On this feast of St Thersa of Avila.. reminds me of a story 5 years ago going to Avila.. took a bus from southern Spain to Madrid then get to bus station in Madrid.. and catch a bus to Avila.

A friend got me a room where Theresa was born..so got to bus station, no seats left. Driver says wait to see if Someone doesn’t show up.. my luck, one seat is available get to Avila.. knock on door of monastery my room is right next to where Theresa was born..

A meal was waiting for me.. that the good news, bad news I only had a few euro. so I walked around Avila hoping someone would recognize me and feed me.. didn’t happen

Next day.. sitting at the Cathedral in Avila thinking.. I really need to get on a 6 hour train from Madrid to the Southern point of Spain next day.. because my flight was the next day and only one train..

So I thinking taking bus than metro to train station may not make train.. thinking I need to make sure that I am on that train. That means I need to be in Madrid tonight. Walk the streets all night if needed.

I prayer to Theresa in her cathedral in Avila ‘Theresa you need to help me.. if you do I will offer a mass tomorrow for your intentions’

Then I heard a family praying in English behind me.. I ask them are they going to Madrid tonight. They answer ‘Yes ‘ say ‘Can I go with you ‘ they answer ‘yes’ The couple was visiting their son who was in college studying in Madrid’ They were from the Philippines.

I get my stuff go with them. But on way they say they have to room at their place. They give me the address of a homeless shelter in Madrid. So I get to Madrid 8 pm or so.. find homeless shelter. I follow a guy to a building go to the 8th floor and was given a meal.. next day I wake up. This is the only time night I have ever been in Madrid.

Get to train station.. Spend the last of my money on a loaf of bread,, and a cup of coffee on the train.. get to southern most point of Spain. Next day fly home..

This story stuck in mind today as I when to the first convent in the United States. A Carmelite monastery founded on the feast of St Theresa of Avila Oct 15 1790..

When in the monastery.. I ask St Theresa of Avila for a certain grace.. thinking I was meant to be there.. I was thinking there had to be a least a few people that would want to be on the Feast of Theresa to pray on place where first convent was open.. Carmelite. Thinking God would grant a grace through the intercession of Thersa today on this spot.. to my surprise no one else thought this.. I guess my mind thinks differently than most..

The monastery was actually on the way hone from my retreat to my parish today.. so the timing and location was curious!!