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Voices Of Hope: 15 Saint Quotes To Inspire

Voices Of Hope

It has been a rough start to 2020. Bad news is all around us, lockdowns, and with public Masses being suspended we are all looking for hope. We are looking for those tidbits of precious good news to take our minds off of all the negativity.  Voices of hope is what many are searching for.  One way to do that is to look to the lives of the saints.

Many, if not all, of the saints experienced their share of hardship. They followed Jesus through what seemed like the most impossible of circumstances. We can look to these brothers and sisters who have moved on to their eternal reward for a source of hope. Their example of looking to Christ is a source of inspiration for us all.  Their voice echoes to us today.

15 Quotes From Saints

1. A scrap of knowledge about sublime things is worth more than any amount about trivialities. –St. Thomas Aquinas

2. Charity and devotion differ no more, the one from the other, than the flame from the fire. –St. Francis de Sales

3. Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you.-St. Augustine

4. Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart? -Saint Gerard Majella

5. This, in short, is the difference between us and others who know not God, that in misfortune they complain and murmur, while the adversity does not call us away from the truth of virtue and faith, but strengthens us by its suffering. –St. Cyprian

6. For Faith is the beginning and the end is love, and God is the two of them brought into unity. After these comes whatever else makes up a Christian gentleman. –St. Ignatius of Antioch

7. Faith means battles; if there are no contests, it is because there are none who desire to contend. –St. Ambrose

8. If God sends you many sufferings it is a sign that He has great plans for you, and certainly wants to make you a saint.- St. Ignatius of Loyola

9. Nothing great is ever achieved without enduring much.- St. Catherine of Siena

10. Love God, serve God; everything is in that.-St. Clare of Assisi

11. All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.-St. Francis of Assisi

12. Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.-St. Mother Teresa

13. Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry- Padre Pio

14. The nation doesn’t simply need what we have. It needs what we are.-St. Teresa Benedicta

15. If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!-St. Catherine of Siena

Be The Light

The quotations given cover a wide range of emotion.  They may come across differently to different people.  This year has challenged us in a way that many, if not all, of us have never experienced.  Our faith has been challenged, our sanity, and definitely our emotions.  The saints mentioned all went through incredible trials in their lives.  Some were martyred, slandered, or imprisoned.  Their faith and inspirational voices speak through the ages to give us encouragement today.  Stay vigilant, keep the faith, and love your neighbor.  Even when it is hard.

You are loved.

All images courtesy of Pixabay.

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Updated: The Beauty Of The Mass

One of the things I had trouble with during my journey to the Catholic Church was what went on at Mass.  I can’t begin to tell you how frustrated I would get as everyone sat and kneeled while I was left wondering what was going on. 

As I started to understand the theology behind the Mass, I started to see a whole other issue entirely.  I started to notice how some who have been immersed their whole lives have no idea about the beauty and majesty that they are partaking in.

Mass Explained

In his book The Beauty of the Mass:  Exploring the Central Act of Worship author Charles S. Johnston takes an in depth look at the Mass.  The book is brilliantly laid out and describes exactly what is happening with every aspect of Mass. 

From the initial sign of the cross, to the final blessing, and everything in between the author lays out the reasons why we do what we do.  Even ore importantly, at least to me, is that the Biblical basis is given for it. 

Scripture And The Mass

There is so much scripture in the Mass!  As if having all the scriptural backup wasn’t enough, the author strengthens his research using church documents and writing from the early church fathers.

Would I recommend that you check out this book?  Absolutely!  It is solid and is good for those who are coming into the church because it gives a great explanation of the Mass. 

It is also good of those of us who have been around and I’m sure you will discover something that you didn’t know.  The book is well written and is written in a style that everyone will be able to understand.  Check it out!

New Editions

This post was updated because the author recently published the work as an audiobook and in spanish.

Please visit the author’s website at Nowthatimcatholic.com to learn more about his work.

You purchase the book here.

[Note:  This book was provided by the author free of charge in exchange for an honest review.]

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Irenaeus Was Totally Catholic

Before entering the Catholic church, I had a lot of misconceptions about what Catholicism was. I am not the only one that had these misconceptions, and these misconceptions are still ongoing for many people. There is a very vivid memory I have of the day I made myself a challenge. At the time I was Baptist and very passionate. I wanted to show that the Catholic church could not be the church founded by Christ.  I wanted to show that the early church was not Catholic. One of the early church fathers I read was St. Irenaeus. Big mistake!

