33 Days of Consecration to Mary
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Virtue Quotes
Quotes on Virtue by the Saints
For the love of God, sisters, never be careless about this -- and, glory be to the Lord, you are not so at present. If you would gain this fear of God, remember the importance of habit and of starting to realize what a serious thing it is to offend Him. Do your utmost to learn this and to turn it over in your minds; for our life, and much more than our life, depends upon this virtue being firmly planted in our souls.
Until you are conscious within your soul of
possessing it, you need always to exercise very great care and to avoid all
occasions of sin and any kind of company which will not help you to get nearer
to God. Be most careful, in all that you do, to bend your will to it; see that
all you say tends to edification; flee from all places where there is
conversation which is not pleasing to God. Much care is needed if this fear of
God is to be thoroughly impressed upon the soul; though, if one has true love,
it is quickly acquired.' -- St. Teresa of Jesus
A man ought to mortify his understanding in
little things, if he wishes easily to mortify it in great ones, and to advance
in the way of virtue. -- St. Philip Neri
As the reading of bad books fills the mind with
worldly and poisonous sentiments; so, on the other hand, the reading of pious
works fills the soul with holy thoughts and good desires. -- St. Alphonsus
Maria de Liguori
He who combines the practice of the virtues
with spiritual knowledge is a man of power. For with the first he withers his
desire and tames his incensiveness, and with the second he gives wings to his
intellect and goes out of himself to God. - St. Maximos the Confessor
God assesses our action according to our
intention; for it is said that the Lord will "reward you according to your
heart" (Ps. 20:4). -- St. Mark the Ascetic
The only true riches are those that make us
rich in virtue. Therefore, if you want to be rich, beloved, love true riches.
If you aspire to the heights of real honor, strive to reach the kingdom of
Heaven. If you value rank and renown, hasten to be enrolled in the heavenly
court of the Angels. -- Pope St. Gregory the Great
They who, by a generous effort, make up
their minds to obey, acquire great merit; for obedience by its sacrifices
resembles martyrdom. -- St. Ignatius of Loyola
My confidence is placed in God who does not
need our help for accomplishing his designs. Our single endeavor should be to
give ourselves to the work and to be faithful to him, and not to spoil his work
by our shortcomings. -- St. Isaac Jogues
To be pleased at correction and reproofs
shows that one loves the virtues which are contrary to those faults for which
he is corrected and reproved. And, therefore, it is a great sign of advancement
in perfection. -- St. Francis de Sales
Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer
preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of
pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to
Heaven. -- St. Ephraem
Blessed stillness gives birth to blessed children: self-control, love and pure prayer. - St. Thalassios the Libyan
Stop entertaining those vain fears. Remember
it is not feeling which constitutes guilt but the consent to such feelings. Only
the free will is capable of good or evil. But when the will sighs under the
trial of the tempter and does not will what is presented to it, there is not
only no fault but there is virtue. -- Padre Pio
Good example is the most efficacious
apostolate. You must be as lighted lanterns and shine like brilliant
chandeliers among men. By your good example and your words, animate others to
know and love God. -- St. Mary Joseph Rossello
You will not see anyone who is really
striving after his advancement who is not given to spiritual reading. And as to
him who neglects it, the fact will soon be observed by his progress. -- St.
Athanasius
Holiness does not consist in not making
mistakes or never sinning. Holiness grows with capacity for conversion, repentance,
willingness to begin again, and above all with the capacity for reconciliation
and forgiveness. ~ Cardinal Ratzinger now Pope Benedict XVI
Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds
nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes
simplicity. – Saint Therese of Lisieux
Always maintain interior silence, speaking
seldom to creatures, but often to God by your works, suffering and doing all
for love of Him. - St.
Margaret Mary Alacoque
All of us can attain to Christian virtue and
holiness, no matter in what condition of life we live and no matter what our
life work may be -- St Francis de Sales
Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds
nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes
simplicity. -- St Therese
of Lisieux
Prayer and communion are not to be made or desired for the sake of the devotion we feel in them, for that is seeking self, and not God; but we must be frequent in both the one and the other in order to become humble, obedient, gentle, and patient. When we see these virtues in a man, then we know that he has really gathered the fruit of prayer and of communion. St. Philip Neri
Prayer and communion are not to be made or desired for the sake of the devotion we feel in them, for that is seeking self, and not God; but we must be frequent in both the one and the other in order to become humble, obedient, gentle, and patient. When we see these virtues in a man, then we know that he has really gathered the fruit of prayer and of communion. St. Philip Neri
As soon as we are stripped of the sordid garb of avarice, we shall be clothed with the royal and imperial vest of the opposite virtue, liberality. - St. Philip Neri
Where outward ascetic practice is
concerned, which virtue is the most important? The answer to this is that the
virtues are linked one to the other, and follow as it were a sacred sequence,
one depending on the other. For instance, prayer is linked to love, love to
joy, joy to gentleness, gentleness to humility, humility to service, service to
hope, hope to faith, faith to obedience, and obedience to simplicity.
