Thoughts of the Curé of Ars

St. John Vianney

Oh! how I love those words said the first thing in the morning: I will do and suffer everything this day for the Glory of God . . . nothing for the world or personal interest, all to please my Saviour!

—Counsel (T).

Does our conduct correspond with our Faith?

—Sermon on the Incarnation, I.

God does not require of us extraordinary things.

—Catechism on Pride (Sp.).

A PURE soul is with God, as a child with its mother. It caresses and embraces her, and its mother returns all its endearments.

—Catechism on the Soul (M.).

With the Name of Jesus we shall overthrow the demons; we shall put them to flight. With this Name, if they dare to attack us, our battles will be victories . . .

—Sermon on Temptation (Sp.).

Our Guardian Angels are our most faithful friends, because they are with us day and night, always and everywhere. We ought often to invoke them.

—Sermon for the Feast of the Guardian Angels.

The Saints were so completely dead to themselves that they cared very little whether others agreed with them or not.

—Catechism on Pride (Sp.).

There are people who make capital out of everything, even the winter. If it is cold, they offer their little sufferings to God.

—Catechism Saying (T).

He who does not see, does not know; he who does not know, does not love; he who does not love God, loves himself, and at the same time loves his pleasures.

—Catechism on the Love of God (Sp.).

The Wise Men overcame every difficulty and surmounted every obstacle, in order to follow the Star.

—Sermon on the Magi.

Have a pure intention.

—Counsel (I).

God speaks to us without ceasing by His good inspirations.

—Sermon on Grace (Sp.).

Avarice is an inordinate love of riches and the good things of this life. Jesus Christ, to cure us of it, was born in extreme poverty, deprived of all comforts. He chose a Mother who was poor. He willed to pass as the Son of a humble workman.

—Notre-Dame d’Ars, Meditation 23.

How pleasing to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is the short quarter of an hour that we steal from our occupations, from something of no use, to come and pray to Him, to visit Him, to console Him.

—Catechism on Real Presence (Sp.).

The reason why we cannot keep our good resolutions is that we count too much on ourselves.

—On the Lord’s Prayer (C.).

You must accept your cross; if you bear it courageously it will carry you to Heaven.

—Counsel (M.).

Happy is he who lives and dies under the protection of the Blessed Virgin.

—Sermon on the Feast of the Rosary.

Do not be like the proud who always want to assert their own opinion. ... I have known people with whom this had become a daily habit.

—On Mortifying Self-Will (C.).

After the example of St. Antony, my children, let us be always ready for the combat. . . .

—Sermon on Temptations (Sp.).

“When I am about to talk to anybody,” said a young village girl, “I picture to myself Jesus Christ and how gracious and friendly He was to everyone.”

—Jesus Christ our example (F).

My children, we are in reality only what we are in the eyes of God, and nothing more.

—Sermon on Pride (Sp.).

We ought to love what He loved on earth, and to set no store by those things which He regarded as of no account.

—Sermon on the Incarnation, I.

Directly anyone feels they are losing their fervour, they should at once make a Novena to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to give them Faith and Love.

—Catechism on the Holy Spirit (D).

We can only receive God once a day; a soul enkindled with divine love makes up for this by the desire of receiving Him every moment of the day.

—Catechism on the Holy Eucharist (M.).

God will forgive those who have forgiven: that is the law.

—Homily (Sp.).

In your work, offer your difficulties and troubles quite simply to God . . . and you will find that His blessing will rest upon you and on all you do.

—On the Sanctification of Daily Life (E.).

A Christian either rules his inclinations, or his inclinations rule him. . . .

—Homily on Temptations (Sp.).

One serves God better by doing things in which one takes neither pleasure nor delight.

—Saying (J.V.).

A Merchant does not consider the trouble he undergoes in his commerce, but the profit he gains by it.

—The Curé of Ars in his Catechism (Sp.).

The more we know of men, the less we love them. It is the contrary with God; the more we know of Him, the more we love Him.

—Catechism on the Love of God (M.).

“Are we in affliction?” says St. John Chrysostom; “we shall find all manner of consolation at Mass. Are we tempted? Let us hear Holy Mass, and we shall find there a way of overcoming the devil.”

—Eucharistic Meditation 24.

Some people give alms that they may be seen, and praised, and admired. . . . Some think they do not receive thanks enough. That will not do! If you give alms for the world’s sake, you are right to complain. But if you do it for God’s sake, what does it matter if you are thanked or not?

—Love of M. Vianney for the Poor (Sp.).

St. Francis de Sales, that great Saint, would leave off writing with the letter of a word half-formed, in order to reply to an interruption.

—On Mortifying Self-Will (C.).

Troubles melt away before a fervent prayer like snow before the sun.

—Catechism on Prayer (Sp.).

Oh! if only we can say, when next year comes, that this year has been all God’s!

—Sermon on Sanctification.

Do we take as much care of our soul as of our body?

—On Gluttony (Sp.).

Instead of raising your voice in the newspapers, raise it before the door of the Tabernacle.

—Counsel on Unnecessary Letters to the Press (M.).

God makes use of anything.

—Catechism on Faith (M.).

God has given each of us our own work to do. It is for us to pursue our road, that is to say, our vocation. . . . When God gives us such and such a vocation, He bestows upon us at the same time His grace to fulfill it.

—On Vocation (C.).

We are permitted to love our relations, our possessions, our health, our reputation; but this love must be subordinate to the love we should have for God, so that we may be ready to make the sacrifice of it if He should require it.

—Love of God (Sp.).

To preserve Purity, three things are necessary; the practice of the Presence of God, prayer, and the Sacraments; and again, the reading of holy books—this nourishes the soul.

—Catechism on Purity (M.).

The life of a Saint is just the imitation of Jesus Christ.

—Sermon on the Incarnation, II.

Envy, my children, follows pride; whoever is envious is proud.

—On Envy (Sp.).

Blessed are they that are tempted! It is when the devil sees that a soul is tending towards union with God that he redoubles his efforts.

—Sermon on the Parable of the Tares (D.).

The Angels take great pleasure in helping us with our enterprises, when they are in accordance with God’s Will.

—Sermon for the Feast of the Guardian Angels.

God looks neither at long nor beautiful prayers, but at those that come from the heart.

—Catechism Notes (I.).

Everything that God has made . . . becomes an instrument for good or evil according to the use we make of it.

—Sermon on the Enemies of the Soul.

“Go, my friend,” M. Courbon had said in appointing M. Vianney to Ars; “go, there is not much love for God in that parish; you will put it there.” (M. Vianney went to Ars on February 9, 1818.)

—Eucharistic Meditation 18.

It is confidence which God looks for from us above all things. When we have entrusted our interests to Him alone, His justice and goodness are pledged to aid us.

—Precept (M.).

If when we are ill, our recovery will contribute to the glory of God and the good of our soul, He who healed so many when He was on earth, will certainly heal us. If, on the contrary, the illness is more advantageous to us, He will instead give us the strength to suffer.

—Sermon on Hope.

With the Holy Spirit, we see everything in its true proportions; we see the greatness of the least actions done for God, and the greatness of the least faults.

—Catechism on the Holy Spirit (Sp.).

To content His love, He must needs give Himself to us separately, one by one.

—Sermon for the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Very few people . . . invite Jesus Christ to their wedding; on the contrary, they seem to do all they can to keep Him away.

—Sermon on Marriage.

The way to destroy bad habits is by watchfulness and by doing often those things which are the opposites to one’s besetting sins.

—On Amendment (R).

We all make wonderful promises to God so long as nobody says anything to us, and all goes well. . . .

—Sermon on Afflictions.

Often repeat during the day: “My God, have pity on me,” like a child who says to its mother: “Give me a piece of bread, give me your hand, kiss me.”

—Precept (J.V.).

Although the good God does not allow us to see Him, He is nonetheless present in the Blessed Sacrament; nonetheless ready to grant us all we ask.

—Sermon for Corpus Christi.

He who, in repenting of his sins, thinks only of God, has the truest contrition.

—On Contrition (P).

God commands you to pray, but He forbids you to worry.

—On Keeping Sunday (E.).

When we leave the holy banquet of Communion, we are as happy as the wise men would have been if they could have carried away the Infant Jesus.

—Catechism on Frequent Communion (Sp.).

What will convert X will be the sanctity of your own life!

—Counsel (M.).

Let us pray to the Blessed Virgin, and she will go with us on the road to Heaven.

