Catholic Quotes and Catholic Sayings
The challenge is to quote each Saint or Faithful only once. Enjoy and please don’t forget to share it with others too!
Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. ~St. Ignatius of Antioch
Jesus, Whom I know as my Redeemer, cannot be less than God. ~St. Athanasius
Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did and If anyone does not wish to have Mary Immaculate for his mother, he will not have Christ for his brother. ~St. Maximilian Kolbe
Pray, hope and don’t worry. Anxiety doesn’t help at all. Our Merciful Lord will listen to your prayer. ~St. Padre Pio
Humility is the only virtue that no devil can imitate. If pride made demons out of angels, there is no doubt that humility could make angels out of demons. ~St. John Climacus
Good, better, best. Never let it rest. ‘Til your good is better and your better is best. ~St. Jerome
When the devil reminds you of your past… remind him of his future! ~St. Teresa of Avila
Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent. ~St. John of the Cross
God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. ~St. Augustine of Hippo
The bread in your box belongs to the hungry; the cloak in your closet belongs to the naked; the shoes you do not wear belong to the barefoot; the money in your vault belongs to the destitute . . . ~St. Basil the Great
I know well that the greater and more beautiful the work is, the more terrible will be the storms that rage against it. ~St. Faustina
True charity consists in putting up with all one’s neighbor’s faults, never being surprised by his weakness, and being inspired by the least of his virtues. ~St. Therese of Lisieux
You cannot please both God and the world at the same time, They are utterly opposed to each other in their thoughts, their desires, and their actions. ~St. John Mary Vianney
Mary was raised to the dignity of Mother of God rather for sinners than for the just, since Jesus Christ declares that he came to call not the just, but sinners. ~St. Anselm
It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey. ~St. Ignatius of Loyola
Since Christ Himself has said, “This is My Body” who shall dare to doubt that It is His Body? ~St. Cyril of Jerusalem
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible. ~St. Thomas Aquinas
My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help for accomplishing his designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and to be faithful to him, and not to spoil his work by our shortcomings. ~St. Isaac Jogues
If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze! ~St. Catherine of Sienna
Nothing seems tiresome or painful when you are working for a Master who pays well; who rewards even a cup of cold water given for love of Him. ~St. Dominic Savio
The creator of the heavens obeys a carpenter; the God of eternal glory listens to a poor virgin. Has anyone ever witnessed anything comparable to this? Let the philosopher no longer disdain from listening to the common laborer; the wise, to the simple; the educated, to the illiterate; a child of a prince, to a peasant. ~St. Anthony of Padua
All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle. ~St. Francis of Assisi
To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often. ~Bl. John Henry Cardinal Newman
Tribulation is a gift from God – one that he especially gives His special friends. ~St. Thomas More
There are not over a 100 people in the United States that hate the Catholic Church, there are millions however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church. Which is, of course, quite a different thing. ~Servant of God Fulton J. Sheen
It is better to say one Our Father fervently and devoutly than a thousand with no devotion and full of distraction. ~St. Edmund
Charity may be a very short word, but with its tremendous meaning of pure love, it sums up man’s entire relation to God and to his neighbor. ~St Aelred of Rievaulx
Celebrate the feast of Christmas every day, even every moment in the interior temple of your spirit, remaining like a baby in the bosom of the heavenly Father, where you will be reborn each moment in the Divine Word, Jesus Christ. ~St. Paul of the Cross
Nothing is far from God. ~ St. Monica of Hippo
When shall it be that we shall taste the sweetness of the Divine Will in all that happens to us, considering in everything only His good pleasure, by whom it is certain that adversity is sent with as much love as prosperity, and as much for our good? When shall we cast ourselves undeservedly into the arms of our most loving Father in Heaven, leaving to Him the care of ourselves and of our affairs, and reserving only the desire of pleasing Him, and of serving Him well in all that we can? ~St. Jane Frances de Chantal
If there be a true way that leads to the Everlasting Kingdom, it is most certainly that of suffering, patiently endured. ~St. Colette
Charity is that with which no man is lost, and without which no man is saved. ~St. Robert Bellarmine
Love is the most necessary of all virtues. Love in the person who preaches the word of God is like fire in a musket. If a person were to throw a bullet with his hands, he would hardly make a dent in anything; but if the person takes the same bullet and ignites some gunpowder behind it, it can kill. It is much the same with the word of God. If it is spoken by someone who is filled with the fire of charity- the fire of love of God and neighbor- it will work wonders. ~St. Anthony Mary Claret
Whether, therefore, we receive what we ask for, or do not receive it, let us still continue steadfast in prayer. For to fail in obtaining the desires of our heart, when God so wills it, is not worse than to receive it; for we know not as He does, what is profitable to us. ~St. John Chrysostom
