Theresian Spirituality

​Theresian Spirituality 

​by Courtney Ramsay, Agape Garden Community, Lafayette, Louisiana 

What is spirituality? Each person probably has her own idea on its definition! Is it simply a feeling of being in the presence of the spiritual world or with God? Perhaps. Yet, to me, spirituality is a warmth my soul experiences when I am showered in some way by God’s gift of grace. Fortunately, I find this in many environments but especially in the safe place of a gathering of my Theresian sisters! 

A neighbor introduced me to Theresians over 30 years ago. What a blessing it has indeed been to have met such spiritual women in my own community. These connections in spirit remain intact even when years have separated us from being together physically. The spirituality we once shared became an integral part of my heart and soul’s memory! Not to speak of the tremendous loss I grieved of a Theresian sister years ago to breast cancer. My connection to her and her family will always be with me. I still pray for her so often. Today, I prayed to her to be with me as I underwent tests on a suspicious area on my left breast. The test will continue as I now will have a needle biopsy of this area done next week. Am I concerned? Absolutely, but not nearly as much as I would be without this spiritual connection. Also knowing that my current Theresian sisters will envelop me with their powerful prayers when I request them brings me a relentless comfort and a deluge of God’s gift of grace. 
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To be a Theresian is to share one’s spirituality with so many! We always begin our meetings with a prayer and end with a spiritual song before our “breaking bread” together. Our souls that have just opened to others during the meeting delight in fun and lighter conversations. It is an enriching environment of love and peace. It is a “high” on the gift of “Theresian Spirituality! 

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