Teresa of Avila: God Alone Suffices

by Jean Jacques Antier

Story of a saint.

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Biography, Nonfiction

Paperback

Published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Julie Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Sigrid Undset's book sbout Catherine of Siena I was ready for another big book about a big saint. This filled the bill, including historical context, which was something that I really enjoyed in the Undset book.

I'm so glad I picked this up. I really felt immersed in Teresa's life. It was very inspirational as well as being informative. Coincidentally I am also reading The Betrothed for an upcoming podcast episode. Teresa's life, the discalced way of living, and her struggles all resonate to make the world of The Betrothed feel much more familiar.

My favorite part was midway through when the first convent was being established. All those details made me have a deeper appreciation for one of my very favorite books, In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden. All of this is to say that the book resonated with me on several levels.

I really loved one little vignette when Teresa and John of the Cross were such good friends with surprising results.

Very privileged relationships were established and lasted for those two years that John of the Cross spent in Avila, and astonishing dialogues took place in the Incarnation parlor. On May 17, 1573, Sister Beatriz de Ocampo, looking for the prioress, went to the parlor, where she found Teresa in ecstacy, and, on the other side of the grille, John of the Cross sent into levitation by ecstasy. Teresa excused herself saying, "You cannot speak of God with Father John of the Cross without having him enter into ecstasy and leading you along with him."

Highly recommended.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read St Teresa's autobiography several years ago and immediately became a "spiritual fan" of this great saint and Doctor of the Church. This book was recommended to me by a friend. I began reading it about a year ago and put it aside for awhile. I felt compelled to resume reading it after returning from my last retreat in May and found that I could not put it down.
If Teresa's life interests you, but you have had difficulty with her work (I am still trying to get through Interior Castles.) or if you have never read anything of or by her, I suggest beginning with this book. It is easy to read, yet very detailed in recounting the saint's life, her work, her love for and relationship with Christ, as well as her ecstasies and raptures.
Part Two of the book, which is relatively short, delves into her personality, her strengths and her weaknesses, as well as a description of her major and minor works.
St Teresa's life, while quite extraordinary, has much to teach us regardless of our state in life.
Thank you st Teresa for putting this book back in my hands; I am very glad I finished it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always felt like this St. Teresa was someone I couldn't talk to. She was unapproachable some way. Too smart or worse, too holy! to deign to talk to the likes of me.

How wrong I was! After savoring this well-written biography, I feel as though I made a new friend!

St. Teresa of Ávila, pray for us!

[Allen Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew little about St. Theresa before reading this book. If I had an impression of her, it was of an austere Spanish religious. Boy was I wrong. This book is both a factual and intellectual biography. The reader learns about Theresa, the Catholic Church at that time, and her impact on those she knew. Perhaps the greatest surprise was her personality. She didn't gain influence with fire and brimstone but by leading by example. She had many great friends and powerful enemies. She transformed the Church at great risk to her herself. The author also touches on a subject that I find of great interest, the profound impact of new wealth on Spanish society. How gold from the Americas transformed Spanish society. The Spanish Inquisition also makes a few appearances, as St. Theresa ran afoul of this movement as well. This is in many ways an important study of a worthy subject.

[Elesa Labanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography is not written in a style that I enjoy. I came to realize through the reading of it just how huge a part Spanish politics played in Theresa's life. Nevertheless, I would have preferred a deeper look into her spiritual and day to day life rather than quite so deep a look into the politics. Just not my cup of tea.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book and one I will read again, and again...