Abin

“If Jesus were to ask me, as He did that poor demoniac in the Gospel: "What is your name?" I too would have to reply: "My name is legion, for there are many of us" (Mk 5:9). There are as many of us as there are desires, plans and regrets which we harbor, each one different from and contrary to others which pull us in opposite directions. They literally dis-tract us, drag us apart.”
― Raniero Cantalamessa, Virginity: A Positive Approach to Celibacy for the Sake of the Kingdom of Heaven

“to dedicate oneself as a Victim of Love is not to be dedicated to sweetness and consolations; it is to offer oneself to all that is painful and bitter, because Love lives only by sacrifice and the more we would surrender ourselves to Love, the more we must surrender
ourselves to suffering”
― St. Thérèse de Lisieux, Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

“At this time I chose
as friends two little girls of my own age; but how shallow are the hearts of creatures! One
of them had to stay at home for some months; while she was away I thought about her very
often, and on her return I showed how pleased I was. However, all I got was a glance of indifference—
my friendship was not appreciated. I felt this very keenly, and I no longer sought
an affection which had proved so inconstant. Nevertheless I still love my little school friend,
and continue to pray for her, for God has given me a faithful heart, and when once I love,
I love for ever.”
― St. Thérèse de Lisieux

“If a little flower could speak, it seems to me that it would tell us quite simply all that God has done for it, without hiding any of its gifts. It would not, under the pretext of humility, say that it was not pretty, or that it had not a sweet scent, that the sun had withered its petals,or the storm bruised its stem, if it knew that such were not the case.”
― St. Thérèse de Lisieux, Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux