Saintly Sayings

and Examples of Saints 
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February 28, 2010
 

Humility: February 28

To be genuine, humility must be accompanied by charity, that is, we must love, seek and accept humiliations so as to please God and resemble Jesus. Otherwise, we would be practicing humility as pagans.
– St. Francis de Sales

Of St. Vincent de Paul it truly can be said that he possessed real humility. He always did his utmost to remain hidden and unknown, to lower himself in the eyes of others and to be despised. He never let slip by any occasion of humiliation, but always accepted it willingly and joyfully.

All this he did because he really thought very little of himself and in order to imitate the Son of God Who, as he said in a conference once day, "being the splendor and glory of His Father, not content to lead a life of continual humiliation, willed, even after His death to remain before our eyes in a state of ignominy – nailed to the Cross." St. Vincent's humility was, indeed, so sincere that it showed in his eyes, his face and his whole bearing.

Filed under  //   February   Humility  
February 27, 2010
 

Humility: February 27

All those who have really wanted to possess humility have given themselves wholeheartedly to the practice of humiliations, because in this they recognized the short cut to the acquisition of the virtue.
– St. Bernard of Clairvaux

When Blessed Alexander Sauli, Bishop of Aleria, a learned and highly esteemed man, was superior of his Community, he always undertook the menial tasks, such as sweeping, washing dishes, carrying wood, working in the garden, serving the sick, answering the door, ringing the bells, helping the sacristan, and so on. When, because of priestly duties, he was unable to perform those tasks, he would redouble his work the following day.

Filed under  //   February   Humility  
February 26, 2010
 

Humility: February 26

One of the best ways to acquire humility is to fix the following maxim in our mind: One is worth what he is worth in the eyes of God.
– Thomas a Kempis

St. Francis de Sales practiced this maxim perfectly. He did not worry about his reputation and cared not at all of what the others might think of him. To one he once confided: "Oh! If it would only please God never to reveal my innocence, not even at the last judgment, but to keep it eternally hidden in the secrets of His Eternal Wisdom!" Another time he exclaimed: "If the grace of God should have worked some good through me, I would be happy if, on the day of judgment when all the secrets of hearts will be revealed, only God should know my good works and everyone should see my faults, instead."

Filed under  //   February   Humility