Teresa of Avila Biography

Name at birth: Teresa Sanchez Cepeda Davila y Ahumada

Teresa of Avila was a nun who reformed the order of the Carmelites, an ascetic who had mystical visions and communications from God. Charismatic and controversial, she founded monasteries throughout Spain, and is known by works that include her autobiography and The Way of Perfection. She was beatified in 1614 and canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV, and in 1970 was made a Doctor of the Church.