September
September 1 – St. Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Virgin | Memorial
Teresa Margaret belonged to the noble family of Redi, and was born in the Tuscan city of Arezzo (Italy) in 1747. She entered the Discalced (Teresian) Carmelite convent at Florence on September 1 1764. She was granted a special grace of contemplative insight based on St Johns phrase “God is love” through which she felt called to a hidden life of love and self-sacrifice. She progressed rapidly, fulfilling her vocation through heroic charity towards others. She died in Florence in 1770.
September 11 – Bl. Mary of Jesus, Virgin | Optional Memorial
Born in 1560 at Tartanedo, Spain, she took the Discalced (Teresian) Carmelite habit at Toledo in 1577 and made her profession the following year. She spent the rest of her life serving God in that Carmel, except for a brief period in 1585 when she helped with a foundation at Cuerva. She died at Toledo on September 13 1640. St Teresa of Avila thought extremely highly of her. She was a great contemplative, intensely devoted to our Lord, and often drawing inspiration from the liturgy.
September 17 – St. Albert of Jerusalem, Bishop and Lawgiver of our Order | Feast
Albert Avogadro was born about 1150 A.D. at Castel Gualtieri (Italy). He entered the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross at Mortara and was elected Prior in 1180. He became Bishop of Bobbio in 1184, and of Vercelli the following year, and in 1205 was made Patriarrch of Jerusalem. In all these offices he was a model pastor in word and example, and he contributed greatly to the establishment of peace. During his patriarchate (1205-1214) he formed the hermit brothers of Mount Carmel in a collegium and wrote a Rule of Life for them. He was murdered on September 14, 1214 by the Master of the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, whom he had rebuked and deposed for immorality.