—On Our Lady (C.).

In our actions we must always choose the most perfect.

—Catechism on the Cardinal Virtues (Sp.).

It is only the first step which is hard in the way of abnegation. When we are once fairly entered upon it, all goes smoothly; and when we have this virtue, we have every other.

—Mortification of the Curé d’Ars (M.).

Receive, O my God, all my thoughts and all I am going to do today, in union with all You bore out of love for me during Your life on earth.

—On the Sanctification of Daily Life (E.).

The saints were only sanctified by their great care to follow the inspirations God sent them.

—Eucharistic Meditation 25.

Some people are very careful about the cleaning of their shoes, but they think nothing of leaving their crucifix undusted.

—On the Instruction of Children (F).

Do not be afraid of people saying that going to Mass on a weekday is only for those who have nothing to do. . . . Are you ashamed to serve God for fear of being despised?

—Eucharistic Meditation 25.

We ought to say to God: “I can do nothing of myself. I can only give You my desire to love You. Here it is! O my God, uphold me and do all Yourself.”

—On the Lord’s Prayer (C).

Let us go often to the foot of the Cross. ... We shall learn there what God has done for us, and what we ought to do for Him.

—Sermon on the Cross.

The more one prays the more one wishes to pray.

—Catechism Notes (J).

Almighty God sends no trial without consolation.

—On Suffering (M.).

The eyes of the world see no further than this life, as mine see no further than this wall when the church door is shut. The eyes of the Christian see deep into eternity.

—Catechism on the Holy Spirit (Sp.).

It is just those who have the least fear of God and His judgments in their hearts that have nothing but pleasure in their heads.

—On Pleasure (M.).

Our Lord always concealed anything which would bring honor to Himself.

—Sermon on the Incarnation, II.

Never forget that it is at the beginning of each day that God has the necessary grace for the day ready for us. He knows exactly what opportunities we shall have to sin . . . and will give us everything we need if we ask Him then. That is why the devil does all he can to prevent us from saying our Morning Prayers or to make us say them badly.

—On Morning Prayers (É.).

The Apostles reflect Jesus Christ’s zeal and love for souls.

—Sermon for the Feast of All Saints.

Oh, how I like those little mortifications that are seen by nobody!

—Catechism on the Cardinal Virtues (Sp.).

If your religion is called in question by others, listen to what is said, but take no notice whatever of their criticism and laughter. Be sorry for those people . . . and say a prayer for them.

—Sermon on Confirmation.

We may offer ourselves as victims during a week or a fortnight for the conversion of sinners. We suffer from heat or cold; we deprive ourselves of looking at something or going to see someone which would give us pleasure; we make a novena; we hear Mass every day of the week for this intention. . . .

—Zeal of M. Vianney (Sp.).

Grieve over the contempt cast upon Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, and try to make amends for it by a greater and more ardent love.

—Eucharistic Meditation 20.

When we give alms, we should think that we are giving to Our Lord, and not to the poor. We often think we are relieving a poor person, and we find it is Our Lord.

—Love of the Curé d’Ars for the Poor (Sp.).

Prayer is the conversation of a child with its Father; of a subject with his King; of a servant with his Lord; of a friend with the Friend to whom he confides all his troubles and difficulties.

—On the Practice of Devotion (E.).

All soldiers are good in garrison. On the field of battle, we see the difference between the brave and the cowardly.

—Lenten Sermon (Sp.).

When we do something we dislike, let us say to God: “My God, I offer you this in honor of the moment when You died for me.”

—On the Sanctification of Daily Life (E.).

Those who have pure souls are like eagles and swallows which fly in the air.

—Catechism on Purity (Sp.).

Trials show clearly how pleasing a work is to God.

—Counsel (M.).

People talk about Lazarus who had the joy of entertaining the Divine Saviour in his home; but Lazarus only had Him by his side, while we, if we will, may have Him in our heart just as often as we wish.

—On Communion (C.).

My God, You have given me all; behold the little I give You. Give me the strength to give more.

—A Prayer of the Curé d’Ars. Conversion of a Village (S.).

Do you prefer the pleasure of a moment to your God?

—Sermon on Good Friday.

Let us go to Jesus with great confidence every time we sin.

—Sermon on the Incarnation.

My children, the three acts of faith, hope and charity contain all the happiness of man upon the earth.

—Catechism on the Love of God (Sp.).

I Love St. Joseph so much because he had the care of the Blessed Virgin.

—Notre-Dame d’Ars, Meditation 6.

People will go three or four leagues to earn thirty pence, while they will not take thirty steps to hear Mass on a weekday.

—Sermon on the Enemies of the Soul.

By washing the Disciples’ feet, Jesus Christ would teach us humility, and also with what purity we ought to draw near to Him.

—Sermon on Maundy Thursday.

My friend, dwell on the patience of Our Lord!

—Counsel (I).

To approach God one should go straight to Him, like a ball from a cannon.

—Advice (M.).

That which above all should inspire us with veneration for the holy Angels is their unswerving loyalty to God.

—Sermon on the Guardian Angels.

Humility is like a pair of scales: the lower one side falls, the higher rises the other. Let us humble ourselves like the Blessed Virgin and we shall be exalted.

—Notre-Dame d’Ars, Meditation 19.

One ought always to be ready to give up one’s own will to do what God wants. . . .

—On Mortifying Self-Will (C.).

The good thief gave Jesus Christ all that he could give Him. . . .

—Sermon on the Mass.

Our Lord is hidden in the Blessed Sacrament, waiting for us to come and visit Him. . . . See how good He is! ... If He had appeared before us now in all His glory, we should not have dared to approach Him; but He hides Himself like one in prison, saying: “You do not see Me, but that does not matter; ask Me for all you want. . . .”

—Eucharistic Meditation 19.

There are two ways of uniting ourselves with Our Lord. . . . prayer and the Sacraments.

—On the Joys of the Interior Life (Sp.).

There are some people who, under an exterior of piety, take offense at the slightest insult. . . . The way to overcome the devil when he excites feelings of hatred against those who injure us, is immediately to pray for their conversion.

—Sermon on Charity (M.).

God has created my heart only for Himself. He asks me to give it to Him that He may make it happy.

—Eucharistic Meditation 27.

Jesus on the Cross said to the disciple whom He loved: “Behold your mother!” How sweet are those words to the Christian who is able to understand what depths of love they contain!

—Notre-Dame d’Ars, Meditation 8.

How mistaken is he who toils on Sunday with an idea that he is making more money or doing more work. Nothing can ever compensate for the injury one does to oneself by breaking the law of God.

—On the Keeping of Sunday (M.).

People say it is too much trouble to save one’s soul; but does not striving after honors or riches involve trouble?

—Of Salvation (Sp.).

Live on Him that you may live for Him.

—Of Holy Communion (M.).

Often in the course of the day, ask for the light of the Holy Spirit.

—Thoughts on the Interior Life (Sp.).

Ah! if only God saw in us the same humility and self-abasement as He saw in the Centurion who said to Him: “Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof,” with what pleasure and with what abundance of graces would He not come into our hearts!

—On Considerations during Mass (E.).

It is by battles against Hell and by resistance to temptations that we give God proofs of our love.

—Sermon on Temptation (Sp.).

Our greatest cross is the fear of crosses.

—Catechism on Suffering (M.).

If you find it impossible to pray, hide behind your good Angel and charge him to pray in your stead.

—Eucharistic Meditations.

We must be like the shepherds in the fields during the winter. They have a fire, but from time to time they search about for sticks to keep it alive. If we knew how to keep up the fire of the love of God in our heart by prayers and good works, it would not go out.

—Catechetical Illustration from Nature (D.).

O My child, use your voice always for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

—Of the Gift of Speech (M.).

St. Ignatius, lying wounded in a Hospital, began to read the lives of the saints. On learning what conflicts they had been through and with what courage they had fought for God, he said to himself: “Now, why can’t I do what these Saints have done? Have I not the same God who will help me to fight, the same Heaven to hope for, and the same Hell to fear?”

—On Devout Practices (E.).

If we love someone very much, is it necessary that we should see him in order to think of him?

—Counsel (I).

Sometimes, temptations are useful in making us recapture our lost sense of the Presence of God by means of an act of love or aspiration.

—On Temptations (C.).

The grace of God helps us to walk and supports us. He is as necessary to us as crutches are to a lame man.

