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 t.
Teresa of Jesus
(Avila, Spain 1515-1582)
With eager hearts we study the doctrine
of St. Teresa who best describes the charism
of the Carmelite nun. Raised up
by God to reform
the Order, her
teaching remains
the primary source
of formation for
the nuns and gives
guidance to their
deepest yearnings:
“ ften
I am amazed
when I consider
how particularly
His Majesty wanted
to help me
found this little
dwelling corner
for God. I believe
this is what it
is; it is an abode
in which His
Majesty delights,
for He once said
to me while I was
in prayer that
this house was
a paradise of delight
for Him. And thus
it seems His Majesty
has selected
the souls He has
brought to this
monastery. I live
in their company
very, very much
ashamed. I wouldn't
have known how
to desire for this
purpose souls such
as these; so austere,
poor, and prayerful.
And they bear
this austerity
with a joy and
happiness that
makes each one
feel unworthy to
have deserved to
come to a place
like this.
There are some,
especially, whom
the Lord called
out of a world
of much vanity
and ostentation
where they
could have been
satisfied in conformity
with its laws.
And the Lord has
so doubled their
joys in this house
that they realized
clearly He has
given them a hundred
joys for everyone
they left. And
they can't get
enough of thanking
His Majesty. With
others He has changed
what was good
into something
better. To those
who are young He
gives fortitude
and knowledge so
that they are unable
to desire anything
else, and they
understand that
to be detached
from all the things
of life is
to live in the
greatest calm,
even in regard
to earthly things.
To those who
are older and have
poor health
He gives strength,
and He gives
them the power
to bear the austerity
and penance the
others do.” Life 35:12
“ eflect,
my daughters, on
the judgments of
God and on our
obligation to serve
Him who has allowed
us to persevere
until making profession
and to live always
in the house of
God and be daughters
of the Virgin.” Foundations 27:10
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n
historical sketch of
the Philadelphia
Carmel is available,
58-page commentary
with abundant color
photographs: 
armelite 
onastery