Teresa Academy
The writings of Saint Teresa of Jesus
(a.k.a., Teresa of Avila)
I am in the process of collecting electronic copies of Saint Teresa’s writings. My goal is to compile a comprehensive digital library of her work in both searchable text and audio formats. The intention is to facilitate broader familiarity, deeper study, and brighter spiritual illumination emanating from this vital saint.
Searchable texts
The Life (St. Teresa’s autobiography)
- Poems
- Exclamations of the Soul to God (Meditations of St. Teresa after Communion)
- Conceptions of the Love of God
- Maxims of St. Teresa
- Papers found in St. Teresa’s breviary
- Third person account of the last days of St. Teresa
- Accounts of St. Teresa’s manifestations after death
- Canonization of St. Teresa
The Spirit of Saint Teresa
A volume of selected works and devotions, including:
- Exclamations of the Soul to God (Meditations of St. Teresa after Communion)
- Directions on Prayer and on the Life of Prayer
- Novena for Saint Teresa
Collected Works, Volume One
This volume of collected works includes:
- The Life
- Spiritual Testimonies
- Soliloquies
Free audiobook recordings
The Life (St. Teresa’s autobiography)
Exclamations of the Soul to God (Meditations of St. Teresa after Communion)
Additional sources
For incredibly rich access to more collections of Saint Teresa’s works, additional audiobook recordings, biographies and commentaries, please explore the archive.org library of Teresian literature.
Personal reflections
Here are a few themes from Saint Teresa’s spirituality that are salient and meaningful to me:
- Purpose of the spiritual life — Saint Teresa describes a purpose of the spiritual life as growth from a condition of servile fear to a state of divine love and friendship with God.
- Ontology of the human constitution — The Saint unambiguously discerns distinctions between “spirit”, “soul”, and “powers of soul” as unique aspects of the human being. (Ref. Interior Castle, Mansion 7.)
- Principles of true spirituality — Humility, detachment, and universal love are clearly articulated by Saint Teresa as foundational and indispensable principles of true spirituality. (Ref. The Way of Perfection.)
- Spiritual progress — Greatest progress in the spiritual path is gained not by thinking much, but by loving much. (Ref. Interior Castle.)
- Spiritual water — Saint Teresa identifies four types of spiritual water. She elaborates on the differences between these four types, describes their effects on human beings, and offers advice for practical ways that people might obtain access to spiritual water.
- Importance of forgiveness — The Saint advises her spiritual disciples that they must strive toward complete, unconditional forgiveness of all people whom they have known and with whom they have interacted throughout their life.
- Second heaven — Saint Teresa teaches that contained within the human being is a “second heaven” that is like the heaven where God abides in eternity, and that effective spiritual devotion will lead an individual to experience the inner rest and enjoyment of this “second heaven” even while they are living in this world of chaos and suffering. (Ref. Interior Castle.)
These are just a few highlights from Saint Teresa’s writings that inspire and encourage me. I am excited for you to learn more about this extraordinary woman and her treasury of written works. If your experience with Saint Teresa is anything like mine, you will find yourself growing in a sense of sweet friendship with her–one that will become a source of hope and contentment in your life.
I wish you the best!
-Michael Ferguson