What St. Francis and St. Dominic have done, that, by God's grace, I will do.
Saint IgnatiusRead
Realize that illness and other temporal setbacks often come to us from the hand of God our Lord, and are sent to help us know ourselves better, to free ourselves of the love of created things, and to reflect on the brevity of this life and, thus, to prepare ourselves for the life which is without end.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Illness and setbacks can be divine lessons that lead to self-discovery and a deeper understanding of life's impermanence.
This quote by Saint Ignatius reflects the idea that challenges and difficulties, such as illness, are part of a divine plan intended to foster deeper self-awareness and spiritual growth. They prompt us to detach from material concerns and recognize the transient nature of life, ultimately guiding us toward a more profound understanding of existence that prepares us for the eternal life beyond this world.
Themes
IllnessSetbacksSelf-DiscoverySpiritual GrowthLife'S Brevity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used to comfort someone facing a challenging illness, reminding them of the potential for personal growth.
More from Saint Ignatius
All quotes →Remember that the good angels do what they can to preserve men from sin and obtain God's honor. But they do not lose courage when men fail.
Saint IgnatiusRead
In the matter of learning, the difference between the earnest and the careless student stands out clearly. The same holds true in the mastering of passion and the weaknesses to which our nature is subject, as in the acquiring of virtue.
Saint IgnatiusRead
It is proper to ask for sorrow with Christ in sorrow, anguish with Christ in anguish, tears and deep grief because of the great affliction Christ endures for me.
Saint IgnatiusRead
Be slow to speak, and only after having first listened quietly, so that you may understand the meaning, leanings, and wishes of those who do speak. Thus you will better know when to speak and when to be silent.
Saint IgnatiusRead
It is a great delusion in those whose understanding has been darkened by self-love, to think that there is any obedience in the subject who tries to draw the superior to what he wishes.
Saint IgnatiusRead
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