Saintly Sayings - Filed under 'April'

April 30, 2011

Patience: April 30

(same as April 29)

When we are made to suffer some pains, troubles or ill-treatment, let us turn our thoughts to the sufferings of our Savior. Immediately our own trials will become light and bearable, for no matter how bitter they may be, they will seem flowers in comparison to Christ's thorns.

– St. Francis de Sales

Bedridden, a good woman was suffering intensely. A member of the family handed her a crucifix, telling her to pray to Jesus to free her from so much pain. "But," she answered, "how can I ask to come down from the cross while I hold the crucifix in my hands? God forbid that I do such a thing."

While St. Teresa was undergoing tremendous trials, Jesus appeared to her covered with gaping wounds, and said: "Look, my daughter, and consider the bitterness of my torments. Can yours be compared to Mine?" At this the saint was so moved, that she seemed no longer to feel any pain. After she used to say: "In view of all the sufferings Our Lord underwent, I don't know what I am thinking of when I complain about mine."

St. Lidwina suffered every type of illness continually for thirty-eight years; yet she was ever jovial and happy by keeping before her eyes the sufferings of Jesus.

Filed under // April Patience

April 29, 2011

Patience: April 29

When we are made to suffer some pains, troubles or ill-treatment, let us turn our thoughts to the sufferings of our Savior. Immediately our own trials will become light and bearable, for no matter how bitter they may be, they will seem flowers in comparison to Christ's thorns.

– St. Francis de Sales

Bedridden, a good woman was suffering intensely. A member of the family handed her a crucifix, telling her to pray to Jesus to free her from so much pain. "But," she answered, "how can I ask to come down from the cross while I hold the crucifix in my hands? God forbid that I do such a thing."

While St. Teresa was undergoing tremendous trials, Jesus appeared to her covered with gaping wounds, and said: "Look, my daughter, and consider the bitterness of my torments. Can yours be compared to Mine?" At this the saint was so moved, that she seemed no longer to feel any pain. After she used to say: "In view of all the sufferings Our Lord underwent, I don't know what I am thinking of when I complain about mine."

St. Lidwina suffered every type of illness continually for thirty-eight years; yet she was ever jovial and happy by keeping before her eyes the sufferings of Jesus.

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April 28, 2011

Patience: April 28

(same as April 27)

Moses' rod on the ground was a frightful serpent; in his hand, it was a marvelous wand. Thus are tribulations. Considered in themselves, they are terrible; considered in the will of God, they are honors and pleasures.

– St. Francis de Sales

Frequently St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi would say: "I do not think there could be suffering so bitter, adversity so difficult or labor so arduous that I could not bear it with happiness simply by convincing myself that it was the will of God." In fact, the great sufferings she experienced during a trial of five years duration, and during her last illness, whenever someone reminded her that it was the will of God she suffer those pains, she would immediately become serene and cease to grieve.

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April 27, 2011

Patience: April 27

Moses' rod on the ground was a frightful serpent; in his hand, it was a marvelous wand. Thus are tribulations. Considered in themselves, they are terrible; considered in the will of God, they are honors and pleasures.

– St. Francis de Sales

Frequently St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi would say: "I do not think there could be suffering so bitter, adversity so difficult or labor so arduous that I could not bear it with happiness simply by convincing myself that it was the will of God." In fact, the great sufferings she experienced during a trial of five years duration, and during her last illness, whenever someone reminded her that it was the will of God she suffer those pains, she would immediately become serene and cease to grieve.

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April 26, 2011

Patience: April 26

If we would view tribulations from a Christian viewpoint and if we could rid our soul entirely of all traces of worldly maxims, which impede the rays of faith and do not let them penetrate to the very depths of our soul, how fortunate we would deem ourselves when we are calumniated and considered of little worth. And is it not a great privilege to be persecuted while doing good, since Christ declared them blessed who suffer for justice' sake?

– St. Vincent de Paul

The Apostles rejoiced whenever they were persecuted by the rulers of the Synagogue. And St. Paul tells us that, in such cases, his heart would be filled with joy because with the light of faith he knew how valuable trials and tribulations are.

