As to the aridity you are suffering from, it seems to me our Lord is treating you like someone He considers strong: He wants to test you and see if you love Him as much at times of aridity as when He sends you consolations. I think this is a very great favor for God to show you.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
They deceive themselves who believe that union with God consists in ecstasies or raptures, and in the enjoyment of Him. For it consists in nothing except the surrender and subjection of our will – with our thoughts, words and actions – to the will of God.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
To have courage for whatever comes in life – everything lies in that.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
The man who sets about making others better is wasting his time, unless he begins with himself.
–Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
The closer we draw to God, the better disposed we are to receive the gifts of his divine bounty.
–Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we so choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the sign of the most Holy Cross.
— Saint Catherine of Sienna (1347-1380)
