Wisdom and prayers of saints

Category: Saints

  • Saint Charles Borromeo’s Marian Prayer for Holy Priests

    O Holy Mother of God, pray for the priestsyour Son has chosen to serve the church.Help them by your intercession,to be holy, zealous, and chaste. Make them models of virtuein the service of God’s people.Help them to be prayerful in meditations,effective in preaching, and enthusiasticin the daily offering of the holy sacrifice of the Mass.Help…

  • Prayer to One’s Guardian Angel for a Happy Death – St Charles Borromeo

    My good angel: I know not when or how I shall die. It is possible I may be carried off suddenly, and that before my last sigh, I may be deprived of all intelligence. Yet there are many things I would wish to say to God on the threshold of eternity. In the full freedom…

  • Lenten Prayers from the Saints for Renewal on Ash Wednesday

    As we step into the sacred season of Lent, Ash Wednesday serves as a profound call to repentance, humility, and renewal. The ashes placed on our foreheads remind us of our mortality—”Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”—and invite us to turn our hearts back to God. Throughout Christian history, the…

  • Salutation of the Blessed Virgin by Saint Francis of Assisi

    Hail, O Lady, holy Queen, holy Mother of God. You are the Virgin-made-Church, and the one chosen by the most holy Father in Heaven, whom He consecrated with His most holy, beloved Son and with the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, with whom there was and is all the fullness of grace and every good. Hail,…

  • Meditation on the Immaculate Conception by St Padre Pio

    Eternal Love, Spirit of Light and Truth, make a way into my poor mind and allow me to penetrate as far as it is possible to a wretched creature like myself, into that abyss of grace, of purity and of holiness, that I may acquire a love of God that is continually renewed, a love…

  • Prayer of St. Anselm for Heavenly-Mindedness

    O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray Thee, with the graces of Thy Holy Spirit, with love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Teach us to love those who hate us, to pray for those who despitefully use us, that we may be the children of Thee our Father, who makes Thy…

  • O my God! reject me not, as I deserve. . .

    by St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori from ‘The Great Means of Salvation and Perfection’ O my God! reject me not, as I deserve, for I will amend. I know well that so negligent a life as mine cannot satisfy Thee. I know that I have myself, by my lukewarmness, shut the door against the graces…

  • Prayer to St. Joseph for the Dying

    EVERLASTING Father, for the sake of the love which Thou didst bear to St. Joseph, whom Thou didst choose above all to occupy Thy place on earth, have mercy on us and those who are dying. Pater Noster … Ave Maria … Gloria Patri … Everlasting Son of God, for the sake of Thy love…

  • How avoiding sin is within our power (St Mark the Ascetic)

    Every good work which we perform through our own natural powers causes us to refrain from the corresponding sin: but without grace it cannot contribute to our sanctification. The self-controlled refrain from gluttony; those who have renounced possessions, from greed; the tranquil, from loquacity; the pure, from self-indulgence; the modest, from unchastity; the self-dependent, from…

  • Are you truly humble? /St Alphonsus Rodriguez

    ‘Oh! how dear and precious is humility in the sight of God! When a truly humble soul does any good, -she recalls quickly the source whence it proceeds, -acknowledging that she can do nothing without the assistance of God, – and only attributes to herself what is evil in all her works. I tremble, when…

  • About Christian’s Privilege to be Rich, St. Francis de Sales

    ‘There is a wide difference between having poison and being poisoned. All apothecaries have poisons ready for special uses, but they are not consequently poisoned because the poison is only in their shop, not in themselves; and so you may possess riches without being poisoned by them, so long as they are in your house or…

  • On fasting and things to meditate upon- St. Theodore the Studite

    ‘Brethren and fathers, since every beginning is difficult, the first fruits of the fast corresponding to the change of diet and of works of zeal produce a certain difficulty and roughness; but with persistence and practice it is soothed and softened; this is why it is written, No chastening seems to be joyful for the…

