The first exercise in simplicity is to accept oneself as one is. There are two tremendous results of this: one is humility; the other is that it enables other people to accept us as we are, and in this there is real charity.
–Caryll Houselander (1901-1954)
There are many people who can do big things, but there are very few people who will do the small things.
–Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
What is necessary is to continue to love. How does a lamp burn, if it is not by the continuous feeding of little drops of oil? When there is no oil, there is no light and the bridegroom will say: “I do not know you.” Dear friends, what are our drops of oil in our lamps? They are the small things from every day life: the joy, the generosity, the little good things, the humility and the patience. A simple thought for someone else. Our way to be silent, to listen, to forgive, to speak and to act. That are the real drops of oil that make our lamps burn vividly our whole life.
–Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
You ask then how I knew He was present, when His ways can in no way be traced? He is life and power, and as soon as He enters in, He awakens my slumbering soul; He stirs and soothes and pierces my heart, for before it was hard as stone, and diseased.
–Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
God’s mercy is kind. God gives divine, abundant grace to those who love Him. God’s limitless goodness has comforted me, his servant, and–look!–the Lord’s hands are still reaching out to comfort me.
–Elisabeth of Schönau (1129-1165)
Blessed is the one who takes no more pride in the good that God says and does through him than in that which He says and does through someone else.
–Saint Francis of Assisi (1181–1226)
