The Simplicity of Daily Duty

The ordinary arts we practice every day at home
 are of more importance to the soul
 than their simplicity might suggest.
~ St. Thomas Moore, martyr

A Question to Ask Ourselves

Should we truly desire to become holy, we should be careful to ask ourselves, especially after attending the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and receiving the Holy Eucharist:

"Does our conduct correspond with our Faith?"
~St. Jean Marie Vianney, the Curé of Ars

The Secret of Great Grace

All Christians profess humility, but few bear humiliations. Learn to value each one as a preparation for some great grace. It was after bearing insult and hardship that the Blessed Virgin Mary brought forth the Savior of the world.
~From Miniature Life of Mary, Virgin and Mother, 1880

The Greatest Sacrament

"Absolutely speaking, the sacrament of the Eucharist is the greatest of all the sacraments.... First of all, because it contains Christ Himself substantially: whereas the other sacraments contain a certain instrumental power which is a share of Christ's power.... For all the sacraments seem to be ordained to this one as their end."

~St. Thomas Aquinas

Summa Theologica, Ia, Q. 68, Art. 3

The Most Perfect Wisdom

"To think of oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others, is the best and most perfect wisdom. Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself. "

~Thomas à Kempis

Why Pray?

"God gives us some things, as the beginning of faith, even when we do not pray. Other things, such as perseverance, He has only provided for those who pray."
~St Augustine

Dread Nothing So Much

Charity is the highest virtue, even above obedience. But obedience to God’s laws is necessary for salvation. Dread nothing so much as following your own inclinations.
~From Miniature Life of Mary, Virgin and Mother, 1880

Making Friends with Our Trials

“Make friends with your trials, as though you were always to live together. You will see that when you cease to take thought for your deliverance, God will take thought for you. When you cease to help yourself so eagerly, He will help you.”

~St. Francis de Sales

Introduction to the Devout Life

Secrets of the Saints: Conformity to God's Will

"...if we have any natural defect either in mind or body - a bad memory, slowness of apprehension, mean abilities, a crippled limb, or weak health - let us not therefore make lamentation...Who can tell whether, if we had had a larger share of ability, stronger health, or greater personal attractions, we should not have possessed them to our destruction?"

"...thus let us ourselves rest content with that which God has given us. But one thing is necessary. Beauty is not necessary,  nor health, nor sharpness of intellect; that which alone is necessary is our salvation."

~St. Alphonsus de Liguori

The Way of Salvation and of Perfection

Do or Do Not; There is No Try

Learn from Mary Immaculate of the holiness which God requires in those whom He chooses as His own. In your prayers ask Him to cleanse your more and more from the least stain of sin, and add your own endeavors to this request...

Be not content with now and then wishing to be holy, but kindle and renew your desires each day. You will thus not only intend, but do.

~From Miniature Life of Mary, Virgin and Mother,1880

A Few Steps from Sanctity

It is almost literally true, though it sounds like a paradox, that many good ordinary Christians are only a few steps from sanctity. If they would be but a little better, they could enter the ranks of the heroic servants of God and be numbered among His intimate friends.

It is, indeed, one of the tragedies of the spiritual life that there are so few great lovers of God, when to love Him greatly is so easy, so plain and so simple an achievement. And the reason why the number of God's great and devoted servants is not greater is precisely this, that so many of us refuse to become just a little better than we are.
~From Your Soul's Salvation, 1920

The Remedy of Pain

There are few who are great enough of soul to bear entire prosperity without becoming selfish and worldly. It needs the goad of pain and the sting of adversity to start the soul out from its earthly nest and send it winging towards heaven. The cauterizing fire of grief and of physical pain is the most powerful cure for worldliness and sensuality.

Many a soul has been ruined by too much pleasure and prosperity, and many a heart has been cured of its worldliness and brought back to God by the remedy of pain.

  ~From Your Soul's Salvation, 1920

Secrets of the Saints: How to Inflame Charity

The secret of the saints, the heavenly alchemy by which they turned sorrows into joys, (and) trials into blessings is the great burning eager love of God which filled their hearts. Spiritual reading will inflame our souls with a like charity. For the writings of the saints are text-books of the Love of God.

~ From Your Soul's Salvation, 1920