Saintly Sayings

and Examples of Saints 
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Diligence

 
August 31, 2011
 

Diligence: August 31

Everything we do derives its value from our conformity to the will of God. Hence even eating, if done because such is the will of God, is more meritorious than death would be without that intention. Fix this principle firmly in your mind, and in your every action keep it before your eyes. Thus you will do your work with perfection.
– St. Francis de Sales

A certain lay Brother understood this truth well. When he sat down to eat, he would say that he was preaching the sermons of St. Francis Xavier in India.

Filed under  //   August   Diligence  
August 30, 2011
 

Diligence: August 30

A serious error made by some good and pious souls is the belief that they cannot preserve interior peace in the midst of duties and difficulties. Despite the fact that there is no greater movement than the rocking of a ship on the high seas those on board continue to sleep and rest, and the compass needle always remains in its place pointing north. Here is the point: we must make certain to keep the compass needle of our will always in place, so that it will point only toward the pole of the Divine Pleasure.
– St. Francis de Sales

St. Vincent de Paul excelled in this regard. He never became upset over the multitude of affairs to which he had to attend and the difficulties he encountered. He faced them with indefatigable strength of spirit and worked methodically, patiently and tranquilly, keeping his gaze fixed on the divine will. This was clearly seen at the time he was advisor to the king, in charge of his own Congregation, governing other communities besides, directing organizations and meetings, and handling numerous other matters. Anyone would have imagined him continually distraught, dividing his time between a million different thoughts and cares, and consequently always disturbed and agitated. Yet this was not so. In the midst of this constant coming and going of persons and affairs, his recollection, mastery of self and great serenity of spirit were always evident.

Filed under  //   August   Diligence  
August 29, 2011
 

Diligence: August 29

Another good method is to give thought to no time but the present. One of the tricks the devil uses to cause souls to lose heart and become lax in the service of God is to make it seem unbearably difficult to have to live in such a circumspect, punctual and exacting fashion for many years. Now, when one takes only the present day into account, he closes the door to this temptation and also gives considerable encouragement to our weak human nature.
– St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

It is narrated in the lives of the Fathers that a certain monk was greatly tempted by hunger to break the community schedule. Beginning early in the morning he would feel such hunger and such weakness that it was not tolerable. But in order not to break the holy custom of the monks to eat nothing before three in the afternoon, he would proceed thus: In the morning he would say to himself: "No matter how hungry you are is it such a great thing to wait until nine o'clock?" At nine he would say: "Just as I've waited until nine I can wait until twelve." At twelve o'clock he would say: "While the bread is soaking I can wait until three o'clock. For another two or three hours I don't want to break the good custom of the monks." At three o'clock, having said his prayers, he would eat. Thus he led himself on for many days until he no longer felt the hunger and weakness as before.

Another monk was gravely tempted for a long period of time to leave the monastery. Every night he would say to himself, "Tomorrow I will leave." And in the morning, "Oh well, for the love of God I will remain one more day." And he did this for nine consecutive years until finally the temptation left him.

Filed under  //   August   Diligence  
August 28, 2011
 

Diligence: August 28

One of the many ways of doing everything well is to perform each action as though it were the last act of your life. Ask yourself before every act, "If you knew that you were going to die immediately after this action, would you do it? Would you do it in this manner?"
– St. Vincent de Paul

A certain priest used to go to confession every morning before celebrating Mass. Having fallen ill, he was advised to go to confession to prepare himself for death. "May the Lord be praised!" he exclaimed. "For thirty years I have been going to confession as though I were going to die right afterwards. Hence now all I have to do is to confess myself as though I were to say Mass."

Filed under  //   August   Diligence  
August 27, 2011
 

Diligence: August 27

The fourth impediment is a desire to do too much. In the exercise of virtue one should not become entangled in trifles. Virtue should be practiced straightforwardly, naturally, openly and simply, the way it used to be. The freedom of the children of God consists precisely in fulfilling their obligations joyfully, faithfully and willingly.
– St. Francis de Sales

Although very exact in her observance of the Rules and in fulfilling her duties, St. Jane Frances de Chantal made sure for her part and advised others likewise not to let such exactness bring on the distress or anxiety which self-love usually causes. Rather she went ahead tranquilly and simply always.

Filed under  //   August   Diligence  
August 26, 2011
 

Diligence: August 26

To do all things serenely and lovingly is characteristic of the spirit of God, and the surest way to succeed in one's undertakings is to imitate Him.

– St. Vincent de Paul

In this manner St. Vincent carried out every action, whether important or not, spiritual or temporal. His great calm and serenity were even apparent externally.

Filed under  //   August   Diligence  
August 25, 2011
 

Diligence: August 25

The third impediment is over-anxiety. Diligently and accurately handle all the affairs of which you are in charge, but if possible do not be unduly worried about them. Do not let them upset and disturb you. In taking care of them, never torment yourself, for such anxieties make clear-thinking difficult and prevent your doing other things well. If you practice this advice, you will succeed in discharging your duties very meritoriously for, beyond doubt, time employed calmly is spent most efficaciously.
– St. Francis de Sales

St. Jane Frances de Chantal faithfully followed this advice: "Do everything attentively, but without anxiety and without losing peace of heart." Hence all her undertakings turned out well, and she made the reason for this success plain to her Sisters. One day she said to one of them: "You must know, my dear daughter, that I love our poor Congregation perfectly, but without anxiety." To another Sister who asked her how she could get rid of the continual worries she encountered in her office, she wrote: "If you wish to succeed better in your office and find it less burdensome, you must get rid of your anxiety and solicitude in carrying it out, and seek to act with fidelity together with sweetness and calmness of spirit."

Filed under  //   August   Diligence  
August 24, 2011
 

Diligence: August 24

The works of God are generally done little by little. They have their beginnings and progressive advances. One must not expect to do everything at once and in a hurry, nor consider everything lost that is not done immediately. It is necessary to proceed slowly, pray a great deal and use the means suggested by the Spirit of God, never the erroneous principles of the world.

The same Saint attended to all his affairs with great composure, both in undertaking them as well as in carrying them out. In fact, he was held to be too slow. However, experience proved that his lack of haste did no harm. On the contrary, to the surprise of many, he achieved a great many successes and in very difficult matters – results impossible to achieve by several people working together. Moreover, in this way he succeeded in performing all his spiritual exercises with devotion.

Filed under  //   August   Diligence  
August 23, 2011
 

Diligence: August 23

The second impediment is haste. Avoid it, for it is an arch enemy of true devotion. Nothing done in haste has ever been done well. By all means, let us proceed at a moderate pace, as long as we go forward, and thus we will cover much ground.
– St. Francis de Sales

St. Francis himself acted in this manner and so did St. Philip Neri. The latter wanted his penitents to do likewise. To them he frequently used to say: "We must not expect to do everything in a day or become a saint in a month. This is not moderation."

Filed under  //   August   Diligence  
August 22, 2011
 

Diligence: August 22

Faithfully do what God expects of you each moment, and leave the rest up to Him. I assure you that living in this manner will bring you great peace.
– St. Jane Frances de Chantal

St. Jane Frances herself lived this advice. So did St. Francis de Sales. Of him it is said that when he was engaged in some activity or handling some matter, he would apply himself to it wholeheartedly as though he had no other occupation.

Filed under  //   August   Diligence