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God does not despise these hidden struggles with ourselves, so much richer in merit because they are unseen: "The patient man is better than the valiant and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities. (Prov. xvi. 32)".

I want to have a character that is strong. I'll never allow myself to be led by feelings or by my heart but by reason and conscience.

Ask the Most Holy Virgin to be your guide, to be your star, the lamp that shines in the midst of the darkness of your life.

Since He is always with me, prayer, the heart to heart exchange, should never end...I think that we must be so simple with God!

Ordinarily this contemplation, which is secret and hidden from the very one who receives it, imparts to the soul, together with the dryness and emptiness it produces in the senses, an inclination to remain alone and in quietude.

Yet such are the pity and compassion of this Lord of ours, so desirous is He that we should seek Him and enjoy His company, that in one way or another He never ceases calling us to Him.

I am amused sometimes to see certain souls who think when they are at prayer that they would like to be humiliated and publicly insulted for God, and afterward they would hide a tiny fault if they could; or, if they have not committed one, and yet are charged with it–God deliver us!

The soul is wearied and fatigued by its desires… the (desires) disturb it, allowing it not to rest in any place or in any thing whatsoever.… the desires and indulgence in them all cause it greater emptiness and hunger.

We must let ourselves be rooted in Christ. How? By never ceasing to dwell, whatever happens, with Him who dwells in us and is Love. He thirsts to associate us to all He is; to transform us in Him.

O Lord, what does it matter, when I can retire within myself, enlightened by faith, whether I feel or don’t feel, whether I am in light or darkness, enjoy or do not enjoy? I am struck by a kind of shame at making any distinction between such things…Help me to exalt You…above the sweetness and consolations which flow from You, because I have resolved to pass by all else in order to be united with You.

Oh my God, how much You suffer for one who grieves so little over Your pains! ... Behold Christians, let us consider it carefully and we shall never finish understanding the splendor of the Lord's mercies and what we owe Him.

For, after all the efforts of the soul, it cannot by its unaided labors make itself fitted for union with God in love. God must take it to Himself into His own hands and purify it in the dark fire.