Saint Teresa of avila 1515-1582
The Confessions of St Augustine
St Teresa of Avila - Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada - was born in Aliva Spain in 1515. Her grandfather was Jewish, but was forced to convert to Christianity as a Marrano during the times of the Inquisition. Her father was a successful wool merchant and her mother raised Teresa as a devout Christian. At the age of 20 she entered the local Carmelite convent in Avila. She was scrupulous in her religious devotion, given to asceticism and acts of personal mortification. She was later very influenced by St Augustine after she received a Spanish translation of Augustine's 'Confessions'. His story of conversion from a sinful life to a life of service to Christ inspired her, and she wrote 'she was very fond of Augustine for he was a sinner too'. His writing convinced her that that holiness was possible through the work of God's grace.
St Teresa of Avila - painting by François Gérard 1827
her life and influence
Convento de Saint José in Avila, founded by Saint Teresa in 1562
St Teresa sought friendship with God in deep contemplation. She described it saying ' in my opinion contemplation is nothing other than a close sharing between friends. It means taking time to be alone with Him whom we know loves us.' (Catechism of the Catholic Church)
Her legacy and influence
Saint Teresa was responsible for creating 17 convents for men and women. She was canonised in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV. Many years later she was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI on 27 September 1970. She is revered as a Doctor of Prayer. Her last words were' My Lord it is time to move on. Well then, may your will be done. Oh my Lord and my Spouse, the hour that I have longed for has come. It is time to meet one another'. Her writings influenced many from a wide variety of backgrounds including the René Descartes, the French philosopher who wrote about the role of philosophical reflection in intellectual growth and the British author Thomas Hardy who is said to have taken Saint Teresa as an inspiration for Tess Durbeyfield in his novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891)
Most of all she was an inspiration for St John of the Cross who she convinced to help her set up monastery for Discalced Carmelite brothers. She is venerated in Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican Churches.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_of_%C3%81vila)
Most of all she was an inspiration for St John of the Cross who she convinced to help her set up monastery for Discalced Carmelite brothers. She is venerated in Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican Churches.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_of_%C3%81vila)
her prayer 'god alone suffices'
Teresa's Prayer in her original writing
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St Teresa by Peter Paul Rubens
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the prayer in st teresa's prayer book
Saint Teresa is perhaps best known today as the author of the famous prayer ' God Alone Suffices'. This prayer is is said was written in the fly leaf of her prayer book and was discovered after her death. It has since been translated into a multitude of languages and is revered by Christians of a variety of backgrounds. It tells us no matter the circumstances no matter what troubles us, all these things are passing away. If we have God we will want for nothing for He alone suffices.
The prayer in spanish
Nada te turbe
nada te espante
Todo se pasa
Dios nose muda.
La paciencia todo alcanza.
Quien a Dios tiene
nada le falta
Solo Dios basta
nada te espante
Todo se pasa
Dios nose muda.
La paciencia todo alcanza.
Quien a Dios tiene
nada le falta
Solo Dios basta
A project based on these words grew during the time of the Coronavirus pandemic. Quoted in a Parish note the words became the basis of a Chorus Cormac and Fiona composed for their local Church. With some help they made a recording of the chorus in English and Spanish, and their good friend Josef Gogl in Germany added a film to accompany it, showing the beauty of the beautiful countryside surrounding the town of Meitingen in Bavaria. They have since asked others in different countries across the world to make their own recordings of the chorus in their own languages. In this small way they hope that we too across our world will realize that these troubling times and events too are also passing: If we have God, we lack nothing: He still suffices.
