The first female Doctor of the Church, Teresa of Ávila, was a visionary who took matters of reform into her own hands. Even when the church authorities came against her, she stood her ground and held fast to her convictions. In so doing, she managed to persuade the Catholic powers to come around to her point of view. Teresa was not someone who took “no” for an answer; she charted her own course in life. This book chronicles Teresa of Ávila’s tragedies and triumphs, both her agonies and her ecstasies. This is the incredible story of this stalwart warrior of the faith, from beginning to end.