St. Catherine of Siena born in 1347 wrote a book called “The Dialogue” where she dictates, while in a state of ecstasy, a conversation she had with God.    God explained that our virtues are “proved and fortified by their contraries.”  Essentially this means that we have virtues IF we can demonstrate them in difficult situations.  God said “a man proves his patience on his neighbour, when he receives injuries from him.  Similarly, he proves his humility on a proud man, his faith on an infidel, his true hope on one who despairs, his justice on the unjust, his kindness on the cruel…the virtues of patience, benignity, and kindness manifest themselves in a time of wrath by the same sweet patience in My servants…many times a good man gives back fiery coals of love, which dispel the hatred and rancor of heart of the angry.”  From the Book:  “The Dialogue”, by St. Catherine of Siena

Holy Lord help us to embrace Your holy will and please assist us in developing the virtues of patience, kindness, humility, prudence, charity and self control.  Purify our hearts and our minds and fill us with zeal so that we can demonstrate our love for You and for our neighbours, treating others as we ourselves would like to be treated.