Be thankful for the smallest blessing and you will deserve to receive greater. Value the least gifts no less than the greatest, and simple graces as especial favors. If you remember the dignity of the Giver, no gift will seem small or mean.
–Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
You will find it very helpful if you can get an image or a picture of this Lord — one that you like — not to wear round your neck and never look at but to use regularly whenever you talk to Him, and He will tell you what to say. If words do not fail you when you talk to people on earth, why should they do so when you talk to God?
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
We must also be firmly convinced from the start that, if we fight courageously and do not allow ourselves to be beaten, we shall get what we want, and there is no doubt that, however small our gains may be, they will make us very rich. Do not be afraid that the Lord Who has called us to drink of this spring will allow you to die of thirst.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
God has created us to love and to be loved, and this is the beginning of prayer -to know that God loves me, that I have been created for greater things.
–Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
The contemplatives and ascetics of all ages and religions have sought God in the silence and solitude of the desert, forest, and mountains. Jesus himself spent forty days in the desert and the mountains, communing for long hours with the Father in the silence of the night.
–Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
We too are called to withdraw at certain intervals into deeper silence… to be alone with Him …to dwell lovingly in His presence, silent, empty, expectant, and motionless. We cannot find God in noise or agitation.
–Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
