Bookshelf

The Interior Castle

St. Teresa of Avila is a Doctor of the Church who led many people to build a relationship with Jesus through a very special type of prayer. She taught people to build an interior castle. The interior castle is inside of each of us. We each have our own interior castle. Consider using the time in Lent to discover it and make it strong.

Written for children ages 7 and up, "The Interior Castle," by Judith Boulloc will be enjoyed and will inspired readers of all ages. Based on St. Theresa of Avila’s classic work, "The Interior Castle," it is a beautifully illustrated book that engages the reader in the treasure to be found in a personal conversation with God. The story follows a boy who journeys through the steps of contemplative prayer. 

Illustrated by award-winner Eric Puybaret. 

Awakening Your Soul to the Presence of God

It’s one thing to search for God and another thing to listen to Him once we have found Him. Many people never listen to God because they are not aware the He speaks to them.

Yet God does speak.

When does God speak to us? He speaks at all times, especially in prayer. Prayer is a conversation with God. But it is not a monologue. When we pray, then, we should also listen, because a good conversationalist is also a good listener. We do not pray well when we recite ready-made formulas quickly and distractedly.

We act as if God should only to listen to us, and that we have no need to listen to the thoughts and desires He wishes to for us.

Day by day, we must progress, seeing the hand of God in all things, being aware that He speaks to us and manifests His will in the joys, sorrows and circumstances of our daily life."

Forgiving Mother, A Marian Novena of Healing and Peace

Forgiving Mother, a Marian Novena of Healing and Peace by Marge Steinhage Fenelon is about learning to forgive and praying through what needs healing. 

I was touched by her story and how she struggled to discover the love of God. How often in our own lives, we put the process of healing from some pain or loss in our lives – on the back shelf and resist the journey to grow through suffering. Focusing on Mary, the Mother of Jesus, we are led closer to her who suffered immensely at the death of her Son, Jesus.