St. Teresa of Avila

In this interesting compilation provided by Ave Maria Press, readers gain insight into the daily life of the famed mystic, teacher and Doctor of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila. 

Immortalized as a master mystic in her writings like "The Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection" and a tireless worker in the era of the Counter-Reformation, St. Teresa of Avila has long been a favorite beloved Saint by many in the Church. Many times, I think we look back on these iconic heroes of the faith and turn them into myth rather than seeing them as actual historical figures operating within the restrictions of day to day life. 

In these letters, we don't so much get to see the spirituality of St. Teresa so much as the practicality. We "over hear" her discussing which girls with what dowries of which amounts should be accepted into the order and which ones are positively unsuitable. We see her acting as an intermediary between friars when someone has really ticked off their superior, and also using codes and worrying about her letters being swiped, stolen or intercepted by the wrong people. 

However, spiritual wisdom is sprinkled throughout the letters as we see firsthand how St. Teresa navigates the rigorous business of managing multiple convents, her weak health, friendships, and conflicts. This book gives an inside look at the earthly practicalities of daily life in Spain during the era, and reminds us that even Saints were human. 

Full of notes and brief biographies, I think both scholars and regular readers will find something interesting in this book, but those looking for more spiritual writing need to be willing to read through a lot before gleaning the small insights spread throughout the book. It will be invaluable, however, to those who wish to see how the famed 16th century Spanish nun operated on a daily basis and among her closest colleagues.

I'm always on the look out for a good "morning read", something spiritual or enlightening, and St. Teresa of Avila: Her Life in Letters, was just the right companion for the final months of the year.

Known as a scholar and mystic of the Church, on the surface, this book doesn't focus on spirituality and our relationship with God. Yet, as you read through the way St. Teresa manages daily life and the business of running multiple content, you are left with a practical approach to dealing with what life gives you - and managing it with Grace. St. Theresa wasn't in the strongest of health, yet perseveres on to do what is best for those under her care, the slippery slope of Church (and Spain's) politics, and still maintain a connection with God throughout.

Collections of letters are one of my favorite ways to witness the humanity of great people, to see them in all their flaws, glory, and realness. A good reminder that even saints are human and that we all have room for Grace in spite of - or maybe because of - our imperfections.

A great book to have on my nightstand to read a letter or two a day.

(Note: I read this book through NetGalley, the opinions are 100% my own)

TERESA OF JESUS

To Teresa, who is called “of Jesus,” writing was always a part of her instruction, just as reading and culture were, thanks to her parents’ influence; thus she dedicated herself to the vital task of writing. Her works, The Interior Castle and The Way of Perfection, are recognized today as fundamental among the medieval classics.

In a compilation of personal letters mostly directed to different recipients, it is tough to maintain a coherent reading with all the variety of themes and subjects. This book is no exception, but those who don’t know Teresa of Ávila can hereby still contemplate her dependence on the Lord to beat the obstacles that came across her path. This is rather blatant throughout this work.

Split in chapters corresponding to chronological decades in the author’s life, Teresa’s ever deteriorating physical frailty becomes evident, and it often made her ask for help in writing the letters.

Among the recorded documents are missives for Philip II of Spain, interceding for John of the Cross (with whom she founded the Order of Discalced Carmelites) concerning the Inquisition; Dominican author Louis of Granada; or D. Teotónio of Bragança, Archbishop of Évora, to whom she manifests deep concern for the eventual military conflict between Spain and Portugal. She even states, “I would rather die than see it.”

Though there is not one moment where she seems afraid of writing, her care for not giving the inquisitors any excuses that may endanger her is noticeable. Teresa, who came to be accused of being “alumbrada” (i.e. “enlightened,” pertaining to the Spanish heretic movement from the sixteenth century), saw the need to use a “cyphered” writing to pass through the Inquisition’s sifter, as she knew she lived under the constant surveillance from her religious inspectors, who filtered her mail and sought to apprehend her literary manuscripts.

The literary legacy of Teresa of Jesus (or “of Ávila,” Spanish town where she first started her Discalced Carmelite ministry) blends with the terror of living under the Inquisition’s censorship. It was a time when persecutions and sentences without impartial judgment could come to anyone, even the most faithful among the Catholic religion. Even though she was integrated in the Church of Rome, Teresa was not free from continuous scrutiny for the spiritual practices uncommon at the time – despite her only seeking a contemplative life, but which transcended the Church’s standards and spawned suspicion around the aura of mysticism enveloping her.

An entrepreneurial nun, she established a remarkable network of cloisters, hosting young women from noble families drawn to the cloistered cause, dedicated to a life of prayer and intimacy with God. As such, the Carmelite nun always depended on God to meet all her financial needs.

While not being an indispensable book, it is something of a little treasure, as it introduces us to a reformer figure through her very handwriting, a catalyst to significant transformations in the Catholic Church’s history, namely those that concern opposition to Inquisition.

Originaly Published at:
Biblion Online Magazine (PT): http://www.biblion.pt/teresa-de-jesus/
Biblion Online Magazine (EN): http://www.biblion.pt/teresa-of-jesus/
Biblion #7 Interactive Edition ( Jan-Mar2018 – Portuguese): http://www.biblion.pt/biblion-7-interativa-pt/
Biblion #7 Interactive Edition ( Jan-Mar2018 – English version): http://www.biblion.pt/biblion-7-interactive-edition-en/
BiblionApp (iOS and Android) – Portuguese-only: http://biblionapp.mobapp.at/
Effective: January 1st, 2018

Ave Maria Press

Christian Classics
Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 05 Jan 2018


I am reviewing a copy of St. Teresa of Avila through Ave Maria Press and Netgalley:


St Teresa of Avila is one of the most fascinating women in the history of the Catholic Church.  She was candid, entertaining, and her brilliant behind the scenes letters offer a behind the scenes look at her life, these details of her life were not originally meant for the public.


The Letters in this book began when Teresa was forty six, two years before she had found her first covenant for Carmelite reform and Avila Spain and span until her death at the age of sixty seven.  


I give St Teresa of Avila five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This collection of St. Theresa's letters provides us with a more candid and casual look at this great saint. She had a very wide correspondence and the book shows it in all it variety.

You'll find her talking over publishing matters, complaining about her illnesses, and talking frankly of the issues surrounding her convents and their funding. You'll also find delightful touches of her wit, such as when she complains that a nearby priest is unhappy when he gets fewer letters than the saint.