Novena to St. Teresa of Ávila

Join this novena and immerse yourself in meditation and prayer with St. Teresa of Ávila

280 shares

You are invited to discover or re-discover the power of meditation and contemplative prayer. Mental Prayer was very important to St. Teresa of Ávila, she described it as "a friendly intercourse and frequent solitary conversation with Him who, as we know, loves us".

For the 9 days of this novena, let yourself be guided by St. Teresa's experience and her writings to grow closer to Him who loves us! The feast day of St. Teresa of Ávila is celebrated on October 15.

Dear brothers and sisters, St Teresa of Jesus is a true teacher of Christian life for the faithful of every time. In our society, which all too often lacks spiritual values, St Teresa teaches us to be unflagging witnesses of God, of his presence and of his action. May the example of this Saint, profoundly contemplative and effectively active, spur us too every day to dedicate the right time to prayer. Therefore time devoted to prayer is not time wasted, it is time in which the path of life unfolds, the path unfolds to learning from God an ardent love for him, for his Church, and practical charity for our brothers and sisters.
                                                                                                               Pope Benedict XVI

Novena Program

  • Day 1: St. Teresa of Ávila's childhood and entry into religious life
  • Day 2: The life and mission of St. Teresa of Ávila
  • Day 3: Spiritual guides
  • Day 4: The starting point
  • Day 5: The prayer of St. Teresa of Ávila
  • Day 6: How to practice mental prayer
  • Day 7: Do not be discouraged
  • Day 8: Mental prayer bears its fruits
  • Day 9: The conversion of the heart

Prayer

Soul, seek thyself in Me

"Such is the power of love, O soul,

To paint thee in my heart

No craftsman with such art

Whate'er his skill might be, could there

Thine image thus impart!

'Twas love that gave thee life—

Then, fair one, if thou be

Lost to thyself, thou'lt see

Thy portrait in my bosom stamped—

Soul, seek thyself in Me"

St. Teresa of Ávila

Prayer from the novena

Lord, in the silence of this new day, I ask you for peace, wisdom, and strength

Lord, in the silence of this new day, I ask you for peace, wisdom, and strength. Today I want to look at the world with eyes of love; Help me to be patient, understanding, humble, gentle and good. Please let me see others as you see them, that I may look past appearances, and appreciate the goodness in everyone. Close my ears to all of the gossips, and save my tongue from speaking evil of others. Please let only thoughts that bless remain in me. Today I want to be well-intended and fair, that everybody that who comes to me might feel your presence. Father, clothe me in your kindness, that throughout this day I might be a reflection of you. Amen.