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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

Analyzing “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

Simple Explanation

Quick Insights

The quote emphasizes the importance of unity and leadership in the Christian community.
It suggests that the presence of the bishop is a sign of the Church’s presence.
The bishop is seen as a representative of Jesus Christ.
The multitude, or the congregation, should gather around their bishop.
This gathering symbolizes the unity of the Church.
The quote underscores the significance of the bishop’s role in maintaining the Church’s integrity.

Thorough Examination

The quote by St. Ignatius of Antioch, “Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church,” is a profound statement about the structure and unity of the early Christian Church. St. Ignatius was one of the earliest Church Fathers, and his writings provide valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of early Christians. This quote is particularly significant because it highlights the role of the bishop in the Church and the importance of unity among believers.

In the early Church, bishops played a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and unity of the Christian community. They were seen as successors to the apostles and were responsible for teaching the faith, administering the sacraments, and providing spiritual guidance to their congregations. The quote suggests that the presence of the bishop is a sign of the Church’s presence, and that wherever the bishop is, the Church is also present. This emphasizes the importance of the bishop’s role in representing the Church and its teachings.

The phrase “there let the multitude also be” indicates that the congregation should gather around their bishop. This gathering is not just a physical assembly but a spiritual one as well. It symbolizes the unity of the Church and the shared faith of its members. By coming together under the leadership of the bishop, the congregation affirms its commitment to the teachings of the Church and its unity with other Christians.

The comparison “even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church” further emphasizes the importance of unity and leadership in the Church. Just as Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, the bishop is the head of the local congregation. The presence of the bishop is a visible sign of the Church’s presence, just as the presence of Jesus Christ is a spiritual sign of the Church’s presence. This comparison underscores the significance of the bishop’s role in maintaining the Church’s integrity and unity.

The quote also highlights the importance of the bishop’s teaching authority. As a successor to the apostles, the bishop is responsible for teaching the faith and interpreting Scripture. His teachings are seen as authoritative and binding on the congregation. By gathering around the bishop, the congregation acknowledges his teaching authority and commits itself to following his guidance.

The unity of the Church is a central theme in the quote. The phrase “there is the Catholic Church” emphasizes the universality of the Church. The term “Catholic” comes from the Greek word “katholikos,” which means “universal.” The quote suggests that the Church is not limited to a particular time or place but is present wherever believers gather around their bishop. This universality is a source of strength and unity for the Church.

The quote also has implications for the structure of the Church. It suggests that the Church is hierarchical, with the bishop at the head of the local congregation. This hierarchy is not just an organizational structure but a spiritual one as well. The bishop’s authority comes from his role as a successor to the apostles and a representative of Jesus Christ. This hierarchy is seen as a means of maintaining the Church’s unity and integrity.

The quote has practical applications for the life of the Church today. It reminds us of the importance of unity and leadership in the Christian community. Just as the early Church gathered around their bishops, so too should Christians today gather around their spiritual leaders. This gathering is a sign of our unity with other believers and our commitment to the teachings of the Church.

The quote also reminds us of the importance of the bishop’s teaching authority. In a world where there are many competing voices and opinions, the bishop’s teachings provide a clear and authoritative guide for the Christian life. By following the bishop’s guidance, we can be confident that we are following the teachings of the Church and the example of Jesus Christ.

The quote has implications for ecumenical dialogue as well. It reminds us that the Church is not limited to a particular denomination or tradition but is present wherever believers gather around their spiritual leaders. This universality is a source of hope and encouragement for those who seek to overcome the divisions within the Christian community.

The quote also has implications for the role of the laity in the Church. While the bishop is the head of the local congregation, the laity also have an important role to play in the life of the Church. By gathering around their bishop, the laity affirm their commitment to the teachings of the Church and their unity with other believers. This gathering is a sign of their active participation in the life of the Church.

The quote has implications for the role of the clergy as well. As representatives of Jesus Christ, the clergy have a responsibility to teach the faith and provide spiritual guidance to their congregations. The quote reminds us that the clergy’s authority comes from their role as successors to the apostles and representatives of Jesus Christ. This authority is a source of strength and unity for the Church.

In conclusion, the quote by St. Ignatius of Antioch is a profound statement about the structure and unity of the early Christian Church. It highlights the importance of the bishop’s role in maintaining the Church’s integrity and unity, and it reminds us of the importance of gathering around our spiritual leaders. The quote has practical applications for the life of the Church today, and it provides a source of hope and encouragement for those who seek to overcome the divisions within the Christian community.

Logical Analysis

Quick Insights

The quote suggests a hierarchical structure within the Church.
The bishop is seen as a symbol of unity and authority.
The presence of the bishop signifies the presence of the Church.
The multitude gathering around the bishop represents unity and faith.
The comparison to Jesus Christ emphasizes the bishop’s role as a leader.
The quote implies that the Church’s integrity depends on the bishop’s leadership.

Thorough Examination

The quote by St. Ignatius of Antioch can be analyzed logically to understand the hierarchical structure and the significance of leadership within the early Christian Church. The statement “Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be” implies a clear chain of command and a central figure around whom the community should rally. This structure is not merely organizational but also spiritual, reflecting the early Church’s belief in the importance of unity and authority.

The bishop, as the central figure, is seen as a symbol of unity and authority. His presence is not just physical but also represents the spiritual presence of the Church. This is emphasized by the phrase “even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” The comparison to Jesus Christ underscores the bishop’s role as a leader and a representative of the divine. This logical structure ensures that the teachings and practices of the Church are consistent and authoritative.

