#stteresaofavila — Public Fediverse posts

Quote of the day, 3 May: St. Teresa of Avila

On the eve of the feast of St. Sebastian, the first year in which I was prioress at the Incarnation, at the beginning of the Salve Regina, I saw the Mother of God descend with a great multitude of angels and sit in the prioress’s choir stall where there was a statue of our Lady.

In my opinion, I didn’t then see the statue but our Lady herself. It seemed to me she looked something like she does in the painting the countess gave me, although the power to discern this was quickly taken away, for my faculties were soon held in great suspension. It seemed to me there were angels above the canopies of the stalls in the back and above the front stalls; although they were not in corporeal form, for this was an intellectual vision.

She remained for the whole of the Salve, and she told me: “You were indeed right in placing me here; I shall be present in the praises they give my Son, and I shall offer these praises to Him.”

After this, I remained in the kind of prayer I now have, that of keeping my soul present with the Blessed Trinity. And it seemed to me that the Person of the Father drew me to Himself and spoke very pleasant words. Among them, while showing me what He wanted, He told me: “I gave you My Son, and the Holy Spirit, and this Blessed Virgin. What can you give Me?”

Saint Teresa of Avila

Spiritual Testimonies, 21
Avila, Monastery of the Incarnation, 19 January 1572

Note: Saint Teresa refers to a painting given to her by the Countess of Osorno, Doña María de Velasco of Valladolid, which is still preserved at St. Joseph’s in Ávila. Upon taking office as prioress of the Monastery of the Incarnation on October 14, 1571, she placed a statue of Our Lady of Clemency in the prioress’s stall, entrusting it symbolically with the keys of the monastery.

Teresa of Avila, St 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Kavanaugh, K & Rodriguez, O (trans.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Quote of the day, 19 April: St. Teresa of Avila

We always find that those who walked closest to Christ Our Lord were those who had to bear the greatest trials.

Consider the trials suffered by His glorious Mother and by the glorious Apostles. How do you suppose Saint Paul could endure such terrible trials? We can see in his life the effects of genuine visions and of contemplation coming from Our Lord and not from human imagination or from the deceit of the devil. Do you imagine that he shut himself up with his visions so as to enjoy those Divine favours and pursue no other occupation? You know very well that, so far as we can learn, he took not a day’s rest, nor can he have rested by night, since it was then that he had to earn his living [cf. 1 Thess 2:9].

I am very fond of the story of how, when Saint Peter was fleeing from prison, Our Lord appeared to him and told him to go back to Rome and be crucified. We never recite the Office on his festival, in which this story is found, without my deriving a special consolation from it. How did Saint Peter feel after receiving this favour from the Lord? And what did he do? He went straight to his death; and the Lord showed him no small mercy in providing someone to kill him.

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Interior Castle, VII.4

Note: In the old Carmelite Breviary, which St. Teresa would have used, the Antiphon of the Magnificat at First Vespers on June 29 runs: “The Blessed Apostle Peter saw Christ coming to meet him. Adoring Him, he said: ‘Lord, whither goest Thou?’ ‘I am going to Rome to be crucified afresh.'” The story has it that St. Peter returned to Rome and was crucified.

John of the Cross, St; de Santa Teresa, S; Peers, E 1934–1935, The complete works of Saint John of the Cross, doctor of the Church, translated from the Spanish by Peers, E, Burns Oates & Washbourne, London.

Featured image: The Domine Quo Vadis window in Saint Alban’s Cathedral, Hertfordshire. Image credit: Father James Bradley / Flickr (Some rights reserved).

Quote of the day, 1 April: St. Teresa of Avila

Another very good proof of love is that you strive in household duties to relieve others of work, and also rejoice and praise the Lord very much for any increase you see in their virtues.

All these things, not to mention the great good they contain in themselves, help very much to further peace and conformity between the Sisters, as we now, by God’s goodness, see through experience. May it please His Majesty that this love always continue. The contrary would be a terrible thing, and very difficult to endure: that is, few in number and disunited. God forbid.

If by chance some little word should escape, try to remedy the matter immediately and pray intensely. And if things of this sort against charity continue, such as little factions, or ambition, or concern about some little point of honor (for I think my blood freezes when I write about this and think that at some time it could happen, because I see it is the main evil in monasteries); when these things begin to take place consider yourselves lost.

Think and believe that you have thrown your Spouse out of the house and have made it necessary for Him to go in search of another dwelling, since you threw Him out of His own house.

Cry out to His Majesty. Seek a remedy; for if you don’t find one after such frequent confession and Communion, there is reason to fear a Judas among you.

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Way of Perfection, ch. 7, nos. 9–10

Teresa of Avila, St 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Kavanaugh, K & Rodriguez, O (trans.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured Image: This image of the Last Supper (ca. 1480) comes from the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar, France. Image credit: Jean Louis Mazieres / Flickr (Some rights reserved).

Quote of the day, 19 March: Saint Teresa

Once, when in need, for I didn’t know what to do or how to pay some workmen, St. Joseph, my true father and lord, appeared to me and revealed to me that I would not be lacking, that I should hire them. And so I did, without so much as a penny, and the Lord, in ways that amazed those who heard about it, provided for me.

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Book of Her Life: Chapter 33, no. 12

Teresa of Avila, St 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Kavanaugh, K & Rodriguez, O (trans.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: Saint Joseph holds a bouquet of Easter lilies, lilium longiflorum. Image credit: arley_design / Adobe Stock (Asset ID#: 1260853483).

Quote of the day, 2 March: St. Teresa of Avila

Once I was pondering why our Lord was so fond of this virtue of humility, and this thought came to me — in my opinion not as a result of reflection but suddenly: It is because God is supreme Truth; and to be humble is to walk in truth, for it is a very deep truth that of ourselves we have nothing good but only misery and nothingness.

Whoever does not understand this walks in falsehood. The more anyone understands it, the more he pleases the supreme Truth because he is walking in truth. Please God, Sisters, we will be granted the favor never to leave this path of self-knowledge, amen.

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Interior Castle, VI, ch. 10, no. 7

Teresa of Avila, St 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Kavanaugh, K & Rodriguez, O (trans.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: The United States nonprofit organization Feed My Starving Children visited Nicaragua in March 2011. Since 2018, the Ortega regime has revoked the non-profit status of over 5000 non-governmental, non-profit organizations, including those funded by the Catholic Church. In 2023, Catholic schools and universities were seized, diocesan bank accounts were frozen, and religious congregations were expelled. As of February 2026, more than 300 Catholic priests and religious have been exiled, expelled, or denied re-entry into the country, yet the poor who rely on their assistance remain. Image credit: Keely Joy Photography, Inc. for Feed My Starving Children / Flickr (Some rights reserved)

Quote of the day, 18 February: St. Teresa of Avila

Jesus. May the Holy Spirit be with your honor, my sister. I tell you that if I were to go about looking for my own satisfaction, I would consider it a trial that we are always so separated. Since, however, we are in a land of exile, we will have to endure it until our Lord brings us to the place that will last forever.

I am leaving, God willing, on Ash Wednesday. I will be in Medina for eight days—for I cannot delay—nor do I even know if it will be that long; then another eight days in Avila. I’ll be greatly consoled to see you there even if for only one day …

Saint Teresa of Avila

Letter 327 to her sister, Doña Juana de Ahumada
Written from Malagón, the second half of January 1580

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: Faithful from Antigua, Guatemala attend Ash Wednesday Masses in various parishes in the city | Nelomh.com / Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Quote of the day, 13 February: St. Teresa of Avila

Having decided to accept this foundation [in Villanueva de la Jara], it seemed to me necessary, for many reasons that occurred to me, that I go with the nuns who were to live there. My human nature resisted very much, for I had arrived in Malagón very sick and have always been so. But since I thought the foundation would serve our Lord, I wrote to my superior to order me to do what he thought best. He sent the license for the foundation and the command that I go personally and bring the nuns of my choice.

This latter worried me a great deal… Praying to our Lord very much over this matter, I took two from the monastery of St. Joseph’s in Toledo, one of them for prioress, and two from Malagón, one of them for subprioress. Since we had prayed so much to His Majesty, things turned out very well, which to me was no small matter; for in the foundations that we begin by ourselves alone, the nuns adapt to each other well.

Father Fray Antonio de Jesús and Father Fray Gabriel de la Asunción came for us. Given an assurance of help from the town, we left Malagón on the Saturday before Lent, the thirteenth of February in 1580.

God was pleased to make the weather so good and give me such health that it seemed to me I had never been sick. I was surprised and reflected on how very important it is not to consider our weak state of health or any opposition that occurs when we understand that something serves the Lord, since God is powerful enough to make the weak strong and the sick healthy. And when our Lord does not do this, suffering will be the best thing for our souls; and fixing our eyes on His honor and glory, we should forget ourselves. What is the purpose of life and health save that they be lost for so great a King and Lord?

Believe me, Sisters, you will never go astray in following this path.

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Foundations, 28.17–18

Note: Saint Teresa left Malagón with her nurse, Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew, to make the foundation in Villanueva de la Jara. Teresa selected four foundresses: from Toledo, María de los Mártires (prioress) and Constanza de la Cruz; from Malagón, Elvira de San Angelo (subprioress) and Ana de San Agustín.

Teresa of Avila, St 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Kavanaugh, K & Rodriguez, O (trans.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: We gratefully acknowledge photographer José-María Moreno García for making his photo-documentary of the Fifth Centenary visit to Saint Teresa’s foundation at Villanueva de la Jara available under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0). The complete photo album may be viewed here.

Quote of the day, 18 December: St. Teresa of Avila

Treats of when God suspends the soul in prayer with rapture or ecstasy or transport…

Well now you will ask me: if afterward there is to be no remembrance of these sublime favors granted by the Lord to the soul in this state, what benefit do they have? Oh, daughters, they are so great, one cannot exaggerate! For even though they are unexplainable, they are well inscribed in the very interior part of the soul and are never forgotten.

But, you will insist, if there is no image and the faculties do not understand, how can the visions be remembered? I don’t understand this either, but I do understand that some truths about the grandeur of God remain so fixed in this soul that even if faith were not to tell it who God is and of its obligation to believe that He is God, from that very moment it would adore Him as God, as did Jacob when he saw the ladder.

By means of the ladder, Jacob must have understood other secrets that he didn’t know how to explain, for by seeing just a ladder on which angels descended and ascended, he would not have understood such great mysteries if there had not been deeper interior enlightenment [cf. Gen 28:12]. I’m not sure if I’m recalling the story of Jacob correctly, for although I have heard it, I’m not entirely sure I’ve remembered it accurately.

Nor did Moses know how to describe all that he saw in the bush, but only what God wished him to describe [cf. Ex 3:1–16]. But if God had not shown secrets to his soul along with a certitude that made him recognize and believe that they were from God, Moses could not have entered into so many severe trials. But he must have understood such deep things among the thorns of that bush that the vision gave him the courage to do what he did for the people of Israel.

So, Sisters, we don’t have to look for reasons to understand the hidden things of God. Since we believe He is powerful, clearly we must believe that a worm with as limited a power as ours will not understand His grandeurs. Let us praise Him, for He is pleased that we come to know some of them.

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Interior Castle, Sixth Dwelling Place, ch. 4, nos. 6–7

Teresa of Avila, St 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Kavanaugh, K & Rodriguez, O (trans.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: Gebhard Fugel (German, 1863–1939), Moses before the Burning Bush, c. 1920, oil on canvas. The painting is held by the Diözesanmuseum Freising (Inv. D 94117). Digital image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons (public domain).

#hidden #Moses #mysticalExperience #secrets #StTeresaOfAvila

Quote of the day, 5 December: St. Teresa of Avila

You should know that for more than three months, it seems, hosts of demons have joined against the discalced friars and nuns. They have stirred up so many persecutions and calumnies against us nuns as well as Padre Gracián, and these are so hard to stomach, that all we can do is take refuge in God.

As a result, I believe he has heard our prayer, for the nuns are, after all, good souls. Those who sent memoranda to the king have retracted their words about the lovely exploits they attributed to us.

The truth is a great thing and these sisters above all rejoice in it. As for me, it matters little. I’ve grown used to such things, and it’s not surprising that they leave me untouched.

Now, to top things off, the nuns at the Incarnation have agreed to vote for me for prioress, and though I received fourteen or fifteen more votes than needed, the friars so conspired that another nun who had fewer votes was elected and confirmed.[Ana de Toledo, 7 October 1577] And the friars would have done me a great favor, provided everything had proceeded peacefully.

Since the nuns did not want to obey the newly-confirmed prioress except as vicaress, they were all excommunicated—more than fifty of them.

Although in fact, according to learned men, they were not really excommunicated, they have nonetheless had to undergo two months without being able to attend Mass or speak to their confessors [including St. John of the Cross, abducted on 3 December 1577], and they are in anguish.

Although the nuncio [Felipe Sega] has now given orders for them to be absolved, they are still in the same situation. Just think, what a life it is, to see all of this going on!

Saint Teresa of Avila

Letter 219 to Padre Gaspar de Salazar
7 December 1577

Teresa of Avila, St 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Kavanaugh, K & Rodriguez, O (trans.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: This image of Letter 148 from St. Teresa to the prioress in Seville comes from a rare book collection. Image credit: rrocio | Getty Images / iStockphoto.

#elections #monasteryOfTheIncarnation #obedience #stTeresaOfAvila #tribulation

Quote of the day, 24 November: St. Teresa of Avila

I remember that when my mother died, I was twelve years old or a little less. When I began to understand what I had lost, I went, afflicted, before an image of our Lady and besought her with many tears to be my mother. It seems to me that although I did this in simplicity, it helped me. For I have found favor with this sovereign Virgin in everything I have asked of her, and in the end she has drawn me to herself.

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Book of Her Life, Chap. 1, no. 7

On 24 November 1528, St. Teresa’s mother, Doña Beatriz Ahumada made her last will and testament. Scholars such as Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD, and Joseph Pérez indicate that it is believed she expired soon after she made and signed her will, dying in her palace at Gotarrendura, Avila. From there, her body was taken to the city with all due ceremony, where she received a burial with honors in the Church of San Juan in Avila.

Spanish Wikipedia has a small biography for Doña Beatriz that draws upon the research of Pérez and others; it also consults the Cepeda genealogy from her husband’s side of the family.

Father Kavanaugh discusses the “image of our Lady” in his footnotes to Chapter 1 of St. Teresa’s autobiography, The Book of Her Life:

According to an old tradition, she is referring to a statue of Our Lady of Charity that was venerated in the hermitage of St. Lazarus, outside the walls of the city, near the river Adaja. After the destruction of the hermitage in the nineteenth century, the statue was moved to the cathedral, where it is venerated today.

This statue of Our Lady of Charity is found in the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows (Capilla de la virgen de la piedad o de los dolores) in the Cathedral of Avila. You can learn more about the chapel on the cathedral website and see a better photo of the chapel on Wikimedia Commons, which includes the statue of Our Lady of Charity.

Teresa of Avila, St 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Kavanaugh, K & Rodriguez, O (trans.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: In this stock photo of the city of Avila at night, the Cathedral of Avila rises above the old city in the center of the horizon.

#blessedVirginMary #death #donaBeatrizDeAhumada #grief #stTeresaOfAvila

15 October: SAINT TERESA OF JESUS OUR MOTHER

October 15
SAINT TERESA OF JESUS
OUR MOTHER
Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Solemnity

Teresa was born at Avila in Spain in 1515. She entered the Carmelites and made great progress in the way of perfection and was granted mystical revelations. Wishing to share in the spiritual renewal of the Church of her time, she began to live her religious life more ardently and soon attracted many companions, to whom she was like a mother. She also helped in the reform of the friars, and in this had to endure great trials. She wrote books that are renowned for their depth of doctrine and which showed her own spiritual experiences. She died at Alba in 1582.

Evening Prayer I

Hymn

Mild messenger of heaven’s high King,
Forth from home’s sheltering walls you set:
‘Christ to the Pagan’s land I’ll bring
Or die a martyr!’—Ah, not yet:

A sweeter pain, a death more dear
Must win for you a wider fame;
No mortal hand’s to wield the spear
That kindles your consuming flame.

Victim of God’s unbounded love,
Let our hearts burn with like desire;
Lead all your retinue above
That none may taste eternal fire.

Jesu, celestial choirs adore You,
Bridegroom of all virgins pure,
And wedding-songs unceasing pour
While endless ages shall endure.

L.M.
Tr. Bede Edwards, O.C.D.

Psalmody

Ant. 1 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to little ones.

Psalm 113

Praise, O servants of the Lord, *
praise the name of the Lord!
May the name of the Lord be blessed *
both now and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting *
praised be the name of the Lord!

High above all nations is the Lord, *
above the heavens his glory.
Who is like the Lord, our God, *
who has risen on high to his throne
yet stoops from the heights to look down, *
to look down upon heaven and earth?

From the dust he lifts up the lowly, *
from his misery he raises the poor
to set him in the company of princes, *
yes, with the princes of his people.
To the childless wife he gives a home *
and gladdens her heart with children.

Ant. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to little ones.

Ant. 2 Nations will proclaim her wisdom, and the Church will sing her praise.

Psalm 146

My soul, give praise to the Lord, +
I will praise the Lord all my days, *
make music to my God while I live.

Put no trust in princes, *
in mortal men in whom there is no help.
Take their breath, they return to clay *
and their plans that day come to nothing.

He is happy who is helped by Jacob’s God, *
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who alone made heaven and earth, *
the seas and all they contain.

It is he who keeps faith forever, *
who is just to those who are oppressed.
It is he who gives bread to the hungry, *
the Lord, who sets prisoners free,

the Lord who gives sight to the blind, *
who raises up those who are bowed down,
the Lord, who protects the stranger *
and upholds the widow and orphan.

It is the Lord who loves the just *
but thwarts the path of the wicked.
The Lord will reign forever, *
Zion’s God, from age to age.

Ant. Nations will proclaim her wisdom, and the Church will sing her praise.

Ant. 3 The Lord gave her wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and a heart as vast as the sand on the seashore.

Canticle: Ephesians 1:3-10

Praised be the God and Father *
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who has bestowed on us in Christ *
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

God chose us in him *
before the world began,
to be holy *
and blameless in his sight.

He predestined us +
to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ, *
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor *
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.

In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed, *
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous *
is God’s favor to us.

God has given us the wisdom *
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased *
to decree in Christ.

A plan to be carried out *
in Christ, in the fullness of time,
to bring all things into one in him, *
in the heavens and on the earth.

Ant. The Lord gave her wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and a heart as vast as the sand on the seashore.

Reading

1 Corinthians 2:6-10a

Among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him,” God has revealed to us through the Spirit.

Responsory

R/. She became a teacher * in the Church of God. Repeat R/.
V/. The Lord filled her with the spirit of wisdom and understanding * in the Church of God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R/. She became a teacher * in the Church of God.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. Holy Mother Teresa, light of the Church, teach us the way of perfection, and lead us to the eternal mansions where Christ has his home.

Intercessions

With our Mother Saint Teresa let us call upon our loving Father, in the name of Christ our friend and companion. Let us pray:

R/. Lord, may your kingdom come.

You made your Son a source of life, so that whoever believes in him might have life for all eternity; — may we listen to the voice of Christ, our true life, and so have life in him. R/.

You gave us your only-begotten Son as our teacher of holiness and our Way to you; — may we, your children, loyally follow Christ, the Way of perfection, and pray to you without ceasing. R/.

You promised through Christ that with him you will come to dwell in those who surrender to your love; — may we let your Spirit of love take possession of our hearts for Christ, and so be admitted to the inmost mansions of your dwelling-place. R/.

You made Christ head and cornerstone of the Church, the foundation on which we might build; — may we love and serve the Church for his sake, rooted and founded in his love and faith. R/.

You raised Christ to your right hand in glory, to prepare a place for us in your presence; — may all the dead who seek your face be with Christ, and contemplate the glory you have given him. R/.

Our Father…

Prayer

Father,
by your Spirit you raised up
our Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show your Church the way to perfection.
May her inspired teaching
awaken in us a longing for true holiness.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Invitatory

Ant. The Lord is the fount of wisdom; come, let us adore him.

Invitatory psalm, as in the Ordinary.

Office of Readings

Hymn

Noonday blaze of virtues rare;
Highest gifts of grace and prayer;
You have lived, in deep repose,
All that faith on us bestows.

Wedded to the Father’s Word,
Word of light, in silence heard
Leaning on the Savior’s breast,
Guided by the Spirit blest.

Blest the mind refined by fire
To receive divine desire,
Wisdom’s secrets in your heart,
Opened by the heavenly dart.

Christ drew you to his embrace
By the fragrance of his grace;
In your teaching we confide,
Trusting you, our heav’n-sent guide.

Truth eternal, One and Three,
May Teresa constantly
Lead us up the mountain’s ways
To the realms of joy and praise.

77.77.
Sr. Margarita of Jesus, O.C.D.

Psalmody

Ant. 1 My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life: when shall I see God face to face?

Psalm 42

Like the deer that yearns *
for running streams,
so my soul is yearning *
for you, my God. 

My soul is thirsting for God, *
the God of my life;
when can I enter and see *
the face of God?

My tears have become my bread, *
by night, by day,
as I hear it said all the day long: *
“Where is your God?”

These things will I remember *
as I pour out my soul:
how I would lead the rejoicing crowd *
into the house of God,
amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving, *
the throng wild with joy.

Why are you cast down, my soul, *
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still, *
my savior and my God.

My soul is cast down within me *
as I think of you,
from the country of Jordan and Mount Hermon, *
from the Hill of Mizar.

Deep is calling on deep, *
in the roar of waters: *
your torrents and all your waves *
swept over me.

By day the Lord will send *
his loving kindness;
by night I will sing to him, *
praise the God of my life.

I will say to God, my rock: *
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning *
oppressed by the foe?”

With cries that pierce me to the heart, *
my enemies revile me,
saying to me all the day long: *
“Where is your God?”

Why are you cast down, my soul, *
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still, *
my savior and my God.

Ant. 1 My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life: when shall I see God face to face?

Ant. 2  Your splendor, Lord, is unending, who can tell your mercy and greatness?

Psalm 145

I will give you glory, O God my King, *
I will bless your name forever.

I will bless you day after day *
and praise your name forever.
The Lord is great, highly to be praised, *
his greatness cannot be measured.

Age to age shall proclaim your works, *
shall declare your mighty deeds,
shall speak of your splendor and glory, *
tell the tale of your wonderful works.

They will speak of your terrible deeds, *
recount your greatness and might.
They will recall your abundant goodness; *
age to age shall ring out your justice.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion, *
slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all, *
compassionate to all his creatures

Ant. 2  Your splendor, Lord, is unending, who can tell your mercy and greatness?

Ant. 3 The Lord is faithful to all who call on him in truth; his kingdom will never end.

All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, *
and your friends shall repeat their blessing.
They shall speak of the glory of your reign *
and declare your might, O God,

to make known to men your mighty deeds *
and the glorious splendor of your reign.
Yours is an everlasting kingdom; *
your rule lasts from age to age.

The Lord is faithful in all his words *
and loving in all his deeds.
The Lord supports all who fall *
and raises all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all creatures look to you *
and you give them their food in due time.
You open wide your hand, *
grant the desires of all who live.

The Lord is just in all his ways *
and loving in all his deeds.
He is close to all who call him, *
who call on him from their hearts.

He grants the desires of those who fear him, *
he hears their cry and he saves them.
The Lord protects all who love him; *
but the wicked he will utterly destroy.

Let me speak the praise of the Lord, +
let all mankind bless his holy name forever,
for ages unending.

Ant. 3 The Lord is faithful to all who call on him in truth; his kingdom will never end.