—The Curé d’Ars in his Catechisms (Sp.).

The Blessed Virgin’s life was full of sorrow. . . . Every time her tender glance fell upon her Divine Son, she suffered. . . .

—Sermon for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady.

Here is a rule for everyday life: Do not do anything which you cannot offer to God.

—On Dancing (C.).

When you hear Mass, do you come in the same frame of mind as the Blessed Virgin at Calvary? Because it is the same God, and the same Sacrifice.

—Sermon on Good Friday.

Those who do not pray stoop towards the earth like a mole trying to make a hole to hide itself in.

—Catechism on Prayer (Sp.).

Devotion gains much more in influence when it is practiced by the men.

—On serving God (M.).

God loves us more than the best of fathers, and more tenderly than the most devoted of mothers. We have only then to abandon ourselves to His Will with the heart of a child.

—Precept (D.).

A Good religious complained one day: “O Lord, what have I done to be treated thus?” Our Lord answered him: “And I, what had I done when I was led to Calvary?”

—Catechism on Suffering (Sp.).

Oh! if we could rightly understand how Jesus Christ loves to come into our heart!

—Eucharistic Meditation 10.

He who, when tempted, makes the Sign of the Cross with devotion, makes Hell tremble and Heaven rejoice.

—Sermon on the Cross.

When we have God in our heart, it ought to glow. The hearts of the Disciples on the road to Emmaus burned within them at the sound of His voice.

—The Curé d’Ars and Contemplation (D.).

In the soul which is united to God, it is always Spring.

—Catechetical Illustration from Nature (M.).

O What inspiration there is in the Crucifix! Who could find it hard to persevere at the sight of a God who never commands us to do anything which He has not first practiced Himself?

—Catechism on Home Life (F).

He that has received the Sacrament of Confirmation is always ready to give his life for God. . . . His only fear is the fear of committing sin. . . .

—Sermon on Confirmation.

If you love God, you will find pleasure in speaking of Him and in hearing Him spoken of.

—Signs of true Love for God (A.).

We must act only for God, and put our works into His hands. . . .

—Catechism on Salvation (Sp.).

One ought to pray earnestly, especially at the Ember Seasons, that God will give us good priests. If they are saints, what good they are able to do! But, whatever they are, never speak against them.

—On the Priesthood (C.).

Those who practice devotion, who go often to Confession and Communion, and fail to do works of faith and charity, are like trees in blossom. You think there will be as much fruit as flower; but there is a great difference. . . .

—On the Joys of the Interior Life (Sp.).

We love God truly in so far as, when finding ourselves with people who differ from us, we behave graciously to them, speak charitably of them, are willing to meet them again, and to do them a kindness. . . .

—Le Curé d’Ars et le Don de Force.

We can do nothing by ourselves, my children, but we can do everything with the help of God. . . .

—Sermon on Temptations (Sp.).

One day, Our Lord said to St. Catherine of Siena: “I want you to make a Retreat in your heart, and to come there to be alone with Me and keep Me company.” Well, let us do the same. . . .

—Signs of true Love for God.

Life is given us that we may learn to die well, and we never think of it! To die well we must live well.

—On Death (Sp.).

With the thought God sees me! we should never sin.

—Homily (Sp.).

If you cannot give an alms yourself you can pray that God will inspire someone else to do so.

—Catechism on Almsgiving (M.).

Our Lord took that good Heart of His that He might love us with it.

—Sermon on the Divine Mercy (D.).

O My God, I desire to love You more than all the Angels and all the Saints put together. I adore You with them, and unite my love with that which Your Blessed Mother had for You, when she was on earth. . . .

—A Prayer of the Curé d’Ars to Jesus Christ (D.).

We may well be astonished that God was obliged to make a commandment to forbid us to take His Name in vain.

—Sermon on the Second Commandment.

When one has no consolations, one serves God for Himself alone; but when one has them one is liable to serve Him out of love for self.

—The Curé d’Ars and the Love of God (D.).

God is everywhere ready to hear your prayers.

—Catechism on Prayer (Sp.).

Jesus Christ found a way by which He could ascend into Heaven and yet remain on the earth. He instituted the adorable Sacrament of the Eucharist so that He might stay with us, and be the Food of our soul; that He might console us and be our Companion.

—Sermon on Communion.

When the heart is pure, it cannot help loving, because it has found the source of love, which is God Himself.

—Catechism on Purity (M.).

If we are not led by the Holy Ghost, we labor in vain, and there is no substance, no savor in anything we do.

—Catechism on the Holy Spirit (Sp.).

A Humble person, if his opinion is asked, gives it in all simplicity and then leaves others to give theirs. Whether they are right or wrong, he says no more.

—Catechism on Pride (M.).

Alas! O my God, if there are so few to bear the Cross, there will only be few to adore Thee in eternity.

—Sermon on the Cross.

Good Christians are like those birds which make their nests upon the points of rocks, on the roofs of houses, in high places. They ought always to be on the heights.

—Catechism (Sp.).

How ungrateful it is to show ourselves mean and niggardly towards a God who has shown himself so prodigal towards us!

—On Furnishing a Church (M.).

An old peasant went into the church every day before going to work, and again on his return. “Père Chaffangeon, what do you say to Our Lord, during your visits?” asked M. Vianney. “I say nothing to Him, M. le Curé, I look at Him, and He looks at me.”

—The Parish of Ars (J. V).

Simeon gave back Jesus to His Mother; he was only suffered to keep Him for one moment. But we are far happier than Simeon. We may keep Him always if we will. In Communion He comes not only into our arms but into our hearts.

—Sermon on the Feast of the Purification (M.).

To him who seeks only to please God and to save his soul, the necessities will never be lacking.

—On the Keeping of Sunday (É.).

The soul wherein the Holy Spirit dwells exhales a sweet perfume, like the vine when in flower.

—Catechetical Illustration from Nature (M.).

If something uncharitable is said in your presence, either speak in favor of the absent, or withdraw, or if possible, stop the conversation.

—On love for one’s Neighbor (A.).

The heart of the Saints is as steadfast as a rock in the midst of the sea.

—On the Joys of the Interior Life (Sp.).

God made all the days of the week. He might have kept them all, but He has given you six and has reserved to Himself only the seventh.

—Conversion of a Village (S.).

There is nothing easier than to pray to God and nothing is more comforting.

—Catechism Notes (I).

Ah! If only one would do as much for God as one does for the World! . . .

—Sermon on the Service of God.

Those who are led by the Holy Spirit have true ideas; that is the reason why so many ignorant people are wiser than the learned. The Holy Spirit is light and strength. When we are led by a God of strength and light, we cannot go astray.

—Catechism on the Holy Spirit (Sp.).

When we are walking in the streets, let us fix our eyes on Our Lord bearing His Cross before us; on the Blessed Virgin who is looking at us; on our Guardian Angel who is by our side.

—Catechism on Self-Control (Sp.).

You must close your heart against pride, sensuality, and all other passions—just as one shuts doors and windows so that none may enter.

—Catechism on Purity (M.).

Jesus Christ expressly tells us that it is impossible to be for God and the World at the same time, because when we want to please the one, it means becoming the enemy of the other.

—Sermon on the World.

When one loves anyone, it is a great happiness to have something of theirs as a souvenir. If we love our Mother, the Blessed Virgin, we should make it both our duty and privilege to have one of her pictures or statues in our home, which from time to time will remind us of her.

—On the Furniture of a Christian Home (F).

We listen to a sermon if we happen to like the preacher. ... We must not act thus humanly. It is not the shell we should look at.

—On the Word of God (M.).

A Saint has told us that if we had the happiness of assisting often and devoutly at Mass, we should have far more blessing—spiritually—and even for our temporal affairs.

—Sermon on the Mass.

All that we do without offering it to God is wasted.—On Faith (C.).

To love God is not to be faithful in fulfilling part of our duties and to neglect the rest.

—Sermon preached on May 28, 1848 (Sp.).

Remain humble, remain simple; the more you are so, the more good you will do.

—Maxim (I).

We notice in the Gospels that there were very few who confessed their indebtedness to Jesus Christ openly; people only thanked Him for as long as they remained at His feet.

—Sermon on the Fear of Other People’s Opinion.

After God, we should have a great confidence in the Blessed Mother of Jesus, who is so good. . . .

—Sermon on Hope.

Wherever we are, and whatever we do, we shall always meet with spiritual difficulties.

