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Also known as: Theresa of
Avila; The Roving Nun; Teresa of Jesus; Teresa de Avila
Spanish noble, the daughter of Don Alonso Sanchez de Cepeda and Doņa
Beatriz. She grew up reading the lives of the saints, and playing at
"hermit" in the garden. Crippled by disease in her youth, which led to her
being well educated at home, she was cured after prayer to Saint Joseph.
Her mother died when Teresa was 12, and she prayed to Our Lady to be her
replacement. Her father opposed her entry to religious life, so she left
home without telling anyone, and entered a Carmelite house at 17. Seeing
her conviction to her call, her father and family consented.
Soon after taking her vows, Teresa became gravely ill, and her condition
was aggravated by the inadequate medical help she received; she never
fully recovered her health. She began receiving visions, and was examined
by Dominicans and Jesuits, including Saint Francis Borgia, who pronounced
the visions to be holy and true.
She considered her original house too lax in its rule, so she founded a
reformed convent of Saint John of Avila. Founded several houses, often
against fierce opposition from local authorities. Mystical writer.
Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church on 27 September 1970 by Pope Paul VI.
Born
28 March 1515 as Teresa Sanchez Cepeda Davila y Ahumada at Avila, Castile,
Spain
Died
4 October 1582 at Alba de Tormes in the arms of her secretary and close
friend Blessed Anne of Saint Bartholomew; body incorrupt; relics preserved
at Alba; her heart shows signs of Transverberation (piercing of the
heart), and is displayed, too.
Beatified
24 April 1614 by Pope Paul V
Canonized
12 March 1622 by Pope Gregory XV
Patronage
bodily ills, headaches, lacemakers, laceworkers, loss of parents,
opposition of Church authorities, people in need of grace, people in
religious orders, people ridiculed for their piety, sick people, sickness,
Spain
Representation
nun wearing the habit of a Discalced Carmelite; Carmelite nun with her
heart pierced by an arrow held by an angel; Carmelite nun holding a
pierced heart, book and crucifix; Carmelite nun with book and quill;
Carmelite nun receiving a message from a dove
Readings
God, deliver me from sullen saints.
Saint Teresa of Avila
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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.
Saint Teresa of Avila
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There is no such thing as bad weather. All weather is good because it is
God's.
Saint Teresa of Avila
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There is more value in a little study of humility and in a single act of
it than in all the knowledge in the world.
Saint Teresa of Avila
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We need no wings to go in search of Him, but have only to look upon Him
present within us.
Saint Teresa of Avila
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Let nothing trouble you, let nothing make you afraid. All things pass
away. God never changes. Patience obtains everything. God alone is enough.
Saint Teresa of Avila
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Dream that the more you struggle, the more you prove the love that you
bear your God, and the more you will rejoice one day with your Beloved, in
a happiness and rapture that can never end.
Saint Teresa of Avila
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Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch
carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience
makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long
one.
Saint Teresa of Avila
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You ought to make every effort to free yourselves even from venial sin,
and to do what is most perfect.
Saint Teresa of Avila
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If Christ Jesus dwells in a man as his friend and noble leader, that man
can endure all things, for Christ helps and strengthens us and never
abandons us. He is a true friend. And I clearly see that is we expect to
please him and receive an abundance of his graces, God desires that these
graces must come to us from the hands of Christ, through his most sacred
humanity, in which God takes delight.
All blessings come to us through our Lord. He will teach us, for in
beholding his life we find that he is the best example.
What more do we desire from such a good friend at our side? Unlike our
friends in the world, he will never abandon us when we are troubled or
distressed. Blessed is the one who truly loves him and always keeps him
near.
Whenever we think of Christ we should recall the love that led him to
bestow on us so many graces and favors, and also the great love God showed
in giving us in Christ a pledge of his love; for love calls for love in
return. Let us strive to keep this always before our eyes and to rouse
ourselves to love him. For is at some time the Lord should grant us the
grace of impressing his love on our hearts, all will become easy for us
and we shall accomplish great things quickly and without effort.
Saint Teresa of Avila
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintt01.htm
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