Saint Teresa of Avila was a 16th-century Spanish mystic, Carmelite nun, and prominent Christian saint. She is known for her writings on mental prayer, her reform of the Carmelite order, and her role in the Counter-Reformation. She was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970 by Pope Paul VI, and is the patron saint of headache sufferers, loss of parents, and people in need of grace.
What is the most famous quote by Teresa of Avila ?
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.
— Teresa of Avila
What can you learn from Teresa of Avila (Life Lessons)
- Saint Teresa of Avila taught us to be humble and to trust in the Lord. She showed us that prayer and contemplation can bring us closer to God and lead us to a life of joy and peace.
- She also taught us to be patient and to accept the hardships of life with grace and courage.
- Finally, Saint Teresa of Avila showed us that we can find strength and comfort in our faith, even in the most difficult of times.
The most jittery Teresa of Avila quotes that will add value to your life
Following is a list of the best Teresa of Avila quotes, including various Teresa of Avila inspirational quotes, and other famous sayings by Teresa of Avila.
When we accept what happens to us and make the best of it, we are praising God.
We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials.
They deceive themselves who believe that union with God consists in ecstasies or raptures, and in the enjoyment of Him. For it consists in nothing except the surrender and subjection of our will - with our thoughts, words and actions - to the will of God.
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 my heart.
We may speak of love and humility as the true flowers of spiritual growth;
and they give off a wonderful scent, which benefits all those who come near.
Desire to see God, be fearful of losing Him, and find joy in everything that can lead to Him. If you act in this way, you will always live in great peace.
In light of heaven, the worst suffering on earth will be seen to be no more serious than one night in an inconvenient hotel.
If we practice love of neighbor with great perfection, we will have done everything.
Mystic quotes by Teresa of Avila
Each of us has a soul, but we forget to value it.
We don't remember that we are creatures made in the image of God. We don't understand the great secrets hidden inside of us.
Always think of yourself as everyone's servant;
look for Christ Our Lord in everyone and you will then have respect and reverence for them all.
Prayer is an act of love. Words are not needed.
Christ does not force our will, He only takes what we give Him.
But He does not give Himself entirely until He sees that we yield ourselves entirely to Him.
Contemplative prayer [oración mental] in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.
Those seeking the life of the spirit should be cheerful and free, and not neglect recreation. Married people must act in conformity with their vocation--but their progress will of necessity be but the pace of a hen.
After you die, you wear what you are.
Humility must always be doing its work like a bee making honey in the hive: without humility all will be lost.
Quotations by Teresa of Avila that are reformer and prayerful
God is even kinder than you think.
Let nothing disturb thee, let nothing affright thee.
All things are passing. Patience obtains all things. He who has God has everything - God alone suffices.
What a great favor God does to those He places in the company of good people!
There are more tears shed over answered prayers than over unanswered prayers.
Out of suffering comes the serious mind; out of salvation, the grateful heart; out of endurance, fortitude; out of deliverance faith. Patient endurance attends to all things.
Be gentle to all and stern with yourself.
Her heart is full of joy with love, for in the Lord her mind is stilled. She has renounced every selfish attachment and draws abiding joy and strength from the One within. She lives not for herself, but lives to serve the Lord of Love in all, and swims across the sea of life breasting its rough waves joyfully.
Suffering is a great favor. Remember that everything soon comes to an end . . . and take courage. Think of how our gain is eternal.
About the injunction of the Apostle Paul that women should keep silent in church? Don't go by one text only.
Every part of the journey is of importance to the whole.
May I not come before You with empty hands, since we are rewarded according to our deeds.
There is no affliction, trial, or labor difficult to endure, when we consider the torments and sufferings which Our Lord Jesus Christ endured for us.
Untilled soil, however fertile it may be, will bear thistles and thorns; so it is with man's mind.
I am afraid that if we begin to put our trust in human help, some of our Divine help will fail us.
It should be observed that perfect love of God consists not in those delights, tears and sentiments of devotion that we generally seek, but in a strong determination and keen desire to please God in all things, and to promote His glory.
Let nothing disturb thee; Let nothing dismay thee; All things pass; God never changes. Patience attains All that it strives for.
It is a dangerous thing to be satisfied with ourselves.
Don't imagine that, if you had a great deal of time, you would spend more of it in prayer. Get rid of that idea; it is no hindrance to prayer to spend your time well.
It is love alone that gives worth to all things.
It is of great importance, when we begin to practise prayer, not to let ourselves be frightened by our own thoughts.
As to the aridity you are suffering from, it seems to me our Lord is treating you like someone He considers strong: He wants to test you and see if you love Him as much at times of aridity as when He sends you consolations. I think this is a very great favor for God to show you.
Humility does not disturb or disquiet or agitate, however great it may be; it comes with peace, delight, and calm. . . . The pain of genuine humility doesn't agitate or afflict the soul; rather, this humility expands it and enables it to serve God more.
Souls who do not practice prayer are like people whose limbs are paralyzed.
It is true that we cannot be free from sin, but at least let our sins not always be the same.
Mental prayer is nothing else but being on terms of friendship with God, frequently conversing in secret with Him.
It is certain that the love of God does not consist in this sweetness and tenderness which we for the most part desire; but rather in serving Him in justice, fortitude, and humility. His Majesty seeks and loves courageous souls.
All the troubles of the Church, all the evils in the world, flow from this source: that men do not by clear and sound knowledge and serious consideration penetrate into the truths of Sacred Scripture.
For pity's sake, don't start meeting troubles halfway.
Let us consider what the glorious Virgin endured, and what the holy apostles suffered, and we shall find that they who were nearest to Jesus Christ were the most afflicted.
Untilled ground, however rich, will bring forth thistles and thorns; so also the mind of man.
How poor is the wisdom of men, and how uncertain their forecast!
You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him.
True love grows by sacrifice and the more thoroughly the soul rejects natural satisfaction the stronger and more detached its tenderness becomes.