A SHORT BIOGRAPHY
Saint
Teresa experienced many noteworthy challenges in her personal and spiritual
life. Teresa was born in Avila, Spain, March 28, 1515. She died in
Alba, October 4, 1582. Her father, Alonso de Cepeda, was a son of a
Toledan merchant. Early in life when Teresa was 15, her mother died,
leaving behind 10 children. Teresa was the “most beloved of them all.” She was
of medium height, large rather than small, and generally well proportioned. In
her youth she had the reputation of being quite beautiful, and she retained her
fine appearance until her last years. Teresa’s personality was
extroverted, her manner affectionately buoyant, and she had the ability to
adapt herself easily to all kinds of persons and circumstances.
SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL JOURNEY
Teresa
struggled to maintain her religious piety throughout her life, a cross to which
many of us can relate. Physically, Teresa experienced severe health
issues in her adult life. On Nov. 2, 1535, she entered the Carmelite Monastery
of the Incarnation at Avila. The following year, Teresa received the
habit and began wholeheartedly to give herself to prayer and penance.
Shortly after, Teresa became seriously ill and failed to respond to medical
treatment and fell into a coma so profound that she was thought to be dead.
After 4 days she revived. After her cure, which she attributed to St.
Joseph, Teresa entered a period of mediocrity in her spiritual life, but she
did not at any time give up praying. During this stage, which lasted 18 years,
she experienced a series of transitory mystical experiences.
A REFORMER AND WRITER
The
gift of God to Teresa in and through which she became holy and left her mark on
the Church and the world is threefold: She was a woman; she was a
contemplative; she was an active reformer. St. Teresa’s great work of
reform began with herself. She made a vow always to follow the more
perfect course, and resolved to keep the rule as perfectly as she could.
Teresa received permission from Rome to establish a reformed convent (she went
on to found over a half-dozen new monasteries,) even thought her efforts at
reform were oftentimes misunderstood, misjudged and opposed. Yet she
struggled on, courageous and faithful; she struggled with her own mediocrity,
her illness, her opposition. And in the midst of all this she clung
to God in life and in prayer. Toward the end of her life she exclaimed:
“Oh, my Lord! How true it is that whoever works for you is paid in troubles!
And what a precious price to those who love you if we understand its
value.” Teresa’s writings, especially the Way of Perfection and The
Interior Castle, have helped generations of believers. Her writings on prayer
and contemplation are drawn from her experience: powerful, practical and
graceful.
CANONIZATION AND A MODERN DAY INSPIRATION
Pope
Paul V declared Teresa a blessed April 24, 1614, and in 1617 the Spanish
parliament proclaimed her the Patroness of Spain. Pope Gregory XV
canonized her in 1622 together with SS. Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier,
Isidore, and Philip Neri. In 1970, the Church gave her the title she had
long held in the popular mind: doctor of the Church. She and St. Catherine of
Siena were the first women so honored. As St. Teresa of Avila
parishioners, we can take pride in citing Teresa’s many accomplishments, while
also taking pains to follow her example, and taking comfort in the knowledge
that Teresa, like us, faced her share of doubts and challenges along the way.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
“Let
nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.”
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.”
“May today
there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and everyone of you.”
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and everyone of you.”
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Ecstasy
of Saint Teresa of Avila
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Note:
Credits to the rightful owners of photos used in this blog.
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