Saint Teresa of Ávila
- Feast
- 15 October
- Patron of
- Spain, headache sufferers and those in religious life
Teresa was born in Ávila in 1515 and entered the Carmelite convent there as a young woman. After nearly twenty years of half-hearted prayer and illness she was converted anew, and in 1562 founded a small, poor convent under a stricter rule. With Saint John of the Cross she went on to reform the Carmelite friars as well, and died in 1582.
Her books, above all The Interior Castle, describe the soul's way to God with humour and plain sense, and in 1970 she became the first woman named a Doctor of the Church. Painters show her in the brown and white Carmelite habit with a pen and book, the dove of the Holy Spirit, or an angel piercing her heart.
For a girl or woman who is clever, restless and practical, Teresa is good company. She came to prayer late, founded convents while often unwell, and wrote about God as a friend worth making time for.
The print of Saint Teresa of Ávila
Questions
When is the feast of Saint Teresa of Ávila?
The feast of Saint Teresa of Ávila is kept on 15 October.
What is Saint Teresa of Ávila the patron saint of?
Saint Teresa of Ávila is the patron saint of Spain, headache sufferers and those in religious life.
Is Saint Teresa of Ávila a good confirmation saint?
For a girl or woman who is clever, restless and practical, Teresa is good company. She came to prayer late, founded convents while often unwell, and wrote about God as a friend worth making time for.
Is Saint Teresa of Ávila the patron saint of people named Teresa?
Yes. Saint Teresa of Ávila is the traditional name saint for anyone called Teresa, Theresa and Teresita, and the feast on 15 October is their name day.
Choosing for a confirmation? See Confirmation gifts. Any two Charcoal Saints are 15% off.
Other patron saints
AgnesAnneAnthony of PaduaAugustine of HippoBenedict of NursiaBernadette SoubirousCarlo AcutisCatherine of SienaCeciliaChristopherClare of AssisiDominicDymphnaFaustina KowalskaFrancis of AssisiFrancis XavierGeorgeGerard MajellaGianna Beretta MollaIgnatius of LoyolaJoan of ArcJohn of the CrossJohn Paul IIJohn the BaptistJosephJosephine BakhitaJuan DiegoJude ThaddeusKateri TekakwithaLucyMartin de PorresMary MagdaleneMaximilian KolbeMichael the ArchangelMonicaNicholasPadre PioPatrickPaulPeregrine LaziosiPeterPier Giorgio FrassatiRita of CasciaSebastianTeresa of CalcuttaThérèse of LisieuxThomas AquinasJeromeCatherine of AlexandriaMartin of Tours