September 12
“Perilous times, difficult circumstances, tenuous situations, and heartrending trials form the crucible in which hope is tested, refined, purified, and proven. When everything natural tells us to give up and give in, hope springs from the eternal and tells us to hang in and hang on.”
-Johnnette Benkovic
September 10
“We Christians cannot resign ourselves to leading a double life – our life must be strong and simple unity into which all our actions converge.”
-St. Josemaria Escriva
September 9
Feast of St. Peter Claver (1580 – 1896)
On evangelizing to the poor, needy, and sick:
“This was how we spoke to them, not with words but with our hands and our actions. Then, we sat, or rather knelt, beside them and bathed their faces and bodies with wine. After this we began an elementary instruction about baptism, that is, the wonderful effects of this sacrament on the body and soul.”
-St. Peter Claver
September 8
Feast of the Birth of Mary
“Let all creation sing and dance and unite to make worthy contribution to the celebration of this day. Let there be one common festival for saints in heaven and men on earth. Today this created world is raised to the dignity of a holy place for him who made all things. The creature is newly prepared to be a divine dwelling place for the Creator.”
-St. Andrew of Crete
September 7
“Each Christian has to put aside any fears of ‘rocking the boat’ should his upright conduct provoke criticism or rejection.”
-Francis Fernandez
August 31
“Death must be active within us if life also is to be active within us.”
-St. Ambrose
August 30
“There is no doubt that blessed John suffered imprisonment in chains as a witness to our Redeemer, whose forerunner he was, and gave his life for him.”
-St. Bede the Venerable
August 29
"If we are all to be saved, we shall have to help one another and support the weak in their struggle to live a good life. When one of us does wrong, it is for the others to warn him and persuade him of his error.”
-From a Homily of the Second Century
August 28
“Today it is fashionable to talk about the poor. Unfortunately it is not fashionable to talk with them.”
-St. Teresa of Calcutta
August 27