January 31st
St John Bosco (1815-1888), Confessor, Founder; Piedmont, Italy

"This was the method that Jesus used with the apostles.  He put up with their ignorance and roughness and even their infidelity.  He treated sinners with kindness and affection that caused some to be shocked, others to be scandalized and still others to hope for God's mercy.  And so He bade us to be gentle and humble of heart."

The Cure of Ars (1786-1859), Confessor; Dardilly, France

"When we speak to Jesus with simplicity and with all our heart, He does like a mother who holds her child's head with her hands and covers it with kisses and caresses."

January 30th
St Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821), Widow, Foundress, North American, Feast day, January 4th

"The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner He wills it; and thirdly, to do it because it is His will."

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church, Feast day, January 29th

“That truth must be always charitable; for bitter zeal does harm instead of good. Reprehensions are a food of hard digestion, and ought to be dressed on a fire of burning charity so well, that all harshness be taken off; otherwise, like unripe fruit, they will only produce gripings. Charity seeks not itself nor its own interests, but purely the honour and interest of God: pride, vanity, and passion cause bitterness and harshness: a remedy injudiciously applied may be a poison. A judicious silence is always better than a truth spoken without charity."

January 29th
St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop of Geneva, Confessor, Doctor of the Church

"By turning your eyes on God in meditation, your whole soul will be filled with God.  Begin all your prayers in the presence of God."

St Teresa of Jesus (1515-1582), Virgin, Doctor of the Church, Spain, Feast day October 15th

"When people say, 'If only I had lived at the time of Jesus...If only I had seen Jesus...If only I had talked with Jesus...'  But, do we not have in the Eucharist the living, true and real Jesus present before us?  Why look for more?"

January 28th
St Peter Nolasco (1189-1256), Confessor, Catalan

"O how sweet it is to die under the protection of Mary!"

St Aelred (1108-1167), Confessor, Scotland, Feast day January 12th

On entering the Cistercian monastery of Rievaulx in Yorkshire:  "It was then, O my God, that I began to taste the comfort, the joy, and profound peace which is found in seeking Thee and serving Thee."

January 27th
St John Chrysostom (344-407), Archbishop, Doctor of the Church

"For the present we find the gates closed; but when we see them thrown open (for this is the solution of the difficulties), then we shall perceive the greatness of the splendor within....Let us not therefore with  noise or tumult enter in, but with a mystical silence....If we would order ourselves on this wise, the grace itself of the Spirit will lead us in great perfection, and we shall arrive at the very royal throne, and attain to all the good things, by the grace and love towards our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and might, together with the Father and the Holy Ghost, now and always, even for ever and ever.  Amen.

St Gaspar del Bufalo (1786-1837), Confessor, Feast day January 2nd

"If it is so sweet to tire ourselves for God, what will it be to enjoy Him!"

January 26th
St Polycarp (69-155), Martyr, Bishop of Smyrna

"Lord God Almighty, Father of your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of you, God of angels and powers, of the whole creation and of the whole race of the righteous who live in your sight, I bless you, for having made me worthy of this day and hour; I bless you, because I may have a part, along with the martyrs, in the chalice of your Christ, to resurrection in eternal life, resurrection both of soul and body in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit.  May I be received today, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, among those who are in your presence, as you have prepared and foretold and fulfilled, God who is faithful and true.  For this and for all benefits I praise you, I bless you, I glorify you, through the eternal and heavenly High Priest, Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, through whom be to you with him and the Holy Spirit, glory now and for all the ages to come.  Amen."



Blessed Angela of Foligno  (1248-1310), Pentitent, Feast day January 4th

"To know oneself and to know God, that is the perfection of man; without this knowledge, visions and the greatest gifts are of no account."

January 25th

St Dwynwen, (5th cen.), Virgin, Confessor, Wales

“Nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness.”

St Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510), Widow, Feast day September 15th

"The time I have spent before the tabernacle is the best spent time of my life."