Missionary Spirit 

“The charity of the good knows no creed and is confined to no one place.�  (1870’s)

“I hope the Fr. Provincial’s good heart will approve my wish to accept the work with leprosy patients in Hawaii in the name of the great Saint Francis.�  (1883)

“For us it is happiness to be able to comfort, in a measure, the poor exiles, and we rejoice that we are unworthy agents of our heavenly Father through whom He deigns to show His great love and mercy to the sufferers.�  (1884)

“We bring no gift to Your Majesty except our service in behalf of your suffering people, whose infirmity we bear in our hearts.�  (1884)

“We were not only willing but anxious to go and care for the poor outcasts.�  (1887)

“My heart bled for the children and I was anxious and hungry to help put a little more sunshine into their dreary lives.�  (1889)

Devotion to God

“Let us make the very best use of the precious moments and do all in our power for His dear sake and for His greater honor and glory.�  (1900)

“I do not think of reward; I am working for God, and do so cheerfully.�  (1902)

Artist Edward Burne-Jones sent this painting to a dying Father Damien and it was given to Mother Marianne after Damien's death.

“I wish you all the blessing you may stand in need of to become a perfect child of Saint Francis – that you may say with him in all sincerity – “My God and my All.�  (1903)

“God giveth life;  He will take it away in His own good time.  Meanwhile it is our duty to make life as pleasant and as comfortable as possible for those of our fellow-creatures whom He has chosen to afflict.�  (1905)

Spirit of Ministry

“The wishes of the patients with regard to their being brought before the medical students should be respected in every case.�  (1874)

“If we, with the help of God, do our duty and work for His honor and glory no one will interfere with us.�  (1887)

“What little good we can do in this world to help and comfort the suffering, we wish to do it quietly and so far as possible unnoticed and unknown.�  (1888)

“Our dear heavenly Mother Mary…how little do our trials and sorrows appear when compared to her bitter sufferings.�  (1891)

“Creep down into the heart of Jesus.  He alone can comfort you in your supreme hour of sorrow.�  (1904)

“Try to accept what God is pleased to give you no matter how bitter-God wills it, is the thought that will strengthen you and help you over the hard places if we wish to be true children of God.�  (1905)

“Let us make best use of the fleeting moments.  They will not return.�  (1905)

“May God give you health and strength so you will be able to lead the little ones to Him and teach them to love God more than any thing in this world.�  (1915)