Quote for the Night

[Shin]

'I really count on not remaining inactive in heaven. My desire is to work still for the Church and for souls.'

St. Therese of Lisieux

[Shin]

'At table, especially where there are guests, we ought to eat every kind of food, and not say, "I like this," and "I do not like that."'

St. Philip Neri

[Shin]

'Every time that some unexpected event befalls us, be it affliction, or be it spiritual or corporal consolation, we should endeavor to receive it with equanimity of spirit, since all comes from the hand of God.'

St. Vincent de Paul

[Shin]

'To deserve the name of a true religious, it is not only necessary to renounce the world, but still more to renounce one's self.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola

[Shin]

'The devil belittles small sins; otherwise he cannot lead us into greater ones.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

[Shin]

'Every day at nightfall, before sleep comes upon you, excite the judgment of your conscience, demand an account from it, and whatever evil counsels you may have taken during the day . . . pierce them, tear them to pieces, and do penance for them.'

St. John Chrysostom

[Shin]

'Heretics are to be converted by an example of humility and other virtues far more readily than by any external display or verbal battles. So let us arm ourselves with devout prayers and set off showing signs of genuine humility and go barefooted to combat Goliath.'

St. Dominic

[Shin]

'I find very few who think about my sorrow and tribulation. This is why, my daughter, although I am forgotten and neglected by many people, you must not forget me! Look at my struggles and imitate them as far as you can! Contemplate my sorrow and tears and be sorry that the friends of God are so few. Stand firm!'

The Blessed Virgin, to St. Bridget of Sweden

[Shin]

'I never ceased hoping against all hope. . .'

St. Therese of Lisieux

[Shin]

'That you may have pleasure in everything, seek your own pleasure in nothing. That you may know everything, seek to know nothing. That you may possess all things, seek to possess nothing. That you may be everything, seek to be nothing. . . Desire to be empty and poor for Christ's sake. This state must be embraced with a perfect heart and you must really want it. If your heart is truly engaged in these efforts you shall speedily attain to great joy and consolation. Be continually careful and earnest in imitating Christ in everything, making your life conform to His.'

St. John of the Cross

[Shin]

'If we could see all He sees we would unhesitatingly wish all He wishes. We would beg Him on bended knees for those afflictions we now ask Him to spare us. To all of us He addresses the words spoken to the Sons of Zebeedee: You know not what you ask -- O blind of heart, your ignorance saddens me. Let me manage your affairs and look after your interests. I know what you need better than you do yourselves. If I paid heed to what you think you need you would have been hopelessly ruined long ago.'

Bl. Claude de la Colombiere

[Shin]

'Let us always go to confession with sincerity, and take this as our rule - Never out of human respect to conceal anything from our confessor, however inconsiderable it may be.'

St. Philip Neri

[Shin]

'The declared enemies of God and His Church, heretics and schismatics, must be criticized as much as possible, as long as truth is not denied. It is a work of charity to shout: "Here is the wolf!" when it enters the flock or anywhere else.'

St. Francis de Sales

[Shin]

'Before going to confession or taking counsel with our director, it will be very useful to pray for a sincere good will to become a really holy man.'

St. Philip Neri

[Shin]

'. . . Pardon my presumption in what I have said to you and am saying; I am constrained by the Sweet Primal Truth to say it. His will, father, is this, and thus demands of you. It demands that you execute justice on the abundance of many iniquities committed by those who are fed and pastured in the garden of Holy Church; declaring that brutes should not be fed with the food of men. Since He has given you authority and you have assumed it, you should use your virtue and power: and if you are not willing to use it, it would be better for you to resign what you have assumed; more honour to God and health to your soul would it be.'

St. Catherine of Siena, 'Letter to Pope Gregory XI'

[Shin]

'Renew your confidence by a glance at the cross. See that precious blood, those mortal wounds, those hands which have made heaven and earth are still outstretched to poor, repentant sinners who humbly sigh for the embrace of Jesus.'

St. Paul of the Cross