Tag: Thomas a Kempis

Author of The Imitation of Christ

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 6 January – Write Your Blessed Name, Upon My Heart

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Our Morning Offering – 6 January – First Day after Epiphany and the Month of the Most Holy Name

Write Your Blessed Name, Upon My Heart
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Write Your blessed name,
O Lord,
upon my heart,
there to remain so indelibly engraved,
that no prosperity,
no adversity shall ever move me
from Your love.
Be to me a strong tower of defence,
a comforter in tribulation,
a deliverer in distress,
a very present help in trouble
and a guide to heaven
through the many temptations
and dangers of this life.
Amenwrite your blessed name o lord upon my heart - thomas a kempist - 5 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY NAME, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 3 January – O Sweet Name of Jesus

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Our Morning Offering – 3 January – Christmas Weekday and the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

O Sweet Name of Jesus
Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
(Manualis Parvulorum XIII)

O sweet Name of Jesus,
holy above all names in heaven and on earth
and to which every knee,
both of men and of angels in heaven,
on earth and in hell bends.
You are the the way of the just,
the glory of the saints,
the hope of those in need,
the balm of the sick,
the love of the devout
and the consolation of those that suffer.
O, Jesus be to me a help
and a protector
so that Your Name
may be blessed for all times…
Ameno sweet name of jesus by thomas a kempis 3 jan 2020.jpg

Posted in ON the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 27 December – ‘He gives all for all and has all in all’ – St John the Beloved

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Thought for the Day – 27 December – Feast of St John the Evangelist and the Third Day of the Christmas Octave

“There are [Saints] … who are so absorbed in the divine life, that they seem, even while they are in the flesh, to have no part in earth or in human nature but, to think, speak and act under views, affections and motives, simply supernatural.
If they love others, it is simply because they love God and because man is the object, either of His compassion , or of His praise.
If they rejoice, it is in what is unseen, if they feel interest, it is in what is unearthly, if they speak, it is almost with the voice of Angels, if they eat or drink, it is almost of Angels’ food alone – for it is recorded in their histories, that for weeks, they have fed on nothing else but that Heavenly Bread, which is the proper sustenance of the soul.

Such we may suppose, to have been St John!”

St John Henry Newman (1801-1890)the love of jesus - st john 27 dec 2019 thomas a kempis.jpg

“The love of Jesus is noble and generous, it spurs us onto do great things and excites us to desire always, that which is most perfect.   Love will tend upwards and is not to be detained by things beneath.   Love will be at liberty and free from all worldly affections… for love proceeds from God and cannot rest but in God above all things created.   The lover flies, runs and rejoices, he is free and not held.   He gives all for all and has all in all, because he rests in one sovereign Good above all, from Whom all good flows and proceeds”

Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, Book III, Chapter V, 3-4

St John, Beloved of the Lord, Pray for Us!st john beloved of the lord pray for us 27 dec 2019.jpg

Posted in CHRIST the KING, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 24 November – Above All That is Not You

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Our Morning Offering – 24 November – The Solemnity of Christ the King

Above All That is Not You
Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O most loving Jesus,
give me this special grace to rest in You
above all created things,
above all health and beauty,
above all glory and honour,
above all dignity and power,
above all knowledge and prudence,
above all riches and talents,
above all joy and gladness,
above all fame and praise,
above all sweetness and consolation,
above all hope and promise,
above all merit and desire,
above all gifts and rewards
that You may give or send –
except Yourself –
above all joy or happiness
that the human mind and heart
can grasp or feel,
above all Angels and Archangels,
above all the heavenly hosts,
above all things visible and invisible
and above all that is not You,
my God.
Amenabove all that is not you - thomas a kempis - 24 nov 2019 CHRIST THE KING.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 19 November – A Prayer for Fulfilling the Will of God

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Our Morning Offering – 19 November – Tuesday of the Thirty Third Week of Ordinary Time, Year C

A Prayer for Fulfilling
the Will of God
Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O most merciful Jesus,
grant me Your grace,
that it may remain with me always
and persevere with me to the end.
Grant me always to will and desire,
what is more pleasing and acceptable to You.
Let Your will be mind
and let my will always follow Yours
in perfect conformity with it.
Let my will and desires always be one with Yours
and let me be unable to will or not to will,
except as You will or do not will.
Grant that I may die to all worldly things
and that I may be despised and unknown
for love of You.
Grant, above all things to be desired,
that I may find rest in You
and that in Your Heart alone may be my peace.
You, O Lord, give true peace to the heart
and perfect rest to body and soul.
Apart from You, all is difficult and never still.
In that peace, in You Who are the one,
supreme and eternal Good,
I will sleep and take my rest.
Amena prayer for fulfilling the will of god - thomas a kempis -10 july 2018.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, The HOLY NAME, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 8 November -Write Your Blessed Name, Upon My Heart

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Our Morning Offering – 8 November – Friday of the Thirty First week in Ordinary Time week in Ordinary Time, Year C

The problems continue with my site but better late than never for this beautiful prayer, somehow it didn’t post earlier.

Write Your Blessed Name, Upon My Heart
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Write Your blessed name,
O Lord,
upon my heart,
there to remain so indelibly engraved,
that no prosperity,
no adversity shall ever move me
from Your love.
Be to me a strong tower of defence,
a comforter in tribulation,
a deliverer in distress,
a very present help in trouble
and a guide to heaven
through the many temptations
and dangers of this life.
Amenwrite your blessed name o lord upon my heart - thomas a kempist - 5 feb 2019

Posted in QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on MISSION, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 20 October – World Mission Sunday

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Quote/s of the Day – 20 October – World Mission Sunday

“We must sow
the seed,
not hoard it.”

St Dominic (1170-1221)we-must-sow-the-seed-not-hoard-it-st-dominic-8-aug-2018and 20 october 2019.jpg

“He will be with you also,
all the way, that faithful God.
Every morning when you awaken
to the old and tolerable pain,
at every mile of the hot uphill dusty road of tiring duty,
on to the judgement seat,
the same Christ there as ever,
still loving you,
still sufficient for you, even then.
And then, on through all eternity.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)he-will-be-with-you-also-that-same-christ-thomas-a-kempis-14-june-2018-and-3-oct-2019 and 20 oct 2019.jpg

“It is our vocation
to set people’s hearts ablaze,
to do what the Son of God did,
who came to light a fire on earth
in order to set it ablaze with His love.”

Blessed Frédéric Ozanam (1813–1853)it-is-our-vocation-bl-frederic-ozanam-9-sept-2019 20 oct 2019.jpg

“We are apostles!
We are apostles
and we wander far and wide,
we work generously,
only for the sake of souls,
only for the Church,
only for heaven!”

Blessed Paolo Manna (1872-1952)we-are-apostles-bl-paolo-manna-15-sept-2019 and 20 oct 2019.jpg

“To die for the faith
is a gift to some,
to live the faith
is a call for all.”

St John Paul II (1920-2005)to-die-for-the-faith-is-a-gift-to-some-to-live-the-faith-is-a-call-to-all-st-john-paul-28-sept-2019 and 20 oct 2019.jpg

“I have a place in God’s counsels,
In God’s world
which no-one else has,
whether I be rich or poor,
despised or esteemed by man,
God knows me
and calls me by my name.
God has created me to do Him
some definite service.
He has committed some work to me,
which He has not committed to another.
I have my mission –
I never may know it in this life
but I shall be told it, in the next.
…Yet, I have a part in this great work,
I am a link in a chain,
…I shall do good,
I shall do His work,
I shall be an angel of peace,
a preacher of truth in my own place
…and serve Him in my calling.”

Saint John Henry Newman (1801-1890)i have a place in god's counsels - world mission sun 20 oct 2019 st john henry newman .jpg

Posted in PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on MISSION, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 3 October – He will be with you also, all the way, that faithful God.”

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 October – Thursday of the Twenty Sixth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 10:1-12

“Go your way,
behold, I send you out
as lambs
in the midst
of wolves.”

Luke 10:3luke 10 3 go your way bhold i send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves 3 oct 2019

“He will be with you also, all the way, that faithful God.
Every morning when you awaken to the old and tolerable pain,
at every mile of the hot uphill dusty road of tiring duty,
on to the judgement seat, the same Christ there as ever,
still loving you, still sufficient for you, even then.
And then, on through all eternity.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)he-will-be-with-you-also-that-same-christ-thomas-a-kempis-14-june-2018 and 3 oct 2019

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY NAME, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 20 September -O Sweet Name of Jesus

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Our Morning Offering – 20 September – Friday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

O Sweet Name of Jesus
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O sweet Name of Jesus,
holy above all names
in heaven and on earth
and to which every knee,
both of men
and of angels in heaven,
on earth and in hell bends.
You are the Way of the just,
the Glory of the saints,
the Hope of those in need,
the Balm of the sick,
the Love of the devout
and the Consolation
of those that suffer.
O, Jesus be to me a help
and a protector
so that Your Name
may be blessed for all times.
Amen

