She was full of faith, yet all her life had been tormented by thoughts against it. While apparently enjoying the peace and easiness of mind of souls who have reached a high state of virtue, she suffered such interior trials that she often told me her mind was so filled with all sorts of temptations and abominations that she had to strive not to look within herself...But for all that suffering her face never lost its serenity, nor did she once relax in the fidelity God asked of her. And so I regard her as one of the holiest souls I have ever met on this earth.
-- St. Francis de Sales (speaking of St. Jane Frances de Chantal)
That must have been such a hard burden for her to bear, and to do it with such grace - amazing! I guess what we learn from this is try to keep our eyes on Christ and not ourselves.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Sheila :)