Not in this house

Alonso’s 17-year-old daughter Teresa wanted to be a nun. He thought it was a bad idea, so she snuck out of the house and entered the convent.

Alonso was furious, but when he was finally able to see his daughter, he saw that it was indeed the right thing for her.

Teresa’s first years in the convent were not easy. She became terribly sick and the medical treatment she received only made things worse. She began to have visions. She was told they were just illusions (if not something worse). It was a time of terrible spiritual struggle.

News of her visions spread. The Church sent priests of the highest reputation to investigate. To the surprise of many, these priests confirmed the godliness of her spiritual experiences.

Teresa would write about these experiences in books that became classics. She also took a small group of her fellow religious and formed new monasteries that were even more austere and focused on an intense relationship with God.

St. Teresa of Jesus, born in Avila, founder of the Discalced Carmelites and Doctor of the Church, died in October of 1582 and was canonized forty years later.