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[[Image:Teresaofavila.jpg|230px|right]]

[[Image:Teresaofavila.jpg|200px|right|thumb| St. Teresa of Avila]]

'''St. Teresa of Avila''' also known as Teresa of Jesus, was born in Avila, Spain (b. 1515, died 1582). Teresa was a woman of prayer, discipline and compassion. Her heart belonged to God. Her own conversion was a lifelong struggle, involving ongoing purification and suffering. She was misunderstood, misjudged, opposed in nearly all her efforts yet she she was determined, courageous and faithful to [[God]]. Teresa became an energetic reformer. She is the founder of the Discalced Carmelites. Her writings on mystical prayer earned her sainthood and she ultimately became a [[Doctor of the Church]].

'''St. Teresa of Avila''' also known as Teresa of Jesus, was born in Avila, Spain (b. 1515, died 1582). Teresa was a woman of prayer, discipline and compassion. Her heart belonged to God. Her own conversion was a lifelong struggle, involving ongoing purification and suffering. She was misunderstood, misjudged, opposed in nearly all her efforts yet she was determined, courageous and faithful to [[God]]. Teresa became an energetic reformer. She is the founder of the Discalced Carmelites. Her writings on mystical prayer earned her sainthood and she ultimately became a [[Doctor of the Church]].

==Early life==

==Early life==

Teresa Sanchez Cepeda was the third of 10 children born to father Don Alonso de Cepeda and mother Beatriz de Ahumada. She was raised in a loving environment with a saintly father and pious mother.  At age 7, she convinced her brother Rodrigo that they should runaway to the land of Moorish where they would be beheaded for Christ's sake. Her uncle caught up with them before they could leave the city. In her youth, she had the reputation of being quite beautiful. Her personality was extroverted and everyone liked her and she liked to be liked. <ref>[http://www.ocd.or.at/eng/teresa.htm St. Teresa of Avila] The Teresian Carmel</ref> As a teenager, she cared only about boys and clothes, flirting and rebelling. When Teresa was 15, her mother died. When she was 16, her father decided she was out of control and sent her to a convent of Augustinian nuns at Santa Maria de Gracia in 1531. She was convinced that she was a horrible sinner. At first she hated it but eventually she began to enjoy it. She returned home after 18 months due to illness. At this time, Teresa's uncle gave her letters of St. Jerome. These would lead to her decision to enter a convent even though her father refused to give his consent.

Teresa Sanchez Cepeda was the third of 10 children born to father Don Alonso de Cepeda and mother Beatriz de Ahumada. She was raised in a loving environment with a saintly father and pious mother.  At age 7, she convinced her brother Rodrigo that they should runaway to the land of Moorish where they would be beheaded for Christ's sake. Her uncle caught up with them before they could leave the city. In her youth, she had the reputation of being quite beautiful. Her personality was extroverted and everyone liked her and she liked to be liked.<ref>[http://www.ocd.or.at/eng/teresa.htm St. Teresa of Avila] The Teresian Carmel</ref> As a teenager, she cared only about boys and clothes, flirting and rebelling. When Teresa was 15, her mother died. When she was 16, her father decided she was out of control and sent her to a convent of Augustinian nuns at Santa Maria de Gracia in 1531. She was convinced that she was a horrible sinner. At first she hated it but eventually she began to enjoy it. She returned home after 18 months due to illness. At this time, Teresa's uncle gave her letters of St. Jerome. These would lead to her decision to enter a convent even though her father refused to give his consent.

==Carmelites==

==Carmelites==

Teresa permanently entered the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation at Avila. She started to practice and learn mental prayer. Teresa said "tried as hard as I could to keep Jesus Christ present within me....My imagination is so dull that I had no talent for imagining or coming up with great theological thoughts." For eighteen years, she prayed without feeling that she was getting results. <ref>[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=208 St. Teresa of Avila Doctor of the Church] Catholic.org</ref> She sympathizes with those who have a difficult time in prayer: "All the trials we endure cannot be compared to these interior battles." For a time, discouraged she gave up praying. Teresa fell ill with malaria. She had a seizure and fell into a coma. Everyone thought she was dead. After 4 days, she recovered and learned that a grave was freshly dug for her. Teresa remained paralyzed in her legs for 3 years. Later, she would attributed her cure to St. Joseph.

