Joy is another characteristic element of our life, because it emanates from our prayerful awareness of God’s loving, abiding presence. Our Holy Mother Saint Teresa had no love for sad- faced saints.

Self-denial with joy is a gift of the Spirit. We follow Jesus, our Spouse, up the mount of Calvary, but we do not go alone. “True perfection,” explains Saint Teresa, “consists in love of God and neighbor .” This love, which is the fruit of prayer, is often freely expressed in the helping hand we give to another.