A supporter of Teresa

We celebrate the feast day today of a man who was an important friend of St Teresa – St Francis Borgia SJ (1510-1572). A college of the Society of Jesus had been started in Avila and this delighted Teresa, who had the greatest admiration for the new order.  She consulted with Fr. Juan de Prádanos at a time when she was troubled by worry about whether her mystical states were a gift of God, and Fr Juan reassured her on this score, advising her to continue on her path. He only found it necessary that she make herself worthy of the favours she had received by means of strict mortifications.   When St. Francis Borgia visited the Jesuit college, Fr. Prádanos asked him to speak with Teresa. She herself writes about this:  ‘At that time Father Francis [St. 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…. 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 (Life 24:3).’

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Theresa K, Fr Jon B

Siena, Elara – sick children

Matthew – six-year old boy dying of bladder cancer

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith OCDS – seriously ill

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

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness

 Defence of the unborn and the elderly

 RIP Martin Gilham, Sue Burton