Saint Quote : Saint Stanislaus Kostka

I find a heaven in the midst of saucepans and brooms.

-- Saint Stanislaus Kostka

Saint Quote : Saint Josaphat Kuncevyc

 

 

You people of Vitebsk want to put me to death. You make ambushes for me everywhere, in the streets, on the bridges, on the highways, and in the marketplace. I am here among you as a shepherd, and you ought to know that I would be happy to give my life for you. I am ready to die for the holy union, for the supremacy of Saint Peter, and of his successor the Supreme Pontiff.

-- Saint Josaphat Kuncevyc

Saint Quote : Pope Saint Leo the Great

Christian, recognize your dignity and, now that you share in God's own nature, do not return to your former base condition by sinning. Remember who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Never forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of the Kingdom of God.

-- Pope Saint Leo the Great from a Sermon

Saint Quote : Saint John Baptist de la Salle

Guard your eyes that they may not look upon anything contrary to purity; your ears, that they may not listen to evil conversation; your mind, by banishing from it all suggestive thoughts; your heart, by stifling impure desires at their very birth.

-- Saint John Baptist de la Salle

Saint Quote : Saint Gabriel Possenti

I will attempt day by day to break my will into pieces. I want to do God's Holy Will, not my own!

-- Saint Gabriel Possenti  (Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother)

Saint Quote : Saint Peter Wu Gousheng

 

 

Heaven, heaven, my true home! I see my heavenly Mother and my guardian angel coming to take me home.

-- Saint Peter Wu Gousheng, his dying words

Saint Quote : Saint Augustine of Hippo

Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in You.

-- Saint Augustine of Hippo

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 Louis de Montfort

When the Holy Rosary is said well, it gives Jesus and Mary more glory and is more meritorious than any other prayer.

-- Saint Louis de Montfort

Saint Quote : Saint Alphais of Cudot

The soul is simple, invisible, incorporeal, not divided into parts like the body, present as a whole in whatever she does. The soul is not in a particular place. As God is everywhere, so the soul is everywhere in the body, more powerfully in heart and brain, as one says that God is in a special way in heaven.

-- Saint Alphais of Cudot

Saint Quote : Saint Gerard Majella

 

 

Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?

-- Saint Gerard Majella

Saint Quote : Saint Anthony of Padua

The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ. 

-- Saint Anthony of Padua 

Saint Quote : Saint Hilary of Poitiers

 

 

To those who wish to stand in God's grace, neither the guardianship of saints nor the defenses of angels are wanting.

-- Saint Hilary of Poitiers

Saint Quote : Saint John Chrysostom

 

 

Eating and drinking don't make friendships - such friendship even robbers and murderers have. But if we are friends, if we truly care for one another, let's help one another spritually....Let's hinder those things that lead our friends away to hell.

-- Saint John Chrysostom

Saint Quote : Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka

 

 

I have lived for Christ; I want to die for Christ.

-- Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka her last words before being guillotined by the Nazi's

Saint Quote: Saint Jude Thaddeus

But you, my dearly beloved, be mindful of the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who told you, that in the last time there should come mockers, walking according to their own desires in ungodlinesses. These are they, who separate themselves, sensual men, having not the Spirit. But you, my beloved, building yourselves upon your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto life everlasting.

-- Saint Jude Thaddeus (The Epistle of Jude 1: 17 - 21)

Saint Quote: Saint Nicasius of Rheims

Let us abide the mercy of God and pray for our enemies. I am ready to give myself for my people.

-- Saint Nicasius of Rheims

Saint Quote : Saint John of the Cross

 

 

Conquering the tongue is better than fasting on bread and water!!

-- Saint John of the Cross

Halloween Costumes At Mass?

One of my favorite blogs (which I read daily, so I guess that makes it my favorite) is "What Does The Prayer Really Say?" by Father John Zuhlsdorf, known fondly to his readers as Father Z.

One of the articles on Father Z's blog has to do with a priest reader of the blog making a suggestion for a poll regarding the wearing of Halloween costumes at Mass next Sunday. Please take a moment to read the article and vote in his poll. You may also take part in the discussion. Go to the article and the poll by clicking here.

