Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1170)

Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. 

Saint John Eudes (1601-1680)

The Christian life is a continuation and completion of the life of Christ in us. We should be so many Christs here on earth, continuing His life and His works, laboring and suffering in a holy and divine manner in the spirit of Jesus. 

Saint Jeanne de Chantal (1572-1841)

There is no danger if our prayer is without words or reflection because the good success of prayer depends neither on words nor on study. It depends upon the simple raising of our minds to God, and the more simple and stripped of feeling it is, the surer it is. 

Saint John Climacus

Let us try to learn Divine Truth more by toil and sweat than by mere word, for at the time of our departure it's not words but deeds that have to shown. 

Father Isaac Hecker

The One who called you has got to do the big work both in you and in the one to whom you come. The common factor is the One who called all.

 

Romans 10:14-15

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" [Isaiah 52:7]

 

Father Isaac Hecker

Most of our troubles arise from unreal causes. They are the effects of exaggerations, or inordinate desires, or mistaken view of honor or duty. Would we only be willing to see things as they are, and be willing to be just what we are, we should find more good in the world, and in creation, than some religious writers would be willing to acknowledge.

 

Romans 8:35,37

What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.

Father Isaac Hecker

If, then, we would be wise, we must drink from the fountain source. How blind and foolish are those who arrest themselves at anything, however precious and good it may appear, when they can obtain possession of Him who is the Creator and God of all, the Infinite! Who can behold God and desire to regard anything else? Who that knows God can study anything else? Who that has tasted of God's love can desire any other? Who that has experienced His presence can wish for anything but solitude?

 

1 Corinthians 2:11

For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Father Isaac Hecker

The individuality of a man cannot be too strong, or his liberty too great, when he is guided by the Spirit of God. But when one is easily influenced from below rather than from above, it is an evidence of the spirit of pride and that of the flesh, and not "the liberty of the glory of the children of God."

Romans 8:5,18,21

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires....I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us... the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

 

Father Isaac Hecker

The baptized man is baptized in his whole nature, animal, human and celestial; his whole nature is regenerated. Who dares call that unclean which God has pronounced clean.

 

Galatians 3:26-27

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.