Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on TRUTH, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 29 March – ‘ … Therefore, hold fast to Christ if you wish to be safe. …’

One Minute Reflection – 29 March – Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent – Exodus 32:7-14, John 7:14-31

“But of the people, many believed in him …” – John 7:31

REFLECTION – “If, then, you are looking for the way by which you should go, take Christ because He Himself is the Way: This is the Way; walk in it. And Augustine says: Make man your way and you shall arrive at God. It is better to limp along the Way, than stride along off the Way. For a man who limps along the Way, even if he only makes slow progress, comes to the end of the Way but one who is off the Way, the more quickly he runs, the further away is he from his goal.

If you are looking for a goal, hold fast to Christ because He Himself is the Truth, where we desire to be. My mouth shall reflect on the Truth. If you are looking for a resting place, hold fast to Christ because He Himself is the Life. Whoever finds Me finds life and receives salvation from the Lord.

Therefore, hold fast to Christ if you wish to be safe. You will not be able to go astray because He is the Way. He who remains with Him does not wander in trackless places; he is on the right Way. Moreover, he cannot be deceived because He is the Truth and He teaches every Truth. And He says: For this I was born and for this I have come, to bear witness to the Truth. Nor can he be disturbed because He is both lLfe and the giver of life. For He says: I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” – St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Priest, Doctor of the Church (An excerpt from: Exposition on John – Chapter 14).

PRAYER – May the sacred practice of fasting, we beseech You, O Lord, win for us increased holiness of life and the continuing help of Your mercy. 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).

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Posted in DOMINICAN OP, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, QUOTES on HUMILITY, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 7 March – ST THOMAS AQUINAS

Thought for the Day – 7 March – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

ST THOMAS AQUINAS

“It is generally recognised that St Thomas Aquinas was a great Philosopher and Theologian.
The Cartesian Philosopher, Jourdain , said of him, that no other man had come so near to being infallible!
The eclectic Philosopher, Cousin, referred to the Summa Theologiae, as one of the greatest masterpieces of human genius.
Dante celebrated in immortal verse, this wonderful synthesis of thought.
When he Canonised St Thomas, John XXII declared that “every article he wrote was a miracle!”

One might say that St Thomas Aquinas was raised up by God, for he gathered together, the whole of human knowledge up to his own time and interpreted it in the new light of Christianity.
He ordered it into a complete compact body of philosophical and theological doctrine, to serve as an impregnable defence against the errors of his own and later times.

In spite of his greatness, however, Thomas of Aquin, was a very humble man.
There is a good deal of truth in Pascal’s remark that a little knowledge makes the mind proud but real wisdom makes it humble.

We cannot all imitate the knowledge of St Thomas Aquinas but we should all imitate his humility.

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on ANGER, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FREE WILL, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on JUSTICE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on TRUTH, QUOTES on VIRTUE, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Quotes of the Day – 7 March – St Thomas Aquinas

Quotes of the Day – 7 March – Monday of the First Week of Lent and the Memorial of St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225-1274) Doctor Angelicus and Doctor Communis

Charity is
the form,
mover,
mother
and root
of all
the virtues
.”

To love is to
will the good
of the other.

The greatest kindness
one can render
to any man
consists in leading him
from error to truth.”

The celebration of Holy Mass
is as valuable, as the death
of Jesus on the cross.

Believing is:
an act of the intellect
assenting to the divine truth,
by command of the will,
moved by God through grace.

He who is NOT angry
when there is just cause
for anger, is IMMORAL.
WHY?
Because anger looks to
the good of Justice.
And if you can live amid Injustice
without anger,
you ARE IMMORAL
as well as UNJUST!”

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

Posted in CARMELITES, DOMINICAN OP, MARIAN TITLES, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

Monday of the First Week of Lent, Nossa Senhora da Estrela / Our Lady of the Star, Villa Vicosa, Portugal (1050) and Memorials of the Saints – 7 March

Monday of the First Week of Lent +2022

St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225-1274) aged 49 Doctor Angelicus (Angelic Doctor) and Doctor Communis (Common Doctor). Priest of the Order of Preachers, Religious, Master Theologian, Philosopher, Writer, Teacher, Jurist. Also known as – “The Great Synthesiser,” “The Dumb Ox,” “The Universal Teacher.”
St Thomas died today in 1274 but his Feast Day was moved in 1969 to 28 January.
Biography:

https://anastpaul.com/2018/01/28/saint-of-the-day-28-january-st-thomas-aquinas-1225-1274-doctor-angelicus-angelic-doctor-and-doctor-communis-common-doctor/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/01/28/saint-of-the-day-28-january-st-thomas-aquinas-op-1225-1274/

Nossa Senhora da Estrela / Our Lady of the Star, Villa Vicosa, Portugal (1050) – 7 March:
HERE:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/07/the-third-sunday-of-lent-2021-our-lady-of-the-star-villa-vicosa-portugal-1050-and-memorials-of-the-saints-7-march/

St Ardo of Aniane
St Deifer of Bodfari
St Drausinus of Soissons
St Enodoch
St Esterwine of Wearmouth
St Eubulus of Caesarea
St Gaudiosus of Brescia
Bl Henry of Austria

Blessed Leonid Feodorov (1879-1935) Priest, Martyr, Monk, Exarch of the Russian Greek Catholic Church of the See of Peter, Philosopher.
His Life and Death:

https://anastpaul.com/2019/03/07/saint-of-the-day-7-march-blessed-leonid-feodorov-1879-1935-martyr/

St Paul of Prusa
St Paul the Simple
St Reinhard of Reinhausen
St Teresa Margaret Redi of the Sacred Heart OCD (1747– 1770) Virgin, Nun of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites, Mystic.
Bl William of Assisi

Martyrs of Carthage – 4 Saints: A catechist and three students Martyred together for teaching and learning the faith. We know little more than their names – Revocatus, Saturninus, Saturus and Secundulus. Mauled by wild beasts and beheaded 7 March 203 at Carthage, North Africa

Martyrs of Korea
St Siméon-François Berneux MEP (1814-1866)
Bishop, Martyr, Missionary of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, Professor and Spiritual Director at the Mans seminary.
His Life and Death:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/03/07/saint-of-the-day-7-march-saint-simeon-francois-berneux-mep-1814-1866-bishop-martyr/

St Bernard-Louis Beaulieu
St Ioannes Baptista Nam Chong-Sam
St Pierre-Henri Dorie
St Simon-Marie-Just Ranfer de Bretenières

Martyrs of Laos
Bl Luc Sy
Bl Maisam Pho Inpèng
Martyrs of Tyburn
Bl German Gardiner
Bl John Ireland
Bl John Larke

Posted in DIVINE MERCY, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, GOD ALONE!, LENTEN PRAYERS & NOVENAS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on JOY, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on VIRTUE, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, The BEATITUDES, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 16 February – O Merciful God By St Thomas Aquinas

Our Morning Offering – 16 February

O Merciful God
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis

O merciful God,
grant that I may ever perfectly
do Your Will in all things.
Let it be my ambition to work
only for Your honour and glory.
Let me rejoice in nothing but that leads to You,
nor grieve for anything, that leads away from You.
May all passing things be as nothing in my eyes
and may all that is Yours, be dear to me
and You, my God, dear above them all.
May all joy be meaningless without You
and may I desire nothing, apart from You.
May all labour and toil delight me when it is for You.
Make me, O Lord, obedient without complaint,
poor without regret,
patient without murmur,
humble without pretence,
joyous without frivolity,
and truthful without disguise.
Amen

Posted in DEVOTIO, DOCTORS of the Church, MEDITATIONS - ANTONIO CARD BACCI, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, QUOTES on ZEAL, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The HEART

Thought for the Day – 6 February – Religion and Devotion

Thought for the Day – 6 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

Religion and Devotion

“Religion, should not be a cold, mehcanical practice of obedience to the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.
Deep spiritual devotion and supernatural charity are necessary, as well as religion.
In other words, religion should not be merely external but, should spring from the mind and heart, this is devotion, which is the spirit of religion.

“Devotion,” wites Aquinas, “seems to be the determination to give one’s self readily to the service of God” (Summa Theologiae, II-II, q 82, a 2, ad 1).
But this determination should be loving and effective because, as St Thomas also observes, “charity generates devotion” (Summa Theologiae, II-II, q 82, a 2, ad 2).

St Francis de Sales analysed and expanded these ideas.
“True and living devotion,” he writes, “presupposes the love of God – indeed, it really is a true love of God… but a love… which has reached that height of perfection at which it not only causes us to act but, to act zealously, frequently and promptly…
 (Introduction to the Devout Life, Bk I, C 1).
He continues: “Since devotion consists in an unique degree of charity, it not only makes us prompt, active and zealous in the observance of all the divine commands but, incites us, furthermore, to perform readily and lovingly, as many good works as we can… even if they are only recommended or suggested” (Ibid).
From this solid and sincere devotion flows, that taste for divine things, that inner gentleness and peace of spirit which the Saints enjoyed, even in the midst of sorrow and disillusionment.
It is the spontaneous homage of the mind and heart, that God wants most of all.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

Part One here:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/06/thought-for-the-day-6-february-religion-and-devotion/

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on WISDOM, QUOTES on ZEAL, The HEART

Our Morning Offering – 3 Febuary – Grant Us This Day, O Lord By St Thomas Aquinas

Our Morning Offering – 3 Febuary

Grant Us This Day, O Lord
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Doctor Angelicus
Doctor Communis

Grant us this day, O Lord
a vigilant heart,
that no alien thought
can lure away from Thee,
a pure heart.
that no unworthy love can soil,
an upright heart,
that no crooked intentions
can lead astray.
And give us Lord,
understanding to know Thee,
zeal to seek Thee,
wisdom to find Thee
and a hope,
that will one day
take hold of Thee.
Amen

