HOW POOR UNDERSTANDING IS THAT OF THOSE WHO WANT A POPE WHO ADAPTS TO THE WINDS OF THE WORLD. LETTER FROM SAINT TERESA OF AVILA TO A PRIEST, ON THE CONCLAVE

The grace of the Holy Spirit be with you, my son in the Lord:

I read yours with tears, not of sadness, but of love and compassion, because I see how much your heart aches for the Holy Church, and how eager you are to please Her Majesty in this time that seems so dark. And if the See of Saint Peter is empty and the world seems out of control, believe, my son, that the hand of God has not been lost, even though men do not see it.

You ask me what to do in this hour when the boat seems rudderless, and everyone talks and few pray.  For I tell you in truth that the best service you can now render to the Church is to become a living prayer, a wall of supplication, a sentinel of hope.

This is not a time for much talk, but for much suffering. Not for agitation, but for recollection. And if the whole world is shaken and even the good are troubled, what shall we who love Jesus Christ do? Stand firm beside the cross, like the Most Holy Virgin and Saint John, and not move from there.

Pray, my son. Offer the Holy Sacrifice with all your soul, for with each of your Masses Heaven bows to earth. Offer every hour of your day for those who will elect the new Shepherd. And do not ask that it be according to your own taste, but according to the Heart of Christ.

You tell me that many want a Pope who adapts to the winds of the world. Oh, how weak is that understanding!  We must not love the one who pleases, but the one who guides, even if it hurts. The one who teaches, even if he rebukes. The one who is all for God, even if it costs him his blood.

And you, what must you do? Keep the faith, live in charity, do not give in on small things, do not stop praying even for a single day, even if your soul is as dry as a log. For it is in these dry times that true love is tested.

Do not be alarmed if only a few of you persevere. You know that the Lord does not look at numbers, but at faithfulness. And if the whole boat seems about to capsize, be assured that Christ is asleep in the hold, and in due time he will awaken.

Let your prayer be tireless. Let your silence be full of faith. Let your life be so holy that it can sustain many who are faltering.

And do not cease to love the Church, even if you see her wounded.  What a mother she is, and a holy mother, even though her hands are bruised by the sins of her children.

Take courage, my son, and pray.

May you, when the new Peter takes the helm, be vigilant, with your lamp lit.

May Her Majesty guard you and make you all Hers,

Teresa of Jesus, Discalced Nun of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, unworthy daughter of the Church and servant of Your Paternity.

HOW POOR UNDERSTANDING IS THAT OF THOSE WHO WANT A POPE WHO ADAPTS TO THE WINDS OF THE WORLD. LETTER FROM SAINT TERESA OF AVILA TO A PRIEST, ON THE CONCLAVE

The grace of the Holy Spirit be with you, my son in the Lord:

I read yours with tears, not of sadness, but of love and compassion, because I see how much your heart aches for the Holy Church, and how eager you are to please Her Majesty in this time that seems so dark. And if the See of Saint Peter is empty and the world seems out of control, believe, my son, that the hand of God has not been lost, even though men do not see it.

You ask me what to do in this hour when the boat seems rudderless, and everyone talks and few pray.  For I tell you in truth that the best service you can now render to the Church is to become a living prayer, a wall of supplication, a sentinel of hope.

This is not a time for much talk, but for much suffering. Not for agitation, but for recollection. And if the whole world is shaken and even the good are troubled, what shall we who love Jesus Christ do? Stand firm beside the cross, like the Most Holy Virgin and Saint John, and not move from there.

Pray, my son. Offer the Holy Sacrifice with all your soul, for with each of your Masses Heaven bows to earth. Offer every hour of your day for those who will elect the new Shepherd. And do not ask that it be according to your own taste, but according to the Heart of Christ.

You tell me that many want a Pope who adapts to the winds of the world. Oh, how weak is that understanding!  We must not love the one who pleases, but the one who guides, even if it hurts. The one who teaches, even if he rebukes. The one who is all for God, even if it costs him his blood.

And you, what must you do? Keep the faith, live in charity, do not give in on small things, do not stop praying even for a single day, even if your soul is as dry as a log. For it is in these dry times that true love is tested.

Do not be alarmed if only a few of you persevere. You know that the Lord does not look at numbers, but at faithfulness. And if the whole boat seems about to capsize, be assured that Christ is asleep in the hold, and in due time he will awaken.

Let your prayer be tireless. Let your silence be full of faith. Let your life be so holy that it can sustain many who are faltering.

And do not cease to love the Church, even if you see her wounded.  What a mother she is, and a holy mother, even though her hands are bruised by the sins of her children.

Take courage, my son, and pray.

May you, when the new Peter takes the helm, be vigilant, with your lamp lit.

May Her Majesty guard you and make you all Hers,

Teresa of Jesus, Discalced Nun of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, unworthy daughter of the Church and servant of Your Paternity.