From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   The Love of Solitude and Silence: (V)   
      
      If only a man would never seek passing joys or entangle himself   
   with worldly affairs, what a good conscience he would have. What great   
   peace and tranquility would be his, if he cut himself off from all   
   empty care and thought only of things divine, things helpful to his   
   soul, and put all his trust in God.   
      No man deserves the consolation of heaven unless he persistently   
   arouses himself to holy contrition. If you desire true sorrow of   
   heart, seek the privacy of your cell and shut out the uproar of the   
   world, as it is written: "In your chamber bewail your sins." There you   
   will find what too often you lose abroad.   
   --Thomas à Kempis, From the Imitation of Christ  book 1 ch. 20   
      
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   15 October – Saint Teresa of Avila OCD   
      
    (1515-1582)   
   Doctor of the Church “Doctor of Prayer” Seraphic Virgin, Reverend   
   Mother, Prioress.   
      
   St Teresa of Jesus, honoured by the Church as the “seraphic virgin,”   
   virgo seraphica and reformer of the Carmelite Order, ranks first among   
   women for wisdom and learning. She is called doctrix mystica, doctor   
   of mystical theology; in a report to Pope Paul V the Roman Rota   
   declared:  “Teresa has been given to the Church by God as a teacher of   
   the spiritual life. The mysteries of the inner mystical life which the   
   holy Fathers propounded unsystematically and without orderly sequence,   
   she has presented with unparalleled clarity.” Her writings are still   
   the classic works on mysticism and from her, all later teachers have   
   drawn, e.g., Francis de Sales, Alphonsus Liguori. Characteristic of   
   her mysticism is the subjective-individualistic approach; there is   
   little integration with the liturgy and social piety and thus, she   
   reflects the spirit of the 16th and following centuries.   
      
   Teresa was born at Avila, Spain, in the year 1515. At the age of seven   
   she set out for Africa to die for Christ but was brought back by her   
   uncle. When she lost her mother at twelve, she implored Mary for her   
   maternal protection. In 1533 she entered the Carmelite Order; for 18   
   years she suffered physical pain and spiritual dryness. Under divine   
   inspiration and with the approval of Pope Pius IV, she began the work   
   of reforming the Carmelite Order. In spite of heavy opposition and   
   constant difficulties, she founded 32 reformed convents.   
      
   Truly wonderful were the exterior and interior manifestations of her   
   mystical union with God, especially during the last decade of her   
   life. These graces reached a climax when her heart was transfixed   
   (transverberatio cordis), an event that is commemorated in the   
   Carmelite Order by a special feast on 27 August.   
      
   Indeed, Teresa was said to have been observed levitating during Mass   
   on more than one occasion.   
      
   Teresa is regarded as one of the foremost writers on mental prayer,   
   and her position among writers on mystical theology as unique. Her   
   writings on this theme, stem from her personal experiences, thereby   
   manifesting considerable insight and analytical gifts. Her definitions   
   have been used in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Teresa states:   
   “Contemplative prayer, in my opinion is nothing other than a close   
   sharing between friends. It means frequently taking time to be alone   
   with Him whom we know loves us.” Throughout her writings, Teresa   
   returns to the image of watering one’s garden as a metaphor for   
   mystical prayer.   
      
   She practised great devotion to the foster-father of Jesus, whose cult   
   was greatly furthered throughout the Church through her efforts. When   
   dying, she often repeated the words: “Lord, I am a daughter of the   
   Church!” Her holy body rests upon the high altar of the Carmelite   
   church in Ala, Spain, her heart with its mysterious wound is reserved   
   in a precious reliquary on the Epistle side of the altar.   
      
   see   
   https://anastpaul.com/2019/10/15/   
      
      
   Saint Quotes:   
   “A beginner, must look on himself,   
   as one setting out to make a garden   
   for his Lord’s pleasure, on most unfruitful soil   
   which abounds in weeds.   
   His Majesty roots up the weeds   
   and will put in good plants instead.   
   Let us reckon that this is already done,   
   when the soul decides to practice prayer   
   and has begun to do so.”   
   --St Teresa of Jesus of Avila   
      
      
   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   
      
   "God treats his friends terribly, though he does them no wrong in   
   this, since he treated his Son in the same way." "Though we do not   
   have our Lord with us in bodily presence, we have our neighbor, who,   
   for the ends of love and loving service, is as good as our Lord   
   himself."   
   --St. Teresa of Ávila   
      
   Saint Quote:   
   The crown of victory is promised only to those who engage in the struggle.   
   --St. Augustine (354-430), De Agone Christiano, 1:1   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament   
   proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to   
   night declares knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words;   
   their voice is not heard;  Yet their voice goes out through all the   
   earth, and their words to the end of the world.  [Psalm 19:1-4]   
      
      
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   Cross My Heart Forever, Jesus   
      
   Place Thy hand upon my heart,   
   Seal my future with Thy kiss;   
   Take this soul forever homeward.   
   To Thy land of love and bliss.   
   Free my spirit from the shackles,   
   Bound on earth by body pleasures;   
   Let me fly unto the Kingdom,   
   Shining there with godly treasures.   
   Light my way through earth's bleak darkness;   
   Place the seal that makes me free.   
   Feed my soul with Heaven's manna;   
   Give me eyes and heart to see.   
   Share Thy friendship with the weak soul;   
   Strengthen us with Heaven's power.   
   Set the road just straight before us;   
   Send the essence from the flower.   
   --St. Teresa   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)