Saint Teresa of Jesus
Virgin and Doctor of the Church, Memorial
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
St Teresa of Jesus (of Avila) had to grow from a lukewarm Carmelite nun into a fervent one. In The Interior Castle, she describes her mystic experience of deep union with the Lord. God is felt with a quiet, mystic feeling as living in one’s deepest castle. Notwithstanding much opposition, Teresa reformed her Carmel and much of the Carmelite order on the basis of a life of deep prayer and a profound sense of community. Because of her writings about mysticism, she became the first woman to be a Doctor of the Church.
Opening Prayer
Our living and loving God,
St. Teresa of Jesus was deeply aware
how much you live in the deepest of ourselves.
May Teresa help us to live Jesus’ life
as living branches attached to the vine,
who bear plenty of fruit
of justice, goodness and love.
Let our union with Jesus become visible
in our openness to one another
and in a deep sense of prayer.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
First Reading
Greeting
I Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will,
to the saints in Ephesus, to you who share the Christian faith:
receive grace and peace from God our Father, and from Jesus, the Lord.
Blessings
Blessed be God the Father of Christ Jesus our LORD,
who, in Christ, has blessed us from heaven with every spiritual blessing.
God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world,
to be holy, and without sin in his presence.
From eternity, he has destined us in love,
to be his adopted sons and daughters through Christ Jesus,
thus fulfilling his free and generous will.
This goal suited him:
that his loving-kindness, which he granted us in his beloved,
might finally receive all glory and praise.
In him we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of our trespasses
according to the riches of his grace,
that he lavished on us.
In all wisdom and insight,
he has made known to us his mysterious design,
in accordance with his loving-kindness set forth in Christ
as a plan for the fullness of time,
to gather up all things in him,
things in heaven and things on earth.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Woe to you, for you build monuments to the prophets your ancestors killed.
So you approve and agree with what your ancestors did. Is it not so? They got rid of the prophets, and you build monuments to them!
For that reason, the wisdom of God also said: I will send prophets and apostles, and these people will kill and persecute some of them.
But the present generation will have to answer for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world,
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was murdered between the altar and the Sanctuary.
Yes, I tell you, the people of this time will have to answer for them all.
A curse is on you, teachers of the law, for you have taken the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you prevented others from entering.”
As Jesus left that place, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees began to harass him,
asking him endless questions, setting traps to catch him in something he might say.
Prayers of the Faithful
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord God, centre of our lives,
you planted your Son among us
as the true, life-giving vine.
Let him give himself to us
as our bread of strength
and pour himself for us
as the vigorous, unifying vine,
that he may live in us and we in him
and that we can do all things in him,
For he is our lord for ever.
Prayer after Communion
God, core of our life,
we thank you for filling us
with the sap of life of Jesus, our true vine.
May we go on living in deep union
with him and with one another,
that in the uncertainties of life
we may go on believing, hoping
and building together a kingdom of love.
And when we go again selfish ways,
use your pruning knife
to purify our faith and love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
REFLECTIONS
On October 15, we come together to celebrate the feast day of St. Teresa of Jesus, also known as St. Teresa of Avila. She is a towering figure in the history of our Church, recognized not only as a mystic and reformer but also as a beloved Doctor of the Church. Her profound insights into prayer and spirituality continue to inspire countless believers, reminding us of the transformative power of a deep relationship with God.
Early Life and Vocation
Born in 1515 in Gotarrendura, Spain, Teresa was the third of nine children in a devout family. From an early age, she exhibited a profound love for God, often immersing herself in the lives of the saints. After facing various struggles and health issues, she entered the Carmelite convent of the Incarnation in Avila at just 20 years old. It didn’t take long for her to recognize the need for reform within the Carmelite Order, as many convents had strayed from their commitment to a life of prayer and simplicity.
The Reform of the Carmelite Order
In 1562, Teresa founded her first reformed convent, St. Joseph's in Avila, dedicated to a life of prayer, community, and simplicity. This moment marked the beginning of the Discalced Carmelites, a branch of the Carmelite Order committed to a more austere lifestyle. Despite facing numerous challenges and opposition from within the Church, Teresa’s unwavering spirit led her to establish 17 convents during her lifetime, leaving a lasting impact on the Order.
Mystical Experiences and Writings
St. Teresa is renowned for her mystical experiences, which deeply influenced her understanding of prayer. Her writings, such as The Interior Castle and The Way of Perfection, offer profound insights into the spiritual life, highlighting the importance of contemplative prayer and nurturing a personal relationship with God. In “The Interior Castle”, she beautifully uses the metaphor of a castle to describe the soul’s journey toward union with God, guiding us through the stages of prayer and spiritual growth.
Recognition as Doctor of the Church
In 1970, St. Teresa was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI, becoming one of the first women to receive this esteemed honor. This title recognizes her significant contributions to Catholic theology, particularly in the areas of prayer and spirituality. Her teachings continue to shape our understanding of contemplative prayer and the interior life, providing invaluable guidance for both clergy and laity alike.
In his audience on February 2, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI discussed St. Teresa of Avila, highlighting her profound spirituality and significant contributions to the Carmelite Order. The Pope noted her role as a Doctor of the Church and her lasting impact on Christian life.
For more audience details, you can read the full text here - Vatican.va