Thought

Over one hundred quotations on the subject of 'Thought' is now found at Inspirational Quotes from the Saints.

'Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.'

Proverbs 15:26

'The passions lying hidden in the soul provide the demons with the means of arousing impassioned thoughts in us. Then, fighting the intellect through these thoughts, they force it to give its assent to sin. When it has been overcome, they lead it to sin in the mind; and when this has been done they induce it, captive as it is, to commit the sin in action. Having thus desolated the soul by means of these thoughts, the demons then retreat, taking the thoughts with them, and only the specter or idol of sin remains in the intellect. Referring to this our Lord says, "When you see the abominable idol of desolation standing in the holy place (let him who reads understand) . . . " (Matt. 24:15). For man's intellect is a holy place and a temple of God in which the demons, having desolated the soul by means of impassioned thoughts, set up the idol of sin. That these things have already taken place in history no one, I think, who has read Josephus will doubt; though some say that they will also come to pass in the time of the Antichrist.'

St. Maximos the Confessor

'And this movement of the heart is not unsuitably illustrated by the comparison of a mill wheel, which the headlong rush of water whirls round, with revolving impetus, and which can never stop its work so long as it is driven round by the action of the water: but it is in the power of the man who directs it, to decide whether he will have wheat or barley or darnel ground by it. That certainly must be crushed by it which is put into it by the man who has charge of that business. So then the mind also through the trials of the present life is driven by the torrents of temptations pouring in upon it from all sides, and cannot be free from the flow of thoughts: but the character of the thoughts which it should either throw off or admit for itself, it will provide by the efforts of its own earnestness and diligence: for if, as we said, we constantly recur to meditation on the Holy Scriptures and raise our memory towards the recollection of spiritual things and the desire for perfection and the hope of future bliss, spiritual thoughts are sure to rise from this, and cause the mind to dwell on those things on which we have been meditating. But if we are overcome by sloth or carelessness and spend our time in idle gossip, or are entangled in the cares of the world and unnecessary anxieties, the result will be that a sort of species of tares will spring up, and afford an injurious occupation for our hearts, and as our Lord and Saviour says, whereever the treasure of our works or purpose may be, there also our heart is sure to continue.'

St. Moses the Black

'For the rest, brethren, whatsoever is true, whatsoever is modest, whatsoever is just, whatsoever is pure, whatsoever is amiable, whatsoever is gracious, if there is any virtue, if there is any discipline worthy of praise, think on these.'

Philippians 4:8

Extracts from the Mystical City of God

Hundreds of quotations extracted from Ven. Mary of Agreda's Mystical City of God.

'Abhor human ostentation, suffer in silence and let the world consider thee ignorant; for it does not know where true wisdom dwells.'

Our Lady to Ven. Mary of Agreda, Mystical City of God, Vol. III, 602 

'Another deceit has spread through the world: many imagine that they are following Christ their Master, though they neither suffer affliction nor engage in any exertion or labor. They are content with avoiding boldness in committing sins, and place all their perfection in a certain prudence or hollow self-love, which prevents them from denying anything to their will and from practicing any virtues at the cost of their flesh. . . He [Jesus] chose not a life of softness and ease for the flesh, but one full of labors and pains; for He judged His instructions to be incomplete and insufficient to redeem man, if He failed to teach them how to overcome the demon, the flesh and their own self. He wished to inculcate, that this magnificent victory is gained by the Cross, by labors, penances, mortifications and the acceptance of contempt: all of which are the trademarks and evidences of true love and the special watchwords of the predestined.'

Our Lady to Ven. Mary of Agreda, Mystical City of God, Vol. III, 662 

'I was made to understand, that if God were not so outrageously misused in his mercy, He would often interpose, even miraculously, his divine Omnipotence in our behalf. Especially would He do this in defense of the mystical body of the Church and of some Catholic governments, bringing to naught the counsels of hell for the destruction of Christianity in our times. We do not merit this protection of the infinite power, because all are united in rousing the divine wrath and the whole world his joined hands with the infernal fiends, into whose power it has fallen on account of the blind and insane pursuit of evil rampant among men.'