Similarly, the vices are linked one to another: hatred to anger, anger to
pride, pride to self-esteem, self-esteem to unbelief, unbelief to
hardheartedness, hardheartedness to negligence, negligence to sluggishness,
sluggishness to apathy, apathy to listlessness, listlessness to lack of
endurance, lack of endurance to self-indulgence, and so on with all the other
vices. - St. Symeon Metaphrastis
The self-controlled refrain from gluttony; those who have renounced possessions, from greed; the tranquil, from loquacity; the pure, from self-indulgence; the modest, from unchastity; the self-dependent, from avarice; the gentle, from agitation; the humble, from self-esteem; the obedient, from quarrelling; the self-critical, from hypocrisy. Similarly, those who pray are protected from despair; the poor, from having many possessions; confessors of the faith, from its denial; martyrs, from idolatry. Do you see how every virtue that is performed even to the point of death is nothing other than refraining from sin? Now to refrain from sin is a work within our own natural powers, but not something that buys us the kingdom. - St. Mark the Ascetic
The self-controlled refrain from gluttony; those who have renounced possessions, from greed; the tranquil, from loquacity; the pure, from self-indulgence; the modest, from unchastity; the self-dependent, from avarice; the gentle, from agitation; the humble, from self-esteem; the obedient, from quarrelling; the self-critical, from hypocrisy. Similarly, those who pray are protected from despair; the poor, from having many possessions; confessors of the faith, from its denial; martyrs, from idolatry. Do you see how every virtue that is performed even to the point of death is nothing other than refraining from sin? Now to refrain from sin is a work within our own natural powers, but not something that buys us the kingdom. - St. Mark the Ascetic
There are virtues of the body and virtues of the soul. Those of the body include fasting, vigils, sleeping on the ground, ministering to people's needs, working with one's hands so as not to be a burden or in order to give to others (cf. 1 Thess. 2:9, Ephes. 4:28). Those of the soul include love, long-suffering, gentleness, self-control and prayer (cf. Gal, 5:22). If as a result of some constraint or bodily condition, such as illness or the like, we find we cannot practice the bodily virtues mentioned above, we are forgiven by the Lord because He knows the reasons. But if we fail to practice the virtues of the soul, we shall not have a single excuse, for it is always within our power to practice them. - St. Maximos the Confessor
Image taken from Wikimedia Commons
Image taken from Wikimedia Commons
Humility Quotes
Quotes on Humility by the Catholic Saints
True humility consists in being content with all that God is pleased to ordain for us, believing ourselves unworthy to be called His servants. -- St. Teresa of Jesus
To be taken with love for a soul, God
does not look on its greatness, but the greatness of its humility. --St John of the Cross, OCD
There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart. --Saint Augustine
It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. --Saint Augustine
There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart. --Saint Augustine
It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. --Saint Augustine
Be humble towards God and gentle with your neighbor.
