Try and remember that sanctification means daily, hourly, hard work, and this unflinchingly, when weariness comes.
COMMENT: Fr Doyle engaged in this daily, hourly hard work in his ceaseless quest for sanctity, always knowing, however, that God loved him and supplied him with the grace he needed.
Fr Doyle’s quote today brings to mind the famous prayer that St Pius X wrote to honour St Joseph.
O Glorious St Joseph, model of all who are devoted to labour, obtain for me the grace to work in the spirit of penance in expiation of my many sins; to work conscientiously by placing love of duty above my inclinations; to gratefully and joyously deem it an honour to employ and to develop by labour the gifts I have received from God, to work methodically, peacefully, and in moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from it through weariness or difficulty; to work above all, with purity of intention and unselfishness, having unceasingly before my eyes death and the account I have to render of time lost, talents unused, good not done, and vain complacency in success, so destructive to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all to imitate thee, O Patriarch St Joseph! This shall be my motto for life and eternity. Amen
Wonderful prayer of Pope Saint Pius X, which I pray daily. So practical.
Father Doyle views our efforts towards holiness realistically as does the prayer above. One has to be determined and interiorly strong to walk the path to holiness. It’s a journey of grace and, yes, “hard work”. Please, Father Doyle, and St. Pius X, accompany us on our own personal road to Heaven, that we may persevere with trust in God’s grace and guidance in order that we may think, pray, and do all that the Lord wants, with charity.