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God Is Love
St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart was born into a large devout family in Arezzo, Italy in 1747. From the earliest days of her childhood, Anna Maria was filled with a deep love of God, questioning the adults around her as to 'Who is God'?
The cornerstone of St. Teresa Margaret's spirituality was to remain hidden, to appear just like everyone else in spite of her heroic virtue. To our loss, she has remained very much hidden even after her death. Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen commented, 'This is an odd fact, for we do not hesitate to rank her among the primary figures who represent the glory of Carmel among Teresa of Jesus, John of the Cross, and Therese of the Child Jesus.'
Though St. Teresa Margaret led a life of exquisite holiness and purity, it was also a life that is wholly imitable. In her were combined Martha and Mary as she served her community as infirmarian while reaching the heights of contemplation. No one will come away from the pages of this book without his or her own spirit being renewed and reinvigorated. Already she was dissatisfied with answers given her. Only the contemplative life of a Carmelite nun could begin to quench her thirst to know and give herself completely to God. Her entire life was driven by the desire to 'return love for love.' She entered the Carmelite convent in Florence at the age of seventeen, advanced rapidly in holiness, and died an extraordinary death at twenty-two. Her spiritual director reflecting on her death remarked, 'She could not have lived very much longer, so great was the strength of the love of God in her.'
The cornerstone of St. Teresa Margaret's spirituality was to remain hidden, to appear just like everyone else in spite of her heroic virtue. To our loss, she has remained very much hidden even after her death. Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen commented, "This is an odd fact, for we do not hesitate to rank her among the primary figures who represent the glory of Carmel among Teresa of Jesus, John of the Cross, and Thérèse of the Child Jesus."
Though St. Teresa Margaret led a life of exquisite holiness and purity, it was also a life that is wholly imitable. In her were combined Martha and Mary as she served her community as infirmarian while reaching the heights of contemplation. No one will come away from the pages of this book without his or her own spirit being renewed and reinvigorated.
[preface, ix] The preparation of this edition did not bring extensive changes to the engaging narrative of Margaret Rowe. Typographical errors were corrected; and some spelling changes were introduced into the original text. Accompanying it now are a useful chronology of the saint's life and chapter headings that ensure easier reading of the whole.
The cornerstone of St. Teresa Margaret's spirituality was to remain hidden, to appear just like everyone else in spite of her heroic virtue. To our loss, she has remained very much hidden even after her death. Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen commented, 'This is an odd fact, for we do not hesitate to rank her among the primary figures who represent the glory of Carmel among Teresa of Jesus, John of the Cross, and Therese of the Child Jesus.'
Though St. Teresa Margaret led a life of exquisite holiness and purity, it was also a life that is wholly imitable. In her were combined Martha and Mary as she served her community as infirmarian while reaching the heights of contemplation. No one will come away from the pages of this book without his or her own spirit being renewed and reinvigorated. Already she was dissatisfied with answers given her. Only the contemplative life of a Carmelite nun could begin to quench her thirst to know and give herself completely to God. Her entire life was driven by the desire to 'return love for love.' She entered the Carmelite convent in Florence at the age of seventeen, advanced rapidly in holiness, and died an extraordinary death at twenty-two. Her spiritual director reflecting on her death remarked, 'She could not have lived very much longer, so great was the strength of the love of God in her.'
The cornerstone of St. Teresa Margaret's spirituality was to remain hidden, to appear just like everyone else in spite of her heroic virtue. To our loss, she has remained very much hidden even after her death. Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen commented, "This is an odd fact, for we do not hesitate to rank her among the primary figures who represent the glory of Carmel among Teresa of Jesus, John of the Cross, and Thérèse of the Child Jesus."
Though St. Teresa Margaret led a life of exquisite holiness and purity, it was also a life that is wholly imitable. In her were combined Martha and Mary as she served her community as infirmarian while reaching the heights of contemplation. No one will come away from the pages of this book without his or her own spirit being renewed and reinvigorated.
[preface, ix] The preparation of this edition did not bring extensive changes to the engaging narrative of Margaret Rowe. Typographical errors were corrected; and some spelling changes were introduced into the original text. Accompanying it now are a useful chronology of the saint's life and chapter headings that ensure easier reading of the whole.
- GenresReligion
276 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1964
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 12, 2020
This tells the story of Anna Maria Redi, who was born to a large noble family in Arezzo, Italy, the second child of Count Ignazio Maria Redi and Camilla Billet—born in 1747. I was quickly enthralled reading her story as it initially dives into her childhood and young adult years.
Early on, she might be described as spiritual precocious, that she took her faith very seriously and had her eyes set on Jesus. Still, for her time and place, she had a fairly normal childhood enjoying herself with friends and family. At the age of nine, she went to St. Apollonia in Florence, a Benedictine boarding school. By the time she left there, it would seem that her teachers expected that she might join them.
