Friday, June 1, 2012

Conceptions of The Love of God - Prologue Discussion - St. Teresa of Avila - Teresa of Jesus - On the Canticle of Canticles - On the Song of Songs


        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"



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