Quotes about Ascetics

Christianity is not stoicism. The Cross does not sanctify us by destroying human feeling. Detachment is not insensibility. Too many ascetics fail to become great saints precisely because their rules and ascetic practices have merely deadened their humanity instead of setting it free to develop richly, in all its capacities, under the influence of grace.

Ascetics are "strict" only because they want to reserve a major portion of their lives for their passionate pursuit of God.