ST. TERESA OF JESUS
The ways to meet St. Teresa and to develop a close friendship with her are many and varied. One of the best is through her own writings. You will find a list of them here. Another excellent way to encounter St. Teresa's living spirit is through her sons and daughters in the Order she founded, and you will meet many of them at our August celebration in San José, California. Much information is also available online. One of the best sites is "Para Vos Naci", the Discalced Carmelite Order's official website for the celebration of the fifth centenary of her birth. As it is often helpful to hear about others' experiences, we have gathered a few paragraphs from some of her close friends, sons and daughters:
So many times I read Teresa and do not understand what she is saying, it is so comforting for me to also hear her say that to those who have the experience, then they will know what she is talking about. Realizing I didn’t have the experience, I also heard her say to persevere to persevere and as I progressed in prayer and life, I would have “ahha” moments and say to myself, so that is what Teresa is talking about. It seemed then too, I would become closer to her as if we shared secrets!! Her bookmark prayer has been a mainstay in my life, I even have it written on my wall in my home. With God’s grace, I am learning that patience does indeed obtain all things and that “God alone is sufficient.” - a Discalced Carmelite secular |
“Every act of holiness is a historic event. Every time we choose to love God and neighbor we change the course of human history, because our holiness echoes in the lives of people in other places and other times.” So states Matthew Kelly in his book, “Rediscover Catholicism”. He continues, “Holiness is deeply personal, but it is also communal and historic. Holiness is not something we do for ourselves; it is something God does in us if we cooperate. And it is something he does in us not for us alone, but for others and for all of history.” This is certainly demonstrated in the life of Teresa. I know of a case where her holiness had an impact on a little French girl named Therese Martin. The world knows her as Therese of Lisieux and she once told a priest, “Father, I want to love God as much as Saint Teresa did.” The influence of Saint Teresa’s life continues to resonate down through the ages in the lives of all those touched by her writing. It is impossible to measure our Saints impact on history, but from the groundswell of devotion that continues to grow in their memory, it is vast. In this light, Saint Teresa’s proclamation, “I was born for you”, from her poem, “In the Hands of God”, takes on a different, but equally poignant meaning. Our Saints were not only born for God, they were also born for us; for you and me. They are God’s gift and blessing to humanity as they share their path to holiness with all who will receive it. |
I was first touched by St Teresa when I was 12 yrs old. My mother had gone on a weekend retreat to El Carmelo Retreat House and brought me back a small gift. The gift was a bookmark with St Teresa's bookmark saying on it. Throughout my life, that one simple saying has carried through my life - now over 40 yrs ! To me it is the simplicity of St Teresa: of confidence and God's abiding presence and love in my life. It truly expresses for me the Carmelite spirituality and St Teresa of Jesus- God alone suffices ! |