Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day in the Year

JANUARY 4 FEBRUARY 13 MARCH 22 APRIL 32 MAY 40 JUNE 48 JULY 56 AUGUST 64 SEPTEMBER 73 OCTOBER 81 NOVEMBER 90 DECEMBER 99 January 1 THERE are two guarantees of a wise rule of conduct: the thought before action, and self-command afterward.-ST. IGNATIUS. 2 When we receive with an entire and perfect resignation the afflictions which God sends us they become for us favors and benefits; because conformity to the will of God is a gain far superior to all temporal advantages.-ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. 3 All perfection consists in the love of God; and the perfection of divine love consists in the union of our will with that of God.-ST. ALPHONSUS. 4 Leave to every one the care of what belongs to him, and disturb not thyself with what is said or done in the world.-ST. THOMAS AQUINAS. 5 Place before your eyes as models for imitation, not the weak and cowardly, but the fervent and courageous.-ST. IGNATIUS. 6 Prayer is a pasturage, a field, wherein all the virtues find their nourishment, growth, and strength.-ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA. 7 A single act of resignation to the divine will in what it ordains contrary to our desires, is of more value than a hundred thousand successes conformable to our will and taste.-ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. 8 The shortest, yea, the only way to reach sanctity, is to conceive a horror for all that the world loves and values.-ST. IGNATIUS. 9 As long as we are in this mortal life, nothing is more necessary for us than humility.-ST. TERESA. 10 Learning without humility has always been pernicious to the Church; and as pride precipitated the rebellious angels from heaven, it frequently causes the loss of learned men.-ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. 11 Why remain sad and idle? Why exhaust thyself in the anguish of melancholy? Have courage, do violence to thyself; meditate on the passion of Jesus Christ, and thou shalt overcome thy sorrow.-BL. HENRY SUSO.