"Here is a rule for everyday life: do not do anything you cannot offer to God." St. John Vianney (1786-1859)

“We belong to God by his grace. What else do we wish, then, but to please him? If we are contradicted, this is not surprising; what merit is there in not being crossed? And who is there that can escape it? For every little contradiction, should one stop doing good? Good which gives glory to God?”   – St. Vincent de Paul

“Either we must speak as we dress, or dress as we speak. Why do we profess one thing and display another? The tongue talks of chastity, but the whole body reveals impurity.”  (St. Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church)

"You are My Mother, the Mother of Mercy, and the consolation of the souls in Purgatory."   - St. Bridget

Pray and learn to pray! Deepen your knowledge of the Word of the Living God by reading and meditating on the Scriptures.

Pope  St. John Paul II

I beg the Lord to give my confessors light ..... And when His Majesty wants something to be done, He puts it in their heart.   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 17 : 4

"I desire, My dearly beloved daughter, that you practise the three virtues that are dearest to Me and most pleasing to God. The first is humility, humility, and once again humility; the second virtue, purity; the third virtue, love of God. As My daughter, you must especially radiate with these virtues"
WORDS OF JESUS TO ST. FAUSTINA.  (Diary No. 1415)

For Faith is the beginning and the end is love, and God is the two of them brought into unity. After these comes whatever else makes up a Christian gentleman. St. Ignatius of Antioch

“Every word that comes to us about the uncomfortable, the homeless, the lepers, is the Son of God passing by. If we let Him pass, He may never be recalled. Graces unused are not often repeated; whispers ignored do not become shouts. All through life, our hands will stretch forth empty of the richest blessings of wisdom and truth unless they are first used to clutch as the sleeve of the Divine who “makes as if he would pass us by.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Guide to Contentment)

Look closely at the Blessed Virgin Mary. There is nothing of virtue, nothing of beauty, nothing of splendor or glory that does not shine in her. —St. Jerome

We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love. St. Teresa of Calcutta

Do not say that you have chaste minds if you have unchaste eyes, because an unchaste eye is the messenger of an unchaste heart.    St. Augustine

“The decline of belief in Angels does not prove the world has gotten wiser, but rather that it has become materialistic.  The principle reason why angels have lost their following is because angels are created substances of pure intelligence, but devoid of all bodily qualities and characteristics.  The modern lives in a closed universe in the sense that man is believed to be just an animal devoid of an immortal soul, and with no other purpose in life than to attain security and enjoy pleasure.”  Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Thinking Life Through)

"God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering."   Saint Augustine

Feast of St. Michael the Archangel

Pope Leo XIII, Leonine Prayers: “Arise then, O invincible prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and bring them the victory.

　The Church venerates thee as protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious powers of this world and of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude.

　Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.”

St. Alphonsus de Liguori: “The devil will come to tempt the dying Christian; but his angel-guardian will come to strengthen him: his holy advocates will come—St. Michael, whom God has appointed to defend his faithful servants in their last combat with hell, will come;” (“Preparation for Death” CONSIDERATION IX. Peace of the Just at the Hour Death., First Point, The Just have nothing to fear at the Hour of Death.)

"I bind to myself today the power in the love of the Seraphim, in the obedience of the Angels, in the ministration of the Archangels, in the hope of Resurrection unto reward, in the prayers of the Patriarchs, in the predictions of the Prophets, in the preaching of the Apostles, in the faith of the Confessors, in the purity of the holy Virgins, in the deeds of Righteous men."

- St. Patrick of Ireland

Obedience become a fundamental key for discernment.   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 6 : 12

“I am no longer good for anything but to make up for lost time and prepare myself for the judgment of God. How happy I will be if I can find favor in His sight.”   – St. Vincent de Paul

If Jesus is the Father, Mary is the Mother of our souls. She gave us Jesus and supernatural life. She offered her Son on Calvary for our redemption and gave us birth in the life of grace. —St. Alphonsus Liguori

"Your Guardian Angel prays for you; offers to God all the good works you accomplish; your holy and pure desires."   St. Pio of Pietrelcina

“Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil as sorcerers do who practice black magic, and even if you are a heretic as obstinate as a devil, sooner or later you will be converted and will amend your life and will save your soul, if—and mark well what I say—if you say the Holy Rosary devoutly every day until death for the purpose of knowing the truth and obtaining contrition and pardon for your sins.”   - Saint Louis de Montfort

Obedience is lived as an offering that brings content and happiness in God.    St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 6 : 22

“Be not afraid to tell Jesus that you love Him; even though it be without feeling, this is the way to oblige Him to help you, and carry you like a little child too feeble to walk.” — St. Therese of Lisieux

From Mary we learn to surrender to God's Will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God!
 Pope St. John Paul II~

St. Tharasius, Orat. in Praesentatione: “[Mary], the Reparatrix of the whole world...” (Quoted by Pope Leo XIII in his encyclical “Adiutricem.”)

"The sign of the cross is adorable and could not do anything but good to those who should use it. I have no intention of giving it up." ~St. Isaac Jogues

Apostle of My mercy, proclaim to the whole world My unfathomable mercy. Do not be discouraged by the difficulties you encounter in proclaiming My mercy. These difficulties that affect you so painfully are needed for your sanctification and as evidence that this work is Mine. My daughter, be diligent in writing down every sentence I tell you concerning My mercy, because this is meant for a great number of souls who will profit from it.    WORDS OF JESUS TO ST. FAUSTINA.  Diary, 1142

“There is one thing I absolutely cannot stand and it is this: if I have to rebuke someone I am always ready; but I cannot bear to see someone else do it. To see someone humiliated or mortified like this is unbearable for me.”   St. Pio of Pietrelcina

"What shall you do when tempted by the flesh? Have the Virgin for your advocate. If you are devoted to her, you will feel temptations melting away like wax before the fire."   - St. John of Avila

Let us begin in earnest to work out our salvation, for no one will do it for us, since even He Himself, Who made us without ourselves, will not save us without ourselves. -St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

“For the new atheism is not like the old, theoretical atheism, which prided itself on being intellectually compounded of a little science, anthropology, and comparative religion.  The new atheism is not of the intellect, but of the will; it is an act of free and eager rejection of morality and its demands.  It starts with the affirmation of self and the denial of the moral law.”  Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Lift up Your Heart)

To go to Jesus through Mary is truly to honor Jesus Christ. It indicates that we do not esteem ourselves worthy of approaching His infinite holiness directly, that we need Mary to be our Mediatrix with Him, our Mediator. —St. Louis Grignion de Montfort

Now we are beginning, and let them strive to advance always from good to better.   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.   The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 29 : 32

"The saints did not become saints without many a sacrifice and many a struggle." St. John Viannney (1786-1859)

"'Mary is said to be 'fair as the moon'.' For as the moon enlightens and benefits the lowest creatures on earth, so does Mary enlighten and succor the most unworthy sinners." (St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church)

“From the Virgin Mary, life was born in person, and thus did Mary become the Mother of all living.”
- St. Epiphanius

St. Benedict Joseph Labrè: “Let him who seeks true humility, employ two means: mental prayer, meditating on the greatness of God, and his own nothingness; vocal prayer, asking it of God, through the merits of Jesus and Mary.” (Quoted by Don Antonio Maria Coltraro, whose work was translated into English “The Life of The Venerable Servant of God, Benedict Joseph Labrè.” Trans. Pub. Cum Approbatione Bp. Nicholas , Feb. 2, 1850., pg. 355) 

“We must humble ourselves in our poverty.”   – St. Vincent de Paul

My daughter, I desire that your heart be an abiding place of My mercy. I desire that this mercy flow out upon the whole world through your heart. Let no one who approaches you go away without that trust in My mercy which I so ardently desire for souls.”   WORDS OF JESUS TO ST. FAUSTINA.  (Diary, 1777b)

