Saintly Sayings

and Examples of Saints 
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November 30, 2011
 

Charity: November 30

Of all the means of acquiring and preserving union with and love for God and neighbor, I have found nothing better or more efficacious than holy humility. Humility causes us to place ourselves below everyone, considering ourselves the least and the most unworthy of all. It keeps us from thinking evil of anyone. Self-love and pride, on the other hand, lead us to uphold our ideas against those of others, and thus the love we owe them grows cold.
– St. Vincent de Paul

In the course of a sermon, a Franciscan preacher strongly condemned a vice of which a certain Marquis, present in the congregation, was guilty. After the sermon, the latter went up to the priest and heaped insults upon him. He then demanded, "Do you know who I am?" The Franciscan answered: "Yes, and I deem myself honored to know such a noble man, I who am a peasant by birth, and the least of men." Appeased by such an answer, the Marquis left with tears in his eyes and a sincere veneration for that priest.

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November 29, 2011
 

Charity: November 29

When Raguel saw the young Tobias, whom he had never seen before, he exclaimed: "Oh! how much this youth resembles my cousin!" Upon hearing that he was his cousin's son, he embraced him tightly, and blessed him again and again, weeping over him lovingly. Why? Not because of his good qualities, because as yet he did not know him, but because, as he said, "You are the son of a very good person and you resemble him very much." Do you see what love does when it is true? If we really loved God, we would treat all our neighbors in like manner, for they are all children of God and resemble Him greatly.
– St. Francis de Sales

Frequently St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi considered the image of God in her Sisters, which practice aroused in her a greater love for them. When she saw one apparently unrefined and imperfect, she would reflect that perhaps that Sister had some interior gift because of which God was pleased with her.

A holy Religious made this resolution: "I will love God for Himself, and for His love, I will serve His images. I will give my heart to Him, and my hands to my fellow men in order to unite them with Him."

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November 28, 2011
 

Charity: November 28

When shall we be steeped in tenderness and goodness toward our neighbor? When we view their souls in the Heart of Christ! Whoever looks upon his neighbor in any other light runs the risk of loving him neither purely, constantly, nor equally. In Christ's Heart, however, who would not love him? Who would not bear with him? Who would not put up with his imperfections? Who would find him annoying? Now, in fact, our neighbor is to be found on our Divine Savior's bosom.
– St. Francis de Sales

This was the principal reason why the holy prelate was so affable, so amiable and so respectful toward everyone. He saw everyone in the Heart of Christ.

This also was one of St. Vincent de Paul's maxims. He did not consider a person's exterior alone, but as he was in God. He would say, "I must not look at appearance and natural qualities of some poor fellow or old lady, because at times they barely appear to be rational creatures, so ill-mannered and rough are they. But if we look at them with the light of faith, we find them engraved deep in the Heart of the Son of God, Who went to the point of giving His life for each one of them."

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November 27, 2011
 

Charity: November 27

It is not enough to love our neighbor; we must see if we have the right kind of love. If we love our neighbor because he is good to us – he loves us and gives us help, honor or pleasure – this is a love known as concupiscence and we have it in common with animals. If we love someone because of something we see in him, that is, attractive appearance, manners, a leaning toward us, charm, etc., this is a love called friendship and we share it with pagans. Neither one of these loves is true love, but rather a love without value, because both are just natural loves, of short duration, being based on motives which often vanish. True love, which alone is meritorious and lasting, springs from charity, which leads us to love our neighbor in God and for God – that is, because this is pleasing to God, or because that person is dear to God, because God is in him or so that He may be in him. Oh, how true this love is!
– St. Francis de Sales

For this reason he had a great love and respect for everyone, seeing God in every soul and every soul in God. And for this reason, also, he was exceptionally courteous with all. He tenderly loved his friends, but because he loved them in God, he was always ready to deprive himself of their company. In writing to the superior of a Convent, he warned: "Keep the scale with your daughters straight, so that their natural gifts will not cause you to be partial in the distribution of your affections and of the various duties. How many people externally unattractive are very pleasing to God! Beauty, charm, pleasant speech, and gracious ways win favor with those who still live according to their inclinations. Charity looks for the real virtue, the beauty of the soul, and embraces everyone impartially."

