Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on HOPE, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 27 November – But he who shall persevere to the end,he shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

Quote/s of the Day – 27 November – “The Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory” –Ferial of the Last Sunday after Pentecost – Colossians 1:9-14; Matthew 24:15-35 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Tell us when shall these things be?
and what shall be the sign of Thy Coming
and of the consummation of the world
? ”

Matthew 24:3

But he who shall persevere
to the end,
he shall be saved.

Matthew 24:13

They will see the Son of Man
coming in the clouds of Heaven
with much power and majesty.

Matthew 24:30

It is written, ‘God is not mocked.’ (Gal 6: 7)
Indeed, God cannot be mocked,
nor circumvented, nor deluded
by any man’s astute deceit. …
Let each of you, then, I beg you, brethren,
confess his fault while the sinner is yet in this world,
while Confession is still possible,
while the satisfaction and remission
granted by the Priests,
is still acceptable to God
!”

St Cyprian of Carthage (c200-258)
Martyr, Bishop of Carthage,
Father of the Church

Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope.
Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping,
so that the God of all the universe,
as He beholds our intention,
may cleanse us from all sins,
fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand
and grant us the change of heart which saves.
God has called you and you have your calling
!”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", ADVENT, CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on PATIENCE, The DIVINE INFANT, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The LAST THINGS, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 November – ‘ …Now then, we do not just rest only on His first advent but look forward to His second too …’

One Minute Reflection – 27 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal – Feria of the Last Sunday after Pentecost – Colossians 1:9-14; Matthew 24:15-35 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

They will see the Son of man coming in the clouds of Heaven with much power and majesty.” – Matthew 24:30

REFLECTION – “We do not preach only one advent of Christ but a second also, far more glorious than the first. For the first gave us a glimpse of His patience but the second brings with it, the Crown of a Divine Kingdom… In His former advent, He was wrapped in swaddling clothes in the manger; in His second, “He covers Himself with Light as with a garment” (Ps 103:2). In His first coming, He endured the Cross, despising shame (Heb 12:2); in His second, He comes attended by a host of Angels, receiving glory.

Now then, we do not just rest only on His first advent but look forward to His second too, when, meeting our Master with the Angels, we may worship Him and say: “Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord” (Mt 21:9). The Saviour will come, not to be judged again but to judge those who judged Him … He came the first time because of a Divine dispensation, teaching people with persuasion but on that day, they will of necessity have Him for their King.” – St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387) Bishop of Jerusalem, Father and Doctor of the Church (Catechetical lectures 15, 1).

PRAYER – O God, Who, by the message of an Angel, willed to take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant that we, Thy suppliants, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with You. 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, FATHERS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PURGATORY

Thought for the Day – 3 November – The Pain of Purgatory

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

The Pain of Purgatory

“The Tradition of the Fathers and the ordinary teaching of the Church, describe the pains of Purgatory in such a fashion, that they should prompt us to avoid even the smallest sin, not only because it is an offence against the most amiable God but also because, it will be severely punished by Him.
This teaching, moreover, should move us to pity for the poor suffering souls, who are enduring such torments.

St Cyril of Jerusalem states, that the sum total of the sufferings of this world, is nothing in comparison to the sufferings of Purgatory.
He adds, moreover, that the pain of Purgatory is equal to the severity of the torments of Hell; the only difference is that the latter are everlasting, whereas the former, will have an end.
St Athanasius assures us that the least pang of suffering in Purgatory, is sharper than all the torments which it is possible to undergo on earth.
Moreover he adds, in comparison with the fire which afflicts the suffering souls, earthly fire is hardly even real!
St Bede the Venerable tells us, that even if we could imagine all the tortures to which tyrants subjected the Martyrs, such as iron hooks, red-hot pincers, roasting gridirons and boiling pitch, we should still have failed to form any idea of the pains of Purgatory!

But what is the reason for such severe torments?
It is that God loves these souls and desires that they be purified of sins, as soon as possible and be made worthy of infinite happiness.

