of the Order of Our Lady of Carmel
Chapter 9
Describes:
- By what means God began
to rouse her soul
and give light in the midst of darkness, and
to strengthen her virtues
so that she should not offend Him.
- The Means Whereby Our Lord Quickened Her Soul,
Gave Her Light in Her Darkness, and
Made Her Strong in Goodness.
Discussion Questions:
1). St. Teresa spoke about her repentance for her sins.
She described how an image of the suffering Christ
was "so devotional" and how it "moved" her.
Briefly summarize what she said.
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 1 ]
2). What did she say
about her devotion to St. Mary Magdalene?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 2 ]
3). What did she say
about her devotion to St. Augustine?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 8 ]
4). What is St. Teresa 's Method of Prayer?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 4 ,5, 6, 7 ]
5). How did St. Teresa realize she had made progress?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 3 ]
6). In this chapter, St. Teresa mentions another book
which she was given.
She said the Lord must have ordained this gift
for her own conversion.
6a). What was this book which helped her?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 8 ]
6b). What did she learn about herself
while reading this book?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 9 ]
7). How does St. Teresa describe
her state when her
"soul obtained great strength
from His Divine Majesty"?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 9, 10, 11 ]
8a). Did St. Teresa ever pray
for consolations in prayer?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 11 ]
8b). What was her reaction
when she realized what she was doing?
[ Life: Ch. 9: #11 ]
8c). What, then, does she say did
dispose her to God's favors?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 11 ]
8d). Did St. Teresa think it was lawful
to ask for consolations?
[ Life: Ch. 9: #11, 10
9). Did St. Teresa say she derived
any benefit from her tears?
[ Life: Ch. 9: #9, 10, 11 ]
_____________________________
1). St. Teresa spoke about
her repentance for her sins.
She described how an image
of the suffering Christ was "so devotional"
and how it "moved" her.
Briefly summarize what she said.
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 1 ]
St. Teresa stated that she saw an image that
"was a representation of Christ,
most grievously wounded;
and so devotional,
that the very sight of it...moved me--
so well did it show...
(how) He suffered for us."
"So keenly did I feel the evil return
(that) I had (repaid) for those wounds, that
- I thought my heart was breaking.
- I threw myself on the ground beside it,
- my tears flowing plenteously, and
- implored Him to strengthen me once for all,
so that I might never offend Him any more"
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 1 ]
"...before that picture of which I am speaking,
I seem to have made greater progress;
for I was now
- very distrustful of myself,
- placing all my confidence in God".
[ Life: Ch. 9: #3]
_________________________________
2). What did she say about her devotion
to St. Mary Magdalene?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 2 ]
Because St. Teresa thought of herself as a sinner
and saw St. Mary Magdalene as a sinner who
- repented and converted,
- advanced in holiness, and
- became a close disciple of Jesus,
St. Teresa had a great devotion for that saint
and she took that saint as one of her models.
St. Teresa prayed to and asked St. Mary Magdalene
- to intercede for her and
- to help her (also) to obtain pardon for her own sins.
"I had a very great devotion
to the glorious Magdalene,
and very frequently used to think of her conversion--
especially when I went to Communion.
As I knew for certain
that our Lord was then within me,
I used to place myself at His feet,
thinking that my tears
would not be despised.
I did not know what I was saying;
only He did great things for me,
in that He was pleased I should shed those tears,
seeing that I so soon forgot that impression.
I used to recommend myself to that glorious Saint,
that she might obtain my pardon."
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 2 ]
_____________________________________
3). What did she say
about her devotion to St. Augustine?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 8 ]
In addition to St. Mary magdalene, St. Teresa also
had a great devotion to St. Augustine,
who also returned to God
after giving up habits of sin.
She often prayed to him to intercede for her, also.
"I used to find great comfort in those Saints whom,
after they had sinned,
Our Lord converted to Himself.
I thought they would help me,
and that, as Our Lord had forgiven them,
so also He would forgive me.
At this time, the Confessions of St. Augustine
were given me.
Our Lord seems to have so ordained it,
for I did not seek them myself,
neither had I ever seen them before.
I had a very great devotion to St. Augustine,
because the monastery in which I lived
when I was yet in the world was of his Order;
and also because he had been a sinner--
One thing... troubled me..
