Posts

769-816 of 1836
Libermann to Collin, 29.01.1845. NDVII, p.37
Self-love, self-centredness and pride in one's achievements are enemies which can only be overcome by despising them. The more you take notice of these movements, the more they will dominate… fr pt
Cf. Glose 124-5.
The union that should reign between us must be a union of spirit and a union of heart. The union of mind must not consist of wishing to subjugate others… fr pt
SRL 89
In every facet of our lives, but particularly in our prayer, Mary is our model of willing obedience and faithfulness. We offer her veneration and prayer so that we may,… fr pt
Cf. Notes and Documents, IV, 295-6, 1843.
We must bend and be very flexible to lead souls, following the different states, directing them continuously, taking all forms and all ways that suit them, in order to support… fr pt
Rule of 1734, repeating the Règlements of Poullart des Places
This Congregation is consecrated to the Holy Spirit under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, conceived without sin. Therefore, the feasts of Pentecost and the Immaculate Conception will be… fr pt
Cf. Notes and Documents, I, 143, 1830.
Well, go, run, and throw yourself into the arms of this beloved and Holy Mother. Go and tell her with confidence, simplicity, tenderness and love “O my good Mother you… fr pt
Second Vatican Council, "Ad Gentes", no.1
Having been divinely sent to the nations that she might be "the universal sacrament of salvation", the Church, in obedience to the command of her founder (Mt 16 :15) and… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, IV, 458, 1847.
Lose your judgement in the general opinion. Tenacity to one’s own ideas is one of the greatest evil for people who ought to live together in the peace and charity… fr pt
Maynooth 4:16
Conflict, racialism and the cult of the individual are all too preva-lent in the world of today. By coming together from so many different places and cultures, we are saying… fr pt
Cf. Notes and Documents, IV, 295-6, 1843.
Always remember that gentleness and persuasion penetrate souls, and that firmness and rigour obtain only external change. fr pt
Joseph Shanahan to Sister Columba, 20.02.1933. II, p.205
Strange to say I thought our Lord Himself nearer to me in Nigeria. The continued miracle of the visible effects of his Divine Grace in ourselves and in all those… pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, IV, 458, 1847.
Be full of affection, gentleness and openness with Superiors to make their burden easy to carry. Live together in union and in the most perfect peace. fr pt
P. Joaquim Alves Pereira: "A Largueza do Reino de Deus"
Tolerance is not a new virtue that is suspect and infected with liberalism; it is one of the fundamental virtues of Christianity. It is es-sentially made up of loving patience.… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, IV, 182, 1844.
It is a general rule that we should not be too much in a hurry. We know that we can do nothing. Rely on God alone and do not hurry.… fr pt
Libermann to the community of Dakar, November 1847. NDIX, p.330-331
Don't jump to conclusions and don't judge according to what you are used to in Europe. Forget about Europe, its customs, its ways of thinking; you have to make yourselves… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, IV, 313, 1846.
We must not hope for results right from the beginning, but after some time. There are countries where the fruits will be more abundant, whereas in others the fruits will… fr pt
Libermann to the community at Cap des Palmes, January 1844. NDVI, p.3
An apostle of Jesus Christ can never be put off by obstacles. Accept them patiently but always persevere with projects that are clearly conducive to the glory of God and… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, I, 27, 1837.
If we really love God, we seek for him with much more ardour after we have made some mistakes. The bigger the fault, the more our love for him has… fr pt
Libermann to the Community of Dakar, 19.11.1847. NDIX, p.325
God has built his work on his all-powerful will and his divine mercy. He gives it life through his grace and love, a foundation that I have no doubt will… fr pt
Cf. Commentary of Saint John, 119, 1940.
We only have to follow the example of Our Lord, to be faithful in doing everything that depends on us, and to help the divine Providence as it provides the… fr pt
Léopold de Régnier in his last letter to Libermann. NDV, p.263
If we could start all over again, I would do it a thousand times more. I would not change my place for all the goods in the world. Please, notify… fr pt
Cf. Commentary of Saint John, 119, 1940.
It is an admirable thing to see, how the divine Providence takes care of the circumstances for the execution of his plans for the salvation of souls. We therefore do… fr pt
Libermann: Commentary on St. John, 4:15
Jesus, give me this water to satisfy my soul; without it, I am likely to give in to passions and seek sustenance from earthly goods. My pas-sions are very much… fr pt
Cf. Spiritual Letters, IV, 137, 1844.
