Avila, Spain (Wednesday, 04/01/2015, Gaudium Press) A letter dated March 28, 2015, was sent by Pope Francis to the Bishop of Avila, Monsignor Jesús García Burillo, on the occasion of the fifth centenary the birth of Saint Teresa, stating that at the present moment “my heart is in Avila”.
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Pope Francis in this letter endorsed the celebration of 5th birth centenary of the great reformer of the Carmelite Order in the XVI century.
“It is time to walk, going on the paths of joy, of prayer, of fraternity, of time lived as a grace! Let us go on the paths of life by the hand of Saint Teresa. Her footprints lead us always to Jesus,” Pope Francis said in his letter to Bishop Burillo.
The pope added: “As the fifth centenary of her birth approaches, I turn my gaze to that city to thank God for the gift of this great woman and to encourage the faithful of the beloved Diocese of Ávila’s and all Spaniards to know the history of this famous founder, as well as to read her books that, together with her daughters in the numerous Carmelite convents spread throughout the world, continue to tell us who and how Mother Teresa was and what she can teach us, the men and women of today.”
Regarding the youth the Pope desires that the “example of Saint Teresa may instills courage into the new generations, so that their ‘soul and the spirit’ will not wrinkle.” To the saint the Pope asks her to grant us the devotion she had to St. Joseph.
And the Pope concludes his letter asking Bishop García Burillo “to pray and pray for me and for my service to the holy People of God.” The Pope also sends his blessing upon all those who will celebrate the V Centenary of Saint Teresa. (GPE / EPC)
