St. Teresa of Avila was a Spanish Carmelite nun who lived in Spain at the time of the Spanish Inquisition, 1515-1582. She was the founder of seventeen Carmelite convents throughout Spain, and since her death, convents have been established throughout the world, including some in Texas.

The Interior Castle, which is said to be her “masterpiece”, opens with these words: I don’t find anything comparable to the magnificent beauty of a soul, and its marvelous capacity. Indeed, our intellects, however keen, can hardly comprehend it, just as they cannot comprehend God; but He Himself says that He created us in His own image and likeness. (The Interior Castle, pg. 1) In 1970 Pope Paul vi declared St. Teresa to be one of the first female Doctors of the Catholic Church.

Teresa was a prolific writer. She authored seven books and many shorter treatises, while she traveled in Spain, founding monasteries for women, as well as for men. Today her writings are still in print, and popular. Teresa was a mystic and a leader of souls in her care. In her book The Interior Castle, Teresa wrote of the interior life as if it were a structure, a castle in which one moves from one room to another, always progressing toward a communion with God. New editions of her books appear to be even more popular today than in her lifetime.

When I first read The Interior Castle, I felt that St. Teresa was in touch with God in a way that I had not experienced, but that I would like to experience. It inspired me to read her other books as well. I once asked a friend if she ever read saints’ books, and she answered that she didn’t , “because most people don’t have the experiences that the saints have.” I had to agree with her, but, though Teresa’s experiences were certainly different from mine , if I used my friend’s criteria for choosing what to read, I would likely not read very many books in a lifetime.

The Bible is full of people’s experiences that are very far from our own, but that hasn’t kept the Bible from remaining the best selling book in the world. ST. Paul wrote to Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” ( 2Timothy 3:16) Saint Teresa’s works are not Scripture, but they are the words of one who, like most of us, seeks God in the every day life, in sickness, and health; and struggles before she finds Him. She shares this in her writing.

Love in Him,

Prue