Eternity began the day I conceived your soul.

As a Secular Carmelite, like Teresa I am called to live out my mission as a good friend of Jesus, but ‘in the world’.

How is it that a verse from poet’s hand can bridge the chasm from mind to soul?

While in the Chapel after Mass this morning, a feeling of warmth came over me. Like being warmed by a heat, a magnificent flame, I began to think what a gift it was to be here in the presence of my Creator and His faithful Missionary Carmelites of St Teresa.

The capacity to "listen deeply"--an expression I'll use for this particular movement of the heart which, first, the poem and, second, the prayer speak of - this capacity does not come without practice.

And I cried, for His offer of love was so great;
to remain with Him in the Carmel where no rocks nor weeds nor thorns exist, but only good soil.