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!"
Monday, May 20, 2013
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."
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