Anxieties and troubles…
Don’t be discouraged by anxieties and troubles. Life is full of them.
–Saint John Baptist de la Salle (1651-1719)
A serene faith…
The faith of those who live their faith is a serene faith. What you long for will be given you; what you love will be yours for ever. Since it is by giving alms that everything is pure for you, you will also receive that blessing which is promised next by the Lord: the Godhead that no man has been able to see. In the inexpressible joy of this eternal vision, human nature will possess what eye has not seen or ear heard, what man’s heart has never conceived.
–Saint Leo the Great (c. 400-461)
Refrain from sharp words…
Take pains to refrain from sharp words. If they escape your lips, do not be ashamed to let your lips produce the remedy, since they have caused the wounds.
–Saint Francis of Paola (1416-1507)
Peace is born of humility…
Peace is born of humility…If we knew ourselves well, rather than being flabbergasted to find ourselves on the ground, we would wonder how we manage to remain standing.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
We must die.
The fifth weapon is to remind oneself that we must die. This time is called the time of mercy in which God looks down day after day so that we can amend our lives from good to better. If we do not do this, we will have to render account, not only of the evils we have done, but also of the goods left undone by our negligence.
–Saint Catharine of Bologna (1413-1463)
Take up the proper weapons…
Jesus Christ gave up his life that we might live, therefore, whoever wishes to carry the cross for his sake must take up the proper weapons for the contest, especially those mentioned here. First, diligence; second, distrust of self; third, confidence in God; fourth, remembrance of the Passion; fifth, mindfulness of one’s own death; sixth, remembrance of God’s glory; seventh, the injunctions of Sacred Scripture following the example of Jesus Christ in the desert.
–Saint Catharine of Bologna (1413-1463)
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