Person

Teresa of Ávila

1515–1582 · 16th century · Also known as Saint Teresa of Ávila

Teresa of Ávila was a Spanish Carmelite nun and mystic who reformed her order, founding the Discalced Carmelites with John of the Cross from 1562. Her writings, including her Life and The Interior Castle, are classics of Spanish prose and Christian mysticism. She was canonised in 1622 and in 1970 became the first woman named a Doctor of the Church.

Teresa of Ávila
Image: Eduardo Balaca · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Mentioned in 2 profiles

Crown of CastileImpactHabsburg SpainImpact

See also

Cite this entry
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Teresa of Ávila. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/teresa-of-avila
MLA
“Teresa of Ávila.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/teresa-of-avila. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Teresa of Ávila.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/teresa-of-avila.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Teresa of Ávila’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/teresa-of-avila (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