Saint Teresa of Avila

Saint Teresa was born in the year 1515 in Spain. She was raised as a devout Catholic by her parents especially her mother. At the age of seven she and her brother tried to run away from home to become martyrs but were brought back home. Her mother died when she was a young child which made Teresa develop a very close friendship with the Blessed Virgin Mary. She joined the Carmelite order to lead a monastic life at the age of eighteen. However she found the order was not living up to it's initial zeal and fervor. The observances of the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience was very much lacking. She then initiated a reform by returning to the original approved constitution of Carmelites in the early 1200's and also several women joined her in this reform. She formed many new houses which were based on this reformed and later Saint John of the Cross joined her and the reform spread among the friars as well.
Saint Teresa enjoyed many mystical visions and had the gift of levitation. However she was very practical and pragmatic in living out her Carmelite vocation. Her life and leadership attracted so many of her times and present times to Christ and His Mother and to lead a life of holiness. She made contemplation, mental prayer and the pursuit of holiness attractive and desirable for all.
Saint Teresa is most known for her literary works including the two popular works: The Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle. She was canonized by Pope Gregory the Great in 1622 and was declared a Doctor of the Church by  Pope Paul VI in 1970.
Saint Teresa of Avila pray for us!