Saint Therese of the Child Jesus
of the Holy Face
Entries in Discalced Carmelite Nuns (1)
Virtual Choir of Discalced Carmelite Nuns Singing for the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of St. Teresa of Avila
This "virtual choir" of Discalced Carmelite nuns from around the world singing in honor of the 500th anniversary of the birth of St. Teresa of Avila evokes most beautifully the desire of St. Therese "to preach the gospel on all five continents simultaneously." They are chanting a poem often called "St. Teresa's bookmark," also known as "The Efficacy of Patience." The text in Spanish:
"Eficacia de la Paciencia"
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:
Sólo Dios basta.
English translation:
"Efficacy of Patience."
Let nothing trouble you,
Let nothing scare you,
All is fleeting,
God alone is unchanging.
Patience
Everything obtains.
Who possesses God
Nothing wants.
God alone suffices.
[from The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Volume Three: translated by Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D. and Otiliio Rodriguez, O.C.D. Washington, D.C.: Washington Province of Discalced Carmelites, Inc., 1985].