A soul abandoned completely to Divine Providence desires only God and is detached from all but him: there is no eventuality that can unsettle her. Nothing so strips the soul and gives it greater dependence on God than the practice of the maxim of our blessed Father Francis de Sales: Ask for nothing and refuse nothing.
–Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
To be poor in spirit is to be truly poor at the bottom of one’s soul, truly detached from all things, not only to be truly deprived of material goods, not only not to desire them, but to completely forget oneself, to have a soul empty not only of all earthly desires, but of all desire and absolutely so, whether concerning oneself or others, of self, of material things, absolutely empty of everything, and full of God.
–Blessed Charles De Foucauld (1858-1916)
The sacrifice most pleasing to God is contrition of heart.
–Saint Eulogius of Cordova (c. 819-859)
In all the events of life, you must recognize the Divine will. Adore and bless it, especially in the things which are the hardest for you.
–Saint Pio (1887-1968)
First of all it must be understood that it is the duty of all Christians – especially of those whose calling dedicates them to the spiritual life – to strive always and in every way to be united with God, their creator, lover, benefactor, and their supreme good, by Whom and for Whom they were created. This is because the center and the final purpose of the soul, which God created, must be God Himself alone, and nothing else – God whom Whom the soul has received its life and its nature, and for Whom it must eternally live.
–Saint Dimitry of Rostov (1651-1709)
God, whose love and joy are present everywhere,
can’t come to visit you unless you aren’t there.
–Angelus Silesius (1624-1677)
