thou art the Most High.
Thou art Almighty.
Thou, Holy Father art King of Heaven and earth.
Thou art Three and One, Lord God, all Good.
Thou art Good, all Good, Supreme Good,
Lord God, Living and True.
Thou art Love. Thou art Wisdom.
Thou art Humility. Thou art Endurance.
Thou art Rest. Thou art Peace.
Thou art Joy and Gladness.
Thou art Justice and Moderation.
Thou art all our Riches and Thou art Suffice for us.
Thou art Beauty. Thou art Gentleness.
Thou art our Protector.
Thou art our Guardian and Defender.
Thou art our Courage.
Thou art our Haven and our Hope.
Thou art our Faith, our great Consolation.
Thou art our Eternal Life,
Great and Wonderful Lord, God Almighty,
Merciful Saviour.
Amen

Posted in AUGUST - The Immaculate Heart of Mary, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, IMMACULATE HEART Quotes, INDULGENCES, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MARIAN TITLES, MARY, MATER ECCLESIAE, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, MOTHER of GOD, Prayers to the SORROWFUL MOTHER, QUOTES on MOTHERHOOD, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SACRED and IMMACULATE HEARTS, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS, The HEART, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION

Quote/s of the Day – 15 September – The Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin

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Quote/s of the Day – 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

“The glorious Virgin paid our ransom
as a courageous woman who loved
with the compassionate love of Christ.
In Saint John it is said:
“When a woman is in labour she is sad
that her time has come.” (Jn 16:21)
The Blessed Virgin did not feel the pain
which precedes childbirth
because she did not conceive following
the sin of Eve, against whom the curse was spoken.
She felt her pain later –
she gave birth under the Cross!
Other women know bodily pain,
she felt that of the heart.
Others suffer from physical change;
she, from compassion and love.”

St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

“Bid me bear, O Mother Blest,
On my heart, the wounds imprest,
Suffered by the Crucified!

An Indulgence of 50 days each time.
Plenary Indulgence once a month
under the usual conditions.

“The heart of Mary became,
as it were, a mirror of the
Passion of the Son,
in which might be seen,
faithfully reflected,
the spitting, the blows and wounds
and all which Jesus suffered.”

St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/09/15/quote-s-of-the-day-15-september-our-sorrowful-mother/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN TITLES, MOTHER of GOD, QUEENSHIP of MARY, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, The HOLY NAME of MARY, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 13 September – Our Mother of Grace!

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Quote/s of the Day – 13 September – Our Mother of Grace!

“Mary, Mother of Grace,
it becomes you to be mindful of us,
as you stand near Him who granted you
all graces, for you are the Mother of God
and our Queen.
Help us for the sake of the King,
the Lord God and Master,
Who was born of you.”

St Athanasius (297-373)
Father & Doctor of the Church

“Today humanity, in all the radiance
of her Immaculate nobility,
receives its ancient beauty.
The shame of sin
had darkened the splendour
and attraction of human nature
but when the Mother
of the Fair One par excellence,
is born, this nature again,
regains in her person,
its ancient privileges
and is fashioned according to a perfect model,
truly worthy of God….
The reform of our nature begins today
and the aged world,
subjected to a wholly divine transformation,
receives the first fruits of the second creation.”

St Andrew of Crete (c 650-c 740)
Bishop, Theologian, Hymnist

“Thy name, O Mary,
cannot be pronounced
without bringing some grace
to him who devoutly does so!”

St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

“The devils fear the Queen of Heaven,
to such a degree that only on hearing
her great name pronounced,
they fly from him who does so,
as from a burning fire!”

