March 28th
Ss Priscus, Malchus, and Alexander (d. 260), Martyrs; Palestine
"While the secure gate of heaven is open, shall we shut it against ourselves? Shall we be so faint-hearted as not to suffer for the name of Christ, who died for us? Our brethren invite us by their example: their blood is a loud voice, which presses us to tread in their steps. Shall we be deaf to a cry calling us to the combat, and to a glorious victory?"
St Thomas More (1478-1535), Martyr; London, England; Feast day July 9th
"I need light and prudence to manage very difficult affairs, and every day I can consult Jesus in Holy Communion. He is my great teacher."
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Roccasecca, Italy; Feast day March 7th
"But we, who should walk in the footprints of God -- it 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.
"We should, on the contrary, forget the offenses of our enemy, even though he neither repents nor amends, in imitation of Christ who prayed for those who crucified Him, and who, far from repenting, mocked Him. Nothing makes us more like God, said Saint John Chrysostom, 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."
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
March 27th
St John of Egypt (350-394), Hermit, Confessor
"My son, take care never to deny the grace you have received from God, lest humility betray you into a lie. We must never lie, under any pretense of good whatever, because no untruth can be from God."
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Haute Savoie, France; Feast day, January 29th
"Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same Everlasting Father, who takes care of you today, will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations!"
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"The prodigal son is a forcible illustration of the unhappy lot of the wicked. Like him, they separate themselves from God and plunge into every vice. They abuse and squander all that God has given them. They go into a far country where famine rages; and what is this country but the world, so far removed from God, where men hunger with desires which can never be satisfied, where, like ravenous wolves they are constantly seeking more? And how do such men understand the duties of life? They recognize no higher duty than that of feeding swine. To satisfy the animal within them, to feed their swinish appetites, is their only aim.
"If you would be convinced of this, study the life of a worldling. From morning until night, and from night until morning, what is the object of his pursuit? Is it not the gratification of some pleasure of sense, either of sight, of hearing, of taste, or of touch? Does he not act as if he were a follower of Epicurus and not a disciple of Christ? Does he seem to be conscious that he possesses any faculty but those which he has in common with the beasts? For what does he live but to enjoy the grossest pleasures of the flesh? What is the end of all his revels, his feasts, his balls, his gallantry, his luxurious couches, his enervating music, his degrading spectacles, but to afford new delights to the flesh?
"Give all this what name you will -- fashion, refinement, elegance -- in the language of God and the Gospel it is feeding swine. For as swine love to wallow in the mire, so these depraved hearts delight to wallow in the mire of sensual pleasures."
St John of Egypt (350-394), Hermit, Confessor
"My son, take care never to deny the grace you have received from God, lest humility betray you into a lie. We must never lie, under any pretense of good whatever, because no untruth can be from God."
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Haute Savoie, France; Feast day, January 29th
"Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same Everlasting Father, who takes care of you today, will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations!"
Ven. Louis of Granada (1505-1588), Confessor; Granada, Spain
"The prodigal son is a forcible illustration of the unhappy lot of the wicked. Like him, they separate themselves from God and plunge into every vice. They abuse and squander all that God has given them. They go into a far country where famine rages; and what is this country but the world, so far removed from God, where men hunger with desires which can never be satisfied, where, like ravenous wolves they are constantly seeking more? And how do such men understand the duties of life? They recognize no higher duty than that of feeding swine. To satisfy the animal within them, to feed their swinish appetites, is their only aim.
"If you would be convinced of this, study the life of a worldling. From morning until night, and from night until morning, what is the object of his pursuit? Is it not the gratification of some pleasure of sense, either of sight, of hearing, of taste, or of touch? Does he not act as if he were a follower of Epicurus and not a disciple of Christ? Does he seem to be conscious that he possesses any faculty but those which he has in common with the beasts? For what does he live but to enjoy the grossest pleasures of the flesh? What is the end of all his revels, his feasts, his balls, his gallantry, his luxurious couches, his enervating music, his degrading spectacles, but to afford new delights to the flesh?
"Give all this what name you will -- fashion, refinement, elegance -- in the language of God and the Gospel it is feeding swine. For as swine love to wallow in the mire, so these depraved hearts delight to wallow in the mire of sensual pleasures."
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
March 26th
St Margaret of Clitherow (1555-1571), Martyr; Middleton, England
"The sheriffs have said that I am going to die this coming Friday; and I feel the weakness of my flesh which is troubled at this news, but my spirit rejoices greatly. For the love of God, pray for me and ask all good people to do likewise."
