VEYO Patron Saints

St. Teresa of Avila

Born: March 28, 1515 at Castile, Spain
Died: October 4, 1582 (body has remained incorrupt)
Canonized: 1622
Feast Day: October 15
Patron Saint of: the sick and suffering, people in need of grace, people in religious orders

Teresa was born into Spanish nobility, but in her youth she suffered from illnesses of various kinds. Forced to stay home, she spent much time reading, especially the lives of the saints, and became a rather well-educated woman. She was cured of her disease after fervent prayer to Saint Joseph. Her mother died when Teresa was 12, and she prayed to Our Lady to be her replacement. When deciding to enter religious life at the age of 17 against the wishes of her Father, she left home without telling anyone and entered a Carmelite convent. Seeing her conviction to her call her Father and family consented.
Soon after taking her vows Teresa became gravely ill, and her condition was aggravated by the inadequate medical help she received. Her health never fully recovered. Teresa began receiving visions and was examined by Dominicans and Jesuits, including Saint Francis Borgia, who pronounced the visions to be authentic and true.

Progressing rapidly on the way towards spiritual perfection, Teresa considered her convent too lax in its rule and founded a reformed convent of Saint John of Avila. This was the beginning of the reform movement in the Carmelite Order. Teresa continued this reform with great courage and determination for over 20 years and, together with the help of St. John of the Cross, opened several houses often against fierce opposition from local authorities. Throughout these years Teresa preserved a deep spiritual life and wrote many learned treatises on her mystical experiences which have remained, to this day, outstanding works of literature and of mystical theology. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church on September 27, 1970 by Pope Paul VI Teresa has been given her place among the most distinguished figures of the Church.

For more info go to

• http://www.catholic-forum.com/Saints/saintt01.htm
• http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14515b.htm