Posted in DOMINICAN OP, JESUIT SJ, MARTYRS, SAINT of the DAY

The Second Feast of St Agnes and Memorials of the Saints – 28 January

The Second Feast of St Agnes:
28 January is traditionally the day of the “Second Feast of St Agnes,” although this very ancient observance was reduced to a commemoration in 1931 and abolished in the post-Conciliar reform (1969). It is still kept in some Churches dedicated to St Agnes, most prominent among them, the Basilica built over the site of her burial, less than a mile and a half from the gates of Rome.
In liturgical books, the formal name of the feast is “Sanctae Agnetis secundo,” which literally means “the feast of St Agnes for the second time.” This title is found on the calendar of the Tridentine Missal and Breviary, as also seven centuries earlier in the Gregorian Sacramentary. The single Matins lesson in the Breviary of St Pius V tells us, that after her death, Agnes appeared first to her parents to console them and then to the Emperor Constantine’s daughter Constantia, who suffered from an incurable sore, while she was praying at her grave, exhorting Constantia to trust in Christ and receive Baptism. Having done this and been healed, Constantia later built a Basilica in the Saint’s honour.

The church of S Agnes Outside-the-Walls on the via Nomentana

St Peter Nolasco OdeM (c 1182–c 1256) Founder of the Congregation of the Royal and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy of the Redemption of the Captives (Mercadarians).

St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225-1274) Doctor angelicus (Angelic Doctor) and Doctor communis (Common Doctor) (Memorial)
St Thomas is celebrated on 7 March in the Traditional Calendar.
Biography:

https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2018/01/28/saint-of-the-day-28-january-st-thomas-aquinas-1225-1274-doctor-angelicus-angelic-doctor-and-doctor-communis-common-doctor/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/01/28/saint-of-the-day-28-january-st-thomas-aquinas-op-1225-1274/

St Aemilian of Trebi
St Agatha Lin
Bl Amadeus of Lausanne
St Antimus of Brantôme
St Archebran
Bl Bartolomé Aiutamicristo
St Brigid of Picardy
St Callinicus
St Cannera of Inis Cathaig
Bl Charlemagne (a decree of Canonisation was issued by the anti-pope Paschal III but this was never ratified by valid authority.)
St Constantly
St Flavian of Civita Vecchia
St Glastian of Kinglassie
Bl James the Almsgiver
St James the Hermit
St Jerome Lu
St John of Reomay

St Joseph Freinademetz SVD (1852-1908) Priest and Missionary of the Society of the Divine Word, the First Saint to Ever Serve in Hong Kong, Missionary to China. 
St Joseph’s Life:

https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/28/saint-of-the-day-28-january-saint-joseph-freinademetz-svd-1852-1908-fu-shenfu-lucky-priest/

Blessed Julian Maunoir SJ (1606-1683) Priest “The Apostle of Brittany,” “The Good Father of Brittany,” Missionary, Founder of the “Breton Missionaries” Apostolate.
About Bl Julian:

https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/28/saint-of-the-day-28-january-blessed-julian-maunoir-sj-1606-1683-priest-the-apostle-of-brittany-the-good-father-of-brittany/

St Julian of Cuenca
St Lawrence Wang
St Leucius of Apollonia
Bl María Luisa Montesinos Orduña
St Maura of Picardy
Bl Mosè Tovini
Bl Odo of Beauvais
Bl Olympia Bida
St Palladius of Antioch
St Paulinus of Aquileia
Bl Peter Won Si-jang
St Richard of Vaucelles
St Thyrsus of Apollonia

Martyrs of Alexandria: A group of 4th-century parishioners in Alexandria, Egypt. During the celebration of Mass one day an Arian officer named Syrianus led a troop of soldiers into their church and proceded to murder all the orthodox Christians in the place. 356 in Alexandria, Egypt.

Posted in CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on PATIENCE, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on PRIDE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The WORD, THOMAS a KEMPIS

Quote/s of the Day – 15 January – … Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart …’ Matthew 11:29

Quote/s of the Day – 15 January – Readings: Phillippians 3:7-12, Matthew 11:25-34

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart
and you will find rest for your souls…

Matthew 11:29

For in prosperity,
a man is often puffed up with pride,
whereas tribulations chastens
and humbles him through suffering and sorrow.
In the midst of prosperity,
the mind is elated,
and in prosperity.
a man forgets himself.
In hardship, he is forced to reflect on himself,
even though he be unwilling.
In prosperity, a man often destroys
the good he has done.
Amidst difficulties,
he often repairs what he long since did
in the way of wickedness.

St Alfred the Great (849-899)
King

“How can you become a sharer,
in His glory (1 Pt 5:1)
if you will not consent,
to become a sharer,

in His humiliating death?

St Simeon the New Theologian (949-1022)

“Arm yourself with prayer,
instead of a sword;
be clothed with humility,
instead of fine raiment.

