LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg.
The Teresian Association in Luxembourg has begun a process of preparation for the 5th Centenary of the birth of St. Teresa of Jesus, which will be celebrated next year. This process started in Avila with an encounter this past February 7-8, under the title of “Teresa of Avila: Friendship and prayer, a love story.”
According to the organizers, "the message (of Teresa) is very relevant for the laity who seek to live their faith in the world today."
Fr. Antony Joseph Pinelli, OCD, French Carmelite was asked to be part of this encounter. Initially he developed the theme "Teresa of Avila, a woman of relationships." He placed the figure of Saint Teresa within the history of the sixteenth century and presented a systematic description of her human and spiritual journey. "A woman with a great capacity for human relationships; these returned back to her an image of herself that she liked," said Fr. Antony Joseph Pinelli. He continued saying that "during Lent in 1554 she had a spiritual encounter with Christ that led her to grow in love for God, to forget herself, and to live free and ‘proper’ relationships with others." "Later, her prayer took on an apostolic dimension, concerned with the unity of the Church and its missionary vocation," he said.
The second day was devoted to prayer. Fr. Antony Joseph led an experience of contemplative prayer. He focused on the fourth and fifth mansions of the Interior Castle of Saint Teresa. In the afternoon of that day the theme was "A journey of friendship with Christ and attitudes during prayer."
The idea of the relationship with God and the relationship with others as inseparable realities was part of every presentation. The encounter concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist, using the texts of the Mass of October 15, the feast of Saint Teresa of Avila.
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Information by: Milly Hellers and Juany Rodríguez, from Luxemburgo