Posted on 07/01/2011 6:55:12 AM PDT by marshmallow
She Entered the Convent the Day Benedict XVI Was Born
GUADALAJARA, Spain, JUNE 30, 2011 (Zenit.org) - She entered the Cistercian Buenafuente del Sistal Convent the day that Joseph Ratzinger (now Benedict XVI) was born, and today Sister Teresa is 103 years old and the world's record holder for having lived the longest as a cloistered nun.
After 84 years as a cloistered nun, Sister Teresa says that the greatest gift she has received has been prayer: "Without it, one cannot sustain oneself. I never cease repeating: 'Thank you, forgive. Thank you, forgive.'"
The nun is one of 10 cloistered nuns profiled in the Spanish-language book "¿Qué hace una chica como tú en un sitio como éste?" (What's a Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This?). In the book, author Jesús Garcia brings to light the secluded world of cloistered nuns by getting to know what life is like behind the grail, and what inspired them to join.
Sister Teresa's story began as young girl living in Alava, Spain. She was known then as Valeria, and she was happy with her life on the family farm. "We were in the field from morning 'til night, working, but we were happy," she said.
The eldest of seven children, her father saw how hard Valeria and her younger sister worked and he wanted a different life for them. "Thinking nuns didn’t work, [my father] would say to my sister and me: 'Wouldn’t you like to be nuns?'" she recalls.
"I didn’t like nuns," she continued, "given how comfortable I was at home, [but] to please my father, [I] prayed to the patroness of Vitoria and asked her to give me a vocation. And did she give me one!"
Upon entering the Cistercian convent in Guadalajara, Spain, Valeria took the name Teresa. "I was afraid to enter, but the Lord helped me," she said. The sister said that she prayed to both God and St. Teresa for the courage to be committed to her new vocation.
Though Sister Teresa says that there was a time when she wondered about her contribution to society from behind the convent walls, her worries were soon put to rest: "Once, I was tempted to imagine how my life would be outside [the convent] because I felt I wasn’t contributing anything by being here."
She adds that it is a concern of many cloistered nuns. After consulting a priest about her feelings, Sister Teresa says "He told me I had a very beautiful vocation; that it’s worthwhile."
Sister Teresa says that she is very happy and does not desire anything from the outside world. "It’s a grace from God," she says. "I know that many won’t understand my way of living, but I don’t understand any other."
Wow. 84 years, that’s amazing.
}:-)4
“Though Sister Teresa says that there was a time when she wondered about her contribution to society from behind the convent walls, her worries were soon put to rest: “Once, I was tempted to imagine how my life would be outside [the convent] because I felt I wasn’t contributing anything by being here.”
She adds that it is a concern of many cloistered nuns. After consulting a priest about her feelings, Sister Teresa says “He told me I had a very beautiful vocation; that it’s worthwhile.” “
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That’s the dilemma for me when I read this, but if we were made for worship (as I believe we were), then spending one’s entire life in worship, prayer and praise is completely appropriate - but (as she notes) not for everyone. This from a non-Catholic, BTW.
Colonel, USAFR
Sad.
They radiate joy and holiness.
Some people are just set aside by God to pray for the world’s troubles and conversion, and to worship with every fiber and moment of their being.
It isn’t something I was chosen to do, but I truly delight in the others who are.
Beautiful story ping.
A life of prayer is “sad”?
Precisely so. Sister Teresa's religious vocation doesn't devalue my marriage vocation, nor the other way around. We each have our call from God.
Yes, and somewhat cowardly, if that’s all you do with the life God has given you.
We can all pray, and should, unceasingly, as we wear the armor of God and fight the good fight in this world.
We are to run a race, not run away.
Her father was a lot wiser than he might have seemed. While it is a common thing for farmers to wish a better life for their children than back breaking labor, he may have had a clearer view of where their nation was headed.
The Spain of her youth, in 1927 when she took Holy Orders, was in the declining last few years of a benevolent dictatorship, as the world headed towards the international depression and years of extremely violent chaos.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_Primo_de_Rivera
I’ve noticed that nuns tend to live very long lives. It shouldn’t be too surprising. Nuns live almost worry-free lives, don’t smoke or drink. I’m in my sixties now, and I constantly worry about my kids, my grandkids, and will I have enough money to pay my bills since I’ve retired. Nuns have everything provided for them, and have good health care provided to them.
Priests on the other hand, frequently have cancer and heart problems, and alcoholism. Many priests I’ve observed over the years do smoke and drink. They mostly tend not to live as long as nuns.
But it’s no wonder to me that nuns live to their 80s and 90s.
Luke 10:42
Liberals everywhere agree with you.
Freegards
Do you seriously suggest that Mary hid in the house her whole life?
We are called to go out into the world and shine the Light. Good thing the early disciples understood — and did — what the Savior asked.
I can’t admire someone who opted out.
Yes, it’s sad that she wasn’t called to be a blog-pimping pseudo-prophet.
You make at least two mistakes:
1 ) The same one her father made: “Thinking nuns didn’t work, [my father] would say…”
2) Prayer has no value for the world.
I have a serious of dreams from sister faustina' s prayers that have given real prophesy dreams sometimes so exact too amazing at times. Yes from a nun. All accurate. Some to the exact broadcast on tv of an event seen six months before it happen. Which was just to pray for others at times then to warn maybe.
Do yourself a favor stopping judging wrong matters. I have been holding my tongue and typing about you. If God shows to be quiet about a subject I try to obey. I do not understand this especially coming from you of all people. Also if it matters a lot of nuns do great retreats in the Lord. I know I have been there. Alot of them know the Lord better than most because they have more quiet time with theLord. They can hold us up in pray longer than most in the world. Your lack of knowledge is appalling.
I will be praying for you. I ask all good Christians to pray for this one. Praise Jesus and Hail Mary ( like the angel said)!!!!
“Where does the Bible say anything like that?”
For one, I’m not going to play the game of “Bible Only.”
That’s the invention of men in the 1600’s.
The Church has a long tradition of hermits, desert fathers, anchorites and anchoresses. In fact, the Hebrew Testament does too.
Some anecdotal “evidence” of what you saw on tv is just that, anecdotal. I have first hand experience with nuns cloistered and not.
If you are interested in the beginnings of the religious life, this link is an excellent description of the nuns, their beginnings if you read St. Justin and St. Paul.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11164a.htm
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