June 20th
Bl Conor O'Devany (1532-1612), Priest, Martyr; Co. Down, Ireland; Feast day June 20th
"Come, my brave comrade, noble soldier of Christ, let us imitate as best we can the death of Him who was led to the slaughter as the sheep before the shearer."
Bl Peter O'Higgins (1602-1642), Priest, Martyr; Ireland; Feast day June 20th
"So here the condition on which I am granted my life. They want me to deny my religion. I spurn their offer. I die a Catholic and a Dominican priest. I forgive from my heart all who have conspired to bring about my death."
St Louis de Montfort (1673-1716), Priest, Confessor; Monfort-sur-Meu, France; Feast day April 28th
"The Most High, the Incomprehensible One, the Inaccessible One, He who is, deigned to come down to us poor earthly creatures who are nothing at all. How was this done? The Most High God came down to us in a perfect way through the humble Virgin Mary, without losing anything of His divinity or holiness. It is likewise through Mary that we poor creatures must ascend to almighty God in a perfect manner without having anything to fear."
Friday, June 21, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
June 19th
St Philip Neri (1515-1595), Priest, Confessor, Founder; Florence, Italy; Feast day May 26th
"In order the better to gain souls, in visiting the sick, we ought to imagine that what we do for the sick man we are doing for Christ Himself; we shall thus perform this work of mercy with more love and greater spiritual profit."
"Nothing is more dangerous for beginners in the spiritual life, than to wish to play the master, and to guide and convert others. Beginners should look after their own conversion and be humble, lest they should fancy they had done some great thing, and so should fall into pride."
St Louis de Montfort (1673-1716), Priest, Confessor; Monfort-sur-Meu, France; Feast day April 28th
"He is so gentle and unobtrusive that you might often think that He is not present when you meet with accidents and contradictions. But, possessed of invincible power, He quietly but effectively brings all things to a happy issue in ways unknown to men."
St Philip Neri (1515-1595), Priest, Confessor, Founder; Florence, Italy; Feast day May 26th
"In order the better to gain souls, in visiting the sick, we ought to imagine that what we do for the sick man we are doing for Christ Himself; we shall thus perform this work of mercy with more love and greater spiritual profit."
"Nothing is more dangerous for beginners in the spiritual life, than to wish to play the master, and to guide and convert others. Beginners should look after their own conversion and be humble, lest they should fancy they had done some great thing, and so should fall into pride."
St Louis de Montfort (1673-1716), Priest, Confessor; Monfort-sur-Meu, France; Feast day April 28th
"He is so gentle and unobtrusive that you might often think that He is not present when you meet with accidents and contradictions. But, possessed of invincible power, He quietly but effectively brings all things to a happy issue in ways unknown to men."
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."
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."
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!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)