Teresa of Jesus
Her Life
« I am Yours and born of You,
What do You want of me?»
(Poéme II)
Teresa was born on March 28, 1515, in Avila, at the dawn of the Spanish Golden Age. It was a century of great American conquests and of development of faith and culture. Her parents were Don Alonso de Cepeda and Doña Beatriz de Ahumada. She was baptized on April 4th with the name: Teresa de Ahumada. Through her veins ran “Jewish blood,” and that fact deeply and positively affected Teresa’s life.
The desire for what “does not pass away” fascinated her since early childhood. At the age of seven, she and her brother Rodrigo ran away from home, seeking to “ go into the land of the Moors” in order to die as martyrs.
In 1528 her mother died in Gotarrendura. Finding herself unprotected, Teresa sought protection at the feet of the Holy Virgin, and she asked her to be her “mother”.
When she was 21 years old, despite of parental opposition, Teresa entered the Monastery of the Incarnation in Avila. Her life in the monastery was given to prayer and meditation.
In her writings, Teresa describes her great struggle for attaining perfection.
Her Message
« We have a very good Friend in Christ. We look at Him as a Man; we think of His moments of weakness and times of trial; and He becomes our Companion. »
(Life 22,10)
Teresa encourages us to live the adventure of going to meet the Humanity of Christ..
It is the “Good Jesus” who shows us the face of the Father, the fullness of his love and his presence. This is the fundamental experience of her life and her teaching: A continuing searching of Jesus Christ in the Gospels and in a dialogue of friendship, “face to face” with whom we know loves us.
It is through the reading of the Gospels that the humanity of Christ is enlightened gradually in Teresa. He reveals Himself in her own life as a Friend-Brother – Father and Savior. She will become truly Teresa of Jesus.
Teresa invites us to follow the footsteps of the “Master”, to revive in our life this vital relationship with the person of Jesus, constantly pondering the mysteries of his humanity, walking in his company and enjoying his presence.
