Pope Francis Quotes

“Gracious God, I can talk myself out of a generous impulse by saying, “What’s the point?” A few coins to a panhandler, a listening ear to a chronic complainer or a word of encouragement to a grieving friend seem so inadequate in the face of need. Yet you ask love from us, not efficiency or effectiveness. Help me to see a brother or a sister rather than a statistic, and help me respond with a more generous heart. Amen.”
― Mark Neilsen, Pope Francis: Living Lent with Passion: Encouragement and Daily Prayers

“Fasting makes sense if it questions our security, and if it also leads to some benefit for others, if it helps us to cultivate the style of the Good Samaritan, who bends down to his brother in need and takes care of him. 3/5/14”
― Mark Neilsen, Pope Francis: Living Lent with Passion: Encouragement and Daily Prayers

“Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty. Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this dimension of penance.”
― Mark Neilsen, Pope Francis: Living Lent with Passion: Encouragement and Daily Prayers

“Lent beckons us to “rouse ourselves,” to remind ourselves that, simply put, we are creatures, that we are not God. Homily, 3/5/14 Lord,”
― Mark Neilsen, Pope Francis: Living Lent with Passion: Encouragement and Daily Prayers