Nothing so hinders us in what we are doing as to be longing after something else; in so doing, we leave off tilling our own field, to drive the plough through our neighbor’s land, where we must not look to reap a harvest; and this is mere waste of time. If our thoughts and hopes are elsewhere, it is impossible for us to set our faces steadily towards the work required of us.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Private prayer is like straw scattered here and there: If you set it on fire it makes a lot of little flames. But gather these straws into a bundle and light them, and you get a mighty fire, rising like a column into the sky; public prayer is like that.
–Saint John Vianney (1786-1859)
We ought to run after crosses as the miser runs after money. . . Nothing but crosses will reassure us at the Day of Judgment When that day shall come, we shall be happy in our misfortunes, proud of our humiliations, and rich in our sacrifices!
— Saint John Vianney (1786-1859)
True love is found only in complete self-forgetfulness, and it is only after we have detached ourselves from every creature that we find Jesus.
–Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897)
Remember that our soul is the temple of God, and as such, we must keep it pure and spotless before God and His angels.
–Saint Pio (1887-1968)
Consider that we are always in the presence of God to whom we have to give account for our every action, both good and bad.
–Saint Pio (1887-1968)
