Saint Melito of Sardis

The Lord, though He was God, became man. He suffered for the sake of whose who suffer, He was bound for those in bonds, condemned for the guilty, buried for those who lie in the grave; but He rose from the dead, and cried aloud: "Who will contend with me? Let him confront me." I have freed the condemned, brought the dead back to life, raised men from their graves. Who has anything to say against me? I, He said, am the Christ; I have destroyed death, triumphed over the enemy, trampled hell underfoot, bound the strong one, and taken men up to the heights of heaven: I am the Christ.

-- Saint Melito of Sardis from a letter

Saint Peter Julian Eymard

Every time we come into the presence of the Eucharist we may say: This precious Testament cost Jesus Christ His life. For the Eucharist is a testament, a legacy which becomes valid only at the death of the testator. Our Lord thereby shows us His boundless love, for He Himself said there is no greater proof of love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. 

-- Saint Peter Julian Eymard 

Saint Francis of Assisi

We adore you and we bless you, Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all the churches which are in the whole world, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

-- Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint John Vianney

Can the life of a good Christian be anything other than that of a man nailed to the Cross with Jesus Christ?

-- Saint John Vianney

Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Those who lived according to the old order of things have come to a new hope, no longer keeping the sabbath, but the Lord's Day, in which our life is blessed by Him and by His death. 

-- Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Saint Augustine of Hippo

God does not command impossibilities, but by commanding admonishes you do what you can and to pray for what you cannot, and aids you that you may be able. 

-- Saint Augustine of Hippo

Saint Melito of Sardis

Born as a son,

led forth as a lamb,

sacrificed as a sheep,

buried as a man,

He rose from the dead as a God,

for He was by nature God and Man.

He is all things: He judges, and so He is Law;

He teaches, and so He is Word;

He saves, and so He is Grace;

He begets, and so He is Father,

He is begotten, and so He is Son;

He suffers, and so He is Sacrifice;

He is buried, and so He is Man;

He rises again, and so He is God.

This is Jesus Christ, to Whom belongs Glory for all ages.

-- Saint Melito of Sardis Bishop and Martyr