When told of a grave calumny being circulated about him, Father Alvarez manifested great joy, and said to the one who gave him the news: "Now I see that God loves me, because He is leading me along the path of His beloved ones."

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April 25, 2011

Patience: April 25

He who aspires to perfection must carefully avoid saying: "I was right ... They did that to me without reason." If you wish to bear only "reasonable" crosses, perfection is not for you.

– St. Teresa of Avila

St. Vincent de Paul was ordered by a prelate to receive in his monastery a zealous religious and to help him in his plans. The holy man did so and gave him opportune advice. However, a few religious, not pleased with the reformer, criticized St. Vincent to the same prelate. The latter, forgetting that he himself had given those orders, called St. Vincent and, in the presence of those same religious, reprimanded him. The saint received the correction with joy, uttering not a word to justify his action.

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April 24, 2011

Patience: April 24

Learn to suffer something for the love of God, without letting everyone know about it.

– St. Teresa of Avila

During his frequent illnesses, St. Philip Neri was always cheerful and serene. Never did he give evidence of his suffering, no matter how great it was, nor did he speak of his illness with anyone except his doctors.

For twenty-eight years St. Clare underwent great sufferings, yet in all that time she was never heard to complain about them; in fact, she frequently thanked God for them.

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April 23, 2011

Patience: April 23

In this life there is no purgatory, just heaven or hell. For he who patiently bears his tribulations enjoys heaven; he who does not, suffers hell.

– St. Philip Neri

When St. Francis de Sales was ill, it was of great edification to all to hear him speak of his illness without exaggeration or complaint. Patiently he bore it without uneasiness. He always took his medicine without a word. Even though he suffered severe pains, he was ever serene and calm, as though he felt no pain.

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April 22, 2011

Patience: April 22

If ever there should be a monastery without a troublesome and bad-tempered religious, it would be necessary to find one and pay him his weight in gold because of the great profit that results from this trial, when good use is made of it.

– St. Bernard

When St. Philip Neri was living at the Church of St. Jerome many penitents came to him. For this reason, the sacristans of that church conceived a great dislike for him and showed it in many ways. Despite all this ill-treatment, St. Philip never complained or gave any sign of displeasure. He prayed for them and always treated them with charity and respect. As often as he could, he would do favors for them. His friends exhorted him to go live elsewhere, but he refused, because he did not want to run away from the cross God had given him. This went on for several years. Finally, seeing that his charity and humility did not help matters but rather, instead of changing, those sacristans were becoming worse, the saint turned to God for help. One day he fixed his eyes on the Crucifix and prayed: "O my good Jesus, why do You not listen to me? For such a long time I have been asking You for patience. Why do You not grant it to me?" Then the saint heard a voice within him say: "Are you not asking Me for patience? I will give it to you, but I want you to acquire it by this means." From that day on St. Philip suffered the ill-treatment with greater happiness and to his joy reached the point of not only feeling no resentment but rather of greatly desiring insults and injuries.

Filed under // April Patience

April 21, 2011

Patience: April 21

God sends us trials and infirmities to give us the means of paying the enormous debts we owe Him. Hence, the wise receive them with joy, thinking more of the good they derive from them than of the sufferings they are undergoing.

– St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul clearly explained this thought of his in a sermon. "There was a king," he said, "who kept in prison two men owing him large sums of money. Upon seeing that they were unable to pay their debts, he threw a bag of money to each of them. Both felt the impact of the heavy bag upon their backs. One of them, angered by the blow, burst out impatiently without paying any attention to the bag. The other, paying little heed to the pain, realized the favor he had received, thanked the king, and with that money paid his debt. So it is with us. All of us owe great debts to God for the many benefits received from Him and for the many offenses we have given Him. We have no means of making satisfaction. God, moved to pity on this account, sends us the gold of patience in the bag of tribulations. He who accepts his trials with patience makes satisfactions to God with this precious gold and increases in grace. He who does not, increases his debts and makes himself ever more displeasing to God."

The example of the two thieves who were crucified with Christ also confirms this truth. One of the thieves paid his debt and gained paradise with his patience. The other, with his impatience, added to his debts and merited hell.

Filed under // April Patience

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