ordocarmelitarum:

Bernini - The Ecstasy of St. Teresa&nbsp;
&quot;&nbsp;It was our Lord&rsquo;s will that in this vision I should see the angel in this wise. He was not large, but small of stature, and most beautiful&mdash;his face burning, as if he were one of the highest angels, who seem to be all of fire: they must be those whom we call cherubim. Their names they never tell me; but I see very well that there is in heaven so great a difference between one angel and another, and between these and the others, that I cannot explain it.&nbsp;I saw in his hand a long spear of gold, and at the iron&rsquo;s point there seemed to be a little fire. He appeared to me to be thrusting it at times into my heart, and to pierce my very entrails; when he drew it out, he seemed to draw them out also, and to leave me all on fire with a great love of God. The pain was so great, that it made me moan; and yet so surpassing was the sweetness of this excessive pain, that I could not wish to be rid of it. The soul is satisfied now with nothing less than God. The pain is not bodily, but spiritual; though the body has its share in it, even a large one. It is a caressing of love so sweet which now takes place between the soul and God, that I pray God of His goodness to make him experience it who may think that I am lying.&quot; -&nbsp;The Life of Teresa of Jesus
