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Showing posts with the label Quotations

The Church Fathers on the Feeding of the Multitude

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He multiplied in his hands the five loaves, just as he produces harvest out of a few grains. There was a power in the hands of Christ; and those five loaves were, as it were, seeds, not indeed committed to the earth, but multiplied by him who made the earth. — Augustine  For although the Lord had the power to supply wine to those feasting, independently of any created substance, and to fill with food those who were hungry, he did not adopt this course; but, taking the loaves which the earth had produced, and giving thanks, and on the other occasion making water wine, he satisfied those who were reclining (at table), and gave drink to those who had been invited to the marriage; showing that the God who made the earth, and commanded it to bring forth fruit, who established the waters, and brought forth the fountains, was he who in these last times bestowed upon mankind, by his Son, the blessing of food and the favor of drink: the incomprehensible [acting thus] by means of the comprehensi

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children | January 22, 2018

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The General Instruction of the Roman Missal designates January 22nd each year as a particular day of prayer and penance, called the "Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children". It states: "In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion." America needs no words from me to see how your decision in Roe v. Wade has deformed a great nation. The so-called right to abortion has pitted mothers against their children and women against men. It has sown violence and discord at the heart of the most intimate human relationships.  It has portrayed the child as...an intrusion.  — St. Teresa of Calcutta ________________________________________ Prayer of Blessing Upon the Unborn Child God, author of all life, bless, w

Saint Teresa of Calcutta on Abortion

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In honor of today's March for Life in Washington, DC, here are two quotations by St. Teresa of Calcutta on abortion and the sanctity of human life at every stage. It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you live as you wish. *** The greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child, a direct killing of the innocent child, murder by the mother herself. — St. Teresa of Calcutta ________________________________________ Prayer for the Intercession of St. Teresa of Calcutta Jesus, You made Saint Teresa an example of humility, charity and selflessness. She taught us that every human life has value and dignity. May we follow her in heeding Your cry of thirst from the Cross, and in loving the poorest of the poor. Grant us, by her intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore knowing that she is numbered among Your saints. We ask this in Your name, through the intercession of Mary, Your Mother and the

Saint John Paul II on Authentic Human Freedom

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Pope St. John Paul endured two brutal totalitarian regimes during his life: Nazi Germany and Soviet communism. He resisted the first and actively worked to undermine the second, both successfully. His tireless defense of human dignity, religious freedom and a culture of life animated his efforts as a scholar, pastor and Supreme Pontiff of God's Universal Church. His words remain true today. Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought. *** When freedom does not have a purpose, when it does not wish to know anything about the rule of law engraved in the hearts of men and women, when it does not listen to the voice of conscience, it turns against humanity and society. *** The historical experience of socialist countries has sadly demonstrated that collectivism does not do away with alienation but rather increases it, adding to it a lack of basic necessities and economic inefficiency. *** Pervading nationalism imposes its do

Saint Vincent de Paul on God

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Saint Vincent de Paul served the poor, the sick and the downtrodden in imitation of Christ. His insights into the love of God and the wisdom of Divine Providence were given to him through his ministry to the humble, the lowly and the week. God often delays the conclusion of a holy endeavor so that those involved in it might merit its grace by the length of the work, their patience, and their prayers. This is why I beg you not to grow weary in yours. Although He may delay, He will reveal that it is pleasing to Him, if it is done... in a spirit of resignation regarding the outcome.  *** Our Lord humbles in order to raise up, and allows the suffering of interior and exterior afflictions in order to bring about peace. He often desires some things more than we do, but wants us to merit the grace of accomplishing them by several practices of virtue and to beg for this with many prayers. *** God asks that we never do good in one place to make ourselves look important in others

