The state of grace is nothing other than purity, and it gives heaven to those who clothe themselves in it. Holiness, therefore, is simply the state of grace purified, illuminated, beautified by the most perfect purity, exempt not only from mortal sin but also from the smallest faults; purity will make saints of you! Everything lies in this!
–Saint Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868)
We seek holiness by the wrong means: sermons, books on mysticism, conversations with spiritual directors who have a great reputation for sanctity . . . we don’t need all that! Meditate on the words: “Leave all and you will find all.” What is this all? It is God.
–Saint Madeline Sophie Barat (1779-1865)
Let your heart be more attentive than your head, for the Holy Spirit is love, and to take hold, it is more important to love than to understand.
–Saint Madeline Sophie Barat (1779-1865)
Every Christian should find for himself the imperative and incentive to become holy. If you live without struggle and without hope of becoming holy, then you are Christians only in name and not in essence. But without holiness, no one shall see the Lord, that is to say they will not attain eternal blessedness. It is a trustworthy saying that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). But we deceive ourselves if we think that we are saved while remaining sinners. Christ saves those sinners by giving them the means to become saints.
–Saint Philaret of Moscow (1782-1867)
The soul hungers for God, and nothing but God can satiate it. Therefore He came to dwell on earth and assumed a Body in order that this Body might become the Food for our souls.
–Saint John Vianney (1786-1859)
Learn to do thy part and leave the rest to Heaven.
–Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)
