I Was Born For You

I Was Born For You - Official Website For The Preparation of the 5th Centenary of the Birth of

St Teresa of Jesus

(1515 - 2015)

In preparation for the 5th Centenary of the birth of our Holy Mother, St Teresa of Jesus, all Discalced Carmelites have been asked to join together in studying her writings. To assist us, the website I Was Born For You, has been created. The website contains many helps such as study guides for the book that is currently being studied, a weekly letter about a Teresian subject, and other resources.
Why have we been asked to do these readings? In the document I was Born for You, which lays out the directives for this preparation, it states that "direct contact with her writings, read in a meditative way, will enable us to share the human and spiritual adventure which she herself lived and which she holds out to us. We want to wake up again to her spirit, take hold of her wisdom, approaching her writings with a listening ear, as disciples and sons, so that our lives and our service of the Church and the world will be shaped afresh by her charism. We want to get in touch with her message as a source of hope in our human, Christian and Carmelite lives ." P. Saverio Cannistra,Fr. General OCD, wrote that " ...In every page, in every line of her writing, Teresa invites us to follow her in her journey toward the risen crucified One. She repeats to us that Jesus Christ is living, with a life that is offered and given to whomsoever wishes to receive it.... May Teresa teach us to find once again our freedom in handing ourselves over to the One who wants us to be truly free!"

So please check out the website, I Was Born For You, and join us in reading her writings.

The schedule for the five year study is as follows:

2009 to 2010 The Book of Her Life
2010 to 2011 Way of Perfection
2011 to 2012 Foundations
2012 to 2013 Interior Castle
2013 to 2014 Spiritual Testimonies, Poetry, Letters

One last thing...

Why the phrase "I was born for you?" Read the following and you will see...

IN THE HANDS OF GOD

by St Teresa of Avila

I am Yours and born for You,

What do You want of me?

Majestic Sovereign,

Unending wisdom,

Kindness pleasing to my soul;

God sublime, one Being Good,

Behold this one so vile.

Singing of her love to you:

What do You want of me?

Yours, you made me,

Yours, you saved me,

Yours, you endured me,

Yours, you called me,

Yours, you awaited me,

Yours, I did not stray.

What do You want of me?

Good Lord, what do you want of me,

What is this wretch to do?

What work is this,

This sinful slave, to do?

Look at me, Sweet Love,

Sweet Love, look at me,

What do You want of me?

In Your hand

I place my heart,

Body, life and soul,

Deep feelings and affections mine,

Spouse -- Redeemer sweet,

Myself offered now to you,

What do You want of me?

Give me death, give me life,

Health or sickness,

Honor or shame,

War or swelling peace,

Weakness or full strength,

Yes, to these I say,

What do You want of me?

Give me wealth or want,

Delight or distress,

Happiness or gloominess,

Heaven or hell,

Sweet life, sun unveiled,

To you I give all.

What do You want of me?

Give me, if You will,prayer;

Or let me know dryness,

And abundance of devotion,

Or if not, then barrenness.

In you alone, Sovereign Majesty,

I find my peace,

What do You want of me?

Give me then wisdom.

Or for love, ignorance,

Years of abundance,

Or hunger and famine.

Darkness or sunlight,

Move me here or there:

What do You want of me?

If You want me to rest,

I desire it for love;

If to labor,

I will die working:

Sweet Love say

Where, how and when.

What do You want of me?

Calvary or Tabor give me,

Desert or fruitful land;

As Job in suffering

Or John at Your breast;

Barren or fruited vine,

Whatever be Your will:

What do You want of me?

Be I Joseph chained

Or as Egypt's governor,

David pained

Or exalted high,

Jonas drowned,

Or Jonas freed:

What do You want of me?

Silent or speaking,

Fruitbearing or barren,

My wounds shown by the Law,

Rejoicing in the tender Gospel;

Sorrowing or exulting,

You alone live in me:

What do You want of me?

Yours I am, for You I was born:

What do You want of me?