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Teresa of Avila. Saint Teresa of Ávila: Collected Works
Saint Teresa of Ávila: Collected Works
Table of Contents
The Life of St. Teresa
Introduction to the Present Edition
St. Teresa's Arguments of the Chapters
Preface by David Lewis
Annals of the Saint's Life
The Life. of the. Holy Mother Teresa of Jesus
Prologue
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Chapter XIV
Chapter XV
Chapter XVI
Chapter XVII
Chapter XVIII
Chapter XIX
Chapter XX
Chapter XXI
Chapter XXII
Chapter XXIII
Chapter XXIV
Chapter XXV
Chapter XXVI
Chapter XXVII
Chapter XXVIII
Chapter XXIX
Chapter XXX
Chapter XXXI
Chapter XXXII
Chapter XXXIII
Chapter XXXIV
Chapter XXXV
Chapter XXXVI
Chapter XXXVII
Chapter XXXVIII
Chapter XXXIX
Chapter XL
The Relations
Relation I
Relation II
Relation III
Relation IV
Relation V
On Union
Relation VI
Relation VII
Relation VIII
Relation IX
Relation X
Relation XI
The Interior Castle
INTRODUCTION
THE INTERIOR CASTLE. OR THE MANSIONS
THE FIRST MANSIONS
CHAPTER I
This Chapter treats of the beauty and dignity of our souls and makes a comparison to Explain this. The advantage of knowing and understanding this and the favours God grants to us is shown, and how prayer is the gate of the spiritual castle
CHAPTER II
Describes the hideous appearance of a soul in mortal sin as revealed by god to some one: Offers a few remarks on self-knowledge: this chapter is useful as it contains Some points requiring attention. An explanation of the mansions
THE SECOND MANSIONS
ONLY CHAPTER
Treats of the great importance of perseverance in order to enter the last mansions, And of the fierce war the devil wages against us. How essential it is to take The right path from the very commencement of our journey. A method of action Which has proved very efficacious
THE THIRD MANSIONS
CHAPTER I
Treats of the insecurity of life in this exile, however high we may be raised, and of how we must always walk in fear. Contains some good points
CHAPTER II
Continues the same subject and speaks of aridities in prayer and their results: of the necessity of trying ourselves and how our lord proves those who are in these mansions
THE FOURTH MANSIONS
CHAPTER I
How sweetness and tenderness in prayer differ from consolations. Explains how advantageous it was for St. Teresa to comprehend that the imagination and the understanding are not the same thing. This chapter is useful for those whose thoughts wander much during prayer
CHAPTER II
Continues the same subject, explaining by a comparison in what divine consolations consist: and how we ought to try to prepare ourselves to receive them, without endeavouring to obtain them
CHAPTER III
Of the prayer of recollection which god generally gives the soul before granting it that last described. Its effects: also those of the prayer of divine consolations described in the last chapter
THE FIFTH MANSIONS
CHAPTER I
Begins to treat of the union of the soul with god in prayer. How to be sure that we are not deceived in this matter
CHAPTER II
Continues the same subject: explains the prayer of union by a delicate comparison and speaks of the effects it leaves upon the soul. This chapter should receive great attention
CHAPTER III
This chapter continues the same subject and speaks of another kind of union which the soul can obtain with the help of god. The importance of love of our neighbour in this matter. This is very useful to read
CHAPTER IV
Further explanation of the same subject; explains this prayer. The importance of being on one’s guard, as the devil eagerly desires to turn souls back from the right path
THE SIXTH MANSIONS
CHAPTER I
This chapter shows how, when god bestows greater favours on the soul, it suffers more severe afflictions. Some of the latter are described and directions how to bear them given to the dwellers in this mansion. This chapter is useful for those suffering interior trials
CHAPTER II
Treats of several ways whereby our lord quickens the soul; there appears no cause for alarm in them although they are signal favours of a very exalted nature
INTRODUCTORY NOTE TO CHAPTER III
BY THE EDITOR
CHAPTER III
Treats of the same subject and of the way god is sometimes pleased to speak to the soul. How we should behave in such a case, in which we must not follow our own opinion. Gives signs to show how to discover whether this favour is a deception or not: this is very noteworthy
CHAPTER IV