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Haute Savoie, France; Feast day, January 29th
"The Everlasting God has in His wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross He now presents to you as a gift from His inmost Heart. This cross He now sends you He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with loving arms and weighed with His own Hands, to see that it be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His Holy Name, anointed it with His grace, perfumed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you, an alms of the all-merciful love of God."
St Alphonsus (1696-1787), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Marianella, Naples; Feast day August 2nd
"Behold, in the Blessed Sacrament we can converse at pleasure with Jesus, we can open our hearts to Him, we can lay our wants before Him, and we can ask Him for His graces. In a word, in this sacrament we can treat with the King of Heaven, in all confidence and without restraint."
St Margaret of Clitherow (1555-1571), Martyr; Middleton, England
"The sheriffs have said that I am going to die this coming Friday; and I feel the weakness of my flesh which is troubled at this news, but my spirit rejoices greatly. For the love of God, pray for me and ask all good people to do likewise."
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Haute Savoie, France; Feast day, January 29th
"The Everlasting God has in His wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross He now presents to you as a gift from His inmost Heart. This cross He now sends you He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with loving arms and weighed with His own Hands, to see that it be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His Holy Name, anointed it with His grace, perfumed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you, an alms of the all-merciful love of God."
St Alphonsus (1696-1787), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Marianella, Naples; Feast day August 2nd
"Behold, in the Blessed Sacrament we can converse at pleasure with Jesus, we can open our hearts to Him, we can lay our wants before Him, and we can ask Him for His graces. In a word, in this sacrament we can treat with the King of Heaven, in all confidence and without restraint."
Monday, March 25, 2013
March 25th
St Dismas (1st cent.), Confessor; Palestine
"Lord, remember me when you come into Your kingdom!"
Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471), Confessor; Kempen, Germany
"Such horrendous impiety to condemn an innocent person by appealing to false witnesses, to desire the death of the Author of life, to aspire to crucify Christ the King, and to curse one who is holy and just to a most shameful death!...Have mercy, O good Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner, for my soul trusts in you."
"Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger or higher or wider; nothing is more pleasant, nothing fuller, and nothing better in heaven or on earth, for love is born of God and cannot rest except in God, Who is above all created things."
St Bonaventure (1221-1274), Bishop, Doctor of the Church; Bagnoregio, Italy; Feast day July 14th
"Pierce, O most Sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful pang of Your love, with true, serene, and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for You, that it may yearn for You and faint for Your courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with You."
St Dismas (1st cent.), Confessor; Palestine
"Lord, remember me when you come into Your kingdom!"
Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471), Confessor; Kempen, Germany
"Such horrendous impiety to condemn an innocent person by appealing to false witnesses, to desire the death of the Author of life, to aspire to crucify Christ the King, and to curse one who is holy and just to a most shameful death!...Have mercy, O good Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner, for my soul trusts in you."
"Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger or higher or wider; nothing is more pleasant, nothing fuller, and nothing better in heaven or on earth, for love is born of God and cannot rest except in God, Who is above all created things."
St Bonaventure (1221-1274), Bishop, Doctor of the Church; Bagnoregio, Italy; Feast day July 14th
"Pierce, O most Sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful pang of Your love, with true, serene, and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for You, that it may yearn for You and faint for Your courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with You."
Sunday, March 24, 2013
March 24th
St Irenaeus (d. 304), Bishop, Martyr; Sirmium, Serbia
"Lord Jesus Christ, who condescends to suffer for the salvation of the world, command the heavens to open, that the angels may receive the soul of Your servant Irenaeus, who suffers for Your name, and for Your people of the Catholic Church of Sirmium."
St Augustine (354-430), Confessor, Bishop, Father of the Church; Thagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"If you should ask me what are the ways of God, I would tell you that the first is humility, the second is humility, and the third is humility. Not that there are no other precepts to give, but if humility does not precede all that we do, our efforts are meaningless."
"Many call upon the Lord, but not with their voice; that is to say, they call on the Lord not with the voice of the soul, but with the voice of the body. Call with your thoughts, call with your heart, and then the Lord will certainly hear you."
St Irenaeus (d. 304), Bishop, Martyr; Sirmium, Serbia
"Lord Jesus Christ, who condescends to suffer for the salvation of the world, command the heavens to open, that the angels may receive the soul of Your servant Irenaeus, who suffers for Your name, and for Your people of the Catholic Church of Sirmium."
St Augustine (354-430), Confessor, Bishop, Father of the Church; Thagaste, Algeria; Feast day August 28th
"If you should ask me what are the ways of God, I would tell you that the first is humility, the second is humility, and the third is humility. Not that there are no other precepts to give, but if humility does not precede all that we do, our efforts are meaningless."
"Many call upon the Lord, but not with their voice; that is to say, they call on the Lord not with the voice of the soul, but with the voice of the body. Call with your thoughts, call with your heart, and then the Lord will certainly hear you."