  • Natural and supernatural knowledge – St. Theodoros ( Philokalia)

    Natural knowledge is that which the soul can acquire through the use of its natural faculties and powers when investigating creation and the cause of creation — in so far, of course, as this is possible for a soul bound to matter… Supranatural knowledge, on the other hand, is that which enters the intellect in…

  • About illumination of intellect by St. Nikodimos ( Philokalia)

    When the intellect has been perfected, it unites wholly with God and is illumined by divine light, and the most hidden mysteries are revealed to it. Then it truly learns where wisdom and power lie… While it is still fighting against the passions it cannot as yet enjoy these things… But once the battle is…

  • Words of St. Theodore the Studite, before his death

    ‘So farewell now, my children. I set out on a journey with no return, a journey which all those of old have traveled and on which you will set out in a short while after carrying out the duties of life. I do not know, my brothers, where I am going or what judgment awaits…

  • Thoughts on Continency by St. Basil the Great

    ‘Continency is denial of the body, and confession to God. It withdraws from anything mortal, like a body which has the Spirit of God. It is without rivalry and envy, and causes us to be united to God. He who loves a body envies another. He who has not admitted the disease of corruption into…

  • ‘The Little Number of Those Who Are Saved by St. Leonard of Port Maurice’

    An extract from ‘The Little Number of Those Who Are Saved by St. Leonard of Port Maurice’ One day Saint John Chrysostom, preaching in the cathedral in Constantinople and considering these proportions, could not help but shudder in horror and ask, “Out of this great number of people, how many do you think will be saved?”…

  • THE GRACE OF GOD IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY – By St. Louis Marie de Montfort

    An extract from ‘The Secret of Mary by St. Louis Marie de Montfort’  Chosen soul, living image of God and redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, God wants you to become holy like him in this life, and glorious like him in the next. It is certain that growth in the holiness of God…

  • How monks of the olden days lived? ( St. John Cassian)

    ‘. . . in the early days of the faith few indeed — but they were very upright — were regarded as monks, and they had received that form of life from the evangelist Mark of blessed memory, who was the first to rule as bishop over the city of Alexandria. They not only retained…

  • A Marian Prayer by St. Anthony Mary Claret

    O Mary most holy, conceived without original sin, Virgin Mother of the Son of the Living God, Queen and Empress of heaven and earth: Since you are the Mother of pity and mercy, deign to turn your eyes toward an unhappy exile in this vale of tears, anguish, and misery who, though unworthy, has the…

  • Discernment of spirits through purification of intellect by Holy Spirit – St. Diadochos of Photiki

    ‘Only the Holy Spirit can purify the intellect, for unless a greater power comes and overthrows the despoiler, what he has taken captive will never be set free (cf. Luke 11:21-22). In every way, therefore, and especially through peace of soul, we must make ourselves a dwelling-place for the Holy Spirit. Then we shall have…

  • An Offering of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary by St. John Eudes

    O Jesus, only Son of God, only Son of Mary, I offer Thee the most loving Heart of Thy divine Mother which is more precious and pleasing to Thee than all hearts. O Mary, Mother of Jesus, I offer Thee the most adorable Heart of Thy well-beloved Son, who is the life and love and…

  • Evening Prayer to God the Father by St. Macarius

    O eternal God and Ruler of all creation, You have allowed me to reach this hour. Forgive the sins I have committed this day by word, deed or thought. Purify me, O Lord, from every spiritual and physical stain. Grant that I may rise from this sleep to glorify You by my deeds throughout my…

  • The Mission of My Life – John Henry Cardinal Newman

    God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of…

  • On locutions – St. John of Avila, Letter to St. Teresa of Jesus

    ‘I think, too, that these locutions have done your soul good, and in particular that they have made you see your own wretchedness and your faults more clearly, and amend them. They have lasted long, and always with spiritual profit. They move you to love God, and to despise yourself, and to do penance. I…