V/. You, O Lord, are close.
R/. And all your commands are truth.

First Reading

Phil 3:8-21

From the letter of the apostle Paul to the Philippians

The knowledge of Christ Jesus is supreme

I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have thrown everything away; I consider it all as mere garbage, so that I may gain Christ and be completely united with him. I no longer have a righteousness of my own, the kind that is gained by obeying the Law. I now have the righteousness that is given through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is based on faith. All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death, in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life.

I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself. Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above.

All of us who are spiritually mature should have this same attitude. But if some of you have a different attitude, God will make this clear to you. However that may be, let us go forward according to the same rules we have followed until now.

Keep on imitating me, my friends. Pay attention to those who follow the right example that we have set for you. I have told you this many times before, and now I repeat it with tears: there are many whose lives make them enemies of Christ’s death on the cross. They are going to end up in hell, because their god is their bodily desires. They are proud of what they should be ashamed of, and they think only of things that belong to this world. We, however, are citizens of heaven, and we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. He will change our weak mortal bodies and make them like his own glorious body, using that power by which he is able to bring all things under his rule.

Responsory

R/. Your life is hidden now with Christ in God. * When Christ your life appears, you too will appear with him in glory. 
V/. Neither death nor life, nor anything in all creation, can come between us and Christ’s love for us. * When Christ your life appears, you too will appear with him in glory.

Second Reading

Ch 22:6-7, 14

From the Autobiography of Saint Teresa of Jesus

We should always be mindful of Christ’s love

Whoever lives in the presence of so good a friend and excellent a leader as is Jesus Christ can endure all things. Christ helps us and strengthens us and never fails; he is a true friend. And I see clearly that God desires that if we are going to please him and receive his great favors this must come about through the most sacred humanity of Christ, in whom he takes his delight.

Many, many times have I perceived this through experience. The Lord has told it to me. I have definitely seen that we must enter by this gate if we desire His Sovereign Majesty to show us great secrets. A person should desire no other path, even if he be at the summit of contemplation; on this road he walks safely. This Lord of ours is the one through whom all blessings come to us. He will teach us these things. In beholding his life we find that he is the best example.

What more do we desire than to have such a good friend at our side, who will not abandon us in our labors and tribulations, as friends in the world do? Blessed is the one who truly loves him and always keeps him near. Let us consider the glorious Saint Paul: it doesn’t seem that any other name fell from his lips than that of Jesus, as coming from one who kept the Lord close to his heart. Once I had come to understand this truth, I carefully considered the lives of some of the saints, the great contemplatives, and found that they hadn’t taken any other path: Francis, Anthony of Padua, Bernard, Catherine of Sienna. A person must walk along this path in freedom, placing himself in God’s hands. If His Majesty should desire to raise us to the position of one who is an intimate and shares his secrets, we ought to accept gladly.

As often as we think of Christ we should recall the love with which he bestowed on us so many favors, and the great things God showed in giving us a pledge like this of his love; for love begets love. Let us strive to keep this always before our eyes and to waken ourselves to love. For if at some time the Lord should grant us the favor of impressing this love on our hearts, all will become easy for us and we shall carry out our tasks quickly and without much effort.

Responsory

R/. For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
V/. I willingly glory in my weakness, so that the power of Christ may be strong in me. * For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Where the Vigil Office is celebrated:

Ant. I have been zealous for the honor of my spouse, Jesus Christ; he said to me: Be zealous for my honor like a true bride.

Canticle I

Is 2:2-3

All the peoples will come to the house of the Lord

The mountain where God has chosen to dwell (Ps 67:17)

It shall come to pass in the latter days *
that the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall be established as the highest of the mountains +
and shall be raised above the hills, *
and all the nations shall flow to it.

And many people shall come, and say: +
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, *
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways *
and that we may walk in his paths.’

For out of Sion shall go forth the law, *
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Canticle II

Is 61:10-62:3

The prophet rejoices in the new Jerusalem

I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, as beautiful as a bride prepared to meet her husband (Rev 21:2)

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord *
my soul shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, *
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, *
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the earth brings forth its shoots, *
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise *
to spring forth before all the nations.

For Sion’s sake I will not keep silent, *
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest
until her vindication goes forth as brightness, *
and her salvation as a burning torch.

The nations shall see your vindication, *
and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name *
which the mouth of the Lord will give.

You shall be a crown of beauty *
in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadem *
in the hand of your God.

Canticle III

Is 62:4-7

The glory of the new Jerusalem

Here God lives among men. He will make his home among them (Rev 21:3)

No longer are you to be named ‘Forsaken,’ *
nor your land ‘Abandoned,’
but you shall be called ‘My Delight’ *
and your land ‘The Wedded;’
for the Lord takes delight in you *
and your land will have its wedding.

Like a young man marrying a virgin, *
so will the one who built you wed you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices in his bride, *
so will your God rejoice in you.

On your walls, Jerusalem, *
I set watchmen.
Day or night *
they must never be silent.

You who keep the Lord mindful *
must take no rest.
Nor let him take rest +
till he has restored Jerusalem, *
and made her the boast of the earth.

Ant. I have been zealous for the honor of my spouse, Jesus Christ; he said to me: Be zealous for my honor like a true bride.

Gospel

Jn 14:1-11a

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

There are many rooms in my Father’s house

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house;
if there were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am
you may be too.
You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus said:

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.
If you know me, you know my Father too.
From this moment you know him and have seen him.”

Philip said, “Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.” “Have I been with you all this time, Philip,” said Jesus to him, “and you still do not know me?

“To have seen me is to have seen the Father,
so how can you say, ‘Let us see the Father?’
Do you not believe
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself:
it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work.
You must believe me when I say
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.”

Te Deum

You are God: we praise you; *
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father: *
All creation worships you.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, *
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might, *
heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you. +
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. *
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you: *
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, *
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the King of glory, *
the eternal Son of the Father.

When you became man to set us free *
you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb.

You overcame the sting of death, *
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. *
We believe that you will come, and be our judge.

Come then, Lord, and help your people, *
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints*
to glory everlasting.

Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
— Govern and uphold them now and always.

Day by day we bless you.
— We praise your name for ever.

Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
— Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.

Lord, show us your love and mercy,
— for we have put our trust in you.

In you, Lord, is our hope:
— And we shall never hope in vain.

Prayer

Father,
by your Spirit you raised up
our Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show your Church the way to perfection.
May her inspired teaching
awaken in us a longing for true holiness.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Morning Prayer

Hymn

My beloved, passing fair,
Love has drawn thy likeness, see,
In my inmost Heart, and there—
Lost or straying unaware—
Thou must seek thyself in me.

Well I know that thou shalt find
This thine image in my Heart,
Pictured to the life, with art
So amazing, that thy mind
Sees thy very counterpart.

If my chance thou e’er shalt doubt
Where to turn in search of me,
Seek not all the world about;
Only this can find me out—
Thou must seek myself in thee.

In the mansion of thy mind
Is my dwelling-place; and more—
There I wander, unconfined,
Knocking loud if e’er I find
In thy thought a closèd door.

Search for me without were vain,
Since, when thou has need of me,
Only call me, and again
To thy side I haste amain;
Thou must seek myself in thee.

7.7.7.7.7
St. Teresa of Jesus
Tr. by A. Stirling

Psalmody

Ant. 1 For you my soul is thirsting, Lord; my body pines for you.

Psalm 63

O God, you are my God, for you I long; *
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you *
like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary *
to see your strength and your glory.

For your love is better than life, *
my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life, *
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, *
my mouth shall praise you with joy.

On my bed I remember you. *
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help; *
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you; *
your right hand holds me fast.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant.  For you my soul is thirsting, Lord; my body pines for you.

Ant. 2 All your creatures praise you, Lord; your saints shall bless your name.

Canticle – Daniel 3:57-88, 56

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord. *
You heavens, bless the Lord,
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord. *
All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Sun and moon, bless the Lord. *
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.

Every shower and dew, bless the Lord. *
All you winds, bless the Lord.
Fire and heat, bless the Lord. *
Cold and chill, bless the Lord.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord. *
Frost and chill, bless the Lord.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord. *
Nights and days, bless the Lord.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord. *
Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.

Let the earth bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord. *
Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.
You springs, bless the Lord. *
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord. *
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord. *
You sons of men, bless the Lord.

O Israel, bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord. *
Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord. *
Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.

Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. *
Let us praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven. *
Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all for ever.

Ant.  All your creatures praise you, Lord; your saints shall bless your name.

Ant. 3 I have sung the praises of your mercies, Lord, in the assembly of the faithful.

Psalm 149

Sing a new song to the Lord, *
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its maker, *
let Zion’s sons exult in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing *
and make music with timbrel and harp.

For the Lord takes delight in his people. *
He crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, *
shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips *
and a two-edged sword in their hand,

to deal out vengeance to the nations *
and punishment on all the peoples;
to bind their kings in chains *
and their nobles in fetters of iron;
to carry out the sentence pre-ordained; *
this honor is for all his faithful.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant.  I have sung the praises of your mercies, Lord, in the assembly of the faithful.

Reading

2 Cor 4:5-7

It is not ourselves that we are preaching, but Christ Jesus as the Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. It is the same God that said, “Let there be light shining out of darkness”, who has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, the glory on the face of Christ. We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. 

Responsory

R/. To you my heart has spoken: * it is you that I seek.
Repeat R/.
V/. I long for your face, Lord; * it is you that I seek.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R/. To you my heart has spoken: * it is you that I seek.

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and show myself to him.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old †
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers*
and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and show myself to him.

Intercessions

The Lord of glory, the crown of all the saints, gives us the joy of celebrating this feast of our Mother Saint Teresa. Let us praise him, saying:

R/. Glory to you, Lord.

Source of life and holiness, in your saints you show us the infinite marvels of your grace; —in company with Saint Teresa may we sing of your mercies forever. R/.

You want your love to blaze like fire throughout the world; —may we, like Saint Teresa, be instrumental in keeping that flame of love alight. R/.

You sanctify your friends and reveal to them the mysteries of your heart; —unite our hearts to yours in a friendship so close and intimate that we may experience the secrets of your love, proclaim it to others, and win them to you. R/.

You blessed the pure of heart and promised that they would see you; —purify our sight, so that we may see you in all things, and through all things be close to you. R/.

You oppose the proud and give wisdom to the simple; —make us humble of heart, so that we may receive your wisdom for the sake of the Church. R/.

Our Father…

Prayer

Father,
by your Spirit you raised up
our Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show your Church the way to perfection.
May her inspired teaching
awaken in us a longing for true holiness.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Daytime Prayer

The complementary psalms are used. If this feast falls on Sunday, then psalms from Sunday, Week I are said.

Midmorning

Ant. When you pray go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is hidden.

Reading

Rev 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

V/. I will pray to the God of my life.
R/. I will say to him: You are my support.

Midday

Ant. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say: Rejoice! The Lord is near.

Reading

1 Thess 5:16-18

Be happy at all times; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus.

V/. You will show me the path of life.
R/. The fullness of joy in your presence.

Midafternoon

Ant. Let us live in truth and love, and let all things aid our growth into Christ.

Reading

3 John 3-4

It was a great joy to me when some brothers came and told of your faithfulness to the truth, and of your life in the truth. It is always my greatest joy to hear that my children are living according to the truth.

V/. Serve the Lord in truth.
R/. Whoever follows the truth, comes to the light.

Prayer

Father,
by your Spirit you raised up
our Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show your Church the way to perfection.
May her inspired teaching
awaken in us a longing for true holiness.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Evening Prayer

Hymn

Teresa, herald of the King,
You left your home in dawn of youth
To bring to souls, on eager wing,
Your blood, or Christ’s redeeming truth.

But yours must be another death—
Both pain and rapture flood your heart,
Enkindled by the Spirit’s breath,
Pierced through by cherub’s fiery dart.

O Victim of pure charity,
Send fire to souls you love so well;
By flame of Wisdom’s clarity
Deliver us from fires of hell!

O Jesus, Spouse of virgin-brides,
May they adoring sing your praise
In nuptial music that abides
Through peace of never-ending days!

L.M.
Regis superni nuntia
Tr. unknown

Psalmody

Ant. 1 The Lord showed me the holy city: it was resplendent with the glory of God, and shone like a precious jewel.

Psalm 122

I rejoiced when I heard them say: *
“Let us go to God’s house.”
And now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built as a city *
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up, *
the tribes of the Lord.

For Israel’s law it is, *
there to praise the Lord’s name.
There were set the thrones of judgment *
of the house of David.

For the peace of Jerusalem pray; *
“Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls, *
in your palaces, peace!”

For love of my brethren and friends *
I say: “Peace upon you!”
For love of the house of the Lord *
I will ask for your good.

Ant. The Lord showed me the holy city: it was resplendent with the glory of God, and shone like a precious jewel.

Ant. 2 Behold, the dwelling of God is with men, and he will make his home among them.

Psalm 127

If the Lord does not build the house, *
in vain do its builders labor;
if the Lord does not watch over the city, *
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.

In vain is your earlier rising, *
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat: *
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.

Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, *
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons of youth *
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.

O the happiness of the man *
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame *
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways.

Ant. Behold, the dwelling of God is with men, and he will make his home among them.

Ant. 3 I will make up in my body whatever is lacking in the sufferings of Christ, for the sake of his body the Church. 

Canticle: Col 1:12-20

Let us give thanks to the Father *
for having made you worthy
to share the lot of the saints *
in light.

He rescued us *
from the power of darkness
and brought us *
into the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Through him we have redemption, *
the forgiveness of our sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, *
the first-born of all creatures.
In him everything in heaven and on earth was created, *
things visible and invisible.

All were created through him; *
all were created for him.
He is before all else that is. *
In him everything continues in being.

It is he who is head of the body, the church! *
he who is the beginning,
the first-born of the dead, *
so that primacy may be his in everything.

It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in him *
and, by means of him, to reconcile everything in his person,
both on earth and in the heavens, *
making peace through the blood of his cross.

Ant. I will make up in my body whatever is lacking in the sufferings of Christ, for the sake of his body the Church.

Reading

Jude 20-21

You, my dear friends, must use your most holy faith as your foundation and build on that, praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves within the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you eternal life.

Responsory

R/. You are * the temple of the living God.
Repeat R/.
V/. And the Spirit of God dwells in you, * the temple of the living God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R/. You are * the temple of the living God.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. Do not let your hearts be troubled. There are many mansions in my Father’s house, and I am going now to prepare a place for you.

Or: Holy Mother Teresa, look down from heaven and see; visit this vineyard of yours, and perfect what your right hand has planted.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, *
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant, *
and from this day all generations will call me blessed.

The Almighty has done great things for me: *
holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,*
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and has sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel*
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Do not let your hearts be troubled. There are many mansions in my Father’s house, and I am going now to prepare a place for you.

Or: Holy Mother Teresa, look down from heaven and see; visit this vineyard of yours, and perfect what your right hand has planted.

Intercessions

Christ loved his Church and gave his life for her that she might be holy: let us pray to Christ that his Church may be holy and spotless in all her members:

R/. Be with your Church, Lord Jesus.

You are the Head of the Church and the source of all her grace; —may all your people be joined to you in faith and love, and realize that they are the living and holy members of your Body. R/.

You founded the Church on Peter and the apostles, and through them you teach us the truth and lead us in green pastures; —enlighten and guide those you have placed over your Church, and confirm our faith so that in them we may hear your voice leading us to life. R/.

You choose some to announce the Good News by teaching, baptizing, calling to repentance, and offering in your memory the Eucharistic Sacrifice; —as the harvest is great, and the laborers few, send laborers into your harvest. R/.

You choose some of your friends to follow you more closely in your poverty, your chastity and your obedience, for the building up of the Church; —with Mary as their Mother and teacher, may all religious cling to you and show forth your life within them as they serve the Church. R/.

You made your people one body and one spirit in the unity of faith and baptism; —may all whom you have redeemed preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bonds of peace. R/.

You died for our redemption and rose so that we could have life; —may all who have died in your love and await the revelation of your glory rejoice at the eternal banquet in the company of your saints. R/.

Our Father…

Prayer

Father,
by your Spirit you raised up
our Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show your Church the way to perfection.
May her inspired teaching
awaken in us a longing for true holiness.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

#DiscalcedCarmelite #DoctorOfTheChurch #LiturgyOfTheHours #Solemnity #StTeresaOfAvila #StTeresaOfJesus #virgin

Quote of the day, 6 October: St. Edith Stein

While the spiritual gardens of Mother Teresa were spreading their lovely fragrance over all of Spain, the Monastery of the Incarnation, her former home, was in a sad state. Income had not increased in proportion to the number of nuns, and since they were used to living comfortably and not (as in the reformed Carmel) to finding their greatest joy in holy poverty, discontent and slackening of spirit spread.

In the year 1570, Fr. Fernández of the Order of St. Dominic came to this house. He was the apostolic visitator entrusted by Pope Pius V with examining the disciplinary state of monasteries in Castile. Since he had already become thoroughly acquainted with some monasteries of the reform, the contrast must have shocked him.

He thought of a radical remedy. By the authority of his position, he named Mother Teresa as prioress of the Monastery of the Incarnation and ordered her to return to Avila at once to assume her position. In the midst of her work for the reform, she now had to undertake a task that for all intents and purposes appeared impossible.

Oh, daughter, daughter! These Sisters in the Incarnation are My Sisters, and you delay? Well, take courage; behold I want it, and it isn’t as difficult as it seems to you. And whereas you think some harm will come to your houses, both they and the Incarnation will benefit. Do not resist, for My power is great.
Our Lord to St. Teresa, 10 July 1571
Spiritual Testimonies, 16

Exhorted by the Lord himself, she declared her readiness. However, with the agreement of Fr. Fernández, she gave a written statement that she personally would continue to follow the primitive Rule. One can imagine the vehement indignation of the nuns who were to have a prioress sent to them — one not elected by them — a sister of theirs who had left them eight years earlier and whom they considered an adventuress, a mischief-maker.

The storm broke as the provincial led her into the house. The provincial, Fr. Angel de Salazar, could not make himself heard in the noisy gathering. The “Te Deum” that he intoned was drowned out by the sounds of indignation. Teresa’s goodness and humility finally brought about enough quiet for the sisters to go to their cells and to tolerate her presence in the house.

They were saving the decisive declarations for the first chapter meeting. But how amazed they were when they entered the chapter room at the sound of the bell to see in the prioress’ seat the statue of our dear Lady, the Queen of Carmel, with the keys to the monastery in her hands and the new prioress at her feet. Their hearts were conquered even before Teresa began to speak and in her indisputable loving manner presented to them how she conceived and intended to conduct her office.

In a short time, under her wise and temperate direction, above all by the influence of her character and conduct, the spirit of the house was renewed. Her greatest support in this was Fr. John of the Cross, whom she called to Avila as confessor for the monastery.

Saint Edith Stein

Love for Love: The Life and Works of St. Teresa of Jesus
14. Prioress at the Monastery of the Incarnation

Note: Saint Teresa took up her office as Prioress at the Monastery of the Incarnation on 6 October 1571

Stein, E. 2014, The Hidden Life: hagiographic essays, meditations, spiritual texts, translated from the German by Stein, W, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: This detail of a photographic artwork created by Elías Rodríguez Picón comes to us thanks to the Discalced Carmelite nuns of Alba de Tormes. The artist’s sister is the model for this scene, which is intended to show the beginning moment of the Transverberation. You can see and read more about his photographic technique in this article from La Hornacina (in Spanish). Image credit: Discalced Carmelites (By permission).

#Constitutions #MonasteryOfTheIncarnation #prioress #StEdithStein #StTeresaOfAvila

Quote of the day, 4 October: St. Teresa of Avila

Being in prayer on the feastday of the glorious St. Peter, I saw or, to put it better, I felt Christ beside me; I saw nothing with my bodily eyes or with my soul, but it seemed to me that Christ was at my side—I saw that it was He, in my opinion, who was speaking to me.

I immediately went very anxiously to my confessor to tell him.

I could do nothing but draw comparisons in order to explain myself. And, indeed, there is no comparison that fits this kind of vision very well. Since this vision is among the most sublime (as I was afterward told by a very holy and spiritual man, whose name is Friar Peter of Alcántara and of whom I shall speak later and by other men of great learning) and the kind in which the devil can interfere the least of all, there are no means by which those of us who know little here below can explain it.

And what a good image of Christ God took from us now in the blessed Friar Peter of Alcántara! The world cannot at this time endure so much perfection. They say that our health is weaker and that these times are not like those of the past. Yet this holy man belonged to the present age.

But he was very old when I came to know him, and so extremely weak that it seemed he was made of nothing but tree roots.

Aware then of the little, or nothing at all, I could do to avoid these impulses [in prayer], which were so great, I also feared having them…. The Lord was pleased to remove a great part of my trial—and then all of it—by bringing to this city the blessed Friar Peter of Alcántara, whom I already mentioned….

He is the author of some small books in the vernacular on prayer that are now popular, for as one who practiced it well himself he wrote in a very helpful way for those who are given to prayer. He observed the first rule of the blessed St. Francis in all its rigor besides the other things mentioned to some extent above.

Afterward the Lord was pleased that I receive more help from him—through the counsel he gave me about many matters—than I did during his life. I have often seen him in the greatest glory.

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Book of Her Life, chap. 27, 30 (excerpts)

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: João de Deus Sepúlveda, Apparition of Saint Peter of Alcantara, 1760-61, oil on wood (with frame attached to the vault), Vault, Igreja de Santa Teresa, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, PI 2157B. Image credit: © Daniel Paza/PESSCA Archive.
Ojeda, Almerindo. Project for the Engraved Sources of Spanish Colonial Art (PESSCA). 2005-2025. Website located at colonialart.org. Date Accessed: 10/02/2025.

#apparition #mysticalExperience #penance #StPeterOfAlcantara #StTeresaOfAvila

Quote of the day, 3 October: The last days of St. Teresa

The last days of Saint Teresa

As told by Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew

The day after our arrival at Alba [i.e. 21 September 1582], she was so greatly exhausted that the physicians feared, for the moment, that she could not live: a great sacrifice for me, the greater because I must remain in this world.

For, aside from the love I bore her and that she had for me, I had another great consolation in her company: almost continually I saw Jesus Christ in her soul and the manner in which He was united to it, as if it was his heaven. This knowledge filled me with the deep reverence one should feel in the presence of God.

Truly it was heavenly to serve her, and the greatest torture was to see her suffer.

Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew writes about the final illness of St. Teresa: “Truly it was heavenly to serve her, and the greatest torture was to see her suffer.”

I fell sick with a fever the very eve of the day when she was to leave for the visitation of her monasteries. I was not at all in a condition to undertake the journey.

She said to me: “Do not be disturbed, my child! I shall leave orders here to send you to me as soon as the fever leaves you.”

But at midnight, when she sent a religious to ask how I was, I found that I was free from fever.

She rose from her bed, came to me, and said: “It is true, my daughter, you no longer have any fever; we can easily undertake the journey. I hope it may be so, and I will recommend the matter to God.”

And so it was; we left in the morning.

During the five days preceding her death at Alba, I was more dead than alive. Two days before her death, she said to me once when we were alone: “My child, the hour of my death has come.”

Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew remembers the death of St. Teresa: Two days before her death, she said to me once when we were alone, “My child, the hour of my death has come.”

This pierced my heart more and more. I did not leave her for a moment. I begged the religious to bring me what was necessary for her. I gave it to her. It was a consolation to her for me to do so.

Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew

Chapter X, Last Moments of Saint Teresa

In their translation for ICS Publications, Father Kieran Kavanagh and Otilio Rodriguez note that Fray Antonio de Jesús ordered St. Teresa to travel from Medina to Alba de Tormes to settle difficulties in the community. She and Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew arrived the evening of 20 September.

