7/30/2019 100 Quotes of the Saints

1/8

"Remember that you will derive strength by reflecting that the saints yearn for you to join theirranks; desire to see you fight bravely, and that you behave like true knights in your encounters withthe same adversities which they had to conquer, and that breathtaking joy is theirs and your eternalreward for having endured a few years of temporal pain. Every drop of earthly bitterness will bechanged into an ocean of heavenly sweetness."1St. Henry Suso

"What a weakness it is to love Jesus Christ only when He Caresses us, and to be cold immediatelyonce He afflicts us. This is not true love. Those who love thus, love themselves too much to love Godwith all their heart."2St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

"What is impossible to God? Not that which is difficult to His power, but that which is contrary to Hisnature."3St. Ambrose of Milan

"Mental prayer is nothing else but being on terms of friendship with God, frequently conversing insecret with Him."4St. Teresa of Avila

"Imagine your anger to be a kind of wild beast, because it has ferocious teeth and claws, and if youdon't tame it, it will devastate all things even corrupting the soul."5St. John Chrysostom

"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and besilent."6St. John of the Cross

"God overthrows the thrones of those who are disobedient to His law. My political views are those ofthe Our Father."7St. Avitus of Vienna

"They say, "God told me", or "God replied to me". And yet most of the time they are talking tothemselves."8St. John of the Cross

"The more we are afflicted in this world, the greater is our assurance in the next; the more wesorrow in the present, the greater will be our joy in the future."9St. Isidore of Seville

"It is true that God's power triumphs over everything, but humble and suffering prayer prevails overGod Himself."10St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

"In the same way that a powerful medicine cures an illness, so illness itself is a medicine to curepassion. And there is much profit of soul in bearing illness quietly and giving thanks to God."11St. Amma Syncletice

"When it is all over you will not regret having suffered; rather you will regret having suffered solittle, and suffered that little so badly."12St. Sebastian Valfre

"Is it not true that your gloominess and bad temper are due to your lack of determination inbreaking the subtle snares laid by your own disordered desires? The daily examination of conscienceis an indispensible help if we are to follow our Lord with sincerity of heart and integrity of life."13St. Jose Maria Escriva'

"The saints were so completely dead to themselves they cared very little whether others agreed withthen or not!"14St. John Vianney

7/30/2019 100 Quotes of the Saints

2/8

"Though perseverance does not come from our power, yet it comes from within our power."15St. Francis DeSales

"And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discoveredwhat we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannotovercome us unless we so choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with

the sign of the most Holy Cross."16St. Catherine of Sienna

"God never deserts a man, unless He is deserted by that man first. For even if a man shall havecommitted grievous sins once, twice, and a third time, God still looks for him, "so that he may beconverted and live."17St. Caesarius of Arles

"Until we have acquired genuine prayer, we are like people teaching children to begin to walk."18St. Margaret Mary Alocoque

"There are three distinct comings of the Lord of which I know: His coming to men, His coming intomen, and His coming against men."19

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

"The one who is our very Life descended into our world, and bore our death, and slew it with theabundance of His own life. Thundering, He called out to us to return to Him in heaven."20St. Augustine

"Hold firmly that our faith is identical with the ancients. Deny this, and you dissolve the unity of theChurch."21St. Thomas Aquinas

"Every morning you put on your clothes to cover your nakedness and protect your body frominclement weather. Why don't you also clothe your soul with the garment of faith? Remember eachmorning the truths of your creed, and look at yourself in the mirror of your faith. Otherwise, yoursoul will soon be naked with the nakedness of oblivion."22St. Augustine

"If only mortals would learn how great it is to possess divine grace, how beautiful, how noble, howprecious. How many riches it hides within itself, how many joys and delights! No one wouldcomplain about his cross or about troubles that may happen to him, if he would come to know thescales on which they are weighed when they are distributed to men."23St. Rose of Lima

"When the Holy Rosary is said well, it gives Jesus and Mary more glory and is more meritoriousthan any other prayer."24St. Louis de Montfort

"Blood that but one drop of has the power to win.......All the world forgiveness of its world of sin."25St. Thomas Aquinas

"Moreover the strongest support is provided not only to protect the young from evil, but also to rousethem and attract them more easily and gently to the performance of good works. Like the twigs ofplants, the young are easily influenced, as long as someone works to change their souls. But if theyare allowed to grow hard, we know well that the possibility of one day bending them diminishes agreat deal and is sometimes utterly lost."26St. Joseph Calasanz

