Born: 28 March 1515 · Died: 15 October 1582 · Age: 67
Spanish mystic and nun who founded the Discalced Carmelite Order
Did you know?She was the first woman to be officially declared a Doctor of the Church, a title given to influential Catholic saints.
Quick facts
Date of birth28 March 1515
Date of death15 October 1582
Age at death67
NationalitySpanish
BirthplaceÁvila, Spain
Occupationwriter, philosopher, founder of Catholic religious community
Editor's Take:
Teresa of Ávila was a mystic who also proved a skilled organiser. She described visions and prayer with startling honesty. Then she travelled Spain's rough roads to found new convents. Church officials often opposed her, and the Inquisition examined her writings. She met resistance with humour and stubborn courage. Her books remain classics of Spanish prose and of Christian spirituality. In 1970 she became one of the first women named a Doctor of the Church, a rare honour.
Key Milestones
1535: Enters the Carmelite convent at Ávila
1562: Founds her first reformed convent
1577: Writes The Interior Castle
1622: Canonised as a saint
Teresa of Ávila (born Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda Dávila y Ahumada; 28 March 1515 – 4 or 15 October 1582), religious name Teresa of Jesus, was a Carmelite nun, prominent Spanish mystic and spiritual reformer.