The fires of Purgatory are nourished by a twofold love – the love of God, Who desires the purification of souls and, the love of these souls, who desire to expiate their faults in order to become worthy of being united to Him forever.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 19 September – But he who shall persevere to the end,he shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

Quote/s of the Day – 19 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – St Januarius of Naples (Died c304) Confessor, Bishop, Martyr and his Martyred Companions – Hebrews 10:32-38 – Matthew 24:3-13 – cripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Tell us when shall these things be?
and what shall be the sign of Thy Coming
and of the consummation of the world
? ”

Matthew 24:3

But he who shall persevere
to the end,
he shall be saved.

Matthew 24:13

It is written, ‘God is not mocked.’ (Gal 6: 7)
Indeed, God cannot be mocked,
nor circumvented, nor deluded
by any man’s astute deceit. …
Let each of you, then, I beg you, brethren,
confess his fault while the sinner is yet in this world,
while Confession is still possible,
while the satisfaction and remission
granted by the Priests,
is still acceptable to God
!”

St Cyprian of Carthage (c200-258)
Martyr, Bishop of Carthage,
Father of the Church

Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope.
Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping,
so that the God of all the universe,
as He beholds our intention,
may cleanse us from all sins,
fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand
and grant us the change of heart which saves.
God has called you and you have your calling
!”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, Quotes on SALVATION, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 26 July – St Anne, through her constant prayer …

Quote/s of the Day – 26 July – St Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Grandmother of Jesus.

St Anne, through her constant prayer,
received, the Mother of God
and then, became the Grandmother of God!

Let my prayer come
like incense before Thee, O Lord.

Psalm 140:2

Then Jesus answering, said to her:
O woman, great is thy faith!
be it done to thee as thou desire
and her daughter was cured from that hour.”

Matthew 15:28

Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope.
Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping,
so that the God of all the universe,
as He beholds our intention,
may cleanse us from all sins,
fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand
and grant us the change of heart which saves.
God has called you and you have your calling
!”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

The greater and more persistent
your confidence in God,
the more abundantly
you will receive,
all you ask for.

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

Show the great love
you have for Jesus,
by being eager
to talk with Him in prayer.”

St John Baptiste de la Salle (1651-1719)

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Quote on SELF-ABANDONMENT, QUOTES on ETERNAL LIFE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, The HOLY NAME, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 25 June – For My Name’s sake,shall receive a hundredfold …

Quote/s of the Day – 25 June – Ecclesiasticus 45:1-6 – Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

And everyone who has left house,
or brethren, or sisters, or father,
or mother, or wife, or children, or lands
for My Name’s sake,
shall receive a hundredfold
and shall possess life everlasting.

Matthew 19:29

Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope.
Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping,
so that the God of all the Universe,
as He beholds our intention,
may cleanse us from all sins,
fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand
and grant us the change of heart which saves.
God has called you and you have your calling
!”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

The one who walks in the love of God
seeks neither gain nor reward
but seeks only, with the will,
to lose self and all things, for God
and this loss, the lover judges to be a gain!
 ”

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in CONFESSORS, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, LENT- 2025, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE

Quote/s of the Day – 16 February – Septuagesima Sunday

Quote/s of the Day – 16 February – Septuagesima Sunday

So shall the last be first
and the first last.
For many are called
but few chosen.

Matthew 20:16

It is written, ‘God is not mocked.’ (Gal 6: 7)
Indeed, God cannot be mocked,
nor circumvented, nor deluded
by any man’s astute deceit. …
Let each of you, then, I beg you, brethren,
confess his fault while the sinner is yet in this world,
while Confession is still possible,
while the satisfaction and remission
granted by the Priests,
is still acceptable to God
!”

St Cyprian of Carthage (c200-258)
Martyr, Bishop of Carthage,
Father of the Church

Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope.
Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping,
so that the God of all the universe,
as He beholds our intention,
may cleanse us from all sins,
fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand
and grant us the change of heart which saves.
God has called you and you have your calling
!”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

There is still time for endurance,
time for patience,
time for healing,
time for change.
Have you slipped?
Rise up!
Have you sinned?
Cease!
Do not stand among sinners
but leap aside
!”

