Fr. Timothy Reid begins the exploration of The Interior Castle by putting this Catholic classic into historical context, explaining the castle imagery used by St. Teresa of Ávila, and breaking down how the book is organized. In episode one, Fr. Reid also provides a brief summary of each of the

This episode begins with an anthropological discussion of St. Teresa’s understanding of the greatness of the human soul and our human dignity, and continues with Teresa’s explanation of how we enter The Interior Castle through prayer, making a distinction between the two types of souls found outside the castle. Episode

St. Teresa describes a soul in mortal sin, and Fr. Reid provides relevant information from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the same subject. St. Teresa also stresses the importance of self-knowledge and humility, how the devil tries to trick us into false humility, and how to overcome that.

St. Teresa advises to conform ourselves to God’s will, embrace the cross, and be willing to suffer in order to advance in The Interior Castle. Fr. Reid explains how the souls in The Second Mansions differ from those in The First Mansions, and stresses the importance of learning how to

Just because our souls get to an advanced state, St. Teresa implores us to understand how easy it can be for us to fall and go backwards in the spiritual life. Fr. Reid stresses the importance of having fear of the Lord and breaks down exactly what that means. Episode

St. Teresa again counsels humility and seeking to conform oneself with God’s will. And she teaches us that our perfection lies not in the consolations we receive from God, but in our love. Fr. Reid explains how we must be obedient, have someone to be accountable to, and look only