"Indeed there are more bad than good results arising from it (sorrow), for the only good ones are mercy and repentance; whereas there are six evil results, namely, anguish, sloth, indignation, jealously, envy, and impatience." Source: St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, Random House, Inc., 2002.
"A Christian on leaving the holy place moved by the holy thoughts that have been aroused in him by the sight of the ceremonies he has seen, and the prayers that he has said, ought to say to himself: 'I have just come from assisting at Holy Mass, a God has immolated Himself for me; [...]
"Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance." Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church #1415
"The Eucharist and Penance thus become in a sense two closely connected dimensions of authentic life in accordance with the spirit of the Gospel, of truly Christian life. The Christ who calls to the Eucharistic banquet is always the same Christ who exhorts us to penance and repeats his 'Repent'." Source: Pope St. John [...]
"The prophet Zacharias says: 'In that day there shall be a fountain open to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for the washing of the sinner' (ch. xiii. 1). Jesus in the Holy Sacrament is the fountain foretold by the prophet, as open to all; and to which we can go [...]
"You see now why the saints rejoiced in insults and persecutions: it was because these gave them something to present to the Lord when they prayed to Him. What can a poor creature like myself do, who has had so little to forgive others and has so much to be forgiven herself?" Source: Saint [...]
"Receive. It's not a lack of respect. Receive today precisely when you have just got over that 'bit of trouble.' Have you forgotten what Jesus said? It is not those who are well but those who are sick who need the physician." Source: St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way: The Essential Classic of Opus Dei's [...]
"Know, dearest daughter, that these mediocre souls are capable enough of reaching great perfection if they want to, for they are closer to it than are these other wretches. But in another way it is more difficult for them to rise above their imperfection than it is for the wicked to rise above their misery. [...]
"Take heed lest without reason you mistrust the power of repentance. Would you know what power repentance has?" Source: St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures
"We ought to be on our guard, in case our conscience has stopped troubling us, not so much because of its being clear but because of its being immersed in sin. A proof of our having been delivered from our failings is the unceasing acknowledgement of our indebtedness. Nothing equals the mercy of God or [...]