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471) CRSA …(Manualis Parvulorum XIII)

o sweet name of jesus by thomas a kempis 26 dec 2018.jpg

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471) CRSA …(Manualis Parvulorum XIII)

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 16 September – Only What You Will or Will Not

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Our Morning Offering – 16 September –  Monday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Only What You Will or Will Not
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Grant me Your grace,
most merciful Jesus,
so that it may be with me
and work with me
and persevere with me to the end.
Grant that I may always want
and desire that which is
most acceptable and pleasing to You.
Let Your will be mine
and let my will always follow Yours
and be in perfect accord with it.
Let me always will or not will,
the same with You
and may I not be able to will
or not will
anything, except
what You will or will not.
Amenonly what you will nor will not thomas a kempis 16 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Thought for the Day – 2 September – My Words are Spirit and Life

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Thought for the Day – 2 September – Monday of the Twenty-second week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Luke 4:16–30

“He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.” … Luke 4:18

My Words are Spirit and Life

Thomas á Kempis
Priest

An excerpt from his work, Imitation of Christ

My son, says the Lord, listen to my words, the most delightful of all words, surpassing all the knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of this world.   My words are spirit and life and cannot be comprehended by human senses alone.   They are not to be interpreted according to the vain pleasure of the listener but they must be listened to, in silence and received with all humility and great affection.   And I said – Blessed is the man whom you teach, Lord and whom you instruct in your law, for him you soften the blow of the evil day and you do not desert him on the earth.   The Lord says, I have instructed my prophets from the beginning.   Even to the present time I have not stopped speaking to all men but many are deaf and obstinate in response.

Many hear the world more easily than they hear God – they follow the desires of the flesh more readily than the pleasure of God.   The world promises rewards that are temporal and insignificant and these are pursued with great longing.   I promise rewards that are eternal and unsurpassable, yet the hearts of mortals respond sluggishly.   Who serves and obeys me in all matters with as much care as the world and its princes are served? Blush, then, you lazy, complaining servant, for men are better prepared for the works of death than you are for the works of life.   They take more joy in vanity than you in truth. Yet they are often deceived in their hope, while my promise deceives no-one and leaves empty-handed no=one who confides in me.   What I have promised I shall give, what I have said I will fulfil for any man who remains faithful in my love unto the very end.   I am the rewarder of all good men, the one who rigorously tests the devoted.

Write my words in your heart and study them diligently, for they will be absolutely necessary in the time of temptation.   Whatever you fail to understand, in reading my words, will become clear to you on the day of your visitation.   I am accustomed to visit my elect in a double fashion, that is, with temptation and with consolation.   And I read to them two lessons each day – one to rebuke them for their faults, the other to exhort them to increase their virtue.   He who possesses my words yet spurns them earns his own judgement on the last day.luke 4 18 he has set me to proclaim - even to the present time - thomas a kempis imitation 2 sept 2019.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 21 July – Dear Lord, I Approach You

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Our Morning Offering – 21 July – Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Dear Lord, I Approach You
(Prayer before Holy Communion)
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Dear Lord,
with simplicity of heart,
in good and stable faith
and at Your command,
I approach You,
full of confidence and adoration,
truly believing that You are present
in this Sacrament, God and Man.
It is Your will that I receive You
and bind myself to You in love.
Most merciful Lord,
I beg of You that special grace,
that my soul may melt and overflow
with Your love,
never concerning myself again
with any other comfort but Your own.
Amendear-lord-i-approach-you-by-thomas-a-kempis-9dec2018

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 7 July – May I be Worthy to Approach

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Our Morning Offering – 7 July – Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

O Lord, my God,
May I be Worthy to Approach
Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O Lord, my God,
grant Your servant the blessing of Your kindness,
that I may be worthy to approach
Your sublime Sacrament with true devotion.
Rouse me from the sloth
and idleness, which have gripped me,
that my heart may more readily be lifted up to You.
Come to me with Your saving Presence
and let me, in spirit, taste Your sweetness,
which lies hidden,
in the most Blessed Sacrament
as in a plentiful fountain.
Give light to my eyes too,
that I may gaze upon this great mystery
and strengthen me to believe it
with persevering faith.
It is You Who effect this work,
no human being has such power.
It is Your holy institution and not human invention.
No human beings are able to grasp and understand
these things of themselves,
for they are far above
even the keen intelligence of the Angels.
And shall I, a wretched sinner,
mere dust and ashes,
be able to probe and grasp
so sacred and incomprehensible a mystery?
Amen

