February 6th
Book Two, Chapter 12
Of the Royal Road of the Holy Cross

In the cross is height of virtue; in the cross is perfection of sanctity.  There is no health of soul, nor hope of eternal life, but in the cross....Dispose and order all things according as you will, and as seems best to you, and you will still find something to suffer, either willingly or unwillingly; and so you will always find the cross....The cross, therefore, is always ready, and everywhere awaits you....If you fling away one cross, without doubt you will find another, and perhaps a heavier....Know for certain that you must lead a dying life; and the more a man dies to himself, the more does he begin to live unto God.  No man is fit to comprehend heavenly things who has not resigned himself to suffer adversities for Christ.