Teresa permanently entered the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation at Avila. She started to practice and learn mental prayer. Teresa said "tried as hard as I could to keep Jesus Christ present within me....My imagination is so dull that I had no talent for imagining or coming up with great theological thoughts." For eighteen years, she prayed without feeling that she was getting results.<ref>[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=208 St. Teresa of Avila Doctor of the Church] Catholic.org</ref> She sympathizes with those who have a difficult time in prayer: "All the trials we endure cannot be compared to these interior battles." For a time, discouraged she gave up praying. Teresa fell ill with malaria. She had a seizure and fell into a coma. Everyone thought she was dead. After 4 days, she recovered and learned that a grave was freshly dug for her. Teresa remained paralyzed in her legs for 3 years. Later, she would attributed her cure to St. Joseph.

The [[Carmelites]] often invited the public to the convent of 140 [[nuns]] to raise money. She met many of her friends there from Avila. Teresa got more involved in flattery, vanity and gossip than spiritual guidance. This was a drain that kept her from God.

The [[Carmelites]] often invited the public to the convent of 140 [[nuns]] to raise money. She met many of her friends there from Avila. Teresa got more involved in flattery, vanity and gossip than spiritual guidance. This was a drain that kept her from God.

==Reformer==

==Reformer==

[[Image:Catedral avila.jpg|thumb|Cathedral of Avila.]]

[[Image:Catedral avila.jpg|thumb|280px|Cathedral of Avila.]]

Teresa's new director was Baltasar Alvarez. Either from skepticism or with the intention of probing her spirit, he caused her great distress. He told her that others were convinced that her raptures and visions were the work of the devil and that she should not communicate so often. This was very stressful but her strength in God overcame it all. She would later write "Oh, my Lord! How true it is that whoever works for you is paid in troubles! And what a precious price to those who love you if we understand its value."

Teresa's new director was Baltasar Alvarez. Either from skepticism or with the intention of probing her spirit, he caused her great distress. He told her that others were convinced that her raptures and visions were the work of the devil and that she should not communicate so often. This was very stressful but her strength in God overcame it all. She would later write "Oh, my Lord! How true it is that whoever works for you is paid in troubles! And what a precious price to those who love you if we understand its value."

Teresa met the acquaintance of [[St. John of the Cross]] and prior of Medina, Antonio de Heredia. In 1568, she established her reform among the friars.

Teresa met the acquaintance of [[St. John of the Cross]] and prior of Medina, Antonio de Heredia. In 1568, she established her reform among the friars.

Teresa would address her nuns, teaching them therein the major virtues that demand their solicitude, casting further light on the practice of prayer. Her convents would spread first Medina del Campo (1567), then Malagon and Valladolid (1568), Toledo and Pastrana (1569), Salamanca (1570), Alba de Tormes (1571), Segovia (1574), Veas and Seville (1575), and Caravaca (1576). In the "Book of Foundations", she tells the story of these convents, nearly all of which were established in spite of violent opposition but with manifest assistance from above. <ref>[http://home.newadvent.org/cathen/14515b.htm St. Teresa of Avila] Catholic Encyclopedia</ref>

Teresa would address her nuns, teaching them therein the major virtues that demand their solicitude, casting further light on the practice of prayer. Her convents would spread first Medina del Campo (1567), then Malagon and Valladolid (1568), Toledo and Pastrana (1569), Salamanca (1570), Alba de Tormes (1571), Segovia (1574), Veas and Seville (1575), and Caravaca (1576). In the "Book of Foundations", she tells the story of these convents, nearly all of which were established in spite of violent opposition but with manifest assistance from above.<ref>[http://home.newadvent.org/cathen/14515b.htm St. Teresa of Avila] Catholic Encyclopedia</ref>

==Writings==

==Writings==

St. Teresa is the patron saint of headache sufferers. She is the patroness [[Saint]] of [[Spain]].

St. Teresa is the patron saint of headache sufferers. She is the patroness [[Saint]] of [[Spain]].

==Also See==

==Quotes==

*[[John_of_the_Cross]]

* "Whatever thou doest, offer it up to God and [[pray]] it may be for His honor and glory."

==External Links==

 

==External links==

*[http://vatican.mondosearch.com/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=0&page_id=94196&query=Interior%20Castle&SCOPE=EnglishUI Interior Castle]

*[http://vatican.mondosearch.com/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=0&page_id=94196&query=Interior%20Castle&SCOPE=EnglishUI Interior Castle]