The Ecstasy of St. Teresa
The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa (of Ávila) is a really extraordinary statue in Rome. Teresa, founder of the Discalced Carmelite Order, lies prone as an angel prepares to pierce her heart and stomach with a spear. The sculpture is based on a vision that Teresa had and which she recounted in her autobiography (Click the Wikipedia link below to read the relevant passage).
There's no getting round this, so I might as well say it, the sculpture has a really strong sexual element to it. Teresa looks like she is about to orgasm. Well, I guess she is, but spiritually. That's what ecstasy is. Rather than lowering the tone, I think this interpretation raises the dignity of the sexual act. As well as having the procreative function that the Church likes to talk about, a pleasurable one that the world likes to focus on, it has a spiritual aspect as well, being an earthly echo of Man's union with God. That thought, I would say, is well worth holding onto. We live in a world where sex is cheap. The Ecstasy of St. Teresa reminds us that it is priceless.
In addition to the sexual element, there is also a violent one. In her autobiography, Teresa describes how the angel thrust the spear into her heart and stomach not just once but multiple times. Well, that's passion for you. It tends not to be a docile affair but fiery. I'll admit, I could have done without the violence but I like the idea that it can be seen not as a vision of hurt but of love.
A Short Prayer
Dear Lord,
help me to love you with a fiery love,
fiery and gentle, fiery and faithful,
fiery and full of your spirit of love.
In Jesus' most holy name,
Amen
St. Teresa of Ávila - pray for us.
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