Quotes ABOUT preaching

[James924]

Hi folks,

Does anyone know of any quotes by saints or popes about preaching/homilies/sermons?

We need something in the sermons page of the parish website I just designed (latinmassomaha.org). Something by Aquinas, Liguori, or Augustine would be wonderful but any quotes at all would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[larsont7]

Sorry, don’t have any quotes for you, but I’m really liking the new layout of our parish’s website. I went to find a sermon from Fr. Gordon the other day and noticed the entire site had changed. Great job!

 

[James924]

Sorry, don’t have any quotes for you, but I’m really liking the new layout of our parish’s website. I went to find a sermon from Fr. Gordon the other day and noticed the entire site had changed. Great job!

Thanks, Tom! The sermon page is about to get a big overhaul tonight as well.

And congrats on your little girl! Boy do you know how to pick Catholic names!

 

[larsont7]

Thanks, Tom! The sermon page is about to get a big overhaul tonight as well.

And congrats on your little girl! Boy do you know how to pick Catholic names!

Great, can’t wait to see it! And thanks for the congrats; yeah, we’re becoming pros at naming kids after saints.

 

[IesumPerMariam]

SaintsBooks has an entire book of St Alphonsus Ligouri on preaching (compiled from the complete Ascetical Works), which is available in PDF.

The site is here: saintsbooks.net/BooksList.html#Priests

Then scroll down to St Alphonsus Ligouri - Preaching.

This site has dozens of wonderful writings available for free.

I haven’t read this particular work, but I rather like the sample quote from the holy Saint:

‘On the other hand, St. John Chrysostom affirms that the ruin of the Church is the great eagerness of sacred orators, not to move their hearers to compunction, but to please them with fine words; as if they came to hear a singer chant a piece of sacred music in the pulpit. “Such preachers,” continues the saint, “act like a father who gives to his sick child what it wants. Such a one, however, does not deserve the name of father. This happens every time that one seeks flowery language, not to inspire compunction, but to win vain praise.” Yes, reverend Sir, there are many sacred orators who delight their auditory by their elegant and pompous diction, and attract crowds to their sermons. But I would wish to know how many of those who are so highly pleased with their discourses, full of elegance and ornament, leave the church with a contrite heart, and afterwards amend their lives.’