"The conclusion of all this is that you be ready to die rather than commit a mortal sin, and ready to die, also, rather than commit a venial sin with deliberation. Rather endure all things, rather death itself than offend God! It would be better to let the whole world go to ruin rather than [...]
"A distinction must be made among sinners: some are secret; others are notorious… Therefore Holy Communion ought not to be given to open sinners when they ask for it... But if they be not open sinners, but occult, the Holy Communion should not be denied them if they ask for it. For since every Christian, [...]
"Tell me not that the body is a cause of sin. For if the body is a cause of sin, why does not a dead body sin? Put a sword in the right hand of one just dead, and no murder takes place. Let beauties of every kind pass before a youth just dead, and [...]
"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 [...]
"The effect of this sacrament (Eucharist) is received according to man's condition: such is the case with every active cause in that its effect is received in matter according to the condition of the matter. But such is the condition of man on earth that his free-will can be bent to good or evil. Hence, [...]
"Now this sacrament preserves man from sin in both of these ways. For, first of all, by uniting man with Christ through grace, it strengthens his spiritual life, as spiritual food and spiritual medicine, according to Ps. 103:5: '(That) bread strengthens [Vulg.: 'may strengthen'] man's heart.' Augustine likewise says (Tract. xxvi in Joan.): 'Approach without [...]
"Sin is the spiritual death of the soul. Hence man is preserved from future sin in the same way as the body is preserved from future death of the body: and this happens in two ways. First of all, in so far as man's nature is strengthened inwardly against inner decay, and so by means [...]
"It is not enough for eternal life to sweep the house clean of deadly sin. One must fill it with virtue that is grounded in love, and not merely in fear." Source: St. Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue, Paulist Press, 1980 The Dialogue was dictated by Catherine over a period of five days. Three [...]
"Two things may be considered in this sacrament, to wit, the sacrament itself, and the reality of the sacrament: and it appears from both that this sacrament has the power of forgiving venial sins. For this sacrament is received under the form of nourishing food. Now nourishment from food is requisite for the body to [...]
"However many consolations and pledges of love the Lord may give you, therefore, you must never be so sure of yourselves that you cease to be afraid of falling back again, and you must keep yourselves from occasions of sin." Source: Saint Teresa of Avila, The Way of Perfection, Dover Thrift Editions, 2012. [...]