Treats of how god suspends the soul in prayer by a trance, ecstasy or rapture, which I believe are all the same thing. Great courage required to receive extraordinary favours from his majesty
CHAPTER V
Treats of the same subject as the last chapter and describes the flight of the spirit, which is another way by which god elevates the soul: this requires great courage in one experiencing it. This favour, by which god greatly delights the soul is explained. This chapter is very profitable
CHAPTER VI
Describes an effect which proves the prayer spoken of in the last chapter to be genuine and no deception, treats of another favour our lord bestows on the soul to make it praise him fervently
CHAPTER VII
Describes the grief felt on account of their sins by souls on whom god has bestowed the before-mentioned favours. Shows that however spiritual a person may be, it is a great error not to keep before our mind the humanity of our lord and saviour Jesus christ and his sacred passion and life, as also the glorious mother of God and the saints. The benefits gained by such a meditation. This chapter is Most profitable
CHAPTER VIII
Speaks of the manner in which god communicates with the soul by intellectual vision and gives advice upon the subject. Of the effects produced by this vision when genuine. Secrecy about these favours is enjoined
CHAPTER IX
This chapter speaks of the manner in which god communicates with the soul by imaginary visions. Strong reasons are given for not desiring to be led in this way; this is very profitable reading
CHAPTER X
Speaks of various other graces god bestows on the soul in different ways, and of the great benefits conferred by them
CHAPTER XI
Treats of how god inspires the soul with such vehement and impetuous desires of seeing him as to endanger life. The benefits resulting from this divine grace
THE SEVENTH MANSIONS
CHAPTER I
Treats of the sublime favours god bestows on souls which have entered the seventh mansions. The author shows the difference she believes to exist between soul and spirit although they are both one. This chapter contains some noteworthy things
CHAPTER II
Treats of the same subject: explains, by some delicately drawn comparisons, the difference between spiritual union and spiritual marriage
CHAPTER III
The great fruits produced by the above-mentioned prayer. The wonderful difference between these effects and those formerly described should be carefully studied and remembered
CHAPTER IV
The conclusion sets forth what appears to be our lord’s principal intention in conferring these sublime favours on souls, and explains how necessary it is for mary and martha to go together. This chapter is very profitable
IHS
Way of Perfection
PROTESTATIONS
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER 1. Of the reason which moved me to found this convent in such strict observance
CHAPTER 2. Treats of how the necessities of the body should be disregarded and of the good that comes from poverty
CHAPTER 3. Continues the subject begun in the first chapter and persuades the sisters to busy themselves constantly in beseeching God to help those who work for the Church. Ends with an exclamatory prayer
CHAPTER 4. Exhorts the nuns to keep their Rule and names three things which are important for the spiritual life. Describes the first of these three things, which is love of one’s neighbour, and speaks of the harm which can be done by individual friendships
Appendix To Chapter 4
CHAPTER 5. Continues speaking of confessors. Explains why it is important that they should be learned men
CHAPTER 6. Returns to the subject of perfect love, already begun
CHAPTER 7. Treats of the same subject of spiritual love and gives certain counsels for gaining it
CHAPTER 8. Treats of the great benefit of self-detachment, both interior and exterior, from all things created
CHAPTER 9. Treats of the great blessing that shunning their relatives brings to those who have left the world and shows how by doing so they will find truer friends
CHAPTER 10. Teaches that detachment from the things aforementioned is insufficient if we are not detached from our own selves and that this virtue and humility go together
CHAPTER 11. Continues to treat of mortification and describes how it may be attained in times of sickness
CHAPTER 12. Teaches that the true lover of God must care little for life and honour
CHAPTER 13. Continues to treat of mortification and explains how one must renounce the world’s standards of wisdom in order to attain to true wisdom
CHAPTER 14. Treats of the great importance of not professing anyone whose spirit is contrary to the things aforementioned