“Life is nothing but a continual struggle against oneself, and it does not open to beauty without the price of suffering. Always keep Jesus company in Gethsemane and He will know how to comfort you in the hours of anguish that will come.” St. Pio of Pietrelcina

“Patriotism is a love for everything to do with our native land: its history, its traditions, its language, its natural features. It is a love which extends also to the works of our compatriots and the fruits of their genius. Every danger that threatens the overall good of our native land becomes an occasion to demonstrate that love." ~ Pope Saint John Paul the Great

He who attains love cannot fall.   Saint Macarius the Great

 Consider all the past as nothing, and say, like David: Now I begin to love my God. -Saint Francis de Sales

“Today those who do not have faith do not even know what they disbelieve.  Having abandoned all certitudes they have no standards by which to judge even their own agnosticism.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen (The Seven Virtues)

Since the flesh of Mary was no different from that of Jesus, how can we deny to the Mother the same royal dignity we find in the Son? The glory of the Son is not something shared with His Mother, but her glory too! —St. Arnold the Abbot

Prayer is the place where the Lord gives the light to understand truths.   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 10 : 13

“…Our vocation is to set the hearts of men on fire, to do what the Son of God did, who came to set the world on fire…”.  – St. Vincent de Paul

St. Severinus: “Do penance. Sin is the cause of all the woes that God scatters upon the earth!” (Quoted by Abbé Lecanu in his “Pictorial Half Hour with the Saints”, Dublin, 1865., “January 8.”)

"Hail, Holy Lady, Most Notable Queen, Mother of God, and Mary Ever-Virgin! You were chosen by the Heavenly Father, who has been pleased to honor You with the presence of His most holy Son and the Divine Paraclete. You were blessed with the fullness of grace and goodness. Hail, Temple of God, His Dwelling Place, His Masterpiece, His Handmaid!"   - St. Francis of Assisi

The cockroach, which according to one’s measurement has remained unchanged for more than fifty million years, has seen many things evolve under his very eye.  He has perhaps even seen bug-dynasties and flea kingdoms rise and fall, but the cockroach in all that fifty million years has never formulated even the simplest explanation of evolution that a man might formulate in an hour.  It is that power to contain within his mind the infinitely great cosmos, and the infinitely little atom, and the infinite variety between the two, and to think of them all in the one thought-Order-that makes man the beauty of the world and the paragon of animals.”  Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Old Errors and New Labels)

Christ is the only way to the Father and the ultimate Model to be imitated. But devotion to the Blessed Virgin, subordinated to worship of the Divine Savior and in connection with it, also has a great pastoral effectiveness and constitutes a force for renewing Christian living. —Pope Paul VI

"Those who compete in the Olympic games are not crowned after achieving victory over their first opponent, or their second or third, but only after they have defeated every one of their competitors. In the same way, therefore, all who wish to be crowned by God must train their souls to be disciplined in respect not only of bodily matters, but also of love of gain, rapacity, mode of life, envy, self-esteem, abuse, death and all such things."   St. Anthony the Great, the Philokalia

Jesus made known to me how very pleasing to Him were prayers of atonement. He said to me, The prayer of a humble and loving soul disarms the anger of My Father and draws down an ocean of blessings   WORDS OF JESUS TO ST. FAUSTINA.  (Diary 320)

Charity and devotion differ no more, the one from the other, than the flame from the fire. St Francis de Sales

Those who belong to Mary should do all they can to win the hearts of others to her. And Mary will enlighten those hearts, enkindle them with the love of her Maternal Heart, and inflame them with the fire of charity that burns in the Divine Heart of Jesus. —St. Maximilian Kolbe

"We must practice in our Mind & Heart the exercise of feeling the presence of God with Us & in Us."
St. Vincent de Paul

Time spent in prayer as well in good works, is a great help in preparing the soul for the enkindling of love.    St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 5 : 17

As mariners are guided into port by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary."    - St. Thomas Aquinas

"You should know that the body's sufferings belong to it by nature, inasmuch as it is corruptible and material. The disciplined soul must, therefore, gratefully show itself persevering and patient under such sufferings, and must not blame God for having created the body."   St. Anthony the Great, the Philokalia

"Be firm. Be virile. Be a man. And then...be a saint." St. Josemaria Escriva (1902.-1975.)

Pope John IV, (640-642) quoted by Denzinger (253): The Meaning of the Words of HONORIUS about the Two Wills [From the epistle "Dominus qui dixit" to Constantius the Emperor, 641] “ . . . One and He alone is without sin, the mediator of God and of men, the man Christ Jesus [cf. 1 Tim. 2:5] who was conceived and born free among the dead [Ps. 87:6]. Thus in the dispensation of His sacred flesh, He never had two contrary wills, nor did the will of His flesh resist the will of His mind. . . . Therefore, knowing that there was no sin at all in Him when He was born and lived, we fittingly say and truthfully confess one will in the humanity of His sacred dispensation; and we do not preach two contrary wills, of mind and of flesh, as in a pure man, in the manner certain heretics are known to rave. In accord with this method, then, our predecessor (already mentioned) [HONORIUS] is known to have written to the (aforenamed) Sergius the Patriarch who was asking questions, that in our Savior two contrary wills did not exist internally, that is, in His members, since He derived no blemish from the transgression of the first man. . . . This usually happens, that, naturally where there is a wound, there medicinal aid offers itself. For the blessed Apostle is known to have done this often, preparing himself according to the custom of his hearers; and sometimes indeed when teaching about the supreme nature, he is completely silent about the human nature, but sometimes when treating of the human dispensation, he does not touch on the mystery of His divinity. . . So, my aforementioned predecessor said concerning the mystery of the incarnation of Christ, that there were not in Him, as in us sinners, contrary wills of mind and flesh; and certain ones converting this to their own meaning, suspected that He taught one will of His divinity and humanity which is altogether contrary to the truth.”

St. Catharine of Genoa: “Oh! beloved death, in what a mistaken light are you viewed! Why do you not come to me? I call on you night and day.” (Quoted by St. Alphonsus de Liguori in his work “Preparation for Death” CONSIDERATION IX., Second Point.)

“Let us give ourselves to God as best we can, expecting only trials and sufferings from our own men, with perfect assurance that they will not be lacking to us if we are faithful to seeing that the Rules and holy customs of our vocation are observed.”  – St. Vincent de Paul

It is Jesus you seek when you dream of happiness. - Pope St. John Paul II

So valuable to Heaven is the dignity of the human soul that every member of the human race has a guardian angel from the moment the person begins to be.   -Saint Jerome

“The best comfort is that which comes from prayer.”   - St. Pio of Pietrelcina

During one of the adorations, Jesus promised me that: With souls that have recourse to My mercy and with those that glorify and proclaim My great mercy to others, I will deal according to My infinite mercy at the hour of their death.

My Heart is sorrowful, Jesus said, because even chosen souls do not understand the greatness of My mercy. Their relationship [with Me] is, in certain ways, imbued with mistrust. Oh, how much that wounds My Heart 1 Remember My Passion, and if you do not believe My words, at least believe My wounds.  WORDS OF JESUS TO ST. FAUSTINA (Diary, 379)

Be a good child, and God will help you. St Joan of Arc

It is necessary to be on one's guard and careful in the performance of good works by having frequent interior recourse to God, even though these works are done in obedience and charity.   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 5 : 17

Do not be surprised that Mary is said to be a martyr in spirit. According to Paul, one of the greatest crimes of the Gentiles was lack of love. This was far from the Heart of Mary. Let it be far from her servants as well. —St. Bernard

“No matter what others say or do, even if the wicked succeed, do not be troubled: commit everything to God and put your trust in him.”   – St. Vincent de Paul

The Rosary is a way of contemplating the face of Christ seeing him – we may say – with the eyes of Mary. -Pope St. John Paul II

Pope Honorius (625-638), [From the epistle (1) “Scripta fraternitatis vestrae” to Sergius, Patriarch of Constantinople in the year 634]. . . With God as a leader we shall arrive at the measure of the right faith which the apostles of the truth have extended by means of the slender rope of the Sacred Scriptures. Confessing that the Lord Jesus Christ, the mediator of God and of men [1 Tim. 2:5], has performed divine (works) through the medium of the humanity naturally [gr. hypostatically] united to the Word of God, and that the same one performed human works, because flesh had been assumed ineffably and particularly by the full divinity [gr. in--] distinctly, unconfusedly, and unchangeably . . . so that truly it may be recognized that by a wonderful design [passible flesh] is united [to the Godhead] while the differences of both natures marvelously remain. . .:” (Denz. 251... Denzinger seems to impute an orthodox understanding to Honorius’s teachings that Honorius admitted two wills as He had two natures; Pope John IV went on to defend Honorius as not being a Monothelite [an adherent to the heresy which acknowledged only Christ’s Divine Will but did not acknowledge that His human nature would likewise have a human will] advancing that Honorius only stressed one Will in the sense of a perfect harmony of His Divine and human wills. A portion of the Third Council of Constantinople condemned him as a heretic. Pope Leo II has been cited as taking a middle ground that [without accusing him of Monothelitism] was guilty of grave negligence, failing to stamp out heresy which responsibility was due to his office.)

“Consider the end of life,” says St. Laurence Justinian, “and you will love nothing in this world” (Lign. Vit. De Hum. c. 4).

“My daughter, I want to instruct you on how you are to rescue souls through sacrifice and prayer. You will save more souls through prayer and suffering than will a missionary through his teachings and sermons alone. I want to see you as a sacrifice of living love, which only then carries weight before Me.”    WORDS OF JESUS TO ST. FAUSTINA.  (Diary, 1767a)

“Let not that man presumes to look for mercy from God who offends His Holy Mother!"   - St. Louis Marie de Montfort

“As the soul is the life of the body, so God is the life of the soul. As therefore the body perishes when the soul leaves it, so the soul dies when God departs from it.”   Saint Augustine

'The Rosary is the best therapy for these distraught, unhappy, fearful, and frustrated souls precisely because it involves the simultaneous use of three powers: the physical, the vocal, and the spiritual, and in that order." - Venerable Fulton J. Sheen

“O Eternal Word, utterance of my God, I want to spend my life listening to you, to become totally teachable so that I might learn all from you.
Through all darkness, all emptiness, all powerlessness, I want to keep my eyes fixed on you and to remain under your great light.”   -St Elizabeth of the Trinity

“Never grow weary of praying. This is essential.”  - St. Pio of Pietrelcina

"Tell me all, My child, hide nothing from Me, because My Loving Heart, the Heart of your Best Friend, is listening to you."   WORDS OF JESUS TO ST. FAUSTINA.  (Diary 1486)

“We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.”   St. Clare of Assisi

"I am worried about America! I am not so much worried about its politics and economics, important though they be: I am worried about its soul. After all, politics and economics are determined by the sense of values which underlies them." Archbishop Fulton Sheen

We find ourselves on earth as in a tempestuous sea, a desert, and a vale of tears. But Mary is the Star of the Sea, the Solace of our desert, and the Light that guides us to heaven. —St. John Bosco

He came from the bosom of His Father out of obedience to become our slave.   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 5 : 17T

We must take great care never to do anything before having said our morning prayers...The devil once declared that if he could have the first moment of the day, he was sure of all the rest.  - St. John Vianney

“Always forward, never back.”    —Saint Junipero Serra

“Consider before God whether the aversions some persons have toward the vows do not spring from human nature, which is always seeking freedom.”

– St. Vincent de Paul

“May Jesus always continue His assistance and may He make you holy!”   St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Secrets of a Soul, Page 155)

“Jesus is with you even when you don’t feel His presence. He is never so close to you as He is during your spiritual battles. He is always there, close to you, encouraging you to fight your battle courageously. He is there to ward off the enemy’s blows so that you may not be hurt.”   -St. Pio of Pietrelcina

"Let us hasten with confidence to Christ’s throne of grace, and with prayers and profound contrition, let us beg Him to repeat for every one of us the words He said to His mother, ‘Behold your Son.’ In the same way, as He looks at Mary, may He repeat to every one of us the wonderful invitation: 'Behold your mother.’”   - St. Robert Bellarmine

'' If you can speak to the Lord, do so, praise Him, pray to Him, listen to Him. ''
St. Pio of Pietrelcina

“A man’s biography is written in terms not so much of what he causes to happen, but rather what happens to him and in him.  The difference between men is not in the adversity which comes to them, but rather how they meet the adversity.”  Archbishop Fulton Sheen (On Being Human)

If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!     St. Catherine of Siena

We can pray at any time, in any place and circumstances.  St Teresa of Jesus of Avila    The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 5 : 16

Imagine that all the stars were tongues and all the grains of sand were words. They would still fall short of recounting all the glories bestowed by God on Mary’s soul. —St. Thomas of Villanova

"It is a sign of God's love to me," says St. Thomas of Villanova, "a sign of future salvation, when the Lord gives me to drink of the cup of suffering."   - St. Thomas Villa Nova

“The devotions we practice in honor of the glorious Virgin Mary, however trifling they may be, are very pleasing to Her Divine Son, and He rewards them with eternal glory.”    - St. Teresa of Avila

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” (Saint Teresa of Calcutta)

"The love of our Lord’s Heart was in no way diminished by the treason of Judas, the flight of the apostles, and the persecution of his enemies. Jesus was only grieved at the harm they did themselves; his sufferings helped to assuage his grief because he saw in them a remedy for the sins committed by his enemies. The Sacred Heart was full of most tender love: there was no bitterness in it; no cruelty and injustice that he received moved it to feelings other than those of compassion and affection."   - St. Claude La Colombiere

“O sir, what a faithful image of Our Lord is participation in the meekness and humility of his heart! How it portrays his manner of acting, especially when firmness accompanies it.”   – St. Vincent de Paul

“You will never complain about offenses, no matter where they come from, remembering that Jesus was saturated with ignominy from the malice of men He Himself had aided.  You will excuse everyone with Christian charity, keeping before your eyes the example of the Divine Master who excused even His crucifiers before the Father.”  St. Pio of Pietrelcina

"The Savior today looks at us, solemnly probing us, and asks each one of us: Will you remain faithful to the Crucified? Consider carefully! The world is in flames, the battle between Christ and the Antichrist has broken into the open."   -St Edith Stein

“You always leave the Rosary for later, and you end up not saying it at all because you are sleepy. If there is no other time, say it in the street without letting anybody notice it. It will, moreover, help you to have presence of God.”   - St. Josemaria Escriva

“Faith lifts the soul. Hope supports it. Experience says it must. And Love says let it be!” St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

How can Mary be otherwise than full of grace? She has been made the Ladder to Paradise, the Gate of Heaven, and the most true Mediatrix between God and human beings. —St. Lawrence Justinian

“It is not so much what happens in your life that matters; it is rather how you react to it.  The talents we have must be put to work, but if they yield only a certain return, we do not murmur because the return is not greater.” Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen

"If one were to consider how much Jesus has suffered, one would not commit the smallest sin." St. Gianna (1922 – 1962)

"Let us not imagine that we obscure the glory of the Son by the great praise we lavish on the Mother; for the more she is honored, the greater is the glory of her Son. There can be no doubt that whatever we say in praise of the Mother gives equal praise to the Son." (“Non est dubium, quicquid in laudibus matris profermius, ad
filium pertinere.”)    -Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Father and Doctor of the Church, Horn. 4, Sup. Miss.

