,thoughts and ,counsels of the ,saints for ,every ,day of the ,year ,being a ,collection of ,quotations ,from ,,st4 ,,alphonsus ,,st4 ,,anselm ,,st4 ,,antoninus ,,st4 ,,benedict ,,st4 ,,bernard ,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena ,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great ,,st4 ,,ignatius ,,st4 ,,mechtildis ,,st4 ,,teresa ,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas ,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul ,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer ,,bl4 ,,albert ,,the ,,great ,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso ,,bl4 ,,jordan ,,of ,,saxony ,,ven4 ,,bartholomew ,,of ,,martyrs ,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler ,,ven4 ,,julienne ,,morel ,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois ,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada ,collected by ,rev4 ,bonaventure ,hammer1 ,o4,f4,m4 ,,january ,,february ,,march ,,april ,,may ,,june ,,july ,,august ,,september ,,october ,,november ,,december ,thoughts and ,counsels of the ,saints for ,every ,day of the ,year ,every day will ,i bless ,thee1 and ,i will praise ,thy name forever 7,ps4 cxliv4 #b74 ,january #a ,,there are two guarantees of a wise rule of conduct3 the thought before action1 and self-command afterward4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #b ,when we receive with an entire and perfect resignation the afflictions which ,god sends us they become for us favors and benefits2 because conformity to the will of ,god is a gain far superior to all temporal advantages4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #c ,all perfection consists in the love of ,god2 and the perfection of divine love consists in the union of our will with that of ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #d ,leave to every one the care of what belongs to him1 and disturb not thyself with what is said or done in the world4--,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas4 #e ,place before your eyes as models for imitation1 not the weak and cowardly1 but the fervent and courageous4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #f ,prayer is a pasturage1 a field1 wherein all the virtues find their nourishment1 growth1 and strength4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #g ,a single act of resignation to the divine will in what it ordains contrary to our desires1 is of more value than a hundred thousand successes conformable to our will and taste4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #h ,the shortest1 yea1 the only way to reach sanctity1 is to conceive a horror for all that the world loves and values4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #i ,as long as we are in this mortal life1 nothing is more necessary for us than humility4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #aj ,learning without humility has always been pernicious to the ,church2 and as pride precipitated the rebellious angels from heaven1 it frequently causes the loss of learned men4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #aa ,why remain sad and idle8 ,why exhaust thyself in the anguish of melancholy8 ,have courage1 do violence to thyself2 meditate on the passion of ,jesus ,christ1 and thou shalt overcome thy sorrow4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #ab ,here is the difference between the joys of the world and the cross of ,jesus ,christ3 after having tasted the first1 one is disgusted with them2 and on the contrary1 the more one partakes of the cross1 the greater the thirst for it4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ac ,when the sky is free from clouds we can see more clearly the brightness of the sun4 ,in like manner1 when the soul is free from sin and the gloom of passion1 it participates in the divine light4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #ad ,our works are of no value if they be not united to the merits of ,jesus ,christ4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ae ,if we are very determined to mortify ourselves and not to be too much occupied with our corporal health1 we will soon1 by the grace of ,god1 become masters of our bodies4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #af ,in every creature1 however small it be1 we may see a striking image of divine wisdom1 power1 and goodness4--,,ven4 ,,bartholomew ,,of ,,martyrs4 #ag ,time is but a period4 ,it passes like the lightning flash4 ,suffering passes with time2 suffering1 then1 is very short4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #ah ,in order to bear our afflictions with patience1 it is very useful to read the lives and legends of the saints who endured great torments for ,jesus ,christ4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ai ,open thine ears to the voices of nature1 and thou shalt hear them in concert inviting thee to the love of ,god4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #bj ,on the feasts of the saints consider their virtues1 and beseech ,god to deign to adorn you with them4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ba ,when faith grows weak1 all virtues are weakened4 ,when faith is lost1 all virtues are lost--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bb ,a precious crown is reserved in heaven for those who perform all their actions with all the diligence of which they are capable2 for it is not sufficient to do our part well2 it must be done more than well4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #bc ,nothing created has ever been able to fill the heart of man4 ,god alone can fill it infinitely4--,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas4 #bd ,we should only make use of life to grow in the love of ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #be ,in vain men try4 ,they can never find in creatures sincere affection1 perfect joy1 or true peace4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bf ,god is supreme strength1 fortifying those who place their trust and confidence in ,him4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #bg ,god gives each one of us sufficient grace ever to know ,his holy will1 and to do it fully4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #bh ,shun useless conversation4 ,we lose by it both time and the spirit of devotion4--,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas4 #bi ,the upright intention is the soul of our actions4 ,it gives them life and makes them good4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #cj ,the truth of faith alone1 deeply graven in the soul1 is sufficient to encourage us to very perfect works2 for it strengthens man and increases his charity4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ca ,it is folly not to think of death4 ,it is greater folly to think of it1 and not prepare for it4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 ,february #a ,,the most perfect and meritorious intention is that by which1 in all our actions1 we have in view only the good pleasure of ,god and the accomplishment of ,his holy will4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #b ,mary's sorrow was less when she saw her only ,son crucified1 than it is now at the sight of men offending ,him by sin4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #c ,there is nothing more unreasonable than to estimate our worth by the opinion of others4 ,today they laud us to the skies1 to-morrow they will cover us with ignominy4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #d ,act as if every day were the last of your life1 and each action the last you perform4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #e ,perfection consists in renouncing ourselves1 in carrying our cross1 and in following ,jesus ,christ4 ,now1 he who renounces himself most perfectly carries his cross the best and follows nearest to ,jesus ,christ is he who never does his own will1 but always that of ,god4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #f ,that which would have easily been remedied at first1 becomes incurable by time and habit--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #g ,among the gifts of grace which the soul receives in holy communion there is one that must be numbered among the highest4 ,it is1 that holy communion does not permit the soul to remain long in sin1 nor to obstinately persevere in it4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #h ,be assured that one great means to find favor when we appear before ,god is to have pardoned the injuries we have received here below4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #i ,woe to him who neglects to recommend himself to ,mary1 and thus closes the channel of grace6--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aj ,it is folly to leave your goods where you can never return1 and to send nothing to that place where you must remain for ever4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #aa ,discretion is necessary in spiritual life4 ,it is its part to restrain the exercises in the way of perfection1 so as to keep us between the two extremes4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ab ,by denying our self-love and our inclinations in little things1 we gradually acquire mortification and victory over ourselves4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ac ,should we fall a thousand times in a day1 a thousand times we must rise again1 always animated with unbounded confidence in the infinite goodness of ,god4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #ad ,god's way in dealing with those whom ,he intends to admit soonest after this life into the possession of ,his everlasting glory1 is to purify them in this world by the greatest afflictions and trials4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ae ,after the flower comes the fruit3 we receive1 as the reward of our fatigues1 an increase of grace in this world1 and in the next the eternal vision of ,god4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #af ,god refuses no one the gift of prayer4 ,by it we obtain the help that we need to overcome disorderly desires and temptations of all kinds4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ag ,to establish ourselves in a virtue it is necessary to form good and practical resolutions to perform certain and determined acts of that virtue1 and we must1 moreover1 be faithful in executing them4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ah ,love ought to consist of deeds more than of words4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ai ,there are many things which seem to us misfortunes and which we call such2 but if we understood the designs of ,god we would call them graces4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bj ,let us abandon everything to the merciful providence of ,god4--,,bl4 ,,albert ,,the ,,great4 #ba ,jesus ,christ1 our great ,model1 suffered much for us2 let us bear our afflictions cheerfully1 seeing that through them we have the happiness of resembling ,him4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bb ,remember that virtue is a very high and rugged mountain1 difficult to ascend1 and requiring much fatigue and exertion before we arrive at the summit to rest4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bc ,labor to conquer yourself4 ,this victory will assure you a brighter crown in heaven than they gain whose disposition is more amiable4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #bd ,we should not examine articles of faith with a curious and subtle spirit4 ,it is sufficient for us to know that the ,church proposes them4 ,we can never be deceived in believing them4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #be ,we should guard against jealousy1 and even the slightest sentiment thereof4 ,this vice is absolutely opposed to a pure and sincere zeal for the glory of ,god1 and is a certain proof of secret and subtle pride4-- ,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bf ,charity requires us always to have compassion on human infirmity4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #bg ,when one does not love prayer1 it is morally impossible for him to resist his passions4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bh ,docility and easy acquiescence with good advice are the signs of a humble heart4--,,ven4 ,,julienne ,,morel4 #bi ,there is nothing richer1 nothing surer1 nothing more agreeable than a good conscience4--,,bl4 ,,bartholomew ,,of ,,martyrs4 ,march #a ,,it ,,seems as if ,god granted to other saints to free us from some particular needfulness2 but ,i know by experience that the glorious ,st4 ,joseph assists us generally in all our necessities4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #b ,a most powerful and efficacious remedy for all evils1 a means of correcting all imperfections1 of triumphing over temptation1 and preserving our hearts in an undisturbed peace1 is conformity with the will of ,god4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #c ,it often happens that when we take less care of our body1 we have better health than when we bestow upon it too much care4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #d ,do nothing1 say nothing before considering if that which you are about to say or do is pleasing to ,god1 profitable to yourself1 and edifying to your neighbor4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #e ,sometimes ,god leaves us for a long time unable to effect any good1 that we may learn to humble ourselves1 and never to glory in our efforts4-- ,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #f ,we easily lose peace of mind1 because we make it depend1 not on the testimony of a good conscience1 but on the judgment of men4--,,bl4 ,,bartholomew ,,of ,,martyrs4 #g ,you may fast regularly1 give alms1 and pray without ceasing1 but as long as you hate your brother1 you will not be numbered among the children of ,god4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #h ,he who at the hour of death finds himself protected by ,st4 ,joseph1 will certainly experience great consolation4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #i ,take care that the worldling does not pursue with greater zeal and anxiety the perishable goods of this world than you do the eternal4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #aj ,we should consider our departed brethren as living members of ,jesus ,christ1 animated by ,his grace1 and certain of participating one day of ,his glory4 ,we should therefore love1 serve1 and assist them as far as is in our power4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #aa ,control thy senses1 guard thy mouth1 bridle thy tongue1 subjugate thy heart1 bear all provocation with charity1 and thou shalt perfectly fulfil the will of ,god4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #ab ,our perfection consists in uniting our will so intimately with ,god's will1 that we will only desire what ,he wills4 ,he who conforms most perfectly to the will of ,god will be the most perfect ,christian4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ac ,humility1 modesty1 sobriety1 purity1 piety1 and prudence1 with meekness1 ornament the soul1 and make us live on earth a truly angelic life4--,,bl4 ,,jordan ,,of ,,saxony4 #ad ,in recalling to mind the life and actions of the saints1 walk in their footsteps as much as possible1 and humble thyself if thou canst not attain to their perfection4--,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas4 #ae ,when the devil again tempts you to sin1 telling you that ,god is merciful1 remember that the ,lord showeth mercy to them that fear ,him1 but not to them who despise ,him4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #af ,in prayer we should particularly combat our predominant passion or evil inclination4 ,we should devote continual attention to it1 because when it is once conquered we will easily obtain the victory over all our other faults4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ag ,i will carefully consider how1 on the day of judgment1 ,i would wish to have discharged my office or my duty2 and the way ,i would wish to have done it then ,i shall do now4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ah ,it is well to deny ourselves that which is permitted1 in order to avoid more easily that which is not4--,,st4 ,,benedict4 #ai ,i have noticed that all persons who have true devotion to ,st4 ,joseph and tender him special honor1 are very much advanced in virtue1 for he takes great care of souls who recommend themselves to him2 and ,i have never asked of him anything which he did not obtain for me4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bj ,he who forgets himself in the service of ,god may be assured that ,god will not forget ,him4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ba ,let all our actions be directed to the end that ,god may be glorified in all things4--,,st4 ,,benedict4 #bb ,he who suffers in patience1 suffers less and saves his soul4 ,he who suffers impatiently1 suffers more and loses his soul4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bc ,when we remember or hear that the enemies of the ,church burn and destroy ,god's temples1 we should grieve therefor2 but we should also rejoice much when we see new ones built1 and we