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October 15 Virgin and Doctor |
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October 15
Saint Teresa of Jesus
Virgin and Doctor of the ChurchOC: Feast
Teresa was born at Avila in Spain in 1515. She entered the Carmelites and made great progress in the way of perfection and was granted mystical revelations. Wishing to share in the spiritual renewal of the Church of her time, she began to live her religious life more ardently and soon attracted many companions, to whom she was like a mother. She also helped in the reform of the friars, and in this had to endure great trials. She wrote books which are renowned for their depth of doctrine and which showed her own spiritual experiences. She died at Alba in 1582.
Evening Prayer I
Hymn
Mild messenger of heaven's high King,
Forth from home's sheltering walls you set:
'Christ to the Pagan's land I'll bring
Or die a martyr! '—Ah, not yet:
A sweeter pain, a death more dear
Must win for you a wider fame;
No mortal hand's to wield the spear
That kindles your consuming flame.
Victim of God's unbounded love,
Let our hearts burn with like desire;
Lead all your retinue above
That none may taste eternal fire.
Jesu, celestial choirs adore You,
Bridegroom of all virgins pure,
And wedding-songs unceasing pour
While endless ages shall endure.
L.M. Tr. Bede Edwards, O.C.D.
Psalmody
Ant. 1 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to little ones.
Psalm 112 (113)
Praise, O servants of the Lord, *
praise the name of the Lord!
May the name of the Lord be blessed *
both now and for evermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting *
praised be the name of the Lord!
High above all nations is the Lord, *
above the heavens his glory.
Who is like the Lord, our God, *
who has risen on high to his throne
yet stoops from the heights to look down, *
to look down upon heaven and earth?
From the dust he lifts up the lowly, *
from his misery he raises the poor
to set him in the company of princes, *
yes, with the princes of his people.
To the childless wife he gives a home *
and gladdens her heart with children.
Ant. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to little ones.
Ant. 2 Nations will proclaim her wisdom, and the Church will sing her praise.
Psalm 145 (146)
My soul, give praise to the Lord; †
I will praise the Lord all my days, *
make music to my God while I live.
Put no trust in princes, *
in mortal men in whom there is no help.
Take their breath, they return to clay *
and their plans that day come to nothing.
He is happy who is helped by Jacob's God, *
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who alone made heaven and earth, *
the seas and all they contain.
It is he who keeps faith for ever, *
who is just to those who are oppressed.
It is he who gives bread to the hungry, *
the Lord, who sets prisoners free,
the Lord who gives sight to the blind, *
who raises up those who are bowed down,
the Lord, who protects the stranger *
and upholds the widow and orphan.
It is the Lord who loves the just *
but thwarts the path of the wicked.
The Lord will reign for ever, *
Sion's God, from age to age.
Ant. Nations will proclaim her wisdom, and the Church will sing her praise.
Ant. 3 The Lord gave her wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and a heart as vast as the sand on the seashore.
Canticle: Eph 1:3-10
Blessed be the God and Father *
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ *
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
He chose us in him *
before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy *
and blameless before him.
He destined us in love *
to be his sons through Jesus Christ,
according to the purpose of his will,
to the praise of his glorious grace *
which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
In him we have redemption through his blood, *
the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of his grace *
which he lavished upon us.
He has made known to us
in all wisdom and insight *
the mystery of his will,
according to his purpose *
which he set forth in Christ.
His purpose he set forth in Christ, *
as a plan for the fullness of time,
to unite all things in him, *
things in heaven and things on earth.
Ant. The Lord gave her wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and a heart as vast as the sand on the seashore.
Scripture Reading
1 Cor 2:6-10a
Among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him,' God has revealed to us through the Spirit.
Short Responsory
R. She became a teacher * in the Church of God. Repeat R.
V. The Lord filled her with the spirit of wisdom and understanding * in the Church of God. Glory . . . R.
Magnificat
Holy Mother Teresa, light of the Church, teach us the way of perfection, and lead us to the eternal mansions where Christ has his home.
Intercessions
With our Mother Saint Teresa let us call upon our loving Father, in the name of
Christ our friend and companion. Let us pray:
R. Lord, may your kingdom come.
You made your Son a source of life, so that whoever believes in him might have life for all eternity;
— may we listen to the voice of Christ our true life, and so have life in him. R.
You gave us your only-begotten Son as our teacher of holiness and our way to you;
— may we your children loyally follow Christ the way of perfection, and pray to you without ceasing. R.
You promised through Christ that with him you will come to dwell in those who surrender to your love;
— may we let your Spirit of love take possession of our hearts for Christ, and so be admitted to the inmost mansions of your dwelling place. R.
You made Christ head and cornerstone of the Church, the foundation on which we might build; — may we love and serve the Church for his sake, rooted and founded in his love and faith. R.
You raised Christ to your right hand in glory, to prepare a place for us in your presence;
— may all the dead who seek your face be with Christ, and contemplate the glory you have given him. R.
Our Father . . .
Prayer
as at Morning Prayer.
Invitatory
The Lord is the fount of wisdom; come, let us adore him.
Office of Readings
Hymn
Noonday blaze of virtues rare;
Highest gifts of grace and prayer;
You have lived, in deep repose,
All that faith on us bestows.
Wedded to the Father's Word,
Word of light, in silence heard
Leaning on the Savior's breast,
Guided by the Spirit blest.
Blest the mind refined by fire
To receive divine desire,
Wisdom's secrets in your heart,
Opened by the heavenly dart.
Christ drew you to his embrace
By the fragrance of his grace;
In your teaching we confide,
Trusting you, our heav'n-sent guide.
Truth eternal, One and Three,
May Teresa constantly
Lead us up the mountain's ways
To the realms of joy and praise.
77.77. Margarita of Jesus, O.C.D.Psalmody
Ant. 1 My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life: when shall I see God face to face?
Psalm 41 (42)
Like the deer that yearns *
for running streams,
so my soul is yearning *
for you, my God.
My soul is thirsting for God, *
the God of my life;
when can I enter and see *
the face of God?
My tears have become my bread, *
by night, by day,
as I hear it said all the day long. *
"Where is your God?"
These things will I remember *
as I pour out my soul:
how I would lead the rejoicing crowd *
into the house of God,
amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving, *
the throng wild with joy.
Why are you cast down, my soul, *
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still, *
my savior and my God.
My soul is cast down within me *
as I think of you,
from the country of Jordan and Mount Hermon, *
from the Hill of Mizar.
Deep is calling on deep, *
in the roar of waters:
your torrents and all your waves *
swept over me.
By day the Lord will send *
his loving kindness;
by night I will sing to him, *
praise the God of my life.
I will say to God, my rock: *
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning *
oppressed by the foe?"
With cries that pierce me to the heart, *
my enemies revile me,
saying to me all the day long. *
"Where is your God?"
Why are you cast down, my soul, *
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still, *
my savior and my God.
Ant. My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life: when shall I see God face to face?
Ant. 2 There is no measuring your glory, Lord: who can express your mercy and greatness?
Psalm 144 (145)
I
I will give you glory, O God my King, *
I will bless your name for ever.
I will bless you day after day *
and praise your name for ever.
The Lord is great, highly to be praised, *
his greatness cannot be measured.
Age to age shall proclaim your works, *
shall declare your mighty deeds,
shall speak of your splendor and glory, *
tell the tale of your wonderful works.
They will speak of your terrible deeds, *
recount your greatness and might.
They will recall your abundant goodness; *
age to age shall ring out your justice.
The Lord is kind and full of compassion, *
slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all, *
compassionate to all his creatures.
Ant. There is no measuring your glory, Lord: who can express your mercy and greatness?
Ant. 3 The Lord is faithful to everyone who calls on him in sincerity of heart: his kingdom will have no end.
II
All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, *
and your friends shall repeat their blessing.