Irenaeus Shows The Early Church Was Catholic

To do this I had to go back to the writing of the early church fathers. I started with St. Clement of Rome, then St. Ignatius of Antioch, and eventually read my way up to the writing of St. Irenaeus. At this point I feel like I was being punched in the gut as Catholic doctrine was being taught by these early Christians. The writings of St. Irenaeus served as the knockout blow. He challenged the false teaching of his day with things the Catholic church still teaches. Here are seven quotes from his that are totally Catholic. Unless otherwise stated all quotes are from his classic work titled Against Heresies.

Sacred Tradition

1. “One should not seek among others the truth that can be easily gotten from the Church. For in her, as in a rich treasury, the apostles have placed all that pertains to truth, so that everyone can drink this beverage of life. She is the door of life.”

2. “The Church, though dispersed through our the whole world, even to the ends of the earth, has received from the apostles and their disciples this faith: [She believes] in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them; and in one Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who became incarnate for our salvation.”

3. “Even if the apostles had not left their Writings to us, ought we not to follow the rule of the tradition which they handed down to those to whom they committed the churches? Many barbarian peoples who believed in Christ follow this rule, having [the message of their] salvation written in their hearts by the Spirit without paper and ink.”

Apostolic Tradition

4. “The tradition of the apostles, made clear in all the world, can be clearly seen in every church by those who wish to behold the truth. We can enumerate those who were established by the apostles as bishops in the churches, and their successors down to our time, none of whom taught or thought of anything like their mad ideas.”

Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist




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5. “For when the mixed cup and the bread that has been prepared receive the Word of God, and become the Eucharist, the body and blood of Christ, and by these our flesh grows and is confirmed, how can they say that flesh cannot receive the free gift of God, which is eternal life since it is nourished by the body and blood of the Lord, and made a member of him? As the blessed Paul says in the Epistle to the Ephesians, that we are members of his body, of his flesh and his bones.”

The Magisterium

6. “This is true Gnosis: the teaching of the apostles, and the ancient institution of the church, spread throughout the entire world, and the distinctive mark of the body of Christ in accordance with the succession of bishops, to whom the apostles entrusted each local church, and the unfeigned preservation, coming down to us, of the scriptures, with a complete collection allowing for neither addition nor subtraction, a reading without falsification and, in conformity with the scriptures, so interpretation that is legitimate, careful, without danger of blasphemy.”

Irenaeus And Mary As the New Eve

7. “It was that the knot of Eve’s disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what the virgin Eve had bound fast through unbelief, this did the Virgin Mary set free through faith”.

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Non-Profit Ministry Fundraising Tips

Non-Profit Ministry Tips

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ccg8b-df547a

This week Brice Sokolowski of catholicfundraiser.net comes on the program. In this pandemic many ministries have seen donations tank. Brice gives some insight into the does and don’ts of fundraising.  Non-Profit ministries must thrive and continue their ministries.  Listen to learn how!

About Brice

After enjoying a successful career in technology consulting with Accenture and PriceWaterhouseCoopers in various cities (Dallas, San Francisco, Paris, Abu Dhabi, and London) around the world, I left it to help my Catholic diocese in London, England with a fundraising campaign. The campaign went on to raise over $50 million, the largest sum ever raised for the Catholic Church in the United Kingdom.

I’m often asked to help Catholic causes, and the way I do this is through my website so I can maximize my time and impact more people. If you have a question, I’ve probably answered it on one of my articles or YouTube videos.

Please say hi over on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, as I love to hear what each article is doing for you and the lessons you are learning.

Always remember, we all share in the priestly, prophetic, and royal office of Christ and therefore have our own share in the mission of the whole people of God in the Church and in the world.

But YOU have to respond to this call; no one is going to do it for you! It is your responsibility.

And if fundraising is a roadblock, well… it no longer is anymore because you’ve found this website and me.

No one is going to give you the power to act. That’s between you and the graces God is giving you!

I know there are times that are challenging, and it may seem like you can’t make a difference. I’m living proof that you can. If a normal layman from Texas can do it, then so can you!

And just remember: “the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

In Christ,

Brice 

From Brice’s site catholicfundraiser.net

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Sin And The Gift Of Grace: A Reflection on Psalm 51

Repentance, in my opinion, is something we do not hear enough of.  In sacred scripture we read of the great heroes of faith constantly turning away from sin and toward the Lord.  The same can be said about the lives of the great saints we celebrate throughout history.  Why is it that we hear so little of repentance?  Perhaps it depends on the parish and setting, but how often do we hear of the love of God and His mercy?

Don’t get me wrong.  These attributes of God should be proclaimed all day every day.  However, Jesus started His public ministry by telling those listening to repent (Matthew 4:17).  To repent is to be contrite about the things we have done wrong and to turn from sin to a life of grace.  There are many places in scripture that go into depth about this, but none quite like Psalm 51.

