"Take no notice of that feeling you get of wanting to leave off in the middle of your prayer, but praise the Lord for the desire you have to pray. That, you may be sure, comes from your will which loves to be with God. It is just melancholy that oppresses you and gives you the feeling of constraint.
Try occasionally, when you feel yourself oppressed in that way, to go to some place where you can see the sky, and walk up and down a little...
It is essential that the soul be led gently."
- from a letter of St. Teresa of AvilaIt is essential that the soul be led gently."
(August Hagborg painting in US public domain)
Nancy...all the readings I have read from St. Teresa and I don't remember coming across this quote. I LOVE IT! I need it! I feel that all too often in prayer. Great reminder.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Teresa. I hadn't seen this letter either, that I can recall, and was very struck by it. I LOVE St. Teresa of Avila. This was from a letter "to a layman," Segovia, July 3, 1574. I need it too!
DeleteI've never heard this quote either, Nancy. It's a good one! Forcing the issue in prayer seems to make it worse, at least it seems so to me. It's a blessing that we have these words from the great saints to guide us. Thank you for posting it.
ReplyDeleteLoved your recent post over at The Cloistered Heart and the title made me smile!
Thank you, Mary! Isn't God good to us, to leave us "tracks of the sheep" (Song of Songs 1:8) to follow....
DeleteI love it!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this.
Thank you, Molly! I'm so glad you stopped by!
DeleteNancy, you have a GORGEOUS blog! I feel so at peace just visiting.
ReplyDeleteI pinned a link and recommendation to visit for others on Catholic Pinterest.
Allison, what very kind words... thank you SO MUCH.
DeleteThank you for the link and recommendation. I'm afraid I haven't yet ventured into the land of "pinning," but I know it's a very good thing (smile):)
It's great to have you here!
Came across mention of your blog today on CBN and stopped over to check it out. Beautiful blog. I love this quote from St. Teresa. I've only recently started getting to know St. Teresa of Avila! Her words really seem to speak to me and this one is no different. Thank you for sharing. I look forward to continuing to read more on here.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Kasclar. I would love to just sit at the feet of St. Teresa and learn from her... and thanks to her splendid writings, I suppose I can do just that!
DeleteI'm blessed to have you here!