St. Teresa of Avila was the born in 1515 in the rugged countryside of Castile. At the age of twenty she entered the Carmel of the Incarnation at Avila. At that time the Order followed a mitigated observance. After herself adopting a more rigorous form of life Teresa reformed her monastery and with the help of St. John of the Cross founded a series of houses both of Carmelite nuns and friars who were known as “Discalced” to distinguish them from the unreformed observance. St. Teresa is one of the greatest mystics of the Church. The loftiness and the perfect balance of her spiritual teaching make her an incomparable guide to the life of union with God.