Biographer William Thomas Walsh offers further detail. The journey was exhausting with little food. Upon arrival, the prioress was so alarmed by Teresa’s condition that she ordered her own foundress to bed. Teresa obeyed.

Walsh continues: “Next morning she got up, walked about the convent, heard Mass, received Holy Communion with great devotion, and took a severe discipline. Thus she went on, getting up and resting in turn, attending Mass each day, until the Feast of Saint Michael, September 29. Then, after Mass, she had a hemorrhage which left her so weak that she had to be helped back into bed in the infirmary. She had asked to be placed there so that she could look through a certain window and see the priest saying Mass in the chapel beyond.”

Teresa spent the first night of October in prayer, and at dawn asked to have Fray Antonio of Jesus hear her confession.

On October 3, the eve of Saint Francis, at about five o’clock, she asked for Viaticum. The nuns dressed her in veil and white choir mantle and lighted tapers in the infirmary. While they waited for the priest, Teresa spoke:

“Hijas mías y señoras mías, for the love of God I beg that you will take great care with the keeping of the Rule and Constitutions, and pay no attention to the bad example that this wicked nun has given you, and pardon me for it.”

When the priest arrived with the Blessed Sacrament, she raised herself without help. Her face became beautiful and illuminated, much younger than her age. Ribera writes that “clasping her hands, full of joy, this swan of utter whiteness began to sing at the end of her life more sweetly than they had ever heard her sing and spoke lofty things, amorous and sweet.”

She said: “Oh my Lord and my Spouse, now the desired hour is come. Now it is time for us to go. Señor mío, now is the time to set forth, may it be very soon, and may Your most holy will be accomplished! Now the hour has come for me to leave this exile, and my soul rejoices at one with you for what I have so desired!”

Anne of St. Bartholomew, M; Bouix, M 1917,  Autobiography of the Blessed Mother Anne of Saint Bartholomew, inseparable companion of Saint Teresa, and foundress of the Carmels of Pontoise, Tours and Antwerp, translated from the French by Michael, M A, H. S. Collins Printing Co., Saint Louis.

Thomas Walsh. W 1987, St Teresa of Avila: A Biography, TAN Books, Charlotte.

Featured image: Giovanni Segala, The Death of St. Teresa of Avila, 1696, oil on canvas, Church of San Pietro in Oliveto, Brescia, Italy. One of six lunettes on Teresian themes, restored for the fifth centenary of St. Teresa’s birth in 2015. Photo by Renáta Sedmáková © Adobe Stock.

#AlbaDeTormes #biography #BlessedAnneOfStBartholomew #deathAndDying #StTeresaOfAvila

Quote of the day, 16 April: St. Teresa of Avila

Give us this day our daily bread (Lk 11:3)

O eternal Lord! Why do You accept such a petition? Why do You consent to it? Don’t look at His love for us, because in exchange for doing Your will perfectly, and doing it for us, He allows Himself to be crushed to pieces each day. It is for You, my Lord, to look after Him, since He will let nothing deter Him.

Why must all our good come at His expense? Why does He remain silent before all and not know how to speak for Himself, but only for us?

Well, shouldn’t there be someone to speak for this most loving Lamb? [Allow me, Lord, to speak—since You have willed to leave Him to our power—and to beseech You since He so truly obeyed You and with so much love gave Himself to us].

I have noticed how in this petition alone He repeats the words: first He says and asks the Father to give us this daily bread, and then repeats, “give it to us this day, Lord,” invoking the Father again [dádnoslo hoy, Señor].

It’s as though Jesus tells the Father that He is now ours since the Father has given Him to us to die for us; and asks that the Father not take Him from us until the end of the world; that He allow Him to serve each day. May this move your hearts, my daughters, to love your Spouse, for there is no slave who would willingly say he is a slave, and yet it seems that Jesus is honored to be one.

O Eternal Father! How much this humility deserves! What treasure do we have that could buy Your Son? The sale of Him, we already know, was for thirty pieces of silver [Mt 26:15]. But to buy Him, no price is sufficient.

Since by sharing in our nature, He has become one with us here below—and as Lord of His own will—He reminds the Father that because He belongs to Him, the Father in turn can give Him to us. And so He says, “our bread.”

He doesn’t make any difference between Himself and us, but we make one by not giving ourselves up each day for His Majesty.

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Way of Perfection, chap. 33, nos. 4–5

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: Judas Goes to Find the Jews (Judas va trouver les Juifs) was executed in opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper by artist James Tissot, (French, 1836-1902) during the years 1886-1894 as he created his famed series The Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ (La Vie de Notre-Seigneur Jésus-Christ). So many of these well-known artworks are in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum in New York and are available for download online with no known copyright restrictions.

⬦ Reflection Question ⬦
On this day of betrayal, how are you moved by the Lord’s silence and His daily self-gift?
⬦ Join the conversation in the comments.

#bread #giving #humility #incarnation #JesusChrist #LordSPrayer #silence #StTeresaOfAvila

Quote of the day, 11 March: St. Teresa of Avila

Now, then, let us speak again to those souls I mentioned that cannot recollect or tie their minds down in mental prayer or engage in reflection. Let’s not mention here by name these two things, since you are not meant to follow such a path. As a matter of fact there are many persons seemingly terrified by the mere term “mental prayer” or “contemplation,” and perhaps one of these might come to this house, for as I have also said not everyone walks by the same path.

Well what I now want to counsel you about (I can even say teach you, because as a Mother, having the office of prioress, I’m allowed to teach) is how you must pray vocally, for it’s only right that you should understand what you’re saying.

And because it can happen that those who are unable to think about God may also find long prayers tiring, I don’t want to concern myself with these. But I will speak of those prayers we are obliged as Christians to recite (such as, the Our Father and the Hail Mary) so that people won’t be able to say of us that we speak and don’t understand what we’re speaking about—unless we think it is enough for us to follow the practice in which merely pronouncing the words is sufficient. I’m not concerned with whether this is sufficient or not; learned men will explain [the matter to those persons to whom God gives light to ask the question. And I’m not meddling with what doesn’t belong to our state.]

What I would like us to do, daughters, is refuse to be satisfied with merely pronouncing the words. For when I say, “I believe,” it seems to me right that I should know and understand what I believe.

And when I say, “Our Father,” it will be an act of love to understand who this Father of ours is and who the Master is who taught us this prayer.

What we ourselves can do is to strive to be alone; and please God it will suffice, as I say, that we understand to whom we are speaking and the answer the Lord makes to our petitions. Do you think He is silent? Even though we do not hear Him, He speaks well to the heart when we beseech Him from the heart.

And it is good for us to consider that He taught this prayer to each of us and that He is showing it to us; the teacher is never so far from his pupil that he has to shout, but he is very close. I want you to understand that it is good for you, if you are to recite the Our Father well, to remain at the side of the Master who taught this prayer to you.

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Way of Perfection, chap. 24, nos. 1–2, 5

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: Jude Beck / Unsplash (Stock photo)

#contemplation #LordSPrayer #mentalPrayer #OurFather #recollection #solitude #StTeresaOfAvila #understanding #vocalPrayer

St. John of the Cross Novena, Day 5: Trust

Reading

In tribulation, immediately draw near to God with trust, and you will receive strength, enlightenment, and instruction.

Sayings of Light and Love, 66

Scripture 

Have mercy on me, God, men crush me;
they fight me all day long and oppress me.
My foes crush me all day long,
for many fight proudly against me.

When I fear, I will trust in you,
in God whose word I praise.
In God I trust, I shall not fear:
what can mortal man do to me?

All day long they distort my words,
all their thought is to harm me.
They band together in ambush,
track me down and seek my life.

You have kept an account of my wanderings;
you have kept a record of my tears;
are they not written in your book?
Then my foes will be put to flight
on the day that I call to you.

This I know, that God is on my side.
In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not fear:
what can mortal man do to me?

I am bound by the vows I have made you.
O God, I will offer you praise
for you rescued my soul from death,
you kept my feet from stumbling
that I may walk in the presence of God
and enjoy the light of the living.

Psalm 56

Meditation 

Oh, blessed tribulation, that sure sign that God is madly in love with you.

Tribulation is a word that is no longer part of our daily vocabulary. It appears in word puzzles and still makes its way into Hollywood film scripts, although it sounds more appropriate coming from the lips of the revered British actor Charles Laughton, whose King Herod once posed the legendary rhetorical question: “Why does the prophet visit me with worse than the tribulations of Job?”

Saint Teresa of Jesus understood what Saint John of the Cross meant when he was writing about tribulation because she had seen her fair share of it in her lifetime. Here’s just one example from Testimony 53 written in Seville, 8 November 1575:

On the octave day of All Saints I spent two or three very troublesome days over the remembrance of my great sins and because of some fears of my being persecuted that had no foundation, except that false testimony was going to be raised [She had been falsely accused before the Inquisition of Seville]. And all the courage I usually have for suffering left me. Although I wanted to encourage myself, and I made acts and reflected that this suffering would be very beneficial to my soul, all these actions helped me little. For the fear didn’t go away, and what I felt was a vexing war. I chanced upon a letter in which my good Father [Jerome Gracián, Discalced Carmelite and Apostolic Visitor] refers to what St. Paul says, that God does not permit us to be tempted beyond what we can suffer (1 Cor 10:13). That comforted me a lot, but it wasn’t enough. Rather, the next day I became sorely afflicted in seeing I was without him, since I had no one to whom I could have recourse in this tribulation. It seemed to me I was living in great loneliness, and this loneliness increased when I saw that there was no one now but him who might give me comfort and that he had to be absent most of the time, which was a great torment to me.

On the next night, while reading in a book a saying of St. Paul which began to console me, I was thinking of how present our Lord had previously been to me, for He had so truly seemed to be the living God. While I was thinking about this, He appeared in an intellectual vision, very deep within me, as though on the side where the heart is, and said: “Here I am, but I want you to see what little you can do without Me.”

I felt reassured right away, and all my fears were gone. While I was at Matins that same night, the Lord, through an intellectual vision so intense it almost seemed to be an imaginative one, placed Himself in my arms as in the painting of the fifth agony. This vision caused me great fear. For it was so clear, and He was so close to me that I wondered if it was an illusion. He told me: “Don’t be surprised by this, for My Father is with your soul in an incomparably greater union.”

This vision has so remained up till now. What I said of our Lord lasted more than a month. Now it is gone.

Now, we may not be falsely accused before the Inquisition, but in our daily lives, we see plenty of tribulation. And Saint Teresa makes it clear that if we are seeking to make love our ambition, to grow in that untiring love of which St. John of the Cross speaks, then we will be blessed with tribulation.

Blessed with tribulation?

“It is clear that since God wants to lead those whom He greatly loves by the path of tribulation—and the more He loves them the greater the tribulation—there is no reason to think that He despises contemplatives, for with His own mouth He praises them and considers them His friends.”  (Way 18:1)

But what if I don’t want to be a contemplative? 

For the faithful, this truly is not an option if we desire to be united with Christ in heaven, where we will be contemplatives for all eternity! St. Paul writes, “and we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18).

The Catechism reminds us: 

Because of his transcendence, God cannot be seen as he is, unless he himself opens up his mystery to man’s immediate contemplation and gives him the capacity for it. The Church calls this contemplation of God in his heavenly glory “the beatific vision.”

Citing St. Cyprian, the Catechism continues:

How great will your glory and happiness be, to be allowed to see God, to be honored with sharing the joy of salvation and eternal light with Christ your Lord and God, . . . to delight in the joy of immortality in the Kingdom of heaven with the righteous and God’s friends. (CCC 1028)

To be able to contemplate Christ for all eternity, the tribulation is worth it.

We notice that a great Saint and Doctor of the Church like Our Holy Mother Teresa was not immune from tribulation and anxiety. She was suffering terribly: there were “very troublesome days” and fears of being persecuted. She had lost her courage, and every remedy, every action that normally helped in past situations didn’t help at all. She was stuck in her fears and left with what she calls a guerra desabrida… a rather unsavory war—fruitless, vexing, and pointless. Even reading a letter from the priest who meant more to her than any other friar in the world couldn’t console her; his advice was to read St. Paul, but she admitted that it  “comforted me a lot, but it wasn’t enough.”

Poor St. Teresa, she was really in emotional distress and in a spiritual bind. The next day she became even more upset because Father Gracián wasn’t there to encourage and console her in her anxiety. “I had no one to whom I could have recourse in this tribulation” and for her, the loneliness seemed to be the worst part.

St. John of the Cross says that it’s in times like these that we must “immediately draw near to God with trust” and that is exactly what St. Teresa did. She didn’t give up praying, seeking, and hoping, and she didn’t abandon God. Quite the opposite: she continued to draw near to God, even though He seemed distant or hiding. It seems that she may have had difficulty praying with peace, so she turned to spiritual reading instead.

Now, the Lord made himself known to St. Teresa at that moment through a mystical experience. However, that may not necessarily be the path the Lord chooses for each one of us. What St. John of the Cross explains is that if we draw near to God with trust, then we will receive “strength, enlightenment, and instruction.”

St. Elizabeth of the Trinity gives the following advice to ordinary folks like you and I for how best to draw near to God when troubled or anxious  in those moments that St. John and St. Teresa called “tribulation”:

You must build a little cell within your soul as I do. Remember that God is there and enter it from time to time; when you feel nervous or you’re unhappy, quickly seek refuge there and tell the Master all about it.

Ah, if you got to know Him a little, prayer wouldn’t bore you anymore; to me it seems to be rest, relaxation. We come quite simply to the One we love, stay close to Him like a little child in the arms of its mother, and we let our heart go  (Letter 123).

Prayer

O St. John of the Cross
You were endowed by our Lord with the spirit of self-denial
and a love of the cross.
Obtain for us the grace to follow your example
that we may come to the eternal vision of the glory of God.

O Saint of Christ’s redeeming cross
the road of life is dark and long.
Teach us always to be resigned to God’s holy will
in all the circumstances of our lives
and grant us the special favor
which we now ask of you.

Mention your request

Above all, obtain for us the grace of final perseverance,
a holy and happy death and everlasting life with you
and all the saints in heaven.
Amen. 

Let’s continue in prayer

Day 1 — Self-trust
Day 2 — Self-giving
Day 3 — Cleansing
Day 4 — Walking in love
Day 5 — Trust
Day 6 — Prayer
Day 7 — Humility
Day 8 — Eternal Silence
Day 9 — Silent love

The novena prayer was composed from approved sources by Professor Michael Ogunu, a member of the Discalced Carmelite Secular Order in Nigeria.

John of the Cross, St 1991, The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross, rev. edn, Kavanaugh, K & Rodriguez, O (trans.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Teresa of Avila, St 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Kavanaugh, K & Rodriguez, O (trans.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Elizabeth of the Trinity, S 2003, The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel, Nash, A (trans.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

All scripture references in this novena are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America as accessed from the Bible Gateway website.

Don’t become discouraged and give up prayer, says St. John of the Cross. We offer varying novenas to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as well as novenas to St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, and St. Joseph.

Let us unite in prayer

#anxiety #doctorOfTheChurch #elizabethCatez #enlightenment #icsPublications #inquisition #instruction #johnOfTheCross #letter #letters #loneliness #novena #persecution #psalms #sabeth #sanJuanDeLaCruz #stElizabethOfTheTrinity #stJohnOfTheCross #stTeresa #stTeresaOfAvila #stTeresaOfJesus #strength #teresa #tribulation #troubles #trust #wayOfPerfection #worries

Blesseds Denis and Redemptus: Missionary Martyrs

The least that any of us who has truly begun to serve the Lord can offer Him is our own life. Since we have given the Lord our will, what do we fear? It is clear that if someone is a true religious or a true person of prayer and aims to enjoy the delights of God, he must not turn his back upon the desire to die for God and suffer martyrdom.

St. Teresa of Avila
The Way of Perfection, ch. 12

Courage in Mission, Journey to Sanctity

On November 29, 1638, Blessed Denis of the Nativity and Blessed Redemptus of the Cross gave their lives as martyrs in Aceh, Sumatra. These Discalced Carmelite friars—one a former cartographer and naval commander, the other a soldier turned lay brother—exemplified the missionary spirit of Carmel.

• Blessed Denis of the Nativity (Pierre Berthelot): Born in Honfleur, France, on December 12, 1600, Denis distinguished himself as a cosmographer and pilot-in-chief for the Portuguese king. His cartographic expertise was renowned, and his works contributed significantly to Portuguese navigation and exploration. Despite his prominent naval career, Denis sought a higher calling. He joined the Discalced Carmelites in Goa in 1635 under the guidance of Father Philip of the Most Holy Trinity. Denis professed vows on December 25, 1636, and was ordained a priest on August 24, 1638.
• Blessed Redemptus of the Cross (Thomas Rodriguez da Cunha): Born around 1598 in Portugal, Redemptus served as a soldier before entering the Discalced Carmelites as a lay brother in 1615. Known for his humility and dedication, he became a trusted companion to Denis, offering steadfast support in their shared mission.

Both men transformed their worldly expertise into tools for evangelization, fully committing themselves to their Carmelite vocations.

The Mission in Indonesia

In September 1638, Denis and Redemptus were assigned to accompany Ambassador Francisco de Souza de Castro on a Portuguese diplomatic mission to Aceh. Denis served as a spiritual guide and maritime expert due to his knowledge of navigation and the Malay language​. However, the mission’s arrival on October 25, 1638, was shadowed by geopolitical tensions, with the Dutch East India Company (VOC), a rival of the Portuguese in the spice trade, reportedly influenced the Sultan of Aceh to betray the delegation.

Upon their imprisonment, Denis and Redemptus were subjected to relentless torture as their captors tried to force them to renounce their Catholic faith and convert to Islam. Denis became a source of strength for his fellow prisoners, depriving himself of necessities to aid others and encouraging them with words of faith and hope.

Redemptus was executed first, shot with arrows before his throat was slit. Denis, holding a crucifix, was martyred last, receiving a fatal sword blow that split his head.

The martyrdom of Denis and Redemptus was not solely a case of religious persecution. The mission to Aceh occurred at the intersection of faith and politics, with Portugal and the Dutch VOC vying for dominance in the Southeast Asian spice trade. Their deaths highlight the challenges faced by missionaries operating in politically charged environments, even today.

Faithful Witnesses

Denis and Redemptus were beatified by Pope Leo XIII on June 10, 1900, as the first beatified martyrs of the Discalced Carmelite friars. Their feast day on November 29 honors their courage, missionary zeal, and faithful witness to Christ. Their deaths remind us of the sacrifices made to spread the Gospel, even in hostile and complex circumstances.

Want a concise account of the mission and martyrdom of Blesseds Denis and Redemptus? Click below to listen to our podcast on YouTube and be inspired by their incredible story of faith and courage.

https://youtu.be/jPffLQdavoU

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

Discalced Carmelite Postulator, Biografia di Dionisio della Natività, accessed 27 November 2024, https://www.postocd.org/index.php/it/biografia-dionisio-della-nativita.

Discalced Carmelite Postulator, Biografia di Redento della Croce, accessed 27 November 2024, https://www.postocd.org/index.php/it/biografia-redento-della-croce.

Wikipedia, ‘Pierre Berthelot (navigateur)’, accessed 27 November 2024, https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Berthelot_(navigateur).

Featured image: OpenAI DALL·E 2024, ‘Landscape illustration symbolizing Aceh, Sumatra,’ generated 27 November 2024.

#DenisOfTheNativity #Indonesia #martyrs #missionaries #Podcast #RedemptusOfTheCross #StTeresaOfAvila

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:1–11

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”

St. Teresa Speaks: The Book of Her Life, 12:5

Keeping Christ present is what we of ourselves can do. Whoever would desire to pass beyond this point and raise the spirit to an experience of spiritual consolations that are not given would lose both the one and the other, in my opinion; for these consolations belong to the supernatural. And if the intellect is not active, the soul is left very dry, like a desert.

Reflection: Humility in God’s Presence

Teresa warns against seeking spiritual consolations for their own sake. True humility acknowledges that any progress in prayer comes not from our efforts, but from God’s grace. When we rely on our own abilities, we risk being left spiritually dry, like a desert. How often do we pursue spiritual feelings instead of pursuing God himself? Teresa calls us to humble ourselves and recognize that all spiritual growth is a gift from God, not something we can manufacture through effort.

Novena Prayer

O Holy Mother Saint Teresa, look down from heaven and see: visit this vine and protect what thy right hand hath planted.

(Mention your intentions)

Merciful God, who by thy Spirit didst raise up thy servant Saint Teresa of Jesus to reveal to thy Church the way of perfection: grant that her teaching may awaken in us a longing for holiness until, assisted by her intercession, we attain to the perfect union of love in Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us!

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

All scripture references in this novena are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America as accessed from the Bible Gateway website.

Don’t become discouraged and give up prayer, says St. John of the Cross. We offer varying novenas to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as well as novenas to St. Joseph, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, and St. Edith Stein.

Let us unite in prayer

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/10/06/stjnovena24-2/

#ChristSPresence #consolation #drynessInPrayer #God #humility #novena #practiceOfThePresenceOfGod #prayer #pride #StTeresaOfAvila #truth

Oh, my soul! Let the will of God be done; this suits you. Serve and hope in His mercy, for He will cure your grief when penance for your faults will have gained some pardon for them. Don’t desire joy but suffering.

O, true Lord and my King! I’m still not ready for suffering if Your sovereign hand and greatness do not favor me, but with these, I shall be able to do all things.

Saint Teresa of Avila

Soliloquies 6, no. 3, Painful Longing For God

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: Photographer Frank McKenna captures this marvelous image of gulls in flight at sunset over the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California. Image credit: Frank McKenna / Unsplash (Stock photo)

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/06/09/teresa-hope/

#ChristTheKing #DivineWill #favor #hope #mercy #pardon #penance #StTeresaOfAvila #suffering

Quote of the day, 7 December: St. Teresa of Avila

Her undaunted spirit first began to show signs of itself when she was only seven and decided to set off with her brother Rodrigo for the land of the Moors to have her head cut off for Christ.

Kieran Kavanaugh, o.c.d.
The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Introduction

My brothers and sisters did not in any way hold me back from the service of God. I had one brother about my age. We used to get together to read the lives of the saints. (He was the one I liked most, although I had great love for them all and they for me). When I considered the martyrdoms the saints suffered for God, it seemed to me that the price they paid for going to enjoy God was very cheap, and I greatly desired to die in the same way. I did not want this on account of the love I felt for God but to get to enjoy very quickly the wonderful things I read there were in heaven. And my brother and I discussed together the means we should take to achieve this. We agreed to go off to the land of the Moors and beg them, out of love of God, to cut off our heads there.

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Book of Her Life, ch. 1, no. 4

The Fascinating Story of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of El Viejo

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of El Viejo is the patroness of Nicaragua. The town of El Viejo was named in honor of one of St. Teresa of Avila’s brothers, who lived there in his old age. Many accounts suggest it was her brother Rodrigo.

Rodrigo shared one of St. Teresa’s earliest spiritual adventures. At seven years old, the young Teresa believed the quickest way to heaven was to travel to Moorish lands and be martyred for the faith. She persuaded Rodrigo, four years her senior, to embark on this mission with her. Thankfully, their uncle found the siblings and brought them back to their parents, much to the relief of their family—and the entire Church.

Decades later, Rodrigo, now an elderly man, traveled to Central America. He intended to go to Peru, but a storm forced his ship to land, and Rodrigo ended up in Chamulpa, Nicaragua, where he stayed.

