Turn your eyes upon yourself and look at yourself inwardly….You will find your Master; He will not fail you: indeed, the less outward comfort you have, the greater the joy He will give you. He is full of compassion and never fails those who are afflicted and out of favor if they trust in Him alone….Either you believe this or you do not: if you do, as you should, why do you wear yourselves to death with worry?
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
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)
No one can be excused for not having and finding divine grace… The most bountiful God distributes his grace abundantly to all, that is, to all who wish and seek it.
–Saint Angela of Foligno (1248-1309)
Let popes, pastors, and everyone else blush for shame at our foolishness and pride and self-indulgence, when we see such generosity, goodness, and boundless love on our Creator’s part! He showed himself to us in our own humanity as a tree laden with sweet mellow fruit, so that we wild trees might be able to engraft ourselves onto him.
–Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
Help yourself and God will help you.
–Saint Joan of Arc (1412-1431)
