Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MARIAN DEVOTIONS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS for VARIOUS NEEDS, PRAYERS of PETITION, QUOTES on DEATH, QUOTES on MERCY

Our Morning Offering – 24 September – Supplication to Our Lady of Ransom

Our Morning Offering – 24 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – The Feast of Our Lady of Ransom

Supplication to Our Lady of Ransom
To Obtain the Favour of her Patronage until Death.
Unknown Author

Sweet Mother! turn those gentle eyes
Of pity down upon me;
Oh! hear thy suppliant’s tearful cries,
My humble prayer, do not despise,
Star of the pathless sea!

In dark temptation’s dreary hour,
To thee, bright Queen, we flee;
Oh! then exert a mother’s power,
When storms are rough and tempests lower;
Star of the raging sea!

Through all my joys and cares, sweet Maid,
May I still look on thee,
Who bore the Price our ransom paid,
And ne’er the suppliant’s cry hath stayed;
Star of the azure sea!

And when my last expiring sigh,
My soul from earth shall free,
Do thou, bright Queen of Saints, stand by
And bear it up to God on high,
Star of the boundless sea!

Say the Hail Mary three times
followed by
the Hail Holy Queen

Posted in BLESSED TRINITY PRAYERS, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FEBRUARY - THE BLESSED TRINITY (Traditional), Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, The MOST HOLY & BLESSED TRINITY, The WILL of GOD

Our Morning Offering – 7 September – Morning Prayer To Be Conformed to the Divine Will

Our Morning Offering – 7 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – Pentecost XIII

Morning Prayer
To Be Conformed to the Divine Will
Unknown Author
Breviary Prayer

Most Holy Trinity, Godhead IndIvisible,
Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
our first beginning and our last end,
Thou hast made us in accord
with Thine Own Image and likeness.

Grant that all the thoughts of our minds,
all the words of our tongues,
all the affections of our hearts
and all the actions of our being
may always be conformed to Thine Holy Will.

So may we, having seen Thee veiled
in appearance here below,
by means of faith,
come at last to contemplate
Thee face-to-face,
in the perfect possession of Thee,
forever in Heaven.
Amen

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, MARIAN HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 30 August – Virginis Proles for the Feast of St Rose of Lima

Our Morning Offering – 30 August – “The Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” – St Rose of Lima OP (1586-1617) Virgin

Virginis Proles
Anonymous Latin, 8th Century
Trans. Fr Edward Caswall C.Orat. (1814-1878)

O Thou Thy Mother’s Maker, hail!
Hail, Virgin-born! to Thee;
Hear us, who on this day record
Thy Virgin’s memory.

Oh, through her prayers our sins forgive,
All good and gracious King !
So purified in heart may we
Thy praise eternal sing.

All glory to the Father be;
Praise to His only Son;
With Thee, who dost from both proceed.
While endless ages run.

This Hymn is used for Matins in the Common of Virgins in the Extraordinary form of the Roman Breviary. Verses 1, 4 and 5 above, are used for a Virgin who is not a Martyr.

Posted in IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, Our MORNING Offering, The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, The LITTLE OFFICE of MARY

Our Morning Offering – 18 May – INVIOLATA! INVIOLATE!

Our Morning Offering – 18 May – “The Month of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – Easter IV

INVIOLATA!
INVIOLATE!
Unknown Author
(11th Century)

Thou art inviolate, undefiled
and chaste, O Mary.
Thou has become the resplendent
Gate of Heaven,
O loving and dearest Mother of Christ,
Accept our devout acclamations
in praise of thee.
That our minds and bodies
may be pure,
Devoted hearts and lips
now implore thee.
Through thy sweet sounding prayers,
Gain us pardon forever.
O kind one, who alone
didst remain inviolate.
Amen

The Hymn Inviolata has been claimed by the Carmelite Order, as a Traditional Hymn originating within their ranks. The Hymn is also used by Dominican Friars in the chanting of Compline. Its origins trace to the 11th Century. It appears in Hymnals from 1860 to 1920.

