Saint Cyril of Jerusalem

It is not only among us, who are marked with the name of Christ, that the dignity of faith is great; all the business of the world, even of those outside the Church, is accomplished by faith. By faith, marriage laws join in union persons who were strangers to one another. By faith, agriculture is sustained; for a man does not endure the toil involved unless he believes he will reap a harvest. By faith, seafaring men, entrusting themselves to a tiny wooden craft, exchange the solid element of the land for the unstable motion of the waves. Not only among us does this hold true but also, as I have said, among those outside the fold. For though they do not accept the Scriptures but advance certain doctrines of their own, yet even these they receive on faith. 

-- Saint Cyril of Jerusalem

Saint John of Avila

Withdraw your heart from the world before God takes your body from it.

-- Saint John of Avila

Saint John of the Cross

O you souls who wish to go on with so much safety and consolation, if you knew how pleasing to God is suffering, and how much it helps in acquiring other good things, you would never seek consolation in anything; but you would rather look upon it as a great happiness to bear the Cross of the Lord. 

-- Saint John of the Cross

Saint Louise de Marillac

Love the poor and honor them as you would honor Christ Himself.

-- Saint Louise de Marillac

Saint Francis of Assisi

Jesus is happy to come with us, as truth is happy to be spoken, as life to be lived, as light to be lit, as love is to be loved, as joy to be given, as peace to be spread. 

-- Saint Francis of Assisi 

Saint Vincent de Paul

We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people, and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion which is truly the spirit of God. 

-- Saint Vincent de Paul

Saint John Vianney

I tell you that you have less to suffer in following the Cross than in serving the world and its pleasures. 

-- Saint John Vianney