Carmelite QuotesQuote of the day, 16 April: St. Teresa Margaret
She who is silent everywhere finds peace.
Saint Teresa Margaret of the Sacred HeartSister Teresa Margaret’s veiling ceremony was April 7, 1766, almost a month after her profession. She still wore the white veil of a novice, which meant that the final seal remained, to complete officially—at least in outward appearance—her consecration.
The black veil, symbol of sacrifice and complete dedication, is placed on her head by the officiating priest, in the presence of her friends and relatives in the chapel, and once more Sister Teresa Margaret knelt before the open grille as Mass was celebrated.
On the altar lay the veil ready to be blessed during the ceremony, while the community sang the words Amo Christum: “I love Christ, into whose bridal chamber I will go….” Now the celebrant was moving toward the grille. “Veni Sponsa Christi,” he intoned, and the choir took up the words, singing the antiphon: “Come, bride of Christ, receive the crown which the Lord has prepared for you from all eternity.”
Sister Teresa Margaret rose from her knees and, standing in the middle of the choir, made her response: “Receive me, O Lord, according to thy word, and let not my expectations be confounded.”
Mother Victoria led her to the small Communion grille which stood open, and again she knelt. The priest approached, then extending his hands through the grating, placed the veil on her head, saying: “Receive the sacred veil, the emblem of holy reverence and continence; carry it before the judgment seat of our Lord Jesus Christ to gain eternal life and to live forever.”
Enveloped now in the large black veil which completely covered her face, Sister Teresa Margaret returned to the middle of the choir, standing before the large grating, and replied: “He has set His seal upon my countenance, so that I allow no other love but Him.”
Margaret Rowe
Chapter 13, Her profession
Rowe M 2003, God Is Love: Saint Teresa Margaret, Her Life, ICS Publications, Washington DC.
Featured image: This detail of the portrait of St. Teresa Margaret was painted by Florentine artist Anna Bacherini Piattoli. She captured the image of the incorrupt saint during the weeks between her death and burial. St. Teresa Margaret was not yet 23 years old at the time of her death. The painting is venerated at the Monastery of St. Teresa of the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Florence, Italy. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
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