StSt TeresaTeresa ofof AvilaAvila Feast day ~15th October

St Teresa of Avila St Teresa of Avila (also known as St Teresa of Jesus) was born in 1518 in the province of Avila, Spain. Her mother was keen for Teresa to be a pious Christian and Teresa enjoyed learning about the lives of the saints. When Teresa was only fourteen, her mother died, and Teresa found comfort in devotion to Mary – Our Lady - as her spiritual mother. Teresa was sent to be educated by Augustinian nuns at Avila, but was often ill there and became worried about being a sinner. Then Teresa began to have visions, including sights of an angel and feeling the presence of Jesus. In 1535, Teresa entered a Carmelite convent, to become a nun. She was surprised to find that the other nuns were not keeping to the rules of religious life, and were entertaining many inappropriate visitors. Teresa decided to start a new, reformed Carmelite convent where the nuns would live a life of poverty, with stricter rules. This idea spread and other reformed convents opened. Then Teresa, with the help of St John of the Cross, established two houses for men who wanted to follow the same, reformed, way of life. Teresa and her friends encountered some opposition to their new ideas, but eventually the King supported her. In the last three years of her life, Teresa founded more reformed convents. She died in 1582 on the 15th of October – which is her feast day. In 1617 Teresa was made Patroness of Spain, and in 1622 she was canonised by Pope Gregory XV. In 1970 Pope Paul VI made Teresa (and St Catherine of Siena) Doctors of the Church: the first women to receive this honour. Teresa is famous for her prayer, and for her mystical writings, especially her book ‘The Interior Castle’. The Catechism of the Catholic Church uses Teresa’s definition of prayer: “Contemplative 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.” Teresa’s best known prayer is: “Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing make you afraid. All things are passing. God alone never changes. Patience gains all things. If you have God you will want for nothing. God alone suffices.” St Teresa had many difficulties in her life, yet she always remained grateful to God and her teachings encourage us to be grateful too - she is a great role model for all.