'Rough' Saints

Dorothy Day

I am reminded of St. Teresa who said, ‘The devil sends me so offensive a bad spirit of temper that at times I think I could eat people up!’  

I’m glad she felt that way too. St. Thomas said there is no sin in having a righteous wrath provided there is no undue desire for revenge.

[I, too, was glad to find these remarks from saintly people, real lovers of God. The people I have learned the most from in this world have been a bit rough by the conventional standards of spiritual life – as am I. I prefer an honest remark, even if painful, to empty talk or compliments. I have dear friends who tell me I am a ‘troll’ at times! Yet, they remain my loving friends. The conventional image of saints is of people who are always sweet and smiling. But I prefer the examples of earthy, plain spoken saints like St. Teresa of Avila and Dorothy Day, who express the truth that holiness is a consuming fire, not a warmth comforting to the ego.]