Saint Teresa of Avila was born on March 28, 1515, in Avila, Spain. Though a pious and devout child, at the age of fourteen Teresa turned to worldly interests following the death of her mother. Seeing these changes in his daughter, Teresa’s father placed her in a convent of Augustinian nuns. Later, Teresa went in secret to the Carmelite convent outside of Avila, making her profession a year later. Teresa’s life was marked by periods of serious illness, times of engaging more with the world than with the Lord, and struggles to persist in prayer. Of her distractions she said, “This intellect is so wild that it doesn’t seem to be anything else than a frantic madman no one can tie down.” In spite of these temptations and struggles, St. Teresa became known for her mystical experiences, her devotion to reform, her writings, and her persistence in doing what the Lord asked of her. Charming, intelligent, courageous, practical, St. Teresa was a mystic, the founder of the Discalced Carmelites, and a Doctor of the Church. She is the patron of headache sufferers and her feast is October 15.
Sources: www.ewtn.com; www.catholic.org; www.franciscanmedia.org
BackForwardPauseCaption