Teresa of Ávila

Who they were

Teresa was born on 28 March 1515 at Ávila, daughter of a converted Jew's second marriage, and as a girl loved tales of chivalry. After her mother's death she was sent to the Augustinian nuns, and in 1536, against her father's will, ran away to join the Carmelites of the Incarnation at Ávila, making her profession on 3 November 1537. Gravely ill, she was given up for dead and her grave was prepared, but she recovered.

Years later, before an image of Christ covered in wounds, she underwent a 'second conversion'. She described her visions and ecstasies in her Life and other writings, and was supported against doubters by St Francis Borgia and St Peter of Alcántara. From 1566, authorised by her Order's general, she founded reformed Carmels of nuns and, with St John of the Cross, of friars, at Medina, Malagón, Valladolid, Toledo, Pastrana, Salamanca, Alba de Tormes and beyond. She died in 1582.

The miracles

On 27 September 1970 Paul VI proclaimed her the first woman Doctor of the Church. The miracles examined for her canonisation are not described in the sources we have used.

Why that counted as sanctity

Teresa taught the Church how to pray: as friendship with God, growing through the rooms of the Interior Castle until the soul is united with Him. She joined the heights of mysticism to down-to-earth courage, reforming her Order across Spain.

Connected on this site

• Catherine of Siena Saint
  “She was the second woman to be declared a Doctor of the Church, on 4 October 1970 by Pope Paul VI – only days after Teresa of Ávila.” — Wikipedia
• Edith Stein Saint
  “From reading the life of the reformer of the Carmelites, Teresa of Ávila, Stein was drawn to the Christian faith.” — Wikipedia
• Enrique de Ossó y Cervelló Saint
  “He served the role of an educator and an able catechist and published several works on catechesis to that effect while also expressing a keen interest in the value of women and in Teresa of Ávila to whom he dedicated his congregation.” — Wikipedia
• John of the Cross Saint
  “Influenced by the older Carmelite nun Teresa of Ávila, he was instrumental in the founding of the Discalced Carmelites, who wished to return to the stricter observances of the original Carmelite rule.” — Wikipedia
• Juan Bautista Rico Saint
  “Juan García Xixón was born at Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, on 10 June 1561, into a deeply Christian family, and at fifteen met St Teresa of Ávila.” — this site's research
• Paul VI Saint
  “On 27 September 1970 Pope Paul VI proclaimed Teresa the first female Doctor of the Church in recognition of her centuries-long spiritual legacy to the Catholic Church.” — Wikipedia
• Peter of Alcantara Saint
  “He supported St Teresa of Ávila in her reform.” — this site's research
• Philip Neri Saint
  “Philip was canonised in the great ceremony of 12 March 1622, together with Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Ávila and Isidore the Farmer.” — this site's research
• Teresa Margaret Redi Saint
  “An inspiration she attributed to St Teresa of Ávila led her to the Carmel.” — this site's research
• Anne of Saint Bartholomew Blessed
  “Anne of Saint Bartholomew (Spanish: Ana de San Bartolomé; born Ana García Manzanas; 1 October 1550 – 7 June 1626) was a Spanish Discalced Carmelite and companion to Teresa of Ávila who established new monasteries in France and the Low Countries.” — Wikipedia
• Blessed Anne of Jesus Blessed
  “She was the founder of the Carmelite reform and a close companion of Teresa of Ávila, and served to establish new monasteries of the Order throughout Europe.” — Wikipedia
• María Guggiari Echeverría Santos Blessed
  “She died on 28 April 1959, aged 34, asking for St Teresa of Ávila's poem 'I die because I do not die' to be read to her.” — this site's research