Courtney McGrailPraying with St Teresa of Avila
by Jerome Lantry, OCD
(Teresian Press, €7.00)
Eugene McCaffrey OCD
This year marks the fifth centenary of the birth of St Teresa of Avila. Her life and her teaching have had a profound influence on the history and spirituality of the Church for the past 500 years.
To commemorate the event, Teresian Press has already published a number of books on the writings and teaching of St Teresa.
This latest publication, St Teresa on Prayer, by Fr Jerome Lantry, OCD, is a precious gem that contains a compelling account of her teaching on prayer and the dynamic spirit that inspired her.
The book is essentially a commentary on The Way of Perfection, the most distinctly domestic and accessible of all her writings. Originally intended for her own sisters, the book far exceeds its original purpose and the ideas and images she uses have a universal appeal.
The first five chapters open up Teresa’s teaching on prayer as friendship with God, a relationship that must be based on a truly Christian way of life, commitment and humility of heart. Here we find one of her best-known sayings: “God has so many enemies and so few friends, these friends should be good ones.”
Teaching on prayer
In the second part of the book – the remaining eight chapters – Fr Jerome explores her commentary on the Our Father, probably one of the most beautiful ever written. Each petition opens new horizons as Teresa skilfully weaves her teaching on prayer around the words of Jesus.
In the closing chapters of the book, we hear Teresa at her best, practical, realistic and down-to-earth. She spells out what are for her the acid tests of prayer: our love for one another, forgiveness, trust in God, and a humble self-knowledge.
The centenary year of St Teresa continues until mid-October. Other local events planned include: Carmelite pilgrimages to Knock on July 26 and to Avila (Spain) from September 14-19; a seminar on St Teresa ‘Doctor of the Soul’ in the Avila Retreat Centre (Bloomfield Avenue, Donnybrook, Dublin 4) on September 18/19; and the solemn closing of the centenary year in the Carmelite Church, Whitefriars Street, on October 15, the feast of St Teresa.