Book 4, Chapter 4o lord my god may i be worthy to approach thomas a kempis 7 july 2019.jpg

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, SPEAKING of ....., The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 24 May – Speaking of Love…

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Quote/s of the Day – 24 May – Friday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide: Today’s Gospel John 15:12-17

Speaking of Love…

“This is my commandment,
that you love one another,
as I have loved you…

John 15:12john 15 12 this is my commandment that you love ...24 may 2019.jpg

“What is the mark of love for your neighbour?
Not to seek what is for your own benefit
but what is for the benefit of the one loved,
both in body and in soul.”

St Basil the Great (329-379)

Father & Doctor of the Churchwhat-is-the-mark-of-love-for-your-neighbour-st-basil-the-great-4-may-2018-speaking-of-love.jpg

“Since love grows within you,
so beauty grows.
For love is the beauty of the soul.”since-love-grows-within-you-st-augustine-3-may-2018.jpg

“God is always trying to give good things to us
but our hands are too full to receive them!”

St Augustine (354-430) Father and Doctor of Gracegod is always trying to give good things to us - st augustine - 24 may 2019 fav.jpg

“Nothing is sweeter than love,
nothing stronger or higher or wider;
nothing is more pleasant, nothing fuller
and nothing better in heaven or on earth,
for love is born of God
and cannot rest except in God,
Who is above all created things.”

Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471) – Imitation of Christnothing-is-sweeter-than-love-thomas-a-kempis-6-april-2018.jpg

“Love knows no limit
to its endurance,
no end to its trust,
no fading of its hope,
it can outlast anything.
Love still stands,
when all else has fallen.”

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)love-knows-no-limits-blaise-pascal-6-april-2018.jpg

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on PEACE, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

One Minute Reflection – 21 May – “My peace I give to you”

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One Minute Reflection – 21 May – Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter, C, Gospel: John 14:27–31 and the Memorial of St Eugene de Mazenod (1782-1861)

“My peace I give to you”... John 14:27john 14 27 my peace if give to you - 21 may 2019.jpg

REFLECTION – “We could have great peace if we were willing not to busy ourselves with the sayings and doings of others, for which we bear no responsibility.   How can you remain long at peace, if you interfere in other people’s business, if you are on the watch for a chance to leave your solitude, if your inner recollection is slight and sporadic? Blessed are the simple, for they have great peace.   What is it that made some of the saints such perfect contemplatives?   Their whole study was to deaden themselves to every earthly desire and so they could wholly cleave to God, from the very depth of their heart and freely give time to Himself.    But as for us, we are too much taken up with our appetites, too anxious about transitory things.   We seldom perfectly conquer even one fault, so frigid and tepid we remain.

If we were perfectly dead to ourselves and free of all inner involvements; then we could also taste the things of God and have some experience of heavenly contemplation.   It is total and utter hindrance to me that we are not free from passion and lust and we do not undertake the perfect way of the Saints.   When we meet with even slight adversity, we are quickly thrown and we turn to human comforts.   If we were to try like gallant warriors, to stand firm in battle, then surely we should see the help of God upon us from heaven.   For He is ready to help those who struggle, hoping in His grace…   If you did but mind what peace for yourself, what joy for others your good dispositions would secure!   I think you would take much more thought for spiritual progress.”… Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471) – The Imitation of Christ – Book 1, ch.11how can you remain long at peace - thomas a mepis - 21 may 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Loving Father, grant us the grace to strive after perfect love.   Help us to bring forth frequents acts of love so that we may grow in this greatest of virtues.   In the great love of Your divine Son, who gave Himself for us, He filled us with peace and hope.   May these gifts grow always in our hearts.   We ask for the intercession of Mary, the Blessed Virgin, His Mother and of St Eugene de Mazenod, who overflowed with love, they said his heart was as big as the world.   Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.holy-mother-mary-at-prayer-pray-for-us-21-may-2018

st eugene de mazenod pray for us 2 21 may 2019.jpg

Posted in FATHERS of the Church, GOD is LOVE, HOLY WEEK, HOLY WEEK 2019, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 18 April – Love, or the name of God

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Quote/s of the Day – 18 April – Maundy Thursday

Love, or the name of God

St John Climacus (579-649)

The Ladder of Divine Ascent; 30,6-9.21.16

God is love. (1Jn 4:8)   So he who wishes to define this, tries with bleary eyes to measure the sand in the ocean.

