30 March 2023
Be assured that one great means to find favor when we appear before God
is to have pardoned the injuries we have received here below.
Blessed Louis de Granada
The Detracting Tongue
29 March 2023
No one loves to tell of scandal except to him who loves to hear it. Learn, then, to rebuke and check the detracting tongue by showing that you do not listen to it with pleasure.
Saint Jerome
No one loves to tell of scandal except to him who loves to hear it. Learn, then, to rebuke and check the detracting tongue by showing that you do not listen to it with pleasure.
Saint Jerome
The Gift of Wisdom
28 March 2023
Under the influence of the Gift of Wisdom, what is bitter becomes sweet, and weariness becomes repose.
Saint Thomas Aquinas
Under the influence of the Gift of Wisdom, what is bitter becomes sweet, and weariness becomes repose.
Saint Thomas Aquinas
True Devotion
27 March 2023
The bee collects honey from flowers in such a way as to do the least damage or destruction to them, and he leaves them whole, undamaged and fresh, just as he found them. True devotion does still better. Not only does it not injure any sort of calling or occupation, it even embellishes and enhances it.
Saint Francis de Sales
The bee collects honey from flowers in such a way as to do the least damage or destruction to them, and he leaves them whole, undamaged and fresh, just as he found them. True devotion does still better. Not only does it not injure any sort of calling or occupation, it even embellishes and enhances it.
Saint Francis de Sales
Confession
26 March 2023
The present is the season of confession: confess what thou hast done in word or in deed, by night or by day; confess in an acceptable time, and in the day of salvation receive the heavenly treasure.
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem
The present is the season of confession: confess what thou hast done in word or in deed, by night or by day; confess in an acceptable time, and in the day of salvation receive the heavenly treasure.
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem
Proverbs
25 March 2023
Proverbs are words of exhortation that serve the whole path of life. They serve as guides and signs for those who are seeking their way to God by reviving them when they become tired by the length of the road.
Saint Hippolytus
Proverbs are words of exhortation that serve the whole path of life. They serve as guides and signs for those who are seeking their way to God by reviving them when they become tired by the length of the road.
Saint Hippolytus
On Discouragement
24 March 2023
Remember this simple truth which is beyond all doubt: God allows many difficulties to beset those who want to serve him but he never lets them sink beneath the burden as long as they trust in him. This, in a few words, is a complete summary of what you most need: never under any pretext whatsoever yield to the temptation of discouragement.
Saint Francis de Sales
Remember this simple truth which is beyond all doubt: God allows many difficulties to beset those who want to serve him but he never lets them sink beneath the burden as long as they trust in him. This, in a few words, is a complete summary of what you most need: never under any pretext whatsoever yield to the temptation of discouragement.
Saint Francis de Sales
On Prayer
22 March 2023
Reading the Holy Gospel nourishes in us the habit of prayer, builds up our faith, and disposes us to trust in the Lord rather than in ourselves… We must believe, then, in order to pray; and we must ask God that the faith enabling us to pray may not fail. Faith gives rise to prayer, and this prayer obtains an increase of faith.
Saint Augustine
Reading the Holy Gospel nourishes in us the habit of prayer, builds up our faith, and disposes us to trust in the Lord rather than in ourselves… We must believe, then, in order to pray; and we must ask God that the faith enabling us to pray may not fail. Faith gives rise to prayer, and this prayer obtains an increase of faith.
Saint Augustine
The Holy Spirirt
21 March 2023
Simple in himself, the Spirit is manifold in his mighty works. The whole
of his being is present to each individual; the whole of his being is present
everywhere. Though shared in by many, he remains unchanged; his self-giving is
no loss to himself. Like the sunshine, which permeates all the atmosphere,
spreading over land and sea, and yet is enjoyed by each person as though it
were for him alone, so the Spirit pours forth his grace in full measure,
sufficient for all, and yet is present as though exclusively to everyone who
can receive him. To all creatures that share in him he gives a delight limited
only by their own nature, not by his ability to give.
Saint Basil the Great
On Prayer
20 March 2023
Prayer begins with a return to the heart, finding one’s deepest center, awakening the profound depths of our being in the presence of God who is the source of our being and of our life.
