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.

Anthony of Padua

Categorized in : Children Wise Simple

Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.

Anthony of Padua

actions-speak-louder-than-words teach saint

The devil is afraid of us when we pray and make sacrifices. He is also afraid when we are humble and good. He is especially afraid when we love Jesus very much. He runs away when we make the Sign of the Cross.

Anthony of Padua

humble running jesus

The life of the body is the soul; the life of the soul is God.

Anthony of Padua

saint body soul

Learn to love humility, for it will cover all your sins. All sins are repulsive before God, but the most repulsive of all is pride of the heart. Do not consider yourself learned and wise; otherwise, all your efforts will be destroyed, and your boat will reach the harbor empty. If you have great authority, do not threaten anyone with death. Know that, according to nature, you too are susceptible to death, and that every soul sheds its body as its final garment.

Anthony of Padua

god wise heart

The spirit of humility is sweeter than honey, and those who nourish themselves with this honey produce sweet fruit.

Anthony of Padua

catholic humility sweet

Charity is the soul of faith, makes it alive; without love, faith dies.

Anthony of Padua

charity alive soul

Attribute to God every good that you have received. If you take credit for something that does not belong to you, you will be guilty of theft.

Anthony of Padua

credit saint doe

He prays best who does not know that he is praying.

Anthony of Padua

praying prayer doe

We are formed by environment and grace, by politics and prayer, by church and conscience. All God's creatures conspire to teach us as well. We stumble. We stutter. We rise. We are lifted.

Anthony of Padua

grace prayer character

Christians must lean on the Cross of Christ just as travelers lean on a staff when they begin a long journey.

Anthony of Padua

journey christian long

Seek refuge in Mary because she is the city of refuge. We know that Moses set up three cities of refuge for anyone who inadvertently killed his neighbor. Now the Lord has established a refuge of mercy, Mary, even for those who deliberately commit evil. Mary provides shelter and strength for the sinner.

Anthony of Padua

cities religious evil

Earthly riches are like the reed. Its roots are sunk in the swamp, and its exterior is fair to behold; but inside it is hollow. If a man leans on such a reed, it will snap off and pierce his soul.

Anthony of Padua

inspiration faith men

Men will surrender to the spirit of the age. They will say that if they had lived in our day, faith would be simple and easy. But in their day, they will say, things are complex; the Church must be brought up to date and made meaningful to the day's problems.

Anthony of Padua

simple meaningful men

Regret not that which is past; and trust not to thine own righteousness.

Anthony of Padua

righteousness regret past

The birds are the saints, who fly to heaven on the wings of contemplation, who are so removed from the world that they have no business on earth. They do not labour, but by contemplation alone they already live in heaven.

Anthony of Padua

wings bird heaven

Our thoughts ought by instinct to fly upwards from animals, men and natural objects to their creator. If created things are so utterly lovely, how gloriously beautiful must he be who made them! The wisdom of the worker is revealed in his handiwork.

Anthony of Padua

animal beautiful men

The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ.

Anthony of Padua

stars shining heart

Anyone, then, who desires to live chastely in Christ Jesus, must flee not only the mouse of lust, but even from its very scent.

Anthony of Padua

religious christian god

The prayer of the monk is not perfect until he no longer recognizes himself or the fact that he is praying.

Anthony of Padua

prayer spiritual perfect

O name of Mary! Joy in the heart, honey in the mouth, melody to the ear of Her devout clients!

Anthony of Padua

names heart joy