Our Lord had called them but once,
and they never relapsed;
while my relapses were now so many.
This it was that vexed me.
But calling to mind
the love that He bore me,
I took courage again.
Of His mercy
I never doubted once,
but I did very often
of myself.
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 8 ]
When I began to read the Confessions,
I thought I saw myself there described,
and began to recommend myself greatly
to this glorious Saint.
When I came to his conversion,
and read how he heard that voice in the garden,
it seemed to me nothing less than
that our Lord had uttered it for me:
I felt so in my heart.
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 9]
_____________________________
4). What is St. Teresa 's Method of Prayer?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 4 ,5, 6, 7 ]
| I could not make reflections with my understanding [ Life: Ch. 9:#4 ] | I contrived to picture Christ as within me [Life: Ch.9:#4] | "I used to find myself the better for thinking of those mysteries of His life during which He was most lonely" [ Life: Ch. 9:#4] |
(She couldn't discursively meditate; could not use reason/intellect to make prayerful observations.) | (She would picture in her mind, a painting of Christ or a scene in the Gospel) | "It seemed to me that the being alone and afflicted, like a person in trouble, must needs permit me to come near unto Him" [Life:Ch. 9:#4] (She seems to be saying that since He would be alone and in great need, there is a greater likelihood of her being allowed to approach Him without fear of reproach for her sins or faults) |
"I did many simple things of this kind" [ Life:Ch. 9:#4] | ||
"in particular I used to find myself most at home in the prayer in the Garden whither I went in His company - I thought of the bloody sweat, and of the affliction He endured there; - I wished, if it had been possible, to wipe away that painful sweat from His face; but I remember that I never dared to form such a resolution- my sins stood before me so grievously" [ Life: Ch. 9: #5 ] | ||
I used to remain with Him there as long as my thoughts allowed me, and I had many thoughts to torment me". [Life:Ch.9:#5] | ||
"I used always to think a little of this mystery of the prayer in the Garden I believe that my soul gained very much in this way, because I began to practise prayer without knowing what it was; and now that it had become my constant habit, I was saved from omitting it..." [Life:Ch.9:#5] | ||
This method of praying, in which the understanding makes no reflections, "My understanding was so dull, that I could never represent in the imagination either heavenly or high things in any form whatever until our Lord placed them before me in another way. [ Life: Ch. 9:#6 ] | "a book is profitable... by (its) help.. they may the more quickly recollect themselves. It was a help to me also to look on fields, flowers and water, In them I saw traces of the Creator" [Life: Ch.9:#6] | ...the sight of these things was as a book unto me; it - roused me, - made me recollected, and - reminded me of my ingratitude and of my sins. [Life: Ch.9:#6] |
I was so little able to put things before me by the help of my understanding, that, unless I saw a thing with my eyes, my imagination was of no use whatever. I could not do as others do, who can put matters before themselves so as to become thereby recollected. [Life: Ch. 9: #7 ] (needed to depend on a picture or book to produce the image in her mind ) | I was able to think of Christ only as man... and I never could form any image of Him to myself, though I read much of His beauty, and looked at pictures of Him. [Life:Ch.9:#7] "I was like one who is blind, or in the dark, who, though - speaking to a person present, and - feeling his presence, ...he knows for certain that he is present-- ...he understands him to be present, and believes it yet does not see him. It was thus with me when I used to think of our Lord. This is why I was so fond of images". [Life:Ch.9:#7] |
4). What is St. Teresa 's Method of Prayer?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 4 ,5, 6, 7 ]
"I could not make reflections
with my understanding..."
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 4 ]
(couldn't discursively meditate;
could not use reason/intellect to
make prayerful observations.)
"This method of praying,
in which the understanding makes no reflections..."
"My understanding was so dull,
that I could never represent in the imagination
either heavenly or high things in any form whatever
until our Lord placed them before me in another way.
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 6 ]
I was so little able to put things before me
by the help of my understanding,
that, unless I saw a thing with my eyes,
my imagination was of no use whatever.
I could not do as others do,
who can put matters before themselves
so as to become thereby recollected.
[ Life: Ch. 9: #7 ]
(needed to depend on a picture, book)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -
"I used to find myself the better
for thinking of those mysteries of His life
during which He was most lonely".
