St Elizabeth (c. 1st cen.), Mother, St John the Baptist; Hebron, Palestine; Feast day November 5
"Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how have I deserved that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, the moment that the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who has believed, because the things promised her by the Lord shall be accomplished."
St Mary (c. 1st cen.), Virgin, Mother of God; Nazareth, Palestine
"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because He has regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He that is mighty has done great things to me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is from generation to generation to them that fear Him. He has shown might in His arm; He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones; and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy, even as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. Amen."
Friday, July 5, 2013
Monday, July 1, 2013
July 1st
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Thorens-Glieres, France; Feast day January 29th
"Two sorts of persons ought to go frequently to Communion: the perfect, in order to remain so; and the imperfect, in order to become perfect."
St Bonaventure (1221-1274), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Bagnoregio, Italy; Feast day July 14
Although it be with lukewarmness, still approach Holy Communion, trusting in the mercy of God. The more one feels himself sick, the greater need has he of a physician."
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), Bishop, Confessor, Founder; Marianella, Italy; Feast day August 2nd
"The Eternal Father has made Jesus Christ the possessor of all His own heavenly treasures. The Father has given all things into His hands. Hence, when Jesus Christ comes to a soul in Holy Communion, He brings with Him boundless treasures of grace; and consequently after Commnion we can justly say, 'Now all good things came to me together with it.'"
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Thorens-Glieres, France; Feast day January 29th
"Two sorts of persons ought to go frequently to Communion: the perfect, in order to remain so; and the imperfect, in order to become perfect."
St Bonaventure (1221-1274), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Bagnoregio, Italy; Feast day July 14
Although it be with lukewarmness, still approach Holy Communion, trusting in the mercy of God. The more one feels himself sick, the greater need has he of a physician."
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), Bishop, Confessor, Founder; Marianella, Italy; Feast day August 2nd
"The Eternal Father has made Jesus Christ the possessor of all His own heavenly treasures. The Father has given all things into His hands. Hence, when Jesus Christ comes to a soul in Holy Communion, He brings with Him boundless treasures of grace; and consequently after Commnion we can justly say, 'Now all good things came to me together with it.'"
June 30th
St Paul (5-67), Apostle, Martyr; Tarsus, Asia Minor; Feast day June 30th
"Brethren: Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who though He was by nature God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to be clung to, but emptied Himself, taking the nature of a slave and being made like unto men. And appearing in the form of man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even to death on a cross. Therefore God also has exalted Him and has bestowed upon Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father."
"Brethren: If you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Mind the things that are above, not the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life, shall appear, then you too will appear with Him in glory."
"Brethren: I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in us. For the eager longing of creation awaits the revelation of the sons of God. For creation was made subject to vanity -- not by its own will but by reason of Him Who made it subject -- in hope, because creation itself also will be delivered from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the sons of God. For we know that all creation groans and travails in pain until now. And not only it, but we ourselves also who have the first-fruits of the Spirit -- we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption as sons of God, the redemption of our body, in Christ Jesus our Lord."
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. May no temptation take hold of you but such as man is equal to. God is faithful and will not permit you to be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also give you a way out that you may be able to bear it."
"Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For what a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows in the flesh, from the flesh also will reap corruption. But he who sows in the spirit, from the spirit will reap life everlasting. And in doing good let us not grow tired; for in due time we shall reap if we do not relax. Therefore, while we have time, let us do good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of faith."
"Brethren: I pray you not to be disheartened at my tribulations for you, for they are your glory. For this reason I bend my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from Whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth receives its name, that He may grant you from His glorious riches to be strengthened with power through His Spirit unto the progress of the inner man; and to have Christ dwelling through faith in your hearts: so that, being rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God. Now, to Him Who is able to accomplish all things in a measure far beyond what we ask or conceive, in keeping with thepower that is at work in us -- to Him be glory in the Chruscch and in Crhrist Jesus ddown through all the ages of time without end. Amern."
St Paul (5-67), Apostle, Martyr; Tarsus, Asia Minor; Feast day June 30th
"Brethren: Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus, Who though He was by nature God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to be clung to, but emptied Himself, taking the nature of a slave and being made like unto men. And appearing in the form of man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even to death on a cross. Therefore God also has exalted Him and has bestowed upon Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father."
"Brethren: If you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Mind the things that are above, not the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life, shall appear, then you too will appear with Him in glory."
"Brethren: I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in us. For the eager longing of creation awaits the revelation of the sons of God. For creation was made subject to vanity -- not by its own will but by reason of Him Who made it subject -- in hope, because creation itself also will be delivered from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the sons of God. For we know that all creation groans and travails in pain until now. And not only it, but we ourselves also who have the first-fruits of the Spirit -- we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption as sons of God, the redemption of our body, in Christ Jesus our Lord."
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. May no temptation take hold of you but such as man is equal to. God is faithful and will not permit you to be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also give you a way out that you may be able to bear it."
"Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For what a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows in the flesh, from the flesh also will reap corruption. But he who sows in the spirit, from the spirit will reap life everlasting. And in doing good let us not grow tired; for in due time we shall reap if we do not relax. Therefore, while we have time, let us do good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of faith."
"Brethren: I pray you not to be disheartened at my tribulations for you, for they are your glory. For this reason I bend my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from Whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth receives its name, that He may grant you from His glorious riches to be strengthened with power through His Spirit unto the progress of the inner man; and to have Christ dwelling through faith in your hearts: so that, being rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God. Now, to Him Who is able to accomplish all things in a measure far beyond what we ask or conceive, in keeping with thepower that is at work in us -- to Him be glory in the Chruscch and in Crhrist Jesus ddown through all the ages of time without end. Amern."
Sunday, June 30, 2013
June 29th
St Peter (d. 64/67), Apostle, Pope, Martyr; Bethsaida, Palestine; Feast day June 29th
"Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man!"
"Behold, O Lord, we have left all things and have followed thee."
"Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life."
"Thou are Christ, the Son of the living God."
"Be prudent therefore and watchful in prayers. But above all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves; for charity covers a multitude of sins."
"Lay aside therefore all malice, and all deceit, and pretense, and envy, and all slander. Crave, as newborn babes, pure spiritual mild, that by it you may grow to salvation; if, indeed, you have tasted that the Lord is sweet. Draw near to Him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men but chosen and honored by God."
"You, however, are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people; that you may proclaim the perfections of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in the time of visitation; cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. Be sober, be watchful! For your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same suffering befalls your brethren all over the world. But the God of all grace, who has called us unto His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself, after we have suffered a little while, perfect, strengthen and establish us. To Him is the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
St Peter (d. 64/67), Apostle, Pope, Martyr; Bethsaida, Palestine; Feast day June 29th
"Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man!"
"Behold, O Lord, we have left all things and have followed thee."
"Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life."
"Thou are Christ, the Son of the living God."
"Be prudent therefore and watchful in prayers. But above all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves; for charity covers a multitude of sins."
"Lay aside therefore all malice, and all deceit, and pretense, and envy, and all slander. Crave, as newborn babes, pure spiritual mild, that by it you may grow to salvation; if, indeed, you have tasted that the Lord is sweet. Draw near to Him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men but chosen and honored by God."
"You, however, are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people; that you may proclaim the perfections of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in the time of visitation; cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. Be sober, be watchful! For your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same suffering befalls your brethren all over the world. But the God of all grace, who has called us unto His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself, after we have suffered a little while, perfect, strengthen and establish us. To Him is the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Friday, June 28, 2013
June 28th
St Iranaeus (120-202), Bishop, Church Father, Martyr; Smyrna, Greece; Feast day June 28th
"The greatest church is the most ancient and known to all, founded at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul, which retains the tradition which it received from them, and which is derived through a succession of bishops down to us. Showing which, we confound all who, any way out of self-conceit, love of applause, blindness, or false persuasions, embrace what ought not to be advanced; for to this church (of Rome,) on account of its chiefer presidentship, it is necessary that every church, that is, the faithful everywhere, address themselves, in which church the tradition from the apostles is everywhere preserved."
"To this almighty Maker and Disposer of all things it is, that we Christians offer up our prayers, with eyes lifted up to heaven; and without a prompter, we pray with our hearts rather than with our tongues; and in all our prayers are ever mindful of all our emperors and kings wheresoever we live, beseeching God for every one of them, that He would bless them with length of days, and a quiet reign, a well established family, a valiant army, a faithful senate, an honest people, and a peaceful world, with whatever else either prince or people can wish for. Thus while we are stretching forth our hands to God, let your tormenting irons harrow our flesh, let your gibbets exalt us, or your fires consume our bodies, or let your swords cut off our heads, or your beasts tread us to the earth. For a Christian, upon his knees to his God, is in a posture of defense against all the evils you can crowd upon him. Consider this, O you impartial judges, and go on with your justice; rack out the soul of a Christin, which is pouring out herself to God for the life of the emperor."
St Iranaeus (120-202), Bishop, Church Father, Martyr; Smyrna, Greece; Feast day June 28th
"The greatest church is the most ancient and known to all, founded at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul, which retains the tradition which it received from them, and which is derived through a succession of bishops down to us. Showing which, we confound all who, any way out of self-conceit, love of applause, blindness, or false persuasions, embrace what ought not to be advanced; for to this church (of Rome,) on account of its chiefer presidentship, it is necessary that every church, that is, the faithful everywhere, address themselves, in which church the tradition from the apostles is everywhere preserved."
"To this almighty Maker and Disposer of all things it is, that we Christians offer up our prayers, with eyes lifted up to heaven; and without a prompter, we pray with our hearts rather than with our tongues; and in all our prayers are ever mindful of all our emperors and kings wheresoever we live, beseeching God for every one of them, that He would bless them with length of days, and a quiet reign, a well established family, a valiant army, a faithful senate, an honest people, and a peaceful world, with whatever else either prince or people can wish for. Thus while we are stretching forth our hands to God, let your tormenting irons harrow our flesh, let your gibbets exalt us, or your fires consume our bodies, or let your swords cut off our heads, or your beasts tread us to the earth. For a Christian, upon his knees to his God, is in a posture of defense against all the evils you can crowd upon him. Consider this, O you impartial judges, and go on with your justice; rack out the soul of a Christin, which is pouring out herself to God for the life of the emperor."
Thursday, June 27, 2013
June 27th
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), Bishop, Confessor, Founder; Marianella, Italy; Feast day August 2nd
"Ah, if faith had not assured us of it, who could ever have believed that a God, almighty, most happy, and the Lord of all, should have condescended to love man to such an extent that He seems to go out of Himself for the love of him? We have seen Wisdom itself, that is the Eternal Word, become foolish through the excessive love He bore to man!"
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Thorens-Glieres, France; Feast day January 29th
"With what love would not our souls become enkindled at the sight of those flames which are in the Redeemer's breast! And oh, what happiness, to be able to be consumed by that same fire with which our God burns for us! What joy, to be united to God by the chains of love!"
St John of Avila (1499-1569), Priest, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Almodovar del Campo, Spain; Feast day May 10
"No human intellect can conceive how strongly this fire burns in the heart of Jesus Christ. As He was commanded to suffer death once, so, had He been commanded to die a thousand times, His love had been sufficient to endure it. And if what He suffered for all men had been imposed upon Him for the salvation of one single soul, He would have done the same for each in particular as He did for all."
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), Bishop, Confessor, Founder; Marianella, Italy; Feast day August 2nd
"Ah, if faith had not assured us of it, who could ever have believed that a God, almighty, most happy, and the Lord of all, should have condescended to love man to such an extent that He seems to go out of Himself for the love of him? We have seen Wisdom itself, that is the Eternal Word, become foolish through the excessive love He bore to man!"
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Thorens-Glieres, France; Feast day January 29th
"With what love would not our souls become enkindled at the sight of those flames which are in the Redeemer's breast! And oh, what happiness, to be able to be consumed by that same fire with which our God burns for us! What joy, to be united to God by the chains of love!"
St John of Avila (1499-1569), Priest, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Almodovar del Campo, Spain; Feast day May 10
"No human intellect can conceive how strongly this fire burns in the heart of Jesus Christ. As He was commanded to suffer death once, so, had He been commanded to die a thousand times, His love had been sufficient to endure it. And if what He suffered for all men had been imposed upon Him for the salvation of one single soul, He would have done the same for each in particular as He did for all."
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
June 26th
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop, Confessor, Founder, Doctor of the Church; Savoy, France; Feast day January 29th
"When we remember that Jesus Christ, true God, has loved us to such an excess as to suffer death, and the death of the cross, for us, our hearts are, as it were, put in a wine-press, and suffer violence, until love be extorted from them, but a violence which, the stronger it is, becomes the more delightful."
St Augustine (354-430), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Thagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"My Lord, what ever I behold on the earth, or above the earth, all speak to me, and exhort me to love You; because all assure me that You have made them for the love of me."
St Leonard (1676-1751), Priest, Confessor; Port Maurizio, Italy; Feast day November 27th
"If every morning for one half-hour the sky were to send us a shower of gold, would you not, dear reader, find time to gather in some of it. Well, each day there falls a shower of supernatural gold, not from the clouds, but from the altars of Holy Church. This golden shower is increase of grace, forgiveness of sin, remission of punishment and fellowship in the merits of Christ."
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop, Confessor, Founder, Doctor of the Church; Savoy, France; Feast day January 29th
"When we remember that Jesus Christ, true God, has loved us to such an excess as to suffer death, and the death of the cross, for us, our hearts are, as it were, put in a wine-press, and suffer violence, until love be extorted from them, but a violence which, the stronger it is, becomes the more delightful."
St Augustine (354-430), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Thagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"My Lord, what ever I behold on the earth, or above the earth, all speak to me, and exhort me to love You; because all assure me that You have made them for the love of me."
St Leonard (1676-1751), Priest, Confessor; Port Maurizio, Italy; Feast day November 27th
"If every morning for one half-hour the sky were to send us a shower of gold, would you not, dear reader, find time to gather in some of it. Well, each day there falls a shower of supernatural gold, not from the clouds, but from the altars of Holy Church. This golden shower is increase of grace, forgiveness of sin, remission of punishment and fellowship in the merits of Christ."
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
June 25th
St Ignatius of Antioch (35-107), Bishop, Martyr, Church Father; Syria; Feast day February 1
"I have no taste for corruptible food nor for the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David; and for drink I desire His blood, which is love incorruptible."
St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660), Priest, Confessor; Gascony, France; Feast day July 19
"You must ask God to give you power to fight against the sin of pride which is your greatest enemy -- the root of all that is evil, and the failure of all that is good. For God resists the proud."
St Julian Peter Eymard (1811-1868), Priest, Confessor, Founder; La Mure, France; Feast day August 2
"He loves, He hopes, He waits. If He came down on our altars on certain days only, some sinner, on being moved to repentance, might have to look for Him, and not finding Him, might have to wait. Our Lord prefers to wait Himself for the sinner for years rather than keep him waiting one instant."
