Mother Angelica

I am not like a pebble on the beach - a grain of sand on the seashore or just one of millions of human beings past, present and future. No, I am a unique human being loved by God as if I were an only child - the only fruit of his creative powers.

When anyone arouses my anger, I will immediately pray for them and regain my peace of soul.

When our neighbor's personality possesses harsh qualities, we show our love by not voluntarily provoking those qualities in any way. Past experience shows us what upsets a person, so in their presence we are careful not to do or say those things that cause anger. We are self-effacing.

The wisdom of God is so great that He also knows exactly what I would think and do under every possible circumstance and situation, and he placed me in that state of life and situation best suited for my salvation.

When our weaknesses affect health and friendship, we are very much aware of their existence.

Two of man's basic needs are to love and to share. Both of these needs are satisfied in greater or lesser degree by friendship.

Our lack of forgiveness makes us hate, and our lack of compassion makes us hard-hearted. Pride in our hearts makes us resentful and keeps our memory in a constant whirlwind of passion and self-pity.

Jesus wants us to trust him to take care of all our yesterdays and tomorrows.

Is detachment the answer to freedom? No, because detachment is negative - it is to be without. The answer must be positive - I must replace what I have with something better.

St. Paul did not want the sufferings encountered by being a Christian to discourage or dishearten anyone. He realized that when the Christian saw the blessings and grace that poured upon him after his trials, he would gain courage to suffer in his turn.

Salvation brings the soul a deep awareness of God's love. Life takes on more meaning, for it now has a purpose.

A family spirit is not always synonymous with family life. Bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh makes for brothers, sisters and relatives, who may be as distant as strangers in a foreign land.

Each angel that God created was in himself a masterpiece. Each one possessed his own degree of intelligence and his own beauty.

I do not ask for the riches that perish or the fame that fades away like a morning mist.

The sinner who suddenly realizes God's love for him and then looks at his rejection of that love feels a loss similar to the death of a loved one. A deep void is created in the soul and a loneliness akin to the agony of death.

When I try to be patient on my own, my patience is forced and short-lived. It is obvious to everyone that I am desperately trying to be patient.

To see a friend who has suffered the loss of all things begin again with trust and love, gives us strength to continue on.

At Baptism, I received grace - that quality that makes me share in the very nature of God.