Perseverance is the most desirable gift we can hope for in this life. It is in our power to persevere. Of course, I do not mean that our perseverance takes its origin from our power. On the contrary, I know that it springs from God’s mercy, whose most precious gift it is.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Devotion is true spiritual sugar for it removes discontent from the poor, anxiety from the rich, grief from the oppressed, pride from the exalted, melancholy from the solitary and exhausting from those in society. It serves with equal benefit as fire in winter and dew in summer.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Faith is the unconditional acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and the determination to live and die with him.
–Francois-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuân (1928-2002)
After you have examined your conscience, what should you do? You must weep over your sins like Peter, lay yourself at his feet like Mary Magdalene, resolve to reform with the resolution of Zacchaeus and the zeal of Paul. Only in this way will you advance with hope.
–Francois-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuân (1928-2002)
Along this road you are traveling, you will encounter thorns and brambles, tigers and other wild animals, as well as fragrant roses and beautiful views. There will be kind friends and treacherous enemies, times of soft rainfall and times of scorching sun. Be ready for both the pleasant and the unpleasant. Whatever comes, keep going forward, filled with the spirit of the Lord like Cyril and Athanasius: do not stop, do not hesitate for fear of criticism, do not search for praise.
–Francois-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuân (1928-2002)
Now the Greeks leave home and traverse the sea in order to gain an education, but there is no need to go abroad on account of the Kingdom of Heaven, nor to cross the sea for virtue. For the Lord has told us before, ‘the kingdom of God is within you.’
–Saint Anthony of Egypt (c. 251-356)
