Canterbury Cathedral Online Book Group - Autumn 2025

The Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

Ten sessions over 11 weeks (between 9 September – 18 November)Tuesday evenings, 20:00 - 21:00 GMT via Zoom

The Interior Castle is often singled out by scholars of Teresa’s work as her masterpiece.

Teresa received the image of the whole book in a vision on Trinity Sunday 1577. An early biographer writes that she beheld “a most beautiful crystal globe like a castle in which she saw seven dwelling places, and in the seventh, which was the centre, the King of Glory dwelt in the greatest splendour”.

Among the mystics, St Teresa of Avila holds a unique position as a witness to divine realities. Her common sense, humour, and penchant for everyday images liven her writings; but she is above all remarkable for her analytical abilities in proving the mystery of God’s workings in the soul.

Join Canon Emma online via Zoom to reflect and discuss this profound exploration of the interior castle.

Together, over ten sessions, we shall read and discuss the complete text - focussing on specific chapters each week.

We will be reading the Classics of Western Spirituality version, published by Paulist Press and translated by Kieran Kavanaugh and Otilio Rodrigeuz. The book is available to purchase online from a range of outlets, as a digital or physical copy.

Please ensure that you have read the chapters ahead of the group meeting.

Each week the session will be recorded so if you miss a week you can catch up along with the ‘Questions to Ponder’.

Whether you can join us for just a few or all of the gatherings, you are most welcome to read together this celebrated text by one of the greatest mystics Teresa of Avila and ponder the insights she gives for your own spiritual life.

The group is free, but any donation you may wish to make to the mission and ministry of the Cathedral will be warmly received.

Booking essential - Book your space to be sent a Zoom link. It will be the same zoom link for each week.

Each week Canon Emma will begin with a brief introduction followed by discussion and then concluding with prayer.

· Week One – 9th September: Prologue and The First Dwelling Place

· Week Two – 16th September: The Second Dwelling Place

· Week Three – 23rd September: The Third Dwelling Place

· Week Four – 30th September: The Fourth Dwelling Place

· NO SESSION –7th October

· Week Five – 14th October: The Fifth Dwelling Place

· NO SESSION – 21st October

· Week Six – 28th October: The Sixth Dwelling Place Chapters 1-4

· Week Seven – 4th November: The Sixth Dwelling Place Chapters 5-7

· Week Eight – 11th November: The Sixth Dwelling Place Chapters 8-11

· Week Nine – 18th November: The Seventh Dwelling Place Chapters 1-3

· Week Ten – 25th November: The Seventh Dwelling Place Chapter 4 and Epilogue

For future suggestions of spiritual books for the group to read please email Canon Emma at emma.pennington@canterbury-cathedral.org