Thomas à Kempis

“ THOU alone art good, just, and holy; Thou canst do all things; Thou givest all things; Thou fillest all things, leaving only the sinner empty.
REMEMBER Thy tender mercies, and fill my heart with Thy grace, Thou who wilt not that Thy works should be void.
HOW can I support myself in this wretched life, unless Thy mercy and grace strengthen me? ”

“ PRECIOUS tree, thou that hast borne on thy branches the Fruit of Life, and witnessed the anguish of the Mother of Jesus, grant that at my death I may be received by Him to whom thou hast served as the instrument of my salvation. ”

“ BUT because I am as yet weak in love and imperfect in virtue, therefore do I stand in need of being strengthened and comforted by Thee. Wherefore do Thou visit me often and instruct me in Thy holy discipline.
FREE me from evil passions and cure my heart of all disorderly affections; so that inwardly healed and well purified, I may become apt to love, courageous to suffer, and steadfast to persevere. ”

“ DURING the last five centuries men and women, weighed down with the cares of fife, have gathered strength and courage and comfort by reflecting on the thoughts of Thomas a Kempis. So personal is the message which his writings convey that, open them where you will, the passage that first meets the eye seems to be singularly suited to the needs of each individual soul. ”

“ At no time in the history of the world has prayer been more urgent and imperative. In attendance at Mass, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, preparation and thanksgiving for Confession and Communion, the use of this prayer book will do much to increase fervor and devotion. And when difficulties perplex, temptations assail and sorrow overwhelms, I am confident that troubled souls will find adequate expression of their spiritual wants in "Moments with the Consoling Christ." ”