The Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Avila

Alexis Dallara-Marsh recaps the powerful message in Saint Teresa of Avila's spiritual classic.

Yesterday I attempted reading the TAN Classics edition of Saint Teresa of Avila's The Interior Castle (or The Mansions) on a plane ride. It was not an easy read, and I wonder what reading level it would be graded as. It was noted at one point that it was translated, which I have often found can be an added barrier to one's understanding of fine literature. Despite my limitations at times in understanding her writing, there were powerful messages throughout Saint Teresa’s teachings. The Christian must persevere, be valiant, practice humility, take up their Cross, and associate with others who through their own spirituality will draw one into further rooms in the mansion.

One of the main messages that stood out to me was that she quoted the final sentence of the Psalms: we must ask God to dilate our hearts. As a poor sinner, I am in desperate need of this. I am nothing but a victim of a hard heart. Saint Teresa also emphasized the importance of prayer through various means. The Christian must persevere, be valiant, practice humility, take up their cross, and associate with others who through their own spirituality will draw one into further rooms in the mansion.

Prayer for me has never come easily, but it is an exercise I must steadily work on. By entering into prayer, one can escape worldly desires and enter into spiritual existence with the Lord. Going deeper is the essence of the Mansions of the Interior Castle.

Saint Teresa vividly goes on to describe seven mansions, starting from the lowest in which those are either in Mortal Sin (the first Mansion), or preoccupied by earthly riches, honors and affairs (the Second Mansion). So many of us sinners often fail by concentrating all on our bodies, and "only to realize vaguely that we have souls." Yet God has given the soul great dignity, permitting it to wander at will through the rooms of the mansion, from the lowest to the highest.

It was also said at one time by this Doctor of the Church that we ask the Lord not to lighten our burdens but give us a stronger back on which to carry such burdens. Going deeper into the mansions, Saint Teresa highlighted the essence of carrying our cross so that we can be truly united with Jesus, as well as the importance of humility, to the extreme that we strive to be forgotten and become nothing. By becoming a slave to others and the least of all, we build a solid foundation for our castle. 

A note from the publisher: 

The Commentaries is a podcast series from TAN in which you’ll learn how to read and understand history’s greatest Catholic works, from today’s greatest Catholic scholars. In every series of The Commentaries, your expert host will be your personal guide to not just read the book, but to live the book, shining the light of its eternal truths into the darkness of our modern trials and tribulations. Future seasons of The Commentaries will delve into The Interior Castle, St. Augustine’s Confessions, The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena, and many more.    

To download your free Classic Companion PDF and for updates about new seasons, expert scholars, and exclusive deals for The Commentaries listeners, sign up at TANCommentaries.com. And for more great ways to deepen your faith, check out all the spiritual resources available at TANBooks.com and use Coupon Code COM25 for 25% Off your next order.  

Copyright 2023 Alexis Dallara-Marsh
Images: Canva