Deepen your prayer life with Teresa and John

Intermountain Catholic

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Msgr. Michael Winterer will present ?How to Pray with the Mystics? Jan. 12, at 7 p.m.

Four hundred years ago, two Carmelites who would become saints wrote about prayer. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross now are known as doctors of the Church on the subject, "but there's a way to read those mystics," said Msgr. Michael J. Winterer, who will be giving a talk on the matter.

In Catholic tradition, a mystic is one who has experienced God in their own life. Both saints had such personal - rather than theoretical - experience, "and they can lead us to Him, also," Msgr. Winterer said. "I would love to get persons into reading Teresa and reading John. I think they'd find it not only enjoyable but a tremendous way to deepen their own prayer life. The mystics can help us become aware of what God is doing in our own personal lives to draw us closer to God."

Nevertheless, modern readers who pick up the Carmelites' works may want to wait before reading it cover to cover. "In a couple cases, if they did that, they'd probably stop reading it," Msgr. Winterer said.

"There's a real way to read them, especially John, and I would offer some suggestions along that line."

Msgr. Winterer's talk is part of Saint Vincent de Paul Parish's ongoing spiritual development for its ministers and parishioners, said Deacon David Osman. Msgr. Winterer not only is the deacon's spiritual director, but he's also an authority on the Carmelite mystics, and "from other people who have heard him, he's always been inspirational," Deacon Osman said. "He's a very spiritual man, and I think it's going to be very good for our ministers and also people in the parish who are interested."

John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila both were interested in contemplative prayer, which is getting close to God, Deacon Osman said, and "to learn more about the way they prayed, that will be of interest to the group and to me."

Msgr. Winterer will present "How to Pray with the Mystics" on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. at Saint Vincent de Paul's Benvegnu Center on the north side of the campus, 1375 E. Spring Lane in Salt Lake City. The event is free and open to the public but an RSVP is requested. Call the rectory at 801-272-9216.