For a Carmelite, Communion is heaven; and she should receive it with her whole believing soul…! And to think that we go to Communion without the least affection of love! Jesus comes filled with infinite love, and we receive Him coldly and are only concerned about making our petitions, without adoring Him, without weeping in gratitude at His divine feet.
Saint Teresa of Jesus of Los Andes
Letter 151
Griffin, M, Teresa de los Andes, S 1991, Testimonies to Blessed Teresa of Jesus of the Andes, translated from the Spanish by Griffin, M, Teresian Charism Press, Washington DC.
About the photo: On 23rd March 2015 the Prior General of the Carmelite Order, the Most Rev. Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., visited the monastery of Discalced Carmelite nuns at Thicket Priory near York, along with his Councillor General for Europe, the Very Rev. Fr. John Keating. The Prior General celebrated Mass with the nuns, and enjoyed a chat over coffee.
© Johan Bergström-Allen / www.carmelite.org
I love this St Teresa! Yes, mea maxima culpa. But I have no doubt that, when I am eventually permitted to receive Jesus, I will be sobbing my little heart out in joy and relief and gratitude.