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."
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
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."
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