Check Out the New Avila Institute Summer Courses!

Graduate Studies Program

Introduction to Spiritual Theology

This systematic presentation of Spiritual Theology and the principles of spiritual direction is geared toward personal appropriation for those involved in the apostolate. Lecture topics include the universal call to holiness, the indwelling of the Trinity, the nature and stages of Christian perfection, the supernatural organism and the Christian life, identification with Jesus and Mary, kinds and stages of prayer, the means to spiritual maturity appropriate for the various states of life, discernment of spirits, and ordinary and extraordinary mystical phenomena.

Wisdom of the Saints from St. Hildegard of Bingen to St. John of the Cross

This course provides an overview of the spiritual doctrine of Saint Hildegard, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint John of Avila, Saint Teresa of Avila, and Saint John of the Cross. During the first five hundred years into the second millennium of Christianity, a host of saints rediscovered the power of mental prayer, devotion to Christ and the need for ongoing conversion summarized by Saint Benedict in terms of quaerere Deum, Lectio Divina, conversatio morum, and habitare secum. Thus this second course on the wisdom of the saints flows from the first but is specified by the number of Doctors of the Church – most of whom have been declared only in the last fifty years.

Mystery of Mary and Her Role in the Spiritual Life

This course will include a biblical survey of Mary’s role beginning in Genesis and as further revealed in each scriptural revelation of her role. Upon this biblical foundation, we will then explore extra-biblical tradition in the thought of Sts. Louis De Montfort, Maximilian Kolbe, and John Paul II with particular emphasis on Mary’s relationship to the Blessed Trinity, her perfect example, and the preeminent disciple of Christ, and her role as spiritual mother to all believers.

School of Spiritual Formation

Introduction to St. Teresa of Avila

This course will include the history and teaching of St. Teresa of Avila. Born on March 28, 1515 in the province of Avila, Spain. This course walks you through overcoming your sin and helping you to enter into prayer as taught by St. Teresa of Avila. As a Doctor of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila went from a life of sin in which she felt she could not and should not be loved by God to a state in which she is able to help others achieve higher states of prayer which is why she is referred to as the Doctor of Prayer within the Church. The class will be based on the Collected Works of St. Teresa. We will focus on the three major works of St. Teresa: The Book of Her Life, The Way of Perfection, and The Interior Castle.

Angels and Demons

Explore the reality and nature of angelic beings, their role in the lives of the faithful, fallen angels, their power, role, and origin. This course will also include discussion about possession and exorcism.

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Art for this post “Check Out the New Avila Institute Summer Courses!”:  The Last Supper, Joan [or Juan] de Juanes, 3rd quarter of 16th century, PD-worldwide, Wikimedia Commons.