A Devoted Summary: ‘The Autobiography of St. Teresa Of Avila: The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus’

Saint Teresa of Avila wrote an autobiography, and we are the beneficiaries. She lived in Avila, Spain, from 1515 to 1582. “The Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila: The Life of Teresa with Jesus” is a chronological look at the life of a Doctor of the Catholic Church and one of the greatest people ever born.

The autobiography of Saint Teresa of Avila is a good book to read, and a great book to read during Lent. Let this Doctor of the church teach you what it takes to follow Jesus. Saint Teresa was a mystic, Carmelite Nun and reformer, Doctor of the Catholic Church. She might be one of the greatest people ever born, and she was certainly very accomplished. Do you think reading the autobiography of Saint Teresa will help you during Lent?

“The Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila” Summary

The book is relatively straightforward, as it progresses linearly through the life of Saint Teresa. She was born in 1515 and lived in Avila, Spain. Saint Teresa died in 1582, but not before becoming a Carmelite Nun, helping to reform the order during the Counter-Reformation. She wrote so much and so persuasively that she became a Doctor of the church.

In Saint Teresa’s autobiography, which was written as a defense of her ecstatic mystical experiences, she gives a program to become more concrete in a person’s devotion to Jesus, so it is a very good book to read during Lent. Saint Teresa discerns four stages to perfect in the ascent of the soul to God: mental prayer and meditation; the prayer of quiet; absorption-in-God; ecstatic consciousness.

What is most interesting in “The Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila: The Life of Teresa with Jesus” is that the reader gets to hear, straight from the proverbial horse’s mouth, how God can grant favors to the devout. The reader also gets a good idea of life during the Counter-Reformation, and the historical arc of the life of Teresa, who was an important historical figure, living in an important time.

Perhaps the best thing about this book, or this issue published in 1960 by Image Books, is the annotated table of contents. They serve to give the reader a good idea of what is in the book. Each chapter of the book is listed, and then there is a two to three-sentence description of what is in each chapter. In many cases, these descriptions state that the chapter merely continues the discussion from the previous chapter.

Why You Should Read This Book

There are three primary reasons to read this book; one has to do with the current season. First, it is important to understand the important historical period in which Saint Teresa lived. She was an important figure during the Counter-Reformation in Spain. Additionally, she helped reform the Carmelite Order of Nuns.

Second, this book gives a concise, yet descriptive summary of how the reader can implement for themselves a program to draw closer to Jesus. There is ample evidence presented in this autobiography of the many blessings that are bestowed upon a person who is participating in that program.

Third, and finally, this is an important book to read during Lent. The reader is treated to a spiritual program they can implement to improve their prayer life and devotion. If you are looking to enhance during this penitential season, this book is for you.

Parting Shots

“The Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila” is a great book to read in this season and a great book to read, period. Not only does it give the reader a good idea of what is happening during an important historical epoch, but the book also gives a spiritual program for the reader to follow during this penitential season.