When Rodrigo set sail for the Americas, he brought with him a statue of the Blessed Mother, believed to have belonged to St. Teresa. The people of Chamulpa quickly developed a deep devotion to the statue and were disappointed when Rodrigo decided to continue his journey to Peru, taking the statue with him. Once again, bad weather intervened, forcing the ship to return to Nicaragua with the statue.

This event convinced the people of Nicaragua that Our Lady had chosen them and desired to remain among them. The town of Chamulpa was later renamed El Viejo in honor of Rodrigo.

The statue first arrived in Nicaragua in the 16th century. It was solemnly crowned by the people in 1747. Pope John Paul II approved its papal coronation in 1989 and granted the shrine the status of a Minor Basilica in 1995. In 2001, the Nicaraguan Bishops’ Conference declared her the country’s patroness.

Documents linking the statue to St. Teresa of Avila and her family date back to the early 17th century. While most versions of the story agree on its essential details, some differ—such as whether Rodrigo reached Peru or remained in Nicaragua with the statue until his death. One version attributes the story to Lorenzo de Cepeda y Ahumada, another of St. Teresa’s brothers, who is said to have brought the statue to Nicaragua.

Even though the exact details remain uncertain, the connection between the statue and St. Teresa’s family is well-established.

When the image found its home in Chamulpa, local Franciscan friars encouraged people to visit the statue and bring it offerings of sweets and fruit. Over time, the blessings and favors received through Our Lady’s intercession far surpassed these simple gestures. To this day, local sweets are distributed to children every December 8 in honor of the Immaculate Conception of El Viejo.

Immaculate Conception of El Viejo, pray for us!

Ellen Mady, Aleteia

¿Conoces la conexión entre santa Teresa de Ávila, Nuestra Señora, y Nicaragua?
Aleteia, 8 March 2018

https://flic.kr/p/37P44h

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Translation from the Spanish text is the blogger’s own work product and may not be reproduced without permission.

Featured image: The Immaculate Conception by Italian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696–1770) was one of the last paintings created by Tiepolo before his death. This majestic image was part of a cycle of seven altarpieces commissioned in 1767 for the new royal church of San Pascual Bailón at Aranjuez, founded by Charles III in the same year. The anonymous portrait of St. Teresa comes from the 16th century. They both flank the traditional blue and white flag of Nicaragua. Image credits: Museo del Prado, Discalced Carmelites (Public domain)

#ElViejo #ImmaculateConception #martyrdom #Muslims #Nicaragua #RodrigoCepedaDávilaAhumada #StTeresaOfAvila #statue

I was very much disliked throughout my monastery [Monastery of the Incarnation, Avila] because I had wanted to found a more enclosed monastery. They said I was insulting them; that in my own monastery, I could also serve God since there were others in it better than I; that I had no love for the house; that it would be better to procure income for this place than for some other.

Several of them said I should be thrown into the prison cell; others—very few—defended me somewhat. I saw clearly that in many matters my opponents were right, and sometimes I gave them explanations.

Yet since I couldn’t mention the main factor, which was that the Lord had commanded me to do this, I didn’t know how to act; so I remained silent about the other things. God granted me the very great favor that none of all this disturbed me; rather, I gave up the plan with as much ease and contentment as I would have if it hadn’t cost me anything.

One day, while I was greatly troubled with the thought that my confessor didn’t believe me, the Lord told me not to be anxious, that that affliction would soon end. I rejoiced deeply, thinking His words meant I was soon to die; and I became very happy when I thought about it.

Afterward, I saw clearly they referred to the arrival of this rector I mentioned because the occasion for that pain never presented itself again [Gaspar de Salazar, S.J. arrived in April 1562].

The new rector didn’t restrain my confessor but rather told him to console me; that there was no reason for fear, and not to lead me by so confining a path; that he should let the spirit of the Lord work, for at times it seemed with these great spiritual impulses that my soul couldn’t even breathe.

My confessor gave me permission again to dedicate myself entirely to this foundation. I saw clearly the toil it would bring upon me since I was very much alone and had hardly any means.

We agreed to carry on in total secrecy, and so I got one of my sisters [Juana de Ahumada] who lived outside this city [in Alba de Tormes] to buy the house and fix it up, as though it were for herself, with money the Lord provided, in certain ways, for its purchase.

It would take long to recount how the Lord was looking after it, for I took great care not to do anything against obedience. But I knew that if I said anything to my superiors, everything would be lost as happened the previous time, and things would even be worse.

In procuring the money, acquiring the house, signing the contract for it, and fixing it up, I went through so many trials of so many kinds that now I’m amazed I was able to suffer them. In some of them, I was completely alone; although my companion did what she could. But she could do little, and so little that it almost amounted to nothing more than to have everything done in her name and as her gift and all the rest of the trouble was mine.

Sometimes in distress, I said:

“My Lord, how is it You command things that seem impossible? For if I were at least free, even though I am a woman! But bound on so many sides, without money or the means to raise it or to obtain the brief or anything, what can I do, Lord?“

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Book of Her Life, chap. 33, nos. 2, 8, 11

Note: Born in Toledo, and while studying at Alcalá, Gaspar de Salazar (1529-1593) decided to enter the Jesuits, which he did in 1552. Translator and editor Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD notes that Salazar’s chronicler described him as being very devoted to the interior life with God, from whom he received many favors in prayer, and also as very intelligent and competent in business matters. In 1562 he was transferred to Avila to be rector there of the Jesuit college of San Gil. Because of difficulties that arose between the college and the bishop, Don Alvaro de Mendoza, Salazar was removed from that office after only nine months. But in that short time, he came to Teresa’s aid by putting her spiritual director, Baltasar Alvarez, at ease about her, assuring him that he had nothing to fear. And when Teresa spoke to him of her experiences, he consoled her greatly and seemed to her to have a special gift of discerning spirits (cf. Life, 33:8-9).

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: This is the cell St. Teresa occupied when she returned to the Monastery of the Incarnation in Avila as its prioress (1571-1574). Image credit: Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P. / Flickr (Some rights reserved)

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/05/01/stj-life33/

#Avila #confessor #construction #familyLife #foundation #Jesuits #MonasteryOfTheIncarnation #monasticLife #realEstate #StJosephMonastery #StTeresaOfAvila #trials

A small group of nuns and visitors present for worship on the feast of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel on July 16, 1560, were discussing the obstacles to a life of prayer presented by the large number of nuns living in the monastery [of the Incarnation] and the visitors.

María de Ocampo, a young relative of the saint and a celebrated beauty, suggested that someone should establish a monastery in which the life of the ancient hermits could be revived. In all seriousness, she offered her dowry for this. The next day Teresa told her trusted friend Doña Guiomar de Ulloa (a young widow who like her led a life of prayer under the strict direction of Fr. Baltasar Alvarez) of this conversation. Doña Guiomar enthusiastically took up the idea.

But what was decisive was that the Lord himself was calling for the project.

“He assured me that he would be very well-served in a monastery I might found, that this house would become a star shedding the brightest light. God added that, even thought they had lost some of their earlier enthusiasm, the orders were nevertheless of great service to him. What would the world be if there were no more monasteries?”
[Cf. The Book of Her Life, ch. 32, no. 11]

According to the will of the Lord, the new house was to be consecrated to St. Joseph.

Saint Edith Stein

Love for Love: The life and works of St. Teresa of Jesus
12. St. Joseph’s of Avila, the First Monastery of the Reform

“I wanted to rest a little since I had hardly slept the whole night… and all the days had been truly tiring” (St. Teresa, recalling 24 August 1562).

Tweet

Stein, E. 2014, The Hidden Life: hagiographic essays, meditations, spiritual texts, translated from the German by Stein, W, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: Professor José Luis Pajares Gómez shares this historic postcard showing the main entrance of St. Teresa’s first reformed monastery from his private collection. It was published in Avila around 1925 by Edición A. Medrano. Image credit: José Luis Pajares Gómez, avilas.es / Flickr (Some rights reserved)

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/08/23/edith-24aug1562/

#DiscalcedCarmelite #foundation #history #inspiration #reform #StEdithStein #StJosephSMonastery #StTeresaOfAvila #willOfGod

A small group of nuns and visitors present for worship on the feast of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel on July 16, 1560, were discussing the obstacles to a life of prayer presented by the large number of nuns living in the monastery [of the Incarnation] and the visitors.

María de Ocampo, a young relative of the saint and a celebrated beauty, suggested that someone should establish a monastery in which the life of the ancient hermits could be revived. In all seriousness, she offered her dowry for this. The next day Teresa told her trusted friend Doña Guiomar de Ulloa (a young widow who like her led a life of prayer under the strict direction of Fr. Baltasar Alvarez) of this conversation. Doña Guiomar enthusiastically took up the idea.

But what was decisive was that the Lord himself was calling for the project.

“He assured me that he would be very well-served in a monastery I might found, that this house would become a star shedding the brightest light. God added that, even thought they had lost some of their earlier enthusiasm, the orders were nevertheless of great service to him. What would the world be if there were no more monasteries?”
[Cf. The Book of Her Life, ch. 32, no. 11]

According to the will of the Lord, the new house was to be consecrated to St. Joseph.

Saint Edith Stein

Love for Love: The life and works of St. Teresa of Jesus
12. St. Joseph’s of Avila, the First Monastery of the Reform

“I wanted to rest a little since I had hardly slept the whole night… and all the days had been truly tiring” (St. Teresa, recalling 24 August 1562).

Tweet

Stein, E. 2014, The Hidden Life: hagiographic essays, meditations, spiritual texts, translated from the German by Stein, W, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: Professor José Luis Pajares Gómez shares this historic postcard showing the main entrance of St. Teresa’s first reformed monastery from his private collection. It was published in Avila around 1925 by Edición A. Medrano. Image credit: José Luis Pajares Gómez, avilas.es / Flickr (Some rights reserved)

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#DiscalcedCarmelite #foundation #history #inspiration #reform #StEdithStein #StJosephSMonastery #StTeresaOfAvila #willOfGod

Allow me to insist so that you may understand my point of view. It is that in my dealings with the Society I hold their concerns close to my heart and would lay down my life for them, as long as I understood that I would not by that be doing a disservice to God.

We are all vassals of this King. May it please His Majesty that those belonging to his Son and his Mother be such that like courageous soldiers we look only at the banner of our King to follow his will. If we Carmelites truly do this, obviously those who bear the name of Jesus cannot turn away from us, a threat that has often been made to me. May it please God to preserve you for many years.

Saint Teresa of Avila

Letter 228 to the Jesuit Provincial in Madrid (excerpts)
Avila, 10 February 1578

“I am always aware of what we owe to the Society” (St. Teresa of Avila, Letter 230). #Jesuits #Carmelites

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Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

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St. John of the Cross Novena, Day 6: Prayer

Reading

Whoever flees prayer flees all that is good.

Sayings of Light and Love, 169

Scripture

When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
they, my opponents, my enemies,
are the ones who stumble and fall.

When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
they, my opponents, my enemies,
are the ones who stumble and fall.

Though an army pitched camp against me,
my heart would not fear;
though war were waged against me,
my trust would still be firm.

One thing I ask of Yahweh,
one thing I seek:
to live in the house of Yahweh
all the days of my life,
to enjoy the sweetness of Yahweh
and to consult him in his Temple.

For he shelters me under his awning
in times of trouble;
he hides me deep in his tent,
sets me high on a rock.

And now my head is held high
over the enemies who surround me,
in his tent I will offer
exultant sacrifice.

I will sing, I will play for Yahweh!

Yahweh, hear my voice as I cry!
Pity me! Answer me!
My heart has said of you,
“Seek his face.”
Yahweh, I do seek your face;
do not hide your face from me.

Do not repulse your servant in anger;
you are my help.
Never leave me, never desert me,
God, my savior!
If my father and mother desert me,
Yahweh will care for me still.

Yahweh, teach me your way,
lead me in the path of integrity
because of my enemies;
do not abandon me to the will of my foes—
false witnesses have risen against me,
and breathe out violence.

This I believe: I shall see the goodness of Yahweh,
in the land of the living.
Put your hope in Yahweh, be strong, let your heart be bold,
put your hope in Yahweh.

Psalm 27

Meditation

Let’s have a virtual show of hands: who among us has had an experience where God seemed to be hiding or even absent when we pray? Who among us has ever prayed, “God, where are you?” Has anyone ever said, “prayer isn’t working for me, God doesn’t care about me, I give up”? Has anyone ever experienced dryness in prayer, where you can’t feel anything anymore? Or, has someone ever discovered one day that they drifted away from the fervor of the practice of prayer they once had?

If you answered, “yes” to any one or more of these questions, you are in good company. All of us experience difficulties in prayer. In yesterday’s fifth novena meditation, we read one of St. Teresa’s accounts where she experienced difficulties in prayer; she was going through a moment of tribulation and the practice of prayer that usually brought her encouragement and comfort simply didn’t work.

Growing in friendship with God is a lifelong journey along the way of perfection. There will be many moments when we will stumble and fall. Ask any old friend of God and they will testify to this age-old fact of the spiritual life. The most important lesson that those who travel the way of perfection (or the Little Way of St. Thérèse) must learn is that it’s not a matter of how frequently or infrequently we fall, it’s how quickly we get up again and keep moving along the way. Saint Teresa herself says in the Interior Castle’s Second Mansion (IC II), “if you should at times fall don’t become discouraged and stop striving to advance. For even from this fall God will draw out good.” (IC II:9)

“Don’t become discouraged” is advice we read and hear often in Carmelite spirituality. Here’s what St. Elizabeth of the Trinity said to her younger sister a few months before Elizabeth died:

Darling little sister, you must cross out the word “discouragement” from your dictionary of love; the more you feel your weakness, your difficulty in recollecting yourself, and the more hidden the Master seems, the more you must rejoice, for then you are giving to Him, and, when one loves, isn’t it better to give than to receive? God said to Saint Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9), and the great saint understood this so well that he cried out: “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10). What does it matter what we feel; He, He is the Unchanging One, He who never changes: He loves you today as He loved you yesterday and will love you tomorrow. (Letter 298)

St. Teresa was more blunt when writing about those facing discouragement in prayer, especially beginners in prayer:

Ah, my Lord! Your help is necessary here; without it one can do nothing (cf. Jn 15:5). In Your mercy do not consent to allow this soul to suffer deception and give up what was begun. (IC II:6)

It will seem to you that you are truly determined to undergo exterior trials, provided that God favors you interiorly. His Majesty knows best what is suitable for us. There’s no need for us to be advising Him about what He should give us, for He can rightly tell us that we don’t know what we’re asking for (cf. Mt 20:22). The whole aim of any person who is beginning prayer—and don’t forget this, because it’s very, very important—should be that he work and prepare himself with determination and every possible effort to bring his will into conformity with God’s will. (IC II:8)

We can have all the determination in the world to be devout, faithful, and persistent in our prayer, but our own devotion, fidelity, and persistence alone are not sufficient. We need the Lord’s guidance. Here, St. Teresa refers to acquiring spiritual directors, but her point is more valid than ever: 

Provided that we don’t give up, the Lord will guide everything for our benefit, even though we may not find someone to teach us. There is no other remedy for this evil of giving up prayer than to begin again; otherwise the soul will gradually lose more each day—and please God that it will understand this fact. (IC II:10)

“Provided that we don’t give up,” Teresa writes. “Whoever flees prayer,” St. John of the Cross echoes, “flees all that is good.”

What is this “all that is good” to which John refers?

This time, we will let him answer the question, by sharing an excerpt from his 8 July 1589 letter to Madre Leonor de San Gabriel in Córdoba. A companion of St. Teresa in founding the monasteries of Beas and Sevilla, Mother Leonor was feeling alone in Córdoba without the companionship of Teresa and the sisters she knew and loved the best. St. John of the Cross wrote a letter to encourage her in her new mission as prioress:

Jesus be in your soul, my daughter in Christ.

Thank you for your letter. And I thank God for having desired to use you in this foundation, since His Majesty has done this in order to bring you greater profit. The more he wants to give, the more he makes us desire—even to the point of leaving us empty in order to fill us with goods. You will be repaid for the goods (the love of your sisters) that you leave behind in Sevilla. Since the immense blessings of God can only enter and fit into an empty and solitary heart, the Lord wants you to be alone. For he truly loves you with the desire of being himself all your company. And Your Reverence will have to strive carefully to be content only with his companionship, so you might discover in it every happiness. Even though the soul may be in heaven, it will not be happy if it does not conform its will to this. And we will be unhappy with God, even though he is always present with us, if our heart is not alone, but attached to something else. (Letter 15)

“He loves you today as He loved you yesterday and will love you tomorrow,” St. Elizabeth wrote, echoing the sentiments of St. John of the Cross. But if God is “always present with us”, how can we become present to God, so that our hearts are alone and not “attached to something else”? 

Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection tells us what he did:

Thus, after offering myself entirely to God in atonement for my sins, I renounced for the sake of his love everything other than God, and I began to live as if only he and I existed in the world. Sometimes I considered myself before him as a miserable criminal at his judge’s feet, and at other times I regarded him in my heart as my Father, as my God. I adored him there as often as I could, keeping my mind in his holy presence and recalling him as many times as I was distracted. I had some trouble doing this exercise, but continued in spite of all the difficulties I encountered, without getting disturbed or anxious when I was involuntarily distracted. I was as faithful to this practice during my activities as I was during my periods of mental prayer, for at every moment, all the time, in the most intense periods of my work I banished and rid from my mind everything that was capable of taking the thought of God away from me (Letter 12).

Prayer 

O St. John of the Cross
You were endowed by our Lord with the spirit of self-denial
and a love of the cross.
Obtain for us the grace to follow your example
that we may come to the eternal vision of the glory of God.

O Saint of Christ’s redeeming cross
the road of life is dark and long.
Teach us always to be resigned to God’s holy will
in all the circumstances of our lives
and grant us the special favor
which we now ask of you.

Mention your request

Above all, obtain for us the grace of final perseverance,
a holy and happy death and everlasting life with you
and all the saints in heaven.
Amen.

Let’s continue in prayer

Day 1 — Self-trust
Day 2 — Self-giving
Day 3 — Cleansing
Day 4 — Walking in love
Day 5 — Trust
Day 6 — Prayer
Day 7 — Humility
Day 8 — Eternal Silence
Day 9 — Silent love

The novena prayer was composed from approved sources by Professor Michael Ogunu, a member of the Discalced Carmelite Secular Order in Nigeria.

John of the Cross, St 1991, The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross, rev. edn, Kavanaugh, K & Rodriguez, O (trans.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Teresa of Avila, St 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Kavanaugh, K & Rodriguez, O (trans.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Elizabeth of the Trinity, S 2003, The Complete Works of Elizabeth of the Trinity volume 2: Letters from Carmel, Nash, A (trans.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Lawrence of the Resurrection, B; De Meester, C 1994, Writings and Conversations on the Practice of the Presence of God,  translated from the French by Salvatore Sciurba, OCD, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

All scripture references in this novena are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America as accessed from the Bible Gateway website.

Don’t become discouraged and give up prayer, says St. John of the Cross. We offer varying novenas to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as well as novenas to St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, and St. Joseph.

Let us unite in prayer

#beginners #brotherLawrence #brotherLawrenceOfTheResurrection #determination #difficulty #discouragement #doctorOfTheChurch #dryness #elizabethCatez #fall #givingUp #godsWill #icsPublications #interiorCastle #johnOfTheCross #journey #letter #letters #loneliness #mentalPrayer #novena #practiceOfThePresenceOfGod #psalms #sabeth #sanJuanDeLaCruz #stElizabethOfTheTrinity #stJohnOfTheCross #stTeresa #stTeresaOfAvila #stTeresaOfJesus #stumble #teresa #way #willOfGod

I took for my advocate and lord the glorious St. Joseph
and earnestly recommended myself to him.

Saint Teresa of Avila
The Book of Her Life, chap. 6, no. 6

Introduction

Saint Teresa’s devotion to “the glorious St. Joseph” is well known in the Church. She dedicated her first monastery of the Carmelite reform in Avila to the patronage of Saint Joseph, and she entrusted her first novices in Avila to his care.

St. Teresa’s devotion to this great saint and protector of Carmel grew ever stronger during a crisis in her life. As a professed Carmelite nun in the Monastery of the Incarnation in Avila, she became gravely ill. Her condition was so serious that her friends and family believed she was dead. After she awoke from her comatose condition, her recovery was painfully slow.

Saint Edith Stein tells the story:

Teresa suffered for three years without asking for recovery. We do not know why she now changed her mind. She only tells us that she decided to beseech heaven to end her suffering.

With this intention, she asked that a Mass be offered and turned toward the saint in whom she had always had unlimited trust, and who owes to her zeal the increased veneration shown him. 

“I do not know how to think about the Queen of Angels, about all of her pains and cares with the little child Jesus without thanking St. Joseph for the dedication with which he came to the help of both of them” [Life, 6:8]. She ascribed her healing to him. 

Soon he came to my rescue in very obvious ways. This most beloved father and lord of my soul quickly freed me of the weakness and suffering to which my body was consigned. . . . I don’t recall that he ever denied me anything. St. Joseph permitted his power and goodness to me to become evident. Through him, I regained my strength. I stood up, walked, and was free of the paralysis. [cf. Life, 6:6–8]

In this year’s novena to St. Joseph, we will return to the source of all devotion to St. Joseph in the Teresian Carmel: the experience and witness of St. Teresa of Avila.

In the same way that Teresa turned to Joseph in her hour of greatest need and received all that she desired—and more, besides—so we, too, may turn to Joseph and present him our needs.

May these excerpts from sacred scripture and Teresa’s writings inspire us to “go to Joseph” (cf. Gen 41:55) and take him for our advocate, trusting in his powerful intercession for all our deepest needs.

Pray each day with Saints Joseph and Teresa

• Day 1
  The doctors of heaven
• Day 2
  My advocate and lord
• Day 3
  All the solemnity possible
• Day 4
  The desire to persuade
• Day 5
  My petition is always granted
• Day 6
  A great obligation
• Day 7
  St. Joseph appeared to me
• Day 8
  Giving thanks to St. Joseph
• Day 9
  I could rise and walk

Novena Prayer

St. Joseph, Man of peace,
You were a tower of strength and a steady refuge
for the Child Jesus and His Virgin Mother.
We call upon you to be our support in times of difficulty.

(Mention your intentions here)

Teach us to be serene under the Heavenly
Father’s guiding hand during the challenges that we face. 
We entrust to your intercession all of our intentions,
for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for the whole world. 
Please provide for us a home of refuge and peace.

Our Father…

“Strive to pray with attention” (Way of Perfection, 24:6)

Glory be…

“The Trinity is in our souls by presence, power, and essence” (Spiritual Testimonies, 49)

Our novena prayer to St. Joseph comes from the Carmel of St. Joseph, Terre Haute, Indiana USA

All scripture references in this novena are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America as accessed from the Bible Gateway website.

Stein, E. 2014, The Hidden Life: hagiographic essays, meditations, spiritual texts, translated from the German by Stein, W, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Don’t become discouraged and give up prayer, says St. John of the Cross. We offer varying novenas to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as well as novenas to St. Joseph, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, and St. Edith Stein.

Let us unite in prayer

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/03/09/joenovena24-i/

#advocate #Avila #intercession #Lord #novena #prayer #StJoseph #StJosephMonastery #StTeresaOfAvila

Courage, courage, my daughters. Remember that God does not give anyone more trials than can be suffered and that His Majesty is with the afflicted [cf. 1 Cor 10:13].

For this is certain, there is no reason to fear but to hope in his mercy. He will reveal the whole truth; and some machinations, which the devil kept hidden so as to create a disturbance, will be made known. This was more painful for me than all that is happening now.

Prayer, prayer, my sisters, and now let humility shine forth—and obedience in such a way that no one, especially the former prioress [María de San José Salazar], practices it more toward the appointed vicaress [Beatriz de la Madre de Dios].

