Teresa of Avila

Presentation:  May 2, 2009

Susan Muto, Ph.D.

Brief Description of Presentation

Although she was born in Avila, Spain, on March 28, 1515, St. Teresa of Avila’s story and her contribution to Christian mysticism begins in the wilderness near Mount Carmel in the Holy Land.  Around 1209, a small group of devote pilgrims, mostly former Crusaders from Europe, searched for a solitary place of prayer where they could share the ideals that drew them together.  With utter trust in God and a love for poverty, they organized themselves into a praying community, each one abiding alone in a cave or hut, spending their time in worship and work, leaving their solitude only to join with others the celebration of the Eucharist.  Around 1209, they asked their bishop, Albert of Jerusalem, to draw up an official code of life based on their practice of the spiritual disciplines in the desert.  This embodiment of their radical Christian ideals became known as the primitive rule of Carmel.  This document of only twenty-four paragraphs became the basis for the reform of the Carmelite community by St. Teresa of Avila in the sixteenth century.  She found the perfect partner for her life and work in St. John of the Cross.  From that day to this, readers of her masterpieces, The Book of Her Life, The Way of Perfection, and the Interior Castle will find inspiration for their life of prayer and whatever ministry they pursue.

In this presentation Susan Muto will:

· place the saint in her historical setting

· explore the ascetical and mystical elements of her teaching on the spiritual life

· reflect on the virtues of detachment, humility, and charity in relation to our own spiritual growth.

Prayer Exercise

Centering prayer period that will ready everyone in silence and contemplation to hear Teresa’s teachings with the heart.

Preparation for Session and Bibliography

Click here for helpful article to read before the session:  "Reconciling Sanctity and Service: The Perfect Way of Saint Teresa of Avila” by Susan Muto.  Carmelite Digest. Volume 18, No. 4, Fall 2003, 10-21.

In addition to the main bibliography, the following resources would be helpful for this session:

Teresa of Avila by Cathleen Medick.

A basic treatment of the saint’s life and works with respect for the three-fold path of purgation, illumination, and union.

The Book of Her Life by Teresa of Avila.

The essential autobiography.

The Way of Perfection by Teresa of Avila.

Her analysis of the virtues of detachment, humility, and charity and her original treatment of the Lord’s prayer as leading us from vocal to mental to contemplative prayer.

Where Lovers Meet: Inside the Interior Castle by Susan Muto.

A reflection on her itinerary for the journey the soul must make to discover all that God has made inherent in every fulfilling quest after divine union.

About  Susan Muto, Ph.D.
Susan Muto, Ph.D., executive director of the Epiphany Association and a  renowned speaker, author, and teacher is a single lay woman living her vocation in the world and doing full-time church-related ministry in the Epiphany Association.  She has led conferences, seminars, workshops, and institutes throughout the world.

Professor Muto received her Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Pittsburgh, where she specialized in the work of post-Reformation spiritual writers. Beginning in 1966, she served in various administrative positions at the Institute of Formative Spirituality (IFS) at Duquesne University and taught as a full professor in its programs, edited its journals, and served as its director from 1981 to 1988.  An expert in literature and spirituality, she continues to teach courses on an adjunct basis at many schools, seminaries, and centers of higher learning.  She aims in her teaching to integrate the life of prayer and presence with professional ministry and in-depth formation in the home, the church, and the marketplace.  In faithfulness to the principles of the original European Epiphany approach, she addresses her teachings to the contemporary needs of laity, clergy, and religious.

As co-editor of Epiphany Connexions, Epiphany International, and Epiphany Inspirations, as a frequent contributor to scholarly and popular journals, and as herself the author and co-author of over thirty books, Dr.  Muto keeps up to date with the latest developments in her field.  In fact, her many books on formative reading of scripture and the masters are considered to be premier introductions to the basic, classical art and discipline of spiritual formation and it systematic, comprehensive, formation theology.  From 1986 to 1992, Doctor Muto served as principle writer of the Drafts of the Pastoral Letter on Women's Concerns for Church and Society for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops: "Partners in the Mystery of Redemption" (1988); "One in Christ Jesus" (1990); "Called To Be One In Christ Jesus"(1991); "One in Christ Jesus" (1992). She lectures nationally and internationally on the treasured wisdom of the Judeo-Christian faith and formation tradition and on many foundational facets of living human and Christian values in today’s world.  Professor Muto holds membership in numerous honorary organizations and has received many distinctions for her work, including a Doctor of Humanities degree from King’s College in Pennsylvania.