SAINT TERESA OF AVILA

 

Saint Teresa de Cepeday Ahumanda

By Edward Matulanya 

Early Life and Vocation of Saint Teresa

Teresa de Cepeday Ahumada was born on 28 March 1515 in Ávila, Spain. She came from a devout family; her father was Alonso Sánchez de Cepeda, and her mother was Beatriz de Ahumada. After her mother’s death when Teresa was about fourteen, she experienced a deepening of her spiritual life (Encyclopædia Britannica, n.d.; Salesian Sisters, n.d.). 

In her youth she was given to reading about the saints and desired holiness. Around age 20 she entered the Carmelite Convent of the Incarnation in Ávila (likely in 1535 or 1536) despite initial reluctance and opposition (Georgetown University Library, n.d.; Britannica, n.d.). 

Her early years as a nun were marked by illness (including a period of paralysis) and spiritual struggle. She described seasons of interior dryness, lack of fervor, and conflict between worldly and spiritual inclinations (Britannica, n.d.; Franciscan Media, n.d.). 

Mystical Awakening and Reform Work of Saint Teresa 

At around age 39–40 (mid-1550s), Teresa experienced what she understood as a profound spiritual awakening. She had mystical visions, raptures, and a renewed zeal for prayer and interior life (Britannica, n.d.; Franciscan Media, n.d.). 

Teresa believed the Carmelite Order had become lax in its observance and sought to restore its original contemplative spirit. In 1562, she founded the convent of St. Joseph in Ávila, the first house of what would be called the Discalced Carmelites (i.e. “barefoot” or “unshod” Carmelites) emphasizing poverty, strict enclosure, silence, and intimacy with God (Britannica, n.d.; Georgetown University Library, n.d.). 

Despite opposition from ecclesiastical authorities, municipal forces, and even fellow Carmelites, she went on to found (directly or indirectly) about 17 convents in Spain (Britannica, n.d.; Salesian Sisters, n.d.; Catholic Online, n.d.). 

She also collaborated with St. John of the Cross for the reform among men’s Carmelite houses. The male branch of the Discalced Carmelites came to complement her female reform efforts (Britannica, n.d.; Franciscan Media, n.d.). 

Death, Canonization, and Feast Day of Saint Teresa 

Teresa died on 4 October 1582, in Alba de Tormes. However, due to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar (which required dropping dates between 5 and 14 October), her liturgical feast is observed on 15 October. Some sources note that she might have died close to midnight or in the early hours of what would be reckoned as 15 October (Encyclopædia Britannica, n.d.; Wikipedia, n.d.). 

She was canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622 (alongside other major saints like Ignatius Loyola) and in 1970 was declared the first female Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI in recognition of her enduring theological and spiritual contributions (Britannica, n.d.; Catholic Online, n.d.; Franciscan Media, n.d.). 

Writings and Spiritual Theology of Saint Teresa 

Teresa’s writings are foundational texts in Christian mysticism and continue to influence spirituality and theology. Some of her chief works include:

The Life of Teresa of Jesus (her autobiography) — written in part as a defense against suspicion of her ecstatic experiences (Carmelite Monks, n.d.; Yale News, 2019). 

The Way of Perfection — a guide for spiritual progress and prayer, addressed especially to her sisters. (Franciscan Media, n.d.; Catholic Online, n.d.) 

The Interior Castle (El Castillo Interior) — her classic metaphorical work describing the soul’s journey toward union with God through various “mansions” or stages of prayer (Catholic Online, n.d.; Franciscan Media, n.d.) 

Her theology emphasizes that prayer is a loving, interior conversation with God, that progress in the spiritual life proceeds through humility, detachment, and perseverance, and that mystical union is possible in this life. (Franciscan Media, n.d.; Catholic Online, n.d.) 

Scholars continue to study the role of suffering in her mysticism, noting how she interpreted trials and hardship as spiritually formative and aligned with Christ’s own suffering (Bueno-Gómez, 2019). 

Legacy and Patronage of Saint Teresa 

She is a patron saint of Spain, and also considered a patron for people suffering from headaches. 

Her reform movement reshaped Carmelite life, producing a branch that remains vibrant today. 

The Church honors her as a Doctor of the Church, recognizing both her sanctity and her theological insight (Catholic Online, n.d.; Franciscan Media, n.d.). 

References

O’Reilly, T., Thompson, C. (Ed.), & Twomey, L. (2018). St Teresa of Avila: Her Writings and Life (Studies in Hispanic and Lusophone Cultures, No. 19). Legenda. 

Teresa, St., Peers, E. A. (Trans.), & Silverio (Ed.). (1995). The life of Teresa of Jesus: The autobiography of Teresa of Avila. Christian Classics Ethereal Library / NetLibrary. 

Zimmerman, B. (1912). St. Teresa of Avila. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved from http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14515b.htm 

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. (n.d.). St. Teresa of Ávila. In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Teresa-of-Avila 

Franciscan Media. (n.d.). Saint Teresa of Avila. Retrieved from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-teresa-of-avila/ 

Bueno-Gómez, N. (2019). Teresa of Ávila on suffering: Interpretation in the female ascetic-mystic Christian tradition. PMC. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6899697/ 

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