QUOTATION: Our Purpose in Life

Do not think that you live in this world to have fun, to become rich, to eat, drink and sleep. The end for which you were created in the first place is infinitely more noble and sublime: And it is this: To Love and Serve God in this life. And that way save your soul.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Away from Communion

The longer you stay away from Communion, the more your soul will become weak, and in the end you will become dangerously indifferent.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Citizenship

"Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.” Therefore, according to the Gospel, any citizen can be a good Catholic – that is, side with Jesus Christ and the Pope, and do good to his fellow men – and at the same time side with Caesar, namely, observe the laws of the land, except when the rulers persecute religion or tyrannize the consciences and minds of citizens.

-- St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Mortification

Your mortification should be your diligence in doing your duties and in putting up with the annoyances of others.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: The Power of Evil Men

The power of evil men lives on the cowardice of the good.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: The Three Enemies of Man

Three enemies of man: Death, which overtakes him by surprise; Time, which keeps slipping by; the Devil, who seeks to ensnare him.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: The Devil's Shaming

The usual snare with which the devil catches the young is to fill them with shame when they are about to confess their sins. When he pushes them to commit sins, he removes all shame, as if there were nothing wrong with it, but when they are going to confession, he returns that shame magnified and tries to convince them that the priest will be shocked by their sins and will no longer think well of them. Thus the devil tries to drive souls to the brink of eternal damnation. Oh, how many lads does Satan steal from God – sometimes forever – by this trick.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Vocation

It is important that you choose your career with care, so that you may really follow the vocation that God has destined for you. No day should pass without some prayer to this end. Often repeat with St. Paul: "Lord, what will you have me do?"

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Petitioning God

The best time to ask and obtain favors from God is the time of the Elevation.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Obedience

Many people [in authority] oppose us, persecute us, and would like even to destroy us, but we must be patient. As long as their commands are not against our conscience, let us obey them, but when the case is otherwise, let us uphold the rights of God and of the Church, for those are superior to all earthly authority.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Persecutors Come and Go

All past persecutors of the Church are now no more, but the Church still lives on. The same fate awaits modern persecutors; they, too, will pass on, but the Church of Jesus Christ will always remain, for God has pledged His Word to protect Her and be with Her forever, until the end of time.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Health

Health is God’s great gift, and we must spend it entirely for Him. Our eyes should see only for God, our feet walk only for Him, our hands labor for Him alone; in short, our entire body should serve God while we still have the time. Then, when He shall take our health and we shall near our last day, our conscience will not reproach us for having misused it.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Humility

A good Christian should be humble as was Jesus Christ, Who knelt down to wash the feet of His apostles. He washed even Judas’ feet, although He knew that the traitor was going to betray Him. The true Christian should consider himself to be the least among others and the servant of all.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Scandal

Woe to those who give scandal! The guardian angels of their innocent victims will cry out for vengeance to God.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Your Guardian Angel

How many people in mortal sin were saved from death by their angel, that they might have a chance for confession!

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Frequent Communion

I would like to rid you of a false notion quite common…that you have to be a saint to receive often. This is a lie, a fraud. Communion is not primarily for saints, but for those who want to become saints. It’s the sick and the weak who need medicine and food.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Good and Evil

I have…seen many die, but I have never yet seen anyone who regretted at that moment that he had done too much good or who felt happy that he had lead an evil life. The reason is obvious, and you should never forget it, my dear sons. Evil may please momentarily, but it leaves us nothing but remorse. On the contrary, the good we do, not only gladdens us then and there, but also gives us a lifelong feeling of contentment. Which of the two will please us more at the moment of death?

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Death in the State of Grace

When the just man dies, God, whom he has loved and served, together with the Blessed Virgin, hastens to assist him, consoles him in his agony, fills him with courage, confidence, and resignation, and leads him triumphantly into heaven.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Self-Satisfaction

If you happen to be doing some good, the devil and your own sense of self-satisfaction will tell you that you’ve probably done more than enough already; maybe people will even tag you as a fanatic and over scrupulous. At death, though, the good you have done will seem so slight that you will realize you have been deceived. Strive to be aware of this now.

--St. John Bosco

QUOTATION: Pleasure

Enjoy yourself as much as you like – if only you keep from sin.

--St. John Bosco