“To love anyone is to hope in him for always. From the moment at which we begin to judge anyone, to limit our confidence in him, from the moment at which we identify him with what we know of him and so reduce him to that, we cease to love him and he ceases to be able to be better.”

“Above all, always see Jesus in every person, and consequently treat each one not only as an equal and as a brother or sister, but also with great humility, respect and selfless generosity.”

“To receive the grace of God you must go to the desert and stay awhile.”

“The one thing we owe absolutely to God is never to be afraid of anything.”

“What great faith our Lord Jesus Christ asks of us – and how just that is. Do we not owe him such faith? It looks impossible to us, but Jesus is Master of the impossible.”

“As soon as I came to believe there was a God, I understood that I could not do otherwise than live only for him.”

“Faith strips the mask from the world and renders meaningless such words as anxiety, danger and fear, so the believer goes through life calmly and peacefully, with profound joy–like a child, hand and hand with his mother”

“It is not necessary to teach others, to cure them or to improve them; it is only necessary to live among them, sharing the human condition and being present to them in love.”

“The absence of risk is a sure sign of mediocrity.”

“Anything that doesn’t lead us to that – to better know and serve God – is a waste of time.”

“You have only one model, Jesus. Follow, follow, follow him, step by step, imitating him, sharing his life in every way.”

“We should never forget the two axioms: ‘Jesus is with me’ and whatever happens, happens by the will of God.”

“Crosses release us from this world, and by doing so, bind us to God.”

“Cry the Gospel with your whole life.”

“I no longer want a monastery which is too secure, I want a small monastery, like the house of a poor workman who is not sure if tomorrow he will find work and bread, who with all his being shares the suffering of the world.”

“What is this peace, different from that which the world gives? This peace is the one your love gives… a peace greater than suffering, not a peace without war, but a peace in spite of war, during war, above war, the peace of the soul, having, through love, its whole life in heaven and thus enjoying the peace of heaven in spite of everything which may happen on earth around it and against it”

Father,

I abandon myself into your hands;
do with me what you will.

Whatever you may do,
I thank you.

I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me,
and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to you
with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord,
and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.