Teresa of Avila: The Way of Prayer: Selected Spiritual Writings

by Saint Teresa of Avila, Kieran Kavanaugh

Overview

With an informative and extensive introduction covering Teresa's early life, her life as a nun, and her work as a foundress, Kavanaugh sets the stage for a valuable selection of writings from the Saint's works, divided into two sections. The first set centers on Teresa's growth in the spiritual life, particularly her life of prayer. The second part focuses on the copious store of her contemplative experiences which shed light on the Christian mysteries. Also includes a chronology of Teresa's life and a selected bibliography.

“Fr. Kavanaugh's excellent introduction to St. Teresa's understanding and experience of Christian contemplation is required reading for anyone desiring a deeper prayer life.”

Kevin Culligan, O.C.D.

Institute of Carmelite Studies, Chicago, Ill.

“Kieran Kavanaugh, who has given us such fine contemporary translations of Teresa, here focuses on the rich content of Teresa's contemplation, seen through a prism of many colors, from the darkness of the abyss to the bright light of the interior Sun.”

Tessa Bielecki

Author of Teresa of Avila: Mystical Writing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781565481817
Publisher:	New City Press NY
Publication date:	03/28/2003
Pages:	159
Product dimensions:	5.42(w) x 8.58(h) x 0.43(d)

About the Author

Carmelite priest Kieran Kavanaugh lives in Washington, D.C. He has taught spiritual theology at The Catholic University of America and been a contributor to the Catholic Encyclopedia. The translator of the works of Teresa into English, he lived in Avila and traveled Spain, tracing Teresa's journey to the towns and cities of her foundations.

Table of Contents

	Abbreviations	8
	Introduction	9
	Teresa's Early Years	9
	Carmelite and Foundress	10
	Her Spiritual Journey	15
	Her Writings	19
	The Content of Her Contemplation	21
Part 1	A Story of Prayer
Chapter 1	A Call From God: Childhood, Youth, Severe Illness	27
Chapter 2	Struggles along the Path of Prayer	33
Chapter 3	General Teachings on the Way of Prayer	40
	Mental Prayer	42
	The Prayer of Recollection	44
Chapter 4	The Initial Stages of Contemplation	47
	Passive Recollection	47
	The Prayer of Quiet	49
Chapter 5	Pure Contemplation	56
	The Prayer of Union	56
	Spiritual Betrothal	61
	The Spiritual Marriage	68
Part 2	Glimmerings from the Divine Depths
Chapter 6	The Inner World of Beauty and Ugliness	75
Chapter 7	God Omnipresent and True	80
	God's Omnipresence	80
	Pure Truth and Fount of all Truth	82
Chapter 8	Jesus Christ	86
	Human and Divine	87
	Christ's Humanity, Fount and Channel of All Grace	92
	Christ the Life of the Soul	99
Chapter 9	The Indwelling of the Blessed Trinity	101
Chapter 10	The Power of God's Words	105
Chapter 11	The Word of God in Scripture	108
	God's Word in Times of Crisis	109
	God's Word and the Mystical Union	112
	God's Word in the Straits of Ecstasy	113
	God's Word and the Indwelling	116
	God's Word in the Peace of the Soul's Center	117
Chapter 12	The Church on Earth a Pilgrim People	119
Chapter 13	The Church in Heaven	123
Chapter 14	Evil	130
	Sin	130
	The Devil	134
	Hell	136
Chapter 15	Grace	140
	An Undeserved Gift	140
	Grace and the Sacraments	141
	The Waters of Grace	144
Chapter 16	The Works and Merits of the Wayfarer	147
	The Merits of the Wayfarer	150
	Chronology	153
	Bibliography	157