Be kind to sinners, be kind to yourself, humble and peaceful in the presence of God, patient in all the evils that surround you. You will see, God will help… fr pt
Pontifical Council for the Instruments of Social Communication: Communio et Progressio, January, 1971. no.17
Every communication must comply with certain essential require-ments, and these are sincerity, honesty and truthfulness. Good intentions and a clear conscience do not thereby make a communication sound and reliable.… fr pt
Cf. Glose 67.
Our principal virtue is the zeal for the salvation of souls. The purpose of our vocation is not the question of practicing poverty, it must be for us, a means… fr pt
John Paul II: Ecclesia in Africa, no.95
The Synod Fathers affirmed that today, more than ever before, there is a need to form future priests in the true cultural values of their country, in a sense of… fr pt
Cf. Notes and Documents, X, 540, 1849.
True charity will be effective. We will not be contented to have it in the heart. It must be manifested by the intimate relationships that one will have with all… fr pt
"We may safely say that by this internationality, we shall make our-selves a much clearer sign of what Mission is all about: bringing to-gether, reconciling in Christ, breaking down walls.…
Cf. Spiritual Letters, IV, 137, 1844.
Be always full of reverence to the priests who do not do their duty. We must win them and not to be embittered against them. If we are irritated against… fr pt
"Nothing can be too good for the orphans. These children, deprived of the joys of family life, should find a new family, by way of compen-sation, in the Oeuvre d'Auteuil.…
Cf. Notes and Documents, VI, 446, 1844.
We have happiness in us when we possess God. fr pt
"If we see the rights to life and essential needs of the poor being trampled on, we must speak out and condemn the perpetrators- even if the world of the…
Cf. Notes and Documents, II, 287, 1845.
The missionaries will exercise great kindness especially towards the most hardened sinners, towards the feeble souls and the sick, and not towards the vices or the inclinations which hold them… fr pt
Libermann: Presentation of the "Memorandum on Missions", 15.08.1846. NDVIII, p.219-220
It is relatively easy to undertake a mission and to try to be success-ful with the grace of God. But to draw all one's resources together to increase, spread and… fr pt
Cf. Notes and Documents, IX, 248, 1847.
Never a man in the world is capable of forcing either the consciences, the will, or the intelligences of his fellow human being. God did not want to do it,… fr pt
"As Our Lord talked to this sinful woman, he was touching her heart with his grace and gradually bringing her enlightenmentÀShe un-derstood nothing of what he was saying; she just…
Cf. Notes and Documents, IX, 248, 1847.
In general you must cultivate a liking for everyone regardless of their opinions on religious principles and their opinion about yourselves. They must be given the freedom to think and… fr pt
"In our communities, each and all are looked upon as confreres re-ceived from the Lord. Each individual, young, old, in sickness and in health, has gifts from which all draw…
Cf. Notes and Documents, X, 125, 1848.
We will do all that we can to develop this Christian charity between the rich and the poor people, the White and Black people, which makes all men consider themselves… fr pt
"Union with God can be found in two ways: in practical union in reference to our everyday acts and habits, and in the contemplative union of mental prayer. Practical unionÀ…
Cf. Notes and Documents X, 517, 1849.
The conduct of missionaries must always be directed by gentleness and a holy prudence, avoiding to act with so much vivacity against the oppressors, for fear of irritating them more. fr pt
"As with the four preceeding directors of Auteuil, you will find in me a great readiness and desire to be useful to you, to help you through life at a…
Cf. Spiritual Letters, IV, 137, 1844.
Avoid bitterness against sinners. Dilate your souls when you see sinners. Getting irritated of their most abominable sins would be to act in a way opposed to the behaviour of… fr pt
"In spiritual direction, it is a basic principle to avoid leading people to one's own ideas and ways of acting. Any attachment to this sort of thing can have disastrous…
Cf. Notes and Documents, X, 517, 1849.
Missionaries will avoid some unworthy defects of an apostolic man such as: arrogant manners, contemptuous, mockery, indifferences, and all the manners of this kind that the men of this world… fr pt
"At the beginning of January, 1847, Rome gave the Congregation Mgr. Truffet as its first Vicar Apostolic; before the end of the year, the society had lost this holy bishop.…
Cf. Notes and Documents, X, 516, 1849.
In general, the tender love of missionaries for the men, will prompt them not to miss any opportunity to do good to them, not only the good that goes directly… fr pt
769-816 of 1836