OFFICIAL NAME
Teresian Association
ACRONYM
TA
ESTABLISHED
1911
HISTORY
The Teresian Association was founded in Spain in 1911 by Fr Pedro Poveda Castroverde who was canonised by John Paul II in 2003.
It was Pedro Poveda’s aspiration that people could be prepared to live out their baptismal identity to the full so that they could be a transforming presence in society by uniting faith and culture, “virtue and science”. He designed centres (academies) where young women could prepare to become teachers in public schools or to enter university and other professions. They would then bring the spirit of the Gospel to society in the style of the first Christians by being “leaven and salt”.
Josefa Segovia was a graduate of the Higher School of Education who collaborated with Pedro Poveda from 1913 and went on to become the first president of the Teresian Association. She presented the Association to Pope Pius XI for his endorsement. In 1924 the Association was approved as a primary pious union.
On 21 November 1990, the Pontifical Council for the Laity decreed recognition of the Teresian Association as an international association of the faithful. The Teresian Association has consultative status with ECOSOC and collaborates in UNESCO programmes.
IDENTITY
The path of training undertaken by members of the TA is oriented towards integral human and Christian development. They are prepared to respond to the demands of their vocation in accordance with this charism and to have a grounded and solid experience of faith and robust cultural and professional preparation. Personal and community support is an essential part of this process.
The “Teresian” spirit is forged in prayer and study, pillars of the charism from its beginnings. Poveda chose Teresa of Avila as role model because he was impressed by her “eminently human and God-filled” character.
Jesus Christ is the centre: “the Incarnation well understood, the person of Christ, his nature and his life, give to those who understand it a sure way to become holy with the truest kind of holiness, while being at the same time human with the truest kind of humanity” (P. Poveda, 1915).
“The Work is Jesus Christ. He is the inspiration, the support, the life, the role model, the theory, the practice, the system, the method... in a word – everything” (P. Poveda, 1917).
The mission of the TA is carried out through the work and professional activities of its members, both men and women. The specific fields of its mission are formal and non-formal education, teacher training and the development and advancement of women, young people and families. Preferential attention is given to the most disadvantaged and to the construction of a just and caring society, sustained by the values of the Gospel and the defence of human rights.
ORGANISATION
The TA is an associative unity to which the members adhere according to their different forms of commitment while sharing the same Statutes.
The Primary Association is universal in scope and is made up of women who embrace the mission and spirituality of the TA with a commitment of availability and total dedication. They collaborate in a special way in its development.
The ACIT Associations (Cooperating Associations of the Teresian Association) are composed of men and women who commit themselves to the mission of the TA according to the characteristics of their associations. These are of a local, regional, national or international character and each has its own bylaws.
WORKS
The Teresian Association manages schools, centres with socio-cultural programmes and those for training of educators, university residences, youth organisations, publications and international cooperation and volunteer programmes. In the countries where it is present, it can create legal entities in order to be able to work in civil society with its projects.
PUBLICATIONS
Crítica, a monthly social and cultural magazine in Spanish.
Novamérica, a bilingual Spanish-Portuguese magazine, published every four months.
A critical edition of the founder's writings. A publishing house: Narcea Ediciones.
WEBSITE
https://institucionteresiana.org
HEADQUARTERS
Institución Teresiana
Via Nomentana, 60
00161 ROMA
Italy
Tel. [+39]06844351 - Fax 068443535
