At times the little bird’s heart is assailed by the storm, and it seems it should believe in the existence of no other thing except the clouds surrounding it; this is the moment of perfect joy for the poor little weak creature. And what joy it experiences when remaining there…
…many of these would have God will that which they themselves will, and are fretful at having to will that which He wills…Hence it happens to them that oftentimes they think that that wherein they find not their own will and pleasure is not the will of God; and that,…
Since this edifice is built entirely on humility, the closer one comes to God, the more progress there must be in this virtue; and if there is no progress in humility, everything is going to be ruined. -St. Teresa of Avila
It is a great school of humility to have to do continually things that cause great fatigue and that turn out very imperfect. – St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein)
We do not know how to make the slightest sacrifice for our God, despite the fact that from eternity He has refused us nothing. -St. Teresa of the Andes
Just as the angels in heaven incessantly sing His praises, so does a Carmelite echo those praises here on earth, whether near to the tabernacle where God who is Love lives imprisoned, or in the intimate depths of her soul’s heaven, where faith tells her God dwells. Our vocation’s objective…
Once while I was thinking of the distress it caused me to eat meat and not do penance, I understood that sometimes my distress was more a matter of self love than a desire for penance. -St. Teresa of Avila
The lukewarm are very lax and remiss in their will and spirit, and have no solicitude about serving God. Those suffering from the purgative dryness are ordinarily solicitous, concerned, and pained about not serving God. – St. John of the Cross
I do not tremble when I see my weakness, for the treasures of a mother belong also to her child, and I am thy child, O dear Mother Mary. -St. Therese
Fear nothing and be ever joyous…The love of God raises us above our weaknesses. It is He who renders us strong and intrepid. – Bl. Anne of St. Bartholomew