When I feel nothing, when I am incapable of praying or practicing virtue, then is the moment to look for small occasions, nothings that give Jesus pleasure…a smile or a friendly word, when I would much prefer to say nothing at all. -St. Therese
Oh, how powerful over souls is the apostle who remains always at the Spring of living waters; then he can overflow without his soul becoming empty, since he lives in communion with the Infinite! -St. Elizabeth of the Trinity
Before the divine fire is introduced into and united to the substance of the soul through a person’s perfect and complete purgation and purity, its flame, which is the Holy Spirit, wounds it by destroying and consuming the imperfections of its bad habits. And this is the work of the…
Strive to keep your heart in peace, and let nothing that comes to pass in this world make you uneasy- for consider that it must all come to an end. – St. John of the Cross
We come home exhausted, shattered. New vexations possibly await there….and there is still so much to do until evening. Should we not immediately go to it? No, not before calm sets in at least for a moment. Each one must know, or get to know, where and how she can…
Mary has generated us according to the life of grace, having given her whole being, body and soul to be the Mother of God. From this is born a most intimate union between her and us: she loves us, she knows us, and is completely available to make us what…
I thank You, O my God, for all the graces You have bestowed on me, and particularly for making me pass through the crucible of suffering. It is with joy I shall behold You on the Last Day bearing Your scepter – the Cross; since You have deigned to give…
In this detachment the spiritual soul finds its quiet and repose; for, since it covets nothing, nothing wearies it when it is lifted up, and nothing oppresses it when it is cast down, because it is in the center of its humility; but when it covets anything, at that very moment it becomes wearied. – St. John of the Cross
Sometimes when I am in such a state of spiritual dryness that not a single good thought occurs to me, I say very slowly the “Our Father,” or the “Hail Mary,” and these prayers suffice to take me out of myself. – St. Therese
God knows what is best for all, and orders affairs for our good. Think on this only, that all is ordained by God. And pour in love where there is no love, and you will draw love out. -St. John of the Cross