Wisdom of the Saints about purity (part 4)

“Let the young men also be blameless in all things, being especially careful to preserve purity, and keeping themselves, as with a bridle, from every kind of evil. For it is well that they should be cut off from the lusts that are in the world.” St. Polycarp of Smyrna...

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Wisdom of the Saints about the Church (part 8)

“[The Church] is called Catholic, then, because it extends over the whole world, from end to end of the earth, and because it teaches universally and infallibly each and every doctrine which must come to the knowledge of men concerning things visible and invisible…because it universally treats and heals every...

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Wisdom of the Saints about the priesthood (part 2)

“The most high and infinitely good God has not granted to angels the power with which He has invested priests.” St. John Chrysostom (4th-5th centuries, Doctor of the Church) “[about the life of a bishop]The turbulent have to be corrected, the faint-hearted cheered up, the weak supported; the Gospel’s opponents...

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Wisdom of the Saints about obedience (part 2)

“Being obedient, Mary became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race.” St. Irenaeus (2nd-3rd centuries) “Obedience is, in a way, the mother of all virtues.” St. Augustine of Hippo (4th-5th centuries, Doctor of the Church) “Obedience unites us so closely to God that in a...

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Wisdom of the Saints about the saints (part 2)

“The sainted martyrs…have inspired aged men to accomplish with much love a long course, and constrained them to support their failing steps by the staff of the Word; and they have stimulated women to finish their course like the young men, and have brought to this, too, those of tender...

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Wisdom of the Saints about sin (part 6)

“Let no one lead you astray; the most pernicious kind of sin is the failure to realize one’s own sinfullness.” St. Caesarius of Arles (5th-6th centuries) “Nor did demons crucify Him, it is you who have crucified Him and crucify Him still, when you delight in your vices and sins.”...

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Wisdom of the saints about sexual morality

“Either we must speak as we dress, or dress as we speak. Why do we profess one thing and display another? The tongue talks of chastity, but the whole body reveals impurity.” St. Jerome (4th-5th centuries, Doctor of the Church) “He that is chaste before marriage, much more will be...

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Wisdom of the Saints about detachment (part 4)

  “If material things please you, take occasion from them to praise God, and turn your love from them toward Him Who made them, lest in these things that please you, you displease Him.” St. Augustine of Hippo (4th-5th centuries, Doctor of the Church)   “Whatever you possess must not...

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