Carmelite Virgin

Ana Garcia was born at Almendral, Castille, Spain, in 1549. In 1572 she made her profession as a Carmelite in the hands of St Teresa, at St Joseph’s Avila. The saint later chose her as her companion and nurse, and she subsequently brought the Teresian spirit to France and Belgium, where she proved herself, like Teresa, a daughter of the Church in her great zeal for the salvation of souls. She died at Antwerp in 1626.

The first reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians (3:12-17) we are reminded of God’s gifts to us and of the love we should have for each other, “You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same.” 

The Gospel (Matthew 18: 1-4) speaks of our need to be childlike.  We hear Jesus’ words “the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”