A Compilation of the Register’s ‘Quote of the Week’ for 2014

 

“God is peace. Let us ask him to help us to be peacemakers each day, in our lives, in our families, in our cities and nations, in the whole world. Let us allow ourselves to be moved by God’s goodness.”

— Pope Francis on Christmas Day

 

The more “we allow ourselves to be humbly guided by the Spirit of the Lord, the more we will overcome misunderstandings, divisions and disagreements.”

— Pope Francis on Christian unity

 

“We don’t try to convert the world at once. We start with family members, friends and co-workers.”

— Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Ill.

 

“Teaching children the importance of living a good life now so as to live with God for all eternity is the most important element of Catholic education.”

— Dominican Sister John Mary Fleming, the executive director of the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat of Catholic Education

 

“The pro-life movement is about more than saving the life of the baby. It’s especially about connecting that baby to where he or she came from: the mother and the father. … There is no other institution that does that.”

— Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco about God’s plan for marriage

 

The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI was “an act of love for the Lord, for the Church and for the faithful.”

— Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Benedict XVI’s personal secretary

 

John Paul II and John XXIII “were such holy men, and their contributions to the Church will not stop anytime soon. It is important that we know that the way we walk leads us to happiness. We all want to be happy, and sainthood is an example that our brothers and sisters achieved happiness. These two great men are in heaven. If they could achieve it, we can, too.”

— Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Wypych of Chicago

 

“To be a saint is not a luxury. It is necessary for the salvation of the world. This is what the Lord is asking of us.”

— Pope Francis to new cardinals

 

“God speaks through the people and events in our day-to-day lives. This is true. But he often speaks most profoundly in silence: There are things he would say to us; things he would do in us; things he should do through us — if only we would sit quietly and in silence.”

— Brother Rex Anthony Norris

 

“There can be no Catholic life, no holiness, no discipleship without prayer and the sacraments.”

— Cardinal Sean O’Malley at National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

 

“My husband and I are praying for God’s will, and if it’s his will that Fulton Sheen be beatified because of what happened to our son, then that’s really exciting.”

— Bonnie Engstrom

 

“We are thankful that the Supreme Court has heard our case, and we prayerfully await the justices’ decision.”

— Barbara Green, co-owner of Hobby Lobby

 

“Let the joyous wonder of Easter Sunday radiate through our thoughts, looks, attitudes, gestures and words.”

— Pope Francis on Easter Monday

 

“He’s a wonderful man and will bring a lot of energy and Gospel enthusiasm for our Church, which is something we very much need these days.”

— Archbishop Charles Chaput about Pope Francis coming to the World Meeting of Families

 

“These were two men of courage ... and they bore witness before the Church and the world to God’s goodness and mercy.”

— Pope Francis about Sts. John XXIII and John Paul II

 

“There is a clear link between evangelization and the defense of religious liberty. The more Catholics know, understand, practice and love their faith, the more ready they will be as citizens to defend their own faith and defend the right of their fellow citizens to live out their faith.”

— Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore

 

“Peacemaking calls for courage, much more so than warfare.”

— Pope Francis at ‘Invocation for Peace’

 

“The decision ... is a great victory for the religious freedom of everyone, in particular, those who want to bring their religious convictions into the workplace.”

— Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore on Hobby Lobby case

 

“God’s people know how to celebrate. We worship a God who built rest, leisure and feasting into our calendar from the beginning of creation.”

— Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington

 

“I am convinced that if the face of the Church is first and foremost a face of love, more and more young people will be drawn to the heart of Jesus.”

— Pope Francis during his trip to South Korea

 

“Education is not just about getting a job, but forming the person and entering into the relation of the truth; for us Catholics, ultimately, that encounter is a Person, Jesus Christ.”

— Timothy O’Donnell, president of Christendom College

 

“We want [young people] to be intentional about what they’re going to do with their lives and to be open to what God may be calling them to do.”

— Father Shawn McKnight of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

 

“One must commend the Catholic Church for orchestrating this worldwide study of the state of the family and for committing so much time and effort to the development of practical strategies that will renew God’s plan for marriage and family life on earth.”

— Alice Heinzen, auditor, with her husband, Jeff, at the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family

 

“The imitation of Christ in the lives of the saints is always possible and compatible with every state of life.”

— Blessed Miriam Teresa

 

“Thank you, our dear and beloved Pope Paul VI! Thank you for your humble and prophetic witness of love for Christ and his Church.”

— Pope Francis at beatification Mass for Pope Paul VI

 

“The very nature of the Church is to be the light of Christ.”

— Capuchin Father Thomas Weinandy on Lumen Gentium’s 50th anniversary