St Dominic de Guzman OP (1170-1221)

“If you seek an example of humility,
look upon Him Who is Crucified,
although He was God, He chose to be judged
by Pontius Pilate and put to death. …
If you seek an example of obedience,
imitate Him Who was obedient to the Father
“even to death” (Phil 2:8).
“For just as through the disobedience
of one person, Adam,
the many were made sinners,
so through the obedience of One,
the many will be made righteous” (Rom 5:19). .
If you seek an example of contempt
for earthly things,
imitate Him Who is “King of kings
and Lord of lords” (1 Tm 6:15),
“in whom are hidden
all the treasures of wisdom
and knowledge” (Col 2:3).
On the Cross He was stripped naked,
ridiculed, spat upon, bruised,
crowned with thorns,
given to drink of vinegar and gall.

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Angelic Doctor of the Church

… If you die with Him,
you shall also likewise
live with Him.
If you are His companion in punishment,
so shall you be in glory.

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

“If humble souls are contradicted,
they remain calm;
if they are calumniated,
they suffer with patience;
if they are little esteemed,
neglected, or forgotten,
they consider this their due;
if they are weighed down
with occupations,
they perform them cheerfully.

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)

Posted in ARMOUR of CHRIST, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUST in GOD, The KINGDOM of GOD, The WILL of GOD, The WORD, THOMAS a KEMPIS

Quote/s of the Day – 2 December – ‘… This is my firm rock …’

Quote/s of the Day – 2 December – Thursday of the First week of Advent – Readings: Isaiah 26: 1-6; Psalm 118: 1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27; Matthew 7: 21, 24-27

Not everyone who says to me,
‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the kingdom of heaven
but only the one,
who does the will of my Father in heaven
.”

Matthew 7:21

“On each occasion I say:
‘Lord, Thy will be done!
It’s not what this, or that one, wants
but, what You want me to do.’
This is my fortress,

this is my firm rock,
this is my sure support.

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

He who is his own master
is a scholar under a fool.

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor

“Obedience unites us so closely to God
that, in a way, it transforms us into Him,
so that we have no other will but His.
If obedience is lacking,
even prayer cannot be pleasing to God.

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

Love Him, then, keep Him as a friend.
He will not leave you as others do,
or let you suffer lasting death.
Sometime, whether you will or not,
you will have to part with everything.
Cling, therefore, to Jesus in life and death,
trust yourself to the glory of Him,
Who alone can help you
when all others fail.“

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
(Book 2 Ch 7)

Posted in "Follow Me", ARMOUR of CHRIST, CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, FATHERS of the Church, LOVE of NEIGHBOUR, MARIAN PRAYERS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on CHARITY, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUTH, The DIVINE INFANT, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE

Quote/s of the Day – 7 November – The Order of Preachers

Quote/s of the Day – 7 November – The Memorial of
All Saints of the Order of Preachers

Arm yourself with prayer,
instead of a sword;
be clothed with humility,
instead of fine raiment.

We must sow the seed,
Not hoard it
.”

St Dominic’s Blessing
By St Dominic de Guzman (1170-1221)

May God the Father,
who made us, bless us.
May God the Son,
send His healing among us.
May God the Holy Spirit,
move within us
and give us eyes to see with,
ears to hear with,
and hands, that Your work,
might be done.
May we walk and preach
the word of God to all.
May the angel of peace
watch over us
and lead us at last,
by God’s grace,
to the Kingdom.
Amen

St Dominic de Guzman OP (1170-1221)

“I send you a very little word,
THE WORD,
made little in the crib,
THE WORD,
made flesh for us ….
THE WORD,
of salvation and grace
THE WORD,
of sweetness and glory
THE WORD
Who is good and gentle –
JESUS CHRIST!

Blessed Jordan of Saxony OP (1190-1237)

It is by the path of love,
which is charity,
that God draws near to man
and man to God.
But where charity is not found,
God cannot dwell.
If, then, we possess charity,
we posses God,
for ‘God is Charity’
(1 John 4:8).

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

To convert somebody,
go and take them by the hand
and guide them
.”

Charity is
the form,
mover,
mother
and root
of all
the virtues.

To love is to
will the good
of the other.

The greatest kindness
one can render
to any man
consists in leading him
from error to truth.

O Jesus, Mary’s Son!
By St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus, Doctor communis

Hail to Thee! True body sprung
From the Virgin Mary’s womb!
The same that on the cross was hung
And bore for man the bitter doom.
Thou Whose side was pierced and flowed
Both with water and with blood.
Suffer us to taste of Thee
In our life’s last agony.
O kind, O loving One!
O Jesus, Mary’s Son!
Amen

St Thomas Aquinas OP (1225-1274)

Be strong and kill yourself
with the sword of hate and love,
then you will not hear the insults
and abuse. which the enemies
of the Church throw at you.
Your eyes will not see anything,
which seems impossible,
or the sufferings,
which may follow
but only the light of faith
and in that light ,
everything is possible
and remember ,
God never lays greater burdens
on us than we can bear.

What is it you want to change?
Your hair, your face, your body?
Why? For God is in love with all those things
and He might weep when they are gone!

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

Compassion, my dear Brother,
is preferable to cleanliness.
Reflect that with a little soap,
I can easily clean my bed covers
but even with a torrent of tears,
I would never wash from my soul,
the stain, that my harshness toward
the unfortunate would create
.”

