St. Philip Neri said.....

[Denise]

"In our clothes we ought, like St. Bernard, to love poverty, but not filthiness."

[Denise]

"He who wishes to advance in spirituality, should never slur over his defects negligently without particular examination of conscience, even independent of the time of sacramental confession."

[Denise]

A man should not so attach himself to the means as to forget the end; neither must we give ourselves so much to mortify the flesh as to forget to mortify the brain, which is the chief thing after all.

[Denise]

"We ought to desire the virtues of prelates, cardinals, and popes, but not their dignities."

[Denise]

"The skin of self-love is fastened strongly on our hearts, and it hurts us to flay it off, and the more we get down to the quick, the more keen and difficult it is."

[Denise]

"This first step, which we ought to have taken of ourselves already, we have always in our mind, yet never put it in execution."

[Denise]

"A man ought to set about putting his good resolutions in practice, and not change them lightly."

[Denise]

"We must not omit our ordinary devotions for every trifling occasion that may come in the way, such as going to confession on our fixed days, and particularly hearing Mass on weekdays; if we wish to go out walking, or anything of that sort, let us make our confession, and perform our usual exercises first, and then go."

[Denise]

"It is very useful for those who minister the word of God, or give themselves up to prayer, to read the works of authors whose names begin with S, such as Saint Augustine, Saint Bernard, etc."

[Denise]

"Nothing more glorious can happen to a Christian than to suffer for Christ."

[Denise]

"There is no surer or clearer proof of the love of God than adversity."

[Denise]

"When God intends to grant a man any particular virtue, it is His way to let him be tempted to the opposite vice."

[Denise]

"Persons who live in the world should persevere in coming to church to hear sermons, and remember to read spiritual books, especially the Lives of the Saints."

[Denise]

"When temptation comes, a man should remember the sweetnesses he has had in prayer at other times, and he will thus easily master the temptation."

[Denise]

"The fervor of spirituality is usually very great in the beginning, but afterwards, the Lord fingit se longius ire, makes as though He would go farther; in such a case we must stand firm and not be disturbed, because God is then withdrawing His most holy Hand of sweetnesses, to see if we are strong; and then, if we resist and overcome those tribulations and temptations, the sweetnesses and heavenly consolations return."