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on MARTYRDOM

Our Morning Offering – 26 January – Deus, Tuorum Militum, O God of Those Who Fought Thy Fight

Our Morning Offering – 26 January – St Polycarp (69-155) Martyr, Bishop of Smyrna (Asia Minor), Apostolic Father

Deus, Tuorum Militum
O God of Those Who Fought Thy Fight
Unknown Author

(6th Century)

O God, of those who fought Thy fight,
Portion and Prize and Crown of Light,
Break every bond of sin and shame
As now we praise Thy Martyr’s name.

He recked not of the world’s allure
But sin and pomp of sin forswore:
Knew all their gall and passed them by
And reached the throne prepared on high.

Bravely the course of pain he ran
And bore his torments, as a man,
For love of Thee his blood outpoured
And thus obtained the great reward.

With humble voice and suppliant word
We pray Thee, therefore, Holy Lord,
While we Thy Martyr’s Feast-day keep,
Forgive Thy loved and erring sheep.

All honour, laud and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee,
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.
Amen

An Ambrosian Hymn historically assigned for Matins and Vespers for the Common of a Martyr in the Roman Breviary. It dates probably from the s6th Century and is attributed to the unknown Author of Rex gGoriose Martyrum and Jesu, Redemptor Omnium.
The Hymn exists in a longer version of eight strophes and a shorter one, of four, which is probably earlier.

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Prayers and Novena, IMMACULATE HEART PRAYERS, MARIAN HYMNS, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN TITLES, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH

Our Morning Offering – 16 October – Tota Pulchra Es, Maria – You Are All Beautiful, Mary

Our Morning Offering – 16 October – “The Month of the Most Holy Rosary and of the Angels” – Feast of the Purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Tota Pulchra Es, Maria
You Are All Beautiful, Mary
Unknown Author – 4th Century

You are all beautiful, Mary,
and the original stain is not in you.
You are the glory of Jerusalem,
you are the joy of Israel,
you give honour to our people.
You are an advocate of sinners.
O Mary, O Mary,
Virgin most intelligent,
Mother most merciful.
Pray for us,
Plead for us,
To the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tota pulchra es, Maria.
Et macula originalis non est in Te.
Tu gloria Ierusalem.
Tu laetitia Israel.
Tu honorificentia populi nostri.
Tu advocata peccatorum.
O Maria, O Maria,
Virgo prudentissima.
Mater clementissima.
Ora pro nobis.
Intercede pro nobis.
Ad Dominum Iesum Christum.

This prayer used by the Church since the 4th Century for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Purity of the Blessed Virgin. It takes some text from the book of Judith and other text from Song of Songs, specifically 4:7. Many composers have set this prayer to music over the centuries.

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, Hail MARY!, MARIAN PRAYERS, MOTHER of GOD

Quote/s of the Day – 2 July – Hail, O Mary, Mother of God

Quote/s of the Day – 2 July – The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Hail, O Mary, Mother of God
By St Cyril of Alexandria (376-444)
Father & Doctor of the Church

Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Virgin and Mother!
Morning Star, perfect vessel.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Holy Temple in which God
Himself was conceived.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Chaste and pure dove.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
who enclosed the One
Who cannot be encompassed
in your sacred womb.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
From you flowed the true light,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Through you the Conqueror
and triumphant Vanquisher
of hell, came to us.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Through you, the glory
of the Resurrection blossoms.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
You have saved every faithful Christian.
Hail, O Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
Amen

Blessed Shall be Her Name
Anonymous Author

Praise we the Lord this day,
This day so long foretold,
Whose promise shone with cheering ray
On waiting saints of old.

The prophet gave the sign
That those with faith might read;
A Virgin, born of David’s line
Shall bear the promised Seed.

Ask not how this should be,
But worship and adore;
Like her whom Heaven’s majesty
Came down to shadow o’er.

She meekly bowed her head
To hear the gracious word,
Mary, the pure and lowly maid,
The favoured of the Lord.

Blessed shall be her name
In all the Church on earth,
Through whom that wondrous Mercy came,
The Incarnate Saviour’s Birth.

Jesus, the Virgin’s Son,
We praise You and adore,
Who are with God the Father One
And Spirit evermore.
Amen

Posted in "Follow Me", CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, GOD ALONE!, JULY - The MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD, QUOTES on THE WORLD, The DIVINE INFANT, To JESUS through MARY

Our Morning Offering – 22 June – The Mater Christi!

