April 18th
St Apollonius the Apologist (d. 185), Martyr; Rome, Italy; Feast day April 18th

"There is waiting for me something better: eternal life, given to the person who has lived well on earth."

Bl Marie-Anne Blondin (1809-1890), Virgin, Foundress; Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada; Feast day April 18th

"As for me, my Lord, I bless Divine Providence a thousand times for the maternal care she shows me in making me walk the way of tribulations and crosses."

"May Holy Eucharist and perfect abandonment to God's Will be your heaven on earth."

"There is more happiness in forgiving than in revenge."

Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471), Confessor; Kempen, Germany

"Without any delay You forgave Mary Magdalen's many sins, as she wept copious tears at Your feet.  And Peter, after he had three times denied You and had cried bitterly, You again took into Your fellowship.  In Your mercy You restored to health those afflicted with various diseases and because of Your abundant love You freed those held captive by their serious sins.  This is clear in the case of the adulteress, whom You snatched from the clutches of her accusers and delivered from being stoned.

O lovable Jesus, my mercy and my refuge, who protect and deliver me from the wrath of my enemies, be merciful to me and let not my soul perish among the ungodly, for it was precisely in order to redeem my soul that You voluntarily suffered Your crucifixion.