St. Philip Neri said.....

[Denise]

The religious state is indeed the highest, but it is not suitable for all.

[Denise]

"A most excellent means of learning how to pray, is to acknowledge ourselves unworthy of such a benefit, and to put ourselves entirely into the hands of the Lord."

[Denise]

"The true preparation for prayer consists in the exercise of mortification; for he who wishes to give himself up to prayer without mortification, is like a bird wishing to fly before it is fledged."

[Denise]

"We can never arrive at the contemplative life, if we do not first exercise ourselves laboriously in the active life."

[Denise]

"We must exercise the spirit which God gives us in prayer, and follow that; so that, when, for example, it inclines us to meditate on the Passion, we must not wish to meditate on some other mystery."

[Denise]

"We must never pray for a favor for anyone, except conditionally, saying, 'If it please God,' or the like."

[Denise]

"When a spiritual person feels a great calmness of mind in asking anything of God, it is a good sign that God either has granted it or will do so shortly."

[Denise]

"A man ought never to think he has done any good, or rest contented with any degree of perfection he may have attained, because Christ has given us the type of our perfection, in putting before us the perfection of the Eternal Father. Be ye perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect."

[Denise]

"The sweetness which some experience in prayer, is milk which our Lord gives as a relish to those who are just beginning to serve Him."

[Denise]

"To leave our prayer when we are called to do some act of charity for our neighbor, is not really a quitting of prayer, but leaving Christ for Christ, that is, depriving ourselves of spiritual sweetnesses in order to gain souls."

[Denise]

"It is good for a man to go from prayer rather with an appetite and desire to return to it, than satiated and weary."

[Denise]

"The wisdom of the Scriptures is learned rather by prayer than by study."

[Denise]

"A diligent charity in ministering to the sick, is a compendious way to the acquisition of perfect virtue."

[Denise]

"Let women remain indoors, and look after their families, and not be desirous of going into public."

[Denise]

"We must pray incessantly for the gift of perseverance."