Podcast Summary: Catholic Saints – Episode on St. Teresa of Avila

Podcast Information

• Title: Catholic Saints
• Host/Author: Augustine Institute
• Episode: St. Teresa of Avila
• Release Date: October 15, 2024
• Description: In this episode, scripture scholars from the Augustine Institute delve into the life and legacy of St. Teresa of Avila, exploring her role as a Doctor of the Church, her teachings on prayer, and her enduring influence on Catholic spirituality.

Introduction

The episode begins with a brief introduction to the podcast, emphasizing its mission to deepen the faithful’s understanding of Catholic saints through insightful discussions with scripture scholars. The focus of this episode is on St. Teresa of Avila, a revered figure in the Catholic Church known for her profound spirituality and contributions as a Doctor of the Church.

Guest Introduction

Dr. Ben Akers welcomes listeners and introduces the special guest, Annette Bergen, the newly appointed Executive Director of Endow (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women). Annette shares her background and her decade-long involvement with Endow.

Annette Bergen (02:23):
"I have been involved with Endow for about 10 years... Through this group, not only did we study the teachings of the Catholic Church, but we also connected and bonded very deeply. My Endow group has become a very big part of my life and has aided me in my formation in the faith as well as my journey through life."

Relatability of St. Teresa of Avila

Dr. Akers expresses his personal connection to St. Teresa, mentioning his pilgrimage to Avila and his devotion to her as his wife's confirmation saint. He highlights Teresa’s relatability, noting her struggles between worldly desires and spiritual commitments.

Dr. Ben Akers (00:48):
"She is a wonderful saint because I think she's very relatable... she's also known as a doctor of the church... Teresa is a model for us on prayer."

Endow’s Mission and Study Approach

Annette elaborates on Endow’s mission to educate women on their dignity and role within the Church and society. She explains how Endow utilizes small group studies to disseminate teachings, starting with foundational letters like Pope John Paul II’s "Mulieris Dignitatem."

Annette Bergen (03:42):
"Endow originally started around Pope John Paul II's letter... Our founders wrote the foundational Endow study letter to women, explaining and sharing all of the beautiful teachings... leading to formation and ultimately transformation in the lives of the women who participate in Endow."

St. Teresa’s Struggles and Relatability

The discussion shifts to St. Teresa’s personal struggles, making her a relatable figure for many. Both speakers reflect on her early life, her desire for approval, and her challenges in balancing worldly pursuits with her spiritual life.

Dr. Ben Akers (08:14):
"She had a very intensive prayer life, but she was always struggling with making time for prayer versus making time for all of her other pursuits... I really connected to her on that one point in particular."

Annette Bergen (09:56):
"Teresa of Avila had the same struggles... her prayer was not fruitful at times, but her biggest challenge and encouragement is to just keep going."

Teachings on Prayer

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to St. Teresa’s teachings on prayer. They discuss her work, "The Way of Perfection," where she guides others on prayer through relatable analogies, such as the interior castle and watering a garden.

Dr. Ben Akers (17:37):
"When you start to read St. Teresa of Avila, you realize that she's teaching you about prayer... it's like she's just sitting right next to you, teaching you how to pray."

Annette Bergen (23:25):
"Prayer is a conversation among friends... she just has that very simple, concrete, very humble explanation of it."

Conversion and Mystical Experiences

The conversation delves into St. Teresa’s deep conversion at the age of 40, inspired by reading St. Augustine’s "Confessions" and witnessing the Ecce Homo imagery. They explore her mystical experiences and how she communicates profound spiritual truths through human analogies.

Dr. Ben Akers (19:04):
"She was reading the Confessions of St. Augustine... she saw a very bloodied image of Christ... this led to her full conversion to Christ."

Annette Bergen (16:02):
"Because of the way she writes about them and the very human analogies that she uses... you can understand what she's saying and you can imagine that it really happened to her."

Legacy and Devotions

St. Teresa’s legacy includes her devotion to St. Joseph, which originated from her healing experiences attributed to him. Both speakers highlight how her influence has popularized the veneration of St. Joseph in the modern Church.

Dr. Ben Akers (25:27):
"Saint Teresa of Avila... she helped us have this devotion to Joseph."

Annette Bergen (26:49):
"Her name, her religious name was Teresa of Jesus, that really she saw Christ as the center of everything that she did in her life."

Applying St. Teresa’s Teachings Today

Annette discusses how modern Catholics can engage with St. Teresa’s teachings through Endow’s studies, which offer structured group discussions and practical applications of her spiritual insights.

Annette Bergen (27:04):
"If you were interested, pick up a copy of her compiled works and writings. But as an alternative, the wonderful Endow study, Teresa of Avila, teacher of prayer, covers her life, the Interior Castle, and The Way of Perfection."

Dr. Ben Akers (29:04):
"Through those discussion questions and those conversations... leads to the transformation where you make different choices about how you spend your time, how you spend your money, how you raise your children."

Conclusion and Call to Action

The episode concludes with reflections on the enduring impact of St. Teresa of Avila’s spirituality. Dr. Akers shares a personal story from his pilgrimage to Avila, emphasizing the importance of daily Gospel reading, prayer, acts of charity, and sacrifice as guided by Teresa’s teachings.

Dr. Ben Akers (29:49):
"Teresa shared with her sisters the secret: read the Gospels every day, learn the life of Christ revealed in Scripture, pray your rosary, pray the divine mercy chaplet, do acts of charity and make acts of sacrifice."

Annette encourages listeners to join Endow groups for a deeper engagement with St. Teresa’s teachings and to transform their spiritual lives through community and study.

Annette Bergen (27:04):
"You have discussion questions where... how is this relevant to my life today? How does what Teresa Avila experienced... affect me?"

Listeners are invited to visit EndowGroups.org or follow Endow on social media platforms to join a community dedicated to exploring the teachings of Catholic saints and fostering spiritual growth.

Notable Quotes:

• Annette Bergen (02:23):
  "Our Endow group has become a very big part of my life and has aided me in my formation in the faith as well as my journey through life."

• Dr. Ben Akers (09:52):
  "The perseverance that she models is incredible... it's exactly what we need today."

• Annette Bergen (14:33):
  "St. Teresa of Avila always said yes to God. If He asked her something extreme, she might even say it was ridiculous, but she always said yes."

• Dr. Ben Akers (24:30):
  "She had illnesses, struggles in prayer, and felt called to things beyond her abilities, yet she never gave up."

Final Thoughts

This episode provides an in-depth exploration of St. Teresa of Avila’s life, her spiritual struggles, and her profound teachings on prayer. Through the insightful conversation between Dr. Ben Akers and Annette Bergen, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of how Teresa’s legacy continues to inspire and transform modern Catholic spirituality. The discussion also highlights the role of Endow in fostering a deeper appreciation of the Church's teachings on the dignity and role of women, encouraging listeners to engage with these timeless truths in their own lives.