Quotes of the Early Fathers and Christians of the Church (33AD to 750AD)
One who seeks the Church seeks Christ.

St. Ambrose of Milan (340-397AD) on the Church
Mini-Bio: German; bishop, Doctor of the Church

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Saints throughout the Age of the Church
Food ought to be a refreshment to the body, and not a burden.

St. Bonaventure (1221-1274AD) on Food and Drink
Mini-Bio: Italian; cardinal-bishop, Franciscan minister general, philosopher, theologian, Doctor of the Church

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Holy Quotes from the Popes of the Church
Today, faced with the contradictions of the adult world and the rapidity of change, evangelizers could become discouraged and be tempted to limit their missionary effort. We must revive the Master's invitation to the whole world! To all creatures! To the ends of the earth!

Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005AD)
Mini-Bio: pope: (1978 - 2005) Polish; The most traveled pope in history. During his papacy he has issued many letters clarifying and safeguarding the Churches teachings in moral areas. Has consecrated his papacy to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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Quotes on Mary, Our Blessed Mother: a Marian Potpourri
Scripture meditation: I dwell in counsel and in learned thoughts. … Counsel and sound judgment are mine; mine are prudence and power. Proverbs 8:12-14

Reflection: When we dedicate ourselves to Mary, we become instruments in her hands just as she is an instrument in God's hands. Let us then be guided by her, for she will provide for the needs of body and soul and overcome all difficulties and anxieties.

St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941AD)
Mini-Bio: Polish; Franciscan priest, founder of Knights of Mary Immaculate, martyr

Prayer: O Mary, in all my trials and difficulties let me have recourse to Jesus through your intercession. And when I call upon you, please comfort me and lead me to your Divine Son.

Quotes of the Early Fathers and Christians of the Church (33AD to 750AD)
We ought to remain in the Church that was founded by the Apostles and continues to this day. If ever you hear of any that are called Christians taking their name not from the Lord Jesus Christ, but from some other, for instance, Marcionites, Valentinians … you may be sure that you have not the Church of Christ there, but the synagogue of Antichrist. For the fact that they took rise after the foundation of the Church is proof that they are those whose coming the Apostle foretold. And let them not flatter themselves if they think they have scriptural authority for their assertions, since the devil himself quoted Scripture, and the essence of the Scriptures is not the letter, but the meaning. Otherwise, if we follow the letter, we too can concoct a new dogma and assert that such persons as wear shoes and have two coats must not be received in the Church. 

St. Jerome (342-420AD) on TraditionMini-Bio: Dalmatian; priest, hermit, abbot, biblical scholar and translator, Doctor of the Church

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Saints throughout the Age of the Church
We were deceived by the wisdom of the serpent, but we are freed by the foolishness of God. 

St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430AD) on Holy FollyMini-Bio: North African; bishop, theologian, Doctor of the Church

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Holy Quotes from the Popes of the Church
Christian life is a sacrifice. Sacrifice inspired by charity has the merit of bringing us into conformity with the earthly life of Jesus. For He became our brother and died for us in order to assure us of joy and glory forever. 

Blessed Pope John XXIII (1881-1963AD)Mini-Bio: pope: (1958-1963) Italian; He advanced cooperation with other faiths and traditions including Protestant and Greek Orthodox. Doubled the number of cardinals, making the college the largest in history and convened Vatican II, on 11 October 1962.

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Quotes on Mary, Our Blessed Mother: a Marian Potpourri
Scripture meditation: To you, O men, I call; my appeal is to all mankind. You simple ones, gain prudence; you fools, gain understanding. Proverbs 8:4-5
Reflection: Those who want to prevent their heart from being pervaded by the evils of earth should entrust it to the Blessed Virgin, our Lady and our Mother. They will then regain it in heaven, freed from all evils. 

St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622AD) Mini-Bio: French; bishop, missionary, cofounder of the Order of the Visitation (Visitandines), Doctor of the Church

Prayer: O Mary, move me to entrust my heart and affections to you. By your prayers keep me from all evil and firmly attached to your Divine Son forever.

Quotes of the Early Fathers and Christians of the Church (33AD to 750AD)
When you find in Holy Scripture anything you did not believe before, believe it without doubt.