"Christ does not force our will, He only takes what we give Him. But He does not give Himselfentirely until He sees that we yield ourselves entirely to Him."27St Teresa of Avila

"The measure of charity may be taken from the want of desires. As desires diminish in the soul,charity increases in it; and when it no longer feels any desire, then it possesses perfect charity."28

7/30/2019 100 Quotes of the Saints

3/8

St. Augustine

"It is to those who have the most need of us that we ought to show our love more especially."29St. Francis de Sales

"Love the poor tenderly, regarding them as your masters and yourselves as their servants."30

St. John of God

"Before prayer, endeavor to realize whose Presence you are approaching, and to whom you areabout to speak. We can never fully understand how we ought to behave towards God, before whomthe angels tremble."31St. Teresa of Avila

"True charity consists in doing good to those who do us evil, and in thus winning them over."32St. Alphonsus Liguori

"You go to pray; to become a bonfire, a living flame, giving light and heat."33St Josemaria Escriva

"After you have made a decision that is pleasing to God, the Devil may try to make you have secondthoughts. Intensify your prayer time, meditation, and good deeds. For if Satan's temptations merelycause you to increase your efforts to grow in holiness, he'll have an incentive to leave you alone."34St. Ignatius of Loyola

"He who does not meditate acts as one who never looks into the mirror and so does not bother to puthimself in order, since he can be dirty without knowing it. The person who meditates and turns histhoughts to God who is the mirror of the soul, seeks to know his defects and tries to correct them,moderates himself in his impulses and puts his conscience in order."35St.Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

"The love of talk distracts all the powers of our soul from God, and fills them with earthly objects andimpressions, like a vessel of water that cannot be settled while you are continualy stirring the earthlyparticles from the bottom."36St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

"You should never praise anyone until you see how he turns out in the end!"37St. Francis of Assisi

"The purest suffering bears and carries in its train the purest understanding."38St. John of the Cross

"Christ does not force our will, He only takes what we give Him. But He does not give Himselfentirely until He sees that we yield ourselves entirely to Him."39St. Teresa of Avila

"In order to avoid discord, never contradict anyone except in case of sin or some danger to aneighbor; and when necessary to contradict others, do it with tact and not with temper."40St. Louis IX

"You strayed from the way and did not return because you were ashamed. It would be more logicalif you were ashamed not to return."41St. Josemaria Escriva

"Trials and tribulations offer us a chance to make reparation for our past faults and sins. On suchoccasions the Lord comes to us like a physician to heal the wounds left by our sins. Tribulation is thedivine medicine."42St. Augustine of Hippo

"We must often draw the comparison between time and eternity. This is the remedy of all our

troubles. How small will the present moment appear when we enter that great ocean."43St. Elizebeth Ann Seton

http://www.ewtn.com/saintsholy/saints/E/stelizabethannseton.asphttp://www.ewtn.com/saintsholy/saints/E/stelizabethannseton.asp

7/30/2019 100 Quotes of the Saints

4/8

"Nothing is sweeter than the calm of conscience, nothing safer than purity of soul - yet no one canbestow this on himself because it is properly the gift of God's grace."44St. Columban

"Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul, except sin. God commands you to pray, but He

forbids you to worry."45

St. Francis de Sales

"The affairs of God are accomplished little by little and almost imperceptibly. The Spirit of God isneither violent nor hasty. He does all things in His time."46St. Vincent de Paul

"You don't love in your enemies what they are, but what you would have them become by yourprayers."47St. Augustine of Hippo

"If you embrace all things in this life as coming from the hands of God, and even embrace death tofulfill His holy will, assuredly you will die a saint."48St. Alphonsus Liguori

"The Devil never runs upon a man to seize him with his claws until he sees him on the ground,already having fallen by his own will."49St. Thomas More

"Remember that the Christian life is one of action; not of speech and daydreams. Let there be fewwords and many deeds, and let them be done well."50St. Vincent Pallotti

"In times of desolation, God conceals Himself from us so that we can discover for ourselves what weare without Him."51St. Margaret of Cortona

"We ought not, as soon as we leave church, to plunge into business unsuited to church, but as soon aswe get home, we should take the Scriptures into our hands, and call our wife and children to join usin putting together what we have heard in church."52St John Chrysostom

"Everything seems to me to pass so quickly that we must concentrate on how to die rather than onhow to live. How sweet it is to die if one has lived on the Cross with Christ."53St. Teresa of Avila

