St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) 1827 painting by François Gerard
St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church, on prayer:
"Indeed a great mercy does He bestow on anyone to whom He gives the grace and courage to resolve to strive for this good with every ounce of energy. For 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. For he knows the damage that will be done to him in losing not only that one soul but many others. If beginners with the assistance of God struggle to reach the summit of perfection, I believe they will never go to heaven alone; they will always lead many people along after them."
—The Book of Her Life, Ch. 11, #4
St. Teresa of Avila,
St. Teresa of Avila,
pray for us.
