Consolation

I first discovered St. Claude de la Colombiere while reading a book entitled Saints for Sinners, by Alban Goodier SJ, which tells the lives of those saints whose greatness was not recognized in their lifetimes or who felt themselves failures for most of their lives and whose heroic virtue can now be seen by its effect on millions of ordianry souls.

I felt myself identifying with St. Claude, who never felt himself reaching the heights God would reveal to him in prayer, constantly mindful of his many faults. Perhaps it's the perfectionist in me...

Well- I've delved more deeply into his life through a work published by Ignatius Press, entitled The Spiritual Direction of Saint Claude de la Colombiere, in which excerpts may be found from the many retreats, letters, and diaries he gave, wrote, and kept.

Today, I found this quote in the chapter "On Spiritual Joy", which summarizes St. Claude's general spirituality and which I wanted to share, as it has brought me consolation I hope it will bring to you in your Lenten journey:

"We must serve God with our whole heart an d do all in our prayer to prevent ourselves from sinning, but all this is to be done with joy, liberty of heart, and entire confidence, in spite of all weakness that we feel and the faults we commit."

It brings to mind the Thomas Merton prayer, another source of tremendous consolation. Peace!