St Martin de Porres OP (1579-1639)

Just a few of the great Dominicans – Ana OP – with Love

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the HIGH PRIEST, CHRIST the JUDGE, CHRIST the PHYSICIAN, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DIVINE MERCY, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on HUMILITY, QUOTES on KINDNESS, QUOTES on OBEDIENCE, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 October – ‘This kind Master’

Quote/s of the Day – 23 October – Readings: Romans 8: 1-11; Psalm 24: 1b-6; Luke 13: 1-9

I shall cultivate the ground around it
and fertilise it; it may bear fruit in the future.
If not, you may cut it down.

Luke 13:8-9

… This kind Master
closes His Church to no-one.
He not only receives
and pardons those adversaries,
those blasphemers,
those persistent enemies of His Name,
provided they do penance for their offence
and acknowledge the crime committed
but, He admits them to the reward
of the kingdom of heaven.
What can be called more patient,
what more kind?
Even he, who shed the Blood of Christ,
is given life,
by the Blood of Christ.

St Cyprian of Carthage – (c 200- c 258)
Bishop and Martyr,
Father of the Church

When he has begun to follow Me,
according to My teaching and precepts,
he will find many people contradicting him
and standing in his way,
many who not only deride but even persecute him.
Moreover, this is true,
not only of pagans who are outside the Church
but also of those, who seem to be in it visibly
but are outside of it because of the perversity of their deeds.
Although these glory,
in merely the title of Christian,
they continually persecute faithful Christians
.”

St Caesarius of Arles (470-543)”

If you seek an example of humility,
look upon Him Who is Crucified,
although He was God, He chose to be judged
by Pontius Pilate and put to death. …
If you seek an example of obedience,
imitate Him Who was obedient to the Father
“even to death” (Phil 2:8).
“For just as through the disobedience
of one person, Adam,
the many were made sinners,
so through the obedience of One,
the many will be made righteous” (Rom 5:19). .
If you seek an example of contempt
for earthly things,
imitate Him Who is “King of kings
and Lord of lords” (1 Tm 6:15),
“in whom are hidden
all the treasures of wisdom
and knowledge” (Col 2:3).
On the Cross He was stripped naked,
ridiculed, spat upon, bruised,
crowned with thorns,
given to drink of vinegar and gall.

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Angelic Doctor of the Church

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES on SELF-DENIAL, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on The HUMAN SOUL, The HOLY CROSS, The PASSION, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 17 October – ‘… If you seek an example … ‘

One Minute Reflection – 17 October – “Month of the Holy Rosary” – Readings: Isaiah 53: 10-11; Psalm 33: 4-5, 18-20, 22; Hebrews 4: 14-16; Mark 10: 35-45

Whosoever will be first among you, shall be the servant of all.” – Mark 10:44

REFLECTION – “What need was there that the Son of God should suffer for us? There was great need and indeed, it can be assigned to two reasons. The first, is that it was a remedy against sin and the second, is for an example of what we should do. … For the Passion of Christ can bring about a complete reformation of our lives. … If you seek an example of charity, then “no-one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13). … If you seek an example of patience, you will find it in its highest degree on the Cross. … Christ suffered greatly upon the Cross and with all patience because “when he was insulted, he returned no insult” (1 Pt 2:23), “like a lamb led to the slaughter, he opened not his mouth” (Is 53:7). … “Let us persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising its shame” (Heb 12:1-2).

If you seek an example of humility, look upon Him Who is Crucified, although He was God, He chose to be judged by Pontius Pilate and put to death. … If you seek an example of obedience, imitate Him Who was obedient to the Father “even to death” (Phil 2:8). “For just as through the disobedience of one person, Adam, the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of One the many will be made righteous” (Rom 5:19). . If you seek an example of contempt for earthly things, imitate Him Who is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tm 6:15), “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). On the Cross He was stripped naked, ridiculed, spat upon, bruised, crowned with thorns, given to drink of vinegar and gall. St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Dominican Theologian, Doctor of the Church (On the Apostles’ Creed – Collationes In Symbolum apostolorum, art. 4 # 64.70.72-76; [trans. Joseph Collins])

PRAYER – Holy Father, grant me an operative faith, a faith that will move mountains. Enlighten my soul with Your Light, Goodness, Power and Wisdom. Let my faith be an image of You by lively deeds and love and by conforming myself to Your Will in all things. As the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Your only-begotten Son, longed only to serve the God of all in complete self-denial and humility, may we always strive to imitate her Fiat in serving You, with upright hearts and thus manifest a true faith, through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church

Quotes of the Day – 2 October – Holy Angels

Quotes of the Day – 2 October – The Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

“In every lodging, at every corner,
have reverence for thy Angel.
Do not dare to do in his presence
what you would not dare to do, if I were there.
Or do you doubt that he is present
whom you do not behold?
What if you should hear him?
What if you should touch him?
What if you should scent him?
Remember, that the presence of something
is not proved only by the sight of things.”

