Juana Fernandez was born in 1900 in Santiago, Chile. She felt drawn towards Christ at the age of six, entered a school run by French nuns a year later, and by 14 she decided she wanted to be a Carmelite. After reading the autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Juana decided to take the name Teresa of Jesus for her religious name when she entered the novitiate at age 19. Living in the Carmelite community she felt she had finally arrived where she was called to be, and she shared the faith by writing letters. Sadly, she contracted typhus a short time later and it would prove to be fatal. Facing death, she was allowed to pronounce her final vows early, and she died five days later, a week after Easter.
CHALLENGE
St. Teresa of the Andes was inspired to examine her own life by the life of another saint. When she did, she realized she was proud, vain, self-centered, and stubborn, then set out to address these issues because she knew they were keeping her from holiness. What saint inspires you the most? Examine your life, and compare and contrast it with that saint. How are you inspired to address your shortcomings?
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