#stpopejohnxxiii

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Feast of the Divine Maternity

Feast of the Divine Maternity

Feast of the Divine Maternity – Second Sunday in October or 11 October: The object of this feast is to commemorate the dignity of the Mary as Mother of God. Mary is truly the Mother of Christ, who in One Person unites the Human and Divine Nature. This title was solemnly ratified by the Council of Ephesus on 22 June, 431.It was long celebrated in Portugal, where the Maternity of Our Lady was…

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Lenten Reflection – 19 March – "He has so much to say to us, in this time, of a strong sense of being orphaned."

Lenten Reflection – 19 March – “He has so much to say to us, in this time, of a strong sense of being orphaned.”

Lenten Reflection – 19 March – The Solemnity of the Feast of St Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Universal Church, Readings: 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16, Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29, Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22, Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your…

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Lenten Reflection - 23 March - I believe in You, increase my faith.

Lenten Reflection – 23 March – I believe in You, increase my faith.

Lenten Reflection – 23 March – Monday of the Fourth week of Lent, Readings: Isaiah 65:17-21, Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13, John 4:43-54

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

Jesus said to him, “Go, your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way. … John 4:50

Daily Meditation: You give us new life. We now begin the second part of Lent.

“Whe…

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Our Morning Offering - 11 October - Every Day I Need You, Lord

Our Morning Offering – 11 October – Every Day I Need You, Lord

Our Morning Offering – 11 October – Friday of the Twenty Seventh week in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

Every Day I Need You, Lord By St Pope John XXIII

Every day I need You, Lord but today especially, I need some extra strength to face whatever is to come. This day, more than any other day, I need to feel You near me to strengthen my courage and to…

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Our Morning Offering - 20 February - Every Day I Need You, Lord

Our Morning Offering – 20 February – Every Day I Need You, Lord

Our Morning Offering – 20 February – Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

Every Day I Need You, Lord By St Pope John XXIII

Every day I need You, Lord but today especially, I need some extra strength to face whatever is to come. This day, more than any other day, I need to feel You near me to strengthen my courage and to overcome any fear. By myself, I cannot meet the challenge of the…

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Memorials of the Saints - 11 October

Memorials of the Saints – 11 October

St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963) (Optional Memorial) Biography here: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/10/11/saint-of-the-day-11-october-st-pope-john-xxiii-1881-1963/ AND: https://anastpaul.com/2018/10/11/saint-of-the-day-11-october-st-pope-john-xxiii-1881-1963-good-pope-john/

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUd4ifViFBU&w=420…

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Sunday Reflection - 14 April - God with Us! St John XXIII

Sunday Reflection – 14 April – God with Us! St John XXIII

Sunday Reflection – 14 April – Palm Sunday, Year C

God with Us! St John XXIII (1881-1963)

This is the great reality of Christian history – Jesus, the Sacred Host, the Bread of Life, in the midst of His Church. This is that brightest Star which enables us to look forward with great confidence to the future Kingdom of Christ.   And, as we bless and adore Jesus in the most Holy Eucharist, we wish to…

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Our Morning Offering – 24 December – The Eve of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

O Sweet Child of Bethlehem By St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

O sweet Child of Bethlehem, grant that we may share with all our hearts, in this profound mystery of Christmas. Put into the hearts of men and women, this peace for which they seek so desperately and which You alone can give to them. Help them to know one another better and to live as brothers and sisters, children of the same Father. Reveal to them, also Your beauty, holiness and purity. Awaken in their hearts, love and gratitude for Your infinite goodness. Join them altogether in Your love and give us Your heavenly peace. Amen

(via Our Morning Offering - 24 December - O Sweet Child of Bethlehem)

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 October – The Memorial of St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

“I have looked into Your eyes with my eyes. I have put my heart near Your Heart.”

“To keep me from sin and straying from Him, God has used, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. My life vows destined to be spent in the light irradiating from the tabernacle and it is to the Heart of Jesus, that I dare go. for the solution of all my problems.”

“Never hesitate, to hold out your hand, never hesitate to accept, the outstretched hand of another.”

