Tag: St Louis IX

Posted in Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 25 August – O God, We Love Thee

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 25 August – St Louis IX (1214-1270) Confessor, King of France

O God, We Love Thee
Prayer inspired by St Louis’ Last Instructions
to his Eldest Son, Philip
(Perhaps Philip prayed thus)

O God, we love Thee.
We wish to do nothing to displease Thee.
If we have troubles, let us thank Thee.
If we do not, we also humbly thank Thee.
Let us pray diligently
and be compassionate and generous to the poor.
May we hold fast all that is good
and all that is bad, discard.
We thank Thee for friends,
who help us bear our burdens
and help us grow in holiness.
Let us turn away from calumniators and slanderers
and lend a willing ear to those who speak of God.
Let us always do what is right and just for those we serve
and promote peace among our neighbours.
Let us be quick to defend our Faith.
O Holy Lord, all Thy holy Saints,
defend us from all evils.
Grant us Thy grace to fulfil always,
Thy Holy Will,
so that Thou may be glorified and honoured
and so we may be with Thee forever.
Amen

Posted in ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 25 August – The gift of God, the freedom of man

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 25 August – St Louis IX (1214-1270) Confessor, King of France – Readings: Ps 36:30-31, Ps 36:1, Wis 10:10-14, Luke 19:12-26

I say to you that to everyone who has shall be given; but from him who does not have, even that which he has shall be taken away.

Luke 19:12-26

REFLECTION – What have we to offer God? Faith and love. That is where we find what God asks of us, as it is written: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, and follow his ways exactly, to love and serve the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul”. These are the offerings and these the gifts we should make to the Lord. And if we are to offer him these gifts with all our heart, then first of all we must get to know him. We must have drunk of the knowledge of his goodness from the deep waters of his well.

People who deny that salvation lay within the power of our freedom should be ashamed on hearing these words! Would God ask something from us if we weren't capable of responding to God's demand and giving him what he owed? For there is God's gift but also our contribution. For example, it was well within that man's power that one gold coin should make ten or five more; but that the man should possess that gold coin with which to produce ten more in the first place belonged to God. Once he had given God the ten gold coins he had made, the man received a new sort of gift: not money this time, but the power and sovereignty over ten cities.

In the same way, God asked Abraham to make an offering of his son, Isaac, on the mountain he would show him. And Abraham, without hesitation, offered his only son: he laid him on the altar and drew out his knife to slay him. But at once a voice restrained him and a ram was given him to be sacrificed in his son's place. So you see: what we offer God depends on us; but this offering is asked of us so that, in making our gift, we might witness to our love for God and faith in him.

Origen (c.185-253)

PRAYER – O God, Who transported Thy blessed Confessor Louis from an earthly throne to the glory of the heavenly Kingdom, by his merits and intercession we beseech Thee, to make us of the company of the King of kings, Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 25 August – St Louis IX

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 25 August – St Louis IX (1214-1270) Confessor, King of France

The instructions which St Louis gave to the heir of his crown and which, he had constantly observed himself, testify to his great devotion and holiness.
These were the last admonitions of the Holy King:

  1. Love God, the Almighty, above all else.
  2. Flee sin more quickly than you would a serpent.
  3. Become not fainthearted, in adversity.
  4. Become not elevated, in the days of prosperity.
  5. Show the wounds of your soul frequently, to your spiritual physician and refuse no remedies, however bitter, to heal them.
  6. Pray diligently.
  7. Be compassionate and generous to the poor.
  8. If your mind is harassed with doubt, consult a devout man.
  9. Keep faithful and pious counsellors around you and dismiss those who are wicked.
  10. All that is good hold fast: all that is bad discard.
  11. Lend a willing ear to those who speak of God.
  12. Listen not to calumniators and slanderers.
  13. So long as you reign, leave not unpunished those who blaspheme God and the Saints.
  14. First be grateful to God, then to men.
  15. Love and protect justice and neither neglect nor despise the complaints of the needy.
  16. In your own affairs, when they are not perfectly clear, speak and act against yourself.
  17. Refund immediately the possessions of others.
  18. Protect the clergy.
  19. Love and honour your parents.
  20. If you are obliged to war against Christians, spare the Churches and the Convents.
  21. Endeavour to terminate all contentions with kindness.
  22. Guard all your officials with a watchful eye.
  23. Ever show due reverence to the Pope.
  24. Overstep not the bounds of moderation in your expenses.
  25. When I have departed, let prayers and Masses be said for the repose of my soul.