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St. Teresa of Avila |
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St.
Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), "Teresa of Jesus," is a loving source
of comfort to those longing for internal peace with God in a complex world.
She was a sixteenth century Spanish mystic, a woman of prayer as well as
an author of many profound and inspirational writings. Teresa is known for
her early autobiography, The Way of Perfection, and for her more mature
Interior Castles, which represents the culmination of her spiritual experiences.
Teresa is most will-known for her reform of the Carmelite community, reversing the mitigated observances to the contemplative lifestyle of the early monks, the primitive rule. As the founder of the Discalced Carmelites and in spite of illness, she traveled far and wide establishing many monasteries devoted to the reforms that she initiated. In 1970, Teresa was named a Doctor of the Church. Love was a profound theme in St. Teresa of Avila's life, love which she gave freely and received joyfully from other people, and which came from her love for God. In her words: Myself
surrendered and given, |