Judge and accuse no one but yourself, and ever excuse others. Speak of God
always to praise and glorify Him, speak of your neighbor only with respect --
do not speak of yourself at all, either well or ill. -- St. Margaret
Mary Alacoque
The truly humble reject all praise for themselves, and refer it all to God. - St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
The truly humble reject all praise for themselves, and refer it all to God. - St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
In the difficulties which are placed before me, why
should I not act like a donkey? When one speaks ill of him - the donkey says
nothing. When he is mistreated - he says nothing. When he is forgotten - he
says nothing. When no food is given him - he says nothing. When he is made to
advance - he says nothing. When he is despised - he says nothing. When he is
overburdened - he says nothing. The true servant of God must do likewise, and
say with David: "Before Thee I have become like a beast of burden." -- St. Alphonsus Rodriguez
What will be the crown of those who, humble within
and humiliated without, have imitated the humility of our Savior in all its
fullness! -- St. Bernadette
He who wants to learn true humility
should reflect upon the Passion of Jesus. (267) -- St Faustina, Divine Mercy in
my Soul
The soul's true greatness is in loving God and in humbling oneself in His presence, completely forgetting oneself and believing oneself to be nothing; because the Lord is great, but He is well-pleased only with the humble; He always opposes the proud. -- St Faustina, Divine Mercy in my Soul
The soul's true greatness is in loving God and in humbling oneself in His presence, completely forgetting oneself and believing oneself to be nothing; because the Lord is great, but He is well-pleased only with the humble; He always opposes the proud. -- St Faustina, Divine Mercy in my Soul
Let us therefore give ourselves to God with a great desire to begin to live thus, and beg Him to destroy in us the life of the world of sin, and to establish His life within us. -- St. John Eudes
To be pleased at correction and reproofs shows that one loves the virtues which are contrary to those faults for which he is corrected and reproved. And, therefore, it is a great sign of advancement in perfection. -- St. Francis de Sales
No man can attain to the knowledge of God but by humility. The way to mount high is to descend. -- Bl. Giles of Assisi
If you would rise, shun luxury, for luxury lowers and
degrades. -- St John Chrysostom
Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance. ~ St. Augustine
Our
Lord loves you and loves you tenderly; and if He does not let you feel the
sweetness of His love, it is to make you more humble and abject in your own
eyes. -St. Pio of Pietrelcino
A truly humble person never believes that he can be
wronged in anything. Truly, we ought to be shamed to resent whatever is said or
done against us; for it is the greatest shame in the world to see that our
Creator bears so many insults from His creatures, and that we resent even a
little word that is contradictory. -
St. Teresa
We should let God be the One to praise us and not praise ourselves. For God detests those who commend themselves. Let others applaud our good deeds. --Pope St. Clement I
If humble souls are contradicted, they remain calm; if they are calumniated, they suffer with patience; if they are little esteemed, neglected, or forgotten, they consider that their due; if they are weighed down with occupations, they perform them cheerfully. - St. Vincent de Paul
The first degree of humility is the fear of God, which we should constantly have before our eyes. -St. Louis de Blois
The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does not know at all how to employ it, neither does he know how to defend himself from it. - Saint Vincent de Paul
Prayer must be humble: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Here St. James tells us that God does not listen to the prayers of the proud, but resists them; while, on the other hand, he is always ready to hear the prayers of the humble: The prayer of the man that humbleth himself shall pierce the clouds, . . . and he will not depart till the Most High behold. The prayer of an humble soul at once penetrates the heavens and presents itself before the throne of God, and will not depart thence till God regards it and listens to it. However sinful such a soul may be, God can never despise a heart that repents of its sins, and humbles itself: A contrite and humbled heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. - St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
But, my daughter, I am going a step further, and I bid you everywhere and in everything rejoice in your own abjection. Perhaps you will ask in reply what I mean by that. In Latin abjection means humility, and humility means abjection, so that when Our Lady says in the Magnificat that all generations shall call her blessed, because God hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden, she means that He has accepted her abjection and lowliness in order to fill her with graces and favours. Nevertheless, there is a difference between humility and abjection; for abjection is the poverty, vileness and littleness which exist in us, without our taking heed to them; but humility implies a real knowledge and voluntary recognition of that abjection. And the highest point of humility consists in not merely acknowledging one's abjection, but in taking pleasure therein, not from any want of breadth or courage, but to give the more glory to God's Divine Majesty, and to esteem one's neighbour more highly than one's self. This is what I would have you do; - St. Francis de Sales
Image taken from Wikimedia Commons
The Seven Precious Gems
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The Seven Precious
Gems of the Queen of Heaven
The first gem is her outstanding virtuousness, for there exists no
virtue in any other spirit or in any other body, which she does not possess
more excellently.
The second gem is her perfect purity, for the Queen of Heaven was
so pure that not a single stain of sin was ever to be found in her from the
beginning when she first entered the world up to the final day of her death.
Not all the devils together could find enough impurity in her to fit on the
head of a pin. She was truly pure, for it was not fitting for the King of glory
to lie in any but the purest, cleanest, and most select vessel among angels and
men.
The third gem was her beauty, for God is praised constantly by his
saints for the beauty of his Mother. Her beauty completes the joy of the holy
angels and of all holy souls.
The fourth precious gem in the crown is the Virgin
Mothers' wisdom, for she was filled with all divine wisdom in God and through
her all wisdom is completed and perfected.
The fifth gem is power, for she is so powerful before God that she
can crush anything that has been created or made.
The sixth gem is her shining clarity, for she shines so clear that
she even sheds light on the angels, whose eyes shine more clearly than light,
and the demons do not dare to look upon her shining clarity.
