Saint Teresa of Jesus

Teresa Of Jesus, Carmelite (1515-1582

Born in Gotarrendura, in the province of Ávila, Spain Teresa entered the Carmelite convent at the age of 20. It was during a long period of illness that she had a vision of “the sorely wounded Christ”, an event which changed her life forever. During the rest of her life Teresa’s internal life developed which led to becoming known as one of the great mystics of the 16^th Century and she set herself to the reformation of her order, beginning with her attempt to master herself and her adherence to the rule. Gathering a group of supporters, Teresa endeavored to create a more primitive type of Carmelite.

 

Teresa of Jesus by Rubens

When Teresa died in 1582 she left to posterity many new convents, which she continued founding up to the year of her death. She also left a significant legacy of writings, which represent important benchmarks in the history of Christian mysticism. These works include the Way of Perfection and the Interior Castle. She also left an autobiography.After her death the reform she had started developed into what was to become the Order of Discalced Carmelites.



Ecstasy of St Teresa by Josefa de Obidos 1672

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.