Saintly Women Podcast: Recent Episodes

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Get to know the first female Doctor of the Church, Saint Teresa of Avila.  Learn more about the life, thought, and spirituality of this pivotal 16th century reformer of the Carmelite order.

Saint Teresa of Avila - Podcast Notes

Segment 1: Introduction and 5 Fast Facts (0:00 - 5:20)
-Listen to the 5 Fast Facts: (2:47 - 5:20)

Segment 2: The Heart of the Matter (6:20 - 31:40)
-Learn the Historical Context: (6:40 - 8:43)
-Listen to Fast Fact #1 in depth: (8:44 - 10:45)
-Listen to Fast Fact #2 in depth: (10:46 - 14:02)
-Listen to Fast Fact #3 in depth: (14:03 - 24:45)
-Listen to Fast Fact #4 in depth: (24:46 - 26:21)
-Listen to Fast Fact #5 in depth: (26:22 - 30:37)

Segment 3: The Takeaway (33:00 - 41:20)

Primary Source References:
The Autobiography
The Way of Perfection
The Interior Castle

Secondary Source References:
Accidental Theologians by Elizabeth Dreyer

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Baptism of Jesus
And when Jesus was baptized, … the heavens were opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on Him, and lo, a voice from heaven, saying "this is My beloved Son," with whom I am well pleased."
(Matthew 3:16-17)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Openness to the Holy Spirit

Wedding at Cana
His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever He tells you." ... Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim.
(John 2:5-7)

Fruit of the Mystery:
To Jesus through Mary

Proclaiming the Kingdom
"And preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay."
(Matthew 10:7-8)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Repentance and Trust in God

Transfiguration
And as He was praying, the appearance of His countenance was altered and His raiment become dazzling white. And a voice came out of the cloud saying, "This is My Son, My chosen; listen to Him!"
(Luke 9:29, 35)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Desire for Holiness

Institution of the Eucharist
And He took bread, and when He had given thanks He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you." ... And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood."
(Luke 22:19-20)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Adoration

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Sorrowful Mysteries Scriptural Reflections:

The Agony in the Garden
In His anguish He prayed with all the greater intensity, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. Then He rose from prayer and came to His disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted with grief. 
(Luke 22:44-45)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Sorrow for Sin

The Scourging at the Pillar
Pilate's next move was to take Jesus and have Him scourged. 
(John 19:1)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Purity

Crowning with Thorns
They stripped off His clothes and wrapped Him in a scarlet military cloak. Weaving a crown out of thorns they fixed it on His head, and stuck a reed in His right hand ... 
(Matthew 27:28-29)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Courage

Carrying of the Cross
... carrying the cross by Himself, He went out to what is called the Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 
(John 19:17)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Patience

The Crucifixion
Jesus uttered a loud cry and said, "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit." After He said this, He died. 
(Luke 23:46)

Fruit of the Mystery:
Perseverance

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Joyful Mysteries Scripture Reflections:

The Annunciation
And when the angel had come to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women."
(Luke 1:28)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Humility

The Visitation
Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out in a loud voice: "Blest are you among women and blest is the fruit of your womb."
(Luke 1:41-42)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Love of Neighbor

The Birth of Jesus
She gave birth to her first-born Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the place where travelers lodged.
(Luke 2:7)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Poverty

The Presentation
When the day came to purify them according to the law of Moses, the couple brought Him up to Jerusalem so that He could be presented to the Lord, for it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every first-born male shall be consecrated to the Lord."
(Luke 2:22-23)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Obedience

Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple
On the third day they came upon Him in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
(Luke 2:46)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Joy in Finding Jesus

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Glorious Mysteries Scripture Reflections:

The Resurrection
You need not be amazed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, the one who was crucified. He has been raised up; He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 
(Mark 16:6)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Faith

The Ascension
Then, after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into Heaven and took His seat at God's right hand. 
(Mark 16:19)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Hope

Descent of the Holy Spirit
All were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to express themselves in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit prompted them. 
(Acts 2:4)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Love of God

The Assumption
You are the glory of Jerusalem … you are the splendid boast of our people … God is pleased with what you have wrought. May you be blessed by the Lord Almighty forever and ever. 
(Judith 15:9-10)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Grace of a Happy Death

The Coronation
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 
(Revelation 12:1)
Fruit of the Mystery:
Trust in Mary's Intercession