QUOTATION: Zeal

I have learned that zeal is an ardent and violent love that needs to be wisely controlled. Otherwise it might go beyond the limits of modesty and discretion. Not because divine love, however violent, can be excessive in itself, nor in the movements and inclinations it gives to our spirits, but because our understanding fails to choose the proper means or else uses them in a disorderly manner. Uncontrolled zeal takes us over rough and wild roads; moved by anger it fails to keep within the bounds of reason and pushes the heart into disorder. This is how zeal acts indiscreetly, intemperately, so that it becomes evil and reprehensible.

--St. Anthony Mary Claret

QUOTATION: Chastity

In a fight between vice and a man of vice, vice wins and pins the man down. This is why continence and chastity are praised so highly: because they enable a man to abstain from the pleasures and delights that nature and passion offer him.

--St. Anthony Mary Claret, Autobiography

QUOTATION: A Good Christian is Like a Dog

The dog is more loyal than a son, more obedient than a servant, and more docile than a child. Not only does he willingly do what his master orders, but he scans his master's face to tell from his looks what he wants, so that he can do it without being told to, with the greatest alacrity and joy. He even shares his master's affections, becoming a friend of his friends and an enemy of his enemies. I should practice all these beautiful traits in serving God, my beloved Master. Yes, I shall gladly do what He commands me, and I shall study to know and do his will without waiting for a command. I shall promptly and gladly do all that He disposes through his representatives, my superiors. I shall be a friend of the friends of God, and I shall treat his enemies as He tells me, barking out against their wickedness to make them leave it.

The dog watches by day and redoubles his vigilance by night. He guards the person and the property of his master. He barks at and bites all those he knows or suspects are planning to harm his master or his master's interests. I should strive to be always vigilant, and denounce vices, faults, and sins, and cry out against the enemies of the soul.

The dog's greatest joy is to be in his master's presence and walk along beside him. I shall strive always to walk joyfully in the presence of God, my dear Master. Thus I will never sin and will become perfect, according to his word: "Walk in my presence and be blameless.'' (Gen. 17:1).

--St. Anthony Mary Claret, Autobiography

QUOTATION: Love and Evangelization

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

QUOTATION: Mortification

I know that in a single act of mortification one may practice many other virtues, depending on the different intentions one has in performing each act. Thus, for example:

1. One who mortifies his body to check concupiscence performs an act of the virtue of temperance.

2. If he does so to set his life in proper order, he performs an act of the virtue of prudence.

3. If he does so to make satisfaction for his past sins, he performs an act of justice.

4. If he does so to overcome difficulties in his spiritual life, he performs an act of fortitude.

5. If he does so to offer sacrifice to God by depriving himself of something pleasant and doing something bitter or repugnant to himself, he performs an act of the virtue of religion.

6. If he does so to receive greater enlightenment in understanding the attributes of God, he performs an act of faith.

7. If he does so to make his salvation more secure, he performs an act of hope.

8. If he does so to help convert sinners or to free the souls in purgatory, he performs an act of fraternal charity.

9. If he does so to have more to give the poor, he performs an act of the virtue of mercy.

10. If he does so to please God more and more, he performs an act of love of God.

In every act of mortification I can practice all ten of these virtues, depending on the intention I form in doing the action.

--St. Anthony Mary Claret, Autobiography

QUOATION: Zeal

My God, give me a zeal that is discreet and prudent so that I may do everything strongly yet
sweetly, meekly yet thoroughly.

--St. Anthony Mary Claret

QUOTATION: Poverty

When one is poor and really wants to be poor, freely and not by force, then he enjoys the sweetness of poverty. Moreover, God will take care of him in one of two ways --either by moving the hearts of those who have something to give so that they will give it to him, or else by helping him live without eating.

--St. Anthony Mary Claret

QUOTATION: You Only Own Sin

I have recognized quite clearly that all that I can call truly my own is sin. If I am or have anything else, I have received it all from God.

--St. Anthony Mary Claret, Autobiography

QUOTATION: Warning About Hell

If I saw anyone about to fall into a pit or a fire, would I not run up to him and warn him, and do all in my power to help him from falling in? Why should I not do this much to keep sinners from falling into the pit and fires of Hell?

Neither can I understand why other priests who believe the selfsame truths as I do, as we all must do, do not preach or exhort their flock so that they might avoid this unbearable eternity of Hell. It is still a source of wonder to me how the laity - those men and women blessed with the Faith - do not give warning to those who need it. If a house were to catch fire in the middle of the night, and if the inhabitants of the same house and the other townsfolk were asleep and did not see the danger, would not the one who first noticed it shout and run along the streets, exclaiming: "Fire! Fire! In that house over there!" Then why should there not be a warning of eternal fire to waken those who are drifting in the sleep of sin in such a way that when they open their eyes they will find themselves burning in the eternal flames of Hell?

--St. Anthony Mary Claret, Autobiograpy

QUOTATION: Loss of Souls

A multitude of souls fall into the depths of Hell, and it is of the faith that all who die in mortal sin are condemned for ever and ever. According to statistics, approximately 80,000 persons die every day. How many of these will die in mortal sin, and how many will be condemned! For, as their lives have been, so also will be their end.

--St. Anthony Mary Claret