Saintly Sayings

and Examples of Saints 
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March 31, 2011
 

Mortification: March 31

(same as March 30)

Just as one must will only what God wills in order to be a saint, so also, one must judge things as God judges them, in order to be wise. Now, then, who knows whether your opinions always conform to God's? How often have you found yourself mistaken in your judgments and decisions?

The same saint always showed himself exemplary in the mortification of his own judgment. He was endowed with so much prudence the he was considered one of the most prudent men of his times. Yet, he always distrusted himself and in all his affairs had recourse not only to God but also to man. He would ask others' opinions and follow theirs rather than his own, when justice and charity permitted it, even though they were men of mediocre talent or his inferiors. Whenever his advice was sought, after raising his mind to God, he would answer modestly, leaving the decision up to the person himself. His way of speaking was: "It seems that this could be done in this way ... For this reason, it seems that this action should be taken..." When pressed for an explicit opinion, he would say: "It seems to me that it would be well to do thus–; to conduct ourselves in this way." However, he preferred always – in fact, he himself would suggest it – that the opinion of others be asked, and that it be followed rather than his own.

He was convinced that the decisions made with mature counsel and the opinions of others were pleasing to God. He believed that when one has recommended a matter to God and consulted with others about it, he must firmly abide by his decision and believe that God will not hold it against him, since he can excuse himself by saying: "Lord, I recommended the matter to You and asked the advice of others, doing my best to know Your will."

Filed under  //   March   Mortification  
March 30, 2011
 

Mortification: March 30

Just as one must will only what God wills in order to be a saint, so also, one must judge things as God judges them, in order to be wise. Now, then, who knows whether your opinions always conform to God's? How often have you found yourself mistaken in your judgments and decisions?
– St. Vincent de Paul

The same saint always showed himself exemplary in the mortification of his own judgment. He was endowed with so much prudence the he was considered one of the most prudent men of his times. Yet, he always distrusted himself and in all his affairs had recourse not only to God but also to man. He would ask others' opinions and follow theirs rather than his own, when justice and charity permitted it, even though they were men of mediocre talent or his inferiors. Whenever his advice was sought, after raising his mind to God, he would answer modestly, leaving the decision up to the person himself. His way of speaking was: "It seems that this could be done in this way ... For this reason, it seems that this action should be taken..." When pressed for an explicit opinion, he would say: "It seems to me that it would be well to do thus–; to conduct ourselves in this way." However, he preferred always – in fact, he himself would suggest it – that the opinion of others be asked, and that it be followed rather than his own.

He was convinced that the decisions made with mature counsel and the opinions of others were pleasing to God. He believed that when one has recommended a matter to God and consulted with others about it, he must firmly abide by his decision and believe that God will not hold it against him, since he can excuse himself by saying: "Lord, I recommended the matter to You and asked the advice of others, doing my best to know Your will."

Filed under  //   March   Mortification  
March 29, 2011
 

Mortification: March 29

(same as March 28)

The best way to overcome this attachment to our own will is to pay little attention to any opinion when it comes to our mind. When our viewpoint is asked on some matter, we should give it frankly but without indifference as to whether it is accepted or not. It is well to accustom oneself to follow the opinions of others rather than our own, in whatever is permissible.

St. Jane Frances de Chantal, who had a quick mind, whenever asked her opinion about important matters, did not trust in her knowledge acquired during her long experience. Rather, besides praying to God for guidance she would consult spiritual directors and persons well versed in those matters. Then she would say:  "This is my opinion, but get also the advice of someone more intelligent and prudent."

Filed under  //   March   Mortification  
March 28, 2011
 

Mortification: March 28

The best way to overcome this attachment to our own will is to pay little attention to any opinion when it comes to our mind. When our viewpoint is asked on some matter, we should give it frankly but without indifference as to whether it is accepted or not. It is well to accustom oneself to follow the opinions of others rather than our own, in whatever is permissible.
– St. Francis de Sales

St. Jane Frances de Chantal, who had a quick mind, whenever asked her opinion about important matters, did not trust in her knowledge acquired during her long experience. Rather, besides praying to God for guidance she would consult spiritual directors and persons well versed in those matters. Then she would say:  "This is my opinion, but get also the advice of someone more intelligent and prudent."