CHAPTER 15. Treats of the great advantage which comes from our not excusing ourselves, even though we find we are unjustly condemned
CHAPTER 16. Describes the difference between perfection in the lives of contemplatives and in the lives of those who are content with mental prayer. Explains how it is sometimes possible for God to raise a distracted soul to perfect contemplation and the reason for this. This chapter and that which comes next are to be noted carefully
CHAPTER 17. How not all souls are fitted for contemplation and how some take long to attain it. True humility will walk happily along the road by which the Lord leads it
CHAPTER 18. Continues the same subject and shows how much greater are the trials of contemplatives than those of actives. This chapter offers great consolation to actives
CHAPTER 19. Begins to treat of prayer. Addresses souls who cannot reason with the understanding
CHAPTER 20. Describes how, in one way or another, we never lack consolation on the road of prayer. Counsels the sisters to include this subject continually in their conversation
CHAPTER 21. Describes the great importance of setting out upon the practice of prayer with firm resolution and of heeding no difficulties put in the way by the devil
CHAPTER 22. Explains the meaning of mental prayer
CHAPTER 23. Describes the importance of not turning back when one has set out upon the way of prayer. Repeats how necessary it is to be resolute
CHAPTER 24. Describes how vocal prayer may be practised with perfection and how closely allied it is to mental prayer
CHAPTER 25. Describes the great gain which comes to a soul when it practises vocal prayer perfectly. Shows how God may raise it thence to things supernatural
CHAPTER 26. Continues the description of a method for recollecting the thoughts. Describes means of doing this. This chapter is very profitable for those who are beginning prayer
CHAPTER 27. Describes the great love shown us by the Lord in the first words of the Paternoster and the great importance of our making no account of good birth if we truly desire to be the daughters of God
CHAPTER 28. Describes the nature of the Prayer of Recollection and sets down some of the means by which we can make it a habit
CHAPTER 29. Continues to describe methods for achieving this Prayer of Recollection. Says what little account we should make of being favoured by our superiors
CHAPTER 30. Describes the importance of understanding what we ask for in prayer. Treats of these words in the Paternoster: “Sanctificetur nomen tuum, adveniat regnum tuum.” Applies them to the Prayer of Quiet, and begins the explanation of them
CHAPTER 31. Continues the same subject. Explains what is meant by the Prayer of Quiet. Gives several counsels to those who experience it. This chapter is very noteworthy
CHAPTER 32. Expounds these words of the Paternoster: “Fiat voluntas tua sicut in coelo et in terra.” Describes how much is accomplished by those who repeat these words with full resolution and how well the Lord rewards them for it
CHAPTER 33. Treats of our great need that the Lord should give us what we ask in these words of the Paternoster: “Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie.”
CHAPTER 34. Continues the same subject. This is very suitable for reading after the reception of the Most Holy Sacrament
CHAPTER 35. Describes the recollection which should be practised after Communion. Concludes this subject with an exclamatory prayer to the Eternal Father
CHAPTER 36. Treats of these words in the Paternoster: “Dimitte nobis debita nostra.”
CHAPTER 37. Describes the excellence of this prayer called the Paternoster, and the many ways in which we shall find consolation in it
CHAPTER 38. Treats of the great need which we have to beseech the Eternal Father to grant us what we ask in these words: “Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo.” Explains certain temptations. This chapter is noteworthy
CHAPTER 39. Continues the same subject and gives counsels concerning different kinds of temptation. Suggests two remedies by which we may be freed from temptations
CHAPTER 40. Describes how, by striving always to walk in the love and fear of God, we shall travel safely amid all these temptations
CHAPTER 41. Speaks of the fear of God and of how we must keep ourselves from venial sins
CHAPTER 42. Treats of these last words of the Paternoster: “Sed libera nos a malo. Amen.” “But deliver us from evil. Amen.”
