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She was the third child of Don Alonso Sanchez de Cepeda by his second wife, Doña Beatriz Davila y Ahumada, who died when the saint was in her fourteenth year, Teresa was brought up by her saintly father, a lover of serious books, and a tender and pious mother. After her death and the marriage of her eldest sister, Teresa was sent for her education to the Augustinian nuns at Avila, but owing to illness she left at the end of eighteen months, and for some years remained with her father and occasionally with other relatives, notably an uncle who made her acquainted with the Letters of St. Jerome, which determined her to adopt the religious life, not so much through any attraction towards it, as through a desire of choosing the safest course. Unable to obtain her father's consent she left his house unknown to him on Nov., 1535, to enter the Carmelite Convent of the Incarnation at Avila, which then counted 140 nuns. The wrench from her family caused her a pain which she ever afterwards compared to that of death. However, her father at once yielded and Teresa took the habit. will clearly understand that the spirit of Mother Tireza ( sic) of Jesus is true, since it leads to the same effects as are to be found in the saints; and because this is in truth my judgment and opinion, I have hereunto set my name, this, the 22nd day of February, 1582. P. Rodrigo Alvarez.' 8 Writing to Mother Mary of St. Joseph, Prioress of Seville, November 8, 1581, St. Teresa gives her a message for Father Rodrigo Alvarez, S. J.: 'Our Father (Jerome Gracian, then provincial) tells me that he has handed you a book written by me, It is a great advantage for us to be able to consult someone who knows us, so that we may learn to know ourselves.” Humility is essential to all growth in the spiritual life. Recognize who you are and recognize who God is.
Interior Castle Quotes by Teresa of Ávila - Goodreads Interior Castle Quotes by Teresa of Ávila - Goodreads
Saint Teresa of Ávila was born on March 28, 1515, as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada. During her time as a Carmelite nun, she became revered as a Spanish mystic and a theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer. 40 years following her death on October 4, 1582, she was canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic church.
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As the author of the Interior Castle, Teresa portrays the spiritual development of the human soul and its response to God as being like a great castle, wherein lies seven rows of mansions. With each graduation, the soul moves from the outer mansions to the inner mansions, ever moving into closer union with God. The book was eagerly read by those who were able to obtain copies. At the archiepiscopal Seminary at Salamanca it was read publicly after dinner; the students, contrary to custom, sacrificing the recreation rather than miss so edifying an instruction. The result was that several entered the religious life, one becoming a Franciscan, two others, who had already taken their degrees, joining the Discalced Carmelites. 12 We also know of a lady who became a Poor Clare through reading the Interior Castle. 13 The process of Beatification contains the following evidence of Don Francisco de Mora, architect to Philip III: 'The same prioress (of a Forever” was a well-chosen word because of the properties and symbolism inherent in the diamond. In the story of her Life (Chapter XL, Par. 14) Teresa had likened God to a diamond. Souls in this stage avoid even venial sins. They use their time well, spend hours in recollection, and desire penance. They also continue to perform acts of charity toward their neighbors. Just as a diamond gives great delight to the one who receives it, Teresa, at the end of her work on the Mansions, speaks of the great delight that one has who has explored the inside of the diamond of the Interior Castle.
Interior Castle — Online Course - Center for Action and Interior Castle — Online Course - Center for Action and
As often as I read the books of the holy Mother, I admire the wonderful manner in which God instructed her in mystical theology for the sake of souls giving themselves truly to familiar intercourse with His divine Majesty. But where I most regret my inability of expressing in fitting terms my sentiments towards this excellent teacher is when I look at, and refresh myself in that Castle with its seven rooms; for there is seen the effect of infused knowledge such as St. Denis received from St. Hierotheus 20 and both from St. Paul, and which has been committed to writing in the famous book of Mystical Theology. Hence comes, as from a fountain-head, notwithstanding the obscurity (to our manner of thinking) of its language, the doctrine of the great masters of the spiritual life such as Hugh of St. Victor, St. Bernard, Ruysbroek, Tauler, Gerson, and many others whom I pass by. But, the world still appears attractive. The soul clings to its belongings and to what other people think about it. Animae in hac tertia mansione operam dant ut peccata etiam venialia evitent. Bene utuntur suo tempore, in memoria ducunt horas, et desiderant poenitentiam. Caritatem etiam erga proximos exercere pergunt.Emerging from this state of probation, the soul enters upon the third stage, in which, though perhaps in the midst of severe suffering and sharp persecution, it knows itself to be a chosen child of God, to Whom it is united by perfect conformity of the will. Such phenomena as revelations, visions, Secondly, she was greatly surprised at the malice of sin, since, notwithstanding the presence of God in these various ways, it prevents the soul from partaking of that powerful light. Poenitentia et oratio. Una spes salutis est ad Deum ire. Primo quaerendum est veniam. Tunc ad Ipsum movendum est per orationem nostram, vita interiorem nostram. The present translation ought to dispose of the reservations expressed by an able critic in his otherwise valuable appreciation of the works of the Saint. See Santa Teresa, by the late Alexander Whyte, D.D. London, 1898, p. 32. The second translation, by the Rev. John Dalton, appeared in 1852 and has been repeatedly reprinted. It was dedicated to Bishop Ullathorne.
The Interior Castle: Study Edition - Google Books
First of all, don't read this book straight through and expect to get meaning from it. This is not one of those books. But here the Lord asks only two things of us: love for His Majesty and love for our neighbour. It is for these two virtues that we must strive, and if we attain them perfectly we are doing His will and so shall be united with Him.” With such regard for obedience, she asked me one day at Toledo--probably at the time when she saw the vision of the Castle--whether it was true that God was in all things by His power, presence, After regrounding in the first 4 mansions, James Finley deepens into the particularities of 4th Mansion themes; supernatural or special favors, trans-subjectivity and the prayer of quiet. I would write a thousand foolish things that one might be to the point, if only it might make us praise God more.”souls without prayer are like people whose bodies or limbs are paralysed: they possess feet and hands but they cannot control them.” The devil frequently fills our thoughts with great schemes, so that instead of putting our hands to what work we can do to serve our Lord, we may rest satisfied with wishing to perform impossibilities.” Let us look at the three main stages in the production of a diamond gem and compare them to the grouping of the main rooms in the seven mansions… The word forever comes to the fore again in the quality of the diamond’s hardness, durability and endurance and holds a special place and fascination for us, who are creatures who had a beginning but are destined to live forever. As we journey inward through the rooms of the diamond castle we will need the diamond’s endurance to persevere until we reach the center chamber where His Majesty dwells and find that rest of which St. Augustine speaks in his Confessions: “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You.” A gem of mystical literature made accessible and relevant to the modern spiritual seeker.”–Sharon Salzberg, bestselling author of Faith
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