St Ignatius of Antioch (35-107), Bishop, Martyr, Church Father; Syria; Feast day February 1
"I have no taste for corruptible food nor for the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David; and for drink I desire His blood, which is love incorruptible."
St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660), Priest, Confessor; Gascony, France; Feast day July 19
"You must ask God to give you power to fight against the sin of pride which is your greatest enemy -- the root of all that is evil, and the failure of all that is good. For God resists the proud."
St Julian Peter Eymard (1811-1868), Priest, Confessor, Founder; La Mure, France; Feast day August 2
"He loves, He hopes, He waits. If He came down on our altars on certain days only, some sinner, on being moved to repentance, might have to look for Him, and not finding Him, might have to wait. Our Lord prefers to wait Himself for the sinner for years rather than keep him waiting one instant."
Monday, June 24, 2013
June 24th
St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), Virgin, Foundress, Doctor of the Church; Avila, Spain; Feast day October 15th
"Love of God does not consist in experiencing His tendernesses, but in serving Him with resolution and humility."
St John of Avila (1499-1569), Priest, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Almodovar del Campo, Spain; Feast day May 10
"O how much better it is to endure aridity and temptation by God's will than to be raised to the heights of contemplation without God's will!"
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Thorens-Glieres, France; Feast day January 29th
"If we do nothing else but banish distractions and temptations in our prayers, the prayer is well made."
St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), Virgin, Foundress, Doctor of the Church; Avila, Spain; Feast day October 15th
"Love of God does not consist in experiencing His tendernesses, but in serving Him with resolution and humility."
St John of Avila (1499-1569), Priest, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Almodovar del Campo, Spain; Feast day May 10
"O how much better it is to endure aridity and temptation by God's will than to be raised to the heights of contemplation without God's will!"
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Thorens-Glieres, France; Feast day January 29th
"If we do nothing else but banish distractions and temptations in our prayers, the prayer is well made."
June 23rd
St Bonaventure (1221-1274), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Bagnoregio, Italy; Feast day July 14
"Great are the excellences of prayer, great its privileges. The heavens open before it and unveil therein their secrets, and to it are the ears of God ever attentive."
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), Bishop, Confessor, Founder; Marianella, Italy; Feast day August 2nd
"Perhaps if God had given us greater talent, better health, a more personable appearance, we might have lost our souls! Great talent and knowledge have caused many to be puffed up with the idea of their own importance and, in their pride, they have despised others. How easily those who have these gifts fall into grave danger to their salvation!...'But one thing is necessary,' and it is not beauty, not health, not talent. It is the salvation of our immortal souls."
St Bonaventure (1221-1274), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Bagnoregio, Italy; Feast day July 14
"Great are the excellences of prayer, great its privileges. The heavens open before it and unveil therein their secrets, and to it are the ears of God ever attentive."
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), Bishop, Confessor, Founder; Marianella, Italy; Feast day August 2nd
"Perhaps if God had given us greater talent, better health, a more personable appearance, we might have lost our souls! Great talent and knowledge have caused many to be puffed up with the idea of their own importance and, in their pride, they have despised others. How easily those who have these gifts fall into grave danger to their salvation!...'But one thing is necessary,' and it is not beauty, not health, not talent. It is the salvation of our immortal souls."
Saturday, June 22, 2013
June 22nd
St Paulinus of Nola (353-431), Bishop, Confessor; Bourdeaux, France; Feast day June 22nd
"Is surprised me that anyone should look upon it as a great action for a man to purchase eternal salvation, the only solid good, with perishable pelf, and to sell the earth to buy heaven."
St John Fisher (1469-1535), Bishop, Martyr; Beverley, Yorkshire, England; Feast day June 22nd
"Christian people, I am come hither to die for the faith of Christ's Catholic Church, and I thank God hitherto my courage hath served me well thereto, so that yet hitherto I have not feared death; wherefore I desire you help me and assist me with your prayers, that at the very point and instant of my death's stroke, and in the very moment of my death, I then faint not in any point of the Catholic Faith for fear; and I pray God save the king and the realm, and hold His holy hand over it, and send the king a good counsel."
St Paulinus of Nola (353-431), Bishop, Confessor; Bourdeaux, France; Feast day June 22nd
"Is surprised me that anyone should look upon it as a great action for a man to purchase eternal salvation, the only solid good, with perishable pelf, and to sell the earth to buy heaven."
St John Fisher (1469-1535), Bishop, Martyr; Beverley, Yorkshire, England; Feast day June 22nd
"Christian people, I am come hither to die for the faith of Christ's Catholic Church, and I thank God hitherto my courage hath served me well thereto, so that yet hitherto I have not feared death; wherefore I desire you help me and assist me with your prayers, that at the very point and instant of my death's stroke, and in the very moment of my death, I then faint not in any point of the Catholic Faith for fear; and I pray God save the king and the realm, and hold His holy hand over it, and send the king a good counsel."
June 21st
St Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-1591), Confessor; Castiglione, Italy; Feast day June 21st
"I am a piece of twisted iron. I entered the religious life to get twisted straight."
"He who fears God, will do good."
"I want to be a prince in Heaven. It is hard for a sovereign to save his soul."
"Father, I leave myself entirely in your hands, you can do what you like with me; but I tell you positively that God has called me to the Society of Jesus, and in resisting my wishes you are resisting the will of God."
St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641), Widow, Foundress; Dijon, France; Feast day August 21st
"The only thing which is absolutely indispensable to prayer is our heart and, though if this part of us be not committed all the rest is only a hollow mockery, nevertheless with heart alone given to prayer we never lack for anything."
St Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-1591), Confessor; Castiglione, Italy; Feast day June 21st
"I am a piece of twisted iron. I entered the religious life to get twisted straight."
"He who fears God, will do good."
"I want to be a prince in Heaven. It is hard for a sovereign to save his soul."
"Father, I leave myself entirely in your hands, you can do what you like with me; but I tell you positively that God has called me to the Society of Jesus, and in resisting my wishes you are resisting the will of God."
St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641), Widow, Foundress; Dijon, France; Feast day August 21st
"The only thing which is absolutely indispensable to prayer is our heart and, though if this part of us be not committed all the rest is only a hollow mockery, nevertheless with heart alone given to prayer we never lack for anything."
Friday, June 21, 2013
June 20th
Bl Conor O'Devany (1532-1612), Priest, Martyr; Co. Down, Ireland; Feast day June 20th
"Come, my brave comrade, noble soldier of Christ, let us imitate as best we can the death of Him who was led to the slaughter as the sheep before the shearer."
Bl Peter O'Higgins (1602-1642), Priest, Martyr; Ireland; Feast day June 20th
"So here the condition on which I am granted my life. They want me to deny my religion. I spurn their offer. I die a Catholic and a Dominican priest. I forgive from my heart all who have conspired to bring about my death."
St Louis de Montfort (1673-1716), Priest, Confessor; Monfort-sur-Meu, France; Feast day April 28th
"The Most High, the Incomprehensible One, the Inaccessible One, He who is, deigned to come down to us poor earthly creatures who are nothing at all. How was this done? The Most High God came down to us in a perfect way through the humble Virgin Mary, without losing anything of His divinity or holiness. It is likewise through Mary that we poor creatures must ascend to almighty God in a perfect manner without having anything to fear."
Bl Conor O'Devany (1532-1612), Priest, Martyr; Co. Down, Ireland; Feast day June 20th
"Come, my brave comrade, noble soldier of Christ, let us imitate as best we can the death of Him who was led to the slaughter as the sheep before the shearer."
Bl Peter O'Higgins (1602-1642), Priest, Martyr; Ireland; Feast day June 20th
"So here the condition on which I am granted my life. They want me to deny my religion. I spurn their offer. I die a Catholic and a Dominican priest. I forgive from my heart all who have conspired to bring about my death."
St Louis de Montfort (1673-1716), Priest, Confessor; Monfort-sur-Meu, France; Feast day April 28th
"The Most High, the Incomprehensible One, the Inaccessible One, He who is, deigned to come down to us poor earthly creatures who are nothing at all. How was this done? The Most High God came down to us in a perfect way through the humble Virgin Mary, without losing anything of His divinity or holiness. It is likewise through Mary that we poor creatures must ascend to almighty God in a perfect manner without having anything to fear."
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
June 19th
St Philip Neri (1515-1595), Priest, Confessor, Founder; Florence, Italy; Feast day May 26th
"In order the better to gain souls, in visiting the sick, we ought to imagine that what we do for the sick man we are doing for Christ Himself; we shall thus perform this work of mercy with more love and greater spiritual profit."
"Nothing is more dangerous for beginners in the spiritual life, than to wish to play the master, and to guide and convert others. Beginners should look after their own conversion and be humble, lest they should fancy they had done some great thing, and so should fall into pride."
St Louis de Montfort (1673-1716), Priest, Confessor; Monfort-sur-Meu, France; Feast day April 28th
"He is so gentle and unobtrusive that you might often think that He is not present when you meet with accidents and contradictions. But, possessed of invincible power, He quietly but effectively brings all things to a happy issue in ways unknown to men."
St Philip Neri (1515-1595), Priest, Confessor, Founder; Florence, Italy; Feast day May 26th
"In order the better to gain souls, in visiting the sick, we ought to imagine that what we do for the sick man we are doing for Christ Himself; we shall thus perform this work of mercy with more love and greater spiritual profit."
"Nothing is more dangerous for beginners in the spiritual life, than to wish to play the master, and to guide and convert others. Beginners should look after their own conversion and be humble, lest they should fancy they had done some great thing, and so should fall into pride."
St Louis de Montfort (1673-1716), Priest, Confessor; Monfort-sur-Meu, France; Feast day April 28th
"He is so gentle and unobtrusive that you might often think that He is not present when you meet with accidents and contradictions. But, possessed of invincible power, He quietly but effectively brings all things to a happy issue in ways unknown to men."
June 18th
St Claude de la Colombiere (1641-1682), Priest, Confessor; Saint-Symphorien-d'Ozon, France; Feast day February 15th
"Even if the Holy Spirit had not called blessed those who suffer, if every page of Scripture did not proclaim aloud the necessity of adversity, if we did not see that suffering is the normal destiny of those who are friends of God, we should still be convinced that it is of untold advantage to us. It is enough to know that the God who chose to suffer all the most horrible tortures the rage of man can invent rather than see us condemned to the slightest pain in the next life is the same God who prepares and offers us the chalice of bitterness we must drink in this world. A God who has so suffered to prevent us from suffering would not make us suffer today to give Himself cruel and pointless pleasure."
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), Bishop, Confessor, Founder; Marianella, Italy; Feast day August 2nd
"Let us then abandon everything to God's good pleasure, because being infinitely wise, He knows what is best for us; and being all-good and all-loving -- having given His life for us -- He wills what is best for us."
St Claude de la Colombiere (1641-1682), Priest, Confessor; Saint-Symphorien-d'Ozon, France; Feast day February 15th
"Even if the Holy Spirit had not called blessed those who suffer, if every page of Scripture did not proclaim aloud the necessity of adversity, if we did not see that suffering is the normal destiny of those who are friends of God, we should still be convinced that it is of untold advantage to us. It is enough to know that the God who chose to suffer all the most horrible tortures the rage of man can invent rather than see us condemned to the slightest pain in the next life is the same God who prepares and offers us the chalice of bitterness we must drink in this world. A God who has so suffered to prevent us from suffering would not make us suffer today to give Himself cruel and pointless pleasure."
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), Bishop, Confessor, Founder; Marianella, Italy; Feast day August 2nd
"Let us then abandon everything to God's good pleasure, because being infinitely wise, He knows what is best for us; and being all-good and all-loving -- having given His life for us -- He wills what is best for us."
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
June 17th
St Augustine (354-430), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Tagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"All that happens to us in this world against our will (whether due to men or to other causes) happens to us only by the will of God, by the disposal of Providence, by His orders and under His guidance; and if from the frailty of our understanding we cannot grasp the reason for some event, let us attribute it to divine Providence, show Him respect by accepting it from His hand, believe firmly that He does not send it us without cause."
St Claude de la Colombiere (1641-1682), Priest, Confessor; Saint-Symphorien-d'Ozon, France; Feast day February 15th
"God is looking after us and yet we are full of anxiety! We trust ourselves to a doctor because we suppose he knows his business. He orders an operation which involves cutting away part of our body and we accept it. We are grateful ot him and pay him a large fee because we judge he would not act as he does unless the remedy were necessary, and we must rely on his skill. Yet we are unwilling to treat God in the same way! It looks as if we do not trust His wisdom and are afraid He cannot do His job properly. We allow ourselves to be operated on by a man who may easily make a mistake -- a mistake which may cost us our life -- and protest when God sets to work on us."
St Augustine (354-430), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Tagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"All that happens to us in this world against our will (whether due to men or to other causes) happens to us only by the will of God, by the disposal of Providence, by His orders and under His guidance; and if from the frailty of our understanding we cannot grasp the reason for some event, let us attribute it to divine Providence, show Him respect by accepting it from His hand, believe firmly that He does not send it us without cause."
St Claude de la Colombiere (1641-1682), Priest, Confessor; Saint-Symphorien-d'Ozon, France; Feast day February 15th
"God is looking after us and yet we are full of anxiety! We trust ourselves to a doctor because we suppose he knows his business. He orders an operation which involves cutting away part of our body and we accept it. We are grateful ot him and pay him a large fee because we judge he would not act as he does unless the remedy were necessary, and we must rely on his skill. Yet we are unwilling to treat God in the same way! It looks as if we do not trust His wisdom and are afraid He cannot do His job properly. We allow ourselves to be operated on by a man who may easily make a mistake -- a mistake which may cost us our life -- and protest when God sets to work on us."
June 16th
St John Francis Regis (1597-1640), Priest, Confessor; Foncouverte, France; Feast day June 16th
"What can I desire in heaven, or love on earth, besides thee, my God?"
"We are created by God, and for Him alone; and must direct all things to His glory."
"O my God! that I could suffer still more for Thy holy name!"
"I won that life would be intolerable if I had nothing to suffer for Jesus Christ: it is my only comfort in this world."
"I desire nothing more ardently than to die for Jesus Christ."
"What a happiness! how contented I die! I see Jesus and Mary, who come to conduct me to the mansions of bliss."
"Jesus my Savior, to Thee I recommend, and into Thy hands I commit my soul."
St John Francis Regis (1597-1640), Priest, Confessor; Foncouverte, France; Feast day June 16th
"What can I desire in heaven, or love on earth, besides thee, my God?"
"We are created by God, and for Him alone; and must direct all things to His glory."
"O my God! that I could suffer still more for Thy holy name!"
"I won that life would be intolerable if I had nothing to suffer for Jesus Christ: it is my only comfort in this world."
