Papal letter for 500th anniversary of St. Teresa of Ávila’s birth

March 30, 2015

Pope Francis has written a letter to Father Xavier Cannistrà, superior general of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, on the 500th anniversary of the birth of St. Teresa of Ávila.

“St. Teresa is primarily a teacher of prayer,” Pope Francis wrote. “She was convinced of the value of continuous prayer, even if it was not always perfect. The saint asks us to be steadfast, faithful, even in times of dryness, personal difficulties or urgent needs that call us.”

“She became a tireless communicator of the Gospel,” he added. “Eager to serve the Church, and in the face of serious problems of her time, she did not limit herself to being a spectator of the reality around her. In her position as a woman and with her health difficulties, she decided, she said, ‘to do what little depended on me ... that is, to follow the evangelical counsels as perfectly as possible and to ensure that these few nuns who are here do the same.’ Thus began the Teresian reform.”

 

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Further information:

• Lettera del Santo Padre al Preposito Generale dell’Ordine dei Carmelitani Scalzi per i 500 anni della nascita di Santa Teresa di Gesù (Holy See Press Office)
• Pope: life of St Teresa of Avila can help renew consecrated life (Vatican Radio)