St. Teresa of Ávila (1515 – 1582), also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, was a prominent Spanish Carmelite nun, mystic, author, and theologian of the contemplative life through mental prayer. Active during the Counter-Reformation, she was a reformer within the Carmelite Order. The movement she initiated, later joined by St. John of the Cross, eventually led to the establishment of the Discalced Carmelites, though neither she nor John was alive when the two orders separated.
Teresa was canonised in 1622, and as recently as 1970 was named a Doctor of the Church. Her books include the autobiographical The Life of Teresa of Jesus; The Interior Castle and The Way of Perfection. They are an integral part of Spanish Renaissance literature as well as Christian mysticism.
St. John of the Cross (1542 – 1591), a major figure of the Counter-Reformation, was a Spanish Carmelite friar, priest and mystic,. Both his poetry and his writings on the growth of the soul are considered the summit of mystical Spanish literature. He was canonised in 1726 and is one of the thirty-six Doctors of the Church.*
- Ascent of Mount Carmel – John of the Cross, St.
- Dark Night of the Soul, The – John of the Cross, St.
- Interior Castle, The – Teresa of Ávila, St.
- Life of Theresa of Jesus, The – Teresa of Ávila, St.
- Way of Perfection, The – Teresa of Ávila, St.
*Description adapted from Wiki
Page copyright 2019 Ruffle Mission / Good News Services. 3/3/2019 JER.
