Jesus does not demand great actions from us, but simply surrender and gratitude.

St. Therese of Lisieux

Sacrifice

Ah! It is prayer, it is sacrifice which gives me all my strength; these are the invincible weapons which Jesus has given me. They can touch souls much better than words, as I have frequently experienced.

St. Therese of Lisieux

Sometimes I feel alone, very much alone. . . I repeated these words which always gave rise to a new peace and strength in my heart: "Life is your barque and not your home!" . . . . Doesn't the Book of Wisdom say: "Life is like a ship that plows the restless waves and leaves after it no trace of its rapid passage?" When I think these things, my soul is plunged into infinity, and it seems to me it already touches the eternal shore.

St. Therese of Lisieux

. . . for me to translate my thoughts, I have to be like the solitary sparrow, and this is rarely my lot. When I begin to take up my pen, behold a Sister passes by, a pitchfork on her shoulder. She believes she will distract me with a little idle chatter, then another hay worker throws flowers on my lap, perhaps believing this will inspire me with poetic thoughts. I . . . would prefer to see the flowers remain swaying on their stems. Finally, fatigued by opening and shutting this famous copybook, I .. . copy out some thoughts from the psalms. . .

St. Therese of Lisieux

"Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer."

Romans 12: 12

Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774 - 1821)

"Live simply, so that all may simply live."
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

I wondered for a long time why God has preferences, why all souls do not receive an equal amount of graces. I was puzzled at seeing how our Lord was pleased to caress certain ones from the cradle to the the grave. . . I wondered why poor savages died in great numbers without even having heard the name of God pronounced. Jesus deigned to teach me this mystery by setting before me the book of nature; . . . He willed to create great souls comparable to lilies and roses, but He also created smaller ones and these must be content to be daisies or violets destined to give joy to God's glances when He looks down at His feet. . . God does not call those who are worthy, but those whom He pleases.

St. Therese of Lisieux

All the great truths of religion, the mysteries of eternity, plunged my soul into a state of joy not of this earth. I experienced what God reserved for those who love Him.

St. Therese of Lisieux