The monastery faithfully reflects the monastic ideal of St. Teresa of Avila, characterized by its simplicity and austerity.
Photo: Diocese of Avila.
Newsroom (24/08/2022 1:00 PM Gaudium Press)Today, August 24, marks the 460th anniversary of the first ringing of the bell of the convent of Saint Joseph, located in Avila, the first of many founded by Saint Teresa of Jesus during her reform in the Order of Carmel.
The monastery faithfully reflects the monastic ideal of St. Teresa of Avila, characterized by its simplicity and austerity. Built by Francisco de Mora in the early 17th century, the building became an architectural model for the construction of other temples of the Carmelite Order. It was declared a National Monument in 1968.
Procession of the image of Saint Teresa of Avila
To celebrate this momentous event within the Teresian Jubilee Year, the Diocese of Avila has programmed the departure of the image of St. Teresa the Great, kept in her birthplace in procession to the Convent of St. Joseph, founded in 1562.
After the procession, at 7 PM (local time), Vespers will be celebrated in the Convent of San Jose. Then at 8 PM, the Archbishop Emeritus of Valladolid, Cardinal Ricardo Blázquez, will preside a Holy Mass there. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the image will return to the house of the Spanish Saint.
It will be the sixth time in history that this transfer has taken place. The last times it occurred were: in August 2012, on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the convent’s foundation; on March 28, 2015, to celebrate the 5th centennial of the Saint’s birth; and on August 24, 2018, for the Teresian Jubilee Year.
Minor Basilica
Recently, the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments granted the title of Minor Basilica to the Church of Saint Teresa, built on the Carmelite nun’s birthplace in the Spanish city of Avila.
According to the document signed by the Vatican institution, the granting of the title of Basilica intensifies “the bond with the Church of Rome and with the Holy Father, as well as to promote its exemplarity as a center of particular liturgical and pastoral action in the diocese.”
The dedication of the temple, now a Minor Basilica, will be celebrated at 8 PM next Saturday, August 27, by Bishop Gil Tamayo. (EPC)
Compiled by Teresa Joseph
