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

When it is in your power to do good, do not hold back, because alms deliver you from death.

St. Polycarp of Smyrma (69-165AD) on Giving
Mini-Bio: Asia Minor; bishop, defender of orthodoxy, martyr

Unbelievers who have never accepted the faith should be subjected to no compulsion at all, for belief is an act of freedom. Given the power, however, the faithful may use force to prevent unbelievers from impeding the faith by blasphemy, or evil persuasion, or open persecution.

St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274AD) on Freedom of Religion
Mini-Bio: Italian; Dominican philosopher, theologian, mystic, hymnist, Doctor of the Church

Holiness is the awareness of being “watched over,” watched over by God. Saints know very well their frailty, the precariousness of their existence. Yet they are not frightened. They feel secure in spite of all this.

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.

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

Almsgiving requires money, but even this shines with a brighter luster when the alms are given from our poverty. The widow who paid the two pennies was poorer than any human, but she outdid them all.

St. John Chrysostom (347-407AD) on Poverty and Riches
Mini-Bio: Syrian; archbishop, Doctor of the Church

You can force a man to enter a church, to approach the altar, to receive the Sacrament; but you cannot force him to believe.

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

In order that your life may retain a taste of the feast, be dynamic and joyful in the service of others. Seek to carry out what Christ ask of you, answer with Mary’s “fiat”: “I am the servant of the Lord” (Luke 1:38).

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.

A cool Catholic Home item:

NEW! SACRED & IMMACULATE HEART COOKIE CUTTER! A perfect way to celebrate either May or June with cookies made to resemble the Sacred or Immaculate Heart! With this heart shaped cutter and a few creative ideas will make some lovely cookies for a Special Feast Day Tea!  $4.50 @ Little Flowers Family Apostolate

Ever hear of a Mary’s Garden?  It is interesting. Perhaps you’d like to just read about it, perhaps you’d like to try your hand at it.  MARY’S GARDEN PAGE
(lots of medieval folklore about Our Lady’s Gardens)

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

The Lord does not say that the proof of His disciples’ faithfulness will be the working of wondrous miracles … What does He tell them? “You shall be known as my disciples if you love one another.”

St. Basil the Great (329-379AD) on Charity
Mini-Bio: Cappadocian; bishop, theologian, monk

Saints throughout the Age of the Church The Cross is the ladder to heaven.

St. John Vianney (1786-1859AD) on the Cross and Crosses
Mini-Bio: French; priest, spiritual director, Patron saint of parish priests

Holy Quotes from the Popes of the Church To construct this world you have to undertake great tasks. If you want your legitimate ideals to be meaningful and not halfhearted, beginning now you must be daring, patient, and sincere with yourselves. You must also have an unshakable faith.

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.

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist.

St Paul tells us that Jesus gave some as Apostles, others as Evangelists and others as Prophets. However, in one sense he gave Matthew to us in all three manners! First, through Matthew’s constant references to the messianic prophecies; secondly, by his evangelic writings and inspired words in his gospel; and, thirdly by his immediate response to the call of Jesus and his apostolic faithfulness proclaiming the life of Jesus through his example and his own martyrdom, Matthew excelled in all three manners.

Get to know “The Doctors”

St Robert Bellarmine, 1542-1621. Doctor of Church State Relations, Feast Day: Sept 17th.

Teeny Summary: ST ROBERT BELLARMINE WAS THE FIRST TO DEVELOP THE THEORY OF THE INDIRECT POWER OF THE POPE IN TEMPORAL AFFAIRS. HE ALL BUT ELIMINATED THE DIVINE RIGHTS-OF-KINGS UNTENABLE PRINCIPLE THAT HAD BEEN IN EXISTENCE MANY YEARS. HE EXPLAINED AND DESCRIBED THE HEAD OF HELL-SATAN AND HIS COHORTS.ROBERT IS THE DOCTOR OF CHURCH, STATE AND COUNTRY RELATIONS. THE POPE MADE HIM A CARDINAL AND INSISTED ON HAVING HIM BY HIS SIDE AS HIS PERSONAL THEOLOGIAN. THE MORE HE STEPPED DOWN, THE MORE GOD RAISED HIM UP WITH RESPONSIBILITIES AT THE VATICAN.THIS BRILLIANT JESUIT LIVED IN AN AGE OF GREAT DEFLECTION WITHIN THE CHURCH AMIDST RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY. HIS WRITINGS, INTELLIGENCE AND CHARACTER SERVED THE CHURCH AT A TIME THAT WAS MOST NEEDED.

Prayer of the Day:

Holy Spirit Prayer. Come, Holy Spirit, almighty Sanctifier, God of love, who filled the Virgin Mary with grace, who wonderfully changed the hearts of the apostles, who endowed all Your martyrs with miraculous courage, come and sanctify us. Enlighten our minds, strengthen our wills, purify our consciences, rectify our judgment, set our hearts on fire, and preserve us from the misfortunes of resisting Your inspirations. Amen.

Catholic Quote of the day:

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

“It is a noble achievement for a Christian to have no disputes with anyone. But if by any circumstance or temptation, a dispute arises, let him try to remain composed, even if this means losing.”Didache (140AD) on Patience and Peace
Mini-Bio: Teaching of the Twelve Apostles

Saints throughout the Age of the Church

“The most beautiful Credo is the one we pronounce in our hour of darkness.”St. Padre Pio of Petrelcina (1887-1968AD) on Despair
Mini-Bio: Italian; Capuchin priest, visionary, mystic, stigmatist

Holy Quotes from the Popes of the Church

“In prayer we seek, find, and converse with God just as we would with an intimate friend. We can speak of our sorrows and joys, our weaknesses and problems, and our desires to be better and to help others to be better too.”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.