Saint John Chrysostom

Whoever denigrates marriage also diminishes the glory of virginity. Whoever praises it makes virginity more admirable and resplendent. What appears good only in comparison with evil would not be truly good. The most excellent good is something even better than what is admitted to be good. 

-- Saint John Chrysostom

Saint Richard of Chichester

Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ For all the benefits Thou hast given me, For all the pains and insults Which Thou has borne for me. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother, May I know Thee more clearly, Love Thee more dearly, Follow Thee more nearly, Day by day. Amen

-- Saint Richard of Chichester a prayer by him

Saint Francis of Paola

Fix your minds on the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Inflamed with love for us, he came down from heaven to redeem us. For our sake he endured every torment of body and soul and shrank from no bodily pain. He himself gave us an example of perfect patience and love. We, then, are to be patient in adversity. 

--  Saint Francis of Paola

Pope Saint Clement I

Charity unites us to God. There is nothing mean in charity, nothing arrogant. Charity knows no schism, does not rebel, does all things in concord. In charity all the elect of God have been made perfect. 

-- Pope Saint Clement I

Saint Augustine of Hippo

Whatever was done, therefore, in the crucifixion of Christ, his burial, his resurrection on the third day, his ascension into heaven, his being seated at the Father’s right hand – all these things were done thus, that they might not only signify their mystical meanings but also serve as a model for the Christian life which we lead here on the earth. Thus, of his crucifixion it was said, “And they that are Jesus Christ’s have crucified their own flesh, with the passions and lusts thereof” ; and of his burial, “For we are buried with Christ by baptism into death”; of his resurrection, “Since Christ is raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk with him in newness of life”; of his ascension and session at the Father’s right hand: “But if you have risen again with Christ, seek the things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” 

-- Saint Augustine of Hippo from his Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love

Easter Prayer by Pope Saint Gregory the Great

It is only right, with all the powers of our heart and mind, to praise You Father and Your Only-Begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Dear Father, by Your wondrous condescension of Loving-Kindness toward us, Your servants, You gave up Your Son. Dear Jesus You paid the debt of Adam for us to the Eternal Father by Your Blood poured forth in Loving-Kindness. You cleared away the darkness of sin by Your magnificent and radiant Resurrection. You broke the bonds of death and rose from the grave as a Conqueror. You reconciled Heaven and earth. Our life had no hope of Eternal Happiness before You redeemed us. Your Resurrection has washed away our sins, restored our innocence and brought us joy. How inestimable is the tenderness of Your Love!

We pray You, Lord, to preserve Your servants in the peaceful enjoyment of this Easter happiness. We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Who lives and reigns with God The Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

-- Pope Saint Gregory the Great

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.

Come, then, all you nations of men, receive forgiveness for the sins that defile you.

I am your forgiveness.

I am the Passover that brings salvation.

I am the lamb who was immolated for you.

I am your ransom, you life, your resurrection, you light, I am your salvation and your king.

I will bring you to the heights of heaven.

With my own right hand I will raise you up, and I will show you the eternal Father.

-- Saint Melito of Sardis from a letter by him