I cannot understand how humility exists, or can exist, without love, or love without humility, and it is impossible for these two virtues to exist save where there is great detachment from all created things. – St. Teresa of Avila
The waters of interior delights do not spring from the earth; the mouth of desire must be turned towards heaven, and be empty of everything else. -St. John of the Cross
Bless the mind deeply troubled Of the sufferers, The heavy loneliness of profound souls, The restlessness of human beings, The sorrow which no soul ever confides To a sister soul. -St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein)
Never take a man for your example in the tasks you have to perform, however holy he may be, for the devil will set his imperfection before you. But imitate Christ, who is supremely perfect and supremely holy, and you will never err. – St. John of the Cross
Live by will rather than by imagination. If you feel your weakness, God wants you to make use of it in order to make acts of the will which you will offer Him as so many acts of love … He so loves you and He so wants you for…
In order that love be true and friendship endure, the wills of the friends must be in accord. – St. Teresa of Avila
Thus, no one … can disturb the soul that is liberated and purged of all things and united with God. She enjoys now in this state a habitual sweetness and tranquility which is never lost or lacking to her. -St. John of the Cross
When Christ said, “Give Me a drink,” it was the love of His poor creatures that He, the Creator of all things, desired. He thirsted for love. -St. Therese
Love proves itself by deeds. I will scatter flowers, perfuming the Divine Throne, and I’ll sweetly sing my hymn of love. These flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love. -St. Therese
O Jesus! how happy I would be if I had been faithful, but alas! often in the evening I am sad because I feel I could have corresponded better with your graces… If I were more united to You, more charitable with my sisters, more humble and more mortified, I…