Our Morning Offering – 22 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” and Mary’s Day

The Mater Christi!
Unknown Author

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
What shall I ask of thee?
I do not sigh for the wealth of earth
For the joys that fade and flee,
But, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
This do I long to see —
The bliss untold which thy arms enfold,
The Treasure upon thy knee.

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
He was All-in-All to thee,
In the winter’s cave, in Nazareth’s home,
In the hamlets of Galilee,
So, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
He will not say nay to thee,
When He lifts His Face to thy sweet embrace,
Speak to Him, Mother, of me.

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
The world will bid Him flee,
Too busy to heed His gentle Voice,
Too blind His charms to see,
Then, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
Come with thy Babe to me,
Tho’ the world be cold, my heart shall hold
A shelter for Him and thee.

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
What shall I do for thee?
I will love thy Son with the whole of my strength,
My only King shall He be.
Yes! Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
This will I do for thee,
Of all that are dear or cherished here,
None shall be dear as He.

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
I toss on a stormy sea,
O lift thy Child as a Beacon Light,
To the Port where I fain would be!
And, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
This do I ask of thee —
When the voyage is o’er, oh! stand on the shore
And show Him at last to me!

Posted in CHRIST the KING, CHRIST the LIGHT, GOD ALONE!, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, QUOTES for CHRIST, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on THE VOICE OF GOD

 Our Morning Offering – 6 April – The Mater Christi

 Our Morning Offering – 6 April – Easter Saturday

The Mater Christi
Unknown Author

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
What shall I ask of thee?
I do not sigh for the wealth of earth
For the joys that fade and flee,
But, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
This do I long to see —
The bliss untold which thy arms enfold,
The Treasure upon thy knee.

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
He was All-in-All to thee,
In the winter’s cave, in Nazareth’s home,
In the hamlets of Galilee,
So, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
He will not say nay to thee,
When He lifts His Face to thy sweet embrace,
Speak to Him, Mother, of me.

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
The world will bid Him flee,
Too busy to heed His gentle Voice,
Too blind His charms to see,
Then, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
Come with thy Babe to me,
Tho’ the world be cold, my heart shall hold
A shelter for Him and thee.

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
What shall I do for thee?
I will love thy Son with the whole of my strength,
My only King shall He be.
Yes! Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
This will I do for thee,
Of all that are dear or cherished here,
None shall be dear as He.

Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
I toss on a stormy sea,
O lift thy Child as a Beacon Light,
To the Port where I fain would be!
And, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ,
This do I ask of thee —
When the voyage is o’er, oh! stand on the shore
And show Him at last to me.

The Author is unclear – The 1920 St Gregory Hymn book (editor Nicola A. Montani) credits it to Nicola A Montani.
The 1914 American Catholic Hymn book credits it to “S. N. D. ” – most likely meaning a Sister of Notre Dame

Posted in ADVENT PRAYERS, FATHERS of the Church, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering

Our Morning Offering – 19 December – Christ is Near!

Our Morning Offering – 19 December – “The Month of the Divine Infancy and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary” – The Third Week of Advent

“Christ is Near!”
Vox clara ecce intonas
Hear the Herald Voice Resounding
Unknown Sixth Century

Trans. Fr Edward Caswell C.Orat. (1814-1878)

Hear the herald voice resounding:
“Christ is near!” it seems to say,
“Cast away the dreams of darkness,
Welcome Christ, the Light of day!”

Wakened by this solemn warning,
Let the earthbound soul arise;
Christ her Sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.

See the Lamb so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from Heav’n;
Hasten now, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiv’n.

So when next He comes with glory,
Shrouding all the earth in fear,
May He then as our Defender
On the clouds of heav’n appear.

Honour, glory, virtue, merit,
To the Father and the Son,
With the co-eternal Spirit,
While eternal ages run.
Amen!

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 10 August – Holy Deacon Martyr, St Lawrence!

Our Morning Offering – 10 August – St Lawrence (Died 258) “Keeper of the Treasures of he Church,” Martyr, Archdeacon.

