two fundamental rules for recollection: the first is that you must always keep watch and control over the distractions of your mind; the second, that you must at once follow the warnings of your conscience and act promptly on them, at least in your heart.
–Francisco de Osuna (1497-1541)
The closer we draw to God, the better disposed we are to receive the gifts of his divine bounty.
–Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we so choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the sign of the most Holy Cross.
— Saint Catherine of Sienna (1347-1380)
All true and living devotion presupposes the love of God and indeed it is neither more nor less than a very real love of God, though not always of the same kind; for that Love one while shining on the soul we call grace, which makes us acceptable to His Divine Majesty; when it strengthens us to do well, it is called Charity; but when it attains its fullest perfection, in which it not only leads us to do well, but to act carefully, diligently, and promptly, then it is called Devotion.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
I spent nearly twenty years on that stormy sea. I had not joy in God and no pleasure in the world.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
You will cry and not be heard. That in which you sought and hoped to find relief will only make you more disconsolate. God will show you no sign of love, but will seem to turn from you in disdain… What then, ought you to do? There is nothing at which to be dismayed, but great need of courage. Do not feel miserable about the state you are in, but rather, rejoice in God’s love for you, although you may not realize it at the time. Do not depend on your feelings; they are often both misled and deceiving.
–Saint John of Avila (1500-1569)
