Spiritual Directors Circle: St. Teresa of Ávila

The Spiritual Directors Circle of the Philadelphia Region presents,

St. Teresa of Ávila – The Journey to the Beloved

Saint and mystic, St. Teresa of Ávila understood the process of soul transformation through direct experience in her own life.  In her spiritual masterpiece, The Interior Castle, St. Teresa, using the metaphor of a crystal castle as the soul, writes about how a person can enter their own soul, and proceed through succeeding mansions, toward intimate union with the Beloved. 

St. Teresa’s descriptions of the seven mansions offer clear direction on how a soul can continue toward union, and what one might expect at each stage of the transformative journey.  In this workshop, we will journey through the seven mansions, as described by St. Teresa of Ávila. We will explore her mysticism as well as the practicalities of her teachings that might be particularly useful to spiritual directors as we accompany others on their own journey toward the Beloved. 

The program will begin with lunch. This workshop will include a plenary session in which Leigh Murray will speak on St. Teresa of Ávila’s mysticism and practical teachings that apply to spiritual direction, followed by a Q & A. We will then open into small breakout sessions for spiritual directors to journal or discuss the contents of Leigh’s talk and how it applies to the ministry of spiritual direction. We will then gather for a closing practice to finish the day in community.

This program is intended for spiritual directors and those in spiritual director formation.  It is hoped you will leave this time with a sense of greater freedom in your practice and help you discover new ways you might help others draw closer to God.

Event details:

9:00 am – St. Raphaela’s welcomes all for optional contemplative time

11:30 – 1:00 pm – “Catch up” time followed by lunch at 12

1:00 – 3:00 pm – Presentation, Q & A, Small Groups and Closing

Cost:

• $45 includes lunch
• $35 if you are bringing your own lunch

If you are in need of financial assistance, please email director@straphaelacenter.org

Registration is appreciated prior to May 17.

Speaker Bio

Leigh feels so honored to accompany sincere seekers on their interior journey to know themselves and God. She trained as a contemplative spiritual director at the Kairos Spiritual Direction program in Lancaster, PA. Leigh has a particular interest in esoteric teachings and mysticism and has been particularly drawn to the teachings of St. Teresa of Ávila.  She has been studying St. Teresa for quite some time, and leading experiential journeys into her teachings for many years. To honor the teachings of St. Teresa in a more expansive way, Leigh is in the early stages of writing a book that helps the modern seeker dive into these powerful teachings on soul transformation in a way that is accessible. She also offers experiential classes that focus on prayer, meditation, and contemplation from the view of the Christian Mystics. 

Leigh trained through St. Raphaela’s to direct the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and is actively accompanying retreatants. She feels so privileged to direct this rich and transformational experience with those that are called to it. She is also a visiting director at St. Raphaela’s and Daylesford Abbey, offering spiritual direction, directed retreats and classes on prayer. 

When Leigh isn’t directing, teaching or writing, she keeps tabs on her two beautiful daughters, Hailey and Olivia, very patient, husband Bob, and adorable miniature schnauzer, Finn.