The seventh gem is the fullness of every delight and spiritual
sweetness, since her fullness is such that there is no joy that she does not
add to, no delight that is not made fuller and more perfect through her and
through the blessed vision of her, for she is filled and replete with grace
beyond all the saints. She is the pure vessel in which lay the bread of angels
and in which all sweetness and beauty is found. Her Son placed these seven gems
in between the seven lilies in her crown. Wherefore, bride of her Son, honor
and praise her with all your heart, for she is truly worthy of all praise and
honor!
St. John the Baptist, to
St. Bridget of Sweden in a vision, describing the Blessed Virgin Mary
taken from the Revelations of St. Brigitta of Sweden
Image taken from Wikimedia Commons
taken from the Revelations of St. Brigitta of Sweden
Image taken from Wikimedia Commons
The Blessed Virgin, by St. Elizabeth
The Blessed Virgin,
by St. Elizabeth
"The first was, that he would give me his grace by means of which I should be able to fulfill the first commandment, that is, on loving God above all things, with all my heart, all my mind and all my strength."
"The second was, that I should be able to fulfill the second commandment, on loving my neighbour as myself, and that he should make me love what he himself loved."
"The third was, that I should be able to fulfill the third commandment and that he should make me hate the enemy of the human race because from him derive vice, sin, and whatever he himself hates."
"The fourth was, that he should give me humility, patience, kindliness, gentleness and other virtues, by which I might be made lovely in his eyes."
"The fifth was, that he should allow me to see the time when that blessed virgin should be born who, according to the sayings of the prophets, was to bear his son; and that he would keep safe my eyes with which I might see her, my ears with which I might hear her speak, my tongue with which I might praise her, my hands with which I might touch her, my feet with which I might run to her, my knees on which I might do her homage, and see and do homage to her son lying on her lap."
"The sixth was, that he would give me grace by which I might be able to keep all the commandments of the priests and the rules of the Temple."
"The seventh and last was that he would deign to keep safe his holy Temple and all his own People, to serve him forever."'
The Blessed Virgin, to St. Elizabeth,
from 'The Revelations of St. Elizabeth of Toss
Image taken from Wikimedia Commons
from 'The Revelations of St. Elizabeth of Toss
Image taken from Wikimedia Commons
Forgiveness Quotes
Quotes on Forgiveness by the Saints
He passed over his fall, and appointed him first of the Apostles; wherefore He said: ' 'Simon, Simon,' etc. (in Ps. cxxix. 2). God allowed him to fall, because He meant to make him ruler over the whole world, that, remembering his own fall, he might forgive those who should slip in the future. And that what I have said is no guess, listen to Christ Himself saying: 'Simon, Simon, etc.' -Saint John Chrysostom
Be assured that one great means to find favor when we appear before God is to have pardoned the injuries we have received here below. - Ven. Louis de Granada
If
a man finds it very hard to forgive injuries, let him look at a Crucifix, and
think that Christ shed all His Blood for him, and not only forgave His enemies,
but even prayed His Heavenly Father to forgive them also. Let him remember that
when he says the Pater Noster, every day, instead of asking pardon for his
sins, he is calling down vengeance on himself. -Saint Philip Neri
Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again. - Saint Augustine
Confession heals,
confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin. All hope consists in
confession. In confession there is a chance for mercy. Believe it firmly. Do
not doubt, do not hesitate, never despair of the mercy of God. Hope and have
confidence in confession. -St. Isidore of Seville Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again. - Saint Augustine
To
the extent that you pray with all your soul for the person who slanders you,
God will make the truth known to those who have been scandalized by the
slander. -St. Maximos the Confessor
For there are three ways of performing an act of mercy: the merciful word, by forgiving and by comforting; secondly, if you can offer no word, then pray - that too is mercy; and thirdly, deeds of mercy. And when the Last Day comes, we shall be judged from this, and on this basis we shall receive the eternal verdict. -Saint Faustina Kowalska
For there are three ways of performing an act of mercy: the merciful word, by forgiving and by comforting; secondly, if you can offer no word, then pray - that too is mercy; and thirdly, deeds of mercy. And when the Last Day comes, we shall be judged from this, and on this basis we shall receive the eternal verdict. -Saint Faustina Kowalska
Avoid
slander because it is difficult to retract. Avoid offending anyone for to ask
forgiveness is not delightful. -Saint John Cantius
This Blood that but one drop of has the power to win all the world forgiveness of its world of sin. -St. Thomas Aquinas
The Christian law commands that we forgive our enemies and those who have wronged us. I must therefore say here that I forgive Taikosama. I would rather have all the Japanese become Christians. -Saint Paul Miki one of the Martyrs of Nagasaki
This Blood that but one drop of has the power to win all the world forgiveness of its world of sin. -St. Thomas Aquinas
The Christian law commands that we forgive our enemies and those who have wronged us. I must therefore say here that I forgive Taikosama. I would rather have all the Japanese become Christians. -Saint Paul Miki one of the Martyrs of Nagasaki
He
who knows how to forgive prepares for himself many graces from God. As often as
I look upon the cross, so often will I forgive with all my heart. (390) -St.
