We stumble and fall…
We stumble and fall constantly even when we are most enlightened. But when we are in true spiritual darkness, we do not even know that we have fallen.
–Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Begin to seek…
We may begin to seek Him in desolation, feeling nothing but His absence. But the mere fact that we seek Him proves that we have already found Him.
–Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Do good deeds well…
The most precious crown is reserved in heaven for those who do all that they do as zealously as possible: for to do good deeds in not enough by itself; we must do them well.
–Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
The spirit of faith…
It is not the actual physical exertion that counts toward a man’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken.
–Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552)
Self-denial and mortification…
There is more security in self-denial, mortification, and other like virtues, than in an abundance of tears.
–Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Look at a crucifix…
If a man finds it very hard to forgive injuries, let him look at a crucifix, and think that Christ shed all His Blood for him, and not only forgave His enemies, but even prayed His Heavenly Father to forgive them also. Let him remember that when he says the ‘Our Father’, every day, instead of asking pardon for his sins, he is calling down vengeance on himself.
–Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595)
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