To be preferred

"Here on earth love proves itself by free choice.  When a man loves, he chooses that which he prefers.  Jesus wants to be chosen, to be preferred."

--Father Jean C. J. d'Elbee in I Believe in Love 

A treasure somewhere buried

"The tender friendships one gives up, on parting, leave their bite on the heart, but also a curious feeling of a treasure somewhere buried."

--Antoine de Saint-Exupery

*This painting is by Dante Gabriel Rossetti and is entitled "The First Anniversary of the Death of Beatrice."

Joy

"Joy is the echo of God's life in the soul."

--Rev. Patrick McBride

Hope

“Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.”

--George Iles

Flowers

I know, Jesus, that beautiful flowers
Are your friends.
You come from Heavenly prairies
To fetch souls, your sisters.
A soul is the fragrant flower,
That You, Child Jesus, would like to pick.
Jesus, the beautiful lily of the valley,
For the sake of a flower, You want to die!!!...
Ineffable mystery,
The Adorable Word
Will shed tears
When He picks His harvest of Flowers.

-- from The Angels at the Crib by Saint Therese of Lisieux

Kinder

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

--J. M. Barrie in The Little White Bird

That I may see

"If we want to be happy, we must learn to see God and His creatures as they are in themselves, and for their own sakes:  we must pray all our lives the prayer of the man in the Gospel:  "Lord, that I may see."

--Rev. Gerald Vann in The Divine Pity