Boston College dedicates new
St. Teresa of Ávila Prayer Garden
The new St. Teresa of Ávila Prayer Garden at Boston College, which memorializes a Carmelite nun and important religious reformer, was formally dedicated at ceremonies led by University President William P. Leahy, S.J., in September.
Donated by Gloria Simboli in memory of her husband Anthony, the 2,000-square-foot garden—adjacent to the Clough School of Theology and Ministry at Simboli Hall on Brighton Campus—has as its centerpiece a nine-foot high, bronze statue of Spanish mystic Teresa of Ávila, OCD, who was the central figure in a movement of spiritual and monastic renewal of the Carmelite Orders for both women and men.
The centerpiece of the new prayer garden is a nine-foot high bronze statue of St. Teresa of Ávila.
Holding a book and an arrow—symbolizing her writings and experiences of divine love—the saint, also called St. Teresa of Jesus, died in 1582 and was canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622, the same year that St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Francis Xavier were named saints.
The striking figure was sculpted by Bolivian native Pablo Eduardo, the Gloucester, Mass.-based artist who also molded the statues of St. Thomas More on the Newton Campus and St. Ignatius near Higgins Hall.
“I’m delighted that we can gather on this occasion to dedicate the prayer garden of St. Teresa of Ávila,” said Fr. Leahy. “She, like many saints, offers an example, comfort, and inspiration to the many students and faculty in the nearby Clough School who are engaged in a serious study of theological issues. My hope is that they will pause and consider the life of St. Teresa, and what she did to renew the Church in her day. It’s the same calling for us to renew the Church in our day.”
BC President William P. Leahy, S.J., presented a framed photo of the St. Teresa of Ávila Prayer Garden to Patricia Simboli at the dedication event.
Following the dedication, Fr. Leahy presented a miniature model of the statue to Gloria Simboli, and a framed rendering of the garden to her daughter, Patricia.
“On behalf of our family, and especially my remarkable mother, we want to thank Boston College for giving us the opportunity to make such a stunning contribution to this life-giving school of theology and ministry,” said Patricia Simboli. “This sculpture and the prayer garden perfectly reflect my mother and father’s commitment to their faith, their appreciation for beauty in its many forms—especially yours, Pablo—and their shared vision of the importance of education and transforming lives. This brings everything together in one place in such a beautiful way that we could never have imagined.”
Anthony Simboli ’50, M.A. ’50, was a highly successful real estate developer and longtime University benefactor who grew up in Boston’s North End and was the first in his family to attend college. He commuted to BC, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and master’s degree in philosophy. Simboli Hall was dedicated in his honor in 2015; he died in 2020.
“We are grateful to have been given this opportunity to provide a place of refuge where the presence of God can be felt by all,” said Patricia. “Is it too much to ask that the experience of a CSTM education and this prayer garden [can] help us find the precious things in our soul? We think not. And thus, to support the School of Theology and Ministry, is a great honor, and the reciprocal nature of giving is truly found here. I’m sure that’s why my father chose to make his contribution to CSTM, knowing how important it was as a foundational element of all the education that takes place at BC.”
She underscored that her father’s faith gave him great optimism and hope throughout his life, and that he would have truly loved the garden and sculpture. “It just reflects his aesthetic, and his love of beauty and how it could elevate people and humanity. Ultimately, that’s what he wanted: Everybody to reach their highest potential, and for humanity to elevate itself. We’ve done our little part here.”