April 3rd
St Richard (1197-1253), Bishop, Confessor;  Doitwich, England  

"Lord Jesus Christ, I thank Thee for all the blessings Thou hast given me, and for all the sufferings and shame Thou didst endure for me, on which account that pitiable cry of sorrow was Thine:  "Behold and see, if there was any sorrow like unto My sorrow!"  Thou knowest, Lord, how willing I should be to bear insult, and pain, and death for Thee; therefore have mercy on me, for to Thee do I commend my spirit.  Amen."

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Haute Savoie, France; Feast day, January 29th

"But especially I commend earnest mental prayer to you, more particularly such as bears upon the Life and Passion of our Lord.  If you contemplate Him frequently in meditation, your whole soul will be filled with Him, you will grow in His Likeness, and your actions will be molded on His.  He is the Light of the world; therefore in Him, by Him, and for Him we shall be enlightened and illuminated."


Padre Pio (1887-1968), Confessor, Stigmatic; Pietrelcina, Italy; Feast day September 23rd



"If you do not succeed in meditation well, do not give up doing your duty.  If the distractions are numerous, do not be discouraged; do the meditation in patience, and you will still profit.  Decide upon the length of your meditation, and do not leave your place before finishing, even if you have to be crucified.  Why do you worry so much because you do not know how to meditate as you would like?  Meditation is a means to attaining God, but it is not a goal in itself.  Meditation aims at the love of God and neighbor.  Love God with all your soul without reserve, and love your neighbor as yourself, and you will have accomplished half of your meditation."