Oh, what a good time it is for gathering fruit from the resolutions you made to serve our Lord. Consider that often he desires to have proof that our works are in conformity with our resolutions and words.

Bring honor to the daughters of the Blessed Virgin, your sisters, in this great persecution, for if you help one another, the good Jesus will help you. Even though he sleeps at sea, when the storm gathers strength he calms the winds [Mt 8:23–27].

He wants us to ask of him, and he loves us so much that he is always looking for ways to be of benefit to us. May his name be blessed forever, amen, amen, amen.

Saint Teresa of Avila

Letter 284 to the nuns in Seville, nos. 2–3
31 January 1579

Note: Translator and editor Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD provides the following background concerning this letter:

The community in Seville was going through a crisis. Stripped of his powers as visitator, Gracián underwent a trial initiated against him by the provincial of Andalusia. The trial was seconded by the community’s former confessor, Garciálvarez. The objective of the scheme was to discredit Gracián and depose the prioress, María de San José. Then the provincial appointed one of the most inept nuns in the community, Beatriz de la Madre de Dios, to take the prioress’s place. Teresa knew all about what was happening. Lest her letter be confiscated, she sent it to her good friend, the prior of the Carthusians, so that he might read or give it to the interested nuns.

In Teresa’s letter Father Hernando Pantoja, the Carthusian prior in Seville (Letter 283), Teresa wrote:

I certainly do not worry much about the nuns who went there earlier with me to make the foundation [six nuns from Beas were the foundresses], and I even feel joy in seeing all that they will gain in this war the devil wages against them. I do, however, feel bad for those who entered there afterward [13 nuns entered later], for when they should be learning about the order and how to remain quiet, they are very distracted by all the turmoil, which can do much harm to souls that are new. May the Lord provide a remedy.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: This image of Letter 148 from St. Teresa to Madre María de San José (Salazar) in Seville is a brilliant example of the plain-speaking Saint writing to the former prioress in Seville. At the beginning of the letter, Teresa writes: “Always include on a small piece of paper a list of the things you want me to answer. Your letters are long—although they don’t seem so, because of the joy they give me; but if when in a hurry I have to read them all over in order to answer them, they do seem long.” Image credit: iStock (Stock photo)

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/09/01/stj-ltr284n2/

#courage #FatherJerónimoGraciánOfTheMotherOfGod #hope #Jesus #MariaDeSanJoséSalazar #mercy #monasticLife #persecution #StTeresaOfAvila #storm

26 August: The Transverberation of the Heart of St. Teresa of Jesus Our Mother

August 26
THE TRANSVERBERATION OF THE HEART OF
ST. TERESA OF JESUS OUR MOTHER

Nuns: Memorial, Others: Optional Memorial

“The chief among Teresa’s virtues was the love of God, which our Lord Jesus Christ increased by means of many visions and revelations. He made her his Spouse on one occasion. At other times she saw an angel with a flaming dart piercing her heart. Through these heavenly gifts the flame of divine love in her heart became so strong that, inspired by God, she made the extremely difficult vow of always doing what seemed to her most perfect and most conducive to God’s glory” (Gregory XV in the Bull of Canonization).

Office of Readings

Hymn

Noonday blaze of virtues rare;
Highest gifts of grace and prayer;
You have lived, in deep repose,
All that faith on us bestows.

Wedded to the Father’s Word,
Word of light, in silence heard
Leaning on the Savior’s breast,
Guided by the Spirit blest.

Blest the mind refined by fire
To receive divine desire,
Wisdom’s secrets in your heart,
Opened by the heavenly dart.

Christ drew you to his embrace
By the fragrance of his grace;
In your teaching we confide,
Trusting you, our heav’n-sent guide.

Truth eternal, One and Three,
May Teresa constantly
Lead us up the mountain’s ways
To the realms of joy and praise.

77.77.
Sr. Margarita of Jesus, O.C.D.

The Second Reading

(Red. B, st. 2, no. 2-4, 9,, 12, 8: ed. Kavanaugh-Rodriguez 1979, pp. 596-99)

From the Living Flame of Love by Saint John of the Cross

You have wounded my heart

Moses declares in Deuteronomy, Our Lord God is a consuming fire, that is, a fire of love, which being of infinite power, can inestimably consume and transform into itself the soul it touches. Yet he burns each soul according to its preparation: he will burn one more, another less, and this he does insofar as he desires, and how and when he desires. When he wills to touch somewhat vehemently, the soul’s burning reaches such a high degree of love that it seems to surpass that of all the fires of the world, for he is an infinite fire of love. Because the soul in this case is entirely transformed by the divine flame, it not only feels a cautery, but has become a cautery of blazing fire.

It is a wonderful thing and worth relating that, since this fire of God is so mighty it would consume a thousand worlds more easily than the fire of this earth would burn up a straw, it does not consume and destroy the soul in which it so burns. And it does not afflict it, rather, commensurate with the strength of the love, it divinizes and delights it, burning gently. Since God’s purpose in granting these communications is to exalt the soul, he does not weary and restrict it, but enlarges and delights it, brightens and enriches it. The happy soul that by great fortune reaches this cautery knows all things, tastes all things, does all it wishes, and prospers; no one prevails before it and nothing touches it. This is the soul of which the Apostle speaks: The spiritual one judges all things and he is judged by no one. And again: The spirit searches out all things, unto the deep things of God.

It will happen that while the soul is inflamed with the love of God, it will feel that a seraphim is assailing it by means of an arrow or dart which is all afire with love. And the seraphim pierces and cauterizes this soul which, like a red-hot coal, or better, a flame, is already enkindled. For the soul is converted into the immense fire of love.

Few persons have reached these heights. Some have, however, especially those whose virtue and spirit was to be diffused among their children. For God accords to founders, with respect to the first fruits of the spirit, wealth and value commensurate with the greater or lesser following they will have in their doctrine and spirituality.

O happy wound, wrought by one who knows only how to heal! O fortunate and choicest wound; you were made only for delight, and the quality of your affliction is delight and gratification for the wounded soul! You are great, O delightful wound, because he who caused you is great!

And your delight is great, because the fire of love is infinite and makes you delightful according to your capacity and greatness. O, then, delightful wound, so much more sublimely delightful the more the cautery touched the intimate center of the substance of the soul, burning all that was burnable in order to give delight to all that could be delighted!

Responsory

℟ The Lord our God is one Lord. * You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.
℣ The Lord your God is a consuming fire. * You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Morning Prayer

Hymn

The day is dawning with delight,
When, spotless as the dove,
Theresa winged her spirit flight
Afar, to realms of love and light,
In heavenly courts above.

Her ear hath caught the mystic sound,
Oh, come, my sister, spouse!
From Carmel’s summit come, be crowned,
Bride of the Lamb, in bliss profound,
Come plight thy nuptial vows!

O Jesus! Spouse of Virgin choice,
Thy holy name we praise!
While heavenly choirs, too, rejoice,
Their bridal canticle to voice,
And hymn their endless lays.

86.88.6.
Felix dies, qua candidae

Antiphons and psalms of the current weekday.

Reading

2 Corinthians 4:5-7

It is not ourselves that we are preaching, but Christ Jesus as the Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. It is the same God that said, “Let there be light shining out of darkness,” who has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, the glory on the face of Christ. We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us.

Responsory

℟ To you my heart has spoken: * It is you that I seek.
Repeat ℟
℣ I long for your face, Lord * It is you that I seek.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
℟ To you my heart has spoken: * It is you that I seek.

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. In my heart was the likeness of a burning fire, imprisoned in my bones; and I was scarcely able to bear it.

Intercessions

The Lord of glory, Crown of all the Saints, gives us the joy of celebrating this feast of Saint Teresa. Let us praise him, saying:

℟ Glory to you, Lord!

Source of life and holiness, in your saints you show us the infinite marvels of your grace; — in company with Saint Teresa may we sing of your mercies forever. ℟

You want your Spirit of Love to blaze like fire throughout the world; — may we, like Saint Teresa, be instrumental in keeping that flame of love alight. ℟

You sanctify your friends and reveal to them the mysteries of your heart; — unite our hearts to yours in a friendship so close and intimate that we may experience the secrets of your love, proclaim it to others, and win them to you. ℟

You blessed the pure of heart and promised that they would see you; — purify our sight, so that we may see you in all things, and through all things be close to you. ℟

You oppose the proud and give wisdom to the simple; — make us humble of heart, so that we may receive your wisdom for the sake of the Church. ℟

Our Father …

Prayer

Almighty God,
you filled the heart of Saint Teresa of Jesus, our Mother,
with the fire of your love
and gave her strength to undertake difficult tasks
for the honor of your name.
Through her prayers
may the power of your love fill our hearts also
and stir us to ever more generous efforts in your service.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Evening Prayer

Hymn

As messenger of the Most high,
Teresa from her home would fly,
Good tidings of the Heavenly King
To heathen lands afar to bring,
Or yield for Christ her gentle life,
In ruddy streams of martyr strife.

But death with sweeter aspect came,
Awaiting her with rapturous claim.
Ecstatic pangs delight her soul,
And, conquered by their strong control,
She falleth, wounded from above
By piercing lance of heavenly love.

Oh, flaming victim! may thy dart
Enkindle every frozen heart,
That upward mounting, one with thine,
They rise, consumed with fire divine.
And may thy pleading safely keep
Thy nations from the burning deep.

All praise unto the Father be,
And to the Son eternally,
With joyful harmony repeat
All praise unto the Paraclete,
The Blessed Trinity adore
With reverent homage evermore.

88.88.88.
Regis superni nuntia

Antiphons and psalms of the current weekday.

Reading

Jude 20-21

You, my dear friends, must use your most holy faith as your foundation and build on that, praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves within the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you eternal life.

Responsory

℟ You are * the temple of the living God. Repeat ℟
℣ And the Spirit of God dwells in you, * the temple of the living God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
℟ You are * the temple of the living God.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. Let my heart rejoice in your salvation; let me sing to the Lord for his goodness to me.

Intercessions

Christ loved his Church and gave his life for her that she might be holy: let us pray to Christ that his Church may be holy and spotless in all her members:

℟ Be with your Church, Lord Jesus.

You are the Head of the Church and the source of all her grace; — may all your people be joined to you in faith and love, and realize that they are the living and holy members of your body. ℟

You founded the Church on Peter and the apostles, and through them you teach us the truth and lead us in green pastures; — enlighten and guide those you have placed over your Church, and confirm our faith so that in them we may hear your voice leading us to life. ℟

You choose some to announce the Good News by teaching, baptizing, calling to repentance, and offering in your memory the Eucharistic Sacrifice; — as the harvest is great, and the laborers few, send laborers into your harvest. ℟

You choose some of your friends to follow you more closely in your poverty, your chastity and your obedience, for the building up of the Church; — with Mary as their Mother and teacher, may all religious cling to you and show forth your life within them as they serve the Church. ℟

You made your people one body and one spirit in the unity of faith and baptism; — may all whom you have redeemed preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bonds of peace. ℟

You died for our redemption and rose so that we could have life; — may all who have died in your love and await the revelation of your glory rejoice at the eternal banquet in the company of your saints. ℟

Our Father …

Prayer

Almighty God,
you filled the heart of Saint Teresa of Jesus, our Mother,
with the fire of your love
and gave her strength to undertake difficult tasks
for the honor of your name.
Through her prayers
may the power of your love fill our hearts also
and stir us to ever more generous efforts in your service.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKcJvjP9zgY

Learn more about Bernini’s masterpiece on the Khan Academy website

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

#DiscalcedCarmelite #FlamingArrow #heart #LiturgyOfTheHours #Memorial #nuns #optionalMemorial #StTeresaOfAvila #transverberation

October 15
SAINT TERESA OF JESUS
OUR MOTHER
Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Solemnity

Teresa was born at Avila in Spain in 1515. She entered the Carmelites and made great progress in the way of perfection and was granted mystical revelations. Wishing to share in the spiritual renewal of the Church of her time, she began to live her religious life more ardently and soon attracted many companions, to whom she was like a mother. She also helped in the reform of the friars, and in this had to endure great trials. She wrote books that are renowned for their depth of doctrine and which showed her own spiritual experiences. She died at Alba in 1582.

Evening Prayer I

Hymn

Mild messenger of heaven’s high King,
Forth from home’s sheltering walls you set:
‘Christ to the Pagan’s land I’ll bring
Or die a martyr!’—Ah, not yet:

A sweeter pain, a death more dear
Must win for you a wider fame;
No mortal hand’s to wield the spear
That kindles your consuming flame.

Victim of God’s unbounded love,
Let our hearts burn with like desire;
Lead all your retinue above
That none may taste eternal fire.

Jesu, celestial choirs adore You,
Bridegroom of all virgins pure,
And wedding-songs unceasing pour
While endless ages shall endure.

L.M.
Tr. Bede Edwards, O.C.D.

Psalmody

Ant. 1 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to little ones.

Psalm 113

Praise, O servants of the Lord, *
praise the name of the Lord!
May the name of the Lord be blessed *
both now and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting *
praised be the name of the Lord!

High above all nations is the Lord, *
above the heavens his glory.
Who is like the Lord, our God, *
who has risen on high to his throne
yet stoops from the heights to look down, *
to look down upon heaven and earth?

From the dust he lifts up the lowly, *
from his misery he raises the poor
to set him in the company of princes, *
yes, with the princes of his people.
To the childless wife he gives a home *
and gladdens her heart with children.

Ant. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to little ones.

Ant. 2 Nations will proclaim her wisdom, and the Church will sing her praise.

Psalm 146

My soul, give praise to the Lord, +
I will praise the Lord all my days, *
make music to my God while I live.

Put no trust in princes, *
in mortal men in whom there is no help.
Take their breath, they return to clay *
and their plans that day come to nothing.

He is happy who is helped by Jacob’s God, *
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who alone made heaven and earth, *
the seas and all they contain.

It is he who keeps faith forever, *
who is just to those who are oppressed.
It is he who gives bread to the hungry, *
the Lord, who sets prisoners free,

the Lord who gives sight to the blind, *
who raises up those who are bowed down,
the Lord, who protects the stranger *
and upholds the widow and orphan.

It is the Lord who loves the just *
but thwarts the path of the wicked.
The Lord will reign forever, *
Zion’s God, from age to age.

Ant. Nations will proclaim her wisdom, and the Church will sing her praise.

Ant. 3 The Lord gave her wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and a heart as vast as the sand on the seashore.

Canticle: Ephesians 1:3-10

Praised be the God and Father *
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who has bestowed on us in Christ *
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

God chose us in him *
before the world began,
to be holy *
and blameless in his sight.

He predestined us +
to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ, *
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor *
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.

In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed, *
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous *
is God’s favor to us.

God has given us the wisdom *
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased *
to decree in Christ.

A plan to be carried out *
in Christ, in the fullness of time,
to bring all things into one in him, *
in the heavens and on the earth.

Ant. The Lord gave her wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and a heart as vast as the sand on the seashore.

Reading

1 Corinthians 2:6-10a

Among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him,” God has revealed to us through the Spirit.

Responsory

R/. She became a teacher * in the Church of God. Repeat R/.
V/. The Lord filled her with the spirit of wisdom and understanding * in the Church of God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R/. She became a teacher * in the Church of God.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. Holy Mother Teresa, light of the Church, teach us the way of perfection, and lead us to the eternal mansions where Christ has his home.

Intercessions

With our Mother Saint Teresa let us call upon our loving Father, in the name of Christ our friend and companion. Let us pray:

R/. Lord, may your kingdom come.

You made your Son a source of life, so that whoever believes in him might have life for all eternity; — may we listen to the voice of Christ, our true life, and so have life in him. R/.

You gave us your only-begotten Son as our teacher of holiness and our Way to you; — may we, your children, loyally follow Christ, the Way of perfection, and pray to you without ceasing. R/.

You promised through Christ that with him you will come to dwell in those who surrender to your love; — may we let your Spirit of love take possession of our hearts for Christ, and so be admitted to the inmost mansions of your dwelling-place. R/.

You made Christ head and cornerstone of the Church, the foundation on which we might build; — may we love and serve the Church for his sake, rooted and founded in his love and faith. R/.

You raised Christ to your right hand in glory, to prepare a place for us in your presence; — may all the dead who seek your face be with Christ, and contemplate the glory you have given him. R/.

Our Father…

Prayer

Father,
by your Spirit you raised up
our Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show your Church the way to perfection.
May her inspired teaching
awaken in us a longing for true holiness.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Invitatory

Ant. The Lord is the fount of wisdom; come, let us adore him.

Invitatory psalm, as in the Ordinary.

Office of Readings

Hymn

Noonday blaze of virtues rare;
Highest gifts of grace and prayer;
You have lived, in deep repose,
All that faith on us bestows.

Wedded to the Father’s Word,
Word of light, in silence heard
Leaning on the Savior’s breast,
Guided by the Spirit blest.

Blest the mind refined by fire
To receive divine desire,
Wisdom’s secrets in your heart,
Opened by the heavenly dart.

Christ drew you to his embrace
By the fragrance of his grace;
In your teaching we confide,
Trusting you, our heav’n-sent guide.

Truth eternal, One and Three,
May Teresa constantly
Lead us up the mountain’s ways
To the realms of joy and praise.

77.77.
Sr. Margarita of Jesus, O.C.D.

Psalmody

Ant. 1 My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life: when shall I see God face to face?

Psalm 42

Like the deer that yearns *
for running streams,
so my soul is yearning *
for you, my God. 

My soul is thirsting for God, *
the God of my life;
when can I enter and see *
the face of God?

My tears have become my bread, *
by night, by day,
as I hear it said all the day long: *
“Where is your God?”

These things will I remember *
as I pour out my soul:
how I would lead the rejoicing crowd *
into the house of God,
amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving, *
the throng wild with joy.

Why are you cast down, my soul, *
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still, *
my savior and my God.

My soul is cast down within me *
as I think of you,
from the country of Jordan and Mount Hermon, *
from the Hill of Mizar.

Deep is calling on deep, *
in the roar of waters: *
your torrents and all your waves *
swept over me.

By day the Lord will send *
his loving kindness;
by night I will sing to him, *
praise the God of my life.

I will say to God, my rock: *
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning *
oppressed by the foe?”

With cries that pierce me to the heart, *
my enemies revile me,
saying to me all the day long: *
“Where is your God?”

Why are you cast down, my soul, *
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still, *
my savior and my God.

Ant. 1 My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life: when shall I see God face to face?

Ant. 2  Your splendor, Lord, is unending, who can tell your mercy and greatness?

Psalm 145

I will give you glory, O God my King, *
I will bless your name forever.

I will bless you day after day *
and praise your name forever.
The Lord is great, highly to be praised, *
his greatness cannot be measured.

Age to age shall proclaim your works, *
shall declare your mighty deeds,
shall speak of your splendor and glory, *
tell the tale of your wonderful works.

They will speak of your terrible deeds, *
recount your greatness and might.
They will recall your abundant goodness; *
age to age shall ring out your justice.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion, *
slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all, *
compassionate to all his creatures

Ant. 2  Your splendor, Lord, is unending, who can tell your mercy and greatness?

Ant. 3 The Lord is faithful to all who call on him in truth; his kingdom will never end.

All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, *
and your friends shall repeat their blessing.
They shall speak of the glory of your reign *
and declare your might, O God,

to make known to men your mighty deeds *
and the glorious splendor of your reign.
Yours is an everlasting kingdom; *
your rule lasts from age to age.

The Lord is faithful in all his words *
and loving in all his deeds.
The Lord supports all who fall *
and raises all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all creatures look to you *
and you give them their food in due time.
You open wide your hand, *
grant the desires of all who live.

The Lord is just in all his ways *
and loving in all his deeds.
He is close to all who call him, *
who call on him from their hearts.

He grants the desires of those who fear him, *
he hears their cry and he saves them.
The Lord protects all who love him; *
but the wicked he will utterly destroy.

Let me speak the praise of the Lord, +
let all mankind bless his holy name forever,
for ages unending.

Ant. 3 The Lord is faithful to all who call on him in truth; his kingdom will never end.

V/. You, O Lord, are close.
R/. And all your commands are truth.

First Reading

Phil 3:8-21

From the letter of the apostle Paul to the Philippians

The knowledge of Christ Jesus is supreme

I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have thrown everything away; I consider it all as mere garbage, so that I may gain Christ and be completely united with him. I no longer have a righteousness of my own, the kind that is gained by obeying the Law. I now have the righteousness that is given through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is based on faith. All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death, in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life.

I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself. Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above.

All of us who are spiritually mature should have this same attitude. But if some of you have a different attitude, God will make this clear to you. However that may be, let us go forward according to the same rules we have followed until now.

Keep on imitating me, my friends. Pay attention to those who follow the right example that we have set for you. I have told you this many times before, and now I repeat it with tears: there are many whose lives make them enemies of Christ’s death on the cross. They are going to end up in hell, because their god is their bodily desires. They are proud of what they should be ashamed of, and they think only of things that belong to this world. We, however, are citizens of heaven, and we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. He will change our weak mortal bodies and make them like his own glorious body, using that power by which he is able to bring all things under his rule.

Responsory

R/. Your life is hidden now with Christ in God. * When Christ your life appears, you too will appear with him in glory. 
V/. Neither death nor life, nor anything in all creation, can come between us and Christ’s love for us. * When Christ your life appears, you too will appear with him in glory.

Second Reading

Ch 22:6-7, 14

From the Autobiography of Saint Teresa of Jesus

We should always be mindful of Christ’s love

Whoever lives in the presence of so good a friend and excellent a leader as is Jesus Christ can endure all things. Christ helps us and strengthens us and never fails; he is a true friend. And I see clearly that God desires that if we are going to please him and receive his great favors this must come about through the most sacred humanity of Christ, in whom he takes his delight.

Many, many times have I perceived this through experience. The Lord has told it to me. I have definitely seen that we must enter by this gate if we desire His Sovereign Majesty to show us great secrets. A person should desire no other path, even if he be at the summit of contemplation; on this road he walks safely. This Lord of ours is the one through whom all blessings come to us. He will teach us these things. In beholding his life we find that he is the best example.

What more do we desire than to have such a good friend at our side, who will not abandon us in our labors and tribulations, as friends in the world do? Blessed is the one who truly loves him and always keeps him near. Let us consider the glorious Saint Paul: it doesn’t seem that any other name fell from his lips than that of Jesus, as coming from one who kept the Lord close to his heart. Once I had come to understand this truth, I carefully considered the lives of some of the saints, the great contemplatives, and found that they hadn’t taken any other path: Francis, Anthony of Padua, Bernard, Catherine of Sienna. A person must walk along this path in freedom, placing himself in God’s hands. If His Majesty should desire to raise us to the position of one who is an intimate and shares his secrets, we ought to accept gladly.

As often as we think of Christ we should recall the love with which he bestowed on us so many favors, and the great things God showed in giving us a pledge like this of his love; for love begets love. Let us strive to keep this always before our eyes and to waken ourselves to love. For if at some time the Lord should grant us the favor of impressing this love on our hearts, all will become easy for us and we shall carry out our tasks quickly and without much effort.

Responsory

R/. For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
V/. I willingly glory in my weakness, so that the power of Christ may be strong in me. * For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Where the Vigil Office is celebrated:

Ant. I have been zealous for the honor of my spouse, Jesus Christ; he said to me: Be zealous for my honor like a true bride.

Canticle I

Is 2:2-3

All the peoples will come to the house of the Lord

The mountain where God has chosen to dwell (Ps 67:17)

It shall come to pass in the latter days *
that the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall be established as the highest of the mountains +
and shall be raised above the hills, *
and all the nations shall flow to it.

And many people shall come, and say: +
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, *
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways *
and that we may walk in his paths.’