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

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor

“God is humanity’s
universal Teacher and Guardian
but His Teaching to humanity
is mediated by Angels.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Angelic Doctor

When tempted, invoke your Angel.
He is more eager to help you
than you are to be helped!
Ignore the devil
and do not be afraid of him;
he trembles and flees
at the sight of your Guardian Angel.”

St John Bosco (1815-1888)

MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/10/02/quotes-of-the-day-2-october-holy-guardian-angels/

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HOLY SPIRIT, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on the ANTI-christ, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL

Quote/s of the Day – 29 September – St Michael

Quote/s of the Day – 29 September – Feast of the Dedication of St Michael the Archangel

“Michael is the
Breath of the Redeemer’s Spirit,
Who at the end of the World,
will combat and destroy the antichrist,
as he did Lucifer in the beginning.”

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

“Among the Angels in Heaven
none surpasses St Michael in Glory …”

“St Michael has the honourable office
of presenting to Jesus Christ the Judge,
all the souls that depart out of this world
in the grace of God.”

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

Posted in ArchAngels and Angels, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 29 September – The St Michael Prayer

Our Morning Offering – 29 September – Feast of the Dedication of St Michael

The St Michael Prayer

St Michael, the Archangel,
defend us in battle;
Be our safeguard against the wickedness
and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him,
we humbly pray,
And do thou,
O prince of the heavenly hosts,
By the power of God,
Cast into hell, Satan and all evil spirits
Who prowl throughout the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

You will know or even recall ,that when the Mass was only in Latin (1570-1969) after the High Mass, known in those days as the Summa (Latin for: The Greatest) the St Michael prayer was recited. This St Michael prayer was placed at the end of the Mass by Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) in the 1890’s as a result of a vision he saw concerning the dire state of the world in the 20th century!
The Church has always prayed to St Michael for protection against the evils of the devil.
Michael’s name means “Who is like God.” In Latin: “Quis ut Deus.” He can be found in the Book of The Prophet Daniel (Old Testament) Dn. 10:13; Dn. 10:21; Dn 12:1. In the New Testament he can be found in the Book of Revelation 12:7-9; Epistle of St Jude 1:9 and the Letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians (4:16).
St Thomas Aquinas (1214-1274) writes of him: “Michael is the Breath of the Redeemer’s Spirit, Who at the end of the World will combat and destroy the antichrist, as he did Lucifer in the beginning.”
St Michael is invoked in sickness and most especially at the hour of our death, when
Satan makes his last and fiercest attack on our soul, seeking with cunning, craft, fears and despair to drag us into Hell with him.
Please, let us all restore St Michael to our hearts and pray to him for protection each day, after Holy Mass and after the Holy Rosary.

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 28 September – “But whom do you say that I am?” Luke 9:20

Quote/s of the Day – 28 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary” – Readings: Haggai 2: 1-9; Psalm 43: 1-4; Luke 9: 18-22

“But whom do you say that I am?”

Luke 9:20

“If I only touch his garment,
I will be made well.”
Jesus turned and seeing her he said,
“Take heart, daughter,
your faith has made you well.”
And instantly the woman was made well.”

Matthew 9:21-22

“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 (c 580-662)
Monk and Theologian

“Believing is
an act of the intellect
assenting to the divine truth,
by command of the will,
moved by God through grace.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus
Doctor Comm

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on FREE WILL, QUOTES on MEDITATION, QUOTES on PRAYER, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, The FAITHFUL on PILGRIMAGE, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – Who is this

Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary” – Readings: Haggai 1: 1-8; Psalm 149: 1b-6a and 9b; Luke 9: 7-9

“… Who is this about whom
I hear such things?”
And he sought to see him.”

Luke 9:9

“Prayer is the wing,
wherewith the soul flies to heaven
and meditation,
the eye,
wherewith we see God.”

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

“Faith is to believe
what you do not see;
the reward of this faith,
is to see what you believe.”

“A person can do other things against his will
but belief is possible,
only in one who is willing.”

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

“To one who has faith,
no explanation is necessary.
To one without faith,
no explanation is possible.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor of the Church

He who wishes for anything but Christ,
does not know what he wishes;
he who asks for anything but Christ,
does not know what he is asking;
he who works and not for Christ,
does not know what he is doing.

St Philip Neri (1515-1595)

“Only one thing is necessary:
Jesus Christ!
Think unceasingly of Him.

St John Gabriel Perboyre CM (1802-1840)
Martyr for Christ

“Only God fills the soul and fills it wholly.
Let scientists go on asking – Where is God?
He is where those clever ones,
arrogant in their knowledge, cannot reach.”

St Raphael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1938)

Posted in "Follow Me", ARMOUR of CHRIST, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, QUOTES on THE LIGHT of CHRIST, The TRANSFIGURATION

Quote/s of the Day – 6 August – ‘Those who go UP’

Quote/s of the Day – 6 August – Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord – Readings: Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14; Psalm 97: 1-2, 5-6, 9; Peter 1: 16-19; Mark 9: 2-10

“This is my beloved Son.
Listen to him..”

