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Multimedia resources



scroll down for the final teresa 500 conference videos!


closing celebrations at aylesford priory

Our closing celebrations for the centenary year took place at Aylesford Priory on 17th October 2015.The day began with a Gathering Liturgy at which Fr Damian Cassidy welcomed the pilgrims, followed by a service of hymns, scripture readings and prayer. The reflection was given by Sr Jo Robson ODC. 
Following the Gathering Liturgy, Professor Peter Tyler of St Mary's University, Twickenham, gave a fascinating keynote address titled 'Teresa: Daughter of Fire'. Professor Tyler reminded us of the steely determination and unfailing courage which Teresa needed in establishing her reform movement against considerable opposition.
In the afternoon, Fr Kevin Alban O.Carm chaired a panel debate with a wide ranging discussion. Panellists were Bishop Drainey, Professor Peter Tyler, Fr John Sullivan OCD, Mrs Sheila Grimwood from the Aylesford Pastoral Team, and Sr Jo Robson OCD. 
The closing Mass of the centenary year was celebrated by Bishop Terence Drainey of Middlesbrough. In his homily, Bishop Terence spoke of St Teresa's impact his own life and spiritual journey, from the time he first read her writings as a young seminarian. 

carmelite horizons

The latest talk from the Avila Retreat Centre in Dublin is by Julienne McClean and considers Teresa as a 'living book'. The video can be viewed here or by visiting the Avila Centre webpage. 

Presentations by Professor Peter Tyler and Fr Greg Homeming OCD are also available below. 

christ consciousness: Carmelite and ignatian spiritualities in dialogue

The sisters at Baltimore introduce a fascinating series of conversations between Sr Connie Fitzgerald OCD and Fr Brian McDermott SJ on the relationship between Teresian and Jesuit spirituality. The first two videos are available now, with two more to follow.  

The videos can be viewed below, or visit the Baltimore Carmel webpage for other talks and presentations exploring St Teresa's thought in this centenary year.

Carmelite pilgrimage to walsingham

11th July 2015
Fr Matt Blake OCD began our day in Walsingham with a talk about Teresa's own experience of pilgrimage and her love of Mary, Queen of Carmel. The talk can be viewed here:

Teresa of avila 1515 - 2015
mystical theology and spirituality in the Carmelite tradition

Our major academic conference celebrating the life and thought of St Teresa took place at St Mary's University, Twickenham from 18th - 20th June. Here we hope to make available a number the talks available online. The keynote addresses will also be published as a book by Ashgate Publishers. Watch this space for more details.
The well known scholar of the history of spirituality, Professor Bernard McGinn, opened our conference with a comparison between the Confessions of St Augustine and St Teresa's Life.

Wilfrid McGreal, Carmelite friar and author of many books on the history and spirituality of Carmel, spoke on Teresa's place within the whole Carmelite tradition, and her genius in re-presenting the vision of the first hermits on Mt Carmel.

Professor Peter Tyler and Dr Eddie Howells debated whether or not St Teresa is a master of negative theology. Professor Sarah Coakley resolved the issue for us!


Our first day concluded with a thought provoking presentation from Dr James Finley, former novice of the Trappist monk Thomas Merton. Dr Finley presented us with his "experiential soundings" from Teresa's Interior Castle.

Day Two (19th June) began with Professor Rowan Williams exploring the role of the Eucharist in Teresa's theology. Teresa's distress at the reports of the Blessed Sacrament being cast out of churches led her to develop a theology of Eucharistic hospitality.

The day continued with presentations from two Discalced Carmelite friars. Fr Matt Blake spoke on Teresa's role as a founder, and Fr Iain Matthew explored her encounter with the Risen Christ, reminding us of the importance of the resurrection in Teresian spirituality. 
Day Three began with a video presentation from Professor Julia Kristeva, speaking from Paris. Professor Kristeva, author of the book Teresa, My Love, brought a psychoanalytic perspective to her understanding of Teresa.

Professor Gillian Ahlgren spoke of how Teresa's vision fits into a world of suffering and injustice: 
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Finally, three sisters from the Association of British Carmels spoke of living Teresa's teaching today in her enclosed communities. They used the experience of teaching the Teresian tradition to new novices to explore how Teresa speaks to postmodernity.
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If you would prefer to listen to any of these talks as audio files, click here.

You may also wish to read some of the short papers which were presented at the conference. To read these, visit the InSpire website and look for the section titled 'conference papers.

an afternoon with saint teresa

Two videos are available from the celebration of Saint Teresa that took place in York (at St. Wilfrid's Church and the Minster) on 21st March 2015.

Presentation by Professor Peter Tyler on 'St. Teresa of Avila's Cathedral of the Soul'
Homily by the Carmelite Prior General, Most Rev. Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm.

Notting Hill Podcasts
As promised, the Carmelite sisters at Notting Hill have now produced their second series of podcasts on St Teresa of Avila. Three episodes explore the life of the great saint through her own words. To listen or download, click here.


Virtual Carmelite Choir
Carmelite sisters from around the world have collaborated to form a "virtual choir", singing Saint Teresa's "Nada te turbe" (Let nothing frighten you).


Saint Teresa: Celebrating 500 Years (1515-2015)
A 16-minute video produced by the Carmelite Nuns at Thicket Priory, York, to mark the Teresa 500 Year, featuring quotations from the saint, and footage from their monastery.


TERESA BOOK LAUNCH - Peter Tyler
Video footage from the launch of Peter Tyler's new book on Teresa of Avila, at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, on 3rd March 2014.

TERESA 500 SUMMITS - Trek Mount Carmel
Carmelite Forum member Fr. Robert Opala, O.C.D., has produced a video about the "Teresa 500 Summits" project, and the links between mountain climbing and Carmelite spirituality.


CARMELITES AT THE HEART OF THE WORLD - Glasgow Carmel
The Carmelite Nuns in Glasgow have produced a video about how Saint Teresa inspired the Carmelite way of life.

SHARING THE TREASURE - Carmelite Nuns at Notting Hill
The Carmelite Nuns at Notting Hill in London have produced a series of podcasts on Saint Teresa of Avila. This first series of podcasts focuses on Teresa's teaching on prayer. A second series exploring her life will be available shortly. Watch this space for more details.

SAINT TERESA & SAINT THERESE - Peter Tyler
Carmelite Forum member Peter Tyler spoke about two of Carmel's great saints on Premier Radio on 9th June 2014. To hear the programme click here.

SAINT TERESA'S "FOUR WATERS OF PRAYER" - Sheila Grimwood
A presentation Carmelite Forum member Sheila Grimwood gave to Leeds Carmelite Spirituality Group.
© The Carmelite Forum of Britain & Ireland - 2018