[ Life: Ch. 9: #4 ]
"It seemed to me that
the being alone and afflicted,
like a person in trouble,
must needs permit me to come near unto Him".
[ Life: Ch. 9: #4 ]
(She seems to be saying that since
He would be in great need,
there is a greater likelihood of her being allowed
to approach Him without reproach for her faults)
"I did many simple things of this kind"
[ Life: Ch. 9: #4 ]
"in particular I used to find myself most at home
in the prayer in the Garden,
whither I went in His company.
- I thought of the bloody sweat,
and of the affliction He endured there;
- I wished, if it had been possible,
to wipe away that painful sweat from His face;
but I remember that I never dared
to form such a resolution--
my sins stood before me so grievously"
[ Life: Ch. 9: #5 ]
I used to remain with Him there
as long as my thoughts allowed me,
and I had many thoughts to torment me".
[ Life: Ch. 9: #5 ]
"I used always to think a little of this mystery
of the prayer in the Garden...
I believe that my soul gained very much in this way,
because I began to practise prayer
without knowing what it was;
and now that it had become my constant habit,
I was saved from omitting it..."
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 5 ]
"I contrived to picture Christ as within me..."
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 4 ]
(would picture in her mind,
a painting of Christ or scene of Gospel)
"a book is profitable...
by (its) help,...they may
the more quickly recollect themselves.
It was a help to me also
to look on fields, water, and flowers.
In them I saw traces of the Creator"
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 6 ]
"... the sight of these things
was as a book unto me; it
- roused me,
- made me recollected, and
- reminded me of my ingratitude and of my sins.
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 6 ]
I was able to think of Christ only as man...
and I never could form
any image of Him to myself,
though I read much of His beauty,
and looked at pictures of Him.
[ Life: Ch. 9: #7 ]
"I was like one who is blind, or in the dark, who, though
- speaking to a person present, and
- feeling his presence,
...he knows for certain that he is present--
...he understands him to be present,
and believes it--
yet does not see him.
It was thus with me when I used to think of our Lord.
This is why I was so fond of images".
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 7 ]
_____________________________
5). How did St. Teresa realize
that she had made progress?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 3 ]
St. Teresa realized she made progress
in her prayer and spiritual life saying:
"I seem to have made greater progress;
for I was now
- very distrustful of myself,
- placing all my confidence in God.
It seems to me that I said to Him then
that I would not rise up
till He granted my petition.
I do certainly believe that
this was of great service to me,
because I have grown better ever since.
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 3 ]
__________________________
6). In this chapter, St. Teresa mentions
another book which she was given.
She said the Lord must have ordained this gift.
6a). What was this book which helped her?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 8 ]
The book was the
Confessions of Saint Augustine.
At this time, the "Confessions of St. Augustine"
were given me.
Our Lord seems to have so ordained it,
for I did not seek them myself,
neither had I ever seen them before.
6b). What did she learn about herself
while reading this book?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 9]
"When I began to read the Confessions,
I thought I saw myself there described...
- I amazed at the hardness of my heart
amidst so many succours from Thee.
- how little I could do with myself, and
- how I was clogged (tied to attachments)
so that I could not resolve to give myself
entirely to God.
When I came to (Augustine's) conversion,
and read how he heard
that voice in the garden,
it seemed to me nothing less than
that our Lord had uttered it for me:
I felt so in my heart.
I remained for some time lost in tears,
in great inward affliction and distress...
I wonder now
how I could live in torments so great:
I believe that my soul obtained great strength
from His Divine Majesty,
and that He must have heard my cry,
and had compassion upon so many tears.
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 9]
______________________________
7). How does St. Teresa describe her state
when her "soul obtained great strength
from His Divine Majesty"?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 9, 10, 11 ]
St. Teresa described
~ "a desire
- to spend more time with Him
began to grow within me, and
- to withdraw from the occasions of sin:
... as soon as I had done so,
I turned lovingly to His Majesty at once.
"the only thing I prayed Him to give me was
- the grace never to offend Him,
- together with the forgiveness of my great sins."
[ Life: Ch. 9: #10 ]
...after ... great compunction and sorrow of heart,
accompanied by tears...
I began in an especial way
- to give myself more to prayer, and
- to occupy myself less with those things
which did me harm--
though I did not give them up altogether.
