No earthly maternal joy resembles the bliss of a soul permitted to enkindle the light of grace in the night of sins. The way to this is the cross. Beneath the cross the Virgin of virgins becomes the Mother of Grace. -St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein)
It is not a refreshing peaceful fire, but a consuming and searching one that makes the soul grieve at the sight of itself. The soul perceives its own smallness in comparison with the immensity of the flame. -St. John of the Cross
The nothingness of me is strangely loved: Sustaining ever The all of love, my need is strangely here: Departing never. – St. Therese
Speak to the Most Holy Virgin heart to heart. When you feel lonely, gaze at her and you will see her smiling and saying to you, “Your mother never leaves you alone.” – St. Teresa of the Andes
For on this road there is room only for self denial (as our Savior asserts) and the cross. The cross is a supporting staff and greatly lightens and eases the journey. – St. John of the Cross
We can do this much; endeavor to conform ourselves to Christ Crucified. – St. Teresa Margaret Redi
I like to find at least a few moments each day spent in doing good for others out of love for God. These few moments, almost noticeably used, bring something like rays of peace and comfort behind them; they unite us with people and God by a pure feeling of…
…ask Him to give us strength of soul to dig until we find this hidden treasure, which lies buried within our hearts, as I wish to show you if it please God to enable me. I said ‘strength of soul,’ that you might understand that strength of body is not…
Yet, as is evident through experience, souls who will pass on to so happy and lofty a state as is the union of love must usually remain in these aridities and temptations for a long while no matter how quickly God leads them. – St. John of the Cross
The day on which God has unrestricted power over our hearts we shall also have unrestricted power over his. If we ponder this, we will no longer dare to judge anyone else. But neither will we be discouraged if, after living in the Order for a long time, we must…