Holy Deacon Martyr, St Lawrence!
Unknown Author

Holy Deacon! by thy yearning
For the Martyr’s glorious crown;
By thy tortures, by thy burning,
By thy death of bright renown;
When the world and flesh and devil
Tempt our souls to sin and evil,
Dear Saint Lawrence, pray for us!

By the love that thou didst ever
To thy Pontiff-Father bear,
Pray that no base act may sever
Us from Peter’s loving care!
But when men would once more lead us
Into bonds from which Christ freed us,
Dear Saint Lawrence, pray for us!

By the Pontiff’s words of warning,
Bidding all thy sorrows cease,
Words foretelling bitter mourning
Leading unto lasting peace!
That to Jesus in our sadness
We may look for help and gladness,
Dear Saint Lawrence, pray for us!

By thy love, which knew no measure,
For the needy and the old,
Giving them the Church’s treasure
Dearer they than gems and gold!
Teaching us that alms well given
Are but treasures stored in Heaven,
Dear Saint Lawrence, pray for us!

By thy fervent love for Jesus,
By thy strong and constant faith,
Of our sinful burdens ease us!
Help us at the hour of death!
When the fears of death confound us
When the cleansing fires surround us!
Dear Saint Lawrence, pray for us!

Posted in DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, HOLY WEEK, HYMNS, MAUNDY THURSDAY, Our MORNING Offering, The LAMB of GOD, The PASSION

Our Morning Offering – 6 April – Man of Sorrows—Wrapt in Grief

Our Morning Offering – 6 April – Maundy Thursday in Holy Week

Man of Sorrows—Wrapt in Grief
From an old French Hymn
Author Unknown

Man of Sorrows—wrapt in grief,
Bow Thine ear to our relief;
Thou for us the path hast trod
Of the dreadful wrath of God.
Thou the cup of fire hast drain’d
Till its light alone remain’d:
Lamb of Love!—we look to Thee,
Hear our mournful litany!

By the garden—fraught with woe,
Whither Thou full oft wouldst go:
By Thine Agony of prayer
In the desolation there!
By the chains of sleep, which bound
Watchers in their trance profound;
Lord!—behold our bended knee,—
Listen to our litany!

By the conflict foul and fell
With the loosen’d fiends of hell,
By the darkness of the hour
Shadow’d with the tempter’s power,
By the dire and deep distress
Of that mystery fathomless;—
Lord! our tears in mercy see
Mingling with our litany!

By the vision then, which stole
Looming o’er Thy spotless soul,
Of the pride and guilt of man,
Since his fall from grace began,—
Seas of sin, with billowy waves,
Yawning into countless graves;—
Lord! ourselves from shipwreck free,
Hear our solemn litany!

By the Chalice, when it came
Pregnant with a hell of flame:
By those Lips—which fain would pray
That it might but pass away:
By the Heart, which drank it dry,
Lest a rebel race should die;—
Let Thy Pity be our plea,
Hear our solemn litany!

Man of Sorrows! —let Thy grief
Purchase for us our relief—
Lord of Mercy—bow Thine ear,
Slow to anger—swift to hear:
Let the garden Thou hast trod
Draw us to the throne of God;
So Gethsemane shall be
Sweet in every litany!

This translation by Matthew Bridges (1800-1894)
(The Passion of Jesus 1852) Hymnist, Poet, Writer
Converted to Catholicism in 1848, by the influence of
John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Tune: “Anima Christi (English)” traditional English melody.

Posted in CHRISTMASTIDE!, DECEMBER - The DIVINE INFANCY and The IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, MARIAN POETRY, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN Saturdays, Our MORNING Offering, The DIVINE INFANT

Our Morning Offering – 31 December – Mary of Christmas

Our Morning Offering – 31 December – The Seventh Day of the Octave of Christmas – “The Month of the Divine Infant and the Immaculate Conception”

Mary of Christmas
Unknown Author

I know not how, dear Lady love,
To offer you my praise,
I cannot fashion as I wish
The words that I would raise.
You stand afar, celestial Queen,
The stars are in your crown,
They spangle at each gesture’s path
And dust upon your gown.
Perhaps I might recall the night
You knelt beside the crib,
The night when doors and casements shut
And left a mountain’s rib,
Alone, exposed, to hoard you close
Beside the new-born Child
And seek in Joseph’s kindly eyes
For something worldly-mild.
To counteract such mundane chill
I hereby set my heart,
Dim mirror of an Infant’s warmth,
Its flaming but a part,
A small, sad part of Endless Love
That came on Christmas day
To show a mother wonder-bright
To guide us on our way.
Amen.

