Teresa of Avila: A Woman between Heavenand Earth

Abstract

In the view of St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) “friendship with God” involves the whole of human existence. In her writings therefore,  she made a number of statements about of the human body, rooted both in the medieval virtue of “discretio”, and in a profound  knowledge of contem porary medical teaching, while at the same time illustrating her own process of maturation around the question  of human suffering in her own lifetime. Without any preconceived notions about the evolution of the natural sciences, and  ever faithful to the teaching of the Church, she stands as an example of an extraordinary woman on the threshold of a new period in history.