St. Teresa of Avila
Patron Saint of Headache Suffers
St. Teresa of Avila was a 16th century Spanish mystic who, in addition to helping the Church through the Counter-Reformation, reformed the Carmelite order. Noticing the lackadaisical practices in her cloister and the lack of intent in many of her convent’s actions, Teresa wanted to reform the Carmelites to a more strict observance. She developed a friendship with the future St. John of the Cross, who helped reform many Carmelite monasteries. Together, they founded the Discalced Carmelites, a branch of the Carmelites with more eremitical practices. Teresa is also famous for many of her mystical writings, especially Interior Castle, The Way of Perfection, and her autobiography. Her mystical works and other writings led to her being declared a Doctor of the Church.