Saint Teresa of Jesus (Ávila)

(born March 28, 1515, Ávila, Spain—died October 4, 1582, Alba de Tormes; canonized 1622; feast day October 15),

Saint Teresa of Jesus was a Spanish nun, one of the great mystics and religious women of the Roman Catholic Church, and author of spiritual classics. She was the originator of the Carmelite Reform, which restored and emphasized the austerity and contemplative character of primitive Carmelite life. St. Teresa was elevated to doctor of the church in 1970 by Pope Paul VI, the first woman to be so honored.

As a young woman, Teresa entered the Carmelite Convent of the Incarnation. She struggled with her health off and on, leading to a lukewarm spiritual life. That is, until her forties when a priest encouraged her to pick up prayer again.

At the age of forty-three, Teresa decided to reform Carmel back to its fundamental state of simplicity, prayer, and poverty. This initiative was most unwelcome. As she traveled and founded new convents, she often entered towns at night to avoid starting a riot. But Teresa, a woman with an iron will, persevered and continued to establish foundations for her new community, the Discalced Carmelites.

She had a strong spiritual friendship with St. John of the Cross, who also became involved in her reform of Carmel, and they worked closely together to set up new convents and monasteries. Teresa died at the age of 67, and was named a Doctor of the Church for her writing and teaching on prayer. Her spiritual and psychological insights led her to compose a number of works on the spiritual life, including “The Way of Perfection” and “Interior Castle.”

(from Encyclopedia Britannica and Given Institute)