Fr. Basil Maturin (+1915):
The soul endures patiently the loss of all that it has forfeited, even its best gifts. It longs not so much to receive anything as to regain the love of God it has forfeited. God can reveal himself in darkness as well as in light. Those who will not pray in darkness lose that special revelation which God gives through the darkness, and surely none who have persevered through such times can doubt that God revealed himself to them then. When the darkness has passed, the soul will find what an increased knowledge and love of God it has gained.
And today we celebrate...