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Ávila
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Teresa of Ávila

Ávila

Teresa and the interior castle · Spain

Teresa grew up in Ávila and entered a Carmelite convent, but for years her prayer felt half-hearted. In her forties she went through a deep conversion and began to found small, simple convents where nuns lived in poverty and prayer. She wrote about prayer as a journey into an 'interior castle' with many rooms, with God dwelling at the centre. Today the Convent of Santa Teresa stands on the site of the house where she was born.

Did you know?

Ávila is still surrounded by its medieval walls, with 88 towers.

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An inspiring story

No wonder you have so few friends

Can you be honest with God, even angry?

Teresa travelled all over Spain in rattling carts to found convents, often ill and in bad weather. Once her cart overturned and she landed in a muddy river. Soaked, she complained to God and heard: 'This is how I treat my friends.' She answered: 'Then it is no wonder you have so few!' Why do people love this story? Because it shows a faith that is not stiff or pious, but close enough to joke and to complain.

Teresa was one of the greatest mystics of the church. She was also a woman who talked to God the way you talk to a friend.

Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you. All things pass; God never changes… God alone suffices.Teresa of Ávila

Sources

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