Alex’s Reviews > The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Ávila, Vol. 1 > Status Update

"In the last years of her life, María was afflicted with a paralysis and rheumatism and much suffering. It is said that Teresa appeared to her, comforted her and told her that this was fitting because, since she loved her so much, she wanted her to be close to her in heaven."

"Alvarez, Rodrigo. Born in Lebrija (Seville) in 1523, he entered the Society of Jesus when already a priest and over 40 years old. Before his entry into the Society he underwent imprisonment by the Inquisition in Seville, but was then set free. He later became a qualifier for this same Inquisition."

"When word reached her of his [Baltasar Alvarez'] death, she wept for over an hour and no one could console her. When asked why she was weeping that much since she was so detached from the things of the world, she replied: "I am weeping because I know what a great loss this is to the Church of God; and she then went into a rapture for two hours.""

"How right the bride of the Canticles is in saying: My Beloved is for me and I for my Beloved and my Beloved for me, for it is impossible that a love like this begin with something so lowly as is my love."

"O Jesus, how long is the life of humans, even though it is said to be short! It is short, my God, for gaining through it a life that cannot end; but it is very long for the soul that desires to come into the presence of its God."