Quote of the day, 29 January: St. John Paul II

Blessed, joyful, happy is the person who has made the evangelical virtues the center of her life and has lived them with heroic intensity. In this way [Teresa of the Andes] our new Blessed, having put the beatitudes into practice, incarnated in her life the most perfect example of holiness, Christ Himself.

In effect, Teresa of the Andes irradiates the joy of those who are poor in spirit, meek and humble of heart, of those who suffer in silence, for this is how God purifies and sanctifies his chosen ones.

She hungers and thirsts for justice, she loves God intensely and wants Him to be loved and known by all. In her complete immolation, God made her have compassion for priests and the conversion of sinners.

Peaceful and reconciling, she shows understanding and dialogues with all around her. Her life above all reflects the beatitude of purity of heart. In effect, she surrenders her life totally to Christ and Jesus opened her eyes to the contemplation of his mysteries.

What is more, God allowed her here on earth to experience the joy and happiness of union with God in the service of her neighbor.

This is her message: only in God can one find happiness; God alone is infinite joy.

Saint John Paul II

Homily, Mass of Beatification of Teresa of the Andes (excerpt)
Santiago de Chile, Friday 3 April 1987

Griffin, M D & Teresa of the Andes, S 2021, God, The Joy of My Life: A Biography of Saint Teresa of the Andes With the Saint’s Spiritual Diary, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: St. John Paul II waves farewell to the pilgrims assembled in Parque O’Higgins at the conclusion of the Mass of Beatification of Teresa of the Andes, 3 April 1987. Image credit: Discalced Carmelites