Saint Teresa of Avila is truly a powerhouse saint!
She was a theologian, reformer of the Carmelite Order, and a notable Spanish mystic.
She also had quite the personality!
During her life on earth, Teresa documented her mystical experiences and her belief that anyone could achieve holiness through their relationship with God. Her spiritual writings have proven to be a source of wisdom and guidance for the faithful.
Saint Teresa of Avila was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970. She is one of the few women given this honor!
The Church celebrates her feast day on October 15.
Here are 13 timeless pieces of wisdom from the incredible Saint Teresa of Avila:
“Let us do our part, and God will then do what He wills. This is God’s cause, and all will end well. My hope is in Him; do not be distressed.”
“You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him.”
“Leave it all to God and leave your interests in His hands. He knows what is fitting for us…”
“Trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.”
“There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers.”
“I would not want any other prayer than that which makes the virtues grow in me. If it should be accompanied by great temptations, dryness, and trials leaving me with greater humility, I would consider it a good prayer. That prayer is the best prayer that pleases God the most.”
“We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials.”
“From silly devotions and sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us!”
“It shouldn’t be thought that he who suffers isn’t praying, for he is offering this to God. And often he is praying much more than the one who is breaking his head in solitude, thinking that if he has squeezed out some tears he is thereby praying.”
“The surest way to determine whether one possesses the love of God is to see whether he or she loves his or her neighbor. These two loves are never separated. Rest assured, the more you progress in love of neighbor, the more your love of God will increase.”
“Christ has no body now but mine. He prays in me, works in me, looks through my eyes, speaks through my words, works through my hands, walks with my feet and loves with me here.”
“God walks among the pots and the pans.”
“God knows how to draw good from evil. And the good is all the greater in the measure that we diligently strive that He not be offended in anything.”
Here is a powerful prayer by Saint Teresa of Avila:
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
Amen.