“Quiet is the first step in our sanctification, the tongue purified from the gossip of the world; the eyes unexcited by fair color or comely shape; the ear not relaxing the tone of the mind by voluptuous songs, nor by that special mischief, the talk of comedians and clowns.” St....
“Sometimes all the powers of our souls are concentrated and withdrawn as a result of the deep reverence, the undisturbing fear, that takes hold of us as we reflect on the majesty of the King in Whose presence we are, Who is looking at us; just as we should pull...
“Let me know You, O You Who know me. Let me know You just as I am known to You. Virtue of my soul, come into it and make it over for Your own use, that You may possess it without spot or wrinkle. This is my hope.” St. Augustine...
“When we stand praying, beloved brethren, we ought to be watchful and earnest with our whole heart, intent on our prayers. Let all carnal and worldly thoughts pass away, nor let the soul at that time think on anything but the object only of its prayer. For this reason also...
“When I had come by ill luck to Ireland – well, every day I used to look after sheep and I used to pray often during the day, the love of God and the fear of Him increased more and more in me and my faith began to grow and...
“I have been amazed that some are utterly in doubt as to whether or not the Holy Virgin is able to be called the Mother of God. For if our Lord Jesus Christ is God, how should the Holy Virgin who bore Him not be the Mother of God?” St....
“All truth wherever it is found belongs to us as Christians.” St. Justin Martyr (2nd century) “What contradicts truth cannot be just.” St. Augustine (4th-5th centuries, Doctor of the Church) “For it is our plain duty to preach and defend the truth in a straightforward way. Those who are to...
“If you have begun to act well, do not turn back through constraint of the enemy, for your endurance destroys the enemy. Those who put out to sea at first sail with a favorable wind. Then the sails spread, but later the winds become adverse. Then the waves toss the...
“The Cross, if you wish to define it, is the confirmation of victory, the way by which God descended to man, the trophy against material spirits, the repulsion of death, the foundation of the ascent to the true day, and the ladder for those who hurry to enjoy the light...
“Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.” St. Augustine of Hippo (4th-5th centuries, Doctor of the Church) “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”...