Saint Padre Pio on the Value of Suffering

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Padre Pio was a man of immense spiritual gifts and insight. As a Capuchin priest, his ministry was marked by prayer and piety. His suffering was constant. He bore the stigmata of Our Lord’s Crucifixion with their attending agony, and was beset by demonic manifestations. His observations below teach us that our suffering is of immense value when joined with Our Savior's sacrifice and born with humility. The greater your sufferings, the greater God’s love for you. ***  When we suffer, Jesus is closer to us. ***  The storms that are raging around you will turn out to be for God’s glory, your own merit, and the good of many souls. *** Every sacrifice which your soul makes, every good it does is directed to God for the sanctification of all. *** True and substantial devotion consists in serving God without experiencing any sensible consolation. This means serving and loving God for His own sake. *** How unbearable is pain when suffered far from the Cross, but h

St. John Chrysostom | His Wisdom in Ten Quotations

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Saint John Chrysostom, a brilliant theologian and powerful orator, was born in Antioch about 347 A.D. His eloquence earned him the surname of Chrysostom, or golden mouthed. With St. Athanasius, St. Gregory Nazianzen and St. Basil, he is one of four great doctors of the Eastern Church. As Archbishop of Constantinople, his courageous stance in defense of the Faith caused him to be exiled several times. The quotations below evidence his great knowledge of the ways of God. The love of husband and wife is the force that welds society together. *** No matter how just your words may be, you ruin everything when you speak with anger. *** There is nothing colder than a Christian who does not seek to save others. *** The rich man is not one who is in possession of much, but one who gives much. *** To destroy the fetus 'is something worse than murder.' The one who does this 'does not take away life that has already been born, but prevents it from being born.'

Saint Teresa of Calcutta on Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament

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Saint Teresa of Calcutta dedicated her life to serving the sick, the poor, and the marginalized. She founded the Missionaries of Charity to extend that mission throughout the world. She once observed: "I know I would not be able to work one week if it were not for that continual force coming from Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament." The quotes below illustrate her deep love for Christ in the Eucharist. If I can give you any advice, I beg you to get closer to the Eucharist and to Jesus... We must pray to Jesus to give us that tenderness of the Eucharist. *** To be alone with Jesus in adoration and intimate union with Him is the Greatest Gift of Love - the tender love of Our Father in Heaven. *** When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now. *** Each Holy Communion, each breaking of the Bread of Life, each sharing should produce in us the same, for it is th

Saint Augustine on Loving God Belatedly

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Saint Augustine is numbered among the four great Doctors of the Western Church He was one of the most brilliant minds of ancient Christendom. His influential contribution to theology, especially in clarifying the dogmas of the Trinity, grace, and the Church, have enriched the Faith immensely. Here are his thoughts about loving God belatedly over the false idols and things of the world. Too late came I to love you, O Beauty both so ancient and so new! Too late came I to love you - and behold you were with me all the time... *** You called and shouted and burst my deafness. You flashed, shone, and scattered my blindness. You breathed odors, and I drew in breath and panted for You. I tasted, and I hunger and thirst. You touched me, and I burned for Your peace. *** The soul is torn apart in a painful condition as long as it prefers the eternal because of its Truth but does not discard the temporal because of familiarity. *** I was in misery, and misery is the state of eve

Pope St. Pius X’s Words Speak to the Church Today

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Perhaps the most eloquent testimony to Saint Pius X's life spent in the service of God is the inscription on his tomb in the crypt of the basilica of St. Peter's: “Born poor and humble of heart, Undaunted champion of the Catholic faith, Zealous to restore all things in Christ, Crowned a holy life with a holy death. Here are seven quotations from Pope St. Pius X that speak to the Church of today. Truly we are passing through disastrous times, when we may well make our own the lamentation of the Prophet: “There is no truth, and there is no mercy, and there is no knowledge of God in the land” (Hosea 4:1). Yet in the midst of this tide of evil, the Virgin Most Merciful rises before our eyes like a rainbow, as the arbiter of peace between God and man. ***  God could have given us the Redeemer of the human race, and the Founder of the Faiths in another way than through the Virgin, but since Divine Providence has been pleased that we should have the Man-God through Mary, who

Saint John Eudes on Living in Imitation of Christ

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Saint John Eudes, was a 17th century missionary priest who spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary throughout his native France and beyond. Known for his prayerful piety and deeply inspiring homiletics, he founded the Society of Jesus and Mary (Eudists) to preach parish missions, direct seminaries, and conduct retreats for the clergy. The quotations below evidence his great love for the wisdom and eternal beneficence of God. A Christian has a union with Jesus Christ more noble, more intimate and more perfect than the members of a human body have with their head. *** Faith is a beam radiating from the face of God. *** A man is no true Christian if he has no devotion to the Mother of Jesus Christ. *** Every Saint belongs to the court of the Queen of All Saints. *** No one who shall invoke this Mother of Grace with devotion and perseverance can possibly perish forever. *** The crosses with which our path through life is strew

St. Dominic on Living in Imitation of Christ | Quotes

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Saint Domingo de Guzmán was born in 1170. He is perhaps best known for his rigorous intellect, humility, austerity and prayerful love of God. The founder of the Order of Preachers, dedicated himself to spreading the Gospel and the holy Rosary. These quotations are his instructions for living in imitation of our Lord. Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes. *** We must sow the seed, not hoard it. *** I would tell them to kill me slowly and painfully, a little at a time, so that I might have a more glorious crown in Heaven. When asked what he would say if faced with martyrdom  *** A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either rule ​them, or be ruled by them. It is better to be the hammer than the anvil. *** I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God. *** You are my companion and must walk with me. For if we hold

St. Peter Julian Eymard on Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament

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Saint Peter Julian Eymard was ordained in 1834, for the Diocese of Grenoble, France. He became a parish priest and would join the Marists five years later. He promoted Eucharistic adoration throughout his life and founded a religious order of priest-adorers of the Eucharist, known as the Priests of the Blessed Sacrament. Happy is the soul that knows how to find Jesus in the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in all things! ^^^ When we work hard, we must eat well. What a joy, that you can receive Holy Communion often! It's our life and support in this life - Receive Communion often, and Jesus will change you into himself. *** How kind is our Sacramental Jesus! He welcomes you at any hour of the day or night. His Love never knows rest. He is always most gentle towards you. When you visit Him, He forgets your sins and speaks only of His joy, His tenderness, and His Love. By the reception He gives to you, one would think He has need of you to make Him happy. *** The Euchari

Twenty Quotations on God from Saint Irenaeus

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St. Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons, a Doctor of the Church and 2nd century martyr, was a disciple of St. Polycarp. The spread of Gnosticism in Gaul prompted him to successfully combat its errors. As the first great Western ecclesiastical writer, he defended and explained the unity of Scripture and Jesus' humanity and divinity. The glory of God is a man fully alive; and to be alive consists in beholding God. *** Through a tree we were made debtors to God; so through a tree we have our debt canceled. *** He who was the Son of God became the Son of man, that man ... might become the son of God. *** Because of his boundless love, Jesus became what we are that he might make us to be what he is. *** The business of the Christian is nothing else but to be ever preparing for death. *** As long as any one has the means of doing good to his neighbours, and does not do so, he shall be reckoned a stranger to the love of the Lord. *** Since it is impossible, without God

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, on Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart

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The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is June 23rd. Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, the Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was privileged to receive visions of Christ beginning in childhood. Our Lord entrusted to her the divine mission of establishing the devotion to His Sacred Heart in the world. Criticism did not hamper her enthusiasm, and her charity toward her opponents won them over to her message. The following quotations from the writings of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque show her great love for the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. And He [Christ] showed me that it was His great desire of being loved by men and of withdrawing them from the path of ruin that made Him form the design of manifesting His Heart to men, with all the treasures of love, of mercy, of grace, of sanctification and salvation which it contains, in order that those who desire to render Him and procure Him all the honor and love possible, might themselves be abundantly enriched with those divine treas

The Saints on the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

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This Sunday marks the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The quotations below about the Body and Blood of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament demonstrate how deeply the saints revered and adored Christ in the Eucharist. May we follow their holy examples in recognition of this ineffable gift from God. In this world I cannot see the Most High Son of God with my own eyes, except for His Most Holy Body and Blood. — St. Francis of Assisi Christ held Himself in His hands when He gave His Body to His disciples saying: 'This is My Body.' No one partakes of this Flesh before he has adored it.  — St. Augustine of Hippo O Lord, we cannot go to the pool of Siloe to which you sent the blind man. But we have the chalice of Your Precious Blood, filled with life and light. The purer we are, the more we receive.  — St. Ephraem I hunger for the bread of God, the flesh of Jesus Christ ...; I long to drink of his blood, the gift of unending love. — St. Ignatius

Saint Philip Neri — His Wisdom in 25 Quotations

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Saint Philip Neri was a 16th century Italian priest who was much beloved among the citizens of Rome for his compassion, humor and holiness. His devotion to God in serving others reminds us that living as a disciple of Christ is the source of joy. He was a great light of the Counter-Reformation, winning many souls for God. There is nothing the devil fears so much, or so much tries to hinder, as prayer. *** A joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one. *** To preserve our cheerfulness amid sicknesses and troubles, is a sign of a right and good spirit. *** The best way to prepare for death is to spend every day of life as though it were the last. *** First let a little love find entrance into their hearts, and the rest will follow. *** The greatness of our love of God must be tested by the desire we have of suffering for His love. *** The Lord grants in a moment what we may have been unable to obtain in dozens of years. *** The cross is

Saint Louis de Montfort — His Wisdom in 20 Quotations

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Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort is revered for his intense devotion to the Blessed Virgin and to praying the Rosary. His love of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and for the poor is unsurpassed. The quotations below illustrate his profound wisdom and deep insights into the Divine Will of God and the workings of God's Church. If we do not risk anything for God we will never do anything great for Him. *** Take advantage of little sufferings even more than of great ones. God considers not so much what we suffer as how we suffer. . . Turn everything to profit as the grocer does in his shop. ***  When the Holy Rosary is said well, it gives Jesus and Mary more glory and is more meritorious than any other prayer. ***  If you put all the love of all the mothers into one heart it still would not equal the love of the Heart of Mary for her children. *** Pray with great confidence, with confidence based on the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of

Saint Anselm — His Wisdom in 25 Quotations

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Saint Anselm of Canterbury, the 11th century Benedictine archbishop, achieved tremendous insight into the love of God. He dedicated his life to seeking out and teaching the depths of Divine Wisdom. May our understanding be enlightened and our faith founded by his thought as embodied in the following quotations. God is that, the greater than which cannot be conceived. *** Disasters teach us humility. *** Idleness is the enemy of the soul. *** Lust desireth not procreation, but pleasure only. ***  Just by thinking about thinking about God, we can know he exists. ***  It is, therefore, not proper for God thus to pass over sin unpunished. ***  Spare me through your mercy, do not punish me through your justice. *** It is impossible to save one's soul without devotion to Mary and without her protection. *** And indeed we believe you [God] to be something than which a greater cannot be conceived. *** Let no worldly prosperity divert you, nor any wo

20 Quotations from Saint John the Baptist de la Salle

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Saint John the Baptist de la Salle. patron of schoolteachers, was a 17th century priest who revolutionized the system of popular education by applying a totally modern pedagogy and establishing a teaching Order to inform and enlighten both poor and nobility alike. Below are 20 quotes evincing his love of God and wisdom. May God continue what he has started in you. *** God has chosen you to make him known to others. ***  Inspire and lead others by encouraging them. ***  God expects you to touch hearts. ***  In the light of faith you see things quite differently. ***  Never speak to anyone except with kindness. *** Don’t be discouraged by anxieties and troubles, life is full of them. ***  Young people need the light of watchful guides to lead them on the path of salvation *** God’s compassion for you is greater than the troubles you have. ***  God of love, set me aflame with love for you and for my neighbour. ***  The more you devote yourse