"I desire nothing more ardently than to die for Jesus Christ."
"What a happiness! how contented I die! I see Jesus and Mary, who come to conduct me to the mansions of bliss."
"Jesus my Savior, to Thee I recommend, and into Thy hands I commit my soul."
June 15th
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), Bishop, Confessor, Founder; Marianella, Italy; Feast day August 2nd
"If we would completely rejoice the heart of God, let us strive in all things to conform ourselves to His divine will. Let us not only strive to conform ourselves, but also to unite ourselves to whatever dispositions God makes of us. Conformity signifies that we join our wills to the will of God. Uniformity means more. Uniformity means that we make one will of God's will and our will. In this way we will only what God wills. God's will alone is our will."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Priest; Granada, Spain
"Walk continually in the presence of God, who is everywhere, and act in all things with obedience due to so great a Master, who is the Witness and the Judge of all our works. Frequently implore the grace to avoid all that would render us unworthy of His divine presence."
St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), Bishop, Confessor, Founder; Marianella, Italy; Feast day August 2nd
"If we would completely rejoice the heart of God, let us strive in all things to conform ourselves to His divine will. Let us not only strive to conform ourselves, but also to unite ourselves to whatever dispositions God makes of us. Conformity signifies that we join our wills to the will of God. Uniformity means more. Uniformity means that we make one will of God's will and our will. In this way we will only what God wills. God's will alone is our will."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Priest; Granada, Spain
"Walk continually in the presence of God, who is everywhere, and act in all things with obedience due to so great a Master, who is the Witness and the Judge of all our works. Frequently implore the grace to avoid all that would render us unworthy of His divine presence."
Friday, June 14, 2013
June 14th
St Basil (329-379), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Ceasarea, Cappadocia; Feast day June 14th
"He who has nothing to lose is secure against confiscation. I am master of nothing but a few books and the rags I wear, neither of which, I presume, you have any great occasion for. As to banishment, I know of no such thing in your power to inflict upon me, who account not the country I now inhabit my own. Heaven only is my country. I as little fear your torments: my emaciated body cannot hold out long under them. The first stroke will dispatch me, and put an end both to my life and pain. Much less do I dread death, which I regard as a favor; for it will bring me sooner to my Creator, for whom alone I live."
"In all other occurrences we bishops are of all men living the meekest and most submissive: we do not carry ourselves haughtily towards the meanest plebeian, much less towards persons vested with much power. But where the cause of God and religion is at stake, we overlook all things else, regarding God alone. Your fire, daggers, beasts, and burning pincers in this cause are our option and delight: you may threaten and torment us; but can never overcome us."
St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), Virgin, Foundress; Avila, Spain; Feast day October 15th
"Do not let your heart cling to inner solace. For that is in the manner of common soldiers: they demand their daily wage at once. Give your service as the noblest officers serve their king -- for nothing!"
St Basil (329-379), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Ceasarea, Cappadocia; Feast day June 14th
"He who has nothing to lose is secure against confiscation. I am master of nothing but a few books and the rags I wear, neither of which, I presume, you have any great occasion for. As to banishment, I know of no such thing in your power to inflict upon me, who account not the country I now inhabit my own. Heaven only is my country. I as little fear your torments: my emaciated body cannot hold out long under them. The first stroke will dispatch me, and put an end both to my life and pain. Much less do I dread death, which I regard as a favor; for it will bring me sooner to my Creator, for whom alone I live."
"In all other occurrences we bishops are of all men living the meekest and most submissive: we do not carry ourselves haughtily towards the meanest plebeian, much less towards persons vested with much power. But where the cause of God and religion is at stake, we overlook all things else, regarding God alone. Your fire, daggers, beasts, and burning pincers in this cause are our option and delight: you may threaten and torment us; but can never overcome us."
St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), Virgin, Foundress; Avila, Spain; Feast day October 15th
"Do not let your heart cling to inner solace. For that is in the manner of common soldiers: they demand their daily wage at once. Give your service as the noblest officers serve their king -- for nothing!"
Thursday, June 13, 2013
June 13th
St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231), Priest, Confessor; Lisbon, Portugal; Feast day June 13th
"Behold the Cross of the Lord!
Be gone all evil powers!
The Lion of the tribe of Judah,
The root of David has conquered! Alleluia!"
"Solicitude for material things distracts the soul and divides it. The devil seizes the divided soul and drags it to hell."
"The saints are like the stars. In His providence, Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ."
"Anyone who desires to live chastely in Christ Jesus, must flee not only the mouse of lust, but even from its very scent."
"The spirit of humility is sweeter than honey, and those who nourish themselves with this honey produce sweet fruit."
"The Glorious Virgin did not have a stain in her birth because she was sanctified in her mother's womb and safeguarded there by angels."
"Christ acts like a loving mother. To induce us to follow Him, He gives us Himself as an example and promises us a reward in His Kingdom."
"Attribute to God every good that you have received. If you take credit for something that does not belong to you, you will be guilty of theft."
"Cursed money! How many religious did it blind! How many cloistered religious did it deceive! Money is the droppings of birds that blinded the eyes of Tobit."
"The life of the body is the soul; the life of the soul is God."
"The greedy and usurers have teeth that are swords and knives which they use to devour the poor and steal their meager possessions. All of them are children of this world who consider the children of light to be stupid and believe themselves to be the prudent ones. Their prudence is their death."
"Blessed be the eternal God; for the fishes of the sea honor Him more than men without faith, and animals without reason listen to His word with greater attention than sinful heretics."
"When it is dark, we do not see how dusty and dirty our house is. Only when the place is flooded with sunlight do we realize its awful condition. So we need the light of God's grace to show us the real state of our soul and to induce us to clean up our hearts!"
"The Lord of the universe wrapped in swaddling clothes; the King of angels, lying in a stable; the One whose name is boundless and yet is laid in a narrow manger!"
"Nothing apart from God can satisfy the human heart, which is truly in search of God."
"We, therefore, who call ourselves Christians with the name of Christ, unanimously with devoted minds, pray to the same Son of God, Jesus Christ, and with insistence, we ask that He allow us to pass from the spirit of contrition to the desert of confession so that we can receive forgiveness for our iniquities and, renewed and purified, we deserve to enjoy the joys of His resurrection and to take our place in the glory of eternal beatitude, with the help of His grace. May He have honor and glory in the centuries. Amen!"
"What should contrition be like? Listen to the psalmist, 'A contrite spirit is a sacrifice to God; you, oh God, do not disdain a broken and humiliated heart.' Expressed in this short verse are the compunction of a spirit that is tormented by its sins, the reconciliation of the sinner, the universal repentance of his sins, and the persevering humiliation of the repentant.. Because the spirit of the penitent, when it is pierced and wounded by pain, is a sacrifice appreciated by God, who makes peace with this sinner, who, in his turn, reconciles with the Lord."
Prayer to St. Anthony:
Good St. Anthony, look around! Something's lost and must be found. Please help me find [insert object being sought].
In the Footsteps of St Anthony, Part I, Part II
St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231), Priest, Confessor; Lisbon, Portugal; Feast day June 13th
"Behold the Cross of the Lord!
Be gone all evil powers!
The Lion of the tribe of Judah,
The root of David has conquered! Alleluia!"
"Solicitude for material things distracts the soul and divides it. The devil seizes the divided soul and drags it to hell."
"The saints are like the stars. In His providence, Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ."
"Anyone who desires to live chastely in Christ Jesus, must flee not only the mouse of lust, but even from its very scent."
"The spirit of humility is sweeter than honey, and those who nourish themselves with this honey produce sweet fruit."
"The Glorious Virgin did not have a stain in her birth because she was sanctified in her mother's womb and safeguarded there by angels."
"Christ acts like a loving mother. To induce us to follow Him, He gives us Himself as an example and promises us a reward in His Kingdom."
"Attribute to God every good that you have received. If you take credit for something that does not belong to you, you will be guilty of theft."
"Cursed money! How many religious did it blind! How many cloistered religious did it deceive! Money is the droppings of birds that blinded the eyes of Tobit."
"The life of the body is the soul; the life of the soul is God."
"The greedy and usurers have teeth that are swords and knives which they use to devour the poor and steal their meager possessions. All of them are children of this world who consider the children of light to be stupid and believe themselves to be the prudent ones. Their prudence is their death."
"Blessed be the eternal God; for the fishes of the sea honor Him more than men without faith, and animals without reason listen to His word with greater attention than sinful heretics."
"When it is dark, we do not see how dusty and dirty our house is. Only when the place is flooded with sunlight do we realize its awful condition. So we need the light of God's grace to show us the real state of our soul and to induce us to clean up our hearts!"
"The Lord of the universe wrapped in swaddling clothes; the King of angels, lying in a stable; the One whose name is boundless and yet is laid in a narrow manger!"
"Nothing apart from God can satisfy the human heart, which is truly in search of God."
"We, therefore, who call ourselves Christians with the name of Christ, unanimously with devoted minds, pray to the same Son of God, Jesus Christ, and with insistence, we ask that He allow us to pass from the spirit of contrition to the desert of confession so that we can receive forgiveness for our iniquities and, renewed and purified, we deserve to enjoy the joys of His resurrection and to take our place in the glory of eternal beatitude, with the help of His grace. May He have honor and glory in the centuries. Amen!"
"What should contrition be like? Listen to the psalmist, 'A contrite spirit is a sacrifice to God; you, oh God, do not disdain a broken and humiliated heart.' Expressed in this short verse are the compunction of a spirit that is tormented by its sins, the reconciliation of the sinner, the universal repentance of his sins, and the persevering humiliation of the repentant.. Because the spirit of the penitent, when it is pierced and wounded by pain, is a sacrifice appreciated by God, who makes peace with this sinner, who, in his turn, reconciles with the Lord."
Prayer to St. Anthony:
Good St. Anthony, look around! Something's lost and must be found. Please help me find [insert object being sought].
In the Footsteps of St Anthony, Part I, Part II
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
June 12th
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Grant that we may love Thee, if not as much as Thou dost deserve (for no one can do this but Thyself), at least to love Thee as much as we can, with all our heart and strength."
St Alphonsus (1696-1787), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Marianella, Naples; Feast day August 2nd
"He who gives his will to God, gives him everything. He who gives his goods in alms, his blood in scourgings, his food in fasting, gives God what he has. But he who gives God his will, gives himself, gives everything he is."
St John of the Cross (1542-1591), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Fontiveros, Spain; Feast day November 24th
"One 'Blessed be God' in times of adversity, is worth more than a thousand acts of gratitude in times of prosperity."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Grant that we may love Thee, if not as much as Thou dost deserve (for no one can do this but Thyself), at least to love Thee as much as we can, with all our heart and strength."
St Alphonsus (1696-1787), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Marianella, Naples; Feast day August 2nd
"He who gives his will to God, gives him everything. He who gives his goods in alms, his blood in scourgings, his food in fasting, gives God what he has. But he who gives God his will, gives himself, gives everything he is."
St John of the Cross (1542-1591), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Fontiveros, Spain; Feast day November 24th
"One 'Blessed be God' in times of adversity, is worth more than a thousand acts of gratitude in times of prosperity."
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
June 11th
St Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510), Widow; Genoa, Italy; Feast day September 15th
"I say that, on God's part, I see Paradise has no gate, but that whosoever will may enter therein; for God is all mercy, and stands with open arms to admit us to His glory. But still I see that the Being of God is so pure (far more than one can imagine), that should a soul see in itself even the least mote of imperfection, it would rather cast itself into a thousand hells than go with that spot into the presence of the Divine Majesty."
St Augustine (354-430), Confessor, Bishop, Father of the Church; Thagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"Who shall grant me to rest in Thee? By whose gift shalt Thou enter into my heart and fill it so compellingly that I shall turn no more to my sins but embrace Thee, my only good? What are Thou to me? Have mercy, that I may speak. What rather am I to Thee, that Thou shouldst demand my love and if I love Thee not be angry and threaten great woe. For Thy mercies' sake, O Lord my God, tell me what Thou art to me. Say unto my soul, I am Thy salvation. So speak that I may hear, Lord, my heart is listening; open it that it may hear Thee say to my soul, I am Thy salvation. Hearing that word, let me come in haste to lay hold upon Thee. Hide not thy face from me. Let me see Thy face even if I die, lest I die with longing to see it."
St Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510), Widow; Genoa, Italy; Feast day September 15th
"I say that, on God's part, I see Paradise has no gate, but that whosoever will may enter therein; for God is all mercy, and stands with open arms to admit us to His glory. But still I see that the Being of God is so pure (far more than one can imagine), that should a soul see in itself even the least mote of imperfection, it would rather cast itself into a thousand hells than go with that spot into the presence of the Divine Majesty."
St Augustine (354-430), Confessor, Bishop, Father of the Church; Thagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"Who shall grant me to rest in Thee? By whose gift shalt Thou enter into my heart and fill it so compellingly that I shall turn no more to my sins but embrace Thee, my only good? What are Thou to me? Have mercy, that I may speak. What rather am I to Thee, that Thou shouldst demand my love and if I love Thee not be angry and threaten great woe. For Thy mercies' sake, O Lord my God, tell me what Thou art to me. Say unto my soul, I am Thy salvation. So speak that I may hear, Lord, my heart is listening; open it that it may hear Thee say to my soul, I am Thy salvation. Hearing that word, let me come in haste to lay hold upon Thee. Hide not thy face from me. Let me see Thy face even if I die, lest I die with longing to see it."
Saturday, June 8, 2013
June 10th
St Margaret (1045-1093), Queen, Confessor; Scotland; Feast day June 10th
"I thank thee, Almighty God, that in sending me so great an affliction in the last hour of my life, thou wouldst purify me from my sins, as I hope by thy mercy."
"O Lord Jesus Christ, who by thy death hast given life to the world, deliver me from all evil."
St Anselm (1033-1109), Confessor, Bishop; Aosta, Burgundy; Feast day April 21st
"For how great is that light from which shines every truth that gives light to the rational mind? How great is that truth in which is everything that is true, and outside which is only nothingness and the false? How boundless is the truth which sees at one glance whatsoever has been made and by whom, and through whom, and how it has been made from nothing? What purity, what certainty, what splendour where it is? Assuredly more than a creature can conceive."
St Margaret (1045-1093), Queen, Confessor; Scotland; Feast day June 10th
"I thank thee, Almighty God, that in sending me so great an affliction in the last hour of my life, thou wouldst purify me from my sins, as I hope by thy mercy."
"O Lord Jesus Christ, who by thy death hast given life to the world, deliver me from all evil."
St Anselm (1033-1109), Confessor, Bishop; Aosta, Burgundy; Feast day April 21st
"For how great is that light from which shines every truth that gives light to the rational mind? How great is that truth in which is everything that is true, and outside which is only nothingness and the false? How boundless is the truth which sees at one glance whatsoever has been made and by whom, and through whom, and how it has been made from nothing? What purity, what certainty, what splendour where it is? Assuredly more than a creature can conceive."
