Prayer is the only channel through which God's great graces and favors may flow into the soul; and if this be once closed, I know no other way He can communicate them.--ST. TERESA. 15 To acquire courage it is very useful to read the lives of the saints, especially of those who, after living in sin, attained great sanctity.-- ST. ALPHONSUS. 16 The truly humble reject all praise for themselves, and refer it all to God.--ST. ALPHONSUS. 17 Prayer should be effective and practical, since it has for its end the acquisition of solid virtue and the mortification of the passions.--ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. 18 We do not keep an account of the graces which God has given us, but God our Lord keeps an account of them. He has fixed the measure thereof.-- ST. ALPHONSUS. 19 The more guilty we are, the greater must be our confidence in Mary. Therefore, courage, timid soul; let Mary know all thy misery, and hasten with joy to the throne of mercy.--BL. HENRY SUSO. 20 Evil is often more hurtful to the doer than to the one against whom it is done.--ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA. 21 During life despise that which will avail you nothing at the hour of death.--ST. ANSELM. 22 He who fails to reflect before acting, walks with his eyes shut and advances with danger. He also falls very often, because the eye of reflection does not enable him to see whither his footsteps lead.--ST. GREGORY THE GREAT. 23 Sanctity and perfection consist not in fine words, but in good actions.--BL. HENRY SUSO. 24 As patience leads to peace, and study to science, so are humiliations the path that leads to humility.--ST. BERNARD. 25 Do not disturb yourself with vain curiosity concerning the affairs of others, nor how they conduct themselves, unless your position makes it your duty to do so.--VEN. LOUIS DE BLOIS. 26 The deceitful charms of prosperity destroy more souls than all the scourges of adversity.--ST. BERNARD. 27 The first degree of humility is the fear of God, which we should constantly have before our eyes.--VEN. LOUIS DE BLOIS. 28 He who cheerfully endures contempt and is happy under crosses and affliction, partakes of the humility and sufferings of Our Lord.--ST. MECHTILDIS. 29 He who is resigned to the divine will shall always surmount the difficulties he meets with in the service of God. The Lord will accomplish His designs concerning him.--ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. 30 Consent to suffer a slight temporary pain, that so thou mayst avoid the eternal pains which sin deserves.--ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA. May 1 MARY was the most perfect among the saints only because she was always perfectly united to the will of God.--ST. ALPHONSUS. 2 After the love which we owe Jesus Christ, we must give the chief place in our heart to the love of His Mother Mary.--ST. ALPHONSUS. 3 When we feel our cross weighing upon us, let us have recourse to Mary, whom the Church calls the "Consoler of the Afflicted."--ST. ALPHONSUS. 4