St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430AD) on Sacred Scripture
Mini-Bio: North African; bishop, theologian, Doctor of the Church

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Saints throughout the Age of the Church
Inordinate love of the flesh is cruelty, because under the appearance of pleasing the body, we kill the soul.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153AD) on the Flesh
Mini-Bio: French; abbot, mystical writer, theologian, reformer of the Cistercian Order, Doctor of the Church

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Holy Quotes from the Popes of the Church
Time is a gift from God; it is a question posed by God's love to our free and fateful answer. We must be sparing of time in order to use it well in the intense activity of our life of work, love, and suffering. Idleness or boredom has no place in the life of a Christian.

Pope Paul VI (1897-1978AD)
Mini-Bio: pope: (1963-1978) Italian; Reconvened Vatican II, and implemented many of its reforms. Became the first pope in over 150 years to leave Italy. He enlarged the college of cardinals. Reaffirmed the church's ban on contraception.

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Quotes on Mary, Our Blessed Mother: a Marian Potpourri
Scripture meditation: You shall separate three cities. … [where] a person who kills another may take refuge … to save his life when [he] unintentionally kills his neighbor. Deuteronomy 19:2-4

Reflection: Seek refuge in Mary because she is the city of refuge. We know that Moses set up three cities of refuge for anyone who inadvertently killed his neighbor. Now the Lord has established a refuge of mercy. Mary, even for those who deliberately commit evil. Mary provides shelter and strength for the sinner.

St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231AD)
Mini-Bio: Portuguese; Franciscan preacher and reformer, Doctor of the Church

Prayer: O Mary, if I am ever so unfortunate as to lose God's grace, move me to take refuge in you. Help me to flee to my city of refuge, for you will lead me to Jesus.

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Quotes of the Early Fathers and Christians of the Church (33AD to 750AD)
To be ignorant of the Scriptures is not to know Christ.

St. Jerome (342-420AD) on Sacred Scripture
Mini-Bio: Dalmatian; priest, hermit, abbot, biblical scholar and translator, Doctor of the Church

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Saints throughout the Age of the Church
We who are slaves of Christ make our bodies serve and our minds govern, so that the flesh receives its orders and accompanies our will, which is guided by Christ our Maker.

St. Paulinus of Nola (354-431AD) on the Flesh
Mini-Bio: Gallic; husband and father, bishop, poet

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Holy Quotes from the Popes of the Church
Do not be afraid of the demands of the love of Christ. On the contrary, be afraid of being fainthearted, of taking things lightly, of seeking your comfort, of being selfish. Be afraid of everything that seeks to silence the voice of Christ Who addresses each person.

Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005AD)
Mini-Bio: pope: (1978 - 2005) Polish; The most traveled pope in history. During his papacy he has issued many letters clarifying and safeguarding the Churches teachings in moral areas. Has consecrated his papacy to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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Quotes on Mary, Our Blessed Mother: a Marian Potpourri
Scripture meditation: For whoever finds me finds life and receives salvation from the Lord. But whoever does not find me hurts himself. They love death who hate me. Proverbs 8:35-36

Reflection: In the order of grace, God usually communicates Himself to human beings only through Mary. If we want to go to Him and be united with Him, we must use the very means he used to come down to us. That means is a true devotion to our Lady.

St. Louis Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716AD)
Mini-Bio: French; priest, missionary, spiritual writer founder of the Daughters of Divine Wisdom and the Missionaries of the Company of Mary

Prayer: O Mary, you are our most powerful intermediary with Christ and thus with the Blessed Trinity. Teach me what God desires of me, and help me to go to Jesus through you.

Quotes of the Early Fathers and Christians of the Church (33AD to 750AD)
Within me was a hunger of that inward food, Yourself, my God. 

St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430AD) on the SearchMini-Bio: North African; bishop, theologian, Doctor of the Church

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Saints throughout the Age of the Church
Perfect love … leads a man on to perfect fear. Such a man fears and keeps to God's will, not for fear of punishment, not to avoid condemnation, but … because he has tasted the sweetness of being with God; he fears he may fall away from it. 

