With the Christmas joy over, and Easter feeling a stretch away, you might be feeling a little down in the dumps — especially if these chillier, darker days don’t exactly make you jump for joy.
Thankfully, there are some very wise holy men and women who can help you put life in perspective. So bring a little joy back into your heart and mind by reflecting on these little pearls:
“If we wish to serve God and love our neighbor well, we must manifest our joy in the service we render to Him and them. Let us open wide our hearts. It is joy which invites us. Press forward and fear nothing.” – St. Katharine Drexel
“If you have no earthly consolation, why not seek consolation in the Heart of Jesus? To love him is truest joy.” – St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
“God made us for joy. God is joy, and the joy of living reflects the original joy that God felt in creating us.”
– Pope St. John Paul II
The true way to advance in holy virtues, is to persevere in a holy cheerfulness.” – St. Philip Neri
“It is characteristic of God and his angels to bring to the soul, when they occupy it, true happiness and spiritual joy; and to drive from it the sadness and trials which the enemy incites in it.” – St. Ignatius of Loyola
“When we are expecting only suffering, the least joy surprises us: Suffering itself becomes the greatest joys when we seek it as a precious treasure.”
– St. Thérèse de Lisieux
“The Lord looked into the depth of my being with great kindness; I thought I would die for joy under that gaze.”
– St. Faustina
“Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter.”
– St. Padre Pio
And today we celebrate...