THE INTERNATIONAL TERESIAN-SANJUANISTA OF AVILA CENTER, built by decree of the General Definitorium of the Order of Barefoot Carmelites, on October 11, 1986 is an educational institution dedicated to promote the systematic study of the spiritual doctrine of Saint Therese of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross in its historical context and at a specialization level. Its headquarters is in Saint Therese’s natal home, in a building that besides having the ideal conditions for the proper study and investigation, is endowed with modern equipment and an excellent library, constitutes a privileged frame for a direct contact with both mystic Carmelites, in their most immediate natural context, as well as for its looseness with respect to other historical places as meaningful as this.

The origin of the Center, which motivated its creation on the Order’s part, at a beginning as an internal instrument of cultural promotion, is very closely bound to the circumstances of two centennial events of great repercussion throughout the world: the fourth centenarian of Saint Therese’s death (1982) and also the fourth of the death of Saint John of the Cross (1991), between which, as fruit and commitment at the same time, this educational institution was placed to form new specialists who could translate the teachings of both mystics to other interlocutors, t other cultures, so that the mystic will not be a relic of olden times, nor the culture a soulless science.

Alter that first stage of the Center and the interest stirred up by the two centennials, in which the universal character of both Carmelites mystics, doctors of the church and patrimony of humanity was expressed, the authorities of the Order, sensitive to the growing demand for the Theresian-Saint John spirituality, we cannot excuse the very pleasing commitment to offer the best of our inheritance as an evangelizing response to the Church and to the world, as an open service to all type of university students with a willingness to specialize in the spiritual doctrine of Saint Therese and Saint John of the Cross. This offer is summarized in this systematic, interdisciplinary course of superior studies, with the duration of one academic year, and with the collaboration of the Pontifical University of Salamanca.

Presently we are striving to reach a civil recognition for the courses given, and to reach collaboration agreements with the Summer University of Castilla and León, and with the Education Ministry.

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