So you should never dare to think or imagine anything before the Lord your God that you would blush to be heard or seen in before men, since your respect for God should be even greater than for them.
–Saint Albert the Great (c. 1206-1280)
It is only natural to want to plan your children’s future for them and to presume that you know best what they should do. But this is not the right approach. It will only make your children angry. You have to leave them in complete freedom and trust that they will listen to God in responding to whatever vocation He gives them.
–Saint Paul of the Cross (1694-1775)
Therefore, be constant in practicing every virtue, and especially in imitating the patience of our dear Jesus, for this is the summit of pure love. Live in such a way that all may know that you bear outwardly as well as inwardly the image of Christ crucified, the model of all gentleness and mercy. For if a man is united inwardly with the Son of the living God, he also bears his likeness outwardly by his continual practice of heroic goodness, and especially through a patience reinforced by courage, which does not complain either secretly or in public. Conceal yourselves in Jesus crucified, and hope for nothing except that all men be thoroughly converted to his will.
–Saint Paul of the Cross (1694-1775)
One must be firm and unchanging with regard to the end but gentle and humble as to the means.
–Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)
To take up the cross of Christ is no great action done once for all; it consists in the continual practice of small duties which are distasteful to us.
–Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)
We cultivate a very small field for Christ, but we love it, knowing that God does not require great achievements but a heart that holds back nothing for self.
–Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne (1769-1852)
