Teresa of Avila: Episode Five

SPEAKER_1 (0:02)

Spain, 1550s. After escaping an angry mob at the convent, Teresa goes to Toledo to write her life story.

On her return trip to Avila, Teresa and her sister Maria are caught in a storm. Forced to stay at an inn, Teresa meets a remarkable young man.

SPEAKER_2 (0:30)

The Saints, Adventures of Faith and Courage. Teresa of Avila, Episode 5, Just the Beginning.

Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com.

SPEAKER_3 (1:03)

Thanks, Jomar. We're out.

We could use your help. Let's push that bench over in front of the door.

SPEAKER_4 (1:08)

Teresa is made of stone!

SPEAKER_3 (1:10)

Yes, it is. Now be the strong woman you are and push with me.

Jomar, go home. Thank you for helping move the bench, but I don't want you to get hurt.

SPEAKER_5 (1:30)

Come, hide at my estate.

SPEAKER_3 (1:32)

That might get dangerous for you.

SPEAKER_5 (1:34)

I am not leaving you to be taken to the Inquisition Tribunal by those screeching vipers.

SPEAKER_3 (1:41)

They are sisters, Jomar, not vipers.

SPEAKER_5 (1:43)

Come to my estate right now before your sisters either hurt you or turn you over to the authorities.

Here is the back gate to my estate. If I can just find the key.

SPEAKER_4 (2:03)

Can you hustle there, Jomar? They are coming this way.

How do they move the bench?

SPEAKER_3 (2:10)

The Saints, Adventures of Faith and Courage.

SPEAKER_5 (2:12)

Here's my key. Come in, girls.

SPEAKER_3 (2:31)

Good morning, dear Lord God! I thank Your Majesty for the beauty of this day, and for Yomar's kindness in hosting us in her home.

Jesus, my soul feels Your presence. What can I do to show You my love?

SPEAKER_6 (2:56)

Go to Toledo. Stay there while our new Carmelite convent dedicated to Saint Joseph is built in Avila. Secure the original rules of the Carmelite order.

My Holy Spirit will guide You.

SPEAKER_3 (3:14)

Majesty, how shall the convent in Avila be built if I am not there?

SPEAKER_6 (3:21)

Fear not. I have enlisted the help of all whom I need. This is just the beginning. Do not let anything disturb You.

Let nothing frighten You. God alone is all You need.

SPEAKER_3 (3:42)

Thank You, Majesty.

SPEAKER_5 (3:45)

There you are. Good morning, Teresa.

Enjoying the sunrise?

SPEAKER_3 (3:50)

Yes, in all its magnificence, Umar. How are you after all that...

SPEAKER_5 (3:55)

Excitement last night? I'm fine.

Oh, here is Juana. Come, have breakfast on the veranda, where we should discuss some plans.

SPEAKER_3 (4:07)

If they are the same plans the Lord just told me now...

SPEAKER_4 (4:09)

Plans? Funny you should mention. Plans came to me in the night.

SPEAKER_3 (4:14)

The Spirit of Jesus has been busy.

SPEAKER_5 (4:19)

So, there are almost 200 sisters stuffed into your convent.

SPEAKER_4 (4:24)

It is very crowded, and it makes many of them suffer melancholy.

SPEAKER_5 (4:29)

You need an additional convent. Perhaps one that is reformed.

SPEAKER_3 (4:33)

Yes, one that is reformed in prayer, in attitude, in purpose, and in dress. But most importantly, in loving and pleasing Jesus.

These would be our mandates.

SPEAKER_4 (4:46)

A couple of these mandates might keep sisters from joining us.

SPEAKER_3 (4:50)

Because they can't dress as they please or come and go as they want?

They are not living as Carmelite should. The way I used to live, without discipline. Once I realized this and began to change myself, I was able to pray more freely, without the encumbrances of worldly matters.

SPEAKER_5 (5:09)

Here is my plan.

I own property in Avila. It is yours to build on.

SPEAKER_3 (5:15)

Oh, how wonderful. Thank you, Omar.

We'd need someone to work with my sister Maria to solicit the necessary permissions from Rome. And the original rules of the Carmelite order, we'll need them.

SPEAKER_4 (5:28)

I'd be happy to be that someone.

SPEAKER_3 (5:30)

Perfect. You know Maria?

SPEAKER_4 (5:33)

Yes. She is very good at research.

And Teresa, you're going to Delay Road to live with Fr. Borgia's friend, Dona Luisa. And stay out of sight.

SPEAKER_3 (5:44)

Yes. That is what Fr. Borgia and the Lord told me to do, to write my life story so he can present it to the Inquisition.

SPEAKER_5 (5:51)

Fr. Borgia is a great man. If he ordered it, do not let any of this bother you.

SPEAKER_3 (5:57)

I love how you said that. Jesus has told me, Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you.

Jesus' loving message overwhelms me still. God alone is all you need.

SPEAKER_5 (6:11)

Thank you for sharing that, dear. I'll try to remember that myself.

So, who will be the patron saint of your new convent?