Breastplate of Saint Patrick
I arise today Through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of Lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock. I arise today Through God’s strength to pilot me; God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s hosts to save me, Afar and anear, Alone or in a multitude. Christ shield me today Against wounding Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me. I arise today Through the mighty strength Of the Lord of creation + St. Patrick, bishop (387-460 A.D.)
Christian
But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name. 1 Peter 4:16
“Do not say: it is impossible for me to influence others. If you are a Christian, it is impossible for this not to happen.” + St. John Chrysostom, bishop (347-407 A.D.)
“Awake mankind! For your sake God has become man.” + St. Augustine, bishop (354-430 A.D.)
“You were made in the image of God. If then you wish to resemble him, follow his example.” + St. Asterius of Amasea, bishop (350-410 A.D.)
“Christians live in their own countries as though they were only passing through.” + From a letter: The Christian in the world
“Since the very name you bear as Christians is a profession of love for men, imitate the love of Christ.” + St. Asterius of Amasea, bishop (350-410 A.D.)
“The life of the Christian has three distinguishing aspects: deeds, words and thought.” + St. Gregory of Nyssa, bishop (335-394 A.D.)
“We can say that one who finds pleasure in truth, in happiness, in justice, in everlasting life, is drawn to Christ, for Christ is all these things.” + St. Augustine, bishop (354-430 A.D.)
“Those who believe in Jesus Christ will be raised like him by the Father.” + St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr (35-98 A.D.)
“Saint Paul bids us follow his example: Seek the things that are above, he says which is only another way of saying: Keep your eyes on Christ.” + St. Gregory of Nyssa, bishop (335-394 A.D.)
“When God the Creator made all things, he commanded the plants to bring forth fruit each according to its own kind; he has likewise commanded Christians, who are the living plants of his Church, to bring forth the fruits of devotion, each one in accord with his character, his station and his calling.” + St. Francis de Sales, bishop (1567-1622 A.D.)
“I say that devotion must be practiced in different ways by the nobleman and by the working man, by the servant and by the prince, by the widow, by the unmarried girl and by the unmarried woman.” + St. Francis de Sales, bishop (1567-1622 A.D.)
“Through devotion your family cares become more peaceful, mutual love between husband and wife become more sincere, the service we owe to the prince becomes more faithful, and our work, no matter what it is, becomes more pleasant and agreeable.” + St. Francis de Sales, bishop (1567-1622 A.D.)
“Brethren, we must imitate Christ if we truly love him. We shall not be able to render better return on that love than by modeling our lives on his.” + St. Augustine, bishop (354-430 A.D.)
“Do you want to honor Christ’s body? Then do not scour him in his nakedness, nor honor him here in the church with silken garments while neglecting him outside where he is cold and naked.” + St. John Chrysostom, bishop (347-407 A.D.)
“Christianity shows its greatness when it is hated by the world.” + St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr (35-98 A.D.)
“It is part of the Christian’s strength not only to do good works but also to endure evil.” + St. Augustine, bishop (354-430 A.D.)
“As the soul benefits from the deprivation of food and drink, so Christians flourish under persecution.” + From a letter: The Christian in the world
“We should love and feel compassion for those who oppose us, rather than abhor and despise them, since they harm themselves and do us good, and adorn us with crowns of everlasting glory while they incite God’s anger against themselves. And even more than this, we should pray for them and not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil by goodness.” + St. Anthony Zaccaria, priest (1502-1539 A.D.)
“The world hates the Christians, not because they have done it any wrong, but because they are opposed to its enjoyments.” + From a letter: The Christian in the world
“The entire life of a good Christian is in fact an exercise of holy desire.” + St. Augustine, bishop (354-430 A.D.)
“As I see it, Christian perfection consists in this: sharing the titles which express the meaning of Christ’s name, we bring out this meaning in our minds, our prayers and our way of life.” + St. Gregory of Nyssa, bishop (335-394 A.D.)
“We Christians are the light, at least by comparison with unbelievers.” + St. Augustine, bishop (354-430 A.D.)
“May all Christians be found worthy of either the pure white crown of a holy life or the royal red crown of martyrdom.” + St. Cyprian, bishop and martyr (208-258 A.D.)
“There is nothing colder than a Christian who does not seek to save others.” + St. John Chrysostom, bishop (347-407 A.D.)
“What do you suppose will be the fate of the man who breaks the rules in the contest of the Christian life?” + From a homily written in the second century
“Make sure that your life does not contradict your words.” + St. Augustine, bishop (354-430 A.D.)
“Our part, my dear brothers, is to be single-minded, firm in faith, and steadfast in courage, ready for God’s will, whatever it may be.” + St. Cyprian, bishop and martyr (208-258 A.D.)
“Whoever loves Jesus Christ, drinks him; he drinks who is filled with the Word of God, he drinks who loves him fully and really desires him. He drinks who is on fire with the love of wisdom.” + St. Columban, abbot (545-615 A.D.)
“Let us serve in Jesus Christ’s army, brothers, following his blameless commands with all our might.” + St. Clement I, pope (Unknown – 100 A.D.)
“Let us run a straight course in the race of the Christian life, setting out in great numbers to take part in it, and then striving for the crown with all our might.” + From a homily written in the second century
“Come, whoever you may be, and cry out to Christ with all the strength of your heart.” + St. Bonaventure, bishop (1221-1274 A.D.)
“Let your baptism be your armor, your faith your helmet, your charity your spear, your patience your panoply.” + St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr (35-98 A.D.)
“We should live like the temples of God we are, so that it can be seen that God lives in us.” + St. Cyprian, bishop and martyr (208-258 A.D.)
“The Christian people are invited to share the riches of paradise.” + St. Leo the Great, pope (400-461 A.D.)
“Friendship with God brings the gift of immortality to those who accept it.” + St. Irenaeus, bishop (140-203 A.D.)
“A Christian is not his own master; his time is God’s.” + St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr (35-98 A.D.)
