Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year Part 9

They who voluntarily commit sin show a contempt for life eternal, since they willingly risk the loss of their soul.--ST. GREGORY THE GREAT.

30

It suffices not to perform good works; we must do them well, in imitation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it is written, "He doeth all things well."--ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.

31

Put not off till to-morrow what you can do today.--ST. IGNATIUS.

August

1

CHRIST Himself guides the bark of Peter. For this reason it can not perish, although He sometimes seems to sleep.--ST. ANTONINUS.

2

Prayer teaches us the need of laying before G.o.d all our necessities, of corresponding with His grace, of banis.h.i.+ng vice from our heart and of establis.h.i.+ng virtue in it.--ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.

3

Take this to heart: Owe no man anything. So shalt thou secure a peaceful sleep, an easy conscience, a life without inquietude, and a death without alarm.--VEN. LOUIS DE GRANADA.

4

If you would know whether you have made a good confession, ask yourself if you have resolved to abandon your sins.--ST. BERNARD.

5

He who does that which is displeasing to himself has discovered the secret of pleasing G.o.d.--ST. ANSELM.

6

An ordinary action, performed through obedience and love of G.o.d, is more meritorious than extraordinary works done on your own authority--VEN.

LOUIS DE BLOIS.

7

Vigilance is rendered necessary and indispensable, not only by the dangers that surround us, but by the delicacy, the extreme difficulty of the work we all have to engage in the work of our salvation.--VEN. LOUIS DE GRANADA.

8

Among the different means that we have of pleasing G.o.d in all that we do, one of the most efficacious is to perform each of our actions as though it were to be the last of our life.--ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.

9

I have to seek only the glory of G.o.d, my own sanctification, and the salvation of my neighbor. I should therefore devote myself to these things, if necessary, at the peril of my life.--ST. ALPHONSUS.

10

Idleness is h.e.l.l's fishhook for catching souls.--ST. IGNATIUS.

11

Whoever imagines himself without defect has an excess of pride. G.o.d alone is perfect.--ST. ANTONINUS.

12

As we take the bitterest medicine to recover or preserve the health of the body, we should cheerfully endure sufferings, however repugnant to nature, and consider them efficacious remedies which G.o.d employs to purify the soul and conduct it to the perfection to which He called it.--ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.

13

To give up prayer because we are often distracted at it is to allow the devil to gain his cause.--ST. ALPHONSUS.

14

Curb the desire of display, and do nothing from human respect.--ST.

VINCENT DE PAUL.

15

O Mary, vessel of purest gold, ornamented with pearls and sapphires, filled with grace and virtue, thou art the dearest of all creatures to the eyes of eternal Wisdom.--BL. HENRY SUSO.

16

We must be careful not to omit our prayers, confession, communion, and other exercises of piety, even when we find no consolation in them.--ST.

VINCENT FERRER.

17

Let us leave to G.o.d and to truth the care of our justification, without trying to excuse ourselves, and peace will truly spring up within us.-- VEN. JOHN TAULER.

18

Read good and useful books, and abstain from reading those that only gratify curiosity.--ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.

19

So great is the goodness of G.o.d in your regard, that when you ask through ignorance for that which is not beneficial, He does not grant your prayer in this matter, but gives you something better instead.--ST.

BERNARD.

20

Men can use no better arms to drive away the devil, than prayer and the sign of the cross.--ST. TERESA.

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