Resurrection of the Lord Parish
Saint Teresa of Jesus
(1515-1582)
October 15
Let nothing disturb you; let nothing frighten you. Gifted with a passionate spirit, young Teresa dreamed of converting Muslims and becoming a martyr. All things are passing; God never changes. But her mother’s death when Teresa was fourteen inspired lifelong devotion to Our Lady, and Teresa entered the Carmelites, Mary’s order, despite her father’s objections and her own fragile health. Patience gains everything. Initially, she enjoyed her lax convent’s sociability and “busyness,” but mystical prayer and John of the Cross’ collaboration inspired her to reform the Carmelites. Whoever has God, lacks nothing. When her ideals encountered resistance and brought suffering, she maintained her peace- —and humor. Discovered devouring leftovers, she told her mildly scandalized nuns, “When I fast, I fast! When I eat, I eat!” To nuns demanding less work and more prayer in the convent schedule, she retorted: “What we really need around here are fewer starry eyes and more strong arms!” God alone is enough! The italicized sentences here are her “Breviary Bookmark,” the simple, profound prayer of Teresa, the first woman Doctor of the Church.
— Peter Scagnelli