To the Finish Line...

The Necessary Grace

Grace Sufficient

As Waters Flow

To Carry Grace

Painting: Hans Thoma

Time Full of Eternity

Feeling Weak?

Painting by Johannes Vermeer

If They Were To...

'Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him, and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly.'

St. Ignatius of Loyola









Painting: John Singer Sargent, in US public domain due to age

The Most Humiliating Mistakes

'God allows His greatest servants to make the most humiliating mistakes. 

This humbles them in their own eyes and in the eyes of their fellow men. 

It prevents them from seeing and taking pride in the graces God bestows on them.'

St. Louis de Montfort

Painting: Théodule-Augustin Ribot, Still Life with Pumpkin, Plums, Cherries, Figs and Jug

If They Were To...

'Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them

if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him,

and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly.'

St. Ignatius Loyola

Painting: Joseph Rodefer DeCamp, The Blue Mandarin Coat

This post is linked to Catholic Bloggers Network Linkup Blitz

From the Depths of Vice to the Summit of Love

              'There are many examples of sinners who, having embraced a life of self-denial,
              became saints.....
              St. Augustine, St. Camillus, St. Mary Magdalen,
              St. Margaret of Cortona, St. Mary of Egypt and many others
              have raised themselves from the depths of vice to the summit of love.
              It is good for us to witness these sublime victories of grace.
              Nothing is more consoling nor illustrates more clearly
              the marvelous effects of correspondence with the grace of God.
              The Holy Spirit acts progressively.
              He gives first a glimmering
              and asks in return some small act of virtue.
              Fidelity to these first inspirations strengthens us to receive greater light
              and gives us a more powerful impetus.
              Grace then becomes not only more and more exacting,
              but also more powerful.'

(from Fervorinos From the Lips of the Master, compiled by a Religious, Pelligrini, Australia, 1940, pp.144-145)

                 Painting: Simon Vouet, Magdalene

                This post is linked to Catholic Bloggers Network Monthly Linkup

That the Grace of Christ May Come

This morning as I read through a few blogs, I rediscovered a quote I'd first seen years ago... from no less than Blessed John Paul II.  It's the sort of thing that could make a person quake in her boots.  Yet, amazingly, it did no such thing to me when I first encountered it.  Now, years later, I find its assurance of divine providence, well - somehow comforting.  Intrigued?  Click here to visit Nunblog and read Pope John Paul II's words for yourself.   


"You victorious martyrs
who endured torments gladly
for the sake of our God and Savior,
you who have boldness of speech
towards the Lord Himself, 
you saints, 
intercede for us
who are timid and sinful men,
full of sloth, 
that the grace 
of Christ
may come upon us."
                      
                         St. Ephraim

Make Way for Grace

"When He finds a soul penetrated with a lively faith, 

He pours into it His graces and favors plentifully.

There they flow like a torrent,

which, after being forcibly stopped

against its ordinary course,

 when it has found a passage,

spreads itself with impetuosity and abundance.

  Yes, we often stop this torrent

by the little value we set upon it.

 But let us stop it no more.

  Let us enter into ourselves 

and break down the bank which hinders it.

Let us make way for grace.

  Let us redeem the lost time" 

                                                                                                                              - Brother Lawrence