Conversion, Prayer and Transforming
Union
in Teresa of Avila’s The Interior Castle
September 8, 15, 22; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Teresa of Avila was
tired and over-extended with business travel when she was
ordered in 1577 to write her last book, The Interior
Castle. But write she did. In a mere two months, over a
six month period of intense activity, she produced the
crowning work of her life and a spiritual treatise of
enduring value. The inspiration for the writing proceeded
from her vision of the soul as “a paradise where the Lord
says he finds his delight.” “I don’t find anything
comparable to the magnificent beauty of a soul and its
marvelous capacity,” she wrote. The various dwelling places
within the soul form the seven interior abodes of the Castle
that the faithful soul travels on its journey to union with
God. The three sessions of this course will focus on the
need for constant conversion, Teresa’s guidelines for prayer
in each dwelling place, and the goal of transforming union
as these topics relate to Teresa’s vision of the soul’s
progress toward mystical union with the Beloved. (Cost:
$60.00 for the three sessions)
POETS OF FAITH
October 13 and 20; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
These two sessions
will reflect on the poetry of contemporary poets who view
the phenomenal world from the perspective of natural faith
or a hard-won religious belief, or who struggle with such
belief. Selected poems of Franz Wright, Louise Gluck, Mary
Oliver, R. S. Thomas, Geoffrey Hill and John O’Donoghue will
guide our reflections and stimulate personal
examination. (Cost: $35.00 for the two sessions)
Formative One-to-One Direction and Human
Encounter
November 3, 10, 17, December 1 and 8;
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Human encounter in the
world, with other people, and with the Transcendent Mystery
is the basis for most of our life-in-formation. These
sessions will reflect on the structures and dynamics of
formative encounter within the context of spiritual
direction and counseling. Of particular relevance to our
discussions will be the quality of attunement to the other,
receptivity to and respect for individual life experience,
formative attention, speaking and expression, and the role
of foundational faith, hope and love in promoting
transcendent awakening and presence in directees. We shall
also give consideration to the progressive dynamics of
embodying the basic spiritual dispositions of the heart:
poverty of spirit, simplicity, detachment, awe and
gratitude. (Cost: $95.00 for the five sessions)
Presenters:
John D. Hamilton, CFX, and
Romeo J. Bonsaint, SC
Location:
Xavier Center, 21 Spring Street, Danvers, MA 01923
(on the campus of St. John’s Preparatory School)
RESOURCES
IN SPIRITUAL FORMATION
