St. Teresa of AvilaSt. Teresa of Avila

2015 marks the 5002015 marks the 500thth anniversary of St. Teresa’s birth. anniversary of St. Teresa’s birth. Some describe her as Some describe her as ‘the Pope Francis of her time’‘the Pope Francis of her time’

In a message to mark the 500In a message to mark the 500thth anniversary of anniversary of St. Teresa’s birth this year the Holy Father St. Teresa’s birth this year the Holy Father tells us that this great Saint was a woman of tells us that this great Saint was a woman of immense spirituality and focuses on four gifts immense spirituality and focuses on four gifts in particular that she possessed: in particular that she possessed: joy, prayer, joy, prayer, fellowship and being in touch with the realities fellowship and being in touch with the realities of her own time.of her own time.

The Pope writes that St Teresa emphasizes the The Pope writes that St Teresa emphasizes the joy joy in discovering God, resulting in the in discovering God, resulting in the lovelove for one another nourished by for one another nourished by prayer,prayer, which he which he says “overcomes pessimism and generates says “overcomes pessimism and generates good deeds.”good deeds.”

St Teresa of Avila was born in Avila, Spain on 15th March 1515. Her parents were both pious Catholics and in some ways inspired their daughter to take up a life of prayer. As a young child Teresa showed signs of a deeply religious nature; she would often retreat into silence for prayer and enjoyed giving alms to the poor. She was very close to her Mother, who provided a warm counterbalance, to the strictness of her father. However in her teens, Teresa’s mother passed away, leaving the young Teresa distraught at the void she felt. The young St Teresa tells of her despair and how she turned instinctively to the Virgin Mary for comfort:

"I threw myself down in despair before an image of the Mother of God. With many tears, I implored the Holy Virgin to become my mother now.

Uttered with the simplicity of a child, this prayer was heard. From that hour on, I never prayed to Our Lady in vain."

Teresa dedicated her life to God and entered a convent.

At the age of 43 St. Teresa decided she wanted to found a new order; recommitting to the values of poverty and simplicity.Initially her aims were greeted with widespread opposition from within the town of Avila. However, with the support of some Priests, the opposition waned and she was allowed to set up her first convent. St. Teresa proved to be an influential leader and founder. She guided the nuns not just through strict disciplines, but also through the power of love, and common sense..

Although she underwent many sorrows herself, to others she stressed the importance of experiencing God’s love.

     She said:" The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love.”

St Teresa devoted much of the rest of her life to traveling around Spain setting up new convents based

along the ancient monastic traditions.

"May God protect me from gloomy saints," Teresa said, and that's how she ran her convent.

To her, spiritual life was an attitude of love, not a rule. Although she proclaimed poverty, she believed in work, not in begging.

She believed in obedience to God more than penance. If you do something wrong, don't punish yourself; change.

When someone felt depressed, her advice was that she go some place where she could see the sky and take a walk.

When someone was shocked that she was going to eat well, she answered, "There's a time for partridge and a time for penance."

St. Teresa’s common sense!St. Teresa’s common sense!

St. Teresa wrote a number of books and volumes of poetry. Two of her best known and best loved prayer poems are: ‘God alone is enough’ and ‘Christ has no Body now but Yours’

God Alone is enoughLet nothing upset you,let nothing startle you.

All things pass;God does not change.

Patience winsall it seeks.

Whoever has Godlacks nothing:

God alone is enough

Christ has no Body ….Christ has no Body …. Christ has no body now on earth but yours; Christ has no body now on earth but yours; yours are the only hands with which He can do His yours are the only hands with which He can do His

work. work. Yours are the only feet with which He can go about Yours are the only feet with which He can go about

the world;the world; yours are the only eyes through which His yours are the only eyes through which His

compassion can shine forth upon a troubled world.compassion can shine forth upon a troubled world. Christ has no body on earth but yours.Christ has no body on earth but yours.

These words continue to inspire people and we recall These words continue to inspire people and we recall them during this month: them during this month:

UN World Food Day

International Day for the Eradication of PovertyInternational Day for the Eradication of Poverty

PrayerPrayer Lord Jesus Christ, You raised up St. Teresa of Avila to be a guide in the Lord Jesus Christ, You raised up St. Teresa of Avila to be a guide in the

ways of prayer. Give me the grace to follow her example by regularly ways of prayer. Give me the grace to follow her example by regularly

taking time to pray to God, and quiet time to listen to God. taking time to pray to God, and quiet time to listen to God.

Help me to experience your love and see the importance of love for Help me to experience your love and see the importance of love for

others as St. Teresa did.others as St. Teresa did.

Thank you Lord for this day.Thank you Lord for this day.

Give me the wisdom to see its possibilities,Give me the wisdom to see its possibilities,

the strength to face its challenges, and the grace to be open to its the strength to face its challenges, and the grace to be open to its

promise.promise.

Give me your heart of love to do a favour, speak a kindness, offer a hand, Give me your heart of love to do a favour, speak a kindness, offer a hand,

soothe a hurt, celebrate a joy, share a sorrow, or in some small way soothe a hurt, celebrate a joy, share a sorrow, or in some small way

give myself in love to another in your name give myself in love to another in your name

Amen.Amen.