Considering a few "cloistered hearts" gone before us, I quickly think of St. Paul of the Cross. “The world lives unmindful of the sufferings of Jesus..." wrote this saint; "we must arouse the world from
its slumber.”
Through a great number of letters and sermons, Paul of the Cross indeed helped awaken the world. Founder of the Passionists and a tireless worker for Christ, Paul walked from town to
town, church to church, for over 40 years, preaching "the loving
memory of the passion and death of Jesus Christ..." (from "In the Shadow of His Wings")
The saints were the ideal "cloistered hearts," although most would not have thought in such terms. Looking at the following words by St. Paul of the Cross, however, I have a feeling he was one of those who did....
"Build an oratory within yourself, and there have Jesus on the altar of your heart. Speak to Him often while you are doing your work."
"Rest tranquilly in the loving Heart of our dear Savior; do not lose peace, even though the world turn upside down."
"Faith tells us that our heart is a Sanctuary, because it is the Temple of God, the dwelling-place of the Holy Trinity. Let us often visit this Sanctuary, and see that the lamps are alight - that is to say, Faith, Hope and Charity - and frequently stir up our faith when we are studying, working, or eating, when we go to bed, and when we rise, and make aspirations to God.”
"Take the holy, gentle will of God as your spouse, wedded each moment by the ring of faith in which are set all the jewels of hope and love."
“Nourish yourself with God’s Holy Will. Drink of this Chalice of Jesus. Close your eyes and do not seek to know what it may contain. It is enough to know that Jesus offers it.”
"Celebrate the feast of Christmas every day, even every moment, in the interior temple of your spirit."
For more about St. Paul of the Cross, click on this link
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