"God in his providence has ordained not to cure our ills or grant us grace without the intervention of prayer. He wishes us to help in saving each other by means of our prayer (cf. James 5:16 et seq). If the heavens showered down dew and the clouds rained the righteous One, if the earth opened to bring forth the Saviour (cf. Is 45:8), it was God's good pleasure that his coming should be protected by the prayers of that singular Virgin who by the beauty of her virtues drew into her womb the uncreated Word of God. The Redeemer came, and by constant prayer he reconciled the world to the Father. If Christ's prayer and the fruits of his redemptive work are to be applied to any nation or people, or if the gospel message is to enlighten them and they have someone to administer the Sacraments, it is indispensable that someone or even many persons should have previously won them over and reconciled them to God by earnest entreaties and supplications, by prayers and sacrifices. For this purpose, among others, the eucharistic sacrifice is offered on our altars." From the spiritual writings of Blessed Francis Palau y Quer, after Discalced Carmelite proper Offices.
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