Today, on the feast of Blessed Francis Seelos, we present 13 of his sayings from Redemptorist Father Micheal Curley’s 2002 book Cheerful Ascetic: The Life of Francis Xavier Seelos, C.Ss.R.
- Someday I will become a second Francis Xavier.
- Dear Mother, how I thank you for having taught us children a great devotion to the Mother of God. Such an inheritance from parents is worth more than gold or silver.
- Today we will have no writing. The Blessed Mother has appeared to me and told me to become a missionary.
- I was John Neumann’s subject but was more like a son who needed help. In every respect he was a remarkable father to me.
- Baltimore is one of the loveliest and most beautiful cities in all of North America.
- If these riots continue, I may even have the privilege of becoming a martyr—a wonderful way to go to heaven.
- According to people, I am a thorough saint. In reality, I am a thorough scoundrel.
- If the Church should ever decide to celebrate the feast of a rude rascal, [Secretary of War] Stanton would easily qualify—even with an octave.
- I love the work of the missions more than all other labors; it is a complete apostolic employment in the Lord’s vineyard.
- If the Americans were as expert in spiritual matters as they are in business affairs, all of them would be saints.
- I have made the rounds of all the houses in the province. Only New Orleans yet remains. I have come here to pass the rest of my days and find a lasting resting place at Saint Mary’s. I feel I have traveled enough. I shall never leave New Orleans.
- So the doctor says I am to die! Oh, what pleasant news! How thankful I am! And to you, doctor, how much I have to return thanks for your kindness and attention to me.
- I never thought it was so sweet to die in the Congregation. I now begin to know what happiness it is to live and die a Redemptorist. Oh, let us love our vocation and strive to persevere in it! Then everything will be all right with us.
