Commemorative masses and special prayer services will be offered on Saturday, Oct.15, in celebration of the Feast of Santa Teresa of Avila, the first woman Doctor of the Church, and one of the most popular saints of the Catholic faith.
In the country, holy masses in honor of the popular Spanish nun will be offered in Casay, Antique; San Vicente, Baao, Camarines Sur; and Loctugan, Roxas City.
At the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Teresa of Avila in Talisay, Cebu, celebrations will be held from October 1 to 15. A triduum in honor of St. Teresa was held from Oct. 1 to 3. Novena masses were held from Oct. 5 to 13.
A translation caravan of St. Teresa of Avila was held on Oct.13 after the 12:15 p.m. holy mass. This year’s feast of St. Teresa coincides with the 186th parish fiesta.
Born Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada in Avila, Spain on March 28, 1515, St. Teresa was a well-loved contemplative saint, mystic, writer, reformer, and theologian. She founded the Discalced Carmelites, and together with St. John of the Cross, the Discalced Carmelite Friars.
She wrote the Counter-Reformation as well as several spiritual classics such as the “Life,” “Way of Perfection,” and the “Interior Castle.”
She died in 1582 and was canonized by Pope Gregory XV on March 12, 1622. In 1970, St. Teresa was declared the first woman Doctor of the Universal Church by Pope Paul VI on Sept. 27, 1970.