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Jan 1, 1505
Family Life
Alfonso first married Catalina Del Peso, in 1505 in which they had two children together and later Catalina died in 1507. Two years later Alfonso married the 15-year-old Beatriz de Ahumada of whom Teresa was born. When Teresa was 15, her mother died in 1528 leaving behind 10 children. -
Mar 28, 1515
Date and Place of birth.
On March the 28th, 1515 Teresa de Ahumada was born in Avila, Spain. -
Mar 30, 1515
Early Life
She was born in a family of virtuous and pious parents, her father was a wealthy merchant who was Don Alfonso Sanchez. Teresa was raised up with stories of the lives of Saints and Martyrs by her mother Beatriz so that she would become a passionate Christian. -
Jun 5, 1528
Early Life
When Teresa was 15, her mother died in 1528 leaving behind 10 children. -
Jun 6, 1528
Early life
The most beloved of them all was Teresa. She was a beautiful girl who was very quiet and patient. Teresa was also skilful in needlework, using a pen and in household duties. Enthusiasm and courage were immediately sparked in Teresa which occurred when she left home at the age of 7 with her brother Rodrigo.They had the intention of going to Moorish territory to be beheaded for Christ but they were frustrated by their uncle and brought them back home. -
Apr 9, 1532
Religious studies
The influence of Dona Maria de Brinceno influenced Saint Teresa heavily. Dona Maria was in charge of the lay students at the convent school and helped Teresa to recover her devotion. Near The end of 1532 she returned home to recover her health and lived in Castellanos with her sister. -
Apr 12, 1532
Religious Studies
She entered the covenant after she read the letters of St. Jerome but consent was not given by her father. Her father did not give consent due to the fact that Teresa's paternal grandfather who was of Jewish origin. Also because Interrogation accused him of returning to the Jewish faith. That is why her father was always careful with religious matters. -
Jul 4, 1532
Religious Studies
She also had a friend, Juana Suarez who worked there. Teresa received the habit the following year and began passionately giving herself to prayer and penance. -
Jul 2, 1535
Religious studies
The idea of running away came into mind and so she did looking for another brother to escape with hoping that they both might obtain the religious habit. The Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation at Avila was entered by Teresa on November 2, 1535, where she studied and strengthened her spiritual and religious life -
Period: Nov 2, 1535 to Jan 1, 1581
Reformation (2)
The amount of visitors destroyed the atmosphere. Many people of different ranks would also come in and out of the monastry. Teresa felt she had to do something about it. She found a resoloution and it was to found a reformed convent of the Caramelite. Fixing the damaged atmosphere and making the practice of prayer have a purpose. Spanish jews were converted by Teresa to follow the Christian faith. -
Period: Nov 2, 1535 to Jan 1, 1581
Reformation (3)
The new monastry was established in 1562 and was named St. Joseph's, -
Period: Nov 2, 1535 to Jan 1, 1581
Reformation (4)
A new cloister was entered by teresa on March 1563. She decided to create a constitution fixing stricter rules and new regulations. Between 1567 and 1571 Teresa established reform convents throughout the provinces of spain. Permission was given to teresa to open up two houses for men to take the reforms. St. John of the cross and Anthony of Jesus also helped teresa with this. -
Period: Nov 2, 1535 to Jan 1, 1581
Reformation (5)
Persecutions started in 1576 of the older convent of the Caramelite and it was against Teresa. Although controversies happened Teresa still managed to find all 16 convents due to 20 years of reform activity. Her illness took over and caused her to stop due to the serverity. -
Period: Nov 2, 1535 to Jan 1, 1581
Reformation (1)
Teresa entered the Caramelite Monastry on November 2, 1535. She felt disharmony and a loss of connection between her and God in the monastry. Many nuns lived there and they all worked hard to strengthen the spirit of practicing prayer but it all lost its purpose. -
Aug 4, 1538
Controversies
Teresa faced controversies in her life and another came up. She became seriously ill soon after taking her profession and aborted anything that had to do with medical treatment. She was taken to Becedas by her father as it was their last option. They looked for a woman healer who was famous in the area. Although they had her help Saint Teresa’s health did not recover. She left Becedas in 1538 and stayed with her uncle in Hortigosa . -
Jul 2, 1539
Sickness
Instead of improving she became even sicker and was brought back to Avilia in July 1539 by her father. -
Aug 15, 1539
Sickness
On August 15 she was thought to be dead after she fell into a coma that was so intense. Four days later and she revived but was paralysed for 3 years in the legs. She finally cured and entered a sort of weakness in her spiritual and religious life which again was another controversy she battled. -
Sep 20, 1557
Controversy
This weakness lasted 18 years and during these 18 years she was involved in yet again another controversy in which she had experienced a transitory mystical experience which was an encounter or union with the divine or religious family. A strong desire held her back. -
Nov 26, 1557
Transitory mystical experience
This finally left her with an experience of the presence of an image of “the sorely wounded Christ”. This conversion delayed her spiritual development and she enjoyed a rich experience with the presence of God within her at the age of 39. -
Oct 4, 1582
Death
Teresa de Ahumada died in Alba, October 4 1582 at the age of 67 due to natural causes. -
Canonisation
Teresa became canonised in 1622 which was 40 years after her dead by Pope Gregory XV. -
Feast Day
We celebrate St. Teresa's feast day on October the 15th. -
Doctor of the Church
St. Teresa was named the "Doctor of the Church" in 1970 along with St Catherine of Sienna by Pope Paul VI. They were the first women to be named and own the title "The doctors of the church". -