Ven. Mary of Agreda, Mystical City of God, Vol. IV, 296

'It is important for all the children of the Church to escape the ignorance in which they live concerning the dangers besetting their eternal salvation; for they do not know or take notice, that their ignorance of these secrets is the chastisement of the sin of Adam, and how, after being enlightened, they again lose it and become more unworthy of it than before through their own sins. Many of the faithful are as oblivious and careless, as if there were no demons to persecute and deceive them; and if they sometimes think of them, it is superficially and lightly, falling immediately back into their forgetfulness, which for many of them means no less than eternal punishment. If at all times and in all places, in all their works and on all occasions the demons set their snares, it is but just and proper that Christians on their part take not one step without asking divine light to see and avoid the danger. But as the children of Adam are so torpid in regard to this matter, they perform scarcely one work without being assailed by the infernal serpent and infected by his poison. Thus they accumulate sins upon sins, evil upon evil, irritating the divine justice and shutting out mercy.'

Our Lady to Ven. Mary of Agreda, Mystical City of God, Vol. IV, 361

 'In order to deserve this protection of the Lord, God wishes the creature on its part never to relax in vigilance, nor trust in its own strength, nor ever be remiss in asking and desiring this help; for without it, man can do nothing and will soon perish.' 

Our Lady to Ven. Mary of Agreda, Mystical City of God, Vol. IV, 454 

Books to Read for Lent

There are some good Christian books to read for Lent that are all part of the free for download library of Saints' Books.

St. Thomas Aquinas - Meditations for Lent
'The Pope, St. Leo the Great, says that the thieves were crucified, one on either side of him, so that in the very appearance of the scene of his suffering there might be set forth that distinction which should be made in the judgment of each one of us. St. Augustine has the same thought. "The cross itself," he says, "was a tribunal. In the centre was the judge. To the one side a man who believed and was set free, to the other side a scoffer and he was condemned." Already there was made clear the final fate of the living and the dead, the one class placed at his right, the other on his left.'

Anonymous - Considerations and Devout Meditations for Every Day During the Holy Season of Lent

'There is nothing more united and less united than the soul and body. When one advances, the other recoils; when one rises, the other descends; when one is in health, the other is sick; when one is strong, the other is weak. It is necessary, then, in order to strengthen and give health to the soul, to bring the body under subjection, and weaken its evil propensities by penance and mortification. I am not a man if I obey my passions; I am not a Christian if I do not combat with and overcome my passions; I am not a true penitent if I do not mortify my passions. Since my body is polluted by sin, it ought to be purified by pain; and since it has part in the pleasures of the soul, it ought to glory in sharing its sorrows.'

Meditation and Prayers for Christmas

Enter into the sanctuary, the divine interior of the holy Infant Jesus, and learn to form yours according to it. All divine, noble, humble, simple, generous, recollected, and detached from the world. His every thought and intention are solely directed to His Father s glory. There you will find no idle thoughts and projects no vanities or selfseeking no suspicious thoughts contrary to charity.
Prayers

ADORABLE interior of the Infant Jesus! I revere You from my heart. How do You confound our pride and human wisdom! Ah, teach me, divine Jesus, after Your example, to despise the world, and not to seek the eyes of others in my devotion. You, O my God!  humbly conceal the treasures of grace and wisdom contained in Your divine mind, taking on Yourself the appearance of weakness, ignorance, and incapacity. Oh, heal my pride; remove my blindness and ignorance of interior things dissipate my darkness destroy my worldly notions and render my thoughts, views, desires, and sentiments like to Yours. Amen.

