Quotes

Messages of Hope from the Saints

Messages of Hope from the Saints

The following quotes are messages from the saints to encourage during times of trouble.

St. Faustina
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Hope is the lifeline that connects us to God’s mercy and grace.

St. Faustina

St. Augustine
There is no love without hope, no hope without love, and neither hope nor love without faith.

St. Augustine

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
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Hope is the gift that God bestows on those who seek Him with a sincere heart.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

St. Padre Pio
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Pray, hope and don’t worry!  Worry is useless.  God is merciful and will hear your prayer.

St. Padre Pio

I feel a great desire to abandon myself with greater trust to the Divine Mercy and to place my hope in God alone.

St. Padre Pio

St. Francis of Assisi
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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.

St. Francis of Assisi

Hope is the key that unlocks the door of possibilities.

St. Francis of Assisi

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Faith lifts the soul.  Hope supports it.  Experience says it must and Love says, “Let it be?”

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

St. Ignatius Loyola
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Hope is the sign of a soul that trusts in God’s promises.

St. Ignatius of Loyola

St. Leo the Great

The cross of Christ is the true ground and chief cause of Christian hope.

St. Leo the Great

St. Bonaventure
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Hope is the beacon that shines in the darkness reminding us of God’s love.

St. Bonaventure

St. Thomas Aquinas
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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.

St. Thomas Aquinas  

Hope is the anchor of the soul.

St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Maria Goretti
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He loves, he hopes, he waits.  Our Lord prefers to wait for the sinner for years rather than keep us waiting for an instant.

St. Maria Goretti

St. John of the Cross
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.

St. John of the Cross

St. Therese of Lisieux
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God would never inspire me with dreams which cannot be realized!  So in spite of my littleness, I can Hope to be a saint.

St. Therese of Lisieux

St. Teresa of Avila
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Hope is the virtue that sustains us in times of trial.

St. Teresa of Avila

St. Jane Frances de Chantal
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Hope is the seed that grows into a flourishing garden of faith and love.

St. Jane Frances de Chantel

St. Jerome and the Angel
by Simon Vouet
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Hope is the courage to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems uncertain.

St. Jerome

St. John Paul II
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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.

St. John Paul II

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.

St. John Paul II

 

Reflecting on the Epiphany

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The Christmas season ends with the Feast of the Epiphany.  The celebration takes place on January 6th.  It is time to reflect on the journey of the Three Wise Men, bearing gifts for the Christ-child…Jesus.

Are we searching for Jesus?  We will have difficulty finding God if we look for him as a scientist would…through a microscope or a telescope.  We can find him in creation, but I have found that letting God know I am open to the truth and asking Him to reveal the truth to me has helped me on my journey towards God.  God is Truth.  God is Love.  God is mercy.  Let Him lead you.

What gifts do we give to Our Lord?  The wise men brought gold, frankincense and myrrh.    These gifts symbolize the importance of the gifts of time, talent and treasure.  Do we spend time in prayer?  Do we offer God the gift of our life? If our talents are given to us by God, do we use our talent to serve Him?

The three gifts also symbolize the royal priesthood of Jesus.  Gold symbolizes a kingdom.  Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction.  Frankincense is considered  a symbol of prayer.  (Let my prayer rise like incense!)

Life is a journey…a pilgrimage.  The wise men followed a star.  They knew it would lead them to God.  How are  we letting God lead us?  Do we have the wisdom to know that we need help?  Do we have the wisdom to ask for help in making decisions on our pilgrimage?  What does God want us to do for Him?  How Does God want us to serve Him?

The answer to these questions are different for everyone.  God is a personal God.  He knows us by name and wants to speak to us.  Listen!

Follow  Me!

Quote of Jesus Christ

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the  wisdom to know the difference!

Lead me Lord!

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes; Feast of the Holy Family

Holy Family 1

The feast of the Holy Family is celebrated the first Sunday after Christmas.  It is a time to reflect on the love and  tenderness Jesus, Mary and Joseph had for one another.  How can we improve our own family lives to be more loving?

One way to celebrate the Feast Day of the Holy Family is to make an act of consecration.  An act of consecration is a sacred act and should be done in a very prayerful way.  It needs to be prayed deeply. and slowly..from the heart.

 

Consecration to the Holy Family Prayer800px-bn3q09604_candle_light

O Lord Jesus, you lived in the home of Mary and Joseph in Nazareth. There you grew in age, wisdom and grace as you prepared to fulfill your mission as our Redeemer. We entrust our family to you.

O Blessed Mary, you are the Mother of our Savior. At Nazareth you cared for Jesus and nurtured him in the peace and joy of your home. We entrust our family to you.

O Saint Joseph, you provided a secure and loving home for Jesus and Mary, and gave us a model of fatherhood while showing us the dignity of work. We entrust our family to you.

Holy Family, we consecrate ourselves and our family to you. May we be completely united in a love that is lasting, faithful and open to the gift of new life. Help us to grow in virtue, to forgive one another from our hearts, and to live in peace all our days.

Keep us strong in faith, persevering in prayer, diligent in our work, and generous toward those in need.

our home, O Holy Family, truly become a domestic church where we reflect your example in our daily life. Amen.

 

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!

 

 

 

Short Prayer to the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul; Jesus Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony; Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.

 

See the source image

 

“If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.”

Quote of St. Teresa of Calcutta

January is the Month of the Holy Name

 

 

 

Prayers, Quips and Quotes; St. John Henry Newman, Feast Day Oct. 9

St. John Henry Newman

St. John Henry Newman was born in London in 1801.  He was raised in the Anglican faith.  He first studied law and then decided to become a priest.  He was ordained in the Anglican Church after studying at Trinity College in Oxford.  As an Anglican priest, John Henry was influential in the Oxford Movement.  Eventually, he converted to the Roman Catholic faith and was ordained a priest in Rome in 1848.   Pope Leo XIII named him a cardinal.

St. John Henry Newman was known for writing many books and poetry including the poem Lead kindly light.

He pondered and preached about many theological questions including:

  • significance of Our Lady
  • the authority in the church
  • spirituality during difficult times

St. John Henry Newman died in Birmingham in 1890.  He was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.  He was canonized by Pope Francis on October 13, 2019.

Lead Kindly Light

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’ encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on;
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path, but now
Lead Thou me on;
I loved the garish day, and spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will; remember not past years.

So long Thy pow’r has blest me, sure it still
Wilt lead me on,
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile

Learn to do thy part and leave the rest to Heaven.

Quote of St. John Henry Newman

 

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary

 

 

 

Quotes and Reflection on the Sacred Heart of Jesus

 

June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  It is celebrated on Friday, 19 days after Pentecost.  Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is very popular…it touches our hearts in many ways.

When I ponder on the mystery of the Sacred Heart, I see the image and marvel at the wounds of Jesus.  He suffered and died for our many sins.  The art shows Jesus’ heart on fire for His love of all of us.  It shows His heart wounded by the crown of thorns and the lance that pierced His side.  I see the rays of light coming forth from His heart, showing that He is the Light of the World!  The suffering of the world (the cross) is supported by His heart…His love for us.    The wounded heart of Jesus supports each of us if we turn to Him for mercy and love.

God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.  (John 3:16)

The following quotes from the saints are inspirational and helpful for meditating on the Mystery of the Sacred Heart.

Love overcomes, Love delights, those who love the Sacred heart rejoice!

St. Bernadette Sorbirous

Do not let the past disturb you, just leave everything in the Sacred Heart and begin again with joy.

St. Teresa of Calcutta

Let the soul who is desirous of advancing in perfection hasten to my Sacred Heart.

St. Gertrude

Consider often that it is only the humble of Heart that can enter into the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ and converse with Him, Love Him and be Loved by Him.

St. Margaret Mary

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, teach me an entire forgetfulness of myself, since that is the only way one can find entrance into You.

St. Claude La Columbiere

Behold the Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing.

St. Margaret Mary

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of eternal life, Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love.  You are my refuge and my sanctuary.

St. Gertrude

No matter what my sufferings may be, I will never complain and if I have to undergo any humiliation, I will seek refuge in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

St. Alphonsas

Oh, how good and pleasing a thing it is to dwell in the Heart of Jeus!  Who is there that does not love a heart so wounded?  Who can refuse a return of love to a heart so loving?

St. Bernard

Most merciful Heart, pitying heart, loving heart of my Father and Savior, refuse not your help to my needy heart.

St. Margaret Mary

To suffer without complaining, to bring comfort to others and to drown my own sufferings in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

St. Faustina

 

 

 

 

 

 

JESUS I TRUST IN YOU!!!

 

 

 

JUNE IS THE MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART

 

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Barbara, Feast Day Dec. 4

The feast day of St. Barbara is celebrated on December 4.  She is one of the Holy Helpers who are known for the healing power of prayer. She is invoked to prevent sudden death.

St. Barbara was a virgin and a martyr. She lived in Sicily in the third century.  Her father was a wealthy Syrian.  When his wife died he devoted himself to his only daughter.  Because Barbara was so beautiful, her father (Dioscorus) decided he needed to protect her from strangers and built her a tower.  She was educated by pagan tutors.

From the tower, Barbara had a wonderful view of the meadows, hills and river.  She developed a spirituality which focused on the beauty of creation by our creator.  She also decided to devote herself to God and to remain a virgin.  Because of her beauty she had many suitors, but she refused to marry.

Barbara’s father wanted her to marry, so he decided to let her come down from the tower and socialize.  Barbara became friends with some Christians. While her father was away she was baptized after being instructed in the faith by a priest.

At the time, a bathhouse was being built on their property.  It had two windows.  Barbara requested a third window to create a trinity of light.  Barbara traced the sign of the cross on one of the walls and it left an imprint on the marble.  The water in the bathhouse  became known for its healing power.

When her father returned from his traveling, he was furious to learn Barbara had converted to Christianity.  He became enraged and almost struck her with a sword.  Barbara fled into the hills and hid in a cave.  She was eventually found and severely beaten.  She was then turned over to the city prefect.  Barbara was then tortured and had her wounds rubbed with a hair cloth.  During the night, after praying for relief, Jesus appeared to her and healed them.  The next day she was beaten again.  A woman in the crown named Juliana denounced the torturers and she was also seized and tortured.

Barbara and Juliana were both tortured and paraded through town naked.  An angel appeared after hearing Barbara’s prayers and gave them splendid robes.  Both Barbara and Juliana were beheaded.   St. Barbara was beheaded by her own father.  Immediately, after the execution, he was struck by lightning.

The relics of St. Barbara were moved in the sixth century to Constantinople.  Six hundred years later they were moved to Kiev.

St. Barbara is known for protecting against sudden death.

 

“Keep a clear eye toward life’s end. Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God’s creature. What you are in his sight is what you are and nothing more. Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received…but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage.”

Quote of St. Francis of Assisi   Feast Day Oct. 4

 

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy