Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Saint Teresa of Ávila, also known as Saint Teresa of Jesus, was born on March 28, 1515, in Ávila, Spain. Her parents named her Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada. After the death of both her elder brother, John, and her mother, Beatrice, Teresa was sent to study at the Augustinian Monastery of Our Lady of Grace, but she returned to her father’s home after a serious illness. Teresa entered the Carmelite monastery of the Incarnation at Ávila at age 18, despite her father’s opposition. With the approval of Pope Pius IV and help from Saint John of the Cross, Teresa worked to reform the Carmelite Order. Heavy opposition and constant difficulties did not deter her from founding thirty-two reformed convents.
 
Her visions and ecstasies led to great spiritual growth, and Teresa reached the highest degree of prayer. Because of her gift for composition, Teresa’s mystical texts are among the clearest, most powerful poetics ever written. Her most famous work is the Interior Castle, the soul's journey in search of God through seven particular steps of elevation.
 
Teresa died in October 1582, and Paul V beatified her in 1614. Canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV, Saint Teresa of Jesus was named a Doctor of the Church in 1970.