Pray with
St Teresa of Avila
1515-1582
Great Reformer of the Discalced Carmelite Order, and foundress of seventeen Carmels for women and two for men, St Teresa of Avila experienced extraordinary mystical experiences in prayer, which she had the gift of explaining to others. She emphasised devotion to the humanity of Christ, developing friendly conversation with Him, and keeping Him present as constant Companion – within and alongside oneself. A Doctor of the Church, she is widely regarded as one of the Church’s greatest teachers on contemplative prayer.
‘Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing but an intimate conversation between friends; it means conversing frequently and alone with Him who we know loves us. In order that love be true and the friendship endure, the wills of the friends must be in accord… How much He loves you. … Oh, what a good friend you make, my Lord!’ (St Teresa, Life, 8.5)
St Teresa used Gospel scenes to put herself in contact with Christ – living within her soul: ‘This is the way I used to pray… I would try to picture Christ within me, and it did me greater good – in my opinion – to picture Him in those scenes where I saw Him more alone.
It seemed to me that being alone and afflicted, as a person in need, He had to accept me. I had many simple thoughts of this kind. I found the scene of his prayer in the Garden especially comforting; I strove to be His companion there. I used to think of that sweat and how afflicted He was, and I wished I could wipe that grievous sweat from his face. But I recall that I never actually dared to do it, since my sins appeared to me so serious. I used to stay with Him as long as my thoughts allowed me to, for there were many distractions that tormented me’ (Life, 9,4).