should co-operate in their erection as much as we possibly can4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bd ,we should carefully beware of giving ourselves so completely to any employment as to forget to have recourse to ,god from time to time4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #be ,our ,lady1 deign to intercede for us sinners with thy divine ,son1 our ,lord1 and obtain of ,him a blessing for us in our trials and tribulations6--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #bf ,whoever would follow ,jesus ,christ1 must walk in ,his footsteps1 if he would not go astray4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bg ,let us thank ,god for having called us to ,his holy faith4 ,it is a great gift1 and the number of those who thank ,god for it is small4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bh ,the trials of life cease to oppress us if we accept them for the love of ,god4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #bi ,if you wish to take up your abode in the tabernacle of the heavenly kingdom1 you must reach there through your good works1 without which you can not hope to enter4--,,st4 ,,benedict4 #cj ,it is a great folly to be willing to violate the friendship of ,god1 rather than the law of human friendship4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ca ,when the afflictions of this life overcome us1 let us encourage ourselves to bear them patiently by the hope of heaven4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 ,april #a ,,to ,,put into practice the teachings of our holy faith1 it is not enough to convince ourselves that they are true2 we must love them4 ,love united to faith makes us practise our religion4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #b ,unite all your works to the merits of ,jesus ,christ1 and then offer them up to the eternal ,father if you desire to make them pleasing to ,him4-- ,,st4 ,,teresa4 #c ,god pardons sin2 but ,he will not pardon the will to sin4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #d ,it is a fault1 not a virtue1 to wish your humility recognized and applauded4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #e ,before engaging in your private devotions1 perform those which obedience and your duty toward your neighbor impose upon you in such a manner as to make an abnegation of self4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #f ,the world is full of inconstancy2 its friendship ceases the moment there is no advantage to be expected from us4--,,bl4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #g ,there is nothing better to display the truth in an excellent light1 than a clear and simple statement of facts4--,,st4 ,,benedict4 #h ,be careful and do not lightly condemn the actions of others4 ,we must consider the intention of our neighbor1 which is often good and pure1 although the act itself seems blameworthy4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #i ,he who does not overcome his predominant passion is in great danger of being lost4 ,he who does overcome it will easily conquer all the rest4-- ,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aj ,to conquer himself is the greatest victory that man can gain4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #aa ,a soul which does not practise the exercise of prayer is very like a paralyzed body which1 though possessing feet and hands1 makes no use of them4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ab ,when you do a good action1 have the intention of first pleasing ,god1 and then of giving good example to your neighbor4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ac ,the grace of perseverance is the most important of all2 it crowns all other graces4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ad ,prayer is the only channel through which ,god's great graces and favors may flow into the soul2 and if this be once closed1 ,i know no other way ,he can communicate them4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ae ,to acquire courage it is very useful to read the lives of the saints1 especially of those who1 after living in sin1 attained great sanctity4-- ,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #af ,the truly humble reject all praise for themselves1 and refer it all to ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ag ,prayer should be effective and practical1 since it has for its end the acquisition of solid virtue and the mortification of the passions4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ah ,we do not keep an account of the graces which ,god has given us1 but ,god our ,lord keeps an account of them4 ,he has fixed the measure thereof4-- ,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ai ,the more guilty we are1 the greater must be our confidence in ,mary4 ,therefore1 courage1 timid soul2 let ,mary know all thy misery1 and hasten with joy to the throne of mercy4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bj ,evil is often more hurtful to the doer than to the one against whom it is done4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #ba ,during life despise that which will avail you nothing at the hour of death4--,,st4 ,,anselm4 #bb ,he who fails to reflect before acting1 walks with his eyes shut and advances with danger4 ,he also falls very often1 because the eye of reflection does not enable him to see whither his footsteps lead4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #bc ,sanctity and perfection consist not in fine words1 but in good actions4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bd ,as patience leads to peace1 and study to science1 so are humiliations the path that leads to humility4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #be ,do not disturb yourself with vain curiosity concerning the affairs of others1 nor how they conduct themselves1 unless your position makes it your duty to do so4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #bf ,the deceitful charms of prosperity destroy more souls than all the scourges of adversity4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #bg ,the first degree of humility is the fear of ,god1 which we should constantly have before our eyes4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #bh ,he who cheerfully endures contempt and is happy under crosses and affliction1 partakes of the humility and sufferings of ,our ,lord4--,,st4 ,,mechtildis4 #bi ,he who is resigned to the divine will shall always surmount the difficulties he meets with in the service of ,god4 ,the ,lord will accomplish ,his designs concerning him4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #cj ,consent to suffer a slight temporary pain1 that so thou mayst avoid the eternal pains which sin deserves4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 ,may #a ,,mary was the most perfect among the saints only because she was always perfectly united to the will of ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #b ,after the love which we owe ,jesus ,christ1 we must give the chief place in our heart to the love of ,his ,mother ,mary4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #c ,when we feel our cross weighing upon us1 let us have recourse to ,mary1 whom the ,church calls the ,consoler of the ,afflicted4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #d ,the devotions we practise in honor of the glorious ,virgin ,mary1 however trifling they be1 are very pleasing to her divine ,son1 and ,he rewards them with eternal glory4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #e ,there is nothing which is more profitable and more consoling to the mind than to frequently remember the ,blessed ,virgin4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #f ,blessed are the actions enclosed between two ,hail ,marys4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #g ,let us consider what the glorious ,virgin endured1 and what the holy apostles suffered1 and we shall find that they who were nearest to ,jesus ,christ were the most afflicted4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #h ,the servants of ,mary who are in purgatory receive visits and consolations from her4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #i ,if you persevere until death in true devotion to ,mary1 your salvation is certain4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aj ,he who remembers having invoked the name of ,mary in an impure temptation1 may be sure that he did not yield to it4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aa ,mary being destined to negotiate peace between ,god and man1 it was not proper that she should be an accomplice in the