Love, by reason of its nature, is a resemblance to God, as far as that is possible for mortals.   In its activity it is inebriation of the soul and by its distinctive property, it is a fountain of faith, an abyss of patience, a sea of humility.

Love is essentially the banishment, of every kind of contrary, for love thinks no evil.  Love, dispassion and adoption, are distinguished, as sons from one another, by name and name only.   Just as light, fire and flame combine to form one power, it is the same with love, dispassion and adoption.love by reason of its nature - st john climacus - 18 april 2019 holy thursday.jpg

He who has perfectly united his feeling to God is mystically led by Him to an understanding of His words.   But without this union, it is difficult to speak about God.

If the face of a loved one, clearly and completely changes us and makes us cheerful, joyous and carefree, what will the face of the Lord not do, when He makes His presence felt, invisibly in a soul?if the face of a loved one - st john climacus 15 april 2019 holy thursday.jpg

“Love wakes much and sleeps little 
and, in sleeping, does not sleep. 
It faints but is not weary; 
it is restricted in its liberty
and is great freedom. 
It sees reasons to fear 
and does not fear 
but, like an ember or a spark of fire, 
flames always upward, 
by the fervour of its love, toward God
and through the special help of grace,
is delivered from all perils and dangers.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)love-wakes-much-and-sleeps-little-thomas-a-kempis-14-june-2018.jpg

 

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, LENT 2019, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SANCTITY, Thomas a Kempis

Lenten Thoughts – 3 April – O Fountain of Everlasting Love

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Lenten Thoughts – 3 April – Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis (1380-1471): Book 3, Chapter 10

That it is sweet to despise the world and to serve God.

Now, will I speak again, O Lord and will not be silent, I will say in the hearing of my God and my King Who is on high:  Oh, how great is the abundance of Your sweetness, O Lord, which You have hidden for those that fear You!

But what are You, for those who love You?   What, to those who serve You with their whole heart?   Unspeakable indeed, is the sweetness of Your contemplation, which You bestow on those who love You.   In this most of all, have You shown me the sweetness of Your love, that when I had no being, You did make me and when I was straying far from You, You brought me back again, that I might serve You and You have commanded me to serve You.

O Fountain of everlasting love, what shall I say of You?   How can I forget You, Who have vouchsafed to remember me even after I was corrupted and lost?

Beyond all hope, You show mercy to Your servant and beyond all desert, have You manifested Your grace and friendship.   What return shall I make to You for this favour? For it is granted to all who forsake these things, to renounce the world and to assume the monastic life  . Is it much that I should serve You, Whom the whole creation is bound to serve?   It ought not to seem much to me to serve You but this does rather appear great and wonderful to me, that You vouchsafe to receive one so wretched and unworthy as Your servant.   It is a great honour, a great glory, to serve You and to despise all things for You for they who willingly subject themselves to Your holy service, shall have great grace.   They shall experience the most sweet consolation of the Holy Spirit, Who for the love of You, have cast aside all carnal delight.o fountain of everlasting love - thomas a kempis 3 april 2019.jpg

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, LENT 2019, LENTEN THOUGHTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on PERSEVERANCE, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SANCTITY, Thomas a Kempis

Lenten Thoughts – 2 April – “If you wish…” Thomas à Kempis

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Lenten Thoughts – 2 April – Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent, Year C

On the Fervent Amendment of our Whole Life

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

“When a certain anxious person, who often times wavered between hope and fear, once overcome with sadness, threw himself upon the ground in prayer, before one of the altars in the Church and thinking these things in his mind, said “Oh, if I only knew how to persevere,” that very instant he heard within him, this heavenly answer: “And if thou did know this, what would thou do? Do now what you would do and thou shall be perfectly secure.” And immediately being consoled and comforted, he committed himself to the Divine Will and his anxious thoughts ceased. He no longer wished for curious things, searching to find out what would happen to him but studied rather to learn what was the acceptable and perfect will of God for the beginning and the perfection of every good work.”

