WHO IS ST. TERESA OF JESUS?

Mystic - Teacher of Prayer - Doctor of the Church

St. Teresa of Jesus, also known as St. Teresa of Avila, lived in Spain during the 16th Century. Her life as a Carmelite, though far removed from the mainstream of modern culture, still speaks powerfully to us today, as we enter the third millennium. 

            Teresa entered the Carmelite Monastery in 1535, at the age of 20. After years of struggling with her prayer life, Teresa felt that she was still living in shadow rather than in God's light. Repeatedly, she asked God to help her, seemingly to no avail. It was not until 1554 that she experienced the conversion that would mark the rest of her life. Coming upon a statue of the wounded Christ, Teresa was suddenly and intensely moved by what Christ had suffered for her and she was overwhelmed by her own lack of gratitude for His sufferings. In tears, she begged the Lord to strengthen her, that she might not sin any more; she resolved not to leave until this prayer was granted. From then on, Teresa felt that she began to improve.

          Although Teresa's conversion did not transform her instantly, it did set her on a whole new pathway that led her to an intimate experience of God, a God she came to perceive as a beloved Friend. In visions and locutions, God poured out His love on His daughter, who had become a willing and open receptacle. Neither her heart nor her actions could stand against this grace, as she surrendered totally to her Lord and King.

          The special gifts she received were often misunderstood, inciting jealousy and suspicion, and Teresa suffered much because of accusations directed at her. At times  she would try to suppress the ecstasies that accompanied God's intimate presence, even wondering herself if they had come from God. But God would not be thwarted, not even by His Teresa; He continued to lead her into the innermost dwellings of her heart, where she would behold the awesome beauty of her King.

           With God so close to her, not only was Teresa able to change her own ways, but she also came to realize that God wanted her to begin reforming the Carmelites. Convinced that God was with her, she set about reforming the Carmelite order, founding new houses, with a renewed spirit of detachment, charity, and obedience.

           Fortunately, Teresa's superiors ordered her to document the remarkable events of her life and her original works exist today: The Book of Her Life, The Way of Perfection, The Interior Castle, and The Way of Perfection are her main works. It is through these profoundly human yet mystical writings that we may experience the spirit of Teresa, and enter into her remarkable path to God.

           Teresa died in 1582, at the age of 67. In 1622 she was canonized, and in 1970, Pope Paul VI declared her a Doctor of the Church, the first woman ever to be so recognized.

Still Mentoring

Those of us who have been around many years can look back and probably can name at least one mentor. How many can you name? Take some time to thank God for them.

Some people are larger than life and they keep mentoring throughout history. One of them is Teresa of Avila, whose feast the church celebrates today. Our Founder, St Henry de Osso, used to say that he wanted us to be “other Teresa of Jesus”. Today, in 2006, as it has been throughout four centuries, I propose that we look at her again as a woman of our age still mentoring us. We all, lay or consecrated, can look at her and learn what it is to live in Christ and to be united to Him in charity. We can learn how to come to know him and love Him and how to make him known and loved.

What kind of woman was Teresa?           

A relational woman

Teresa’s whole life was one of relationships. She knew first hand what good and bad relations can do to people, and she longed and worked earnestly for the Best Friendship – which she found in Jesus.

“In this house all must be friends…”

“Prayer is an encounter (a friendly conversation) with the one you know loves you.”
 

A woman on a journey, in action and in prayer

Depicted often with a walking stick or traveling in a covered wagon, she was always on a journey. Teresa spent much of her life traveling for her foundations, and even more on her interior journey.

“Let us both walk together, Lord. “Do whatever moves you to love more.”
 

Determined to be determined
She was highly motivated to put whatever was in her power to reach her goal if she knew it was God’s will. Her physical and spiritual journeys were often arduous but her will to accomplish the task never waver. She encouraged all who wish to undertake prayer to begin in a spirit of determination, and persist no matter the obstacles—just as she did.
“From here on, Lord, I want to forget myself and look only at how I can serve you and have no other desire but to do your will. But my desire is not powerful, my God; You are the powerful One. What I can do is to be determined; thus from this very moment I am determined to serve through deeds.”

Breaking stereotypes
Unheard of! How could she dare? Teresa’s age did not think much of women. But she believed in the power of God working in her and through her, and dared to go on, in spite of all kinds of barriers.
“We must be firmly convinced from the start that, if we fight courageously and do not allow ourselves to be beaten, we shall get what we want.”

Joyful and sincere

Sr. Hortensia Coloma, STJ

LIFE OF SAINT TERESA OF JESUS