  • How one should eliminate unreal affections! – Advice from St. Francis de Sales

    ‘How are you to meet the swarm of foolish attachments, triflings, and undesirable inclinations which beset you? By turning sharply away, and thoroughly renouncing such vanities, flying to the Saviour’s Cross, and clasping His Crown of thorns to your heart, so that these little foxes may not spoil your vines. Beware of entering into any…

  • Crown of roses of the Holy Rosary – St. Louis Marie de Montfort

    ‘Poor men and women who are sinners, I, a greater sinner than you, wish to give you this rose, a crimson one, because the precious blood of our Lord has fallen upon it. Please God that it may bring true fragrance into your lives – but above all, may it save you from the danger…

  • On Accepting the Holy Will of God – St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

    When the messenger came to announce to Job that the Sabeans had plundered his goods and slain his children, he said: “The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away.” He did not say: “The Lord hath given me my children and my possessions, and the Sabeans have taken them away.” He realized that adversity had…

  • How to deal with everyday annoyances by St. Claude de la Colombiere

    There is no one who does not experience a hundred small annoyances every day, caused either by our own carelessness or inattention, or by the inconsideration or spite of other people, or by pure accident. Our whole lives are made up of incidents of this kind, occurring ceaselessly from one minute to another and producing…

  • Prayer to Holy Spirit by St. Cyprian

    O Holy Spirit, be present, and from heaven shed down your consolation  on those that expect you; sanctify the temple of my body, and consecrate it as a dwelling place for yourself. Make the souls that desire you joyful with your presence. Make the house fit for you, the Inhabitant: adorn your chamber and surround…

  • Resisting the devil – St. Jean Marie Vianney

    ‘A good Christian watches continually, sword in hand. The devil can do nothing against him, for he resists him like a warrior in full armour; he does not fear him, because he has rejected from his heart all that is impure. Bad Christians are idle and lazy, and stand hanging their heads; and you see…

  • Forbearance of God – St. Cyprian

    We must imitate the forbearance of God. Oh, how great is God’s forbearance! He endures patiently the temples of the profane men who outrage His Majesty; He endures idols and sacrilegious ceremonies; He makes the sun to shine on the evil and upon the good, and His rain descend upon the just and upon the…

  • On how self will disguises itself – St. Catherine of Genoa

    ‘And the more we so subject ourselves for that divine love, so much the more shall we emancipate ourselves from that evil plague of our self-will which is so subtle and hidden within us, and works in so many ways, and defends itself by so many pleas that it is like the very demon. What…

  • Grave nature of the sin of impurity – St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

    ‘In the second place, the sin of impurity produces obstinacy of the will. “Once fallen into the snare of the devil, one cannot so easily escape it,” says St. Jerome. And according to St. Thomas, there is no sin in which the devil takes so much delight as in impurity; because the flesh is strongly…

  • Continency is a grace of God – St. Basil the Great

    ‘Continency is denial of the body, and confession to God. It withdraws from anything mortal, like a body which has the Spirit of God. It is without rivalry and envy, and causes us to be united to God. He who loves a body envies another. He who has not admitted the disease of corruption into…

  • Why we need Church to learn the TRUTH!

    When Christ Himself spoke to Paul and called him, He could have opened his eyes at once and made known to him the way of perfection; instead He sent him to Ananias and told him to learn from him the way of truth, saying: Arise and go into the city, and there you will be…

  • ‘On Pride’ by St. John Cassian

    “When we have attained some degree of holiness we should always repeat to ourselves the words of the Apostle: “Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me’ (1 Cor. 15:10), as well as what was said by the Lord: ‘Without Me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5). We should also bear…

  • Are you persisting in prayer?- Teaching of St. Symeon Metaphrastis

    ‘He who cultivates prayer has to fight with all diligence and watchfulness, all endurance, all struggle of soul and toil of body, so that he does not become sluggish and surrender himself to distraction of thought, to excessive sleep, to listlessness, debility and confusion, or defile himself with turbulent and indecent suggestions, yielding his mind…

