You should condemn your own sins;
that will be reason enough for the Lord to forgive you.

 
St. John Chrysostom, 4th century

Search with your heart for what is pleasing to God.

 
St. Augustine, 5th century

Let us return then,
to the grace which was ours in the beginning,
and from which we have alienated ourselves by sin,
and let us again adorn ourselves with the beauty of God's image.

 
St. Basil, 4th century

The Lord is gracious and merciful
and prefers the conversion of the sinner rather than his death.
Patient and generous is his mercy.

 
St. Jerome, 5th century

The one who commits sin
does what is not pleasing to God;
but the one who repents of his sin,
does what is most pleasing to God.

 
St. Robert Bellarmine, 17th century

Our confidence
has its source in God's infinite mercy towards us,
and increases in proportion to our sorrow for sin.

 
Bl. Columba Marmion, 20th century

Return to the Lord
from whom you have been alienated by your sins.
Do not despair of his mercy no matter how great your sins,
for great mercy will take away great sins.

 
St. Jerome, 5th century

We must be of great courage,
and trust in the power of repentance.

 
St. John Chrysostom, 4th century