In keeping with the pious legends of the time, Dona Beatrice often told the children about the adventures of knights defending their faith and country, which is possibly why Teresa persuaded her older brother, Rodrigo, to set out to meet the Moors, suffer martyrdom and gain heaven, in short order.

By the time an uncle found them on the road, tired and dusty, Dona Beatrice was convinced her children had been drowned in a well, and Teresa, the instigator, was punished.

Not to worry. She was welcomed back into the family's home, which consisted of two blocks of magnificent buildings, connected by patios and gardens. Teresa, having given up on instant martyrdom, built a hermitage out of stones in the garden, only to see it collapse. Undaunted, she dressed up as a nun, declared herself the prioress and directed the other children when to kneel and pray.

Since Dona Beatrice was not well, she lived as a recluse, in the company of her husband, children and her books. After the birth of a baby girl, Juana, she failed to recover her health and died on Nov. 24, 1528, leaving a heartbroken family.

One day, Teresa asked Rodrigo to walk down the same road they had taken as children to meet the Moors, and in the hermitage of St. Lazarus, she knelt before the picture of Our Lady of Charity and asked Mary to be her mother.

Gradually, the home was once again opened up to company. Teenaged Teresa, with her chestnut, naturally curly hair, lovely complexion, black eyes and gracious ways, was invited to many parties, especially those planned by her cousins, one of whom fell in love with her.

The young lady began to spend a good deal of time in front of her dressing table, primping for dances, trying on clothes, being a typical teenager. She also continued reading novels, which she hid under the cushions when she heard her father approaching, and took up her embroidery.

After her sister, Maria, married and left home, Don Alonso was uneasy about his daughter's being without a chaperone, so he sent her to the convent of the Augustinian nuns for further education. She describes her reaction:

"At first, I was very upset, but I was already weary of vanity and frivolity .. at the end of the week, perhaps sooner, I was already happier than in my father's house."

Prayer did not come easily to her, and she was a bit envious of the girls who would weep over the sufferings of Christ, and pray for hours. Nevertheless, Teresa thought seriously of becoming a Religious, though she wasn't interested in the Augustinian order, where she would be completely shut off from the world, but considered the convent of the Incarnation, the Carmelites of the Mitigated Rule.

Because of illness, possibly brought on by stress, she returned home at the age of 17, and then stayed with her married sister, Maria, helping with the cooking and caring for her baby nephew before returning home once more.

Much to her father's dismay, Teresa entered the convent of the Incarnation in 1536, at the age of 21. The convent was located on the outskirts of Avila, with a lovely view of the city from the open patio and orchards.

Surprisingly, all nuns were not equal there. Those from the poorer families slept in dormitories, while those from wealthier families had private suites, some jewelry, and even lapdogs. Teresa enjoyed a suite on two levels, with a connecting staircase, guest room, and private oratory.

Home

Archives