Saint Quote: Saint Francis of Assisi

We must not be wise according to the flesh. Rather we must be simple, humble and pure. We should never desire to be over others. Instead, we ought to be servants who are submissive to every human being for God's sake. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on all who live in this way and persevere in it to the end. He will permanently dwell in them. They will be the Father's children who do his work.

-- Saint Francis of Assisi from a letter

Saint Quote: Saint Gerard of Brogne

How happy are they who have no other obligation but to praise the Lord night and day, and who live always in His presence.

-- Saint Gerard of Brogne

Saint Quote: Saint Jerome (On Guardian Angels)

How great the dignity of the soul, since each one has from his birth an angel commissioned to guard it. 

-- Saint Jerome in his commentary on Matthew

Saint Quote: Saint Therese of Lisieux

Jesus set the book of nature before me and I saw that all the flowers he has created are lovely. The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. I realized that if every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness and there would be no wildflowers to make the meadows gay. 

It is just the same in the world of souls - which is the garden of Jesus. He has created the great saints who are like the lilies and the roses, but he has also created much lesser saints and they must be content to be the daisies or the violets which rejoice his eyes whenever he glances down. Perfection consists in doing his will, in being that which he wants us to be. 

Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be - and becoming that person. 

-- Saint Therese of Lisieux, from "Story of a Soul"

Saint Quote: Saint Jerome

No one should think that I mean to explain the entire subject matter of this great book of the prophet Isaiah in one brief sermon, since it contains all the mysteries of the lord. It prophesies that Emmanuel is to be born of a virgin and accomplish marvelous works and signs. It predicts his death, burial and resurrection from the dead as the Savior of all men. Whatever is proper to holy Scripture, whatever can be expressed in human language and understood by the human mind, is contained in the book of Isaiah. 

-- Saint Jerome from a commentary on Isaiah

Saint Quote: Saint Charles Borromeo

I admit that we are all weak, but if we want help, the Lord God has given us the means to find it easily. Would you like me to teach you how to grow from virtue to virtue and how, if you are already recollected at prayer, you can be even more attentive next time, and so give God more pleasing worship? Listen, and I will tell you. If a tiny spark of God's love already burns within you, do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out. Keep the stove tightly shut so that it will not lose its heat and grow cold. In other words, avoid distractions as well as you can. Stay quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter.

-- Saint Charles Borromeo

Saint Quote: Saint Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila

That I will never do, because I am a Christian, and I shall die for God, and for him I will give many thousands of lives if I had them. And so, do with me as you please.

-- Saint Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila after being asked to renounce his faith at his trial