She had a very close relationship with her father, Sir Ignazio. He seems to have been an exceptionally devout man with a deep prayer life. Much of the descriptions about the two of them reminded me of St. Therese and St. Louis Martin. Like St. Louis Martin, he was open to God's plans for Anna Maria, even if it was to lead to their separation.
Towards the end of her schooling, after a chance encounter with a schoolmate, she felt she received a message from St. Teresa of Avila that she would become a Discalced Carmelite.
Reading through this book, time and time again, I was surprised that I had never even heard of this saint. So much is intriguing about her life and her four short years as a Carmelite before her death. Her devotion to the Sacred of Heart of Jesus, which she shared with her father. She took on the name Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart in honor St. Teresa of Avila and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. The depth of her love for the Eucharist and each person of the Blessed Trinity. Her efforts of giving all herself to Jesus. The hiddenness of her life as she performed all her duties while advancing in the transforming union.
Her life was hidden and she left behind no writings. That might be part of the reason she is lesser-known than St. Therese.
The author does an excellent job detailing this story in describing her struggles and her spiritual life. Deftly explaining the spiritual life and giving insights into this. Time and time again, there was much for me to reflect and think upon. This story moved me very much. The role of her main spiritual director was also vital in shaping her. He was able to guide her during her dark night and encourage her. Much of what we know about her came via his testimony about her.
An excellent book. I so enjoyed the stories included: stories that made me laugh and ones leading me to reflection.
Early on, she might be described as spiritual precocious, that she took her faith very seriously and had her eyes set on Jesus. Still, for her time and place, she had a fairly normal childhood enjoying herself with friends and family. At the age of nine, she went to St. Apollonia in Florence, a Benedictine boarding school. By the time she left there, it would seem that her teachers expected that she might join them.
She had a very close relationship with her father, Sir Ignazio. He seems to have been an exceptionally devout man with a deep prayer life. Much of the descriptions about the two of them reminded me of St. Therese and St. Louis Martin. Like St. Louis Martin, he was open to God's plans for Anna Maria, even if it was to lead to their separation.
Towards the end of her schooling, after a chance encounter with a schoolmate, she felt she received a message from St. Teresa of Avila that she would become a Discalced Carmelite.
Reading through this book, time and time again, I was surprised that I had never even heard of this saint. So much is intriguing about her life and her four short years as a Carmelite before her death. Her devotion to the Sacred of Heart of Jesus, which she shared with her father. She took on the name Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart in honor St. Teresa of Avila and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. The depth of her love for the Eucharist and each person of the Blessed Trinity. Her efforts of giving all herself to Jesus. The hiddenness of her life as she performed all her duties while advancing in the transforming union.
Her life was hidden and she left behind no writings. That might be part of the reason she is lesser-known than St. Therese.
The author does an excellent job detailing this story in describing her struggles and her spiritual life. Deftly explaining the spiritual life and giving insights into this. Time and time again, there was much for me to reflect and think upon. This story moved me very much. The role of her main spiritual director was also vital in shaping her. He was able to guide her during her dark night and encourage her. Much of what we know about her came via his testimony about her.
An excellent book. I so enjoyed the stories included: stories that made me laugh and ones leading me to reflection.
June 11, 2017
First and most importantly: Amazon and Goodreads both have this book linked to the wrong Margaret Rowe. The author of this book is NOT the same Margaret Rowe who writes porn. This is an old book which has been re-printed.
That being said there were some minor inaccuracies in the book, too much feminism, and a lot of pontificating - especially in the later chapters.
I find nothing more irritating in a biography than the author expounding his/her own doctrine of the spiritual life. If one wants to write that, make it a separate book. In this case I felt like I didn't learn enough about Teresa, but a whole lot about Margaret Rowe.
Lastly, the book doesn't keep a consistent timeline, but jumps all over the place. It's difficult to tell in what order the events of her life actually took place, at least insofar as they are laid out in this book.
St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart is an amazing saint, but this is one of the poorer biographies I've read. There are multiple others written on her life however, quite thankfully.
I do NOT recommend this book from ICS. It was a major disappointment. The only reason it gets 3 stars is the subject matter and the direct quotes.
That being said there were some minor inaccuracies in the book, too much feminism, and a lot of pontificating - especially in the later chapters.
I find nothing more irritating in a biography than the author expounding his/her own doctrine of the spiritual life. If one wants to write that, make it a separate book. In this case I felt like I didn't learn enough about Teresa, but a whole lot about Margaret Rowe.
Lastly, the book doesn't keep a consistent timeline, but jumps all over the place. It's difficult to tell in what order the events of her life actually took place, at least insofar as they are laid out in this book.
St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart is an amazing saint, but this is one of the poorer biographies I've read. There are multiple others written on her life however, quite thankfully.
I do NOT recommend this book from ICS. It was a major disappointment. The only reason it gets 3 stars is the subject matter and the direct quotes.
January 27, 2020
A bit slow moving but a good overview of the saint's life.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews