Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

Help yourself during this troubled period by reading holy books. This reading provides excellent food for the soul and conduces to great progress along the path of perfection. By no means is it inferior to what we obtain through prayer and holy meditation. In prayer and meditation it is ourselves who speak to the Lord, while in holy reading it is God who speaks to us. Before beginning to read, raise your mind to the Lord and implore Him to guide your mind Himself, to speak to your heart and move your will.

-- Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

Saint Polycarp of Smyrna

Stand fast, therefore, in this conduct and follow the example of the Lord, 'firm and unchangeable in faith, lovers of the brotherhood, loving each other, united in truth, ' helping each other with the mildness of the Lord, despising no man. 

-- Saint Polycarp of Smyrna

Saint Basil the Great

What is the mark of love for your neighbor? Not to seek what is for your own benefit, but what is for the benefit of the one loved, both in body and in soul.

-- Saint Basil the Great

Saint Peter Damian

It is not sinners, but the wicked who should despair; it is not the magnitude of one’s crime, but contempt of God that dashes one’s hopes.

-- Saint Peter Damian

Saint Ephraem of Syria

Virtues are formed by prayer.

Prayer preserves temperance.

Prayer suppresses anger.

Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy.

Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven.

-- Saint Ephraem of Syria

Saint Teresa of Avila

We cannot be sure whether we are loving God, although we may have good reason that we are. But we can know quite well whether we are loving our neighbor.

-- Saint Teresa of Avila

Pope Saint Leo the Great

Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation, for there is no conflict without an enemy, no victory without strife. 

-- Pope Saint Leo the Great