From childhood she and her brother were fascinated with ideas of martyrdom — running away from home when she was seven with the intent of fighting the Moors and becoming martyrs themselves. Once she reached adulthood, against her father’s wishes she entered a Carmelite convent. Early on, she was drawn to austere religious practices, became severely ill for three years, and was close to death.
In 1558 she embarked on a program to return the Carmelite order to its austere roots. Once she had established 16 additional convents, conflict arose between factions within the Carmelite order. She was ordered to found no further convents and to retire to the convent in Seville. By 1577 John of the Cross — who in 1568 had established a monastery of Carmelite reform for men — was imprisoned in Toledo. This struggle was resolve in 1579 through the establishment of an independent order of Discalced Carmelites.
Loving Colloquy
If all the love you have for me,
my God, is like my love for you,
say, what detains me, that I do?
Or what is it delaying thee?
— Soul, what of me are your desires?
— My God, no more than you to see.
— And what most in you fear inspires?
— What I fear most is losing thee,
A soul within its God now hidden,
whatever else should it desire,
but to e’er greater love aspire,
and in that love remain all hidden,
returned anew into love’s fire?
One love that owns me I request,
my God, my soul within you centered,
for making me the sweetest nest
where union can the best be entered.
*This is the second Kingdom Poets post about Teresa of Ávila: first post.
Entry written by D.S. Martin. He is the author of five poetry collections including Angelicus (2021, Cascade) ― a book of poems written from the point-of-view of angels. His books are available through Wipf & Stock.
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