WITNESS OF SAINTS AND HOLY PEOPLE
Here are ten quotes from Catholic saints and spiritual figures that highlight the significance of the theological virtue of charity (love):
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux (The Little Flower)
“It is love alone that gives worth to all things.”
St. Thérèse emphasizes that charity, or love, is what makes every action, no matter how small, valuable in the eyes of God. - St. Augustine of Hippo
“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”
Augustine points out that charity is not just an emotion but manifests itself through practical actions of compassion and service to others. - St. Teresa of Avila
“The important thing is not to think much but to love much; and so do that which best stirs you to love.”
St. Teresa teaches that charity is more about deeds motivated by love than mere thoughts or reflections. - St. John of the Cross
“At the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.”
This quote reflects John of the Cross’s belief that at the end of our lives, the only thing that truly matters is how well we have loved God and others. - St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Mother Teresa emphasizes that acts of charity do not have to be grand gestures; even small acts, when done with love, have great value. - St. Francis of Assisi
“For it is in giving that we receive.”
St. Francis expresses the profound truth that charity, or the self-giving love of others, leads to personal and spiritual fulfillment. - St. Thomas Aquinas
“Charity is the form of all the virtues.”
Aquinas teaches that charity is the virtue that gives life and shape to all other virtues. Without charity, the other virtues are incomplete. - St. Vincent de Paul
“Charity is the cement which binds communities to God and persons to one another.”
St. Vincent, known for his work with the poor, explains that charity is what unites individuals and communities, both to each other and to God. - St. Catherine of Siena
“The soul cannot live without loving. It must have something to love, for it was created to love.”
St. Catherine emphasizes that the very nature of the human soul is to love, as it was created by God, who is love. - Pope St. John Paul II
“The greatest of these is love: love is patient and kind, love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails!” (Reference to 1 Corinthians 13:13)
John Paul II often quoted this passage, stressing that charity is the highest expression of the Christian life and that it is enduring and transformative.
These quotes from saints and spiritual figures demonstrate the profound centrality of charity in Christian life, emphasizing that love for God and neighbour is the highest calling and the essence of holiness.
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