—Sermon on the Enemies of the Soul.

Let them say all they have to say. When they have said all they have to say, there will be no more to be said and they will be silent.

—Advice to a persecuted Priest (M.).

Nothing afflicts the Heart of Jesus so much as to see all His sufferings of no avail to so many . . . Pray then for the conversion of sinners.

—The Zeal of the Curé of Ars (Sp.).

During the day, and even at night if you wake, say to God: “My God, give me the grace to love You as much as it is possible for me to love You!”

—Catechism on the Instruction of Children (E).

Come, come, my dear, don’t be frightened at your burden; Our Lord will help you to carry it.

—Counsel (M.).

I Often think that even if there were no other life than this one, it would be enough happiness just to love God here and to do something for His glory.

—The Curé d’Ars and the Love of God (D.).

Our Lord is never found in Pomp, Pleasure, Luxury, but in lowliness and humiliation.

—On suffering (C.).

Some good Christians are in the habit of saying: “I will make so many acts of the love of God, so many sacrifices today.” I like that practice very much.

—On the Joys of the Interior Life (Sp.).

To do things well, one must do them as God wishes.—Notre-Dame d’Ars, Meditation 22.

I know sure ways of becoming poor: to work on Sunday and to take the property of others.

—A favorite saying of the Cure d’Ars (M.).

We must not consult our own inclinations, but endeavor always to do that which will give the most pleasure to God.

—On the Cardinal Virtues (C.).

After the reception of the Sacraments, when we feel the love of God growing cold, let us instantly make a Spiritual Communion.

—Catechism on the Holy Eucharist (M.).

Do not the continual needs of our soul and body warn us to have recourse to Him who alone can supply them?

—Sermon on Prayer (Sp.).

I Have had crosses in plenty—more than I could carry almost! I set myself to ask for the love of crosses—then I was happy.

—Of Suffering (M.).

The sermons of Saints are their examples.

—The Curé of Ars in his Conversation (Sp.).

We have nothing of our own but our will. It is the only thing which God has so placed in our own power that we can make an offering of it to Him.

—Mortification of the Curé d’Ars (M.).

Ah! if we had the eyes of Angels with which to see Our Lord Jesus Christ present on the Altar and looking at us, how we should love Him!

—Catechism on the Real Presence (Sp.).

We must have a great confidence in God in times of illness or grief, because it is precisely then that God waits to see whether or no we shall put our trust in Him.

—Sermon on Hope.

When we are before the Blessed Sacrament, let us open our heart; our good God will open His. We shall go to Him; He will come to us; the one to ask, the other to receive. It will be like a breath from one to the other.

—Catechism on the Real Presence (Sp.).

Give God your love. He is so good—love Him all you can!

—Words heard at Ars and quoted during the Saint’s lifetime in a Sermon at Saint-Sulpice (D).

Prayer makes time seem to pass quickly, and so pleasantly, that one fails to notice how long it is.

—Catechism on Prayer (M.).

A House founded on the Cross will fear neither wind, nor rain, nor storm.

—On Suffering (Sp.).

Could one find a greater honor than to be allowed to make reparation to Jesus Christ for the outrages which He receives in the Sacrament of His love?

—Sermon for Corpus Christi.

What sweetness there is in forgetting ourselves in order to seek God!

—Catechism on the Real Presence (Sp.).

It is a strange thing; I have met plenty of people who repented at not having loved God. Never have I met one who repented of having loved Him.

—Of Penitence (M.).

Our Lord wishes nothing but your happiness.

—Catechism on the Real Presence (Sp.).

This is real faith, when we speak to God as we would converse with a man.

—Maxim (T).

THERE is one thing everyone can do, whether they find it hard to meditate or not, and that is to make up their mind in the morning to cultivate some particular virtue during the day, to practice the interior Presence of God, and to live their life in union with Him.

—On Prayer (C.).

St. Aloysius Gonzaga, when he was a student, if found fault with on any occasion, never tried to excuse himself. If he was wrong, he was wrong; if he was right, he would say to himself: I have often been wrong before.

—Catechism on Pride (M.).

A Saint has said: “I would rather suffer with Jesus Christ than reign with Him in Heaven.”

—Sermon on Afflictions.

Our Bishop has said that every morning we must offer as a sacrifice all we shall have to suffer during the day; and that if God does not send any suffering, the merit of the sacrifice will be there all the same.

—On Suffering (C.).

There is such a thing as a holy anger, which comes from our zeal in upholding the interests of God.

—Sermon on Anger.

Holy Communion and offering the Holy Sacrifice . . . are the two most powerful means of intercession for others’ conversion.

—On Love for our Neighbor (C.).

“O Jesus,” often exclaimed the Curé of Ars, “to know Thee is to love Thee! Did we but know how Our Lord loves us, we should die of joy.”

—Virtues of the Curé of Ars (M.).

We ought to ask the Blessed Virgin, the Angels, and the Saints to pray for us that we may receive the good God as worthily as it is possible for us to receive Him.

—Sermon on Communion.

All difficulties, temptations, sickness and humiliations become sweet and easy to endure, if one bears them in union with Our Lord.

—On Suffering (C.).

To the man who gives himself up to the guidance of the Holy Ghost, there seems to be no world; to the world there seems to be no God.

—Catechism on the Holy Ghost (Sp.).

Let us open the door of the Sacred Heart, and shut ourselves in for a moment amidst its divine flames; we shall then realize what God’s love means. . . .

—On the Sacred Heart (H.).

Those who do not pray think only of temporal things like the miser who, when a silver Crucifix was presented to him to kiss, remarked: “That cross weighs at least ten ounces.”

—Catechism on Prayer (M.).

Love for God here consists in loving Him more than any created thing—loving Him better than our own life.

—Catechism on the Act of Love (K).

There is not a single creature which does not provide us with the means of reaching God. If any of them become an obstacle, it is only by our misuse of them.

—On Paradise (Sp.).

We love a thing in proportion to what it has cost us. You may judge by that of Our Lord’s love for our soul, which has cost Him His Blood. He is eager for communications and intercourse with it. He longs to see it, to hear it. . . .

—Joys of the Interior Life (Sp.).

Although Mary knew that God had raised her to the most supreme of all honors—that of being the Mother of God—nevertheless she regarded herself as the least of all creatures.

—Notre-Dame d’Ars, Meditation 19.

What happiness do we not feel in the Presence of God, when we are alone at His feet before the Sacred Tabernacle! . . . Redouble your fervor; you are alone to adore your God; His eyes rest upon you alone.

—Catechism on the Real Presence (M).

Our faults are like a grain of sand beside the great mountain of the mercies of the good God.

—The Curé of Ars in his Catechisms (Sp.).

We should say every morning: “My God, send me Thy Holy Spirit to teach me what I am and what Thou art!”

—Catechism on the Holy Spirit (M.).

A Saint has called us “Porte-Dieu” (God-bearers). That is quite true, but we have not enough faith.

—Catechism on the Blessed Sacrament (D.).

Remember that when the priest gives you absolution, you have but one thing to think of—that the Blood of the good God is flowing over your soul to purify it and make it as bright as it was made by its Baptism.

—Catechism on the Sacrament of Penance (M.).

I often think that when we come to adore Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, we should obtain everything we want, if we would ask for it with a very lively faith and a very pure heart.

—Catechism on Prayer (M.).

St. Maurus instantly left his work to answer the call of his Superior, St. Benedict. The other monks all had something to finish first.

—On Self-Denial (Sp.).

Where are the Christians today who would be ready, I do not say to give their lives for God, but even to put up with the least unpleasantness or inconvenience rather than disobey Him?

—On Hearing Mass on Sundays (E.).

The Heart of Jesus is infinitely good and loves each one of us, who ever we are. But we must have confidence in Him. There is a certain kind of fear which displeases Him.

—On the Lord’s Prayer (C.).

The devil writes down our sins—our Guardian Angel all our merits. Labor that the Guardian Angel’s book may be full, and the devil’s empty.

—Catechism on Sin (M.).

We ought in the morning on awaking to offer to God our heart, our mind, our thoughts, our words, our actions, our whole selves, to serve for His glory alone.

—On the Joys of the Interior Life (Sp.).

Do you know why Our Lord persists in remaining day and night in our churches? ... He stays there so that every time we want to go and see Him, we may be able to find Him.

—Style of the Curé d’Ars (P).