Saint Quote : Saint Eugene de Mazenod

 

 

We glorify God in the masterpiece of His power and love...it is the Son whom we honour in the person of His Mother.

-- Saint Eugene de Mazenod

Saint Quote: Saint Augustine of Hippo

 

 

What do you possess if you possess not God?

-- Saint Augustine of Hippo

Saint Quote : Saint Mark the Ascetic

 

 

Even though knowledge is true, it is still not firmly established if unaccompanied by works. For everything is established by being put into practice.

-- Saint Mark the Ascetic

Saint Quote : Saint Mary Joseph Rossello

 

 

The hands should be at work, the heart with God.

-- Saint Mary Joseph Rossello

Saint Quote : Saint Veronica Giuliani

Do justice, God sees you.

-- Saint Veronica Giuliani

Saint Quote : Saint Mary MacKillop

 

 

In the trials, annoyances and anxieties we daily experience, may we ever recognise that loving Fatherly Hand that only seeks to draw us closer to himself by giving us opportunities to suffer something for him.

                       
 -- Saint Mary MacKillop

Saint Quote: Saint Peter of Alcantara

No tongue can express the greatness of the love which Jesus Christ bears to our souls. He did not wish that between Him and His servants there should be any other pledge than himself, to keep alive the remembrance of Him. 

-- Saint Peter of Alcantara

Saint Quote : Saint Boniface

 

 

Let us trust in him who has placed this burden upon us. What we ourselves cannot bear let us bear with the help of Christ. For he is all-powerful, and he tells us: "My yoke is easy, and my burden light."

-- Saint Boniface

Saint Quote : Saint Ignatius of Antioch

The prince of this world is determined to lay hold of me and to undermine my will which is intent on God. Let none of you here help him; instead show yourselves on my side, which is also God's side. Believe instead what I am now writing to you. For though I am alive as I write to you, still my real desire is to die. My love of this life has been crucified, and there is no yearning in me for any earthly thing. Rather within me is the living water which says deep inside me: "Come to the Father." I no longer take pleasure in perishable food or in the delights of this world I want only God's bread, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, formed from the seed of David, and for drink I crave his blood, which is love that cannot perish.

-- Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Saint Quote : Saint John Baptist de la Salle

 

 

Would we wish that our own hidden sins should be divulged? We ought, then, to be silent regarding those of others.

-- Saint John Baptist de la Salle

Saint Quote : Saint Teresa of Avila

All blessings come to us through our Lord. He will teach us, for in beholding His life we find that He is the best example.

-- Saint Teresa of Avila

Saint Quote : Saint Thomas Aquinas

 

 

Concerning God, we cannot grasp what He is, but only what He is not, and how other beings stand in relation to Him.

-- Saint Thomas Aquinas

Saint Quote : Saint Theophilus of Antioch

 

 

If God had drawn the world from preexistent matter, what would be so extraordinary in that? A human artisan makes from a given material whatever he wants, while God shows His power  by starting from nothing to make all He wants.

-- Saint Theophilus of Antioch

Saint Quote : Saint Cyprian of Carthage

 

 

As to what pertains to the case of infants: You [Fidus] said that they ought not to be baptized within the second or third day after their birth, that the old law of circumcision must be taken into consideration, and that you did not think that one should be baptized and sanctified within the eighth day after his birth. In our council it seemed to us far otherwise. No one agreed to the course which you thought should be taken. Rather, we all judge that the mercy and grace of God ought to be denied to no man born.

-- Saint Cyprian of Carthage

Saint Quote of the Day : Saint Daniel Comboni

 

 

The missionaries will have to understand that they are stones hid under the earth, which will perhaps never come to light, but which will become part of the foundations of a vast, new building.

-- Saint Daniel Comboni

Saint Quote: Saint Catherine of Bologna

 

 

Whoever wishes to carry the cross for his sake must take up the proper weapons for the contest, especially those mentioned here. First, diligence; second, distrust of self; third, confidence in God; fourth, remembrance of Passion; fifth, mindfulness of one's own death; sixth, remembrance of God's glory; seventh, the injunctions of Sacred Scripture following the example of Jesus Christ in the desert.

