Flower of Devotion

The Blessed Virgin Mary said to the venerable Mary of Jesus:
The most noble and illustrious gifts of the Holy Ghost are the stream through which the Divinity communicates and flows into the holy souls. They are not limited in themselves, they are only limited by the person who receives them. If only men would free their hearts from earthly inclinations and tastes, they would partake, though their hearts are small without measure, in the stream of infinite Divinity by means of these gifts of the Holy Spirit.
By exercising the virtues, the soul gradually restores the harmonious order of its powers, which was destroyed first by original sin, and then by man’s own sins of deed. The virtues give the soul beauty, strength, joy, and ease in doing good.
The gifts of the Holy Ghost, on the other hand, raise the virtues themselves to a high perfection, adornment, and beauty; by which they prepare, adorn, and beautify the soul. He becomes worthy to enter the chamber of the Bridegroom, where, by a bond of eternal peace, he is miraculously united with the Deity into the essence of one spirit.
From this very happy state the soul then proceeds faithfully and confidently to the exercise of heroic virtues; and with these she returns again to the One from whom she came, to God. Under his shadow (Song 2:3) she rests in peace without any disturbance, for she cannot be disturbed by the raging winds of passion and improper inclinations. But this happiness is attained by few, and it is only by experience that he who possesses it becomes acquainted with it.
Consider, then, my daughter, as diligently as possible, how you can attain the excellent fruits of these gifts.