14 Jan St. Theresa’s Prayer
My husband and I traveled to Spain for his 50th birthday recently. My only request was to visit Avila, the home town of St. Theresa. St. Theresa was born in 1515, and was a force of change for Carmelite nuns. She had been given books with an eastern influence that led her to meditation. Meditation helped her while she was battling illness, and helped her to not only to endure, but to rise above the pain in her body. There is a famous statue of St. Theresa by the artist Bernini called the Ecstasy of St. Theresa, it shows how through meditation she connected with spirit. She also used her gifts to help others in her community and beyond. I came across the prayer of St. Theresa, and I would like to share it here.
May today there be peace within,
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith,
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
St. Theresa overcame her illness, but it took a very long time. She recovered not only because of her new internal thinking, but also because of the help and love of those around her. Your thoughts can have such a great effect on your recovery, science has actually shown that your thoughts can change your body at a cellular level. So here’s to St. Theresa’s Prayer, and may you allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.