Don’t you long to shout to those youths who are bustling around you: Fools! Leave those worldly things that shackle the heart – and very often degrade it – leave all that and come with us in search of Love! ~St. Josemaria Escriva
Charity is certainly greater than any rule. Moreover, all rules must lead to charity. ~St. Vincent de Paul
The nation doesn’t simply need what we have. It needs what we are. ~St. Teresia Benedicta
We are to love God for Himself, because of a twofold reason; nothing is more reasonable, nothing more profitable. ~St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Give something, however small, to the one in need. For it is not small to one who has nothing. Neither is it small to God, if we have given what we could. ~St. Gregory Nazianzen
Christ said, “I am the Truth”; he did not say “I am the custom. ~St. Toribio
If we wish to keep peace with our neighbor, we should never remind anyone of his natural defects. ~St. Philip Neri
Pray with great confidence, with confidence based upon the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ. God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray. ~St. Louis Marie de Montfort
Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven. ~St. Rose of Lima
Not the goods of the world, but God. Not riches, but God. Not honors, but God. Not distinction, but God. Not dignities, but God. Not advancement, but God. God always and in everything. ~St. Vincent Pallotti
We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend on material success; nor on sciences that cloud the intellect. Neither does it depend on arms and human industries, but on Jesus alone. ~St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Whatever you do, think not of yourself, but of God. ~St. Vincent Ferrer
Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin. All hope consists in confession. In confession there is a chance for mercy. Believe it firmly. Do not doubt, do not hesitate, never despair of the mercy of God. Hope and have confidence in confession. ~St. Isidore of Seville
Prayer reveals to souls the vanity of earthly goods and pleasures. It fills them with light, strength and consolation; and gives them a foretaste of the calm bliss of our heavenly home. ~St. Rose of Viterbo
It is by the path of love, which is charity, that God draws near to man, and man to God. But where charity is not found, God cannot dwell. If, then, we possess charity, we possess God, for “God is Charity” ~St. Albert the Great
Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart? ~St. Gerard Majella
He loves, He hopes, He waits. If He came down on our altars on certain days only, some sinner, on being moved to repentance, might have to look for Him, and not finding Him, might have to wait. Our Lord prefers to wait Himself for the sinner for years rather than keep him waiting one instant. ~St. Julian Peter Eymard
To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it. ~Bl. Mother Teresa
He that sees another in error and endeavors not to correct it, testifies himself to be in error. ~Pope Leo I
If God created shadows it was to better emphasize the light ~Pope John XXIII
Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven. ~Pope St. Pius X
The family is the first essential cell of human society. ~Pope John XXIII
Divorce is born of perverted morals and leads to vicious habits ~Pope Leo XIII
Silence gives consent ~Pope Boniface VIII
Of all human activities, man’s listening to God is the supreme act of his reasoning and will. ~Pope Paul VI
The truth is not always the same as the majority decision. ~Pope John Paul II
The first reaction to truth is hatred ~Tertullian of Carthage
Whatever a man seeks, honors, or exalts more than God, this is the god of his idolatry. ~ Archbishop William Ullathorne
To understand how indispensable the Eucharist is to the practice of Christian chastity is to understand the meaning of Christianity. When Christ told us, “Without me, you can do nothing,” He meant this to be taken literally. Without the constant help of His grace to enlighten our darkened minds and strengthen our weak wills, all the moral precepts of the New Testament are so much pious rhetoric or religious jargon. ~Fr John Hardon S.J.
How I hate this folly of not believing in the Eucharist, etc.! If the gospel be true, if Jesus Christ be God, what difficulty is there? ~Blaise Pascal (Pensées)
Idolatry is committed, not merely by setting up false gods, but also by setting up false devils; by making men afraid of war or alcohol, or economic law, when they should be afraid of spiritual corruption and cowardice. ~G.K. Chesterton
The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it. ~Flannery O’Connor
Little by little, one travels far. ~J. R. R. Tolkien
Accumulating knowledge is a form of avarice and lends itself to another version of the Midas story …man [is] so avid for knowledge that everything that he touches turns to facts; his faith becomes theology; his love becomes lechery; his wisdom becomes science; pursuing meaning, he ignores truth. ~Malcolm Muggeridge
The world is filled with wisdom and inspiration, often encapsulated in simple yet profound quotes. In the realm of Catholicism, these quotes come from a rich history of Saints and Faithful who have dedicated their lives to serving God. In this article, we will delve into a collection of Catholic quotes that offer guidance, encouragement, and a deeper understanding of faith. As we explore each quote, we will uncover the timeless truths and lessons they impart.
