Cross, John Vianney (1786-1859), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic
We need not be surprised, my dear brethren, at the honor which the Church pays to this holy wood, which obtains for us so many graces and so many benefits. We see that the Church makes the Sign of the Cross in all her ceremonies, in the administration of all the Sacraments. Why is that? My friends, this is why. It is because all our prayers and all the Sacraments draw from the Cross their power and their virtue. During the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, which is the greatest, the most solemn and the most sublime of all those actions which can glorify God, the priest makes the Sign of the Cross over and over again. God desires that we may never lose the memory of it as the surest means of our salvation and the most formidable instrument for repelling the Devil. He has created us in the form of a cross so that every man might be the image of this cross upon which Jesus Christ died to save us. See how eager the Church is to increase their number? She urges them as a special embellishment on our churches and on all altars; she places them in the most public places.
–Saint John Vianney (1786-1859)
Cross, John Vianney (1786-1859), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic
The sign of the cross is the most terrible weapon against the Devil. Thus the Church wishes not only that we should have it continually in front of our minds to recall to us just what our souls are worth and what they cost Jesus Christ, but also that we should make it at every juncture ourselves: when we go to bed, when we awaken during the night, when we get up, when we begin any action, and, above all, when we are tempted. We can say that a Christian who makes the Sign of the Cross with genuine religious sentiments, that is to say, when fully aware of the action which he is performing, makes all Hell tremble. But when we make the Sign of the Cross, we must make it not by habit but with respect, with attention and thinking of what we are doing. Ah, dear Lord, with what devout awe we should be filled when we make the Sign of the Cross upon ourselves and recall that we are pronouncing all that we hold holy and most sacred in our religion!
–Saint John Vianney (1786-1859)
Death, Page: Quotes, Quote Topic
A man’s entire life should be a continual preparation for death.
–Saint John Bosco (1815-1888)
Death, Page: Quotes, Quote Topic
Regardless of condition or dignity, we are all subject to death. Death spares no one.
–Saint John Bosco (1815-1888)
Detachment, Discipleship, John of the Cross (1542-1591), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic, Suffering
Love consists not in feeling great things but in having great detachment and in suffering for the Beloved.
–Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Detachment, John of the Cross (1542-1591), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic
Live as though only God and yourself were in this world, so that your heart may not be attached to anything else.
–Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)