Faustina
Fear and honor, praise and bless, thank and adore the Lord God Almighty, in Trinity and Unity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Creator of all things. Do not put off any longer confessing all your sins, for death will soon come. Give and it will be given you; forgive and you will be forgiven. . . Blessed are they who die repentant, for they shall go to the Kingdom of Heaven! But woe to those who are not converted, for these children of the Devil will go with their father into everlasting fire. Be watchful, therefore. Shun evil, and persevere in well-doing until the end. -Saint Francis of Assisi
Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave. -St. John Chrysostom - Easter sermon
I am innocent and I die innocent. I forgive with all my heart those responsible for my death, and I ask God that the shedding of my blood serves toward the peace of our divided Mexico. -Saint Cristobal just before his executioners fired
If a man does what he can and is truly penitent, however often he comes to Me for grace and pardon, "As I live, saith the Lord God, I desire not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live"; I will no longer remember his sins, but all will be forgiven him. -Imitation of Christ
Image taken from Wikimedia Commons
Marian Quotes
Quotes on Mary by the Saints
O sinner, be not discouraged, but
have recourse to Mary in all you necessities. Call her to your assistance, for
such is the divine Will that she should help in every kind of
necessity. --Saint Basil the Great
I am not only the Queen of Heaven, but also the Mother of
Mercy. - Our Lady to Saint Faustina
O
Mary, you give assistance to everyone endeavoring to rise to God! - St. Bridget of Sweden
Prayer is powerful beyond limits when we turn to the
Immaculata who is queen even of God's heart. - Saint Maximilian Kolbe
After the love which we owe Jesus
Christ, we must give the chief place in our heart to the love of His Mother
Mary. --St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
She is more Mother than Queen. - Saint Therese of Lisieux,
Doctor of the Church
If
you wish to walk securely and be certain of your salvation, if you aspire to a
great crown in Heaven that will never fade, love and honor Mary, and strive to
make her known, loved, and honored by others. - St. Joseph Cafasso
Mary seeks for those who approach her devoutly and with
reverence, for such she loves, nourishes, and adopts as her children. - Saint
Bonaventure, Doctor of the Church
By
Mary, God descended from Heaven into the world, so that by her men might ascend
from earth into Heaven. - St. Fulgentius
However great a sinner may have been, if he shows himself devout to Mary he will never perish. - St. Hilary of Poitiers
Whatsoever we do, we can never be
true children of Mary, unless we are humble. -- St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
Always stay close to this Heavenly Mother, because she is the
sea to be crossed to reach the shores of Eternal Splendour. - Saint Padre Pio,
1887-1968 AD
No
one, not even a sinner, who devoutly recommends himself to her shall ever
become the prey of Hell. -St. Catherine of Siena
Men do not fear a powerful hostile
army as the powers of hell fear the name and protection of Mary. --St.
Bonaventure
My
children, if you desire perseverance, be devout to our Blessed Lady. - St. Philip Neri
No one will ever be the servant of
the Son without serving the Mother. --Saint Ildephonsus, Bishop
If you invoke the Blessed Virgin
when you are tempted, she will come at once to your help, and Satan will leave
you. --St. John Vianney
He
who is devout to the Virgin Mother will certainly never be lost. - St. Ignatius of Antioch
Mary having co-operated in our
redemption with so much glory to God and so much love for us, Our Lord ordained
that no one shall obtain salvation except through her intercession. -- St.
Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
Not
one of those who love her can perish; not one of those who try to imitate her
can fail to attain eternal salvation. - St. John Eudes
As mariners are guided into port by the shining of a star, so
Christians are guided to heaven by Mary - Saint Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the
Church
Not a single soul who has really persevered in her service has ever been damned. - St. Louis Marie de Montfort
Hell
is not the lot of any true client of Mary for whom she prays even once, and for
whom she says to her Son that she wishes him to be saved ... It is sufficient
that you desire our salvation, O Mary, and we cannot help but be saved. - St. Anselm
In trial or difficulty I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose
glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear. - Saint Therese of Lisieux,
Doctor of the Church
The
sign of those who will be saved consists in this: that they have a great
devotion to Mary in their hearts. - Bl. John of Avila
I
believe that devotion to thee, O Lady, is a certain sign of eternal salvation. - St. Gabriel of the Most Sorrowful Virgin
It
is impossible to be saved without the help of the Most Blessed Virgin, because
those who are not saved by the justice of God are saved by the intercession of
Mary. - St. John Chrysostom
Would
that everyone might know that I would be already damned if it were not for Mary!
