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January 30

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you."

~Philippians 4:8-9

January 29

"The way to destroy bad habits is by watchfulness and by doing often those things that are opposites to one's besetting sins."

~St. John Vianney

For Reflection: What one bad habit is the Holy Spirit giving me the grace to overcome (Hint: Which sin do I/should I confess most often?)? What virtue is the opposite of it? In what three ways can I begin to exercise that virtue to help eradicate this "besetting sin?"

(Quote from Graceful Living)

January 28

St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor (1225 – 1274)

 “Whoever wishes to live perfectly should do nothing but disdain what Christ disdained on the cross and desire what he desired, for the cross exemplifies every virtue.”

January 27

Feast of St. Angela Merici, Virgin (1470 – 1540)

  “Mothers and sisters most dear to me in Christ: in the first place strive with all your power and zeal to be open. With the help of God, try to receive such good counsel that, led solely by the love of God and an eagerness to save souls, you may fulfill your charge.Only if the responsibilities committed to you are rooted in this twofold charity will they bear beneficial and saving fruit.”

--St. Angela Merici

January 26

Feast of Sts. Timothy and Titus

“As for you, be steady and self-possessed; put up with hardship, perform your work as an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

 January 25

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

“I am content with weakness, with mistreatment, with distress, with persecutions, and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:10

January 24

Feast of St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor (1567 – 1622)

 “Our business is to love what God would have done. He wills our vocation as it is.  Let us love that and not trifle away our time hankering after other people’s vocations.”

January 23

"Do not accept anything as the truth if it lacks love. And do not accept anything as love which lacks truth! One without the other becomes a destructive lie."

--St. John Paul II at the canonization of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)

January 22 Feast of St. Vincent, Deacon and Martyr

"Against Christ's army the world arrays a twofold battle line. It offers temptation to lead us astray; it strikes terror into us to break our spirit. At both of these approaches, Christ rushes to our aid, and the Christian is not conquered."

--From a homily of St. Augustine on St. Vincent

January 21 Feast of St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr (CA. 291 - CA. 304)

"I will be his who first chose me for himself." St. Agnes at her martyrdom