  • ‘O my God! reject me not, as I deserve. . .’ by St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

    (Prayer from ‘The Great Means of Salvation and Perfection’ ) O my God! reject me not, as I deserve, for I will amend. I know well that so negligent a life as mine cannot satisfy Thee. I know that I have myself, by my lukewarmness, shut the door against the graces which Thou didst desire to…

  • For the Conversion of the Infidels by St. Francis Xavier

    Prayer from the Raccolta (favored by Pope Pius IX) O Eternal God, Creator of all things, remember that the souls of infidels have been created by Thee out of nothing, and formed after Thine image and likeness. Behold, O Lord, to the dishonour of Thy name, Hell is being filled with these souls. Remember that…

  • Act of Reparation by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

    O kind and merciful Savior, from my heart I earnestly desire to return Thee love for love. My greatest sorrow is that Thou art not loved by men, and, in particular, that my own heart is so cold, so selfish, so ungrateful. Keenly aware of my own weakness and poverty, I trust that Thy own…

  • Prayer to the Most Holy Name of Jesus by St. Bernard of Clairvaux

    Jesus, the very thought of Thee with sweetness fills the breast! Yet sweeter far Thy face to see, and in Thy presence rest. No voice can sing, no heart can frame nor can the memory find, a sweeter sound than Jesus’ name, the Savior of mankind. O hope of every contrite heart! O joy of…

  • Prayer of St. Therese of Lisieux to be the Victim Soul

    “O my God! Will Your Justice alone find souls willing to immolate themselves as victims? Does not Your Merciful Love need them too? On every side this love is unknown, rejected; those hearts upon whom You would lavish it turn to creatures seeking happiness from them with their miserable affection; they do this instead of…

  • Prayer of a Soul Taken with Love St. John of the Cross

    Lord God, my Beloved, if You remember still my sins in suchwise that You do not do what I beg of You, do Your will concerning them, my God, which is what I most desire, and exercise Your goodness and mercy, and You will be known through them. And if it is that You are…

  • Prayer in Celebration of God’s Perfections by St. Alfred the Great

    We pray to you, O Lord, who are the supreme Truth, and all truth is from you. We beseech you, O Lord, who are the highest Wisdom, and all the wise depend on you for their wisdom. You are the supreme Joy, and all who are happy owe it to you. You are the Light…

  • Prayer of St. Anthony of Padua

    O Light of the world, Infinite God, Father of eternity, giver of wisdom and knowledge, and ineffable Dispenser of every spiritual grace; who knowest all things before they are made, who makest the darkness and the light: put forth Thy hand and touch my mouth, and make it as a sharp sword to utter eloquently…

  • Prayer is the light of the soul – A Homily by St. John Chrysostom

    “There is nothing more worthwhile than to pray to God and to converse with him, for prayer unites us with God as his companions. As our bodily eyes are illuminated by seeing the light, so in contemplating God our soul is illuminated by him. Of course the prayer I have in mind is no matter…

  • Saint Aidan’s Prayer

    Leave me alone with God as much as may be. As the tide draws the waters close in upon the shore, Make me an island, set apart, alone with you, God, holy to you. Then with the turning of the tide prepare me to carry your presence to the busy world beyond, the world that…

  • On Four Wounds Due to Original Sin – St. Thomas Aquinas

    Through the sin of our first parents, all the powers of the soul are left destitute of their proper order, whereby they are naturally directed to virtue. This destitution is called a wounding of nature. First, in so far as the reason, where prudence resides, is deprived of its order to the true, there is…

  • How to Destroy Eight Passions – St. John Damascene

    “These eight passions should be destroyed as follows: gluttony by self-control; unchastity by desire for God and longing for the blessings held in store; avarice by compassion for the poor; anger by goodwill and love for all men; worldly dejection by spiritual joy; listlessness by patience, perseverance and offering thanks to God; self-esteem by doing…

  • God Hugs You – St. Hildegard of Bingen

    Good people, Most royal greening verdancy. Rooted in the sun, You shine with radiant light. In this circle of earthly existence You shine so finely, It surpasses understanding. God hugs you, You are encircled by the arms Of the mystery of God.

