← [[f1a-appendix-b|Life Introduction — The Book of Her Life]] | [[formation-1a-handbook|Table of Contents]] | [[f1a-appendix-d|Meditation on the Song of Songs 7:3 — St. Teresa of Ávila]] → # Biographical Timeline — St. Teresa of Ávila 1515 – March 28 – Teresa de Ahumada born in Avila, Spain April 4 – Baptism 1522 – Teresa and her brother Rodrigo set out for the land of the Moors to gain martyrdom. 1528 – Death of Beatriz de Ahumada, Teresa’s mother. 1531 – Teresa becomes a boarder at Augustinian convent, Santa Maria de Gracia 1532 – Teresa falls ill – returns home to recover 1533 – Teresa visits her uncle and discovers her religious vocation. 1535 – November 2 – Teresa leaves home (against father’s wishes) to become a novice at the convent of the Incarnation (Encarnacion) in Avila 1536 – November 2 – Teresa receives the religious habit of Carmel 1537 – November 3 – Teresa makes her profession as a Carmelite nun at the convent of the Incarnation 1538 – Falls ill – leaves the convent 1538 – Autumn – Teresa reads Osuna’s The Third Spiritual Alphabet given to her by her uncle. 1539 – Returns to her father’s house in Avila – is in a coma for four days (preparations for burial are undertaken) – Awakes dramatically, and although in much pain and paralyzed she returns to the convent 1542 – Regains full use of her limbs and attributes her healing to St. Joseph 1543 – Death of Don Alonso, Teresa’s father 1542-1554 – Time of spiritual struggle and growth for Teresa. She describes it as a time of “wasting” 1554 – During Lent Teresa experiences a ‘radical’ conversion before a statue of the suffering Christ 1556 – She receives the grace of spiritual betrothal 1560 – She receives the grace of transverberation (spiritual piercing of the heart) – Begins to write the story of her life – Life – Begins to discuss with friends and colleagues her vision for reforming the monastic life 1562 – Pope Pius IV grants Teresa permission to found St. Joseph (San José) in Avila – August 24 – The convent is dedicated 1562-1566 – Teresa writes the constitutions for St Joseph’s in Avila and begins to write The Way of Perfection – Teresa writes her Meditations on the Song of Songs 1567 – August 15 – After receiving permission to found other convents, Teresa founds one in Medina del Campo 1568 – April – Founds convent in Malagon – August 15 – Founds convent in Valladolid – November 28 – John of the Cross (Juan de la Cruz) founds a reformed monastery for friars in Duruelo 1569 – May 14 – Teresa founds convent in Toledo 45 – June 28 – Founds convent in Pastrana – July 13 – Founds reformed monastery for friars in Pastrana 1570 – November 1 – Founds convent in Salamanca 1571 – January 25 – Founds reformed monastery in Alba de Tormes with John of the Cross – July 13 Teresa renounces the Calced rule – Takes office (against her wishes) of prioress of the convent of the Incarnation in Avila and is put in charge of the Salamanca convent – Teresa invites John of the Cross to become chaplain at the Incarnation 1572 – Teresa receives the grace of spiritual marriage 1573 – Teresa begins writing Foundations 1574 – March – Along with John of the Cross, Teresa founds a reformed monastery in Segovia 1575 – February – Founds the convent in Beas – Meets Jeronimo Gracian who becomes her confidant and best friend – May – Gracian sends Teresa to found the monastery in Seville – December – Teresa is denounced to the Inquisition 1576-1579 – Persecution of Teresa’s reform movement continues – Teresa continues writing Foundations – Teresa writes her magnificent The Interior Castle 1580 – Teresa falls ill to influenza – almost dies – Founds convents in Villanueva de la Jara and Palencia – June 22 – The papal brief Pia consideratione orders the erection of a distinct province for the Discalced Carmelites 1581 – March – First chapter meeting of the new order, Gracian is elected the first Provincial, new constitutions formed – Teresa founds convent in Soria – Teresa begins founding of convent in Burgos – John of the Cross makes the foundations in Granada 1582 – September 20 – Reaches Alba de Tormes – September 29 – Announces her imminent death – October 3 – Receives the Sacrament of Extreme Unction & last confession – October 4 – Teresa dies in the arms of Bl. Anne of St Bartholomew (Ana de San Bartholome) 1614 – April 24 – Teresa beatified by Pope Paul V 1622 – March 12 – Teresa canonized by Pope Gregory XV 1626 – April 24 – St. Teresa of Jesus becomes the second patron saint of Spain 1970 – September 27 – Declared a Doctor of the Church by Paul VI --- **Source:** Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, *Formation I Year A: The Way of Perfection* (US National Formation Program, 2024).