Mark 9:7

“It is before those who go UP
that Jesus is transfigured
and not to those BELOW.
When He is transfigured,
His Face shines as the sun,
that He may be manifested to the children of light,
who have put off the works of darkness
and put on the armour of light..”

Origen (c 185-253)
Father of the Church

At His Transfiguration
Christ showed His disciples,
the splendour of His beauty,
to which He will shape and colour
those who are His:
‘He will reform our lowness
configured to the body of His glory.’”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FATHERS of the Church, The HOLY EUCHARIST, 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 DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES on FRIENDSHIP, QUOTES on VIRTUE

Quote/s of the Day – 29 July – Friendship

Quote/s of the Day – 29 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Memorial of St Martha

“We followed the guidance of God’s law
and spurred each other on to virtue.
If it is not too boastful to say,
we found in each other a standard
and rule for discerning right from wrong.”

St Gregory of Nazianzen (330-390)
on his friendship with
St Basil the Great (329-379)
Both Fathers and Doctors of the Church

“A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds.
A good deed is never lost;
he who sows courtesy, reaps friendship
and he who plants kindness, gathers love.”

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

“Friendships begun in this world
will be taken up again,
never to be broken off. ”

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

“There is nothing on this earth,
more to be prized,
than true friendship.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor of the Church

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 24 July – Virgin Full of Goodness, Mother of Mercy

Our Morning Offering – 24 July – “Month of the Most Precious Blood”

Virgin Full of Goodness,
Mother of Mercy
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor angelicus

Doctor communis

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

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, The HEART, The HOLY SPIRIT, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 16 July – In our hearts …

Quote/s of the Day – 16 July – “Month of the Most Precious” – Readings: Exodus 11: 10 – 12: 14; Psalms 116: 12-13, 15 and 16bc, 17-18; Matthew 12: 1-8

“I say to you,
something greater
than the temple is here …”

Matthew 12:6

“Evangelical faith lived in Christ,
transcends the law.”

St Hilary of Poitiers (315-368)
Father and Doctor of the Divinity of Christ

“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)
Father and Doctor of the Church

“If, then, you seek to know what path to follow,
take Christ because He is the way.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor of the Church

“Every Christian must be a living book
wherein one can read the teaching of the Gospel.
This is what St Paul says to the Corinthians.
Our heart is the parchment;
through my ministry
the Holy Spirit is the writer because
‘my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe’
(Psalm 45:1).”

St Joseph of Leonissa OFM CAP (1556-1612)

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, I BELIEVE!, QUOTES on DOUBT, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 3 July – I believe!

Quote/s of the Day – 3 July – Feast of St Thomas Apostle – Readings: Ephesians 2: 19-22, Psalms 117: 1bc, 2, John 20: 24-29

Jesus said to him,
“Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

John 20:28-29

“For by your doubting,
I am taught to believe,
by your forked-tongue,
that revealed the Wound
on the Divine Body that was pierced,
I harvest the fruit for myself, without pain!”

St John Chrysostom (347-407)
Father and Doctor

“I believe
though I do not comprehend
and I hold by faith,
what I cannot grasp
with the mind.”

St Bernard (1090-1153)
Mellifluous Doctor

“To one who has faith,
no explanation is necessary.
To one without faith,
no explanation is possible.”

“Believing is
an act of the intellect
assenting to the divine truth,
by command of the will,
moved by God through grace.”

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

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 19 June – O Jesus, Mary’s Son! By St Thomas Aquinas

Our Morning Offering – 19 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” and always a Marian Saturday

O Jesus, Mary’s Son!
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor Angelicus, Doctor communis

Hail to Thee! True body sprung
From the Virgin Mary’s womb!
The same that on the cross was hung
And bore for man the bitter doom.
Thou Whose side was pierced and flowed
Both with water and with blood.
Suffer us to taste of Thee
In our life’s last agony.
O kind, O loving One!
O Jesus, Mary’s Son!
Amen

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, GOD is LOVE, HYMNS, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Quote/s of the Day – 6 June – Corpus Christi

Quote/s of the Day – 6 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Corpus Christi, The Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

“O how unspeakable is this Sacrament
which sets our affections ablaze with charity.
… It is the fulfillment of Christ’s Mystical Body.”

“Source of all we have or know,
feed and lead us here below.
Grant that with Your saints above,
Sitting at the feast of love,
We may see You face to face.”

Amen Alleluia!

(Last verse of the Lauda Sion)

“The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Love.
It signifies Love,
It produces love.
The Eucharist is the consummation
of the whole spiritual life.”

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Doctor angelicus/Doctor communis

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Our Morning Offering – 6 June – Pange Lingua

Our Morning Offering – 6 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – The Solemnity of Corpus Christi – The Most Holy Body ad Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Pange Lingua
Sing, My Tongue
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Eng trans – Fr Edward Caswell CO (1814-1878)
(Excerpt on the image – the 4 last stanzas)

Sing, my tongue, the Saviour’s glory,
Of His Flesh, the mystery sing;
Of the Blood, all price exceeding,
Shed by our Immortal King,
Destined, for the world’s redemption,
From a noble Womb to spring.

