Born in Avila in Spain in 1515 Teresa entered the Carmelites and eventually made great progress in her spiritual journey. Wishing to share in the spiritual renewal of the Church of her time, she began to live her religious life more ardently and soon attracted many companions, to whom she was like a mother. She also helped in the reform of the friars with Saint John of the Cross. She wrote books which are renowned for their depth of doctrine and which showed her own spiritual experiences. She died at Alba de Tormes in 1582. In 1970 Teresa was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI. "Prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends" - St Teresa of Jesus.