This eighteenth century Founder directed many in the ways of prayer. He wrote this to someone who couldn’t find time to pray: ‘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. Speak to Him of His holy love, of His holy sufferings and of the sorrows of most holy Mary’.

This calm, sane advice is within reach of us all. It is similar to one of the ‘Sayings’ of St John of the Cross: ‘Enter within yourself, and work in the presence of your Bridegroom, who is ever present, loving you’.

May St Paul of the Cross pray for us, and may God bless you.