April 9th
St Mary of Egypt (d. 421), Penitent, Hermit; Egypt

"Often the tyranny of my old passions seemed ready to drag me out of the desert: at those times I threw myself on the ground and watered it with my tears, raising my heart continually to the Blessed Virgin till she procured me comfort: and she has never failed to show herself my faithful protectress."

Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471), Confessor; Kempen, Germany

"So forcibly were You nailed to the Cross that Your body's veins suddenly burst open and streams of Your precious blood flowed freely from Your various wounds.  So harshly were You stretched, both lengthwise and in breadth -- similar to the skin membrane on a drum -- that all the joints in Your body gave way and Your every bone could be counted.  You allowed Your hands and feet to be transfixed by evil men, and in this way Your sacred hands, while nailed to the Cross, paid back the heavy debt incurred by Adam, who had extended his deadly hands to the forbidden tree.  By Your precious blood You wiped away that long-standing debt."

"Do not place too much trust in men.  There are few who, in the time of need, prove faithful, and loyal friends are rare.  Do not be surprised at this nor take it amiss.  Christ knew what it was to be deserted by friends and to be surrounded by enemies.  He, who always did good to others, received gross ingratitude in return."