You wonder why God, who is goodness Itself, allows us to suffer. . . . But, what would you think of a doctor who lost his patient because he was afraid to give him the necessary but unpleasant treatment?

—Sermon on Afflictions.

To be loved by God, to be united to God, to live in the Presence of God, to live for God! Oh! how wonderful life is—and death!

—Words with which the Curé d’Ars often ended his addresses (D.).

With God’s help we shall always have power over our emotions.

—Of Salvation (Sp.).

When his mother recognized St. Alexis in the lifeless body of the beggar who had lived for thirty years under her palace stairway, she cried: “Oh! that I should have known you so late!” . . . The soul after this life will see at last Him whom she has possessed in the Eucharist. . . .

—Eucharistic Meditation 1.

We should be able to suffer for Him who vouchsafed to suffer for us.

—Catechism on Suffering (M.).

One must do all one can for everybody, expecting no return save from God only.

—Catechism on Charity (D.).

Nothing is more unworthy of a Christian, whose life should be an imitation of a God who is the soul of Honor and Truth itself, than to think one thing and say another.

—Sermon on Lying.

If God took the name of Father, it was to inspire us with a greater confidence in Him.

—Sermon on Hope.

God makes greater speed to pardon a penitent sinner than a mother to snatch her child out of the fire.

—Catechetical Illustration from Nature (M.).

He to whom all power has been given has not yet lost it.

—Signs of the Saints Mission (J. V).

An undertaking to be pleasing to God must have three conditions: It must be sincere, selfless and persevering.

—Sermon on False and True Goodness.

The martyrs would not have been martyrs if they had not refused to disobey the commandments of God.

—Sermon on the First Commandment.

We ought to love the Blessed Virgin very much.

—The Curé d’Ars and La Salette (M.).

What joy it is to know that when we go out of the house, we are never alone en route.

—Sermon for the Feast of the Guardian Angels.

All Jesus Christ did, He did for us. His prayers, His tears, His watchings, His fasting, His preaching, His journeys, His conversations. His miracles— all those were for us.

—Sermon on Love for God.

I often think that the life of some poor employee who knows no will but that of others may be—if only she knows how to profit by it—quite as agreeable to God as that of a religious who is always confronted with her rule.

—Mortification of the Curé d’Ars (M.).

We must take care not to get slack. ... We ought always to be going from strength to strength. . . .

—Sermon on False and True Goodness.

Every evening think over what you have done during the day, and each month over the month, and each year over the year. Thus you cannot fail to correct yourself and when death comes you will be ready and happy to go to Heaven.

—On Death (Sp.).

It is only God that can fill the soul.

—Of Holy Communion (M.).

The sun never hides his light for fear of inconveniencing the owls.

—Maxim (M.).

Our Lord carried His Cross—surely I can do as He did.

—Saying—Patience of the Curé d’Ars (I).

Do not distrust the Providence of God. He who made your corn to grow will assuredly help to gather it in.

—Maxim (M.).

When we receive Holy Communion, we receive our joy and our happiness.

—Catechism on Communion (Sp.).

We must take great care never to do anything before having said our Morning Prayers. . . . The devil once declared . . . that if he could have the first moment of the day, he was sure of all the rest.

—Sermon on the First Commandment.

“God,” said the Curé d’Ars, “has shown me this great mercy, that He has given me nothing on which I could rely, neither talent, nor wisdom, nor knowledge, nor strength, nor virtue.

“When tempted to despair I have only one resource: to throw myself at the foot of the Tabernacle like a little dog at the feet of his master.”

—Interior Life of the Curé d’Ars (M.).

To possess God, that is the joy of joys.

—On the Joys of the Interior Life (Sp.).

As the Disciples on Tabor saw Jesus only, so interior souls see Our Lord alone in the Tabor of their heart. They are two friends who never grow tired of each other.

—Catechism on Heaven and Hell (M.).

God only gave men ten Commandments, and one of the ten has for its sole object the reverence due to His Name. . . . Yet is there anything nowadays that is treated with less respect than the Sacred Name?

—Catechism on Blasphemy (E.).

If I were to ask you if you loved God, you would tell me that you did; but that is not enough. You must prove it.

—Sermon on the Love of God.

When good thoughts come to us, it is a visit of God the Holy Spirit.

—Catechism on the Holy Spirit (D.).

We must never despise the poor, because that contempt is reflected back upon God.

—Catechism on Love for the Poor (Sp.).

If we are tempted to thoughts of envy against our neighbor, far from letting him see it by our cold manner, we must go out of our way to be friendly, and do him any service that lies in our power.

—Sermon on Envy.

St. Colette saw and spoke to Our Lord as we speak to each other. How often do we come to church without knowing what we come to do, or what we wish to ask!

—Catechism on Prayer (M.).

To what outrages does Our Lord expose Himself in the Blessed Sacrament that He may remain in the midst of us! He is there to console us, and therefore we ought often to visit Him.

—Catechism on the Real Presence (Sp.).

Every time we are able to give up our own wishes in favor of those of other people, so long as it is not contrary to the will of God, we acquire great merit. . . .

—On Mortifying Self-Will (C.).

Let us live as the Blessed Virgin lived: loving God only, desiring God only, trying to please God only in all that we do.

—Sermon for the Feast of the Assumption.

Those who are led by the Holy Spirit experience all sorts of happiness in themselves.

—Catechism on the Holy Spirit (Sp.).

Our home is—Heaven. On earth we are like travellers staying at an hotel. When one is away, one is always thinking of going home.

—On Detachment (C.).

A Good Christian mounts a chariot in this world— borne by Angels and conducted by Our Lord.

—Sermon on the Love of God (Sp.).

Never pass a day without thanking Jesus Christ for all He has done for you during your life.

—Sermon on the First Commandment.

If you keep your thoughts fixed on Our Lord after Communion, you will feel for a long time that consuming fire which will inspire in your heart the desire for good and a shrinking from evil.

—Catechism on Holy Communion (M.).

He who does not pray is like a hen or a turkey that cannot rise into the air. He who prays is like an intrepid eagle!

—On the Joys of the Interior Life (Sp.).

There is hardly a day when we shall not be obliged to make some sacrifice for God, if we do not want to displease Him and if we want to love Him.

—Sermon on Love for God.

We must always act in the way that will give most glory to God.

—Catechism on the Word of God.

When Our Lord sees pure souls coming eagerly to visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament, He smiles upon them. They come with that simplicity which pleases Him so much.

—Catechism on the Real Presence (Sp.).

The Saints did not become Saints without many a sacrifice and many a struggle.

—Sermon on Sanctity.

When we want to obtain anything of the good God, let us, after Holy Communion, offer Him His well-beloved Son, with all the merits of His Death and Passion; He will be able to refuse us nothing.

—Catechism on the Holy Eucharist (M.).

During the harvest season the harvesters rise early and work hard, but they do not complain, since it is a question of making money. Temptation is the season of spiritual harvest.

—On Temptations (C.).

Make a note of the difference there is between believing in the existence of God and believing in Him.

—Sermon on the First Commandment.

We ought to have a charity like that of St. Augustine, who rejoiced to see anyone very good: “At least,” he used to say, “here is someone who will make amends to God for my want of love.”

—Sermon on the Forgiveness of Others (M.).

His death was the price of one dance . . .

—Inscription chosen by the Curé d’Ars for his Chapel of St John the Baptist (D.).

It is in solitude that God speaks to us.

—Interior Life of the Curé d’Ars (M).

We are each of us like a small mirror in which God searches for His reflection.

—On the Sin of Impurity (É.).

One sin cannot excuse another sin.

—On Anger (Sp.).

If we possessed a real penetrating faith like the Saints we should see Our Lord like they did.

—Remark (M.).

Those who love themselves with a love that seeks themselves and the world—that seeks creatures more than God—are never satisfied—never quiet. They are always uneasy, always tormented, always upset.

—Catechism on the Love of God (Sp.).

You can pray by putting yourself quite simply in touch with God. When one finds nothing more to say to Him but just knows He is there—that in itself is the best of prayers.

—A., April 1859—On Prayer.

We must love while we suffer, and we must suffer if we love.

—Catechism on Suffering (M.).

Nothing is so contrary to charity as pride.

—Homily on the Gospel for the 21st Sunday after Pentecost (Sp.).

At the hour of your death you will see that you have saved more souls by your illness than by all the good works you might have accomplished in health.

—To a sick Religious who had been sent to the Curé d’Ars by his Superior (M.).

