Further Examples of Hope, by Father Richard Frederick Clarke, SJ

Hope has this peculiar to itself, that we find instances of hope even among those whose charity was still imperfect, and in whom grace was only beginning to do her work.

Saint Mary Magdalen on her way to the house of the Pharisee where Christ was invited to dine, was full of hope. In spite of her past sins, of her habit of luxury, of her consciousness of long estrangement from God, she hoped and believed that at the feet of the Prophet of Nazareth she would find forgiveness and peace. Nor was her hope disappointed; she found all she hoped for, and much more than all. If she could thus hope, why should I lose hope? I may have many sins upon my soul, but this is the very reason why I should hope that, like hers, they may be all forgiven.

The good thief hanging on the cross, in spite of his own suffering and the approach of an agonizing death, hoped. He looked forward to the future, and instead of finding there cause for despair, he hoped and felt certain that the Son of God would remember him. His hope failed him not; that very day he was received into Paradise. What an encouragement this ought to be to me! Jesus will not forget even me if I humbly beg Him to remember me.

Saint Augustine, even before his conversion, never lost hope. Amid the entangling meshes of sin, he looked forward to the day of deliverance. He thirsted after God, and found nought else would satisfy him, and never lost sight of the goal even when his steps wandered. Grace was drawing him to God as it is drawing me, if only I will do my part. What reason then I have to hope! Help me, O God, to hope always, and even when all seems dark and gloomy!

- text from Beautiful Pearls of Catholic Truth; it has the Imprimatur of Archbishop Michael Augustine Corrigan, Diocese of New York, 6 October 1897