If it happens to you, Philothea, that in meditation you find no delight or comfort whatsoever, I urge you not to be troubled by it. However, open the gate of oral prayer from time to time: lament to the Lord Jesus about yourself, confess your unworthiness, pray to Him to help you; if you have His image, kiss it and say to Him the words of Jacob: “I will not let you go until you bless me”… If after all this you still do not feel comfort, do not be distressed, no matter how great your dryness may be…
(Francis de Sales /1567–1622/, Introduction to the Devout Life, ch. IX)