St. Dorotheos of Gaza (506-560AD) on Fear of GodMini-Bio: Syrian; abbot, ascetical writer

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Holy Quotes from the Popes of the Church
Let no one in your land be at ease while there is anyone whose human and Christian dignity is not respected and loved. This is true whether that person is a man, a woman, a child, an elderly or sick person, or any child of God! 

Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005AD)Mini-Bio: pope: (1978 - 2005) Polish; The most traveled pope in history. During his papacy he has issued many letters clarifying and safeguarding the Churches teachings in moral areas. Has consecrated his papacy to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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Quotes on Mary, Our Blessed Mother: a Marian Potpourri
Scripture meditation: My sister, my spouse, is a garden enclosed, an enclosed garden, a fountain sealed up. Song of Solomon 4:12
Reflection: Happy are those to whom the Holy Spirit reveals the Secret of Mary in order that they may come to know her. Happy are those to whom He opens the "Enclosed Garden" that they may enter and to whom He gives access to the "Sealed Fountain" that they may drink of the living waters of grace. 

St. Louis Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716AD) Mini-Bio: French; priest, missionary, spiritual writer founder of the Daughters of Divine Wisdom and the Missionaries of the Company of Mary

Prayer: O Mary, help me to know you and be devoted to you more each day, so that I may obtain the graces God wants to bestow on me.

Quotes of the Early Fathers and Christians of the Church (33AD to 750AD)
Let everything perish! Dismiss these empty vanities! And let us take up the one search for truth. 

St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430AD) on the SearchMini-Bio: North African; bishop, theologian, Doctor of the Church

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Saints throughout the Age of the Church
The fear of God prepares a place for love. But once love has begun to dwell in our hearts, the fear that prepared the place for it is driven out…. In sewing, the needle introduces the thread into the cloth. The needle goes in, but the thread cannot follow unless the needle comes out first. In the same way, the fear of God first occupies our minds, but it does not remain there, because it enters only in order to introduce love. 

St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430AD) on Fear of GodMini-Bio: North African; bishop, theologian, Doctor of the Church

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Holy Quotes from the Popes of the Church
Christians of these last years of the Second Millennium, you have an honorable yet burdensome task. You must be bearers of the Word to those who have lost its full meaning and importance. 

Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005AD)Mini-Bio: pope: (1978 - 2005) Polish; The most traveled pope in history. During his papacy he has issue many letters clarifying and safeguarding the Churches teachings in moral areas. Has consecrated his papacy to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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Quotes on Mary, Our Blessed Mother: a Marian Potpourri
Scripture meditation: Adam call his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living. Genesis 3:20
Reflection: We are all children of Eve according to the flesh and children of the Blessed Virgin according to the spirit. For all of us, Mary has the love of a mother and the courage of a defender. All find room in her. Sinners find pardon through her prayers, and the righteous are preserved in grace. 

St. John of Avila (1499-1569AD) Mini-Bio: Spanish; priest, preacher, missionary, spiritual director

Prayer: O Mary, you are always a mother to me. Let me be always your child. Help me to come to you in all my joys as well as sorrows.

(sorry I missed a few days due to storms)

Quotes of the Early Fathers and Christians of the Church (33AD to 750AD)

Let it be your first care not to deceive yourself. 

St. Melito of Sardis (165-180AD) on the Search

Mini-Bio: Asian; Bishop, prominent ecclesiastical writer

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Saints throughout the Age of the Church

What has a person to fear who lives in the arms and bosom of God? 

St. Paul of the Cross (1694-1775AD) on Fear

Mini-Bio: Italian; monk, preacher, visionary, founder and first superior general of the Barefoot Clerks of the Holy Cross and Passion (Passionists)

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Holy Quotes from the Popes of the Church

All the pure in heart are, in a certain sense, mystics, because, as Christ proclaimed, they are candidates to "see God." But we should all be pure in heart, all good, simple, and childlike. We should all be able to want, be able to yearn, be able to receive. 

Pope Paul VI (1897-1978AD)

Mini-Bio: pope: (1963-1978) Italian; Reconvened Vatican II, and implemented many of its reforms. Became the first pope in over 150 years to leave Italy. He enlarged the college of cardinals. Reaffirmed the church's ban on contraception.

