We come to the great King of Heaven with empty hands, in debt to Him for everything: life itself, and grace, and all the gifts He lavishes on us. Yet all we can say is, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all I owe,’ while all the…
He will see that whoever loves Him much will be able to suffer much for Him; whoever loves Him little will be capable of little. I myself hold that the measure for being able to bear a large or small cross is love. – St. Teresa of Avila
If we plant a flower or a shrub and water it daily it will grow so tall that in time we shall need a spade and a hoe to uproot it. It is just so, I think, when we commit a fault, however small, each day, and do not cure…
Prayer is a repose, a relaxation. One must come in total simplicity to the One whom one loves, holding oneself near to Him as a small child in its mother’s arms, allowing one’s heart to go out … -St. Elizabeth of the Trinity
Never deny our Lord anything. The practice of the presence of God helps accomplish this goal especially by resolving to fulfill all your obligations during that hour perfectly, and by keeping in mind that the Will of God is perfectly fulfilled in that way. -St. Teresa de los Andes
The Savior hangs before you with a pierced heart. He has spilled His heart’s blood to win your heart…The arms of the Crucified are spread out to draw you to His heart, He wants your life in order to give you His. -St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
If a person has more patience in suffering and more forbearance in going without satisfaction, it is a sign that he is more proficient in virtue. – St. John of the Cross
O my God, what must a soul be like when it is in this state! It longs to be all one tongue with which to praise the Lord. It utters a thousand pious follies, in a continuous endeavor to please Him who thus possesses it. – St. Teresa of Avila
All things come to an end; therefore take heart, for just as one thing gives way to another, so eternity will come at last. On the contrary seeing how quickly the things of this world end ought to console us, because we are drawing ever nearer to that goal to…
How I pray that you will know and love God. Don’t imagine you have to become a nun to do this. In the world there are souls who love and serve Him. – St. Teresa of the Andes