Many souls fail…
Many souls fail to find God because they want a religion which will remake society without remaking themselves.
–Blessed Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)
Be faithful to God…
Always be faithful to God in keeping the promises made to Him and do not bother about the ridicule of the foolish. Know that the saints were always sneered at by the world and worldlings; and they have trampled them under foot and triumphed over the world and its maxims.
–Saint Pio (1887-1968)
The meek live…
According to those who write on this virtue, the meek live in a noble quietude of mind, and are not easily perturbed. They are sober and temperate, control their anger, are not impetuous but very placid; they are gentle and never speak bitterly; courteous and not rough-mannered. They are good-hearted, not malicious, suspect no harm, always return good for evil, are healthy and un-corrupted, for those who are by nature meek are naturally healthy, not only, in soul but even in body. They are neither provoked nor do they provoke others to evil; they do not hinder people nor are they hindered: they bear no grudges and are generally self-possessed: are not readily annoyed and usually give place to evil. They overlook many offences; are easily corrected; do not resist though they are struck and wounded; are neither cruel nor melancholy but always cheerful;[175] they are extremely docile and sincere, simple and thoroughly straightforward: their face is open and they are full of kindness and patience.
–Francisco de Osuna (1497-1541)
Oh blessed tears…
Oh blessed tears, by which interior stains are washed away, and the flames of sin are quenched! Happy are those who weep thus, for they shall rejoice hereafter. By these tears, oh soul, discover your Bridegroom! Embrace him (whom) you desire; be inebriated with the river of delight; draw milk and honey from the breasts of his consolation. These tears and sighs are wondrous, precious gifts and consolations given you by your Spouse. Let these tears furnish drink for you; they are bread for you by day and by night, bread that surely strengthens the heart of man and is sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.
–Francisco de Osuna (1497-1541)
First we should…
First, we should withdraw from all sin, even venial, for the true lover endeavors to avoid all offence, not thinking of the punishment due to it, but of the Beloved whom all evil offends, great and small. Secondly, we should cultivate every virtue, losing no occasion of doing good and being very zealous in acts of piety, which have great merit. Thirdly, we should not set our love on anything, but possess what we have as a loan, so that we may not fix our heart on that, but on God. Fourthly, let us arouse our heart from sleep, so that it may often make acts of tender love.
–Francisco de Osuna (1497-1541)
Till death, be faithful…
Till death, be faithful, my dear, to the Spouse to whom you’ve promised yourself, and you’ll be crowned by God with the laurels of Life. Our labor here is brief, our reward eternal. Remember this. Don’t let the thrills of this world—which vanish like dew—excite you. Don’t let the fake delights of this deceptive world trick you. Close your ears to hell’s whispers. Be brave. Resist them. Smile and endure when things go wrong, and don’t let success go to your head! Instead, look to Christ, who goes before us, take up the cross, and follow Him. Never let the thought of Jesus leave your mind. Meditate constantly on the mysteries of the cross and the pain His mother felt standing there below Him. Pray. Always be alert.
–Saint Clare of Assisi (1194-1253)
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