O BLESSED parents of the Infant Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, if we came to solicit you to obtain for us worldly prosperity, joys, honors, and comforts, our sighs could never reach the cradle of a God, poor, humble even to annihilation, forgotten, suffering, weak, and lying in a manger; but these are not our desires or petitions. No; we humbly and earnestly implore you to beg for us, at the crib of your Infant Son, that, like Him. and as His true and faithful followers, we may love to live in true humility dis engagement from creatures contempt of the world and its vanities constant recollection of the holy presence of God fervor and fidelity in all our duties and in the practice of the tenderest charity to all persons. May we never blush at the humility of the crib, nor at the poverty and simplicity of Bethlehem. May we ever rejoice at our happy lot as true spouses of Jesus Christ: ever in tender charity look with a compassionate eye on those who live but for this world, and continually pray that all may come to bless, to praise, and to love the Saviour Who comes to redeem them.

Infant Jesus, poor and simple, grant our petition!
Infant Jesus, humble and obedient, grant our petition!
Infant Jesus, silent and recollected, grant our petition!
Infant Jesus, inflamed with love for us, grant our petition!
Holy Mother of the Infant Jesus, pray for us!
Blessed St. Joseph, pray for us!
All ye saints, devoted to the Holy Infancy of Jesus, pray for us!

O BLESSED Heart of the Infant Jesus! I adore and love you as the center of all hearts, and humbly entreat you to give me grace henceforth to rest and repose in you, as in my true home. May you be my oratory, in which, and through which, I shall offer to the Eternal Father all my requests, that He may receive them more propitiously  May you be my school, wherein I may learn that celestial science so different from worldly wisdom those pure principles which lead to the interior life. In fine, may you, O Sacred Heart! be my treasury, and may I find abundant riches in your poverty, love, suffering, and fidelity. Amen.

- read more on saintsbooks.net

Patriarchy

God is a patriarch, the priesthood is a patriarchy, and His natural design for human society and the family, is patriarchy.

Therefore patriarchy is fundamentally good. As a Catholic, and also a simple human being defending natural law, it is necessary to promote, respect, embrace and love this patriarchal design.

Any lack of realization, respect, and promotion of this is therefore is a fundamental and serious problem that is quite destructive.

For example family obedience requires obedience to the husband and father, under pain of sin. If this is forgotten the family does not and cannot function properly. And it is an act of virtue, this obedience, and so a good, which sanctifies the wife and children, so not simply a negative. Their holiness is gained from the virtue of obedience.

It is natural society and government reflect the family.

When people ask, why not ordain women, and the answer is given 'We don't know, we just don't because Christ didn't.' This given alone is a poor answer that likely shows lack of knowledge or other grave failure. The answer is the good of patriarchy.

The profound failing in these times is a lack of love and ardent promotion of the good of patriarchy. When patriarchy is embraced the natural design of all the relations of society settle in their proper place. Dear reader, let not the sin of omission of its love and defense be accountable to thee.

Chaplet of St. Michael

A reminder of this beautiful prayer.

The Chaplet of St. Michael

The history of this Chaplet goes back to a devout Servant of God, Antonia d'Astonac, who had a vision of St. Michael. He told Antonia to honor him by nine salutations to the nine Choirs of Angels. St. Michael promised that whoever would practice this devotion in his honor would have, when approaching Holy Communion, an escort of nine angels chosen from each of the nine Choirs. In addition, for those who would recite the Chaplet daily, he promised his continual assistance and that of all the holy angels during life.

O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be. . .

I. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Hail Mary, Hail Mary. . .
II. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim may the Lord grant us the grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Hail Mary, Hail Mary. . .

III. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Hail Mary, Hail Mary. . .

IV. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominions may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Hail Mary, Hail Mary. . .

V. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers may the Lord protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Hail Mary, Hail Mary. . .

VI. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues may the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into temptation. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Hail Mary, Hail Mary. . .
VII. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Hail Mary, Hail Mary. . .

VIII. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works in order that we may attain the glory of Heaven. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Hail Mary, Hail Mary. . .

IX. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted in the life to come to Heaven. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Hail Mary, Hail Mary. . .

In Honor of St. Michael, Our Father. . .
St. Gabriel, Our Father. . .
St. Raphael, Our Father. . .
Our Guardian Angel, Our Father. . .

