My Mission, Mine Alone

That Beautiful Work

Whatever You Do

He Who Labors

Today is the feast of St. Benedict. For more on this founder of western monasticism, click here.

Teach Us

Painting: Edgar Degas, Woman Ironing

These Glorious Actions

Painting: Edward Potthast, The Washerwoman

Every Thing

My Little Omelet

'I flip 
my little omelet 
in the frying pan 
for the love of God.'

Brother Lawrence













Painting: Anker Die kleine Kartoffelschälerin 1886

A Very Common Temptation

'We should never 
postpone a good work, 
no matter 
how small it may be, 
with the thought 
of doing something greater. 
It is a very common temptation 
of the enemy to be 
always placing before us
the perfection 
of things to come, 
causing us to 
make little of the present.'

St. Ignatius Loyola 







Painting: Charles Courtney Curran, in US public domain due to age




 

Faithful to the Present Moment

'We must 
be faithful to 
the present 
moment, or 
we will 
frustrate 
the plan 
of God for 
our lives.'

Solanus Casey
















Painting: Winslow Homer, The Reaper

A Certain Way

'There is a certain way 

of living in the presence of God 

through which, if the soul so desires, 

it can remain always in prayer 

and continually aflame with love of God.  

It is realized by carrying out one's duties 

with the thought of doing God's will, 

and taking delight in that.'  

  St. Alphonsus Rodriguiz

Painting:  Hanna Pauli, Frukostdags, in US public domain due to age (PD-US)

In Every Moment

'Great works 
do not
always 
come our way, 
but in 
every moment, 
we may 
do little ones; 
that is, 
with a
great love.'

St Francis de Sales
















Painting:  Désiré François Laugée

Everyday Work

'The fullness of life that God rightly expects from His children 

means that they have to have a careful concern for the quality 

of their everyday work, because it is this work, 

even in its most minor aspects, 

that they must sanctify.'

St. Josemaria Escriva

Painting: Charles Courtney Curran, Shadows

Sanctity Achieved

'Our Lord has created persons for all states in life, 

and in all of them we see people who have achieved sanctity 

by fulfilling their obligations well.'

St. Anthony Mary Claret

Painting:  Samuel Melton Fisher, Flower Makers 1896 

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One Secret Work

"God is more pleased by one work, however small,

done secretly, without desire that it be known, 

than a thousand done with desire that men know of them."  

St. John of the Cross

Painting:  Andrea Commodi, Young Woman in the Kitchen

Dusting in Harmony

 

'Each small task of everyday life is part of the total harmony of the universe.'

St. Therese of Lisieux

Painting:  William Paxton, The Figurine, 1921

A Different Quality

'Music rouses the emotions,

it calls the senses to a different quality...

Music comforts the mind in the enduring of labors, 

and singing lightens weariness in solitary tasks.'

St. Isidore 

Painting: Poul Friis Nybo Girl at Piano