St. Ignatius of Antioch: The Essence of the Catholic Church
“Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” – St. Ignatius of Antioch
St. Ignatius of Antioch reminds us that the presence of a bishop symbolizes the unity of the Catholic Church, which is inseparable from the presence of Jesus Christ Himself. This quote emphasizes the profound connection between the earthly church hierarchy and the divine, highlighting that the Church is the living body of Christ on Earth.
St. Athanasius: Recognizing the Divinity of Jesus
“Jesus, Whom I know as my Redeemer, cannot be less than God.” – St. Athanasius
St. Athanasius’ quote underscores the divinity of Jesus Christ. It serves as a powerful reminder of the core belief in Christianity: that Jesus is not merely a prophet or a teacher but the Son of God, our Redeemer. This recognition forms the foundation of our faith, affirming Jesus’ role in our salvation.
St. Maximilian Kolbe: Love for the Blessed Virgin
“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did, and If anyone does not wish to have Mary Immaculate for his mother, he will not have Christ for his brother.” – St. Maximilian Kolbe
St. Maximilian Kolbe’s words shed light on the significance of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in Catholicism. His quote encourages a deep and unwavering love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, emphasizing her role not only as the mother of Jesus but also as a spiritual mother to all believers. This love for Mary strengthens our connection to Christ.
St. Padre Pio: Trusting in Divine Providence
“Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Anxiety doesn’t help at all. Our Merciful Lord will listen to your prayer.” – St. Padre Pio
St. Padre Pio’s quote offers a profound lesson in trust and surrender to God’s will. It encourages us to replace anxiety with prayer and hope, believing that God, in His mercy, hears our prayers and provides for our needs. This quote reminds us that worry is fruitless when we have faith.
St. John Climacus: The Virtue of Humility
“Humility is the only virtue that no devil can imitate. If pride made demons out of angels, there is no doubt that humility could make angels out of demons.” – St. John Climacus
St. John Climacus’s quote underscores the importance of humility as a virtue. Humility, he suggests, is unique in its ability to counteract the destructive force of pride. It reminds us that even those who have fallen from grace can be redeemed through humility, transforming them into beings of light and goodness.
St. Jerome: The Pursuit of Excellence
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest. ‘Til your good is better and your better is best.” – St. Jerome
St. Jerome’s quote encourages us to continually strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives. It reminds us that complacency has no place in the pursuit of holiness and goodness. Instead, we should always aim to improve and become the best versions of ourselves.
St. Teresa of Avila: Confronting Our Past
“When the devil reminds you of your past… remind him of his future!” – St. Teresa of Avila
St. Teresa of Avila offers a witty and empowering perspective on dealing with the temptations and accusations of the devil. Her quote reminds us that dwelling on our past sins or mistakes only plays into the devil’s hands. Instead, we should focus on the hope and salvation that await us in the future.
St. John of the Cross: Finding Peace in Christ
“Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent.” – St. John of the Cross
St. John of the Cross’s quote encourages us to find solace in Christ’s suffering during our own difficult moments. By remembering the crucifixion, we gain perspective on our own trials and find the strength to endure them in silence, trusting in God’s plan.
St. Augustine of Hippo: God’s Unconditional Love
“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” – St. Augustine of Hippo
St. Augustine’s quote beautifully captures the essence of God’s boundless love. It reminds us that God’s love for each individual is immeasurable, personal, and unwavering. This profound love should inspire us to seek a closer relationship with Him.
St. Basil the Great: The Call to Generosity
“The bread in your box belongs to the hungry; the cloak in your closet belongs to the naked; the shoes you do not wear belong to the barefoot; the money in your vault belongs to the destitute . . .” – St. Basil the Great
St. Basil the Great’s quote emphasizes the importance of generosity and charity. It calls us to share our blessings with those in need, recognizing that our material possessions are resources to be used for the well-being of others. This quote challenges us to live out our faith through acts of love and kindness.
St. Faustina: Challenges on the Path to Holiness
“I know well that the greater and more beautiful the work is, the more terrible will be the storms that rage against it.” – St. Faustina
St. Faustina’s quote acknowledges that the pursuit of holiness and the spreading of God’s message will face opposition and challenges. It reminds us that difficulties should not deter us but instead serve as indicators of the significance of our mission.
