de Tormes, where she died on October 4, 1582 in the arms of her close friend Blessed Anne of Saint Bartholomew. She repeated the words “A broken and contrite hear, Lord, thou wilt not despise...Cast me not away from thy face.” Teresa always told her Sisters she had always been a faithful daughter of the Church.Teresa was not at all confident in her writing abilities, but wrote many books on love, her autobiography, and many minor works such. She lacked in any formal education but when she wrote it had referred to the Gospels. She did not believe in her writing capabilities, because even when she was asked to write something on a prayer, she said, “For the love of God let me work at my spinning wheel and go to choir and perform the duties of religious life, like the other sisters. I am not meant to write. I have neither the health nor the intelligence for it.” But she did write one of the greatest spiritual works of the Church, The Interior Castle.Teresa was beatified on April 24, 1614 by Pope Paul V and later canonized on March 12 1622 by Pope Gregory XV. She has numerous patronages including headaches, loss of parents, people in need of grace, people in religious order, and even Spain.Saint Teresa of Avila, also known as the Roving Nun, imitated Jesus even at the early age of seven; even though running off to be killed, her idea was in the right place of going to heaven. She was sick more than most, and suffered a great deal, mentally and physically in her early convent years. As many do, she questioned her faith and even herself, but through perseverance experienced “little” victories of faith by praying again. Teresa had many visions and voices, internal that imitate the apostles because even if they did not know it, all were affected by the Holy Spirit. Teresa went up against the opposition of Spain and the Calced, facing arguments even from the local bishops and cathedral chapters, w...
