Solemnity of St. Teresa of Jesus Celebrated at Santa Maria a Ripa, Empoli
With hearts filled with gratitude and joy, the Carmelite priests, members of the Carmelite family, and the faithful gathered at Santa Maria a Ripa, Empoli, to celebrate the Solemnity of St. Teresa of Jesus on October 15, 2025. St. Teresa, the luminous Doctor of the Church, mystic, and reformer, continues to inspire the Carmelite Order with her profound legacy of prayer and renewal.

The Solemn Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Fr. Deepak Tauro, with Fr. Elias and Fr. Roshan Lobo concelebrating, beautifully reflecting the spirit of fraternity at the heart of the Carmelite vocation.

In his homily, Fr. Deepak invited the assembly to enter into the depth of Teresian spirituality—an invitation to journey inward, to the “inner room” of the soul where God dwells. His reflection awakened a renewed longing in all present to allow the light of Christ to purify, renew, and transform their lives.

A moment of particular grace was the presence of four cloistered Carmelite Sisters from the African Federation. Though silent and unseen in much of the world, their contemplative witness spoke powerfully. Their presence embodied St. Teresa’s call to be “alone with the Alone,” radiating a fragrance of prayer, humility, and hidden holiness that touched every heart.

The celebration was not only a liturgical observance but a spiritual encounter—strengthening bonds of fraternity, renewing the call to contemplation, and deepening the desire to walk in the footsteps of St. Teresa, the Mother of Carmel.