Quote of the day, 29 November: St. Teresa of the Andes

J.M..J.T. Pax Christi 

[28 or 29 November 1919]

Dear Chubby: May Jesus be born in your soul.

Although it is already late, I don’t want to stop writing you these lines, to thank you for your charity on behalf of my Little Mother [the Prioress] and Sisters. Tomorrow, since we are entering Advent, I won’t be able to write anymore and I just want to tell you that you’ve made me happy, seeing that you love Jesus and this month you’ve received Communion daily.

Get ready for Christmas. Think every day of Jesus who, being God eternal, is born like a tender Child; being all-powerful, He is born in poverty, with nothing to shelter Himself from the cold. He needs his Mother to live, and He is Life. I’m sending you a list so that you can prepare a layette for Jesus and, when you write, tell me if you did it.

• Little shirts to keep him warm: five daily acts of love and the desire to receive him in Communion. “My Jesus, come into my poor heart, which only desires to beat for You.”
• Swaddle blankets to wrap his little feet: since he can’t walk, you will be charitable to everyone, sacrificing and giving up your comfort.
• Colic bands to hold him tight: you won’t fuss when they send you something that you don’t like, but do what they say.
• Baby cap: study and do everything for Jesus, thinking about His love.
• Manger: don’t slack off in bed; go to Mass and receive Communion.
• Straw: doing some small act, like depriving yourself of sweets or eating something you don’t like.

Do everything for the love of Jesus. Show Eli the layette [list], so that she can make another one.

Goodbye. I will pray for everything you tell me. After Easter I will answer you at length. Your unworthy Carmelite sends you a hug.

Teresa of Jesus, Carmelite

Saint Teresa of the Andes

Letter 152 to her cousin Herminia Valdés Ossa

Translation from the Spanish text is the blogger’s own work product and may not be reproduced without permission.