They shall speak of the glory of your reign *
and declare your might, O God,
to make known to men your mighty deeds *
and the glorious splendor of your reign.
Yours is an everlasting kingdom; *
your rule lasts from age to age.
The Lord is faithful in all his words *
and loving in all his deeds.
The Lord supports all who fall *
and raises all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all creatures look to you *
and you give them their food in due time.
You open wide your hand, *
grant the desires of all who live.
The Lord is just in all his ways *
and loving in all his deeds.
He is close to all who call him, *
who call on him from their hearts.
He grants the desires of those who fear him, *
he hears their cry and he saves them.
The Lord protects all who love him; *
but the wicked he will utterly destroy.
Let me speak the praise of the Lord, †
let all mankind bless his holy name *
for ever, for ages unending.
Ant. The Lord is faithful to everyone who calls on him in sincerity of heart: his kingdom will have no end.
V. You, O Lord, are close.
R. Your commands are truth.The First Reading
Phil 3:8-21
A reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Philippians
The knowledge of Christ Jesus is supreme
I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have thrown everything away; I consider it all as mere refuse, so that I may gain Christ and be completely united with him. I no longer have a righteousness of my own, the kind that is gained by obeying the Law. I now have the righteousness that is given through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is based on faith. All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death, in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life.
I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself. Of course, my brothers, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight towards the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above.All of us who are spiritually mature should have this same attitude. But if some of you have a different attitude, God will make this clear to you. However that may be, let us go forward according to the same rules we have followed until now.
Keep on imitating me, my brothers. Pay attention to those who follow the right example that we have set for you. I have told you this many times before, and now I repeat it with tears: there are many whose lives make them enemies of Christ's death on the cross. They are going to end up in hell, because their god is their bodily desires. They are proud of what they should be ashamed of, and they think only of things that belong to this world. We, however, are citizens of heaven, and we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. He will change our weak mortal bodies and make them like his own glorious body, using that power by which he is able to bring all things under his rule.
Responsory
R. Your life is hidden now with Christ in God. * When Christ your life appears, you too will appear with him in glory.
V. Neither death nor life, nor anything in all creation, can come between us and
Christ's love for us. * When Christ your life appears, you too will appear with
him in glory.
The Second ReadingCh 22:6-7, 14
A reading from the Autobiography of Saint Teresa of Jesus
We should always be mindful of Christ's love
Whoever lives in the presence of so good a friend and excellent a leader as is Jesus Christ can endure all things. Christ helps us and strengthens us and never fails; he is a true friend. And I see clearly that God desires that if we are going to please him and receive his great favors this must come about through the most sacred humanity of Christ, in whom he takes his delight.
Many, many times have I perceived this through experience. The Lord has told it to me. I have definitely seen that we must enter by this gate if we desire his sovereign Majesty to show us great secrets. A person should desire no other path, even if he be at the summit of contemplation; on this road he walks safely.
This Lord of ours is the one through whom all blessings come to us. He will teach us these things. In beholding his life we find that he is the best example. What more do we desire from such a good friend at our side, who will not abandon us in our labors and tribulations, as friends in the world do? Blessed is the one who truly loves him and always keeps him near. Let us consider the glorious Saint Paul: it doesn't seem that any other name fell from his lips than
that of Jesus, as coming from one who kept the Lord close to his heart. Once I had come to understand this truth, I carefully considered the lives of some of the saints, the great contemplatives, and found that they hadn't taken any other path: Francis, Anthony of Padua, Bernard, Catherine of Sienna. A person must walk along this path in freedom, placing himself in God's hands. If His Majesty should desire to raise us to the position of one who is an intimate and shares his secrets, we ought to accept gladly.
As often as we think of Christ we should recall the love with which he bestowed on us so many favors, and the great things God showed in giving us a pledge like this of his love; for love begets love. Let us strive to keep this always before our eyes and to waken ourselves to love. For if at some time the Lord should grant us the favor of impressing this love on our hearts, all will become easy for us and we shall carry out our tasks quickly and without much effort.
