Teresa of Ávila

Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582) was a Spanish Carmelite nun, mystic and reformer. Born in Ávila, she entered the Carmelite convent of the Incarnation, and after years of illness and struggle in prayer experienced the visions she later described. In 1562 she founded the convent of Saint Joseph at Ávila under a stricter rule, and with John of the Cross went on to establish the Discalced Carmelites, founding many further houses across Spain. Her Life, The Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle are classics of Christian mysticism. She was canonized in 1622 and in 1970 became the first woman named a Doctor of the Church.