Contemplation, Gregory the Great (c. 540-604), Page: Quotes, Quote Author
The pursuit of the contemplative life is something for which a great and sustained effort on the part of the powers of the soul is required, an effort to rise from earthly to heavenly things, an effort to keep one’s attention fixed on spiritual things, an effort to pass beyond and above the sphere of things visible to the eyes of flesh, an effort finally to hem oneself in, so to speak, in order to gain access to spaces that are broad and open. There are times indeed when one succeeds, overcoming the opposing obscurity of one’s blindness and catching at least a glimpse, be it ever so fleeting and superficial, of boundless light.
–Saint Gregory the Great (c. 540-604)
Acceptance, Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Spiritual (life)
To escape the distress caused by regret for the past or fear about the future, this is the rule to follow: leave the past to the infinite mercy of God, the future to His good Providence, give the present wholly to His love by being faithful to His grace.
–Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751)
Acceptance, Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic
Souls who can recognize God in the most trivial, the most grievous and the most mortifying things that happen to them in their lives, honor everything equally with delight and rejoicing, and welcome with open arms what others dread and avoid.
–Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751)
Acceptance, Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
There is a kind of holiness in which all the messages from God are bright and clear, but there is also that state of utterly quiescent faith in which all that God tells us is wrapped in the impenetrable darkness which veils his throne, and all we feel is confused and shadowy. In this condition, we are often afraid of running smack into a rock as we advance through his darkness. We should have no fear. We are on the right path and led by God… God truly helps us however much we feel we have lost his support. Our trust and faith will deepen the darker it grows. We are incapable of becoming holy by our own efforts; God would not have taken away our ability to walk unless he was to carry us in his arms.
–Jean-Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751)
Death, Page: Quotes, Philip Neri (1515-1595), Quote Author
We must accept our own death and that of our relations when God shall send it to us, and not desire it at any other time; for it is sometimes necessary that it should happen at that particular moment for the good of our own and their souls.
–Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595)
Discipleship, Page: Quotes, Philip Neri (1515-1595), Quote Author, Quote Topic
He who wishes for anything but Christ, does not know what he wishes; he who asks for anything but Christ, does not know what he is asking; he who works, and not for Christ, does not know what he is doing.
— Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595)
