6. Teresa of Alvila

We will devote ourselves to prayer and service ACTS 6:4

“Edmund greatly admired the writings of St Teresa of Avila. Among Teresa’s writings, The Interior Castle, avidly read by Edmund, reflected her contemplative prayer life while she remained very active in reforming her Carmelite order of nuns in Avila, Spain. Teresa became Edmund’s teacher and guide on his inward journey.”

‘Praying’ Teresa says, ‘was a close sharing between friends’. Through unforeseen personal tragedy, Edmund finds strength in such a friend, Jesus.  Edmund inspired by the practical love and service of Teresa reflected on: ‘Were we to know.,’ Edmund says, ‘the merit of going from one street to another, to serve a neighbour for the love of God, we should prize it more than gold or silver’.

Edmund feasted on the writings of St. Teresa of Avila, a Carmelite mystic of the preceding century, and there are strong similarities between the two. She was magnificently practical and expressed her profound spirituality in very plain language. She is seen here with her staff and her book "Interior Castle". Around her are some of her favourite symbols-mountains, rain, river- and there is an affinity between her features and those of Edmund-strength, vision, and eyes that look into the far distance.