cardinals

"He distinguished himself by his zeal for the purity of the text of Holy Writ, and also by his peculiar views concerning original sin and justification."

"Seripando displayed burning zeal, working especially to bring about a thorough reform of his order and to purge it of the Lutheran elements which had penetrated into it. During the first period of the Council of Trent, Seripando had played a most distinguished part."

"The best elements of humanism and Christianity were united in him."

"Interviewer: Is the arms race encouraged by some leaders in Europe justified, in your opinion? Cardinal Battaglia: I believe that peace is not built by arming people, but by disarming hearts. I understand the fears and geopolitical tensions, but we cannot get used to the idea that war is inevitable. Every euro spent on weapons is taken away from schools, healthcare and the poor. It is a choice of sides. True security does not come from force, but from justice, education and dialogue. As the Gospel says, those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. And we, as a Church, must be prophets of peace, even when it is inconvenient. Generally, following the example of a great prophet of peace, Pope Francis, every year I celebrate Holy Thursday Mass with the washing of the feet of people who have been wounded by life. This year, more than ever, I feel that the last, the poorest and most wounded by life is peace itself, and for this reason I wanted to wash the feet of men and women in my city who are actively committed to defending peace. So that their blessedness may not fail: blessed indeed are the messengers of peace, those who with silent gestures and measured words sow hope in everyday life. Those who build bridges, who resist without violence, choosing justice. And I told them something I am convinced of: when they are tired, the Lord himself will wash their feet! And in that water they will find the peace they have sown in the world."

"E voi, mercanti della morte, continuate a passare sotto quella croce come passarono un giorno i soldati, spartendovi le vesti del condannato. [...] Il Vangelo, invece, non tratta. | Il Vangelo non benedice le industrie della distruzione. | Il Vangelo non si abitua ai morti. | Il Vangelo non sopporta che il dolore diventi statistica e che i massacri si consumino dentro il commento stanco di un notiziario. | Il Vangelo mette un bambino al centro. | Sempre. | E quando un bambino è al centro, tutte le vostre ragioni crollano. | Crollano le dottrine militari, le alleanze opportunistiche, le giustificazioni geopolitiche, i linguaggi tecnici con cui nascondete la vergogna. [...] Io vi chiedo, allora, non solo di fermarvi. | Vi chiedo di convertirvi. | Sì, convertirvi. | Parola antica, parola scandalosa, parola necessaria. | Convertirsi significa smettere di pensare che tutto abbia un prezzo. | Significa riconoscere che la vita umana è sacra, o non sarà più umana."

"(About the Assumption of Mary) She who was conceived without spot and borne without pain, who became mother without loss of virginity, who placed God in the world, who died without suffering, was also preserved from corruption; and we believe she lives in heaven with her body. It is piously believed."

"You have given me perfection of sensitivity, quickness of intelligence, strength of memory; you have given me the ability to express myself fluently, to present my thoughts pleasantly, to teach convincingly, to carry out my intentions, to behave pleasantly, to progress in my studies, to achieve my projects; you have given me comfort in adversity, caution in happy circumstances."

"Wisdom enlightens human beings so that they may recognise themselves."

"This sensible world […] is almost like a book written by the finger of God, that is, created by divine virtue, and individual creatures are like figures, not invented by human arbitrariness, but established by divine will to manifest the invisible wisdom of God. [...] It is therefore good to contemplate assiduously and admire divine works."

"Love seems to be the satisfaction of a person's heart towards something, because of something: it presents itself as desire in the search, and happiness in the satisfaction of possession; it appears as a race, as far as desire is concerned, and as rest, as far as the joy of possession is concerned."

"O my soul, what do you think that sweet and gentle thing is, which devout souls usually feel and taste when they remember their beloved, and which usually enamours them so sweetly that they seem to be alienated and out of themselves? They feel joyful and glad in their consciences and forget all their pain: their soul rejoices, their intellect becomes clear, their heart is illuminated, their will becomes joyful."