“Do not walk through time without leaving worthy evidence of your passage.”

“Holy Mother Church is a home for one and all. She desires to belong to everyone and in particular she is the Church of the poor, like the village fountain”.

“Before everything else, fidelity to the Church ��� One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. Jesus did not found several churches but one single Church.”

St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

(via Quote/s of the Day – 11 October – The Memorial of St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963))

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Our Morning Offering – 11 October – The Memorial of St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

Every Day I Need You, Lord By St Pope John XXIII

Every day I need You, Lord but today especially, I need some extra strength to face whatever is to come. This day, more than any other day, I need to feel You near me to strengthen my courage and to overcome any fear. By myself, I cannot meet the challenge of the hour. We are frail human creatures and we need a higher power to sustain us in all that life may bring. And so, dear Lord, hold my trembling hand. Be with me, Lord, this day and stretch out, Your powerful arm to help me. May Your love be upon me as I place all my hope in You. Amen

(via Our Morning Offering - 11 October - The Memorial of St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963))

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Thought for the Day – 3 November – The Memorial of St Martin de Porres (1579-1639)

The example of Martin’s life is ample evidence that we can strive for holiness and salvation as Christ Jesus has shown us:  first, by loving God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind; and second, by loving your neighbour as yourself.”

When Martin had come to realize that Christ Jesus suffered for us and that He carried our sins on His body to the cross, he would meditate with remarkable ardour and affection about Christ on the cross.   Whenever he would contemplate Christ’s terrible torture he would be reduced to tears.   He had an exceptional love for the great sacrament of the Eucharist and often spent long hours in prayer before the blessed sacrament.   His desire was to receive the sacrament in communion as often as he could.

Saint Martin, always obedient and inspired by his divine teacher, dealt with his brothers with that profound love which comes from pure faith and humility of spirit.  He loved men because he honestly looked on them as God’s children and as his own brothers and sisters.   Such was his humility that he loved them even more than himself and considered them to be better and more righteous than he was.

He excused the faults of others.   He forgave the bitterest injuries, convinced that he deserved much severer punishments on account of his own sins.   He tried with all his might to redeem the guilty;  lovingly he comforted the sick;  he provided food, clothing and medicine for the poor;  he helped, as best he could, farm labourers and Negroes, as well as mulattoes, who were looked upon at that time as akin to slaves:  thus he deserved to be called by the name the people gave him: ‘Martin of Charity.’”

The virtuous example and even the conversation of this saintly man exerted a powerful influence in drawing men to religion.   It is remarkable how even today his influence can still come us toward the things of heaven.   Sad to say, not all of us understand these spiritual values as well as we should, nor do we give them a proper place in our lives. Many of us, in fact, strongly attracted by sin, may look upon these values as of little moment, even something of a nuisance, or we ignore them altogether.   It is deeply rewarding for men striving for salvation to follow in Christ’s footsteps and to obey God’s commandments.   If only everyone could learn this lesson from the example that Martin gave us.”

Do you desire to be Christ, to follow Christ more closely?   Walk on the path that Saint Martin shows….

This excerpt from the homily of Pope John XXIII on the occasion of the Canonisation of Saint Martin de Porres (Die 6 Maii 1962: AAS 54 [1962], 306-309) is read in the Roman Office of Readings for the Feast of Dominican Friar and friend of St Rose of Lima, Saint Martin de Porres, the apostle of the poor, on 3 November.

St Martin de Porres, Pray for us!

(via AnaStpaul – Breathing Catholic)

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Our Morning Offering – 25 December – The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord

Christmas Prayer By St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

O sweet Child of Bethlehem, grant that we may share with all our hearts in this profound mystery of Christmas. Put into the hearts of men and women this peace for which they sometimes seek so desperately and which You alone can give to them. Help them to know one another better, and to live as brothers and sisters, children of the same Father. Reveal to them also, Your beauty, holiness and purity. Awaken in their hearts love and gratitude for Your infinite goodness. Join them all together in Your love. And give us Your heavenly peace, amen.

