Do not let your weakness make you unhappy. When, in the morning, we feel no courage or strength for the practice of virtue, it is really a grace: it is the time to ‘lay the axe to the root of the trees,’ (Matt. 3:10) relying upon Jesus alone. -St. Therese
It is in prayer that the soul learns to know Jesus and thus to love him. Since love cannot be satisfied with difference but with equality, the result is union in similarity. – St. Teresa de los Andes
It is not the soul that makes the progress, but it is Christ, who carries her as a child is carried. -Bl. Mary of Jesus of Toledo, OCD
Jesus deigns to point out to me the only way which leads to Love’s divine furnace, and that way is self-surrender: it is the confidence of the little child who sleeps without fear in its father’s arms. -St. Therese
In truth, it is impossible that a heart which can find rest only in contemplation of the Tabernacle-and yours is such, you tell me- could so far offend Our Lord as not to be able to receive Him. . . . What does offend Jesus, what wounds Him to the…
A work done without a feeling of pleasure is more pleasing to God than many others done with great delight and feeling. Therefore, when you find yourself in a state of dryness and depression, be glad and exult that God has deigned to give you those greater gifts and sweetest…
Feed not your spirit on anything but God. Cast off concern about things, and bear peace and recollection in your heart. – St. John of the Cross
If we abandon ourselves, and place our confidence in God, while making every small effort and hoping for everything from His mercy, we shall be rewarded as much as the greatest saints. -St. Therese
The whole aim of any person who is beginning prayer-and don’t forget this, because it’s very important-should be that he work and prepare himself with determination and every possible effort to bring his will into conformity with God’s will…The greatest perfection attainable along the spiritual path lies in this conformity.…
Those who now desire to question God or receive some vision or revelation are guilty not only of foolish behavior but of also offending Him by not fixing their eyes entirely on Christ and by living with the desire for some other novelty. – St. John of the Cross