The way of perfection

...called by God, are only guided by human considerations. It follows that none will choose it but those ready to give up the world for the sake of Christ, and these, so far from chafing under the recollection A state of inward prayer and spiritual focus, withdrawing from external distractions. and austerity The practice of self-denial and rigorous discipline within the religious life. of this kind of life, cherish it, and these are precisely the class of persons who maintain the Order The Discalced Carmelites, the reformed branch of the Carmelite Order founded by St. Teresa. in its integrity. This Mother St. Teresa of Avila, the foundress. also wished her nuns to be few in number, because small means are large enough for a few, and thus will be warded off the greatest danger that could befall a religious community A group of people living together under a specific religious rule, such as a convent or monastery., namely, that of paying more attention to the dowry A sum of money or property brought by a woman to her convent to help support the community; Teresa feared that accepting women just for their money would ruin the spiritual quality of the house. than to the spirit and devotion of aspirants Candidates or those seeking to enter a religious order.; otherwise some persons unfit for the religious life might be admitted. And as they must needs be strict in the choice of those whom they receive, they must be prompt in dismissing those who have not the required qualities. For this reason she thought it imprudent to receive nuns coming from a great distance, as it might not be convenient to send them back to their homes if the necessity arose.

These are the points, very reverend Mothers, that you will learn from this book, and which I have learnt from the life and the example of your Mother, together with many other particulars about the gifts and virtues with which our Lord had enriched her. One of these was her wonderful obedience to her spiritual fathers Priests or confessors who provided guidance on matters of the soul and religious practice; obedience to them was a cornerstone of Teresa's discipline., which was such that sometimes, when she knew the will of God