The Diamond Castle

By Theresa Marie Lynn and M.T.S.

The Diamond Castle is a beautiful text for children on Saint Teresa of Avila's work, Interior Castle. It introduces the beauty and splendor of the soul as imagined through the metaphor of the soul as a diamond castle. Many of St. Teresa's doctrines are introduced through additional castle symbolism, as defined by St. Teresa. Most especially, the "room of self-knowledge, identification of Christ as King of the Castle who dwells in the center room, praying to Christ as His Majesty, the importance of the Our Father prayer, the importance of keeping your castle clean so the Splendor of Christ's glory will shine out, and much more.

The book includes a Ten Commandments pictorial, Glossary of terms used in the book, and key to the diamond castle symbols. An extensive reference of End Notes will assist catechists and academics who would like to explore the doctrines found in this first edition of The Diamond Castle.

The book is meant to be first in a series of books which will teach children and even adults on major themes surrounding an interior life of grace as realized through union with His Majesty, Christ the King.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Jun 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781456626570

Book preview

The Diamond Castle

Adapted from the Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

We know we have souls. But we seldom consider the precious things that can be found in this soul, or who dwells within it, or its high value.¹

— SAINT TERESA OF AVILA —

Copyright © 2016 The Diamond Castle by

Theresa M. Lynn

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions at the address below.

The Diamond Castle Project, [e-mail]

www.TheDiamondCastleProject.com

Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com

http://www.eBookIt.com

ISBN 978-1-4566-2657-0

Dedicated to Christ the King-

Who reigns in our hearts

Introduction by Theresa Lynn

Today in America, castles at the Disney theme parks, princess costumes, wizards, and magic fill the imaginative hearts and minds of our children. While they can create happy playtimes, a young mind may believe that this type of play can be realized concretely in some future reality. It is many a little girl who wants to be a princess when she grows up. In the end, the entertainment of Disney, which promises a place where dreams come true and where magic happens points to what St. Teresa of Avila called, building castles in the air.²

It is my hope that by bringing The Diamond Castle to young children, it will help them to make the distinction between the real castle that lies within themselves and leads them to know and love God, and the castles that are just for momentary pleasure. One castle lasts forever; the other castles fall and there is only one real King, Christ Jesus. Saint Teresa always refers to him as His Majesty.

Saint Teresa’s metaphor is the anti-thesis to the charm of make-believe. Our children’s hearts are so open to what is beautiful and good. As parents and catechists we must help them to know what is true and what is make-believe. When they are taught what is true and lasting they can discern as they grow to what is authentic beauty and authentic goodness.

The Diamond Castle first came to mind when I was teaching my fourth grade religious education students. The lessons included multi-syllable Catholic terms flowing from our beautiful doctrines surrounding, Sacrament, Paschal Mystery and the Eucharist. The children in my classes seemed to not have any problem with these big words. In addition, the curriculum offered the teaching of the four types of prayer, went over the beatitudes, moral lessons, and what is venial and mortal sin, the virtues, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit and corporal works of Mercy.

Their verbal skills and amicable behavior in class also impressed me. They would answer theological and religious education questions that I would present to them and their profound answers and correct responses were not only edifying to me, but showed me how the Holy Spirit was working in their young minds. Often, to see