Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do.
St. Augustine
He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms it is far off nor is it he who says it is near, but rather he who, who whether it be far off or near, awaits with sincere faith, steadfast hope and fervent love.
St. Augustine
For in our Hope we are saved.
St. Augustine
Hope is the dream of a waking man.
St. Augustine
St. Bernard of Clairvaux Public Domain Image
Hope is the gift that God bestows on those who seek Him with a sincere heart.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. where there is injury, pardon. where there is doubt, faith, where there is despair, hope, where there is darkness, light. and where there is sadness, joy.
Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you.
Live in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul. Cast your care upon God for you are His and He will not forget you. Do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that would be to wrong Him.
Although I have lived through much darkness, I have seen enough evidence to be unshakably convinced that no difficulty, no fear is so great that it can completely suffocate the hope that springs eternal in the hearts of the young…Do not let that hope die! Stake your lives on it! We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son.
The cross means there is no shipwreck without hope. There is no dark without dawn, no storm without haven.
St. John Paul II
Apart from the mercy of God, there is no other source of hope for mankind.
St. John Paul II
To humanity, which sometimes seems to be lost and dominated by the power of evil, selfishness and fear, the risen Lord gives the gift of His love which forgives, reconciles and reopens the soul to hope.
St. John Paul II
Believers know that the presence of evil is always accompanied by the presence of good… by grace…Where evil grows, there the hope for good also grows…In the love that pours forth from the heart of Christ, we find hope for the future of the world. Christ has redeemed the world. By His wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
St. John Paul II
I plead with you…never ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; I do not give to you as the world gives. Do no let not your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid.” John 14:27.
Quote of Jesus
Peace and serenity of heart are difficult to acquire. The world is a chaotic place to live. Our emotions can make us feel quite helpless. How do we find peace? How do we live in peace? Faith is a gift. With faith, we can pray for peace. The following quotes of the saints are ‘pearls of wisdom’ to help us in our journey.
Lord, Make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
4. Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.
10. Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.
16. Be peace loving.Peace is a precious treasure to be sought with great zeal. Live your life that you may receive the blessings of the Lord. Then the peace of God the Father will be with you always.
21. Abide in peace, banish cares, take no account of all that happens, and you will serve God according to His good pleasure and rest in Him.
St. John of the Cross
22. If you remain constant in faith in the face of trial, the Lord will give you peace and rest for a time in this world and forever in the next.
St. Jerome
23. We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God.
St. Francis de Sales
24. Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of the world disturb it.
And I saw a river over which every soul must pass to reach the Kingdom of Heaven, and the name of that river was suffering.and then I saw a boat which carried souls across the river, and the name of that boat was Love.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
I pray for Your healing touch upon my body, mind and spirit. I beg You to remove any fear or anxiety. Fill me with the Peace that You alone can give. I place myself completely in Your hands.
O my Lord Jesus, trusting in Your care and love for me, may my recovery be swift, my strength be renewed, and my health restored.
I lift up all my afflictions in Your hands, Lord, for You are the Divine Healer with Divine Mercy. O Sacred Heart of Jesus,I put my trust in You. Amen.
The feast day of St. Patrick is celebrated on March 17. St. Patrick is the patron saint of slaves, Ireland and snakes.
St. Patrick was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland, in 387. His parents were Romans, living in Britain. At age 14 he was captured by a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave. As a slave, he tended to the sheep. He turned to God in prayer. His prayer “The Breastplate of St. Patrick” is well known.
Patrick was a slave until the age of 20. He received guidance in a dream. He was led to sailors who took him to Britain. In another dream, the people of Ireland asked him to return. He was reunited with his parents
St. Patrick studied to become a priest. He was ordained a priest by St. Germanus who was the bishop he studied under. He was ordained a priest, then a Bishop. As Bishop he was sent back to Ireland. Many people converted under his guidance. St. Patrick is known for using the shamrock to explain the Trinity. He served as the Bishop of Ireland for forty years. Many miracles are attributed to St. Patrick.
