4 Carmelite Saints Draw Us to the Eucharist

Of course, I admit to a certain prejudice since, like the author, I am a Carmelite Tertiary, but these include some of my favourite Saints! 

From Aleteia

By Annabelle Moseley, STD, TOCarm

These four Carmelite nuns give us words to contemplate as we prepare to receive Jesus and give thanks for the gift of his Presence.

The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16 is held as the day Our Lady gave the Carmelite Brown Scapular to St. Simon Stock. It is a wonderful day to go to Mass and receive the Eucharist in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. We can also celebrate this beautiful feast day by looking to the wisdom of great Carmelite saints who each have something to teach about love of the Eucharist.

1TERESA OF AVILA

The great Carmelite Reformer, St. Teresa of Avila, brought a new infusion of holiness into the Carmelite order through her ardent prayers and brilliant writings. This Doctor of the Church spoke these great words of wisdom on the power of the Eucharist:   

“Be with Him willingly; don’t lose so good an occasion for conversing with Him as is the hour after having received Communion … If you immediately turn your thoughts to other things, if you pay no attention and take no account of the fact that He is within you, how will He be able to reveal Himself to you? This, then, is a good time for our Master to teach us, and for us to listen to Him.”

What a great reminder to spend time in prayer with our Eucharistic Lord even after Mass has ended.

St. Teresa of Avila also said:

“Why doubt, if we have faith, that miracles will be worked while He is within us and that He will give what we ask of Him, since He is in our house? His Majesty is not accustomed to paying poorly for His lodging if the hospitality is good.”

2TERESA OF JESUS OF THE ANDES

St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes was a Chilean Carmelite nun who died at only 20 years old just a few days after she was given permission to make her final vows. Her writings are filled with wisdom and holiness. She spoke these words about the Eucharist: 

“… receive Communion with fervor. May Jesus find in your souls a haven where He may rest. Prepare yourselves well by considering Who it is that you are about to receive. It is God Himself ... How I’d love to help you understand … what it is like to receive Communion here in Carmel! For a Carmelite, Communion is heaven; and Communion should be the same for every believing soul.”

St. Theresa of the Andes also taught:

“Try every morning, when you have the joy of receiving Communion, to ask Our Lord to remain with you all day in your soul. In this way you will live with, and immersed in, God.”

3ST. MARY MAGDALENE OF THE INCARNATE WORD DE PAZZI

St. Mary Magdalene of the Incarnate Word de Pazzi was an Italian Carmelite nun and mystic who led a hidden life of prayer and self-denial, praying particularly for the renewal of the Church and encouraging the sisters in holiness. She often went into ecstasy after receiving the Eucharist. Her life was marked by many extraordinary graces. 

She teaches how we ought to pray upon receiving the Eucharist:

“Prayer ought to be humble, fervent, resigned, persevering, and accompanied with great reverence. One should consider that he stands in the presence of God, and speaks with the Lord before whom the angels tremble from awe and fear.”

St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi also taught:

“What scant respect we have for the One before Whom the seraphim cover themselves with their wings, prostrating themselves before Him. And He bears it all in silence, remaining without splendor, hidden beneath the bread, that He may live in the midst of those He created. Oh, how good He is! What infinite love He has! Why aren’t we crazy with love for Him?” 

How do we show we are crazy in love with Him? Each of us is called to discern how to better show God more perfect love … beyond what is casual, comfortable, and easy.

4ST. ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY

St. Elizabeth of the Trinity was a French Carmelite mystic and spiritual writer who was recently canonized in 2016. Her words of welcome to God are abundantly fitting to pray upon receiving the Eucharist:

“Make my soul … Your cherished dwelling place, Your home of rest. Let me never leave You there alone, but keep me there all absorbed in You, in living faith, adoring You.” 

All Carmelite saints, pray for us!