Listen

St. Teresa of Ávila Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Creator:
Published:
December 22, 2023
October 15, 2019
Who was St. Teresa of Ávila? Listen to this Spotify playlist inspired by her life.|St-Teresa-of-Avila|St-Teresa-of-Avila-Square

October 15 is the feast day of St. Teresa of Ávila.

Teresa joined the Carmelite community of nuns when she was 20, against her father's wishes. She was not especially religious in her practices, but when her father died, she re-examined her life and began a regular practice of contemplative prayer that ended up transforming her. After developing this exercise for nearly 20 years, she helped other nuns and visitors of the convent learn it as key to different stages of spiritual growth.

She was known as a mystic because in her contemplation, she saw visions of Jesus, heard the voice of God, and was even lifted into the air.

At first, she found this kind of prayer difficult, but, after practicing, she made this discovery: “For contemplative prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love. Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything.”

Once she opened her own convent for a contemplative order, Teresa began writing about the experiences of her life and continued to open more convents. Her book, The Interior Castle, remains one of the most influential spiritual works of all time.

Teresa died on October 4, 1582. She was declared a Doctor of the Church for her writing and teaching on contemplative prayer in 1970. Teresa is the patron saint of sick people, people in need of grace, and people in religious orders.

Get to know this saint through our Spotify playlist inspired by her life — featuring artists The Liturgists and Citizen Way, and themes of love and intimacy.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
December 22, 2023
October 15, 2019
On a related note...
Having a Rough Semester? Walk it Out

Having a Rough Semester? Walk it Out

Cate Von Dohlen

Good and Decent S2|E4: From Old to New

Good and Decent S2|E4: From Old to New

Grotto

‘Sweet Tooth’ Gives Us the Fullness of Human Freedom and Love

‘Sweet Tooth’ Gives Us the Fullness of Human Freedom and Love

Grant Hartley

A Practice in Mutual Restoration

A Practice in Mutual Restoration

Nicole Watt

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

How This Quote Saved Me From My Post-Grad Slump

How This Quote Saved Me From My Post-Grad Slump

Theresa Sullivan

Listening to the Gentle Nudge to Leap Into Service

Listening to the Gentle Nudge to Leap Into Service

Meghan Franklin

Where to Find Hope in Darkness

Where to Find Hope in Darkness

Julia Weir

The Daily Challenge of Pursuing a Career in Music

The Daily Challenge of Pursuing a Career in Music

Grotto

Feast Day: Our Lady of Guadalupe

Feast Day: Our Lady of Guadalupe

Grotto

Pier Giorgio Frassati Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Pier Giorgio Frassati Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Hope for Uvalde

Hope for Uvalde

Javi Zubizarreta

Free Download: Guide to Making Meaningful Resolutions

Free Download: Guide to Making Meaningful Resolutions

Grotto

What It's Really Like to Hear God's Call to Religious Life

What It's Really Like to Hear God's Call to Religious Life

Sister Fiat Staley

"Father of Three Daughters"

"Father of Three Daughters"

Judith Sornberger

What Would You Do If You Had a Week to Live?

What Would You Do If You Had a Week to Live?

Robert Christian

Why My Workout Motivation Shifted to Mental Health

Why My Workout Motivation Shifted to Mental Health

Maria Walley

How to Make an Impact with Your Lenten Almsgiving

How to Make an Impact with Your Lenten Almsgiving

Eric Clayton

Mother Finds Healing in Painting Portraits of Mary

Mother Finds Healing in Painting Portraits of Mary

Grotto

#RejuvenateTheChurch | Synod 2018

#RejuvenateTheChurch | Synod 2018

Grotto

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.