The Interior Castle: A Word on Prayer (Feast of Saint Teresa of Avila)

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Saint Teresa of Avila, whose feast day we celebrate today, is one of the great mystics of the Church. Recognized for her gift of prayer, she wrote a book on the spiritual life called, The Interior Castle.

Teresa likens the soul to a castle made of a single diamond. Inside that castle, there are seven different rooms, each leading you closer to God. 

Outside the castle, however, there are venomous creatures trying to prevent you from entering. These creatures represent all those sins that impede our spiritual growth. 

In order to journey to God, we must leave these sins behind.

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So, what are the creatures living outside my castle? What prevents me from praying? What sins impede my spiritual growth?

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The spiritual life is often a back-and-forth; a struggle between virtue and vice.

But in this Eucharist, may the Lord strengthen us to enter our interior castle, seeking him wholeheartedly. 

(At Mass this morning, I also prayed for all of you, who may be reading this post online. May the Lord strengthen you, as well, who participate in communion spiritually.)