“The Church is one which with increasing fecundity extends far and wide into the multitude, just as the rays of the sun are many but the light is one, and the branches of the tree are many but the strength is one founded in its tenacious root, and, when many...
“When shall I be freed from the miserable slavery of vice? When Lord, shall I think of you alone? When shall I fully rejoice in you? When shall I be without hindrance, in true liberty, free from every grievance of mind and body? When will there be solid peace, undisturbed...
“The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.” St. James the Apostle (James the Less) (1st century) “Urge those who have familiar speech with God to use much prayer, with much perseverance, for the stilling of the tempest that is now wrecking the whole world.” St. John Chrysostom...
“The Sacrament which you receive is effected by the words of Christ. Now if the words of Elijah had the power to call down fire from heaven, will not the words of Christ have the power to change the character [species] of the elements? You have read, in the account...
“True repentance is to cease to sin.” St. Ambrose of Milan (4th century, Doctor of the Church) “Much time I had spent in vanity, and had wasted nearly all my youth acquiring the sort of wisdom made foolish by God. Then once, like a man roused from deep sleep, I...
“Chastity will be lost where the distinction between the sexes is not observed.” St. Ambrose of Milan (4th century, Doctor of the Church) From purity part 3, September 2018 “There are some who wish to be humble, but without being despised, who wish to be happy with their lot, but...
“There is only one thing to be feared…only one trial, and that is sin…All the rest is beside the point, whether you talk of plots, feuds, betrayals, slanders, abuses, accusations, confiscations of property, exile, sharpened words, open sea, or universal war. Whatever they may be, they are all fugitive and...
“God did not tell us to follow Him because he needed our help, but because He knew that loving Him would make us whole.” St. Irenaeus of Lyons (2nd century) From discipleship part 1, February 2006 “To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances; to seek...
“For whereas the Word of God was without flesh, He took upon Himself the holy flesh by the holy Virgin, and prepared a robe which He wove for Himself, like a bridegroom, in the sufferings of the cross, in order that by uniting His own power with our mortal body,...
“Watch with the heart, watch with faith, watch with hope, watch with charity, watch with good works; and then, when you shall sleep in your body, the time will come that you shall rise. And when you shall have risen, make ready the lamps. Then shall they go out no...