Interior Castle: The Classic Text With a Spiritual Commentary (Classics With Commentary) [Paperback]

Teresa of Avila (Author), Dennis Billy C.Ss.R. (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2007

Interior Castle St. Teresa's Classic Text with a Spiritual Commentary Rediscover the mystical vision of Teresa of Avila through the commentary of Dennis Billy C.Ss.R in Interior Castle. This classic E. Allison Peers translation will bring a new insight and understanding of Teresa's spiritual lessons. Placing Teresa's writings into their historical context and by making relevant distinctions, Billy presents her teachings in a way today's readers can relate to. Questions help readers to reflect on the impact of Teresa's insights in their own lives. This is the second book in the Classics with Commentary series. About the editor: Rev. Dennis J. Billy, a Redemptorist of the Baltimore Province, holds a ThD in Spirituality from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas. He is a professor of the history of moral theology and Christian spirituality at the Accademia Alfonsiana in Rome. He has written numerous books and has published more than 50 articles in well-known scholarly and popular journals. 

Product Details

• Paperback: 315 pages
• Publisher: Christian Classics (April 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870612417
• ISBN-13: 978-0870612411
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,573 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Mysticism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Commentary Clarifies Classic, April 12, 2007

By 

Carol Blank (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Interior Castle: The Classic Text With a Spiritual Commentary (Classics With Commentary) (Paperback)

I have, more than once, picked up Interior Castle, but each time my innate preference for logical progression and precise explanations got in the way. With Dennis Billy as a guide, I am now able to appreciate Teresa's spiritual counsel even though I still find some of the metaphors confusing.

Though the commentary is short when compared to Teresa's texts, it is invaluable. In the introduction Billy gives an overview of Teresa's background, call to write, and spiritual doctrine presented through a description of seven mansions within a spiritual castle. He also offers 10 pointers for interpreting Interior Castle, including details of its development, Teresa's view of religious life "in the hierarchical order of sanctity," her combative posture toward the world, and her primary image of God as beloved spouse.

He previews her nine sections--one for the introduction, each of the seven mansions, and the epilogue--and before each chapter within the sections he offers a short summary that prepares us for Teresa's words. Finally, Billy has added four reflection questions at the end of each chapter to help us further examine Teresa's teachings and our own spiritual lives.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super guide to this spiritual classic, October 5, 2007

By 

Anne Gomes "anne-g" (Cary, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Interior Castle: The Classic Text With a Spiritual Commentary (Classics With Commentary) (Paperback)

Fr Billy's introduction, chapter notes and questions are a fantastic, useful guide to this spiritual classic. I've read and reread St Teresa for years in English and Spanish and this book has the best commentary I have ever seen. His notes make this classic accessible for people called to the prayer journey but who lack background in 16th century Spanish society and mysticism. I've already recommended it to 2 friends who are also pleased with the book.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Spiritual Life, April 24, 2010

By 

Daisy2 (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Interior Castle: The Classic Text With a Spiritual Commentary (Classics With Commentary) (Paperback)

Teresa of Avila was a real person, not just a beautiful sculpture! My realization of this was made sure by this fine commentary on her Interior Castle work by Dennis Billy. Her conversion to Christ and her subsequent desire to know Him, her obedience to her superiors in writing her thoughts, and her delightful humanity in the journey, are a worthwhile study for any Christian, Protestant or Catholic. (The E. Allison Peer's English translation from the Spanish is considered the standard version, and is accurate, unlike the New Age-spin translation of Mirabelle Starr.)

For any believer, this is a terrific guide to the details of spiritual growth, not in the sense of becoming adept at hearing special messages from God, but in the sense of gaining true humility, gaining the joy of sacrifice, and gaining a transcendent love for Jesus. How wonderful that this was written in the 1500s; like the Bible, it speaks to us in our own century. That Teresa was a very busy woman gives a special touch of realism to her words; her reforms in the Carmelite order took her on journeys far less comfortable than the business traveler of today, and with worries as complex and political as has any modern businessman. It is a great privilege to have these writings; they are (gasp!) much more worthwhile than a great many modern diversions: television, movies, and most sermons.