  • On the Fall by St. Bonaventure

    ‘Both the man and the woman disobeyed the command, but for different reasons. The woman was deceived, the man was not. Yet in both man and woman there occurred a disruption of order in all their powers, from the highest to the lowest: first in their intellect, then in their senses, and finally in their…

  • Forms of evil by St. Maximos the Confessor

    Among the demons, says the blessed Dionysios, evil takes the form of mindless anger, desire uncontrolled by the intellect, and impetuous imagination. But mindlessness, lack of intellectual control and impetuosity in intelligent beings are privations of intelligence, intellect and circumspection. But a privation is posterior to the possession of something. There was a time, then,…

  • Blessing from St. Clare’s second letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague

    What you hold may you always hold. What you do, may you always do and never abandon. But with swift pace, light step and unswerving feet, so that even your steps stir up no dust, Go forward, the spirit of our God has called you.

  • SALUTATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN BY ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

    Hail, holy Lady, most holy Queen, Mother of God, Mary who art ever Virgin, chosen from Heaven by the most Holy Father, whom He has consecrated with the most holy beloved Son and the Ghostly Paraclete, in whom was and is all the fulness of grace and all good. Hail thou His palace! Hail thou…

  • On giving thanks to the Creator by St. Basil the Great

     “As thou takest thy seat at table, pray. As thou liftest the loaf, offer thanks to the Giver. When thou sustainest thy bodily weakness with wine, remember Him Who supplies thee with this gift, to make thy heart glad and to comfort thy infirmity. Has thy need for taking food passed away? Let not the…

  • Contemplation of the Eucharist by St. Clare of Assisi

    I come, O Lord, unto Thy sanctuary to see the life and food of my soul. As I hope in Thee, O Lord, inspire me with that confidence which brings me to Thy holy mountain. Permit me, Divine Jesus, to come closer to Thee, that my whole soul may do homage to the greatness of…

  • Prayer of Saint Catherine of Siena to the Precious Blood of Jesus

    Precious Blood, Ocean of Divine Mercy: Flow upon us! Precious Blood, Most pure Offering: Procure us every Grace! Precious Blood, Hope and Refuge of sinners: Atone for us! Precious Blood, Delight of holy souls: Draw us! Amen. – Saint Catherine of Siena Source: st-catherine-medal.com/

  • Profession Note (Prayer) by St. Terese of Lisieux

    Source : archives-carmel-lisieux.fr September 8, 1890 O Jesus, my divine spouse! May I never lose the sec­ond robe of my Baptism! Take me before I can commit the slightest voluntary fault. May I never seek nor find anything but yourself alone. May creatures be nothing  for me and may I be nothing for them, but may…

  • Prayer to the Holy Ghost by Saint Catherine of Siena

    Holy Spirit, come into my heart; draw it to Thee by Thy power, O my God, and grant me charity with filial fear. Preserve me, O ineffable Love, from every evil thought; warm me, inflame me with Thy dear love, and every pain will seem light to me. My Father, my sweet Lord, help me…

  • Prayer to Obtain Divine Love by St. Francis of Assisi

    I beseech Thee, O Lord, that the fiery and sweet strength of Thy love may absorb my soul from all things that are under heaven, that I may die for love of Thy love as Thou didst deign to die for love of my love. – St. Francis of Assisi        

  •  A Love Song  by St. Teresa of Avila

    Majestic sovereign, timeless wisdom, your kindness melts my hard, cold soul. Handsome lover, selfless giver, your beauty fills my dull, sad eyes. I am yours, you made me. I am yours, you called me. I am yours, you saved me. I am yours, you loved me. I will never leave your presence. Give me death,…

