30 April 2022
We should humbly and realistically accept our limitations both in prayer
and in action. It rests with us to devote ourselves to prayer, to prepare
ourselves for it, to begin to pray, and to advance as best as we can, but we
will come up against a limit beyond which only the Holy Spirit can enable us to
pass. It is the same with action. We can indeed expend ourselves on a variety
of activities but we shall find our limitations in the strength we bring to
them, in our courage an detachment, and, above all, in the perfecting of our
charity. Only the Holy Spirit can take us beyond these limitations. Whether in
prayer or in action, we are, then, wholly dependent on the Holy Spirit.
René Voillaume
Taste of Hell
29 April 2022
He who continues in anger, strife, and a bitter spirit, has a taste of the air of hell.
Saint Philip Neri
He who continues in anger, strife, and a bitter spirit, has a taste of the air of hell.
Saint Philip Neri
Seek God Daily
25 April 2022
Seek God daily. But seek Him in your heart, not outside it. And when you find Him, stand with fear and trembling, like the Cherubim and Seraphim, for your heart has become a throne of God. But in order to find God, become humble as dust before the Lord, for the Lord abhors the proud; whereas He visits those that are humble in heart, wherefore He says: “To whom will I look, but to the one who is meek and humble in heart?”
Saint Nectarius of Aegina
Seek God daily. But seek Him in your heart, not outside it. And when you find Him, stand with fear and trembling, like the Cherubim and Seraphim, for your heart has become a throne of God. But in order to find God, become humble as dust before the Lord, for the Lord abhors the proud; whereas He visits those that are humble in heart, wherefore He says: “To whom will I look, but to the one who is meek and humble in heart?”
Saint Nectarius of Aegina
Life with Christ
24 April 2022
Happy the soul to whom it is given to attain this life with Christ, to cleave with all one’s heart to him whose beauty all the heavenly hosts behold forever, whose love inflames our love, the contemplation of whom is our refreshment, whose graciousness is our delight, whose gentleness fills us to overflowing, whose remembrance makes us glow with happiness, whose fragrance revives the dead, the glorious vision of whom will be the happiness of all the citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem. For he is the brightness of eternal glory, the splendor of eternal light, the mirror without spot.
Saint Clare of Assisi
Happy the soul to whom it is given to attain this life with Christ, to cleave with all one’s heart to him whose beauty all the heavenly hosts behold forever, whose love inflames our love, the contemplation of whom is our refreshment, whose graciousness is our delight, whose gentleness fills us to overflowing, whose remembrance makes us glow with happiness, whose fragrance revives the dead, the glorious vision of whom will be the happiness of all the citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem. For he is the brightness of eternal glory, the splendor of eternal light, the mirror without spot.
Saint Clare of Assisi
With Unwearied Steps
23 April 2022
I beseech you in the grace of Jesus Christ, forget those things that are behind, and as if you had just begun your long journey for the first time, set out eagerly on the way of virtue with unwearied step.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
I beseech you in the grace of Jesus Christ, forget those things that are behind, and as if you had just begun your long journey for the first time, set out eagerly on the way of virtue with unwearied step.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
On Death
22 April 2022
Pause and reflect, for the day of death is approaching. I beg you, therefore, with all possible respect, not to forget the Lord or turn away from His commandments by reason of the cares and preoccupations of this world, for all those who are oblivious of Him and turn away from His commands are cursed and will be totally forgotten by Him (Ex. 33:13). And when the day of death does come, everything which they think they have will be taken from them. And the wiser and more powerful they may have been in this world, so much greater will be the punishments they will endure in hell (cf. Wis. 6:7).
Saint Francis of Assisi
Pause and reflect, for the day of death is approaching. I beg you, therefore, with all possible respect, not to forget the Lord or turn away from His commandments by reason of the cares and preoccupations of this world, for all those who are oblivious of Him and turn away from His commands are cursed and will be totally forgotten by Him (Ex. 33:13). And when the day of death does come, everything which they think they have will be taken from them. And the wiser and more powerful they may have been in this world, so much greater will be the punishments they will endure in hell (cf. Wis. 6:7).
Saint Francis of Assisi
Complacency
21 April 2022
There is no storm worse than calm, and no foe more dangerous than to have no foes.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
There is no storm worse than calm, and no foe more dangerous than to have no foes.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Arise With Christ
20 April 2022
Today is the day of salvation for the world. . . Christ is risen from the dead: arise with him. Christ returns to himself: you also must return to him. Christ has come forth from the tomb: free yourselves from the fetters of evil. The gates of hell are open and the power of death is destroyed. The old Adam is superseded, the new perfected. In Christ a new creation is coming to birth: renew yourselves.
