Saintly Sayings

and Examples of Saints 
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June 30, 2011
 

Obedience: June 30

(same as June 29)

The predestination of religious depends upon the love they have for their own Rule, and upon their prompt fulfillment of the duties of their state.
– St. Francis de Sales

St. John Berchmans was so attached to the observance of his Rule that during his whole life as a religious he was never seen to transgress it. On his deathbed he asked for the book of the Rules, and holding it tightly in his hands said: "With this I die willingly."

Filed under  //   June   Obedience  
June 29, 2011
 

Obedience: June 29

The predestination of religious depends upon the love they have for their own Rule, and upon their prompt fulfillment of the duties of their state.
– St. Francis de Sales

St. John Berchmans was so attached to the observance of his Rule that during his whole life as a religious he was never seen to transgress it. On his deathbed he asked for the book of the Rules, and holding it tightly in his hands said: "With this I die willingly."

Filed under  //   June   Obedience  
June 28, 2011
 

Obedience: June 28

(same as June 27)

The perfection of a religious lies in exact obedience to his Rule. And the most faithful in observing them will be the most perfect without doubt.

St. Aloysius Gonzaga was never known to transgress the smallest rule of his Order. He was so observant that he could not bring himself to give to his companions a sheet of paper nor receive a holy picture from them without first obtaining the superior's permission, as prescribed by the rules.

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June 27, 2011
 

Obedience: June 27

The perfection of a religious lies in exact obedience to his Rule. And the most faithful in observing them will be the most perfect without doubt.
– St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

St. Aloysius Gonzaga was never known to transgress the smallest rule of his Order. He was so observant that he could not bring himself to give to his companions a sheet of paper nor receive a holy picture from them without first obtaining the superior's permission, as prescribed by the rules.

Filed under  //   June   Obedience  
June 26, 2011
 

Obedience: June 26

He who lives under obedience must let himself be guided by Divine Providence through the superior. And he should be as one dead. The sign of being dead is not to see, hear, complain, or show preference for anything, but to let one's self be treated in any way and placed anywhere. See what is lacking in your obedience.
– St. Ignatius of Loyola

On the very day that she received the Religious Habit, St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi humbly knelt at the feet of her superior and gave herself totally up to her will. She asked her to do with her whatever she wished, because she would always be ready to obey her in everything. She also begged her superior to humiliate her without restraint. In this manner she lived completely docile to her superior's will, promptly obeying her in everything, allowing her to employ her as she desired, without ever contradicting her or showing disapproval of what she said.

Filed under  //   June   Obedience  
June 25, 2011
 

Obedience: June 25

To obey, it is not enough to do what obedience commands. It is necessary to do it without reasoning about it. Be convinced that whatever is commanded is the best thing that can be done, even though it may seem to be or really be the contrary.
– St. Philip Neri

Father Alvarez willingly submitted to obedience in all things. He used to say that in his experience he had found that even when it seemed it would be better to do the opposite of what obedience commanded, in obeying things turned out for the best.

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June 24, 2011
 

Obedience: June 24

Never let yourself stop to examine and judge the orders of your superiors, why they gave a particular command, or whether it would have been better to do it another way. This is not the duty of the subject, but of the superior.
– St. Jerome

One summer day during the very hot season, St. John Berchmans went out three or four times, because several religious had asked the Superior for him as a companion.  His roommate, feeling sorry for him, told him to be more prudent, or he would become ill. St. John answered pleasantly, "Brother, I must leave prudence to the one in charge; my only duty is to obey."

Filed under  //   June   Obedience  
June 23, 2011
 

Obedience: June 23

If ever feelings, thoughts and judgments against obedience should come to you, even though they may seem good and holy, disregard them and promptly reject them as you would thoughts against chastity and against the faith.
– St. John Climacus

While preparing for a philosophical discussion, St. John Berchmans was asked to go out as a companion. As he needed the time to study, he felt a little reluctance, but immediately, without giving any sign of it, he overcame it by thinking of something else.

Filed under  //   June   Obedience  
June 22, 2011
 

Obedience: June 22

Do you know why many, after being in religion a long time and performing many acts of obedience, never acquire the habit of this virtue? The reason is that they do not obey because it is the will of God (which is the formal reason for obedience), but they obey now for one reason, now for another. Thus these acts, not being always the same, can never lead to the habit of this virtue.
– St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi never looked at the person of the superior commanding her, but saw in her the Person of God. Neither did she ever obey for any reason other than to do the will of God. Whatever her superior commanded her, she regarded as imposed by divine authority. Willingly she obeyed everyone from the Prioress down to the cook. And in obeying she experienced great happiness and delight.

Filed under  //   June   Obedience  
June 21, 2011
 

Obedience: June 21

When a superior gives an order, remember that it is not he speaking but God, and at that moment the superior is but the instrument through which the voice of God passes. This is the true key to obedience and the reason those who are perfect obey so promptly in everything and do not make any distinction between one superior and another. They obey in the same manner both the lowest and the highest superiors, the imperfect and the perfect, because they consider neither the person nor the qualities of the superior but only God, Who is always the same.
– St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

St. Louis Gonzaga related that he did not remember ever having transgressed the smallest order of his superiors. He was just as submissive and respectful to the school janitor as he would have been to the Superior General.

Filed under  //   June   Obedience