St Basil the Great (329-379)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Listen to the Lord’s appeal:
‘Come, then, return to Me
and learn to know Me as your Father,
Who repays good for evil,
love for injury
and boundless charity
for piercing wounds
!”

St Peter Chrysologus (c400-450)
“Golden Words”
Father & Doctor of the Church

Posted in CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 25 January – Rise from the Dead

Quote/s of the Day – 25 January – Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, Apostle – Acts 9:1-22, Matthew 19:27-29 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

Acts 9:4

Awake, O Sleeper and Rise from the Dead

Ephesians 5:14

It is written, ‘God is not mocked.’ (Gal 6: 7)
Indeed, God cannot be mocked,
nor circumvented, nor deluded
by any man’s astute deceit. …
Let each of you, then, I beg you, brethren,
confess his fault while the sinner is yet in this world,
while Confession is still possible,
while the satisfaction and remission
granted by the Priests,
is still acceptable to God
!”

St Cyprian of Carthage (c200-258)
Martyr, Bishop of Carthage,
Father of the Church

Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope.
Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping,
so that the God of all the universe,
as He beholds our intention,
may cleanse us from all sins,
fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand
and grant us the change of heart which saves.
God has called you and you have your calling
!”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

O Heavenly Father, have compassion for my cry
as Thou did for the prodigal son,
for I, too, am throwing myself at Thy feet
and crying aloud as he cried:
“Father, I have sinned!”
Do not reject me,
Thy unworthy child, O my Saviour
but cause Thy Angels
to rejoice too, on my behalf,
O God of goodness Thou,
Who desires that all should be saved.

St Romanos Melodios (c490-c556)
Monk, Composer of hymns, Poet

Truly, matters in the world,
are in a bad state
but if you and I begin, in earnest,
to reform ourselves,
a really good beginning
will have been made.

St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562)

Posted in ADVENT QUOTES, ADVENT REFLECTIONS, CONFESSION, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY COMMUNION, QUOTES on SACRILEGE, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SIN, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, VENIAL SIN

Quote/s of the Day – 11 December – ‘Make ready then the vessel of your soul …’

Quote/s of the Day – 11 December – Advent Preparation and Penance

Make ready then the vessel of your soul
that you may become a son of God
and an heir of God
and joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17);
if, indeed, you are preparing yourself
that you may receive;
if you are drawing near in faith
that you may be made faithful;
if of set purpose,
you are putting off the old man
!”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

If they, must regard themselves
as useless servants, who have done all their duty,
what must I do, who have done
so small a part of what I ought to have done
?”

St Andrew Avellino CR (1521–1608)

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

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

What hope would you entertain
of the recovery of the man, who,
instead of taking the medicine prescribed by his physician, drank a cup of poison instead?
God! What can the Sacrament of Penance be
to those who conceal their sins but a deadly poison
which adds to their guilt, the malice of Sacrilege?
What, then, does the sinner do, when he conceals
his sins in Confession?
He tramples underfoot, the Blood of Jesus Christ.
And should he afterwards receive the Holy Communion
in a state of sin, he is, according to St Chrysostom,
as guilty as if he threw the Consecrated Host into a sink …
Accursed shame! how many poor souls
do you bring to hell?
… Unhappy souls! they think only of the shame
of confessing their sins and do not reflect
that, if they conceal them, they shall be
certainly damned
!”

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

Unfortunately, our only return for God’s
continual favours, has been negligence,
ingratitude and sin!
Since it is an offence against God,
Who is infinitely good and amiable,
even venial sin cannot properly be atoned for
by the merits of all the Angels
and of all the Saints of Heaven.
Therefore, it was necessary for the Son of God,
made Man, to offer Himself
as a Victim of Expiation, on our behalf.
Remembering His Infinite Merits,
we should humbly ask God –
‘forgive us our debts.‘ that is, our many sins
and failings and, whatever punishment is owing to us,
for every sin demands some expiation,
either in this life or in the next!

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, QUOTES on SIN, St Francis de Sales, St PETER!, The WORD, VENIAL SIN

Quote/s of the Day – 1 September – Arise!

