Saint Alphonsus Liguori Quote

We must above all show charity to our enemies. By this you may know that a man is a true Christian, if he seeks to do good to those who wish him evil.

-- Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Saint Dorotheus of Gaza Quote

It is impossible for anyone to get angry with his neighbor without initially raising himself above him, belittling him and then regarding himself higher than the neighbor.

-- Saint Dorotheus of Gaza

Saint Zechariah Quote

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,

for he has visited and brought redemption to his people.

He has raised up a horn for our salvation

within the house of David his servant,

even as he promised through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old:

salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,

to show mercy to our fathers

and to be mindful of his holy covenant,

and of the oath he swore to Abraham our father,

and to grant us that,

rescued from the hand of enemies,

without fear we might worship him

in holiness and righteousness

before him all our days.

And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High,

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

to give his people knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins,

because of the tender mercy of our Gods

by which the daybreak from on high will visit us

to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow,

to guide our feet into the path of peace.

-- Saint Zechariah from Luke 1: 68 - 79

Saint Charles Borromeo Quote

We must meditate before, during and after everything we do. The prophet says: "I will pray, and then I will understand."

-- Saint Charles Borromeo

Saint Martin de Porres Quote

Compassion, my dear Brother, is preferable to cleanliness.

-- Saint Martin de Porres after being criticized by a fellow Dominican brother for bringing an ulcer covered beggar to his room

Saint Ambrose of Milan Quote

We see that death is gain, life is loss. Paul says: For me life is Christ, and death a gain. What does “Christ” mean but to die in the body, and receive the breath of life? Let us then die with Christ, to live with Christ. We should have a daily familiarity with death, a daily desire for death. By this kind of detachment our soul must learn to free itself from the desires of the body. It must soar above earthly lusts to a place where they cannot come near, to hold it fast. It must take on the likeness of death, to avoid the punishment of death. The law of our fallen nature is at war with the law of our reason and subjects the law of reason to the law of error. What is the remedy? Who will set me free from this body of death? The grace of God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

-- Saint Ambrose of Milan

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Quote On The Importance of the Saints

Calling the saints to mind inspires, or rather arouses in us, above all else, a longing to enjoy their company, so desirable in itself. We long to share in the citizenship of heaven, to dwell with the spirits of the blessed, to join the assembly of patriarchs, the ranks of the prophets, the council of apostles, the great host of martyrs, the noble company of confessors and the choir of virgins. In short, we long to be united in happiness with all the saints. But our dispositions change. The Church of all the first followers of Christ awaits us, but we do nothing about it. The saints want us to be with them, and we are indifferent. The souls of the just await us, and we ignore them.

Come, brothers, let us at length spur ourselves on. We must rise again with Christ, we must seek the world which is above and set our mind on the things of heaven. Let us long for those who are longing for us, hasten to those who are waiting for us, and ask those who look for our coming to intercede for us. We should not only want to be with the saints, we should also hope to possess their happiness. While we desire to be in their company, we must also earnestly seek to share in their glory. Do not imagine that there is anything harmful in such an ambition as this; there is no danger in setting our hearts on such glory.

-- Saint Bernard of Clairvaux from a sermon

Saint Ignatius of Loyola Quote

Idleness begets a life of discontent. It develops self-love, which is the cause of all our miseries, and renders us unworthy to receive the favors of divine love.

-- Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Quote

Love is sufficient of itself; it gives pleasure by itself and because of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in the practice. Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For when God loves, all he desires is to be loved in return. The sole purpose of his love is to be loved, in the knowledge that those who love him are made happy by their love of him.

-- Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Saint John of the Cross Quote

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

-- Saint John of the Cross

Saint Jude the Apostle Quote

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 the Apostle from The Epistle of Jude 1: 17 - 21

Saint Anthony of Padua Quote

Christians must lean on the Cross of Christ just as travelers lean on a staff when they begin a long journey.

-- Saint Anthony of Padua

Saint Alfred the Great Quote

We pray to you, O Lord, who are the surpeme Truth, and all truth is from you. We beseech you, O Lord, who are the highest Wisdom, and all the wise depend on you for their wisdom. You are the supreme Joy, and all who are happy owe it to you. You are the Light of minds, and all receive their understanding from you. We love, we love you above all. We seek you, we follow you, and we are ready to serve you. We desire to dwell under your power for you are the King of all. Amen.

-- Saint Alfred the Great

Saint Augustine of Hippo Quote

O Catholic Church, true mother of Christians, you are right in teaching that God should be adored with an entirely chaste and pure heart. You unite all brothers and sisters to one another in a bond of religion that is stronger and closer than ties of blood.