“Just as a man cannot live in the flesh unless he is born in the flesh, even so a man cannot have the spiritual life of grace unless he is born again spiritually. This regeneration is effected by Baptism: ‘Unless a man is born again of water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.’” (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church; cf. John 3:5)

"Suddenly God‟s presence filled my soul, and I heard these words, My daughter, I desire that your heart be formed after the model of My Merciful Heart. You must be completely imbued with My mercy."    WORDS OF JESUS TO ST. FAUSTINA.  (Diary 167)

“As far as poverty is concerned the Church instructs that, after using what they need for food and clothing, they should give the surplus to the poor.”   – St. Vincent de Paul

“Remember: the sinner who is ashamed of his bad deeds is closer to God than the just man who is ashamed of acting well.”  St. Pio of Pietrelcina

"All the sins of your life seem to be rising up against you. Don't give up hope! On the contrary, call your holy mother, Mary, with the faith and abandonment of a child. She will bring peace to your soul."   - St. Josemaría Escrivá

"The Sacred Sacrament of Holy Orders will be ridiculed, oppressed and despised. ...The demon will try to persecute the Ministers of the Lord in every possible way and he will labor with cruel and subtle astuteness to deviate them from the spirit of their vocation, corrupting many of them. These corrupted priests, who will scandalize the Christian people, will incite the hatred of the bad Christians and the enemies of the Roman, Catholic and Apostolic Church to fall upon all priests. This apparent triumph of Satan will bring enormous sufferings to the good Pastors of the Church...."

"Moreover, in these unhappy times, there will be unbridled luxury which, acting thus to snare the rest into sin, will conquer innumerable frivolous souls who will be lost. Innocence will almost no longer be found in children, nor modesty in women, and in this supreme moment of need of the Church, those who should speak will fall silent." - Our Lady of Quito (1611)

“Love proves itself by deeds.”   –St. Therese of Lisieux

To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often. -Bl. John Henry Cardinal Newman

The true lover loves everywhere and is always thinking of the beloved !   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 5 : 16

When we who are devoted to Mary call her Mother, we are not using empty words or just speaking at random. She is our Mother—not by the flesh, of course, but spiritually; the Mother of our souls, of our salvation. —St. Alphonsus Liguori

"The only happiness here below is to strive to be always content with what Jesus gives us.     -Saint Therese of Lisieux-

We must desire solitude and it is continually present in souls that truly love God.   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.     The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 5 : 15

For those who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, for those who believe in the Church, behold the Mother: Mary! Therefore, everything in the life of Christians is given light by this sweetest of notes: Mary our Mother! —Pope John XXIII

“Our dear Savior was never in extremes.”   – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

“How can I fear a God who is nothing but mercy and love.”
–St. Therese of Lisieux

“Let us abandon ourselves to the direction of God’s loving Providence, and we shall be safe from all sorts of inconveniences that our haste may draw down on us.”  – St. Vincent de Paul

Fr. Alban Butler relates of Fidelis of Sigmaringen that he met twenty Calvinist soldiers with a minister at their head. They called him a false prophet, and urged him to embrace their sect. He answered: “I am sent to you to confute, not to embrace your heresy. The Catholic religion is the faith of all ages, I fear not death.” One of them beat him down to the ground by a stroke on the head with his backsword. Fidelis rose again on his knees, and stretching forth his arms in the form of a cross, said with a feeble voice “Pardon my enemies, O Lord: blinded by passion they know not what they do. Lord Jesus, have mercy on me. Mary, Mother of God, succor me!” (Butler’s Lives of the Saints)

Pope Clement XII, IN EMINENTI (ON FREEMASONRY), April 28, 1738: “Therefore, bearing in mind the great harm which is often caused by such Societies or Conventicles not only to the peace of the temporal state but also to the well-being of souls, and realizing that they do not hold by either civil or canonical sanctions; and since We are taught by the divine word that it is the part of faithful servant and of the master of the Lord's household to watch day and night lest such men as these break into the household like thieves, and like foxes seek to destroy the vineyard; in fact, to prevent the hearts of the simple being perverted, and the innocent secretly wounded by their arrows, and to block that broad road which could be opened to the uncorrected commission of sin and for the other just and reasonable motives known to Us; We therefore, having taken counsel of some of Our Venerable Brothers among the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, and also of Our own accord and with certain knowledge and mature deliberations, with the plenitude of the Apostolic power do hereby determine and have decreed that these same Societies, Companies, Assemblies, Meetings, Congregations, or Conventicles of Liberi Muratori or Francs Massons, or whatever other name they may go by, are to be condemned and prohibited, and by Our present Constitution, valid for ever, We do condemn and prohibit them.”

"He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands." St. Benedict (480 – 543)

"Tell [all people], My daughter, that I am Love and Mercy itself. When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls."   WORDS OF JESUS TO ST. FAUSTINA.  (Diary 1074)

“All blessings come to us through our Lord. He will teach us, for in beholding his life we find that he is the best example.” St. Teresa of Avila

Fulton Sheen ordained 9/20/1919 “On the day of my ordination, I made two resolutions: 1. I would offer the Holy Eucharist every Saturday in honor of the Blessed Mother to solicit her protection on my priesthood.  The Epistle to the Hebrews bids the priest offer sacrifices not only for others, but also for himself, since his sins are greater because of the dignity of the office.  2.  I resolved also to spend a continuous Holy Hour ever day in the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.”  Archbishop Fulton Sheen

All favors, graces, and heavenly inspirations come from Christ as from the Head. All then descend to the body through Mary, since—just as in the human body—it is by the neck that the Head gives life to the limbs. —St. Robert Bellarmine

“Charity is that with which no man is lost, and without which no man is saved.” (St. Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor)

(09/19) Feast of Our Lady of La Salette

Our Lady of La Salette to the seer children, Maximin and Melanie: “Come near, my children, be not afraid, I am here to tell you great [important] news.

　If my people will not submit, I shall be forced to let go the hand of my Son. It is so strong, so heavy, that I can no longer withhold it. For how long a time do I suffer for you! If I would not have my Son abandon you, I am compelled to pray to Him with out ceasing. And as to you, you take no heed of it. However much you pray, however much you do, you will never recompense the pains I have taken for you. Six days have I given you to labour, the seventh I have kept for myself, and they will not 'give it me. It is this which makes the hand of my Son so heavy. Those who drive the carts cannot swear without introducing the name of my Son. These are the two things which make the hand of my Son so heavy.”

Feast of Our Lady of La Salette.  (9/19)

Bishop Zola of Lece, letter to Fr. Isidore Roubaud, May 24, 1880, relates the following of Pope Leo XIII: “In 1879 our Holy Father Leo XIII deigned to honor Mélanie with a private audience and also charged her with compiling the rules for the new Order recommended and requested by Our Lady of La Salette under the title of the Apostles of the Latter Days. In order to complete a draft of this kind, the ex-shepherdess stayed in Rome for five months at the convent of the Salesian Sisters. During this time she became better known and more highly esteemed, especially by these good nuns, who furnished favorable reports very much to the credit of the blessed shepherdess of La Salette.

“I know from my own sources of information that when Mr. Nicolas, a lawyer from Marseille was in Rome on Holy Saturday 1880, he was commissioned by His Holiness Leo XIII to put out a brochure explaining the Secret in its entirety, so that the public might understand it properly. I feel sure these particulars will suffice to strengthen you in your conviction. I could tell you very much more, but, that would require a book, not a letter.”

"If we do not risk everything for God, we will never do anything great for Him."  St. Louis de Montfort (1673.-1716.)

“Do you want to honor Christ’s body? Then do not scorn him in his nakedness, nor honor him here in the church with silken garments while neglecting him outside where he is cold and naked. For he who said: ‘This is my body,’ and made it so by his words also said: ‘You saw me hungry and did not feed me, and inasmuch as you did not do it for one of these, the least of my brothers, you did not do it for me.’” (St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, From a homily on Matthew)

“Even while living in the world, the heart of Mary was so filled with motherly tenderness and compassion for men that no one ever suffered so much for their own pains, as Mary suffered for the pains of her children.”   - St. Jerome

"My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and especially for poor sinners. If only they could understand that I am the best of Fathers to them and that it is for them that the Blood and Water flowed from My Heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy."   WORDS OF JESUS TO ST. FAUSTINA.   (Diary 367)

One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying. -St. Joan of Arc

“The most deadly poison of our times is indifference. And this happens, although the praise of God should know no limits. Let us strive, therefore, to praise him to the greatest extent of our powers.” St. Maximilian Kolbe

“After a succession of hot, sultry days in the summer, we sense there must be a storm before the cool days come back again.  Similarly, in these days of confusion, there is an intuition of impending catastrophe, a feeling that some immense preternatural disturbance must bring the evil of the world to ruins before we can be set free again.  As DeGoncourt told Berthelot, who had boasted of the future destructiveness of war through physics: ‘When that day comes, God as a night-watchman will come down from Heaven, rattling His keys, saying, Gentleman! It is closing time!” Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Peace of Soul)

Women who seek involvement in community affairs should look to Mary. Taken into dialogue with God, Mary gives her active and responsible consent… to the event of world importance known as the Incarnation of the Word. —Pope Paul VI

"'Remain in Me.' It is the Word of God who gives this order, expresses this wish..." -Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity

'Our Lady, deign to intercede for us sinners with thy Divine Lord and Son, and obtain of Him a blessing for us in our trials and tribulations.'--St. Ignatius of Loyola~

Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love. -St. Therese  of Lisieux

“This is a serious warning cry: Surrender without reservation to the Lord who has called us. This is required of us so that the face of the earth may be renewed.” Edith Stein

“A good start toward this collaboration of men of good will would be to declare a moratorium on name-calling.   Love God and love for our neighbor applies to everyone, whomsoever he be, and regardless of his race, class or color.  There are millions who do not share the joys of a Catholic that come from an absolution or a visit to the Real Presence of Christ on the altar, but if any one of us shuts up the bowels of His mercy against a stranger in need, whomsoever he be, the blessing of God cannot be upon him.  Men of good will: unite!  March separately according to the light of your consciences as presently given, but strike together for the moral betterment of the world.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen

On Calvary the sufferings of Mary most holy reached their height. Mary’s presence at the foot of the Cross constituted a most special participation in the Redemptive Death of her Son. —Pope St.  John Paul II

“If God wills to prolong our trials, do not let us lament or try to find out the reason. . .We have to see God through the fire of thorns, and to do this we must go barefoot and renounce our own will and affection and accept the will of God wholeheartedly.”   St. Pio of Pietrelcina

The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most Blessed Virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them.   -St. Louis Marie de Montfort

This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections. -St. Augustine

“Lord, if your people still have need of my services, I will not avoid the toil. Your will be done. I have fought the good fight long enough. Yet if you bid me continue to hold the battle line in defense of your camp, I will never beg to be excused from failing strength. I will do the work you entrust to me. While you command, I will fight beneath your banner.” — St. Martin of Tours

“For the meek man, not selfishness but righteousness is his guiding principle.  He is so possessed, he never allows his fists to go up for an unholy purpose, or in defense of his pride or vanity, or conceit, or because he wants the wealth of another.  Only the principles of God’s righteousness arouse a meek man.  Moses was a meek man, but he broke the tablets of stone when he found his people were disobeying God.  Our Lord is Meekness Itself, and yet He drove the buyers and sellers from the Temple when they prostituted His Father’s House; He is angry only when holiness is attacked, but never when His Person is attacked.  ” Archbishop Fulton Sheen (The Cross and the Beatitudes)

Oh Lord ! You do not want anything but that it obey !   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 5 : 6

God is Love. We eventually have to ask ourselves the question; why was Love nailed to a cross?
Pope St. John Paul II

The Cross is the School of Love. Let us remember that Love lives on and is nourished by sacrifices. Let us always have recourse to the Immaculate Mother to preserve our peace of mind. —St. Maximilian Kolbe

After a soul begins to taste how the Lord is, it is more pleasing for the body to be resting without work and for the soul to be receiving delight.   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 5 : 4

"The devil is afraid of us when we pray and make sacrifices..."
-St Anthony of Padua

"Love our Lady. And she will obtain abundant grace to help you conquer in your daily struggle."
- St. Josemaría Escrivá

“It seems to me that Our Lord would always rather have us act with trust in Him than with [human] prudence.” — St. Louise de Marillac.  (Quoted by Fr. Bernard Vaughan, S.J., in his Preface for “LIFE OF THE VENERABLE LOUISE DE MARILLAC” by Alice Lady Lovat, pub. by LONGMANS, GREEN & CO., 1917)

As in matters on obedience, He doesn't want the soul who truely loves Him to take any other paths than the one He did.    St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 5 : 3

"Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My Mercy".
WORDS OF JESUS TO ST FAUSTINA. (Diary 300)

“When Jesus wants to make me happy, He fills my heart with that spirit which is all fire, and speaks to me about His delights; but when He wants to be consoled, He speaks to me about His pains, and invites me in a manner that is both a request and a command, to offer my body to alleviate His sufferings.”   St. Pio of Pietrelcina

“Jesus entrusts us to Mary as our Mother, and Mary receives us all as her children! This is Christ’s testament on the Cross. On the one hand, he entrusts the Church to the care of his own Mother; on the other, he entrusts his Mother to the care of the Church. The scene on Calvary reveals to us the secret of true Marian piety, which is a filial love of surrender and gratitude to Mary, a love of imitation and of consecration to her person.” (Pope St. John Paul II, Homily, 13 November 1998)

To live in love is to sail forever, spreading seeds of joy and peace in hearts. -St. Therese of Lisieux

“The Cross is not a roadblock on the way to happiness; it is a ladder up which one climbs to a heaven of love.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Three to Get Married)

If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze! -St. Catherine of Sienna

“For if Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, is Himself the chief priest of God the Father, and has first offered Himself a sacrifice to the Father, and has commanded this to be done in commemoration of Himself, certainly that priest truly discharges the office of Christ, who imitates that which Christ did; and he then offers a true and full sacrifice in the Church to God the Father, when he proceeds to offer it according to what he sees Christ Himself to have offered.”  — St. Cyprian of Carthage

“His hour was her hour too, and now it has come!  At Cana He changed water into wine.  On the road to Calvary, the wine is changed into blood.  It was the hour of reversal of the world’s estimate of love, for a Son is summoning His mother to suffer.  Love, then, does not mean to have, it means to be had; it is the giving of oneself for another.”  Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Stations of the Cross)

"Those who sincerely say ‘Jesus, I trust in You’ will find comfort in all their anxieties and fears."