Quote/s of the Day – 1 September – Pentecost XV – Galatians 5:25-26; 6:1-10; Luke 7:11-16 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

Young man,
I say to thee,
arise!

Luke 7:14

Rather blessed are those
who hear the Word of God
and keep it.’

Luke 11:28

She began to bathe His feet with her tears
and wiped them with the hair of her head
and kissed His feet
and anointed them with ointment.

Luke 7:38

Make ready then the vessel of your soul
that you may become a son of God
and an heir of God
and joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17);
if, indeed, you are preparing yourself
that you may receive;
if you are drawing near in faith
that you may be made faithful;
if of set purpose,
you are putting off the old man!

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Do not content yourself
with confessing your venial sins
merely as to the fact
but accuse yourself too,
of the motive which induced you
to commit them.

(Introduction to the Devout Life,
Part II, Chapter 19).

Christ was more concerned
with St. Peter’s repentance and remorse,
than with his sin.

(The Spirit of St. François de Sales, VII, 8)

​St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, REDEMPTORISTS CSSR, St Alphonsus de Liguori,, The HEART, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The REDEMPTION, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 22 July – Penitance

Quote/s of the Day – 22 July – St Mary Magdalen (1st Century) Penitent – Song 3:2-5; 8:6-7, Luke 7:36-50.

She began to bathe His feet with her tears
and wiped them with the hair of her head
and kissed His feet
and anointed them with ointment.

Luke 7:38

Remember not our former iniquities,
let Thy mercies speedily prevent us,
for we are become exceeding poor.
Help us, O God, our Saviour
and for the glory of Thy Name, O Lord,
deliver us and forgive us our sins,
for Thy Name’s sake.

Psalm 78:8-9

Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope.
Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping,
so that the God of all the universe,
as He beholds our intention,
may cleanse us from all sins,
fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand
and grant us the change of heart which saves.
God has called you and you have your calling!

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Prayer, appeases the anger of God;
He pardons the sinner
when he prays with humility.

St Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455)

We must be very sorry for faults
with a repentance which is strong,
constant, tranquil
but not troubled, unquiet or fainthearted.

(Treatise on the Love of God, Book 9, Chapter 7).

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Doctor Caritatis

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

Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Monday in Passion Week, Nostra Signora della Misericordia / Our Lady of Mercy, Italy (1536), St Cyril of Jerusalem and the Saints for 18 March

NOVENA for the INTERCESSION of ST JOSEPJ
DAY NINE: Click Link HERE:
DAY NINE

St Braulio of Zaragoza (c590-c651) Bishop
Bl Christian O’Conarchy

St Egbert of Ripon
St Eucarpius of Nicomedia
St Felix of Gerona
St Finan of Aberdeen
St Leobard of Tours
St Narcissus of Gerona

St Trophimus of Nicomedia

Posted in BAPTISM, CATECHESIS, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, St JOHN the BAPTIST, The BAPTISM of the LORD, The HOLY GHOST, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 13 January – ‘ … Make ready then the vessel of your soul that you may become a son of God … ‘

One Minute Reflection – 13 January – Octave Day of Epiphany – Isaias 60:1-6, John 1:29-34 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

And I knew Him not but He who sent me to Baptise with water said to me: He upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, He it IS, Who Baptises with the Holy Spirit. And I saw and I gave testimony that this is the Son of God.” – John 1:33-34

REFLECTION – “Jesus Christ was the Son of God, yet He preached not the Gospel before His Baptism. If the Master Himself followed the right time in due order, ought we, His servants, to venture out of order? From that time Jesus began to preach (Matthew 4:17) , when the Holy Ghost had descended upon Him in a bodily shape, like a Dove, (Luke 3:22) not that Jesus might see Him first, for He knew Him even before He came in a bodily shape but, that John, who was Baptising Him, might behold Him. For I, says he, knew Him not but He that sent me to Baptise with water, He said to me, upon Whomsoever you shall see the Spirit descending and abiding on Him, that is He (John 1:33).

