There was the torture of sermons, and that not a slight one, for I was very fond of them.

From silly devotions and from sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us.

As to the aridity you are suffering from, it seems to me our Lord is treating you like someone He considers strong: He wants to test you and see if you love Him as much at times of aridity as when He sends you consolations. I think this is a very great favor for God to show you.

To argue over who is the more noble is nothing more than to dispute whether dirt is better for making bricks or for making mortar.

Do not be dismayed, daughters, at the number of things that you have to consider before setting out on this divine journey, which is the royal road to heaven. By taking this road we gain such precious treasures that it is no wonder if the cost seems to us a high one. The time will come when we shall realize that all we have paid has been nothing at all by comparison with the greatness of our prizes.

All blessings come to us through our Lord. He will teach us, for in beholding His life we find that He is the best example.

We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials.