Quotes of the Early Fathers and Christians of the Church (33AD to 750AD)

Why rely on yourself and fall? Cast yourself upon His arm. Be not afraid. He will not let you slip. Cast yourself in confidence. He will receive you and heal you.

St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430AD) on Divine Mercy
Mini-Bio: North African; bishop, theologian, Doctor of the Church

Saints throughout the Age of the Church

The task of the catechist is to take up one or other of the truths of faith or of Christian morality, and then explain it in all its parts; and since amendment of life is the chief aim of his instruction, the catechist must then make a comparison between what God commands us to do and what is our actual conduct. After this, he will use examples appropriately taken from the Holy Scriptures, Church history and the lives of the saints -- thus moving his hearers and clearly pointing out to them how they are to regulate their own conduct.

Pope St. Pius X (1835-1914AD) on Catechesis
Mini-Bio: pope: (1903-1914) Italian; pope, reformer. Created a special congregation of cardinals to look at formation of a new code of canon law.

Holy Quotes from the Popes of the Church

Mary is the clearest and surest sign that God always comes to us with His love. She sings with all her being that whatever we receive from God is grace. The Virgin is our true teacher in the journey of faith.

Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005AD)
Mini-Bio: pope: (1978 - 2005) Polish; The most traveled pope in history. During his papacy he has issued many letters clarifying and safeguarding the Churches teachings in moral areas. Has consecrated his papacy to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Quotes on Mary, Our Blessed Mother: a Marian Potpourri

Scripture meditation: To you, O men, I call; my appeal is to all mankind. You simple ones, gain prudence; you fools, gain understanding. Proverbs 8:4-5

Reflection: Those who want to prevent their heart from being pervaded by the evils of earth should entrust it to the Blessed Virgin, our Lady and our Mother. They will then regain it in heaven, freed from all evils.

St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622AD)
Mini-Bio: French; bishop, missionary, cofounder of the Order of the Visitation (Visitandines), Doctor of the Church

52 Practical/Scientific Reasons to go to Church...besides the obvious ones.

Reason No. 13 - Decreased Juvenile Delinquency

Parents who get their children ready for church each week know that at times it can be a struggle. Studies show the effort may be worth it.

The Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency published a study by R. Stack and D.P. Doyle in 1982. Using a nationwide sample of 1,799 boys below the age of eighteen, they found that the more religious the boys were, the less likely they were to be delinquent.

Religious commitment was measured by the boys' own reports of the importance of religion to them and by their frequency of church attendance. The effect was notably stronger in communities where religious commitment was more prevalent; suggesting that where there is a critical mass of church attendance in a community, the likelihood of juvenile delinquency is reduced.

Source:Stark, R., L. Kent, and D.P. Doyle, "Religion and Delinquency: The Ecology of a 'Lost' Relationship," Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency 19 (1982): 4-24.

Quotes of the Early Fathers and Christians of the Church (33AD to 750AD)

Most gently, the finger of your justice, in love and compassion, touches the wounds of him who is to be healed.

St. Ephrem of Syria (306-373AD) on Divine Mercy
Mini-Bio: Syrian; deacon, hymnist, poet

Saints throughout the Age of the Church

Nothing is more common in an age like this, when books abound, than to fancy that the gratification of a love of reading is real study.

Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801-1890AD) on Books
Mini-Bio: English; cardinal, theologian, apologist

Holy Quotes from the Popes of the Church

In Christ we find hope, because He is the symbol of hope, friendship, unending love, and the Father's indescribable affection for every individual. We know that all the promises and hopes find their complete fulfillment in Christ, because in Christ, God's very word has found its "Yes."

Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005AD)
Mini-Bio: pope: (1978 - 2005) Polish; The most traveled pope in history. During his papacy he has issued many letters clarifying and safeguarding the Churches teachings in moral areas. Has consecrated his papacy to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Quotes on Mary, Our Blessed Mother: a Marian Potpourri

Scripture meditation: You shall separate three cities. … [where] a person who kills another may take refuge … to save his life when [he] unintentionally kills his neighbor. Deuteronomy 19:2-4

Reflection: 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.

St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231AD)
Mini-Bio: Portuguese; Franciscan preacher and reformer, Doctor of the Church

52 Practical/Scientific Reasons to go to Church...besides the obvious ones.

Reason No. 12 - Reduced Stress

Going to church could be a factor in reducing your level of stress. Several large studies show that people of religious commitment deal with stress better than those without religious commitment. In fact, the greater the commitment, the better people were able to handle difficult trials and problems.

For example, a study published in Social Science Medicine in 1991 suggested that among infrequent church attendees, "new stressful life events and health problems have a negative impact on mental health that is buffered among frequent church attendees."

Source:Williams, R.W., D.B. Larson, R.E. Bucker, R.C. Hackman, and C.M. Pale, "Religion and Psychological Distress in a Community Sample," Social Science Medicine 32 (1991): 1257-1262.

Quotes of the Early Fathers and Christians of the Church (33AD to 750AD)

What then, is more precious than to be in the hand of God? For God is Life and Light, and those who are in God's hand are in life and light.

St. John Damascene (of Damascus) (675-749AD) on the Will of God
Mini-Bio: Syrian; priest, monk, theologian, poet, Doctor of the Church

Saints throughout the Age of the Church

Never read books you aren't sure about ... even supposing that these bad books are very well written from a literary point of view. Let me ask you this: Would you drink something you knew was poisoned just because it was offered to you in a golden cup?

St. John Bosco (1815-1888AD) on Books
Mini-Bio: Italian; priest, educator, founder of the Society of St. Francis de Sales (Salesians) and Daughters of Our Lady, Help of Christians

Holy Quotes from the Popes of the Church

As a manifestation of the human spirit, music performs a function that is noble, unique, and irreplaceable. When music is truly beautiful and inspired, it speaks to us more than all the other acts of goodness, virtue and peace.

Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005AD)
Mini-Bio: pope: (1978 - 2005) Polish; The most traveled pope in history. During his papacy he has issued many letters clarifying and safeguarding the Churches teachings in moral areas. Has consecrated his papacy to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Quotes on Mary, Our Blessed Mother: a Marian Potpourri

Scripture meditation: For whoever finds me finds life and receives salvation from the Lord. But whoever does not find me hurts himself. They love death who hate me. Proverbs 8:35-36

Reflection: In the order of grace, God usually communicates Himself to human beings only through Mary. If we want to go to Him and be united with Him, we must use the very means he used to come down to us. That means is a true devotion to our Lady.

St. Louis Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716AD)
Mini-Bio: French; priest, missionary, spiritual writer founder of the Daughters of Divine Wisdom and the Missionaries of the Company of Mary

52 Practical/Scientific Reasons to go to Church...besides the obvious ones.

Reason No. 11 - Improved Personal Satisfaction and Happiness

Is it going to church that makes life better, or would membership in any supportive organization have the same positive effect?

S.J. Cutler compared personal satisfaction and happiness of people in sixteen types of voluntary organizations, including churches. The study, involving more than 830 persons, was published in the Gerontologist in 1976. Of the various types of memberships examined, only those with church affiliation were significant predictors of satisfaction and happiness.

Source:Cutler, S.J., "Member in Different Types of Voluntary Associations and Psychological Well-Being," The Gerontologist 16 (1976): 355-339.