Concluding Prayers

O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ, that we may be made worthy of His promises.

Almighty and Everlasting God, Who, by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has appointed the most glorious Archangel St. Michael Prince of Your Church, make us worthy, we ask You, to be delivered from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into Your Presence. This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

THE SEVEN DOLORS.

THE SEVEN DOLORS.
BY ENFANT DE MARIE.

I.

SHE knelt within the holy place.
 And clasped her treasured Child,
But visions of the distant cross
 Overcast that Mother mild.

II.

And soon, an exile from her home,
 Across the desert sand
She fled to save His precious life
 In Egypt's heathen-land.

III.

The years passed by — but darker still
 The shadows of the cross ;
For three long days she sought her Love,
 And mourned for His loss.

IV.

The Passion-hour came at last;
 She saw Him as He went
Along the " via crucis," there
 Again her soul was rent.

V.

Behold! the tender Mother stands
 Beneath her dying Son,
And there, in love and bitter pain,
 Her martyr-palm is won.

VI.

The last sweet sigh is breathed now;
 She will not from Him part,
But feels within her anguished soul
 The sword that pierced His Heart.

VII.

How soon they take the dear, dead Form
 Blest Fruit of Mary's womb—
And lay it gently down to rest
 Within the garden-tomb!

Flowers For Our Lady's Altar on Candlemas Day

Flowers For Our Lady's Altar on Candlemas Day
by Sister P.

THERE are ways, our Lady knows them.
And her children all should know
How to find a flower for Mary
Underneath the deepest snow.

How to weave a lovely garland.
Winter though it be, and cold.
How to buy the rarest offering
Costing something, but not gold.

How to buy, and buy them dearly.
Gifts that she will love to take.
Nor to grudge the cost but give it
Cheerfully for Mary's sake.

Does this seem so strange an offering.
Nay, indeed, 'tis something new:
All can give her noble presents.
Shall I tell you of a few?

What were those the Magi offered.
Gold and myrrh and frankincense ?
They, you say, were saints and monarchs.
That makes quite a difference.

Well, 'tis sometimes hard to listen
To a word unkind or cold,
And to smile a loving answer:
Do it, and you give her gold.

Thoughts of her in work or study
Are small grains of incense rare:
Cast upon a burning censer.
Rise in perfumed clouds of prayer.

Here are sometimes bitter fancies.
Little murmurs that will stir
Even a loving heart -- but crush them.
And you give our Lady myrrh.

Give your little crosses to her,
Which each day, each hour, befall;
They remind her of her Jesus,
So ghe loves them best of all.

Some seem very poor and worthless,
Yet, however small and slight,
Given to her by one who loves her
They are precious in her sight.

One may be so hard to carry
That your hands will bleed and smart
Go and take it to her altar,
Go and place it in her heart.

Check your tears, and try to love it,
Love it as His sacred will;
Thus you set your crown with jewels,
Make your gift more precious still.

There are souls, alas too many,
Who forgot that Jesus died.
Who forgot that sin forever
Is the lance to pierce His side.

Ah!  poor sinners, Mary loves them,
And she knows no royal gem
Half so noble, or so precious,
As the prayers you say for them.

Then resign some little pleasure,
Give it her instead to win
Help for some poor heart in peril,
Grace for some poor soul in sin.

Flowers! I should never finish
If I tried to count them too,
If I told you how to know them,
In what garden plot they grew.

Yet I think that each one guesses
They are emblems, and we trace
In the loveliest and the rarest,
Acts of love and gifts of grace.

And such flowers will never wither,
They are not of mortal birth,
And such garlands given to Mary
Die not like the gifts of earth.

Surely now you cannot tell me
That you have no gift to lay
At the feet of our dear mother,
Any hour, any day.

Give her now, to-day, forever,
One great gift, the first and best;
Give your heart to her and ask her
How to give her all the rest.

