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St. Teresa of Jesus was born on March 28, 1515, in Avila, Spain. She entered the Carmelite Monastery in Avila in 1535. Her life as a Carmelite, though far removed from the mainstream of modern culture, still speaks powerfully to us today. Teresa’s indomitable love for God made her determined to give her all, willing to overcome any obstacle to do what God asked of her. Convinced that God wanted it, she set about reforming the Carmelite order, establishing convents throughout Spain where religious would live according to the original spirit of Carmel.

Teresa of Avila is best known for her mystical experiences. She believed, however, that her quiet prayer was a superior experience. Throughout her life, Teresa combined a contemplative lifestyle with the activities of daily life. She traveled, wrote, fought—always to renew, to reform. In herself, in her prayer, in her life, in her efforts to reform, in all the people she touched, she was a woman for others, a woman who inspired and gave life.

Teresa of Ávila occupies a commanding place in the history of sixteenth-century Spanish literature and spirituality. More than that, she is a central figure in the Western mystical tradition, and in 1970 became the first woman to be proclaimed a doctor of the Roman Catholic Church. This collection of essays offers the latest thinking on a wide range of approaches to her life and work; it is through these profoundly human yet mystical writings that we experience Teresa’s spirit that inspires us to enter into an ever deeper relationship with God.

Ours is a time of turmoil, a time of reform, and a time of liberation. Modern women have in Teresa a challenging example. Promoters of renewal, promoters of prayer, all have in Teresa a woman to reckon with, one whom they can admire and imitate.

Prayer of St. Teresa

Let nothing disturb you;
Let nothing frighten you.
All things are passing.
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Nothing is wanting to him
who possesses God.
God alone suffices.