"A Christian is not his own master, since all his time belongs to God."54St. Ignatius of Antioch

"No idle word should be uttered. I understand a word to be idle when it serves no good purpose,either for myself or for another, and was not intended to do so."55St. Ignatius of Loyola

"The highest degree of meekness consists in seeing, serving, honoring, and treating amiably, onoccasion, those who are not to our taste, and who show themselves unfriendly, ungrateful, andtroublesome to us."56St. Francis de Sales

"We must acknowledge that God is happiness itself or we will never know what true happiness is!"57St. Servinus

"There is no danger if our prayer is without words or reflection because the good success of prayerdepends neither on words nor on study. It depends upon the simple raising of our minds to God, andthe more simple and stripped of feeling it is, the surer it is."58St. Jane Frances de Chantal

http://www.ewtn.com/saintsholy/saints/C/stcolumban.asphttp://www.ewtn.com/saintsholy/saints/F/stfrancisdesales.asphttp://http/www.ewtn.com/saintsholy/saints/A/staugustine.asphttp://www.ewtn.com/saintsholy/saints/C/stcolumban.asphttp://www.ewtn.com/saintsholy/saints/F/stfrancisdesales.asphttp://http/www.ewtn.com/saintsholy/saints/A/staugustine.asp

7/30/2019 100 Quotes of the Saints

5/8

"The soul that journey's to God, but doesn't shake off it's cares and quiet it's appetities, is likesomeone who drags a cart of dirt uphill."59St. John of the Cross

"What does it cost us to say: "My God help me! Have mercy on me!" Is there anything easier thanthis? And this little will suffice to save us if we be diligent in doing it."60

St. Alphonsus Liguori

"O my soul, what are you doing? Are you not aware that God sees you always? You can never hideyourself from His sight. O Father, have pity on us because we are blind and in darkness. Drive outthe darkness and give me light. Melt the ice of my self-love and kindle in me the fire of Yourcharity."61St. Catherine of Siena

"It is loving the Cross that one finds one heart, for Divine Love cannot live without suffering."62St. Bernadette

"If something uncharitable is said in your presence, either speak in favor of the absent, or withdraw,or if possible stop the conversation."63

St. John Vianney

"Don't give in to discouragement. If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride because it shows youtrust in your own powers. Never bother about people's opinions. Be obedient to truth. For withhumble obedience, you will never be disturbed."64Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"You don't know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God, and as soon as you have said,'Lord, I don't know how to pray!" you can be sure you have already begun.'"65St. Josemaria Escriva

"No one has ever been accused for not providing ornaments, but for those who neglect theirneighbour a hell awaits with an inextinguishable fire and torment in the company of the demons. Donot, therefore, adorn the church and ignore your afflicted brother, for he is the most precious templeof all."66St John Chrysostom

"Highest Providence often works a wonderful miracle: that of having evil men make others who areevil to become good."67St. Severinus

"We are at Jesus' disposal. If he wants you to be sick in bed, if he wants you to proclaim His work inthe street, if he wants you to clean the toilets all day, that's all right, everything is all right. We mustsay, "I belong to you. You can do whatever you like." And this ..is our strength, and this is the joy ofthe Lord."68Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"It's true he was a sinner. But don't pass so final a judgement. Have pity in your heart and don'tforget that he may yet be an Augustine, while you remain just another mediocrity."69St. Josmaria Escriva

"Would that men might come at last to see that it is quite impossible to reach the thicket of the richesand wisdom of God except by first entering the thicket of much suffering, in such a way that the soulfinds there its consolation and desire. The soul that longs for divine wisdom chooses first, and intruth, to enter the thicket of the cross."70St. John of the Cross

"The wicked exist in this world either to be converted or that through them the good may exercisepatience."71St. Augustine

"The way to Heaven is straight and narrow: they who wish to arrive at that place of bliss by walking

7/30/2019 100 Quotes of the Saints

6/8

in the paths of pleasure shall be disappointed; and therefore few reach it, because few are willing touse violence to themselves in resisting temptations."72St. Alphonsus Liguori

"It is certain that the love of God does not consist in this sweetness and tenderness which we for themost part desire; but rather in serving Him in justice, fortitude, and humility. His Majesty seeks and

loves courageous souls."73St. Teresa of Avila

"Never rise from the table without having given thanks to the Lord. If we act in this way we needhave no fear of the wretched sin of gluttony."74St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

"We do not have to talk very much in order to pray well. We know that God is there in His holytabernacle; let us open our hearts to Him; let us rejoice in His Presence: This is the best prayer."75St. John Vianney

"Who teaches the soul if not God?"76Saint John of the Cross

"There is no sin or wrong that gives a man a foretaste of hell in this life as anger and impatience."77St.Catherine of Sienna

"It is blasphemy if you pray before God while you are full of anger."78St. Ephraem the Syrian

"A Christian has a union with Jesus Christ more noble, more intimate and more perfect than themembers of a human body have with their head."79St. John Eudes

"All our religion is but a false religion, and all our virtues are mere illusions and we ourselves areonly hypocrites in the sight of God, if we have not that universal charity for everyone - for the good,and for the bad, for the poor and for the rich, and for all those who do us harm as much as those whodo us good."80St. John Vianney

"Here is one of the best means to acquire humility; fix well in mind this maxim: One is as much as heis in the sight of God, and no more."81St. Francis of Assisi

"Many would be willing to have afflictions provided that they not be inconvenienced by them."82St. Francis de Sales

"The bread you store up belongs to the hungry; the cloak that lies in your chest belongs to the naked;the gold you have hidden in the ground belongs to the poor."83St. Basil the Great

"The rich man who gives to the poor does not bestow alms but pays a debt."84St. Ambrose of Milan

"It would be considered a theft on our part if we didn't give to someone in greater need than weare."85St. Francis of Assisi

"I bind to myself today the power in the love of the Seraphim, in the obedience of the Angels, in theministration of the Archangels, in the hope of Resurrection unto reward, in the prayers of thePatriarchs, in the predictions of the Prophets, in the preaching of the Apostles, in the faith of theConfessors, in the purity of the holy Virgins, in the deeds of Righteous men."86St. Patrick of Ireland

"If I had to advise parents, I should tell them to take great care about the people with whom their

7/30/2019 100 Quotes of the Saints

7/8

children associate . . . Much harm may result from bad company, and we are inclined by nature tofollow what is worse than what is better."87St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

"The Lord was Baptized, not to be cleansed Himself, but to cleanse the waters, so that those waters,cleansed by the flesh of Christ which knew no sin, might have the power of Baptism."88

St. Ambrose of Milan

"Christ has made my soul beautiful with the jewels of grace and virtue. I belong to Him Whom theAngels serve."89St. Agnes

"Never read books you aren't sure about . . . even supposing that these bad books are very wellwritten from a literary point of view. Let me ask you this: Would you drink something you knew waspoisoned just because it was offered to you in a golden cup?"90St. John Bosco

"You can do nothing with children unless you win their confidence and love by bringing them intotouch with yourself, by breaking through all the hindrances that keep them at a distance. We must

accommodate ourselves to their tastes, we must make ourselves like them."91St. John Bosco

"When we speak about wisdom, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about virtue, we arespeaking of Christ. When we speak about justice, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak aboutpeace, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about truth and life and redemption, we arespeaking of Christ."92St. Ambrose of Milan

"What do they not see, who see Him Who sees all things?"93Pope St. Gregory the Great

"The greater the charity of the Saints in their heavenly home, the more they intercede for those whoare still on their journey and the more they can help them by their prayers; the more they are unitedwith God, the more effective those prayers are. This is in accordance with Divine order, which makeshigher things react upon lower things, like the brightness of the sun filling the atmosphere."94St. Thomas Aquinas

"Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin, all hope consists inconfession; in confession there is a chance for mercy."95St. Isidore of Seville

"Go to your confessor; open your heart to him; display to him all the recesses of your soul; take theadvice that he will give you with the utmost humility and simplicity. For God, Who has an infinitelove for obedience, frequently renders profitable the counsels we take from others, but especiallyfrom those who are the guides of our souls."96St. Francis de Sales

"God desires from you the least degree of purity of conscience more than all the works you canperform."97St. John of the Cross

"The greatness of contemplation can be given to none but those who love."98Pope St. Gregory the Great

"There are in truth three states of the converted: the beginning, the middle, and the perfection. In thebeginning they experience the charms of sweetness; in the middle the contests of temptation; and inthe end the fullness of perfection."99Pope St. Gregory the Great

"The principal act of courage is to endure and withstand dangers doggedly rather than to attack

7/30/2019 100 Quotes of the Saints

8/8

them."100St. Thomas Aquinas