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Journeying Within: The Wisdom of Teresa of Avila course

Overnight retreat at Sarum College

The structure of Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle provides us with an itinerary to look within, explore our potentiality, and engage deepening relationship with God in a way that transforms us and empowers us to invite others into life-changing partnership with others.

On this retreat we will take time to explore Teresa’s insights through conferences, exercises and quiet reflection. Participants will have an introductory afternoon conference and an evening conference on the first day, followed by a morning conference on the second day. We will be guided by exercises in the book Palace Within: Exploring Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle.

No previous experience with Teresa’s Interior Castle is expected; however, participants should purchase the workbook listed above and will be given preparatory materials and a bibliography for further reading.

with Gillian Ahlgren, Professor Emerita of Theology, is a recognised authority on the Christian mystical tradition. She is the author of eight books, including Teresa of Avila and the Politics of Sanctity and Entering Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle: A Reader’s Companion. In addition to her academic work, Dr. Ahlgren has spent over twenty years providing retreats and spiritual immersion experiences, integrated into her new workbook on the Interior Castle, Palace Within.

Book Event

Residential ticket in an ensuite room #2649 £180

Residential retreat which begins at 2pm Friday and ends after lunch Saturday. This ticket includes single ensuite B&B as well as supper on Friday, lunch on Saturday and refreshments.

Available Tickets: 5

The Residential ticket in an ensuite room #2649 ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

Residential ticket in a standard room #2649 £160

Residential retreat which begins at 2pm Friday and ends after lunch Saturday. This ticket includes standard room B&B with shared bathroom facilities, as well as supper on Friday, lunch on Saturday and refreshments.

Available Tickets: 6

The Residential ticket in a standard room #2649 ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

Residential ticket in an ensuite room - for Foundations and Forms students #2649 £150

This discounted ticket is for students on the Foundations and Forms course only. Residential retreat which begins at 2pm Friday and ends after lunch Saturday. This ticket includes single ensuite B&B as well as supper on Friday, lunch on Saturday and refreshments.

Available Tickets: 5

The Residential ticket in an ensuite room - for Foundations and Forms students #2649 ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

Residential ticket in a standard room -- for Foundations and Forms students #2649 £130

This discounted ticket is for students on the Foundations and Forms course only. Residential retreat which begins at 2pm Friday and ends after lunch Saturday. This ticket includes standard room B&B with shared bathroom facilities, as well as supper on Friday, lunch on Saturday and refreshments.

Available Tickets: 5

The Residential ticket in a standard room -- for Foundations and Forms students #2649 ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

Details

Dates & Times

17 - 18 Oct 2025

2:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Course code

2649

Other Notes

This is an overnight retreat to be held at Sarum College.

Students on the Foundations and Forms course who wish to prolong their stay may attend this retreat for £150 (ensuite) or £130 (standard).

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What our students say

Riveting!

Book of Revelation course

Someone on the course said it was ‘riveting!’ This was exactly what I felt. The course was a total joy because of the tutor’s handouts, excellence and Sarum College hospitality.

Faith is an imaginative adventure

The Very Revd Dr Mark Oakley

I admire the work and tone of Sarum College very deeply. It is a community that takes theology and spirituality seriously, not as hobbies but as pursuits into understanding, and engaging in, a complex world.

Sarum College reminds us that faith is an imaginative adventure and that it is shaped by a questioning joy.

Vibrant approach to theology

Fr Azariah France-Williams

I’ve been particularly struck by the refreshing approach to theological education here. In a world, and indeed within parts of the church, where faith can sometimes feel stagnant or out of touch, Sarum offers a vibrant and relevant alternative. The courses encourage a bold exploration of profound ideas, connecting with truths that lie beneath the surface and fostering genuine personal growth, which feels particularly significant as I approach my 50th year. This counter-cultural spirit, which embraces depth and challenges ageism and fear, is truly remarkable. Sarum is a place where individuals can be transformed by engaging with a living and breathing faith.

Well worth taking the time

Disability Theology: Theory and Practice

I took time to attend the course out of a busy working week and it was well worth taking that time. I have so many things to ponder and reflect on from this course and a helpful further reading list to keep me going for a few months! Thank you Sarum College

Netflix, Theology and Pastoral Practice

Peter Butchers on his MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture student experience

How do cultural tropes, like those found in Black Mirror, help bridge the gap between what academic theology espouses and what the everyday Christian believes? In his research as a student on the MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture, Peter Butchers explored platonic philosophy, digital theology and eschatology, and pastoral practice around death and dying.

Rewarding Sabbatical Stay

The Revd Greg Syler, is Rector of Ascension & St. George’s, Resurrection Parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC USA, spent part of his ministry sabbatical at Sarum College in spring 2022.

His account of the experience begins: ‘I loved spending nearly three weeks of my ministry sabbatical at Sarum College earlier this year.

Not only did I rest, and rest well in the comfortable care of the Sarum College staff, I experienced very significant renewal and fresh insights.’

Journeying Within: The Wisdom of Teresa of Avila