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, FATHERS of the Church, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS

Our Morning Offering – 5 November – Sanctorum Meritis Inclita Gaudia – Sing, O Sons of the Church

Our Morning Offering – 5 November – Within the Octave of All Saints and the Feast of the Holy Relics

Sanctorum Meritis Inclita Gaudia
Sing, O Sons of the Church

Unknown Author 8th Century
But Attributed to St Rabanus Maurus (c 776-856)
Vespers Hymn in the Common of Martyrs

Sing, O Sons of the Church sounding the Martyrs’ praise!
God’s true soldiers applaud, who, in their weary days,
Won bright trophies of good, glad be the voice ye raise,
While these heroes of Christ ye sing!

They, while yet in the world, were by the world abhorred;
Felt how fading the joys, fleeting the wealth it stored;
Spurned all pleasure for Thee, and at Thy call, O Lord,
Came forth strong in Thy Name, as King.

Lord, how bravely they bore fury and pain for Thee!
Scourge, rod, sword, and the rack strongly endured; but free
Sang out, bold in Thy love, longing on high to be;
Earth’s might never their souls could bend.

While they, shedding their blood, victims for Jesus fell,
No sound out of their lips came of their throes to tell;
Bowed low, patient and meek, loving the Lord so well,
Turned they still to the Christ, their Friend.

What joys, bright with the blood shed for Thy love they share,
Those brave Martyrs of Thine crowned, with Thy laurels rare;
Man’s tongue never can tell, never can half declare,
How pure now is their bliss above!

Yet we, Father on high, God of eternal might,
Lift weak voices in prayer, asking for peace and light;
Cleanse Thou out of our heart,s every stain and blight,
So our songs may be songs of love.
Amen

There are thirteen translations of this Hymn and five in Liturgical usage. This one by Daniel Joseph Donahoe (1853-1930), an Irish American of Connecticut. A Judge, Poet, Writer and Latin Translator. This from his Early Christian Hymns Vol I or II.

Posted in BREVIARY Prayers, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, HYMNS, Our MORNING Offering, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Our Morning Offering – 25 July – Exsultet Orbis! Let the World Rejoice! – Feast of Saint James the Greater, Apostle and Martyr

Our Morning Offering – 25 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Feast of Saint James the Greater, Apostle and Martyr

Exsultet Orbis!
Let the World Rejoice!
Unknown Author

Now let the earth with joy resound,
And Heaven the chant re-echo round;
Nor Heaven nor earth too high can raise
The great Apostles’ glorious praise.

O ye who, throned in glory dread,
Shall judge the living and the dead,
Lights of the world forever more!
To you the suppliant prayer we pour.

Ye close the Sacred Gates on high.
At your command apart they fly.
O loose for us the guilty chain
We strive to break and strive in vain.

Sickness and health your voice obey,
At your command they go or stay.
From sin’s disease our souls restore;
In good confirm us more and more.

So when the world is at its end.
And Christ to Judgment shall descend,
May we be called, those joys to see
Prepared from all eternity.

Praise to the Father, with the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One;
As ever was in ages past
And so shall be while ages last.
Amen

(Roman Breviary for the Common of Apostles)
An Office Hymn that was traditionally prescribed for Vespers and Lauds on the Feasts of Apostles and Evangelists outside Easter time. The Hymn is found as early as the tenth century in a hymnal of Moissac Abbey.

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, PURGATORY, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MORTAL SIN, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 3 June – Heart of Jesus!

Our Morning Offering – 3 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart”

Heart of Jesus!
Unknown author
(Published 1929)

Heart of Jesus! I entreat
Fill my soul with graces sweet!
Heart of Jesus! Help me win
Freedom from all mortal sin!

