"Life passes so quickly that is it obviously better to have a most splendid crown and a little suffering, than an ordinary crown and no suffering.

When I think that for a sorrow borne with joy, I shall be be able to love You more for all eternity, I understand clearly that if you gave me the entire universe with all its treasures it would be nothing in comparison to the slightest suffering.

Each new suffering, each pang of the heart, is a gentle wind to bear to You, O Jesus the perfume of the soul that loves You;

(last frost of the year)

The more the soul grows in love, the more it must grow in suffering too.

What a favor, my Jesus!"

– from the letters of St Therese of the Child Jesus, Divine Intimacy