“Above all, it is necessary to ask of God every morning the gift of perseverance, and to beg of the Blessed Virgin to obtain it for you, and particularly in the time of temptation, by invoking the name of Jesus and Mary as long as the temptation lasts. Happy the man who will continue to act in this manner, and shall be found so doing when Jesus Christ shall come to judge him. ‘Blessed is that servant, whom, when his Lord shall come, he shall find so doing’ (Matt. 24:46).” St. Alphonsus De Liguori
It is quite clear that St. Alphonsus was well aware of our human weakness. It is so very difficult for us to consistently strive, day in and day out, in our quest toward holiness. We grow weary, tired, and impatient, and can long for days when life could be a bit easier.