-- Saint Augustine of Hippo

Saint Luigi Guanella Quote

O my Jesus, draw me entirely to you. Draw me with all the love of my heart. If I knew that one fiber of my heart did not palpitate for you, I would tear it out at any cost. But I know that I could not speak without your help. Draw me, O my Jesus, draw me completely. I know it well, my heart cannot rest until it rests in your heart.

-- Saint Luigi Guanella

Saint John of Capistrano Quote

Those who are called to the table of the Lord must glow with the brightness that comes from the good example of a praiseworthy and blameless life. They must completely remove from their lives the filth and uncleanness of vice. Their upright lives must make them like the salt of the earth for themselves and for the rest of mankind. The brightness of their wisdom must make them like the light of the world that brings light to others. They must learn from their eminent teacher, Jesus Christ, what he declared not only to his apostles and disciples, but also to all the priests and clerics who were to succeed them, when he said: You are the salt of the earth. But what if salt goes flat? How can you restore its flavor? Then it is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

-- Saint John of Capistrano

Pope Saint John Paul II Quote

If the agony on the Cross had not happened, the truth that God is Love would have been unfounded. Yes! God is Love and precisely for this he gave his Son, to reveal himself completely as Love. Christ is the One who “loved…to the end.” (John 13.1) “To the end” means to the last breath.

-- Pope Saint John Paul II from “Crossing The Threshold of Hope”

Crossing The Threshold Of Hope

Blessed Charles of Austria Quote

I strive always in all things to understand as clearly as possible and follow the will of God, and this in the most perfect way.

-- Blessed Charles of Austria

Saint Maria Bertilla Boscardin Quote

Here I am, Lord, to do your will whatever comes.

-- Saint Maria Bertilla Boscardin from her diary

Saint Paul of the Cross Quote

Therefore, be constant in practicing every virtue, and especially in imitating the patience of our dear Jesus, for this is the summit of pure love. Live in such a way that all may know that you bear outwardly as well as inwardly the image of Christ crucified, the model of all gentleness and mercy. For if a man is united inwardly with the Son of the living God, he also bears his likeness outwardly by his continual practice of heroic goodness, and especially through a patience reinforced by courage, which does not complain either secretly or in public. Conceal yourselves in Jesus crucified, and hope for nothing except that all men be thoroughly converted to his will.

-- Saint Paul of the Cross from a letter

Saint Luke the Evangelist Quote

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a narration of the things that have been accomplished among us; According as they have delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word: It seemed good to me also, having diligently attained to all things from the beginning, to write to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,That thou mayest know the verity of those words in which thou hast been instructed.

-- Saint Luke the Evangelist from the Gospel of Saint Luke 1: 1 - 4

Saint Ignatius of Antioch Quote

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.

Pray for me that I may obtain my desire. I have not written to you as a mere man would, but as one who knows the mind of God.

-- Saint Ignatius of Antioch from his letter to the Romans

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque Quote

And He showed me that it was His great desire of being loved by men and of withdrawing them from the path of ruin that made Him form the design of manifesting His Heart to men, with all the treasures of love, of mercy, of grace, of sanctification and salvation which it contains, in order that those who desire to render Him and procure Him all the honour and love possible, might themselves be abundantly enriched with those divine treasures of which His heart is the source.

-- Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

Saint Teresa of Avila Quote

If Christ Jesus dwells in a man as his friend and noble leader, that man can endure all things, for Christ helps and strengthens us and never abandons us. He is a true friend.

-- Saint Teresa of Avila

Saint Justin Martyr Quote

And this food is called among us Εὐχαριστία [the Eucharist] ... For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.

-- Saint Justin Martyr

Saint Agostina Petrantoni Quote

We will lie down for such a long time after death that it is worth while to keep standing while we are alive. Let us work now; one day we will rest.

-- Saint Agostina Petrantoni

Saint Ephraem of Syria Quote

What leper, when he has been healed, turns again and desires to have his leprosy back? You have put off your transgressions in Baptism....forsake them!

-- Saint Ephraem of Syria

Pope Saint John XXIII Quote

We also wish to ask you, Venerable Brethren, to recite Mary's rosary through the month of October with particular devotion, and to entreat the Virgin Mother of God in suppliant prayer, for another intention which is dear to Our heart: that the Roman Synod may bring many blessings and benefits upon this city; that the forthcoming Ecumenical Council, in which you will participate by your presence and your advice, will add wondrous growth to the universal Church; and that the renewed vigor of all the Christian virtues which We hope this Council will produce will also serve as an invitation and incentive to reunion for Our Brethren and children who are separated from this Apostolic See.

-- Pope Saint John XXIII from his Encyclical “GRATA RECORDATIO”

Saint Francis Borgia Quote

I have great doubts about the salvation of those who do not have special devotion to Mary.

-- Saint Francis Borgia

Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman Quote

We can believe what we choose. We are answerable for what we choose to believe.

-- Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman

Saint Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Quote

You will be consoled according to the greatness of your sorrow and affliction; the greater the suffering, the greater will be the reward.

-- Saint Mary Magdalen de Pazzi

Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina Quote (On the Rosary)

Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.

-- Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

Saint Bruno Quote

Rejoice, my dearest brothers, because you are blessed and because of the bountiful hand of God’s grace upon you. Rejoice, because you have escaped the various dangers and shipwrecks of the stormy world. Rejoice because you have reached the quiet and safe anchorage of a secret harbor. Many wish to come into this port, and many make great efforts to do so, yet do not achieve it. Indeed many, after reaching it, have been thrust out, since it was not granted them from above. By your work you show what you love and what you know. When you observe true obedience with prudence and enthusiasm, it is clear that you wisely pick the most delightful and nourishing fruit of divine Scripture.

-- Saint Bruno from a letter

Saint Faustina Kowalska Quote

Oh, how great is the goodness of God, greater than we can understand. There are moments and there are mysteries of the divine mercy over which the heavens are astounded. Let our judgment of souls cease, for God’s mercy upon them is extraordinary.

-- Saint Faustina Kowalska from her diary

Saint Francis of Assisi Quote

It was through his archangel, Saint Gabriel, that the Father above made known to the the holy and glorious Virgin Mary that the worthy, holy and glorious Word of the Father would come from heaven and take from her womb the real flesh of our human frailty. Though he was wealthy beyond reckoning, he still willingly chose to be poor with his blessed mother. And shortly before his passion he celebrated the Passover with his disciples. Then he prayed to his Father saying: “Father, if it be possible, let this cup be taken from me.” Nevertheless, he reposed his will in the will of his Father. The Father willed that his blessed and glorious Son, whom he gave to us and who was born for us, should through his own blood offer himself as a sacrificial victim on the altar of the cross. This was to be done not for himself through whom all things were made, but for our sins. It was intended to leave us an example of how to follow in his footsteps. And he desires all of us to be saved through him, and to receive him with pure heart and chaste body.

-- Saint Francis of Assisi from a letter to all the faithful

Saint Francis de Sales Quote

All of us can attain to Christian virtue and holiness, no matter in what condition of life we live and no matter what our life work may be.

-- Saint Francis de Sales

Saint Basil the Great Quote

With regard to doing the will of the Lord, even if someone should be scandalized by what we do, we must not let that hamper our freedom of action.

-- Saint Basil the Great

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Quote

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 Thérèse of Lisieux from "Story of a Soul"

Saint Jerome Quote

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”

Pope Saint Gregory the Great Quote

He causes his prayers to be of more avail to himself, who offers them also for others.

-- Pope Saint Gregory the Great

Saint Vincent de Paul Quote

As it is most certain that the teaching of Christ cannot deceive, if we would walk securely, we ought to attach ourselves to it with greatest confidence and to profess openly that we live according to it, and not to the maxims of the world, which are all deceitful. This is the fundamental maxim of all Christian perfection.

-- Saint Vincent de Paul

Saint Marie Victoire Therese Couderc Quote

All places are alike to me, because everywhere I expect to find God, who is the only object of all my desires.

-- Saint Marie Victoire Therese Couderc

Saint Teresa of Avila Quote

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 Amma Syncletice Quote

In the same way a powerful medicine cures an illness, so illness itself is a medicine to cure passion. And there is much profit of soul in bearing illness quietly and giving thanks to God.

-- Saint Amma Syncletice

Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina Quote

Remember, that the devil has only one door by which to enter the soul: the will. There are secret or hidden doors. Temptations, discouragement, and unrest are the wares offered by the enemy. Remember this: if the devil makes noise, it is a sign that he is still outside and not yet within. That which must terrify us is his peace and concord within the human soul.

-- Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

Saint Augustine of Hippo Quote

Accordingly, we should pray for pardon if we have sinned, as we do when we say, "Forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors." But we should also pray that God should guide us away from sin, and this we do when we say, "Lead us not into temptation"--and we should make our petitions to Him of whom it is said in the psalm, "The Lord is my light and my salvation"(Psalms 27:1.); that, as Light, he may take away our ignorance, as Salvation, our weakness.

-- Saint Augustine of Hippo from “Enchiridion On Faith, Hope, and Love”

Saint Isidore of Seville Quote

Learning unsupported by grace may get into our ears; it never reaches the heart. But when God's Grace touches our innermost minds to bring understanding, His word which has been received by the ear sinks deep into the heart.

-- Saint Isidore of Seville from his writing "The Book of Maxims"

Saint Paul Chong Hasang Quote

I have told you that I am a Christian, and will be one until my death.

-- Saint Paul Chong Hasang to the judge at his trial after being told the king forbade his religion