In purity and humility of heart, in living and assiduous contemplation, they love Christ, who is close to the Father's heart. LCM 1.III
Of you my heart has spoken: Seek His face! The very essence of monastic life is the ceaseless search for the face of God, for union with Him. It is this burning desire, enkindled by the Holy Spirit, which compels a young man or woman to leave behind all the good things of this world and embrace a life of solitude and silence, in search of the Beloved.
Yet it is not just we who search for the face of the Beloved it is He who is searching for us, and it is He who draws us even to begin the search for Him. "God, infinitely perfect and blessed in Himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in His own blessed life." (CCC 1) "God needs no one's company, but He shares His company with those who need Him. For this is the glory of man, to continue and remain steadfastly in God's service" (St. Irenaeus, Adversus Hæreses).