“If you wish to enter into life, keep My commandments.
If you will know the truth, believe in Me.
If you will be perfect, sell all.
If you will be My disciple, deny yourself.
If you will possess the blessed life, despise this present life.
If you will be exalted in heaven, humble yourself on earth.
If you wish to reign with Me, carry the Cross with Me.
For only the servants of the Cross find the life of blessedness and of true light.”if-you-wish-to-enter-into-life-imitation-chapeter-56-12-feb-2018.jpg

“MY CHILD, the more you depart from yourself,
the more you will be able to enter into Me.
As the giving up of exterior things, brings interior peace,
so the forsaking of self, unites you to God.
I will have you learn perfect surrender to My will,
without contradiction or complaint.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
The Imitation of Christmy child the more you depart from yourself- thomas a kempis - 2 april 2019.jpg

Posted in LENT 2019, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on the CROSS of CHRIST, QUOTES on TRUTH, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Lenten Reflection – 2 April – For Me!

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Lenten Reflection – 2 April – Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent, Year C

The Readings:
Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12; Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; John 5:1-16

“Without the Way, there is no going,
Without the Truth, there is no knowing,
Without the Life, there is no living.”

“Follow Me. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Without the Way, there is no going.
Without the Truth, there is no knowing.
Without the Life, there is no living.
I am the Way which you must follow,
the Truth which you must believe,
the Life for which you must hope.
I am the inviolable Way,
the infallible Truth,
the unending Life.
I am the Way that is straight,
the supreme Truth,
the Life that is true,
the blessed, the uncreated Life.
If you abide in My Way you shall know the Truth
and the Truth shall make you free
and you shall attain life everlasting.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
The Imitation of Christ

follow-me-the-imitation-of-christ-for-lent-12-feb-2018.jpg

Daily Meditation:
Our embrace leads to praise.

This is second part of Lent.
We begin to feel the power of the Fourth Gospel.
The “forces” that are opposed in the gospel
have everything to do with the forces at work in my heart.
He is clearly about to embrace His passage – His passover – from death to life.
This paschal mystery is what we are preparing to celebrate.

As we grow in love and compassion for what Jesus is facing for us,
we ask to be prepared to embrace His way, His path,
the pattern of His dying and rising.
We ask that we would be prepared to proclaim this gift to others, with great joy

“It was because Jesus did things such as this on the Sabbath that they began to persecute him.” …John 5:16
For me!

Closing Prayer:
Joyful praise in Lent?
I’m not sure I always feel that.
I ask you to help me prepare to understand
and embrace the paschal mystery in my life.
I don’t always see the beauty and mystery of this season
and often I run from the pain.
Help me to see how Your saving grace
and Your loving touch in my life
can fill me with joyful praise of the salvation
You have sent to me.

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amenlent tues of the fourth week john 5 16 it was because 2 april 2019.jpg

Posted in QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on SANCTITY, The WORD, Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 12 February – Gospel: Mark 7:1–13

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 12 February – Tuesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Gospel: Mark 7:1–13

And he said to them,

“You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God,

in order to keep your tradition!”…Mark 7:9mark 7 0 - you have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of god in order to keep your tradition 12 feb 2109

“If you wish to enter into life,
keep My commandments.
If you will know the truth,
believe in Me.
If you will be perfect,
sell all.
If you will be My disciple,
deny yourself.
If you will possess the blessed life,
despise this present life.
If you will be exalted in heaven,
humble yourself on earth.
If you wish to reign with Me,
carry the Cross with Me.
For only the servants of the Cross
find the life of blessedness
and of true light.”if-you-wish-to-enter-into-life-imitation-chapeter-56-12-feb-2018.jpg

“MY CHILD,
the more you depart from yourself,
the more you will be able to enter into Me.
As the giving up of exterior things,
brings interior peace,
so the forsaking of self,
unites you to God.
I will have you learn perfect surrender to My will,
without contradiction or complaint.”

The Imitation of Christ Chapter 56
Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)my child the more you depart = imitation - thomas a kempis chap 56 12 feb 2019

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 12 February – Remember Your Mercies, Lord

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 12 February – Tuesday of the Fifth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Remember Your Mercies, Lord
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O Lord, my God,
You are my all and every good.
And what am I,
that I should presume to address You?
I am the poorest of Your servants
and a wretched worm,
far more poor and worthless
than I can ever realise or express.
Yet, Lord, remember that I am nothing,
I have nothing and can do nothing.
You alone are good, just and holy,
You can do all things,
fill all things,
bestow all things,
leaving only the wicked empty-handed.
Remember Your mercies, Lord
and fill my heart with Your grace,
since it is Your will
that none of Your works should be worthless.
How can I endure this life of sorrows,
unless You strengthen me
with Your mercy and grace?
Do not turn Your face from me,
do not delay Your coming,
nor withdraw Your consolation from me,
lest my soul become like a waterless desert.
Teach me, O Lord, to do Your will,
teach me to live worthily and humbly in Your sight,
for You are my wisdom,
who know me truly
and who knew me before the world was made
and before I had my being.
Amenremember your mercies lord - by thomas a kmepis 12 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on LOVE, SPEAKING of ....., Thomas a Kempis

Quote/s of the Day – 5 February – Speaking of “Conscience and Death”

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 5 February

Speaking of “Conscience and Death”

Thomas à Kempis CRSA (1380-1471)

“If you have a good conscience,
you would not greatly fear death.”

