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.

But the fact is, things always seem to come slowly when you are longing for them.

You ought to make every effort to free yourselves even from venial sin, and to do what is most perfect.

God has no hands or feet or voice except ours and through these He works.

It constantly happens that the Lord permits a soul to fall so that it may grow humbler.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes with which Christ looks out his compassion to the world. Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which he is to bless us now.

For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.