“I am Teresa of Jesus”
This is a story handed down to us by tradition.
One day as Teresa was making her way along the corridor in the monastery of the Incarnation, in Avila, she met a little boy standing at the foot of the stairs, and he asked her, “Who are you?”
“I am Teresa of Jesus”, she told him. Then she asked him “And who are you?”
“I am Jesus of Teresa” said the little boy, then vanished.
The little boy was the Child Jesus. Such a beautiful illustration of love and friendship between Teresa and the Lord Jesus!
An old bookmark with the image illustrating the encounter of St Teresa with the Child Jesus.
This is the relic of St Teresa which we keep in our monastery and venerate it on the 4 October every year.
Spiritual Marriage
(Avila, Incarnation, Nov. 18, 1572)
In the second year I was prioress at the
Incarnation, on the octave of St. Martin,
while receiving Communion, Father John
of the Cross broke the host to provide for
another sister.
I thought … that he wanted to mortify me
because I had told him I was very pleased
when the hosts were large (not that I didn’t
understand that size made no difference as
the Lord was wholly present in even a small
particle of host).
His Majesty said to me: “Don’t fear,
daughter, for no one will be a party to
separating you from me.” …
Then He appeared to me in an imaginative
vision, as at other times, very interiorly, and
He gave me His right hand and said:
“Behold this nail; it is a sign you will be
My bride from today on. Until now you
have not merited this; from now on not
only will you look after My honor as
being the honor of your Creator, King
and God, but you will look after it as My
true bride. My honor is yours, and yours
Mine.”
… I couldn’t contain myself, and remained
as though entranced. I asked the Lord to
raise me from my lowliness … for it didn’t
seem my nature could bear it. I remained
absorbed the whole day.
Afterward I felt great gain, greater
confusion and affliction seeing I don’t
render any service in exchange for such
amazing favors.
(Spiritual Testimony, no. 31)
The statue of St Teresa prepared in our preparatory since the first day of our novena to her.
To all Carmelites family around the world, we wish you a Blessed Feast Day of Our Mother St Teresa of Jesus.
