The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus by Teresa of Ávila

Description

This is the autobiography of Teresa of Ávila (also known as Saint Teresa of Jesus), a Spanish nun, writer, and mystic who lived from 1515 to 1582. She was born in Ávila, Spain, and entered the Carmelite order as a nun at the age of 20. In 1562, she founded a new convent in Ávila, which became the first of many convents that she established. She also wrote extensively on her experiences of prayer and contemplation, which were deeply influential in the development of Christian mysticism. Teresa's most famous work is this, her autobiography, a classic of spiritual literature and one of the most widely read and influential works of its kind. In the book, Teresa recounts her life story, including her childhood, her entry into the Carmelite order, her mystical experiences, her visions of Christ, and her efforts to reform the order. Teresa was a strong advocate for the reform of the Catholic Church and worked to establish new religious orders that emphasized simplicity and poverty. She was canonized as a saint in 1622, and is celebrated as a Doctor of the Church, one of only four women to have been given this title. This translation by David Lewis was originally published in 1870.

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