If you too have unfeigned piety, the Holy Ghost comes down on you also and a Father’s Voice sounds over you from on high — not, ‘This is My Son’ alone because ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.’ To Him belongs the ‘IS’ since He is always the Son of God – but to you, has now been made, since you have not the sonship by nature but receive it by adoption. He eternally ‘IS’ but you receive the grace progressively.

Make ready then the vessel of your soul that you may become a son of God and an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17); if, indeed, you are preparing yourself that you may receive; if you are drawing near in faith that you may be made faithful; if of set purpose, you are putting off the old man!” – St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387) Bishop of Jerusalem, Father and Doctor of the Church (Catechetical Lecture 3: 14-15).

PRAYER – O God, Whose Only-begotten Son appeared in the substance of our flesh, grant, we pray Thee that we, who acknowledge His outward likeness to us, may deserve to be inwardly refashioned in His Image. 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, FATHERS of the Church, PENTECOST, The HOLY GHOST

Quote/s of the Day – 28 May – ‘…As the soul is the life of the body,so the Holy Spirit is the life of our souls. …’

Quote/s of the Day – 28 May – Pentecost Sunday

His action is preceded
by the beaming rays of His Light and knowledge.
He comes with the truth of the real Protector;
for He comes to save, to lead, to teach, to counsel,
to strengthen, to console,
to illumine in the first place the mind of the person
who receives Him
and through that person‘s works,
the minds of others.

St Cyril of Jerusalem (c 313-386)
Father and Doctor of theChurch

Remember, then, that you received a spiritual seal,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence,
the spirit of holy fear.
Keep safe what you received.
God the Father sealed you,
Christ the Lord strengthened you
and sent the Spirit into your hearts
as the pledge of what is to come.

St Ambrose (340-397)
Father & Doctor of the Church

He pours light into our minds,
arouses our desire
and gives us strength…
As the soul is the life of the body,
so the Holy Spirit is the life of our souls.

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

May it please the Divine Majesty
to grant us, the Gift of Fear
that we may serve Him filially;
the Gift of Piety,
to revere Him as our most loving Father;
the Gift of Knowledge,
to know the good we ought to do
and the evil we ought to avoid;
the Gift of Fortitude,
to overcome, courageously,
all difficulties in the practice of virtue;
the Gift of Counsel,
to discern and to choose,
the true way of perfection;
the Gift of Understanding,
to realise the beauty and benefit,
of the Mysteries of faith
and of the Truths of the Gospel;
finally, the Gift of Wisdom,
to taste how good God is,
to savour and experience,
the sweetnesses of His incomprehensible benignity.

Oh! How happy shall we be,
if we receive these priceless Gifts,
for doubtless, they will lead us to the summit
of this Mystical Ladder, where we shall be received
by our Divine Saviour, Who awaits us there
with open arms, to make us participants
of His glory and felicity.

(Sermon for the Feast of Pentecost)

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

The Holy Spirit leads us along,
as a mother leads her two year old child by the hand,
as a sighted person leads a blind one.
We should say each morning:
“Oh my God, send me Your Holy Spirit
who will make me understand
what I am and what you are …”
A soul who possesses the Holy Spirit
enjoys an exquisite taste in prayer,
it never loses the holy presence of God
.”

St John Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859)

Posted in CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on CONSOLATION, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on STRENGTH, The HOLY GHOST

Quote/s of the Day – 18 March – St Cyril of Jerusalem

Quote/s of the Day – 18 March – The Memorial of St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387) Bishop of Jerusalem, Confessor Father & Doctor of the Church

Your accumulated offences
do not surpass the multitude
of God’s mercies;
your wounds do not surpass
the great Physician’s skill!

The Spirit comes gently
and makes Himself known
by His Fragrance.
He is not felt as a burden,
for God is light, very light.
Rays of light and knowledge
stream before Him
as the Spirit approaches.
The Spirit comes with the tenderness
of a true friend – to save,
to heal, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen
and to console.

