Joyful Mysteries
The Annunciation of Our Lord - Humility
Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matt 18:4)
Our Father
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Sanctity is an interior disposition which makes us humble and little in God's arms, conscious of our weakness and trusting even to audacity in the goodness of our Father. 3 Hail Mary
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Spiritual Childhood also means not to attribute to ourselves the virtues we practice, not to believe that we are capable of anything, but to acknowledge that it is the good Lord who has placed that treasure in the hand of His little child that He may use it when He needs it. 3 Hail Mary
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Humility is truth. 4 Hail Mary. Glory be. Hail Holy Queen.
(St Therese)
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It is proper to divine love to lower itself; hence, the loser we are, the more we attract God.
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We would like never to fail. What an illusion! What does it matter, my Jesus, if I fall at every moment? I come to recognise by it how weak I am and that is gain for me. You see by that how little I am able to do and You will be more likely to carry me in Your arms.
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If I am humble, I am entitled, without offending the good Lord, to do small foolish things until I die.
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The Visitation to Elizabeth - Love of Neighbour
You shall love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:31)
Our Father
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I saw some new virtues arise in me...not speaking evil of anyone, no matter how slight, but ordinarily avoiding all fault-finding. I was very much aware that I should not desire to say of another person what I would not want them to say of me. I was extremely cautious about this. 3 Hail Mary
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If through my intercession I could play a part in getting a soul to love and praise God more, even if it be for just a short time, I think that would matter more to me than being in glory. 3 Hail Mary
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Whoever fails to love their neighbour, fails to love You, my Lord, since we see You showed the very great love You have for the children of Adam by shedding so much blood. 4 Hail Mary, Glory to be, Hail Holy Queen
(St Teresa)
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Let us strive always to look at the virtues and good deeds we see in others and cover their defects with the thought of our own great sins.
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While we live in this mortal life, earthly joys are uncertain, even when they seem to be given by You.ig they are not accompanied by love of neighbour.
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For at times it happens that some trifle will cause as much suffering to one as a great trial will to another; little things can bring much distress to persons who have sensitive nature. If you are not like them, do not fail to be compassionate.
The Birth of Jesus - Spirit of Poverty
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3)
Our Father
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My way is the way of spiritual childhood. 3 Hail Mary
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My peace consists in remaining small. 3 Hail Mary
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The thing that pleases Jesus when He beholds my soul is that I love my littleness and my poverty and have a blind hope in His mercy. 4 Hail Mary, Glory be, Hail Holy Queen.
(St Therese)
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The God of strength loves to show His power by making use of nothing.
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It is possible to remain little even when we are charged with the most formidable functions and ...even when we are in extreme old age.
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Remain always little and poor, in order to expect everything from God.
Presentation in the Temple - Obedience
If you love me, you will keep my commandments - (John 14:15)
Our Father
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Let Your will be done in me in every way, and may it not please Your Majesty that something as precious as Your love be given to anyone who serves You only for the sake of consolation. 3 Hail Mary
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We shouldn't care at all about not having devotion - as I have said - but we ought to thank the Lord who allows us to be desirous of pleasing Him, even though our works may be weak. This method of keeping Christ present with us is beneficial in all stages and is a very safe means of advancing. 3 Hail Mary
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Everything other than pleasing God is nothing. 4 Hail Mary, Glory be, Hail Holy Queen.
(St Teresa)
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No matter how much I did, I strove that it be done in such a way that it would not displease the One who I clearly saw was witnessing it.
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Nor does God ever fill anyone who serves Him.
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The Lord helps those who are resolved to render Him service and glory.
The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple - Piety
You...must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matt 5:48)
Our Father
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The Way of Spiritual Childhood...is the only means to make rapid progress in love and the only way by which saints are made. 3 Hail Mary
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Take Jesus by His Heart...It is this way that I took hold of the good Lord and that is why I shall be well received by Him. 3 Hail Mary
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Practice all the virtues and so always lift up your little foot to mount the ladder of holiness. 4 Hail Mary, Glory be, Hail, Holy Queen
(St Therese)
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The good Lord does not demand more from you than good will....He looks at you with love. Very soon, won over by your useless efforts, He will come down and take you in His arms. He will carry you up.
