God wishes us not to rest upon anything but His infinite goodness; do not let us expect anything, hope anything, or desire anything but from Him, and let us put our trust and confidence in Him alone.
–Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)
Set little store by consolations and tenderness in devotion, and do not be elated when the Lord gives them nor disconsolate when he withholds them. When I hear men of learning and intelligence making such a fuss because God is not giving them feelings of devotion, it revolts me to listen to them: they should master themselves and go on their way.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Let us meditate today on the condition of our soul. Are we making a sincere effort to rectify our intentions, to sanctify our daily responsibilities? There are things we fail to remember, not because we have short memories but because we are short of love. The person in love does not forget!
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
The more steadfastly and patiently we bear the burden of our cross, the more abundantly are the gifts of God, obtained by the Cross of Christ, granted unto us.
–Saint Philaret of Moscow (1782-1867)
Where most men work for degrees after their names, we work for one before our names: ‘saint.’ It a more difficult degree to attain. It takes a lifetime, and you don’t get your diploma until you’re dead.
–Mother Angelica (1923-1916)
There can be no substitute in the spiritual life for being alone with God. There must be that part of spirituality which is private and individual – secret between me and my God. It is that daily attempt to become increasingly aware of the presence and the action of God in our lives and to know the growing desire within us for some kind of closeness to him.
–Basil Hume (1923-1999)