"Omnia disce. Videbis postea nihil esse superfluum. Coartata scientia iucunda non est."

"Of all the things to seek, the first is wisdom, in which lies the form of perfect goodness."

"Tell me, I beg you, what – among all things – has become the one thing for you, the thing you want to embrace in a unique way and enjoy forever."

"Delicatus ille est adhuc cui patria dulcis est; fortis autem iam, cui omne solum patria est; perfectus vero, cui mundus totus exsilium est."

"When asked about the best conditions for learning, a scholar replied: “A humble spirit, commitment to research, a quiet life, silent inquiry, poverty, a foreign land; these circumstances make it easier to overcome the difficulties encountered during one's studies”. :*From Didascalicon."

"He was a moral, religious man, of much force of character, to whom half measures and shiftiness were foreign."

"Great iniquities still exist in the world. Slavery has been holding her ground for the last eighty years in the United States, and was a stain upon the American Republic long before becoming the instrument of her ruin, or at least of a scandalous dissolution. In Sweden, civil liberty of conscience is still proscribed by laws of another age, and is only bought by exile or loss of property. Perfidy and violence are going hand in hand to destroy the nationality of Poland, and crush in her the last struggles of Catholic faith by the united force of schism and despotism. In fine, there is in the East of Europe an anti-Christian empire crumbling away visibly under the weight of its own corruption; whose protestations do not hinder indignant Europe from requiring an account of the thousands of victims butchered by Moslem fanaticism almost under our eyes, which empire is, nevertheless, protected by the mutual jealousy and distrust of western nations. All these facts are so many outrages upon justice, and so many insolent triumphs of might over right."

"Fluery had the qualities of a great minister. He was the first to foresee that France would not always be at enmity with the Hapsburghs."

"On public occasions his manner was noble and stately, yet in his dealings with priests and people he was always amiable and unaffected, and had the secret of enlisting sacrifice and devotion. To kindness he joined prudence and discretion and was thus able to avoid conflicts with the State authorities. A talented writer, his style bore the impression of the masterpieces."

"The amount of vigor, health, and power meted out to the secretary was in just proportion to his need of them. He retained them as long as they were required by him for whose comfort and glory they had been intrusted to him."

"When all shall see me, by fair Fortune's love Pass through the days which Fate unsparing spins On her eternal distaff for my destiny, Joyful, contented with myself; for then Far other shall I be than now I am."

"May the young learn from Savio how to sanctify themselves, even in the midst of dangers, how to join holiness with cheerfulness, frankness with reserve, dignity with modesty, the interior life and intimate union with Our Lord with the diligent exercise of external duties; let them learn of him to be beloved by God and men, and thus to leave a holy memory to succeeding generations."

"He laboured zealously and, moreover, inaugurated at Fulda, those annual reunions of the German bishops which have since produced such excellent results."

"Every historical epoch has its special conflict, and from the sixteenth century down to our own time the conflict has been between liberty and authority. It is the office of religious and social truth to establish harmony between these two terms. The excess of social authority leads to oppression, and the excess of liberty leads to license and the disorganization of the social fabric. The equilibrium of the two constitutes and maintains the life of all society. Proofs are not needed to show that it has ever been the highest glory of the Catholic Church, I do not say to have invented either social authority or social freedom, but to have maintained the equilibrium and established the harmony of the one with the other."

"Character is one of the most estimable gifts of the Creator, with which he has enriched your family. Exercise courage then, and strength of mind, to rise superior to misfortune. Let no economy appear a sacrifice. At this moment we are all poor."

"As a diplomat, Fesch sometimes employed questionable methods. His relationship to the emperor and his cardinalitical dignity often made his position a difficult one; at least he could never be accused of approving the violent measures resorted to by Napoleon. As Archbishop, he was largely instrumental in re-establishing the Brothers of Christian Doctrine and recalling the Jesuits, under the name of Pacanarists. The Archdiocese of Lyons is indebted to him for some eminently useful institutions. It must be admitted, moreover, that in his pastoral capacity Fesch took a genuine interest in the education of priests."

