Today's Saint (October 15): Teresa of Avila, Virgin

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Teresa was born in Avila, Spain in 1515. At age 18, she became a nun at the local Community of Mount Carmel.

She was instrumental in reforming the Carmelite Order through her religious piety, and her life and mystical writings did much to revive the Christian faith throughout Europe.

Teresa's writings are powerful in their simplicity and insight, as this quote shows us - "If Christ Jesus dwells in a man as his friend and noble leader, that man can endure all things, for Christ helps and strengthens us and never abandons us."

Her life, writings and witness call us to a examination of our own spiritual life, and a deeper commitment to Christ on His Church.

The accompanying picture is by French artist
François Pascal Simon Gérard (1770–1837), and is housed in the Infirmerie Marie-Thérèse, in Paris, France.

"Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity: therefore God even thy god hath anointed thee above thy fellows" (Ps. 45). (From the day's introit, page F 39, The People's Anglican Missal).

The Day's Propers
Catholic Encyclopedia article

Books Worth Considering
Interior Castle
Way of Perfection
The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila by Herself
Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
The Oxford Dictionary of Saints (Oxford Paperback Reference)
The Penguin Dictionary of Saints: Third Edition (Dictionary, Penguin)

www.episcopalnet.org