Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them — every day begin the task anew.
— Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
To remain stationary for a long time is impossible. The man who makes no gain loses the little he has gained. The man who does not climb upward goes down the ladder. The man who does not vanquish is himself vanquished. Our life is lived amid perilous battles. If we do not fight we perish, but we cannot resist without winning, nor can we win without a victory.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Prayer opens the understanding to the brightness of Divine Light, and the will to the warmth of Heavenly Love – nothing can so effectually purify the mind from its many ignorances, or the will from its perverse affections. It is as a healing water which causes the roots of our good desires to send forth fresh shoots, which washes away the soul’s imperfections, and allays the thirst of passion.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
We maintain that we may pray for the faithful departed, and that the prayers and good works of the living greatly relieve them and are profitable to them for this reason: that all those who die in the grace of God – and consequently, in the number of the elect – do not go to Paradise at the very first moment, but many go to Purgatory…from which our prayers and good works can help and serve to deliver them.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Every moment is crammed with infinite riches which are given us according to the extent of our faith and love.
–Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751)
And even more, since the time of Adam, you will not find a saint who has not been tempted — some in one way, some in another — and the greatest saints are those who have been tempted the most. If Our Lord was tempted, it was in order to show us that we must be also. It follows, therefore, that we must expect temptation.
–Saint John Vianney (1786-1859)
