St. Teresa of Ávila: The Interior Castle Pilgrimage
“Let yourself be wounded by divine love in the city where ecstasy met reform”◉ Dawn at La Encarnación
Stand in Teresa’s cell where Christ first pierced her heart. Hold a replica of the “Transverberation Arrow” while reading her account of divine fire. The current nuns will anoint your wrists with Carmelite spikenard oil from their 1582 recipe.
◉ Night in the Convent of St. Joseph
Sleep in the original dormitory of her first reformed convent (founded 1562). At midnight, join the nuns’ “Silent Matins”—just as Teresa did while writing The Interior Castle by candlelight.
◉ Alba de Tormes Reliquary Encounter
Kiss Teresa’s incorrupt heart (displayed in a jeweled monstrance) and her left ring finger (still wearing her founder’s ring). Witness the “Mystical Palm”—the flower that bloomed from her coffin dirt.
Daily Carmelite Rhythm
04:30: “Dark Night Prayer” in Teresa’s choir stall at San Juan de la Cruz’s monastery
09:00: Bake “Sister Teresa’s Egg Yolk Cookies” using her original recipe
14:00: Quill transcription of her Way of Perfection in the convent scriptorium
20:00: “Ecstasy Reenactment”—floating meditation in the convent’s levitation chair
Ethical Pilgrimage Promise
Your journey supports:
→ Preservation of Teresa’s original manuscripts
→ “Teresa’s Table” feeding Ávila’s poor (since 1570)
→ Mental health retreats at her convents