Teresa of Avila: Reformer and Contemplative
Born in March of 1515 in Avila Spain, Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada (later known as Teresa de Jesus) was known as a contemplative nun and mystic who has shaped and informed countless in their search for the Divine. Many of her poems and hundreds of her letters still exist. She is known for her practical achievements in organization and her spiritual ones through her life of contemplative prayer. She was a remarkable woman, and well worth reading more about.
Her feast day in The Episcopal Church is the same of that in the Roman Catholic Church, October 15th. The Lutheran Church (ELCA) celebrates her on December 14th. Read more about Teresa of Avila here.