(via AnaStpaul – Breathing Catholic)

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One Minute Reflection – 3 November – The Memorial of St Martin de Porres (1579-1639)

Set your heart on what pertains to higher realms where Christ is seated at God’s right hand.…Colossians 3:1

REFLECTION – “The example of Martin’s life is ample evidence that we can strive for holiness and salvation as Christ Jesus has shown us:  first, by loving God “with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind; and second, by loving your neighbour as yourself.”   When Martin had come to realise that Christ Jesus suffered for us and that he carried our sins on His body to the cross, he would meditate with remarkable ardour and affection about Christ on the cross.   He had an exceptional love for the great sacrament of the Eucharist and often spent long hours in prayer before the blessed sacrament.   His desire was to receive the sacrament in Communion as often as he could. Saint Martin, always obedient and inspired by his divine teacher, dealt with his brothers and with that profound love which comes from pure faith and humility of spirit.”…..St Pope John XXIII (Homily given at the canonisation of Saint Martin de Porres).

PRAYER – Lord Jesus, help us to appreciate spiritual values and give them the first place in our hearts. Grant that we may always seek them first and remain forever united with You. Help us to follow the path of humility St Martin so splendidly showed us, that we may obtain from You, as he did, a place in Your Kingdom. St Martin de Porres, pray for us, amen.

(via AnaStpaul – Breathing Catholic)

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Quote/s of the Day – 11 October – The Memorial of St John XXIII (1881-1963)

“It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father.”

“Every time I hear anyone speak of the Sacred Heart of Jesus or of the Blessed Sacrament I feel an indescribable joy. It is as if a wave of precious memories, sweet affections and joyful hopes swept over my poor person, making me tremble with happiness and filling my soul with tenderness. These are loving appeals from Jesus who wants me wholeheartedly there, at the source of all goodness, His Sacred Heart, throbbing mysteriously behind the Eucharistic veils… I love to repeat today ‘Sweet Heart of my Jesus, make me love You more and more.'”

Holy Mother Church is a home for one and all. She desires to belong to everyone and in particular she is the Church of the poor, like the village fountain”.

St Pope John XXIII

(via AnaStpaul – Breathing Catholic)

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One Minute Reflection – 5 November

With so many witnesses in a great cloud on every side of us, we too, then, should throw off everything that hinders us, especially the sin that clings so easily, and keep running steadily in the race we have started….Hebrews 12:1

REFLECTION – “In Catholic tradition, devotion to the saints is not merely a mark of respect or a brief prayer on certain occasions….but a deeply felt spiritual communion, an attentive study of the precious examples and lessons, which the saints give us to cheer and encourage us.”…St Pope John XXIII

PRAYER – Oh bless us O Holy Father, in Your saints, in the suffering army in Purgatory and in Your angels!   May those who stand in adoration with You in Heaven and those who cry out for mercy, be our intercessors as we struggle to throw off everything that hinders us on our way to You and them!   Eternal Father, may we reach our heavenly goal by their constant prayer.   As we pray for the Holy Souls and they for us, may the Saints and angels be our champions, amen.

(via AnaStpaul – Breathing Catholic)

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One Minute Reflection – 11 October – The Memorial of St John XXIII (1881-1963)

I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘whom shall I send?…’ “Here I am, I said, send me!” … Isaiah 6:8

REFLECTION – “I have looked into your eyes with my eyes. I have put my heart near your heart.” …St Pope John XXIII   “In the last moments of his earthly life, he entrusted his testament to the Church:  “What counts the most in life is blessed Jesus Christ, His holy Church, His Gospel, truth and goodness”. – St Pope John Paul II

PRAYER – Help me my Lord, to discern through prayer and meditation, what You truly want of me.   Then enable me to offer it to You and indeed to offer myself and all I have to You. St John XXIII, pray for Holy Mother Church, pray for all the members of the Mystical Body, pray for our sons and daughters and for us all, pray for me! Amen

(via AnaStpaul – Breathing Catholic)