Today the Holy Church celebrates the feast of one of the most beloved of the saints, St. Teresa of Avila . She is a great model of Catholic obedience, fiery Catholic love, deep prayer and she continues to bless the Church with her intercession .
Saint Teresa's writings on prayer and contemplation are drawn from her experience: powerful, practical and graceful . Though a contemplative, she spent much of her time and energy seeking to reform herself and the Carmelites . In her prayers and in her life, in her efforts to reform, in all the people she touched, she expressed holiness . In 1970, the Church gave her the title she had long held in the popular mind: doctor of the Church. She and St. Catherine of Siena were the first women so honored.
As she matured in wisdom, Saint Teresa's trust in God's providence became total and complete and each cross she turned into a precious crown. She said that nothing is insignificant in our lives. Every event represents a divine opportunity, a divine call, a definite contribution to the intricate design of God's providence. Saint Teresa is a marvelous guide for us to learn to pray to the highest degree .
Therefore let us faithfully pray :
O God, who by your Holy Spirit moved Teresa of Avila to Manifest to your Church the way of perfection: Grant us, we pray, to be nourished by her excellent teaching, and enkindle within us a keen and unquenchable longing for true holiness; through Jesus Christ, the joy of loving hearts, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
Almighty God, who, when the hearts of your people have grown Cold, send your Spirit to relight the flame of your love in their hearts, and raise up faithful ministers to recall your people to their former devotion and service: Mercifully grant that we, following the teaching and example of Teresa of Avila and others, may be filled with your Holy Spirit, may be aflame with zeal for your glory and love for your goodness and hunger for your love, and that our feet may be set upon the path that leads to true holiness; the which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.
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