The virtue of cheerfulness requires that we should contribute to holy and temperate joy and to pleasant conversation, which may serve as a consolation and recreation to our neighbor so as to not weary and annoy him with our knit brows and melancholy faces.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
To the extent that prayer is a colloquy, discussion, or conversation of the soul with God, then by prayer we speak to God and God in turn speaks to us. We aspire to God and breathe in God; God reciprocally inspires us and breathes upon us.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Continue to trust in God. Do you think that the God who takes care to provide food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth – which neither sow nor reap – will ever forget to provide all that is necessary for the one who trusts wholly in His Providence, seeing that we are capable of being united to God, our sovereign good?
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
We must have a large heart toward our neighbor, which means in affection, love and help, being ever ready to serve, to assist, to comfort, bear with and support in every way in our power, but cheerfully and cordially. A large heart is a heart ready for all sorts of inconveniences, an open heart that loves before all things the will of God.
–Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
The Prayer of Jesus is said like this: Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Originally it was said without the addition of the word sinner: this word was added to the other words of the prayer later. This word, remarks Saint Nil Sorsky, which implies a consciousness and confession of the fall, is fitting for us and pleasing to God who has commanded us to offer prayers in acknowledgement and confession of our sinfulness.
–Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov (1807-1867)
As far as possible, you should pray in quiet silent devotion. Try to have a favorite topic of prayer, such as a devotion to the passion of Jesus, the Blessed Sacrament, awareness of the divine presence: go directly to Jesus without too much fuss.
–Saint Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868)