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The Story Behind the Psalm

To set the stage for this great psalm, a little backstory is needed.  This is a psalm of David composed at a time when he had just been caught in an outright scandal.  King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, who was the wife of a general in David’s army.  Bathsheba became pregnant from the encounter, and David devised a plan that he must have thought was ingenious.  Basically, he would tell Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba, to go home and have relations with his wife.  But knowing that battle was near, Uriah opted to stay with his men. The plan had backfired, and the prospect that the king would be caught in this adulterous affair was not an option.  David then sent Uriah to the front line knowing that he would be killed in action.

The adultery was treacherous enough, but now David – the man after God’s own heart –had committed murder.  Nathan the prophet confronted him about the deeds, and it led to one of the most emotionally charged psalms ever written.  One can feel the emotion, pain, and heartbreak jump off the page.  I remember singing a version of this psalm in camp as a young evangelical, and the words ring true today.

Highlights of the Psalm

It is not the intention to recite the whole psalm, but to show it as a template of turning from sin to the grace of Christ.  David admits his sins (which are not named in the psalm) but anyone can read 2 Samuel 11-12 to learn more.  He knows what he did wrong, admits it to God, and pleads with God to wash him clean.  In verse five he declares that he deserves whatever punishment that God thinks is just.

The theme of the psalm gets more intense as David pleads with God to look upon his crushed spirit and look away from the sins he has committed.  David admits that offerings will do nothing to please God, but only a contrite heart.  David’s broken heart is the sacrifice that he offers to God.

It Is Also Our Story

The story of King David is one that should be familiar to all of us, not only because it is in scripture, but because it is one that we have lived.  We may not sin like David, but we have all committed some heinous sins.  Often, we commit a sin, attempt to rationalize it, but end up falling deeper into sin.  The heartbreak that David shows in this psalm is not only one of penance, but of warning.  Though sin may feel good for a time, in the end it leads to heartbreak and despair.

It is this heartbreak and despair that should lead to lines at the confessional.  Many who have never been to confession, or have not been in several years, may feel apprehensive about going.  Some are even afraid that they have committed a sin so horrible that it would be impossible for God to ever forgive them.  That is a lie straight from the pit of Hell!

The Need for Self-Examination

Look at the life of David.  As previously stated, David committed adultery and had the husband of his mistress murdered.  Do you think your sin is greater than that? God forgave David and promised that through his lineage would come one who would change everything.  In Matthew’s Gospel we read the genealogy of Christ, which includes David (Matthew 1:6). The Prophet Isaiah (11:1) states that the Messiah will arise from the tree of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of David.

We have all messed up and have fallen short of the standard God has for us (Romans 3:23).  We can make one of two choices in this situation:  we can lie to ourselves, say that we have everything under control, and go deeper and deeper into sin; or we can learn from the example of David.  We can see what we have done for what it is.  We have sinned against a holy God, ourselves, and most likely others.

Words for the Weary

It is my hope and prayer that everyone will choose the second option, which is clearly the better choice.  Sin costs us relationships, health in some cases, and ultimately our souls.  Repentance leads to forgiveness, mercy, compassion, and reconciliation.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation is amazing, and in my opinion, not utilized enough.  Christ has given us this most special gift through his Church so we can hear those precious words: “I absolve you”.  Those are words that our weary souls need to hear.

What is keeping you from confession? Please be honest with yourself.  I understand that not every parish has confession at the most convenient times, but there is no rule that says you can’t go to another parish for the sacrament.  Are you afraid it will cost you something?  Quite the contrary– the grace of God is a free gift.  It will cost you something if you do not go.

Take advantage of the sacraments and participate in them as often as you can.  They give us grace to proceed toward the ultimate goal of Heaven.  Jesus wants us in Heaven with Him, and for that reason He gave us the sacraments to get us there.  I urge you to prayerfully read Psalm 51 and then reflect on your life.  Is there something you are hiding from yourself or others?  David thought the same thing but learned that he could not hide from God.  God knows our hearts and everything we have ever done.  Please do not try to fool Him!  Go to confession.  Let Christ take away your sins.  Repent and follow Him all the days of your life.

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Eucharist: Have We Taken It For Granted?

Though we celebrate the liturgy of the Eucharist everyday at Mass, there is a tendency to get complacent.  Have we taken this great gift of Christ for granted?  This seems to be our human nature, because if we do something enough we tend to go through the motions. 

Have We Taken The Eucharist For Granted?

I have the feeling that this has happened many with the Eucharist.  During these strange times we have not been able to have this gift.  With public Masses beginning to resume it is important to remember what it is how great of a gift it truly it is important to remember what it is how great of a gift it truly

We have all been forced to take a step back and take a moment to remember what an awesome gift the Eucharist is.  With this in mind I want to take a brief look and see what scripture and the early church tells us about the blessed sacrament.

Though some terms for the Eucharist developed over time, the belief of what the Eucharist is has been around since New Testament times.  Jesus gave a speech that we call the Bread of Life Discourse in which he says that unless we eat his flesh and drink his blood that we have no life within us (John 6:53).  

The Eucharist Has Biblical Basis

The synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke give us the words of institution that we hear so often (Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, and Luke 22:7-39). In Summary of these Jesus tells us to eat the bread and says “This is my body”.  Then he took the cup of wine and “This is the cup of my blood that was given for you”.  Notice how our Lord says “this is” and not that it is merely a symbolic action?

The real presence of Christ in the Eucharist is one that held true in the doctrine of the early church.  The big heresy going around in the first couple centuries of the church was Gnosticism.  The Gnostics believes that all matter was evil, and as such Jesus himself didn’t actually die on the cross.

Since all matter was deemed evil by the Gnostics, the Eucharist was something that was unfathomable?  After all, if matter were evil, then there was no way that the bread and wine can transform into the body and blood of Christ.

The Early Church Believed

The early church fathers understood the gnostic line of thinking and used the Eucharist as a way to refute them.  In approximately 107 A.D. St. Ignatius of Antioch writes in his letter to the Smyrneans, “They [the Gnostics] abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they confess not the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins, and which the Father, of His goodness, raised up again”.

Justin Martyr, writing around 150 A.D., states that the bread and wine changes to the body and blood of Christ upon the prayer of the priest.  In his great work titled Against Heresies, St. Irenaeus writes “the bread, which is produced from the earth, when it receives the invocation of God, is no longer common bread, but the Eucharist.”

There are many other such quotes like this span for several centuries.  One such quote comes from St. John Chrysostom who died in 407 A.D.  Describing the Eucharist the great saint states, “How many of you say: I should like to see His face, His garments, His shoes. You do see Him, you touch Him, you eat Him. He gives Himself to you, not only that you may see Him, but also to be your food and nourishment.”

These quotes go on and on, and through them we see that the teaching of the church from the beginning is that the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ.  At this point you are probably wondering why I am quoting all these great saints.  Friends, my heart hurts.

For every one person that enters the Catholic church, there are six people who leave.  Why would they leave such a great gift such as the Eucharist?  When I ask those that leave, their answers range from the sexual abuse scandal to a disagreement with a priest.

However, a majority that I have spoken to leave because they do not believe what the church teaches about the Eucharist.  Some didn’t even know the church’s teaching.

Perhaps we have taken this great sacrament for granted and our actions no longer show the reverence it deserves?  Perhaps some have just been poorly catechized? Maybe it is both.

I urge you my friends to take a moment to reflect on the greatness that is the Eucharist.  Especially if we had not partaken of it in a while.  The very gift of himself that our Lord gives us to nourish and strengthen us.  May we never take it for granted and show it the reverence it deserves.

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Racism: Our Nation Is Hurting And We Need Jesus

The Church is universal in that it embraces people from every nation, language and race. As Catholics, we must remember that all are created in the image of God. Jesus came into this world, born of the Virgin Mary, was beaten, crucified, and resurrected on the third day for ALL of us.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thepursuitofholiness/2020/06/701-racism/

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Finding God in Everyday Things with Orlando Javien Jr.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-dxjxr-de98a8

Catholic author, speaker, and evangelist Orlando Javien Jr. Comes back on the program. We discuss the motivation of his book titled “God Moments” and his podcast by the same name. He gives us great advice on how to find God in the everyday circumstances of life.

Watch “Finding God in Everyday Things with Orlando Javien Jr.” on YouTube

Catholic author, speaker, and evangelist Orlando Javien Jr. Comes back on the program. We discuss the motivation of his book titled “God Moments” and his podcast by the same name. He gives us great advice on how to find God in the everyday circumstances of life.

Marriage and Witness to Love with Ryan Verret

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-4j9pw-ddf071

Witness to Love is a virtues-based, Catechumenate model of marriage renewal and preparation that integrates modern principles of psychology and the virtues to help couples facilitate an authentic dialogue about their relationship. Mary-­Rose and Ryan Verret are the founders of Witness to Love and the authors of Witness to Love: How to Help the Next Generation Build Marriages that Survive and Thrive. Together Ryan and Mary-Rose speak on issues regarding evangelization, marriage, NFP, miscarriage and medical ethics. They are frequent guests on Catholic radio and they reside in the heart of Cajun Country with their five children. Their passion is teaching couples to share their marriage with others! Visit their website at witnesstolove.org for more info and to sign up for the date night series.