Singing the Salve

Saint Teresa wrote in her 'Spiritual Testimonies' of the vision she had of Our Lady, at the chior of the Incarnation.

" ....... at the beginning of the Salve Regina, I saw the Mother of God descend with a great multitude of angels ..............  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."

[Spiritual Testimonies of St Teresa of Avila; 21 ]

Let Nothing Disturb You

 

Whatever that has happened, is happening or about to happen, it is good to bring these words of wisdom, to mind. 



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

#carmelite #comptemplation #prayer #anxiety #fear #troubled #stteresa #stjohn #teresaofavila #johnofthecross #juandecruz

Remembering Mercy

The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt

Does living in the world, makes us want to be a somebody, or do we just want to be one? What happens when we fall short of our expectations, even when we have given our very best?

Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity writes "..... the abyss of our nothingness encounters the Abyss of Mercy ... the immensity of the all of God" 

[From Elizabeth of the Trinity The Complete Works Volume One; Heaven in Faith (First Day, Second Prayer) ]

#mercy #compassion #empathy #forgiveness #strength #might #powerful #carmelite #prayer #contemplation #reflection #wisdom

I Was Born For You

Saint Teresa was born in 1515, in an era of political, social and religious upheaval.

Despite these circumstances and her ill health, she forge ahead and established convents throughout Spain and even wrote about her prayer experiences.
Some of these books, include 'The Book of Her Life', 'The Way of Perfection' and 'Interior Castle'. Until today, her writings remain relevant; her spiritual insights distilled in captivating imagery and her observations of life, aptly described.

She writes, 'everything tires, everything wearies, everything torments. If it is not with God or for God, there is no rest that doesn't weary it.' [From The Book of Her Life, Chapter 26]

By Living Her Life, Guided by #Divine #Wisdom, a Life in #Communion with God, She Has Lived Her Life to the Full. Saint Teresa of Jesus, Pray for Us.

#carmelite #contemplation #prayer #stj500 #saint teresa #st teresa #spain #avila

Fearing Love

[Parents of St Therese]

St Therese describes her young self, as someone 'who gets into frightful tantrums; when things don't go just right and according to her way of thinking' 

(from Chapter 1 of 'Story of a Soul')

However in the presence of her loving family and with the grace of God, her strong willed, self-love is gradually transformed into a selfless consideration of others. 'My nature was such that fear made me recoil; with love not only did I advance, I actually flew.' 

(from Chapter 8 of 'Story of a Soul)

Perhaps, we can easily identify with her strong willed nature or know someone who resembles thus. But is it not amazing, how such a great transformation, can be brought about by love & charity, instead of fear & violence?

 #carmelite #contemplation #prayer #presence #love #grace #charity #self #personality #strong-willed #stubborn #fear #violence

In Serving Humanity

[Edith Stein serving as a nurse in a lazaretto; a hospital for infectious disease]

As the country of my birth celebrates it's Golden Jubilee, I am heartened to read, the following excerpts :

'We are in the world to serve humanity ..... This is best accomplished when doing that for which one has the requisite talents ......'

'My love for history was no mere romantic absorption in the past. Closely associated with it was a passionate participation in current political events as history in the making. Both of these interests probably sprang from an extraordinarily strong social conscience, a feeling for the solidarity .... of all mankind .....'

'I have no private life anymore,' I told myself,' 'All my energy must be devoted to this great happening. Only when the war is over, if I'm alive then, will I be permitted to think of my private affairs once more.'

[From 'Life in a Jewish Family-An Autobiography' by Edith Stein]

Clearly, she exhibits that ability to serve humanity, brought about by a clarity of one's purpose and direction in life.

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, help us in our quest for the truth. As a nation & society, guide us when we are encountering insurmountable challenges.

St Teresa Benedicta, Pray For Us.

#edith stein #saint teresa benedicta of the cross #saint teresa benedicta #teresa benedicta #carmelite #spirituality #history #social #solidarity #energy

Keys of Humility

'One can imagine the vehement indignation of the nuns who were to have a prioress sent to them - one not elected by them .............. The storm broke as the provincial led her into the house. ............. 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 indisputably 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.'

[Love for Love : Life and Works of St Teresa of Jesus from The Collected Works of Edith Stein - The Hidden Life] #humility #carmelite #spirituality