“The glory of the good,
is in their consciences
and not, in the tongues of men.”

“Happy is the man
who renounces everything,
which may bring a stain or burden,
upon his conscience”3 conscience quotes - thomas a kempis 5feb2019.jpg

“He has great tranquillity of heart,
who cares neither for the praises,
nor the fault-finding of men.
He will easily be content and pacified,
whose conscience is pure.
You are not holier if you are praised,
nor the more worthless,
if you are found fault with.
What you are, that you are;
neither by word can you be made greater,
than what you are in the sight of God.”he has great tranquility of heart - thomas a kempis 5 feb 2019.jpg

“Love alone makes heavy burdens light
and bears in equal balance,
things pleasing and displeasing.
Love bears a heavy burden
and does not feel it
and love, makes bitter things,
tasteful and sweet.”love alone makes heavy burdens lights - thomas a kempis 5feb2019.jpg

“Without labour there is no rest,
nor without fighting,
can the victory be won.”without labour there is no rest thomas a kempis 5feb2019.jpg

“You shall rest sweetly,
if your heart condemns you not.”you shall rest sweetly - thomas a kempis 5feb2019.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY NAME, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 5 February – Write Your Blessed Name, Upon My Heart

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 5 February-Tuesday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Write Your Blessed Name, Upon My Heart
By Thomas à Kempis

Write Your blessed name,
O Lord,
upon my heart,
there to remain so indelibly engraved,
that no prosperity,
no adversity shall ever move me
from Your love.
Be to me a strong tower of defence,
a comforter in tribulation,
a deliverer in distress,
a very present help in trouble
and a guide to heaven
through the many temptations
and dangers of this life.
Amenwrite your blessed name o lord upon my heart - thomas a kempist - 5 feb 2019.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 1 February – Let Your Will be Mine

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 1 February – Friday of the Third week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Let Your Will be Mine
A Prayer for Fulfilling
the Will of God
Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O most merciful Jesus,
grant me Your grace,
that it may remain with me always
and persevere with me to the end.
Grant me always to will and desire,
what is more pleasing and acceptable to You.
Let Your will be mine
and let my will always follow Yours
in perfect conformity with it.
Let my will and desires, always be one with Yours
and let me be unable to will or not to will,
except as You will or do not will.
Grant that I may die to all worldly things
and that I may be despised and unknown
for love of You.
Grant, above all things to be desired,
that I may find rest in You
and that in Your Heart alone, may be my peace.
You, O Lord, give true peace to the heart
and perfect rest to body and soul.
Apart from You, all is difficult and never still.
In that peace, in You Who are the one,
supreme and eternal Good,
I will sleep and take my rest.
Amena prayer for fulfilling the will of god - thomas a kempis -1 feb 2019- corrected from 10 july 2018.jpg

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 11 January – Grant Me Rest in You, above All – By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 11 January – 5th day after Epiphany

Grant Me Rest in You, above All
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Grant me, O most sweet and loving Jesus,
to rest in You, above every creature,
above all health and beauty,
above all glory and honour,
above all power and dignity,
above all joy and exultation,
above all fame and praise,
above all sweetness and consolation,
above all hope and promise,
above all desert and desire,
above all gifts and presents,
which You are able to bestow or infuse,
above all joy and gladness,
which the mind is capable of receiving and feeling;
finally, above angels and archangels,
and above all the host of heaven,
above all things, visible and invisible,
and above all,
that falls short of Yourself,
O You my God.
Amengrant me rest in you above all o Jesus - thomas a kempis 11 jan 2019.jpg

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SUNDAY REFLECTIONS, THE EPIPHANY of the LORD, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, Thomas a Kempis

Sunday Reflection – 6 January – The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Sunday Reflection – 6 January – The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

“What other people are so fortunate as the Christian people?   What creature under heaven is so beloved as a devout soul into whom God comes, in order to feed him with His own glorious Body and Blood?   O grace unspeakable, O marvellous condescension, O love without measure, bestowed only on human beings!