Filed under  //   March   Mortification  
March 27, 2011
 

Mortification: March 27

Each one has his own opinions but this is not an obstacle to virtue. Only a passionate clinging to our opinions and a high esteem for them are in extreme opposition to our perfection.
– St. Francis de Sales

The same saint had reached such a degree of detachment from his own views that he could write to a friend that he did not mind whether or not others followed his opinions, nor did he expect his ways of thinking to serve as a rule for anyone.

Although St. John Leonardi, founder of the Clerics Regular of the Mother of God, was endowed with great prudence and had brought many important undertakings to a successful conclusion, he always depended on the opinion of his subjects when making all decisions, even on those who were young and inexperienced. In fact, he never did anything of importance without asking their opinion and very often he followed their ideas rather than his own.

Even though Father Suarez was both brilliant and learned, he frequently gave his manuscripts to his students for their opinion. Moreover, if any disapproved of some point, he readily changed it.

Filed under  //   March   Mortification  
March 26, 2011
 

Mortification: March 26

Try not to put too much trust in your own opinion because otherwise without a doubt you will become drunk with it. There is no difference between an intoxicated person and one who can see only his own points of view. The second is no more capable of reasoning than the first.
– St. Francis de Sales

Blessed Alexander Sauli, Bishop of Aleria, always sought counsel for the affairs of his diocese, never trusting his own opinion. He considered himself completely unsuited for his office, even though he had been an outstanding professor of theology and the spiritual director of St. Charles and was spoken of as the ideal bishop.

St. Francis of Paula, although blessed with the gift of prophecy, always asked counsel when in doubt, even in small matters and from those under him.

Filed under  //   March   Mortification  
March 25, 2011
 

Mortification: March 25

The greatest gift one could receive from God in this world is that of knowing, wanting and overcoming one's self by denying one's own will.
– St. Francis of Assisi

The Abbot Pastore used to think highly of this exercise and he was wont to say that our will is a wall of iron which separates us from God.

Blessed Colletta used to say that it is more important to deny our own will than to give up all the riches of the world. Hence she sought to put this principle into practice with all her heart.

St. Bernard was also of the same opinion and he used to say that all evils stem from one root:  the will.

Filed under  //   March   Mortification  
March 24, 2011
 

Mortification: March 24

Do you know what is the highest degree of abnegation of the will? It is doing what the others want, without any resistance.
– St. Francis de Sales

When visiting one of the monasteries of his diocese, St. Basil asked the Abbot if he had any monk who showed more than the others that he was among the number of the elect. The Abbot presented him with one who was very simple. The saint ordered the monk to bring a basin of water which he did immediately. Then St. Basil commanded him to be seated and he began to wash the monk's feet. The latter allowed him to do so without the least protest. The following day, while the monk was entering the sacristy, the saint motioned to him to go to the altar because he desired to ordain him a priest. The monk allowed himself to be ordained without any resistance. In view of all this, the saint deemed the latter dead to his own will and judgment, and worthy to be considered one of the elect.

Filed under  //   March   Mortification  
March 23, 2011
 

Mortification: March 23

You should never let a day pass without denying your will. If you should ever spend a day without doing so, you may truly say that for that day you did not live as a religious.
– St. John Climacus

St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi always did her utmost to deny her own will, regarding as wasted the day in which, in some way, she did not deny it or go against it.

Filed under  //   March   Mortification  
March 22, 2011
 

Mortification: March 22

In all things, always strive to mortify and deny your will and never satisfy it, if possible. Accustom yourself therefore, to desire and enjoy having it frequently opposed. And when someone contradicts you, whether in material or spiritual matters, prefer to follow the will of the other person as long as it is good, even though your own may appear better to you. The harm done to you by contending with another will always be greater than the usefulness wich might come from the willful practice of virtue against another's desires.
– St. Vincent de Paul

It was thus that St. Catherine of Genoa always acted, happy to submit her will to that of others. In fact, as soon as she realized that she desired something, she would do the exact opposite.

Whenever Father Thomas Sanchez went to make a request of his superior, he would first pray to Our Lord that his request would not be granted if what he was about to ask was inspired by self-love and egotism.

Filed under  //   March   Mortification