Teresa of Avila, Nun, 1582

Commemorated on October 15.

Teresa was a close friend of St. John of the Cross and later declared a “Doctor of the Church” because of her prized mystical, contemplative writings. She was inspired to a life of meditation by Augustine of Hippo and Mary Magdalene. After finding life at a Carmelite convent to be too easygoing, Teresa established a reformed Carmelite order for the “discalced” who wore sandals or went barefoot, and founded 17 convents. Her letters reveal a mystic and ascetic life that was also energetic, practical and efficient as she traveled and ministered for 25 years throughout Spain.