June 9th
St Anselm (1033-1109), Confessor, Bishop; Aosta, Burgundy; Feast day April 21st
"Still, Thou are hidden, O Lord, from my soul in Thy light and Thy blessedness; and therefore my soul still walks in darkness and wretchedness. For it looks, and does not see Thy beauty. It hearkens, and does not hear Thy harmony. It smells, and does not perceive Thy fragrance. It tastes, and does not recognize Thy sweetness. It touches, and does not feel thy pleasantness. For Thou hast these attributes in Thyself, Lord God, after Thine ineffable manner, who hast given them to objects created by Thee, after their sensible manner; but the sinful senses of my soul have grown rigid and dull, and have been obstructed by their long listlessness."
Bl John Henry Newman (1801-1890), Cardinal, Confessor; London, England
"We must contemplate the God of our conscience as a Living Being, as one Object and Reality, under the aspect of this or that attribute. We must patiently rest in the thought of the Eternal, Omnipresent and All-knowing, rather than of Eternity, Omnipresence and Omniscience; and we must not hurry on and force a series of deductions, which, if they are to be realized, must distill like dew into our minds, and form themselves spontaneously there, by a calm contemplation and gradual understanding of their premises."
St Anselm (1033-1109), Confessor, Bishop; Aosta, Burgundy; Feast day April 21st
"Still, Thou are hidden, O Lord, from my soul in Thy light and Thy blessedness; and therefore my soul still walks in darkness and wretchedness. For it looks, and does not see Thy beauty. It hearkens, and does not hear Thy harmony. It smells, and does not perceive Thy fragrance. It tastes, and does not recognize Thy sweetness. It touches, and does not feel thy pleasantness. For Thou hast these attributes in Thyself, Lord God, after Thine ineffable manner, who hast given them to objects created by Thee, after their sensible manner; but the sinful senses of my soul have grown rigid and dull, and have been obstructed by their long listlessness."
Bl John Henry Newman (1801-1890), Cardinal, Confessor; London, England
"We must contemplate the God of our conscience as a Living Being, as one Object and Reality, under the aspect of this or that attribute. We must patiently rest in the thought of the Eternal, Omnipresent and All-knowing, rather than of Eternity, Omnipresence and Omniscience; and we must not hurry on and force a series of deductions, which, if they are to be realized, must distill like dew into our minds, and form themselves spontaneously there, by a calm contemplation and gradual understanding of their premises."
June 8th
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Haute Savoie, France; Feast day, January 29th
"Some become proud and insolent, either by riding a good horse, wearing a feather in their hat, or by being dressed in a fine suit of clothes; but who does see the folly of this? For if there be any glory in such things, the glory belongs to the horse, the bird and the tailor; and what a meanness of heart must it be to borrow esteem from a horse, from a feather, or some ridiculous new fashion!...All this is extremely vain, foolish and impertinent; and the glory which is raised on so weak foundations is justly esteemed vain and frivolous."
St John Chrysostom (347-407), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Antioch; Feast day September 13th
"For 'the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head,' and when Herod is plotting against Him, He flees, and at His birth is laid in a manger, and abides in an inn, and takes a mother of low estate; teaching us to think no such thing a disgrace, and from the first outset trampling under foot the haughtiness of man, and bidding us give ourselves up to virtue only. For why do you pride yourself on your country, when I am commanding you to be a stranger to the whole world? (so Christ speaks); when you have leave to become such as that all the universe shall not be worthy of you?"
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Haute Savoie, France; Feast day, January 29th
"Some become proud and insolent, either by riding a good horse, wearing a feather in their hat, or by being dressed in a fine suit of clothes; but who does see the folly of this? For if there be any glory in such things, the glory belongs to the horse, the bird and the tailor; and what a meanness of heart must it be to borrow esteem from a horse, from a feather, or some ridiculous new fashion!...All this is extremely vain, foolish and impertinent; and the glory which is raised on so weak foundations is justly esteemed vain and frivolous."
St John Chrysostom (347-407), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Antioch; Feast day September 13th
"For 'the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head,' and when Herod is plotting against Him, He flees, and at His birth is laid in a manger, and abides in an inn, and takes a mother of low estate; teaching us to think no such thing a disgrace, and from the first outset trampling under foot the haughtiness of man, and bidding us give ourselves up to virtue only. For why do you pride yourself on your country, when I am commanding you to be a stranger to the whole world? (so Christ speaks); when you have leave to become such as that all the universe shall not be worthy of you?"
June 7th
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"As God in His infinite goodness is ever ready to overwhelm us with His graces when we offer no obstacle to His merciful designs, whoever is perfectly confined to His will can justly expect an abundance of His favors. Yes, God will treat him with great liberality, and will make him, like another David, a man after His own Heart."
St John of the Cross (1542-1591), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Fontiveros, Spain; Feast day November 24th
"The soul that loves and possesses creature wealth is supremely poor and wretched in the sight of God, and for this reason will be unable to attain to that wealth and glory which is the state of transformation in God; since that which is miserable and poor is supremely far removed from that which is supremely rich and glorious."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"As God in His infinite goodness is ever ready to overwhelm us with His graces when we offer no obstacle to His merciful designs, whoever is perfectly confined to His will can justly expect an abundance of His favors. Yes, God will treat him with great liberality, and will make him, like another David, a man after His own Heart."
St John of the Cross (1542-1591), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Fontiveros, Spain; Feast day November 24th
"The soul that loves and possesses creature wealth is supremely poor and wretched in the sight of God, and for this reason will be unable to attain to that wealth and glory which is the state of transformation in God; since that which is miserable and poor is supremely far removed from that which is supremely rich and glorious."
June 6th
St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641), Widow, Foundress; Dijon, France; Feast day August 21st
"Let us be sure that we understand what an honor it is for us to spend time in prayer, as much time as we wish, as intimately as we wish. The man who wins from his prince an audience an hour long counts himself lucky, and our God, before whom the kings of the earth are less than a spark in the full blaze of the sun, and less than a little worm in the presence of the highest angels -- this great God, nevertheless, shows Himself eager to hear us at any hour of the day or night that suits us to address Him."
St Bonaventure (1221-1274), Bishop, Doctor of the Church; Bagnoregio, Italy; Feast day July 14th
"If you wish God to stoop down to reach you, carry the woes of Christ crucified in your heart."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Turn to God in childlike prayer whenever afflictions or temptations come upon you. Strive, moreover, to maintain the spirit of prayer, and thus you will preserve a continual recollection of God. You will live in His presence, and His love will abide in your heart. Finally, prayer will enable you most faithfully and frequently to testify your filial reverence and love for your Heavenly Father."
St Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641), Widow, Foundress; Dijon, France; Feast day August 21st
"Let us be sure that we understand what an honor it is for us to spend time in prayer, as much time as we wish, as intimately as we wish. The man who wins from his prince an audience an hour long counts himself lucky, and our God, before whom the kings of the earth are less than a spark in the full blaze of the sun, and less than a little worm in the presence of the highest angels -- this great God, nevertheless, shows Himself eager to hear us at any hour of the day or night that suits us to address Him."
St Bonaventure (1221-1274), Bishop, Doctor of the Church; Bagnoregio, Italy; Feast day July 14th
"If you wish God to stoop down to reach you, carry the woes of Christ crucified in your heart."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Turn to God in childlike prayer whenever afflictions or temptations come upon you. Strive, moreover, to maintain the spirit of prayer, and thus you will preserve a continual recollection of God. You will live in His presence, and His love will abide in your heart. Finally, prayer will enable you most faithfully and frequently to testify your filial reverence and love for your Heavenly Father."
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
June 5th
St Isidore (560-636), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Cartagena, Spain; Feast day April 4th
"There is nothing from which man cannot fly, save from himself. Let him go where he will, he cannot escape the pursuit of an accusing conscience. There is no torment which exceeds that of a guilty conscience. If then, you desire to live in peace, live in the practice of virtue."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Though your sins are as numerous as the sands on the shore, though your life has been wasted in crime, never forget that God is your Father, that He awaits you with open arms and open heart, that He is continually calling upon you to return and be reconciled to Him. Have the desire to change your life; be resolved to walk in the path of virtue, and turn to God in humble prayer, with unshaken confidence that you will be heard. 'Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.'"
St Isidore (560-636), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Cartagena, Spain; Feast day April 4th
"There is nothing from which man cannot fly, save from himself. Let him go where he will, he cannot escape the pursuit of an accusing conscience. There is no torment which exceeds that of a guilty conscience. If then, you desire to live in peace, live in the practice of virtue."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Though your sins are as numerous as the sands on the shore, though your life has been wasted in crime, never forget that God is your Father, that He awaits you with open arms and open heart, that He is continually calling upon you to return and be reconciled to Him. Have the desire to change your life; be resolved to walk in the path of virtue, and turn to God in humble prayer, with unshaken confidence that you will be heard. 'Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.'"
June 4th
St Quirinus (d. 303), Bishop, Martyr; Sisak, Croatia; Feast day June 4th
"The God whom I serve is everywhere; He is in heaven, on earth, and in the sea. He is above all things, containing everything within Himself; and by Him alone everything subsists."
"I thank thee, O Lord, that I have borne reproaches for thy sake; and I beseech thee to let those who are in this prison know that I adore the true God,and that there is no other besides thee."
St Isidore (560-636), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Cartagena, Spain; Feast day April 4th
"If you would have a hope of being pardoned your sins at the hour of death, do penance for them while you are able. But if you spend your life in wickedness, and still hope for forgiveness at your death, you are running a most serious risk. Though you are not sure that you will be damned, your salvation is by no means more certain."
St Quirinus (d. 303), Bishop, Martyr; Sisak, Croatia; Feast day June 4th
"The God whom I serve is everywhere; He is in heaven, on earth, and in the sea. He is above all things, containing everything within Himself; and by Him alone everything subsists."
"I thank thee, O Lord, that I have borne reproaches for thy sake; and I beseech thee to let those who are in this prison know that I adore the true God,and that there is no other besides thee."
St Isidore (560-636), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Cartagena, Spain; Feast day April 4th
"If you would have a hope of being pardoned your sins at the hour of death, do penance for them while you are able. But if you spend your life in wickedness, and still hope for forgiveness at your death, you are running a most serious risk. Though you are not sure that you will be damned, your salvation is by no means more certain."
June 3rd
St Augustine (354-430), Confessor, Bishop, Father of the Church; Thagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"Give me grace, Lord, to do what You command, and command what You please."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Let these words assure you that however difficult God's commandments may appear, His grace will render their observance very easy, and if faithful to them, you will soon experience that His yoke is sweet and His burden light."
St Bernard (1090-1153), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Fontaine-les-Dijon, France; Feast day August 20th
"When a vice is confirmed by habit it cannot be extirpated except by a very special and even miraculous grace."
St Augustine (354-430), Confessor, Bishop, Father of the Church; Thagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"Give me grace, Lord, to do what You command, and command what You please."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Let these words assure you that however difficult God's commandments may appear, His grace will render their observance very easy, and if faithful to them, you will soon experience that His yoke is sweet and His burden light."
St Bernard (1090-1153), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Fontaine-les-Dijon, France; Feast day August 20th
"When a vice is confirmed by habit it cannot be extirpated except by a very special and even miraculous grace."
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
June 2nd
St John Chrysostom (347-407), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Antioch; Feast day September 13th
"We ought not as soon as we retire from the Communion, to plunge into business unsuited to the Communion, but as soon as ever we get home, to take our bible into our hands, and call our wife and children to join us in putting together what we have heard, and then, not before, engage in the business of life."
St Bonaventure (1221-1274), Bishop, Doctor of the Church; Bagnoregio, Italy; Feast day July 14th
"Never will our Lord deny anything to those who have left all things for the Author of all things."
St John Chrysostom (347-407), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Antioch; Feast day September 13th
"We ought not as soon as we retire from the Communion, to plunge into business unsuited to the Communion, but as soon as ever we get home, to take our bible into our hands, and call our wife and children to join us in putting together what we have heard, and then, not before, engage in the business of life."
St Bonaventure (1221-1274), Bishop, Doctor of the Church; Bagnoregio, Italy; Feast day July 14th
"Never will our Lord deny anything to those who have left all things for the Author of all things."
Monday, June 3, 2013
June 1st
St Justin (100-165), Martyr; Nablus, West Bank; Feast day June 1st
"But after you shall have known him with what inexpressible joy do you think you will be filled! How ardently will you love him who first loved you! And when you shall love him, you will be an imitator of his goodness. He who bears the burdens of others, assists all, humbles himself to all, even to his inferiors, and supplies the wants of the poor with what he has received from God, is truly the imitator of God. Then will you see on earth that God governs the world; you will know his mysteries, and will love and admire those who suffer for him: you will condemn the imposture of the world, and despise death, only fearing eternal death, in never-ending fire. When you know that fire, you will call those blessed who here suffer flames for justice. I speak not of things to which I am a stranger, but having been a disciple of the apostles, I am a teacher of nations."
"Christ's words possess a terrible power in themselves, and are sufficient to inspire those who turn aside from the path of rectitude with awe; while the sweetest rest is afford those who make a diligent practice of them."
"And this food is called among us Εὐχαριστία [the Eucharist]...For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Savior, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh."
St Hanibal Maria di Francia (1851-1927), Priest, Founder; Messina, Italy; Feast day June 1st
"What are these few orphans we attend to, these few people we bring the good news to, compared to the millions who are lost and abandoned as sheep without a shepherd?...I looked for an answer and I found a complete one in the words of Jesus: 'Beg the harvest master to send out laborers to gather his harvest.' I concluded then that I had found the secret key to all good works and to the salvation of countless souls."
St Justin (100-165), Martyr; Nablus, West Bank; Feast day June 1st
"But after you shall have known him with what inexpressible joy do you think you will be filled! How ardently will you love him who first loved you! And when you shall love him, you will be an imitator of his goodness. He who bears the burdens of others, assists all, humbles himself to all, even to his inferiors, and supplies the wants of the poor with what he has received from God, is truly the imitator of God. Then will you see on earth that God governs the world; you will know his mysteries, and will love and admire those who suffer for him: you will condemn the imposture of the world, and despise death, only fearing eternal death, in never-ending fire. When you know that fire, you will call those blessed who here suffer flames for justice. I speak not of things to which I am a stranger, but having been a disciple of the apostles, I am a teacher of nations."
"Christ's words possess a terrible power in themselves, and are sufficient to inspire those who turn aside from the path of rectitude with awe; while the sweetest rest is afford those who make a diligent practice of them."
"And this food is called among us Εὐχαριστία [the Eucharist]...For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Savior, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh."