HEAVEN

Now prepared in the Selections section --

HEAVEN  - 103 Quotations from the Saints and Holy Scriptures on Heaven.

'And as they went on, walking and talking together, behold a fiery chariot, and fiery horses parted them both asunder: and Elias went up by a whirlwind into heaven.'

4 Kings 2:11

'How beautiful to look upon is the starry firmament! Yet it is only the portal of the blessed country where I hope to go one day.'

St. Paul of the Cross

There shall not enter into it any thing defiled, or that worketh abomination or maketh a lie, but they that are written in the book of life of the Lamb.'

Apocalypse 21:27

3 Prayers

Psalm 113
of the Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary
by St. Bonaventure

In the going forth of my soul from this world:
meet it, O Lady, and receive it.

Console it with thy holy countenance:
let not the sight of the demons terrify it.

Be to it a ladder to Heaven:
and a straight way to the Paradise of God.

Obtain for it from the Father the pardon of peace:
and a throne of light among the servants of God.

Uphold the devout before the tribunal of Christ:
take their cause into thy hands.

Psalm 125
of the Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary
by St. Bonaventure

When thou shalt turn thy most serene countenance upon us:
thou shalt rejoice us, O virginal Mother of God.

Blessed be thou, O treasury of Christ:
above all women upon earth.

Blessed be thy glorious name:
which the mouth of the Lord hath wonderfully named.

Let not thy praise fail from our lips:
nor thy charity from our hearts.

Those who love thee will be blessed by God:
and those who wish to love thee, will not be defrauded of their confidence.

Act of Petition
from the Small Roman Missal

ADORABLE Saviour, "in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and all the fullness of the Godhead dwelleth corporally," consider my many wants, and grant me those graces which Thou knowest I stand in need of to do Thy will in all things.

Thou knowest my weakness and the necessity which I endure; in how great evils and vices I am immersed: how often I am oppressed, tempted, troubled and defiled. To Thee I come for remedy. I pray to Thee for comfort and succour. I speak to Him that knows all things; to Whom all that is within me is manifest, and Who alone can perfectly comfort and help me. Thou knowest what good things I stand most in need of, and how poor I am in virtues.

Behold I stand before Thee poor and naked, begging Thy grace, and imploring Thy mercy. Feed Thy hungry suppliant; inflame my coldness with the fire of Thy love; enlighten my blindness with the brightness of Thy presence.

Word Cloud of the Saints

A little word cloud of the quotes of the saints.

Click to see the larger image.

Catholic Modesty

The Catholic Modesty resources are continuing to expand, offering more and more hope for those seeking to know and embrace the true life of Christian modesty.

'Glory not in apparel at any time, and be not exalted in the day of thy honour: for the works of the Highest only are wonderful, and his works are glorious, and secret, and hidden.'

Ecclesiasticus 11:4 


Of special note are St. Jean Baptiste de Salle's coverage of modesty and decorum and the quotations from Our Lord Himself in the Revelations of St. Bridget of Sweden.

And how great the penalty is for a single work of immodest art is revealed in the excerpt from the Rev. F.X. Schouppe, S.J.'s priceless book, 'Purgatory'.


'It is surprising that most Christians look upon decorum and politeness as merely human and worldly qualities and do not think of raising their minds to any higher views by considering them as virtues that have reference to God, to their neighbor, and to themselves.

This illustrates very well how little true Christianity is found in the world and how few among those who live in the world are guided by the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Still, it is this Spirit alone which ought to inspire all our actions, making them holy and agreeable to God'

St. Jean Baptiste de la Salle

Miraculous Infant of Prague Prayer
Composed by Rev. Cyrillus a Matre Dei
The first and most devoted venerator of the
Holy Infant of Prague

Jesus unto Thee I flee,
Through Thy Mother praying Thee,
In my need to succor me.
Truly, I believe of Thee
God Thou art with strength to shield me;
Full of trust, I hope of Thee
Thou Thy grace wilt give to me.
All my heart I give to Thee,
Therefore, do my sins repent me;
From them breaking, I beseech Thee,
Jesus, from their bonds to free me.
Firm my purpose is to mend me;
Never more will I offend Thee.
Wholly unto Thee I give me,
Patiently to suffer for Thee,
Thee to serve eternally.
And my neighbor like to me
I will love for love of Thee.
Little Jesus, I beseech Thee,
In my need to succor me,
That with Joseph and with Mary
And the angels, I may Thee
Once enjoy eternally.

Infant Jesus

INFANT JESUS

Infant Jesus meek and mild
look on me a little child.
Pity mine and pity me,
suffer me to come to Thee.

Heart of Jesus I adore Thee,
heart of Mary I implore thee,
heart of Joseph pure and just,
in these three hearts I place my trust.

FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Infant Jesus come to me,
That I may good and happy be;
My heart is small; for Thee my all,
For Thee, dear Jesus, Holy Child.

What father, mother, teacher say,
I'll do at once, yes, right away,
All that they will, I must fulfil,
For love of Thee, dear Jesus, Child.

Should wicked satan to me say,
"Come, little friend, do walk my way,"
I'll say No! No! I can not go,
I'll only go with Jesus Child.

HOLY MARY MOTHER MILD

Holy Mary, Mother mild,
O sweet, sweet Mother!
Hear, O hear, thy feeble child,
O sweet, sweet Mother!

CHILD'S MORNING HYMN TO OUR LORD

Jesus, teach me how to pray,
Send distractions far away,
Suffer not my thoughts to stray,
Sweet holy Child.

Let me not be rude or wild,
Make me humble, meek, and mild,
Pure as angels undefiled,
Sweet holy Child.

When I work or when I play,
Be Thou with me through the day,
Teach me what to do and say,
Sweet holy Child.

Make me love Thy Mother blest,
Safe beneath her care to rest,
As a bird within its nest,
Sweet holy Child.

When the hour of death is nigh,
Then may Mary standing by
Take me in her arms to die,
Sweet holy Child.

So through all eternity,
Will I bless their charity,
Who first led my steps to Thee,
Sweet holy Child.

....

The beginning is from Father John Joseph Furniss. He's written a number of good books, including a short and simple one on how to make a good Confession. It includes how to make a good act of contrition.

Over 100 Quotations from the Popes, Scriptures, Saints & Devout Souls on Modesty

IN three parts with the new addition of the third part, we now have over one hundred quotations from the Popes, saints, Bible, and devout souls on holy Modesty and Purity.

We can be very thankful for all these quotations, which can guide us to truly appreciate modesty and what a beautiful virtue it is, and how where Christ is, there modesty is found.

In these times where modesty is rare and few possess it, it must truly gladden the heart all the more where it is found and when modest souls can gather together and share friendship in Christ with one another.


'Glory not in apparel at any time, and be not exalted in the day of thy honour: for the works of the Highest only are wonderful, and his works are glorious, and secret, and hidden.'

Ecclesiasticus 11:4

'The purpose of clothing is to keep warm in winter and to cover your nakedness, not to serve your vanity.'

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Father and Doctor of the Church

'The good of our soul is more important than the good of our body; and we have to prefer the spiritual welfare of our neighbor to our bodily comforts. . . If a certain kind of dress constitutes a grave and proximate occasion of sin, and endangers the salvation of your soul and others, it is your duty to give it up. . . O Christian mothers, if you knew what a future of anxieties and perils, of ill-guarded shame you prepare for your sons and daughters, imprudently getting them accustomed to live scantily dressed and making them lose the sense of modesty, you would be ashamed of yourselves and you would dread the harm you are making for yourselves, the harm which you are causing these children, whom Heaven has entrusted to you to be brought up as Christians.'

Pope Pius XII

'Go to one who hath both knowledge and conscience, one of those who know excellently how to discern that which ought to be done. . . Choose one who is good, not anyone, whatever he may be, no! For sometimes thou wilt go to one who hath a carnal mind, and is not instructed, and who will say to thee; it is permitted thee for the sake of pleasure to thy husband to beautify thyself and to deck thyself out with ornaments. Out upon him! for he is a beast; do as I say to thee: go to a man of conscience and learning, and who is good.'