 "There is nothing more man needs than Divine Mercy – that love which is benevolent, which is compassionate, which raises man above his weakness to the infinite heights to the holiness of God."
St John Paul ll

—Shrine of Divine Mercy in Cracow, Poland on June 7, 1997

I salute you, O Mother Mary! You are the throne of God as well as the honor, the glory, and the strength of our Church! —St. John Chrysostom

“Every unhappy soul in the world has a cross embedded on it. The cross was never meant to be on the inside, but only on the outside. When the Israelites were bitten by the serpents, and the poison seeped within, Moses planted a brazen serpent on a stick and all who looked on it were healed….So the Son of Man came in the likeness of man, but was without sin, and all who look upon Him on His cross are saved. In like manner, the inner cross disappears when one catches a vision of the great outer Cross on Calvary.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Peace of Soul)

“To live on love is not to set up our tent on Tabor. It is to climb Calvary with Jesus and see the Cross as a treasure.”   –St. Therese of Lisieux

Do not be afraid to welcome the cross of Christ into your life! It gives full value and meaning to life's joys and sorrows, helping every person to make his own life a gift of love for God and neighbor.
Pope St. John Paul II.  Angelus Address.  March 14, 1999

In the Church our souls are espoused to the Holy Spirit. It is Mary whose prayer wins strength, joy, and consolation for us. And it is Mary who gives joy to the Divine Bridegroom by inspiring our wills with love for Him. —Venerable Francis Libermann

“In the spiritual life, you must take one step forward each day in a vertical line, from the bottom up.” St.  Pio of  Pietrelcina

“O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? Christ is risen and you are abolished. Christ is risen and the demons are cast down. Christ is risen and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen and life is freed. Christ is risen and the tomb is emptied of the dead: for Christ, being risen from the dead, has become the Leader and Reviver of those who had fallen asleep. To Him be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.” (St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, from an Easter Sermon)

Pope St. Gregory the Great, Moralia In Job, Vol. III - The Fifth Part, Bk. XXIII.: “But since the ancient fathers, like fruitful trees, are not merely beauteous in appearance, but also profitable through their fertility, their life must be so considered by us, that when we admire the freshness of their history, we may learn also how fruitful they are in allegory, in order that, since the smell of their leaves is pleasant, we may learn also how sweet is the taste of their fruits. For no one ever possessed the grace of heavenly adoption but he who has received it through the knowledge of the Only-begotten. It is right then that He should shine forth in their life and words, Who so enlightens them that they may be able [mereantur] to shine. For when the light of a candle is kindled in the dark, the candle, which causes other objects to be seen, is first seen itself. And so, if we are truly endeavouring to behold the objects which are enlightened, it is necessary for us to open the eyes of our mind to that Lightening which gives them light. But it is this which shines forth in these very discourses of blessed Job, when the shades of allegory too have been driven away, as though the gloom of midnight had been dispelled, a bright light as it were flaming across them. As when it is said, I know that my Redeemer liveth, and in my flesh I shall see God. [Job 19, 25] Paul had doubtless discovered this light in the night of history, when he said, All were baptized in Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual meat, and all drank the same spiritual drink. But they drank of the spiritual Rock that followed them, but the Rock was Christ. [l Cor. 10, 2-4] If then the Rock represented the Redeemer, why should not blessed Job suggest the type of Him, since he signified in his suffering Him Whom he spake of in his voice?”

“‘He that offers the sacrifice of praise glorifies Me, and in this way will I show him My salvation’ (Psalm 49:23). Before the coming of Christ, the flesh and blood of this sacrifice were foreshadowed in the animals slain; in the passion of Christ the types were fulfilled by the true sacrifice; after the ascension of Christ, this sacrifice is commemorated in the sacrament.” — St. Augustine of Hippo

“We are fortunate enough to resemble Our Lord by going, like Him, now to one place, now to another, to assist the neighbor.”   – St. Vincent de Paul

The soul's progress does not lie in thinking much but in loving much.   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 5 : 2

When devotion to Mary begins in anyone, it produces the same effect that our Lady’s birth produces in the world. It ends the night of sin and leads a person along the bright path of virtue. —St. Alphonsus Liguori

“In normal marriages, unity in the flesh is the symbol of its consummation, and the ecstasy which accompanies a consummation is only a foretaste of the joy that comes to the soul when it attains union with God through grace.  But in the case of Mary and Joseph, there was no need of the symbol of the unity of flesh.  Why bother with the flickering candles of the flesh, when the Light of the World is their love?  Love usually makes husband and wife one; in the case of Mary and Joseph, it was not their combined loves but Jesus Who made them one.  No deeper love ever beat under the roof of the world since the beginning, nor will it ever beat, even unto the end.” Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen (The World’s First Love)

Feast of the Holy Name of Mary
Pope Leo XIII, Adiutricem, September 5, 1895, Par. 13: “No one will fail to remark how much the merits of the venerable Fathers and Doctors of the Church, who spent their lives in the defense and explanation of the Catholic Faith, redound to the Virgin Mother of God. For from her, the Seat of Divine Wisdom, as they themselves gratefully tell us, a strong current of the most sublime wisdom has coursed through their writings. And they were quick to acknowledge that not by themselves but by her have iniquitous errors been overcome.Finally, princes as well as Pontiffs, the guardians and defenders of the faith-the former by waging holy wars, the latter by the solemn decrees which they have issued- have not hesitated to call upon the name of the Mother of our God, and have found her answer powerful and propitious.”

“Wisdom consists in following Providence step by step.”   – St. Vincent de Paul 

"God is glorified not by our works, but by our resignation to, and by our union with, his holy will.   St. Alpnonsus de Liguori

"We must live every minute of our lives as if it were our last." St. Francis de Sales (1567.-1622)

“Do not be afraid of the radicalness of His demands, because Jesus, who loved us first, is prepared to give Himself to you, as well as asking of you. If He asks much of you, it is because He knows you can give much.” — Pope St. John Paul II

"Today the Lord said to me, ‘Daughter, when you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul and ennobles it. Every time you go to confession, immerse yourself entirely in My mercy, with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy. Tell souls that from this fount of mercy souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity. The torrents of grace inundate humble souls. The proud remain always in poverty and misery, because My grace turns away from them to humble souls."   WORDS OF JESUS TO ST. FAUSTINA.  (Diary 1602)

“Mary is not only mother of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but she is also our mother, and this is not by a title of courtesy, not by legal fiction, not by a mere figure of speech, but by the right of bringing us forth in sorrow at the foot of the cross…Mary, by sacrifice and obedience, regained for us the title, Mother of the living.  What a destiny to have the Mother of God as my Mother and Jesus as my brother.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen

“Jesus is my guiding force. He teaches me to do everything through love, to refuse him nothing, and to be happy when he gives me the chance to prove my love for him.”   –St. Therese of Lisieux

Do not worry to the point of losing your inner peace. Pray with perseverance, with faith, calmness and serenity.  - St. Pio of Pietrelcina

What joy it is for us to dwell on the fact that Mary is our Mother! Why should we fear? She loves us and knows our weakness! —St. Theresa of Lisieux

Not all imaginations by their nature are capable of meditating, all souls are capable of loving.   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 5 : 2

Pope St. Marcellus I, Dereta ad Maxentium: “For Charity exercises hearts, strengthens sense, so that nothing is heavy, nothing difficult, but becomes sweetly whole, which is accomplished in her proper time, to nourish peacemakings, to keep things composite, to join things separated, to straighten the crooked and in its fortification of her perfection to solidify remnant extant virtues. All of which therefore the Apostle warning thus speaks, saying: ‘If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely; is not puffed up; Is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil;  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never falleth away:’ Whoever therefore grafts himself onto her root, is neither deficient in freshness nor empty of fruits, for her effectual work does not admit [such things] in her love of fruitfulness.”

St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Secunda Secundae, Q. 29, Art. 3, reply to ob. 3: “Peace is the ‘work of justice’ indirectly, in so far as justice removes the obstacles to peace: but it is the work of charity directly, since charity, according to its very nature, causes peace. For love is ‘a unitive force’ as Dionysius says (Div. Nom. iv): and peace is the union of the appetite’s inclinations.”

