In 1567, Saint Teresa of...
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In 1567, Saint Teresa of Avila set out to establish a monastery of poverty in Medina. She recounts that in the beginning of her enterprise, everything fell into place. She was certain that the Lord was directing her plan and was granting divine aid. But as often happens, Saint Teresa's project ran into several snags. The house that they leased was ramshackle at best, the roof had leaks, the walls weren't plastered, the porch was almost detached, and the walls surrounding the house were almost all down.
At this point, temptations set in: had she been mistaken about the Lord's will; was it the devil who was deceiving her; and did she really know how to pray?
Saint Teresa wrestled with these temptations alone, fearing to share her troubles lest those who followed her would also become despaired. Finally, through prayer and Scripture reading, combined with talks with a local priest, she overcame her temptations. Only then could she resume her project with full fervor.
(Source: The Complete Works of Saint Teresa of Jesus, translated by E. A. Peers. London: Sheed and Ward, 1946.)
-- Becker 2
At this point, temptations set in: had she been mistaken about the Lord's will; was it the devil who was deceiving her; and did she really know how to pray?
Saint Teresa wrestled with these temptations alone, fearing to share her troubles lest those who followed her would also become despaired. Finally, through prayer and Scripture reading, combined with talks with a local priest, she overcame her temptations. Only then could she resume her project with full fervor.
(Source: The Complete Works of Saint Teresa of Jesus, translated by E. A. Peers. London: Sheed and Ward, 1946.)
-- Becker 2