St. Bernardine of Siena

New Books: The Great Evil (Mortal Sin) , and further

New books by Fr. John Furniss, C.S.S.R. have been prepared:

The Great Evil which is on the subject of mortal sin.

'"What is the worst thing in the world?" A little child put up its hand and said, Please, may I answer? Yes, said the teacher. Then, said the child, I think the worst thing in the world is a great pain. The child did not give the right answer. No doubt it is frightful to see any one burnt up with fever, or cramped with cholera, or to see death tearing away the soul from the body. It is a sad thing to say the last "good bye" to those whom we love. These things make tears run down from the eye and draw sighs out of the heart. But there is something which burns more than fever, and cramps more than cholera. There is a last parting more sorrowful than the last parting with father, mother, brother, or sister. What, then, is the great bad thing? The greatest of all evils -- the evil of evils -- what is it? The greatest of all evils is -- Mortal sin. Mortal sin is so great an evil that no man living will be able to understand how great an evil it is.'

Also, God and His Perfections, The Great Question, Almighty God Loves Little Children, and further classics are available, including the famous The Sight of Hell.

102 Quotations from the God, the Bible, and the Saints on HELL

102 Quotations from the God, the Bible, and the Saints on HELL

'And I say to you, my friends: Be not afraid of them who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will shew you whom you shall fear: fear ye him, who after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. Yea, I say to you, fear him.'

Luke 12:4-5

Fewness of the Saved

101 Quotations from the Lord, Holy Scriptures, Popes and Saints on the Fewness of the Saved

'Notwithstanding assurances that God did not create any man for Hell, and that He wishes all men to be saved, it remains equally true that only few will be saved; that only few will go to Heaven; and that the greater part of mankind will be lost forever.'

St. John Neumann, Bishop of Philadelphia (1852–1860 A.D.)

Image for the Day

I haven't made any origami cranes in a long time.

I used the paper for Christmas presents instead. I should sit down and try to learn again, as I have forgotten how to do it. Did I ever truly know? I only made a very few.

But I wanted to make more and learn more.

However, I've been happy to experiment with origami papers. The above is a color changed version of some paper I found online that is different originally in colors.

I like how I changed them. I was trying for a silvery change of hues on a white surface, and I think while it is not quite that, It is quite fine.

If I had the time and could put in the effort, I'd make it an animated scene with the flowers and leaves blowing and rustling, and then put a little ladybug in there, and allow the computer user to move it around. Or perhaps not. People should not spend too much time staring at screens.

It's fine just to think on for a short time.

It is something that rests my mind to think about after taking just a little look at the paper. Which recalls to me a quote from a saint on resting the mind.

Here is another quote.


'You must be indifferent to all created things and especially to the impulses prompted by your self-love and your own will. This self-will He wishes you to sacrifice as often as He gives you the opportunity thereof, by breaking and thwarting it, until it is wholly destroyed and extinct, in order that the Will of His divine Heart, alone, may reign in you.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

'Our prayers are so dear to God, that he has appointed the angels to present them to him as soon as they come forth from our mouths. 'The angels,' says St. Hilary, 'preside over the prayers of the faithful, and offer them daily to God.' This is that smoke of the incense, which are the prayers of saints, which St. John saw ascending to God from the hands of the angels (Apoc. 8,3); and which he saw in another place represented by golden phials full of sweet odors, very acceptable to God.'

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

A quote for the day from Inspirational Quotes from the Saints

There's a new book added to the books archive, 'The Golden Arrow', it's a great book. Truly a secret to happiness.

Also soon will be added 'The Divine Favors Granted to St. Joseph'... Another very special book.

There is a book study on it ongoing.

If we want to make Heaven happy, and find some of Heaven's happiness here below, we can simply pray good prayers.