Your wounds are not greater than the physician’s skill.
Give yourself over in faith; just tell him your ailment.

 
St. Cyril of Jerusalem, 4th century

Let us give ourselves to God,
and beg him to destroy in us the life of sin
and establish his life within us

 
St John Eudes, 17th century

What does it mean to have ashes put on your forehead?
It means that you came from the earth
and to the earth you will return.
It means that you have only this life
in which to prove that you love God.

 
Servant of God, Catherine Doherty, 20th century

As Christ made whole those who were physically blind,
so he gave light to their minds.
As he gave the lame a chance to walk,
so he urges the steps of sinners
in the direction of the way of penitence.

 
St. Cyril of Jerusalem, 4th century

Is it possible for one to repent and be saved?
It is absolutely and most certainly the case;
though I have wasted all my life in sin
and then repent, will I be saved?
Yes, indeed.

 
St. John Chrysostom, 4th century

To do penance is to bewail the evil we have done.

 
St. Gregory the Great, 6th century

Let us weep abundantly as we have sinned greatly.
Let careful and long treatment not be lacking
for a deep wound.

 
St. Robert Bellarmine, 17th century

Advent is a time of vigilance, prayer and conversion.

 
Bl. John Paul II, 20th century