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Quotes on Mary, Our Blessed Mother: a Marian Potpourri

Scripture meditation: God sent his Son born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive the full rights of adoption. Galatians 4:4-5 

Reflection: God has decreed that the whole of the Redemption should be accomplished through Mary, with Mary and in Mary. Just as nothing was created without Christ, so nothing has been re-created without the Blessed Virgin. 

St. Peter Damian (1001-1072AD) 

Mini-Bio: Italian; cardinal-bishop, Benedictine prior, spiritual writer, Doctor of the Church

Prayer: O Mary, through you the world has been re-created by Jesus. Help me to contribute to this re-creation by performing all activities in union with you and your Divine Son.

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Quotes of the Early Fathers and Christians of the Church (33AD to 750AD)
All nature is good. 

St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430AD) on CreationMini-Bio: North African; bishop, theologian, Doctor of the Church

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Saints throughout the Age of the Church
The immoderate long fasts of many displease me, for I have learned by experience that the donkey worn out with fatigue on the road seeks rest at any cost. In a long journey, strength must be supported. 

St. Jerome (342-420AD) on Fasting and AbstinenceMini-Bio: Dalmatian; priest, hermit, abbot, biblical scholar and translator, Doctor of the Church

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Holy Quotes from the Popes of the Church
May prayers give wings to work, purify intentions and be a defense against the longings of materialism. And may work in its turn lead to the refreshing encounter with God in which humanity rediscovers its primordial vocation and the true meaning of its existence. 

Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005AD)Mini-Bio: pope: (1978 - 2005) Polish; The most traveled pope in history. During his papacy he has issued many letters clarifying and safeguarding the Churches teachings in moral areas. Has consecrated his papacy to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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Quotes on Mary, Our Blessed Mother: a Marian Potpourri
Scripture meditation: I will put enmities between you and the woman, and between your seed and hers. He shall crush your head. Genesis 3:15
Reflection: The Old Testament recounts the period of salvation history that slowly prepared for the coming of Christ into the world. It brings into gradually sharper focus the figure of the Woman, Mother of the Redeemer, already foreshadowed in the promise of victory over the serpent. 

Vatican II: Lumen Gentium/The Church, 55 (1962-1965AD) Mini-Bio: 21st Ecumenical council: Convened by John XXIII 1958-1963; Closed by Paul VI 1963-1978: Descisions: Issued pastoral documents on the renewal and reform of the Church, intending to make the Church more effective in dealing with the contemporary world.

Prayer: O Mary, you were chosen by God to be the Mother of the Redeemer. Protect me always from evil and obtain eternal salvation for me in heaven with you and your Son Jesus.

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Quotes of the Early Fathers and Christians of the Church (33AD to 750AD)
Those who suffered martyrdom before baptism, having been washed in their own blood, were vivified by the Holy Spirit of God.

Didymus the Blind (313-398AD) on Baptism
Mini-Bio: Alexandrian; amassed a vast knowledge of grammar, rhetoric, logic, music, arithmetic, and geometry, and a perfect familiarity with Holy Scripture

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Saints throughout the Age of the Church
A prayer of his youth while still resisting God: Give me chastity -- but not yet.

St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430AD) on Chastity
Mini-Bio: North African; bishop, theologian, Doctor of the Church

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Holy Quotes from the Popes of the Church
The temptation today is to try to build a world for oneself, forgetting the Creator and His design and loving Providence. But sooner or later we must come to grips with this: That to forget God, to feign the death of God, is to promote the death of humankind and of all civilization.

Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005AD)
Mini-Bio: pope: (1978 - 2005) Polish; The most traveled pope in history. During his papacy he has issued many letters clarifying and safeguarding the Churches teachings in moral areas. Has consecrated his papacy to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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Quotes on Mary, Our Blessed Mother: a Marian Potpourri
Scripture meditation: Set me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death, and jealousy as hard as the netherworld; its flames are a blazing fire. Song of Solomon 8:6

Reflection: O Mother of love, you have given me your Heart. Now take firm possession of my heart and offer it completely to the pure love and sole glory of your beloved Son.

St. John Eudes (1601-1680AD)
Mini-Bio: French; priest, missionary, founder of seminaries and of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudists)

Prayer: O Mary, you love all your spiritual children with a never-ending love. Grant me an undying love for you and your Divine Son Jesus both in time and for all eternity.