Scripture & Spirituality Summit
November 16th (14:00-18:30 hrs UK Time)
| The 50th Anniversary of the Doctorate of Santa Teresa of Jesus will be celebrated on September 27, 2020. To commemorate this event, the Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality, Oxford, will host an International Spirituality Summit on “Teresa of Avila, a Teacher and Guide: Celebrating 50 Years of Her Doctorate.” The summit will take place on 16th November 2020 from 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The summit will celebrate the life and legacy of Saint Teresa of Avila, an exceptional woman and the first female doctor of the Church. Participants will be inspired by her remarkable life, empowered to follow in her footsteps, and more. The keynote lecture will be given by Cardinal Anders Arborelius, OCD. Other participants at the Summit include: Rt Revd. David Oakley (Bishop of Northampton), Dr Susan Muto, Sr Jo Robson OCD, Fr Matt Blake OCD, Mark Courtney OCDS and Annette Goulden OCDS. There will be a panel discussion on Saint Teresa’s life and legacy chaired by Professor Peter Tyler of St Mary’s University, Twickenham. If you desire to nurture your spiritual life, are interested in spirituality, the role and influence women can have in today’s culture and society, a lover of Carmel, you wouldn’t want to miss this summit. Save the date, and plan to join us virtually for this important summit on November 16, 2020. DOWNLOAD THE POSTER – SCRIPTURE SUMMIT SS Summit Schedule & Speaker List – SPIRITUALITY SUMMIT 2020 Please contact ruth.preston@carmelite.org.uk for questions. |
£35 (early bird discount)
St Teresa of the Andes
The 4th Talk in our Grace Filled Encounter Series
November 1st (19:00 hrs UK)
| The life of St Teresa of the Andes can rightly be described as a new hymn to God and the first fruits of the holiness of the Teresian Carmelites in Latin America. The response of this young Chilean woman to the mystery of God’s love which she encountered in Jesus was one of spontaneous delight in the God who for her was infinite joy. As Pope St John Paul II noted, she “is a model of Gospel life. In her we can see an expression of the perennial youth of Christ’s Gospel.” In his presentation, Fr Alexander Ezechukwu, a biblical scholar, will explore the many ways in which her exceptional love for Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary fructified in her transformation and was a grace-filled experience for those who were closest to her. Teresa’s life is a true realisation of St Augustine’s conviction that, “To fall in love with God is the greatest of romances, to seek him, the greatest adventure, to find him, the greatest human achievement.” |
£20
St Thérèse of Lisieux
Our 3rd Talk in the Grace Filled Encounter Series
October 18th (19:00 hrs UK)
Featuring the five great Teresas of the Carmelite tradition – Teresa of Avila, Teresa Margaret Redi, Therese of Lisieux, Teresa of the Andes and Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein). This series will explore their experience of Jesus and their relationship with significant others in their lives. From these great women, you will learn about the inestimable value of authentic spiritual friendships – how our friendship with Christ can transform, as well as, be supported by our other encounters in life. Each presentation will be live-streamed.
‘Jesus my only love’
St Therese, the Little Flower, set out in life ‘to love Jesus, love him with a passion, love him like he had never been loved before’. Described as ‘the greatest saint of modern times’, Therese drew on her unique relationship with her own father to develop boundless trust in ‘the Father of all’, thereby coming to her ‘Little Way’, which she pursued relentlessly in spite of the intensity of her suffering, especially in her final years.
£20
Due to unforeseen circumstance, the St Teresa Margherita Redi talk has now moved to Sunday 11th October
St Teresa Margherita enjoyed a deep and beautiful relationship with Jesus. Her spiritual director wrote this about her: ‘It was not difficult to see where the activity of her soul was concentrated, and out of her all-embracing love was born the ardent zeal, devouring as a flame, that was to consume her life with its own fire. One thought animated her to use every means, to leave no stone unturned, that could win to the love of Jesus Christ all Souls capable of knowing and loving him.’
In this presentation, Dr Cyprian Blamires, OCDS, eminent historian and author, will explore how this all-consuming love for Christ animated all her relationships. All who knew her, upon learning of her death were agreed on one thing. Teresa Margherita had lived for love and died of love.
£20
Grace Filled Encounter Series
Starting Sunday September 20th (19:00hrs UK)
We’re happy to announce a new Grace Filled Encounter spirituality series featuring the five great Teresas of the Carmelite tradition – Teresa of Avila, Teresa Margaret Redi, Therese of Lisieux, Teresa of the Andes and Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein). This series will explore their experience of Jesus and their relationship with significant others in their lives. From these great women, you will learn about the inestimable value of authentic spiritual friendships – how our friendship with Christ can transform, as well as, be supported by our other encounters in life. Each presentation will be live-streamed.
Scheduled dates and presenters:
Sunday – September 20th:
St Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) – Matt Blake, OCD (Gerrards Cross, UK)
Sunday – October 4th:
St Teresa Margaret Redi (1747-1770) – Cyprian Blamires, OCDS (Leicestershire, UK)
Sunday – October 18th:
St Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) – Vincent O’Hara, OCD (Dublin, Ireland)
Sunday – November 1st:
St Teresa of the Andes (1900-1920) – Alexander Ezechukwu, OCD (Oxford, UK)
Sunday – November 15th:
St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (1891-1942) – Christof Betschart, OCD (Rome, Italy)
Further Inspiration
More inspiring talks will be coming soon, but in the mean time, do check out the videos within our Food for the Journey section which contains many reflections from our Carmelite Priests.