Page: Quotes, Philip Neri (1515-1595), Quote Author, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
In the spiritual life there are three degrees: the first may be called the animal life; this is the life of those who run after sensible devotion, which God generally gives to beginners, to allure them onwards by that sweetness to the spiritual life, just as an animal is drawn on by a sensible object. The second degree may be called the human life; this is the life of those who do not experience any sensible sweetness, but by the help of virtue combat their own passions. The third degree may be called the angelic life; this is the life which they come to, who, having been exercised for a long time in the taming of their own passions, receive from God a quiet, tranquil, and almost angelic life, even in this world, feeling no trouble or repugnance in anything. Of these three degrees it is well to persevere in the second, because the Lord will grant the third in His own good time.
— Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595)
Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic, Sainthood, Spiritual (life)
All the science of the Saints is included in these two things: to do, and to suffer. And whoever had done these two things best, has made himself most saintly.
— Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Page: Quotes, Quote Topic, Repentance
The Church Fathers teach us that a shattered heart is the most pleasing gift to God. It is the sign that we are conscious of our sins, of the evil we have done, of our wretchedness, and of our need for forgiveness and mercy.
–Pope Francis (1936-
Page: Quotes, Quote Topic, Suffering
God treasures above all the union of our wills with His. When I consider all this… I find so many advantages to affliction, that I can’t help but admitting that the more we suffer, the more we are favored by God.
–Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
Page: Quotes, Quote Topic, Suffering
Be patient under all the sufferings which God is pleased to send you: if your love to Him be pure, you will not seek him less on Calvary, than on Tabor; and, surely, He should be as much loved on that as on this, since it was on Calvary He made the greater display of His love for you.
–Jeanne Guyon (1648-1717)
Page: Quotes, Quote Topic, Suffering
If suffering makes you sad, it will be impossible for you to love Jesus, because it is by patience, accepting suffering and sadness, that you prove your love for Jesus.
–Marcel Nguyen Tan Van (1928-1959)