On the Feast of the Sacred Heart, Our Lord places us on His Heart. Ah! If we could remain there always!

—Charity of M. Vianney (Sp.).

Since we are only in the world for God Himself, we shall never be happy if we do not serve Him with zeal and love.

—Catechism on the Instruction of Children (F).

Everyone is ready to run after the latest novelty. . . . But as for Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, He is deserted and forsaken. . . .

—Sermon for Corpus Christi.

The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus. When you see the priest, think of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

—Catechism on the Priesthood (Sp.).

When we have had the great misfortune to sin, the adorable Blood of Jesus will ask for our forgiveness.

—Sermon for Maundy Thursday.

We must honor God as He requires us to honor Him, or we shall be asked why.

—Saying (S.).

To love God with our whole mind is to think of Him often, and to make it our principal study to know Him well.

—Sermon on the Love of God (Sp.).

God acts vigorously and gently; it is good to rely on Him.

—Saying—Vocations and Works (J. V).

Our Lord takes pleasure in doing the will of those who love Him.

—The Cure of Ars in his Conversation (Sp.).

The Saints did not all begin well, but they all ended well.

—Catechism on our Last End (M.).

God is like a mother who carries her child in her arms by the edge of a precipice. While she is seeking all the time to keep him from danger, he is doing his best to get into it.

—Catechism on the Love of God (D.).

The Kingdom of God is within us when we love Him and are in a state of grace.

—On Habitual Grace (Sp.).

To receive the Blessed Sacrament worthily, one must have a great desire for union with Jesus Christ.

—Sermon on Communion.

God allowed the Blessed Virgin to be born in poverty, to the end that her nativity should more closely resemble that of her Divine Son, of whom the Prophets had foretold that He would have no place to lay His head.

—Notre-Dame d’Ars, Meditation 4.

When we pray, we should open our heart to God, like a fish when it sees the wave coming.

—The Curé of Ars in his Catechisms (Sp.).

Alas! If we put all our trust in God, how much happier we should be!

—Eucharistic Meditation 25.

The greatest Saints were those who suffered the most.

—Sermon on Afflictions.

When you awake in the night, transport yourself quickly in spirit before the Tabernacle, saying: “Behold me, my God, I come to adore You, to praise, thank, and love You, and to keep You company with all the Angels.”

—Precept (J. V).

He is hidden from our eyes under the humility of His Sacrament, to try our faith. . . .

—Eucharistic Meditation 21.

When two things are to be done, we may choose the one which is the least pleasant.

—On Self-Denial (Sp.).

Never let your home be without a crucifix upon its walls, to the end that all who enter it may know that you are a disciple of a Crucified Lord, and that you are not ashamed to own it.

—On Home Life (F).

Jesus Christ, after having given us all He could give, that is to say, the merit of His toils, His sufferings, and His bitter death; after having given us His Adorable Body and Blood to be the Food of our souls, willed also to give us the most precious thing He had left, which was His holy Mother.

—Notre-Dame d’Ars, Meditation 8.

Love is the distinctive mark of those who belong to God, as the mark of those who reject Him is hatred.

—On the Joys of the Interior Life (Sp.).

There is no great merit in doing good to one who is loving and grateful to us in return.

—Catechism on the Practice of Virtues (M.).

Offer your temptations for the conversion of sinners. When the devil sees you doing this, he is beside himself with rage and makes off, because then the temptation is turned against himself.

—On Temptations (C.).

We are poor people who have been taught to beg spiritually, and we do not beg.

—On Prayer (Sp.).

Was Jesus Christ afraid of being laughed at?

—Sermon on Fasting.

We must watch over our mind, our heart and our senses, for these are the gates by which the devil enters in.

—On Temptation (Sp.).

To love God with our whole strength is to employ our possessions, our health, and our talents in serving Him and glorifying Him. It is to refer all our actions to Him as our last end.

—Sermon on the Love of God (Sp.).

It is God’s Will that on Sundays we should occupy ourselves only with what has to do with His service and the salvation of our soul. By doing so, we draw down blessings on our work during the week.

—On the Sunday Mass (E.).

Those who love riches or pleasures offer God nothing but the languid remains of a heart worn out in the service of the world.

—On the Love of God (Sp.).

“At the beginning of the day, I endeavor to unite myself closely with Jesus Christ, and then I do the next thing, with the thought of this union in mind,” confessed the Curé d’Ars to the Abbé Dufour. “From which I infer,” adds the Abbé, “that his life was one long prayer.”

—Interior Life of the Curé d’Ars (I).

Love for our neighbor consists of three things: To desire the greater good of everyone; to do what good we can when we can; to bear, excuse and hide others’ faults.

—Sermon on Love for one’s Neighbor.

One’s everyday life ought to be both a preparation and a thanksgiving for Communion. By one Communion you give more glory to God than if you gave away one hundred thousand francs.

—On Communion (C).

When we pray with attention and humility of mind and heart, we quit the earth and rise to Heaven. We reach the outstretched arms of God. We talk with the Angels and the Saints.

—On Prayer (Sp.).

The virtue of Obedience makes the will supple. It gives the power to conquer self, to overcome laziness, and to resist temptations. It inspires the courage with which to fulfill the most difficult tasks.

—Catechism on the Duty of Children (F).

If I may make use of such an expression, I compare those who serve sometimes God, sometimes the World, as the case may be, with dogs who answer to every whistle.

—Sermon on the World.

As a good gardener works from morning till night to destroy the weeds in his garden and fill it with flowers, so let us work every day to destroy the blemishes of our soul and adorn it with virtues.

—Of Salvation (Sp.).

When you think of going to Mass on working days, it is an impulse of the grace that God wills to grant you. Follow it.

—Eucharistic Meditation 25.

The first thing about the Angels that we ought to imitate, is their consciousness of the Presence of God.

—Sermon for the Feast of the Guardian Angels.

Oh! How easily we could win Heaven day by day just by doing what we have to do—but by doing it for God! . . .

—On the Sanctification of Daily Life (É.).

How beautiful it is, my children, to be accompanied by the Holy Spirit! He is indeed a good guide; and to think that there are some who will not follow Him!

—Catechism on the Holy Spirit (Sp.).

It is good to abandon oneself unreservedly to the guidance of Divine Providence. Our reserves dry up the current of His mercies, and our distrust stops the course of God’s blessings.

—Advice to the Directresses of the Curé d’Ars’ Orphanage (M.).

If we did like St. Remigius, we should never be angry. See, this Saint, being questioned by a Father of the desert as to how he managed to be always in an even temper, replied: “I often consider that my Guardian Angel is always by my side. . . .”

—Sermon on Anger (Sp.).

If you really love God, you will not be content with avoiding big sins. You will regard as hateful anything which could be even a little displeasing to Him.

—On the Keeping of Sunday (É.).

In the morning we should behave towards God like an infant in its cradle. As soon as it opens its eyes, it looks quickly through the room to see its mother. When it sees her, it begins to smile. When it cannot see her, it cries.

—Catechetical Illustration from Nature (M).

See, my children, the first virtue is Humility, the second Humility, and the third Humility. . . . The Saints thought themselves nothing . . . and God gave them all they asked.

—On Humility (C.).

God treats us as He treated His people of old. When He took away Moses, He left them Caleb and Josue (Joshua).

—Conversation—A Thought which consoled the Curé after a friend’s death. (Sp.).

How many souls we may convert by our prayers! There are some among them for whom one Pater and we would be enough to turn the scale.

—Zeal of M. Vianney (Sp.).

It is impossible to meditate with devotion upon the Mysteries of the Rosary and live in a state of sin.

—Sermon for the Feast of the Rosary.

If we could only see the joy of our Guardian Angel when he sees us fighting our temptations! . . .

—On Temptations (C.).

If we have a burden to carry let us promptly remember that we are following Jesus Christ carrying His Cross; let us unite our sufferings to those of our Divine Saviour.

—Precept (I.).

We have only to turn to the Blessed Virgin to be heard. Her heart is all love.

—Catechism on the Blessed Virgin (Sp.).

If you look for God you will find Him, and in the hour of your death He will say to you: “See, I am here whom you have ever sought!”

—On Detachment (C.).

Humility is to the various virtues what the chain is to the Rosary; take away the chain and the beads are scattered, remove Humility and all virtues vanish.

—Maxim (I).

It is our Angels who ask God to grant us a deep sorrow for our sins.

