Let us cherish and treasure this short life which is to be the seed of our future glory. Let us make the most of our chances by meriting, and snatch at each little occasion of gaining something for heaven.
-- Father Dignam, SJ
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Correct Thing in the Home Circle
It is the correct thing:
-- For both (husband and wife) to "bear and forbear" with each other.
-- To remember that a home without God cannot long be a happy one.
-- For every room in the house to be as attractive in its way as the parlor.
-- To have family prayers in common where possible.
-- To be punctilious about saying grace before meals, and returning thanks afterward.
-- To let no unpleasant subject ever be broached at table.
-- For a Christian "to eat to live, not live to eat".
-- For a Catholic to serve Friday fare on Friday, no matter who is expected to dine.
-- To have a crucifix in every bedroom.
-- To have Catholic engravings or paintings in the parlors as well as in bedrooms.
-- To celebrate both the birthdays and the feasts of the patron saints of the several members of the family . . .
-- Leila Hardin Bugg, The Correct Thing for Catholics
-- For both (husband and wife) to "bear and forbear" with each other.
-- To remember that a home without God cannot long be a happy one.
-- For every room in the house to be as attractive in its way as the parlor.
-- To have family prayers in common where possible.
-- To be punctilious about saying grace before meals, and returning thanks afterward.
-- To let no unpleasant subject ever be broached at table.
-- For a Christian "to eat to live, not live to eat".
-- For a Catholic to serve Friday fare on Friday, no matter who is expected to dine.
-- To have a crucifix in every bedroom.
-- To have Catholic engravings or paintings in the parlors as well as in bedrooms.
-- To celebrate both the birthdays and the feasts of the patron saints of the several members of the family . . .
-- Leila Hardin Bugg, The Correct Thing for Catholics
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sayings
A wise man sometimes changes his mind, but a fool never.
-- Spanish proverb
Do good by stealth and blush to find it fame.
-- Pope
Alexander Pope and His Dog, Bounce, circa 1718
Giclee Print
Richardson,...
Buy at AllPosters.com
-- Spanish proverb
Do good by stealth and blush to find it fame.
-- Pope
Alexander Pope and His Dog, Bounce, circa 1718
Giclee Print
Richardson,...
Buy at AllPosters.com
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Hot Coals
If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat; if he thirst, give him water to drink; for thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.
-- Proverbs
-- Proverbs
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Profit
Riches shall not profit in the day of revenge, but justice shall deliver from death.
-- Proverbs
-- Proverbs
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Perfect Day
But the path of the just, as a shining light, goeth forward and increaseth even to perfect day.
-- Proverbs
-- Proverbs
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Without anxiety
Great affairs do not distract us so much as small ones when these are numerous. This is why we must receive them peacefully, striving to do them in order one after the other, without anxiety. By so doing, they become for us occasions of much merit.
-- St. Francis de Sales
-- St. Francis de Sales
Friday, October 19, 2007
The Least Action
Those who are perfect and walk with simplicity do nothing but what is agreeable to God, because they seek in all things to please Him; such is the end of all their occupations and of all their actions. To please God is their only ambition, hence the great merit they acquire in performing the least action.
-- Rodriguez
-- Rodriguez
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Seeking for Approval
If it happens that you say or do something which is not well received by all, you should not for this reason reflect much upon it, because it is beyond a doubt that it is self-love which makes us seek to be approved in what we say or do. Simplicity abandons to Providence the success of actions done for Him.
-- St. Francis de Sales
-- St. Francis de Sales
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Tranquility
When a man has done all that God requires of him toward the success of a thing, if he has simplicity, he is tranquil, whether it is a success or not.
-- St. Vincent de Paul
-- St. Vincent de Paul
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Simplicity
The office of simplicity is to make us go straight to God, without listening to human respect, without consulting our own interest; to make us speak frankly and from our hearts; to make us act simply, without any mingling of hypocrisy or artifice; finally, to keep us far from duplicity or deceit.
-- St. Vincent de Paul
-- St. Vincent de Paul
Monday, October 15, 2007
Composure
One of the Fathers of the desert, being interrogated as to the means he employed to be always composed, always in the same humor, replied, "I often think of my guardian angel, who is ever at my side, who assists me in all my needs, who tells me in all circumstances what I should do, what I should say, and who, after every action, writes down the manner in which I have performed it. This thought penetrates me with such religious respect that I am attentive to say or do nothing to displease him."
