God the Joy of My Life: A Biography of Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes

by Michael D. Griffin, Saint Teresa of the Andes

Teresa of Jesus of the Andes was the first Chilean saint when she was canonized in 1993 by Pope St. John Paul II. In 1919, she entered the Discalced Carmelites of Santiago at age eighteen and died only eleven months later. An inspiration to young people, she lived a vibrant social life amidst school, sports, music, and friends, all the while being completely devoted to her faith.

This volume, first published in 1989, contains both a biography written by Father Michael Griffin, O.C.D., and his translation of the saint's personal diary. Father Griffin's biography captures the whole of St. Teresa's life, including her spiritual development up until her early death as a young nun. Her personal diary shows a young woman striving after holiness and a deep relationship with God. Also included are a full chronology of her life and the two homilies of Pope St. John Paul II given at her beatification and canonization.

This book is a reprint of the 1993 edition by Teresian Charism Press.

About the Author

Fr. Michael D. Griffin, O.C.D., (1924–2016) was born in Philadelphia, Pa., and entered the Discalced Carmelites when he was eighteen years old. Ordained to the priesthood in 1950, Father Michael served as a moral theology professor and later as a chaplain at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. He spent much of his life promoting the cause of St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes through his books and speaking engagements.

Genres: Catholic, Nonfiction

360 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

God, the Joy of My Life: A Biography of Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes, is both a biography, and a look at the Intimate Spiritual Diary of this Carmelite saint from Chile written by Michael D. Griffin OCD. Though she lived only 19 years with 11 months of these years in a Carmelite Monastery, her focus on achieving personal holiness and her great love for Jesus and Mary is an inspirational and highly personalize look into her world. The biographical section is a look into St. Teresa's family life, including the events and influences that evolved the direction of her life. The wisdom imparted in the diary includes statements on how to avoid the distractions and dangers in the secular world. She encourages Obedience which is To obey with the spirit of faith, seeing God in superiors; to obey as Our Lord in Nazareth obeyed and Heaven which is To possess God, To see Him face to face, to live Him for an eternity. To understand all His mysteries and to know Him. What felicity; and Judgement: There are three things we will bey judged on: Your blessings to us, our sins and our deeds, according to what our intention was. God the Joy of My Life is a deep dive into a spiritual life awash with Love and Endurance.

[FR ADRIAN G HEAD · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiration!

The biography by Fr Michael Griffin is wonderful but still more wonderful is her Diary of all her feelings and devotion. She often refers to herself as a “nada criminal” (criminal nothingness), but she was very committed and - most appropriately - was canonised a saint.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Soul Sold Out To Jesus

Her heart completely sold out to Jesus, St. Teresa shows us what it can be like in our relationship to God. Through her joyful moments of bliss as well as moments of pain, sorrow, and suffering, her unquenchable longinging and thirst for her Savior shines unhindered, helping to lead us to an intimate relationship with Him.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing saint, and excellent biography. I liked that it had the bio, her diary, the Papal homilies from her beatification and canonization etc. An excellent book to get to know her by. I was captivated by St Teresa, and know I have made a new friend. :)

[Alicja · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvel of a book. Simple yet inspiring