Teresa de Avila: Mother of Souls Join us on Mother’s Day for Tea and Teresa. This light guided me: John of the Cross

Saint Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, baptized as On this day of Pentecost, we turn to St. John of the Cross (1542-1591)— Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada, was a prominent Spanish mystic master mystic poet and writer during the Spanish Golden age of and Carmelite nun. As a contemporary of John of the Cross, Teresa de literature. St. John of the Cross became a Carmelite monk in 1563 and Avila worked with St. John in reforming the Carmelite order, which had helped St. Teresa of Avila to reform the Carmelite order. He was become lax and lost its way. imprisoned and endured persecution for his efforts. St. John has been St. Teresa’s book, Interior Castle, is widely treasured as a classic compared with such great writers as St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. mystical writing and part of the Spanish Renaissance. John of the Cross is known for his poetry. For our discussion, we will The book is a tour guide through prayer using the metaphor of utilize his own written commentary on his poem; Dark Night. St. John mansions. Like St. John, she deals with the spiritual quest for unity with chose the term "dark night" to describe the journey of the soul from God in what she refers to as the 7th Mansion. Among the book’s great darkness in to the light of a purified union with God. His commentary value is its spiritual perspective on prayer. on the poem, entitled Dark Night of the Soul, grapples with man’s relationship with God. The book explores the poem’s subjects of man’s In honor of Mother’s Day, join us for talk and tea on May 13 at 1 pm. We’ll reflect on Teresa of failings including pride, avarice, and envy. It considers the afflictions and pain suffered by the Avila’s spiritual guide, Interior Castle over tea refreshments. soul, and how we can reach divine love and union with God. (Paraphrase from the London Times Participants are encouraged to read Interior Castle prior to our “talk and tea.” Many editions are review of interpretation by E. Allison Peers). available. For unity, Paula recommends the translation by E. Allison Peers, available from such publishers as Dover Thrift Editions and the Image Classic series. Also available e-book and PDF Participants are encouraged to read the poem Dark Night, and the commentary: Dark Night of download. the Soul prior to our meeting. The poem is readily available on-line. Many editions of the commentary are available. For unity, Paula recommends the translation of Dark Night of the In many ways St. Teresa is the embodiment of 16th century feminism. When she reimagined Soul, by E. Allison Peers, available from such publishers as Dover Thrift Editions and the Image the Carmelite communities she insisted that each of her nuns must have her own cell—they did Classic series. Also available in e-book and PDF download form. not live/sleep in a dormitory. Teresa was promoting "a room of one's own" long before Virginia Woolf wrote her essay. She also taught her "daughters" to take their religious experience This course is for those whose seek to deeper their relationship to God through study and seriously. Like Ignatius Loyola, Teresa believed that God could/would communicate with learning. As another reader of the work stated, “this is for those who want to go deep,” into individuals. All religious experience had a personal dimension and it was not always mediated their Christian faith. In his translation, Peters says, “St. John of the Cross explains the four by the church. benefits of the dark night: 1. Delight of peace, 2. Habitual remembrance and thought of God, —Julie Collins, Chair, Christian Formation Committee, religious educator and spiritual director 3. Cleanness and purity of soul, 4. Practice of the virtues.”

What: Teresa de Avila: Mother of Souls What: This light guided me: John of the Cross Date & Time: Sunday, May 13, 1-2:30 pm Date & Time: Sunday, May 20, 1-2:30 pm Facilitator: Paula Mays Facilitator: Paula Mays RSVP: Space is limited. Please email [email protected] RSVP: Space is limited. Please email [email protected]

Offered through the Office of the Vicar, Washington National Cathedral. For additional congregation Offered through the Office of the Vicar, Washington National Cathedral. For additional congregation programs visit: https://cathedral.org/congregation/events programs visit: https://cathedral.org/congregation/events