Teresa of Ávila
1515 – 1582 · Ávila (Spain)
Carmelite reformer, mystic, Doctor of the Church
Awaiting theological review
In one sentence
A Carmelite nun who reformed her order and taught the Church a path of prayer.
Why this person matters
Her writings on prayer remain among the most read spiritual works in the world.
Historical context
She founded the first reformed (Discalced) Carmelite convent, St Joseph's in Ávila, in 1562.
Historical context
With John of the Cross she extended the reform to the friars.
Key ideas
- Prayer as friendship with God
- The soul as a castle with many dwelling places
Why they still matter
Interpretation
One of the first two women Doctors of the Church (1970).
Before
- Catherine of Siena1347 – 1380
Contemporary
- Ignatius of Loyola1491 – 1556
- Francis Xavier1506 – 1552
- John of the Cross1542 – 1591
After
- —
- The Book of Her Life
- The Way of Perfection
- The Interior Castle
- Historical context
Statements are labelled by source. Early Christian sources are named where known; dates before the 4th century are often approximate.