The phrase “there let the multitude also be” suggests that the congregation should gather around the bishop. This gathering is not just a physical assembly but a spiritual one as well. It symbolizes the unity of the Church and the shared faith of its members. By coming together under the leadership of the bishop, the congregation affirms its commitment to the teachings of the Church and its unity with other Christians. This logical structure ensures that the Church remains cohesive and united in its beliefs and practices.

In conclusion, the quote by St. Ignatius of Antioch can be analyzed logically to understand the hierarchical structure and the significance of leadership within the early Christian Church. It highlights the importance of the bishop’s role in maintaining the Church’s integrity and unity, and it reminds us of the importance of gathering around our spiritual leaders. The quote has practical applications for the life of the Church today, and it provides a source of hope and encouragement for those who seek to overcome the divisions within the Christian community.

Practical Applications

Quick Insights

The quote emphasizes the importance of leadership in maintaining unity.
It suggests that spiritual leaders should be visible and accessible.
The bishop’s role is crucial in teaching and guiding the congregation.
Unity within the Church is strengthened by gathering around leaders.
The quote can be applied to modern Church structures and leadership.
It reminds us of the significance of authority in spiritual matters.

Thorough Examination

The quote by St. Ignatius of Antioch has significant practical applications for the Christian community today. The emphasis on the bishop’s role in maintaining unity and integrity within the Church is a timeless principle that can be applied to modern Church structures and leadership. The quote reminds us that leadership is not just about authority but also about visibility and accessibility.

In today’s Church, spiritual leaders play a crucial role in teaching and guiding their congregations. Just as the bishop in the early Church was responsible for teaching the faith and interpreting Scripture, modern spiritual leaders have a similar responsibility. They must be visible and accessible to their congregations, providing guidance and support in matters of faith and life. This practical application ensures that the Church’s teachings are consistent and authoritative.

The quote also emphasizes the importance of unity within the Church. The phrase “there let the multitude also be” suggests that the congregation should gather around their spiritual leaders. This gathering is not just a physical assembly but a spiritual one as well. It symbolizes the unity of the Church and the shared faith of its members. By coming together under the leadership of their spiritual leaders, the congregation affirms its commitment to the teachings of the Church and its unity with other believers. This practical application ensures that the Church remains cohesive and united in its beliefs and practices.

The comparison “even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church” further emphasizes the importance of unity and leadership in the Church. Just as Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, spiritual leaders are the heads of their local congregations. Their presence is a visible sign of the Church’s presence, just as the presence of Jesus Christ is a spiritual sign of the Church’s presence. This comparison underscores the significance of spiritual leaders’ roles in maintaining the Church’s integrity and unity. This practical application ensures that the Church’s teachings and practices are consistent and authoritative.

The quote also highlights the importance of teaching authority. Spiritual leaders, as successors to the apostles, are responsible for teaching the faith and interpreting Scripture. Their teachings are seen as authoritative and binding on the congregation. By gathering around their spiritual leaders, the congregation acknowledges their teaching authority and commits itself to following their guidance. This practical application ensures that the Church’s teachings are consistent and authoritative.

The unity of the Church is a central theme in the quote. The phrase “there is the Catholic Church” emphasizes the universality of the Church. The term “Catholic” comes from the Greek word “katholikos,” which means “universal.” The quote suggests that the Church is not limited to a particular time or place but is present wherever believers gather around their spiritual leaders. This universality is a source of strength and unity for the Church. This practical application ensures that the Church remains cohesive and united in its beliefs and practices.

The quote also has implications for the structure of the Church. It suggests that the Church is hierarchical, with spiritual leaders at the head of their local congregations. This hierarchy is not just an organizational structure but a spiritual one as well. Spiritual leaders’ authority comes from their role as successors to the apostles and representatives of Jesus Christ. This hierarchy is seen as a means of maintaining the Church’s unity and integrity. This practical application ensures that the Church’s teachings and practices are consistent and authoritative.

The quote also reminds us of the importance of teaching authority. In a world where there are many competing voices and opinions, spiritual leaders’ teachings provide a clear and authoritative guide for the Christian life. By following their guidance, we can be confident that we are following the teachings of the Church and the example of Jesus Christ. This practical application ensures that the Church’s teachings are consistent and authoritative.

The quote also has implications for the role of the laity in the Church. While spiritual leaders are the heads of their local congregations, the laity also have an important role to play in the life of the Church. By gathering around their spiritual leaders, the laity affirm their commitment to the teachings of the Church and their unity with other believers. This gathering is a sign of their active participation in the life of the Church. This practical application ensures that the Church remains cohesive and united in its beliefs and practices.

In conclusion, the quote by St. Ignatius of Antioch has significant practical applications for the Christian community today. It emphasizes the importance of leadership in maintaining unity and integrity within the Church. The quote reminds us that spiritual leaders should be visible and accessible, providing guidance and support to their congregations. It also highlights the importance of unity and teaching authority in the Church. The quote has implications for modern Church structures, ecumenical dialogue, and the roles of the laity and clergy. It provides a source of hope and encouragement for those who seek to overcome the divisions within the Christian community.

Catholic Quotes and Sayings: Wisdom from Saints and Faithful

Analyzing “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

Simple Explanation

Quick Insights

Thorough Examination

Logical Analysis

Quick Insights

Thorough Examination

Practical Applications

Quick Insights

Thorough Examination

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