MORE:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/18/quote-s-of-the-day-18-march-18-march-st-cyril-of-jerusalem/

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Saturday of the Third Week in Lent, Nostra Signora della Misericordia / Our Lady of Mercy, Italy (1536), St Cyril of Jerusalem and Memorials of the Saints – 18 March

Saturday of the Third Week in Lent – FAST

Nostra Signora della Misericordia / Our Lady of Mercy, Patron of Savona, Italy (1536) – 18 March:
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/18/nostra-signora-della-misericordia-our-lady-of-mercy-patron-of-savona-italy-1536-and-memorials-of-the-saints-19-march/

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-387) Bishop of Jerusalem, Confessor Father & Doctor of the Church, Theologian, Writer.
Biography:

https://anastpaul.com/2017/03/18/saint-of-the-day-18-march-st-cyril-of-jerusalem/

St Alexander of Jerusalem (Died 251) Bishop and Martyr
His Life and Death:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/18/saint-of-the-day-18-march-saint-alexander-of-jerusalem-died-251-bishop-and-martyr/

St Anselm of Lucca the Younger (1036-1086) Italian Bishop and Confessor.
About this St Anselm:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/03/18/saint-of-the-day-18-march-saint-anselm-of-lucca-the-younger-1036-1086/

St Braulio of Zaragoza (c590-c651) Bishop
Bl Christian O’Conarchy

St Edward the Martyr (962-978) Child King of England.
The Roman Martyrology states today: “In England, the holy King Edward, who was assasinated by order of his treacherous stepmother and became celebrated for many miracles.
His Life and Death:

https://anastpaul.com/2022/03/18/saint-of-the-day-18-march-saint-edward-the-martyr-c-962-978/

St Egbert of Ripon
St Eucarpius of Nicomedia
St Felix of Gerona
St Finan of Aberdeen
St Leobard of Tours
St Narcissus of Gerona
St Salvator of Horta OFM (1520-1567) Lay Brother of Friars Minor. His body is incorrupt.

St Trophimus of Nicomedia

Martyrs of Nicomedia – Commemorates the Christians who were Martyred anonymously, either singly and in small groups, by local pagans in the area of Nicomedia prior to the year 300 and who may have been over-looked in the waves of Diocletian persecutions that resulted in the deaths of thousands.

Posted in "Follow Me", CONFESSION, CONFESSION/PENANCE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PERSECUTION, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on THANKSGIVING, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The KINGDOM of GOD / HEAVEN, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 February – ‘Persevere to the end’

Quote/s of the Day – 16 February – Septuagessima Weekday – 1 Cor. 9:24-27; 10:1-5, Matthew 20:1-6

Even so, the last shall be first
and the first last;
for many are called
but few are chosen.

Matthew 20:16

This is the time for Confession.
Confess the sins you have committed
in word or deed,
by day or by night.
Confess during this “favourable time”
and on “the day of salvation,”
receive Heaven’s treasure…

St Cyril of Jerusalem (313-350),
Father & Doctor of the Church

“… We must all rejoice exceedingly,
to be even the last,
in the Kingdom of God!

St Pope Gregory the Great (540-604)
Father and Doctor

“From now on, then,
if God has no need of your goods,
neither does He have to give you this great thing,
if you refuse to love Him,
all He requires is love,
without which nothing constrains His giving.
Love, then and you will receive
the Kingdom, love and you will possess it…

Love God more than yourself
and already, you begin to have
what it is your desire to possess fully, in heaven
.”

St Anselm (1033-1109)
Doctor magnificus
Doctor Marianus

Rejoice and be happy!
Persevere to the end
and prefer to die
rather than abandon the post,
to which God has called you!”

St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 1 August – Corpus Christi

Quote/s of the Day – 1 August – “Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – Readings: Exodus 16: 2-4, 12-15; Psalms 78: 3-4, 23-24, 25, 54 (24b); Ephesians 4: 17, 20-24; John 6: 24-35

“I am the bread of life”

John 6:35

“For His body, has been given to you
under the appearance of bread

and His blood, under the appearance of wine,
so that, when you have partaken
of the body and blood of Christ,
you might be one body and one blood with Him.
So shall we become Christ-bearers [“Christophers”].
His body and blood are diffused t
hrough all our members – see, then,
how we become participants in the divine nature!”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (313-350)
Father & Doctor of the Church