St Hanibal Maria di Francia (1851-1927), Priest, Founder; Messina, Italy; Feast day June 1st
"What are these few orphans we attend to, these few people we bring the good news to, compared to the millions who are lost and abandoned as sheep without a shepherd?...I looked for an answer and I found a complete one in the words of Jesus: 'Beg the harvest master to send out laborers to gather his harvest.' I concluded then that I had found the secret key to all good works and to the salvation of countless souls."
May 31st
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Devout and humble prayer will afford us powerful aid in acquiring the virtue of prudence. For the principal office of the Holy Ghost being to enlighten the understanding with the gifts of knowledge, wisdom, and counsel, the greater the humility and devotion with which we present ourselves before this Divine Spirit, the greater will be the grace we shall receive."
"Be not too eager for rich apparel, for humility is incompatible with a love of display. One who is too solicitous about his dress is a slave to the opinions of men, for he certainly would not expend so much labor upon it if he thought he would not be observed. Beware, however, of going to the other extreme and dressing in a manner unsuited to your position. While claiming to despise the approbation or notice of the world, many secretly strive for it by their singularity and exaggerated simplicity."
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Roccasecca, Italy; Feast day March 7th
"God with patience and mercy awaits the sinner until his death in order to have pity upon him, should he, even in this last moment, regret his evil ways and turn toward Him. For the Lord who is merciful does not rejoice in the loss of the living."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Devout and humble prayer will afford us powerful aid in acquiring the virtue of prudence. For the principal office of the Holy Ghost being to enlighten the understanding with the gifts of knowledge, wisdom, and counsel, the greater the humility and devotion with which we present ourselves before this Divine Spirit, the greater will be the grace we shall receive."
"Be not too eager for rich apparel, for humility is incompatible with a love of display. One who is too solicitous about his dress is a slave to the opinions of men, for he certainly would not expend so much labor upon it if he thought he would not be observed. Beware, however, of going to the other extreme and dressing in a manner unsuited to your position. While claiming to despise the approbation or notice of the world, many secretly strive for it by their singularity and exaggerated simplicity."
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Roccasecca, Italy; Feast day March 7th
"God with patience and mercy awaits the sinner until his death in order to have pity upon him, should he, even in this last moment, regret his evil ways and turn toward Him. For the Lord who is merciful does not rejoice in the loss of the living."
Thursday, May 30, 2013
May 30th
St Ferdinand III (1198-1252), King, Confessor; Leon, Spain; Feast day May 30th
"Thou, O Lord, who searchest the secrets of heart, knowest that I desire thy glory, not mine; and the increase of thy faith, and holy religion, not of transitory kingdoms."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Seneca affirms that he who closed his heart to the claims of unruly desires was not inferior in wealth or happiness to Jupiter himself. By this he signified that as man's misery springs from unfulfilled desires, he may be said to be very near the summit of happiness who has learned to subdue his desires so that they cannot disturb him."
St Bernard (1090-1153), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Fontaine-les-Dijon, France; Feast day August 20th
"Humility is contempt of self founded on a true knowledge of our baseness. The effect of this virtue is to pluck from our heart all the roots of pride as well as all love of earthly honors and dignities. It inspires us to seek the lowest place, persuading us that had another received the graces we enjoy he would have been more grateful and would have used them more profitably for the glory of God."
St Ferdinand III (1198-1252), King, Confessor; Leon, Spain; Feast day May 30th
"Thou, O Lord, who searchest the secrets of heart, knowest that I desire thy glory, not mine; and the increase of thy faith, and holy religion, not of transitory kingdoms."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Seneca affirms that he who closed his heart to the claims of unruly desires was not inferior in wealth or happiness to Jupiter himself. By this he signified that as man's misery springs from unfulfilled desires, he may be said to be very near the summit of happiness who has learned to subdue his desires so that they cannot disturb him."
St Bernard (1090-1153), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Fontaine-les-Dijon, France; Feast day August 20th
"Humility is contempt of self founded on a true knowledge of our baseness. The effect of this virtue is to pluck from our heart all the roots of pride as well as all love of earthly honors and dignities. It inspires us to seek the lowest place, persuading us that had another received the graces we enjoy he would have been more grateful and would have used them more profitably for the glory of God."
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
May 29th
St Conan and Sons (d. 275), Martyrs; Iconia, Turkey; Feast day May 29th
"Those who live according to the spirit of the world are fond of pleasures and ease; but those who live according to the Spirit of God,study to purchase the kingdom of heaven by pain and tribulation. As for me, my desire is to forfeit my life here, that I may for ever reign with Jesus Christ."
St Cyril (3rd cent.), Martyr, Ceasarea, Palestine; Feast day May 29th
"I rejoice in suffering reproaches for what I have done. God will receive me, with whom I shall be better than with my father. I cheerfully renounce earthly estates and house, that I may be made rich in heaven. I am not afraid of death, because it will procure me a better life."
St Bernard (1090-1153), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Fontaine-les-Dijon, France; Feast day August 20th
" If we take away self-love, there will be no longer any reason for the existence of Hell."
St Conan and Sons (d. 275), Martyrs; Iconia, Turkey; Feast day May 29th
"Those who live according to the spirit of the world are fond of pleasures and ease; but those who live according to the Spirit of God,study to purchase the kingdom of heaven by pain and tribulation. As for me, my desire is to forfeit my life here, that I may for ever reign with Jesus Christ."
St Cyril (3rd cent.), Martyr, Ceasarea, Palestine; Feast day May 29th
"I rejoice in suffering reproaches for what I have done. God will receive me, with whom I shall be better than with my father. I cheerfully renounce earthly estates and house, that I may be made rich in heaven. I am not afraid of death, because it will procure me a better life."
St Bernard (1090-1153), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Fontaine-les-Dijon, France; Feast day August 20th
" If we take away self-love, there will be no longer any reason for the existence of Hell."
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
May 28th
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Drive from your heart the bitterness of hatred and yield to the sweetness of fraternal charity. Independently of your eternal interests, which impose this duty upon you, there is nothing sweeter than love, and nothing more bitter than hatred, which preys like a cancer on the heart of it s victim, where it was first engendered."
St Bernard (1090-1153), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Fontaine-les-Dijon, France; Feast day August 20th
"In regard to eating there are four things to be regulated: the time, the manner, the quantity, and the quality. The time should be limited to the usual hours of our repast; the manner should be free from that eagerness which makes us appear absorbed in what is set before us; the quantity and quality should not exceed what is granted others, except when a condition of health manifestly requires delicacies."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Drive from your heart the bitterness of hatred and yield to the sweetness of fraternal charity. Independently of your eternal interests, which impose this duty upon you, there is nothing sweeter than love, and nothing more bitter than hatred, which preys like a cancer on the heart of it s victim, where it was first engendered."
St Bernard (1090-1153), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Fontaine-les-Dijon, France; Feast day August 20th
"In regard to eating there are four things to be regulated: the time, the manner, the quantity, and the quality. The time should be limited to the usual hours of our repast; the manner should be free from that eagerness which makes us appear absorbed in what is set before us; the quantity and quality should not exceed what is granted others, except when a condition of health manifestly requires delicacies."
Monday, May 27, 2013
May 27th
St Bede (673-735), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Northumbria, England; Feast day May 27th
"It is now time for me to return to Him who made me, and gave me a being when I was nothing. I have lived a long time; my merciful Judge most graciously foresaw and ordered the course of my life for me. The time of my dissolution draws near. I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. Yes; my soul desires to see Christ my king in His beauty."
"And I pray Thee, loving Jesus, that as Thou hast graciously given me to drink in with delight the words of Thy knowledge, so Thou wouldst mercifully grant me to attain one day to Thee, the fountain of all wisdom, and to appear forever before Thy face."
"Holy Scripture is above all other books not only by its authority because it is Divine, or by its utility because it leads to eternal life, but also by its antiquity and its literary form."
"Highest Father of lights, by whom every excellent thing is given and from whom every perfect gift descends, you have given me, the humblest of your servants, both the love and the aid to consider the wonders of your law, and have manifested to me, unworthy though I am, the grace to not only grasp the ancient offerings in the treasury of this prophetic book but also to discover new ones beneath the veil of the old and to bring them forth for the use of my fellow servants -- remember me with favor, oh my God."
"Christ is the 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."
"Whenever we enter the church and draw near to the heavenly mysteries, we ought to approach with all humility and fear, both because of the presence of the angelic powers and out of the reverence due to the sacred oblation. For as the angels are said to have stood by the Lord's body when it lay in the tomb, so we must believe that they are present in the celebration of the Mysteries of His most sacred Body at the time of consecration."
St Julius (d. 302), Martyr; Bulgaria; Feast day May 27th
"Lord Jesus, for whose name I suffer death, vouchsafe to receive my soul in the number of thy saints."
St Bede (673-735), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Northumbria, England; Feast day May 27th
"It is now time for me to return to Him who made me, and gave me a being when I was nothing. I have lived a long time; my merciful Judge most graciously foresaw and ordered the course of my life for me. The time of my dissolution draws near. I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. Yes; my soul desires to see Christ my king in His beauty."
"And I pray Thee, loving Jesus, that as Thou hast graciously given me to drink in with delight the words of Thy knowledge, so Thou wouldst mercifully grant me to attain one day to Thee, the fountain of all wisdom, and to appear forever before Thy face."
"Holy Scripture is above all other books not only by its authority because it is Divine, or by its utility because it leads to eternal life, but also by its antiquity and its literary form."
"Highest Father of lights, by whom every excellent thing is given and from whom every perfect gift descends, you have given me, the humblest of your servants, both the love and the aid to consider the wonders of your law, and have manifested to me, unworthy though I am, the grace to not only grasp the ancient offerings in the treasury of this prophetic book but also to discover new ones beneath the veil of the old and to bring them forth for the use of my fellow servants -- remember me with favor, oh my God."
"Christ is the 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."
"Whenever we enter the church and draw near to the heavenly mysteries, we ought to approach with all humility and fear, both because of the presence of the angelic powers and out of the reverence due to the sacred oblation. For as the angels are said to have stood by the Lord's body when it lay in the tomb, so we must believe that they are present in the celebration of the Mysteries of His most sacred Body at the time of consecration."
St Julius (d. 302), Martyr; Bulgaria; Feast day May 27th
"Lord Jesus, for whose name I suffer death, vouchsafe to receive my soul in the number of thy saints."
Sunday, May 26, 2013
May 26th
St Philip Neri (1515-1595), Confessor; Firenze, Italy; Feast day May 26th
"God has no need of man."
"Devotion to the Blessed Virgin is actually necessary, because there is no better means of obtaining God's graces than through His most holy Mother."
"We must accept the adversities which God sends us without reasoning too much upon them, and we must take for granted that it is the best thing which could happen to us."
"We must always remember that God does everything well, although we may not see the reason of what He does."
"There is nothing more to the purpose for exciting a spirit of prayer, than the reading of spiritual books."
"There is nothing good in this world: Vanitas vanitatum, et omnia vanitas."
"A man without prayer is an animal without the use of reason."
"A most excellent means of learning how to pray, is to acknowledge ourselves unworthy of such a benefit, and to put ourselves entirely into the hands of the Lord."
"The true preparation for prayer consists in the exercise of mortification; for he who wishes to give himself up to prayer without mortification, is like a bird wishing to fly before it is fledged."
"In the warfare of the flesh, only cowards gain the victory; that is to say, those who fly."
"When a person puts himself in an occasion of sin, saying, "I shall not fall, I shall not commit sin," it is an almost infallible sign that he will fall, and with all the greater damage to his soul."
"It is a most useful thing to say often, and from the heart, 'Lord, do not put any confidence in me, for I am sure to fall if Thou dost not help me;' or, 'O my Lord, look for nothing but evil from me.'"
"The stench of impurity before God and the angels is so great, that no stench in the world can equal."
"One of the very best means of obtaining humility, is sincere and frequent confession."
"In trying to get rid of bad habits, it is of the greatest importance not to put off going to confession after a fall, and also to keep to the same confessor."
"In visiting the dying we should not say many words to them, but rather help them by praying for them."
"If a man finds it very hard to forgive injuries, let him look at a crucifix, and think that Christ has shed all His blood for him, and not only forgave His enemies, but prayed the Eternal Father to forgive them also."
"Men are generally the carpenters of their own crosses."
"Let us concentrate ourselves so completely in the divine love, and enter so far into the living fountain of wisdom, through the wounded side of our Incarnate God, that we may deny ourselves and our self-love, and so be unable to find our way out of that Wound again."
"He who wishes to attain to perfection must have no attachment to anything."
"The Holy Spirit is the master of prayer, and causes us to abide in continual peace and cheerfulness, which is a foretaste of Paradise."
"If we wish the Holy Spirit to teach us how to pray, we must practice humility and obedience."
"He who runs away from one cross, will meet a bigger one on his road."
The Maxims and Sayings of St Philip Neri
St Philip Neri (1515-1595), Confessor; Firenze, Italy; Feast day May 26th
"God has no need of man."
"Devotion to the Blessed Virgin is actually necessary, because there is no better means of obtaining God's graces than through His most holy Mother."
"We must accept the adversities which God sends us without reasoning too much upon them, and we must take for granted that it is the best thing which could happen to us."
"We must always remember that God does everything well, although we may not see the reason of what He does."
"There is nothing more to the purpose for exciting a spirit of prayer, than the reading of spiritual books."
"There is nothing good in this world: Vanitas vanitatum, et omnia vanitas."
"A man without prayer is an animal without the use of reason."
"A most excellent means of learning how to pray, is to acknowledge ourselves unworthy of such a benefit, and to put ourselves entirely into the hands of the Lord."
"The true preparation for prayer consists in the exercise of mortification; for he who wishes to give himself up to prayer without mortification, is like a bird wishing to fly before it is fledged."
"In the warfare of the flesh, only cowards gain the victory; that is to say, those who fly."
"When a person puts himself in an occasion of sin, saying, "I shall not fall, I shall not commit sin," it is an almost infallible sign that he will fall, and with all the greater damage to his soul."
"It is a most useful thing to say often, and from the heart, 'Lord, do not put any confidence in me, for I am sure to fall if Thou dost not help me;' or, 'O my Lord, look for nothing but evil from me.'"
"The stench of impurity before God and the angels is so great, that no stench in the world can equal."
"One of the very best means of obtaining humility, is sincere and frequent confession."
"In trying to get rid of bad habits, it is of the greatest importance not to put off going to confession after a fall, and also to keep to the same confessor."
"In visiting the dying we should not say many words to them, but rather help them by praying for them."
"If a man finds it very hard to forgive injuries, let him look at a crucifix, and think that Christ has shed all His blood for him, and not only forgave His enemies, but prayed the Eternal Father to forgive them also."
"Men are generally the carpenters of their own crosses."
