October 15th is the feast of one of the greatest and most popular Saints of the Church - St. Teresa of Avila (1515 - 1582). This Spanish Carmelite nun was blessed with many mystical experiences and revelations. The most famous of these perhaps, is recorded in the Saint’s Autobiography in her very own words. It relates of a most singular incident in her life - when all of her heroic sufferings, labors and faithfulness - were rewarded with an incredible grace - delivered by the hands of an Angel.

"It pleased the Lord that I should see this angel in the following way. He was not tall, but short, and very beautiful, his face so aflame that he appeared to be one of the highest types of angel who seem to be all afire... In his hand I saw a long golden spear and at the end of the iron tip I seemed to see a point of fire. With this he seemed to pierce my heart several times so that it penetrated to my entrails. When he drew it out, I thought he was drawing them out with it and he left me completely afire with a great love for God. The pain was so sharp that it made me utter several moans; and so excessive was the sweetness caused me by this intense pain that one can never wish to lose it, nor will one’s soul be content with anything less than God."

After her death, St. Teresa of Avila’s heart was found to be incorrupt. And there, to this day, remains the visible wound of the golden spear that struck that noble heart and filled it with a Divine Love that the Saint enjoys to this day.