Saint Teresa of Avila

Today is the feast day of Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582). Teresa is a Doctor of the Church, a major Catholic reformer (particularly in the Carmelite order), a mystic and writer. She is also one of the patron saints of the IHM Congregation.

Teresa was a woman of prayer and continues to teach many people in and outside of the Church how to grow in prayer and one’s relationship with God.

Here is one of my favorite writings of Teresa (Poetry, 386).

Nada te turbe
Nada te espante,
Toda se pasa,
Dios no se muda,
La Paciencia
Todo la alcanza;
Quien a Dios tiene
Nada le falta.
Sólo Dios basta.

Let nothing trouble you,
Let nothing scare you,
All is fleeting,
God alone is unchanging.
Patience
Everything obtains.
Who possesses God
Nothing wants.
God alone suffices.