-- Saint Catherine of Bologna

Saint Quote : Saint Angela Merici

Disorder in society is the result of disorder in the family. 

-- Saint Angela Merici

Saint Quote : Saint Peter Julian Eymard

Every time we come into the presence of the Eucharist we may say: This precious Testament cost Jesus Christ His life. For the Eucharist is a testament, a legacy which becomes valid only at the death of the testator. Our Lord thereby shows us His boundless love, for He Himself said there is no greater proof of love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. 

-- Saint Peter Julian Eymard 

Saint Quote : Saint Basil the Great

O sinner, be not discouraged, but have recourse to Mary in all your necessities. Call her to your assistance, for such is the divine Will that she should help in every kind of necessity.

-- Saint Basil the Great

Saint Quote : Saint Vincent Pallotti

 

 

Since God is perfect in loving man, man must be perfect in loving his neighbor.

-- Saint Vincent Pallotti

Saint Quote : Saint Luigi Scrosoppi of Udine

The poor and the sick are our owners and they represent the very person of Jesus Christ.

--Saint Luigi Scrosoppi of Udine

Saint Quote: Saint Francis of Assisi

 

 

Let us also love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us have charity and humility. Let us give alms because these cleanse our souls from the stains of sin. Men lose all the material things they leave behind them in this world, but they carry with them the reward of their charity and the alms they give. For these they will receive from the Lord the reward and recompense they deserve. 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 to all the faithful

Saint Quote : Saint Francis de Sales

 

 

An action of small value performed with much love of God is far more excellent than one of a higher virtue, done with less love of God.

-- Saint Francis de Sales

Saint Quote: Saint Thomas Aquinas

 

 

God's universal providence works through secondary causes . . . The world of pure spirits stretches between the Divine Nature and the world of human beings; because Divine Wisdom has ordained that the higher should look after the lower, Angels execute the Divine plan for human salvation: they are our Guardians, who free us when hindered and help to bring us home.

-- Saint Thomas Aquinas

Saint Quote : Saint Therese of Lisieux

Kneeling before the tabernacle, I can think of only one thing to say to our Lord: "My God, you know that I love You." And I feel that my prayer does not weary Jesus; knowing my weakness, He is satisfied with my good will.

-- Saint Therese of Lisieux

Saint Quote: Saint Jerome

 

 

You say in your book that while we live we are able to pray for each other, but afterwards when we have died, the prayer of no person for another can be heard.... But if the apostles and martyrs while still in the body can pray for others, at a time when they ought still be solicitous about themselves, how much more will they do so after their crowns, victories, and triumphs?

 -- Saint Jerome from "Against Vigilantius"

Saint Quote: Pope Saint Gregory the Great

You should be aware that the word “angel” denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message. Moreover, those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels.

And so it was that not merely an angel but the archangel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary. It was only fitting that the highest angel should come to announce the greatest of all messages.

Some angels are given proper names to denote the service they are empowered to perform. In that holy city, where perfect knowledge flows from the vision of almighty God, those who have no names may easily be known. But personal names are assigned to some, not because they could not be known without them, but rather to denote their ministry when they came among us. Thus, Michael means “Who is like God”; Gabriel is “The Strength of God”; and Raphael is “God’s Remedy.”

Whenever some act of wondrous power must be performed, Michael is sent, so that his action and his name may make it clear that no one can do what God does by his superior power. So also our ancient foe desired in his pride to be like God, saying: I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of heaven; I will be like the Most High. He will be allowed to remain in power until the end of the world when he will be destroyed in the final punishment. Then, he will fight with the archangel Michael, as we are told by John: A battle was fought with Michael the archangel.

So too Gabriel, who is called God’s strength, was sent to Mary. He came to announce the One who appeared as a humble man to quell the cosmic powers. Thus God’s strength announced the coming of the Lord of the heavenly powers, mighty in battle.

Raphael means, as I have said, God’s remedy, for when he touched Tobit’s eyes in order to cure him, he banished the darkness of his blindness. Thus, since he is to heal, he is rightly called God’s remedy.

-- Pope Saint Gregory the Great from a homily