The Bridal Wreath

“But I didn’t realize then that the consequence of sin is that you have to trample on other people.””

— Sigrid Undset

“God will find you,” said the priest quietly. “Stay calm and do not flee from Him who has been seeking you before you even existed in your mother’s womb.””

— Sigrid Undset

“Are you so arrogant that you think yourself capable of sinning so badly that God’s mercy is not great enough? . . .””

— Sigrid Undset

“For I've realized more and more with each year I've lived: There is no worthier work for the person who has been geared with the ability to see even a small part of God's mercy than to serve Him and to keep vigil and to pray for those people whose sight is still clouded by the shadow of worldly matters.””

— Sigrid Undset

“the world is just as harsh a taskmaster as any other lord, and in the end it’s a lord without mercy.””

— Sigrid Undset

“All that had happened and would happen was meant to be. Everything happens as it is meant to be.””

— Sigrid Undset

“Do you know who 'twas that first knew our Lord had caused Himself to be born? 'Twas the cock; he saw the star, and so he said–all the beasts could talk Latin in those days; he cried: 'Christus natus est!' " He crowed these words so like a cock that Kristin fell to laughing heartily. And it did her good to laugh, for all the strange things Brother Edvin had just been saying had laid a burden of awe on her heart.The monk laughed himself: "Ay, and when the ox heard that, he began to low: 'Ubi, ubi, ubi.' "But the goat bleated, and said: 'Betlem, Betlem, Betlem.' "And the sheep so longed to see Our Lady and her Son that she baa-ed out at once: 'Eamus, eamus!' "And the new-born calf that lay in the straw, raised itself and stood upon its feet. 'Volo, volo, volo!' it said.””

— Sigrid Undset

“Yes, well... I suppose the man who owns nothing is free."Gunnulf replied, "A man's possessions own him more than he owns them.””

— Sigrid Undset

“Dear sister”

— Sigrid Undset