"Three months ago today I began my Novitiate. I am still very happy. Not for a minute have I regretted leaving all for God..."
10 October 1869
"...To be a truly apostolic man, to open to souls the ways of God, choice blessings are necessary. To obtain them, I wish to be before all a man of prayer, to pray and to have others pray; to practice humility, detachment, sacrifice, constancy and generosity, and above all, to love God. When one possesses this love of God, he has nothing to fear, not even those sacrifices of the heart which sometimes frighten us in advance. The love of God replaces everything, softens everything, and overflows everything. When love of God inundates the soul, its illuminating force enables one to see everything in its true light. This is what takes place in Heaven for the elect, and even on earth for those who give themselves without reserve..."
25 November 1869
"...There exists a beautiful devotion which I did not know about before entering the Order; I became acquainted with it during my simple Novitiate. This is the Perpetual Rosary..."
4 April 1870
"When in days gone by, I made the resolution to preach devotion to the Rosary, I did not think that a day would come when I would engage the faithful to rise at night to recite it. Oh! wonderful work! How does it happen that this devotion is not better known in the world? It does not require too much, an hour of prayer each month, any hour at choice to be kept at home or in the church. What must be done during the hour? Recite the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary. This is the simplest and easiest of prayers. More than ever I resolve to preach and organize the Perpetual Rosary."