Saint Teresa of Avila

Aeterna Press

WHEN S. Teresa had taken possession and founded the first monastery of her nuns in Avila, 24th August 1562, she was summoned back to the monastery of the Incarnation, where she had made her profession, for that monastery was thrown into trouble by the act of the Saint, and the nuns were very angry with her. She was made to give an account of her conduct, and the provincial was sent for, before whom she had to make what defence she could: that defence she made in the presence of the nuns her sisters, and so successfully that no one was found to blame her. When she had appeased her sisters, she had to meet other troubles: the people of Avila had been also disturbed, and a new house of religion seemed for the moment to be an offence to them. The magistrates of the city resolved to suppress the monastery, but on finding that it was lawfully established with the consent of the bishop they had recourse to the courts of law. Aeterna Press

The Book of the Foundations of Saint Teresa of Jesus

Interior Castle is an enduring classic unveiling a spiritual vision given to Teresa of Avila. It's a vision of profound mystical content, full of maxims on such subjects as humility, self-knowledge, detachment from worldly desires, abandonment to God, and experiencing the cleansing fires of the Holy Spirit.

The Soul's Spiritual Journey to Union With God

Interior Castle

THE convent of St. Joseph at Avila having been inaugurated on August 24, 1562, and the storms occasioned by its foundation having somewhat subsided, St. Teresa received permission from the Provincial, Fray Angel de Salazar, to leave the monastery of the Incarnation and join her new community; she crossed the threshold of that ‘Paradise’, as our Lord vouchsafed to call it, about Mid-Lent, 1563, never to leave the enclosure again—as she fervently hoped. She did not know then that God had destined her to more arduous work which would compel her to sally forth and establish convent after convent in distant parts of Spain. Her sojourn at St. Joseph’s only lasted four and a half years, but, as she says, it was the happiest time of her life. The convent was small and poor, the observance as strict as human nature, strengthened by grace, can bear, but she enjoyed to the full the peace which, after the many struggles graphically described in the Life, had at length been granted her. Aeterna Press

The Way of Perfection

AMONG the things which I have been commanded to do under obedience, few have proved so difficult to me as writing at present something on prayer; and this for two reasons, because it seems to me our Lord does not give me spirit, nor a desire to write, and also because I have had, for the last three months, such a noise in my head, attended with extreme weakness, that I write with pain, even on necessary business. But knowing the power of obedience, which makes things easy that seem impossible, my will is determined to undertake the work very cheerfully, though nature seems exceedingly averse to it, because our Lord has not given me such virtue that I should be able to accomplish the task, considering how I have to endure continual sickness, and how many different employments occupy my time, without great resistance on the part of nature. May he be pleased to accomplish the work, who has performed other more difficult things for me; in His mercy I trust.

The Interior Castle

Contains Book of Her Life, Spiritual Testimonies,and Soliloquies. The book includes general and biblical index. This is the second edition of Volume One of The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, first woman doctor of the church. The translators have taken full advantage of all that recent scholarship has contributed to a better understanding of Teresa and her writings. This volume includes her first major work, The Book of Her Life, and two of her shorter works, the Spiritual Testimonies and the Soliloquies. Clear and contemporary, this rendering captures Teresa's spirit while remaining faithful to her thought.

Volume 1

The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila

THIS first volume of the Letters of St. Teresa, translated by the Benedictines of Stanbrook Abbey, is sure of a hearty welcome from those who love this great Saint. The letters of great people are the best revelation of their personality. This is particularly true of the letters of the Saints of God, who in their correspondence reveal the working of the Spirit of God in their hearts, in a way which their more formal works and treatises do not do so fully. Letters are obviously more personal and display the true spirit of the writer in action. In regard to the letters of St. Teresa it is true that they have long been known in various translations and editions, but any one who will take the trouble to compare the former translations with this present edition cannot fail to be struck with a great change for the better in the manner in which St. Teresa displays her wonderful personality. She appears to us, if one may use the expression, much more human and sympathetic. Aeterna Press

The Letters of Saint Teresa

This book contains Book of Her Foundations and Minor Works. Includes general and biblical index. In 1573, while staying in Salamanca to assist her nuns in the task of establishing one of her seventeen monasteries, Teresa began composing the story of their foundation. The Book of Her Foundations comprises the major portion of Volume Three. This book not only tells the story of the establishment of her monasteries but, characteristic of Teresa, digresses into counsels on prayer, love, melancholy, virtuous living and dying, plus other teachings of the Mother Foundress. This book also has an excellent introduction, chronology, and map of Teresa's foundations and journeys. Five of her brief works, including her poetry, complete ICS Publications' third volume of her Collected Works. Includes general and biblical index.

The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, vol 3

"[...] XXXIV. The Saint leaves her Monastery of the Incarnation for a time, at the command of her superior--Consoles an afflicted Widow XXXV. The Foundation of the House of St. Joseph--Observance of holy Poverty therein--How the Saint left Toledo XXXVI. The Foundation of the Monastery of St. Joseph--Persecution and Temptations--Great interior Trial of the Saint, and her Deliverance XXXVII. The Effects of the divine Graces in the Soul--The inestimable Greatness of one Degree of Glory XXXVIII. Certain heavenly Secrets, Visions, and Revelations--The Effects of them in her Soul [...]."

The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus, of the Order of Our Lady of Carmel

In the 16th century, St. Teresa of Avila used a castle with seven chambers as a metaphor for a person's spiritual development. Free of religious dogma, this modern translation by Mirabai Starr renders St. Teresa's work a beautiful and practical set of teachings for seekers of all faiths in need of spiritual guidance. It also places this classic in a contemporary context, reasserting its importance even after more than 400 years.Penguin Group

Saint Teresa of Avila

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