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I know that there are saints who spent their lives practicing extraordinary mortifications,,,but after all, there are many mansions in the house of our heavenly Father. Jesus had told us so and that is why I follow the way He has traced out for me.
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The best rule is that we should follow what love inspires us to do from moment to moment, with the sole desire of pleasing the good Lord in everything He asks of us.
Glorious Mysteries
The Resurrection of Jesus from the Dead - Faith
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe (John 20:29)
Our Father
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The Lord said to me: "Why are you afraid? Do you not know that I am all powerful? I will fulfill what I have promised" 3 Hail Mary
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I thought I would be able to serve God much better if I were in good health. This is our mistake: not abandoning ourselves entirely to what the Lord does, for He knows best what is fitting for us. 3 Hail Mary
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I often thought that St Peter didn't lose anything when he threw himself into the sea, even though he grew frightened afterward. These first acts of determination are very important. 4 Hail Mary. Glory be. Hail, Holy Queen.
(St Teresa, Collected Works)
alternative quotations:
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*Let us believe that all is for our own greater good. Let His Majesty lead the way along the path He desires. We belong no longer to ourselves but to Him.
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God's words cannot fail.
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God always understand us and is with us. There is no doubt about this understanding and presence...He wants to begin to work in the soul in a special way.
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I write this for the consolation of weak souls like myself that they might never despair or fail to trust in the greatness of God.
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The Lord helps us, strengthen us, and never fails; He is a true friend.
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He shows no partiality, He loves everyone.
Ascension of Jesus into Heaven - Hope
Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (Luke 11:9) Our Father
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We never have too much confidence in the good Lord who is so powerful and merciful. We obtain from Him as much as we hope for. 3 Hail Mary
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In order to remain a little child, we must expect everything fro our Good Lord, as a child expects everything from his father, without worrying about anything. 3 Hail Mary
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When I fall on the road I can quickly rise again and Jesus takes me by the hand. 4 Hail Mary, Glory be, Hail, Holy Queen.
St Therese, various sources.
alternative quotations:
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It is confidence and confidence alone that should lead us to Love.
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Justice itself, amd justice even more than any other divine perfection, seems to me to be clothed in love.
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That justice which frightens so many souls is for me a source of joy and confidence. To be just means more than to be severe in punishing the guilty. It takes account of right intentions and wishes to reward virtue.
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Abandon yourself with absolute confidence to His infinite mercy.
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He measures His gifts according to the amounts of confidence He finds us.
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Jesus does not wish to give me provisions for the future. He feeds me from the moment to moment.
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The whole of nature, in fact, enchanted me and raised my soul towards Heaven.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit - Love of God
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength (Mark 12:30) Our Father
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Prayer is and exercise of love. 3 Hail Mary
I liked images so much. Unfortunate are those who through their own fault lose this great good. It indeed appears that they do not love the Lord, for if they loved Him they would rejoice to see a portrait of Him, just as here on earth it really gives joy to see one whom you deeply love. 3 Hail Mary
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The love of God does not consists in tears or in this delight and tenderness, which for the greater part we desire and find consolation in; but it consists in serving with justice and fortitude of soul and in humility. Without such service it seems to me we would be receiving everything and giving nothing. 3 Hail Mary
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It is very obvious that we love others more when we often recall the good works they do for us....Keep always in mind that we have our being from God, that He created us from nothing and sustains us, and all the other benefits flowing from His death and trials. 4 Hail Mary, Glory be, Hail Holy Queen.
St Teresa
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What a charming way to seek the love of God!
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The perfect attainment of this true love of God brings with it every blessing....There is nothing on earth with which one can buy so wonderful a blessing.
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The soul is therefore neither content with nor desirous of the world's satisfactions, because it has in itself what pleases it more...a desire to enjoy Him more and to be with Him. Being with Him is what it wants.