disobedience of ,adam4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ab ,mary having co-operated in our redemption with so much glory to ,god and so much love for us1 ,our ,lord ordained that no one shall obtain salvation except through her intercession4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ac ,he who wishes to find ,jesus will do so only by having recourse to ,mary4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ad ,mary having always lived wholly detached from earthly things and united with ,god1 death1 which united her more closely to ,him1 was extremely sweet and agreeable to her4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ae ,mary being in heaven nearer to ,god and more united to ,him1 knows our miseries better1 compassionates them more1 and can more efficaciously assist us4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #af ,the ,virgin ,mother1 all pure and all white1 will make her servants pure and white4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ag ,to assure our salvation it does not suffice to call ourselves children of ,mary1 therefore let us always have the fear of ,god4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ah ,let us offer ourselves without delay and without reserve to ,mary1 and beg her to offer us herself to ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ai ,such is the compassion1 such the love which ,mary bears us1 that she is never tired of praying for us4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bj ,o ,queen of heaven and earth6 ,the universe would perish before thou couldst refuse aid to one who invokes thee from the depth of his heart4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #ba ,o most blessed ,virgin1 who declarest in thy ,canticle that it is owing to thy humility that ,god hath done great things in thee1 obtain for me the grace to imitate thee1 that is1 to be obedient2 because to obey is to practise humility4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bb ,may the two names so sweet and so powerful1 of ,jesus and ,mary1 be always in our hearts and on our lips6--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bc ,whatsoever we do1 we can never be true children of ,mary1 unless we are humble4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bd ,let us highly esteem devotion to the ,blessed ,virgin1 and let us lose no opportunity of inspiring others with it4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #be ,as a mother feels no disgust in dressing the sores of her child1 so ,mary1 the heavenly infirmarian1 never refuses to care for sinners who have recourse to her4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bf ,each of our days is marked with the protection of ,mary1 who is exceedingly anxious to be our ,mother1 when we desire to be her children4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bg ,when the devil wishes to make himself master of a soul1 he seeks to make it give up devotion to ,mary4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bh ,let us have recourse to ,mary2 for of all creatures she is the highest1 the purest1 the most beautiful1 and the most loving4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bi ,let the name of ,mary be ever on your lips1 let it be indelibly engraven on your heart4 ,if you are under her protection1 you have nothing to fear2 if she is propitious1 you will arrive at the port of salvation4-- ,,st4 ,,bernard4 #cj ,know that of all devotions the most pleasing to ,mary is to have frequent recourse to her1 asking for favors4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ca ,let the servants of ,mary perform every day1 and especially on ,saturday1 some work of charity for her sake4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 ,june #a ,,can ,,we1 amongst all hearts1 find one more amiable than that of ,jesus8 ,it is on ,his ,heart that ,god looks with special complacency--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #b ,one must wage war against his predominant passion1 and not retreat1 until1 with ,god's help1 he has been victorious4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #c ,an act of perfect conformity to the will of ,god unites us more to ,him than a hundred other acts of virtue4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #d ,the love of ,god inspires the love of our neighbor1 and the love of our neighbor serves to keep alive the love of ,god4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #e ,live always in the certainty that whatever happens to you is the result of divine ,providence2 because nothing hard or laborious falls to your lot without the ,lord permitting it4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #f ,whatsoever good work you undertake1 pray earnestly to ,god that ,he will enable you to bring it to a successful termination4--,,st4 ,,benedict4 #g ,what is a fruitless repentance1 defiled almost immediately by new faults8--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #h ,you propose to give up everything to ,god2 be sure1 then1 to include yourself among the things to be given up4--,,st4 ,,benedict4 #i ,if you can find a place where ,god is not1 go there and sin with impunity4--,,st4 ,,anselm4 #aj ,he can not err who is constantly with the visible ,head which ,jesus ,christ has left to ,his ,church1 as its foundation1 rule1 teacher1 and defender of the ,faith4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aa ,the more numerous the gifts we have received from ,god1 the greater the account we must render to ,him4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #ab ,true penance consists in regretting without ceasing the faults of the past1 and in firmly resolving to never again commit that which is so deplorable4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 ,illustration3 ,the ,sacred ,heart of ,mary4 #ac ,we are not raised the first day to the summit of perfection4 ,it is by climbing1 not by flying1 that we arrive there4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #ad ,what we do for ourselves during life is more certain than all the good we expect others to do for us after death4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #ae ,idleness begets a discontented life4 ,it develops self-love1 which is the cause of all our misery1 and renders us unworthy to receive the favors of divine love4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #af ,have death always before your eyes as a salutary means of returning to ,god4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #ag ,if the devil tempts me by the thought of divine justice1 ,i think of ,god's mercy2 if he tries to fill me with presumption by the thought of ,his mercy1 ,i think of ,his justice4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ah ,in time of temptation continue the good thou hast begun before temptation4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #ai ,in the eyes of the sovereign ,judge the merit of our actions depends on the motives which prompted them4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #bj ,the benefits to be derived from spiritual reading do not merely consist in impressing on the memory the precepts set forth1 but in opening the heart to them1 that they may bear fruit4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #ba ,as clouds obscure the sun1 so bad thoughts darken and destroy the brightness of the soul4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #bb ,to judge rightly of the goodness and perfection of any one's prayer1 it is sufficient to know the disposition he takes to it1 and the fruits he reaps from it4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bc ,to commence many things and not to finish them is no small fault2 we must persevere in whatever we undertake with upright intention and according to ,god's will4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bd ,the perfect champion is he who establishes complete control over his mind by overcoming temptations and the inclination of his nature to sin4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #be ,if the love of ,god is in your heart1 you will understand that to suffer for ,god is a joy to which all earthly pleasures are not to be compared4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #bf ,the world around us is1 as it were1 a book written by the finger of ,god2 every creature is a word on the page4 ,we should apply ourselves well to understand the signification of the volume4--,,ven4 ,,bartholomew ,,of ,,martyrs4 #bg ,a man of prayer is capable of everything4 ,he can say with ,st4 ,paul1 ,i can do all things in ,him who strengthened me4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bh ,whilst here below our actions can never be entirely free from negligence1 frailty1 or defect2 but we must not throw away the wheat because of the chaff4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #bi ,strive always to preserve freedom of spirit1 so that you need do nothing with the view of pleasing the world1 and that no fear of displeasing it will have power to shake your good resolutions4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #cj ,wo to us poor sinners if we had not the ,divine ,sacrifice to appease the ,lord6--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 ,july #a ,,how few there are who avail themselves of the precious blood of ,jesus to purchase their salvation6--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #b ,o ,queen of heaven and earth6 ,thou art the gate of mercy ever open1 never closed4 ,the universe must perish before he who invokes thee from his heart is refused assistance4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #c ,our ,faith will never be true unless it is united to that of ,st4 ,peter and the ,pontiff1 his successors4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #d ,short pleasures and long sufferings are all the world can give4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #e ,learn to be silent sometimes for the edification of others1 that you may learn how to speak sometimes4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #f ,gratitude for graces received is a most efficacious means of obtaining new ones4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #g ,to a useless question we should answer only by silence4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #h ,we should not judge things by their exterior or appearance1 but consider what they are in the sight of ,god1 and whether they be according to ,his good pleasure4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #i ,preserve purity of conscience with care1 and never do anything to sully it or render it less agreeable to ,god4--,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas4 #aj ,give not thyself too much to any one4 ,he who gives himself too freely is generally the least acceptable4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #aa ,affliction strengthens the vigor of our soul1 whereas happiness weakens it4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #ab ,to acquire purity of the soul1 it is necessary to guard against passing judgment on our neighbor1 or useless remarks on his conduct4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #ac ,turn away the eyes of thy body and those of thy mind from seeing others1 that thou mayest be able to contemplate thyself4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #ad ,the brightest ornaments in the crown of the blessed in heaven are the sufferings which they have borne patiently on earth4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ae ,we are not innocent before ,god if we punish that which we should pardon1 or pardon that which we should punish4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #af ,is there any one in the world who has invoked thee1 ,o ,mary1 without having felt the benefit of thy protection1 which is promised to those who invoke thy mercy8--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #ag ,it is the key of obedience that opens the door of paradise4 ,jesus ,christ has confided that key to ,his vicar1 the ,pope1 ,christ on earth1 whom all are obliged to obey even unto death4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #ah ,it is true that ,god promises forgiveness if we repent1 but what assurance have we of obtaining it to-morrow8--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #ai ,we should offer ourselves and all we have to ,god1 that ,he may dispose of us according to ,his holy will1 so that we may be ever ready to leave all and embrace the afflictions that come upon us4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bj ,no one has a right to mercy who can not himself show mercy4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #ba ,we should reflect on all our actions1 exterior and interior1 and before we commence1 examine well if we are able to finish them4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #bb ,the reason why the lukewarm run so great a risk of being lost is because tepidity conceals from the soul the immense evil which it causes4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bc ,we should learn of ,jesus ,christ to be meek and humble of heart1 and ask ,him unceasingly for these two virtues4 ,we ought1 particularly1 to avoid the two contrary vices which would cause us to destroy with one hand what we seek to raise with the other4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bd ,the sufferings endured for ,god are the greatest proof of our love for ,him4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #be ,it is in vain that we cut off the branches of evil1 if we leave intact the root1 which continually produces new ones4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #bf ,how little is required to be a saint6 ,it suffices to do in all things the will of ,god4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bg ,wouldst thou know what thou art8 ,thou art that to which thy heart turns the most frequently4--,,ven4 ,,bartholomew ,,of ,,martyrs4 #bh ,when you covet that which delights you1 think not only of the sweet moments of enjoyment1 but of the long season of regret which must follow4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #bi ,they who voluntarily commit sin show a contempt for life eternal1 since they willingly risk the loss of their soul4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #cj ,it suffices not to perform good works2 we must do them well1 in imitation of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 of whom it is written1 ,he doeth all things well4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ca ,put not off till to-morrow what you can do today4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 ,august #a ,,christ ,himself guides the bark of ,peter4 ,for this reason it can not perish1 although ,he sometimes seems to sleep4--,,st4 ,,antoninus4 #b ,prayer teaches us the need of laying before ,god all our necessities1 of corresponding with ,his grace1 of banishing vice from our heart and of establishing virtue in it4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #c ,take this to heart3 ,owe no man anything4 ,so shalt thou secure a peaceful sleep1 an easy conscience1 a life without inquietude1 and a death without alarm4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #d ,if you would know whether you have made a good confession1 ask yourself if you have resolved to abandon your sins4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #e ,he who does that which is displeasing to himself has discovered the secret of pleasing ,god4--,,st4 ,,anselm4 #f ,an ordinary action1 performed through obedience and love of ,god1 is more meritorious than extraordinary works done on your own authority--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #g ,vigilance is rendered necessary and indispensable1 not only by the dangers that surround us1 but by the delicacy1 the extreme difficulty of the work we all have to engage in the work of our salvation4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #h ,among the different means that we have of pleasing ,god in all that we do1 one of the most efficacious is to perform each of our actions as though it were to be the last of our life4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #i ,i have to seek only the glory of ,god1 my own sanctification1 and the salvation of my neighbor4 ,i should therefore devote myself to these things1 if necessary1 at the peril of my life4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aj ,idleness is hell's fishhook for catching souls4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #aa ,whoever imagines himself without defect has an excess of pride4 ,god alone is perfect4--,,st4 ,,antoninus4 #ab ,as we take the bitterest medicine to recover or preserve the health of the body1 we should cheerfully endure sufferings1 however repugnant to nature1 and consider them efficacious remedies which ,god employs to purify the soul and conduct it to the perfection to which ,he called it4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ac ,to give up prayer because we are often distracted at it is to allow the devil to gain his cause4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ad ,curb the desire of display1 and do nothing from human