Quotes from Teresa of Avila

Alas, O Lord, to what a state dost Thou bring those who love Thee!

At night a hooded monk passed by where there were no lamps. I could not see his face. I only heard these words he kept repeating: "Teach me, dear Lord, all that you know." I knew instantly a great treasure had entered my soul.

I wanted to live, but saw clearly that I was not living - but rather wrestling with the shadow of death. There was no one to give me life, and I was not able to take it.

Any true ecstast is a sign you are going in the right direction...don't let any prude tell you otherwise

That name--my conception of Him--extended to me a hand that led to a place where even His divine name could not exist. Why?

In choosing candidates for this challenging way of life, she emphasised intelligence and good judgment ("GOD PRESERVE US FROM STUPID NUNS !! ) . It was her conviction that intelligent people can better be aware of their faults and, at the same time, see the need to be guided.

Union is as if in a room there were two large windows through which the light streamed in it enters in diffrent places but it all becomes one.

To reach something good, it is useful to have gone astray.

Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience turns a very short time into a long one.

Tear your heart away from everything else; then seek God and you will surely find him.

Trust God that you are where you are meant to be.

Christ has no body now but mine. He prays in me, works in me, looks through my eyes, speaks through my words, works through my hands, walks with my feet and loves with my heart.