Saint Gregory Nazianzen
Today is the day of salvation for the world. . . Christ is risen from the dead: arise with him. Christ returns to himself: you also must return to him. Christ has come forth from the tomb: free yourselves from the fetters of evil. The gates of hell are open and the power of death is destroyed. The old Adam is superseded, the new perfected. In Christ a new creation is coming to birth: renew yourselves.
Saint Gregory Nazianzen
On Choice
19 April 2022
Only He is worth struggling towards. We have a choice to follow the way the world, of the society that surrounds us, and thereby find ourselves outside of God; or to choose the way of life, to choose God Who calls us and for Whom our heart is searching.
Blessed Seraphim of Platina
Only He is worth struggling towards. We have a choice to follow the way the world, of the society that surrounds us, and thereby find ourselves outside of God; or to choose the way of life, to choose God Who calls us and for Whom our heart is searching.
Blessed Seraphim of Platina
Spiritual Exercises
18 April 2022
By the term ‘Spiritual Exercises’ is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of contemplation, of vocal and mental prayer, and of other spiritual activities… For just as taking a walk, journeying on foot, and running are bodily exercises, so we call Spiritual Exercises every way of preparing and disposing the soul to rid itself of all inordinate attachments, and, after their removal, of seeking and finding the will of God in the disposition of our life for the salvation of our soul.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
By the term ‘Spiritual Exercises’ is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of contemplation, of vocal and mental prayer, and of other spiritual activities… For just as taking a walk, journeying on foot, and running are bodily exercises, so we call Spiritual Exercises every way of preparing and disposing the soul to rid itself of all inordinate attachments, and, after their removal, of seeking and finding the will of God in the disposition of our life for the salvation of our soul.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
On Jesus
17 April 2022
When Jesus is near all is well and nothing seems difficult. When He is absent, all is hard. When Jesus does not speak within, all other comfort is empty, but if He says only a word, it brings great consolation.
Thomas à Kempis
When Jesus is near all is well and nothing seems difficult. When He is absent, all is hard. When Jesus does not speak within, all other comfort is empty, but if He says only a word, it brings great consolation.
Thomas à Kempis
Eyes On Christ
16 April 2022
As no darkness can be seen by anyone surrounded by light, so no trivialities can capture the attention of anyone who has his eyes on Christ. The man who keeps his eyes upon the head and origin of the whole universe has them on virtue in all its perfection; he has them on truth, on justice, on immortality and on everything else that is good, for Christ is goodness itself.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa
As no darkness can be seen by anyone surrounded by light, so no trivialities can capture the attention of anyone who has his eyes on Christ. The man who keeps his eyes upon the head and origin of the whole universe has them on virtue in all its perfection; he has them on truth, on justice, on immortality and on everything else that is good, for Christ is goodness itself.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa
On Satan
15 April 2022
Remember that the Devil doesn’t sleep, but seeks our ruin in a thousand ways.
Saint Angela Merici
Remember that the Devil doesn’t sleep, but seeks our ruin in a thousand ways.
Saint Angela Merici
Returning Thanks
14 April 2022
We should not accept in silence the benefactions of God, but return thanks for them.
Saint Basil the Great
We should not accept in silence the benefactions of God, but return thanks for them.
Saint Basil the Great
Correct Our Faults
13 April 2022
It is not enough to acknowledge our faults; we must correct them.
Saint Mother Théodore Guérin
It is not enough to acknowledge our faults; we must correct them.
Saint Mother Théodore Guérin
On Difficulties
12 April 2022
If we are faced with difficulties, we will turn to God for help with many difficulties, we will turn to God for help with increasing frequency. As God continues to help, even the coldest heart will be warmed.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
If we are faced with difficulties, we will turn to God for help with many difficulties, we will turn to God for help with increasing frequency. As God continues to help, even the coldest heart will be warmed.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
Fix Your Eyes on Christ
11 April 2022
We shall be blessed with clear vision if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ, for he, as Paul teaches, is our head, and there is in him no shadow of evil. Saint Paul himself and all who have reached the same heights of sanctity had their eyes fixed on Christ, and so have all who live and move and have their being in him.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa
We shall be blessed with clear vision if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ, for he, as Paul teaches, is our head, and there is in him no shadow of evil. Saint Paul himself and all who have reached the same heights of sanctity had their eyes fixed on Christ, and so have all who live and move and have their being in him.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa
On Holy Scripture
10 April 2022
How could one live without the knowledge of Scripture, through which one learns to know Christ himself, who is the life of believers?
Saint Jerome
How could one live without the knowledge of Scripture, through which one learns to know Christ himself, who is the life of believers?
Saint Jerome
Fear of God
8 April 2022
The fear of God illumines the soul, annihilates evil, weakens the passions, drives darkness from the soul and makes it pure. The fear of God is the summit of wisdom. Where it is not you will find nothing good. Whoever does not have the fear of God is open to diabolical falls.