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, MARIAN PRAYERS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Prayers to the SORROWFUL MOTHER, SEPTEMBER-The SEVEN SORROWS of MARY and The HOLY CROSS

Our Morning Offering – 2 September – To Our Lady of Sorrows By St Bonaventure

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Our Morning Offering – 2 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross”

To Our Lady of Sorrows
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

O most holy Virgin,
Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the overwhelming grief thou experienced
when thou witnessed the Martyrdom,
the Crucifixion and the Death,
of Thy Divine Son,
look upon me, with eyes of compassion
and awaken in my heart,
a tender commiseration for those sufferings
and a sincere detestation of my sins,
in order that,
being disengaged from all undue affection
for the passing joys of this earth,
I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem
and that, henceforward, all my thoughts
and all my actions may be directed
towards this one most desirable object,
the honour, glory and love
of our divine Lord Jesus,
and to thee,
the Holy and Immaculate
Mother of God.
Amen.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, MATER DOLOROSA - Mother of SORROWS, MOTHER of GOD, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on MOTHERHOOD, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 August – ‘ … Other women know bodily pain, she felt that of the heart. …’ St Bonaventure

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One Minute Reflection – 22 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary”and the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Octave Day of the Assumption – Ecclesiasticus 24:23-31; John 19:25-27 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Behold, thy mother” – John 19:27

REFLECTION – “The glorious Virgin paid our ransom as a courageous woman who loved with the compassionate love of Christ. In Saint John it is said: “When a woman is in labour she is sad that her time has come.” (Jn 16:21) The Blessed Virgin did not feel the pain which precedes childbirth because she did not conceive following the sin of Eve, against whom the curse was spoken. She felt her pain later – she gave birth under the Cross! Other women know bodily pain, she felt that of the heart. Others suffer from physical change; she, from compassion and love.

The Blessed Virgin paid our ransom as a courageous woman who loved the world and, above all the christian people, with merciful love. “Can a mother forget her infant or be without tenderness for the child of her womb?” (Isa 49:15) This can make us understand – the entire Christian people has come forth from the womb of the glorious Virgin! What a loving Mother we have! Let us take our Mother as our model and, let us follow her in her love. She had compassion for souls, to such an extent that she counted all material loss and every physical suffering as nothing. “(We) have been purchased … at a great price!” (1 Cor 6:20) – St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Franciscan, Cardinal Bishop of Albano, Theologian, Minister General of the Franciscans, Seraphic Doctor of the Church (The Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost – Conference VI, 15-21).

PRAYER – Almighty, everlasting God, Who in the Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, prepared a dwelling place worthy of the Holy Ghost, graciously grant, that we, who are devoutly keeping the Feast of her Immaculate Heart, may be able to live according to Thy Heart. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, MARIAN TITLES, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, To JESUS through MARY

Quote/s of the Day – 27 July – Mother of Mercy

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Quote/s of the Day – 27 July – Our Lady Mother of Mercy and Mary’s Saturday

“She is Virgin and Mother,
what will she not be hereafter?
Holy in body, all beautiful in soul,
pure of mind, upright in intelligence,
perfect in feeling, chaste and faithful,
pure of heart and filled with virtue.
… Mary is the new tree of life who,
instead of the bitter fruit picked by Eve,
gives to mankind that sweet fruit
on which the whole world is fed!”

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

“I want, very much, to have a little house
built here for me, in which I will show Him,
I will exalt Him and make Him manifest.
I will give Him to the people
in all my personal love,
in my compassion,
in my help, in my protection
because, I am truly your merciful Mother,
yours and all the people who live
united in this land and of all the other people
of different ancestries, my lovers,
who love me, those who seek me,
those who trust in me.”

Our Lady of Guadalupe
to Juan Diego
1531

Mother of Mercy
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Serpahic Doctor

Virgin full of goodness,
Mother of Mercy,
I entrust to thee my body and soul,
my thoughts, my actions,
my life and my death.
O my Queen, help me,
and deliver me from all
the snares of the devil.
Obtain for me the grace
of loving my Lord Jesus Christ,
thy Son,
with a true and perfect love,
and after Him, O Mary,
to love thee with all my heart
and above all things.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CHASTITY, QUOTES on CREATION, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The HEART

Quote/s of the Day – 14 July – St Bonaventure

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Quote/s of the Day – 14 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church

“As “pride is the beginning of all sin,”
(Eccl. 10:15)
so humility is the foundation of all virtue.
Learn to be really humble and not,
as the hypocrite, humble merely in appearance.”