"Let, then, the life of Mary be as it were virginity itself, set forth in a likeness, from which, as from a mirror, the appearance of chastity and the form of virtue is reflected. From this you may take your pattern of life, showing, as an example, the clear rules of virtue: what you have to correct, to effect, and to hold fast. The first thing which kindles ardor in learning is the greatness of the teacher. What is greater than the Mother of God?"   - St. Ambrose

We must forget ourselves, and put aside our tastes and ideas, and guide souls not by our own way, but along the path which Our Lord points out. ~ St. Therese Of Lisieux

"How is it possible to commit acts of such savage cruelty? The human heart has depths from which schemes of unheard-of ferocity sometimes emerge, capable of destroying in a moment the normal daily life of a people. But faith comes to our aid at these times when words seem to fail. Christ’s word is the only one that can give a response to the questions which trouble our spirit. Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws strength from it."

—Saint John Paul II, general audience, September 12, 2001

"Let us do without hesitation whatever good lies at our hands."   - Blessed Frédéric Ozanam

“We have walked with pleasure for many a mile and we have smiled and smiled, and learned nothing.  But what a vista of the mystery which lies in the heart of the world’s redemption was unveiled when we, as a people, walked with sorrow!  People become more united in sorrow than in pleasure.  Across the nation, citizens were enjoying theaters, sports, parties, cocktails, and a thousand and one pursuits of eros in which the ego satisfies itself under the guise of a love of another.  Then all these disparate and separate enjoyments, like scattered drops of mercury, suddenly came together in one center – the broken heart of America.  There were no longer political parties, business competitors, grasping fingers – there was beating only one heart.  It is well to be proud of our country, but if the memory of a death means anything, we will no longer boast as if the peacock were our national symbol, saying: ‘I am an American,’ but, in the full consciousness that our symbol is an eagle mounting ever upwards, we will say: ‘May I be worthy to be an American.’”
Archbishop Fulton Sheen (The Power of Love)

Mary meditated on all she had come to know through reading, listening, and observing. She grew in faith, increased in merits, and was more consumed by the fire of charity. —St. Lawrence Justinian

“The world which is so bent on power never seems thoroughly to grasp the paradox that only the humble of heart ever find the greatness of God.  The world misses the lesson because it confuses littleness with weakness, childlikeness with childishness, and humility with an inferiority complex.  It thinks of power only in terms of physical force, and wisdom only in terms of the vain knowledge of the spirit of the day.  It forgets that great moral strength may be hidden in physical weakness.” Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen (The Eternal Galilean)

"Try to be even tempered. Only in this way can one show a constant resolution to love God." St. Francis de Sales (1567.-1622)

"The road is narrow. He who wishes to travel it more easily must cast off all things and use the cross as his cane. In other words, he must be truly resolved to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things." ~St. John of the Cross

Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy.
Oh, how much I am hurt by a soul's distrust! Such a soul professes that I am Holy and Just, but does not believe that I am Mercy and does not trust in My Goodness. Even the devils glorify My Justice but do not believe in My Goodness.   WORDS OF JESUS TO ST FAUSTINA. (Diary, 300)

“Reject pride, and consider everyone more righteous than yourself.” — St. Anthony the Great

“If we only knew how God regards this Sacrifice, we would risk our lives to be present at a single Mass.”.   St. Pio of Pietrelcina

“Our complex modern society is directed to the creation of mass pleasure rather than individual pleasure.  Movies, television, advertising are geared to the masses, and generally to their lowest common denominator.  Their aim is to satisfy what men have in common, rather than what they have individually.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Way to Inner Peace)

The birth of the Mother of God is the prelude to the union of the Word with flesh. Today the Virgin is born, tended and formed, and prepared for her role as Mother of God, Who is the Universal King of the ages. —St. Andrew of Crete

“I am capable of opening up hell for all to see its punishments. However, that would not be just, since people would then serve Me out of fear, when they should be serving Me out of love. For only a person who loves shall enter the kingdom of heaven.”  --Our Lord to St. Bridget~

“Lord, give me a sense of humor, and I will find happiness in life, profit for others.”    -Saint Thomas More

“The knot of Eve’s disobedience was loosened by Mary’s obedience. The bonds fastened by the virgin Eve through disbelief were untied by the virgin Mary through faith.” — St. Irenaeus of Lyons

The Four Conditions of Salvation by St. Thomas Aquinas

[Taken from the published 99 sermons of St. Thomas Aquinas, Sermon XXXI]

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost.—(From the Epistle)

“May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height.”—Ephes. iii. 18.

    In these words four things are noted, which are necessary to us for salvation. Firstly, charity, by which we love our friends and enemies: “What is the breadth,” Gloss. Which signifies the expansive nature of charity, which extends even to our enemies. Secondly, perseverance, that we finally continue in charity; “and length;” Gloss. That which is the length of charity is the length of perseverance. Thirdly, right intention, that we may set before ourselves God only as the reward of our actions. “And height.” This is is that which lifts the soul on high, that God may be expected for a reward. Fourthly, that we may not fail in all these things through pride. “The depth:” it is humility which places man in the lowest state in regard to man, but in the highest state in relation to God. “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted,” S. Luke xviii. 14.

      I. On the first head it is to be noted, that for three reasons we ought chiefly to love our enemies. (1) On account of the precept, “But I say unto you, love your enemies; bless them that curse you, &c. .... That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven,” S. Matt v. 44, 45. (2) On account of the example of God: “God commendeth His love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ..... For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life,” Rom. v. 8-10. (3) On account of our profit; for charity towards our enemies causes us to become sons of the Most High God: “Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you,” &c., S. Matt. v. 44.

     II. On the second head it is to be noted, that for three reasons we ought to persevere in good. (1) That we may avoid blame, since he is greatly blamed who begins and does not persevere: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether we have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish,” S. Luke xiv. 28-30. (2) That punishment may be avoided; for he deserves a greater punishment who, having tasted how sweet it is to perform good works, has not persevered in them. “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them, according  to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire,” 2 S. Peter 21, 22. (3) On account of the reward to be acquired, for the reward is earned by perseverance alone: “He that endureth to the end shall be saved,” S. Matt. x. 22.

      III. On the third head it is to be noted, that for two reasons we ought to expect God alone to be our reward. (1) Because He alone is true reward: “I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward,” Gen. xv. 1.    S. Augustine says, that God will be the reward of all in all, because He will be to us life and salvation, strength and plenty, honour and glory, peace and joy, and all good things. (2) Because He will be an eternal reward: “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent,” S. John xvii. 3.

     IV. On the fourth head it is to be noted, that humility, in three ways, preserves man in good. (1) By defending him from his enemies: “The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and He helped me,” Psalm cxvi. 6. (2) By promising increase of grace: “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble,” S. James iv. 6. (3) By leading man to eternal glory: “Honour shall uphold the humble in spirit,” Prov. xxix. 23.    To which honour may we, &c.

“There will be two of you for the work, Our Lord and you, and with Him you can do all things.”   – St. Vincent de Paul

“In the first place, I want you to know that Jesus needs someone to mourn with Him for human wickedness. This is why he leads me along the sorrowful paths. But blessed be His charity forever. He knows how to combine the bitter with the sweet and convert the fleeting pains of this life into eternal happiness.”  St. Pio of Pietrelcina

The distinctive mark of the Christian, today more than ever, must be love for the poor, the weak, the suffering.   Pope St. John Paul II

Mary is a land that, though it has never been sown, brings forth fruit that gives food to all creatures. She is a land on which rest the blessings of the Lord. —St. Theodore the Studite

“You must concentrate on pleasing God alone, and if He is pleased, you must be pleased.” St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Pope Pius XII, Allocution to the Congress of the International Union of Catholic Women’s Leagues, Rome, Italy, September 11, 1947: “Three days ago, We celebrated the Nativity of Her whose coming brought to the whole world the dawn of joy. Tomorrow We shall celebrate Her glorious Name and the memory of the victories won in that Name over the enemies of Christendom. May Mary Auxilium Christianorum be your strength in the battle for the restoration of a healthy and prosperous society, for the triumph of God and of the Church. We invoke Her with all Our heart in your behalf.”

