Our Patron Saint 

Teresa was born in Avila, Spain, March 28, 1515. She captured just about everyone she met with her wit, sanity, courage, intelligence, simplicity, humility, charm and power. Teresa had an unyielding zest for life and a strong inner urging for the Lord. An urging so strong that when she was 7, she left home with her brother to become a martyr in Africa where Moors were being beheaded for Christ. To their disappointment, Teresa and her brother were discovered as they were leaving town by an uncle who safely returned them home.
 
At about 12, her passion for holiness began to slightly wane. She began to take an interest in chivalry novels and her 'natural attractions'. Her father became disturbed by her fancies and sent her to the Augustinian nuns to live. While there, a teacher helped her realize she, indeed, had a true calling by the Lord. At the age of 20 she received her habit and began to give herself to prayer and penance. For many years, she resisted complete surrender to God. Frequently she struggled with thoughts of unworthiness and found difficulty finding confessors to understand and guide her soul. The deeper her prayer, the deeper the experiences she had with God. Her divine favors increased. Some that knew of her, even sisters in her convent met her with disbelief or were convinced that her raptures and visions were the work of another. She took much relief from a counselor who stated, " Keep on as you are doing, daughter; we all suffer trials." And so she did.
 
With determination and prayer, Teresa went on to write many books on the subject of prayer. She wrote of her many adventures in the development of her new order and opening up her cloistered contemplative convents. Her detailed accounts of her life and deepening devotion to Christ led her to be named by the Pope; Doctor of the Church in the science of divine love.
 
This brevity has been included in this guide to encourage you. As Christians, we are all called to live saintly lives. As we look into the lives of our Saints we can see that such a life is obtainable. By learning about them, we find that many experienced some of the same anxieties we do. We can look at their lives and gain strength in our walk.

We learn that God is not looking for perfection, only obedience. As we grow in our spiritual walk, let us imitate Teresa of Avila's life of courage and integrity.   Let us draw nearer to the Lord by becoming more immersed in His Word and into a deeper prayer life.