At the school of the saints and the mystics
Words of eternal life
2,042 sayings of saints and mystics, gathered into 9 themes to nourish your prayer.
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Love, trust, hope…
The saints knew our joys, our struggles and our doubts. Their words help us to love God, to trust him and to pray. Choose a theme and let them walk with you.
The Love of GodFrom Creation to Redemption
Here is all perfection: to know oneself! to know God! Supreme necessity that dominates all necessity! To be eternally bent over the double abyss, that is my secret!
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Here is all perfection: to know oneself! to know God! Supreme necessity that dominates all necessity! To be eternally bent over the double abyss, that is my secret!
Saint Angela of FolignoLe livre des visions et instructions, chapitre 57. All of us, as men, are created in the image of God; but attaining His likeness belongs only to those who, driven by great love, have completely placed their freedom at the service of God.
Saint Diadochus of PhotikeLa perfection spirituelle, Migne, 1990, p.18. Oh! who will understand Your love and Your unfathomable mercy towards us!
Saint FaustinaPetit Journal, paragraphe 81. Why then, he who could redeem us without suffering, did he prefer death and the death of the cross, if not to prove to us the love he bore for us? He loved us and, out of love, he surrendered himself to pain, contempt, and death, and what a death! the most cruel that ever was.
Saint Alphonsus LiguoriLa Pratique de l’Amour envers Jésus-Christ, Artège, 2020, chapitre 1, §7. My daughter, I have enriched you with so many beautiful things, without any merit on your part, and you ask me if I love you?
Jesus to Saint Gemma GalganiJournal intime, 24 juillet 1900. To embrace and save humanity, Jesus had to make Himself the last of the last. Otherwise, He would have been recognized by the wealthy but not by the most humiliated.
Servant of God Joseph WresinskiUne pensée par jour, Médiaspaul, 2014, janvier, 19. If I did not love you, I would not be so close to you.
Jesus to Luisa PiccarretaLe Livre du Ciel, Tome 2, 9 mai 1899. Oh! How beautiful it is to have a Father in heaven.
Saint John Mary Vianney (the Curé of Ars)Pensées To be happy, one must give Jesus the key to one's will, to go to Him entirely free and well resolved to leave everything to follow Him; it is then that, taking us by the hand, He will transform our desires into effects.
Venerable Marthe RobinJournal : Décembre 1929 - Novembre 1932, Éditions Foyer de Charité, 2012, p.35. Your happiness does not come from men who cannot offer it to you, because they do not possess it, and no one can give what does not belong to them. Only Jesus is capable of giving you true happiness.
Saint Charbel MakhloufParoles de saint Charbel, Artège, 2014, Homélie 2 p.44. When, with our fleshly eyes, we see bread and wine, let us see and firmly believe that there, truly and vivaciously, are the most holy Body and Blood of the Lord.
Saint Francis of AssisiAdmonitions 1, 21. If you went a long time without taking food, how could you live? If you do not commune, you could not remain in a state of grace for long.
Saint Brother AndréUne pensée par jour, Médiaspaul, 2011, janvier, 31.
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Frequently asked questions
Your questions about Words of eternal life
What are the Words of eternal life?
They make up a collection of more than 2,000 sayings of saints and mystics, gathered to nourish your spiritual life. You can browse them by theme, search for an author or draw a saying. A single sentence can accompany you in prayer and throughout your day.
Is access to the collection free?
Yes, the online collection is free to access with your IGNIS account. You can read the sayings and keep your favorites without a paid subscription. Buying the printed book is a separate choice, entirely up to you.
Where do the saints’ quotes come from?
They come from their writings: books, letters or spiritual journals. The author is given, along with the reference when it is available. Words received by a mystic are attributed as such, so that you know who is speaking and to whom.
How can I find a saying about what I’m going through?
Choose a theme, such as trust, the love of God or hope. You can also search for a word, a saint or a book. If you would rather be surprised, draw a saying at random.
Can I find my favorite quotes again?
Yes, tap “Keep” under a saying to add it to your favorites. They are linked to your account and can be found in “My favorites.” That way, you can come back to the sentences that helped you.
How do I meditate on a saint’s saying?
Read it slowly, then take a moment of silence before God. You can talk to him about what this sentence touches in your life and keep it with you through the day. There is no set number of texts to read in order to do it well.
Can I share a quote with someone close to me?
Yes, the “Copy” and “Share” buttons let you pass on a saying with its author, and with its reference when one is given. You can send it to someone it might encourage. Keep its attribution so that they can trace where it comes from.
Is there a printed book of the Words of eternal life?
Yes, Benoît Plaut’s collection also exists as a printed book, in French. This abridged edition gathers more than 1,000 sayings. The box titled “The printed book” on this page takes you to its Amazon listing.
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