St. Alphonsus, the Glories of Mary: “Now, let us consider how much more holy she was at her birth, coming to the light after the acquisition of those merits which she made during the nine months that she remained in her mother’s womb. Let us now go on to consider the second point, namely: how great was the fidelity with which Mary at once corresponded with the divine grace.

　Second Point. — It is not now an individual opinion of some few divines, says a learned author, (Father La Colombiere. Sera. 81.) it is the opinion of the whole world, that the holy infant, when she received sanctifying grace in the womb of St. Anna, received at the same time the perfect use of reason, with a great divine light corresponding to the grace with which she was enriched. Hence we may believe, that from the first moment when her pure soul was united to her most pure body, she was enlightened with divine wisdom to comprehend eternal truths, the beauty of virtue, above all, the infinite goodness of her God, and how much he deserves to be loved by all men, but especially by her, on account of the peculiar graces with which he had adorned her...

　Hence Mary, from that moment grateful to her God, began to effect all that she could, using faith fully all that great treasure of grace that she had received ; and wholly applying herself to please and love the divine goodness. From that moment she loved him with all her strength, and thus continued to love him through all those nine months that she lived before her birth, in which she did not cease for a moment to unite herself to God by fervent acts of love...

　Let us rejoice, then, with our infant, who was born so holy, so dear to God, and so full of grace ; and let us rejoice not only for her, but also for ourselves, since she came into the world full of grace, not only for her own glory, but for our good.” (DISCOURSE II. ON THE BIRTH OF MARY.)

“God’s work is accomplished little by little and almost as it were, imperceptibly, and His Spirit is neither violent nor unreasonable.”   – St. Vincent de Paul

"The heart is not satisfied with anything less than God."   -St. John of the Cross

In happier days, philosophers discussed the problem of man, now they discuss man as a problem.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Go to Heaven)

Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say.  Pope St. John Paul II

Mary does not know how to refuse compassion. She has never learned how to let the comfortless go away uncomforted. And so, she will persuade her Son to pardon me. —St. Bonaventure

“I have worked and I want to work. I have prayed and I want to pray. I have kept watch and I want to keep watch. I have cried and I want to cry – always for all of my brothers who are in exile. I know and understand that this is very little but this is what I know how to do; this is what I am able to do; and this is all that I can do.”    St. Pio of Pietrelcina

I should give some aacounsels to prioresses, who will learn both to  underdstand themselves and to guide their subjects so that the soul of these latter will receive greater benefit.   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila. The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 4 : 1

In happier days, philosophers discussed the problem of man, now they discuss man as a problem.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Go to Heaven)

Mary is the echo of God. If we say “Mary,” she will answer “God.” That is why union with her is always followed by union with God. —St. Louis Grignion de Montfort

"We belong to God in all things and without reserve, without any exception whatsoever." St. Francis de Sales (1567.-1622)

During Holy Mass, I saw the Lord Jesus nailed upon the cross amidst great torments. A soft moan issued from His Heart. After some time, He said, I thirst. I thirst for salvation of souls. Help Me, My daughter, to save souls. Join your sufferings to My Passion and offer them to the heavenly Father for sinners.   WORDS OF JESUS TO ST. FAUSTINA.   (Diary 1032)

“Evil always leaves some impression on the soul, if we do not envelop ourselves in a cloak of prayer and humility. The greatest cedars fall.”   – St. Vincent de Paul

Neither courage nor hope failed, for since the Lord had given the one thing, He would give the other. Everything now seemed very possible, and so I set to work.   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila   The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 2 : 6

“Lord, give me a sense of humor, and I will find happiness in life, profit for others.”    -St. Thomas More

When we are expecting only suffering, the least joy surprises us: Suffering itself becomes the greatest of joys when we seek it as a precious treasure. St. Therese of Liseux

“Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.” — Pope St. John Paul II

“Our present life is given only to gain the eternal one and if we don’t think about it, we build our affections on what belongs to this world, where our life is transitory. When we have to leave it we are afraid and become agitated. Believe me, to live happily in this pilgrimage, we have to aim at the hope of arriving at our Homeland, where we will stay eternally. Meanwhile we have to believe firmly that God calls us to Himself and follows us along the path towards Him. He will never permit anything to happen to us that is not for our greater good. He knows who we are and He will hold out His paternal hand to us during difficulties, so that nothing prevents us from running to Him swiftly. But to enjoy this grace we must have complete trust in Him.”  St. Pio of Pietrelcina

“It is not the sanctuary that is in danger; it is civilization.  It is not infallibility that may go down; it is personal rights.  It is not the Eucharist that may pass away; it is freedom of conscience.  It is not divine justice that may evaporate; it is the courts of human justice.  It is not that God may be driven from His throne; it is that men may lose the meaning of home; For peace on earth will come only to those who give glory to God! It is not the Church that is in danger, it is the world!”  Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Seven Pillars of Peace)

Every good, every help, and every grace that human beings have received and will receive from God until the end of time came and will come to them by the intercession and through the hands of Mary. When we find Mary, we find all! —Blessed Raymond Jordano

He prizes a soul that through our diligence and prayer we gain for Him, more than all the sevices we can render Him.   St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 1:7

Do not let the past disturb you--just leave everything in the Sacred Heart, and begin again with joy. - St. Teresa of Calcutta

St. Lawrence Justinian: “Can she be otherwise than full of grace, who has been made the ladder of paradise, the gate of heaven, the most true mediatrix between God and man?” (Quoted by St. Alphonsus de Liguori in “The Glories of Mary”)

Pope Pius XI, Ad Catholici Sacerdotii, Dec 20, 1935, Par. 34: “A great dignity [the confection of the Eucharist by the priest],” exclaims St. Lawrence Justinian, “but great too is the responsibility; placed high in the eyes of men they must also be lifted up to the peak of virtue before the eye of Him who seeth all; otherwise their elevation will be not to their merit but to their damnation.”

“Lord Jesus Christ, God and Man, my Creator and my Saviour, I am extremely sorry and sensibly grieved for having offended Thee, because Thou art what Thou art, and because I love Thee above all things.”  —St. Rose of Lima

“The glory of God is a human being fully alive; and to be alive consists in beholding God.” — St. Irenaeus of Lyons

“Judge whether the prickly thorns of our human nature do not produce fine roses; they blossom as soon as the sun of justice sheds the rays of its grace upon them.”   – St. Vincent de Paul

While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart. St. Francis of Assisi

“Patience is not a spineless submission to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune; it is not a mere gritting of teeth or hanging on; it is rather the acceptance of what we would reject, the bearing of what we hate, a renewed decision, day after day to accept what we do not want, and to suffer without complaint what we cannot change.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen

“May the Child Jesus be the star that guides you through the desert of your present life.”   St. Pio of Pietrelcina

Those who for love of our Lord were able to be engaged in winning souls, might suffer a thousand deaths.    St Teresa of Jesus of Avila.  The Book of Her Foundation - Chapter 1:7

Mary far surpasses all other mothers in glory and holiness as well as in kindness and sweetness. Come before her with a contrite and humbled heart. You will find her more prompt and more tender in loving you than all other mothers. —St. Gregory

“I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” St. Teresa of Calcutta

“The more you give to our Lord, the more blessings you will receive. His yoke is sweet to him who embraces it willingly.”  – St. Vincent de Paul