17th June in the life of Charles Cardinal Lavigerie

The end he is pursuing is his own sanctification so that he can later work effectively to sanctify souls, principally those of the pagans of Africa, by his example, his zeal and his dedication.

16th June in the life of Charles Cardinal Lavigerie

I humbly ask of our Lord, of the apostles and of the holy martyrs, to watch over the future missionaries of the Congo, to protect them, and above all to give them the prudence and ardent zeal which they need and to grant them the grace to do much good for the souls of these poor regions where they are sent.

15th June in the life of Charles Cardinal Lavigerie

Cardinal Franchi, on behalf of the Sovereign Pontiff, told me that His Holiness is full of admiration for the bravery of the three Missionary apostles of Timbuktu. The Pope is entirely confident that their blood will be the seed of many Christian communities in the African interior.

14th June in the life of Charles Cardinal Lavigerie

Today it is your feet that I wish to kiss, despite my religious rank and my age. It is not simply an act of paternal love that wish to accomplish, but rather an act of faith in the very words of our Holy Books « Quam pulchri pedes evangelizantium pacem, evangelizantium bona ». You will do as I do, my dear Brethren, and through this act of religious respect you will acquire a right to the merit of the apostles and martyrs.

13th June in the life of Charles Cardinal Lavigerie

Abandon our neophytes, our catechumens, our ransomed slaves, to save a life for one day? Never! My dear brethren, never! I love my sons, I have consecrated the best part of my life in forming their little Society which has been visibly blessed by God; I love them even to giving my life for them if necessary.