"Let us concentrate ourselves so completely in the divine love, and enter so far into the living fountain of wisdom, through the wounded side of our Incarnate God, that we may deny ourselves and our self-love, and so be unable to find our way out of that Wound again."
"He who wishes to attain to perfection must have no attachment to anything."
"The Holy Spirit is the master of prayer, and causes us to abide in continual peace and cheerfulness, which is a foretaste of Paradise."
"If we wish the Holy Spirit to teach us how to pray, we must practice humility and obedience."
"He who runs away from one cross, will meet a bigger one on his road."
The Maxims and Sayings of St Philip Neri
Saturday, May 25, 2013
May 25th
St Mary Magdalena di Pazzi (1566-1607), Virgin; Florence, Italy; Feast day May 25
"See what the infinite love of God has suffered for my salvation. This same Love sees my weakness, and gives me courage. They who call to mind the sufferings of Christ, and offer their own to God through His passion, find their pains sweet and amiable."
"O Love! Love is not loved, not known by His own creatures! O my Jesus! if I had a voice strong and loud enough that I could be heard by all men in all parts of the world, how would I cry out that this Love might be known, loved, and esteemed by all men as the only true incomprehensible good! But the cursed poison of self-love robs men of this high knowledge, and renders them incapable of it."
"Is it possible that I should take any rest while I consider how much God is offended on earth? O Love! I do it by obedience, and to fulfill Your Holy Will."
"The Will of God is ever most amiable."
"How rich a traffic have we with God when we do everything with a pure and vehement intention to please and honor Him."
"Come, souls, come, love your God who so much loves you. O Love, I die with mortal anguish when I see how little You are known and loved. O Love! Love! if You find no place to rest in, come all to me; I will lodge You. O souls created by Love, why do not you love?"
"It is impossible for one who does not love silence to take pleasure in divine things; before long he will throw himself into the very midst of the pleasures of the world."
"O Jesus, You have become foolish with love. I say it and I shall never grow weary repeating it, love has made You foolish, My Jesus."
"He who has given himself entirely to the love of his Crucified Lord needs but to look at the cross to be buried in the contemplation of the boundless love that Jesus Christ has borne him."
"If in the course of his life, a man never spoke ill of his fellowman, I would consider him a saint."
"Say nothing of an absent brother that you would not wish to say in his presence."
"When I am acting out of obedience, I am certain that I am doing the Will of God, but at other times this is not the case."
"Self-love is like the worm that gnaws at the root and destroys not only the fruit, but even the very life of the plant."
"The traitor that we have to fear most is self-love, for self-love betrays us as Judas betrayed Our Lord with a kiss. He who conquers self-love has conquered all."
St Mary Magdalena di Pazzi (1566-1607), Virgin; Florence, Italy; Feast day May 25
"See what the infinite love of God has suffered for my salvation. This same Love sees my weakness, and gives me courage. They who call to mind the sufferings of Christ, and offer their own to God through His passion, find their pains sweet and amiable."
"O Love! Love is not loved, not known by His own creatures! O my Jesus! if I had a voice strong and loud enough that I could be heard by all men in all parts of the world, how would I cry out that this Love might be known, loved, and esteemed by all men as the only true incomprehensible good! But the cursed poison of self-love robs men of this high knowledge, and renders them incapable of it."
"Is it possible that I should take any rest while I consider how much God is offended on earth? O Love! I do it by obedience, and to fulfill Your Holy Will."
"The Will of God is ever most amiable."
"How rich a traffic have we with God when we do everything with a pure and vehement intention to please and honor Him."
"Come, souls, come, love your God who so much loves you. O Love, I die with mortal anguish when I see how little You are known and loved. O Love! Love! if You find no place to rest in, come all to me; I will lodge You. O souls created by Love, why do not you love?"
"It is impossible for one who does not love silence to take pleasure in divine things; before long he will throw himself into the very midst of the pleasures of the world."
"O Jesus, You have become foolish with love. I say it and I shall never grow weary repeating it, love has made You foolish, My Jesus."
"He who has given himself entirely to the love of his Crucified Lord needs but to look at the cross to be buried in the contemplation of the boundless love that Jesus Christ has borne him."
"If in the course of his life, a man never spoke ill of his fellowman, I would consider him a saint."
"Say nothing of an absent brother that you would not wish to say in his presence."
"When I am acting out of obedience, I am certain that I am doing the Will of God, but at other times this is not the case."
"Self-love is like the worm that gnaws at the root and destroys not only the fruit, but even the very life of the plant."
"The traitor that we have to fear most is self-love, for self-love betrays us as Judas betrayed Our Lord with a kiss. He who conquers self-love has conquered all."
Friday, May 24, 2013
May 24th
St Gregory the Great (540-604), Confessor, Pope, Doctor of the Church; Rome, Italy; Feast day March 12th
"Slight faults are sometimes more dangerous than greater ones, for the latter, when we behold their hideousness, awaken remorse and resolutions of amendment; but the former make less impression on us, and thus, by easily relapsing into them, we soon contract a strong habit."
St Augustine (354-430), Confessor, Bishop, Father of the Church; Thagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"Do not despise venial sins because they appear trifling, but fear them because they are numerous. Small animals in large numbers can kill a man. Grains of sand are very small, yet, if accumulated, they can sink a ship. Drops of water are very small, yet how often they become a mighty river, a raging torrent, sweeping everything before them!"
St Gregory the Great (540-604), Confessor, Pope, Doctor of the Church; Rome, Italy; Feast day March 12th
"Slight faults are sometimes more dangerous than greater ones, for the latter, when we behold their hideousness, awaken remorse and resolutions of amendment; but the former make less impression on us, and thus, by easily relapsing into them, we soon contract a strong habit."
St Augustine (354-430), Confessor, Bishop, Father of the Church; Thagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"Do not despise venial sins because they appear trifling, but fear them because they are numerous. Small animals in large numbers can kill a man. Grains of sand are very small, yet, if accumulated, they can sink a ship. Drops of water are very small, yet how often they become a mighty river, a raging torrent, sweeping everything before them!"
May 23rd
St Michael the Confessor (d. 818), Bishop, Confessor; Constantinople, Turkey; Feast day May 23rd
"I venerate the immaculate and divine image of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, and of His most holy Mother."
St Julia (d. 439), Martyr; Carthage, Tunisia; Feast day May 23rd
"My liberty is the service of Christ, whom I serve every day with a pure mind. As for that error of yours, I not only do not venerate it, I detest it."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Priest, Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Venial sin, however slight, is always prejudicial to the soul. It weakens our devotion, troubles the peace of our conscience, diminishes the fervor of charity, exhausts the strength of our spiritual life, and obstructs the work of the Holy Ghost in our souls. I pray you then to do all in your power to avoid these sins, for there is not enemy too weak to harm us if we make no resistance. Sight anger, gluttony, vanity, idle words and thoughts, immoderate laughter, loss of time, too much sleeping, trivial lies or flatteries -- such are the sins against which I would particularly warn you. Great vigilance is required against offenses of this kind, for occasions of venial sin abound."
St Michael the Confessor (d. 818), Bishop, Confessor; Constantinople, Turkey; Feast day May 23rd
"I venerate the immaculate and divine image of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, and of His most holy Mother."
St Julia (d. 439), Martyr; Carthage, Tunisia; Feast day May 23rd
"My liberty is the service of Christ, whom I serve every day with a pure mind. As for that error of yours, I not only do not venerate it, I detest it."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Priest, Confessor; Granada, Spain
"Venial sin, however slight, is always prejudicial to the soul. It weakens our devotion, troubles the peace of our conscience, diminishes the fervor of charity, exhausts the strength of our spiritual life, and obstructs the work of the Holy Ghost in our souls. I pray you then to do all in your power to avoid these sins, for there is not enemy too weak to harm us if we make no resistance. Sight anger, gluttony, vanity, idle words and thoughts, immoderate laughter, loss of time, too much sleeping, trivial lies or flatteries -- such are the sins against which I would particularly warn you. Great vigilance is required against offenses of this kind, for occasions of venial sin abound."
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
May 22nd
St Rita of Cascia (1381-1457), Confessor; Roccaporena, Italy; Feast day May 22nd
"By begging, I am acting in accordance with the state I profess, and I also give my neighbor the occasion of exercising charity and of meriting an eternal reward in heaven."
"There is nothing impossible to God."
"Remain in the holy love of Jesus. Remain in obedience to the holy Roman Church. Remain in peace and fraternal charity."
"I am not afraid to die. I know already what it is to die. It is to close the eyes to the world and open them to God."
"Love God above all things. His goodness being infinite and His beauty without comparison, you should keep always before your minds the great love He has for you as Father, Spouse, and Master. Love on another with a reciprocal chaste and holy love. Observe faithfully the rule you have professed, and venerate with a religious affection our great and holy father St. Augustine, who has pointed out to you, by his rule, the royal road to glory. Be obedient to Holy Mother church, and to your superioress, as you promised when you made your solemn profession."
"May God bless you and may you always remain in holy peace and love with your beloved Spouse Jesus Christ."
St Rita's Shrine
St Rita of Cascia (1381-1457), Confessor; Roccaporena, Italy; Feast day May 22nd
"By begging, I am acting in accordance with the state I profess, and I also give my neighbor the occasion of exercising charity and of meriting an eternal reward in heaven."
"There is nothing impossible to God."
"Remain in the holy love of Jesus. Remain in obedience to the holy Roman Church. Remain in peace and fraternal charity."
"I am not afraid to die. I know already what it is to die. It is to close the eyes to the world and open them to God."
"Love God above all things. His goodness being infinite and His beauty without comparison, you should keep always before your minds the great love He has for you as Father, Spouse, and Master. Love on another with a reciprocal chaste and holy love. Observe faithfully the rule you have professed, and venerate with a religious affection our great and holy father St. Augustine, who has pointed out to you, by his rule, the royal road to glory. Be obedient to Holy Mother church, and to your superioress, as you promised when you made your solemn profession."
"May God bless you and may you always remain in holy peace and love with your beloved Spouse Jesus Christ."
St Rita's Shrine
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
May 21st
St Felix of Cantilicio (1513-1587), Confessor; Cantilicio, Italy; Feast day May 21st
"I pray God you may become a saint."
"Every creature in the world will raise his heart to God if he looks upon the world with a good eye."
Bl Augustin Caloca Cortes (1898-1927), Priest, Martyr; El Teul, Zacatecas, Mexico; Feast day May 21st
"We live for God and for Him we die."
St Francis de Sales (1557-1622), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Haute Savoie, France; Feast day January 29th
"To avoid faults in speech we must have the lips buttoned together, so that while unbuttoning them we may think of what we are going to say."
St Felix of Cantilicio (1513-1587), Confessor; Cantilicio, Italy; Feast day May 21st
"I pray God you may become a saint."
"Every creature in the world will raise his heart to God if he looks upon the world with a good eye."
Bl Augustin Caloca Cortes (1898-1927), Priest, Martyr; El Teul, Zacatecas, Mexico; Feast day May 21st
"We live for God and for Him we die."
St Francis de Sales (1557-1622), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Haute Savoie, France; Feast day January 29th
"To avoid faults in speech we must have the lips buttoned together, so that while unbuttoning them we may think of what we are going to say."
Monday, May 20, 2013
May 20th
St Bernadine of Siena (1380-1444), Priest, Confessor; Massa, Italy; Feast day May 20th
“In all your actions seek in the first place the kingdom of God and his glory; direct all you do purely to his honour; persevere in brotherly charity, and practice first all that you desire to teach others. By this means the Holy Ghost will be your master, and will give you such wisdom and such a tongue that no adversary will be able to stand against you.”
St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562), Priest, Confessor; Alcantara, Spain; Feast day October 19th
"Think of the wisdom of this world, its glory and the grandeur of its aims; yet at the end, like life itself, does not this glory also vanish? What is more wretched than to win with so much labor what one can but so briefly enjoy? However far-reaching your knowledge, it is yet as nothing; but if you exercise yourself in the love of God, quickly will you come to see Him, and seeing Him, to see all."
St Bernadine of Siena (1380-1444), Priest, Confessor; Massa, Italy; Feast day May 20th
“In all your actions seek in the first place the kingdom of God and his glory; direct all you do purely to his honour; persevere in brotherly charity, and practice first all that you desire to teach others. By this means the Holy Ghost will be your master, and will give you such wisdom and such a tongue that no adversary will be able to stand against you.”
St Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562), Priest, Confessor; Alcantara, Spain; Feast day October 19th
"Think of the wisdom of this world, its glory and the grandeur of its aims; yet at the end, like life itself, does not this glory also vanish? What is more wretched than to win with so much labor what one can but so briefly enjoy? However far-reaching your knowledge, it is yet as nothing; but if you exercise yourself in the love of God, quickly will you come to see Him, and seeing Him, to see all."
May 19th
St Peter Celestine (1221-1296), Pope, Confessor; Apulia, Italy; Feast day May 19th
"I desired nothing in the world but a cell; and a cell they have given me."
St Augustine (354-430), Confessor, Bishop, Father of the Church; Thagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"O God, Founder of the universe, help me, that, first of all, I may pray aright: and next, that I may act as one worthy to be heard by Thee: and, finally, set me free. God, through whom all things are, which of themselves could have no being; God, who dost not permit that to perish, whose tendency it is to destroy itself: God, who hast created out of nothing this world, which the eyes of all perceive to be most beautiful! God, who dost not cause evil, but dost cause that it shall not become the worst! God, who dost reveal to those few fleeing for refuge to that which truly is, that evil is nothing! God, through whom the universe, even with its perverse part, is perfect! God, to whom dissonance is nothing, since in the end the worst resolves into harmony with the better! God, whom every creature capable of loving, loves, whether consciously or unconsciously!"
St Peter Celestine (1221-1296), Pope, Confessor; Apulia, Italy; Feast day May 19th
"I desired nothing in the world but a cell; and a cell they have given me."
St Augustine (354-430), Confessor, Bishop, Father of the Church; Thagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"O God, Founder of the universe, help me, that, first of all, I may pray aright: and next, that I may act as one worthy to be heard by Thee: and, finally, set me free. God, through whom all things are, which of themselves could have no being; God, who dost not permit that to perish, whose tendency it is to destroy itself: God, who hast created out of nothing this world, which the eyes of all perceive to be most beautiful! God, who dost not cause evil, but dost cause that it shall not become the worst! God, who dost reveal to those few fleeing for refuge to that which truly is, that evil is nothing! God, through whom the universe, even with its perverse part, is perfect! God, to whom dissonance is nothing, since in the end the worst resolves into harmony with the better! God, whom every creature capable of loving, loves, whether consciously or unconsciously!"