"I should seem to have on my face the brand of a coward, and to have cut the thread of my predestination, if I opposed myself to the call of God."

"Ambition was his chief failing; otherwise he was reputed a good theologian and a friend of art and letters, virtuous, eloquent, and skilful in the business of the curia."

"His career is that of a good man, struggling for the welfare of his Church against corruptions not essential to the system to which he was devoted."

"There are in these parts many reputed defenders of the Catholic faith who think that our religion consists in nothing but hatred of the Lutherans... and they are so wedded to this point of view that, without ever looking into the matter itself, they take in bad part not only all negotiations with the Lutherans, but every single word spoken about them which is not abusive."

"Few ecclesiastics in that century were so successful in retaining the esteem of men of all parties and all creeds as this large-minded and eminently able and honest churchman."

"He was a man passionately devoted to letters, and somewhat vehement in character. At the conclave of 1758, he was on the point of being elected Pope: he had obtained eighteen votes; but the fears inspired by the inequality of his temper caused him to be set aside."

"His character was impetuous and haughty, especially towards the Romans."

"Thou knowest, O Lord, how long I have suffered at hearing the unbeliever — deaf, blind, and headstrong — speak of Thy great work, of the true religion which never dies, as of a question purely of ancient history confined to the learned."

"King Louis and Cardinal Jouffroy were a well matched pair."

"Because of his prudence and his business-like methods, he was a favourite with the popes."

"If a spark of God's love has already been kindled in you, do not boast about it. Do not expose it to the wind. Close the door of your heart so that it does not grow cold."

"Remember that at home and everywhere else, you should accept other people's shortcomings in the same way that you want others to accept you."

"(About the Milan plague) It was, my children [...] God's great mercy. He wounded and healed; he scourged and consoled; he laid his hand on the rod of discipline and also offered us the stick of support and sustenance."

"Federigo Borromeo, born in 1564, was one of those rare men who, in any era, have employed their exceptional genius, all the means of great wealth, all the advantages of a privileged position, and a continuous intent in the pursuit and exercise of excellence."

"Convinced that life is not destined to be a burden for many and a celebration for some, but rather a task for everyone, for which each person will be held accountable, he began as a child to think about how he could make his life useful and holy."

"The theme of hope fits the feeling in people's hearts: in this phase, we are bearers of hope; we have the hope that comes from God. We listen and offer our strength so that the Lord may complete his work and we may do our part humbly and with faith."

"Cardinal Capecelatro, particularly in recent years, was overwhelmed by the course of events and by that Modernist crisis which had long been preparing and so violently burst out in the Church. He remained immured in his old ideal of "God and Liberty", in the old dream of "the pope arm-in-arm with the King of Italy". He did not understand the new movement and the hard lessons which it brought with it."

"Whereas no civil society can subsist without a supreme principle regulating the morality of its acts and laws, the Church has received from God this lofty mission, which tends to the happiness of the people, while she in no way embarrasses, by the exercise of this her ministry, the free and prompt action of Governments."

"Give to the faithful the example of submission and obedience to the Republic. You have long cherished the hope of enjoying the liberty which makes our brethren of the United States so happy; the liberty you shall have."

"A few Precepts that are ready and at Hand, are much more profitable to us, than whole Volumes hat over-charge the Memory, and leave us at a Loss where to find them, when we have Occasion to use them. He that knows what belongs to his Salvation, has learned what is sufficient."

"Is it not permissible for a pope to pronounce a law unjust? Every newspaper arrogates to itself the right of stigmatizing the injustice of all laws, which do not agree with its partisan views."

"We should be apostles of good with at least the same zeal and interest with which the wicked propagate evil. For every effort, for every sacrifice, which we make for the Children of Christ as yet outside the Church of Christ, we shall receive a hundred-fold return."

"Knowing the author personally and admiring his qualities of mind and heart; his sound learning, his rare powers of exposition as a teacher, his priestly zeal and earnestness, I feel confident that his book will be helpful to many souls in this country."