—Sermon for the Feast of the Guardian Angels (D.).

A Soul in which the Holy Spirit dwells is never weary in the presence of God; it gives forth a breath of love.

—Catechism on the Holy Spirit (Sp.).

No prayer is ever lost.

—On Love for our Neighbor (Catéchismes).

St. Teresa had a sight of Heaven and ever after, as she tells us herself, everything on earth seemed but as mire and dirt to her. But we, alas! creep along on the earth, and know not how to rise above it!

—Sermon on the last Day of the Year (M.).

Worldly people say it is too difficult to save one’s soul. Yet nothing is easier. To observe the Commandments of God and the Church and to do good and avoid evil; that is all.

—Catechism on Salvation (Sp.).

What happiness it is to a Guardian Angel to have the care of a pure soul. When the soul is pure, all the Court of Heaven looks upon it with joy.

—Catechism on Purity (M.).

To love God with our whole mind is to make the sacrifice to Him of our knowledge and our reason, and to believe all that He has taught.

—Sermon on the Love of God (Sp.).

In the Sacraments, it is God Himself who comes to annihilate our enemy. The devil, seeing Him in our heart, throws himself despairingly into the bottomless pit; which explains why he does all he can to draw us away from them, or to make us receive them badly.

—On the Use of the Sacraments (E.).

There is no one who cannot pray—and pray at all times and in all places; by night or day, when hard at work or resting; in the country, at home, or when travelling.

—On Prayer (Sp.).

The Saints never complain.

—Maxim (M.).

We can, if we will, become a saint, for God will never refuse to help us to do so.

—Sermon on Sanctity.

The charitable believe that other people are always better than they are.

—Sermon on Charity.

When a soul has received the Sacrament of the Eucharist worthily, it is humble, mortified, charitable, and is capable of the most sublime sacrifices. In short, it is no longer the same.

—Catechism on the Holy Eucharist (M.).

Residing continually in our Tabernacles Jesus Christ is deserted, misunderstood by ungrateful men; and yet He continues to love us; to serve us in the Sacrament of the Altar.

—Sermon on Pride (Sp.).

One is often carried away over the sins and shortcomings of others. It would be far better to talk less about them and to pray more.

—On Love for our Neighbor (C.).

All our merit, my children, consists of cooperating with grace.

—On Grace (Sp.).

In Communion you have the happiness of possessing Jesus Christ in your heart, where He is in Body and Soul, as He was on earth during His mortal life.

—Eucharistic Meditation 16.

Ask Our Lord for the grace to think only of Him and to desire only to please Him in all you do during your whole life.

—Sermon on the First Commandment 2.

How many moments can be lost in doing nothing, or in doing wrong, in listening to the suggestions of the devil, or in obeying him!

—On Sloth (Sp.).

All the Angels and Saints are engaged in trying to prevent us from committing sins.

—On Sin (C.).

Our heart is the throne where God reposes; our thoughts, our words, our actions, directed to Him, are His Crown. We place the Sceptre in His hands when we consecrate our will to Him; the love that we have for Him is His Purple—His royal Mantle. . . .

—Sermon on Habitual Grace (Sp.).

If you invoke the Blessed Virgin when you are tempted, she will come at once to your help, and Satan will leave you.

—On the Sixth Commandment (C.).

OUR prayer is an incense which God receives with extreme pleasure.

—Catechism on Prayer (Sp.).

Do not try to please everybody. Try to please God, the Angels, and the Saints—they are your public.

—Advice to two Writers (D.).

Happy is he that lives to love, receive and serve God!

—On the Lord’s Prayer (C.).

We should daily renew our baptismal vows.

—On the Joys of the Interior Spirit (Sp.).

You do not know the resources of God’s providence for those who put their trust in Him.

—Eucharistic Meditation 25.

The saints love everyone. . . . Their hearts, inflamed with Divine love, are dilated in proportion to the number of souls that God puts in their way.

—On the Joys of the Interior Life (Sp.).

With what humility should we assist at Mass, if we realized that our Guardian Angel was kneeling beside us, prostrate before the Majesty of God! With what eagerness should we not ask him to offer our prayers to Jesus Christ!

—Sermon on the Feast of the Guardian Angels.

When God sees us coming to Him in prayer, He leans His Heart down very low to His little creature, like a father who bends down to listen to his child when it speaks to him.

—Catechetical Illustration from Nature (M.).

If the Saints were asked: “Why are you in Heaven?” they would answer: “For having listened to the Holy Spirit.”

—Catechism on the Holy Spirit (Sp.).

We must say many prayers for the souls of the Faithful Departed, for one must be so pure to enter Heaven!

—On Love for our Neighbor (C.).

Pride makes us hate our equals, because they are our equals; our inferiors, from the fear that they may equal us; our superiors because they are above us.

—On Envy (Sp.).

If I make God to reign in my heart, He will make me to reign with Him in His glory.

—Catechism on Prayer (M.).

If we loved Our Lord, we should have the Tabernacle, that dwelling place of God, always before the eyes of our mind.

—Faith of M. Vianney (Sp.).

A Saint has told us that one day at Mass he saw Jesus Christ with His hands full of gifts, looking for souls to whom He might give them.

—Sermon on the Mass.

When we go to Communion, we experience an extraordinary feeling of comfort which seems to envelop us entirely. What is this but Our Lord communicating Himself to every part of our being, and making us thrill with joy? We are obliged to exclaim like St. John: “It is the Lord!”

—Inner Life of the Curé d’Ars (J.V.).

“M. le Curé,” his missionary said to him one day, “if God were to give you your choice of going directly to Heaven, or remaining on earth to labor for the conversion of sinners, what would you do?” “I think I would remain here.” “Oh! M. le Curé, is it possible? The Saints are so happy in Heaven!” “That is true, but they can no longer glorify God, as we can, by sacrifices for the salvation of souls.”

—Zeal of M. Vianney (Sp.).

God calls His friends to bear His Cross after Him.

—Catechism on Suffering (M.).

It is God’s Will that the Saints should be our protectors and our friends. . . . They are always ready to come to our aid when we call upon them. . . . Those whom we invoke watch over us at all times.

—Sermon for the Feast of All Saints 2.

The commandments of God are the guides which God gives us to show us the road to Heaven; like the names written up at the corners of the streets, to point out the way.

—The Curé of Ars in his Catechisms (Sp.).

I observe this in a great many people; a single word of blame disturbs and disquiets them. . . . The Saints were pained if their virtues were known, and pleased that their imperfections should be seen.

—Catechism on Sin (M.).

Alas! How many neglect or omit their spiritual duties just as easily as they would take a glass of wine. They will not do things unless they are in the mood, or put themselves to any inconvenience.

—On Sloth (Sp.).

A Saint once complained to Our Lord after a temptation was past, saying: “Where were You, O my loving Jesus, during this horrible tempest?” Our Lord replied: “I was in the midst of your heart, and was pleased to see you combat so bravely.”

—Sermon on Temptations (M.).

If the friendship of saints living in this world fills us with love for God, how much more then shall we gain by considering the Saints in glory, by invoking them, and taking them for our protectors!

—Sermon for All Saints’ Day (D).

St. Augustine says that he who fears death does not love God; that is very true. If you had been long separated from your Father, would you not be happy to see him again?

—Catechism Notes on the Desire for Heaven (Sp.)

In Heaven, God will place us as an architect places the stones in a building—each in the place fitted for it.

—Catechism Notes on Heaven (M.).

The Blessed Virgin is like a good mother who, not content with looking after all her children in general, watches over each one separately.

—Sermon for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady.

With a humble person, whether he is laughed at or esteemed, praised or blamed, honored or despised, whether people pay attention to him or pass him by, it is all the same to him.

—Catechism on Pride (Sp.).

How consoling it is to do everything in the company and under the eyes of God; to know that He sees everything and takes count of all! One never tires of such a life, for it is like spending one’s time with a friend. The hours pass like minutes. ... In fact, it is a foretaste of Heaven.

—The Curé d’Ars and Contemplation (D.).

The Holy Spirit wants to take us to Heaven; we have only to say “Yes,” and to let Him take us there.

—Catechism on the Holy Spirit (Sp.).

We complain when we suffer. We have much more reason to complain when we do not suffer, since nothing so likens us to Our Lord as the bearing of His Cross.

—The Curé d’Ars and the sufferings inflicted on him by men (M.).

