Saint Teresa of Avila

“The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too.”

“For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.”

“Nothing can be compared to the great beauty and capabilities of a soul; however keen our intellects may be, they are as unable to comprehend them as to comprehend God, for, as He has told us, He created us in His own image and likeness.”

“Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul.”

“I had many friends to help me to fall; but as to rising again, I was so much left to myself, that I wonder now I was not always on the ground. I praise God for His mercy; for it was He only Who stretched out His hand to me. May He be blessed for ever! Amen.”

“We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can - namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us.”

“While the soul is in mortal sin, nothing can profit it; none of its good works merit an eternal reward, since they do not proceed from God as their first principle, and by Him alone is our virtue real virtue.”

“To have courage for whatever comes in life - everything lies in that.”

“I do not fear Satan half so much as I fear those who fear him.”

“To reach something good it is very useful to have gone astray, and thus acquire experience.”

“Whoever has not begun the practice of prayer, I beg for the love of the Lord not to go without so great a good. There is nothing here to fear but only something to desire.”

“Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love. Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything.”

“What value is there in faith without works? And what are they worth if they are not united to the merits of Jesus Christ, our only good?”