Saturday, March 23, 2013
March 23rd
St Alphonsus Turibius (1538-1606), Priest, Confessor; Vallodolid, Spain
"Time is not our own, and we must give a strict account of it."
Ss Victorian & c. (484), Martyrs; Carthage, Tunisia
"Tell the king that I trust in Christ. If his majesty please he may condemn me to the flames, or to wild beasts, or to any torments; but I shall never consent to renounce the Catholic Church in which I have been baptized. Even if there were no other life after this, I would never be ungrateful and perfidious to God, who has granted me the happiness of knowing Him, and who has bestowed on me His most precious graces."
St Louis de Montfort (1673-1716), Priest, Confessor; Monfort-sur-Meu, France; Feast day April 28th
"Pray with great confidence, with confidence based upon the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ. God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray."
St Alphonsus Turibius (1538-1606), Priest, Confessor; Vallodolid, Spain
"Time is not our own, and we must give a strict account of it."
Ss Victorian & c. (484), Martyrs; Carthage, Tunisia
"Tell the king that I trust in Christ. If his majesty please he may condemn me to the flames, or to wild beasts, or to any torments; but I shall never consent to renounce the Catholic Church in which I have been baptized. Even if there were no other life after this, I would never be ungrateful and perfidious to God, who has granted me the happiness of knowing Him, and who has bestowed on me His most precious graces."
St Louis de Montfort (1673-1716), Priest, Confessor; Monfort-sur-Meu, France; Feast day April 28th
"Pray with great confidence, with confidence based upon the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ. God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray."
Friday, March 22, 2013
March 22nd
St Basil of Ancyra (362), Priest, Martyr; Ankara, Turkey
"You know how many pieces of flesh have been torn from my body, yet look on my shoulders and sides: see if any wounds appear. Know that Jesus Christ this night has healed me. Send this news to your master Julian, that he may know the power of God whom he has forsaken. He has overturned his altars, who was himself concealed under them when he was sought by Constantius to be put to death. But god has discovered to me that his tyranny will be shortly extinguished with his life."
"O Christ, my Light! O Jesus, my Hope! Quiet Haven from the stormy sea, I thank You, O Lord God of my fathers, that You have snatched my soul from the pit of Hell and preserved Your name in me unstained! Let me finish my life a victor and inherit eternal life according to the promise You gave my fathers. Now accept my soul in peace, plying steadfast in this confession! For You are merciful and great is Your mercy, You Who live and sojourn throughout all the ages. Amen."
"My chief name is 'Christian,' derived from 'Christ,' the Name that is eternal and beyond human understanding."
"The Son is in all things like the Father, in will as well as hypostasis, in existence and in being."
St John of the Cross (1542-1591), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Fontiveros, Spain; Feast day November 24th
"Some pursue their own taste and satisfaction in spiritual things in preference to the way of perfection which consists in denying their own wishes and tastes for the love of God. If such persons perform some exercise through obedience, even though it suit their inclination, they soon lose the wish for it, and all devotion in it, because their only pleasure is in doing what their own will directs, which ordinarily would be better left undone. The Saints did not act thus."
St Basil of Ancyra (362), Priest, Martyr; Ankara, Turkey
"You know how many pieces of flesh have been torn from my body, yet look on my shoulders and sides: see if any wounds appear. Know that Jesus Christ this night has healed me. Send this news to your master Julian, that he may know the power of God whom he has forsaken. He has overturned his altars, who was himself concealed under them when he was sought by Constantius to be put to death. But god has discovered to me that his tyranny will be shortly extinguished with his life."
"O Christ, my Light! O Jesus, my Hope! Quiet Haven from the stormy sea, I thank You, O Lord God of my fathers, that You have snatched my soul from the pit of Hell and preserved Your name in me unstained! Let me finish my life a victor and inherit eternal life according to the promise You gave my fathers. Now accept my soul in peace, plying steadfast in this confession! For You are merciful and great is Your mercy, You Who live and sojourn throughout all the ages. Amen."
"My chief name is 'Christian,' derived from 'Christ,' the Name that is eternal and beyond human understanding."
"The Son is in all things like the Father, in will as well as hypostasis, in existence and in being."
St John of the Cross (1542-1591), Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Fontiveros, Spain; Feast day November 24th
"Some pursue their own taste and satisfaction in spiritual things in preference to the way of perfection which consists in denying their own wishes and tastes for the love of God. If such persons perform some exercise through obedience, even though it suit their inclination, they soon lose the wish for it, and all devotion in it, because their only pleasure is in doing what their own will directs, which ordinarily would be better left undone. The Saints did not act thus."
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