Saint Teresa of Avila

the one of “God alone suffices”

Who was Saint Teresa of Avila?

She was born in Ávila, Spain, in 1515. Her name was Teresa de Ahumada. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
She was a Carmelite nun and founded seventeen convents. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
In 1970 she became the first woman proclaimed a Doctor of the Church. Paul VI, homily of September 27, 1970

The name: When she became a nun, she took the name Teresa of Jesus. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
Also called: Teresa de Ahumada Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011 · Saint Teresa of Ávila Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
From: Ávila, Spain Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
Occupation: Carmelite nun, foundress and writer Paul VI, homily of September 27, 1970
Feast day: October 15: Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Saint Teresa of Avila, an artistic recreation

The path of Saint Teresa of Avila

Before Jesus. As a girl she read the lives of martyrs and told her parents that she wanted to see God. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
Before Jesus. When she was 12, her mother died. Teresa asked the Virgin Mary to be her mother. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
With Jesus. At 20 she entered the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation, in Ávila. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
With Jesus. For years she struggled with her weaknesses. In Lent of 1554, an image of the badly wounded Christ changed her deeply. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
With Jesus. In 1562 she founded the first reformed Carmel in Ávila. In all, she founded seventeen. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
With Jesus. In 1568, with Saint John of the Cross, she opened the first convent of Discalced Carmelite friars, in Duruelo. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
With Jesus. She died in Alba de Tormes in October 1582, on her way back from founding the Carmel of Burgos. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
Afterward. She was canonized in 1622. In 1970, Paul VI proclaimed her a Doctor of the Church. Paul VI, homily of September 27, 1970

Words of Saint Teresa of Avila

“I want to see God.” The Book of Her Life 1, quoted by Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011

As a girl, to her parents.

“Let nothing trouble you, / let nothing frighten you. / Everything passes, / God never changes. / Patience / obtains all. / Whoever has God / wants for nothing. / God alone is enough.” Poem 30, in Catechism 227

A poem of hers that the Catechism calls a prayer.

“Mental prayer, in my opinion, is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us.” The Book of Her Life 8, in Catechism 2709

Explaining what it is to pray.

“In the end, I die as a daughter of the Church.” Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011

Before she died, in Alba de Tormes.

What they were like

She came from a large family: she had nine brothers and three sisters. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
She had no academic training, but she learned from theologians and spiritual masters. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
She wrote only about what she had lived herself or seen others live. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011

The greatest thing they did

She reformed the Carmelite Order and founded seventeen Carmels. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011
She taught people how to pray: Paul VI says her message is “the message of prayer.” Paul VI, homily of September 27, 1970

Not to be confused with

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: Saint Thérèse of Lisieux was a Carmelite in France three centuries later. She followed the path that Teresa of Jesus had opened. John Paul II, apostolic letter Divini Amoris Scientia 5
Saint Teresa of Calcutta: Mother Teresa lived in the twentieth century and founded the Missionaries of Charity in India. vatican.va, biography of Mother Teresa
She has the same name, but she is a different Carmelite: she lived from 1900 to 1920. vatican.va, biography of Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes

In the Church today

Feast day: October 15, Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (memorial). General Roman Calendar; the date: Pope Francis, C’est la confiance (October 15, 2023, “memorial of Saint Teresa of Ávila”)

In art, recognized by: A book and a quill pen, for her writings This is how Christian art shows her; her works, Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011; The brown habit and white mantle of the Discalced Carmelites This is how Christian art shows her

What people ask

Why is she called Teresa of Jesus?

It is the name she took when she became a nun. Before that, her name was Teresa de Ahumada. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011

What is a Doctor of the Church?

It is a title the Church gives for “eminence of doctrine.” Teresa was the first woman to receive it. Paul VI, homily of September 27, 1970

Why is her feast on October 15?

She died on October 4, 1582, the very day the calendar was changed. The next day became October 15. John Paul II, letter of October 14, 1981

What books did she write?

The Book of Her Life, The Way of Perfection, The Interior Castle and The Book of the Foundations, among others. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011

Her struggle As a teenager, worldly books drew her into the distractions of a worldly life. Benedict XVI, general audience of February 2, 2011 Even as a nun, she struggled…

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Who Saint Teresa of Avila is connected to

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux · followed her path
Saint Francis Xavier · canonized on the same day
Mary · asked her to be her mother
Jesus · took his name

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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