Daily Virtue Quote – St. Therese of Lisieux

“You know that I have always wanted to be a Saint; but compared with real Saints, I know perfectly well that I am no more like them than a grain of sand trodden beneath the feet of passers-by is like a mountain with its summit lost in the clouds. Instead of allowing this to discourage me, I say to myself: ‘God would never inspire me with desires which cannot be realized; so, in spite of my littleness, I can hope to be a Saint. I could never grow up. I must put up with myself as I am, full of imperfections, but I will find a little way to Heaven, very short and direct, an entirely new way’… So, I searched the Scriptures… until I came upon these words from the lips of Eternal Wisdom: ‘Whosoever is a little one, let him come to Me.’ (Prov. 9:4). I went closer to God, feeling sure that I was on the right path, but as I wanted to know what He would do to a “little one,” I continued my search. This is what I found: ‘You shall be carried at the breasts and upon the knees; as one whom the mother caresseth, so will I comfort you.’ (Is 66:12, 13). My heart had never been moved by such tender and consoling words before! Your arms, My Jesus, are the elevator which will take me up to Heaven. There is no need for me to grow up; on the contrary, I must stay little, and become more and more so.”