Saint Teresa of Avila

A small terracotta oil lamp burns beside a closed book on a wooden ledge in evening shadows.
Let love become a steady flame.

O Saint Teresa, seraphic Virgin, beloved spouse of thy crucified Lord, thou who on earth didst burn with a love so intense toward thy God and my God, and now dost glow with a brighter and purer flame in paradise: obtain for me also, I beseech thee, a spark of that same holy fire which shall cause me to forget the world, all things created, and even myself; for thou didst ever avidly desire to see Him loved by all men. Grant that my every thought and desire and affection may be continually directed to doing the will of God, the supreme Good, wheter I am in joy or in pain, for He is worthy to be loved and obeyed forever. Obtain for me this grace, thou who art so powerful with God; may I be all on fire, like thee, with the holy love of God. Amen.

(S. Alphonsus M. de' Liguori) An indulgence of 300 days. A plenary indulgence on the usual conditions, if this prayer is said devoutly every day for a month.

Further reading

This prayer asks St. Teresa for a love of God that remains faithful in both joy and pain. Her own Way of Perfection offers practical counsel on prayer, and the ICS study edition provides commentary and questions to help readers work thoughtfully through the text.

The Way of Perfection: Study Edition by St. Teresa of Avila; translated by Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD, and Otilio Rodriguez, OCD (study-edition paperback) on Amazon (paid link)