For out of Sion shall go forth the law, *
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Canticle II

Is 61:10-62:3

The prophet rejoices in the new Jerusalem

I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, as beautiful as a bride prepared to meet her husband (Rev 21:2)

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord *
my soul shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, *
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, *
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the earth brings forth its shoots, *
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise *
to spring forth before all the nations.

For Sion’s sake I will not keep silent, *
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest
until her vindication goes forth as brightness, *
and her salvation as a burning torch.

The nations shall see your vindication, *
and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name *
which the mouth of the Lord will give.

You shall be a crown of beauty *
in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadem *
in the hand of your God.

Canticle III

Is 62:4-7

The glory of the new Jerusalem

Here God lives among men. He will make his home among them (Rev 21:3)

No longer are you to be named ‘Forsaken,’ *
nor your land ‘Abandoned,’
but your shall be called ‘My Delight’ *
and your land ‘The Wedded;’
for the Lord takes delight in you *
and your land will have its wedding.

Like a young man marrying a virgin, *
so will the one who built you wed you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices in his bride, *
so will your God rejoice in you.

On your walls, Jerusalem, *
I set watchmen.
Day or night *
they must never be silent.

You who keep the Lord mindful *
must take no rest.
Nor let him take rest +
till he has restored Jerusalem, *
and made her the boast of the earth.

Ant. I have been zealous for the honor of my spouse, Jesus Christ; he said to me: Be zealous for my honor like a true bride.

Gospel

Jn 14:1-11a

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

There are many rooms in my Father’s house

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house;
if there were not, I should have told you.
I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am
you may be too.
You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus said:

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.
If you know me, you know my Father too.
From this moment you know him and have seen him.”

Philip said, “Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.” “Have I been with you all this time, Philip,” said Jesus to him, “and you still do not know me?

“To have seen me is to have seen the Father,
so how can you say, ‘Let us see the Father?’
Do you not believe
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself:
it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work.
You must believe me when I say
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.”

Te Deum

You are God: we praise you; *
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father: *
All creation worships you.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, *
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might, *
heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you. +
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. *
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you: *
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, *
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the King of glory, *
the eternal Son of the Father.

When you became man to set us free *
you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb.

You overcame the sting of death, *
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. *
We believe that you will come, and be our judge.

Come then, Lord, and help your people, *
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints*
to glory everlasting.

Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
— Govern and uphold them now and always.

Day by day we bless you.
— We praise your name for ever.

Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
— Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.

Lord, show us your love and mercy,
— for we have put our trust in you.

In you, Lord, is our hope:
— And we shall never hope in vain.

Prayer

Father,
by your Spirit you raised up
our Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show your Church the way to perfection.
May her inspired teaching
awaken in us a longing for true holiness.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Morning Prayer

Hymn

My beloved, passing fair,
Love has drawn thy likeness, see,
In my inmost Heart, and there—
Lost or straying unaware—
Thou must seek thyself in me.

Well I know that thou shalt find
This thine image in my Heart,
Pictured to the life, with art
So amazing, that thy mind
Sees thy very counterpart.

If my chance thou e’er shalt doubt
Where to turn in search of me,
Seek not all the world about;
Only this can find me out—
Thou must seek myself in thee.

In the mansion of thy mind
Is my dwelling-place; and more—
There I wander, unconfined,
Knocking loud if e’er I find
In thy thought a closèd door.

Search for me without were vain,
Since, when thou has need of me,
Only call me, and again
To thy side I haste amain;
Thou must seek myself in thee.

7.7.7.7.7
St. Teresa of Jesus
Tr. by A. Stirling

Psalmody

Ant. 1 For you my soul is thirsting, Lord; my body pines for you.

Psalm 63

O God, you are my God, for you I long; *
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you *
like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary *
to see your strength and your glory.

For your love is better than life, *
my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life, *
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, *
my mouth shall praise you with joy.

On my bed I remember you. *
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help; *
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you; *
your right hand holds me fast.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant.  For you my soul is thirsting, Lord; my body pines for you.

Ant. 2 All your creatures praise you, Lord; your saints shall bless your name.

Canticle – Daniel 3:57-88, 56

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord. *
You heavens, bless the Lord,
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord. *
All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Sun and moon, bless the Lord. *
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.

Every shower and dew, bless the Lord. *
All you winds, bless the Lord.
Fire and heat, bless the Lord. *
Cold and chill, bless the Lord.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord. *
Frost and chill, bless the Lord.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord. *
Nights and days, bless the Lord.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord. *
Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.

Let the earth bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord. *
Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.
You springs, bless the Lord. *
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord. *
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord. *
You sons of men, bless the Lord.

O Israel, bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord. *
Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord. *
Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.

Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. *
Let us praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven. *
Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all for ever.

Ant.  All your creatures praise you, Lord; your saints shall bless your name.

Ant. 3 I have sung the praises of your mercies, Lord, in the assembly of the faithful.

Psalm 149

Sing a new song to the Lord, *
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its maker, *
let Zion’s sons exult in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing *
and make music with timbrel and harp.

For the Lord takes delight in his people. *
He crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, *
shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips *
and a two-edged sword in their hand,

to deal out vengeance to the nations *
and punishment on all the peoples;
to bind their kings in chains *
and their nobles in fetters of iron;
to carry out the sentence pre-ordained; *
this honor is for all his faithful.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant.  I have sung the praises of your mercies, Lord, in the assembly of the faithful.

Reading

2 Cor 4:5-7

It is not ourselves that we are preaching, but Christ Jesus as the Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. It is the same God that said, “Let there be light shining out of darkness”, who has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, the glory on the face of Christ. We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. 

Responsory

R/. To you my heart has spoken: * it is you that I seek.
Repeat R/.
V/. I long for your face, Lord; * it is you that I seek.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R/. To you my heart has spoken: * it is you that I seek.

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and show myself to him.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old †
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers*
and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and show myself to him.

Intercessions

The Lord of glory, the crown of all the saints, gives us the joy of celebrating this feast of our Mother Saint Teresa. Let us praise him, saying:

R/. Glory to you, Lord.

Source of life and holiness, in your saints you show us the infinite marvels of your grace; —in company with Saint Teresa may we sing of your mercies forever. R/.

You want your love to blaze like fire throughout the world; —may we, like Saint Teresa, be instrumental in keeping that flame of love alight. R/.

You sanctify your friends and reveal to them the mysteries of your heart; —unite our hearts to yours in a friendship so close and intimate that we may experience the secrets of your love, proclaim it to others, and win them to you. R/.

You blessed the pure of heart and promised that they would see you; —purify our sight, so that we may see you in all things, and through all things be close to you. R/.

You oppose the proud and give wisdom to the simple; —make us humble of heart, so that we may receive your wisdom for the sake of the Church. R/.

Our Father…

Prayer

Father,
by your Spirit you raised up
our Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show your Church the way to perfection.
May her inspired teaching
awaken in us a longing for true holiness.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Daytime Prayer

The complementary psalms are used. If this feast falls on Sunday, then psalms from Sunday, Week I are said.

Midmorning

Ant. When you pray go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is hidden.

Reading

Rev 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

V/. I will pray to the God of my life.
R/. I will say to him: You are my support.

Midday

Ant. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say: Rejoice! The Lord is near.

Reading

1 Thess 5:16-18

Be happy at all times; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus.

V/. You will show me the path of life.
R/. The fullness of joy in your presence.

Midafternoon

Ant. Let us live in truth and love, and let all things aid our growth into Christ.

Reading

3 John 3-4

It was a great joy to me when some brothers came and told of your faithfulness to the truth, and of your life in the truth. It is always my greatest joy to hear that my children are living according to the truth.

V/. Serve the Lord in truth.
R/. Whoever follows the truth, comes to the light.

Prayer

Father,
by your Spirit you raised up
our Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show your Church the way to perfection.
May her inspired teaching
awaken in us a longing for true holiness.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Evening Prayer

Hymn

Teresa, herald of the King,
You left your home in dawn of youth
To bring to souls, on eager wing,
Your blood, or Christ’s redeeming truth.

But yours must be another death—
Both pain and rapture flood your heart,
Enkindled by the Spirit’s breath,
Pierced through by cherub’s fiery dart.

O Victim of pure charity,
Send fire to souls you love so well;
By flame of Wisdom’s clarity
Deliver us from fires of hell!

O Jesus, Spouse of virgin-brides,
May they adoring sing your praise
In nuptial music that abides
Through peace of never-ending days!

L.M.
Regis superni nuntia
Tr. unknown

Psalmody

Ant. 1 The Lord showed me the holy city: it was resplendent with the glory of God, and shone like a precious jewel.

Psalm 122

I rejoiced when I heard them say: *
“Let us go to God’s house.”
And now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built as a city *
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up, *
the tribes of the Lord.

For Israel’s law it is, *
there to praise the Lord’s name.
There were set the thrones of judgment *
of the house of David.

For the peace of Jerusalem pray; *
“Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls, *
in your palaces, peace!”

For love of my brethren and friends *
I say: “Peace upon you!”
For love of the house of the Lord *
I will ask for your good.

Ant. The Lord showed me the holy city: it was resplendent with the glory of God, and shone like a precious jewel.

Ant. 2 Behold, the dwelling of God is with men, and he will make his home among them.

Psalm 127

If the Lord does not build the house, *
in vain do its builders labor;
if the Lord does not watch over the city, *
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.

In vain is your earlier rising, *
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat: *
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.

Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, *
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons of youth *
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.

O the happiness of the man *
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame *
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways.

Ant. Behold, the dwelling of God is with men, and he will make his home among them.

Ant. 3 I will make up in my body whatever is lacking in the sufferings of Christ, for the sake of his body the Church. 

Canticle: Col 1:12-20

Let us give thanks to the Father *
for having made you worthy
to share the lot of the saints *
in light.

He rescued us *
from the power of darkness
and brought us *
into the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Through him we have redemption, *
the forgiveness of our sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, *
the first-born of all creatures.
In him everything in heaven and on earth was created, *
things visible and invisible.

All were created through him; *
all were created for him.
He is before all else that is. *
In him everything continues in being.

It is he who is head of the body, the church! *
he who is the beginning,
the first-born of the dead, *
so that primacy may be his in everything.

It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in him *
and, by means of him, to reconcile everything in his person,
both on earth and in the heavens, *
making peace through the blood of his cross.

Ant. I will make up in my body whatever is lacking in the sufferings of Christ, for the sake of his body the Church.

Reading

Jude 20-21

You, my dear friends, must use your most holy faith as your foundation and build on that, praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves within the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you eternal life.

Responsory

R/. You are * the temple of the living God.
Repeat R/.
V/. And the Spirit of God dwells in you, * the temple of the living God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R/. You are * the temple of the living God.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. Do not let your hearts be troubled. There are many mansions in my Father’s house, and I am going now to prepare a place for you.

Or: Holy Mother Teresa, look down from heaven and see; visit this vineyard of yours, and perfect what your right hand has planted.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, *
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant, *
and from this day all generations will call me blessed.

The Almighty has done great things for me: *
holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,*
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and has sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel*
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Do not let your hearts be troubled. There are many mansions in my Father’s house, and I am going now to prepare a place for you.

Or: Holy Mother Teresa, look down from heaven and see; visit this vineyard of yours, and perfect what your right hand has planted.

Intercessions

Christ loved his Church and gave his life for her that she might be holy: let us pray to Christ that his Church may be holy and spotless in all her members:

R/. Be with your Church, Lord Jesus.

You are the Head of the Church and the source of all her grace; —may all your people be joined to you in faith and love, and realize that they are the living and holy members of your Body. R/.

You founded the Church on Peter and the apostles, and through them you teach us the truth and lead us in green pastures; —enlighten and guide those you have placed over your Church, and confirm our faith so that in them we may hear your voice leading us to life. R/.

You choose some to announce the Good News by teaching, baptizing, calling to repentance, and offering in your memory the Eucharistic Sacrifice; —as the harvest is great, and the laborers few, send laborers into your harvest. R/.

You choose some of your friends to follow you more closely in your poverty, your chastity and your obedience, for the building up of the Church; —with Mary as their Mother and teacher, may all religious cling to you and show forth your life within them as they serve the Church. R/.

You made your people one body and one spirit in the unity of faith and baptism; —may all whom you have redeemed preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bonds of peace. R/.

You died for our redemption and rose so that we could have life; —may all who have died in your love and await the revelation of your glory rejoice at the eternal banquet in the company of your saints. R/.

Our Father…

Prayer

Father,
by your Spirit you raised up
our Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus
to show your Church the way to perfection.
May her inspired teaching
awaken in us a longing for true holiness.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/10/12/stjlit24/

#DiscalcedCarmelite #DoctorOfTheChurch #LiturgyOfTheHours #Solemnity #StTeresaOfAvila #StTeresaOfJesus #virgin

August 26
THE TRANSVERBERATION OF THE HEART OF
ST. TERESA OF JESUS OUR MOTHER

Nuns: Memorial, Others: Optional Memorial

“The chief among Teresa’s virtues was the love of God, which our Lord Jesus Christ increased by means of many visions and revelations. He made her his Spouse on one occasion. At other times she saw an angel with a flaming dart piercing her heart. Through these heavenly gifts the flame of divine love in her heart became so strong that, inspired by God, she made the extremely difficult vow of always doing what seemed to her most perfect and most conducive to God’s glory” (Gregory XV in the Bull of Canonization).

Office of Readings

Hymn

Noonday blaze of virtues rare;
Highest gifts of grace and prayer;
You have lived, in deep repose,
All that faith on us bestows.

Wedded to the Father’s Word,
Word of light, in silence heard
Leaning on the Savior’s breast,
Guided by the Spirit blest.

Blest the mind refined by fire
To receive divine desire,
Wisdom’s secrets in your heart,
Opened by the heavenly dart.

Christ drew you to his embrace
By the fragrance of his grace;
In your teaching we confide,
Trusting you, our heav’n-sent guide.

Truth eternal, One and Three,
May Teresa constantly
Lead us up the mountain’s ways
To the realms of joy and praise.

77.77.
Sr. Margarita of Jesus, O.C.D.

The Second Reading

(Red. B, st. 2, no. 2-4, 9,, 12, 8: ed. Kavanaugh-Rodriguez 1979, pp. 596-99)

From the Living Flame of Love by Saint John of the Cross

You have wounded my heart

Moses declares in Deuteronomy, Our Lord God is a consuming fire, that is, a fire of love, which being of infinite power, can inestimably consume and transform into itself the soul it touches. Yet he burns each soul according to its preparation: he will burn one more, another less, and this he does insofar as he desires, and how and when he desires. When he wills to touch somewhat vehemently, the soul’s burning reaches such a high degree of love that it seems to surpass that of all the fires of the world, for he is an infinite fire of love. Because the soul in this case is entirely transformed by the divine flame, it not only feels a cautery, but has become a cautery of blazing fire.

It is a wonderful thing and worth relating that, since this fire of God is so mighty it would consume a thousand worlds more easily than the fire of this earth would burn up a straw, it does not consume and destroy the soul in which it so burns. And it does not afflict it, rather, commensurate with the strength of the love, it divinizes and delights it, burning gently. Since God’s purpose in granting these communications is to exalt the soul, he does not weary and restrict it, but enlarges and delights it, brightens and enriches it. The happy soul that by great fortune reaches this cautery knows all things, tastes all things, does all it wishes, and prospers; no one prevails before it and nothing touches it. This is the soul of which the Apostle speaks: The spiritual one judges all things and he is judged by no one. And again: The spirit searches out all things, unto the deep things of God.

It will happen that while the soul is inflamed with the love of God, it will feel that a seraphim is assailing it by means of an arrow or dart which is all afire with love. And the seraphim pierces and cauterizes this soul which, like a red-hot coal, or better, a flame, is already enkindled. For the soul is converted into the immense fire of love.

Few persons have reached these heights. Some have, however, especially those whose virtue and spirit was to be diffused among their children. For God accords to founders, with respect to the first fruits of the spirit, wealth and value commensurate with the greater or lesser following they will have in their doctrine and spirituality.

O happy wound, wrought by one who knows only how to heal! O fortunate and choicest wound; you were made only for delight, and the quality of your affliction is delight and gratification for the wounded soul! You are great, O delightful wound, because he who caused you is great!

And your delight is great, because the fire of love is infinite and makes you delightful according to your capacity and greatness. O, then, delightful wound, so much more sublimely delightful the more the cautery touched the intimate center of the substance of the soul, burning all that was burnable in order to give delight to all that could be delighted!

Responsory

R./ The Lord our God is one Lord. * You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.
V./ The Lord your God is a consuming fire. * You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Morning Prayer

Hymn

The day is dawning with delight,
When, spotless as the dove,
Theresa winged her spirit flight
Afar, to realms of love and light,
In heavenly courts above.

Her ear hath caught the mystic sound,
Oh, come, my sister, spouse!
From Carmel’s summit come, be crowned,
Bride of the Lamb, in bliss profound,
Come plight thy nuptial vows!

O Jesus! Spouse of Virgin choice,
Thy holy name we praise!
While heavenly choirs, too, rejoice,
Their bridal canticle to voice,
And hymn their endless lays.

86.88.6.
Felix dies, qua candidae

Antiphons and psalms of the current weekday.

Reading

2 Corinthians 4:5-7

It is not ourselves that we are preaching, but Christ Jesus as the Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. It is the same God that said, “Let there be light shining out of darkness,” who has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, the glory on the face of Christ. We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us.

Responsory

R./ To you my heart has spoken: * It is you that I seek.
Repeat R./
V./ I long for your face, Lord * It is you that I seek.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R./ To you my heart has spoken: * It is you that I seek.

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. In my heart was the likeness of a burning fire, imprisoned in my bones; and I was scarcely able to bear it.

Intercessions

The Lord of glory, Crown of all the Saints, gives us the joy of celebrating this feast of Saint Teresa. Let us praise him, saying:

R./ Glory to you, Lord!

Source of life and holiness, in your saints you show us the infinite marvels of your grace; — in company with Saint Teresa may we sing of your mercies forever. R./

You want your Spirit of Love to blaze like fire throughout the world; — may we, like Saint Teresa, be instrumental in keeping that flame of love alight. R./

You sanctify your friends and reveal to them the mysteries of your heart; — unite our hearts to yours in a friendship so close and intimate that we may experience the secrets of your love, proclaim it to others, and win them to you. R./

You blessed the pure of heart and promised that they would see you; — purify our sight, so that we may see you in all things, and through all things be close to you. R./

You oppose the proud and give wisdom to the simple; — make us humble of heart, so that we may receive your wisdom for the sake of the Church. R./

Our Father …

Prayer

Almighty God,
you filled the heart of Saint Teresa of Jesus, our Mother,
with the fire of your love
and gave her strength to undertake difficult tasks
for the honor of your name.
Through her prayers
may the power of your love fill our hearts also
and stir us to ever more generous efforts in your service.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Evening Prayer

Hymn

As messenger of the Most high,
Teresa from her home would fly,
Good tidings of the Heavenly King
To heathen lands afar to bring,
Or yield for Christ her gentle life,
In ruddy streams of martyr strife.

But death with sweeter aspect came,
Awaiting her with rapturous claim.
Ecstatic pangs delight her soul,
And, conquered by their strong control,
She falleth, wounded from above
By piercing lance of heavenly love.

Oh, flaming victim! may thy dart
Enkindle every frozen heart,
That upward mounting, one with thine,
They rise, consumed with fire divine.
And may thy pleading safely keep
Thy nations from the burning deep.

All praise unto the Father be,
And to the Son eternally,
With joyful harmony repeat
All praise unto the Paraclete,
The Blessed Trinity adore
With reverent homage evermore.

88.88.88.
Regis superni nuntia

Antiphons and psalms of the current weekday.

Reading

Jude 20-21

You, my dear friends, must use your most holy faith as your foundation and build on that, praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves within the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you eternal life.

Responsory

R./ You are * the temple of the living God. Repeat R./
V./ And the Spirit of God dwells in you, * the temple of the living God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R./ You are * the temple of the living God.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. Let my heart rejoice in your salvation; let me sing to the Lord for his goodness to me.

Intercessions

Christ loved his Church and gave his life for her that she might be holy: let us pray to Christ that his Church may be holy and spotless in all her members:

R./ Be with your Church, Lord Jesus.

You are the Head of the Church and the source of all her grace; — may all your people be joined to you in faith and love, and realize that they are the living and holy members of your body. R./

You founded the Church on Peter and the apostles, and through them you teach us the truth and lead us in green pastures; — enlighten and guide those you have placed over your Church, and confirm our faith so that in them we may hear your voice leading us to life. R./

You choose some to announce the Good News by teaching, baptizing, calling to repentance, and offering in your memory the Eucharistic Sacrifice; — as the harvest is great, and the laborers few, send laborers into your harvest. R./

You choose some of your friends to follow you more closely in your poverty, your chastity and your obedience, for the building up of the Church; — with Mary as their Mother and teacher, may all religious cling to you and show forth your life within them as they serve the Church. R./

You made your people one body and one spirit in the unity of faith and baptism; — may all whom you have redeemed preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bonds of peace. R./

You died for our redemption and rose so that we could have life; — may all who have died in your love and await the revelation of your glory rejoice at the eternal banquet in the company of your saints. R./

Our Father …

Prayer

Almighty God,
you filled the heart of Saint Teresa of Jesus, our Mother,
with the fire of your love
and gave her strength to undertake difficult tasks
for the honor of your name.
Through her prayers
may the power of your love fill our hearts also
and stir us to ever more generous efforts in your service.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKcJvjP9zgY

Learn more about Bernini’s masterpiece on the Khan Academy website

Catholic Church 1993, Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Rev. and augm.), Institutum Carmelitanum, Rome.

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/08/24/transverblit24/

#DiscalcedCarmelite #FlamingArrow #heart #LiturgyOfTheHours #Memorial #nuns #optionalMemorial #StTeresaOfAvila #transverberation

"Love, when it is grown, cannot be without action."
#StTeresaOfAvila

#catholic #quotes #Carmelites

"Make those who will profess vows here learn through a long trial period not to think their life will amount to words alone, without deeds also."

(St. Teresa of Avila, The Way of Perfection 32:5, footnote 1, Kavanaugh translation)
#lent #StTeresaOfAvila #religiouslife #Catholic #Carmelite #quoteoftheday

Quote of the day, 29 June: St. Teresa of Avila

What I’ve said is enough now for beholding His great mercies, not the one time but the many times He has pardoned so much ingratitude.

Saint Peter, You pardoned once when he was ungrateful; me, You pardoned many times. With what reason the devil tempted me not to pretend to be a friend with one whom I treated publicly like an enemy.

What terrible blindness mine was! Where, my Lord, did I think I could find a remedy save in You?

What folly: to flee from the light so as to be always stumbling! Such proud humility the devil invented in me: withdrawing from the column and the staff which were my support against a fall so great!

Once while with this presence of the three Persons that I carry about in my soul, I experienced so much light you couldn’t doubt the living and true God was there.

In this state He gave me understanding of things I didn’t know how to speak of afterward. Among them was how the Person of the Son, and not the others, took flesh.

As I say, I wouldn’t know how to explain any of these things. For some of them take place so secretly in the soul that it seems the intellect understands, as in the case of a person who while sleeping or half asleep, thinks that what is spoken is understood within.

I was reflecting upon how arduous a life this is that deprives us of being always in that wonderful company, and I said to myself, “Lord, give me some means by which I can put up with this life.”

He replied: “Think, daughter, of how after it is finished you will not be able to serve me in ways you can now. Eat for Me and sleep for Me, and let everything you do be for Me, as though you no longer lived but I; for this is what St. Paul was speaking of” [1 Cor 10:31].