There is nothing I can give to the Lord for this grace – this supreme love;  nothing acceptable I can offer Him but my heart entirely given to God and closely united to Him. Then, all that is within me will be filled with joy, when my soul is perfectly one with God.

Then He will say to me:  “If you will be with Me, I will be with you.”  And I will answer Him and say: “Stay with me, Lord, I implore You, for my desire is to be with You.”

This is my whole desire – that my heart be united to You.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Book 4-Chapter 13 #3
Blessed Sacramentwhat other people are so fortunate - thomas a kempis - sun reflec 6 jan 2019.jpg

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, DOCTORS of the Church, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY NAME, Thomas a Kempis, Uncategorized

Quote/s of the Day – 3 January – The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

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Quote/s of the Day – 3 January – The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

“The sweet Name of Jesus
produces in us holy thoughts,
fills the soul with noble sentiments,
strengthens virtue,
begets good works
and nourishes pure affection.
All spiritual food leaves the soul dry,
if it contain not,
that penetrating oil,
the Name Jesus.”

St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153) Doctor of the Churchthe sweet name of jesus - st bernard - 3 jan 2019

“The name of Jesus, is in fact,
the great foundation of the faith
that turns people into children of God.
The Catholic Faith indeed,
consists in the news of Jesus Christ,
as light of the soul,
gate of life
and foundation
of eternal salvation.”the name of jesus is in fact the reat foundation - st bernardine 3 jan 2019

“The Name of Jesus is the glory of preachers
because the shining splendour of that Name
causes His word to be proclaimed and heard.
And how do you think such an immense,
sudden and dazzling light of faith came into the world,
if not because Jesus was preached?
Was it not through the brilliance
and sweet savour of this Name
that God called us into His marvelous light?”

St Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444)

“Oh that you were worthy
to suffer something for the
Name of Jesus!
What great glory would await you,
what great rejoicing among all the Saints
and, moreover, what great edification
to your neighbour!”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

(Imitation Book 2- Chapter 12)oh that you were worthy to suffer something for the name of jesus - thomas a kempis 3 jan 2019.jpg

…There is one Christian name in the world
which casts a spell over eye or ear
when we see it written on the page of a book,
or overhear it mentioned in conversation.
We are thrilled by the mere encounter of it.
…It produces in us a sudden lightening of the heart,
because we are in love!”

Monsignor Ronald Knox (1888-1957)

there is one christian name in the world - mons ronald knox 3 jan 2019.jpg

 

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, CHRISTMASTIDE!, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY NAME, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 26 December – The Memorial of St Stephen the First Martyr and the Second Day in the Octave of Christmas

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 26 December – The Memorial of St Stephen the First Martyr and the Second Day in the Octave of Christmas

O Sweet Name of Jesus
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

O sweet Name of Jesus,
holy above all names
in heaven and on earth
and to which every knee,
both of men
and of angels in heaven,
on earth and in hell bends.
You are the the Way of the just,
the Glory of the saints,
the Hope of those in need,
the Balm of the sick,
the Love of the devout
and the Consolation
of those that suffer.
O, Jesus be to me a help
and a protector
so that Your Name
may be blessed for all times.
Amen

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471) CRSA …(Manualis Parvulorum XIII)o sweet name of jesus by thomas a kempis 26 dec 2018

The Apostles chose Stephen the Deacon, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, who was stoned while he prayed, saying “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit and lay not this sin upon them.”

C. By the merits and prayers of blessed Stephen
R. Be merciful, O God, to Your people

Almighty and everlasting God,
who consecrated the first-fruits of Your martyrs
in the blood of blessed Stephen the deacon,
grant, we beg You,
that he may pray for us,
even as he prayed for his persecutors,
to our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,
who lives and reigns,
world without end.
Amen.Prayer for the feast of st stephen 26 dec 2018

Posted in Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS, Thomas a Kempis

Our Morning Offering – 23 December – The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 23 December – The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Act of Oblation before Holy Communion
By Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)

Lord, all things in heaven and on earth
are Yours,
I desire to give myself to You
in willing abandonment
and to remain Yours forever.
Lord, in simplicity of heart,
I offer myself to You this day,
always to be Your obedient servant
and a sacrifice of perpetual praise.
Accept me with the Holy Sacrifice
of Your precious Body,
which I offer You today
in the presence of Your assisting Angels,
for my salvation
and that of all Your people.
Amenact of oblation before holy comm thomas a kempis 23 dec 2018 4 advent