“Always begin all your prayers with an act of the presence of God because, sometimes, for want of doing so, an action will cease to be pleasing to him. Just consider … that although we do not yet see God, faith teaches us that his holy presence is everywhere, and this is one of the means which we should propose to ourselves. I mean, this presence in all places, penetrating all things and even our hearts to their very depths. This is even more true than the thought that we are all here present, because our eyes may deceive us, but the truth that God is in all places will never deceive. Another means of placing ourselves in the presence of God is to imagine ourselves before the most Blessed Sacrament of the altar. It is there … that we receive the dearest proofs of his love. Let us love him dearly and remember that he said when on earth: ‘Whoever loves me, we will come to him,’ where he speaks of the Father and the Holy Spirit, and souls will be guided by his holy providence as a ship by its pilot…. The good thoughts which God gives you in prayer are relics. Gather them carefully together in order to translate them into acts and you will gladden the heart of God. You will then be the joy of God and all the saints will hold high festival.”
— St. Vincent de Paul
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