A Helper at a Time of Need

Carmelites should feel most indebted to the Spanish priest St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572, feast day today), for St Teresa herself tells us what a help he was to her in her spiritual journey. ‘For almost two months I was trying to resist with all my might the gifts and favours of God.  In resisting these consolations and favours of God, I gained by learning something from His Majesty. For in the past I had thought that to receive favours in prayer much seclusion was necessary, and I hardly dared to stir. Afterward I saw how little such effort mattered.  I started again to love the most sacred humanity. Prayer began to take shape as an edifice that now had a foundation; I grew fond of more penance, for I had been negligent on account of the severity of my illnesses.  At that time Father Francis [Saint Francis Borgia] came to this place. He had been the Duke of Gandía, and some years before had given up all and entered the Society of Jesus. My confessor [Father Diego de Cetina, S.J., St. Teresa’s first Jesuit confessor], and the gentleman I also mentioned who came to me [Don Francisco de Salcedo, who became one of Teresa’s closest friends], arranged that I might speak with him and give him an account of my prayer because I knew that he was advancing in the favours and gifts of God. Since he was one who had abandoned many things for Him, God repaid him even in this life.  Well, after he had heard me, he told me that my experience was from the Spirit of God and that it seemed to him it would no longer be good to resist, but that up to this time it had been all right, and that I should always begin prayer with an event from the Passion, but that if afterward the Lord should carry away the spirit I ought not resist Him but let His Majesty bear it away—and not strive to do so myself. As one who was well advanced, he gave the medicine and the counsel, for experience in this matter is very important. He said it would be a mistake to resist any longer.  I was left greatly consoled.’ [Life, ch. 24]

Intercessions

RIP Chinaka, Jacqui

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Theresa K, Elena

Sophie – newborn having heart surgery; Sianna, young child in the post-operative phase

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (in recovery)

Illness:  Katy Keeling, Noreen

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Mark – brain infection

Michael, Kira – vulnerable youngsters

Defence of the unborn and the elderly