Teresa Of Avila Research Paper

Saint Teresa of Avila was one of many significant saints that influenced the Catholic Church, transforming and shaping it as it is today. Teresa of Avila was born on the 28 of March in 1515; she was born into a wealthy family, as well as having 10 brothers and sisters. As well as living a privileged life, both Teresa’s parents practised and showed faith towards the pious Catholics, Teresa was inspired and followed her parents, by becoming religious and taking up a life of prayer. Teresa was a generous and thoughtful person, as a young child, she showed signs of a strong religious nature; as she would often take part in silence of prayer and would enjoy giving alms to the poor. Teresa of Avila loved reading books from a very young age about

Teresa was very close with her mother and unfortunately, in Teresa’s teens her mother passed away, through this tragic occasion Teresa, lead towards the Virgin Mary for comfort as a spiritual mother. This event upset her so much that her father became concerned and sent her away to an Augustinian convert in Avila. Teresa became very ill during the early years of her staying at the convent; as she returned home. After being introduces to the monastic life, Teresa wished to become a nun, although her father opposed and forbade as long as he was living. Teresa had a faith and was devoted to her decision, at the age of 21 she left home and entered “incarnation of the Carmelite nuns in Avila in 1536”. Teresa clearly showed a strong religious faith from a very young age, in 1555 during her time at the Carmelite, Teresa began to experience visions of Christ, Teresa continued having these same visions of Christ, each vision focusing on aspects of Christ’s passion and suffering. Teresa showed devotion to the church and Christ and, she was so thankful for her mystical experiences as she began writing about them. Saint Teresa established Carmelite convent alongside Saint John of the cross, they worked together filling the convents with sister wanting to live a holy life. The Carmelite general recognised Teresa’s work, towards the convents and the people within them. Teresa

Teresa had a large devotion and faith towards the Catholic Church; she wanted to keep at a religion focussing on prayer. Teresa reformed the Carmelite church helping it focus on religion and prayer, Teresa felt that it was her job to spread faith and make it important in other people lives. In doing this, Teresa introduced a new perspective of the Carmelite life combining silence and solitude giving the life of prayer a specific role in the Church. St Teresa, reformed the Carmelites to live simply and concentrate on prayer and meditation, she felt that people should devout their life’s to prayer and god. Prayer was to be the great outreach to others, the one and only work of her nuns. Because St Teresa was unable to remain in this place of prayer, for her 15 remaining years of her life, she embarked across Spain, establishing new convents and following her reform vision of the Discalced Carmelite