Teresa of Avila was born in Spain during the years when Martin Luther was beginning the Reformation in Germany. The young Teresa wasn’t that interested in religion. She preferred romance novels and beautiful clothes. At the age of 21 she decided to enter the Carmelite Convent of the Incarnation, which was like a club for young women. The richest nuns received special treatment, and the place was filled with visitors, gossip, games and good food. Teresa enjoyed the distractions. But alter 20 years, she realized how much she longed for a place where the real Carmelite life would be lived - a place of prayer, silence and fasting. Boldly she asked for and received permission to begin such a community.

This reformed Carmelite convent was call “discalced.” That means shoeless. The women who lived there wore simple rope sandals. Everyone share in the chore equally, including Teresa.

When the Carmelite Father General came to visit Teresa’s convent, he was so impressed that he asked her to begin discalced houses for Carmelite men. Through the work of reform Teresa met her friend John of the Cross, who share her passion for prayer and simplicity.

Teresa also did a lot of writing. Her books about the spiritual life are considered classics. She wrote seven major works and several smaller ones. For that scholarship she is called a doctor - a wise teacher - of the church. She is the first woman to be given this title. She is also one of the most beloved saints of Spain and Latin America.

From Companion to the Calendar, M.E.Hynes