Painting by George Elgar Hicks                   

"Pain is never permanent."

St. Teresa of Avila

Snowflakes...

Painting by Robert Hughes

"Let us not waste our time…

let us save souls…

souls "are lost like snowflakes"

and Jesus weeps."

(Saint Therese quoting St. Teresa of Avila)

No wings...

Artist- Roberto Ferruzzi

"A soul needs no wings

 to go in search of Him,

 but only to find a place

 where it can be alone...

 and look upon Him

 present within itself."

                                Saint Teresa of Avila

Inseparable...

Painting by George Inness

"Humility and detachment
 are two inseparable sisters."
St. Teresa of Avila

Teresa of Jesus' Transverberation...

"I saw in the angel's hands a large golden dart and at the end of the iron tip there appeared to be a little fire.  It seemed to me this angel plunged the dart several times into my heart and that it reached deep within me.  When he drew it out, I thought he was carrying off with him the deepest part of me; and he left me all on fire with great love of God."
St. Teresa of Avila

Flying without wings...

Digital Artwork by Christian Schloe

"More courage is required of those who set out on the road to perfection than of those who suddenly become a martyr, for perfection is not attained overnight.

You have yet to conquer your passions.  Yet by the very fact that you seek to love God, you expect to be extremely brave, as brave as a great saint.  You find yourself praising the Lord, but at the same time knowing deep sadness in your soul.  Many turn back at this point because they have no idea how to help themselves.

Many souls desire to fly before God gives them wings.  They begin with good desires, with great fervor and determination to advance in virtue.

Some actually give up all things for the sake of God.  Then they see other who are further along the way, great virtues to which they can only aspire.  They read books about prayer and contemplation, about all they must do to achieve their spiritual goals, and they lose heart.

Do not be troubled, but hope in the Lord.  For if you desire to do the will of the Lord, if you pray and hope in the Lord and do what you can for yourself, God will bring about in your soul all that you desire.  It is very, very important  that our weak natures should have great confidence, and not be dismayed.  We should think that if we do our best, we will be victorious!"
  (Taken from 'Let Nothing Disturb You', Teresa of Avila)