  • If, Lord, Thy Love is Strong by St. Teresa of Avila

      If, Lord, Thy love for me is strong As this which binds me unto thee, What holds me from thee Lord so long, What holds thee Lord so long from me? O soul, what then desirest thou? Lord I would see thee, who thus choose thee.   What fears can yet assail thee now?…

  • A Prayer to Jesus by St. Pio of Pietrelcina

    Oh my Jesus, give me Your strength when my weak nature rebels against the distress and suffering of this life of exile, and enable me to accept everything with serenity and peace. With my whole strength I cling to Your merits, Your sufferings, Your expiation, and Your tears, so that I may be able to…

  • On our ability to do good by St. Gregory of Nazianzus

    “Human beings have accumulated in their coffers gold and silver, clothes more sumptuous than useful, diamonds and other objects that are evidence of war and tyranny; then a foolish arrogance hardens their hearts; for their brothers in distress, no pity. What utter blindness! . . . Attend not to the law of the strong but…

  • Why we should avoid Venial Sins? By Venerable Louis of Granada

    Venial sin, however slight, is always prejudicial to the soul. It weakens our devotion, troubles the peace of our conscience, diminishes the fervour of charity, exhausts the strength of our spiritual life, and obstructs the work of the Holy Ghost in our souls. I pray you then to do all in your power to avoid…

  • A Prayer by St. Ephraim the Syrian, A Doctor of the Church

    According to thy mercy, pour out upon me, who am miserable, at least one small drop of grace to make me understand and be converted, that I might make at least some small effort to correct myself. For if thy grace does not illumine my soul, I will not be able to see the carelessness…

  • Prayer : The Most Holy Name of Jesus by St. Bernadine of Siena

    O Name of Jesus lifted up above every name, triumphal Name, joy of the Angels, joy of the just, dread of Hell, in Thee lies all hope of forgiveness, all hope of grace, all hope of glory. O most meek Name, from Thee we received forgiveness of sin, renewal of life; Thou fillest our souls…

  • The Name of Jesus – Part 8, By St. Bernadine of Siena

    The Name of Jesus is the glory of the blessed in Heaven. Those who have loved that Name will enjoy in their mind, as the reward of their faith, the perfect vision of the truth manifested in all its splendor; in their memory, as a fruit of their hope, they will have the eternal possession…

  • The Name of Jesus – Part 7, By St. Bernadine of Siena

    The Name of Jesus is the help of the weary soul. Saint Bernard says, “Each time you remember the Name of Jesus, do you not feel your strength reborn?” Who restores our mind like this remembrance? Who repairs our weary senses, reconfirms our virtues, vitalizes our good and honest actions, gives warmth back to our…

  • The Name of Jesus – Part 6, By St. Bernadine of Siena

    The Name of Jesus is the torch of the word of God. Saint Bernard says, “How can you believe that a light so great, so sudden, so bright, would have shone in the whole world, if not by the preaching of the Name of Jesus ?” When wheat is taken from a field and the…

  • The Name of Jesus – Part 5, By St. Bernadine of Siena

    The Name of Jesus is the glory of those who believe. The main base of the Faith is the Name of Jesus; that Name upholds the edifice; upon it the pillars rise; upon it the summit of the monument rests, and that summit is Heavenly beatitude. The Catholic Faith resides in the knowledge of Jesus…

  • The Name of Jesus – Part 4, By St. Bernadine of Siena

    The Name of Jesus is the comfort of those who suffer. God does not let His servants fall in temptation, yet He exposes them to the pains of life. But then, far be it from us to despair! Let us not forget the sweet Name of Jesus, let us invoke it especially then. Saint Augustine…

  • The Name of Jesus – Part 3, By St. Bernadine of Siena

    The Name of Jesus is a remedy for our infirmities; it gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, nimbleness to the lame, speech to the mute, life to the dead . . . When you feel some suffering, you or yours, without neglecting natural remedies, have recourse to the Name of Jesus .…

