"To do God's will -- this was the goal upon which the saints constantly fixed their gaze. They were fully persuaded that in this consists the entire perfection of the soul. "

St Alphonsus de Liguori

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"The one thing necessary which Jesus spoke of to Martha and Mary consists in hearing the word of God and living by it."

R. Garrigou-Lagrange, OP

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"Every man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars."

Thomas à Kempis

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 St Teresa of Avila  (1515- 1582)
Founder of the Discalced Carmelites and Doctor of the Church

 

INTERIOR CASTLE

By St Teresa of Avila

CONTENTS
 

TRANSLATOR'S INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION (by  E. Allison Peers)
1. General background
2. Origin of the book
3. Description of the Mansions
4. About the manuscripts
5. List of Abbreviations

FIRST MANSIONS
1. The beauty and dignity of our souls
2. The hideousness of a soul in mortal sin

SECOND MANSIONS
1. The great importance of perseverance

THIRD MANSIONS
1. Insecurity in this life of exile
2. Aridities in prayer

FOURTH MANSIONS
1. The difference between sweetness or tenderness in prayer and consolations
2. Explains by a comparison what is meant by consolations
3. Prayer of Recollection

FIFTH MANSIONS
1. Explain how in prayer the soul is united with God
2. The effects of the Prayer of Union
3. Another kind of union
4. Cautions about proceding cautiously

SIXTH MANSIONS
1. With greater favours comes greater trials
2. Several ways in which Our Lord awakens the soul
3. How God speaks to the soul
4. When God suspends the soul in prayer by rapture
5. How God exalts the soul through flights of the spirit
6. How to know when this prayer is genuine
7. Keep in mind the Humanity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
8. About intellectual visions
9. About imaginary visions
10. Other favours which God grants to the soul
11. Desires to enjoy God imperil its life

SEVENTH MANSIONS
1. About the great favours which God bestows here
2. The difference between spiritual union and spiritual marriage
3. The striking effects produced by this prayer
4. Why Our Lord grants such great favours

EPILOGUE