I see that we have to take many steps before arriving at sanctity. We think every step we take can be the last, and then we find that we have done nothing, we have hardly begun. A man who enters religion thinks there is nothing left to be done, but he soon finds that he has taken himself with him and is still worldly even though he has left the world . . . That done, he must go a step further and detach himself from himself, seek only God in God, and not look for any passing gain in holiness . . . to seek nothing but God’s interests. For this, my Lord, you must give us a great grace, for how can we reach such purity of intention by ourselves?

– St Claude de la Colombiere