St Teresa of Avila - in Catholic Tradition

[TrueLight]

Early on in my journey, I read about St Teresa of Avila in a little Saints book I found at Barnes & Noble.

Initially, I stayed away from studying her too closely because I found some of her penances to be appalling and over the top (like the drinking of pus from sick people).

I hid my face from her.

Recently however, I have been feeling a pull in her direction and I’d like to read some of her writings.

Which of her writings have blessed you the most?

Do you have any quotes that have made a difference in your life?

Lastly, which books would you recommend that are not biographical, but that include writings from her.

Thanks

 

[agnes_therese]

Read her “Way of Perfection” first. An excellent introduction to prayer.

As for penances, from the example you gave it seems you’re thinking of Catherine of Siena.

 

[TrueLight]

Read her “Way of Perfection” first. An excellent introduction to prayer.

As for penances, from the example you gave it seems you’re thinking of Catherine of Siena.

Did Catherine of Sienna do that too? St Teresa drank cups of it.

Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[Oneofthewomen]

The Interior Castle is one of my favorites!!

 

[Denise1957]

I agree with Oneofthewomen - ‘Interior Castle’ is one of my favorite books, and it’s the only book I’ve read by St. Teresa. The book has helped me to understand the need for prayer if one is to grow in holiness. St. Teresa wrote the book mainly for the sisters who were in her charge, who had several hours a day to devote to prayer.

There isn’t anything in the book, as far as I can remember, where she mentions severe penances. Although at the time that she was writing the book, she was herself being persecuted by those in her Carmelite order who were against her attempts to reform the order (and it was eventually reformed). But St. Teresa makes no mention in the book regarding this persecution towards her. For me, it’s her great humility that shines through as well.

I can understand that you might have an aversion to some of the severe penances that some of the saints practiced. For me, the most extreme is the penace practiced by St. Symon the stylite. Yuk!

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Early on in my journey, I read about St Teresa of Avila in a little Saints book I found at Barnes & Noble.

Initially, I stayed away from studying her too closely because I found some of her penances to be appalling and over the top (like the drinking of pus from sick people).

I have not heard of St Teresa of Avila doing any extreme penances, especially not the one you listed here.

I think she did flagellate herself but that was common practice among religious of the day.

I would be interested in reading up on this, again, as a Carmelite I have never heard anything like this.

 

[Miserissima]

I think she did flagellate herself but that was common practice among religious of the day.

While searching for pictures of St. Teresa and her relics for a project, I have seen pictures of the discipline she used. however, I cabnnot find the link right now.

Has anyone seen this movie (miniseries) of her life?
netflix.com/Movie/St.-Teresa-of-Avila/70092463

I keep catching bits on EWTN, but would like ot take a rainy weekend to watch the whole thing.

 

[TrueLight]

Oh my goodness! I’m afraid I got Catherine of Siena and St Teresa mixed up! You were right agnes and byzcath. I feel horrible!

So I didn’t explore St Teresa’s writings for no reason!

 

[TrueLight]

me, it’s her great humility that shines through as well.

I can understand that you might have an aversion to some of the severe penances that some of the saints practiced. For me, the most extreme is the penace practiced by St. Symon the stylite. Yuk!

What did he do?

So 2 votes for Interior Castle, one for The Way of Perfection. Thanks folks. Keep them coming!

 

[Denise1957]

What did he do?

So 2 votes for Interior Castle, one for The Way of Perfection. Thanks folks. Keep them coming!

Well, he spent a few years of his life living on top of a small platform, which was completely exposed to the elements. What bothers me is that it became difficult for people to approach the platform and offer him food, due to the stench from him not bathing, and also from not having…er…proper toilet facilities. Eew.

I think that eventually he was talked into coming down from the platform, but my memory is a bit fuzzy on that. Still, he is saint. Just not one of my favorites.

 

[puzzleannie]

Initially, I stayed away from studying her too closely because I found some of her penances to be appalling and over the top (like the drinking of pus from sick people).

I have read most of them and do not recall any extraordinary penances as you describe.

why would you shy away from getting better information about a saint, or finding out if the information you have is true?

Interior Castle is where I would start.

 

[TrueLight]

I have read most of them and do not recall any extraordinary penances as you describe.

why would you shy away from getting better information about a saint, or finding out if the information you have is true?

Interior Castle is where I would start.

Because there are tons of Saints, and I have a whole lifetime - however long it is.

But I have felt drawn recently to learning more about her.

 

[TrueLight]

Well, he spent a few years of his life living on top of a small platform, which was completely exposed to the elements. What bothers me is that it became difficult for people to approach the platform and offer him food, due to the stench from him not bathing, and also from not having…er…proper toilet facilities. Eew.

I think that eventually he was talked into coming down from the platform, but my memory is a bit fuzzy on that. Still, he is saint. Just not one of my favorites.

Wow!

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

What did he do?

So 2 votes for Interior Castle, one for The Way of Perfection. Thanks folks. Keep them coming!

Here’s my suggestion. The Collected Works of St Teresa of Avila.

It is a three volume set and contains what has been suggested.

I would start with volume one and read through it.

I hope to get to this with my spiritual director soon but right now we are going through Story of a Soul (Therese of Lisieux) as I love the Little Way and she (St Therese) suffered from a horrible illness but still persevered in religious life (something which I am trying to do).

 

[TrueLight]

Here’s my suggestion. The Collected Works of St Teresa of Avila.

It is a three volume set and contains what has been suggested.

I would start with volume one and read through it.

I hope to get to this with my spiritual director soon but right now we are going through Story of a Soul (Therese of Lisieux) as I love the Little Way and she (St Therese) suffered from a horrible illness but still persevered in religious life (something which I am trying to do).

That is an excellent idea:

According to one Amazon review:

“Volume One has two books: " The Book of Her Life” The Book of Her Life and "Her Spiritual Testimonies .

Other collected works of Saint Teresa which are found in Volume Two are " The Way of Perfection" The Way of Perfection and " The Interior Castle The Interior Castle and in

Volume Three " The Book of Her Foundations" and " Minor Works".The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Volume Three by Keiran Kavanaugh "

So I can start with Volume One and when I get to Volume Two I will have both The Interior Castle and the Way of Perfection.

Thanks!

 

[Oneofthewomen]

Just an FYI~

with the “shopping season” upon us, make sure to check out the bigger bookstores (Barnes & Noble, etc.) ‘bargain books’. Many times you can find great deals. I bought a compilation, “Imitation of Christ”, “Dark Night of the Soul” , & “The Interior Castle”. It is nicely bound, with gilt pages and was only $7.98!!

I love a good bargin, especially when it comes to books!! :extrahappy:

 

[ATeutonicKnight]

Early on in my journey, I read about St Teresa of Avila in a little Saints book I found at Barnes & Noble.

Initially, I stayed away from studying her too closely because I found some of her penances to be appalling and over the top (like the drinking of pus from sick people).

I hid my face from her.

Recently however, I have been feeling a pull in her direction and I’d like to read some of her writings.

Which of her writings have blessed you the most?

Do you have any quotes that have made a difference in your life?

Lastly, which books would you recommend that are not biographical, but that include writings from her.

Thanks

I don’t believe you are referring to Saint Teresa of Avila. I don’t know much about her, but I do know that she was a cloistered Nun, and therefore incapable of caring for the sick and, therefore, incapable of drinking their pus. You are most likely thinking of Blessed Mother Teresa.

 

[TrueLight]

I don’t believe you are referring to Saint Teresa of Avila. I don’t know much about her, but I do know that she was a cloistered Nun, and therefore incapable of caring for the sick and, therefore, incapable of drinking their pus. You are most likely thinking of Blessed Mother Teresa.

I was thinking of St Catherine of Siena.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I was thinking of St Catherine of Siena.

Its also important to note that while Teresa was a cloistered O.Carm. nun, the cloister was not strict.

This was part of the reform she put forward.

Also an earlier poster said that the reform was a success and alluded to the Order being against her.

Neither of these are the whole truth.

The Prior General of the Order supported Teresa and her reform. There were Carmelties against it but there are always those against change especially when they fear that it will be forced upon them.

As for the success, yes it survived, but I do not think it was the success that Teresa was looking for, I do not think that she wanted her reform to cause a split within the Order.

 

[Denise1957]

Its also important to note that while Teresa was a cloistered O.Carm. nun, the cloister was not strict.

This was part of the reform she put forward.

Also an earlier poster said that the reform was a success and alluded to the Order being against her.

Neither of these are the whole truth.

The Prior General of the Order supported Teresa and her reform. There were Carmelties against it but there are always those against change especially when they fear that it will be forced upon them.

As for the success, yes it survived, but I do not think it was the success that Teresa was looking for, I do not think that she wanted her reform to cause a split within the Order.

You are probably referring to my post regarding the reform being a success and alluding to the Order being against her, but what I said was that the order was eventually reformed, and that there were those in the order who were against the reform. I didn’t say that it was the Order itself who was against her.

Still, you of course know a lot more about the situation than I do, and I, and possibly others here, would benefit from your knowledge on the subject, but what I was attempting to do was to show St. Teresa’s humility in the face of persecution; I didn’t really want to go into a lot of detail regarding the struggle for reform.

St. John of the Cross, who at the same time, I think, was attempting to also reform the Carmelites received far worse persecution than St. Teresa, as I’m sure you’re aware of. He also showed humility in his writings during the brutal persecution against him. And he didn’t seem to hold a grudge against his persecutors. He was amazing, really. A true saint, as St. Terresa was and is, too!

I just want to add that I really admire the Carmelites. If a traditional third order Carmelite order exists, I would consider joining it.