*Virtue always inspires love.
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The Lord goes to in search of those who do love Him so as to give more to them.
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Come to love a goodness so perfect and a mercy so unmeasurable.
Assumption of Mary into Heaven - Desire for Heaven
Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matt 25:34) Our Father
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I will spend my heaven in doing good upon earth. Why not, since the Angels can take care of us while still enjoying the Beatific Visions? 3 Hail Mary
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If my wishes are granted, my heaven will be spent on earth until the end of the world. 3 Hail Mary
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When the Angel shall have said "time is no more" then will I rest. I shall then be able to rejoice because the number of the elect will be complete and all shall have entered into joy and repose. 4 Hail Mary, Glory be, Hail Holy Queen.
St Therese
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I feel always the same audacious confidence that I will become a great saint, for I do not count on my own merits since I have none, but I hope in Him.
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It is He and He alone who, being satisfied with my feeble efforts, will raise me to Himself and, covering me with His infinite merits, will make me a saint.
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If we abandon ourselves, and place our confidence in God, while making every small effort and hoping everything from His mercy, we shall be rewarded as much as the greatest saints.
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One glance, one moment of His Heart can cause His flower to open out for all eternity.
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If it is necessary to suffer and weep in order to reach heaven, I want to suffer whatever may please Jesus.
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Eternal reward has no proportion to our small sacrifices in this life.
The Crowning of Mary Queen of Heaven and Earth - Devotion to Mary
Behold, your Mother (John 19:27) Our Father
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I sought out solitude to pray my devotions, and they were many, especially the rosary, to which my mother was very devoted; and she made us devoted to it too. 3 Hail Mary
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I remember that when my mother died I was twelve years old...When I began to understand what I had lost, I went, afflicted, before an image of our Lady and besought her with many tears to be my mother. It seems to me that although I did this in simplicity it helped me. 3 Hail Mary
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I have found favour wuth this souvereign Virgin in everything I have asked of her, and in the end she has drawn me to herself. 4 Hail Mary, Glory be, Hail Holy Queen
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To see a work accomplished that I knew was for the service of the Lord and to the honour of the habit of His glorious Mother - these were my concerns.
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I prayed very much to St Joseph, as I did also to our Lady.
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I saw our Lady in the greatest glory clothed in a white mantle; it seemed she was sheltering us all under it. I understood how high degree of glory the Lord would give to those living in this house.
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He told me: 'I gave my Son, and the Holy Spirit, and this Blessed Virgin. What can you give Me?
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He showed me His Mother ascend to heaven, the happiness and solemnity with which she was received, and the place where she is....The glory my spirit experienced in seeing so much glory was magnificent. The effects of this favour were great.
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On another day the Lord told me this: 'Do you think, daughter, that merit lies in enjoyment? No, rather it lies in working and suffering and loving...When you see My Mother holding Me in her arms, don't think she enjoyed those consolations without heavy torment. From the time Simeon spoke those words to her, My Father gave her clear light to see what I was to suffer.
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Sorrowful Mysteries
The Agony of Jesus in the Garden - Sorrow for sin
The cares of the world, and the delight in riches, and the desire for other things, enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful (Mark 4:19)
Our Father.
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Many times the feeling of my great faults is tempered by the happiness experienced in the thought that the multitude of Your mercies may be known. 3 Hail Mary
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I found great consolation in sinners whom, after having been sinners, the Lord brought back to Himself. It seemed to me I could find help in them and that since the Lord had pardoned them He could also pardon me. 3 Hail Mary
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Oh, what a good friend You make, my Lord! How you proceed by favouring and enduring...You take into account, my Lord, the times when they love You, and in one instant of repentance You forget their offences. 4 Hail Mary. Glory be.
(St Teresa Collected Works)
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The scene of His prayer in the garden, especially, was a comfort to me: I strove to be His companion there. If I could, I thought of the sweat and agony He had undergone in that place...I remained with Him as long as my thought allowed me to.
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Where, my Lord, did I think I could find a remedy save in You? What folly; to flee from the light so as to be always stumbling!
