Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, fully Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton

The accidents of life separate us from our dearest friends, but let us not despair. God is like a looking glass in which souls see each other. The more we are united to Him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to Him.

But God has given me a great deal to do, and I have always and hope always to prefer His will to every wish of my own.

The first purpose of our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills; and thirdly, to do it because it is his will.

Cheerfulness prepares a glorious mind for all the noblest acts.

The rarest thing in the world is a woman who is pleased with photographs of herself.

Disorder in the society is the result of disorder in the family.

We know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life. We know that he gives us every grace, every abundant grace; and though we are so weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty.

Every truth we see is one to give to the world, not to keep to ourselves alone

We must pray literally -without ceasing – in every occurrence and employment of our lives – that prayer of the heart which is independent of place or situation, or which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God as in a constant communication with Him.

God is mine and I am His.

Who so loves believes the impossible.

God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame

He is more within us than we are ourselves.

If Faith is so important to our salvation, I will seek it where true Faith first began, seek it among those who received it from God Himself.

If I am right Thy grace impart still in the right to say. If I am wrong Oh, teach my heart to find the better way.

If I had to advise parents, I should tell them to take great care about the people with whom their children associate . . . Much harm may result from bad company, and we are inclined by nature to follow what is worse than what is better.

If you have love in your life it can make up for a great many things you lack. If you don't have it, no matter what else there is, it's not enough

My precious children stick to me like little burrs, they are so fearful of losing me again [after a trip]. The moment I shake one off one side another clings on the opposite, nor can I write one word without some sweet interruption.

One act of beneficence, one act of real usefulness, is worth all the abstract sentiment in the world.

Put your heart at His feet. It is the gift He loves most.

Take every day as a ring which you must engrave, adorn, and embellish with your actions, to be offered up in the evening at the altar of God.

Live simply that others might simply live.