Our Blessed Mother Mary
"'I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say'... Thereupon Mary set out, proceeding in haste into the hill country to a town of Judah, where she entered Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice: 'Blest are you among women, and blest is the fruit of your womb. But who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby leapt in my womb for joy..." (Luke 1:38-44) "Mary said a total yes to God. Thus she lived enclosure in His will fully.... All of her plans for her life were put aside in favor of God’s. Mary carried Jesus within her and she gave Him to the world. Thus she is the perfect cloistered heart." (from cloistered heart book, p. 60)
St. Francis de Sales
“Always
remember… to retire at various times into the solitude of your own
heart even while outwardly engaged in discussions or transactions with
others. This mental solitude cannot be violated by the many people who
surround you since they are not standing around your heart but only
around your body. Your heart remains alone in the presence of God.” (St. Francis de Sales)
“A
strong, resolute soul can live in the world without being infected by
any of its moods, find sweet springs of piety amid its salty waves, and
fly through the flames of earthly lusts without burning the wings of
its holy desires for a devout life. True, this is a difficult task,
and therefore I wish that many souls would strive to accomplish it with
greater ardor than has hitherto been shown.” (Introduction to the Devout Life).
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| St. Francis giving Visitation Rule to St. Jane |
"It is
an error, or rather a heresy, to wish to banish the devout life from
the regiment of soldiers, the mechanic’s shop, the court of princes, or
the home of married people.” (Introduction to the Devout Life).
(for more about Francis de Sales, click here)
(for more about Francis de Sales, click here)
St. Jane de Chantal
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| St. Jane |
"In a word, the Spirit of God does not depend on retirement. Rather, it is a spirit that strengthens and perfects all occupations." (St. Jane de Chantal)
(for more about Jane de Chantal, click here)
St. Margaret Mary
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| St. Margaret Mary |
(for more about Margaret Mary, click here)
St. Faustina
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| St. Faustina |
"My daughter, I want to repose in your heart, because many souls have thrown Me out of their hearts today." (Jesus to St. Faustina Kowalska)
"Adore Him in your heart; do not go out from your inmost being. My daughter, I shall obtain for you the grace of an interior life which will be such that, without ever leaving that interior life, you will be able to carry out your external duties with even greater care. Dwell with Him continuously in your own heart." (Blessed Mother to St. Faustina)
(for more about Faustina Kowalska, click here)
(for more about Faustina Kowalska, click here)
"Since we for our part are surrounded by this cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every encumbrance of sin that clings to us
and persevere in running the race that lies ahead.." (Hebrews 12:1)