- St. Louis Marie de
Montfort
All the sins of your life seem to
be rising up against you. Don't give up hope! On the contrary, call your holy
mother Mary, with the faith and abandonment of a child. She will bring peace to
your soul. --St. Josemaria Escriva
Devotion
to Mary is a sure sign of predestination to him who possesses it. - Blessed Alan de la Roche
Mary is the Mysterious Book of Predestination to glory. - St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Mary is the Mysterious Book of Predestination to glory. - St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
O
how long ago the earth would have been destroyed, if Mary had not interposed! - St. Fulgentius
Love of Mary and devotion to her are a sure sign of obtaining eternal salvation. - St. Bernard
Love of Mary and devotion to her are a sure sign of obtaining eternal salvation. - St. Bernard
When the devil wishes to make
himself master of a soul, he seeks to make it give up devotion to Mary. -- St.
Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
Devotion to you, O Blessed Virgin,
is a means of salvation which God gives to those whom he wishes to save.
--Saint John Damascene
Do
you want certain salvation? Then have great devotion to the Virgin Mary... She
will guarantee your salvation. She infallibly saves the one who honors her. - St. Sharbel Makhlouf
Let us then cast ourselves at the feet of this good Mother,
and embracing them let us not depart until she blesses us, and accepts us for
her children. - Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Father and Doctor of the Church
Mary was raised to the dignity of
Mother of God rather for sinners than for the just, since Jesus Christ declares
that he came to call not the just, but sinners. -- St. Anselm
Love our Lady. And she will obtain
abundant grace to help you conquer in your daily struggle. --St. Josemaria
Escriva
Whoever
bears the mark of a servant of Mary is already enrolled in the Book of Life. - St. Bonaventure
We never give more honour to Jesus
than when we honour his Mother, and we honour her simply and solely to honour
him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we
seek - Jesus, her Son. --Saint Louis Marie de Montfort
Every
Saint belongs to the court of the Queen of All Saints. - St. John Eudes
It is impossible to save one's
soul without devotion to Mary and without her protection. --Saint Anselm,
Archbishop and Doctor of the Church
Jesus honored her before all ages, and will honor her for all
ages. No one comes to Him, nor even near Him, no one is saved or sanctified, if
he too will not honor her. This is the lot of Angels and of men. - Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Martyr
Never be afraid of loving the
Blessed Virgin Mary too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did. If
anyone does not wish to have Mary Immaculate for his mother, he will not have
Christ for his brother. -- St. Maximilian Kolbe
A man is no true Christian if he
has no devotion to the Mother of Jesus Christ. --Saint John Eudes
Angels
constantly guard the clients of this Blessed Virgin from the assaults of Hell. - St. Gertrude the Great
The greatest saints, those richest
in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most Blessed
Virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful
helper to assist them. -Saint Louis Marie de Montfort
If
you are in danger, if your hearts are confused, turn to Mary; she is our
comfort, our help; turn towards her and you will be saved. - St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
The
servants of Mary are as sure of getting to Paradise as though they were already
there. Who are they who are saved and who reign in Heaven? Surely those for
whom the Queen of Mercy intercedes ... The clients of Mary will necessarily be
saved. - St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori
When our hands have touched
spices, they give fragrance to all they handle. Let us make our prayers pass
through the hands of the Blessed Virgin. She will make them fragrant. --
St. John Vianney
Let not that man presumes to look
for mercy from God who offends His Holy Mother! --Saint Louis Marie de Montfort
Never be afraid of loving the
Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus
did. --Saint Maximilian Kolbe
May I give you some advice for you to put into practice
daily? When your heart makes you feel those low cravings, say slowly to the
Immaculate Virgin: Look on me with compassion. Don't abandon me. Don't abandon
me, my Mother! -- And recommend this prayer to others. --St.
Josemaria Escriva
The Virgin Mary, being obedient to his word, received from an
angel the glad tidings that she would bear God - Saint Irenaeus, Father of the
Church
Let us run to Mary, and, as her
little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence.
--Saint Francis de Sales
Not only do they offend thee, O
Lady, who outrage thee, but thou art also offended by those who neglect to ask
thy favors . . . He who neglects the service of the Blessed Virgin will die in
his sins . . . He who does not invoke thee, O Lady, will never get to Heaven .
. . Not only will those from whom Mary turns her countenance not be saved, but
there will be no hope of their salvation . . . No one can be saved without the
protection of Mary. --Saint Bonaventure, Cardinal-Bishop and Doctor
of the Church
Woe to those who despise devotion to Mary! . . . The soul
cannot live without having recourse to Mary and recommending itself to her. He
falls and is lost who does not have recourse to Mary. - Saint Alphonsus Maria
Liguori, Doctor of the Church and Founder of the Redemptorists
She
is the eldest daughter of the Great King. If you enjoy her favor, she will
introduce you to the Monarch of the Universe. No one has so great an interest
with Him than Mary, who was the occasion of His coming down from Heaven to
become man for the redemtion of mankind. - St. John the Almoner
Often make acts of love of our Lady, the saints, and the holy angels. Make friends with them. Talk with them frequently, using words of praise and tenderness. When you have gained familiar access to the citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem above, you will grieve far less at bidding farewell to those of the mean city here below. - St. Francis de Sales
When we feel our cross weighing upon us, let us have recourse to Mary, whom the Church calls the "Consoler of the Afflicted." - St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori
If
you love her, she will shower on you many graces in this life, and be an
assurance to you of Heaven hereafter.
- St. John Bosco
The man who burns with the fire of divine love is a son of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and wherever he goes, he enkindles that flame; he desires and works with all his strength to inflame all men with the fire of God's love. Nothing deters him: he rejoices in poverty; he labors strenuously; he welcomes hardships; he laughs off false accusations; he rejoices in anguish. He thinks only of how he might follow Jesus Christ and imitate Him by his prayers, his labors, his sufferings, and by caring always and only for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. - St. Anthony Mary Claret
For God, having given her power over his only-begotten and
natural Son, also gave her power over his adopted children - not only in what
concerns their body - which would be of little account - but also in what
concerns their soul. - Saint Louis Marie de Montfort
I
therefore command all my Brothers, those living now and those to come in the
future, to venerate the Holy Mother of God, whom we always implore to be our
Protectress, to praise her at all times, in all circumstances of life, with all
the means in their power and with the greatest devotion and submission. - St. Francis of Assisi
O
admirable Mother of God! How many sins have I committed for which thou hast
obtained pardon for me, and how many others would I have committed if thou
hadst not preserved me? How often have I seen myself on the brink of Hell in
obvious danger of falling into it but for thy most benign hand which saved me?
How often would the Roaring Lion of Hell have devoured and swallowed up my soul
had not the charity of thy heart opposed him? Alas! Without thee, my dearest
and my all-good Mother, where should I be today? I should be in the fiery
furnace of Hell from which I would never emerge! - St. John Eudes
Because Mary remained hidden
during her life she is called by the Holy Spirit and the Church "Alma
Mater", Mother hidden and unknown. So great was her humility that she
desired nothing more upon earth than to remain unknown to herself and to
others, and to be known only to God. In answer to her prayers to remain hidden,
poor and lowly, God was pleased to conceal her from nearly every other human
creature in her conception, her birth, her life, her mysteries, her
resurrection and assumption. Her own parents did not really know her; and the
angels would often ask one another, "Who can she possibly be?", for
God had hidden her from them, or if he did reveal anything to them, it was
nothing compared with what he withheld. - St. Louis Marie de Montfort
Oh, how I love my
Mother! She knows it; and then Jesus Himself gave Her to me, and told me to
love Her very much. And what great kindness this Heavenly Mother has always
shown me! What would have become of me, if I have not had Her? She has always
helped me in my spiritual wants; She has preserved me from countless dangers;
She has freed me from the hands of the devil who was ceaselessly coming to
attack me; She pleaded my cause with Jesus when I sinned, and She soothed Him
when I moved Him to anger by my wicked life; She has taught me to know Him and
to love Him, to be good and to please Him. Ah, my dear Mother, I will love Thee
always and forever! - St Gemma Galgani
Eucharist Quotes
Quotes on the Holy Eucharist by the Saints
As I was about to receive Holy Communion, our Lord told me that He would come Himself to imprint on my heart the mystical life which He leads in the Holy Eucharist, a life entirely hidden and annihilated in the eyes of men, a life of sacrifice and seeming inactivity. He added that He would Himself give me the strength to do what He required of me. -- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
O
my children, how beautiful will that soul be in eternity, who makes frequent
and good Communions! -- St. Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney, the Cure of Ars
Our
sweet Jesus, through the excess of His love and liberality, has left Himself to
us in the Most Holy Sacrament. -- St. Philip Neri
When
I am before the Blessed Sacrament I feel such a lively faith that I can't
describe it. Christ in the Eucharist is almost tangible to me...When it is time
for me to leave, I have to tear myself away from His sacred presence. -- St.