“When we pray,
the voice of the heart
must be heard ,
more than that proceeding
from the mouth.”

“The best perfection of a religious man,
is to do common things,
in a perfect manner.
A constant fidelity, in small things,
is a great and heroic virtue.”

“Every creature is a Divine Word
because it proclaims God.”

“Chastity without charity
is a lamp without oil.”

“In beautiful things
St Francis saw Beauty itself
and through His vestiges
imprinted on creation,
he followed his Beloved everywhere,
making, from all things,
a ladder, by which he could climb up
and embrace Him, Who is utterly desirable.”

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/07/14/quote-s-of-the-day-14-july-st-bonaventure-2/

St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, franciscan OFM, HOLY COMMUNION, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 14 July – My Lord, I am Unworthy! Prayer before Holy Communion By St Bonaventure

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Our Morning Offering – 14 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Pentecost VIII – St Bonaventure OFM (1221-1274) Seraphic Doctor of the Church

My Lord, I am Unworthy!
Prayer before Holy Communion
By St Bonaventure (1217-1274)
Seraphic Doctor of the Church

My Lord,
Who art Thou
and who am I,
that I should dare to take Thee
into my body and soul?
A thousand years
of penance and tears,
would not be sufficient
to make me worthy to receive,
so Royal a Sacrament even once!
How much more am I unworthy of it,
who fall into sin daily,
I, the incorrigible,
who approach Thee so often
without due preparation!
Nevertheless, Thy mercy
infinitely surpasses my unworthiness.
Therefore, I make bold
to receive this Sacrament,
trusting in Thy love.
Amen

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 July – ‘ … Christ signifies King, Jesus signifies Saviour. …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 11 July – St Pius I, Pope (Died c 154) Martyr – 1 Peter 5:1-4; 5:10-11, Matthew 16:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:16

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

1 Peter 5:10-11

“Wake up then, believer
and note what is stated here:
“In My Name.”
That [Name] is Christ Jesus.
Christ signifies King, Jesus signifies Saviour.
Therefore, whatever we ask for
that would hinder our salvation,
we do not ask in our Saviour’s Name
and yet, He is our Saviour,
not only when He does what we ask
but also, when He does not.
When He sees us ask anything
to the disadvantage of our salvation,
He shows Himself our Saviour by not doing it.
The physician knows
whether what the sick person asks for,
is to the advantage or disadvantage of his health.
And [the physician] does not allow
what would be harmful to him,
although the sick person himself, desires it.
But the physician looks to his final cure.”

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

“The Kingdom of Heaven, says the Gospel,
is like a mustard seed …
Christ is the Kingdom of Heaven!
Sown like a mustard seed
in the garden of the Virgin’s womb,
He grew up into the Tree of the Cross,
whose branches,
stretch across the world …
Christ is the Kingdom
because all the glory of His Kingdom,
is within Him.
Christ is a Man
because all humanity is restored in Him.
Christ is a Mustard Seed
because the infinitude of Divine greatness,
is accommodated to
the littleness of flesh and blood!”

St Peter Chrysologus (c 400-450)
“Golden Words”
Father & Doctor of the Church

“May Christ be heard in our language,
may Christ be seen in our life,
may He be perceived in our hearts”

St Peter Damian (1007-1072)
Doctor of the Church

“He is the origin of all wisdom.
The Word of God in the heights,
is the source of wisdom.
Christ is the source of all true knowledge,
for He is “the way, the truth and the life.” (Jn 14:6). …
As way, Christ is the teacher
and origin of knowledge …
Without this Light,
which is Christ,
no-one can penetrate
the secrets of faith.”

St Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Seraphic Doctor

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, franciscan OFM, GOD ALONE!, GOD is LOVE, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FORGIVENESS, QUOTES on SIN, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 14 June – ‘… This is the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price …’

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 14 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and the Octave Day of the Sacred Heart – Ephesians 3:8-12, 14-19, John 19:31-37 – – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“… One of the soldiers opened His side with a lance and immediately there came forth blood and water. ” – John 19:34

REFLECTION – “Let us draw near to the Heart of our most sweet Lord Jesus and we shall be glad and rejoice in it. How good and how sweet it is to dwell in this Heart! This is the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price which we discover, O Jesus, when we dig in the field of Thy Body (cf Mt 13:44). Who, then, would cast aside this Pearl? Far from it! For It, I will give away all my goods and offer in exchange, all my concerns and affections. I will lay down all my cares in the Heart of Jesus, it is He Who will suffice for me and Who will, without fail, supply all I need to live on!

