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Teresa of Ávila and Her Pilgrim’s Staff

Sculpture of Saint Theresa of Jesus in front of the medieval walls of old town of Ávila Juan Garcia Hinojosa - Shutterstock
Sculpture of Saint Theresa of Jesus in front of the medieval walls of old town of Ávila Juan Garcia Hinojosa - Shutterstock

She’s known as the “wandering saint,” and it’s estimated that she traveled over 1,000 kilometers during her lifetime, founding convents along the way. However, the biographers of this famous woman explain that this nickname wasn’t meant to praise her. On the contrary, it was part of the accusations made against her by the papal nuncio to Spain, Filippo Sega, who aimed to discredit her reform:

“A restless, wandering woman, disobedient and stubborn, who, under the guise of devotion, invented false doctrines, stepping outside the cloister against the order of the Tridentine Council and bishops, teaching as a master contrary to what St. Paul commanded, saying that women should not teach.”

Báculo de Santa Teresa
Veneration of St Teresa’s walking stick in Argentina, 2015

Teresa of Jesus is a figure whose influence has only grown over the centuries. A writer, mystic, and reformer of the Carmelite Order, this Spanish woman has inspired the spiritual lives of millions around the world. Her works, which speak of the search for God and the inner struggles of the human soul, have touched the hearts of both believers and non-believers throughout history.

In her tireless mission across Spain, she founded more than 20 convents, traveling long distances under harsh conditions. Her staff, made of hazelwood, was her constant companion on these journeys.

Medalla conmemorativa centenario de santa teresa
Commemorating Medal the Fourth Centenary of the Death of St. Teresa with her walking stick. Year 1982

After Teresa’s death in 1582, the items she used in life were distributed among the convents she founded and other significant locations in her journey. Her staff was kept in the basilica built over her family home in Ávila, which today houses a museum dedicated to her memory.

The pilgrim’s staff: a trusted companion on the Way of St. James

The staff has been central to major commemorative events, such as the international Camino de Luz pilgrimage in 2015, held to mark the 500th anniversary of Teresa’s birth. It could be said that the staff has traveled more than its illustrious owner, as it was carried through 30 countries on five continents for over a year. It even made its way to Rome, where it was held by the Pope for the first time.

On March 11, 2015, during a general audience in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis shared a lighthearted moment, asking with his distinctive Argentine accent as he took Teresa’s staff: “And with this, did the old woman walk?”

The staff, with its simplicity and strength, remains a symbol of the paths Teresa walked, both physically and spiritually. It’s also one of the icons that accompanies pilgrims as they journey through the Teresian Route, from Ávila to Alba de Tormes, where she passed away.

“It’s time to walk.” This famous phrase Teresa uttered just before her death is inscribed on the relic of her staff, continuing to resonate in the hearts of those who find inspiration in the life of this woman, whose life was marked by action, faith, and transformation.

Teresian Route

 

This post is also available in: Español Italiano

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