Feast of St. Teresa of Jesus (St. Teresa of Avila)

St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) by François Gerard (1827)

From the Way of Perfection, Chapter 7.  This does not apply only to convents, but to any household, or even the workplace.

If one of you should be cross with another because of some hasty word, the matter must at once be put right and you must betake yourselves to earnest prayer. The same applies to the harbouring of any grudge, or to party strife, or to the desire to be greatest, or to any nice point concerning your honour. (My blood seems to run cold, as I write this, at the very idea that this can ever happen, but I know it is the chief trouble in convents.) If it should happen to you, consider yourselves lost. Just reflect and realize that you have driven your Spouse from His home: He will have to go and seek another abode, since you are driving Him from His own house. Cry aloud to His Majesty and try to put things right; and if frequent confessions and communions do not mend them, you may well fear that there is some Judas among you.

Please pray for all Carmelites today on this special feast day.

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!