PODCAST | The Necessity of Prayer: A Reflection on the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila

St. Teresa of Avila, whose feast day is celebrated October 15, is a Doctor of the Church known for her work in the movement of spiritual and monastic renewal within Spain during the Counter-Reformation. Her written works are highly regarded among mystical literature in the Catholic Church and continue to inspire readers today.

In this podcast, Fr. Javier del Castillo shares insight into the life of St. Teresa of Avila and reflects on an important lesson we can learn from her: the necessity of prayer. Saint Teresa of Avila understood that people are not born saints but can achieve sainthood through cooperation in God’s divine plan. Her time of prayer was most frequently spent in quiet contemplation upon the suffering of Christ, allowing her to become more aware of her own sinfulness which led her to rely more fully on God. In following the example of Saint Teresa of Avila and turning away from sin, we too can walk the path toward sainthood.