Born in Spain in 1515, SAINT TERESA OF AVILA was inspired by the Holy Spirit to bring forth reform and renewal in the Church. Let us not romanticize her life for a moment! Her journey across the earthly stage was filled with many setbacks and a series of daunting challenges. Emboldened by a relentless desire to love in imitation of Jesus, she persevered through obstancles, seeking always to find God in the very struggles. In daring to live as an intentional disciple of Jesus, she helped to hatch many needed reforms and real renewal not only in her Carmelite community but throughout the entire Church.
Saint Teresa passionately held that we can achieve all God asks of us including what is seemingly impossible. The way, however, is found through sincere, fervant and faithful prayer – not in self-sufficiency. According to her, it is by means of uniting ourselves with God, drawing increasingly closer to Him, cultivating a deep and abiding personal relationship with Him, that strength is found to persevere through difficulties and we come to experience the fulfillment and joy for which we have been made.
Through regular genuine prayer we gain stamina to carry out whatever the Lord Jesus asks of us, and to do so cheerfully and confidently.