Heart of Jesus! Keep my soul
Ever under Thy control!
Heart of Jesus! Kindle mine
With the fire of faith divine!

Heart of Jesus! Give me a light
To see, to think, to act aright!
Heart of Jesus! Sorrow-rent
Make me truly penitent!

Heart of Jesus! Soften mine
Out of gratitude to Thine!
Heart of Jesus! Full of love
Lead my thoughts to Heaven above!

Heart of Jesus! Give me grace
My purgatory here to face!
Heart of Jesus! Let me be
Ever filled with love of Thee!
Heart of Jesus! Holy shrine,
Be It ever home of mine!

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION

One Minute Reflection – 30 March – ‘ … The Potter Who made us, saw those empty eyes… ‘

One Minute Reflection – 30 March – Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent – Isaias 1:16-19, John 9:1-38

“I am the light of the world. When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and spread the clay upon his eyes,” – John 9:5-6

REFLECTION – “He who “enlightens everyone coming into this world” (Jn 1,9) is the true Mirror of the Father. Christ passes by as the refulgence of the Father’s glory (Heb 1,3) and casts out the blindness in the eyes of those who cannot see. The Christ Who comes from Heaven passes by, that all flesh might see Him… only those who are blind could not see Christ, Mirror of the Father… Christ has opened this prison; He has opened the blind man’s eyes, who then saw in Christ, the Mirror of the Father…

The first man was created radiant but, once he had left the serpent, he found himself to be blind. This blind man began to be reborn when he started to believe… The man born blind was seated… without asking any doctor for ointment to heal his eyes… The Maker of the world comes along and reflects His image into the Mirror. He sees the wretchedness of the blind man seated there begging. What a miracle of God’s strength! It heals what it sees and enlightens that which it visits…

He who created the earthly orb has now opened the orbs of the blind man’s eyes… The Potter Who made us, (Gn 2,6; Is 64,7) saw those empty eyes… He touched them, mixing His saliva with earth and rubbing on this paste. The material that was used to form the eyes to begin with, has now healed them. Which is the greater marvel -to create the orb of the sun or to recreate the eyes of the man born blind? The Lord, seated on His throne, made the sun to shine; passing through earth’s public squares He allowed the blind man to see. Light has come without our asking for it and, even without making supplication, the blind man was freed from his infirmity from birth.” – Unknown Author, a homily written in North Africa in the 5th or 6th Centuries, incorrectly attributed to Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe (c 462 – 533).

PRAYER Grant us Your Light, O Lord
By The Venerable St Bede (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

Grant us Your light, O Lord,
so that the darkness of our hearts,
may wholly pass away
and we may come at last,
to the Light of Christ.
For Christ is that Morning Star,
who, when the night of this world has passed,
brings to His saints,
the promised light of life
and opens to them,
everlasting day.
Amen.

Posted in JUNE-THE SACRED HEART, Our MORNING Offering, SACRED HEART PRAYERS

Our Morning Offering – 21 June – Heart of Jesus!

Our Morning Offering – 21 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart”

Heart of Jesus!
Unknown author
(Published 1929)

Heart of Jesus! I entreat
Fill my soul with graces sweet!
Heart of Jesus! Help me win
Freedom from all mortal sin!

Heart of Jesus! Keep my soul
Ever under Thy control!
Heart of Jesus! Kindle mine
With the fire of faith divine!

Heart of Jesus! Give me a light
To see, to think, to act aright!
Heart of Jesus! Sorrow-rent
Make me truly penitent!

Heart of Jesus! Soften mine
Out of gratitude to Thine!
Heart of Jesus! Full of love
Lead my thoughts to heaven above!

Heart of Jesus! Give me grace
My purgatory here to face!
Heart of Jesus! Let me be
Ever filled with love of Thee!
Heart of Jesus! Holy shrine,
Be It ever home of mine!

Posted in CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, I BELIEVE!, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on COURAGE, QUOTES on DISCIPLESHIP, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on LOVE of GOD, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on SACRED SCRIPTURE, SPEAKING of .....

Quote/s of the Day – 18 April – Speaking of:   The Great Commission

Quote/s of the Day – 18 April – Easter Saturday

Speaking of:   The Great Commission

“I preached myself,
the scholars came and praised me.
I preached Christ,
the sinners came and thanked me.”

