St. Teresa of Avila

Teresa was born March 28, 1515, at Avila, Castile, Spain. Her mother died when Teresa was 12, and she prayed to Our Lady to be her replacement. Her father opposed her entry to religious life, so she left home without telling anyone, and entered a Carmelite house at 17. Seeing her conviction to her call, her father and family consented.

Soon after taking her vows, Teresa became gravely ill, and her condition was aggravated by the inadquate medical help she received; she never fully recovered her health. She began receiving visions, and was examined by Dominicans and Jesuits, including Saint Francis Borgia, who pronounced the visions to be holy and true. 

She died on October 4, 1582; was canonized in 1622; and was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church on September 27, 1970, by Pope Paul VI. Her body is incorrupt; her relics are preserved at Alba.

St. Teresa is a patron of sick people. Her Feast Day is October 15.