Discussion of the Prologue of the Conceptions of The Love of God S. Teresa of Jesus of the Order of our Lady of Carmel St. Teresa of Avila From the Book, "Minor Works Of St. Teresa Conceptions Of The Love Of God Exclamations, Maxims And Poems" |
Conceptions of the Love of God Discussion of the Prologue █ Summary or Highlights █ The Need to Explain the Communication between Christ and the Soul ▀ The Canticle of Canticles of the Old Testament helps St. Teresa describe the Communication between Christ and the Soul ▀ St. Teresa writes this ■ In the Name of the Holy Spirit ■ In Humility, Praying for God's Help ▀ Written in Obedience to Father Banez |
█ TheNeed to Explain the Communication between Christ and the Soul St. Teresa observed the special graces granted to some of the Nuns of her order and she saw that they needed direction in understanding and cooperating with these graces. She "realised the need of somebody explaining to them certain things which occur in the intercourse between Christ and the soul" because "these religious suffer for want of light." "I have been a witness to the mercies that our Lord grants to souls (whom) He has called to these convents, which His Majesty has been pleased should be established according to the primitive Rule of our Lady of Mount Carmel. So sublime are some of the Divine favours shown to several of the nuns... (that) these religious suffer for want of light." [ Conceptions: St. Teresa's Prologue] "for it is one grace that our Lord gives grace; and it is another grace to understand what grace and what gift it is; and it is another and further grace to have the power to describe and explain it to others. Though it does not seem that more than the first of these --the giving of grace-- is necessary, it is a great advantage and a great grace to understand it." [ Relations: Introduction and Life: Ch 17: #7 ] |
▀ The Canticle of Canticles of the Old Testament helps St. Teresa describe the communication between Christ and the Soul. "Although not a commentary on the Canticle of Canticles, the Conceptions do comment on some texts taken from it." [ Conceptions: Editor's Introduction] "The Canticles of Solomon... I think would bring comfort - to those sisters whom He leads in this way, and even - to myself " "I will tell you some of the meanings that Christ taught me were contained in certain words in which my soul delighted during the state of prayer to which He has also raised some of the sisters in our convents" [ Conceptions: St. Teresa's Prologue] "For the last two years, our Lord has enabled me to perceive unaided the doctrine contained in some of these texts... For sometimes He teaches me much on the subject". [ Conceptions: St. Teresa's Prologue] |
▀ St. Teresa writes this explanation ■ In the Name of the Holy Spirit "If it is given you to read, accept this poor little gift from her who desires for you, as for herself, all the gifts of the Holy Ghost, in Whose name I begin this book." [ Conceptions: St. Teresa's Prologue] ■ In Humility, Praying for God's Help "Should I meet with any success in my attempt, it will not be through my own abilities. May His Majesty enable me to accomplish the work !" |
▀ Written in Obedience to Father Banez "By the advice of certain persons whom I am bound to obey, I will tell you..." [ Conceptions: St. Teresa's Prologue] "Like all her other books, St. Teresa wrote it at the bidding of holy Obedience. "the copy in question was on its way to Father Banez at Valladolid for approbation (especially if the order to write it had come from him)" [ Conceptions: Editor's Introduction] "the conclusion is irresistible that the Conceptions were written in that convent (Segovia) in summer 1574." [ Conceptions: Editor's Introduction] |
End of the Discussion of the Prologue of the Conceptions of The Love of God S. Teresa of Jesus of the Order of our Lady of Carmel St. Teresa of Avila From the Book, "Minor Works Of St. Teresa Conceptions Of The Love Of God Exclamations, Maxims And Poems" |
