From the beginning of a letter attributed to Barnabas
Consequently, I am writing you, that you may have perfect knowledge along with your faith. The Lord has given us these three basic doctrines: hope for eternal life, the beginning and…
The glorious duty of man: to pray and to love – Saint John Mary Vianney, priest
Prayer is nothing else but union with God. When one has a heart that is pure and united with God, he is given a kind of serenity and sweetness that…
From the beginning of a letter to Polycarp by Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr
Ignatius, also called Theophorus, to Polycarp, who is bishop of the Church of Smyrna, or rather who has for his bishop God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, greetings…
From a catechetical instruction by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop
The Catholic Church is the distinctive name of this holy Church which is the mother of us all. She is the bride of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son…
On the love of Christ – Saint Alphonsus Liguori, bishop
Since God knew that man is enticed by favors, he wished to bind him to his love by means of his gifts: “I want to catch men with the snares,…
From the life of Saint Ignatius from his own words by Luis Gonzalez
When Ignatius reflected on worldly thoughts, he felt intense pleasure; but when he gave them up out of weariness, he felt dry and depressed. Yet when he thought of living…
Divine and human mercy – Saint Caesarius of Arles, bishop
What kind of people are we? When God gives, we wish to receive, but when he begs, we refuse to give. Remember, it was Christ who said: I was hungry and…
I rejoice exceedingly in all my tribulations – Saint John Chrysostom, bishop
Again Paul turns to speak of love, softening the harshness of his rebuke. For after convicting and reproaching them for not loving him as he had loved them, breaking away…
Christ died for all – Saint Augustine, bishop
The true Mediator was he whom you revealed to humble men in your secret mercy, and whom you sent so they might learn that same humility by following his example….