Showing results by author "St Teresa of Ávila" in All Categories

The saints, the heroes of the Roman Catholic faith, lived lives of holiness, dedicated to serving God. The saints lived at different times in different places throughout history, but they all shared a love of God that has been documented through the teachings of the Church. Today, the saints serve as examples for all Catholics, showing the believers how to lead a more spiritual life. Catholic devotions are particular customs, rituals and practices of worship or in honour of the saints that are in addition to the liturgy of the Catholic Church.

In The Interior Castle, Carmelite nun, mystic, and patron saint of Spain Teresa of Ávila uses the metaphor of a giant crystal castle to explain her theory of the soul and the various stages it passes through as it progresses towards God. Beginning in the outer rooms, where demons are fought and vices are purged, the soul must reach the inner chambers, where it will enter betrothal and intimate union with God. Prayer is central to the journey, as the soul is guided by its practice and each phase represents a different category of devotion.

The 16th-century Spanish Carmelite nun St Teresa of Ávila was a prominent figure in the Catholic Reformation, and her writings have continued to inspire philosophers, theologians, historians, and countless others interested in Christian spirituality and mysticism. She distilled her own experience into this beautifully direct and accessible "living book", The Way of Perfection, as a guide for nuns in her convent.

Greatly revered by religious scholars both in her own time as well as today, St. Theresa of Avila’s words hold immense peace, wisdom, and encouragement in the walk of faith. She gives priceless guidance on such issues as prayer, connecting with God, meditation, and ultimate contentment and joy in Christ.

St. Teresa of Avila was a Carmelite nun, Spanish mystic, and reformer in the 16th century. She claims to have received visions from God, which are the subject of her written work. In this text, she emphasizes the importance of living a contemplative life in order to achieve complete union with God. 

Close to Me includes a reading of the eponymous prayer followed by magical harp music based on an original composition of Johann Sebastian Bach, a devout Christian and gifted composer and musician. The Bach composition includes: Prelude in D major BWV 935 adapted for harp and performed by Greg Cetus.