respect4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ae ,o ,mary1 vessel of purest gold1 ornamented with pearls and sapphires1 filled with grace and virtue1 thou art the dearest of all creatures to the eyes of eternal ,wisdom4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #af ,we must be careful not to omit our prayers1 confession1 communion1 and other exercises of piety1 even when we find no consolation in them4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #ag ,let us leave to ,god and to truth the care of our justification1 without trying to excuse ourselves1 and peace will truly spring up within us4-- ,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #ah ,read good and useful books1 and abstain from reading those that only gratify curiosity4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ai ,so great is the goodness of ,god in your regard1 that when you ask through ignorance for that which is not beneficial1 ,he does not grant your prayer in this matter1 but gives you something better instead4--,,st4 ,,bernard4 #bj ,men can use no better arms to drive away the devil1 than prayer and the sign of the cross4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ba ,he who knows well how to practise the exercise of the presence of ,god1 and who is faithful in following the attraction of this divine virtue1 will soon attain a very high degree of perfection4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bb ,one of the most admirable effects of holy communion is to preserve the soul from sin1 and to help those who fall through weakness to rise again4 ,it is much more profitable1 then1 to approach this divine ,sacrament with love1 respect1 and confidence1 than to remain away through an excess of fear and scrupulosity4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #bc ,let us remember that every act of mortification is a work for heaven4 ,this thought will make all suffering and weariness sweet4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bd ,correction should be given calmly and with discernment1 at seasonable times1 according to the dictates of reason1 and not at the impulse of anger4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #be ,there is nothing more certain1 nothing more agreeable1 nothing richer than a good conscience4--,,ven4 ,,bartholomew ,,of ,,martyrs4 #bf ,god1 to procure ,his glory1 sometimes permits that we should be dishonored and persecuted without reason4 ,he wishes thereby to render us conformable to ,his ,son1 who was calumniated and treated as a seducer1 as an ambitious man1 and as one possessed4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bg ,all that ,god gives us and all that ,he permits in this world have no other end than to sanctify us in ,him4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #bh ,if you can not mortify your body by actual penance1 abstain at least from some lawful pleasure4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bi ,one whose heart is embittered can do nothing but contend and contradict1 finding something to oppose in every remark4--,,ven4 ,,julienne ,,morel4 #cj ,without prayer we have neither light nor strength to advance in the way which leads to ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ca ,i have never gone out to mingle with the world without losing something of myself4--,,bl4 ,,albert ,,the ,,great4 ,september #a ,,he who perseveres with constancy and fervor will1 without fail1 raise himself to a high degree of perfection4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #b ,an upright intention is the soul of our actions4 ,it gives them life1 and makes them good4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #c ,you wish to reform the world3 reform yourself1 otherwise your efforts will be in vain4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #d ,let all thy care be to possess thy soul in peace and tranquillity4 ,let no accident be to thee a cause of ill-humor4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #e ,humility is a fortified town2 it repels all attacks4 ,the sight of it obliges the enemy to turn and flee4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #f ,the world is deceitful and inconstant4 ,when fortune forsakes us1 friendship takes flight4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #g ,perform all your actions in union with the pure intention and perfect love with which ,our ,lord did all things for the glory of ,god and the salvation of the world4--,,st4 ,,mechtildis4 #h ,an air of meekness and a modest speech are pleasing alike to ,god and men4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #i ,the saints owed to their confidence in ,god that unalterable tranquillity of soul1 which procured their perpetual joy and peace1 even in the midst of adversities4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aj ,look not to the qualities thou mayest possess1 which are wanting to others2 but look to those which others possess and which are wanting to thee1 that thou mayest acquire them4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #aa ,your heart is not so narrow that the world can satisfy it entirely2 nothing but ,god can fill it4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ab ,if you wish to raise a lofty edifice of perfection1 take humility for a foundation4--,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas4 #ac ,it ordinarily happens that ,god permits those who judge others1 to fall into the same or even greater faults4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #ad ,raise thy heart and thy love toward the sweet and most holy cross1 which soothes every pain6--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #ae ,often read spiritual books2 then1 like a sheep1 ruminate the food thou hast taken1 by meditation and a desire to practise the holy doctrine found therein4--,,st4 ,,antoninus4 #af ,love others much1 but visit them seldom4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #ag ,god sends us trials and afflictions to exercise us in patience and teach us sympathy with the sorrows of others4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ah ,armed with prayer1 the saints sustained a glorious warfare and vanquished all their enemies4 ,by prayer1 also1 they appeased the wrath of ,god1 and obtained from ,him all they desired4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #ai ,all souls in hell are there because they did not pray4 ,all the saints sanctified themselves by prayer4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bj ,the thought of the presence of ,god renders us familiar with the practice of doing in all things ,his holy will4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ba ,if we consider the number and excellence of the virtues practised by the saints1 we must feel the inefficiency and imperfection of our actions4-- ,,st4 ,,vincent ,,ferrer4 #bb ,prayer without fervor has not sufficient strength to rise to heaven4-- ,,st4 ,,bernard4 #bc ,the path of virtue is painful to nature when left to itself2 but nature1 assisted by grace1 finds it easy and agreeable4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,of ,,granada4 #bd ,always give the preference to actions which appear to you the most agreeable to ,god1 and most contrary to self-love4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #be ,as the branch separated from the roots soon loses all life and verdure1 so it is with good works which are not united with charity4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #bf ,we should constantly thank the ,lord for having granted us the gift of the true faith1 by associating us with the children of the holy ,catholic ,church4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bg ,we should not spare expense1 fatigue1 nor even our life1 when there is a question of accomplishing the holy will of ,god4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bh ,some are unable to fast or give alms2 there are none who can not pray4-- ,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bi ,we meet with contradictions everywhere4 ,if only two persons are together they mutually afford each other opportunities of exercising patience1 and even when one is alone there will still be a necessity for this virtue1 so true it is that our miserable life is full of crosses4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #cj ,we should bear our sufferings in expiation for our sins1 to merit heaven1 and to please ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 ,october #a ,,always give good example3 teach virtue by word and deed4 ,example is more powerful than discourse4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #b ,if thou wouldst glory1 let it be in the ,lord1 by referring everything to ,him1 and giving to ,him all the honor and glory4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #c ,there is nothing more holy1 more eminently perfect1 than resignation to the will of ,god1 which confirms us in an entire detachment from ourselves1 and a perfect indifference for every condition in which we may be placed4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #d ,prayer consists not in many words1 but in the fervor of desire1 which raises the soul to ,god by the knowledge of its own nothingness and the divine goodness4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #e ,let us make up for lost time4 ,let us give to ,god the time that remains to us4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #f ,when thou feelest thyself excited1 shut thy mouth and chain thy tongue4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #g ,if it was necessary that ,christ should suffer and so enter by the cross into the kingdom of ,his ,father1 no friend of ,god should shrink from suffering4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #h ,we should grieve to see no account made of time1 which is so precious2 to see it employed so badly1 so uselessly1 for it can never be recalled4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #i ,every time that some unexpected event befalls us1 be it affliction1 or be it spiritual or corporal consolation1 we should endeavor to receive it with equanimity of spirit1 since all comes from the hand of ,god4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #aj ,there are some who sin through frailty1 or through the force of some violent passion4 ,they desire to break these chains of death2 if their prayer is constant they will be heard4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #aa ,thy will be done6 ,this is what the saints had continually on their lips and in their hearts4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ab ,he who would be a disciple of ,jesus ,christ must live in sufferings2 for ,the servant is not greater than the ,master4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #ac ,he who submits himself to ,god in all things is certain that whatever men say or do against him will always turn to his advantage4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ad ,if he be blind who refuses to believe in the truths of the ,catholic faith1 how much blinder is he who believes1 and yet lives as if he did not believe6--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ae ,there is no affliction1 trial1 or labor difficult to endure1 when we consider the torments and sufferings which ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ endured for us4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #af ,outside of ,god nothing is durable4 ,we exchange life for death1 health for sickness1 honor for shame1 riches for poverty4 ,all things change and pass away4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #ag ,if you would keep yourself pure1 shun dangerous occasions4 ,do not trust your own strength4 ,in this matter we can not take too much precaution4-- ,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ah ,after knowing the will of ,god in regard to a work which we undertake1 we should continue courageously1 however difficult it may be4 ,we should follow it to the end with as much constancy as the obstacles we encounter are great4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ai ,in your prayers1 if you would quickly and surely draw upon you the grace of ,god1 pray in a special manner for our ,holy ,church and all those connected with it4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #bj ,prayer is our principal weapon4 ,by it we obtain of ,god the victory over our evil inclinations1 and over all temptations of hell4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ba ,we should never abandon1 on account of the difficulties we encounter1 an enterprise undertaken with due reflection4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bb ,being all members of the same body1 with the same head1 who is ,christ1 it is proper that we should have in common the same joys and sorrows4-- ,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #bc ,we should be cordial and affable with the poor1 and with persons in humble circumstances4 ,we should not treat them in a supercilious manner4 ,haughtiness makes them revolt4 ,on the contrary1 when we are affable with them1 they become more docile and derive more benefit from the advice they receive4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bd ,let not confusion for thy fault overwhelm thee with despair1 as if there were no longer a remedy4--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #be ,as all our wickedness consists in turning away from our ,creator1 so all our goodness consists in uniting ourselves with ,him4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bf ,that which we suffer in the accomplishment of a good work1 merits for us the necessary graces to insure its success4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bg ,we ought to have a special devotion to those saints who excelled in humility1 particularly to the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary1 who declares that the ,lord regarded her on account of her humility4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bh ,he who wishes to find ,jesus should seek ,him1 not in the delights and pleasures of the world1 but in mortification of the senses4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bi ,let us not despise1 judge1 or condemn any one but ourselves2 then our cross will bloom and bear fruit4--,,ven4 ,,john ,,tauler4 #cj ,it is rarely that we fall into error if we are humble and trust to the wisdom of others1 in preference to our own judgment4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 #ca ,the best of all prayers is that in which we ask that ,god's holy will be accomplished1 both in ourselves and in others4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,blois4 ,november #a ,,we ,,should honor ,god in ,his saints1 and beseech ,him to make us partakers of the graces ,he poured so abundantly upon them4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #b ,we may have a confident hope of our salvation when we apply ourselves to relieve the souls in purgatory1 so afflicted and so dear to ,god4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #c ,the example of the saints is proposed to every one1 so that the great actions shown us may encourage us to undertake smaller things4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #d ,let us read the lives of the saints2 let us consider the penances which they performed1 and blush to be so effeminate and so fearful of mortifying our flesh4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #e ,the greatest pain which the holy souls suffer in purgatory proceeds from their desire to possess ,god4 ,this suffering especially afflicts those who in life had but a feeble desire of heaven4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #f ,death is welcome to one who has always feared ,god and faithfully served ,him4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #g ,true humility consists in being content with all that ,god is pleased to ordain for us1 believing ourselves unworthy to be called ,his servants4-- ,,st4 ,,teresa4 #h ,the best preparation for death is a perfect resignation to the will of ,god1 after the example of ,jesus ,christ1 who1 in ,his prayer in ,gethsemani prepared ,himself with these words1 ,father1 not as ,i will1 but as ,thou wilt4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #i ,the errors of others should serve to keep us from adding any of our own to them4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #aj ,there is more security in self-denial1 mortification1 and other like virtues1 than in an abundance of tears4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #aa ,a resolute will triumphs over everything with the help of ,god1 which is never wanting4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ab ,if humble souls are contradicted1 they remain calm2 if they are calumniated1 they suffer with patience2 if they are little esteemed1 neglected1 or forgotten1 they consider that their due2 if they are weighed down with occupations1 they perform them cheerfully4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ac ,when we have to reply to some one who speaks harshly to us1 we must always do it with gentleness4 ,if we are angry1 it is better to keep