Saint Peter Damian

Let us detach ourselves in spirit from all that we see and cling to that which we believe. This is the cross which we must imprint on all our daily actions and behavior.

-- Saint Peter Damian

Saint Mark the Ascetic

When Scripture says, 'He will reward every man according to his works' (Matthew 16:27), do not imagine that works in themselves merit either hell or the Kingdom. On the contrary, Christ rewards each man according to whether his works are done with faith or without faith in Himself; and He is not a dealer bound by contract, but God our Creator and Redeemer.

-- Saint Mark the Ascetic

Saint Bede the Venerable (On Saint John the Baptist)

As forerunner of our Lord’s birth, preaching and death, the blessed John showed in his struggle a goodness worthy of the sight of heaven. In the words of Scripture: Though in the sight of men he suffered torments, his hope is full of immortality. We justly commemorate the day of his birth with a joyful celebration, a day which he himself made festive for us through his suffering and which he adorned with the crimson splendour of his own blood. We do rightly revere his memory with joyful hearts, for he stamped with the seal of martyrdom the testimony which he delivered on behalf of our Lord.

-- Saint Bede the Venerable  from a homily on the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist

Saint Augustine of Hippo

Conquer yourself and the world lies at your feet. 

-- Saint Augustine of Hippo

Saint Monica

Son, as far as I am concerned, nothing in this life now gives me any pleasure. I do not know why I am still here, since I have no further hopes in this world. I did have one reason for wanting to live a little longer: to see you become a Catholic Christian before I died. God has lavished his gifts on me in that respect, for I know that you have even renounced earthly happiness to be his servant. So what am I doing here?

-- Saint Monica to her son Saint Augustine of Hippo

Pope Saint Leo the Great

God decreed that all nations should be saved in Christ. 

-- Pope Saint Leo the Great

Saint Louis IX

Be devout and obedient to our mother the Church of Rome and the Supreme Pontiff as your spiritual father. 

-- Saint Louis IX