in this article, we continue to traverse with the words of the saints. Be sure to read all the way to the end to see which saint asked God to put his chastity on hold, so he could continue to frolic about in a sinful manner for a little while longer. These quotes were articulated in their public preaching, exchanges with ordinary people and conversations with God. Whichever the circumstances surrounding these wise words, today we are given words to contemplate and draw us closer to God.
- “We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials.”-St. Teresa of Avila
- “Give something, however small, to the one in need. For it is not small to one who has nothing. Neither is it small to God, if we have given what we could.”-St. Gregory Nazianzen
- “Christ said, “I am the Truth”; he did not say “I am the custom.”-St. Toribio
- “You cannot be half a saint; you must be a whole saint or no saint at all.”-St. Therese of Lisieux
- “Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.”-St. Rose of Lima
- “Love is the most necessary of all virtues. Love in the person who preaches the word of God is like fire in a musket. If a person were to throw a bullet with his hands, he would hardly make a dent in anything; but if the person takes the same bullet and ignites some gunpowder behind it, it can kill. It is much the same with the word of God. If it is spoken by someone who is filled with the fire of charity- the fire of love of God and neighbor- it will work wonders.”-St. Anthony Mary Claret
- “You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working, and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves.”-St. Francis de Sales
- “Let us go forward in peace, our eyes upon heaven, the only one goal of our labors.”-St. Therese of Lisieux
- “When you approach the tabernacle remember that he has been waiting for you for twenty centuries.” – St. Josemaria Escriva
- “O Master, make me chaste, but not yet!” -St. Augustine
St. Augustine’s life was filled with wild parties, drunken entertainment and worldly ambitions and then a great conversion happened. Augustine found God, was baptized, became a priest, then bishop and was ultimately canonized a saint. One of his greatest gifts to us today was his book entitled The Confessions. In his writings the reader will see a conversation with God and a pathway for those who are lost to find the Light.