“True discretion is only secured by true humility. And of this humility the first proof is given by reserving everything for the scrutiny of the elders, so as not to trust at all in your own judgment but to acquiesce in their decisions in all points.”—Saint John Cassian, Second Conference of Abbot Moses, Chapter 10
“The enlightened man has a wisdom sent down to him from God, wherein he knows and discerns the truth without labour…[the opposite] are obstinate in the defence of their teaching and mode of thought…they are lukewarm and careless of all virtues. They are full of spiritual pride.”—Blessed Jan van Ruysbroeck, The Spiritual Espousals, II (c. 1340)
“Every thought that knocks upon our heart, whether good or evil, is not always the utterance of our own spirit, but the consent to the thought, whatsoever it be, is always our own. May Jesus grant us his grace to consent to the good and to stand firm against the evil. Amen.”—Anonymous Author of The Cloud of Unknowing, Treatise on the Discernment of the Spirits (late 14th century)
“In those who go on from good to better, the good angel touches the soul sweetly, lightly, and gently, like a drop of water which enters into a sponge. And the evil touches it sharply and with noise and disquiet, as when the drop of water falls on a stone. And the [aforementioned] spirits touch in a contrary way those who go on from bad to worse.”—Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, 335
“Even though…words and revelations are from God we cannot find assurance in them, since in our understanding of them we can easily be deluded.”—Saint John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel, Book II, 19.10
“You must note that you will merit no more glory for having received many of these favors…there are many saintly people who have never known what it is to receive a favor of this kind…and there are others who received such favors, although they are not saintly.”—Saint Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle, Sixth Mansions, Chapter 9
“Saint Basil says that God’s will is shown to us by his ordinances or commandments, and then there is nothing to deliberate about, since we need simply to do what is ordained; but for the rest we are free to choose what seems good to us…. We are to proportion our attention to the importance of what we undertake. It would be an ill-regulated carefulness to take as much trouble in deliberating about a day’s journey as about one of three or four hundred leagues.”—Saint Francis de Sales, “Discerning God’s Will,” Treatise on the Love of God, Book 8, Chapter 14 (1616)
“No matter how great this gift may be, it does not confer infallibility. It is always possible to err in using it.”—Anonymous Carthusian author of The Call of Silent Love (1995)
“What should we do if our…prayer is ‘dry,’ if it does not seem to touch our hearts or lead to the water of consolation? …If the virtues are alive and flourishing in us, even in the absence of devotion or consolation, then our prayer life is healthy despite the dryness.”—Thomas H. Green, S.J., “When the Well Runs Dry,” When the Well Runs Dry: Prayer Beyond the Beginnings, rev. ed. (2000)
“[Discernment] requires a filial relationship with God. God is Father
and He does not leave us alone, He is always willing to advise us, to encourage
us, to welcome us. But He never imposes His will. Why? Because He wants to be
loved and not feared. And also, God wants children, not slaves: free children.
And love can only be lived in freedom.”—Papa Francesco, Catecheses on
Discernment, August 31, 2022
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