Paul of the Cross' Spirituality

"... Contemplate the Highest Good and allow yourself to be set on fire with the fire of Divine Love. Never lose this holy solitude wherever you find yourself or in whatever work you are doing..."

Paul of the Cross to Sister Maria Magdalene
September 25, 1758 in Vol. 2 on Page 639

"...I recommend to you is that you make great account of prayer in pure faith, remaining in the solitude of your interior, adoring the Most High in spirit and in truth, taking your repose on his bosom like an infant, and feeding yourself on holy love..."

Paul of the Cross to Sister Maria Magdalene
September 25, 1758 in Vol. 2 on Page 639

"...I notice the great quiet that you tell me you experience, and that your soul is drawn into that divine solitude and repose of love in God, whence comes that quiet you experience. I would wish that you make much of that and cultivate it by keeping yourself very recollected in God and in being grateful for the great charity he gives you..."

Paul of the Cross to Maria Cherubina Bresciani
34th letter on June 18, 1749 in Vol. 2 on Page 160

"...it is necessary to be faithful, a friend of solitude, internal and external, distrustful of self, poor in spirit, a lover of ...internal and external silence, remaining as much as you can all immersed in God in a holy interior solitude. God will teach you..."

Paul of the Cross to John Iacomini
3rd letter on August 16, 1755 in Vol. 2 on Page 468

"...Take great account, dear one, of your interior divine solitude. Enter with faith and love into that deepest sacred desert, and there lose yourself completely in God. Love and be silent, repose on the bosom of God in a sacred silence of faith and love. Be reborn there every moment to a new life that is godlike in the Divine Word, Christ Jesus. Love will make his sufferings yours by the impression of holy love in naked faith and without images..."

Paul of the Cross to Theresa Palozzi
22nd letter on December 24, 1763 in Vol. 3 on Page 136

"...If you wish that God have you reborn in Jesus Christ to a new life of love and holiness, take care to practice the virtues taught and practiced by the gentle Jesus, especially humility of heart, meekness, patience, silence, etc. Continue your accustomed recollection, and, when the blessed God draws you in faith and holy love to repose in his divine bosom, rejoice in his peace and do so, leaving off your vocal prayers. When you are called to mental prayer, as above, even in the public ceremonies of the novena or others, follow the attractions of the Holy Spirit, who draws you to remain in solitude in the divine Presence in a sacred silence of faith and holy love..."

Paul of the Cross to Agnes Sagneri
1st letter on April 18, 1767 in Vol. 3 on Page 379

"...Suffer in peace, in silence, and that is enough. Let all your care be to remain solitary in that sacred interior desert, closing the door on everything created, and in that desert allow your soul to take its repose on the divine bosom of the Heavenly Father in a sacred silence of faith and holy love. There, you will be reborn in the Divine Word, Christ Jesus, to a new life of love, to a godlike life, a holy life. All this is done in pure and naked faith, without pictures in your imagination, for God is adored in spirit and in truth. There, you will love greatly and learn the science of the saints. The gratitude you should have toward the blessed God is great fidelity in this divine, interior solitude. When, due to some distraction, you find yourself outside this, immediately re-enter with a gentle stirring up of faith and a gentle dart of love toward God..."

Paul's Charism