It is faith we want. Ask God to open the eyes of your heart. If you say to Our Lord sincerely, like the blind man in Jericho: “O Lord, make me to see!” you will certainly obtain what you desire.

—Catechism on the Real Presence (Sp.).

My child, we must not be afraid of doing good, even if it costs us something.

—Counsel (T).

The saints were filled with the love of God. . . . When you love a person, you show him more or less affection, according as the ardor of your love for him is more or less great.

—Sermon on the Love of God (Sp.).

When we come from our Communions, if anyone said to us: “What are you taking home with you?” we should be able to reply: “I am carrying away Heaven!”

—Catechism on the Blessed Sacrament (D.).

See, my children, the grace of God converts everything into gold; all our actions, even the most indifferent of them, if animated by His Spirit, become works meritorious for eternal life.

—Sermon on Habitual Grace (Sp.).

Try and labor to destroy in yourself all that displeases Jesus Christ, and you will see how your Communions will make you walk with great strides on your way to Heaven.

—E. M. 12.

God does not require of us the martyrdom of the body; He requires only the martyrdom of the heart, and the will.

—Catechism on Suffering (Sp.).

O My children, how beautiful will that soul be in eternity, who makes frequent and good Communions!

—Le Curé d’Ars et le Don d’intelligence.

The reward is so great for such a little effort. What have we to bear? Some humiliations, losses, sickness, sharp words? . . . But they will not kill us! The martyrs suffered much more than that. ... Or temptations? But, by confidence in God and distrust of ourselves, we can overcome them.

—On Salvation (C.).

To pray well we need not speak much.

—On the Joys of the Interior Life (Sp.).

If we had faith, we should discern God hidden in the person of the priest, like a light behind a glass.

—Catechism on the Holy Eucharist (M.).

It is a wonderful thing to have a heart and, little as it is, to be able to make use of it in loving God.

—Catechism on Purity (Sp.).

What joy will there be at the judgment for those who will learn from Jesus Christ that the kindness they showed to the poor was kindness shown to Him. “Yes,” He will say to them, “it was I Myself that you came to see in that poor person; it was to Me that you rendered that service; it was to Me that you gave alms at your door.”

—Sermon on Almsgiving (D.).

Those who run after the vanities of the world which pass away like the wind give a great deal for very little profit; they give their eternity for the miserable smoke of the world.

—Catechism on Sin (Sp.).

Have some pictures or statues of the Saints in your home, and prize them with your crucifix, more than any of your possessions. Often it only needs a glance at a picture to bring to our minds the characteristics of the Saints during their life on earth. . . . We learn from them lessons of faith, courage, penitence, and the love of God.

—Sermon for All Saints’ Day (F).

Like the Saints, let us be very zealous in fulfilling all our duties; let the devil never find us doing nothing, lest we should yield to temptation.

—Sermon on Sloth (Sp.).

Ah! How sweet and full of comfort are the moments spent before the Blessed Sacrament! Are you in any trouble? Come and throw yourself at His feet. . . . Do people speak badly of you? Come to Him and you will find a good friend who will never fail you.

—Style of the Curé d’Ars (R).

“O My God, why have You sent me into the world?” “To save your soul.” “And why do You wish me to save my soul?” “Because I love you.”

—Catechism on Salvation (Sp.).

If you really love God, you will greatly desire to see Him loved by all the world.

—Signs of true Love for God (A.).

When we cannot come to church, let us turn towards the Tabernacle and make a spiritual Communion. A wall cannot separate us from God.

—Catechism on Frequent Communion (Sp.).

When we do some act of charity, let us direct our intention by saying: “My God, receive this gift or this service I am about to render, in prayer for such and such a grace.”

—On the Sanctification of Daily Life (É.).

If you set out to meet God, He will come to meet you.

—Advice to an unbeliever (M.).

Are you falsely accused, or loaded with insults? All the better! It is a good sign; don’t worry about it. You are on the road which leads to Heaven.

—The Strength of the Curé d’Ars in Suffering (D.).

Do your work, not in order to grow rich or to win the approval of men, but for God’s sake.

—Sermon on Sloth.

We ought to pray like little children of four years old, who have no guile. They tell their Mother everything. . . .

—On Humility (C.).

Those who go often to Mass during the week, do their work very much better than those who, for want of faith, think they have no time for it.

—On the Sanctification of Daily Life (E.).

A Saint has compared those who have kept their hearts pure, to the lilies that, rising heavenwards on their tall stems, fill the air with fragrance. The mere sight of them makes us think of purity. Even so the Blessed Virgin inspired with purity all who looked at her. . . .

—Sermon on Purity.

O My children, how beautiful will that soul be in eternity, who makes frequent and good Communions!

—Le Curé d’Ars et le Don d’intelligence.

The Passion of Our Lord is like a great river that flows down from a mountain and is never exhausted.

—Charity of M. Vianney (Sp.).

No one can give to another that which he possesses not himself.

—Catechism Notes on the Love of God (M.).

This earth is a bridge to cross the water; it serves only to support our steps. . . .

—The Curé of Ars in his Catechisms (Sp.).

God, the Blessed Virgin, the Angels and Saints are about our path; they are at our side and see all we do.

—Catechism on Suffering (M.).

The heart is drawn towards what it loves most. The heart of a good Christian turns towards Heaven, where God is, who is his treasure.

—Hope of M. Vianney (Sp.).

It is to be hoped that before turning in for the night you do a little devotional reading. This will give you some helpful thoughts to dwell upon while you go to bed, and as you get up in the morning.

—On Night Prayers (E.).

Happier than those who lived during His mortal life, when He was only in one place, we find Jesus Christ today in every corner of the world, in the Blessed Sacrament.

—Eucharistic Meditation 2.

A spiritual alms is even more precious than a material one.

—Sermon on Satisfaction for Sin.

The Blessed Virgin loves above all to see in her children purity, humility, and charity.

—On Our Lady (C.).

If you are afraid of other people’s opinion, you should not have become a Christian.

—Sermon on the Fear of Other People’s Opinion.

The interior life is like a sea of love in which the soul is plunged and is, as it were, drowned in love. Just as a mother holds her child’s face in her hands to cover it with kisses, so does God hold the devout man.

—The Inner Life of the Curé d’Ars (J. V).

We are occupied with a hundred and one things which, for the most part, amount to nothing; while, as for Jesus Christ, we pass hours and even whole days without giving Him a thought. Or, if we do, it is so indefinite that we are scarcely conscious of it.

—Sermon on Love for God.

See, my children, to receive the Sacrament of Absolution, we need three things: faith, which reveals to us the presence of God in the priest; hope, which enables us to believe that God will give us His pardon; charity, which makes us love God and fills our heart with regret for having displeased Him.

—On Confession (C.).

God wants us to unite our acts of penance with His own. . . .

—Sermon on Satisfaction for Sin.

Virtue demands courage, constant effort, and above all, help from on high.

—Patience of the Curé d’Ars (T).

Worldly people have not the Holy Spirit, or if they have, it is only for a moment. The noise of the world drives Him away.

—Catechism on the Holy Spirit (Sp.).

. . . Be prepared to render anyone a service whenever the opportunity arises. . . .

—Signs of true Love for God (A.).

Let us adore Jesus Christ as our God; let us follow Him as our King. Let us offer Him all we have and all we are.

—Sermon on the Magi.

After thanking our Guardian Angel who has remained by our side during our sleep, we should ask him for his protection during the day.

—On the Joys of the Interior Life (Sp.).

Nothing is harder to bear than those things which wound our self-love; but if we thought of the humiliations suffered by Jesus Christ at Bethlehem, should we ever dare to complain?

—Sermon on the Incarnation I.

All those who have become Saints have frequented the Sacraments and have raised their souls to God by prayer.

—On the Joys of the Interior Life (Sp.).

Nothing is so common among Christians as to say: “O my God, I love You!” and nothing more rare, perhaps, than the love of God.

—Sermon on the Love of God (Sp.).

Pure souls shall form a circle round Our Lord. The purer we have been on earth, the nearer we shall be to Him in Heaven.

—Catechism on Purity (M.).

The Saints had no hatred, no bitterness; they forgive everything and think they deserve much more for their offenses against God.

—Sermon on Forgiveness (Sp.).

God wills that we should work today and tomorrow; and after that, an eternity of joy, of happiness, awaits us in Heaven. . .

—Catechism on Sin (Sp.).