Responsory
R. For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
V. I willingly glory in my weakness, so that the power of Christ may be strong in me. * For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Te Deum
Prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
Hymn
My beloved, passing fair,
Love has drawn thy likeness, see,
In my inmost Heart, and there—
Lost or straying unaware—
Thou must seek thyself in me.
Well I know that thou shalt find
This thine image in my Heart,
Pictured to the life, with art
So amazing, that thy mind
Sees thy very counterpart.
If by chance thou e'er shalt doubt
Where to turn in search of me,
Seek not all the world about;
Only this can find me out—
Thou must seek myself in thee.
In the mansion of thy mind
Is my dwelling-place; and more—
There I wander, unconfined,
Knocking loud if e'er I find
In thy thought a closèd door.
Search for me without were vain,
Since, when thou hast need of me,
Only call me, and again
To thy side I haste amain;
Thou must seek myself in thee.
77.77.77. St Teresa of Jesus. Tr. by A. Stirling
Psalmody
Ant. I My soul is thirsting for you, my Lord; my very flesh is longing for you.
Psalms and canticle of Sunday I.
Ant. 2 All your works proclaim you, Lord, and your saints bless you.
Ant. 3 In the assembly of your holy ones, Lord, I have sung of your mercy.
Scripture Reading
2 Cor 4:5-7
It is not ourselves that we are preaching, but Christ Jesus as the Lord, and It is the same God that said, "Let there be light shining out of darkness," who has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God's glory, the glory on the face of Christ. We are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us.
Short Responsory
R. To you my heart has spoken: * it is you that I seek. Repeat R.
V. I long for your face, Lord; * it is you that I seek.
Glory . . . R.
Benedictus
Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and show myself to him.
Intercessions
The Lord of glory, the crown of all the saints, gives us the joy of celebrating this feast of Saint Teresa. Let us praise him, saying:
R. Glory to you, Lord.
Source of life and holiness, in your saints you show us the infinite marvels of
your grace;
— in company with Saint Teresa may we sing of your mercies forever. R.
You want your Spirit of Love to blaze like fire throughout the world;
— may we, like Saint Teresa, be instrumental in keeping that flame of love alight. R.
You sanctify your friends and reveal to them the mysteries of your heart;
— unite our hearts to yours in a friendship so close and intimate that we may experience the secrets of your love, proclaim it to others, and win them to you. R.
You blessed the pure of heart and promised that they would see you;
— purify our sight so that we may see you in all things, and through all things be close to you. R.
You oppose the proud and give wisdom to the simple;
— make us humble of heart, so that we may receive your wisdom for the sake of the Church. R.
Our Father . . .
Prayer
Father,
by your Spirit you raised up (our Mother) St Teresa of Jesus
to show your Church the way to perfection.
May her inspired teaching
awaken in us a longing for true holiness.
Grant this through our Lord.
Prayer During the Day
OC: Antiphons and psalms of the weekday.
Before Noon
Ant. When you pray go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is hidden.
Scripture Reading
Rev 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
V. I will pray to the God of my life.
R. I will say to him: you are my support.
Midday
Ant. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say: Rejoice! The Lord is near.
Scripture Reading
1 Thes 5:16-18
Be happy at all times; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks to God, because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus.
V. You show me the path of life.
R. The fullness of joy in your presence.
Afternoon
Ant. Let us live in truth and love, and let all things aid our growth into Christ.
Scripture Reading
3 Jn 3-4
It was a great joy to me when some brothers came and told of your faithfulness to the truth, and of your life in the truth. It is always my greatest joy to hear that my children are living according to the truth.
V. Serve the Lord in truth.
R. Whoever follows the truth, comes to the light.
Evening Prayer II
Hymn
Teresa, herald of the King,
You left your home in dawn of youth
To bring to souls, on eager wing,
Your blood, or Christ's redeeming truth.
But yours must be another death
Both pain and rapture flood your heart,
Enkindled by the Spirit's breath,
Pierced through by cherub's fiery dart.
O Victim of pure charity,
Send fire to souls you love so well;
By flame of Wisdom's clarity
Deliver us from fires of hell!
O Jesus, Spouse of virgin-brides,
May they adoring sing your praise
In nuptial music that abides
Through peace of never-ending days!
L.M. Regis superni nuntia. Tr. unknown
Psalmody
Ant. I The Lord showed me the holy city: it was resplendent with the glory of God, and shone like a precious jewel.
Psalm 121 (122)
I rejoiced when I heard them say: *
"Let us go to God's house."
And now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city *
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up, *
the tribes of the Lord.
For Israel's law it is, *
there to praise the Lord's name.
There were set the thrones of judgment *
of the house of David.
For the peace of Jerusalem pray. *
"Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls, *
in your palaces, peace!"
For love of my brethren and friends *
I say: "Peace upon you!"
For love of the house of the Lord *
I will ask for your good.
Ant. The Lord showed me the holy city: it was resplendent with the glory of God, and shone like a precious jewel.
Ant. 2 Behold, the dwelling of God is with men, and he will make his home among them.
Psalm 126 (127)
If the Lord does not build the house, *
in vain do its builders labor;
if the Lord does not watch over the city, *
in vain does the watchman 'keep vigil.
In vain is your earlier rising, *
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat: *
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they
slumber.
Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, *
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons of youth *
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
O the happiness of the man *
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame *
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways.
Ant. Behold, the dwelling of God is with men, and he will make his home among them.
Ant. 3 I will make up in my body whatever is lacking in the sufferings of Christ, for the sake of his body the Church.
Canticle: Col 1:12-20
Let us give thanks to the Father, †
who has qualified us to share *
in the inheritance of the saints in light.
He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness *
and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
in whom we have redemption,
the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, *
the firstborn of all creation,
for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, *
visible and invisible.
All things were created *
through him and for him.
He is before all things, *
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the Church; *
he is the beginning,
the first-born from the dead, *
that in everything he might be preeminent.
For in him the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, *
and through him to reconcile to himself all things,
whether on earth or in heaven,
making peace by the blood of his cross.
Ant. I will make up in my body whatever is lacking in the sufferings of Christ, for the sake of his body the Church.
Scripture Reading
Jude 20-21
You, my dear friends, must use your most holy faith as your foundation and build on that, praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves within the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you eternal life.
Short Responsory
R. You are * the temple of the living God. Repeat R.
V. And the Spirit of God dwells in you, * the temple of the living God.
Glory... R.
Magnificat
Do not let your hearts be troubled. There are many mansions in my Father's house, and I am going now to prepare a place for you.
Intercessions
Christ loved his Church and gave his life for her that she might be holy: let us pray to Christ that his Church may be holy and spotless in all her members:
R. Be with your Church, Lord Jesus.
You are the head of the Church and the source of all her grace;
— may all your people be joined to you in faith and love, and realize that they are the living and holy members of your body. R.
You founded the Church on Peter and the apostles and through them you teach
us the truth and lead us in green pastures;
— enlighten and guide those you have placed over your Church, and confirm our faith so that in them we may hear your voice leading us to life. R.
You choose some to announce the Good News by teaching, baptizing, calling to
repentance, and offering in your memory the Eucharistic Sacrifice;
— as the harvest is great, and the laborers few, send laborers into your harvest. R.
You choose some of your friends to follow you more closely in your poverty, your chastity and your obedience, for the building up of the Church;
— with Mary as their Mother and teacher, may all religious cling to you and show forth
your life within them as they serve the Church. R.
You made your people one body and one spirit in the unity of faith and baptism;
— may all whom you have redeemed preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bonds of peace. R.
You died for our redemption and rose so that we could have life;
— may all who have died in your love and await the revelation of your glory rejoice at the
eternal banquet in the company of your saints. R.
Our Father...
Prayer as at Morning Prayer.