It is within this temple, this Holy of holies, this Ark of the Covenant, that I shall come to offer worship and praise to the Lord’s Name. “I have found a heart with which to pray to my God” said David (1 Ch 17:25). And I too have found the Heart of my Lord and King, my Brother and Friend. Shall I not pray to Him, then? Indeed I shall pray, for, I dare to say it – His Heart is all mine…

O Jesus, deign to receive and answer my prayer. Draw me wholly into Thine Heart. Although the deformity of my sins prevents me from entering in, yet, Thou can receive and purify me from my impurities since, through an incomprehensible Love, this Heart has expanded and opened wide. O most pure Jesus, wash me from my iniquities so that, purified by Thee, I may dwell in Thy Heart all the days of my life, to see and do Thy will. If Thine Side has been pierced, then it is so that our entrance there should be opened. If Thine Heart has been wounded, then it is so that, sheltered from outward distress, we can make our home within it. And, too, it is so that in this visible wound, we might see the invisible wound of Love.” – [Attrib] St Bonaventure (1221-1274) Franciscan, Doctor of the Church (editations on the Lord’s Passion 3).

PRAYER – We beseech Thee, O Lord, hear our prayers which we offer on the festival of blessed Basil, Thy Confessor and Bishop and through his intercessory merits, who had the grace to serve Thee worthily, absolve us from all our sins. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

MAY the Heart of JESUS in the most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the Tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. – Indulgence 100 Days, Once a Day. Raccolta 161 Pius IX, 29 February 1868.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, franciscan OFM, Lady POVERTY, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on POVERTY, SACRED HEART ASPIRATIONS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 10 June – The pearl of great price

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 10 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – Within the Octave of the Sacred Heart – St Margaret of Scotland (1045-1093) Widow – Proverbs 31:10-31; Matthew 13,44-52 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, … sold all that he had and bought it.” – Matthew 13:46

REFLECTION – “Among the gifts of grace which Francis received from God the generous Giver, he merited, as a special privilege, to grow in the riches of simplicity through his love of the highest poverty. The holy man saw that poverty was the close companion of the Son of God and now that it was rejected by the whole world, he was eager to espouse it in everlasting love. For the sake of poverty, he not only left his father and mother but also gave away everything he had. No -one was so greedy for gold, as he was for poverty; nor was anyone so anxious, to guard his treasure, as he was in guarding this pearl of the Gospel.

In this, especially, would his sight be offended, if he saw in the friars, anything which did not accord completely with poverty. Indeed, from the beginning of his religious life until his death, his only riches were a tunic, a cord and underclothes and, with this much, he was content. He used to frequently call to mind with tears the poverty of Jesus Christ and his mother, claiming that it was the queen of the virtues because, it shone forth so preeminently in the King of kings (1Tm 6:15) and in the Queen, His Mother.

When the Friars asked him at a gathering what virtue does more to make one a friend of Christ, he replied as if opening the hidden depths of his heart: “Know, brothers, that poverty is the special way to salvation, as the stimulus of humility and the root of perfection, whose fruit is manifold but hidden. This is the Gospel’s treasure “hidden in a field” (Mt 13:44); to buy this, we should sell everything and, in comparison to this, we should spurn everything we cannot sell.” – St Bonaventure (1221-1274) Franciscan, Doctor of the Church (Life of Saint Francis).

PRAYER – O God, Who made blessed Queen Margaret glorious by her remarkable charity toward the poor; grant, by her intercession and example that Thy charity may continually increase in our hearts. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

ALL PRAISE, honour and glory to the Divine Heart of JESUS. Indulgenced– 50 Days, once a day. 168 Pope Leo XIII, 14 June 1901.