Some of my favourite saints have their feast in October. Among them is St Teresa of Avila (1515 – 1582), the great Spanish Carmelite mystic, writer, founder, reformer and Doctor (i.e. teacher) of the Church.
This famous prayer or thought was found after St. Teresa’s death on a prayer card in her breviary (prayer-book). As one commentator said, it is “perfect in times of distress or anxiety. It puts into perspective life’s meaning: that we are here for God, and that this life and its sufferings will pass. St. Teresa’s message is clear: Do not distress. Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope. God is always with you, and He alone will satisfy you.”
Nada te turbe,
nada te espante,
todo se pasa;
Dios no se muda.
La paciencia
todo lo alcanza;
Quien a Dios tiene,
nada le falta;
Solo Dios basta.
rough modern translation:
Let nothing disturb you, nothing surprise you,
all things pass; God does not change.
Patience wins everything;
whoever holds onto God lacks nothing;
God alone is enough.
a more poetic & old-fashioned translation by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)
Let nothing disturb thee, Nothing affright thee;
All things are passing; God never changeth;
Patient endurance Attaineth to all things;
Who God possesseth In nothing is wanting;
Alone God sufficeth.