St. Therese of Lisieux: True Charity and Patience
“True charity consists in putting up with all one’s neighbor’s faults, never being surprised by his weakness, and being inspired by the least of his virtues.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
St. Therese of Lisieux’s quote provides a profound perspective on charity. It challenges us to be patient and understanding, focusing on the virtues of others rather than their faults. This approach fosters a genuine love for our neighbors and promotes harmony within our communities.
St. John Mary Vianney: Choosing Between God and the World
“You cannot please both God and the world at the same time. They are utterly opposed to each other in their thoughts, their desires, and their actions.” – St. John Mary Vianney
St. John Mary Vianney’s quote draws a clear line between the pursuit of worldly desires and the commitment to God. It reminds us that true discipleship requires us to make a choice, as these two paths are fundamentally incompatible. To please God, we must detach from the allure of the world.
St. Anselm: Mary Immaculate, Mother of Sinners
“Mary was raised to the dignity of Mother of God rather for sinners than for the just, since Jesus Christ declares that he came to call not the just, but sinners.” – St. Anselm
St. Anselm’s quote highlights the redemptive role of Mary as the Mother of God. It emphasizes that Mary’s maternal love and intercession are especially meaningful to sinners seeking God’s mercy and forgiveness. This quote deepens our appreciation for Mary’s compassion.
St. Ignatius of Loyola: Obedience Born of Love
“It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey.” – St. Ignatius of Loyola
St. Ignatius of Loyola’s quote centers on the connection between love and obedience. It suggests that obedience becomes effortless when driven by love for God. This principle reminds us that our actions should be motivated by a genuine love for our Creator.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem: The Mystery of the Eucharist
“Since Christ Himself has said, ‘This is My Body,’ who shall dare to doubt that It is His Body?” – St. Cyril of Jerusalem
St. Cyril of Jerusalem’s quote addresses the profound mystery of the Eucharist, where bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. It calls us to have unwavering faith in this transformative sacrament, acknowledging the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
St. Thomas Aquinas: Faith Beyond Explanation
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” – St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas succinctly captures the essence of faith in his quote. It reminds us that faith goes beyond rational explanations; it is a gift that allows us to perceive the divine mysteries. Faith opens our hearts to the transcendent and helps us see what may be inexplicable to others.
St. Isaac Jogues: Trusting in God’s Work
“My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help for accomplishing his designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and to be faithful to him, and not to spoil his work by our shortcomings.” – St. Isaac Jogues
St. Isaac Jogues’ quote instills a sense of trust in God’s providence. It reminds us that God’s plans are perfect, and our role is to faithfully contribute to His work. We should not be discouraged by our limitations but instead commit ourselves wholeheartedly to His purpose.
St. Catherine of Sienna: Setting the World Ablaze
“If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!” – St. Catherine of Sienna
St. Catherine of Sienna’s quote challenges us to live up to our true calling. It suggests that when we embrace our vocation and purpose in life, we have the power to ignite positive change in the world. This quote inspires us to fulfill our potential and make a significant impact.
St. Dominic Savio: Serving a Rewarding Master
“Nothing seems tiresome or painful when you are working for a Master who pays well; who rewards even a cup of cold water given for love of Him.” – St. Dominic Savio
St. Dominic Savio’s quote reminds us that serving God is a rewarding endeavor. It encourages us to find joy in even the smallest acts of love and kindness performed for His sake. When we serve God, we receive abundant blessings in return.
St. Anthony of Padua: Wisdom from Unexpected Sources
“The creator of the heavens obeys a carpenter; the God of eternal glory listens to a poor virgin. Has anyone ever witnessed anything comparable to this? Let the philosopher no longer disdain from listening to the common laborer; the wise, to the simple; the educated, to the illiterate; a child of a prince, to a peasant.” – St. Anthony of Padua
St. Anthony of Padua’s quote challenges us to reevaluate our preconceptions. It emphasizes that divine wisdom and revelation can come from unexpected sources. We should be open to learning and receiving spiritual insights from people of all walks of life.
St. Francis of Assisi: The Power of a Single Candle
“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” – St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi’s quote reminds us of the enduring power of faith, hope, and love. No matter how pervasive darkness may seem, a single act of kindness or a glimmer of faith can dispel it. This quote inspires us to be beacons of light in a world that sometimes feels overshadowed by negativity.
In conclusion, these Catholic quotes from Saints and Faithful provide a treasure trove of wisdom, inspiration, and spiritual guidance. They encapsulate timeless truths and serve as beacons of faith in our journey through life. As we reflect on these quotes, may they inspire us to deepen our faith, live with purpose, and spread love and kindness to those around us. Share these quotes with others, for their messages are meant to be shared, cherished, and lived.