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Where, my Lord, did I think I could find a remedy save in You? What a folly; to flee from the light so as to be always stumbling!
The Scourging at the Pillar - Purity
Clean the inside of cup and dish so that the outside may become clean as well (Matthew 23:26).
Our Father
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Jesus is pleased to teach [me] the science of glorying in [my] infirmities. That is a great grace and I pray Jesus to teach it also to you, for there alone are found peace and repose of heart. 3 Hail Mary
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Why should we defend ourselves when we are misunderstood and misjudged? Let us leave that aside. Let us not say anything....O blessed silence, which gives so much peace to the soul. 3 Hail Mary
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I prefer to be accused unjustly...and joyfully offer this to the good Lord. Then I humble myself at the thought that I am indeed capable of doing the thing of which I have been accused. 4 Hail Mary. Glory be.
(St Therese, various sources)
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In the hidden struggle of interior resurrection, nature cannot get such a hold on us and we can more easily attain humility and peace.
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When something was wanting I was much more satisfied, because I was then truly giving up something.
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It suffices that we refrain from indulging in a selfish sort of happiness, and offer to our Spouse the small joys He strews on the path of our life to delight our souls and raise them even to Himself.
The Crowning with Thorns - Courage
Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid (Matthew 14:27)
Our Father
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I don't understand these fears, "The devil! The devil!", when we can say "God! God!", and make the devil tremble. 3 Hail Mary
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I would never counsel anyone - if there were someone to whom I should have to give counsel - to fail out of fear to put a good inspiration into practice when it repeatedly arises. For if one proceeds with detachment for God alone, there is no reason to fear that the effort will turn out bad; for God has the power to accomplish all. 3 Hail Mary
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His Majesty wants this determination, and He is a friend of courageous souls if they walk in humility and without trusting in self. 4 Hail Mary. Glory be.
(St Teresa of Avila, Collected works)
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By understanding the love He bore me, I regained my courage, for I never lost confidence in His mercy.
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God does not deny Himself to anyone who perseveres. Little by little He will measure out the courage sufficient to attain this victory. I say 'courage' because there are so many things the devil puts in the minds of beginners to prevent them in fact from starting out on this path.
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Since we have an all-powerful King and so great a Lord that He can do all and that He brings all under His subjection, there is nothing to fear, if one walks, as I have said, in truth in the presence of His Majesty and with a pure conscience.
The Carrying of the Cross - Patience
As for the seeds in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:15). Our Father.
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The glory of my Jesus, that is all. For my honour, I abandon it to Him, and if He seems to forget me, well! He is free to do so, for I no longer belong to myself but to Him. 3 Hail Mary
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He will tire more quickly of making me wait than I shall tire of waiting for Him. 3 Hail Mary
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To humble ourselves, to suffer our imperfections with patience, this is true sanctity, the source of peace. 4 Hail Mary, Glory be.
(St Therese)
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God's mercy exercises endless patience.
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I am willing to wait until the day which has no setting sun, and when my darksome faith will vanish at His sight.
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In one instance Jesus accomplished what I had been unable to do for several years, having been content, on my part, with my good will, which had never been wanting.
The Crucifixion - Self-Denial
If any man come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23). Our Father.
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Even in sickness itself and these other occasions the prayer is genuine when i comes from a soul that loves to offer the sickness up and accept what is happening and be conformed to it. 3 Hail Mary
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All bear their crosses even though these crosses be different. For all who follow Christ, if they don't want to get lost, must walk along the path that He trod. And blessed be the trials that even here in this life are so super-abundantly repaid. 3 Hail Mary
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There are many who begin, yet they never reach the end. I believe this is due mainly to a failure to embrace the cross from the beginning. 4 Hail Mary, Glory be.
(St Teresa)
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If people wish to gain freedom of spirit and not be always troubled, let them begin by not being frightened by the cross, and they will see how the Lord also helps them carry it and they will gain satisfaction and profit from everything.
All quotation after John McClernon 'Sermon in a Sentence' books.
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