The Problems Teresa Faced:
St Teresa would face many problems as a female reformer during the Protestant reformation. She lived in an age of political, social and religious upheaval (the Protestant reformation and the Council of Trent). The 16th century was a time of turmoil and reform. Major problems that St Teresa faced included the fact that she was a woman and as an active reformer. She was misunderstood, misjudged and opposed in her efforts at reform. It was one thing that she found the Carmelites to be rather corrupt and wanted to reform the order back to the primitive rule but it was another thing that she would do this as a woman.
The Issue of Being a Woman:
Women were not powerful or important and were reliant on men in the 16th century so to be a reformer and make a significant change in which the Carmelites lived would definitely be an issue she faced. St Teresa set out to create the opportunity for women to lead a life of prayer and envisioned a future for women. St Teresa understood very well that she could not succeed without having a men's Order of discalced Carmelites as well because men and only men could get things done in the society she knew and as a result established two monasteries for men.
The Issue of being a reformer:
Another problem she faced was the Protestant Reformation. Spain reacted passionately against it and reformers and the grim visage of the Inquisition watched over everyone who took religious life and practice earnestly. Anyone given to mental prayer, any kind of prayer other than the recitation of memorized formulas or the reading of prepared texts, or interested in any private reading of Scripture, was automatically suspected of heresy. Reformers at that time could have been linked or mistaken to be part of the Protestant Reformation and would often be opposed because they saw that the Church was becoming corrupt and wanted to change it back to living by Jesus and God and prayer.
St Teresa overcame these problems because her strong passion for prayer and trust in God, meant she was fearless of the problems she faced and could stride on setting out a path for others to follow her and her prayer.
St Teresa would face many problems as a female reformer during the Protestant reformation. She lived in an age of political, social and religious upheaval (the Protestant reformation and the Council of Trent). The 16th century was a time of turmoil and reform. Major problems that St Teresa faced included the fact that she was a woman and as an active reformer. She was misunderstood, misjudged and opposed in her efforts at reform. It was one thing that she found the Carmelites to be rather corrupt and wanted to reform the order back to the primitive rule but it was another thing that she would do this as a woman.
The Issue of Being a Woman:
Women were not powerful or important and were reliant on men in the 16th century so to be a reformer and make a significant change in which the Carmelites lived would definitely be an issue she faced. St Teresa set out to create the opportunity for women to lead a life of prayer and envisioned a future for women. St Teresa understood very well that she could not succeed without having a men's Order of discalced Carmelites as well because men and only men could get things done in the society she knew and as a result established two monasteries for men.
The Issue of being a reformer:
Another problem she faced was the Protestant Reformation. Spain reacted passionately against it and reformers and the grim visage of the Inquisition watched over everyone who took religious life and practice earnestly. Anyone given to mental prayer, any kind of prayer other than the recitation of memorized formulas or the reading of prepared texts, or interested in any private reading of Scripture, was automatically suspected of heresy. Reformers at that time could have been linked or mistaken to be part of the Protestant Reformation and would often be opposed because they saw that the Church was becoming corrupt and wanted to change it back to living by Jesus and God and prayer.
St Teresa overcame these problems because her strong passion for prayer and trust in God, meant she was fearless of the problems she faced and could stride on setting out a path for others to follow her and her prayer.