Avila Institute Testimonials
Are you looking to delve into the breadth and beauty of the Catholic prayer tradition?
Are you being called to develop a higher relationship with our Lord?
Do you yearn to know how to deepen your prayer life?
The Avila Institute offers an array of life-changing courses for the faithful from all sorts of different backgrounds. We aim to instruct students in the rich mystical tradition of the Church so that they may grow closer to Jesus Christ, the source of their salvation, and share Him with others. Many courses we offer investigate the richness of the mystical tradition. We think of our mission as our answer to Christ’s command to Peter, “If you love me, feed my sheep. The Avila Institute exists to serve you. Below are some testimonials of how the Avila Institute impacts lives.
Students, like Michelle Meza, share how courses have helped them grow deeper in their prayer life:
“The Avila Institute has motivated me to strive toward a vibrant, fervent, intimate prayer life so as to lead me to a deeper union with the Blessed Trinity. I have received important tools for diving deeper into the mystical life, as well as avoiding and persevering through the pitfalls of the world, the flesh, and the Devil. God does not want us to have a mediocre relationship with Him, but an abiding and everlasting one!”
Melinda Bell shares her life-changing experience at the Avila Institute:
“I am a grateful student of the Avila Institute. I was given a scholarship and have been a student of the Avila Institute since 2014. By the Grace of God, I began reoccurring donations, although a small amount, in Oct of 2014 and then added an additional $10 through bank draft this year bringing my total monthly contribution up to $15. (bank draft & PayPal contribution) I write all this to say that there is no amount of money that I could possibly pay back for what has been given to my soul, that is priceless. The formation I’ve received brings me to tears! So, when an opportunity to study a mini-course on Christian Human Perfection came about, which is geared towards my upcoming Inquiry Program into the Lay Dominicans, I gave a months donations so as to be a part of it! Although we live on a very tight budget because of our son’s traumatic brain injury, God has graced us with opportunities to give because He continues to form my soul through the Avila Institute. So, when I am given any money, aside from giving to my parish, I find ways to put it towards being spiritually formed so as to one day be counted among the saints in Heaven! All Glory be to God! God bless you Dan, your family, and the Avila Institute!”
Below is a video testimonial from Sr. Rachel Benjamin:
There are three different programs to be involved in at the Avila Institute.
The first program is our Graduate Studies Spiritual Theology Program. The 40-credit hour program has classes that are designed to be taken over eight quarters in two years. However, the classes can also be taken over an alternate schedule of three or four years. The program involves twelve courses, an apostolic experience, and a retreat experience. Successful completion of the program prepares graduates to 1) deepen their relationship with Christ through mystagogical engagement with the ascetical and mystical riches of the Church and 2) engage in parish ministry, catechesis, and other apostolates or professions that require the animating life of Christ to achieve their mission. A graduate should be well-prepared to enter training programs for spiritual direction and counseling with advanced standing.
The second program includes the Personal Enrichment Courses. These courses are for those looking to learn more about the rich spiritual patrimony of the Catholic Church as well as for those looking to deepen their relationship with the Lord. It is a chance to enrich your life by increasing your knowledge with convenient online courses. All Graduate Program courses are offered as Personal Enrichment courses, but the amount of work and grading is not as rigorous. Courses may be taken in any order and each course is awarded a Certificate of Personal Enrichment upon completion. The prerequisite to take Personal Enrichment Courses is a desire to deepen one’s faith. Who can or should take personal enrichment courses? The answer is anyone who desires to deepen their faith but whose time and other circumstances require a less rigorous approach than the graduate level program.
The third program is the School of Spiritual Formation. Developed to build on the basics yet prepare you for a deeper relationship with God and increase your preparedness to serve others, the School of Spiritual Formation caters to your busy schedule and need for a less demanding time commitment. You can join in the live/online classes or watch them via video whenever and wherever that best suits your busy schedule.
The classroom can come to you through online classes, no matter where you are located in the world. If money is your only hesitation, please don’t let that stop you, as we are blessed to have donors who have made scholarships available for candidates without the financial resources for a graduate-level program. Just indicate that you are in need of scholarship on your application, and we’ll see what we can do to work with you. You can learn more about the program at the Avila Institute website. Contact [email protected] with any questions. Also, check out SpirtualDirection.com to read about specific classes at the Avila Institute. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Art for this post on The Avila Institute Can Change Your Life – Testimonials: Enhanced detail of Last Supper, Philippe de Champaigne, 1648, PD-US author’s life plus 100 years or less, Restored Traditions, used with permission. Official Avila Institute Logo, used with permission. Information is taken from Avila-Institute.com, used with permission. Avila Testimonial – Sr. Rachel Benjamin of the Servants of God’s Love, used with permission.
About Kristin Aebli
Kristin Aebli is the Event Coordinator and Marketing Assistant at the Avila Foundation, parent organization of SpiritualDirection.com, the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, and Divine Intimacy Radio. Receiving the position was providential and in God’s perfect timing. Although cradle Catholic, in college she reverted and became confirmed in the Church. Kristin graduated with a degree in Communications from Samford University and she still enjoys ministering to college students through the Samford Catholic Student Association. Kristin is happy to be a part of the Firelight college ministry, is involved with Apostoli Viae and also a Young Professionals Bible study. For fun, Kristin enjoys discussing theology with friends, recording her podcast “Catholic After Dark”, dancing, singing, cooking, writing and painting. She hopes to continue growing in her faith through the sacraments and involvement with faithful community.
