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TERESA OF AVILA and OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

From the Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, ICS Publications, Institute of Carmelite Studies, Washington, D.C.

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Blessed are those who are written in the book of this life. But you, my soul, if you are written there, why are you sad and why do you disturb me? Hope in God, for even now I will confess to Him my sins and His mercies. And putting these all together, I shall make a song of praise with perpetual sighs to my Savior and my God. There may come a day when my glory will sing to Him, and when my conscience will not feel compunction, where all sighs and fears will have ceased; but in the meantime, in silence and hope will be my strength. I want to live and die in striving and hoping for eternal life more than for the possession of all creatures and all their goods; for these will come to an end. Don't abandon me, Lord, because I hope that in You my hope will not be confounded; may I always serve You; and do with me whatever You will.

St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross had no other goal than to restore to the Order of Carmel its ancient spirit; they are not the founders of the Carmelite School of spirituality but are nevertheless its restorers and most brilliant lights. ... All of us who wear this holy habit of Carmel are called to prayer and contemplation; this was our original institution, we belong to the race of those holy Fathers of Mount Carmel, who in such deep solitude and complete renunciation of the world, sought the treasure, the precious pearl of which we speak."

Bl. Titus Brandsma

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Our Lady of Mount Carmel

MY COMMENT
When God chose St. Teresa to restore the Ancient Order of Carmel, it was very significant for all women. She became the earthly Mother of all Carmelites. Our Blessed Virgin is our heavenly guide, Mother Teresa is our earthly. This has a lot of signficance for women who may not be called to be nuns but may be called to be "lady monks". Her example puts us on that Ancient Mount, the Mount of Carmel, with our brothers, and allows us to experience their vision of Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, with them as we enter into contemplation of Her Son.