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November 26, 2011
 

Charity: November 26

Sometimes God grants a certain union of heart and tender love toward one's neighbor, which is one of the greatest and most excellent gifts His divine goodness can give to man.
– St. Francis de Sales

The same saint had received this beautiful gift. One day, while conversing with a friend of his, St. Francis confided: "I believe there is not another soul who loves more wholeheartedly, more tenderly, and if you can say it, 'more lovingly' than I, for it pleased God to form my heart this way."

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November 25, 2011
 

Charity: November 25

Among all those who come under the heading of neighbor, there is no one who deserves this name more than those with whom we live. These are the closest to us, living under the same roof and eating the same bread. Hence they must be among the main recipients of our love. Toward them we must show true charity, which is not to be based on flesh and blood, nor on their personal qualities, but solely on God.
– St. Francis de Sales

St. Jane Frances de Chantal had great charity toward her neighbor. But greater, more intense, and more tender was her love for her Sisters. Moreover, she sought to inculcate in them this love for one another. In order to impress this on them she pointed out in a conference: "Notice that when Jesus Christ imposed fraternal charity upon the Apostles, He said one thing about the love they should have for everyone and another about the love they were to have for each other. Speaking of the first, He said: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Of the second He exhorted: 'Love one another as I have loved you and as the Father loves Me.''"

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November 24, 2011
 

Charity: November 24

Let us strive to have great compassion for weak and sinful souls, because he who does not show compassion and charity for these does not deserve to receive the same from God.
– St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent was never surprised at any fault he saw committed, for, said he, it is proper to man to fall, since he was conceived and born in sin. This awareness he had of the common frailties of man caused him to treat all sinners compassionately and gently. He never employed sharp words, but rather kind ways and warm words.

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November 23, 2011
 

Charity: November 23

Let us refrain from complaining, nursing a grudge, or speaking evil of those who obviously dislike us, oppose our plans and advancement, or even persecute us with injuries, injustice and calumnies. Let us continue to treat them as well as always, or even better, and if we can, show them respect, speak well of them, do good to them, serve them in their needs and, if necessary, even accept humiliation and contempt in order to save their honor.
– St. Vincent de Paul

That is precisely the way St. Vincent treated those who offended him. Not only did he willingly forgive and when necessary even obtain pardon for them form the authorities, but what is more, he compassionated and excused them. He continued to have respect for them and to show it, as though nothing had ever happened, doing all he could for them. Since he was most delicate in this matter of brotherly love, he did his utmost to rid them of the roots of rancor and to win their affection.

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November 22, 2011
 

Charity: November 22

To love our neighbor as our Lord commanded, we must be good and warm-hearted, particularly when we find someone unattractive because of some natural or moral defect. Then, finding nothing in him to love for himself, we shall love him only for love of our Savior. The teaching of the saints is that in loving and doing good, we should never consider the recipient, but rather the One for whose love we are acting.
– St. Francis de Sales

St. Jane Frances de Chantal possessed this love of neighbor in a high degree. We read in her life that she never failed to show it plainly toward everyone, no matter what faults she might see in a person. Frequently she would exhort her Sisters thus: "We must bear with our poor, weak neighbor, as we find him, with his idiosyncrasies, and foolishness, his annoying changes of mood and little demands on our time and patience, his faults and thoughtlessness in our regard. These things do us no harm; they are just annoying. After all, we must have something to suffer."

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November 21, 2011
 

Charity: November 21

Visiting and relieving the sick is most certainly pleasing to God, for He greatly recommended it. However, to practice this charity more willingly and more meritoriously, one must not look upon the sick person as an ordinary man, but as Christ Himself, Who declared that He receivers that kindness as done to Himself.

St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi's charity to the sick was incredible. Every day she visited them, and the most needy or seriously ill she visited several times daily. She would stay as long as they needed her, serving them in all their needs and either providing for them herself or having the superior do so. She encouraged them to eat, even tasting the food herself first. She straightened their beds, swept their rooms, read to them from spiritual books, exhorted them to be patient, and consoled them. All this she did with such joy and love that to all she was of great comfort.

Filed under  //   Charity   November