Sunday, May 19, 2013
May 18th
St Gregory the Great (540-604), Confessor, Pope, Doctor of the Church; Rome, Italy; Feast day March 12th
"It is true that some saints have been guided directly by God, but such examples are rather to be admired than imitated, for thinking ourselves above the guidance of men, we might easily be led into error."
St Jerome (347-420), Priest, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Dalmatia; Feast day September 30th
"Truly, when we consider the frailty of our flesh and how at every point and moment of time we increase and decrease, without ever remaining in the same state, and how that which at this very instant forms the subject of our discourse, of our schemes and meditations, is to such an extent cut off from our life, we shall not hesitate to speak of our flesh as a little grass and all its glory as the flower of the field."
St Gregory the Great (540-604), Confessor, Pope, Doctor of the Church; Rome, Italy; Feast day March 12th
"It is true that some saints have been guided directly by God, but such examples are rather to be admired than imitated, for thinking ourselves above the guidance of men, we might easily be led into error."
St Jerome (347-420), Priest, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Dalmatia; Feast day September 30th
"Truly, when we consider the frailty of our flesh and how at every point and moment of time we increase and decrease, without ever remaining in the same state, and how that which at this very instant forms the subject of our discourse, of our schemes and meditations, is to such an extent cut off from our life, we shall not hesitate to speak of our flesh as a little grass and all its glory as the flower of the field."
Friday, May 17, 2013
May 17th
St Paschal Baylon (1540-1592), Confessor; Torre-Hermosa, Spain; Feast day May 17th
"The consolation which the Holy Ghost frequently infuses into pious souls, is greater than all the pleasures of the world together, could they be enjoyed by one man. It makes the heart to dissolve and melt through excess of joy, under which it is unable to contain itself."
"I was born poor, and I am resolved to live and die in poverty and penance."
St Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510), Widow; Genoa, Italy; Feast day September 15th
"Jesus in your heart! Eternity in your mind! The will of God in all your actions! But above all, love, God's love, entire love!"
"If you wish to know how much a person loves his God, see how much he loves his neighbor."
St Paschal Baylon (1540-1592), Confessor; Torre-Hermosa, Spain; Feast day May 17th
"The consolation which the Holy Ghost frequently infuses into pious souls, is greater than all the pleasures of the world together, could they be enjoyed by one man. It makes the heart to dissolve and melt through excess of joy, under which it is unable to contain itself."
"I was born poor, and I am resolved to live and die in poverty and penance."
St Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510), Widow; Genoa, Italy; Feast day September 15th
"Jesus in your heart! Eternity in your mind! The will of God in all your actions! But above all, love, God's love, entire love!"
"If you wish to know how much a person loves his God, see how much he loves his neighbor."
May 16th
Padre Pio (1887-1968), Confessor, Stigmatic; Pietrelcina, Italy; Feast day September 23rd
“Go to the Madonna. Love her! Always say the Rosary. Say it well. Say it as often as you can! Be souls of prayer. Never tire of praying, it is what is essential. Prayer shakes the Heart of God, it obtains necessary graces!”
Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471), Confessor; Kempen, Germany
"If you wish to share Christ's banquet in the kingdom of His Father, then do not let your heart crave sumptuous dishes or expensive wines, neither comfortable couches nor fine clothing. Such things are altogether contrary to Jesus' simple manner of life and sorrowful Passion.
"Do not permit yourself to be overcome by the delights of the flesh, but keep a rein on the stirrings of concupiscence by exercising moderation at table. However, if you have gone overboard by overeating or in your desire for delicacies, then set this aright by daily labors and night vigils, at the same time reflecting with sadness on the bitter cup that Christ was given to drink."
Padre Pio (1887-1968), Confessor, Stigmatic; Pietrelcina, Italy; Feast day September 23rd
“Go to the Madonna. Love her! Always say the Rosary. Say it well. Say it as often as you can! Be souls of prayer. Never tire of praying, it is what is essential. Prayer shakes the Heart of God, it obtains necessary graces!”
Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471), Confessor; Kempen, Germany
"If you wish to share Christ's banquet in the kingdom of His Father, then do not let your heart crave sumptuous dishes or expensive wines, neither comfortable couches nor fine clothing. Such things are altogether contrary to Jesus' simple manner of life and sorrowful Passion.
"Do not permit yourself to be overcome by the delights of the flesh, but keep a rein on the stirrings of concupiscence by exercising moderation at table. However, if you have gone overboard by overeating or in your desire for delicacies, then set this aright by daily labors and night vigils, at the same time reflecting with sadness on the bitter cup that Christ was given to drink."
May 15th
St Augustine (354-430), Confessor, Bishop, Father of the Church; Thagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"God gives himself only to those who desire him and seek him with all the zeal such a lofty aim deserves."
"Extend thy charity over the entire earth if thou wilt love Christ for the members of Christ are to be found everywhere in the world. If thou lovest only a part thou are divided; if thou art divided, thou are not in the Body; if thou are not in the Body, thou are not under the Head.
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"If, then, you perceive in yourself any mark of such anger, be not without fear. Remember that you need no help but your own passions and the devil's temptations to carry you along the broad road to destruction. Stop while you have time. Implore the divine mercy to aid you in retracing your steps till you discover that narrow way which leads to everlasting life. Having found it, walk manfully in it, ever mindful of the justice of God, and of the terrible truth that while thousands throng the road to death, their are few who find the way of life."
"'Hope in the Lord and do that which is good,' we are told by the psalmist; 'offer the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord.' (Ps 36:3 and 4:6). This is hope; any other confidence is presumption. The ark of the true Church will not save its unworthy members from the deluge of their iniquities, nor can you reap any benefit from the mercy of God if you seek His protection in order to sin with impunity."
St Augustine (354-430), Confessor, Bishop, Father of the Church; Thagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"God gives himself only to those who desire him and seek him with all the zeal such a lofty aim deserves."
"Extend thy charity over the entire earth if thou wilt love Christ for the members of Christ are to be found everywhere in the world. If thou lovest only a part thou are divided; if thou art divided, thou are not in the Body; if thou are not in the Body, thou are not under the Head.
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"If, then, you perceive in yourself any mark of such anger, be not without fear. Remember that you need no help but your own passions and the devil's temptations to carry you along the broad road to destruction. Stop while you have time. Implore the divine mercy to aid you in retracing your steps till you discover that narrow way which leads to everlasting life. Having found it, walk manfully in it, ever mindful of the justice of God, and of the terrible truth that while thousands throng the road to death, their are few who find the way of life."
"'Hope in the Lord and do that which is good,' we are told by the psalmist; 'offer the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord.' (Ps 36:3 and 4:6). This is hope; any other confidence is presumption. The ark of the true Church will not save its unworthy members from the deluge of their iniquities, nor can you reap any benefit from the mercy of God if you seek His protection in order to sin with impunity."
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
May 14th
St Laurence Giustiniani (1381-1456), Bishop, Confessor; Venice, Italy; Feast day September 5th
"In prayer, the soul cleanses itself from sin, charity is nourished, faith is strengthened, hope made secure; the spirit rejoices, the soul grows tender, and the heart is purified, truth discovers itself, temptation is overcome, sadness takes to flight, the senses are renewed, failing virtue is made good, tepidity disappears, the rust of sin is rubbed away. In it are brought forth lively flashes of heavenly desires, and in these fires burns up the fame of divine love. Great are the excellences of prayer, great its privileges. The heavens open before it, and unveil therein their secrets, and to it are the ears of God ever attentive."
St John Chrysostom (347-407), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Antioch; Feast day September 13th
"Our Lord is the summary of all God's works, the epitome of all the perfections to be found in God and in His creatures. Jesus Christ is everything that you can and should wish for. Long for Him, see for Him, because He is that unique and precious pearl for which you should be ready to sell everything you possess."
St Laurence Giustiniani (1381-1456), Bishop, Confessor; Venice, Italy; Feast day September 5th
"In prayer, the soul cleanses itself from sin, charity is nourished, faith is strengthened, hope made secure; the spirit rejoices, the soul grows tender, and the heart is purified, truth discovers itself, temptation is overcome, sadness takes to flight, the senses are renewed, failing virtue is made good, tepidity disappears, the rust of sin is rubbed away. In it are brought forth lively flashes of heavenly desires, and in these fires burns up the fame of divine love. Great are the excellences of prayer, great its privileges. The heavens open before it, and unveil therein their secrets, and to it are the ears of God ever attentive."
St John Chrysostom (347-407), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Antioch; Feast day September 13th
"Our Lord is the summary of all God's works, the epitome of all the perfections to be found in God and in His creatures. Jesus Christ is everything that you can and should wish for. Long for Him, see for Him, because He is that unique and precious pearl for which you should be ready to sell everything you possess."
May 13th
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"If you are tempted to gluttony or sensuality, retrench something from your usual repasts, even though they in no way exceed the limits of sobriety, and give yourself with more fervor to fasting and other practices of devotion. If you are assailed by avarice, increase the amount of your alms and the number of your good works. If you feel the promptings of vainglory, lose no opportunity of accepting humiliations. Then, perhaps, the devil may fear to tempt you, seeing that you convert his snares into occasions of virtue, and that he only affords you opportunities of greater good. Above all things fly idleness. Even in your hours of relaxation do not be wholly unoccupied. And, on the other hand, do not be so absorbed in your labors that you cannot from time to time raise your heart to God and treat with Him in prayer."
St Bonaventure (1221-1274), Bishop, Doctor of the Church; Bagnoregio, Italy; Feast day July 14th
"If you would endure with patience the adversities and miseries of this life, be a man of prayer. If you would acquire strength and courage to vanquish the temptations of the enemy, be a man of prayer. If you would crush your self-will with all its inclinations and desires, be a man of prayer. If you would know the wiles of Satan and defend yourself against his snares, be a man of prayer. If you would live with a joyful heart, and pass lightly along the road of penance and sacrifice, be a man of prayer. If you would drive away vain thoughts and cares which worry the soul like flies, be a man of payer. If you would nourish the soul with the sap of devotion and have it always filled with good thoughts and desires, be a man of prayer. If you would strengthen and establish your heart in the way of God, be a man of prayer. Finally, if you would uproot from your soul all vices, and plant virtues in their place, be a man of prayer, for herein does a man receive the unction and grace of the Holy Spirit, who teaches all things. Nay more, would you mount to the summit of contemplation, and enjoy the sweet embraces of the Spouse, exercise yourself in prayer, for it is the road that leads to contemplation and to the taste of what is heavenly."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"If you are tempted to gluttony or sensuality, retrench something from your usual repasts, even though they in no way exceed the limits of sobriety, and give yourself with more fervor to fasting and other practices of devotion. If you are assailed by avarice, increase the amount of your alms and the number of your good works. If you feel the promptings of vainglory, lose no opportunity of accepting humiliations. Then, perhaps, the devil may fear to tempt you, seeing that you convert his snares into occasions of virtue, and that he only affords you opportunities of greater good. Above all things fly idleness. Even in your hours of relaxation do not be wholly unoccupied. And, on the other hand, do not be so absorbed in your labors that you cannot from time to time raise your heart to God and treat with Him in prayer."
St Bonaventure (1221-1274), Bishop, Doctor of the Church; Bagnoregio, Italy; Feast day July 14th
"If you would endure with patience the adversities and miseries of this life, be a man of prayer. If you would acquire strength and courage to vanquish the temptations of the enemy, be a man of prayer. If you would crush your self-will with all its inclinations and desires, be a man of prayer. If you would know the wiles of Satan and defend yourself against his snares, be a man of prayer. If you would live with a joyful heart, and pass lightly along the road of penance and sacrifice, be a man of prayer. If you would drive away vain thoughts and cares which worry the soul like flies, be a man of payer. If you would nourish the soul with the sap of devotion and have it always filled with good thoughts and desires, be a man of prayer. If you would strengthen and establish your heart in the way of God, be a man of prayer. Finally, if you would uproot from your soul all vices, and plant virtues in their place, be a man of prayer, for herein does a man receive the unction and grace of the Holy Spirit, who teaches all things. Nay more, would you mount to the summit of contemplation, and enjoy the sweet embraces of the Spouse, exercise yourself in prayer, for it is the road that leads to contemplation and to the taste of what is heavenly."
Sunday, May 12, 2013
May 12th
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Roccasecca, Italy; Feast day March 7th
"God with patience and mercy awaits the sinner until his death in order to have pity upon him, should he, even in this last moment, regret his evil ways and turn toward Him. For the Lord who is merciful does not rejoice in the loss of the living. But we, in our impatience, before the grave is even dug for the sinner, cursing him and crying out for justice, would like to see him swallowed up at that very instant. We reproach God for bearing so long with the evil that the wicked cause the just to suffer, and we do not wish to consider the good that His wisdom expects to draw even from the malice of the impious.... it demonstrates God's tremendous mercy to take pity on and spare the sinner."
"God forgives immediately the gravest and most numerous offenses, if we make a firm resolution to turn from them and truly to amend. Even more, God forgets those offenses in return for a single lamentation of a contrite heart...nor does He contemplate reproaching us with them in order to dismay us, nor charging us with them in order to love us less, nor driving us away from Him by withdrawing His intimacy....[I]t is with difficulty that we agree from the heart to forgive a single small offense of one who implores our forgiveness! If it happens that we do forgive, we almost never forget; we rejoice in the embarrassment of our debtor; we have small pity for him in adversity; or else we love him less than we did before. If we do not reproach him it is certain, however, that we exclude him from our intimacy, and that even in times of trial we refuse him our counsel and our support."
St John Chrysostom (347-407), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Antioch; Feast day September 13th
"Nothing makes us more like God than to allow ourselves to be easily appeased and to be pitiful to the wayward and to those who harm us. For the height of perfection is to love our enemies, and to pray for them as did the Lord Jesus."
"God wishes that all should become holy and that none should neglect the practice of virtue. You make a great mistake if you think that anything different is required from people in the world than from monks. The one difference is that the one takes a wife and the other does not. In all other things the same reckoning will be demanded from each."
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Roccasecca, Italy; Feast day March 7th
"God with patience and mercy awaits the sinner until his death in order to have pity upon him, should he, even in this last moment, regret his evil ways and turn toward Him. For the Lord who is merciful does not rejoice in the loss of the living. But we, in our impatience, before the grave is even dug for the sinner, cursing him and crying out for justice, would like to see him swallowed up at that very instant. We reproach God for bearing so long with the evil that the wicked cause the just to suffer, and we do not wish to consider the good that His wisdom expects to draw even from the malice of the impious.... it demonstrates God's tremendous mercy to take pity on and spare the sinner."
