Let’s despise the world and its false gods. Let’s despise its honors. In vain would we seek our happiness in them. It will benefit us greatly to receive nothing from the world but ingratitude and opposition. This will detach us from it and attach us closely to God alone.
–Saint Joan Antide-Thouret (1765-1826)
It is Jesus Christ alone Whom we have followed everywhere, and it is He alone Whom we will follow always. Let us relight our lamps before our heavenly Spouse. Let us look only to Him, think only of Him, desire only Him, live only to give to Him.
–Saint Joan Antide-Thouret (1765-1826)
You should regard the person that tries your patience as a treasure. Look upon her with an affectionate eye, as an instrument which God uses to clothe your soul with a garment of gold and pearls; that is, with the virtues, and especially with the patience, the silence, and the meekness of Christ. Oh, how much I cherish the trials which come to you through that person! Do not defend yourself, do not speak, or, if you say anything, let it be to excuse her and honor her. When you pass by her, bow your head respectfully as before an instrument in the paternal hand of God.
–Saint Paul of the Cross (1694-1775)
You are one with Jesus as the members are one with the head, so you must have with him one spirit, one soul, one life, one will, one intention, one heart. It is he himself who is to be spirit, heart, love, life, everything for you. In the life of a Christian all these marvels have their origin in baptism, are increased and strengthened by confirmation and the good use of the other graces in which God makes him share, and are perfected above all by the holy Eucharist.
–Saint John Eudes (1601-1689)
God is so good that he never ceases to work in our hearts to draw us out of ourselves, out of vain and perishable things, so that we can receive his grace and give ourselves wholly to him.
–Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
True virtue has no limits, but goes on and on, and especially holy charity, which is the virtue of virtues, and which having a definite object, would become infinite if it could meet with a heart capable of infinity.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
