Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), Doctor of the Church

Saint Teresa of Avila was born on March 28, 1515, at Gotarrendura (Old Castile), and died on October 4, 1582, in Alba de Tormes (Salamanca), in the Kingdom of Spain.

She reformed the Carmelite Order and founded the Discalced Carmelites, with Saint John of the Cross for the male branch.

She was a great mystic, a Carmelite nun, and a theologian of contemplative life.

Canonized in 1622, Saint Teresa of Avila was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Paul VI in 1970.

Her feast day is October 15.

Along with Saint James the Major, she is the patron saint of Spain.

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