"God forgives immediately the gravest and most numerous offenses, if we make a firm resolution to turn from them and truly to amend. Even more, God forgets those offenses in return for a single lamentation of a contrite heart...nor does He contemplate reproaching us with them in order to dismay us, nor charging us with them in order to love us less, nor driving us away from Him by withdrawing His intimacy....[I]t is with difficulty that we agree from the heart to forgive a single small offense of one who implores our forgiveness! If it happens that we do forgive, we almost never forget; we rejoice in the embarrassment of our debtor; we have small pity for him in adversity; or else we love him less than we did before. If we do not reproach him it is certain, however, that we exclude him from our intimacy, and that even in times of trial we refuse him our counsel and our support."
St John Chrysostom (347-407), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Antioch; Feast day September 13th
"Nothing makes us more like God than to allow ourselves to be easily appeased and to be pitiful to the wayward and to those who harm us. For the height of perfection is to love our enemies, and to pray for them as did the Lord Jesus."
"God wishes that all should become holy and that none should neglect the practice of virtue. You make a great mistake if you think that anything different is required from people in the world than from monks. The one difference is that the one takes a wife and the other does not. In all other things the same reckoning will be demanded from each."
May 11th
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"All animals are born with weapons for combat. The bull has horns; the boar has tusks; the bird has a beak and claws; the bee has a sting, and even the tiny fly or other insect has power to bite. But man, destined to live at peace with his fellow creatures, comes into the world naked and unarmed. Reflect, then, how contrary to your rightful nature it is to seek to be revenged upon one of your kind, to return evil for evil, particularly by making use of weapons which nature has denied you."
"If you overcome your passion, you gain a more glorious victory than he who conquers a city. Our noblest triumph is won by subduing ourselves, by subjecting our passions to the empire of reason."
"If anger urges that our enemy does not deserve forgiveness, ask yourself how far you have merited God's pardon. Will you have God exercise only mercy toward you, when you pursue your neighbor with implacable hatred? And if it be true that your enemy does not deserve pardon from you, it will be equally true that you do not deserve pardon from God. Remember that the pardon which man has not merited for himself, Christ has superabundantly merited for him. For love of Him, therefore, forgive all who have offended you."
St Gregory the Great (540-604), Confessor, Pope, Doctor of the Church; Rome, Italy; Feast day March 12th
"We gain no merit from good works if we have not learned to endure injuries with patience."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"All animals are born with weapons for combat. The bull has horns; the boar has tusks; the bird has a beak and claws; the bee has a sting, and even the tiny fly or other insect has power to bite. But man, destined to live at peace with his fellow creatures, comes into the world naked and unarmed. Reflect, then, how contrary to your rightful nature it is to seek to be revenged upon one of your kind, to return evil for evil, particularly by making use of weapons which nature has denied you."
"If you overcome your passion, you gain a more glorious victory than he who conquers a city. Our noblest triumph is won by subduing ourselves, by subjecting our passions to the empire of reason."
"If anger urges that our enemy does not deserve forgiveness, ask yourself how far you have merited God's pardon. Will you have God exercise only mercy toward you, when you pursue your neighbor with implacable hatred? And if it be true that your enemy does not deserve pardon from you, it will be equally true that you do not deserve pardon from God. Remember that the pardon which man has not merited for himself, Christ has superabundantly merited for him. For love of Him, therefore, forgive all who have offended you."
St Gregory the Great (540-604), Confessor, Pope, Doctor of the Church; Rome, Italy; Feast day March 12th
"We gain no merit from good works if we have not learned to endure injuries with patience."
Friday, May 10, 2013
May 10th
St Antoninus (1389-1459), Bishop, Confessor; Florence, Italy; Feast day May 10th
"To enjoy interior peace, we must always reserve in our hearts amidst all affairs, as it were, a secret closet, where we are to keep retired within ourselves, and where no business of the world can ever enter."
Bl Ivan Merz (1896-1928), Confessor; Bosnia; Feast day May 10th
"One can't express what one feels when Christ unites with us in Holy Communion. There is a wish for more and more, for the whole Christ, for Light, for God, the Creator."
"Don't let us forget Christ's immeasurable love and let's pay more attention to the little white Host which waits for us lonely, in small chilly churches."
"To educate and lead people to Jesus is more important than art, and in this work, art, as well as everything created, has to help people to draw closer to Jesus."
St Antoninus (1389-1459), Bishop, Confessor; Florence, Italy; Feast day May 10th
"To enjoy interior peace, we must always reserve in our hearts amidst all affairs, as it were, a secret closet, where we are to keep retired within ourselves, and where no business of the world can ever enter."
Bl Ivan Merz (1896-1928), Confessor; Bosnia; Feast day May 10th
"One can't express what one feels when Christ unites with us in Holy Communion. There is a wish for more and more, for the whole Christ, for Light, for God, the Creator."
"Don't let us forget Christ's immeasurable love and let's pay more attention to the little white Host which waits for us lonely, in small chilly churches."
"To educate and lead people to Jesus is more important than art, and in this work, art, as well as everything created, has to help people to draw closer to Jesus."
Thursday, May 9, 2013
May 9th
St Gregory the Theologian (329-389), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Cappadocia; Feast day May 9 (Nazianzus)
"I have given all I have to Him from whom I received it, and have taken Him alone for my whole possession. I have consecrated to Him my goods, my glory, my health, my tongue and talents. all the fruit I have received from these advantages has been the happiness of despising them for Christ's sake."
"Let us never esteem worldly prosperity or adversity as things real or of any moment, but let us live elsewhere, and raise all our attention to heaven, esteeming sin as the only true evil, and nothing truly good but virtue, which unites us to God."
"Let us offer ourselves entire to God that in Him we may find ourselves again entire. It is truly great riches to be destitute of earthly goods for His sake who was pleased to suffer poverty for the love of us."
"Admire the excess of God's goodness. He vouchsafes to accept our desires as if they were a thing of great value. He burns with an ardent desire that we vehemently desire and love Him; and He receives the petition we put up for His benefits as if this were a benefit to Himself, and a favor we did Him: He gives with greater joy than it can be to us to receive what He gives. Let us only be careful not to be too indifferent in our requests, or to set too narrow bounds to our desires and pretensions; and let us never ask frivolous things which it would be unworthy of His magnificence to petition Him for. There is nothing so great before God which the least among men is not able to offer Him, as well as the greatest prince or most profound scholar: give but yourself to Him with the most pure and perfect love."
Bl Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger (1797-1879), Virgin, Foundress; Bavaria; Feast day May 9th
"Let us never forget the love of Jesus for children, whom He took upon His lap and blessed."
St Gregory the Theologian (329-389), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Cappadocia; Feast day May 9 (Nazianzus)
"I have given all I have to Him from whom I received it, and have taken Him alone for my whole possession. I have consecrated to Him my goods, my glory, my health, my tongue and talents. all the fruit I have received from these advantages has been the happiness of despising them for Christ's sake."
"Let us never esteem worldly prosperity or adversity as things real or of any moment, but let us live elsewhere, and raise all our attention to heaven, esteeming sin as the only true evil, and nothing truly good but virtue, which unites us to God."
"Let us offer ourselves entire to God that in Him we may find ourselves again entire. It is truly great riches to be destitute of earthly goods for His sake who was pleased to suffer poverty for the love of us."
"Admire the excess of God's goodness. He vouchsafes to accept our desires as if they were a thing of great value. He burns with an ardent desire that we vehemently desire and love Him; and He receives the petition we put up for His benefits as if this were a benefit to Himself, and a favor we did Him: He gives with greater joy than it can be to us to receive what He gives. Let us only be careful not to be too indifferent in our requests, or to set too narrow bounds to our desires and pretensions; and let us never ask frivolous things which it would be unworthy of His magnificence to petition Him for. There is nothing so great before God which the least among men is not able to offer Him, as well as the greatest prince or most profound scholar: give but yourself to Him with the most pure and perfect love."
Bl Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger (1797-1879), Virgin, Foundress; Bavaria; Feast day May 9th
"Let us never forget the love of Jesus for children, whom He took upon His lap and blessed."
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
May 8th
Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471), Confessor; Kempen, Germany
"There is no creature so small and abject, that it represents not the goodness of God."
"Whoever would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ."
"You should stand for a time next to the Virgin Mother and learn from her, whose bitter tears are capable of penetrating the depths of your heart, what it is to lament...Next to the Cross, she maintains her constancy, exhibits her patience, manifests her loyalty, proves her love -- fearless of those who threaten her with death and ignoring those who shower her with curses. She endures all this with equal calm and by remaining silent before her abusive enemies, she imitates her humble Son.
"No discourteous words fall from her hips, nor does she show any indignation in her gestures. She only utters deep sighs, weeps profoundly, and intimately shares in her Son's pain...She expresses no anger against those crucifying her Son, but prays for them, evil though they be...and by this example of her loving patience, she is a model to all who are troubled by trials and tribulation."
"If you seek rest in this life, how will you then attain to the everlasting rest? Dispose not yourself for much rest, but for great patience. Seek true peace -- not in earth, but in heaven; not in men, nor in any other creature, but in God alone."
"When the time of tribulation comes upon you, be meek as well as courageous. And when something you especially love is taken from you, or when something you deem necessary is denied you, neither be disturbed nor yield to despair. For Jesus' dearest friends are often tried by such severe struggles. If God did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up to such unspeakable suffering for our benefit, why are you hankering for the joys of this world?"
Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471), Confessor; Kempen, Germany
"There is no creature so small and abject, that it represents not the goodness of God."
"Whoever would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ, must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ."
"You should stand for a time next to the Virgin Mother and learn from her, whose bitter tears are capable of penetrating the depths of your heart, what it is to lament...Next to the Cross, she maintains her constancy, exhibits her patience, manifests her loyalty, proves her love -- fearless of those who threaten her with death and ignoring those who shower her with curses. She endures all this with equal calm and by remaining silent before her abusive enemies, she imitates her humble Son.
"No discourteous words fall from her hips, nor does she show any indignation in her gestures. She only utters deep sighs, weeps profoundly, and intimately shares in her Son's pain...She expresses no anger against those crucifying her Son, but prays for them, evil though they be...and by this example of her loving patience, she is a model to all who are troubled by trials and tribulation."
"If you seek rest in this life, how will you then attain to the everlasting rest? Dispose not yourself for much rest, but for great patience. Seek true peace -- not in earth, but in heaven; not in men, nor in any other creature, but in God alone."
"When the time of tribulation comes upon you, be meek as well as courageous. And when something you especially love is taken from you, or when something you deem necessary is denied you, neither be disturbed nor yield to despair. For Jesus' dearest friends are often tried by such severe struggles. If God did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up to such unspeakable suffering for our benefit, why are you hankering for the joys of this world?"
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
May 7th
St Anselm (1033-1109), Confessor, Bishop; Aosta, Burgundy; Feast day April 21st
"Many things were revealed to the Apostles by Mary."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"How can you gain Heaven by the path of gross and sensual pleasures?..Consider how often the Sacred Host has rested upon your tongue, and do not permit death to enter by that gate through which life is conveyed to your soul....What incomprehensible folly to flatter with such delicate care a body which is destined to be the food of worms! For this miserable body you neglect your soul, which will appear before the tribunal of God as poor in virtues as its earthly companion is rich in sensual pleasures."
St Anselm (1033-1109), Confessor, Bishop; Aosta, Burgundy; Feast day April 21st
"Many things were revealed to the Apostles by Mary."
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"How can you gain Heaven by the path of gross and sensual pleasures?..Consider how often the Sacred Host has rested upon your tongue, and do not permit death to enter by that gate through which life is conveyed to your soul....What incomprehensible folly to flatter with such delicate care a body which is destined to be the food of worms! For this miserable body you neglect your soul, which will appear before the tribunal of God as poor in virtues as its earthly companion is rich in sensual pleasures."
Monday, May 6, 2013
May 6th
St John Damascen (676-749), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Damascus, Syria; Feast day May 6th
"Conscious to myself of my own baseness and unworthiness, I ought rather to condemn myself to an eternal silence, weeping, and confessing my sins before God. But seeing the Church, which is founded on a rock, assailed by a furious storm, I think I ought no longer to remain silent, because I fear God more than an emperor of the earth."
"Without assiduous prayer, reasoning is a great dissipation of the mind, and learning often extinguishes the humble interior spirit of prayer, as wind does a candle."
"Suffer not yourself to be bewitched with the enchantment of geometry. Nothing will sooner dry up in you the interior spirit of recollection and devotion."
Bl Edmund Rice (1762-1844), Founder, Confessor; Callan, Co. Kilkenney, Ireland; Feast day May 6th
"But let us do ever so little for God, we will be sure He will never forget it, nor let it pass unrewarded."
"Were we to know the merit and value of only going from one street to another to serve a neighbor for the love of God, we should prize it more than silver and gold."
"One thing you may be sure of, that whilst you work for God, whether you succeed or not, he will amply reward you."
"The will of God be done in this and every thing we undertake."
"Have courage; the good seed will grow up in the children's hearts later on."
"O God, did we even now rightly begin to serve you, your loving heart would take us all to its final embrace."
"Be intent on prayer and whatever may happen will turn to our good."
"Cast all your cares into the arms of divine Providence."
"Give to the poor in handfuls."
"If you only acquire this virtue (humility), it will always guide you safely let your paths be ever so cross or difficult."
"Never allow vain notions of your own sense, abilities, or other natural or acquired qualifications to take root in your mind, but always beseech God to make known to you, your sins and imperfections."
St John Damascen (676-749), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Damascus, Syria; Feast day May 6th
"Conscious to myself of my own baseness and unworthiness, I ought rather to condemn myself to an eternal silence, weeping, and confessing my sins before God. But seeing the Church, which is founded on a rock, assailed by a furious storm, I think I ought no longer to remain silent, because I fear God more than an emperor of the earth."
"Without assiduous prayer, reasoning is a great dissipation of the mind, and learning often extinguishes the humble interior spirit of prayer, as wind does a candle."
"Suffer not yourself to be bewitched with the enchantment of geometry. Nothing will sooner dry up in you the interior spirit of recollection and devotion."
Bl Edmund Rice (1762-1844), Founder, Confessor; Callan, Co. Kilkenney, Ireland; Feast day May 6th
"But let us do ever so little for God, we will be sure He will never forget it, nor let it pass unrewarded."
"Were we to know the merit and value of only going from one street to another to serve a neighbor for the love of God, we should prize it more than silver and gold."
"One thing you may be sure of, that whilst you work for God, whether you succeed or not, he will amply reward you."
"The will of God be done in this and every thing we undertake."
"Have courage; the good seed will grow up in the children's hearts later on."
"O God, did we even now rightly begin to serve you, your loving heart would take us all to its final embrace."
"Be intent on prayer and whatever may happen will turn to our good."
"Cast all your cares into the arms of divine Providence."
"Give to the poor in handfuls."
"If you only acquire this virtue (humility), it will always guide you safely let your paths be ever so cross or difficult."
"Never allow vain notions of your own sense, abilities, or other natural or acquired qualifications to take root in your mind, but always beseech God to make known to you, your sins and imperfections."
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