"The essence of perfection is to embrace the will of God in all things, prosperous or adverse. In prosperity, even sinners find it easy to unite themselves to the divine will; but it takes saints to unite themselves to God's will when things go wrong and are painful to self-love. Our conduct in such instances is the measure of our love of God."

St Alphonsus de Liguori

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"To do God's will -- this was the goal upon which the saints constantly fixed their gaze. They were fully persuaded that in this consists the entire perfection of the soul. "

St Alphonsus de Liguori

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"Happy is the youth, because he has time before him to do good. "

St Philip Neri

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About this "Penny" Catechism - Visit the more detailed "Catechism of the Catholic Church" here.

 
 

FROM THE "PENNY CATECHISM"
     

Grace and Prayer
135.

Will Faith alone save us?
 

Faith alone will not save us without good works; we must also have Hope and Charity.
 
136. What is Hope?

 

Hope is a supernatural gift of God, by which we firmly trust that God will give us eternal life and all means necessary to obtain it, if we do what he requires of us.
 
  137. Why must we hope in God?
 
 

We must hope in God because he is infinitely good, infinitely powerful, and faithful to his promises.
 
  138. Can we do any good work of ourselves towards our salvation?
 
 

We can do no good work of ourselves towards our salvation; we need the help of God's grace.
 
139. What is Grace?
 

Grace is a supernatural gift of God, freely bestowed upon us for our sanctification and salvation.
 
140. How must we obtain God's grace?
 

We must obtain God's grace chiefly by prayer and the holy Sacraments.
 
141. What is prayer?
 

Prayer is the raising up of the mind and heart to God.
 
142. How do we raise up our mind and heart to God?
 

We raise up our mind and heart to God by thinking of God; by adoring, praising, and thanking him; and by begging of him all blessings for soul and body.
 
143. Do those pray well who, at their prayers, think neither of God nor of what they say?
 

Those who, at their prayers, think neither of God nor of what they say, do not pray well; but they offend God, if their distractions are wilful.