First published 2018
Teresa of Avila opens her heart to readers, revealing the intimate details of her mystical experiences and religious calling. As a Carmelite nun in 16th century Spain, she faces resistance when she attempts to reform her order and establish new convents. Teresa documents her visions, her struggles with church authorities, and her determination to create communities devoted to contemplative prayer. The saint records her maxims on spiritual life alongside practical accounts of founding multiple religious houses across Spain. Her relations with fellow nuns, benefactors, and critics illuminate the challenges of religious reform. Teresa maps out both her physical journeys between convents and her interior spiritual voyage. Through personal writings, she demonstrates how divine encounters shaped her mission to restore the Carmelite order to its original austerity.
Genres: biography, history, christian, religion
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: based-on-true-story, religious-journey
Setting: Spain
Period: 16th Century
920 pages · Paperback · Franklin Classics