February 6
“Someone has said we do not save others by changing and converting and developing them; we redeem them by the love that accepts them and serves them as they are.”--Sister Miriam of the Holy Spirit, O.C.D. (Jessica Powers)
Blog
Blog Posts
St. Agatha
February 5
Feast of St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
“She wore the glow of a pure conscience and the crimson of the Lamb’s blood for her cosmetics...Her robe is the mark of her faithful witness to Christ.”
--St. Methodius on St. Agatha
Giving
February 4
“The act and spirit of giving are the best counter to the evil forces in the world today, and giving liberates the individual not only spiritually but materially.”
--Dorothy Day
St. Blaise
February 3
Feast of St. Blaise
O God, deliver us through the intercession of Thy holy bishop and martyr Blaise, from all evil of soul and body, especially from all ills of the throat; and grant us the grace to make a good confession in the confident hope of obtaining Thy pardon, and ever to praise with worthy lips Thy most holy name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.--From the Novena Prayer to St. Blaise
The Presentation
February 2
Presentation of the Lord
“Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”
--Luke 2:34-35
Blessings
February 1
“When the Lord knows that good health is necessary for our welfare, He sends it to us; and when we need sickness, He sends that too.”
--St. Teresa of Avila
Using Mercy
January 31
Feast of St. John Bosco, Priest (1815 – 1888)
“There must be no hostility in our minds, no contempt in our eyes, no insult on our lips. We must use mercy for the present and have hope fo rthe future, as is fitting for true fathers who are eager for real correction and improvement.”
--St. John Bosco
God of Peace
January 30
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you."
~Philippians 4:8-9
Destroy Bad Habits
January 29
"The way to destroy bad habits is by watchfulness and by doing often those things that are opposites to one's besetting sins."
~St. John Vianney
For Reflection: What one bad habit is the Holy Spirit giving me the grace to overcome (Hint: Which sin do I/should I confess most often?)? What virtue is the opposite of it? In what three ways can I begin to exercise that virtue to help eradicate this "besetting sin?"
(Quote from Graceful Living)
Virtue
January 28
St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor (1225 – 1274)
“Whoever wishes to live perfectly should do nothing but disdain what Christ disdained on the cross and desire what he desired, for the cross exemplifies every virtue.”
--St. Thomas Aquinas