If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within you, do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out. Keep the stove tightly shut so that it will not lose its heat and grow cold. In other words, avoid distractions as well as you can. Stay quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter.
–Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584)
We must have a determined determination to never give up prayer.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
What peace can we hope to find elsewhere if we have none within us.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Since we find it difficult to pray because our souls are hard and dry and devotionless, then let us do as the parched earth does which yawns open and in a manner cries out for the rain. A humble recognition of our need is often more eloquent to the ears of God that many prayers.
–Saint Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621)
Everyone — whether kings, nobles, tradesmen, or peasants — must do all things for the glory of God and under the inspiration of Christ’s example.
–Saint Francis Borgia (1510-1572)
So, since Christ died for us, out of love, it follows that when we offer the sacrifice in commemoration of his death, we are asking for love to be given us by the coming of the Holy Spirit. We beg and we pray that just as through love Christ deigned to be crucified for us, so we may receive the grace of the Holy Spirit; and that by that grace the world should be a dead thing in our eyes and we should be dead to the world, crucified and dead.
–Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe (Fifth — Sixth Century)
