The Teresian Jubilee Year finishes…
The Jubilee Year, which marked the 400th anniversary of the beatification of Saint Teresa of Jesus, ended on October 15, 2018.
In the central-western region of Castile-Leon, nestled into the Sierra Gredos Mountains, we find the World Heritage City of Avila. Within the ancient walls of this provincial capital there lie stunning churches and Renaissance palaces, evidence of the Avila’s historic importance and wealth. It is also the birthplace of Saint Teresa, which has left its mark across the city with many religious buildings dedicated to the saint’s life. In honor of Saint Teresa, the city has been granted a Jubilee Year in 2018.
Saint Teresa of Avila, born in March 1515, was a Spanish mystic and Carmelite nun. She authored important literary works during the Counter Reformation, leading others to follow her contemplative life of meditative prayer. In 1622, forty years after her death, she was canonized by Pope Gregory XV, and in 1970 she was named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI. Her books, which include her autobiography (The Life of Teresa of Jesus) and her seminal work The Internal Castle, are an integral part of Spanish Renaissance literature as well as Christian mysticism and meditation practice.
The closing mass was presided by Mgr. Jesus Garcia Burillo, Bishop of Avila accompanied by our Father Agustí Borrell, ocd, and was followed by an emotional procession of the statue of the Saint through the streets of the city.
This year, the number of pilgrims arriving at Avila and Alba de Tormes has been very high and noteworthy was the visit of His Majesty, King Felipe VI of Spain, on the 19th of September, who entered through the holy door and visited the Teresian museum in Avila.