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Book of Her Life, chap. 19, no. 10
Spiritual Testimonies, no. 51

Note: The Pauline spirituality expressed in Teresa’s vision—living “as though you no longer lived but I”—had already found poetic expression three years earlier in her famous verse from around 1572: Vivo sin vivir en mí, / y de tal manera espero / que muero porque no muero (I live without living in myself, / and in such a way I hope, / I die because I do not die). Christ’s words in this 1575 testimony seem to confirm and deepen the mystical theology Teresa was already experiencing and articulating through poetry.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Teresa de Jesús & Álvarez, T 1994, Obras completas, Editorial Monte Carmelo, Burgos.

Featured image: “Saints Peter and Paul often assist Teresa in overcoming demons” is an engraving on paper by Adrian Collaert, engraver, and Theodoor Galle, publisher. The printer is unknown; the engraving dates to Antwerp, 1613. The banner above reads “Confide, quia a daemone nequaquam decipieris” (Trust, for you will never be deceived by a demon). The Latin inscription reads: “She sees the glorious apostles Peter and Paul often standing by her side, promising help against the demons’ illusions: nor is it a vain promise, for she was so divinely illuminated with grace that she could easily conquer all the devil’s tricks.” From the album Vita B. Virginis Teresiae A. Jesu ordinis carmelitarum excalceatorum piae restauratricis….Antverpiae, Apud Adrianum Collardum et Theodorum Gallaeum. M.DC.XIII. (BI-1904-78). Image credit: Rijksmuseum (Public domain).

⬦ Reflection Question ⬦
Have you ever found yourself speaking to God in prayer as naturally as thinking to yourself, without formal words or structure?
⬦ Join the conversation in the comments.

#GodAlone #perseverance #StPaul #StPeter #StTeresaOfAvila

1. Some said that Sister St. Stanislaus called her an angel because of the smiles and signs of affection Thérèse showed her for the least service: “It’s in this way that I’ve taken God in, and it’s because of this that I’ll be so well received by Him at the hour of my death.”
2. “I’m very happy that meat disgusts me because then I find no pleasure in it.” (They were serving her a little meat.)
3. At the moment when I was leaving the infirmary to go to the refectory: “I love you!”
4. When the Angelus was ringing: “Must I extend my little hands?” I answered: “No, you’re even too weak to recite the Angelus. Call upon the Blessed Virgin by simply saying: ‘Virgin Mary!’ ” She said: “Virgin Mary, I love you with all my heart.” Sister Geneviève said: “Tell her that you love her for me, too.” Then she added in a whisper: “For ‘Mlle. Lili,’ for Mamma, for godmother, for Léonie, for little Marie, Uncle, Aunt, Jeanne, Francis, ‘Maurice,’ ‘little Roulland,’ and all whom I love.”
5. She had a desire for a certain type of food, a very simple one, and one of us told our Uncle about it: “It’s very strange that we make this known in the world! Well, I offered it up to God.” I told her that it wasn’t my fault, for in fact I had forbidden it. She replied by taking the little plate: “Ah! it’s offered up to God. It no longer matters. Let them think what they want!”
6. During Matins: “Little Mother, oh! how I love you!” With a pretty smile, trying to speak: “Let’s say something, just the same; let’s say . . . If you only knew how the thought of going soon to heaven leaves me calm. However, I’m very happy, but I can’t say that I am experiencing a living joy and transports of happiness, no!”
7. I asked: “You prefer to die rather than to live?“ “O little Mother, I don’t love one thing more than another; I could not say like our holy Mother St. Teresa: ‘I die because I cannot die’ (cf. Poetry, 1, “Vivir sin vivir en mí”). What God prefers and chooses for me, that is what pleases me more.”

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

Yellow Notebook of Mother Agnès, 4 September 1897

Note: A touching anecdote concerning Sister St. Stanislaus: She suffered from hearing loss, so Thérèse would express her gratitude by giving Sister St. Stanislaus’ hand a gentle squeeze. As for the persons on St. Thérèse’s prayer list, they are Sister Geneviève (Céline), Mother Agnès of Jesus (Pauline), Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart (Marie), Léonie Martin, Sister Marie of the Eucharist (Thérèse’s cousin, Marie Guérin), M. and Mme. Guérin, Mme. La Néele and Dr. La Néele, Fr. Bellière and Fr. Roulland.

Thérèse & Clarke, J 1977, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Her Last Conversations, Institute of Carmelite Studies, Washington DC.

Featured image: This Croatian painting of St. Thérèse was captured by the renowned Croatian photographer Zvonimir Atletić, who traveled with Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Image credit: zatletic / Adobe Stock

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/09/03/tej-4sep97/

#deathAndDying #familyLife #food #infirmary #love #monasticLife #MotherAgnèsOfJesus #poetry #prayer #smiles #StTeresaOfAvila #StThérèseOfLisieux

1. Some said that Sister St. Stanislaus called her an angel because of the smiles and signs of affection Thérèse showed her for the least service: “It’s in this way that I’ve taken God in, and it’s because of this that I’ll be so well received by Him at the hour of my death.”
2. “I’m very happy that meat disgusts me because then I find no pleasure in it.” (They were serving her a little meat.)
3. At the moment when I was leaving the infirmary to go to the refectory: “I love you!”
4. When the Angelus was ringing: “Must I extend my little hands?” I answered: “No, you’re even too weak to recite the Angelus. Call upon the Blessed Virgin by simply saying: ‘Virgin Mary!’ ” She said: “Virgin Mary, I love you with all my heart.” Sister Geneviève said: “Tell her that you love her for me, too.” Then she added in a whisper: “For ‘Mlle. Lili,’ for Mamma, for godmother, for Léonie, for little Marie, Uncle, Aunt, Jeanne, Francis, ‘Maurice,’ ‘little Roulland,’ and all whom I love.”
5. She had a desire for a certain type of food, a very simple one, and one of us told our Uncle about it: “It’s very strange that we make this known in the world! Well, I offered it up to God.” I told her that it wasn’t my fault, for in fact I had forbidden it. She replied by taking the little plate: “Ah! it’s offered up to God. It no longer matters. Let them think what they want!”
6. During Matins: “Little Mother, oh! how I love you!” With a pretty smile, trying to speak: “Let’s say something, just the same; let’s say . . . If you only knew how the thought of going soon to heaven leaves me calm. However, I’m very happy, but I can’t say that I am experiencing a living joy and transports of happiness, no!”
7. I asked: “You prefer to die rather than to live?“ “O little Mother, I don’t love one thing more than another; I could not say like our holy Mother St. Teresa: ‘I die because I cannot die’ (cf. Poetry, 1, “Vivir sin vivir en mí”). What God prefers and chooses for me, that is what pleases me more.”

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

Yellow Notebook of Mother Agnès, 4 September 1897

Note: A touching anecdote concerning Sister St. Stanislaus: She suffered from hearing loss, so Thérèse would express her gratitude by giving Sister St. Stanislaus’ hand a gentle squeeze. As for the persons on St. Thérèse’s prayer list, they are Sister Geneviève (Céline), Mother Agnès of Jesus (Pauline), Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart (Marie), Léonie Martin, Sister Marie of the Eucharist (Thérèse’s cousin, Marie Guérin), M. and Mme. Guérin, Mme. La Néele and Dr. La Néele, Fr. Bellière and Fr. Roulland.

Thérèse & Clarke, J 1977, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Her Last Conversations, Institute of Carmelite Studies, Washington DC.

Featured image: This Croatian painting of St. Thérèse was captured by the renowned Croatian photographer Zvonimir Atletić, who traveled with Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Image credit: zatletic / Adobe Stock

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/09/03/tej-4sep97/

#deathAndDying #familyLife #food #infirmary #love #monasticLife #MotherAgnèsOfJesus #poetry #prayer #smiles #StTeresaOfAvila #StThérèseOfLisieux

Courage, courage, my daughters. Remember that God does not give anyone more trials than can be suffered and that His Majesty is with the afflicted [cf. 1 Cor 10:13].

For this is certain, there is no reason to fear but to hope in his mercy. He will reveal the whole truth; and some machinations, which the devil kept hidden so as to create a disturbance, will be made known. This was more painful for me than all that is happening now.

Prayer, prayer, my sisters, and now let humility shine forth—and obedience in such a way that no one, especially the former prioress [María de San José Salazar], practices it more toward the appointed vicaress [Beatriz de la Madre de Dios].

Oh, what a good time it is for gathering fruit from the resolutions you made to serve our Lord. Consider that often he desires to have proof that our works are in conformity with our resolutions and words.

Bring honor to the daughters of the Blessed Virgin, your sisters, in this great persecution, for if you help one another, the good Jesus will help you. Even though he sleeps at sea, when the storm gathers strength he calms the winds [Mt 8:23–27].

He wants us to ask of him, and he loves us so much that he is always looking for ways to be of benefit to us. May his name be blessed forever, amen, amen, amen.

Saint Teresa of Avila

Letter 284 to the nuns in Seville, nos. 2–3
31 January 1579

Note: Translator and editor Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD provides the following background concerning this letter:

The community in Seville was going through a crisis. Stripped of his powers as visitator, Gracián underwent a trial initiated against him by the provincial of Andalusia. The trial was seconded by the community’s former confessor, Garciálvarez. The objective of the scheme was to discredit Gracián and depose the prioress, María de San José. Then the provincial appointed one of the most inept nuns in the community, Beatriz de la Madre de Dios, to take the prioress’s place. Teresa knew all about what was happening. Lest her letter be confiscated, she sent it to her good friend, the prior of the Carthusians, so that he might read or give it to the interested nuns.

In Teresa’s letter Father Hernando Pantoja, the Carthusian prior in Seville (Letter 283), Teresa wrote:

I certainly do not worry much about the nuns who went there earlier with me to make the foundation [six nuns from Beas were the foundresses], and I even feel joy in seeing all that they will gain in this war the devil wages against them. I do, however, feel bad for those who entered there afterward [13 nuns entered later], for when they should be learning about the order and how to remain quiet, they are very distracted by all the turmoil, which can do much harm to souls that are new. May the Lord provide a remedy.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: This image of Letter 148 from St. Teresa to Madre María de San José (Salazar) in Seville is a brilliant example of the plain-speaking Saint writing to the former prioress in Seville. At the beginning of the letter, Teresa writes: “Always include on a small piece of paper a list of the things you want me to answer. Your letters are long—although they don’t seem so, because of the joy they give me; but if when in a hurry I have to read them all over in order to answer them, they do seem long.” Image credit: iStock (Stock photo)

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/09/01/stj-ltr284n2/

#courage #FatherJerónimoGraciánOfTheMotherOfGod #hope #Jesus #MariaDeSanJoséSalazar #mercy #monasticLife #persecution #StTeresaOfAvila #storm

Courage, courage, my daughters. Remember that God does not give anyone more trials than can be suffered and that His Majesty is with the afflicted [cf. 1 Cor 10:13].

For this is certain, there is no reason to fear but to hope in his mercy. He will reveal the whole truth; and some machinations, which the devil kept hidden so as to create a disturbance, will be made known. This was more painful for me than all that is happening now.

Prayer, prayer, my sisters, and now let humility shine forth—and obedience in such a way that no one, especially the former prioress [María de San José Salazar], practices it more toward the appointed vicaress [Beatriz de la Madre de Dios].

Oh, what a good time it is for gathering fruit from the resolutions you made to serve our Lord. Consider that often he desires to have proof that our works are in conformity with our resolutions and words.

Bring honor to the daughters of the Blessed Virgin, your sisters, in this great persecution, for if you help one another, the good Jesus will help you. Even though he sleeps at sea, when the storm gathers strength he calms the winds [Mt 8:23–27].

He wants us to ask of him, and he loves us so much that he is always looking for ways to be of benefit to us. May his name be blessed forever, amen, amen, amen.

Saint Teresa of Avila

Letter 284 to the nuns in Seville, nos. 2–3
31 January 1579

Note: Translator and editor Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD provides the following background concerning this letter:

The community in Seville was going through a crisis. Stripped of his powers as visitator, Gracián underwent a trial initiated against him by the provincial of Andalusia. The trial was seconded by the community’s former confessor, Garciálvarez. The objective of the scheme was to discredit Gracián and depose the prioress, María de San José. Then the provincial appointed one of the most inept nuns in the community, Beatriz de la Madre de Dios, to take the prioress’s place. Teresa knew all about what was happening. Lest her letter be confiscated, she sent it to her good friend, the prior of the Carthusians, so that he might read or give it to the interested nuns.

In Teresa’s letter Father Hernando Pantoja, the Carthusian prior in Seville (Letter 283), Teresa wrote:

I certainly do not worry much about the nuns who went there earlier with me to make the foundation [six nuns from Beas were the foundresses], and I even feel joy in seeing all that they will gain in this war the devil wages against them. I do, however, feel bad for those who entered there afterward [13 nuns entered later], for when they should be learning about the order and how to remain quiet, they are very distracted by all the turmoil, which can do much harm to souls that are new. May the Lord provide a remedy.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: This image of Letter 148 from St. Teresa to Madre María de San José (Salazar) in Seville is a brilliant example of the plain-speaking Saint writing to the former prioress in Seville. At the beginning of the letter, Teresa writes: “Always include on a small piece of paper a list of the things you want me to answer. Your letters are long—although they don’t seem so, because of the joy they give me; but if when in a hurry I have to read them all over in order to answer them, they do seem long.” Image credit: iStock (Stock photo)

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/09/01/stj-ltr284n2/

#courage #FatherJerónimoGraciánOfTheMotherOfGod #hope #Jesus #MariaDeSanJoséSalazar #mercy #monasticLife #persecution #StTeresaOfAvila #storm

Courage, courage, my daughters. Remember that God does not give anyone more trials than can be suffered and that His Majesty is with the afflicted [cf. 1 Cor 10:13].

For this is certain, there is no reason to fear but to hope in his mercy. He will reveal the whole truth; and some machinations, which the devil kept hidden so as to create a disturbance, will be made known. This was more painful for me than all that is happening now.

Prayer, prayer, my sisters, and now let humility shine forth—and obedience in such a way that no one, especially the former prioress [María de San José Salazar], practices it more toward the appointed vicaress [Beatriz de la Madre de Dios].

Oh, what a good time it is for gathering fruit from the resolutions you made to serve our Lord. Consider that often he desires to have proof that our works are in conformity with our resolutions and words.

Bring honor to the daughters of the Blessed Virgin, your sisters, in this great persecution, for if you help one another, the good Jesus will help you. Even though he sleeps at sea, when the storm gathers strength he calms the winds [Mt 8:23–27].

He wants us to ask of him, and he loves us so much that he is always looking for ways to be of benefit to us. May his name be blessed forever, amen, amen, amen.

Saint Teresa of Avila

Letter 284 to the nuns in Seville, nos. 2–3
31 January 1579

Note: Translator and editor Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD provides the following background concerning this letter:

The community in Seville was going through a crisis. Stripped of his powers as visitator, Gracián underwent a trial initiated against him by the provincial of Andalusia. The trial was seconded by the community’s former confessor, Garciálvarez. The objective of the scheme was to discredit Gracián and depose the prioress, María de San José. Then the provincial appointed one of the most inept nuns in the community, Beatriz de la Madre de Dios, to take the prioress’s place. Teresa knew all about what was happening. Lest her letter be confiscated, she sent it to her good friend, the prior of the Carthusians, so that he might read or give it to the interested nuns.

In Teresa’s letter Father Hernando Pantoja, the Carthusian prior in Seville (Letter 283), Teresa wrote:

I certainly do not worry much about the nuns who went there earlier with me to make the foundation [six nuns from Beas were the foundresses], and I even feel joy in seeing all that they will gain in this war the devil wages against them. I do, however, feel bad for those who entered there afterward [13 nuns entered later], for when they should be learning about the order and how to remain quiet, they are very distracted by all the turmoil, which can do much harm to souls that are new. May the Lord provide a remedy.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: This image of Letter 148 from St. Teresa to Madre María de San José (Salazar) in Seville is a brilliant example of the plain-speaking Saint writing to the former prioress in Seville. At the beginning of the letter, Teresa writes: “Always include on a small piece of paper a list of the things you want me to answer. Your letters are long—although they don’t seem so, because of the joy they give me; but if when in a hurry I have to read them all over in order to answer them, they do seem long.” Image credit: iStock (Stock photo)

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/09/01/stj-ltr284n2/

#courage #FatherJerónimoGraciánOfTheMotherOfGod #hope #Jesus #MariaDeSanJoséSalazar #mercy #monasticLife #persecution #StTeresaOfAvila #storm

Courage, courage, my daughters. Remember that God does not give anyone more trials than can be suffered and that His Majesty is with the afflicted [cf. 1 Cor 10:13].

For this is certain, there is no reason to fear but to hope in his mercy. He will reveal the whole truth; and some machinations, which the devil kept hidden so as to create a disturbance, will be made known. This was more painful for me than all that is happening now.

Prayer, prayer, my sisters, and now let humility shine forth—and obedience in such a way that no one, especially the former prioress [María de San José Salazar], practices it more toward the appointed vicaress [Beatriz de la Madre de Dios].

Oh, what a good time it is for gathering fruit from the resolutions you made to serve our Lord. Consider that often he desires to have proof that our works are in conformity with our resolutions and words.

Bring honor to the daughters of the Blessed Virgin, your sisters, in this great persecution, for if you help one another, the good Jesus will help you. Even though he sleeps at sea, when the storm gathers strength he calms the winds [Mt 8:23–27].

He wants us to ask of him, and he loves us so much that he is always looking for ways to be of benefit to us. May his name be blessed forever, amen, amen, amen.

Saint Teresa of Avila

Letter 284 to the nuns in Seville, nos. 2–3
31 January 1579

Note: Translator and editor Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD provides the following background concerning this letter:

The community in Seville was going through a crisis. Stripped of his powers as visitator, Gracián underwent a trial initiated against him by the provincial of Andalusia. The trial was seconded by the community’s former confessor, Garciálvarez. The objective of the scheme was to discredit Gracián and depose the prioress, María de San José. Then the provincial appointed one of the most inept nuns in the community, Beatriz de la Madre de Dios, to take the prioress’s place. Teresa knew all about what was happening. Lest her letter be confiscated, she sent it to her good friend, the prior of the Carthusians, so that he might read or give it to the interested nuns.

In Teresa’s letter Father Hernando Pantoja, the Carthusian prior in Seville (Letter 283), Teresa wrote:

I certainly do not worry much about the nuns who went there earlier with me to make the foundation [six nuns from Beas were the foundresses], and I even feel joy in seeing all that they will gain in this war the devil wages against them. I do, however, feel bad for those who entered there afterward [13 nuns entered later], for when they should be learning about the order and how to remain quiet, they are very distracted by all the turmoil, which can do much harm to souls that are new. May the Lord provide a remedy.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: This image of Letter 148 from St. Teresa to Madre María de San José (Salazar) in Seville is a brilliant example of the plain-speaking Saint writing to the former prioress in Seville. At the beginning of the letter, Teresa writes: “Always include on a small piece of paper a list of the things you want me to answer. Your letters are long—although they don’t seem so, because of the joy they give me; but if when in a hurry I have to read them all over in order to answer them, they do seem long.” Image credit: iStock (Stock photo)

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/09/01/stj-ltr284n2/

#courage #FatherJerónimoGraciánOfTheMotherOfGod #hope #Jesus #MariaDeSanJoséSalazar #mercy #monasticLife #persecution #StTeresaOfAvila #storm

Let us go on to other things that are also quite important, although they may seem small. Everything seems to be a heavy burden, and rightly so, because it involves a war against ourselves. But once we begin to work, God does so much in the soul and grants it so many favors that all that one can do in this life seems little….

Why should we, then, delay in practicing interior mortification? For interior mortification makes everything else more meritorious and perfect, and afterward enables us to do the other things with greater ease and repose. This interior mortification is acquired, as I have said by proceeding gradually, not giving in to our own will and appetites, even in little things, until the body is completely surrendered to the spirit [cf. Way, chap. 11, no. 5: “this determination is more important than we realize”].

The least that any of us who has truly begun to serve the Lord can offer Him is our own life. Since we have given the Lord our will, what do we fear? It is clear that if someone is a true religious or a true person of prayer and aims to enjoy the delights of God, he must not turn his back upon the desire to die for God and suffer martyrdom.

For don’t you know yet, Sisters, that the life of a good religious who desires to be one of God’s close friends is a long martyrdom? A long martyrdom because in comparison with the martyrdom of those who are quickly beheaded, it can be called long; but all life is short, and the life of some extremely short.

And how do we know if ours won’t be so short that at the very hour or moment we determine to serve God completely it will come to an end? This is possible.

In sum, there is no reason to give importance to anything that will come to an end. And who will not work hard if he thinks that each hour is the last? Well, believe me, thinking this is the safest course.

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Way of Perfection, Chap.12, nos. 1–2

Note: St. Teresa encouraged her nuns to actively prepare and practice for martyrdom, according to the accounts of 16th-century historian Belchior de Santa Ana, O.C.D. He indicates that Mother Maria de San José Salazar, O.C.D. carried the tradition of these pious recreations to the Carmel of Lisbon.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: These metal stolperstein (“stumbling stones”) bear Edith and Rosa Stein’s names, marking the site of their arrest in front of the Carmel of Echt, Bovenstestraat 48. Image credit: Qwertzu111111 / Wikimedia Commons (Some rights reserved)

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/08/08/stj-longmartyrdom/

#desire #determination #DiscalcedCarmelites #martyrdom #martyrs #monasticLife #mortification #offering #religiousLife #selfDenial #StTeresaOfAvila

Let us go on to other things that are also quite important, although they may seem small. Everything seems to be a heavy burden, and rightly so, because it involves a war against ourselves. But once we begin to work, God does so much in the soul and grants it so many favors that all that one can do in this life seems little….

Why should we, then, delay in practicing interior mortification? For interior mortification makes everything else more meritorious and perfect, and afterward enables us to do the other things with greater ease and repose. This interior mortification is acquired, as I have said by proceeding gradually, not giving in to our own will and appetites, even in little things, until the body is completely surrendered to the spirit [cf. Way, chap. 11, no. 5: “this determination is more important than we realize”].

The least that any of us who has truly begun to serve the Lord can offer Him is our own life. Since we have given the Lord our will, what do we fear? It is clear that if someone is a true religious or a true person of prayer and aims to enjoy the delights of God, he must not turn his back upon the desire to die for God and suffer martyrdom.

For don’t you know yet, Sisters, that the life of a good religious who desires to be one of God’s close friends is a long martyrdom? A long martyrdom because in comparison with the martyrdom of those who are quickly beheaded, it can be called long; but all life is short, and the life of some extremely short.

And how do we know if ours won’t be so short that at the very hour or moment we determine to serve God completely it will come to an end? This is possible.

In sum, there is no reason to give importance to anything that will come to an end. And who will not work hard if he thinks that each hour is the last? Well, believe me, thinking this is the safest course.

Saint Teresa of Avila

The Way of Perfection, Chap.12, nos. 1–2

Note: St. Teresa encouraged her nuns to actively prepare and practice for martyrdom, according to the accounts of 16th-century historian Belchior de Santa Ana, O.C.D. He indicates that Mother Maria de San José Salazar, O.C.D. carried the tradition of these pious recreations to the Carmel of Lisbon.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: These metal stolperstein (“stumbling stones”) bear Edith and Rosa Stein’s names, marking the site of their arrest in front of the Carmel of Echt, Bovenstestraat 48. Image credit: Qwertzu111111 / Wikimedia Commons (Some rights reserved)

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/08/08/stj-longmartyrdom/

#desire #determination #DiscalcedCarmelites #martyrdom #martyrs #monasticLife #mortification #offering #religiousLife #selfDenial #StTeresaOfAvila

For my dear daughter Sister Teresa de Jesús

Jesus. The grace of the Holy Spirit be with your charity, my daughter. I was delighted with your letter, and that my letters make you happy is a great joy for me, seeing that we cannot be together.