Saint Ephrem of Syria
The fear of God illumines the soul, annihilates evil, weakens the passions, drives darkness from the soul and makes it pure. The fear of God is the summit of wisdom. Where it is not you will find nothing good. Whoever does not have the fear of God is open to diabolical falls.
Saint Ephrem of Syria
Heaven
6 April 2022
Heaven is filled with converted sinners of all kinds, and there is room for more.
Saint Joseph Cafasso (1811-1860)
Heaven is filled with converted sinners of all kinds, and there is room for more.
Saint Joseph Cafasso (1811-1860)
Thanks Be To God
5 April 2022
We must take to heart… from what we were created, who we were and what kind of creatures we were when we entered the world, as if from a tomb and from utter darkness. Having prepared for us bountifully before we were born, He Who fashioned us and created us brought us into His world. Since, then, we owe all this to Him, we ought to give Him thanks for everything.
Saint Clement
We must take to heart… from what we were created, who we were and what kind of creatures we were when we entered the world, as if from a tomb and from utter darkness. Having prepared for us bountifully before we were born, He Who fashioned us and created us brought us into His world. Since, then, we owe all this to Him, we ought to give Him thanks for everything.
Saint Clement
Loving Christ
4 April 2022
The choice is yours! Love the world and you will perish with the world. Love Christ and you will reign with him (forever)!
Richard Rolle (c. 1300-1349)
The choice is yours! Love the world and you will perish with the world. Love Christ and you will reign with him (forever)!
Richard Rolle (c. 1300-1349)
The Working of Mercy
3 April 2022
For, in truth, we shall see in Heaven for all eternity that though we have sinned grievously in this life, we were never hurt in God’s love, nor were we ever of less value in God’s sight. This falling is a test by which we shall have a high and marvelous knowing of love in God forever. That love [of God] is hard and marvelous that cannot and will not be broken for our trespasses. In love mercy allows us to fail somewhat, and in failing we fall, and in falling we die. Our failing is full of fear; our falling is marked by sin; our dying is sorrowful. Yet in all this the sweet eye of pity never departs from us and the working of mercy never ceases.
Saint Julian of Norwich
For, in truth, we shall see in Heaven for all eternity that though we have sinned grievously in this life, we were never hurt in God’s love, nor were we ever of less value in God’s sight. This falling is a test by which we shall have a high and marvelous knowing of love in God forever. That love [of God] is hard and marvelous that cannot and will not be broken for our trespasses. In love mercy allows us to fail somewhat, and in failing we fall, and in falling we die. Our failing is full of fear; our falling is marked by sin; our dying is sorrowful. Yet in all this the sweet eye of pity never departs from us and the working of mercy never ceases.
Saint Julian of Norwich
Become Christ Like
2 April 2022
Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. Let us become God’s for His sake, since He for ours became Man. He assumed the worse that He might give us the better; He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich; He took upon Him the form of a servant that we might receive back our liberty; He came down that we might be exalted; He was tempted that we might conquer; He was dishonored that He might glorify us; He died that He might save us; He ascended that He might draw to Himself us, who were lying low in the Fall of sin. Let us give all, offer all, to Him Who gave Himself a Ransom and a Reconciliation for us. But one can give nothing like oneself, understanding the Mystery, and becoming for His sake all that He became for ours.
Saint Gregory Nazianzen
Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us. Let us become God’s for His sake, since He for ours became Man. He assumed the worse that He might give us the better; He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich; He took upon Him the form of a servant that we might receive back our liberty; He came down that we might be exalted; He was tempted that we might conquer; He was dishonored that He might glorify us; He died that He might save us; He ascended that He might draw to Himself us, who were lying low in the Fall of sin. Let us give all, offer all, to Him Who gave Himself a Ransom and a Reconciliation for us. But one can give nothing like oneself, understanding the Mystery, and becoming for His sake all that He became for ours.
Saint Gregory Nazianzen
Despise Earthly Vanity
1 April 2022
This is the greatest wisdom—to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. It is vanity, therefore, to seek and trust in riches that perish. It is vanity also to court honor and to be puffed up with pride. It is vanity to follow the lusts of the body and to desire things for which severe punishment later must come. It is vanity to wish for long life and to care little about a well-spent life. It is vanity to be concerned with the present only and not to make provision for things to come. It is vanity to love what passes quickly and not to look ahead where eternal joy abides.
Thomas à Kempis
This is the greatest wisdom—to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. It is vanity, therefore, to seek and trust in riches that perish. It is vanity also to court honor and to be puffed up with pride. It is vanity to follow the lusts of the body and to desire things for which severe punishment later must come. It is vanity to wish for long life and to care little about a well-spent life. It is vanity to be concerned with the present only and not to make provision for things to come. It is vanity to love what passes quickly and not to look ahead where eternal joy abides.
Thomas à Kempis
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