October 15, 2026 Feast Day of St. Teresa of Avila
Today is the feast day of my patron saint, St. Teresa of Avila, author of several books including The Interior Castle, an authoritative guide to the path of contemplative and mystical prayer that has not been equalled in more than 400 years.
When I sat down to pray and meditate, I was focusing on St. Teresa. She is a bright beacon in the heavenly realm. Behind her, I saw many, many saints who are also among the leading illustrious and well-known saints. St. Teresa said that these saints in the heavenly realm are very concerned about what they see happening on earth – the wars, conflict, corruption, fraud, oppression, cruelty, and violence. They wish to communicate with people on earth to share guidance, counsel, advice, comfort, and consolation on how to deal with such difficult times. They have much to say to help guide people through these trying times.
However, so few people know about trusting what they may receive in prayer already or about how to open their minds in prayer to receive these much-needed messages. This is through no fault of their own, but rather it is because some of the church’s teachings on mystical and contemplative prayer have been suppressed and almost lost. Much of this suppression was due to an excessive concern with orthodoxy and correctness on the part of church leaders in past centuries. But it is now time to be courageous and open the floodgates to all that needs to be said and conveyed through mystical prayer.
Therefore, she said it is important to encourage people to converse in prayer with Jesus, as Brother Lawrence taught in The Practice of the Presence of God, which is a favorite book of Pope Leo. The Jesuits have taught this method of prayer for a long time, and people can read more about it in the book written by James Martin, a Jesuit priest, called Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone. She asked to me encourage people to converse with Jesus as a friend and with the Holy Spirit and be open to what comes through.
We are also asked to converse with our patron saints and other leading saints and listen carefully to what arises in our minds in prayer as we hold them in our minds and hearts. What they have to tell us will have a beneficial effect on the world. In addition, if there is any way to teach a class or webinar on mystical prayer, this is much needed. However, first seek spiritual direction at the church. As always it will be important to warn people who are new to this method of prayer to guard against demonic forces – a true message from God or from the saints will never suggest anything that could harm yourself or others, and when in doubt, consult with a spiritual teacher.
Personal: she also advised me to cut back on the sleep aid because it is putting cobwebs in my mind, which is not helpful. I have a vocation as a transmitter of messages, and the need is great, so get to work!!
Amen.
