St. Teresa of Avila on the Risen Jesus and Mary

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Volume One, (ICS Publications) there is a section entitled “Spiritual Testimonies” . In this section, St. Teresa describes different experiences in her life. I was blessed in reading the following description of Jesus’ words to her:

He told me that immediately after His resurrection He went to see Our Lady because she then had great need and that the pain she experienced so absorbed and transpierced her soul that she did not return immediately to herself to rejoice in that joy. By this I understood how different was this other transpiercing of my soul. But what must have been that transpiercing of the Blessed Virgin’s soul! He also said that He remained a long time with her because it was necessary to console her. ( pp. 390 - 391)

The above is only part of her writing but I wanted to share it because it helped me to better understand the deep and almost unimaginable sufferings of Mary during the Passion of Jesus, and the very human need she had for the consolation only Jesus could give her.

Today is First Friday and I’m mindful of both Reparation to the Sacred Heart today, and tomorrow’s First Saturday Devotion to Mary’s Immaculate Heart. How we need to love the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary more and more!