"What cruelty, to refuse to help either oneself or others by loving virtue and hating vice! But some actually extend their cruelty even further, not only refusing the good example of virtue but in their wickedness assuming the role of the devil by dragging others as much as they can from virtue and leading them [...]
"For this sin of ultimate despair is much more displeasing to me and harmful to them than all the other evils they have committed. And this is why: Other sins are committed with some selfish sensual pleasure, and sometimes they are regretted, and they can be regretted in such a way that the regret will [...]
"Then God eternal said: 'I am letting you know, dearest daughter, that in this sacrament I demand of you and of them the greatest purity that is possible to humanity in this life – so much so that you for your part as well as they ought to constantly strive to attain it. You should [...]
"You must be thirsty, then, and you must gather together, as he said, either two or three or more. Why did he say 'two or three'? Because there are not two without three nor three without two… Those who are wrapped up in selfish love of themselves are alone, mere nothings, because they are cut [...]
"There are two goals, vice and virtue, and both require perseverance. If you would reach life, you must persevere in virtue, and if you would reach eternal death, persevere in vice." Source: St. Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue, Paulist Press, 1980 The Dialogue was dictated by Catherine over a period of five days. Three [...]
"If sensual affection wants to love sensual things, the eye of understanding is moved in that direction. It takes for its object only passing things with selfish love, contempt for virtue, and love of vice, drawing from these pride and impatience. And the memory is filled only with what affection holds out to it. This [...]
"[God] had never ordained anything in this life should be an obstacle to peoples’ salvation, no matter what their situation, but that everything should serve the exercise and proving of virtue." Source: St. Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue, Paulist Press, 1980 The Dialogue was dictated by Catherine over a period of five days. Three [...]
"The willing desire to suffer every pain and hardship even to the point of death for the salvation of souls is pleasing to [God]." Source: St. Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue, Paulist Press, 1980 The Dialogue was dictated by Catherine over a period of five days. Three scribes worked to keep up with Catherine [...]
"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 [...]
"Still it is true that the soul, if blinded by selfishness, cannot recognize or discern what is truly good and profitable for soul and body." Source: St. Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue, Paulist Press, 1980 The Dialogue was dictated by Catherine over a period of five days. Three scribes worked to keep up with [...]