Thank you, St. Teresa!

Details: 22 October 2010

Recently, Oct. 15, the Universal Church celebrated the memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus (otherwise known as St. Teresa of Avila), the first woman who became a doctor of the Church.

We know she was an attractive woman with a beautiful personality such that many were drawn to her on a natural level. Those who lacked a proper understanding of the Catholic faith could not understand her refusal to marry while others who did understand knew her bridegroom was Christ Jesus. Many who were drawn to her on a natural level were led to a closer relationship with God on a supernatural level. She, along with St. John of the Cross, did much to reform the Carmelite order of their day.

Shortly after entering the seminary for the Diocese of Lincoln, I was inspired to read her collective works. It is remarkable the number of times she mentioned her distain at writing down her experiences, stating it was only under obedience that she did so. We will be eternally indebted to her humble obedience, for any one of us can read her writings.

As a mystic she experienced many visions of God, mostly intellectual. Her description of the soul with its seven levels or mansions is most helpful for those serious about growing in holiness. Much ink has been spilled in explaining how one may advance through these mansions with the ultimate goal of achieving spiritual union with God in this world. Although few on this side of eternity reach this level of perfection, we are all called to it. Why do so few reach the seventh mansion? It is because of their attachment to the things of this passing world- things that will be taken from us eventually anyway. We need to be reminded that being detached to the things of this world does not mean that we do not enjoy them, but if we desire them. The more we are detached to the things of this passing world, the more attached will we be to God.

I would like to thank all of our benefactors to Catholic Social Services for their spiritual, financial and material help which is a sign of their love of God, their detachment to the things of this world and their attachment to God. Because of their generosity one of our staff members received this word of thanks from one of our clients, "Hello there … just wanted to write a thank you from all my heart. You have been so helpful for the past year financially and emotionally. I thank God in my prayers every day for special people like you. When I felt like I had no hope left, you were there to lift me back up and keep fighting. Thank you, Thank you."

This was a thank you note from one of our clients who received help with her rent and money for gas. In addition to this we loved the presence of Jesus in her as she saw the face of Jesus in us.

Please know that we at Catholic Social Services will keep all of you, your families and intentions in our prayers as we routinely pray for our donors each and every day. St. Teresa of Jesus, pray for us!