St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
Doctor of the Church

i preached myself the scholars came ...i preached Christ - 18 april 2020

“There is a difference between
renouncing all things
and leaving all things.
For it is the way of few perfect men,
to leave all things, that is,
to cast behind them the cares of the world
but, it is the part of all the faithful,
to renounce all things,
that is, so to hold the things of the world,
instead of by them,
being held in the world.”

St Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Father and Doctor of the Church

there is a difference between renouncing all things and leaving all things st bede 18 april 2020

“Sanctify yourself
and you will sanctify society.”

St Francis of Assisi (c 1181-1226)

sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society st francis 18 april 2020

“Here lies the test of truth,
the touchstone of evangelisation –
it is unthinkable, that a person,
should accept the Word
and give himself to the kingdom,
without becoming a person
who bears witness to it
and proclaims it in his turn.”

St Pope Paul VI (1897-1978)

here lies the test of truth the touchstone of evanelisation - st pope paul VI 18 april 2020

“Tell others about the truth that sets you free.”

Pope Benedict XVI

telll others about the truth that sets you free pope benedict XVI 18 april 2020

“Our solid conviction, is that Jesus is, who He said He is
and He can do, what He says He can do.
Not only that but if Jesus is, who He says He is,
then you are, who He says you are.
And if He is who He says He is,
then you can do, what He says you can do.”

our solid conviction - fr mike schmitz 18 april 2020

“You are a billboard for Christ!”

Father Mike Schmitz

you are a billboard for christ - 25 oct 2019

“God will put someone in your path today
who doesn’t necessarily need you…
but who desperately needs Christ in you.”

god will put someone in your path today-mark hart 18 april 2020

“Oh, how thunderous the applause must be in Heaven,
all those times we are mocked on earth for the sake of His name.”

Mark Hart

Mark Hart serves as Executive Vice President for Life Teen International. A graduate from the University of Notre Dame, Mark is a best-selling and award-winning author (or co-author) of over a dozen books. His wildly popular DVD Bible Study Series,”T3″ is revolutionizing Catholic youth/young adult Scripture Study. He is the “Bible Geek.”

oh how thunderous the applause must be in heaven - mark hart 18 april 2020

“Withholding the truth of Christianity
would be even more uncharitable,
than withholding a cure for cancer.”

Unknown

withholding the truth of christianity - unknown 18 april 2020

Posted in QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, SAINT of the DAY, St JOSEPH

Quote/s of the Day – 1 May – Sanctification through work

Quote/s of the Day – 1 May – Wednesday of the Second week of Easter, the first day of Mary’s Month and the Memorial of St Joseph the Worker, Gospel: John 3:16–21

“Sanctity, for the vast majority of people,
implies sanctifying their work,
sanctifying themselves in it
and sanctifying others through it.”sanctity for the vast majority - st joseph worker - st josemaria escriva 1 may 2019.jpg

“It is no good offering to God,
something that is less perfect
than our poor human limitations permit.
The work that we offer, must be without blemish
and it must be done as carefully as possible,
even in its smallest details,
for God will not accept shoddy workmanship.
‘Thou shalt not offer anything that is faulty,’
Holy Scripture warns us,
‘because it would not be worthy of him.’
For that reason, the work of each one of us,
the activities that take up our time and energy,
must be an offering worthy of our Creator.
It must be operatio Dei, a work of God,
that is done for God –
in short, a task that is complete and faultless.”

St Josemaria Escrivá (1902-1975)it is no good offering to god - on work - st josemaria escriva 1 may 2019.jpg

“A spirituality must be lived that will help believers
to sanctify themselves through their work,
imitating St Joseph, who everyday,
had to provide for the needs of the Holy Family
with his hands and who because of this,
the Church indicates as patron of workers.”

Pope Benedict XVIa spirituality must be lived - pope benedict 1 may 2019.jpg

“Work done grudgingly, is servitude.

Work done willingly, is service.

Work done lovingly, is a Sacrament!”

Unknownwork-done-grudgingly-1-may-2018-st-joseph-the-worker-unknown-author.jpg