  • The Name of Jesus – Part 2 , By St. Bernadine of Siena

    The Name of Jesus is the banner of combatants . . . We have three kinds of enemies: the world, the flesh and the devil. If the devil rises up against you, do not be afraid, but lift the banner of salvation against him by invoking Jesus. “In My Name,” He says, “cast out devils.”…

  • How nothing created and given existence by God is evil? – St. Maximos the Confessor

    ‘When we misuse the soul’s powers their evil aspects dominate us. For instance, misuse of our power of intelligence results in ignorance and stupidity; misuse of our incensive power and of our desire produces hatred and licentiousness. The proper use of these powers produces spiritual knowledge, moral judgment, love and self-restraint. This being so, nothing…

  • Rest in God- By St.Anselm

    Come now, insignificant man, fly for a moment from your affairs, escape for a little while from the tumult of your thoughts.  Put aside now your weighty cares and leave your wearisome toils.  Abandon yourself for a little to God and rest for a little in him.  Enter into the inner chamber of your soul,…

  • What is evil?

    ‘It is not food that is evil but gluttony, not the begetting of children but unchastity, not material things but avarice, not esteem but self-esteem. This being so, it is only the misuse of things that is evil, and such misuse occurs when the intellect fails to cultivate its natural powers.’ St. Maximos the Confessor

  • Prayer for strength by St. Catherine of Bologna

    ‘And so, under the appearance of good, the enemy strives to make them turn back by showing them that the way is too narrow or too long. But in no way should the spouse of Christ consent to such deceits, but with fortitude and readiness of spirit, she should steel her will and say to…

  • Prayer of St Augustine

    Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know you, And desire nothing, save only you. Let me hate myself and love you. Let me do everything for the sake of you. Let me humble myself and exalt you. Let me think of nothing except you. Let me accept whatever happens as from you. Let me…

  • Our Ungratefulness

    “They slew by nailing to the tree Him who had brought to life their dead, had healed their maimed, had made their lepers clean, had given light to their blind. Behold, you sons of men! behold, all you people, these new wonders! They suspended Him on the tree, who stretches out the earth; they transfixed…

  • Prayer is warfare to the last breath – St. Agathon

    ‘Forgive me, but I think there is no labour greater than that of prayer to God. For every time a man wants to pray, his enemies, the demons, want to prevent him, for they know that it is only by turning him from prayer that they can hinder his journey. Whatever good work a man…

  • “Let your lips be bound with wisdom” – St. Ambrose of Milan

    ‘The Church of the Lord is built upon the rock of the apostles among so many dangers in the world; it therefore remains unmoved. The Church’s foundation is unshakable and firm against assaults of the raging sea. Waves lash at the Church but do not shatter it. Although the elements of this world constantly beat…

  • On Work: : Excerpts from the letter by St. Francis Xavier ( 1544)

    To Francis Mancias, My dearest Brother in Jesus Christ, Your letter has given me great comfort. I implore you over and  over again to deal with that poor degraded people as good fathers  do with bad children. Don’t let your courage give way, however many may be the depraved and wicked things you see them…

  • On Purgatory : Excerpts from the letter by St. Francis Xavier ( 1544)

    To Francis Mancias setting out for Comorin. May the grace and charity of Christ our Lord always help and favour us ! Amen. My dearest Brother, I am most anxious to know what you are doing ; and therefore I beg of you, for the love of Jesus Christ, to write to me accurately, taking…

  • Interior Silence

    ‘Always maintain interior silence, speaking seldom to creatures, but often to God by your works, suffering and doing all for love of Him.’ St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

  • Endurance

    ‘For you need endurance in order to do God’s will and obtain the promise. For in a little while he who is coming will come and not delay [Heb 10:36-37]. But if he will come and not delay, why do we hate being in afflictions and do not rather choose to die each day for…