St. Patrick wrote “The Confession of St. Patrick”which tells about his passionate faith and the trials he experienced. St. Patrick died in Saul, where he built his first church, on March 17, 461
The Breastplate of St. Patrick
Christ be behind me, Christ be before me, Christ be beside me…King of my heart. Christ be within me, Christ be below me, Christ be above me…never to part. Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand, Christ all around me…shield in the strife. Christ in my sitting, Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my rising…light of my life.
The feast day of St. Bernadette of Lourdes is celebrated on April 16.
St. Bernadette was born in 1844 in France. Our lady first appeared to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France on Feb. 11, 1858. Bernadette was a poor shepherdess who was only 14 years old. Our Lady actually appeared to her eighteen times.
During the first vision Bernadette saw a bright light and a beautiful lady dressed in a brilliant white dress adorned with a blue ribbon. A long veil covered her body from her head to her feet. Her hands were clasped as if praying and she carried a white and gold rosary with a gold cross in her hands. Bernadette took her rosary out of her pocket and guided by Our Lady they prayed the rosary. After praying, the vision ended.
Bernadette asked the girls with her if they had seen anything and they said no. She told them not to say anything but her sister told their mother who did not believe the story.
On Feb. 14, Bernadette returned to the Grotto where the vision had happened. She asked those with her to pray the rosary. When Our Lady appeared again, Bernadette’s face was transfigured. She sprinkled the holy water which had been given her and said, “If you come from God, come near us.” The holy water touched Our Lady and she smiled and came closer. They began to pray the rosary together.
On Feb.18, after Mass she was accompanied by a lady and a religious. When she began praying, Our Lady appeared again and they all prayed the rosary. Our Lady asked Bernadette to return for 15 consecutive days. Bernadette promised she would do so. Our Lady said;
“I also promise to make you happy, not in this world, but in the next.”
Bernadette went to the Grotto with a lit candle for the next 15 days. Hundreds of people began coming with her. On Feb. 21. Bernadette observed that Our Lady seemed sad. She asked her “What is wrong? What can I do?” Our Lady said’
“Pray for sinners.”
A doctor examined Bernadette and concluded there was nothing wrong with her. Bernadette was ridiculed nonetheless.
On Feb. 23, Our Lady requested that a Sanctuary be built on the site. She told Bernadette to talk to the priest. When the priest asked her the name of the lady Bernadette did not know. The priest told her he needed a miracle and she should ask the lady for the rose bush to blossom.
On Feb. 25, Our Lady told Bernadette to drink from the fountain. Puzzled, Bernadette looked around for water. She discovered water coming up from the ground which soon became a pool of water.
On Feb. 26 Our Lady revealed to Bernadette her name saying;
“I am the Immaculate Conception”.
During one apparition people witnessed Bernadette praying for fifteen minutes with the candle flame burning through her fingers. She remained unharmed. The last apparition occurred on the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Many miracles of healing have been attributed to he healing waters of Lourdes.
St. Bernadette joined the Sisters of Charity seeking God in the silence of the convent. She died on April 16, 1879.
The message of Our Lady of Lourdes is timeless…Pray for sinners.
The incorrupt body of St. Bernadette of Lourdes may be viewed at St. Gildard Convent where it is kept under glass. This is the convent St. Bernadette spent the last nine years of her life in prayer with God.
Always stay very close to our Lord, present in the tabernacle. Be completely absorbed by devotion to Him there and never let go.
The feast day of St. Marguerite d’Youville is celebrated on April 11.
St. Marguerite d’Youville was born in Quebec on October 15, 1701. She studied under the Ursulines and married Francois d’Youville in 1722. Her husband died in 1730 leaving her poor with six children. Four of her six children died in infancy. She educated her two sons to become priests. To pay off the debt her husband had left she opened a dry goods store.
In 1727, she and three other women founded the Sisters of Charity becoming known as the Grey Nuns. They fought for the rights of the poor, caring for the homeless, sick and destitute. She also became the Directress of General Hospital in Montreal.
St. Marguerite d’Youville died on Dec. 23. 1771. Pope John Paul II canonized her on Dec. 9, 1990 calling her the Mother of Universal Charity. Over 3000 women belong to the Grey Nuns today.