Anthony of Claret
The
Blessed Eucharist is the perfect Sacrament of the Lord's Passion, since It
contains Christ Himself and his Passion. -- St. Thomas Aquinas
O
Sacrament of Love! O sign of Unity! O bond of Charity! He who would have Life
finds here indeed a Life to live in and a Life to live by. -- St Augustine
He
loves, He hopes, He waits. If He came down on our altars on certain days only,
some sinner, on being moved to repentance, might have to look for Him, and not
finding Him, might have to wait. Our Lord prefers to wait Himself for the
sinner for years rather than keep him waiting one instant. -- St Peter Julian
Eymard
Holy
Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven. -- Pope St. Pius X
Kneeling
before the tabernacle, I can think of only one thing to say to our Lord: “My
God, you know that I love You.” And I feel that my prayer does not weary Jesus;
knowing my weakness, He is satisfied with my good will. - Saint Therese of Lisieux
The Eucharist is the supreme proof of the love of Jesus.
After this, there is nothing more but Heaven itself. - St. Peter Julian
Eymard
I
have no taste for corruptible food nor for the pleasures of this life. I desire
the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of
David; and for drink I desire his blood, which is love incorruptible -
St. Ignatius of Antioch
Our
Lord does not come down from Heaven every day to lie in a golden ciborium. He
comes to find another heaven which is infinitely dearer to him – the heaven of
our souls, created in His Image, the living temples of the Adorable Trinity. - Saint Therese of Lisieux
If
it is "daily bread," why do you take it once a year? . . . Take daily
what is to profit you daily. Live in such a way that you may deserve to receive
it daily. He who does not deserve to receive it daily, does not deserve to
receive it once a year. - St.
Ambrose of Milan
He
loves, He hopes, He waits. If He came down on our altars on certain days only,
some sinner, on being moved to repentance, might have to look for Him, and not
finding Him, might have to wait. Our Lord prefers to wait Himself for the
sinner for years rather than keep him waiting one instant. -St. Julian
Peter Eymard
What
does the poor man do at the rich man’s door, the sick man in the presence of
his physician, the thirsty man at a limpid stream? What they do, I do before
the Eucharistic God. I pray. I adore. I love. -St. Francis
Holy
Communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven. -Pope St. Pius X
Everyday, Jesus humbles himself just as He did when He came from His heavenly throne into the Virgin’s womb; everyday He comes to us and lets us see Him in abjection, when He descends from the bosom of the Father into the hands of the priest at the altar. - St. Francis of Assisi
When
you approach the tabernacle remember that he has been waiting for you for
twenty centuries. - St. Josemaria Escriva
If someone knows from experience that daily Communion increases fervor without lessening reverence, then let him go every day. But if someone finds that reverence is lessened and devotion not much increased, then let him sometimes abstain, so as to draw near afterwards with better dispositions. - St. Thomas Aquinas
If someone knows from experience that daily Communion increases fervor without lessening reverence, then let him go every day. But if someone finds that reverence is lessened and devotion not much increased, then let him sometimes abstain, so as to draw near afterwards with better dispositions. - St. Thomas Aquinas
Eat
my flesh,’ [Jesus] says, ‘and drink my blood.’ The Lord supplies us with these
intimate nutrients, he delivers over his flesh and pours out his blood, and nothing
is lacking for the growth of his children -St. Clement of Alexandria
Since
Christ Himself has said, "This is My Body" who shall dare to doubt
that It is His Body? -St. Cyril of Jerusalem
'He said: This is my Body; therefore the Eucharist is not the figure of his
Body and Blood, as some have said, talking nonsense in their stupid minds, but
it is in very truth the Blood and Body of Christ.' - St. Macarius the Great
The
Holy Mass
Hear Mass daily; it will prosper the whole day. All
your duties will be performed the better for it, and your soul will be stronger
to bear its daily cross. The Mass is the most holy act of religion; you can do
nothing that can give greater glory to God or be more profitable for your soul
than to hear Mass both frequently and devoutly. It is the favorite devotion of
the saints. -- St. Peter Julian Eymard
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