silence4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ad ,the two principal dispositions which we should bring to holy communion are detachment from creatures1 and the desire to receive ,our ,lord with a view to loving ,him more in the future4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ae ,in doing penance it is necessary to deprive oneself of as many lawful pleasures as we had the misfortune to indulge in unlawful ones4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #af ,in raising human nature to heaven by ,his ascension1 ,christ has given us the hope of arriving thither ourselves4--,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas4 #ag ,it is useless to subdue the flesh by abstinence1 unless one gives up his irregular life1 and abandons vices which defile his soul4--,,st4 ,,benedict4 #ah ,no prayers are so acceptable to ,god as those which we offer ,him after communion4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ai ,it avails nothing to subdue the body1 if the mind allows itself to be controlled by anger4--,,st4 ,,gregory ,,the ,,great4 #bj ,what is it that renders death terrible8 ,sin4 ,we must therefore fear sin1 not death4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ba ,the ,blessed ,virgin is of all the works of the ,creator the most excellent1 and to find anything in nature more grand one must go to the ,author of nature ,himself4--,,st4 ,,peter ,,damian4 #bb ,if we would advance in virtue1 we must not neglect little things1 for they pave the way to greater4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bc ,when one has fallen into some fault1 what better remedy can there be than to have immediate recourse to the ,most ,blessed ,sacrament8--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bd ,afflictions are the most certain proofs that ,god can give us of ,his love for us4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #be ,is it not a great cruelty for us ,christians1 members of the body of the ,holy ,church1 to attack one another8--,,st4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,siena4 #bf ,the ,church is the pillar and ground of truth1 and her infallibility admits of no doubt4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #bg ,he who truly loves his neighbor and can not efficaciously assist him1 should strive at least to relieve and help him by his prayers4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bh ,we should blush for shame to show so much resentment at what is done or said against us1 knowing that so many injuries and affronts have been offered to our ,redeemer and the saints4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bi ,the reason why so many souls who apply themselves to prayer are not inflamed with ,god's love is1 that they neglect to carefully prepare themselves for it4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #cj ,it is absolutely necessary1 both for our advancement and the salvation of others1 to follow always and in all things the beautiful light of faith4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 ,december #a ,,if ,,we consider all that is imperfect and worldly in us1 we shall find ample reason for abasing ourselves before ,god and man1 before ourselves and our inferiors4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #b ,no one should think or say anything of another which he would not wish thought or said of himself4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #c ,we should study the interests of others as our own1 and be careful to act on all occasions with uprightness and loyalty4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #d ,it is ,god ,himself who receives what we give in charity1 and is it not an incomparable happiness to give ,him what belongs to ,him1 and what we have received from ,his goodness alone8--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #e ,let your constant practice be to offer yourself to ,god1 that ,he may do with you what ,he pleases4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #f ,it is not enough to forbid our own tongue to murmur2 we must also refuse to listen to murmurers4--,,ven4 ,,louis ,,de ,,granada4 #g ,we can obtain no reward without merit1 and no merit without patience4-- ,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #h ,no harp sends forth such sweet harmonies as are produced in the afflicted heart by the holy name of ,mary4 ,let us kneel to reverence this holy1 this sublime name of ,mary6--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #i ,the life of a true ,christian should be such that he fears neither death nor any event of his life1 but endures and submits to all things with a good heart4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #aj ,we should abandon ourselves entirely into the hands of ,god1 and believe that ,his providence disposes everything that ,he wishes or permits to happen to us for our greater good4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #aa ,regulate and direct all your actions to ,god1 offering them to ,him and beseeching ,him to grant that they be for ,his honor and glory4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 ,illustration3 ,hail1 ,virgin ,most ,pure6 #ab ,conformity to the will of ,god is an easy and certain means of acquiring a great treasure of graces in this life4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ac ,do not consider what others do1 or how they do it2 for there are but few who really work for their own sanctification4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ad ,to-day ,god invites you to do good2 do it therefore to-day4 ,to-morrow you may not have time1 or ,god may no longer call you to do it4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #ae ,to advance in the way of perfection it does not suffice to say a number of weak prayers2 our principal care should be to acquire solid virtues4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #af ,humility is the virtue of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 of ,his blessed ,mother1 and of the greatest saints4 ,it embraces all virtues and1 where it is sincere1 introduces them into the soul4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ag ,it will be a great consolation for us at the hour of death to know that we are to be judged by ,him whom we have loved above all things during life4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ah ,humble submission and obedience to the decrees of the ,sovereign ,pontiffs are good means for distinguishing the loyal from the rebellious children of the ,church4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #ai ,the devil attacks us at the time of prayer more frequently than at other times4 ,his object is to make us weary of prayer4--,,bl4 ,,henry ,,suso4 #bj ,it is an act as rare as it is precious1 to transact business with many people1 without ever forgetting ,god or oneself4--,,st4 ,,ignatius4 #ba ,god is our light4 ,the farther the soul strays away from ,god1 the deeper it goes into darkness4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bb ,true ,christian prudence makes us submit our intellect to the maxims of the ,gospel without fear of being deceived4 ,it teaches us to judge things as ,jesus ,christ judged them1 and to speak and act as ,he did4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #bc ,remember that men change easily1 and that you can not place your trust in them2 therefore attach yourself to ,god alone4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bd ,if we secretly feel a desire to appear greater or better than others1 we must repress it at once4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #be ,the ,king of heaven deigned to be born in a stable1 because ,he came to destroy pride1 the cause of man's ruin4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bf ,to save our souls we must live according to the maxims of the ,gospel1 and not according to those of the world4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bg ,be gentle and kind with every one1 and severe with yourself4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #bh ,if you wish to be pleasing to ,god and happy here below1 be in all things united to ,his will4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4 #bi ,in proportion as the love of ,god increases in our soul1 so does also the love of suffering4--,,st4 ,,vincent ,,de ,,paul4 #cj ,he who keeps steadily on without pausing1 will reach the end of his path and the summit of perfection4--,,st4 ,,teresa4 #ca ,the past is no longer yours2 the future is not yet in your power4 ,you have only the present wherein to do good4--,,st4 ,,alphonsus4