Thomas Merton
Prayer begins with a return to the heart, finding one’s deepest center, awakening the profound depths of our being in the presence of God who is the source of our being and of our life.
Thomas Merton
Impure Thoughts
19 March 2023
When impure thoughts come into our minds, we should think of them as little as we do of the leaves that fall down from trees. We must not dwell on them for a moment without heeding such suggestions from the enemy of souls, go quietly on our way.
Saint Clement Hofbauer
When impure thoughts come into our minds, we should think of them as little as we do of the leaves that fall down from trees. We must not dwell on them for a moment without heeding such suggestions from the enemy of souls, go quietly on our way.
Saint Clement Hofbauer
On Patience
18 March 2023
Be patient with the whole world, but, above all with yourself. I want to tell you not to lose your serenity because of your imperfections, and always to have the zest to raise yourself up. It gives me joy to see each day you begin again. There is no better way to finish life well than to return to the starting point always and not ever to think that we have done enough.
Saint Francis de Sales
Be patient with the whole world, but, above all with yourself. I want to tell you not to lose your serenity because of your imperfections, and always to have the zest to raise yourself up. It gives me joy to see each day you begin again. There is no better way to finish life well than to return to the starting point always and not ever to think that we have done enough.
Saint Francis de Sales
On Prayer
17 March 2023
Saint John Chrysostom
On Love
16 March 2023
Nothing is sweeter than love; nothing higher, nothing stronger, nothing larger, nothing more joyful, nothing fuller, nothing better in heaven or on earth; for love descends from God, and may not finally rest in anything lower than God. One with such love flies high; he runs swiftly, he is merry in God, he is free in soul. He gives all for all, and has all in all, for he rests in one high Goodness above all things, from whom all goodness flows.
Thomas à Kempis
Nothing is sweeter than love; nothing higher, nothing stronger, nothing larger, nothing more joyful, nothing fuller, nothing better in heaven or on earth; for love descends from God, and may not finally rest in anything lower than God. One with such love flies high; he runs swiftly, he is merry in God, he is free in soul. He gives all for all, and has all in all, for he rests in one high Goodness above all things, from whom all goodness flows.
Thomas à Kempis
The Holy Spirit
15 March 2023
We read in sacred Scripture that the Holy Spirit breathes where he pleases, and we should also realize that he breathes when he pleases.
Saint Gregory the Great
We read in sacred Scripture that the Holy Spirit breathes where he pleases, and we should also realize that he breathes when he pleases.
Saint Gregory the Great
Loving One Another
14 March 2023
The Lord does not say that the proof of his disciples’ faithfulness will be the working of wondrous miracles . . . What does He tell them? “You shall be known as my disciples if you love one another.
Saint Basil the Great
The Lord does not say that the proof of his disciples’ faithfulness will be the working of wondrous miracles . . . What does He tell them? “You shall be known as my disciples if you love one another.
Saint Basil the Great
The Holy Spirit
13 March 2023
The Spirit raises our hearts to Heaven, guides the steps of the weak, and brings to perfection those who are making progress. He enlightens those who have been cleansed from every stain of sin and makes them spiritual by communion with himself.
Saint Basil the Great
The Spirit raises our hearts to Heaven, guides the steps of the weak, and brings to perfection those who are making progress. He enlightens those who have been cleansed from every stain of sin and makes them spiritual by communion with himself.
Saint Basil the Great
Divine Beauty
12 March 2023
Since we received a command to love God, we possess from the first moment of our existence an innate power and ability to love…What, I ask, is more wonderful than the beauty of God? What thought is more pleasing and wonderful than God’s majesty? What desire is as urgent and overpowering as the desire implanted by God in a soul that is completely purified of sin and cries out in its love: I am wounded by love? The radiance of divine beauty is altogether beyond the power of words to describe.
Saint Basil the Great
Since we received a command to love God, we possess from the first moment of our existence an innate power and ability to love…What, I ask, is more wonderful than the beauty of God? What thought is more pleasing and wonderful than God’s majesty? What desire is as urgent and overpowering as the desire implanted by God in a soul that is completely purified of sin and cries out in its love: I am wounded by love? The radiance of divine beauty is altogether beyond the power of words to describe.
Saint Basil the Great
On Prayer
11 March 2023
Prayer gives joy to the spirit, peace to the heart. I speak of prayer, not words. It is the longing for God, too deep for words.
Saint John Chrysostom
Prayer gives joy to the spirit, peace to the heart. I speak of prayer, not words. It is the longing for God, too deep for words.
Saint John Chrysostom
On Holy Scripture
9 March 2023
It is not possible, I say not possible, ever to exhaust the mind of the Scriptures. It is a well which has no bottom.
Saint John Chrysostom
It is not possible, I say not possible, ever to exhaust the mind of the Scriptures. It is a well which has no bottom.
Saint John Chrysostom
On Marriage
8 March 2023
What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility.
Leo Tolstoy
What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility.
Leo Tolstoy
Unconditional Love
7 March 2023
God’s love is unconditional. Be sure that yours is too!
Saint Augustine
God’s love is unconditional. Be sure that yours is too!
Saint Augustine
With Humble Submission
6 March 2023
Bear with humble submission to the will of God every sorrow, every sickness and infirmity, every labor, every offense and disappointment, saying: “Thy Will be done,” knowing that God’s mercy orders everything for your good, and that the Lord can easily change every disappointment into happiness and joy.
Saint John of Kronstadt
Bear with humble submission to the will of God every sorrow, every sickness and infirmity, every labor, every offense and disappointment, saying: “Thy Will be done,” knowing that God’s mercy orders everything for your good, and that the Lord can easily change every disappointment into happiness and joy.
Saint John of Kronstadt
On Prayer
5 March 2023
Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.
Saint John Chrysostom
Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.
Saint John Chrysostom
Our Journey
4 March 2023
For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step.
Thomas à Kempis
For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step.
Thomas à Kempis
Marriage Advice
3 March 2023
Those who are joined in marriage should be advised that, as they mutually consider what is good for their spouse, they should be careful that when they please their spouse, they do not displease their maker. In other words, they should conduct their affairs in this world without relinquishing their desire for God … They should remain aware that their current situation is transitory and what they desire is permanent.
Saint Gregory the Great
Those who are joined in marriage should be advised that, as they mutually consider what is good for their spouse, they should be careful that when they please their spouse, they do not displease their maker. In other words, they should conduct their affairs in this world without relinquishing their desire for God … They should remain aware that their current situation is transitory and what they desire is permanent.
Saint Gregory the Great
On Prayer
2 March 2023
Prayer, according to its quality, is communion and union of man with God, by its action it upholds the world. It is reconciliation with God. It is the mother, but also the daughter, of tears. It is the atonement of sins, a bridge over temptations, a wall against affliction, a crushing of conflicts, a work of Angels, the food of the Incoporeal, future gladness, boundless work, source of virtues, cause of grace, invisible progress, food of the soul, illumination of the mind, an axe against despair. a proof of hope, a cure for sorrow, the wealth of monks, the treasure of hesychasts, the reduction of anger, the mirror of progress, the demonstration of stature, an indication of one’s condition, a revelation of future things, a sign of glory. For one who truly prayers, prayer is the court, the judgment hall and the tribunal of the Lord before the judgment to come.
Saint John Climacus
Prayer, according to its quality, is communion and union of man with God, by its action it upholds the world. It is reconciliation with God. It is the mother, but also the daughter, of tears. It is the atonement of sins, a bridge over temptations, a wall against affliction, a crushing of conflicts, a work of Angels, the food of the Incoporeal, future gladness, boundless work, source of virtues, cause of grace, invisible progress, food of the soul, illumination of the mind, an axe against despair. a proof of hope, a cure for sorrow, the wealth of monks, the treasure of hesychasts, the reduction of anger, the mirror of progress, the demonstration of stature, an indication of one’s condition, a revelation of future things, a sign of glory. For one who truly prayers, prayer is the court, the judgment hall and the tribunal of the Lord before the judgment to come.
Saint John Climacus
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