  • Gaining Merit

    ‘Do not let any occasion of gaining merit pass without taking care to draw some spiritual profit from it; as, for example, from a sharp word which someone may say to you; from an act of obedience imposed against your will; from an opportunity which may occur to humble yourself, or to practice charity, sweetness,…

  • A Prayer by St. Jean-Gabriel Perboyre

    ‘O my Divine Savior, Transform me into Yourself. May my hands be the hands of Jesus. Grant that every faculty of my body May serve only to glorify You. Above all, Transform my soul and all its powers So that my memory, will and affection May be the memory, will and affections Of Jesus. I…

  • A Prayer by St. Anselm of Canterbury

    O my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. You are my God and You are my all and I have never seen You. You have made me and remade me, You have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, Still I do not…

  • Prayer for Purity – to Saint Joseph

    O Guardian of Virgins and holy Father St. Joseph, into whose faithful keeping were entrusted Christ Jesus, Innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, I pray and beseech thee by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, that, being preserved from all uncleanness, I may with spotless mind, pure heart and chaste body ever serve Jesus…

  • Prayer to St. Dominic Savio

    Dear Saint Dominic, you spent your short life totally for love of Jesus and His Mother. Help youth today to realize the importance of God in their lives. You became a saint through fervent participation in the sacraments, enlighten parents and children to the importance of frequent confession and Holy Communion. At a young age…

  • Prayer before Mass – as revealed to St. Mechtilde

    O ALMIGHTY, everlasting God, seeing that it is the true faith of Thy Church that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass instituted by Thy Son is infinitely pleasing to Thy Divine Majesty, and renders Thee an infinite worship and praise, and since by it alone Thou canst be worthily and adequately worshipped and praised; impelled…

  • Holy Face Prayer for Sinners by St. Therese of Lisieux

    Eternal Father, since Thou hast given me for my inheritance the adorable Face of Thy Divine Son, I offer that face to Thee and I beg Thee, in exchange for this coin of infinite value, to forget the ingratitude of souls dedicated to Thee and to pardon all poor sinners. Amen.

  • PRAYER TO ST GEORGE FOR COURAGE

    ST GEORGE, MARTYR; MEMORIAL: APRIL 23 Faithful servant of God and invincible martyr, St George, inflamed with a burning love of Christ, you fought against the dragon of pride, falsehood, and deceit. Neither pain nor torture, nor the sword nor death could part you from the love of Christ. I implore you for the sake…

  • Prayer to St. Joseph to Obtain a Special Favor

    O Blessed Saint Joseph, tender-hearted father, faithful guardian of Jesus, chaste spouse of the Mother of God, we pray and beseech thee to offer to God the Father His Divine Son, bathed in blood on the cross for sinners, and through the thrice-holy Name of Jesus, obtain for us from the Eternal Father, the favor…

  • A prayer in resignation to suffering by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

    My Saviour! I cheerfully accept all the painful dispositions, in which it is Thy pleasure to place me. My wish is in all things to conform myself to Thy holy will. Whenever I kiss Thy cross, it is to show that I submit perfectly to mine. Amen.

  • Prayer of St. Vincent Ferrer to be Sinless at the Hour of Death

    Lord Jesus Christ, who willest that no man should perish, and to whom supplication is never made without the hope of mercy, for Thou saidst with Thine own holy and blessed lips: “All things whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, shall be done unto you”; I ask of Thee, O Lord, for Thy holy…

  • Direction of Intention by St. Francis De Sales

    My God, I give you this day. I offer you, now, all of the good that I shall do and I promise to accept, for love of you, all of the difficulty that I shall meet. Help me to conduct myself during this day in a manner pleasing to you. Amen.

  • Prayer to St. Joseph

    Glorious Saint Joseph, patron of all who are devoted to toil, obtain for me the grace to toil in the spirit of penance, in order thereby to atone for my many sins; to toil conscientiously, putting devotion to duty before my own inclinations; to labour with thankfulness and joy, deeming it an honour to employ and…