“Do You See What I See?” – St. Teresa of Avila: A Woman For All Ages

Source: catholic.org

Teresa of Avila was born during Holy Week in 1515 and died in Alba de Torres in 1582.   Her life and achievements have earned her many titles – ‘reformer, writer, foundress, doctor of the Church and Saint.’

These achievements, together with her warm human personality, her sense of humour and her single-minded courage, have undoubtedly acknowledged her as one of the great women of all ages.

Teresa lived in an age very similar to our own, an age of exploration and discovery, an age of revolution and upheaval.

However, in a world known as the Spanish Golden Age, society was not very encouraging towards women.   If anything, it was just the opposite.   As Carmelite Sr. Dobner, one of the most prolific Carmelite nuns and Catholic women of today, explains:  ‘Men were in control, and women had to accept that.’   Not Teresa!

From an early age, she was determined to prove she knew how to get what she wanted.   Teresa was particularly fascinated by hearing and reading stories about the martyrs who gave up their lives in order to see God.   So much so, she persuaded her younger brother, Rodrigo, to run away with her so they too could be martyrs and see God.   Fortunately, they were quickly rescued!   Such was Teresa’s determination.

“Just being a woman is enough for my wings to fall off,” wrote Teresa insightfully in her autobiography.   According to Sr. Christiana Dobner, this statement reminds us that despite all the social conventions of that era which ‘clipped’ the wings of women, Teresa would not let herself be restrained.

I first ‘met’ Teresa many years ago through her books.    Her writings brought me closer to her.   There is so much I admire about her.   How despite her ill-health, the many, many setbacks she endured, the constant travelling, she would spend endless hours through the night writing.

I once ‘wrote’ her a letter expressing my admiration for all she had been blessed in achieving in her lifetime despite her difficulties.   I poured out my heart to her telling her of my own hopes, dreams and aspirations to be a writer.    And then sometime later, I ‘wrote’ myself a letter which was full of what I imagined Teresa would have advised me……

There was much I felt we had in common, or at least, I liked to believe we had!   Literally, she would feel valuable time had been lost whenever she did not have time for reading.    My mother delighted in telling people that I was born, not with a silver spoon in my mouth but with a book in my hand.

I embraced the fact that Teresa loved reading about the heroic deeds of knights, which were very popular at that time.  It reminded me of when I was a student and how hopeless I was on the subject of history, so I relied on reading historical, romantic novels to overcome my ignorance.

However, I can think of one little point of difference between us which makes me smile.  When Teresa realized that God was calling her to become a nun, I remember praying desperately to God not to send me the same vocation!     I just wanted to write!

Teresa accomplished many wonderful, spiritual and humanitarian achievements in her amazing lifetime, far too many for me to even begin to touch on.    That is why I have mainly concentrated on our mutual love of reading and writing.   Her fortitude and stamina have never ceased to amaze and encourage me.

Apart from all her spiritual gifts and her beautiful relationship with her Creator, she was an independent and autonomous woman.   When she understood that God was calling her to be a nun, and after she had told her father (who rejected the idea), she decided to leave her parents’ house and entered the Monastery of the Incarnation (in Avila).

I am convinced that even if Teresa had not been destined to become a saint, she was definitely destined to become a great writer.   Despite all her protests about her inability and reluctance to do so – she was very much part of the privileged few who are renowned as original and creative writers.

Gifted with a keen intelligence and such a creative imagination, she exuded that feeling for life and insight into people and life’s events.

Finally, for me, above all else she was rich in human qualities.   Her compassion, sense of humour and sensitivity enabled her to express human as well as divine truths which were clearly understood.

And, again, for me, it is this human and universal quality that has endeared her to so many readers throughout history up until this present age.

Peggy Spencer is an active member of her parish church, St. John the Baptist, in Fern Tree Gully near Melbourne, Australia. Though not a "professional" writer, Peggy has always loved writing.

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6 Comments
  • Sharon Walters
    Posted at 09:23h, 06 March Reply

    Peggy Spencer, you very certainly have a great gift …..writing!

  • Barbara Lewis
    Posted at 09:58h, 06 March Reply

    Writing is so hard
    and so worth it.
    Reading other people’s thoughts has meant everything to me so often in my life …
    and given me insight just when I needed it.
    Thank you!
    Keep writing.
    Peace ☺️

  • Lorraine Majcen
    Posted at 10:48h, 06 March Reply

    Thank you Peggy!! I appreciate your writing about St Teresa of Avila. I enjoyed your perspective. I had the opportunity to visit the monastery in Avila where St Teresa spent much of her time and was very inspired. You have made her come alive for me.

  • Margaret (Peggy) Wilson
    Posted at 10:54h, 06 March Reply

    Thank you for your sharing your beautiful experience with St. Theresa. I always admired her courage for it was not an easy time to be a mystic (she was looked at by the inquisition, but fortunately…). I know her work with prayer is admired by all Christians and she truly is a gift the church has given the world. You have inspired me to read her works and to learn more about her. Thank you.

  • Peter Bisson
    Posted at 00:24h, 07 March Reply

    Thank you Peggy!

  • Lorella D'Cruz
    Posted at 09:06h, 08 March Reply

    Peggy, I’ve enjoyed your article on this inspiring woman of faith and determination, a woman ahead of her time in many ways. As a fellow Melburnian who shares your passion for reading and writing, I am encouraged to submit my own reflections on the theme “Do You See What I See?” I hope I will be able to do some justice to the topic!

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