The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus

The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus is the autobiography of Teresa of Ávila (also known as Saint Teresa of Jesus), a Spanish nun, writer, and mystic who lived from 1515 to 1582. Born in Ávila, Spain, she entered the Carmelite order at the age of 20 and later founded a new convent there in 1562, the first of many religious houses she would establish. Teresa wrote extensively about her experiences of prayer and contemplation, which proved deeply influential in the development of Christian mysticism. In this work, she recounts her childhood, her religious vocation, her mystical experiences, her visions of Christ, and her determined efforts to reform the Carmelite order. A strong advocate for spiritual renewal within the Catholic Church, Teresa worked to establish new religious communities that emphasised simplicity and poverty. Canonised in 1622, she is honoured as a Doctor of the Church, one of only four women to have received this title. This translation by David Lewis was originally published in 1870.