-- Lasausse, Short Meditations
-- Lasausse, Short Meditations
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Maintaining Peace
To continually maintain your peace of soul, endeavor to perform all your actions in the presence of God, as if He Himself had regulated the manner of your performing them.
-- St. Francis de Sales
-- St. Francis de Sales
Friday, October 12, 2007
Be Not Astonished
The holy Bishop of Geneva having been injured, threatened, abused, someone admiring his heroic patience, the Saint said, "Be not astonished at my silence. I have made a compact with my tongue that it never move to say a word of anger against those who may speak ill of me."
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Appearances
There are some who appear sweet while everything prospers and goes according to their wishes, but at the least adversity, the least contradiction, their sweetness disappears, they are on fire. They may be compared to a coal hidden under ashes. Their meekness is not of the kind Our Savior asks when He tells us to be like unto Him.
-- St. Bernard
-- St. Bernard
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Funds in Reserve
It is not possible, as long as we are on this earth, to think exactly as those think with whom we live; therefore it is necessary to have a large fund of sweetness to oppose sudden movements of anger, so that we may not lose the peace of our soul.
-- St. Francis de Sales
-- St. Francis de Sales
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
"Mirth is Next to Grace"
Writing of Mary Ward, Mother Mary Salome says: "She was always bright, always joyful. She could not bear to see gloom on people's faces. 'Be merry!' she used to say; 'In these days (Penal days in England) mirth is next to grace.' 'Three things I love,' she used to say. 'Young people devout, old people patient, sick people joyous.' Even when dying, Mary praised and blessed God with joy."
-- A Year of Cheer
-- A Year of Cheer
Monday, October 8, 2007
Seriously . . .
Almost 75% of the things of this world should be taken with a little laughter. That is the serious way of taking them.
-- Father McNabb, O.P.
-- Father McNabb, O.P.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Demeanor
Nothing can rank in importance before gentleness of manner and sweetness of demeanor toward others.
-- Father Faber
-- Father Faber
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Out Into the World
Go out into the world with your heart full of gentleness and pity, and you shall find the response of kindliness from others; you will not only protect yourself from being hardened, but you will draw out the gentler side of others.
-- Father Maturin
-- Father Maturin
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Morning and Evening
Another day begins for me,
What day shall be my last?
Grant, Lord, that each new day may see
My heart more pure, more dear to Thee.
And oh! forgive the past.
. . .
Another day is ended;
How many more to live?
Alas, too many wasted!
My God, forgive, forgive!
-- Rev. Matthew Russell, SJ
What day shall be my last?
Grant, Lord, that each new day may see
My heart more pure, more dear to Thee.
And oh! forgive the past.
. . .
Another day is ended;
How many more to live?
Alas, too many wasted!
My God, forgive, forgive!
-- Rev. Matthew Russell, SJ
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Guardian Angels
Let us resolve, first, greatly to respect the presence of our angel guardian, who is with us by night and by day, and not to allow ourselves to do anything in his presence but what is honourable and holy; secondly, to love him and to thank him often for his benefits; thirdly, to invoke him confidently in our needs and our temptations.
We ought to imitate our angel guardian, imitate at church his profound reverence in the presence of the tabernacle; in prayer, his recollection and devotion; in business, his union with God; in our temptations, his glorious combats with the devil at the cry of St. Michael: "Who is like to God?"; in the exercise of charity, his endurance of the faults and defects of our neighbour, his gentleness, his patience, his eagerness to oblige, his devotedness; lastly, in all things, his conformity to the good pleasure of God, the uprightness of his intentions, his pure and innocent life.
-- Hamon, Meditations
We ought to imitate our angel guardian, imitate at church his profound reverence in the presence of the tabernacle; in prayer, his recollection and devotion; in business, his union with God; in our temptations, his glorious combats with the devil at the cry of St. Michael: "Who is like to God?"; in the exercise of charity, his endurance of the faults and defects of our neighbour, his gentleness, his patience, his eagerness to oblige, his devotedness; lastly, in all things, his conformity to the good pleasure of God, the uprightness of his intentions, his pure and innocent life.
-- Hamon, Meditations
Monday, October 1, 2007
Before the Rosary
Mother, now I'll say my beads,
For my soul some comfort needs;
And what better can there be
Than to raise my thoughts to thee, Sweet Mother!
-- Rev. Matthew Russell, S.J.
For my soul some comfort needs;
And what better can there be
Than to raise my thoughts to thee, Sweet Mother!
-- Rev. Matthew Russell, S.J.
