On October 15, we honor St. Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582), one of the most popular Carmelite saints.
In celebration of her feast day during the month of October, here are five facts about this great nun and mystic.
1. She attempted to become a martyr at age 6.As children, St. Teresa and her brother Rodrigo read the stories of the heroic martyrs who died for Christ. Filled with youthful inspiration, the pair ran away from home to preach the Gospel in Muslim lands. Their uncle stopped them and brought them back home.
2. She was instrumental in reforming the Carmelite order.St. Teresa felt that the Carmelites had lost sight of their original contemplative and penitential way of life. She insisted that her nuns forgo wearing shoes, pray more and stay in the convent. Another Carmelite, St. John of the Cross, supported her in these reforms.
3. She wrote several spiritual classics.St.Teresa is well-known for “The Interior Castle,” which describes the soul’s journey to full union with God in terms of the parts of a castle. You can also read her collection of letters on many different spiritual matters.
4. She emphasized the importance of joy in the Christian life.One of St. Teresa’s most famous remarks was, “Lord, save us from gloomy saints." She believed that our spiritual lives should be founded on joy, not because suffering doesn’t exist, but because it doesn’t have the last word. Christ triumphed over everything through His resurrection.
St. Teresa also had a great sense of humor. After falling in mud outside her convent, she looked up to heaven and told God, “If this is how You treat Your friends, no wonder why You have so few of them!" She didn’t mean to be disrespectful. As someone who was so close to our Lord, she could be completely honest with Him.
5. She is one of four female Doctors of the Church.In 1970, Pope St. Paul VI proclaimed St. Teresa as a Doctor of the Church, one of only four women among 37 doctors.
St. Teresa of Avila, pray for us!