As for the dryness, it seems to me that the Lord is now treating you as one who is strong. He wants to try you in order to know the love you have for him, whether it is present in dryness as well as in spiritual delights.

Take it as a very great favor from God. Don’t let it cause you any grief, for perfection does not consist in delight but in the virtues. When you least expect, devotion will return.

As for what you say about that sister, try not to think of it, but turn away from the thought. And don’t think that when a thought comes into your mind, even if it concerns something very bad, you are immediately at fault, for the thought is nothing. I too would like to see that sister experience the same dryness, for I don’t know if she understands herself, and for her own good we could desire this.

When some bad thought comes to you, bless yourself, or recite an Our Father, or strike your breast and try to think of something else, and you will instead be meriting because you will be resisting.

I would like to answer Isabel de San Pablo [the subprioress at St. Joseph’s in Avila] but there is not time. Give her my best regards—for she already knows how you must be the one dearest to me—and also regards to Romero [identity unknown] and María de San Jerónimo [St. Teresa’s cousin, who was also a Carmelite nun at St. Joseph’s in Avila]. I wish someone would write to me about her health since she doesn’t do so. Don Francisco [Sister Teresa’s oldest brother] is like an angel and doing well. Yesterday he received communion, and his servants did so too. Tomorrow we are going to Valladolid. He will write to you from there, for I haven’t told him now about this messenger.

May God watch over you, my daughter, and make you as holy as I beg of him, amen. My regards to all.

Today is the feast of San Alberto.

Saint Teresa of Avila

Letter 351 to her niece Teresita at St. Joseph’s in Avila
From Medina, 7 August 1580

Note: Translator and editor Father Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D. indicates that St. Teresa’s niece, Teresita, was now a novice at St. Joseph’s in Avila. She was grieving over the recent death of her father and wrote to her aunt about some of her interior troubles and problems. St. Teresa gives her niece some standard counsel and comfort.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: Before leaving Seville with St. Teresa and her father Lorenzo de Cepeda on the way back to Castile, young Teresita was depicted in an oil on canvas painting by Fray Juan de la Miseria, who shortly before had painted a portrait of St. Teresa. Fray Juan portrayed the girl dressed as a Carmelite (brown habit and white mantle), noting that she was “10 years old.” This featured image is a detail from Fray Juan’s painting, which is one of the prized treasures of the Carmel of St. Joseph “of the Teresas” in Seville. Image credit: Carmel of Alba de Tormes

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/08/06/stj-ltr351/

#distractions #dryness #familyLife #holiness #monasticLife #prayer #spiritualDirection #StTeresaOfAvila #Teresita

For my dear daughter Sister Teresa de Jesús

Jesus. The grace of the Holy Spirit be with your charity, my daughter. I was delighted with your letter, and that my letters make you happy is a great joy for me, seeing that we cannot be together.

As for the dryness, it seems to me that the Lord is now treating you as one who is strong. He wants to try you in order to know the love you have for him, whether it is present in dryness as well as in spiritual delights.

Take it as a very great favor from God. Don’t let it cause you any grief, for perfection does not consist in delight but in the virtues. When you least expect, devotion will return.

As for what you say about that sister, try not to think of it, but turn away from the thought. And don’t think that when a thought comes into your mind, even if it concerns something very bad, you are immediately at fault, for the thought is nothing. I too would like to see that sister experience the same dryness, for I don’t know if she understands herself, and for her own good we could desire this.

When some bad thought comes to you, bless yourself, or recite an Our Father, or strike your breast and try to think of something else, and you will instead be meriting because you will be resisting.

I would like to answer Isabel de San Pablo [the subprioress at St. Joseph’s in Avila] but there is not time. Give her my best regards—for she already knows how you must be the one dearest to me—and also regards to Romero [identity unknown] and María de San Jerónimo [St. Teresa’s cousin, who was also a Carmelite nun at St. Joseph’s in Avila]. I wish someone would write to me about her health since she doesn’t do so. Don Francisco [Sister Teresa’s oldest brother] is like an angel and doing well. Yesterday he received communion, and his servants did so too. Tomorrow we are going to Valladolid. He will write to you from there, for I haven’t told him now about this messenger.

May God watch over you, my daughter, and make you as holy as I beg of him, amen. My regards to all.

Today is the feast of San Alberto.

Saint Teresa of Avila

Letter 351 to her niece Teresita at St. Joseph’s in Avila
From Medina, 7 August 1580

Note: Translator and editor Father Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D. indicates that St. Teresa’s niece, Teresita, was now a novice at St. Joseph’s in Avila. She was grieving over the recent death of her father and wrote to her aunt about some of her interior troubles and problems. St. Teresa gives her niece some standard counsel and comfort.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: Before leaving Seville with St. Teresa and her father Lorenzo de Cepeda on the way back to Castile, young Teresita was depicted in an oil on canvas painting by Fray Juan de la Miseria, who shortly before had painted a portrait of St. Teresa. Fray Juan portrayed the girl dressed as a Carmelite (brown habit and white mantle), noting that she was “10 years old.” This featured image is a detail from Fray Juan’s painting, which is one of the prized treasures of the Carmel of St. Joseph “of the Teresas” in Seville. Image credit: Carmel of Alba de Tormes

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/08/06/stj-ltr351/

#distractions #dryness #familyLife #holiness #monasticLife #prayer #spiritualDirection #StTeresaOfAvila #Teresita

This following of the Master, which should lead us to imitate him to the point of giving our lives for his love, has been almost a constant call for Christians of the earliest times and throughout history to give this supreme witness of love—martyrdom—to everyone, especially persecutors.

Thus the Church, down through the centuries, has preserved as a precious legacy the words that Christ spoke: “No disciple is above his teacher” (Mt 10:24), and “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you” (Jn 15:20).

Thus we see that martyrdom—the ultimate witness in defense of the faith—is considered by the Church to be an exalted gift and the supreme proof of love, by which a Christian follows in the footsteps of Jesus, who freely accepted suffering and death for the salvation of the world.

And although martyrdom is a gift granted by God to a few, nevertheless, all must—and should—be ready to confess Christ before men, especially in the periods of trial that are never—even today—lacking for the Church.

In honoring her martyrs, the Church recognizes them both as a sign of her fidelity to Jesus Christ until death, and as a clear sign of her immense desire for forgiveness and peace, harmony, mutual understanding, and respect.

The three Carmelite martyrs had, without doubt, very present, as we know from their testimonies, those words written by their Holy Mother and Doctor of the Church, Teresa of Jesus:

“If someone is a true religious or a true person of prayer… he must not turn his back upon the desire to die for God and suffer martyrdom” (Way of Perfection, 12:2).

Saint John Paul II

Homily, Beatification of Five Servants of God
29 March 1987

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Translation from the Spanish text is the blogger’s own work product and may not be reproduced without permission.

Featured image: Detail from a historic photograph of Republican soldiers in the Church of Sigüenza, Guadalajara during the early months of the Spanish Civil War (1936). From the photojournalism collection in the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/07/23/jp2-29mar87/

#beatification #BlessedMartyrsOfGuadalajara #gift #homily #martyrdom #StJohnPaulII #StTeresaOfAvila #witness

This is the authorization for Sister María de Jesús to make her profession. I grant it with great pleasure. May the blessing of the Lord de rore coeli et de pinguedine terrae be granted her.

Saint Teresa of Avila

Letter 263 to Blessed Mary of Jesus Lopez Rivas
From Avila, ca. August 1578

This text is taken either from a note or a fragment of a letter written by St. Teresa of Avila. It was addressed to Blessed Mary of Jesus, who made her religious profession on 8 September 1578. St. Teresa’s words express her joyful authorization for Mary to take this important step in her Carmelite journey.

The blessing de rore coeli et de pinguedine terrae comes from Genesis 27:28, where Isaac blesses his son Jacob, saying: “May God give you of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine.”

The Latin phrase calls upon God’s abundant blessings, both spiritual and material, asking that Mary be graced with all she needs to thrive in her vocation. It’s a powerful benediction that shows St. Teresa’s confidence in Mary and her hopes for the young nun’s future.

Blessed Mary of Jesus lived a life marked by profound humility and unwavering perseverance. Despite facing unjust persecution for nearly two decades, she remained steadfast in her faith. St. Teresa’s blessing served as a reminder of God’s care for those who trust in Him, offering strength and encouragement that is still relevant to us today.

To explore more about the life and virtues of Blessed Mary of Jesus Lopez Rivas, be sure to listen to Episode 22 of our podcast, embedded in this post.

https://youtu.be/xTztbQiP5g8?si=qAxEJqOsFa_P2Yz8

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: Original autograph manuscript of the Way of Perfection preserved in the Discalced Carmelite monastery of Valladolid. The photographer has focused on this sentence from Chapter 21: “They must have a great and very resolute determination to persevere until reaching the end, come what may, happen what may, whatever work is involved, whatever criticism arises, whether they arrive or whether they die on the road, or even if they don’t have courage for the trials that are met, or if the whole world collapses.” New medical and scientific research on the incorrupt body of the saint indicate that she may have been ambidextrous; she would have written her letter to Blessed Mary of Jesus with her right hand, since her left arm or wrist had been broken on Christmas Eve in 1577 and was never properly set. Image credit: Ángel Cantero, Iglesia en Valladolid / Flickr

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/09/11/s2ep22-lopezrivas/

#BlessedMaryOfJesusLópezRivas #blessing #DiscalcedCarmelite #humility #inspiration #perseverance #Podcast #religiousProfession #StTeresaOfAvila #trials

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:4–7

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

St. Teresa Speaks: Way of Perfection, 20:4

Let truth dwell in your hearts, as it should through meditation, and you will see clearly the kind of love we are obliged to have for our neighbor.

Reflection: The Truth of Love for Our Neighbor

Teresa urges us to let truth dwell in our hearts through meditation so that our love for others is sincere and rooted in God. Are we committed to loving our neighbor as Christ commands, or do we love only those who are easy to love? Teresa’s challenge calls us to examine whether our love is shaped by the truth of God or by selfish motives.

Novena Prayer

O Holy Mother Saint Teresa, look down from heaven and see: visit this vine and protect what thy right hand hath planted.

(Mention your intentions)

Merciful God, who by thy Spirit didst raise up thy servant Saint Teresa of Jesus to reveal to thy Church the way of perfection: grant that her teaching may awaken in us a longing for holiness until, assisted by her intercession, we attain to the perfect union of love in Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us!

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

All scripture references in this novena are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America as accessed from the Bible Gateway website.

Don’t become discouraged and give up prayer, says St. John of the Cross. We offer varying novenas to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as well as novenas to St. Joseph, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, and St. Edith Stein.

Let us unite in prayer

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/10/10/stjnovena24-6/

#prayer #love #StTeresaOfAvila #neighbor #humility #truth #novena #meditation

God is supreme Truth; and to be humble is to walk in truth.

The Interior Castle, VI, ch. 10, no. 7

Novena Introduction: Humility and Truth

In her writings, St. Teresa of Avila reveals that the way of perfection is a path paved with truth and humility. These virtues are not only foundational but indispensable to spiritual maturity, no matter our state in life. Whether we are engaged in work, family, service, or prayer, humility is the first step on the path toward God (cf. Way of Perfection, 17:1; Mt 23:12). As we walk this path, we must take the lowest place, as Teresa teaches, preparing ourselves with humility and allowing God to guide us as he wills. Just as she reminds us that all spiritual progress is rooted in humility, so too does she call us to walk humbly in the truth of who we are before God.

St. Teresa teaches that humility is not simply a virtue but the essential disposition we must cultivate to receive God’s grace (cf. Ja 4:6). She reminds us that true humility is “great readiness to be content with whatever the Lord may want to do with them and in always finding oneself unworthy to be called his servant” (Way of Perfection, 17:6). By embracing humility, we open ourselves to receiving the truth of who we are before God—weak, dependent, and in need of his mercy. This recognition of our unworthiness is not self-deprecating but an honest acknowledgment that apart from God, we can do nothing (cf. Jn 15:5).

This novena draws upon the central themes of Teresa’s teaching—truth, humility, and love. As St. Teresa reminds us, “God is supreme Truth; and to be humble is to walk in truth.” To walk in humility, then, is to surrender our desire to control our spiritual growth, trusting that God, who is Truth, knows what is best for us. It means embracing the cross, as Teresa so often emphasized, allowing suffering to become a means of union with Christ. Walking in truth and humility also means loving God and our neighbor not just with words, but with action, reflecting the truth of God’s love in every aspect of our lives.

Let this novena be a time of humble surrender, that we may listen to God’s voice and open our hearts to his truth. As we meditate on the words of St. Teresa and the Scriptures, may we grow in the virtues of humility and truth, and may we experience the deep peace that comes from knowing and loving God.

Novena Meditations

Join us as we pray every day! As our novena unfolds, each day you will see a new link for our meditations from St. Teresa of Avila.

• Day 1
  Recognizing God’s Supreme Truth
• Day 2
  Humility in God’s Presence
• Day 3
  Loving God Truthfully
• Day 4
  Humility as the Foundation
• Day 5
  God Alone is Truth
• Day 6
  The Truth of Love for Our Neighbor
• Day 7
  Knowing and Loving God
• Day 8
  Suffering as the Way of Truth
• Day 9
  Walking in Truth and Humility

Novena Prayer

O Holy Mother Saint Teresa, look down from heaven and see: visit this vine and protect what thy right hand hath planted.

(Mention your intentions)

Merciful God, who by thy Spirit didst raise up thy servant Saint Teresa of Jesus to reveal to thy Church the way of perfection: grant that her teaching may awaken in us a longing for holiness until assisted by her intercession, we attain to the perfect union of love in Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

Glory be…

Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8R2k7J6I14

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

All scripture references in this novena are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America as accessed from the Bible Gateway website.

Featured image: This anonymous 17th-century Spanish oil on canvas painting depicts St. Teresa of Avila, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, holding her writing quill with her right hand. It comes from the collections of the Prado Museum in Madrid and is on loan to another institution. Image credit: Copyright ©Museo Nacional del Prado (Used by permission)

Don’t become discouraged and give up prayer, says St. John of the Cross. We offer varying novenas to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as well as novenas to St. Joseph, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, and St. Edith Stein.

Let us unite in prayer

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/10/05/stjnovena24-0/

#God #humility #love #novena #prayer #StTeresaOfAvila #truth #virtue #walk #WayOfPerfection

Our Discalced Carmelite nuns in Puzol (Valencia), Spain have provided a summary of the initial conclusions of medical researchers during their on-site examination of Saint Teresa’s incorrupt remains. We present our translation and a link to the original article on their blog, “Teresa, de la rueca a la pluma.”

On August 30th, the first phase of the study of the remains of St. Teresa of Avila was completed in Alba de Tormes, which has already provided initial evidence about the saint’s health in the last years of her life.

“The medical team has concluded, after this initial on-site analysis, that Teresa had a very fragile physical constitution. For at least the last few years, her posture was severely affected by kyphosis, causing her to walk with a pronounced stoop,” reported Fr. Marco Chiesa, OCD, Postulator General of the Discalced Carmelite Order.

Fr. Marco pointed out that kyphosis resulted in an exaggerated forward curvature of St. Teresa’s upper back. Kyphosis is usually due to the weakness of the bones of the spine, which causes them to fracture and compress, although the medical team has indicated that St. Teresa did not suffer from osteoporosis.

“The deformation of the vertebrae of the spine forced Teresa to breathe with difficulty, at least in the last years of her life,” concluded Father Marco Chiesa. From a medical point of view, in this initial analysis, it was found that the Saint suffered from rheumatism and osteoarthritis in the left knee.

Similarly, the Discalced Carmelite Postulator General explained that Teresa of Avila suffered from plantar fasciitis in the last years of her life. “The doctors indicate that this injury must have caused her a lot of pain when walking,” said Father Chiesa.

For his part, Father Miguel Ángel González, OCD, the prior of Alba de Tormes, said that according to this initial examination, she used both her right and left hands with equal precision, which raises the possibility that she could have been ambidextrous. Until now, it was known (St. Teresa wrote about it) that on December 24, 1577, she broke her left arm in Saint Joseph’s monastery in Avila and that in May 1578, a healer from Medina del Campo reset it.

Father Miguel Ángel explained:

“This preliminary analysis indicates that there was no fracture in the left arm. There was a dislocation, especially in the wrist. When the healer from Medina del Campo was able to help her after several months, she and an assistant pulled the arm and dislocated the shoulder. In other words, the cure was worse than the disease. That arm remained quite useless for the last five years of her life.”

This issue of the arm is very well documented in the writings of St. Teresa herself and in the testimonies for her beatification.

“God was pleased that it wasn’t my right arm that suffered the damage, and so I can write this” (Letter 235, March 1578). She also wrote to Father Gracián about her visit to the healer in Medina del Campo: “I had lost the use of my wrist, for it has been a long time since I fell. So the pain and toil were terrible […]. I can move the hand well and lift the arm as far as my head” (Letter 244, 7 May 1578).

The medical team working in Alba de Tormes indicates that before the accident in 1577, the Saint used her left hand a lot and without difficulty. The reports presented by the doctors will help to clarify if she was ambidextrous.

Closure of the Sepulcher

After the conclusion of this first phase, the silver casket was closed with its four corresponding keys. Following the closure, the casket with the body of the saint was transferred to the upper chapel of the basilica from the cloister where it had remained for two days. The same people participated in the transfer two days ago.

“The silver casket with the saint’s body has been placed inside, and the marble slab has been put in place, closing it with its three corresponding keys. The grille was then locked with its three keys,” Father Miguel Ángel González, Prior of Alba de Tormes, said.

The arm, the heart, and the hand have been placed in their corresponding reliquaries, which have undergone a cleaning process. The heart and the arm have been put back in the chapel, where they remain as usual.

With the information collected, the second stage of this process will begin in Italian laboratories and research centers. The researchers announced that there is much work to be done and they will present their conclusions about the saintly remains at the appropriate time.

Father Marco Chiesa restated the previous information:

“The first stage of this on-site process in Alba de Tormes has concluded, and the second stage will now begin in Italian research laboratories. It will last several months. During 2025, the researchers will reach their conclusions, and the third stage will take place in Alba de Tormes.”

http://delaruecaalapluma.com/2024/08/30/fragilidades-fisicas-de-teresa-a-la-luz-de-la-investigacion-de-sus-restos/

Translation from the Spanish text is the blogger’s own work product and may not be reproduced without permission.

Featured image: The Discalced Carmelite nuns of the Monastery of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Alba de Tormes, Spain, gathered with the Discalced Carmelite friars from the Iberian Province as they returned the silver casket of St. Teresa of Avila to its resting place in the marble sepulcher of the monastery. Father Miguel Ángel González, OCD, prior of the Discalced Carmelite friars in Alba de Tormes (fourth from the right, next to the sepulcher), and Discalced Carmelite Postulator General Father Marco Chiesa, OCD (fifth from the right), presided over the solemn rite. Image credit: Discalced Carmelites / delaruecaalapluma.com

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/08/31/stj-closecasket/

#AlbaDeTormes #DiscalcedCarmelites #illness #medicalTreatment #PostulatorGeneral #ProvinceOfIbérica #science #StTeresaOfAvila #study #suffering

Quote of the day, 7 August: Albert and Teresa

Multiple credible witnesses attest to St. Teresa of Avila’s deep devotion to St. Albert of Trapani (Sicily). In his biography of Teresa, Father Francisco de Ribera notes that her list of especially beloved saints begins with “Our Father Saint Albert”—and he’s careful to clarify this isn’t Saint Albert of Jerusalem, who wrote the Carmelite Rule, but Saint Albert of Sicily.

Teresa’s autobiography offers clues about why she held St. Albert in such reverence. In Chapter 40, no. 13 of The Book of Her Life, she describes a prophetic vision:

Once while I was praying near the Blessed Sacrament, a saint appeared to me whose order was somewhat fallen. He held in his hands a great book. He opened it and told me to read some large and very legible letters. This is what they said: IN THE TIME TO COME THIS ORDER WILL FLOURISH; IT WILL HAVE MANY MARTYRS.

She continues in no. 15:

I sometimes saw this glorious saint, and he told me a few things and thanked me for praying for his order, and promised to recommend me to the Lord. I’m not naming the orders (if the Lord were pleased that they be known, He would declare them), lest others be offended.

The Carmelite Order has always maintained—and Teresa later confirmed, though she initially kept his identity anonymous—that this saint was indeed Saint Albert.

An even more striking episode appears in Father Yanguas’ testimony at Teresa’s canonization process.

He recounts that on St. Albert’s feast day, 7 August 1574, Teresa was staying at the Segovia foundation. After hearing her confession and giving her communion that morning, Father Yanguas spoke with her. She told him that both the Lord and Saint Albert had just conversed with her.

When she’d asked for guidance about the future of the Carmelite Reform, Saint Albert told her the Discalced Carmelites should establish their own independent hierarchy, separate from the Mitigated branch. This episode likely inspired Teresa to commission the work Life and Miracles of Saint Albert.

Father Tomás Álvarez, OCD, explored this remarkable publishing venture in Monte Carmelo review (1993) with the telling title: “An Editorial Enterprise of Saint Teresa: The Life and Miracles of Saint Albert (1582)”. He traces how Teresa’s personal devotion drove this project.

Teresa was determined to spread devotion to the Sicilian Carmelite saint whom she venerated as father and advocate. She even commissioned the Dominican Father Diego de Yanguas to write a booklet titled The Life and Miracles of St. Albert for her nuns. The plan was to publish it alongside The Way of Perfection.

While the complete volume appeared in Lisbon in February 1583, the section on St. Albert is dated 1582—leading Father Álvarez to wonder whether Teresa might have had a printed copy before her death.

Discalced Carmelite Friars Commissariat of Sicily

St. Teresa of Jesus: Great Devotee of St. Albert of Sicily

Note: Teresian scholar Tomás Álvarez, OCD, indicates that in the testimony of Father Diego de Yanguas, OP, at St. Teresa’s canonization process, he deliberately withheld certain details of what St. Albert told Teresa “for good reasons” (por buenos respetos no las declara). The Dominican professor maintained close spiritual ties with Teresa, meeting with her again on August 24, 1578, likely when he completed his revision of St. Albert’s biography. Teresa’s deliberate anonymity about the saint’s identity in her autobiography was standard practice—she consistently concealed names of persons and places throughout her Life, as Father Álvarez documents in his scholarly analysis.

Teresa of Avila, St. 1985, The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, translated from the Spanish by Kavanaugh, K; Rodriguez, O, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Álvarez, T 1993, ‘Una empresa editorial de Santa Teresa: «La vida y milagros de San Alberto» (1582)’, Monte Carmelo, vol. 101, no. 2, pp. 11-12.

Discalced Carmelite Friars of Sicily 2024, ‘Santa Teresa di Gesù grande devota di S. Alberto di Sicilia’, Sant’Alberto da Trapani, Carmelitani Scalzi di Sicilia, viewed 5 August 2025, https://www.carmelodisicilia.it/santi-carmelitani/santalberto-da-trapani/.

Translation from the Italian text is the blogger’s own work product and may not be reproduced without permission.

Translation from the Spanish text is the blogger’s own work product and may not be reproduced without permission.

Featured image: This portrait of St. Albert of Trapani was executed by painter Antonio de Pereda (Spanish, 1611–1678) in oil on canvas, ca. 1670. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

#advocate #mysticalExperience #StAlbertOfTrapani #StTeresaOfAvila