Of a pure and spotless Virgin
Born for us on earth below,
He, as Man, with man conversing,
Stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;
Then He closed in solemn order
Wondrously His Life of woe.

On the night of that Last Supper,
Seated with His chosen band,
He, the Paschal Victim eating,
First fulfils the Law’s command;
Then as Food to all His brethren
Gives Himself with His own Hand.

Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature
By His Word to Flesh He turns;
Wine into His Blood He changes,
What though sense no change discerns.
Only be the heart in earnest,
Faith her lesson quickly learns.

Down in adoration falling,
Lo, the sacred Host we hail,
Lo, o’er ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail,
Faith for all defects supplying,
When the feeble senses fail.

To the Everlasting Father
And the Son who comes on high
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honour, blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
Amen. Alleluia.

Written by St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, this Hymn is considered the most beautiful of Aquinas’ Hymns and one of the great seven Hymns of the Church.
The Hymn is also used on Holy Thursday. The last two stanzas make up the Tantum Ergo (Down in Adoration Falling) that is used at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

PANGE, lingua, gloriosi
Corporis mysterium,
Sanguinisque pretiosi,
quem in mundi pretium
fructus ventris generosi
Rex effudit Gentium.

Nobis datus, nobis natus
ex intacta Virgine,
et in mundo conversatus,
sparso verbi semine,
sui moras incolatus
miro clausit ordine.

In supremae nocte cenae
recumbens cum fratribus
observata lege plene
cibis in legalibus,
cibum turbae duodenae
se dat suis manibus.

Verbum caro, panem verum
verbo carnem efficit:
fitque sanguis Christi merum,
et si sensus deficit,
ad firmandum cor sincerum
sola fides sufficit.

Tantum ergo Sacramentum
veneremur cernui:
et antiquum documentum
novo cedat ritui:
praestet fides supplementum
sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
laus et iubilatio,
salus, honor, virtus quoque
sit et benedictio:
procedenti ab utroque
compar sit laudatio.
Amen. Alleluia.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, EUCHARISTIC, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST

Our Morning Offering – 3 June – Lauda Sion Salvatorem

Our Morning Offering – 3 June – Solemnty of Corpus Christ, The Most Holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ

St Thomas Aquinas wrote the Liturgy for Corpus Christi when Pope Urban IV added the Solemnity to the universal Church’s Liturgical calendar in 1264. He provided a great sequence, one of the great poems chanted or recited before the proclamation of the Gospel.
Lauda Sion is one of only four medieval sequences which were preserved in the Roman Missal published in 1570 following the Council of Trent (1545–1563)—the others being Victimae Paschali Laudes (Easter), Veni Sancte Spiritus (Pentecost) and Dies irae (requiem masses).
(A fifth, Stabat Mater, would later be added in 1727.)
Before Trent, many feasts had their own sequences. The existing versions were unified in the Roman Missal promulgated in 1570.
The Lauda Sion is still sung today as solemn Eucharistic hymn, though its use is optional in the post-Vatican II Ordinary form.
As with St Thomas’s other three Eucharistic Hymns, the last few stanzas of the Lauda Sion are often used alone, in this case, to form the “Ecce Panis Angelorum”.

Lauda Sion Salvatorem
Sion, Lift Up thy Voice and Sing

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

Sion, lift thy voice and sing,
Praise thy Saviour and thy King,
Praise with hymns thy Shepherd true,
Dare thy most to praise Him well,
For He doth all praise excel,
None can ever reach His due.

Special theme of praise is Thine,
That true living Bread divine,
That life-giving flesh adored,
Which the brethren twelve received,
As most faithfully believed,
At the Supper of the Lord.

Let the chant be loud and high,
Sweet and tranquil be the joy
Felt to-day in every breast;
On this festival divine
Which recounts the origin
Of the glorious Eucharist.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, DOMINICAN OP, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARY'S MONTH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 10 May – Virgin Full of Goodness, Mother of Mercy By St Thomas Aquinas

Our Morning Offering – 10 May – “Mary’s Month” Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Virgin Full of Goodness,
Mother of Mercy
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Doctor angelicus
Doctor communis

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

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, GOD ALONE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 19 April – Your Will Alone

Our Morning Offering – 19 April – Monday of the Third Week of Easter

Your Will Alone
By St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Angelic Doctor of the Church

Oversee, O my God, my life,
that I may do what You ask of me;
allow me to see and permit me to do
whatever is fitting and profitable to my soul.
Lead me not, O Lord my God,
into excessive wealth or want,
lest I put my trust in riches,
or despair in misery.
Let me take no joy or sorrow,
save in what would lead me
to You or from You.
Let me delight only in pleasing You
and fear only displeasing You.
O Lord, let all passing things
seem worthless to me
and let everything eternal, become my treasure.
May I despise any joy apart from You
and seek nothing that is without You.
Make carrying the burdens
for You my relaxation, O Lord
and rest without You, itself a burden.
Amen