This the truth to Christians given,
Bread becomes His flesh from heaven,
Wine becomes His holy Blood
(Jn 6:55). …

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Sequence for the feast of Corpus Christi
“ Lauda Sion

Posted in ADVENT QUOTES, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, HOLY WEEK, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, SPEAKING of ....., St JOHN the BAPTIST, The CHRIST CHILD, The DIVINE INFANT, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HOLY CROSS, The INCARNATION, The LAMB of GOD, The NATIVITY of JESUS, The SIGN of the CROSS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 December – The Lamb of God

Quote/s of the Day – 16 December – Wednesday of the Third week of Advent

The Lamb of God

“Behold, the Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world!”

John 1:29

“The language of the cross
is foolishness to those who are perishing
but to us, who are being saved,
it is the power of God”

1 Corinthians 1:18

“Teacher of children
became Himself a child among children,
that He might instruct the unwise.
The Bread of heaven
came down to earth
to feed the hungry.”

St Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“Man’s Maker was made man,
that He, Ruler of the stars,
might nurse at His mother’s breast,
that the Bread might hunger,
the Fountain thirst,
the Light sleep,
the Way be tired on its journey,
that the Truth might be accused of false witness,
the Teacher be beaten with whips,
the Foundation be suspended on wood,
that Strength might grow weak,
that the Healer might be wounded,
that Life might die.”

“He who calls us, came here below,
to give us the means of getting there.
He chose the wood
that would enable us to cross the sea –
indeed, no-one can cross the ocean of this world,
who is not borne by the Cross of Christ.
Even the blind can cling to this Cross.
If you can’t see where you are going very well,
don’t let go of it, it will guide you by itself.”

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

“He was humbled in the womb of the Virgin,
needy in the manger of the sheep
and homeless on the wood of the Cross.”

St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EASTER, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS

One Minute Reflection – 22 April – Seventh Day in the Easter Octave

One Minute Reflection – 22 April – Seventh Day in the Easter Octave

DAILY MEDITATION:  “Lord I believe, help my unbelief!”

“He reproached them for their incredulity and obstinacy becasue they had refusd to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.   And he said to the, ‘Go out to the whole world;  proclaim the gospel to all creation.’………….Mark 16:14-15

REFLECTION – “The power of faith is enormous.   It is so great that it not only saves the believer:  thanks to one person’s faith others are saved also.    The paralytic at Capernaum did not have faith.    But the men who brought him to Jesus and let him down through the roof had it.   The soul of the sick man was ill as well as his body.   That is made clear in the Gospel:  “And when Jesus saw their faith he said…, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and go home'”.   The Gospel does not speak of “his” faith but of “their” faith. The stretcher-bearers believed and the paralytic had the benefit of being healed because of it. (Mark 2:1-11)    Then there is the death of Lazarus.   Four days had passed.   His dead body was already decomposing.   How could one who had been dead for so many days believe and himself ask for the Deliverer?   He could not possibly do so but his sisters provided the faith for him.   When they met the Lord, one sister fell down at his feet.    He asked, “Where have you laid him?”   The other sister said: “Lord, by this time there will be a bad smell”.    Then the Lord said, “If you believe you will see the glory of God”.  As if to say, “As regards faith, you must take the place of the dead man”.   And the faith of the sisters succeeded in calling Lazarus back from the hereafter. (John 11:1-44).    So if these two women by believing in place of the other were able to secure his resurrection, how much more certainly will you be able to secure it for yourself by your own faith in Jesus?

Perhaps your own faith is feeble.   Nevertheless, the Lord who is love will stoop down to you, provided only you are penitent and can say sincerely from the depths of your soul: “Lord, I believe. Help thou mine unbelief”. (Mark 9:23)……………………..The Power of Faith:  St Cyril of Jerusalem (c 315-386) Doctor of the Church

PRAYER – Loving Father, I believe that You love me. I ask you to watch over me and let me feel the love You shower on me.
I have been born again in baptism and long for the undying life You offer me. Strengthen my faith and help me to share this gift of faith
You have bestowed on me. Amen

MARK 16-14Perhaps your own faith is feeble-st cyril of jerusalem