St. Teresa of Avila
Posted on November 9, 2020 by admin No comments
Born: 28 March 1515 at Avila, Castile, Spain as Teresa Sanchez Cepeda Davila y Ahumada
Died: 4 October 1582 at Alba de Tormes of natural causes 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
Venerated: in Catholic Church Anglican Communion, Lutheranism
Beatified: 24 April 1614, Rome by Pope Paul V
Canonized: 12 March 1622 by Pope Gregory XV
Patronage: sick people; against bodily ills or sickness, against headaches, against the death of parents, lace makers or lace workers, people in need of grace, people in religious orders, people ridiculed for their piety, World Youth Day 2011, Amos, Canada, diocese of, Avellaneda-Lanús, Argentina, diocese of, Berzano di Tortona, Italy, Pozega, Croatia, Spain
Feast day: October 15
Born to the Spanish nobility, the daughter of Don Alonso Sanchez de Cepeda and Doña 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. Teresa 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.
Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila
Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You,
always follow Your plans, and perfectly accomplish Your Holy Will.
Grant that in all things, great and small, today and all the days of my life,
I may do whatever You require of me.
Help me respond to the slightest prompting of Your Grace, so that I may be Your trustworthy instrument for Your honour.
May Your Will be done in time and in eternity by me, in me, and through me. Amen.
Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila
Lord, You are closer to me than my own breathing, nearer than my hands and feet. Amen
Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila
My Lord, it is time to move on. Well then, may Your will be done. O my Lord and my Spouse, the hour that I have longed for has come. It is time for us to meet one another.
Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila
O my God! Source of all mercy! I acknowledge Your sovereign power. While recalling the wasted years that are past, I believe that You, Lord, can in an instant turn this loss to gain. Miserable as I am, yet I firmly believe that You can do all things. Please restore to me the time lost, giving me Your grace, both now and in the future, that I may appear before You in “wedding garments.” Amen.
Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila
Graciously hear us, O God, our Savior, that we rejoice in the festival of Blessed Teresa, Thy Virgin, so we may be fed with the food of her Heavenly teaching, and grow in loving devotion towards Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila
Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours. Amen
Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila
Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things will pass away. God never changes; patience obtains all things, whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone suffices. Amen.
Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila
If Lord, Thy love for me is strong As this which binds me unto thee, What holds me from thee Lord so long, What holds thee Lord so long from me? O soul, what then desirest thou? Lord I would see thee, who thus choose thee. What fears can yet assail thee now? All that I fear is but lose thee. Love’s whole possession I entreat, Lord make my soul thine own abode, And I will build a nest so sweet It may not be too poor for God. A soul in God hidden from sin, What more desires for thee remain, Save but to love again, And all on flame with love within, Love on, and turn to love again. Amen
Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila
Lord, You know better than I myself that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.
Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy.
With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all; but You know, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.
Seal my lips on my aches and pains; they are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cock-sureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet, for a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people; and give, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. Amen.
Prayer to St. Teresa of Avila
Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You, always follow Your plans, and perfectly accomplish Your Holy Will. Grant that in all things, great and small, today and all the days of my life, I may do whatever You require of me. Help me respond to the slightest prompting of Your Grace, so that I may be Your trustworthy instrument for Your honour. May Your Will be done in time and in eternity by me, in me, and through me. Amen.
Prayer to St. Teresa of Avila
O Saint Teresa, seraphic Virgin, beloved spouse of thy crucified Lord, thou who on earth didst burn with a love so intense toward thy God and my God, and now dost glow with a brighter and purer flame in paradise: obtain for me also, I beseech thee, a spark of that same holy fire which shall cause me to forget the world, all things created, and even myself; for thou didst ever avidly desire to see Him loved by all men. Grant that my every thought and desire and affection may be continually directed to doing the will of God, the supreme Good, whether I am in joy or in pain, for He is worthy to be loved and obeyed forever. Obtain for me this grace, thou who art so powerful with God; may I be all on fire, like thee, with the holy love of God. Amen
Novena to St. Teresa of Avila
Day 1
O most amiable Lord Jesus Christ! We thank You for the great gift of faith and devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament which You gave to Your servant Teresa. We pray that by Your merits and those of Your faithful spouse, that we may receive the gift of faith and of a fervent devotion toward the most Blessed Sacrament, through which You give Yourself to us.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…
V. St. Teresa, pray for us.
R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation, that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and obtain the fervor of tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Day 2
O most merciful Lord Jesus Christ! We thank You for the great gift of hope which You granted to Your beloved Teresa. Grant, we pray, that by Your merits and those of Your holy spouse, that we may receive confidence in Your goodness by reason of Your Precious Blood, which You shed for our salvation.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…
V. St. Teresa, pray for us.
R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation, that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and obtain the fervor of tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Day 3
O most loving Lord Jesus Christ! We thank You for the great gift of love which You bestowed on Your bride Teresa. We pray that by Your merits, and by those of Your most loving spouse, that we may receive the crowning gift of Your perfect love.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…
V. St. Teresa, pray for us.
R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation, that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and obtain the fervor of tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Day 4
O most sweet Lord Jesus Christ! We thank You for the gift of determination and resolution which You gave to Your beloved Teresa. Grant, we pray, that by Your merits and those of Your most generous spouse, that we may receive the determination and resolution to please You above all things.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…
V. St. Teresa, pray for us.
R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation, that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and obtain the fervor of tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Day 5
O most kind Lord Jesus Christ! We thank You for the great gift of humility which You gave to Your beloved Teresa. Grant, we pray, that by Your merits and by those of Your most humble spouse, that we may receive the grace of true humility, which may make us rejoice in humiliation and prefer contempt before every honor.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…
V. St. Teresa, pray for us.
R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation, that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and obtain the fervor of tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Day 6
O most bountiful Lord Jesus Christ! We thank You for the gift of devotion to Your mother Mary and her holy spouse Joseph, which You gave to Your beloved Teresa. Grant, we pray, that by Your merits and by those of Your beloved spouse, that we may receive the grace of this same devotion.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…
V. St. Teresa, pray for us.
R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation, that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and obtain the fervor of tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Day 7
O most loving Lord Jesus Christ! We thank You for the gift of the wounded heart of Your beloved Teresa. We pray that by Your merits, and by those of Your seraphic spouse, that we may receive the same wound of love, so that we may love You and give You our whole mind and love.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…
V. St. Teresa, pray for us.
R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation, that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and obtain the fervor of tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Day 8
O most beloved Lord Jesus Christ! You bestowed a holy death upon Your beloved servant Teresa. We pray that by Your merits, and those of Your most constant spouse, to grant us the grace of a holy death, that we may possess You eternally in Heaven.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…
V. St. Teresa, pray for us.
R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation, that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and obtain the fervor of tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Day 9
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You for the gift of the holy death of Your beloved spouse Teresa. We pray that by Your merits and those of Your beloved spouse, that we may receive a holy death burning with love for You.
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…
V. St. Teresa, pray for us.
R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation, that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and obtain the fervor of tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.