[ Life: Ch. 9: #11 ]
~ She realized that
she did not know what
to truly love God really entails.
"...I thought, that I loved Him;
but I did not understand,
as I ought to have understood it,
wherein the true love of God consists."
~ She saw that
she did not totally commit herself to God
"I do not think I had
yet perfectly disposed myself
to seek His service
when His Majesty turned towards me
with His consolations".
[ Life: Ch. 9: #10 ]
__________________________________
8a). Did St. Teresa ever pray for consolations in prayer?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 11 ]
St. Teresa states that she asked God for consolations
only one time.
She said that the reason for her request was
that at that time,she was suffering "great aridities".
"Once only in my life
do I remember asking for consolation,
being at the time in great aridities".
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 11 ]
8b). What was her reaction
when she realized what she was doing?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 11 ]
She stated that she realized that
she had acted out of a lack of humility.
This distressed her.
"When I considered what I had done,
I was so confounded,
that the very distress I suffered
from seeing how little humility I had,
brought me that which
I had been so bold as to ask for.
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 11 ]
8c). What, then, does she say
did dispose her to God's favors?
[ Life: Ch. 9: #11 ]
~ Her realization
of her own presumption and lack of humility
and its resultant repentance
and advance in humility
worked toward disposing her
to graces and consolations.
"the very distress I suffered
from seeing how little humility I had,
brought me
that which I had been so bold as to ask for"
~ her preparedness to serve God:
her strengthening commitment to focus
all attention and efforts on God
(detachment)
and to avoid the occasions of sin
disposed her to consolations.
"As His Majesty was only waiting
for some preparation on my part,
the spiritual graces grew in me..."
"It is not the custom of our Lord
to give these graces to any
but to those who keep their consciences
in greater pureness".
~ the grace of God, according to His will
"But God Himself, ... came to my aid, and
helped me to turn away from...
( worldly attachments, harmful occasions)"
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 11 ]
8d). Did St. Teresa think it was lawful
to ask for consolations?
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 11, 10 ]
St. Teresa said it would be lawful
to pray for consolation
but only by those who have striven
- to love God,
- to not offend him, and
- to do all that can to serve Him
in devotional and good works.
"I knew well that it was lawful
to pray for it;
but it seemed to me
that it is lawful only for those
- who are in good dispositions,
- who have sought with all their might
to attain to true devotion--
that is, not to offend God, and
to be disposed and resolved
for all goodness."
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 11 ]
"When I saw that my sins were so great,
I never ventured deliberately to ask
for consolation or for sweetness."
"...as for asking our Lord to give me
either these things or sweetness in devotion,
I never dared to do it"
"the only thing I prayed Him to give me was
- the grace never to offend Him,
- together with the forgiveness of my great sins."
[ Life: Ch. 9: # 10 ]
_________________________
9). Did St. Teresa say
she derived any benefit from her tears?
[ Life: Ch. 9: #9, 10, 11 ]
St. Teresa said:
"I looked upon those tears of mine
as womanish and weak,
seeing that I did not obtain my desires by them"
But, she said that they were of benefit to her:
"nevertheless, I believe
that they did me some service"
~ this contrition for her sins
and her bereavement of her state led her
- to pray more
- to avoid sin and the near occasions of sins
"for, specially after those two occasions
of great compunction and sorrow of heart,
accompanied by tears, of which I am speaking,
I began in an especial way
- to give myself more to prayer, and
- to occupy myself less with those things
which did me harm--
though I did not give them up altogether."
[ Life: Ch. 9: #11 ]
"A desire
- to spend more time with Him
began to grow within me, and also
- to withdraw from the occasions of sin:
for as soon as I had done so,
I turned lovingly to His Majesty at once.
I do not think I had yet perfectly disposed myself
to seek His service
when His Majesty turned towards me
with His consolations.
[ Life: Ch. 9: #10 ]
~ By them, she received compassion form God,
Who, then strengthened her soul.
"I believe that my soul obtained great strength
from His Divine Majesty,
and that He must have heard my cry,
and had compassion upon so many tears."
[ Life: Ch. 9: #9 ]
~ She received graces to grow in virtue and Love
"...I thought, that I loved Him;
but I did not understand,
as I ought to have understood it,
wherein the true love of God consists.
[ Life: Ch. 9: #10 ]
_________________________
