Céline, the sister of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, refers similar words of the saint, “You must practice the little virtues. This is sometimes difficult, but God never refuses the first grace—courage for self-conquest; and if the soul corresponds to that grace, she at once finds herself in God’s sunlight. The praise given to Judith has always struck me: ‘You have done manfully, and your heart has been strengthened’ [Jdt 15:11]. In the onset we must act with courage. By this means, the heart gains strength, and victory follows victory.”20 In the onset we must act with courage. If we do, “victory follows victory.” Thérèse is fully confident that “God never refuses that first grace.”
Gallagher, Timothy M.. Setting Captives Free (pp. 214-215). The Crossroad Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
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