5 encouraging quotes from female Saints
In the Catholic tradition, we believe we are never alone in our faith. There is a union between all the faithful but in a sense, that word “union” is too poor. So the Church uses the word “communion” - a union of love essentially, between all those in the Church.
This is what we mean when we use the term “communion of saints” and it’s something we can think about especially in this month of November, when Catholics pray especially for the dead. We all benefit and share in the good things of God and that’s one way in which we are in communion.
But there also exists a communion of persons. It includes not just those members of the Church here on earth but those souls in purgatory who are being purified, and who we can help with our prayers, and then those souls who are already in the joy of Heaven, who can help us with their intercession. We are all together in a journey of faith and no one is really alone.
With this thought in mind, we can look at the example of those women who have gone before us and who have fought all the same battles; who can give us encouragement and guidance from Heaven. Here are five quotes from well known female saints that every woman needs to hear.
“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring” St Catherine of Siena
St Catherine reminds us that no matter what challenges we face, they can be used to pursue something great. Sometimes the greatest trials and difficulties lead to the greatest rewards.
“Merit does not consist in doing or in giving much, but rather in receiving, in loving much.” St Therese of Lisieux
Sometimes we have the tendency to place our value on all the great things we have we have accomplished. At the end of the day, all we really have is the ordinary and the everyday and the most important thing is to put love into those things.
“Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing. God never changes.” St Teresa of Avila
Life is unpredictable and crosses will inevitably come whether we’re ready for them or not. St Teresa reminds that there is always someone constant in our life ready to comfort us - God.
“God is there in these moments of rest and can give us in a single instant exactly what we need.” St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
We might find that we are always busy and may think our worth lies in productivity; sometimes we wear busyness as a badge of honour! But we need interior quiet, to slow down and rest and it’s something God wants for us.
"Love is the most beautiful sentiment the Lord has put into the soul of men and women" St Gianna Molla
St Gianna was a model of love and sacrifice and this quote from a letter to her husband reminds us that people are always more important than things.
To learn even more about the wonderful female Saints in the Catholic Church, check out this episode of the Hearts+Minds podcast with Simone Rizkallah.