Facts about Teresa of Avila
- born in Avila, Spain on March 28, 1515
- entered the Carmelites on 1535
- began reforming the order and founded her first convent, St. Joesph, in 1562
- in 1575 she was told to stop and made to retire to Costile due to a dispute between the two different Carmelite groups
- in 1579 King Philip II of Spain found a solution to the dispute, Pope Gregory XIII confirmed it in 1580
- for two years Teresa traveled and continued working on reforming the Carmelites
- she died in 1582
- she was canonized in 1622
- made a Doctor of the Chruch in 1970by Pope Paul VI
- she is the patron saint of headaches
- her feast day is Oct 15
What was she reforming?
Teresa wanted her order, the Carmelites, to go back to convents existing on public offerings and poverty rather than relying on personal endowments of the wealthy. This caused a conflict between the two Carmelite groups, the Primitive and Mitigated. The Primitive was what Teresa was espousing. However, in the conflict, she was told to retire and stop working. Eventually, she was able to return to her life’s work with help from the King and Pope Gregory XIII.
Her prayer that will serve us well at this time
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
St. Teresa of Avila
When you feel troubled, pray the prayer above and remember that you have God.
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