Celebrations
“I will make your name renowned through all generations;
thus nations shall praise you forever.”
– Psalm 45:18
Official Website
“Para Vos Naci” is Spanish for “I was Born for You” – a website our Order dedicated for the 5th centenary of the birth of our founding Mother St. Teresa; an invitation to the world to know her better. In this website one finds news, music, blogs and even virtual tours of the quintessential Teresian places.
www.paravosnaci.com
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The V Foundation
The V Foundation is a non-profit institution that manages the activities to commemorate the 5th centenary of the birth of St. Teresa of Jesus. It has information on a special celebration - The “Path of Light” that involves 29 countries.
The idea of life being a journey, as on a pilgrimage, even as a "mission" is closely linked to the life and memory of St. Teresa. Her restless, enterprising, creative and search for faith and truth spirit has spread worldwide. This project is a recognition and tribute to this particular aspect of the life of St. Teresa. It is a way to symbolically begin the 5th centenary celebration.
This project seeks to unite people of different races and cultures all over the world and highlights the universal spirit of both Teresa and the 5th centenary celebration.
The “Path of Light" departs from Avila on October 15, 2014, the date of her liturgical feast and travels around the world to visit the Teresian locations on five continents - Europe, Asia, America, Africa and Oceania - and ends at Avila on March 28, 2015, the date and place of her birth. It is held by the 17 Teresian foundations she founded.
Accompanying this journey is a very significant relic, the staff of St. Teresa. This project and the choice of the relic aim to invite everyone to keep walking with Teresa - echoing Pope Francis’ heed to follow the four paths of St. Teresa on Joy, Prayer, Fraternity and Time. This relic will allow St. Teresa to be present in the five continents. Also on this journey is a specially designed lantern symbolizing her carrying the light to the world.
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Conference in Toronto, Canada
The Discalced Carmelite Secular Order of Canada and The Centre for Teresian Carmelite Education and Spirituality are sponsoring a special 5th centenary celebration from October 16th to 18th, 2015, “St. Teresa of Jesus – Witness of Gospel Joy – Master of Divine Intimacy” in the Seventh Congress of the Discalced Carmelite Secular Order of Canada. More information may be obtained from the website: www.ocds.ca and by email to: secretariat.ocds.ca@sympatico.ca
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Virtual Choir
"Nada Te Turbe" (in English: “Let Nothing Disturb You”) is one of two virtual choirs produced for St. Teresa’s 5th centenary birthday celebration. The choir is made up of Carmelite Nuns and Seculars from around the world and is accompanied by the Teresian Orchestra of St. James Cathedral in Seattle, Washington, USA. Music was composed by Claire Sokol, OCD.
“Let Nothing Disturb You” is the famous Bookmark of St. Teresa. The verses were found in her own distinctive handwriting in her Breviary after her death. Though she was aflame with mystical love for God, she was practical and well grounded in common sense. In English translation:
Let nothing disturb you;
Let nothing frighten you.
All things are passing.
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Nothing is wanting to him
who possesses God.
God alone suffices.
"Salve Regina" (In English “Hail! Holy Queen”) is the other virtual choir produced for St. Teresa’s 5th centenary birthday celebration. This virtual choir is made up of Carmelite Nuns and Friars from around the world and highlights the internationality and diversity of the Carmelite Order. Music was composed by Claire Sokol, OCD. Per the composer, this hymn “leads us in prayer and contemplation to the Heart of her Son, Jesus.”
In English translation:
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy,
Our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy towards us.
And after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Information of other celebrations in North America can be found in the website – A celebration of the Creative Spiritual Genius of St. Teresa of Avila Today
www.stj500westernus.com
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Teresian Jubilee Year’s Inaugural Mass
at Avila, St. Teresa’s birthplace on October 15, 2014
A Summary Video produced by the Diocese of Avila
Pope Francis granted the grace of a “Teresian Jubilee Year” for all the dioceses of Spain, beginning on the 15th of October 2014 and ending on the 15th of October, 2015, with a view to celebrating this 5th centenary in the most solemn manner.
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Pope Francis’ Message to Bishop of Avila on St. Teresa's Feast – October 15, 2014
This video is from Vatican Radio on the Pope’s message of the perennial relevance of St. Teresa of Avila to the world today:
www.news.va/en/news/pope-the-perennial-relevance-of-st-teresa-of-avila
Our Pope writes that in the school of St. Teresa, “The image of The Way synthesize very well the lesson of her life and of her work. She understood her life as a journey of perfection by which God leads man….to Him and…to men.” Pope Francis proposes 4 paths walked by the Saint for us to follow in her footprints: the path of Joy, of Prayer, of Fraternity and of Time itself. The text of the Pope’s message is in the following link:
www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-message-to-bishop-of-avila-on-st-teresa-s-feast
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The Carmelite Institute’s North America website: CarmelStream also has a lot of information on St. Teresa’s 5th centenary celebration of her birth. The Carmelite Institute is a collaborative effort of the Carmelites of the United States and Canada. Its mission is to promote the following of Jesus Christ through studies in the Carmelite tradition and by making the tradition available to our Carmelite brothers and sisters, as well as to all those interested in the spiritual life.
www.carmelstream.org/500th-anniversary-of-teresa-of-avila